Early vs. late rate of torque development: Relation with maximal strength and influencing factors

We re-examined the relationship between rate of torque development (RTD) and maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) torque, and investigated some possible neuromuscular determinants of early (≤100 ms) and late (≥200 ms) RTD. Seventeen healthy men performed maximal explosive isometric knee extensions at five joint angles, from which MVC torque, RTD at different time intervals (50–250 ms), and early quadriceps EMG activity (EMG₅₀) were evaluated. Quadriceps muscle thickness (MT) was quantified by longitudinal ultrasonography. The relationship between MVC torque, EMG₅₀ and MT against RTD was assessed with Pearson’s and repeated measures correlation coefficients. Moderate-to-strong correlation coefficients were observed between MVC torque and RTD (r = 0.50–0.88, p < 0.001), with stronger relationships for late RTD than for early RTD. Weak-to-strong correlation coefficients were observed amongst RTD and EMG₅₀ (r = 0.37–0.83, p < 0.001), with stronger relationships for early RTD than for late RTD. Only late RTD was significantly correlated with MT, though only moderately (r = 0.50–0.52, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that early and late knee extension RTD are potentially governed by different neuromuscular factors. Neuromuscular activation seems to have a greater influence on early RTD than on late RTD, and vice versa for muscle mass.     

The long-run effects of adolescent athletic participation on women’s health

Increased athletic opportunities have been shown to improve educational and labor force outcomes, however few studies have linked athletic participation to health later in life. We use the implementation of Title IX, legislation banning gender discrimination in educational programs in the U.S., to estimate the effect of increased access to high school athletic opportunities on women’s later life health. Our results indicate that increased participation leads to fewer days in poor mental health, reduced BMI and rates of obesity, lower smoking rates, and some evidence of a reduced likelihood of a diabetes diagnosis. However, we find no impact of high school athletic participation on the number of days in poor physical health and current exercise, and a positive relationship between participation and alcohol consumption.     

绿色参与式社区：加强城市景观的社会行动

介绍了位于洛哈市西南的提阿拉斯·科罗拉达斯（Tierras Coloradas）街区绿地和城市形象提升项目。以风景园林参与式设计方法为基础,该方法分5个阶段开展,从民众的主观批判精神开始,构成了参与行动的原动力。整个过程是在社区普及教学的进程中制定的,妇女是必须的参与者,共同找出邻里的问题和可能的解决办法。为此,普及教学是很有必要的,有助于未来社区项目的执行。重要的成果是,我们对部分城市街区进行了重新造林,改变了城市景观的形象,强化了社区体系, 促使社区在改善公共人行步道绿地方面开展合作。从专业的角度认为其主要效果是引导民众打破主观社区的非个人主观限制,为项目开展和参与打下基础。项目的整个社区干预过程是在高校、社区警察局、市政府等公共机构的支持下进行的,发挥着真正的协同作用,并齐心协力致力于该区块邻里间的自我发展,为未来与自然环境的友好关系奠定基础,这些都将影响社区的生活质量。     

基于参与式制图的城市保护地生态系统文化服务价值评价——以上海共青森林公园为例

生态系统服务价值定量化评价及其空间制图可以为确定生态系统文化服务(CES)优先保护地域提供有效途径.本研究以上海共青森林公园为例,采用问卷和结构式访谈结合参与式制图(PPGIS)方法,将非货币CES价值和空间信息结合,把丰度、多样性和稀有度指数转化为空间生态综合指数,定量评价了CES价值及其空间分布,识别出优先保护地域.结果表明: 不同景观类型的CES价值分布不同,共青森林公园美学服务价值主要分布在相对开阔的草地、滨水和疏林区,滨水区具有较高的社会关系和灵感价值.多样性较高价值区主要沿湖滨水分布,而稀有度价值较高区域多分布在森林和草地区.通过对8个梯度阈值生态指数的最高值区域进行叠加,验证了25%为有效划分阈值,能够更准确划分公园CES优先保护范围.该方法引入公众参与,实现了使用者体验的空间化、定量化、类型化,建立了景观、空间、体验的地域关系,可为城市保护地优先保护地域划分及其规划管理提供重要依据.     

