α受体激动对绵羊心肌瞬时性内向离子流的影响

用乙酰毒毛旋花子甙元（ＡＳ）０．０５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ诱发绵羊心浦肯野纤维产生稳定的瞬时性内向离子流（Ｉｔｉ）,用普萘洛尔０．５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ阻断β受体,观察α受体激动剂苯肾上腺素（ＰＥ）０．３,１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ对Ｉｔｉ幅值与时程的影响。ＰＥ１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ灌流２０,５０ｍｉｎ时Ｉｔｉ幅值分别由对照值１２．８±１．９ｎＡ减小至１０．７±１．２ｎＡ（ｎ＝５,Ｐ＜０．０５）与９．６±１．９ｎＡ（ｎ＝５,Ｐ＜０．０１）;ＩｔｉＤ５０时程分别由对照值１４５±２４．４ｍｓ延长至１８３．３±２８．１ｍｓ（ｎ＝５,Ｐ＜０．０５）与２０７．５±３４．２ｍｓ（ｎ＝５,Ｐ＜０．０１）,ＰＥ对Ｉｔｉ的抑制作用呈剂量依赖性与时间依赖性。Ｉｔｉ到达峰值的时间和回复到基线的时间都延长,提示ＰＥ作用下Ｉｔｉ通道动力学发生了变化。如果在β受体激动剂异丙肾上腺素（ＩＳＯ）１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ增强Ｉｔｉ的基础上,ＰＥ１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ灌流１０ｍｉｎ,对Ｉｔｉ幅值的抑制及时程的延长作用更显著,Ｉｔｉ幅值由对照值１５．６±３．２ｎＡ减小到１０．３±２．２ｎＡ;ＩｔｉＤ５０由９２．５±１４．３ｍｓ延长到１３２．５±３６．０ｍｓ（ｎ＝５,Ｐ＜０．０１）。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ对大鼠心肌肌浆网Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)-ATPase基因转录调节的影响

观察血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）对心肌肌浆网Ｃａ２＋,Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ基因（ＳＥＲＣＡ２ａ）转录调节的影响,评价ＤＭＰ８１１对此效应的干预作用．６周龄雄性ＳＤ大鼠随机分为３组,每组６只．组１：生理盐水输注;组２：ＡｎｇⅡ输注＋ＤＭＰ８１１管饲（３ｍｇ·ｄ－１·ｋｇ－１）;组３：ＡｎｇⅡ输注（２００ｎｇ·ｍｉｎ－１·ｋｇ－１．１周后称其体重,取心脏并称重,提取心脏总ＲＮＡ后采用Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ的方法检测ＳＥＲ－ＣＡ２ａ的转录水平,采用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ检测ＡｎｇⅡ１型受体（ＡＴ１）ｍＲＮＡ水平．实验后,组３心重（ＣＷ）、心重／体重（Ｃ／Ｂ）、ＡＴ１受体转录水平均高于组１（分别增加４．７±０．４％,４．９±０．９％和２４．７±３．５％;Ｐ＜０．０１）,而ＳＥＲＣＡ２ａ基因转录水平显著低于组１（降低２０．１±３．０％,Ｐ＜０．０１）,并且ＳＥＲＣＡ２ａｍＲＮＡ水平与ＡＴ１受体ｍＲＮＡ水平呈负相关（ｒ＝－０．７４,Ｐ＜０．０１）．ＡｎｇⅡ导致的上述改变能被ＤＭＰ８１１完全阻断．ＡｎｇⅡ通过其Ⅰ型受体的介导,诱导了ＳＥＲＣＡ２ａ的转录下调     

