Learning to live with black bears: A psychological model of acceptance

The reappearance and recovery of large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes creates a need to understand how people will respond to the presence of these animals. We tested a psychological model of acceptance to determine what variables most influence people's acceptance for black bears (Ursus americanus) in an area with an emerging black bear population (Ohio, USA). We hypothesized that people's perceptions of risk and benefit related to bears would mediate the effect of trust (in wildlife management agencies) and personal control (over interactions with and management of wildlife) on acceptance for black bears. We used a mail-back survey of Ohio residents (n = 9,400; adjusted response rate = 35%) to assess the variables of interest and test the hypothesized model. Based on multiple criteria of model fit, the hypothesized model fit the data acceptably well. The model explained approximately 62% of the variance in acceptance, and perception of risk associated with black bears had the largest impact on the level of acceptance. As large carnivore populations expand and interactions with humans increase, our results will aid managers in designing outreach materials and communications aimed at promoting acceptance for large carnivores. Our model suggests that interventions raising an individual's social trust in the managing agency, or personal control can indirectly raise stakeholders' acceptance by reducing risk perception and increasing perception of benefit from carnivores. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.     

Health risk assessment of arsenic in soils from three thermal power plants in Southwest China

Abstract

High levels of arsenic (As) contamination in soils from thermal power plants pose a great threat to human health. This study aimed to evaluate the As contamination levels and assess the possible health risk of As in soils from three typical thermal power plants in Southwest China. The concentration of As was detected by using novel collision/reaction cell technology (CCT) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, collectively ICP-CCT-MS) after aseptic digestion of soil samples. The carcinogenic risk and hazard quotient were estimated for health risk to workers in the study area by using “Chinese Technical Guidelines for Risk Assessment of Contaminated Sites (HJ 25.3-2014)”. Results showed that the concentration of As was between 3.65 and 33.80?mg/kg, and the comprehensive carcinogenic risk level of As was 3–28 times over the maximum acceptable level (10^?6), indicating that workers in the study area are facing serious threat of As. Oral ingestion (76.65%) was the main exposure pathway to carcinogenic risk, followed by skin contact (13.15%) and inhalation of soil particles (10.20%). After calculating the safety threshold values under three different exposure pathways (oral ingestion, skin contact and inhalation of soil particles), the minimum safety threshold value (1.59?mg/kg) was selected as the reference safety threshold value of As in the study area. These results provide basic information of health risk assessment of As and environmental management in thermal power plant areas.     

Public smog knowledge,risk perception,and intention to reduce car use: Evidence from China

ABSTRACT

Smog pollution has received widely attention in recent years due to its negative effects. There is consensus that the motor vehicle exhaust emission is one of the sources of smog pollution and reduced private car use would significantly improve the air quality and alleviate the smog pollution problem. In this research, we aim to investigate how public smog knowledge and risk perception (physical health risk perception and mental health risk perception) affect public attitude and intention to reduce car use. A questionnaire survey of 334 randomly sampled respondents was designed to test these relationships. The results show that public smog knowledge is positively and significantly related to physical health risk perception, mental health risk perception, attitude and intention to reduce car use. Public smog knowledge has the largest impact on intention to reduce car use. Furthermore, physical health risk perception and mental health risk perception are positively and significantly associated with attitude and intention to reduce car use. In addition, the results also indicated that public smog knowledge is at a low level. Based on the results, implications and suggestions for future research were discussed.     

Preventive examinations of nuclear power plant operators and managers — Anthropological and medical research project

The greatest danger to the future of human life is Man. Environmental issues are becoming highly topical, with attention focusing on nuclear power plants and their operational hazards. The main concern tends to be their technological reliability rather than the fact that humans are in control. In its long-term research project, the Institute of Sports Medicine, which belongs to the 1st Medical School of Charles University in Prague, is primarily concerned with examinations of the most exposed workers in nuclear and thermal power plants. As all of them are under supervision of their plant physicians, the purpose of the project is to uncover possible hidden health hazards that could result in a sudden collapse of the person concerned and bring about a disaster with far-reaching consequences. This paper presents only a small fraction of the results obtained to date. In functional anthropology and functional exercise dianostics we focused on certain signs that could be interpreted as risk factors for cardiopulmonary failure especially due to CHD, frequently found in middle-aged men. We also discuss the changes that have taken place in the 76 investigated nuclear power plant operators and managers during the three-year observation period. Our methods included basic anthropological and clinical examinations, determination of body composition and of the primary and secondary somatotype components, spirography, ergometry on a bicycle ergometer, haematology and biochemistry, in the first place of serum lipids. Although the work performance of the men investigated was high, our results have in some cases indicated certain hazards. For every test person we drew up a specific regimen—nutrition, movement and when required, therapy—and gave it to the plant physician. The management provided for men with such risk factors (a specific form of regeneration). Regular annual check-ups revealed in the men who complied with the prescribed regimen a noticeable decrease of risk factors and their increase in the men who did not comply. For such persons we recommended a professionally controlled form of regeneration and supervision of their movement regimen. The research, which will continue for some time yet, highlights the fact that as much attention should be paid to the human factor as to the technological safety of nuclear power plants.     

