日本演习林制度对中国生物多样性保护与国家公园建设的启示

演习林是日本通过农林院校管辖和运行的自然林地与人工林, 兼具科教、生物多样性保护、生态旅游与林木生产等功能。演习林的责、权、利明确, 能够实现长期、稳定的保护与利用, 与自然保护区、国家公园既有区别又相辅相成, 是日本经济协调发展与快速实现生态恢复的一个重要保障。目前, 日本约有30所高等院校拥有演习林, 演习林面积约占日本森林总面积的5‰, 其中东京大学的演习林建立最早、运行与管理机制最为完善。演习林主要有三大功能: 教学实践、科学研究、社会服务。演习林主要负责人是大学教师, 教师既参与科教也参与管理, 实现了教授治校、科教与社会服务的协调发展。当前, 我国正处于生物多样性保护的转型期和国家公园试点建设的关键阶段, 农林类高校或研究所可借鉴日本演习林制度, 主动参与到国家“绿水青山就是金山银山”的绿色发展理念和实践中; 涉及生物学与农林学科的科学工作者应积极承担当地自然保护区、森林公园、国家公园等的建设与管护。政府可以引导和吸纳有着充足研究经费、学术水平较高的农林与生物学类高校(特别是相关学科被列入“世界一流学科”建设行列的高校)在有条件的自然保护区或城市周边开辟高校直辖林地, 实现教学实践、研究与保护、社会服务等共建共存模式, 提升我国高校农林与生物学科研究水平, 促进我国生物多样性的可持续保护和国家公园的高标准建设。     

Civil war: is it all about disease and xenophobia? A comment on Letendre,Fincher & Thornhill

Letendre, Fincher & Thornhill (2010) argue that pathogen intensity provides the ultimate explanation for why some countries are more prone to civil war than others. They argue that the economic and political factors highlighted in previous research on civil war are largely caused by underlying differences in pathogen intensity, and contend that disease proneness increases the risk of civil war through its effects on resource competition and xenophobia. They present empirical evidence that they interpret as consistent with their argument: a statistically significant correlation between pathogen intensity and civil war onset. In this comment, we raise concerns over their interpretation of the empirical evidence and their proposed causal mechanisms. We find that the data provide stronger evidence for the reverse causal relationship, namely that civil war causes disease to become more prevalent. This finding is consistent with the literatures on the public health effects of civil war as well as research on state capacity and public health.     

Economic impact of transgenic crops in developing countries

Transgenic crops are being adopted rapidly at the global level, but only a few developing countries are growing them in significant quantities. Why are these crops so successful in some countries but not in others? Farm level profitability ultimately determines whether farmers adopt and retain a new technology, but this depends on much more than technical performance. Recent economic studies in developing countries find positive, but highly variable, economic returns to adopting transgenic crops. These studies confirm that institutional factors such as national agricultural research capacity, environmental and food safety regulations, intellectual property rights and agricultural input markets matter at least as much as the technology itself in determining the level and distribution of economic benefits.     

The Structure of the Individual Mental Lexicon from the Standpoint of L. S. Vygotsky's Ideas

Research on the structure of an individual's mental lexicon has shown that, among the set of concepts belonging to a single semantic field, there is typically one particular concept that stands out. The processes of storage, identification, and retrieval of this concept are faster and more successful than they are for the others. For example, in the vertical hierarchy of the concept fruit—apple—antonovka [McIntosh to give a familiar U. S. example—Trans.], apple plays this type of lead role and also occupies the most prominent position in the horizontal series apple—pear—plum—cherries—orange. Concepts with such characteristics are referred to as basic, source, or primary concepts. What is the reason for their special status?     