《生物多样性公约》企业与生物多样性全球平台的发展情况及对中国的政策建议

《生物多样性公约》(以下简称《公约》)是国际社会协力保护生物多样性最主要的公约, 也是中国参与和引领全球生态文明建设的重要平台。《公约》一直不断推动企业参与生物多样性保护的相关工作和国际体系建设。该国际体系主要包括两大支柱: 一是“企业与生物多样性全球伙伴关系”国际机制(Global Partnership on Business and Biodiversity, 以下简称GPBB机制); 二是“企业与生物多样性全球伙伴关系”资源平台(Global Platform for Business and Biodiversity, 以下简称GPBB平台)。前者是工作组织和资金机制, 后者是前者的技术支持和保障机制, 二者相辅相成, 协同增效。总体来看, 自1996年《公约》第三次缔约方大会(COP-3)以来, GPBB平台的相关概念和机制不断发展完善, 至今已形成了一个GPBB平台在线数据库, 可为我国推进相关工作提供技术支撑。通过梳理总结GPBB平台及其相关机制等的发展情况, 得出: (1)企业参与生物多样性保护的意愿及对GPBB平台的需求日益增强; (2)《公约》对企业参与的要求更加明确; (3)《公约》对如何促进企业参与生物多样性的路线图更加清晰; (4) GPBB机制已基本建立; (5) GPBB平台已基本完善。展望未来, GPBB平台发展将有望继续保持以下三大趋势: (1)平台建设力度将不断加强; (2)平台的影响将不断提升; (3)平台发展将向重点部门倾斜。目前, GPBB平台可提供相关最新研究成果、方法学、工具、自愿性标准和指引、简报、最佳实践案例等免费信息, 以及一系列项目实施过程中的企业参与机会, 以支持企业在决策和运营中纳入生物多样性, 并鼓励支持各国政府、企业、非政府组织和学术科研机构等多利益相关方共同参与、贡献与受益。中国自2015年正式加入GPBB机制后, 对各成员国的企业参与倡议开展了较为深入的研究, 为成立发起“中国企业与生物多样性伙伴关系”(CBBP)联盟倡议做出有益探索。但总体而言, 对GPBB平台的研究借鉴以及参与建设还有很多工作可做。我们建议: (1)在制度贡献方面, 应加强政策研究, 研提COP-15企业参与新决议草案; (2)在机制建设方面, 积极参与和逐渐引领GPBB机制建设, 协力支撑一带一路等中国倡议; (3)在人员保障方面, 加强人才队伍建设, 提升引领能力; (4)在GPBB平台方面, 加强研究借鉴和技术参与, 为GPBB平台建设提供技术支持。     

Soybean oil and beef tallow in dry extruded diets for adult dogs

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of two different fat sources (soybean oil (SO) and beef tallow (BT)) in dry extruded dog diets on the intake of food and metabolizable energy (ME), on faecal characteristics and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and energy. Ten adult dogs of different breeds were used in a Latin square design. Five experimental diets were designed from a basal diet. A Control diet was coated with 1% SO and four other diets were obtained by coating the basal diet with 6.5% and 13% of SO or BT. The Control, 6.5% and 13% coated diets contained approximately 8.5%, 15% and 20% fat, respectively. The dogs had similar dry matter (DM) intakes and, consequently, higher ME intakes with an increased fat content for both sources (p < 0.05). Fat digestibility was highest for Diet SO13% (p < 0.05). The ATTD of DM and organic matter was highest (p < 0.05) for Diets SO13% and BT13%. Fat coating improved the faecal score, especially for Diet BT13%. The dietary ratios of protein:fat:carbohydrate [% of ME] were close to AAFCO’s estimates. For SO a higher ATTD (99.1%) and ME content (38.88 MJ/kg) was estimated than for BT (ATTD 92.9% and 36.37 MJ ME/kg). Both SO and BT can comprise up to 13% of the diet. However, SO was more susceptible to leaking from the kibbles with the coating method applied.     

