The effects of bisphenol A on sex hormone levels of F0 female rats and F1 male rats during weaning period

The effects of bisphenol A (BPA) were examined on sex hormones of F1 generation male rats during weaning period. Female rats were exposed to BPA from day 0 after pregnancy to the weaning period at doses of 50, 100, or 200 mg kg^?1. The sex hormone levels of F1 generation male rats were determined. This study shows that F0 generation female rats fed with 200 mg kg^?1 BPA had a significantly higher serum prolactin (PRL) levels at the end of weaning. Significantly higher levels of serum estradiol (E₂) were also found in female rats fed 100 or 200 mg kg^?1 BPA. Serum levels of E₂ in F1 male generation rats were higher in treatment groups compared to control groups while serum testosterone (T) levels were lower. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in F1 generation rats fed 200 mg kg^?1 was markedly decreased. The relative testicular weights were significantly less in 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 BPA groups. BPA was found to alter the sex hormone levels in F1 male rats during weaning period and thus disrupted endocrine functions.     

Frequency of abnormal heavy metal blood levels in Wegener's granulomatosis

Previous studies suggested environmental exposures, including mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), may be related to Wegener's granulomatosis. In this study, investigations were extended to include the measurement of heavy metals in blood samples from patients diagnosed with Wegener's. Diagnosis was confirmed by using the 1990 Classification Criteria for Wegener's granulomatosis established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Using commercial lab testing, whole blood heavy metal screenings were obtained from patients, and results were then compared with validated subject self-report questionnaire estimates of exposure. Thirty-eight Wegener's patients were enrolled; 10 of the 38 exhibited abnormal lab values. In those 10 subjects 3 had elevated nickel (Ni), 7 with increased cobalt (Co), 3 with higher manganese, 1 with elevated copper, and 1 with increased Hg. Overall, the questionnaire results did not correlate with the blood heavy metal analysis. Approximately 26% of Wegener's subjects in this study displayed abnormal heavy metal levels. These findings are likely underestimates since blood levels are an insensitive means for assessing total body burden of heavy metals. From these preliminary studies it appears that elevated Co is a common finding in Wegener's patients but Ni and Hg were also found to be increased. The proportion of patients with abnormal heavy metal levels is more than expected by chance alone. In order to yield more definitive results, further analysis is needed with a larger data set, more controls and more sensitive measurements (hair, urine, or nail samples).     

Rising sea and threatened mangroves: a case study on stakeholders,engagement in climate change communication and non-formal education

Scientific consensus shows that the changes related to climate change are already occurring and will intensify in the future. This will likely result in significant alterations to coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, increase coastal hazards and affect lifestyles of coastal communities. There is increasing speculation that mangrove, a socio-economically important ecosystem, will become more fragile and sensitive to uncertain climate variability such as sea level rise. As a result, mangrove-dependent societies may find themselves trapped in a downward spiral of ecological degradation in terms of their livelihoods and life security. Strengthening the resilience capacity of coastal communities to help them cope with this additional threat from climate change and to ensure sustainability calls for immediate action. In this context, this paper critically examines the regional implications of expected sea level rise and threats to mangrove-dependent communities through a case study approach. The main objective is to highlight the requirement for climate change communication and education to impart information that will fulfil three expectations: (1) confer understanding; (2) assess local inference on climate change through a participatory approach; and (3) construct a framework for climate change awareness among mangrove-dependent communities through community-based non-formal climate change education. This scale of approach is attracting increasing attention from policymakers to achieve climate change adaptation and derive policies from a social perspective.     

Biosorption of low level Cd~（2＋） in water by Aspergillus sojae

以酱油曲霉（Aspergillus sojae）为吸附剂,对水溶液中微量Cd2＋进行了吸附研究.实验考察了预处理方法、菌体用量、pH、温度和吸附时间对吸附的影响,同时分析了其吸附动力学和吸附等温线特性,并对酱油曲霉菌体吸附Cd2＋的可能作用机理进行了探讨.结果表明,碱预处理的菌体吸附效果最好.在菌体用量为0.08 g时,对Cd2＋的吸附量达到最大,为0.095 mg.g-1.pH值在3.4—8之间,酱油曲霉菌体对Cd2＋的吸附效果比较稳定,其最大吸附率出现在pH 3.4.温度在15℃—30℃之间时,菌体对Cd2＋的吸附率差异很小,吸附率在88.3%—94.4%之间.二级动力学方程能很好地表征酱油曲霉吸附微量Cd2＋的过程,R2在0.99以上,其吸附平衡时间大约2.5 h,线性模型更适于描述该吸附平衡过程.SEM、FTIR分析得出,Cd2＋可能是与酱油曲霉菌体表面的羟基、酰胺基、羧基、磷酸基和胺基等基团相络合而被吸附,也可能是形成颗粒沉淀而附着在菌丝上.     