大鼠中缝隐核增强dPAG诱导的vPAG的c－Fos表达及对vPAG神经元放电的影响

本实验通过Ｐｏｓ免疫细胞化学、电生理及微量注射法对中缝隐核（ＮＲＯ）的交感抑制作用的相关途径进行探讨。实验在成巴比妥钠或α－氯醛糖和氨基甲酸乙脂麻醉的Ｓｐｒａｇｕｅ－Ｄａｗｌｅｙ（ＳＤ）大鼠上进行。同时予以ＮＲＯ,中脑导水管周围灰质背侧部（ｄＰＡＧ）方波脉冲串刺激,诱导中脑和延髓的ｃ－Ｆｏｓ表达。刺激ＮＲＯ过程中,基础血压升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）,刺激ｄＰＡＧ引起的防御性升压反应则减少（Ｐ＜０．０１）;中脑导水管周围灰质腹侧部（ｖＰＡＧ）、巨细胞旁外侧核（ＰＧＬ）的Ｆｏｓ样免疫阳性反应（ＦＬＩ）细胞计数分别为６６．５±８．３和１０．８±１．５（刺激ＮＲＯ＋ｄＰＡＧ组）,较单独刺激ｄＰＡＧ组明显增加,Ｐ值分别小于０．０１和０．００１;单或双脉冲刺激中缝隐核在ｖＰＡＧ可以记录到相关单位,其中８４％为兴奋单位,抑制单位占１６％。双侧ｖＰＡＧ内微量注射利多卡因（每侧２μｇ／０．１μｌ）,基础血压无明显变化,而刺激ＮＲＯ引起的降压反应幅度减小（Ｐ＜０．０１）,提示,延髓腹外侧区（ＶＬＭ）、ＮＲＯ存在不同功能分化的神经元;ＮＲＯ可能有向ｖＰＡＧ的兴奋性投射,此投射可加强ＮＲＯ的交感抑制效应。     

南方鲇碱性磷酸酶的分离纯化及部分性质的研究

用正丁醇抽提,硫酸铵分级沉淀,ＤＥＡＥ－纤维素和ＳｅｐｈａｃｒｙｌＳ－２００柱层析,从南方鲇（Ｓｉｌｕｒｕｓ　ｍｅｒｉｄｉｏｎａｌｉｓ　Ｃｈｅｎ）肠粘膜中提取出碱性磷酸酶（ＡＫＰ）。提纯倍数为３９．５０倍,比活为６８．３５μ／ｍｇ蛋白,提取酶液经ＰＡＧＥ和ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ只呈现一条区带。该酶的分子量为１３２１４０,Ｎ末端氨基酸为门冬氨酸,最适ｐＨ为１０．１０,７．５＞ｐＨ＞１１．５时不稳定,最适温度为４０℃左右,对热不很稳定,以磷酸苯二钠为底物其Ｋ_ｍ值为１．７２×１０~（－３）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ。Ｍｇ~（２＋）、Ｍｎ~（２＋）为该酶的激活剂,ＫＨ_２ＰＯ_４、Ｌ－ＣｙＳ、ＭＥ、ＤＦＰ、ＥＤＴＡ－Ｎａ_２为抑制剂。选用ＫＨ_２ＰＯ_４和ＤＦＰ作抑制类型的判断,结果表明,ＫＨ_２ＰＯ_４属竞争性掏剂,其抑制常数为２．３ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ;ＤＦＰ为非竞争性抑制剂,抑制常数为１．０５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ。     

慢性低氧下普通大鼠与低氧敏感大鼠的血液气体变化

普通大鼠（ＳＤ）与低氧敏感大鼠（ＨＳ）经减压舱内模拟海拔５０００ｍ高度下３周低氧,观察到ＳＤ与ＨＳ的Ｈｂ有显著差异,前者高于后者（分别为２７．３±０．６;２４．５±０．８ｇ％Ｐ＜０．０１）。此时ＳＤ血液中的ＰＣＯ２已恢复正常,而ＨＳ血液中的ＰＣＯ２却比ＳＤ血液中的ＰＣＯ２低（分别为４．３±０．１;５．６±０．３ｋＰａＰ＜０．０１）。在慢性低氧初期,ＨＳ的ｐＨ值比ＳＤ明显降低（分别为７．１８±０．０３;７．２９±０．０２,Ｐ＜０．０５）。但随着低氧时间延长ＨＳ的ｐＨ值很快上升并超过ＳＤ（分别为７．２５±０．０２;７．１７±０．０３Ｐ＜０．０５）。两者的血液氧没有明显差异。实验结果提示普通大鼠与低氧敏感大鼠对慢性低氧反应有不同的生理机制。     

