Probationary and non-probationary drivers' nighttime crashes in Western Australia, 1996-2000

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to explore the temporal aspects of crashes for probationary and non-probationary drivers. METHODS: Data from the West Australian Road Injury Database from 1996-2000 were used to calculate age-sex-specific crash rates per 100,000 person-days and to plot proportions of fatal and hospital crashes by time for probationary and non-probationary drivers. The population attributable risk was used to estimate the potential number of lives saved by nighttime driving restriction in the probationary period. RESULTS: Probationary drivers were seven times more likely to crash than non-probationary drivers. While the highest number of crashes was in the daytime, probationary drivers had a higher proportion of fatal or hospitalization crashes at night than non-probationary drivers. CONCLUSION: Restrictions on driving at night could form part of graduated driver training. Even if some probationary drivers disobeyed the restriction, a substantial reduction in car occupant fatalities and hospitalizations could result.     

西辽河不同粒级沉积物对重金属镉的富集特征

为估算随泥沙颗粒迁移的重金属镉(Cd)的质量分数,采用平衡吸附法研究了西辽河不同粒级沉积物对Cd的富集特征。结果表明,不同粒级沉积物对Cd的富集系数从大到小依次为黏粒(6.65)、粉粒(4.13)、细砂(0.92)、粗砂(0.90)。黏粒级沉积物对Cd属于重度富集,粉粒级沉积物对Cd属于中度富集。其原因有二:细粒级沉积物中腐殖质含量明显高于粗粒级;细粒级沉积物中稳结态腐殖质比例较高,稳结态腐殖质的腐殖酸组成以胡敏酸为主,胡敏酸在复合体表面形成了S-HA-Cd三元配合物,增加了黏土矿物表面吸附位。西辽河沉积物在汛期黏粒级和粉粒级冲泻质泥沙所携载的吸附态镉质量分数可分别按沉积物原样的6.65和4.13倍估算。     

皖西地区贫困空间分异的影响机制

区域性贫困是当前中国社会经济和区域发展不平衡的核心表现。以大别山连片特困区的皖西地区为例,以乡镇贫困发生率为贫困空间分异指标,以地理环境、经济环境、社会环境的20个因素为自变量,综合运用相关分析、空间回归、地理加权回归等方法,探究各因素对贫困空间分异的影响。结果表明：平均坡度、人均规模以上工业总产值、二三产业收入占纯收入比例、医疗卫生机构床位数是导致皖西地区贫困空间分异的核心因素,且其影响具有较强的空间异质性;地理机制、经济机制、社会机制是皖西地区贫困空间分异的主要机制,其中,地理环境是基础影响,经济环境的影响较强,社会环境影响广且大多与地理环境相关。研究结果对贫困干预的地理瞄准具有较强的借鉴意义。     

西部大开发要重视生态环境保护和建设

实施西部大开发,是党中央加速我国现代化建设的一项重大战略决策。在西部地区开发进程中,对原本生态环境十分脆弱的状况必须予以重视,按着中央的布署采取有效措施,要加强生态环境保护和建设,作为环境保护部门应发挥其应有的作用。     

盐生杜氏藻3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶不同结构域蛋白的表达纯化及其抗体的制备与分析

盐生杜氏藻(Dunaliella salina)是迄今为止世界上发现的最耐盐的真核光合生物,而甘油是盐藻用于调节细胞内外渗透压变化的关键调渗物质.3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶(GPDH)是盐生杜氏藻甘油合成途径中的关键酶.与已经报道的其它物种的GPDH基因不同,盐生杜氏藻3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶(Ds.GPDH)基因具有两个独立的功能结构域,即丝氨酸磷酸化酶结构域(SGPP domain)和3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶结构域(GPD domain).本实验在已克隆的Ds.GPDH2基因的基础上,以含GPDH2全基因序列的T质粒载体(pMD18-T-GPDH2)为模板,PCR扩增分别得到两个单结构域片段(SGPP与GPD),以及双结构域片段(GPDH),构建了pET32a-SGPP、pET32a-GPD和pET32a-GPDH三种原核表达载体,并在大肠杆菌中成功表达.纯化蛋白制备抗原,制备出3个多克隆抗体.Western Blot和交叉反应分析显示通过重组蛋白制备的多克隆抗体具有很高的特异性.图7参16     

