Geochemical characteristics of surficial sediments in a tropical estuary, south-west India

Geochemical characteristics of surficial sediments in the Panangad region of Cochin estuary, the largest brackish-water humid ecosystem in the south-west coast of India, were analysed. Temporal variations in nutrient stoichiometry, seasonal characteristics of redox elements Fe and S, and the phosphorus geochemistry were employed for the purpose. The stoichiometric analysis pointed towards autochthonous origin of organic matter, possibility of nitrogen limitation, and allochthonous modification of redox conditions. Seasonal variations were not statistically significant for all the geochemical parameters, whereas significant spatial variations were observed with lower values at sandy stations, suggesting that the texture of the sediments is the main factor influencing the sediment geochemistry. Significant inter-relations between the geochemical parameters also suggest a common control mechanism. Based on these geochemical characteristics, the study region can be effectively categorized into two distinct zones, viz. (1) erosion and transportation and (2) deposition zones.     

Dynamics and Causation of Environmental Equity, Locally Unwanted Land Uses, and Neighborhood Changes

/ Why are some environmental risks distributed disproportionately in the neighborhoods of the minorities and the poor? A hypothesis was proposed in a recent study that market dynamics contributed to the current environmental inequity. That is, locally unwanted land uses (LULUs) make the host communities home to more poor people and people of color. This hypothesis was allegedly supported by a Houston case study, whereby its author analyzed the postsiting changes of the socioeconomic characteristics of the neighborhoods surrounding solid waste facilities. I argue that such an analysis of postsiting changes alone is insufficient to test the causation hypothesis. Instead, I propose a conceptual framework for analysis of environmental equity dynamics and causation. I suggest that the presiting neighborhood dynamics and the characteristics of control neighborhoods be analyzed as the first test for the causation hypothesis. Furthermore, I present theories of neighborhood change and then examine alternative hypotheses that these theories offer for explaining neighborhood changes and for the roles of LULUs in neighborhood changes. These alternative hypotheses should be examined when analyzing the relationship between LULUs and neighborhood changes in a metropolitan area. Using this framework of analysis, I revisited the Houston case. First, I found no evidence that provided support for the hypothesis that the presence of LULUs made the neighborhoods home to more blacks and poor people, contrary to the conclusion made by the previous study. Second, I examined alternative hypotheses for explaining neighborhood changes-invasion-succession, other push forces, and neighborhood life-cycle; the former two might offer better explanation.KEY WORDS: Environmental equity and justice; Locally unwanted lane uses; Siting; Market dynamics; Invasion-succession; Neighborhood changes     

Glycine/serine ratio and the prenatal diagnosis of non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia

We describe our experience of prenatal diagnosis of non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia in four at-risk pregnancies using the glycine/serine ratio in amniotic fluid obtained between 18 and 20 weeks of gestation. All glycine levels were in the normal range. Serine levels were normal in two patients and borderline in the others. Glycine/serine ratios were normal in two patients, moderately increased in one patient ( + 3 SD), and highly increased in one patient ( + 8 SD). All the children were perfectly normal at birth. Because of this false-positive prediction and the false-negative prediction recently reported, we suggest that this unreliable method should not be used.     

HAN基ECSP凝胶模型的构建与分子动力学模拟

目的 从微观分子的角度对硝酸羟胺(HAN)基电控固体推进剂(Electrically Controlled Solid Propellants,ECSP)的性能参数进行模拟与计算。方法 利用分子表面静电势(ESP)对HAN分子2种可能的构型进行优化和稳定性分析。通过真空非周期性分子动力学模拟得到聚乙烯醇(PVA)分子稳定构型,并以HAN基ECSP的主要成分按一定比例构建凝胶模型。基于RESP(Restrained Electrostatic Potential)电荷生成更准确的凝胶模型拓扑文件,并进行凝胶模型的分子动力学模拟、模型稳定分析以及模型参数计算。结果 凝胶模型总能量相对平均值的周期性波动不超过7%。由于三维PVA链的包裹,H2O分子的扩散系数被大幅削弱。氢键分析和径向分布函数表明氢键键长主要分布在0.282 6 nm附近,PVA与H2O间的氢键较少,H2O与HAN、H2O与H2O之间的氢键较多。模型密度为1.405 g/cm³,与实验值吻合度高。在283、293、303 K下,HAN基ECSP凝胶模型的拉伸模量依次降低,剪切模量先增后减。在15 K/600 ps冷却速率下,HAN基ECSP凝胶模型的拉伸模量和剪切模量均增大。结论 ECSP制备结束后,冷却过程中的环境温度不宜过高,否则容易造成ECSP力学性能的快速下降,快速冷却可以提高ECSP的力学性能。     

An Observation Method for Analyzing Operators’ Routine Activity in Computerized Control Rooms

An activity analysis method was developed for studying the structure and dynamics of control room operators’ activity during normal operation based on directly observable elements of the operators’ behavior. The method assesses current activity along three dimensions in each 5-min period of the shift. Intensity characterizes arousal level, direction shows whether the activity is directed predominantly at the process control task, at something else, or miscellaneous. Motivation reflects if the activity is driven by intrinsic or extrinsic motivation. A case study is presented, in which 3 morning, 3 afternoon, and 3 night shifts of a Nuclear Power Plant operator crew are involved. The obtained results gave a deeper understanding of the operators’ activity and also revealed an “arousal compensation” tendency.     

