Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis in VDU Work

This paper introduces preventive measures against Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) during Visual Display Units (VDU) work. Four experiments were conducted in order to address this issue. The effectiveness of the preventative measures was evaluated by measuring foot swelling. The results indicated that the following 3 methods would be particularly effective: (a) occasionally adopting a reclining posture with a footrest, (b) 10-min walking every 50-60 min of VDU work, and (3) stretching. In addition we predicted that taking a deep breath could sometimes be effective. DVT is likely to occur in daily life and its incidence can be related to the long-term postures associated with VDU work. This paper suggests that VDU workers should be aware of the risk of DVT and take preventative measures.     

黄山植物资源的永续利用

黄山是一座驰名中外的旅游名山,被联合国列入世界文化和自然遗产.黄山的生物资源十分丰富,有高等植物222科827属1800余种,其中中国特有属种植物22个、珍稀濒危及国家保护植物25种、以黄山命名的植物8种、以黄山称谓的植物20余种以及众多的古树名木.对黄山生物资源的永续利用提出了几点建议.     

牯牛降生物资源和旅游资源的永续利用

牯牛降自然保护区是安徽省第一个以保护森林生态系统为主的国家级综合自然保护区,保护区生物资源丰富,有维管植物180科672属1220余种,脊椎动物37目82科193属271种,珍稀濒危和国家重点保护野生植物31种,中国特有属种20个,珍稀保护动物29种,还拥有丰富的旅游资源.对牯牛降自然保护区的生物资源和旅游资源永续利用提出了4点建议.     

嘉陵江流域洪水等级的建议划分标准

根据洪水重现期可以将洪水划分为12个等级,也可根据年最大流量距平值将洪水中长期定性预报分成7个等级.探讨了嘉陵江流域的洪水等级和中长期预报定性分级标准,还对嘉陵江流域1981年7月发生的洪水等级进行了分析.     

The Input and Transmission of Fallout Radionuclides Through Redó, a High Mountain Lake in the Spanish Pyrenees

Fallout radionuclides have increasing value as tracers of pathways for pollutant transport through catchment/lake systems, in addition to their more traditional role in dating sediment records. The objectivesof this study, carried out within the EU MOLAR project, were tomeasure atmospheric fluxes of fallout ²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs and ⁷Be at Redó, to establish mass balances for theseradionuclides, and test and validate models of pollutant transport through the lake and its catchment. This was achieved by comparing measured fluxes and concentrations in the water column with theoretical estimates using simple compartment models. Several interesting points emerged. Differences betweensoil core and rainwater measurements suggest that Saharan dust may be an important source of fallout ²¹⁰Pb. Fluxes throughthe water column had a clear seasonal trend reflecting winter icecover. Significant concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs are still presentin the water column, due to continued inputs from the catchment and/or remobilisation from the bottom sediments.     

现代环境事件的冰芯记录

1997年9月，在喜马拉雅山中段希夏邦马峰北坡达索普冰川海拔7000m冰雪平台钻取14m冰芯一支。1990年以来冰芯中主要离子浓度的变化表明，现代环境事件在达索普冰川雪冰中有一定的记录。已有的证据表明1991年达索普冰芯中SO^2-4浓度的最高值最大可能是由海湾战争引发的1991年春季科威特油井燃烧污染物所致。冰芯中陆源离子（如Ca^2 和SO^2-4等）记录与我国西北地区春季沙尘暴具有某些相关性，其逐年变化趋势与新疆13个城市的降尘变化有一定的共性。     

Neurotransmitter level changes in domestic ducks(Shaoxing duck) growing up in typical mercury contaminated area in China

The neurotransmitter le vel changes of ducks exposed 8-month in a mercury-polluted site(Wanshan, China) and a reference site ( Shanghai, China) were examined. Chemical analyses showed both higher mercury and selenium concentrations in the organ of Wanshan ducks. An increased content of acetylcholine(ACh) in brain and blood and a decreased activity of acetylcholinesterase(AChE) in blood were observed. Moreover, there was an increasing trend for nitric oxide synthase(NOS) activity and nitric oxide(NO) production in duck brain, but a reduction of NOS activity in duck serum. The possible explanations were due to the interactive effect of selenium accumulation and the sublethal exposure level of mercury in Wanshan area. The present study showed that AChE and NOS were sensitive to mercury contamination of real circumstance, suggesting that these two indexes have the potential to be biomarkers in assessment of health effects by mercury contamination.     

