Scenarios of large mammal loss in Europe for the 21st century

Distributions and populations of large mammals are declining globally, leading to an increase in their extinction risk. We forecasted the distribution of extant European large mammals (17 carnivores and 10 ungulates) based on 2 Rio+20 scenarios of socioeconomic development: business as usual and reduced impact through changes in human consumption of natural resources. These scenarios are linked to scenarios of land‐use change and climate change through the spatial allocation of land conversion up to 2050. We used a hierarchical framework to forecast the extent and distribution of mammal habitat based on species’ habitat preferences (as described in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List database) within a suitable climatic space fitted to the species’ current geographic range. We analyzed the geographic and taxonomic variation of habitat loss for large mammals and the potential effect of the reduced impact policy on loss mitigation. Averaging across scenarios, European large mammals were predicted to lose 10% of their habitat by 2050 (25% in the worst‐case scenario). Predicted loss was much higher for species in northwestern Europe, where habitat is expected to be lost due to climate and land‐use change. Change in human consumption patterns was predicted to substantially improve the conservation of habitat for European large mammals, but not enough to reduce extinction risk if species cannot adapt locally to climate change or disperse.     

低成本环境温湿度测量系统的应用

针对温室环境温度测量的低成本和高精度要求,介绍了一种基于单总线数字温度传感器DS18820的温度湿度测量系统,重点讲述了该芯片在温室培育环境温度湿度控制系统应用中的优点,设计了Mcs-51单片机C程序设计和Visual Basic6．0软件中运用MsComm控件设计串行通信程序。通过软件界面实现了温度、湿度测量数据采集,同时对测量数据实现动态显示、存储和打印。     

Beyond BAT: Selecting optimal combinations of available techniques,with an example from the limestone industry

Technological choices are multi-dimensional and thus one needs a multi-dimensional methodology to identify best available techniques. Moreover, in the presence of environmental externalities generated by productive activities, ‘best’ available techniques should be best from Society's point of view, not only in terms of private interests. In this paper we present a modeling framework based on methodologies appropriate to serve these two purposes, namely linear programming and internalization of external costs. We develop it as an operational decision tool, of interest for both firms and regulators, and we apply it to a plant in the lime industry. We show why, in this context, there is in general not a single best available technique (BAT), but well a best combination of available techniques to be used (BCAT).     

Global sustainable development report: background,progress, and recommendations

Formulating the GSDR Formulating the GSDR (global sustainable development report) is one of the important achievements initiated by the “Rio +20” summit, and it has received worldwide attention. Nowadays, the international community has made a preliminary consensus on the orientation, key focuses, frameworks, and time schedule of GSDR. But, there are still great divergences in the relationship between GSDR and SDGs/post-MDGs (sustainable development goals/post-2015 development agenda), the GSDR organizational model, and whether countries writing their own national sustainable development report or not. After reviewing the whole process of formulating GSDR, some recommendations for writing GSDR from the Chinese perspective are proposed. The GSDR report should be a science-based and policy-making-oriented assessment report. The GSDR should focus on the priority areas that SDGs/post-MDGs have already identified as core fields. “Limited in number, easy to quantify, and universally applicable” comprehensive assessment indices of sustainable development should be proposed. A GSDR international working group of experts should be established. Countries should be encouraged to formulate the “National Sustainable Development Report” according to their own domestic practices. GSDR should be integrated with the high-level political forum (HLPF). Meanwhile, some suggestions on China’s participation in the GSDR process are also proposed. China’s 2030 mid-term and long-term national sustainable development goals (CSDGs) based on both the SDGs/post-MDGs and domestic practice are proposed. According to the implementation of national sustainable development goals, China should start the appropriate assessment of the progress and regularly report on the national sustainable development. Chinese scientists should be encouraged to actively participate in the process of GSDR.     

武汉、宜昌20世纪平均气温突变的诊断分析

同时利用信噪比法、累积距平、移动Ｔ检验对武汉１９０５－１９９７年、宜昌１９２４－１９９７年年、季、月平均气温序列诊断分析后发现：１）ＹＡ法最严格,ＭＴＴ法在ｍ≤１０时与之相当,ＣＡ法对月的突变可提供较多背景信息;２）两地２０年代初有一一次短期升温突变,４０年代末有一次时段较长的较强降温突变,后者季均有正贡献尤以春夏季最大,宜昌在２０－６０年代有多次短期突变,１９６７年有降温突变,此后相对平静,武汉     