地震应急避难需求的系统动力学研究

为定量研究地震应急避难人群的规模及变化规律,建立需求分析的系统动力学模型。该模型包括建筑物倒塌,断水和电梯停运3种因素造成的需求。参考汶川地震中板房建设速度和电梯修复速度,以及日本关于地震断水率的研究成果,建立非线性模型拟合各需求的变化规律。采用Vensim软件建立系统动力学模型,分析各需求的综合变化规律。采用上海市徐汇区的数据进行案例演算,并与其他研究方法对比分析仿真误差。仿真结果表明:建筑物损坏对人群数量的影响很大,但是灾后1个月内断水的影响最大;相对于工程技术因素,人因对需求有重要的影响。     

基于计算模拟与响应面分析漆酶对己烯雌酚的降解作用

己烯雌酚(Diethylstilbestrol,DES)作为水环境中最具雌激素活性的合成化合物之一,其给生物体和环境带来的危害已经引起人们的关注.本研究首先通过分子对接与分子动力学模拟从理论上分析漆酶与DES的相互作用;其次通过实验分析其降解动力学模型及不同反应条件和介质对漆酶催化转化DES的影响;最后使用响应面分析方法优化漆酶-ABTS系统催化转化DES的最佳条件.计算结果表明,漆酶与DES的反应能够自发进行且它们之间主要存在氢键和疏水作用力.实验结果表明,反应6 h左右,50 mg·L^-1的DES的降解率达到93%以上;根据Michaelis-Menten模型得到的动力学参数K_m和V_max分别为36.18 mg·L^-1和45.98 mg·L^-1·h^-1,模型的R²为0.99.漆酶催化降解DES的最佳pH为6,最佳温度为55℃.几种介质中,ABTS对漆酶催化降解DES的作用最强.通过响应面分析发现,在pH=5.5、55.98℃、1....     

系统动力学应用于中国区域绿色发展政策仿真的方法学综述

绿色发展是我国"十三五"时期五大发展理念之一,是解决我国发展与保护矛盾的根本途径。系统动力学是模拟宏观社会经济发展趋势和政策效力的常用分析工具,本文对系统动力学在中国区域绿色发展政策仿真中的应用进行了梳理。研究显示:系统动力学应用的区域范围方面,该方法全面应用于从国家直至县域等各个尺度的区域绿色发展研究,区域绿色发展通常被分解为经济、社会、资源、环境等子系统;应用的主要领域方面,水土资源、能源、水环境、固废治理、绿色产业等领域应用较多,大气环境、绿色消费等领域应用相对较少;方法的改进和完善方面,软系统分析法、各类优化方法和地理信息系统与系统动力学的集成应用日益普遍。文末根据文献梳理情况,提出未来应在决策变量设计、历史数据挖掘、环境系统对经济系统的反馈等方面进行方法改进。     

基于 GJB 150.26 的军用装备流体污染试验实施方法

从适用性、参数选取、试验程序等角度深度梳理GJB 150.26试验标准,并研究流体污染试验程序的实施方法。通过对流体污染试验的研究背景和应用需求、相关标准应用现状和试验适用范围进行说明介绍,围绕基于GJB 150.26的流体污染试验参数选取原则、试验程序制定方法,探究符合标准架构的试验实施流程体系。按照所归纳研究整理的试验实施流程体系,结合工程实例对某型机载产品基于GJB 150.26的试验标准,针对其实际使用情况和相关技术协议文件制定了流体污染试验程序,进行了试验实施验证。流体污染试验实施目前在我国环境适应性工程领域缺乏理论基础指导,具备较大的开拓空间,通过对其实施方法和程序的研究能够有效地提升军用装备开展特种环境试验的技术能力。     

铜尾矿库坝面土壤微生物群落动态的驱动因子

随机过程和确定性过程对群落动态的影响机制及重要性是群落生态学研究的中心课题,也是目前群落生态学最具争议的问题.微生物群落在生态系统物质循环和能量流动过程中发挥着重要作用,对其结构动态的研究不仅为阐明群落构建机制提供重要的数据支持,而且为预测环境胁迫条件下微生物群落结构的动态提供理论依据.本研究通过Illumina MiSeq测序的方法,分析了中条山十八河尾矿库坝面不同恢复阶段细菌和真菌群落结构特征.结果表明,研究区尾矿坝不同恢复年限土壤理化性质发生梯度变化,植物群落结构呈现一定的演替趋势,植物群落多样性与土壤养分显著相关,而与土壤重金属含量无相关性.不同恢复年限的土壤微生物群落结构具有显著差异,其中优势细菌主要有变形菌门（Proteobacteria）、放线菌门（Actinobacteria）、厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）、酸杆菌门（Acidobacteria）;优势真菌主要有子囊菌门（Ascomycota）、担子菌门（Basidiomycota）、接合菌门（Zygomycota）.微生物群落组成主要受到土壤养分和重金属含量的影响,而植物多样性对微生物群落结构的影响不明显,表明在局域小尺度环境胁迫条件下,土壤环境因子是微生物群落结构动态变化的主要驱动力.