Realizing the promise of population biobanks: a new model for translation

The promise of science lies in expectations of its benefits to societies and is matched by expectations of the realisation of the significant public investment in that science. In this paper, we undertake a methodological analysis of the science of biobanking and a sociological analysis of translational research in relation to biobanking. Part of global and local endeavours to translate raw biomedical evidence into practice, biobanks aim to provide a platform for generating new scientific knowledge to inform development of new policies, systems and interventions to enhance the public’s health. Effectively translating scientific knowledge into routine practice, however, involves more than good science. Although biobanks undoubtedly provide a fundamental resource for both clinical and public health practice, their potentiating ontology—that their outputs are perpetually a promise of scientific knowledge generation—renders translation rather less straightforward than drug discovery and treatment implementation. Biobanking science, therefore, provides a perfect counterpoint against which to test the bounds of translational research. We argue that translational research is a contextual and cumulative process: one that is necessarily dynamic and interactive and involves multiple actors. We propose a new multidimensional model of translational research which enables us to imagine a new paradigm: one that takes us from bench to bedside to backyard and beyond, that is, attentive to the social and political context of translational science, and is cognisant of all the players in that process be they researchers, health professionals, policy makers, industry representatives, members of the public or research participants, amongst others.     

Adjusting the focus: A public health ethics approach to data research

This paper contends that a research ethics approach to the regulation of health data research is unhelpful in the era of population‐level research and big data because it results in a primary focus on consent (meta‐, broad, dynamic and/or specific consent). Two recent guidelines – the 2016 WMA Declaration of Taipei on ethical considerations regarding health databases and biobanks and the revised CIOMS International ethical guidelines for health‐related research involving humans – both focus on the growing reliance on health data for research. But as research ethics documents, they remain (to varying degrees) focused on consent and individual control of data use. Many current and future uses of health data make individual consent impractical, if not impossible. Many of the risks of secondary data use apply to communities and stakeholders rather than individual data subjects. Shifting from a research ethics perspective to a public health lens brings a different set of issues into view: how are the benefits and burdens of data use distributed, how can data research empower communities, who has legitimate decision‐making capacity? I propose that a public health ethics framework – based on public benefit, proportionality, equity, trust and accountability – provides more appropriate tools for assessing the ethical uses of health data. The main advantage of a public health approach for data research is that it is more likely to foster debate about power, justice and equity and to highlight the complexity of deciding when data use is in the public interest.     

Requirements of British universities for higher medical degrees.

OBJECTIVE--To examine the requirements and opportunities for obtaining a doctor of medicine or master of surgery degree from a university in the United Kingdom other than the graduate''s own, particularly in the case of foreign graduates. DESIGN--Review of regulations governing the award of doctor of medicine and master of surgery degrees in British universities. SETTING--All 19 universities in the United Kingdom offering clinical courses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Availability of degrees to graduates of other universities. RESULTS--Opportunities for obtaining a degree differed widely among the medical schools, one university (Edinburgh) not admitting graduates of other universities in any circumstance. Of the remaining universities, none would consider a graduate who had not worked in the area where the medical school was located. CONCLUSION--The wide differences in opportunity among the medical schools may put some foreign graduates at a disadvantage compared with other graduates. This problem may become more severe as the number of graduates from the European Community who settle in Britain increases.     

Chromosomal polymorphism in mammals: an evolutionary perspective

Although chromosome rearrangements (CRs) are central to studies of genome evolution, our understanding of the evolutionary consequences of the early stages of karyotypic differentiation (i.e. polymorphism), especially the non‐meiotic impacts, is surprisingly limited. We review the available data on chromosomal polymorphisms in mammals so as to identify taxa that hold promise for developing a more comprehensive understanding of chromosomal change. In doing so, we address several key questions: (i) to what extent are mammalian karyotypes polymorphic, and what types of rearrangements are principally involved? (ii) Are some mammalian lineages more prone to chromosomal polymorphism than others? More specifically, do (karyotypically) polymorphic mammalian species belong to lineages that are also characterized by past, extensive karyotype repatterning? (iii) How long can chromosomal polymorphisms persist in mammals? We discuss the evolutionary implications of these questions and propose several research avenues that may shed light on the role of chromosome change in the diversification of mammalian populations and species.     