五氯硫酚锌盐粉尘爆炸下限浓度的实验研究

五氯硫酚锌盐的一些基本的危险性参数,如燃烧爆炸性能,目前国内外报道极少。笔者采用野外定性燃烧试验、哈特曼管实验及20 L球实验,对该物质粉尘爆炸的危险性进行研究。结果表明,该物质具有燃烧爆炸危险性,但与细小片状铝粉(燃爆危险性很强烈)相比,其粉尘的燃爆危险性很弱。以硅系点火具作为点火源,在20 L爆炸球中测试获得该粉尘爆炸下限浓度约为213 g/m3。根据ISO-6184及VD I-3673等标准,认为该粉尘的爆炸猛烈度为1级。所得结果为该物质的生产及使用安全提供了重要的参考。     

Chemopreventive role of Indigofera aspalathoides against 20-methylcholanthrene-induced carcinogenesis in mouse

This investigation was undertaken to evaluate the chemopreventive effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Indigofera aspalathoides (HAIA) against 20-methylcholanthrene (20-MC)-induced carcinogenesis in mice. Tumor was induced by single subcutaneous administration of 20-MC (200 µg per mouse) in Swiss albino mice. After 24 h of 20-MC administration, HAIA was administered at the doses of 250 and 500 mg kg^?1 body weight orally for 90 consecutive days. Mice of all groups were observed for 15 weeks to record tumor incidence (fibrosarcoma) and survival time. After 15 weeks the mice were sacrificed for the estimation of hematological profiles like hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), and liver biochemical parameters, namely lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). HAIA treatment markedly reduced tumor incidence and prolonged the life span of sarcoma-bearing mice as compared to 20-MC control mice. Hematological profiles were significantly (p < 0.001) restored to normal levels in HAIA-treated mice as compared to 20-MC control mice. HAIA treatment significantly (p < 0.001) modulated the aforesaid liver biochemical parameters as compared to 20-MC control. The results concluded that I. aspalathoides demonstrated a remarkable chemopreventive effect in chemical-induced carcinogenesis in mouse. The potential chemopreventive action may be due to its antioxidant and detoxifying properties.     

Pseudomosaicism for trisomy 13: Three case reports

Pseudomosaicism is of particular concern in prenatal diagnosis when it involves mosaicism for a cytogenetic abnormality associated with a clinical syndrome which is compatible with postnatal life, such as trisomies for chromosomes 13, 18, and 21. The lack of data regarding the outcome of pregnancies involving these specific kinds of pseudomosaicism makes genetic counselling difficult. Three cases of prenatal diagnosis of pseudomosaicism for trisomy 13, each of which had a normal outcome, will be presented (Tables 1 and 2). The three main areas for consideration are: (1) the genetic counselling issues, (2) the additional prenatal diagnostic options available to evaluate the status of the fetus in an attempt to identify some of the clinical features of trisomy 13, and (3) the outcome of the pregnancies.     

Placental mosaicism in a case of 46,XY, −22, +t(22;22)(p11;q11) or i(22q) diagnosed at amniocentesis

46,XY, −22,+t(22;22)(p11;q11) or i(22q) was diagnosed in 15/15 cells from two cultures from the amniotic fluid culture of a 31-year-old patient whose fetus demonstrated cystic hygroma on ultrasound. Cytogenetic studies performed on fetal skin from the abortus revealed the same karyotype as that seen on amniocentesis, but the placenta demonstrated a 46,XY,46,XY, −22,+t(22;22) or i(22q) mosaicism, with 65 per cent of the cells being 46,XY. This case provides an example of placental mosaicism for a normal male karyotype, while the fetus demonstrated non-mosaic trisomy 22.     

Trisomy 16 confined to the placenta

Two cases with trisomy 16 confined to the placenta are presented. Prenatal diagnosis was indicated because of fetal growth retardation. In case 1, a phenotypically normal but small-for-date boy was born. In case 2, the fetus turned out to be triploid on cordocentesis. In both instances the trisomy 16 was recovered from the placenta. Recovery indicates that the abnormality was present in the placenta during the time of fetal growth retardation, which supports an aetiological relationship. Strict appliance of the current models cannot readily explain the observed discrepancies. In case 2, a chimeric placenta as a result of a vanishing twin is assumed. Cases of placental trisomy 16 published after 1988 are reviewed. It is concluded that confined placental trisomy 16 can cause intrauterine growth retardation if present in both the direct preparation and the villus culture. The chances of finding a chromosomally abnormal fetus (mosaic trisomy 16, triploidy) after diagnosis of trisomy 16 in chorionic villi are low but warrant further investigations.