Prenatal diagnosis of Crigler–Najjar syndrome type I by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)

Crigler–Najjar syndrome type I (CN-I) is a rare and severe inherited disorder of bilirubin metabolism, caused by the total deficiency of bilirubin-UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity. Enzymatic diagnosis cannot be performed in chorionic villi or amniocytes as UGT is not active in these tissues. The cloning of the UGT1 gene and the identification of disease-causing mutations have led to the possibility of performing DNA-based diagnosis. Here we report DNA-based prenatal diagnosis of CN-I in two Tunisian families in whom CN-I patients were diagnosed. As we had previously shown that CN-I was, in Tunisia, associated with homozygosity for the Q357R mutation within the UGT1 gene, we were able to detect this mutation in both families and to show that it was easily recognized by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. In both cases, SSCP analysis of fetal DNA showed that the fetus was heterozygous for the Q357R mutation. In one family, the pregnancy was carried to term and a healthy baby was born, whereas, in the other family, the pregnancy is still continuing. Thus the prenatal diagnosis of CN-I is possible, provided disease-causing mutations have been identified. SSCP analysis of DNA prepared either from amniocytes or from chorionic villi is a simple, reliable and fast method for prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Relief workers and violations of humanitarian law: Some legal considerations

This paper examines the various legal constraints upon action by relief workers when faced with violations of human rights or of humanitarian law. The unique status of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and its delegates is explained and contrasted with the position of relief organizations and their personnel under the Geneva Conventions 1949 and their Additional Protocol I 1977. Proposals are made for the establishment of guidelines for action by relief workers when confronted with atrocities and for the training of relief workers in the relevant laws and procedures.     

武汉阳逻长江公路大桥设计风速值的研究

利用武汉市气象站1961～1999年的风的基本资料，分析了桥位周边平均风速、最大风速、大风日数、最多风向及频率、各风向平均风速及频率、历年的极值风速及大风危害等风的基本特征；建立了武汉市气象站1961～1995年的逐年最大风速序列(其中1989～1995年的逐年最大风速，通过与未受城市化影响的黄陂气象站的比较而进行了合理的订正)。根据建筑设计规范采用极值I型曲线，并用两种参数估计方案。推算出武汉市气象站不同重现期(100，50，30a)10m高处10min平均年最大风速(基本风速)分别为19．4m／s，18．4m／s和17．8m／s。采用比值法求出，从气象站到大桥江边最大风速的增大系数为1．54，从而得到桥位区不同重现期(100，50，30a)10m高处10min平均年最大风速(设计风速)分别为29．9m／s、28．3m／s和27．4m／s。最后分析了大风在146m高度内的变化特征，并采用指数和对数法将设计风速外推到200m以下每10m高度层，可供设计、施工及将来维护参考。     

Effects of recreational use on forested sites

Impact of recreational activities on soil and vegetation was evaluated in eight forested camping and picnic areas in southern Rhode Island. Forest vegetation consists of mixed-oak and white pine stands. Soils are of granitic glacial till or outwash origin and textures range from loamy sand to find sandy loam. Recreational use resulted in significant compaction of soils as indexed by soil penetration resistance and bulk density. Evidence indicates that compaction influences bulk densities to a depth of about 12.7 cm. Rates of water infiltration are less on recreation areas. Soil water accretion and depletion during the growing season are less rapid on recreation sites than on control sites. Differences are attributed to reduced infiltration, percolation, and rooting activity. Much of the ground surface on recreation areas is devoid of vegetation. The surface consists primarily of bare mineral soil, rock, or litter. The plants most commonly present are grasses. Native ground cover vegetation including tree seedlings, ericaceous shrubs and herbs has been eliminated or greatly reduced by trampling. Damage to tree trunks is common in recreation areas. White pine radial growth and scarlet oak height growth were significantly less on recreation sites. Scarlet oak appears intolerant to heavy recreation use.     