A New Challenge for Research Ethics: Incidental Findings in Neuroimaging

It has become evident that neuroimaging raises new normative questions that cannot be addressed adequately within the (in this regard unspecific) frameworks of existing research ethics. Questions that are especially troubling are, among others, provoked by incidental findings. Two questions are particularly intricate in view of incidental findings: (1) How can the research subject’s right not to know be guaranteed? And (2) should a diagnostic check of scans by a neuroradiologist become an obligatory part of neuroscientific research protocols? The present paper examines these question against the background of two recent recommendations. The differentiation between “difference position” and “similarity position” serves as an analytic tool to further investigate the issue and to develop a distinct proposal for answering the questions.     

Organizing core facilities as force multipliers: strategies for research universities

Force multipliers are attributes of an organization that enable the successful completion of multiple essential missions. Core facilities play a critical role in the research enterprise and can be organized as force multipliers. Conceiving of cores in this way influences their organization, funding, and research impact. To function as a force multiplier for the research enterprise, core facilities need to do more than efficiently provide services for investigators and generate revenue to recover their service costs: they must be aligned with the strategic objectives of a research university. When core facilities are organized in this way, they can facilitate recruitment of faculty and trainees; serve to retain talented faculty; drive, acquire, and maintain cutting-edge research platforms; and promote interaction and collaboration across the institution. Most importantly, cores accelerate the discovery and sharing of knowledge that are the foundation of a modern research university. This idea has been systematically implemented through the Emory Integrated Core Facilities (cores.emory.edu), which include 16 distinct core facilities and the Division of Animal Resources. Force multiplier core facilities can significantly contribute to the many essential missions necessary for the success of the research enterprise at research universities.     

Further studies on a British form of pea early-browning virus

An isolate of pea early-browning virus from Britain (PEBV (B)) has tubular particles most of which are either about 103 or 212 mμ long with sedimentation coefficients of 210 and 286 S respectively. Both types show cross-banding at intervals of 2.5 mμ. Virus preparations containing only the shorter particles were not infective. PEBV (B) was transmitted to pea seedlings by both adult and juvenile Trichodorus primitivus (de Man) (Nematoda) and persisted for 32 days in T. primitivus kept without plants. In two experiments T. primitivus failed to transmit a Dutch isolate (PEBV (D)), which is distantly related serologically to PEBV (B). PEBV (B) was transmitted by nematodes to cucumber roots more readily in soil at 20d? than at 24d? C., and more readily at 24d? than at 29d? C. When transmitted by inoculation of sap, PEBV (B) and PEBV (D) caused similar symptoms in some pea varieties but differed in virulence towards others. Thirty-one varieties resistant to natural infection with PEBV in The Netherlands were susceptible to PEBV (B) when manually inoculated with sap or when grown in naturally infested soil from one site; twenty-six of these varieties did not become infected in soil from a second site, in which several other varieties that are susceptible in The Netherlands were infected. Varieties should therefore be tested for resistance by growing them on many infested fields. All but one of the pea varieties resistant to PEBV in The Netherlands became infected with the English form of tomato black ring virus when grown in soil containing infective Longidorus attenuatus Hooper.     

Modeling the eradication of invasive mammals using the sterile male technique

Large vertebrates, like the domestic goat (Capra hircus), have been transported all over the world and are an ecological disaster to numerous island and mainland ecosystems. Eradication measures for such species are generally centered on lethal methods of removing individuals, an increasingly difficult process as populations become smaller and individual animals become much more difficult to detect. In addition, methods of lethal removal are becoming less desirable in the public eye, prompting the necessity to explore alternatives. Here we investigate the use of the sterile males technique as an effective strategy in the eradication of large mammals. The results of our simulations suggest that the use of sterile males as a single strategy would only be an effective measure to eradicate relatively small (no more than 100 individuals) isolated feral vertebrate populations. However, our results indicate that the technique could be employed as a successful and potentially cost-effective end-point complement to lethal control and/or as a preventative measure against re-invasion.     