刺五加在大鼠实验性肝癌诱发过程中作用的探讨

目的探讨大鼠实验性肝癌发病中刺五加对肌体免疫功能和抗氧化酶活性的影响。方法４６只ＳＤ雄性大鼠被随机分成对照组（喂普通饲料）、３－甲基４－双甲氨基偶氮苯（３－Ｍｅ－ＤＡＢ）组（喂含０．０６％３Ｍｅ－ＤＡＢ饲料 １０周）和刺五加组（饲喂同 ３－Ｍｅ－ＤＡＢ外、另加入刺五加 ４．５ｇ／ｋｇ饲料,用常规方法检测全血谷光甘肽过氧化物酶（ＧＳＨ－ＰＸ）、血清超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）活性和丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）含量,用微量化学发光造检测吞噬细胞活性（ＰＭＮ－ＣＬ）。结果１．ＰＭＮ－ＣＬ检测峰值、积分值和吞噬细胞指数,３－ＭｅＤＡＢ组较正常组和刺五加组均有显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０５和Ｐ＜０．０１）２．全血ＧＳＨ－ＰＸ活性、ＳＯＤ活性,刺五加组较３－ＭｅＤＡＢ组均有显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）。ＭＤＡ含量刺五加组和３－ＭｅＤＡＢ组均较正常组升高（均Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论刺五加在大鼠实验性肝癌诱发过程中有提高抗氧化酶活性和对抗致癌剂引起的机体中性粒细胞吞噬功能代偿性增高的作用。     

豚鼠畸变产物耳声发射潜伏期测试中时间、波数及相位的关系

以时间、波数和相位三种方式对豚鼠的ＤＰＯＡＥ潜伏期进行了测试,并就三者的关系进行了分析。得出了一组１,２,４,６ｋＨｚ的Ｄ伏ＰＯＡＥ潜伏期正常值,其中以时间方式测出的潜伏期分别为４．３３,２．７２,２．５４,２．０７ｍｓ三种潜伏期值是近似的,且随初始音频率的增加而缩短。根据耳蜗行波理论及ＤＰＯＡＥ潜伏期时间、波数和相位形成的原理,三种方式的潜伏期之间存在着产生机制及换算关系上的联系,并得到了一组经验换算公式和常数。还探讨了潜伏期对研究耳蜗行波理论和ＤＰＯＡＥ发生部位的意义,介绍了ＤＰＯＡＥ潜伏期的测试方法和原理。     

丹皮酚对心肌细胞自律性和延迟后除极的影响

目的与方法：采用常规玻璃微电极技术研究丹皮酚对离体心肌细胞自律性（ＡＭ）、延迟后除极（ＤＡＤ） 及触发活动（ＴＡ）的影响。结果：１．８×１０－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ丹皮酚灌流组,肾上腺素（Ａｄｒ）的阈浓度空白对照组为（１．２８±０．５７）μｍｏｌ／Ｌ,药后为（１．５６±０．５３）μｍｏｌ／Ｌ（ｎ＝９,Ｐ＞０．０５）;用（１．８×１０－ ３） ｍｏｌ／Ｌ丹皮酚（Ｐａｅ）灌流组,Ａｄｒ 浓度由空白对照组的（１．２２ ±０．６２）μｍｏｌ／Ｌ升高到（６．２２±２．１１）μｍｏｌ／Ｌ（ｎ＝９,Ｐ＜０．０１）。１．８×１０－３ｍｏｌ／Ｌ的Ｐａｅ 能明显抑制哇巴因（Ｏｕａ）诱发的ＤＡＤ的幅值,当基本刺激周长为５００,４００,３００ 和２００ ｍｓ 时,其ＤＡＤ幅值从（５．５±２．０）ｍＶ,（７．３±２．１）ｍＶ,（８．０ ±２．４）ｍＶ和（９．２±１．９）ｍＶ减小到（３．０±１．１）ｍＶ、（３．６±１．７）ｍＶ,（４．３±２．０） ｍＶ和（５．９ ±１．６） ｍＶ,Ｐ＜０．０１。当基本刺激周长为２００ ｍｓ时,ＴＡ 数目由５．５±１．０ 降至０．７±０．３（Ｐ＜０．０１）。结论：丹皮酚能抑制心肌细胞ＡＭ、ＤＡＤ及ＴＡ,具有抗心律失常作用     

