Population structure and dynamics of Monotarsobius curtipes (Myriapoda, Chilopoda) at the northern periphery of the species range

Studies on the population structure and dynamics of the stone centipede Monotarsobius curtipes C. Koch in soils of the northern Kola Peninsula have shown that, with respect to abundance and biomass, this species is a dominant of the soil macrofauna and, in particular, of the trophic group of zoophages. Life in high northern latitudes does not disturb the sex and age structure of populations but limits the reproductive activity of these centipedes. Specific biological features of M. curtipes at the northern periphery of its range include the absence of repeated breeding, completion of several developmental (age) stages within a short growing season, and long ontogeny involving several winterings.     

The effect of in utero exposure to dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls on reproductive development in eight year-old children

We have previously reported on the effects of in utero exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on thyroid function and growth hormone concentrations at birth and in two and five year-old children. Herein, we present our most recent follow-up examination findings for the same cohort of children at eight-years of age. A total of 56 children (23 boys, 33 girls) were examined. Bone age (BA), hormone concentrations, and indicators of reproductive development including Tanner, breast, genital, and armpit stages were assessed. Estradiol concentrations were significantly lower in children exposed to higher levels than median of PCDD/Fs + PCBs TEQ compared to the children exposed to levels lesser than median (P = 0.003). Girls exposed to higher levels than median of indicator PCBs had a significantly greater proportion in genital stage 1 and shorter fundi and uteri lengths, as compared to those exposed to low levels (P = 0.025 and P < 0.05, respectively). There was a significant negative relationship between estradiol concentrations and PCDD/Fs + PCB exposure level (P = 0.005). After adjusting for BA, there was a significant association between fundus length and indicator PCB exposure level (P = 0.034). Exposure to both high levels of ΣPCDD/Fs + PCBs TEQ and high levels of total PCBs was associated with decreased fundus length (P = 0.016) and uterus length (P = 0.016). In utero exposure to high levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs may result in lower estradiol concentrations in eight year-old children and impaired reproductive development in girls.     

Investigating factors influencing pedestrian injury severity at intersections

Objective: Vehicle crashes that involve pedestrians at intersections have been reported occasionally. Pedestrian injury severity in these crashes is significantly related to driver and pedestrian attributes, vehicle characteristics, and the geometry of intersections. Identifying factors associated with pedestrian injury severity (PIS) is critical for reducing crashes and improving safety. For developing the proposed probit models, drivers involved in crashes are classified into 3 groups: young drivers (16 ≤ age ≤ 24), middle-aged drivers (25 ≤ age ≤ 64), and older drivers (age ≥ 65). This study determines that PIS is significantly but differently affected by these grouped drivers with different sets of explanatory variables.

Methods: A total of 2,614 crash records (2011–2012) at intersections in Cook County, Illinois, were collected. An ordered probit modeling approach was employed to develop the proposed model and examine factors influencing PIS. The likelihood ratio test was used to assess model performance. Elasticity analysis was conducted to interpret the marginal effect of contributing factors on PIS associated with different driver groups by age.

Results: The results show that 4 independent variables, including pedestrian age, vehicle type, point of first contact, and weather condition, significantly affect PIS at intersections for all drivers. Two additional independent variables (i.e., number of vehicles and traffic type) affect PIS for young and middle-aged drivers, and 2 other variables (i.e., divided type and hit-and-run related) are significant to PIS for both young and older drivers.

Conclusions: The independent variables significant to PIS at intersections for young, middle-aged, and older driver groups were identified and the marginal effect of each variable to the likelihood of PIS were assessed.     

Hope in a hopeless age: environmentalism’s crisis

In this short essay it is argued that recent criticisms portraying the activist environmental movement as overly pessimistic are valid and that the communication of this pessimism to the public at large has been largely counterproductive to the objectives of environmentalists. It is argued that, in contrast to historic assumptions of a ‘progress paradigm’ that epitomized the widely held optimism of the past, the shock tactics and pessimistic media campaigns employed by the activist environmental movement, and the media that capitalizes upon those campaigns, have contributed to the creation of a figurative hopeless age. The key characterization of the hopeless age is the widely held assumption that the future will be worse than the present and that the lives of future generations will be diminished relative to our own. It is argued that the creation of this social-psychological phenomenon is counterproductive to the aims of the environmental movement and that the restoration of a collective vision and message of hope would be far more productive. Lastly, some reasons for a hopeful outlook are suggested.