陕西省县级公立医院经济运行与发展状况分析

目的 从医疗服务能力、财务收支及资产负债情况等角度,分析陕西省县级公立医院2009—2013年经济运行及发展状况,发现取得成绩及存在问题。方法 采集2009—2013年陕西省卫生计生财务年报,采用比较分析法、描述性统计、定性与定量相结合等方法对全省210家县级公立医院经济运行相关数据进行分析。结果 陕西省县级公立医院医疗服务数量逐年增加,医疗服务效率不断提高;财务收支状况良好,收支结构日趋合理;资产及负债规模逐年同步扩大。结论 陕西省县级公立医院存在政府财政投入不足、债务负担沉重、偿债能力不足等问题,但药品零差率政策效果显现。     

Lung delivery of nanoliposomal salbutamol sulfate dry powder inhalation for facilitated asthma therapy

Abstract

The motive behind present work was to discover a solution for overcoming the problems allied with a deprived oral bioavailability of salbutamol sulfate (SS) due to its first pass hepatic metabolism, shorter half-life, and systemic toxicity at high doses. Pulmonary delivery provides an alternative route of administration to avoid hepatic metabolism of SS, moreover facilitated diffusion and prolonged retention can be achieved by incorporation into liposomes. Liposomes were prepared by thin film hydration technique using 3² full factorial design and formulation was optimized based on the vesicle size and percent drug entrapment (PDE) of liposomes. Optimized liposomal formulation exhibited an average size of about 167.2?±?0.170?nm, with 80.68?±?0.74% drug entrapment, and 9.74?±?1.10?mV zeta potential. The liposomal dispersion was then spray dried and further characterized for in-vitro aerosol performance using Andersen Cascade Impactor. Optimized liposomal formulation revealed prolonged in-vitro drug release of more than 90% up to 14?h following Higuchi’s controlled release model. Thus, the proposed new-fangled liposomal formulation would be a propitious alternative to conventional therapy for efficient and methodical treatment of asthma and alike respiratory ailments.     

SLA-11 mutations are associated with litter size traits in Large White and Chinese DIV pigs

Litter size is an important economic traits in pigs. SLA-11 gene is a member of SLA (swine leukocyte antigen) complex. In our previous study, the SLA-11 gene was differentially expressed in PMSG-hCG stimulated preovulatory ovarian follicles of Chinese Taihu and Large White sows. Here, we identified two mutations (c.754-132 T?>?C and c.1421?+?38 T?>?C) in SLA-11 gene and analyzed the associations of two SNPs with litter size traits in Large White (n?=?263) and DIV (n?=?117) sows. The results showed that in Large White pigs, SLA-11 c.754-132?CC sows produced 0.74 and 0.87 more pigs per litter for TNB and NBA of all parities than did TT sows (p?<?.05); In DIV pigs, SLA-11 c.754-132?CC sows produced 1.17 more pigs per litter for TNB of all parities than did TC sows (p?<?.05). In Large White pigs, SLA-11 c.1421?+?38?CC sows produced 0.9 more pigs per litter for TNB of all parities than did TT sows (p?<?.05), while in DIV pigs SLA-11 c.1421?+?38?CC sows produced 0.84 and 0.7 less pigs per litter for TNB and NBA of all parities than did TT sows (p?<?.05). Our research indicated that SLA-11 mutations were potential molecular markers for improving the litter size traits in pigs.     

Eating Metropolitaneity: Hong Kong Identity in yumcha

In Hong Kong, yumcha as a pervasive form of eating in the public has become an institution which epitomises the diversity and inclusiveness that Hong Kong people think are quintessential to the civility and economic achievement of the metropolis. It stands out particularly as a practice that has come to represent both locally and overseas a Hong Kong culture which has previously been characterised as residual of ‘Chinese tradition’ and ‘Western customs’, and hence is virtually non-existent. This paper looks at the consumption of metropolitaneity and the culturalisation of the heunggongyan or Hong Kong personal identity in the form, content and social relations involved in yumcha. It points to the significance of yumcha as a key to understanding a collective identity which has become more and more apparent as Hong Kong people vehemently try to establish a city with its own culture, first against the colonial grip and then the return of sovereignty to China in 1997.     