听觉声损伤与耳蜗鼓阶淋巴氧分压的关系

本实验运用极谱式氧电极研究了噪声暴露对耳蜗鼓阶淋巴氧分压（ＳＴＰＯ２）的影响以及ＳＴＰＯ２的变化与听觉电生理、毛细胞损伤之间的关系。结果表明：（１）８５ｄＢＳＰＬ以上声刺激时ＳＴＰＯ２迅速降低;８５ｄＢＳＰＬ窄带噪声暴露时ＳＴＰ０２与血压一同缓慢增高;低于８５ｄＢＳＰＬ的声刺激则未能引起ＳＴＰ０２和血压的改变。（２）ＳＴＰＯ２降低约２０％即伴随明显的听损伤;ＳＴＰＯ２的变化程度与声暴露量（ｒ＝０．９７,Ｐ＜０．０５）、听力损失（ｒ＝０．８２,Ｐ＜０．０５）呈相关;与耳蜗病理改变也有一定关系,但与血压无明显相关性（ｒ＝０．２１,Ｐ＞０．２）。（３）声暴露时,吸入碳氧混合气对听力损失具有部分保护作用。     

急非淋M_5型白血病单克隆抗体与柔红霉素偶合物的制备及体外细胞毒作用

用ＰＥＧ沉淀法及ＤＥＡＥ─Ｓｅｐｈａｃｅｌ离子交换层析和Ｓｅｐｈａｃｒｙｌｓ─３００凝胶层析提纯的抗急非淋Ｍ_５型白血病单克隆抗体ＩＡ_１（Ｍ_ｃＡｂ１Ａ_１）,纯度为９９．９％。用葡聚糖作中间体将Ｍ_ｃＡｂ_１Ａ_１与柔红霉素（ＤＮＲ）偶联,制备的免疫偶合物仍保持较好的抗体活性及药物活性。在４８小时杀伤实验中,此偶合物对Ｕ_（９３７）靶细胞的杀伤作用与游离ＤＮＲ相近（Ｐ＞０．０５）,明显大于对照偶合物（Ｐ＜０．０１）;在１小时预杀伤实验中,此偶合物对靶细胞的杀伤作用明显大于游离ＤＮＲ及对照偶合物（Ｐ＜０．０１）。在两个实验中,此偶合物对Ｗｉｓｈ非靶细胞的毒性都明显小于游离ＤＮＲ（Ｐ＜０．０１）;表明此偶合物在体外具有较好的选择性细胞毒作用。     

Carbon Footprint Assessment of a Paperback Book

This study presents the carbon footprint of a paperback book for which the cover and inside papers were produced in the United States and printed in Canada. The choice of paper mills for both cover and page papers was based on criteria such as percentage of recycled content in the pulp mix, transport distances (pulp mill to paper mill, paper mill to print), and technologies. The cradle‐to‐gate assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions follows recognized guidelines for carbon footprint assessment. The results show that the production of 400,000 books, mainly distributed in North America, would generate 1,084 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂‐eq), or 2.71 kilograms (kg) CO₂‐eq per book. The impact of using deinked market pulp (DMP) is shown here to be detrimental, accounting for 54% of total GHG emissions and being 32% higher than reference virgin Kraft pulp. This supports findings that DMP mill GHG emissions strongly correlate with the carbon intensity of the power grid supplying the pulp mill and that virgin Kraft mills that reuse wood residue and black liquor to produce heat and electricity can achieve lower GHG emissions per tonne of pulp produced. Although contrary to common thinking, this is consistent with the Paper Task Force 2002 conclusion for office paper (the closest paper grade to writing paper or fine paper) (EDF 2002a). To get a cradle‐to‐grave perspective, three different end‐of‐life (EOL) scenarios were analyzed, all of which included a harvested wood product (HWP) carbon storage benefit for 25 years. The GHG offset concept within the context of the book editor's “carbon‐neutral” paper claims is also discussed.     

