Transforming ecology and conservation biology through genome editing

As the conservation challenges increase, new approaches are needed to help combat losses in biodiversity and slow or reverse the decline of threatened species. Genome-editing technology is changing the face of modern biology, facilitating applications that were unimaginable only a decade ago. The technology has the potential to make significant contributions to the fields of evolutionary biology, ecology, and conservation, yet the fear of unintended consequences from designer ecosystems containing engineered organisms has stifled innovation. To overcome this gap in the understanding of what genome editing is and what its capabilities are, more research is needed to translate genome-editing discoveries into tools for ecological research. Emerging and future genome-editing technologies include new clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) targeted sequencing and nucleic acid detection approaches as well as species genetic barcoding and somatic genome-editing technologies. These genome-editing tools have the potential to transform the environmental sciences by providing new noninvasive methods for monitoring threatened species or for enhancing critical adaptive traits. A pioneering effort by the conservation community is required to apply these technologies to real-world conservation problems.     

Kinetic mechanism and effects of molecular structure on thermal hazards of azo compounds

In this paper, the kinetic mechanism of AIBN, AMBN, and ABVN was proposed, and the effect of molecular structure on their thermal hazards based on the kinetic mechanism was investigated. Calculated by non-isothermal DSC datum, the kinetic mechanism of AIBN, AMBN, and ABVN is revealed by the linear relationship between the integrated form of mechanical function and reaction time. The results indicate that the thermal decomposition process is controlled by the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation. Based on the determination of kinetic mechanism function, the reaction rate constants at various heating rates are directly calculated, and the intercept of the best fitting straight line of reaction rate constants with heating rate is approximately equal to the reaction rate constant under isothermal conditions. Besides, theoretical values obtained by multiplying kinetic mechanism function by reaction rate are well consistent with the experimental values, suggesting that the kinetic mechanism obtained is credible. Bond Dissociation Energies (BDE) calculated by quantum chemical equations are employed to evaluate the thermodynamics stability of AIBN, AMBN, and ABVN. Depending on similar molecular structures, the influence of differentiated group structure on the thermodynamic stability represented by BDE and heat release and the kinetic stability characterized by reaction rate constant were revealed. Finally, the results demonstrate that the thermal hazard increases as the volume of substituent group and molecular weight.     

空气污染视角下北京市产业结构调整的政策模拟研究

空气污染问题是制约经济社会健康发展的重要因素,产业结构调整是缓解该问题的重要途径,探究产业结构调整对于空气污染问题的改善效应具有重要的意义。本文以环境保护和经济增长为双重目标,以投入产出理论为基础,构建了一个一般的具有政策权重的产业结构双目标优化模型。模型目标中的权重体现了政策对两个目标的倾向性需求。给定了某种政策权重,就能根据优化模型计算出最优的产业结构。进一步,我们以SO 2的排放量作为环保指标,以GDP作为经济指标,利用上述模型,依据实际数据,在不同政策权重下,对北京市2017年的产业结构进行了模拟测算,从而给出了与之对应的北京市最优化的产业结构调整方案。特别地,选择了其中三种政策倾向力度,即经济增长偏向性政策、中性政策、环境保护偏向性政策方案,分别给出了最优产业结构方案的数量结果和两个目标的值。我们注意到,2017年的实际值与2016年的实际值相比,2017年的污染物SO 2的排放量大幅减少,且GDP也有所增加,这表明了政府部门的政策相对有效。但是,我们计算出的三种最优化的产业结构对应的两个目标值均优于2017年实际值。事实上,对于经济偏向性政策,最优化的产业结构使得GDP的数量上升更多,而SO 2的排放量也减少了不少;即使是采用环保偏向性政策,不仅使污染物SO 2的排放量更少,而且使GDP的数量仍然高于2017年的实际值。这说明本文提出的通过优化产业结构实现环境保护是一个可行的、合理的途径。     

凹型建筑外立面火灾烟气蔓延特性研究

为了研究凹型建筑外立面火灾烟气蔓延特性，对高层建筑凹槽内火灾烟气“三场”数值模拟。研究表明:结构因子α（进深与槽宽之比）的变化导致凹型建筑结构内呈现不同的火灾烟气蔓延规律；当α为0~0.4时，建筑凹槽内的火灾烟气无烟囱效应；当α为0.6~1.2时，建筑凹槽内的火灾烟气呈现一定的烟囱效应，其火灾烟气温度场、CO浓度场、扩散速度场变化显著；当α>1.2的，建筑凹槽内的火灾烟气烟囱效应显著。     

