屏障环境的门禁控制系统的设计与应用

实验动物屏障环境设施在动态运行时是一个封闭的系统,进入的人、动物、饲料、空气、垫料及用品均须进行严格的微生物控制。传递仓、渡槽、风淋室和缓冲间设备上的控制环节缺少必要的门禁自动化控制设备,在日常工作上极容易造成违章操作和失误,该门禁系统可控制设备的开关门程序和时间,并可启动消毒设备,实现门禁控制和消毒灭菌的目的。     

Conflicts between humans over wildlife management: on the diversity of stakeholder attitudes and implications for conflict management

Conflicts involving wildlife are, in essence, often conflicts between human parties with differing wildlife management objectives. However, the study and management of wildlife conflicts often focuses on the ecological context without addressing disagreements between people over these objectives. This research uses quantitative approaches to examine actors’ views on a complex wildlife-related conflict: a raptor of conservation concern that impacts on game-bird management. Four dominant elements of the debate emerged from initial semi-structured interviews: perceptions of conflict related issues; perceptions of each other; perceived barriers to consensus within the debate; and assessment of proposed practical management solutions. A quantitative survey that built on these elements demonstrates the degree to which perceptions differ between groups and how local variation in these elements may be obscured in a regional or national level debate. The findings emphasise the importance of understanding the social issues involved in wildlife related conflicts if management aims are to be agreed and achieved.     

Phylogeography and population structure of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) inferred from mitochondrial control region DNA sequence analysis

Rhinopithecus bieti, the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, is the nonhuman primate with the highest altitudinal distribution and is also one of the 25 most globally endangered primate species. Currently, R. bieti is found in forests between 3000 and 4500 m above sea level, within a narrow area on the Tibetan Plateau between the Yangtze and Mekong rivers, where it is suffering from loss of habitat and shrinking population size (approximately 1500). To assess the genetic diversity within this species, its population structure and to infer its evolutionary history, we sequenced 401 bp of the hypervariable I (HVI) segment from the mitochondrial DNA control region (CR) for 157 individuals from 11 remnant patches throughout the fragmented distribution area. Fifty-two variable sites were observed and 30 haplotypes were defined. Compared with other primate species, R. bieti cannot be regarded as a taxon with low genetic diversity. Phylogenetic analysis partitioned haplotypes into two divergent haplogroups (A and B). Haplotypes from the two mitochondrial clades were found to be mixed in some patches although the distribution of haplotypes displayed local homogeneity, implying a strong population structure within R. bieti. Analysis of molecular variance detected significant differences among the different geographical regions, suggesting that R. bieti should be separated into three management units (MUs) for conservation. Based on our results, it can be hypothesized that the genetic history of R. bieti includes an initial, presumably allopatric divergence between clades A and B 1.0-0.7 million years ago (Ma), which might have been caused by the Late Cenozoic uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, secondary contact after this divergence as a result of a population expansion 0.16-0.05 Ma, and population reduction and habitat fragmentation in the very recent past.     

Context dependence in the coevolution of plant and rhizobial mutualists

Several mechanisms are expected to rapidly rid mutualisms of genetic variation in partner quality. Variation for mutualist quality, however, appears to be widespread. We used a model legume-rhizobium mutualism to test for evidence that context-dependent selection may maintain variation in partner quality. In a greenhouse experiment using 10 natural populations of Medicago truncatula and two strains of Sinorhizobium medicae, we detected significant genotype x genotype (G x G) interactions for plant fitness, indicating that the most beneficial rhizobium strain depends on the host genotype. In a second experiment using a subset of the plant populations used in the first experiment, we detected significant G x G interactions for both plant and rhizobium fitness. Moreover, the plant population with which rhizobium strains gained the greatest benefit depended on the nitrogen environment. Finally, we found that in a high nitrogen environment, all plant populations had lower fitness when inoculated with a 1:1 mixture of strains than with the worse single strain alone, suggesting that nitrogen shifts the exchange of benefits in favour of rhizobia. Our data suggest that genotype, nitrogen and biotic dependency might contribute to the maintenance of genetic variation in mutualist quality when coupled with spatial or temporal heterogeneity in the environment.     

A monozygotic twin pair with β-thalassemia carrier status in a Dudh Kharia tribal family of Orissa

BACKGROUND:

The β-thalassemia syndrome is a genetically inherited commonly encountered hematological disorder in the state of Orissa. It causes high degree of morbidity, mortality and fetal wastage in the poor vulnerable people.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

There is an equal probability (50% chance) in every singleton pregnancy that a carrier parent of β-thalassemia major would either bear normal or carrier offspring, but not two offspring with carrier of β-thalassemia major genotype together. For the first time, a carrier parent of β-thalassemia major gene has born progeny (three daughters and a twin male offspring) with a carrier status of β-thalassemia major in Dudh Kharia tribal family studied from Sundargarh district of Orissa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We screened randomly selected population of Dudh Kharia tribe from Sundargarh district of Orissa for hemoglobinopathies to assess the extent of the problem, design possible interventions and provide genetic counseling to them. A family with twin children was identified during screening in Lata Gaon in Bargaon block of Sundargarh district of Orissa for the above-mentioned study. Background information for this family such as name, age, sex, tribe, native place, reproductive history, family pedigree and clinical signs and symptoms were also recorded. Standardized genetic and hematological procedures and techniques were followed for analysis.