燃煤烟气中汞排放对周边环境影响

研究了上海市内2个燃煤电厂所排放烟气中的汞对周边环境的影响,并利用高架连续点源大气污染模型分析了电厂烟气排放汞对周边大气汞浓度的影响.结果表明,G电厂周边大气汞浓度范围为9.7～15.6 ng·m-3,J电厂为15.2～22.9 ng·m-3.利用高架连续点源大气污染模型,估算出G电厂和J电厂所排放的烟气下风向3 km处元素态汞的落地浓度分别为0.218和3.034 ng·m-3,颗粒态汞的落地浓度分别为0.038和1.199ng·m-3.G电厂周边表层土壤汞浓度为36.3～136.5 ng·g-1,J电厂为44.3～115.9ng·g-1.G电厂周边植物叶片中汞浓度为215.3～342.3 ng·g-1,J电厂为223.4～396.9 ng·g-1.现场监测数据和模型估算均表明:燃煤电厂所排放的烟气对周边环境中汞的分布和积累有贡献.     

Divergence between general public's risk perception and environmental risk assessment: A case study of p-xylene projects in China

The growing public opposition to p-xylene (PX) project proposals in China requires understanding the divergence between the general public's risk perception and environmental risk assessment (ERA) results and its implications on its decision-making. In a case study in Fujian Province of China, a questionnaire was designed to investigate the public perception of risks of a proposed PX project, interviews were further conducted in Zhangzhou City and Xiamen City, and the survey results were compared with the ERA results of the proposed PX project. Results indicate that the environmental risk is acceptable according to current technical ERA guidelines and standards, while the public acceptance of the PX project is very low. The underlying factors causing the difference between the general public's risk perception and ERA results were identified from the ERA technical perspective. A better understanding of the risk perception divergence from different disciplinary perspectives is helpful for the public acceptance of these kinds of projects, which are on high demand in China. This study not only highlights the necessity to improve the risk communication but also provides insights on future research of ERA for this kind of large-scale project proposal.     

居民食用大亚湾海洋生物所致内照射剂量研究

内照射剂量的估算在剂量防护中是十分重要的。对居民由于食入大亚湾核污染海洋生物所导致的内照射剂量给出一个评价方法是十分必要的。在对潮流污染扩散进行数值模拟的基础上,得出放射性核素浓度场的分布,进一步给出一个内照射剂量估算方法。根据这一估算方法,可以简便的估算出每个居民由于食入大亚湾海洋生物所致的辐射剂量。估算结果表明,每人每年由于食入大亚湾海洋生物所导致的内照射剂量在10^-6~10^-9Sv之间,低于人类每年人均受到的本底辐射。     

Effect of activation time on the nuclear remodeling and in vitro development of nuclear transfer embryos derived from bovine somatic cells

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of recipient activation time on the chromatin structure and development of bovine nuclear transfer embryos. Serum-starved skin cells were electrofused to enucleated oocytes, activated 1-5 hr after fusion, and cultured in vitro. Some fused eggs were fixed at each time point after fusion without activation, or 3 or 7 hr after activation. Some nocodazole treated zygotes were fixed to analyze their chromosome constitutions. The proportion of eggs with a morphologically normal premature chromosome condensation (PCC) state increased 1-2 hr after fusion. Whereas eggs with elongated chromosome plate increased as activation time was prolonged to 3 hr, and 5 hr after fusion, 58.1% of eggs showed more than two scattered chromosome sets. The proportion of eggs with a single chromatin mass (40.6-56.7%) significantly increased when eggs were activated within 2.5 hr after fusion (P < 0.05). Only 23.3% of reconstituted embryos activated 5 hr after fusion formed one pronucleus-like structure (PN), whereas, 64.5-78.3% of embryos activated 1-2.5 hr after fusion formed one PN. The proportion of embryos with normal chromosome constitutions decreased as activation time was prolonged. Development rates to the blastocyst stage were higher in eggs activated within 2 hr after fusion (17.3-21.7%) compared to those of others (0-8.6%, P < 0.05). The result of the present study suggests that activation time can affect the chromatin structure and in vitro development of bovine nuclear transfer embryos.     

