Population viability and harvest sustainability for Madagascar lemurs

Subsistence hunting presents a conservation challenge by which biodiversity preservation must be balanced with safeguarding of human livelihoods. Globally, subsistence hunting threatens primate populations, including Madagascar's endemic lemurs. We used population viability analysis to assess the sustainability of lemur hunting in Makira Natural Park, Madagascar. We identified trends in seasonal hunting of 11 Makira lemur species from household interview data, estimated local lemur densities in populations adjacent to focal villages via transect surveys, and quantified extinction vulnerability for these populations based on species-specific demographic parameters and empirically derived hunting rates. We compared stage-based Lefkovitch with periodic Leslie matrices to evaluate the impact of regional dispersal on persistence trajectories and explored the consequences of perturbations to the timing of peak hunting relative to the lemur birth pulse, under assumptions of density-dependent reproductive compensation. Lemur hunting peaked during the fruit-abundant wet season (March–June). Estimated local lemur densities were roughly inverse to body size across our study area. Life-history modeling indicated that hunting most severely threatened the species with the largest bodies (i.e., Hapalemur occidentalis, Avahi laniger, Daubentonia madagascariensis, and Indri indi), characterized by late-age reproductive onsets and long interbirth intervals. In model simulations, lemur dispersal within a regional metapopulation buffered extinction threats when a majority of local sites supported growth rates above the replacement level but drove regional extirpations when most local sites were overharvested. Hunt simulations were most detrimental when timed to overlap lemur births (a reality for D. madagascariensis and I. indri). In sum, Makira lemurs were overharvested. Regional extirpations, which may contribute to broad-scale extinctions, will be likely if current hunting rates persist. Cessation of anthropogenic lemur harvest is a conservation priority, and development programs are needed to help communities switch from wildlife consumption to domestic protein alternatives.     

Prediction of vortex height from mechanical mixing in metal matrix nanocomposite processing by means of dimensional analysis and scaling

Mechanical mixing can be used for initial dispersion and distribution of nanoparticle agglomerates in metal matrix nanocomposite (MMNC) fabrication. As vortex height increases, flow is enhanced as well as the risk of oxidate melt contamination. The goal of this study was to examine and predict vortex height using dimensional analysis while varying fluid and the angular speed of a pitched square-blade impeller. An equation proposed by Markopoulos et al. was verified for the present experimental conditions. The relevant dimensionless numbers were the Reynolds (Re), Froude (Fr) and Galilei (Ga) numbers. A modified Fr was defined (Fr*) including the shaft and blade angles of the impeller. Experiments allowed calculation of the dimensionless numbers. Two fluids, water and 50 vol% aqueous glycerine, were used. Angular clockwise speed varied from 200 to 900 rpm in 100 rpm increments. Vortex height was measured in lateral view digital images. Correlations of the dimensionless numbers yielded, first, a linear relationship of the product of dimensionless vortex height (H) and specific gravity (ρ*) with respect to Fr*. A polynomial relationship was found between H and ReFr* for each fluid. The polynomial coefficients, in turn, follow a power law behavior with respect to Ga. This allows a prediction of vortex height in other Newtonian fluids that satisfy the single-phase isothermal flow condition. Perhaps, molten aluminum used in MMNC fabrication, can be analyzed based on a simple, room temperature, low cost transparent fluid system. For the experimental conditions in this study, the equation proposed by Markopoulos et al. was valid. The predicting methodology was verified with experimental results using 25 vol% aqueous glycerine, resulting in an absolute percent error of 5.29%, comparable and lower than an error of 9.12% obtained by predicting vortex height with Markopoulos’ equation.     