Life Cycle–based Assessment of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Almond Production,Part II: Uncertainty Analysis through Sensitivity Analysis and Scenario Testing

This is the second part of a two‐article series examining California almond production. The part I article describes development of the analytical framework and life cycle–based model and presents typical energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for California almonds. This part II article builds on this by exploring uncertainty in the life cycle model through sensitivity and scenario analysis, and by examining temporary carbon storage in the orchard. Sensitivity analysis shows life cycle GHG emissions are most affected by biomass fate and utilization, followed by nitrous oxide emissions rates from orchard soils. Model sensitivity for net energy consumption is highest for irrigation system parameters, followed by biomass fate and utilization. Scenario analysis shows utilization of orchard biomass for electricity production has the greatest potential effect, assuming displacement methods are used for co‐product allocation. Results of the scenario analysis show that 1 kilogram (kg) of almond kernel and associated co‐products are estimated to cause between ?3.12 to 2.67 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂‐eq) emissions and consume between 27.6 to 52.5 megajoules (MJ) of energy. Co‐product displacement credits lead to avoided emissions of between ?1.33 to 2.45 kg CO₂‐eq and between ?0.08 to 13.7 MJ of avoided energy use, leading to net results of ?1.39 to 3.99 kg CO₂‐eq and 15.3 to 52.6 MJ per kg kernel (net results are calculated by subtracting co‐product credits from the results for almonds and co‐products). Temporary carbon storage in orchard biomass and soils is accounted for by using alternative global warming characterization factors and leads to a 14% to 18% reduction in CO₂‐eq emissions. Future studies of orchards and other perennial cropping systems should likely consider temporary carbon storage.     

Emissions of Total Volatile Organic Compounds from Anthropogenic Sources in India

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have a direct bearing on the levels of ozone and other reactive chemicals in the atmosphere and play an important role in determining air quality Anthropogenic emission of VOCs has greatly increased due to growing consumption of fossil fuels and related activities. This article presents an emissions inventory for VOCs emitted from anthropogenic soutres in India. VOC emissions factors for important source categories and activities are assembled from the literature and an effort is made to use Indian emission factors as far as possible. Important sources of VOCs include livestock, combustion of firewood and fossil fuels, rice paddy fields, manufacturing. petroleum (production and refining), natural gas (production and distribution), vehicular exhaust, and coal mining. The annual anthropogenic VOC emissions for India have been estimated to be 21 million metric tons (mt). A comparison of VOC emissions inventories for a group of countries varying in their industrial and economic development, in terms of income (gross domestic product, or GDP), population, and land area, reflects the differences among the countries. This VOC emissions inventory provides baseline information for comparisons over time and across countries. In addition, it may serve as an important tool for formulating national VOC control policies.     

京津冀地区污染物排放与城市化过程的耦合关系

我国快速的城市化发展不仅带来了经济的迅速发展和人口的大量聚集,同时也对资源和环境产生了巨大的影响。在城市化进程较为快速的城市群地区,城市化带来的生态环境胁迫尤为突出。以典型污染物为指标,定量研究了京津冀地区13个城市在2000年、2005年、2010年的工业和生活污染物的排放总量、人均排放量、排放效率、排放强度的时空特征,研究了经济发展与污染物排放的定量响应模式,以探讨污染物排放与城市化的耦合关系。研究发现:(1)京津冀地区的污染物排放空间分异特征显著,其中北京的生活污水、生活COD等污染物排放总量为地区内最高,唐山、天津、石家庄等城市的工业污染物排放高于其它城市。(2)北京、天津工业污染物的排放效率较高,人均排放量、排放强度低于其它城市。(3)2000—2010年间,京津冀地区的生活污水、工业废气、工业固废排放显著增加(P0.05),而其它生活和工业污染物排放量、排放效率和排放强度等呈显著下降趋势(P0.05)。(4)京津冀地区的工业废水、工业和生活SO2、生活烟尘、工业固废和工业废气等污染物的排放量与经济发展存在环境库兹涅兹曲线特征(R20.5,P0.05)。定量揭示了京津冀地区污染物排放的时空分布特征及其与城市化发展的关系,可为城市群区域污染物排放的管理及环境保护政策的制定提供科学参考。     