微波Sol-Gel制备TiO2的研究及其对活性艳红X-3B的降解

采用微波Sol-Gel法在石英表面制备了负载型TiO2光催化剂,通过紫外吸收光谱和X衍射分析表征了TiO2溶胶的变化过程及锐钛型TiO2的生成。以活性艳红X-3B为模拟污染物进行光催化降解,探讨了微波功率、反应温度和反应时间对微波Sol-Gel法制备TiO2光催化活性的影响。由因素试验确定了最佳工艺条件:微波功率400W,反应温度90℃,反应时间2min。在此条件下制备的TiO2催化剂对活性艳红X-3B溶液进行光催化降解,反应30 min的脱色率达93%,TOC去除率为55%。采用中空纤维膜三相液相微萃取-毛细管电泳(HF-LLLME-CE)联用技术对降解生成的小分子有机物进行了测定。     

中国居民生活碳排放的区域差异及影响因素分析

论文在总结划分居民生活碳排放（HCEs）类别的基础上,以中国HCEs量为测度指标,从时间和空间两个角度对1997-2012年人均HCEs进行分析,同时对2012年人均HCEs的空间格局分布及影响因素进行分析。基本结论如下：根据划分方法,HCEs按照碳排放源可分为直接和间接碳排放;按照基本生活需求可分为基本和发展碳排放;按照人类消费行为可分为交通、居住、食品、商品及服务碳排放五大类。从时间尺度来看,中国各类别人均HCEs均呈现逐年上升趋势。从空间差异来看,1997-2012年,我国各省人均HCEs表现出共同的空间分布特征。从空间格局分布来看,2012年中国人均居民生活碳排放呈现从东到西递减的趋势。从空间计量模型角度看,2012年,人均居民生活基本碳排放比重是影响人均HCEs空间差异的主要驱动因子。此外,各地区人均收入和人均GDP的差异也对人均HCEs的空间差异起到正相关作用。基于对中国人均HCEs的时空格局及影响因素分析,为我国制定碳减排举措提供科学依据并提出有效建议。     

土壤-水稻系统重金属空间异质性研究——以浙江省嵊州市为例

在嵊州农产品产地共采集94对土壤-水稻样品,研究重金属在土壤-水稻系统的污染特征及空间异质性.结果表明,土壤重金属Cd、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn的平均含量分别为0.20、28.64、27.03、38.51和98.74mg/kg,与背景值相比较,这些重金属在研究区均有不同程度的累积,局部污染严重,但是水稻重金属没有超过国家规定的食品安全标准,仍处于安全水平.土壤重金属Cd、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn都属于中等程度变异,其变异系数分别为45.00%、46.65%、81.54%、18.07%、32.47%.地统计学和局部Moran's I指数结果可识别出这五个重金属的污染分布情况.土壤Cd、Cu、Ni和Zn的空间分布较为相似,基本为东西部含量较低,中部较高,这与工业活动和其他的人为活动有关.土壤-水稻系统重金属的迁移、吸收主要受土壤重金属含量和土壤理化性状的影响.从长远来看,重金属污染对当地生态和居民健康仍有潜在的威胁.     

基于Moran’s I指数的京津冀地区PM2.5空间自相关分析

选取2014~2018年京津冀地区环境监测站点PM_2.5浓度观测数据,基于Moran's I指数,分析了该地区PM_2.5浓度的时空变化特征以及空间相关性。研究表明:2014~2018年京津冀地区PM_2.5浓度空间分布差异显著,2014年良、轻度、中度污染面积约占1/3,降至2018年以“良”为主;PM_2.5浓度空间分布北部、西部优于南部、东部地区,山区优于平原地区;PM_2.5浓度年平均值、IQR、Q1、Q3值及标准差均呈下降趋势,达到且接近于“良”以上程度的站点,从2014年2成增长至2018年8成;通过对历年及各月PM_2.5浓度全局Moran's I指数分析,I值(除7月外)均超过0.5,生成的P值均小于显著水平0.01,Z得分均超过了临界值2.58;年、月平均值均呈显著的集聚效应,年值集聚效应呈减弱趋势,月值集聚效应秋、冬季大于春、夏季,空间集聚效应与污染程度呈显著正相关;局部空间自相关历年、各月H-H集聚主要出现在京津冀南部地区,L-L集聚主要出现在北部地区。京津冀地区PM_2.5浓度值分布存在空间异质性,主要影响因素为地理、气候和经济环境。     

Air pollution as a cause of sleeplessness: Social media evidence from a panel of Chinese cities

We provide first evidence of a link from daily air pollution exposure to sleep loss in a panel of Chinese cities. We develop a social media-based, city-level metric for sleeplessness, and bolster causal claims by instrumenting for pollution with plausibly exogenous variations in wind patterns. Estimates of effect sizes are substantial and robust. In our preferred specification a one standard deviation increase in AQI causes an 11.6% increase in sleeplessness, and for PM_2.5 is 12.8%. The results sustain qualitatively under OLS estimation but are attenuated. The analysis provides a previously unaccounted for benefit of more stringent air quality regulation. It also offers a candidate mechanism in support of recent research that links daily air quality to diminished workplace productivity, cognitive performance, school absence, traffic accidents, and other detrimental outcomes.