A methodology to estimate national REDD+ reference levels using the Zero-Sum-Gains DEA approach

REDD+ reference levels directly impact the benefits which a country may receive. However, the existing “Compensation Reduction” (CR) and “Compensated Successful Efforts” (CSE) are only considered from a unilateral perspective of outputs or inputs. The combination of these two approaches is considered to estimate the REDD+ reference levels through the Zero-Sum-Gains Data Envelopment Analysis in this paper. The agricultural labor force and agricultural land area are used as input variables, and the gross agricultural production and carbon emissions from deforestation are considered as output variables. The REDD+ reference levels of 89 countries are calculated and classified through the Zero-Sum-Gains DEA model. The results demonstrate that the REDD+ reference levels are estimated efficiently through the Zero-Sum-Gains DEA model, and all countries with deforestation are in the Zero-Sum-Gains DEA frontier, indicating the overall Pareto optimality has been achieved. The empirical results also indicate that the use of Zero-Sum-Gains DEA model is more beneficial for Latin American and the Caribbean, while the countries that may see a revenue drop in REDD+ are in Africa, Asia and Oceania. Consequently, the final REDD+ reference levels should take into account both efficiency and fairness by selecting the appropriate fairness-efficiency weighting factor.     

大鼠脊髓半横断伤联合架桥模型制作及评估

目的:建立大鼠脊髓半横断伤联合架桥模型,为研究脊髓损伤提供动物模型。方法:制作大鼠脊髓半横断伤模型,然后取大鼠前肢正中神经,并于半横断伤两端行正中神经架桥术。术后4周,左心室灌注固定取材,免疫组化染色检测GFAP、RECA、NF-200;另一部分动物行单宁酸-氯化铁灌注;观察移植物内有无血管、血管内有无血流、血管与周边神经纤维的关系。结果:外周神经架桥后4周,移植正中神经贴合于脊髓背侧1/2。移植神经内有RECA阳性的血管存在,而且有血流可以到达移植物内部,且神经纤维(NF-200阳性)与星形胶质细胞(GFAP阳性)关系紧密。结论:大鼠脊髓半横断伤联合正中神经架桥术后,由宿主可以向移植物内长入新生血管,血管有利于神经纤维的存活及生长。本模型为较好的外周神经移植的存活模型,可为进一步的深入研究提供一定的依据。     

通往风景园林行业的BIM之路——数字化竖向设计教育

随着全球建造业向数字化全面转型,建筑信息模型（BIM)的教学将是未来几年风景园林设计与实施的重要主题。介绍了风景园林专业BIM的教学方法和数字化竖向设计及其应用在BIM场地设计项目中的重要性。数字化竖向设计是实现BIM的途径。风景园林教育必须在其教学中讲解BIM建模方法和过程。     

Effect of salt stress on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in Medicago truncatula

In the present study, photosynthetic parameters including gas exchanges, pigment contents, and chlorophyll fluorescence, were compared in two contrasting local Medicago truncatula lines TN6.18 and TN8.20, in response to salt added to the nutrient solution. Plants were cultivated under symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) after inoculation with a reference strain Sinorhizobium meliloti 2011, a very tolerant strain to salinity (700 mM NaCl), and grown in a controlled glasshouse. On one month old plants (with active SNF), salt treatment (75 mM NaCl) was gradually applied. Photosynthesis, assimilating pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence were monitored throughout the experiment during both short and long terms, compared to control (non-saline) conditions. A genotypic variation in salt tolerance was found; TN6.18 was the more sensitive to salinity. The relative tolerance of TN8.20 was concomitant with the highest photochemical quenching coefficient (q_P) affecting the maximum quantum yield of PSII (Y); the real quantum yield (?_exc) was the most affected in the sensitive line. Moreover, stomatal and PSII reaction centers activities differed clearly between the studied lines. We found that the effect of salinity on photosynthesis of M. truncatula was related to PSII activity reduction rather than to stomatal conductance limitation. Photosynthesis was reduced by the inhibition of CO₂ assimilation caused by PSII damage. This was clearly estimated by the Y, ?_exc and especially by the quantum yield of electron transport of PSII (Φ_PSII). Thus, on the basis of our results on the two local M. truncatula lines, we recommend the use of chlorophyll fluorescence as non-destructive screening method to discriminate susceptible and resistant legumes to salt stress.     