Nutritional and ecological evaluation of dairy farming systems based on concentrate feeding regimes in semi-arid environments of Jordan

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and ecological aspects of feeding systems practiced under semi-arid environments in Jordan. Nine dairy farms representing the different dairy farming systems were selected for this study. Feed samples (n = 58), fecal samples (n = 108), and milk samples (n = 78) were collected from the farms and analysed for chemical composition. Feed samples were also analysed for metabolisable energy (ME) contents and in vitro organic matter digestibility according to Hohenheim-Feed-Test. Furthermore, fecal nitrogen concentration was determined to estimate in vivo organic matter digestibility. ME and nutrient intakes were calculated based on the farmer’s estimate of dry matter intake and the analysed composition of the feed ingredients. ME and nutrient intakes were compared to recommended standard values for adequate supply of ME, utilizable crude protein, rumen undegradable crude protein (RUCP), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca). Technology Impact Policy Impact Calculation model complemented with a partial life cycle assessment model was used to estimate greenhouse gas emissions of milk production at farm gate. The model predicts CH₄, N₂O and CO₂ gases emitted either directly or indirectly. Average daily energy corrected milk yield (ECM) was 19 kg and ranged between 11 and 27 kg. The mean of ME intake of all farms was 184 MJ/d with a range between 115 and 225 MJ/d. Intake of RUCP was lower than the standard requirements in six farms ranging between 19 and 137 g/d, was higher (32 and 93 g/d) in two farms, and matched the requirements in one farm. P intake was higher than the requirements in all farms (mean oversupply = 19 g/d) and ranged between 3 and 30 g/d. Ca intake was significantly below the requirements in small scale farms. Milk nitrogen efficiency N-_eff (milk N/intake N) varied between 19% and 28% and was mainly driven by the level of milk yield. Total CO₂ equivalent (CO₂ equ) emission ranged between 0.90 and 1.88 kg CO₂/kg ECM milk, where the enteric and manure CH₄ contributed to 52% of the total CO₂ equ emissions, followed by the indirect emissions of N₂O and the direct emissions of CO₂ gases which comprises 17% and 15%, respectively, from total CO₂ equ emissions. Emissions per kg of milk were significantly driven by the level of milk production (r² = 0.93) and of eDMI (r² = 0.88), while the total emissions were not influenced by diet composition. A difference of 16 kg ECM/d in milk yield, 9% in N-_eff and of 0.9 kg CO₂ equ/kg in ECM milk observed between low and high yielding animals. To improve the nutritional status of the animals, protein requirements have to be met. Furthermore, low price by-products with a low carbon credit should be included in the diets to replace the high proportion of imported concentrate feeds and consequently improve the economic situation of dairy farms and mitigate CO₂ equ emissions.     

Impact of Power Generation Mix on Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint Greenhouse Gas Results

The mix of electricity consumed in any stage in the life cycle of a product, process, or industrial sector has a significant effect on the associated inventory of emissions and environmental impacts because of large differences in the power generation method used. Fossil‐fuel‐fired or nuclear‐centralized steam generators; large‐scale and small‐scale hydroelectric power; and renewable options, such as geothermal, wind, and solar power, each have a unique set of issues that can change the results of a life cycle assessment. This article shows greenhouse gas emissions estimates for electricity purchase for different scenarios using U.S. average electricity mix, state mixes, state mixes including imports, and a sector‐specific mix to show how different these results can be. We find that greenhouse gases for certain sectors and scenarios can change by more than 100%. Knowing this, practitioners should exercise caution or at least account for the uncertainty associated with mix choice.     

Combined MFA-LCA for Analysis of Wastewater Pipeline Networks

Oslo's wastewater pipeline network has an aging stock of concrete, steel, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipelines, which calls for a good portion of expenditures to be directed toward maintenance and investments in rehabilitation. The stock, as it is in 2008, is a direct consequence of the influx of pipelines of different sizes, lengths, and materials of construction into the system over the years. A material flow analysis (MFA) facilitates an analysis of the environmental impacts associated with the manufacture, installation, operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and retirement of the pipelines. The forecast of the future flows of materials—which, again, is highly interlinked with the historic flows—provides insight into the likely future environmental impacts. This will enable decision makers keen on alleviating such impacts to think along the lines of eco-friendlier processes and technologies or simply different ways of doing business. Needless to say, the operation and maintenance phase accounts for the major bulk of emissions and calls for energy-efficient approaches to this phase of the life cycle, even as manufacturers strive to make their processes energy-efficient and attempt to include captive renewable energy in their total energy consumption. This article focuses on the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the wastewater pipeline network in the city of Oslo.     