时间序列在秦皇岛港煤尘污染分析中的应用

应用时间序列对秦皇岛港降尘资料进行分析可以对煤尘污染的长期趋势及季节变动情况有一定的了解，这对于今后有效地开展煤尘治理工作有重要的指导意义。     

Inter- and Intra-Annual Chemical Variability During the ice-Free Season in Lakes with Different Flushing Rates and Acid Deposition Histories

Quantifying chemical variability in different lake types is important for the assessment of both chemical and biological responses to environmental change. For monitoring programs that emphasize a large number of lakes at the expense of frequent samples, high variability may influence how representative single samples are of the average conditions of individual lakes. Intensive temporal data from long-term research sites provide a unique opportunity to assess chemical variability in lakes with different characteristics. We compared the intra- and inter-annual variability of four acidification related variables (Gran alkalinity, pH, sulphate concentration, and total base cation concentration) in four lakes with different flushing rates and acid deposition histories. Variability was highest in lakes with high flushing rates and was not influenced by historic acid deposition in our study lakes. This has implications for the amount of effort required in monitoring programs. Lakes with high flushing rates will require more frequent sampling intervals than lakes with low flushing rates. Consideration of specific lake types should be included in the design of monitoring programs.     

Assessing possible exposures of ground troops to agent orange during the vietnam War: The use of contemporary military records

BACKGROUND: Potential exposure of ground troops in Vietnam to Agent Orange and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) remains controversial despite the passage of 30 years since the Vietnam War. Because of uncertainty over the serum dioxin levels in ground troops at the end of their service in Vietnam, attempts have been made to develop a methodology for characterizing exposure of ground troops in Vietnam to Agent Orange and other herbicides based upon historical reconstruction from military records. Historical information is often useful in evaluating and modeling exposure, but such information should be reasonably accurate, complete, and reliable. METHODS: This paper reviews the procedures and supporting historical information related to the spraying of herbicides in Vietnam. The historical information is classified into two categories: procedural information and operational information. Procedural information covered the process and procedures followed in spraying herbicides from US Air Force fixed wing aircraft (Operation RANCH HAND) in Vietnam, and included approval procedures for spray missions, the criteria required to conduct a mission, the control exercised by the Forward Air Controller and the Tactical Air Control Center and the characteristics of the equipment used to apply the herbicides. Operational information includes data from the RANCH HAND Daily Air Activities Reports, which included geographic locations of specific spray missions, the amount of herbicide sprayed by a specific mission, reports of battle damage to spray aircraft, reports of fighter aircraft support for aerial spray missions, and any comments, such as reasons for canceling a mission. RESULTS: Historical information demonstrates that herbicide spray missions were carefully planned and that spraying only occurred when friendly forces were not located in the target area. RANCH HAND spray missions were either not approved or cancelled if approved when there were friendly forces in the area designated for spraying. Stringent criteria had to be met before spray missions could be approved. The operational information shows that spray missions for both defoliation and crop destruction were conducted in an extremely hostile environment. Heavy 'fighter suppression' with antipersonnel ordnance was used to minimize the impact of hostile ground fire on RANCH HAND aircraft. Procedures were in place that prohibited movement of troops into sprayed areas immediately after a mission due to the possible presence of unexploded ordnance delivered by fighter aircraft supporting RANCH HAND missions. The optimal nature of the spray equipment and application procedures minimized the possibility of significant spray drift. Conclusions. Few friendly troops were sprayed by fixed wing aircraft during Operation RANCH HAND, which delivered 95% of all defoliants used in Vietnam. Similarly, few troops were sprayed during helicopter or surface-based spray operations, which constituted the remaining 5% of defoliants. Detailed policies and procedures for approval and execution of spray missions ensured that friendly forces were not located in the areas targeted for spraying. Fighter aircraft assigned to accompany each spray mission frequently suppressed much of the hostile fire with bombs and other ordnance. Confirmed clearance of the target area was necessary to avoid friendly casualties. Historical records establish that these policies and procedures were strictly followed. Exposure of troops whether from direct spraying or movement through areas recently sprayed was very unlikely. The wartime military records of troop positions and herbicide operations are valuable for some purposes, but have specific limitations in exposure reconstruction. The completeness and accuracy of the geographic data (maps used by RANCH HAND and military ground units) were dependent upon the inherent precision of the map, the accuracy with which it depicted surface features, and the completeness and accuracy of the information on which it is based. Navigation by the crew using visual orientation and reference to the map was the only means that aircrew on spray missions had for establishing their locations. A Forward Air Controller independent of Operation RANCH HAND was present at the location of each spray target immediately before and during spraying operations to verify the target location and ensure that friendly forces were clear of the target area. Anecdotal reports of direct spraying of troops in Vietnam likely reflect the RANCH HAND missions spraying insecticide for mosquito control at regular intervals from March 1967 through February 1972. Outlook. The distribution and levels of serum dioxin in RANCH HAND veterans and the US Army Chemical Corps Vietnam veterans (the unit responsible for helicopter and ground-based spray operations) are distinguishable from typical levels in the population decades after the Vietnam conflict. An exposure model similar to that proposed in the 2003 report of the Institute of Medicine's Committee on 'Characterizing Exposure of Veterans to Agent Orange and Other Herbicides Used in Vietnam' was tested in 1988 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and found to be a poor predictor of absorbed dose of TCDD. Military records during the Vietnam War lack the precision to determine that troops were directly sprayed with herbicides during Operation RANCH HAND, especially given the procedures in place to ensure clearance of friendly forces from the target area and the lack of elevated serum levels of TCDD in ground troops judged to have operated in heavily sprayed areas.