Validation of an OpenSim full-body model with detailed lumbar spine for estimating lower lumbar spine loads during symmetric and asymmetric lifting tasks

There is currently no validated full-body lifting model publicly available on the OpenSim modelling platform to estimate spinal loads during lifting. In this study, the existing full-body-lumbar-spine model was adapted and validated for lifting motions to produce the lifting full-body model. Back muscle activations predicted by the model closely matched the measured erector spinae activation patterns. Model estimates of intradiscal pressures and in vivo measurements were strongly correlated. The same spine loading trends were observed for model estimates and reported vertebral body implant measurements. These results demonstrate the suitability of this model to evaluate changes in lumbar loading during lifting.     

Modifying dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine monolayers by n-hexadecanol and dipalmitoylglycerol

The monolayer structure of pure dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and equimolar mixtures of DPPC/n-hexadecanol (C(16)OH) and DPPC/dipalmitoylglycerol (DPG) are studied by the film balance technique and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction measurements. At 20 degrees C, the binary systems exhibit complete miscibility. In contrast to pure DPPC monolayers, a condensing effect is observed in the presence of both non-phospholipid additives; but the phase transition behavior differs. The tilt angle of the hydrocarbon chains in the DPPC/C(16)OH mixture is significantly smaller than in pure DPPC monolayers. The tilt of the chains is even further reduced in the mixed monolayer of DPPC/DPG. A comparison of the three systems reveals distinct structural features such as phase state, chain tilt, and molecular area over a wide range of surface pressures. Therefore, these monolayers provide a highly suitable model to investigate the influence of structural parameters on biological processes occurring at the membrane surface, e.g. enzymatic reactions and adsorption events.     

The tardigrade Hypsibius dujardini, a new model for studying the evolution of development

Studying development in diverse taxa can address a central issue in evolutionary biology: how morphological diversity arises through the evolution of developmental mechanisms. Two of the best-studied developmental model organisms, the arthropod Drosophila and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, have been found to belong to a single protostome superclade, the Ecdysozoa. This finding suggests that a closely related ecdysozoan phylum could serve as a valuable model for studying how developmental mechanisms evolve in ways that can produce diverse body plans. Tardigrades, also called water bears, make up a phylum of microscopic ecdysozoan animals. Tardigrades share many characteristics with C. elegans and Drosophila that could make them useful laboratory models, but long-term culturing of tardigrades historically has been a challenge, and there have been few studies of tardigrade development. Here, we show that the tardigrade Hypsibius dujardini can be cultured continuously for decades and can be cryopreserved. We report that H. dujardini has a compact genome, a little smaller than that of C. elegans or Drosophila, and that sequence evolution has occurred at a typical rate. H. dujardini has a short generation time, 13–14 days at room temperature. We have found that the embryos of H. dujardini have a stereotyped cleavage pattern with asymmetric cell divisions, nuclear migrations, and cell migrations occurring in reproducible patterns. We present a cell lineage of the early embryo and an embryonic staging series. We expect that these data can serve as a platform for using H. dujardini as a model for studying the evolution of developmental mechanisms.     

Hybridization kinetics on microarray surfaces

Kinetic hybridization data are compared to a number of different models. A first-order Langmuir model provides the best fit to the data.     

细胞离子在振荡电磁场作用下的受力模型分析

本文通过生物细胞模型,研究振荡电场、振荡磁场以及振荡磁场产生的感应电场对细胞离子的作用机理。模型分析结果表明,电场力和罗仑兹力对细胞膜两侧的自由离子将产生加速度,振荡离子将产生周期性电位移。该模型同时也解释了脉冲电磁场比同参教的连续场产生更多的生物效应,以及连续场在开始施加和切除时的效应最大。     

Adaptive neuro-fuzzy modelling of anaerobic digestion of primary sedimentation sludge

Modelling of anaerobic digestion systems is difficult because their performance is complex and varies significantly with influent characteristics and operational conditions. In this study, Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) were used for modelling of anaerobic digestion system of primary sludge of Kayseri municipal WasteWater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Effluent Volatile Solid (VS) and methane yield were predicted by the ANFIS. Two stage models were performed. In the first stage, effluent VS concentration was predicted using pH, VS concentration, flowrate of pre-thickened sludge and temperature of the influent as input parameters. In the second stage, effluent VS concentration in addition to first stage input parameters were used as input parameters to predict methane yield. The low Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and high Index of agreement (IA) values were obtained with subtractive clustering method of a first order Sugeno type inference. The model performance was evaluated with statistical parameters. According to statistical evaluations, the models satisfactorily predict effluent VS concentration and methane yield.