Rethinking Environmental Performance from a Public Health Perspective: A Comparative Industry Analysis

To date the most common measures of environmental performance used to compare industries, and by extension firms or facilities, have been quantity of pollution emitted or hazardous waste generated. Discharge information, however, does not necessarily capture potential health effects. We propose an alternative environmental performance measure that includes the public health risks of toxic air emissions extended to industry supply chains using economic input-output life-cycle assessment. Cancer risk to the U.S. population was determined by applying a damage function to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) as modeled by CalTOX, a multimedia multipathway fate and exposure model. Risks were then translated into social costs using cancer willingness to pay. For a baseline emissions year of 1998, 260 excess cancer cases were calculated for 116 TRI chemicals, dominated by ingestion risk from polycyclic aromatic compounds and dioxins emitted by the primary aluminum and cement industries, respectively. The direct emissions of a small number of industry sectors account for most of the U.S. population cancer risk. For the majority of industry sectors, however, cancer risk per $1 million output is associated with supply chain upstream emissions. Ranking industries by total (direct + upstream) supply chain risk per economic output leads to different conclusions about the relative hazards associated with these industries than a conventional ranking based on emissions per economic output.     

Improvements in Life Cycle Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Corn-Ethanol

Corn-ethanol production is expanding rapidly with the adoption of improved technologies to increase energy efficiency and profitability in crop production, ethanol conversion, and coproduct use. Life cycle assessment can evaluate the impact of these changes on environmental performance metrics. To this end, we analyzed the life cycles of corn-ethanol systems accounting for the majority of U.S. capacity to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy efficiencies on the basis of updated values for crop management and yields, biorefinery operation, and coproduct utilization. Direct-effect GHG emissions were estimated to be equivalent to a 48% to 59% reduction compared to gasoline, a twofold to threefold greater reduction than reported in previous studies. Ethanol-to-petroleum output/input ratios ranged from 10:1 to 13:1 but could be increased to 19:1 if farmers adopted high-yield progressive crop and soil management practices. An advanced closed-loop biorefinery with anaerobic digestion reduced GHG emissions by 67% and increased the net energy ratio to 2.2, from 1.5 to 1.8 for the most common systems. Such improved technologies have the potential to move corn-ethanol closer to the hypothetical performance of cellulosic biofuels. Likewise, the larger GHG reductions estimated in this study allow a greater buffer for inclusion of indirect-effect land-use change emissions while still meeting regulatory GHG reduction targets. These results suggest that corn-ethanol systems have substantially greater potential to mitigate GHG emissions and reduce dependence on imported petroleum for transportation fuels than reported previously.     

Modeling Corn Ethanol and Climate

New fuel regulations based on life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have focused renewed attention on life cycle models of biofuels. The BESS model estimates 25% lower life cycle GHG emissions for corn ethanol than does the well-known GREET model, which raises questions about which model is more accurate. I develop a life cycle metamodel to compare the GREET and BESS models in detail and to explain why the results from these models diverge. I find two main reasons for the divergence: (1) BESS models a more efficient biorefinery than is modeled in the cases to which its results have been compared, and (2) in several instances BESS fails to properly count upstream emissions. Adjustments to BESS to account for these differences raise the estimated global warming intensity (not including land use change) of the corn ethanol pathway considered in that model from 45 to 61 g CO₂e MJ⁻¹. Adjusting GREET to use BESS's biorefinery performance and coproduct credit assumptions reduces the GREET estimate from 64 to 61 g CO₂e MJ⁻¹. Although this analysis explains the gap between the two models, both models would be improved with better data on corn production practices and by better treatment of agricultural inputs.