RESULTS:

Laboratory investigations for alkaline electrophoresis of blood lysate on cellulose acetate membrane showed raised hemoglobin A₂ level in mother (Hb A₂ = 5.3%), in three daughters (Hb A₂ =6.5, 5.9, 5.5% in chronological and birth order), in two twin sons (Hb A₂ =5.9% and 6.0%) and normal (Hb A₂ = 3.3%) for father. Hence, all the children i.e., three daughters and two twin sons, including the mother were β-thalassemia carriers. Since all the hematological parameters i.e., red cell indices, G-6-PD enzyme activity, ABO and Rhesus blood groups and identical β-thalassemia (trait) genotypes with identical clinical manifestations and hematological profile of the twin sons under similar environmental conditions, hence they were labeled as identical monozygotic twins.

CONCLUSIONS:

It is a rare occasion when a single pregnancy carries either one or two abnormal genotypes at a time in a womb in human beings. Monozygotic twins are genetically alike and provide appraisal of the expression of identical genotype under the different environmental conditions.     

Smear cytology in the intra-operative assessment of periodontoid pseudotumour of the craniocervical junction

OBJECTIVE: Periodontoid pseudotumours are lesions of presumed degenerative aetiology which typically occur in elderly patients with cervical myelopathy. The clinical and radiological differential diagnosis includes neoplastic and inflammatory lesions, and the exclusion of such lesions may be of value in the intra-operative management of the patient. This audit aimed to examine the value of intra-operative smear cytology in the management of this condition. METHODS: The intra-operative smear cytological features of four cases of periodontoid pseudotumour were reviewed. RESULTS: In each case the intra-operative cytological interpretation was in keeping with a non-neoplastic and non-inflammatory process. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that intra-operative smear cytology can provide information on the value in the intra-operative management of patients with this lesion.     

Employing Detection Controlled Models in Health and Environmental Risk Assessment: A Case in Offshore Oil Drilling

This study examines the determinants of health, safety, and environmental (HS&E) incidence and reporting behavior in Gulf of Mexico offshore drilling. One objective is to determine statistically significant variables that influence the probability of HS&E incidence and reporting. Incidence modeling employs standard qualitative response models with binary and ordered dependent variables, and a Poisson specification. A second objective is to examine the impact of imperfect reporting on inferences. Unlike previous studies, models allowing for the possibility of imperfect reporting are specified and estimated. The results of this analysis provide strong evidence to support the hypothesis that aspects of well complexity and site complexity increase the likelihood of HS&E incidents in drilling. Equally important is evidence rejecting the hypothesis that broader oil company attributes influence HS&E incidence. An analysis of reporting behavior provides mixed support for the hypothesis that well-known firms are more likely to report an incident than their more anonymous counterparts. There is weak evidence indicating differential reporting behavior between regulatory districts. Finally, the analysis provides consistent support for the conclusion that a 1996 policy change reduced HS&E incidence and increased HS&E reporting. The results of this research provide guidance to company managers and regulators on the factors driving HS&E incidence and reporting. Results also provide evidence that models of imperfect reporting can alter, in this case reverse, the interpretation of trends in reported incidents. These results can be used to support efficient resource allocation to prevention efforts, and inform regulatory policy.     

An Integrated Framework for Risk Management and Population Health

The traditional medical model of health and health policy development has focused on individuals and the role of medical care in preventing and treating disease and injury. Recent attention to health inequities and social determinants of health has raised the profile of population heath and evidence-based strategies for improving the health of whole populations. At the same time, risk science has emerged as an important new discipline for the assessment and management of risks to health. This article reviews historical developments in the fields of risk management and population health and proposes a joint population health risk management framework that integrates the key elements of both fields. Applying this integrated approach to managing population health risks will facilitate the development of evidence-based health policy. It will encourage a more systematic and comprehensive evaluation of population health issues and promote the use of a broader suite of interventions to reduce health risks and enhance population health status.     

Web-Based Data, Document, and Knowledge Management in Restoration Projects

This paper gives an introduction to composition, creation, and management of knowledge using a long‐term research project as an example. The concept and first experiences for a web‐based knowledge management system (KMS) of the regeneration process of the stream Ilm (Thuringia, Germany) are presented. From 1996 until 2005, this restoration ecology project investigated whether the river ecosystem can attain its natural state again and how the regeneration can be influenced. The web‐based content management system iZone, with an emphasis on information retrieval and feedback, was used to support the process of storage, retrieval, and visualization of existing information, several Ph.D. studies, and expert knowledge in the concluding phase of the research project. The resulting KMS at the moment stores 90 entries from 35 project scientists.     

Changes of traditional agrarian landscapes and their conservation implications: a case study of butterflies in Romania

Global biodiversity is decreasing as a result of human activities. In many parts of the world, this decrease is due to the destruction of natural habitats. The European perspective is different. Here, traditional agricultural landscapes developed into species-rich habitats. However, the European biodiversity heritage is strongly endangered. One of the countries where this biodiversity is best preserved is Romania. We analyse the possible changes in Romania's land-use patterns and their possible benefits and hazards with respect to biodiversity. As model group, we used butterflies, whose habitat requirements are well understood. We determined the ecological importance of different land-use types for the conservation of butterflies, underlining the special importance of Romania's semi-natural grasslands for nature conservation. We found that increasing modern agriculture and abandonment of less productive sites both affect biodiversity negatively — the former immediately and the latter after a lag phase of several years. These perspectives are discussed in the light of the integration of Romania into the European Union.