Tree-ring analysis for the assessment of anthropogenic changes and trends

Investigation of Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)annual radial increment (width of annual tree rings) was carriedout in the surroundings of one of the largest pollution sources inLithuania – Jonava Nitrogen Fertilizers Plant. The main objectiveof investigation was to analyse different sides of anthropogenictransformations of tree-ring series in the polluted environment:changes in tree growth intensity; variance changes in tree-ringseries; changes in the relations with natural external factors.Three different periods of tree reaction to the environmentalpollution were singled out – fertilization period, depressionperiod and recovery period since annual emissions were essentiallyreduced. The variance of tree-ring series has increased severaltimes in the polluted environment. Reaction of trees to the impactof climatic factors (temperature, precipitation) has changedsignificantly in the polluted environment and their sensitivity hasalso increased.     

Quantifying Land-Use Alterations and Associated Hydrologic Impacts at a Wetland Area by Using Remote Sensing and Modeling Techniques

Land use changes and associated hydrologic disturbances, mainly caused by human activities, is a common reason for wetlands degradation worldwide. The particular scientific effort utilized remotely sensed data, GIS techniques and hydrologic modeling to estimate land use alterations during a 40-years period as well as associated changes in hydrologic parameters such as overland and underground flow, infiltration, evapotranspiration and water storages on ground surface. The results indicated significant variations in the hydrologic regime including a 6% increase in the annual evapotranspiration and a 10% increase in the soil water deficit that impose substantial impacts on the regional wetlands.     

Molecular Weight Changes and Polymeric Matrix Changes Correlated with the Formation of Degradation Products in Biodegraded Polyethylene

The molecular weight changes in abiotically and biotically degraded LDPE and LDPE modified with starch and/or prooxidant were compared with the formation of degradation products. The samples were thermooxidized for 6 days at 100°C to initiate degradation and then either inoculated with Arthobacter paraffineus or kept sterile. After 3.5 years homologous series of mono- and dicarboxylic acids and ketoacids were identified by GC-MS in abiotic samples, while complete disappearance of these acids was observed in biotic environments. The molecular weights of the biotically aged samples were slightly higher than the molecular weights of the corresponding abiotically aged samples, which is exemplified by the increase in from 5200 g/mol for a sterile sample with the highest amount of prooxidant to 6000 g/mol for the corresponding biodegraded sample. The higher molecular weight in the biotic environment is explained by the assimilation of carboxylic acids and low molecular weight polyethylene chains by microorganisms. Assimilation of the low molecular weight products is further confirmed by the absence of carboxylic acids in the biotic samples. Fewer carbonyls and more double bonds were seen by FTIR in the biodegraded samples, which is in agreement with the biodegradation mechanism of polyethylene.     

Revised estimates and projections of down syndrome births in the United States,and the effects of prenatal diagnosis utilization, 1970–2002

The objectives of this study were to: (1) calculate revised estimates and projections of United States annual Down syndrome (DS) births for 1970–2002, and (2) estimate the effects of amniocentesis on these baseline DS birth projections. Three models of amniocentesis utilization among 30–34 and ≧ 35-year-old women were considered. The recently revised Census Bureau birth projections, and new single year maternal age DS risk rates estimated from a 1970–1983 Ohio data set, were used. Data from all three Census Bureau projection series were analysed; series II was considered in depth since it is consistent with recent fertility levels. Assuming no use of amniocentesis, total estimated DS births dropped from about 4770 in 1970 to 4120 in 1980 (a 14 per cent decline), but are projected to a plateau of about 5100 by the year 1990 (a 24 per cent increase). DS births to women ≧ 35 would increase dramatically from about 1050 in 1980 to 1900 in 2000 (an 81 per cent increase). Assuming 1983 Ohio prenatal diagnosis ratios for women aged 30–34 (1.7 per cent) and ≧ 35 (23.4 per cent) are used nationally, an annual reduction of about 7 per cent of DS births in 1986 and 9 per cent in 2002 would result. Fifty and 70 per cent utilization among women 30–34 and 235, respectively, would reduce DS births by about 33 per cent in 1986 and 38 per cent in 2002. Therefore, if the projected increase in DS births is to be averted, utilization of prenatal diagnosis by ≧ 30-year-old women must increase substantially.     