高危行业同类型同等级事件风险要素评价

为提高高危行业安全管理水平,研究风险要素的评价模型。借鉴作业条件危险性评价LEC法理论意义,针对其主观性和间接性太强的缺憾进行了实质性地改进。同时,通过给出风险源强度评估模型及各风险要素强度评估模型,设计同类型同等级事件风险要素的风险贡献度模型。在此基础上,结合改进后的LEC法,建立同类型同等级事件风险要素的风险值模型,风险警戒标准模型以及风险警戒状态模型。验证结果表明:所建模型对风险要素的评价与实际情况较为吻合。     

中国城市化水平省际差异的成因探析

1990～2000年中国城市化水平的省际差异已从原来的北高南低态势转变为目前东高西低的格局。这是由各地区不同的自然环境背景、人口分布与增长、经济发展水平,以及国家区域发展政策等因素的综合影响而形成的。对中国各省区1990年和2000年城市化水平与自然、人口、经济发展、工业化水平等四类12个指标的因子分析表明,区域城市化水平不仅与工业化水平或经济发展水平呈正相关,与人口密度、农业经济呈负相关,而且受工业化水平或经济发展水平的影响更为强烈。并且,随着社会经济发展和工业化推进,工业化因子对城市化的拉动效应在减弱,而综合经济发展对城市化的拉动效应在显著增强。     

太湖流域城市化水平及外来人口影响测评

太湖流域属于我国东部沿海经济较发达的地区,2000年城市化水平达到66.17%,接近全国平均水平的两倍。自改革开放以来,该地区工业化发展迅速,由以乡镇企业为主过渡到外资和民营企业的大力发展,吸引了来自全国各地的就业迁移人口,成为全国流动人口的主要集中区。同时使得外来人口成为地区社会经济发展规划不可忽视的重要因素。以第五次人口普查资料为基础分析了太湖流域外来人口来源的地域和城乡构成,计算了外来人口数量及分布情况,指出外来人口的城乡非均衡分布促成地区城镇化率的小幅上升,太湖流域各地区的上升幅度在2%左右,部分解释了隐性城镇化率的产生。在城市市区,外来人口平均占到总城市人口的18%。对于50万人口以上城市,外来人口比重与城市规模表现出良好的相关性,可用于指导城市人口规模及地区城镇化水平预测。     

大坝安全评价的可接受风险研究与评述

评述了国内外安全领域可接受风险研究的历史和现状.根据事故后果对风险进行分类,对不同类型风险给出风险定量表示方法,针对不同的风险定量表示方法,应用F-N曲线和ALARP准则研究相应的可接受风险确定方法,并就其在大坝安全风险评价领域的应用进行探讨.     

环境空气 PM2．5、PM10相关性及污染水平研究

PM2．5能够透过人体组织,对健康产生重要影响,研究环境空气中PM2．5的污染特征具有实际意义。以遂宁市大气连续采样监测数据为基础,利用SPSS软件对可吸入颗粒物PM10和细颗粒物PM2．5进行相关性分析,建立回归方程并预测2012年PM2．5日均浓度值。结果表明,PM2．5和PM10呈显著相关,回归模型 R2为0．618,标准估计误差为0．023630。PM2．5预测值为60μg／m3,超过国家一级标准限值,且PM2．5污染水平高于PM10,细颗粒物是城市大气污染控制的重要污染物。     

基于STAMP模型的核动力蒸汽发生器水位控制系统安全性分析

核电厂蒸汽发生器(SG)水位控制系统的安全可靠运行是保证核电厂安全性和经济性的关键因素,其控制对象具有高度复杂、非线性的特点。由于复杂系统的安全性是特定环境下由系统相关要素交互作用所产生的一种涌现特性,运用系统理论,以STAMP模型为基础对SG水位控制系统进行安全性分析,以利于在设计早期阶段发现影响该系统安全运行的潜在风险因素,预防危险事故。该方法将系统理论用于核电厂关键系统和设备安全性分析,为核电厂安全运行提供了新的技术手段支持。