Control of the Indian mole rat with alpha-chlorohydrin: laboratory studies on bait acceptance and antifertility effects

Toxic and antifertility effects of feeding poison baits of a toxicant-sterilant, alpha-chlorohydrin, were studied against the Indian mole rat Bandicota bengalensis . It was found that 0.5% alpha-chlorohydrin bait was the most palatable formulation which delivered the amount of active ingredient equal to or more than MLD (82 mg/kg) to B. bengalensis in a single day's feeding. The rats suffered maximum mortality with this bait concentration both in no-choice and bi-choice feeding trials. Male survivors of 0.5% and 1.0% alpha-chlorohydrin baits showed functional abnormalities of their testes as revealed by loss in testicular weight, decrease in the diameter of seminiferous tubules and thickness of seminiferous epithelium and abnormally low levels of spermatogenic cells. Effect of the poison on epididymis became apparent by the presence of epididymal lesions in caput epididymides and low levels of sperm concentration, live sperms and sperm motility in the cauda epididymal fluid. Our findings on the acceptance and toxiccum-antifertility effects of feeding alpha-chlorohydrin baits suggest field evaluation of this poison for the management of B. bengalensis would be appropriate.     

Deep phylogeographic break among Octopus variabilis populations in China: Evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses

The genetic structure of marine populations is greatly influenced by the dispersal ability of the organisms, and it is intuitive that a limited dispersal capability would result in greater genetic differentiation. Octopus variabilis is a typical cephalopod species that shows limited dispersal potential, and previous genetic surveys by a mitochondrial DNA analyses revealed high levels of genetic differentiation among its populations, suggesting the existence of cryptic or subspecies. To test this hypothesis, amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and the cytochrome oxidase II (COII) gene sequence were used to re-evaluate the spatial genetic structure of five populations of O. variabilis along the coast of China. Four distinct groups were identified within these five populations: the Dalian + Qingdao, Zhoushan, Wenzhou, and Dongshan groups. A deep genetic break among the Dongshan, Wenzhou, and other two groups were specifically recognized by both genetic markers. A considerable number of distinct alleles for AFLP and a deep divergence of 13.9–19.4% in the COII gene sequences were found among them, suggesting the occurrence of potential cryptic or subspecies of O. variabilis. A genetic structure of isolation by distance was identified in O. variabilis by a Mantel test, with the geographic distance explaining 62% of the variation in genetic differentiation. This result suggests that gene flow is geographically restricted for this species and that limited dispersal may be the main reason for the genetic differentiation among O. variabilis populations. The present results indicate that special care should be taken in future fishery exploitation and conservation efforts for this species and that conservation management should include populations representing all lineages.     

Development and characterization of biofilms on stainless steel and titanium in spent nuclear fuel pools

The aim of the present research was to study the biofilms developed in a Spanish nuclear power plant and their ability to entrap radionuclides. In order to carry this out, a bioreactor, which was then submerged in a spent nuclear fuel pool, was designed. To characterise the biofilm on two different metallic materials (stainless steel and titanium), standard culture microbiological methods and molecular biology tools, as well as epifluorescence and scanning electron microscopy were used. The bacterial composition of the biofilm belongs to several phylogenetic groups (α, β, and γ-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteridae, and Firmicutes). The radioactivity of the biofilms was measured by gamma-ray spectrometry. Biofilms were able to retain radionuclides from radioactive water, especially ⁶⁰Co. The potential use of these biofilms in bioremediation of radioactive water is discussed.     