宿松-枞阳断裂最新活动时代及未来地震危险性研究

宿松—枞阳断裂卫星影像清晰,是一条对构造、地貌、中新生代盆地有着控制意义的断裂。本文对该断裂所处的区域地震地质构造背景进行了分析,结合断裂的发育历史,选择典型剖面,对断裂的最新活动特征进行调查。根据野外地质考察和断裂沿线地震活动统计结果,对断裂未来的地震危险性进行了定量评估。分析认为,该断裂晚第四纪以来仍然有所活动,但活动强度已减弱,未来可能发生无地表位错的中强地震,最大震级综合判定为M5.5。     

陕西五曲湾滑坡发育特征和~(14)C测龄

在陕西省凤翔县五曲湾滑坡的滑带土中发现一段树根,表面被炭化,并且发生了强烈的剪切变形,分析认为此乃滑坡滑动所致。经过14C测龄,年龄为462±45年B.P,这一年龄与地质分析获取的认识基本吻合,与1556年"华县大地震"发生的年份非常接近,从而为研究五曲湾滑坡的触发机制提供了重要依据。最后提出,如果在滑带土中发现可用于定年的样品,采用14C法测定滑坡年龄,是对滑坡进行定年的有效途径。     

Population Biology of Gametophytes in Homosporous Polypodiophyta

Modern data on the diversity of morphology and morphogenesis of gametophytes in homosporous ferns, their vegetative reproduction, and the existence of their colonies growing separately, independently of sporophytes, are reviewed. The ontogenetic states of gametophytes are identified and characterized. The problem of gametophyte chemical interactions mediated by antheridiogen, an exohormone, is discussed. These intrapopulation interactions determine the polyvariant character of gametophyte ontogeny and the complex age and sex structure of their colonies.     

植茶年限对土壤水稳性团聚体腐殖质组分特征的影响

退耕植茶是川西低山丘陵区响应退耕还林工程实施的重要措施之一.为了研究茶园土壤团聚体中腐殖质组分的分布特征,反映植茶对土壤质量的影响,选取不同植茶年限（18、25、33、55 a）的老川茶园为研究对象,以邻近撂荒地为对照（CK）,研究植茶对土壤团聚体中富里酸（FA）和胡敏酸（HA）分布的影响.结果表明:①不同植茶年限下,土壤富里酸含量（以质量分数计）在2.97~6.26 g/kg之间,胡敏酸含量在1.24~4.89 g/kg之间;随植茶年限的延长,土壤富里酸、胡敏酸含量先增加后降低,均在植茶25 a时达到最大值.②随着土壤团聚体粒径的减小,富里酸含量逐渐降低,胡敏酸则表现为≥5 mm粒径团聚体高于其他粒径.③土壤胡富比（HA/FA）在0.30~0.88之间,总体表现为≥5 mm和 < 0.25 mm粒径团聚体腐殖化程度较高,植茶25 a时大团聚体数量的增加有利于有机质含量和品质的提高.④逐步回归分析表明,≥5、2~5、0.25~0.5和 < 0.25 mm粒级团聚体中有机碳组分对水稳性团聚体的形成和稳定的影响较大.研究显示,植茶有利于土壤团聚体中腐殖质各组分的积累和腐殖化程度的增强,可增加土壤有机碳的稳定性;植茶25 a时土壤碳汇效应较强,植茶33 a后土壤固碳能力有所下降,可通过改善茶园施肥管理等措施保持茶园土壤的结构和肥力,以实现茶园土壤的可持续利用.      

不同填埋龄垃圾甲烷和恶臭物质产生潜势

针对甲烷和恶臭物质产生潜势与垃圾填埋龄的关系,利用全自动甲烷潜能测试系统进行厌氧发酵实验,监测累积产甲烷量和速率,使用气相色谱/质谱联用仪分析恶臭物质种类和浓度.结果表明：填埋龄较短的垃圾产气量高于填埋龄较长的垃圾,填埋龄3a的垃圾产气量最大,单位质量垃圾甲烷累计产生量为29.81mL/g,填埋龄7a的垃圾产气量最小,为6.16mL/g,填埋龄3a的垃圾产甲烷速率最大,最高值达112.3mL/d;共检出40种恶臭物质,芳香族和脂肪烃种类最多、浓度最高,芳香族、卤代烃和含硫化合物浓度比例随垃圾填埋龄增加而增加;脂肪烃浓度比例随垃圾填埋龄增加而减小.     

水温及污泥龄对生物处理系统运行的影响

水温和污泥龄对硝化作用有着重要的影响；水温和污泥龄对污泥增长量也起着主导性作用。指出水温对难降解程度有重大影响。