湿地基质及阴极面积对人工湿地型微生物燃料电池去除偶氮染料同步产电的影响

本研究采用人工湿地型微生物燃料电池处理偶氮染料X-3B,实现降解偶氮染料同步产电的效果.为了构建性能最优的人工湿地型微生物燃料电池(CW-MFC)系统,本研究主要从湿地基质和阴极面积两个方面研究系统构型对去除X-3B同步产电的影响,提高系统性能.研究表明以粒径10 mm、孔隙率30%的小石子作为湿地基质构造的CW-MFC系统微生物生物量最大,去除X-3B效果最好,脱色率高达92.70%,但其产电性能最差.较小的粒径和孔隙率使底层微生物生物量增加,促进X-3B的去除,但随着湿地基质粒径和孔隙率的减小,导致阴阳极营养物质不足,系统传质阻力增加,抑制了系统产电性能.X-3B的去除效果随着阴极面积的增加而提高直到阴极面积为594 cm~2时取得最大脱色率99.41%.当阴极面积继续增加时,CW-MFC系统产电性能上升趋势趋于平缓,X-3B去除效果呈现下降趋势,这是因为阴极反应过快导致更多的阳极电子输送到阴极用于产生电流,与X-3B发生反应的电子减少,阳极成为提高CW-MFC系统性能的限制因素.     

长江口及邻近海域春夏季有色溶解有机物时空分布特征及主要影响因素

利用三维荧光光谱(EEMs)-平行因子(PARAFAC)分析技术对长江口及邻近海域春季(2015年3月)和夏季(2015年7月)有色溶解有机物(CDOM)的荧光组成及分布特征进行分析.共识别出2类4个荧光组分,即类腐殖质组分C1(370/495nm)、C2(330/405 nm)、C3(365/440 nm)及类蛋白质组分C4(295/345 nm).春夏季各层4个荧光组分分布模式基本一致,从长江口到邻近海域逐渐降低.春季类腐殖质组分的高值区分布在长江口内,而类蛋白组分高值区位于南槽附近区域,表层的CDOM主要来源于陆源输入和人类活动;中层荧光强度值比表层低,受陆源影响减弱;底层荧光强度值比中层略高,是由沉积物再悬浮造成的.各荧光组分在岱山县附近海域均有一个较高值,这与岛上的居民活动有关.夏季荧光组分高值区与春季相似,各层荧光组分值接近,说明夏季研究区域水体混合较均匀.春夏季腐殖化指数(HIX)在长江口较高,而生物指数(BIX)在邻近海域较高.将4个荧光组分(C1~C4)、吸收系数(a355)与盐度(S)、溶解有机碳(DOC)、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、叶绿素a(Chl-a)、溶解氧(DO)做冗余分析.结果表明,4个荧光组分(C1~C4)与总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)主要受陆源输入、人类活动的影响,溶解有机碳(DOC)受陆源与海源的共同影响.本文利用三维荧光光谱-平行因子分析(EEMs-PARAFAC)技术结合多元统计方法解析了CDOM组成,清晰揭示了长江口及邻近海域CDOM的来源及主要影响因子,可为河口海域生源要素海洋生物地球化学研究提供有益的补充.     

建筑安全风险因素分级排序的风险矩阵法

为减少风险分级排序时产生的风险结,在引入施工安全事故频率的基础上,采用单元格细化和Borda序值法改进原有的风险矩阵法。改进后的方法使得风险等级数量增加,风险结数量减少。将该方法应用于脚手架工程的风险因素的分级与排序,风险等级分为6级,且实现了12个因素的明确排序。     

Multi-criteria decision-making considering risk and uncertainty in physical asset management

In this work we present a method for risk-informed decision-making in the physical asset management context whereby risk evaluation and cost-benefit analysis are considered in a common framework. The methodology uses quantitative risk measures to prioritize projects based on a combination of risk tolerance criteria, cost-benefit analysis and uncertainty reduction metrics. There is a need in the risk and asset management literature for a unified framework through which quantitative risk can be evaluated against tolerability criteria and trade-off decisions can be made between risk treatment options. The methodology uses quantitative risk measures for loss of life, loss of production and loss of property. A risk matrix is used to classify risk as intolerable, As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) or broadly tolerable. Risks in the intolerable and ALARP region require risk treatment, and risk treatment options are generated. Risk reduction benefit of the treatment options is quantified, and cost-benefit analysis is performed using discounted cashflow analysis. The Analytic Hierarchy Process is used to derive weights for prioritization criteria based on decision-maker preferences. The weights, along with prioritization criteria for risk reduction, tolerance criteria and project cost, are used to prioritize projects using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution. The usefulness of the methodology for improved decision-making is illustrated using a numerical example.     