自同安钮夜蛾幼虫分离的一种核型多角体病毒

对在林间导致同安钮夜蛾Anua indiscriminate Moore幼虫死亡的一种病原物进行了分离和鉴定,并对该病原物进行了室内毒力测定。结果表明：该病原物为核型多角体病毒, 定名为同安钮夜蛾核型多角体病毒(AiNPV)。其对同安钮夜蛾幼虫的致死浓度LC₅₀和LC₉₀分别为3.4×10⁴和3.8×10⁷ PIB/mL。     

广东新会维管植物区系的研究

新会市位于广东省中南部 ,地理位置为北纬 2 2°0 5′4 3″～ 2 2°4 8′2 4″,东经 1 1 2°4 7′0 3″～ 1 1 3°1 5′2 4″,南濒南海 .该地区共有维管植物 1 6 98种 ,隶属于 2 0 9科 81 6属 ,其中蕨类植物 32科 5 4属 82种 ,种子植物 1 78科 76 2属1 6 1 6种 .区系地理学研究表明 :蕨类植物地理成分以热带亚热带分布属居多 ,达 2 6属 ,占蕨类总属数的 4 8.1 3% ,而且是以单种属或少种属占优势 .种子植物地理成分以泛热带、热带亚洲分布占绝对优势 ,全部热带成分已达78.0 9% ;其特征科主要有 :山矾科、冬青科、壳斗科、桑科、金缕梅科、山茶科、樟科、萝摩科、大戟科、蝶形花科、野牡丹科、茜草科等 ;中国特有属杉木属、穗花杉属、石笔木属、四药门花属、马蹄参属、天星藤属、大血藤属、刚毛药花属、台闽苣苔属、酸竹属及广东特有属绣球茜草属、异枝竹属等 .与邻近的香港、惠东古田、鼎湖山和黑石顶的植物区系比较其相似性很高 ,体现出南亚热带地区植物区系成分的过渡性及热带区系的渗透性     

Import and export of nuclear proteins: Focus on the nucleocytoplasmic movements of two different species of mammalian estrogen receptor

There is a wealth of information regarding the import and export of nuclear proteins in general. Nevertheless, the available data that deals with the nucleocytoplasmic movement of steroid hormone receptors remains highly limited. Some research findings reported during the past five years have succeeded in identifying proteins related to the movement of estrogen receptor from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. What is striking in these findings is the facilitatory role of estradiol in the transport process. A similar conclusion has been drawn from the studies on the plasma membrane-to nucleus movement of the alternative form of estrogen receptor, the non-activated estrogen receptor (naER). The internalization of naER from the plasma membrane takes place only in the presence of estradiol. While the gene regulatory functions of ER appear to get terminated following its ubiquitinization within the nucleus, the naER, through its deglycosylated form, the nuclear estrogen receptor II (nER II) continues to remain functional even beyond its existence within the nucleus. Recent studies have indicated the possibility that the estrogen receptor that regulates the nucleo cytoplasmic transport of m RNP is the nERII. This appears to be the result of the interaction between nERII and three proteins belonging to a group of small nuclear ribonucleo proteins (snRNP). The interaction of nERII with two of this protein appears to activate the inherent Mg²⁺ ATPase activity of the complex, which leads to the exit of the RNP through the nuclear pore complex.     

Information processing in the “not-in-my-backyard” strategy: An empirical study of anti-nuclear behavioral responses

Abstract

Nuclear power has become an effective way of addressing environmental challenges such as resources depletion and climate change and is consistent with a strategy of sustainable development. However, popular resistance has increased significantly because the potential accident risk poses a tremendous threat to people, property and ecosystems. This study explored the key determinants of the behavioral response to nuclear power plants. The protective action decision model and the heuristic-systematic information processing model were integrated and adapted to construct a hypothetical model emphasizing the important role of information processing strategies in the “not-in-my-backyard” phenomenon. The research verified the arguments by randomly conducting 405 questionnaires. The empirical results show that risk perception and information need are both important in predicting information seeking and behavioral response. Additionally, the results suggest a mediating role of information processing in the relationship between information seeking and behavioral response. Moreover, the results show that systematic processing is different from heuristic processing. Specifically, systematic processing is positively influenced by information seeking and has a negative influence on anti-nuclear behavioral response, but heuristic processing is negatively correlated with information need and positively correlated with behavioral response. Theoretical contributions, policy implications and further research are also discussed.     