Voluntary emergence and water detection in a newly recognized amphibious fish

Galaxias ‘nebula’, a small fish which has adaptations for air‐breathing but is not known to be amphibious, voluntarily emerged from water and, in an unfamiliar environment, moved preferentially towards an alternative water source. Nebula may thus be considered one of the few truly amphibious fishes, and their ability to detect water provides a selective advantage which aids their survival in unpredictable natural environments.     

The Greening of a Pulp and Paper Mill: International Paper's Androscoggin Mill, Jay, Maine

International Paper (IP), the world's largest forest products company, owns the Androscoggin Mill, a large pulp and paper mill in Jay, Maine, in the northeastern United States. This case study describes the transformation of the Androscoggin Mill from an object of public opprobrium and conflict to a show-case for environmental management. In the late 1980s, an 18-month strike had embittered workers and townspeople and left the mill's reputation in tatters. In response to mill environ-mental violations, some of which were considered crimes by state regulators, the town of Jay passed its own environmental ordinance to control mill emissions. Early in the 1990s, new management, including two former corporate-level employ-ees, sought to change the mill's business approach and turn the Androscoggin Mill into IP's best environmental performer. The initial emphasis on establishing and maintaining compliance was expanded to include aggressive pollution prevention efforts that led to cooperative projects with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and stakeholder groups. The mill's ap-proach in the 1990s evolved further to essentially follow prin-ciples of industrial ecology. New approaches focused on "clos-ing the loop" by finding beneficial uses for previously landfilled wastes, replacements for most hazardous chemicals, and re-ductions in solid and hazardous waste generation. The mill also pursued the establishment of symbiotic relationships with a facility that began using a mill by-product on-site and an on-site natural gas burning facility that provided part of the mill's steam demand. IP also established a public advisory committee in 1992 to advise management on operational and "big-picture" issues, which later included the application of sustain-ability criteria to the mill. IP has since formed community advisory committees at each of their integrated pulp and paper mills.     

Anaerobe/aerobe environmental flux determines protein expression profiles of Bacteroides fragilis, a redox pathogen

The oxidation-reduction (redox) of the environment characterizes the Bacteroides fragilis pathogenic potential. Previously, using 3D confocal laser scanning microscopy, the bacteria prepared from cultures grown under oxidizing conditions (Eh(7)ca. + 100 mV) were able to penetrate into Hela cell monolayers. In contrast, when grown under reducing conditions (Eh(7)ca. - 60 mV), there were no bacteria evident within Hela cells. The influence of the anaerobe/aerobe environmental flux during the process of the anaerobe infection could be significant. In B. fragilis peritonitis, this may depend on the occurrence of aerobiosis as opposed to anaerobiosis. To this end, three clinical B. fragilis strains, two infectious and one non-infectious, were grown under oxidizing and reducing conditions; then, the outer membrane protein expressions derived from these strains were assessed, following sarcosyl extraction and SDS-PAGE. The differences between the protein profiles from these strains when cultured under oxidizing and reducing conditions were found to be statistically significant for the two infectious strains, but not for the non-infectious strain. OMP profiles under aerobic conditions compared to anaerobic conditions exhibited products with a range of apparent molecular weights suggestive of unique participation in the interaction with the host cell.     

Substrate-assisted catalysis: molecular basis and biological significance

Substrate-assisted catalysis (SAC) is the process by which a functional group in a substrate contributes to catalysis by an enzyme. SAC has been demonstrated for representatives of three major enzyme classes: serine proteases, GTPases, and type II restriction endonucleases, as well as lysozyme and hexose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase. Moreover, structure-based predictions of SAC have been made for many additional enzymes. Examples of SAC include both naturally occurring enzymes such as type II restriction endonucleases as well as engineered enzymes including serine proteases. In the latter case, a functional group from a substrate can substitute for a catalytic residue replaced by site-directed mutagenesis. From a protein engineering perspective, SAC provides a strategy for drastically changing enzyme substrate specificity or even the reaction catalyzed. From a biological viewpoint, SAC contributes significantly to the activity of some enzymes and may represent a functional intermediate in the evolution of catalysis. This review focuses on advances in engineering enzyme specificity and activity by SAC, together with the biological significance of this phenomenon.