Insects remove more seeds than mammals in first‐year prairie restorations

Seed sowing is a common early step in restoration, but seed consumers can impede plant establishment and alter community structure. Moreover, seed consumers vary in feeding behaviors and the relative importance of different seed consumer groups during restoration are not well understood. At 12 first‐year prairie restorations in Michigan, we studied seed predation using seed removal trays to ask: What is the relative magnitude of seed removal by insects and mammals? Do seed removal rates change over the growing season? Do habitat edges influence seed removal? At what rates are 10 prairie plant species' seeds removed by mammals and insects? Seed removal depended on consumer type, time of year, and seed species. Insects accounted for the majority of seed removal, contrary to previous research in similar systems. In May, insects removed 1.8 times more seeds than mammals, while in August, they removed 5.1 times more. There was greater seed removal in August. During May 28% of seeds were removed, compared to 54% of seeds removed during August, an increase driven by insects. Edge proximity did not influence seed removal. Certain seed species were removed more than others. For example, Lespedeza capitata (round‐headed bush clover) was always removed at high rates, whereas Coreopsis lanceolata (lance‐leaved coreopsis) and Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) were always removed at low rates. Mammals and insects showed different preferences for several species. This research suggests a prominent role of seed predation, particularly by insects, for early prairie restoration dynamics, with influences varying temporally and among species.     

Is There Any Possible Genotoxic Effect in Exfoliated Bladder Cells of Rat Under the Exposure of 1800 MHz GSM-Like Modulated Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR)?

People are exposed to many carcinogenic and mutagenic chemicals in their everyday lives. These include antineoplastic drugs, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)s, aromatic amines, nitrosamines, metals, and electromagnetic radiation. Based on the state of knowledge acquired during the last 50 years of research on possible biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), the majority of the scientific community is convinced that exposure to EMF below the existing security limits does not cause a risk to the health of the general public. However, this position is questioned by others, who are of the opinion that the available research data are contradictory or inconsistent and, therefore, unreliable.

In this study, we aimed to investigate if there is any effect of 1800?MHz GSM modulated radio frequency radiation (RFR) on the number of micronucleus in exfoliated bladder cells of rat which will be informative about the genotoxic damage. Exposure period was 20?min/day, 5 days/week during a month. Six female Wistar rats were used for two groups: Group I (n=6): controls; Group II (n=6): 1.8?GHz exposed animals. 1800?MHz RFR did not showed a significant MN frequencies in rat bladder cells when compared with the control group (p>0.05). 1800?MHz RFR-exposed animals did not produce any genotoxic effect when compared with the control group ( p>0.05). Kinetic studies are important for any biomarker, especially those in which tissue differentiation and maturation processes will heavily influence the time between induction of damage and collection of damaged cells for micronucleus analysis.     

Personal Experience of Schizophrenia and the Role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Danwei</Emphasis>: A Case Study in 1990s Beijing

Danwei as a cornerstone of Chinese urban society has received great research attention. The relationship between the Danwei and psychiatric patients, however, remains unclear. This article aims to shed light on the subject with an integrated micro–macro approach. It introduces a historical understanding of mental health in urban China under the “economic state in transition” framework. A detailed case study in clinical sociology is provided to reveal the many social factors affecting the experience of a schizophrenic patient and his significant others. A changing role of the Danwei is hypothesized and validated with qualitative data. The Danwei was shown to have changed significantly before the mid-1990s, yet it still played a major role in urban workers’ lives, including those of psychiatric patients, and even more so in people’s expectations. This lends support to the need for a more responsive public policy to address various social issues brought about by economic reform, with the learning of worldwide experiences including “community care,” “social support” and “social rehabilitation.” Implications for social research, policymaking and professional practice are discussed.