西北地区木本植物区系多样性研究

西北地区在中国植物区系上属于泛北极植物区,其南部基本上控制在中国-日本植物亚区的华中地区内,区系成分以北亚热带成分占优势,中、东部主要控制在中国-日本植物亚区内的华北地区中的黄土高原地区内,以华北区系成分占优势,西南部主要属青藏高原植物亚区和中国-喜马拉雅植物亚区,区系成分以唐古特和横断山区系成分占优势,北部主要是亚洲荒漠植物亚区,区系成分是以古地中海成分占优势。本区有木本植物(不包括栽培植物)103科338属1729种(含种下等级),其中裸子植物6科17属57种,被子植物97科321属1672种,另外,具有中国特有属26个,土著特有种173个(含种下等级)。大科、大属在区系组成中起着非常重要的作用,该区木本植物区系包含有15个分布区类型及其17个变型,其中北温带分布、泛热带分布、东亚至北美间断分布、东亚分布等成分占有重要地位。其木本植物区系的主要特征为:种类比较丰富;分布不均,区域差异大;地理成分复杂,具有明显的温带性质;起源古老;土著特有种较多;区系联系广泛,多种区系成分的汇集、混杂和过渡。     

Ferguson and the death of Michael Brown on Twitter: #BlackLivesMatter, #TCOT,and the evolution of collective identities

Recent events related to police brutality and the evolution of #BlackLivesMatter provides an empirical case to explore the vitality of social media data for social movements and the evolution of collective identities. Social media data provide a portal into how organizing and communicating generate narratives that survive over time. We analyse 31.65 million tweets about Ferguson across four meaningful time periods: the death of Michael Brown, the non-indictment of police officer Darren Wilson, the Department of Justice report on Ferguson, and the one year aftermath of Brown’s death. Our analysis shows that #BlackLivesMatter evolved in concert with protests opposing police brutality occurring on the ground. We also show how #TCOT (Top Conservatives on Twitter) has operated as the primary counter narrative to #BlackLivesMatter. We conclude by discussing the implications our research has for the #BlackLivesMatter movement and increased political polarization following the election of Donald Trump.     

Cloning of cDNA sequences derived from poly(A)+ nuclear RNA ofXenopus laevis at different developmental stages: Evidence for stage specific regulation

Summary Nuclear poly(A)⁺ RNA was isolated from gastrula and early tadpole stages ofXenopus laevis, transcribed into cDNA and integrated as double stranded cDNA by the G-C joining method into the Pst cleavage site of plasmid pBR 322. After cloning inE. coli strain HB 101 the clone libraries were hybridized to³²P labelled cDNA derived from nuclear poly(A)⁺ RNA of the two different developmental stages. About 20% of the clones gave a positive hybridization signal thus representing RNA molecules of high and medium abundance. From these clones, some individual clones were identified containing sequences which are not present at the oocyte and gastrula stages but which are transcribed at the early tadpole stage of embryonic development.     

Wind power plants and the conservation of birds and bats in Spain: a geographical assessment

The number of wind power plants installed in Spain has increased dramatically, and many are located in important wildlife areas. This paper explores the geographical overlap of wind power plants with the ranges of flying vertebrate species. The list of animals studied includes bats, soaring birds, and other birds that may be killed by turbines. Results show that the 10 × 10 km UTM squares occupied by wind power plants fell within the range of more bat and bird species than squares free of these infrastructures. For species included in the Spanish Red List, there were more wind power plants than expected inside the range of two raptors (Neophron percnopterus and Circus pygargus) and less than expected in six species (Ciconia nigra, Aquila adalberti, Hieraetus fasciatus Myotis capaccinii, Rhinolophus mehelyi and Myotis myotis). The rest of endangered species (15) had a range occupation similar to that predicted by random sampling, a result that reflects a poor strategy to prevent the overlap. These patterns may be explained by the small amount of overlap of the range of many of these animals with the windiest areas in Spain, where wind power plants are concentrated today. However, this situation is changing rapidly with the densification and expansion of wind power plants promoted under the Spanish Plan of Renewable Energies. This may produce the occupation of many areas important to bird and bat conservation, and therefore preventive measures should be implemented to protect these species and their habitats.     

Impact of the Tihange nuclear power plant on the periphyton and the phytoplankton of the Meuse River (Belgium)

A survey was made from 1976 to 1981 of the possible effects of Tihange nuclear power plant on the Meuse river. Phytoplankton and periphyton were affected only during low water flow. Both decreases and increases of biomass were recorded for phytoplankton but, for periphyton, only increases. The structure of diatom communities is affected downstream of the plant during low water flow, because sensitive species are replaced by more tolerant ones. In the reach downstream of the plant, the maximum observed temperature increase is 4.2 °C and the maximum decrease in dissolved oxygen is 15%. Except for these two parameters immediately below the plant, any changes observed cannot be attributed solely to the nuclear power plant, but rather to the combination of thermal effects with effluents from other industries which together contribute to the more significant changes observed further downstream.