从环境-社会系统的角度看"建设和谐社会"

环境-社会系统的三元结构是指人、社会和自然三元。可持续发展取决于对这三元运动机制的协调。从环境-社会系统的视角看。可持续发展是指通过三种生产的和谐运行与环境—社会系统的稳定演进．获得“经济-社会-环境”整体的高效益。人类社会发展的两大基本矛盾是资源生产的矛盾和资源配置的矛盾．因此。建设和谐社会的关键在于：在争取“人-社会-自然”和谐演进的前提下。处理好人与社会、人与自然、自然与社会以及自然的、社会的方方面面的“关系”。     

Specific features of the allozyme structure of dandelion populations under conditions of radionuclide and chemical contamination

A study of allozyme spectra has been performed in dandelion cenopopulations growing for a long time under conditions of chemical pollution (the zone of the Nizhnii Tagil Metallurgical Plant, NTMP) or radioactive contamination (the zone of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace, EURT). Cenopopulations from the NTMP and EURT zones and from the background area differ significantly in the qualitative and quantitative composition of allozyme phenes. An analysis of clonal diversity has shown that all cenopopulations are phenogenetically unique. The genesis of each cenopopulation proceeded in a specific way: they had different sets of progenitor plants, whose descendants varied genetically in the course of their reproduction and more or less successful colonization of habitats, undergoing selection under the impact of natural environmental factors and technogenic stress. An increased variability of enzyme systems, compared to the sample from the background area, and, as a consequence, reduced clonal diversity may be regarded as a trait common to populations exposed to chemical or radiation stress.     

Spatiotemporal population structure of the bank vole in a gradient of technogenic environmental pollution

Between 1998 and 2005, specific features of spatiotemporal distribution of small mammals in transformed habitats were studied using the example of the bank vole living in a gradient of chemical environmental pollution (the Middle Urals). Technogenic degradation of spruce-fir forests proved to entail significant changes in the spatial structure and abundance of vole populations. Differences in colonization of disturbed and intact territories by bank voles at different stages of population dynamics were revealed.     

Biodiversity of plants and soils in landscapes adjacent to the Buzuluk Pine Forest

The influence of the Buzuluk Pine Forest on biodiversity of plants and soil properties in adjacent territories has been studied. The results show that in the immediate vicinity of the pine forest, under the influence of the relatively mild and humid mesoclimate, natural phytocenoses are dominated by mesophytic species. Biodiversity reaches a peak at a distance of 17–18 km from the forest, which is explained by the presence of both mesophytes and xerophytes in the same phytocenosis. The same zone is also characterized by the maximum diversity of soil properties and structural complexity of the soil cover. Grass communities on ordinary chernozems with a homogeneous soil cover, typical of the steppe zone, are formed at greater distances from the forest.     

An evaluation of a shared experience group for women and their support persons following prenatal diagnosis and termination for a fetal abnormality

Objectives Support after fetal diagnosis of abnormality (SAFDA), is a facilitated shared experience group for women and their partners or support person, in Victoria, Australia, who have had a pregnancy termination for a fetal abnormality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the SAFDA-facilitated group. Methods A questionnaire-based study was undertaken between 2001 and 2005 to evaluate SAFDA. A deidentified self-completed questionnaire was given to participants at the end of each group and included questions relating to the referring professional, participants' prior expectations of the group, helpfulness of participation, preferred group format, length, and venue. In addition, there was also opportunity for participants to make general comments on their experiences of participating in SAFDA. Results A total of 85 participants (100% response) completed the questionnaire. Seventy-one participants (84%) considered it ‘very helpful’ to participate in the group. Seventy-eight participants (92%) considered that a shared-experience group was the most beneficial format. Comments written by participants affirmed that the present format of SAFDA was a highly valued opportunity to listen to and share experiences in a confidential small group. Conclusion SAFDA is a beneficial forum for women and their partners or support person to share their experiences after having had a pregnancy termination for a fetal abnormality. Further, SAFDA provides information and insights for health professionals who are considering how best to support women. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.