苍洱地区居址环境的历史变迁

根据民族学和考古学资料进行的综合研究，可将苍洱地区居址环境划为４个历史变迁时期：４０００多年前的先民们居住在沿海拔２５００～２２００米一线的一些向阳避风的苍山台地上。海拔２２００～２０００米一线的苍山脚下为汉晋时期先民们的聚居点。海拔２０００米左右，沿滇藏公路一线的白族村落大致在唐宋南诏大理国时期形成。海拔１９７５米左右，今洱海边的白族村落大多数在元明清时期形成。其趋势是从高处往低处下移，随苍山上升，洱海水位下降，利用滩地形成新的居民群。其形成的间隔时间越来越短，加强洱海保护是迫切的任务。     

武夷—云开构造带北段构造变形及演化

本文讨论了中国东部重要构造带,武夷——云开构造带北段的构造变形,变质作用,古压力(静压力和差异应力),古温度及它们的演化。从变形构造动力学观点入手,划分了不同构造旋回的变形变质作用,测试了变质变形的压力,温度和差异应力,进而分析了变形变质特征反地质构造环境,讨论了本区中生代以来的三期推覆构造及形成机理。     

桐柏大别山链南缘构造变形及推覆构造

本文从桐柏—大别山链南缘及其前陆地区的构造变形研究入手,划分出区内两期两种型式推覆构造,即印支—燕山早期对冲式推覆构造和喜山期背冲式推覆构造。并综合分析了它们的结构,推覆方向和规模等,讨论了它的形成演化机制和油气勘探意义。     

东濮断陷湖盆陡坡带构造演化史恢复研究

陡坡带构造演化史研究对断陷湖盆具有重要意义,平衡剖面技术在面积(体积)守恒的基础上为恢复构造演化史提供了一种科学合理的技术方法。通过对东濮凹陷兰聊陡坡带进行平衡剖面法构造演化史恢复,再现了兰聊断层的活动规律及其对东濮断陷湖盆发展演化的控制作用,明确了东濮凹陷早第三纪层序地层发育特征、坡折带类型及其对砂砾岩扇体的控制作用,指出了隐蔽油气藏发育的有利层段和分布的有利地区。     

Sonographically determined anomalies and outcome in 170 chromosomally abnormal fetuses

Structural pathology and outcome were studied in 170 chromosomally abnormal fetuses. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities were established in 158 (93 per cent) cases, of which 110 (71 per cent) represented trisomies, 30 (18 per cent) Turner syndrome, and 18 (11 per cent) triploidy. Structural chromosomal abnormalities were diagnosed in 12 (7 per cent) cases. Gestational age at referral was significantly shorter for pregnancies with Turner syndrome than for the other chromosomal abnormalities. Referral before 20 weeks of gestation was mainly based on fetal structural pathology alone (92 per cent); after 20 weeks, patients were referred because of structural pathology combined with small for gestational age, oligohydramnios, or polyhydramnios. Referral as a result of suspected multiple organ pathology occurred in 73.5 per cent of pregnancies. An abnormal amniotic fluid volume was present in 59/170 (34.5 per cent) chromosomally affected pregnancies, i.e., oligohydramnios in 31 and polyhydramnios in 28 cases. Birth weight was below the tenth percentile in over half of the chromosomally abnormal fetuses, except for Turnersyndrome. Fetal outcome was poor, with a survival rate at 1 month of 30 per cent for trisomies which was mainly determined by trisomy 21 (14/18=77.5 per cent).     

简易瞬态工况下汽油车挥发性有机物在线排放特征研究

机动车是大气挥发性有机物（VOCs）的重要排放源之一,识别其高分辨率排放特征对于VOCs污染控制具有重要意义.针对现有研究对不同行驶状态下机动车VOCs排放特征精细化描述较为缺乏这一问题,本研究构建了在线与离线相结合的VOCs测量系统,采用底盘测功机运行的简易瞬态工况（VMAS）,对广州市36辆不同排放标准的汽油车尾气VOCs高分辨率排放特征开展在线测量.实时观测结果发现,随着国标加严,VOCs排放至少下降2个数量级.庚烷、丁烯、甲苯、甲醛和甲醇为各类VOCs的特征组分,各组分间的相关系数普遍在0.90~0.97之间.然而,随着国标加严,组分间的相关系数下降到0.20~0.94,醇类与其它组分出现负相关或无相关性.VOCs排放分布集中于变速阶段,高于怠速和匀速阶段所占的比重,其中,甲醛、乙醛和丙酮等含氧挥发性有机物（OVOCs）在不同变速阶段维持较高且稳定的排放.这说明在城市地区降低机动车VOCs排放,长期任务是减少因拥堵或其它因素造成的频繁启动和变速,尽可能确保行驶畅通.本研究在线与离线测试所识别的VOCs组分比对结果一致性较高,在线仪器的使用较好地弥补了离线测试识别VOCs实时排放特征的局限性.