Utility of non-timber forest products in a small watershed in the Indian Himalayas: the threat of its degradation

This study discusses the use of non-timber forest products (NTFP), especially medicinal plants, by traditional communities in the western Himalaya, India. The great socio-cultural diversity and ecological complexity of the region is also matched by an unusually large variety of forest species being used. A wide range of plants, comprising herbs, shrubs and trees are used for different domestic purposes, such as food, fodder, materials for construction and handicrafts. Wild plants also play a vital role in providing primary health care in the region. In earlier times, forest products were harvested only on a subsistence basis. However, in recent decades, factors such as rising market demand, increasing population pressure, and changes in socio-cultural and socio-economic values have led to overharvesting. It is now estimated that most of the useful wild herbs in the region are overexploited and some of them have become locally extinct. Government forestry policies have, in the past, exclusively emphasized plantation and management of trees and have, unfortunately, ignored non-timber products, as these are usually of comparatively lesser economic importance. However, it is suggested that proper management of NTFP will help upgrade rural economies. Recommended policies to this effect include empowerment of local communities and their involvement in development plans as well as strengthening of indigenous knowledge. To foster sustainable use of NTFP, the following steps are also suggested: integrating traditional and scientific knowledge; safeguarding regeneration potential; cultivating wild species, making appropriate changes to extraction processes used; and establishing more transparency in prices and marketing channels.     

中国西部地区环境问题的根源及对策

严峻的环境问题是西部地区经济发展的障碍。指出了造成西部地区环境恶化的6个根源;并针对性地提出改善西部环境问题的6项对策。实施这些对策对确保西部地区的可持续发展具有现实意义。     

西部大开发中的生态安全问题

正确处理区域发展与生态安全是西部开发战略的关键。以可持续发展为目标的区域空间结构理论 ,分析了在新一轮科技革命和产业革命的新形势下推动区域发展和区域空间结构演变的决定性因素 ,以及实行效益原则与社会公平原则相统一的必要性 ,从中引出西部大开发中确保生态安全的极端重要性。并就实现区域发展与生态安全的双赢目标所必须建立的能力体系和制度体系提出了建议。      

川西高原积雪稳定性分布格局及其驱动因子分析

在气候变暖的背景下,川西高原积雪出现剧烈变化,对地区水循环过程、生态系统以及社会经济带来严重影响。基于MODIS积雪遥感数据以及环境因子数据,通过构建稳定度指标及最大熵模型探讨川西高原不同稳定性积雪的空间分布格局及其驱动因子,并对不同稳定性积雪的适宜分布区进行分析,结果表明：（1）川西高原大多数地区的积雪属于高度不稳定性积雪,其他稳定性积雪在川西高原分布面积较小;（2）川西高原积雪在海拔越高的地方稳定性越好;（3）不同稳定性积雪分布格局的影响因素存在差异,海拔和降水是影响稳定性积雪分布格局的主要因素。     

Community Perception of Water Quality in a Mining-Affected Area: A Case Study for the Certej Catchment in the Apuseni Mountains in Romania

Mining-contaminated sites and the affected communities at risk are important issues on the agenda of both researchers and policy makers, particularly in the former communist block countries in Eastern Europe. Integrated analyses and expert based assessments concerning mining affected areas are important in providing solid policy guidelines for environmental and social risk management and mitigation. Based on a survey for 103 households conducted in a former mining site in the Certej Catchment of the Apuseni Mountains, western Romania, this study assesses local communities’ perceptions on the quality of water in their living area. Logistic regression was used to examine peoples’ perception on the quality of the main river water and of the drinking water based on several predictors relating to social and economic conditions. The results from the perception analysis were then compared with the measurements of heavy metal contamination of the main river and drinking water undertaken in the same study area. The findings indicate that perception and measurement results for the water quality in the Certej Catchment are convergent, suggesting an obvious risk that mining activities pose on the surface water. However, the perception on drinking water quality was little predicted by the regression model and does not seem to be so much related to mining as to other explanatory factors, such as special mineralogy of rock and soils or improper water treatment infrastructure, facts suggested by the measurements of the contaminants. Discussion about the implications of these joint findings for risk mitigation policies completes this article.