An LC-MS/MS method for creatine and creatinine analysis in paraquat-intoxicated patients

Abstract

A sudden increase in serum creatinine after paraquat intoxication has been reported in several clinical studies. However, this dramatic change of creatinine may be possibly due to an interconversion of creatine-creatinine in relation to paraquat toxicity. In order to investigate the creatine-creatinine relationship, a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in combination with electrospray ionization was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of creatine and creatinine in the serum. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Gemini® C₆-Phenyl column with a gradient elution consisting of 0.1% formic acid in ultrapure water and methanol as the mobile phase. The method yielded suitable levels of specificity and selectivity, and calibration curves of creatine and creatinine in serum were linear over the concentration range of 0.5–200?µg mL^?1. The limit of quantification of both compounds was 0.5?µg mL^?1, and the method was accurate within the recovery range of 96.23–102.75%, indicating the robustness of the method. The method was successfully applied to toxicological samples from paraquat-intoxicated patients, and the concentrations of creatine and creatinine were quantified. High creatine concentrations in serum samples were observed which may lead to high serum creatinine despite normal kidney function as creatine is converted to creatinine in proportion to its concentration.     

Cancer and Non-Cancer Health Risk from Eating Cassava Grown in Some Mining Communities in Ghana

Food crops such as cassava, cocoyam and other tuber crops grown in mining communities uptake toxic or hazardous chemicals such as arsenic, and cadmium, from the soil. Cassava is a stable food for Ghanaians. This study evaluated human health risk from eating cassava grown in some mining communities in Ghana such as Bogoso, Prestea, Tarkwa and Tamso, which are important mining towns in the Western Region of Ghana. The study evaluated cancer and non-cancer health effects from eating cassava grown in the study areas in accordance with US Environmental Protection Agency’s Risk Assessment guidelines. The results of the study revealed the following: cancer health risk for Tamso, 0.098 (RME – Reasonable Maximum Exposure) and 0.082 (CTE – Central Tendency Exposure). This means that approximately 10 and 8 out of 100 resident adults are likely to suffer from cancer related cases by RME and CTE parameters respectively. For Prestea, we have 0.010 and 0.12, which also means that approximately 1 out of 100 and 10 resident adults out of 100 are also likely to suffer from cancer related diseases by RME and CTE parameters. The results of the study obtained were found to be above the acceptable cancer risk range of 1× 10⁻⁶ to 1× 10⁻⁴, i.e., 1 case of cancer out of 1 million or 100,000 people respectively.     

Combining Logistic Models with Multivariate Methods for the Rapid Biological Assessment of Rivers Using Macroinvertebrates

This work represents an attempt to define a simple method to classify the relative degree of disturbance of sites in lotic systems on the basis of comparison of their faunistic composition with reference sites. Two ecotypes were selected in northern Portugal where benthic invertebrates were sampled in reaches with different levels of contamination. As a first stage, previous Geographic Information System information was used to define reference sites in each ecotype. Afterwards, multivariate techniques and non linear estimation models were combined to assess biological quality. This method allowed us to quantify sites according to increasing levels of contamination, after the probabilities of occurrence of taxa along a gradient of contamination taking into account the reference condition. The results suggest that this method is sensitive to organic pollution, easy to interpret, namely the species tolerance, and could be a good framework to establish regional rankings depending on the ecological impact of river sites.     

环境监测用氮气中多组分VOCs标准物质的研制

介绍了采用称量法制备瓶装1μmol/mol氮气中42个组分挥发性有机物(VOCs)标准物质的研制方法。建立了选择离子模式,气相色谱-质谱联用的分析方法,对目标组分在气瓶中的长期稳定性进行了考察。所选择的42种目标组分完全满足中国环境保护标准《环境空气挥发性有机物的测定吸附管采样-热脱附/气相色谱-质谱法》(HJ 644—2013)和美国环保署《使用特殊处理的采样罐/气相色谱仪检测环境大气中的挥发性有机物》(EPA TO—14A)这2个方法标准中所规定的环境空气中挥发性有机有害成分的监测要求。将研制的气体标准物质与中国计量科学研究院(NIM)和英国国家物理实验室(NPL)分别进行了比对测试,取得了良好的比对结果与国际等效度。结果表明,1μmol/mol氮气中42种组分VOCs标准物质的有效期为一年,相对扩展不确定度为5.0%(包含因子k=2),并取得国家标准物质证书GBW(E)062231。