On the Expansion and Realization of the Right to Environmental Information in Environmental Protection Supervision

As an innovation in the environmental governance system that breaks the traditional hierarchical structure,environmental protection supervision has not only played a significant role in protecting tangible environmental rights but also expanded the basic scope of the right to environmental information—part of procedural environmental rights.In the supervision of environmental protection,the objects of the right to environmental information and the subjects of the obligation to provide environmental information have been both expanded,with the focus shifting from government information to Party information and from administrative organs to Party organs.This vividly demonstrates the Communist Party of China’s concrete efforts to protect human rights in the field of the endeavor to build an ecological civilization.At present,the realization of the right to environmental information in environmental protection supervision still faces problems such as insufficient standards and norms,disordered practice and operation,and lack of liability guarantee.In this context,based on renewing relevant subjects’cognition of the right to know in environmental protection supervision,we should further improve and specify the rule for disclosing information about environmental protection supervision,rationally distribute the obligations for information disclosure in environmental protection supervision,and clarify the accountability rules for violating relevant requirements for information disclosure,so as to promote the overall development of the environmental protection supervision system while guaranteeing the realization of the right to environmental information.

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, an international journal with special emphasis on scientific findings in China, publishes articles dealing with biologic and toxic effects of environmental pollutants on man and other forms of life. The effects may be measured with pharmacological, biochemical. pathological, and immunological techniques. The journal also publishes reports dealing with the entry, transport. and fate of natural and anthropogenic chemicals in the biosphere, and their impact on human health and well-being. Papers describing biochemical, pharmacological, pathological, and immunological studies of

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, an intemational journal with emphasis on scientific findings in China, publishes articles dealing with biologic and toxic effects of environmental pollutants on man and other forms of life. The effects may be measured with pharmacological, biochemical, pathological, and immunological techniques. The journal also publishes reports dealing with the entry, transport, and fate of natural and anthropogenic chemicals in the biosphere, and their impact on human health and well-being. Papers describing biochemical, pharmacological, pathological, toxicological and immunological studies of pharmaceuticals （biotechnological products） are also welcome.

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, an international journal with emphasis on scientific findings in China, publishes articles dealing with biologic and toxic effects of environmental pollutants on man and other forms of life. The effects may be measured with pharmacological, biochemical, pathological, and immunological techniques. The journal also publishes reports dealing ~ith the entry, transport, and fate of natural and anthropogenic chemicals in the biosphere, and their impact on human health and well-being. Papers describing biochemical, pharmacological, pathological, toxicological and immunological studies of pharmaceuticals （biotechnological products） are also welcome.

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences,an international journal with special emphasis on scientificfindings in China,publishes articles dealing with biologic and toxic effects of environmental pollutants onman and other forms of life.The effects may be measured with pharmacological,biochemical,pathological,and immunological techniques.The journal also publishes reports dealing with the entry,transport,andfate of natural and anthropogenic chemicals in the biosphere,and their impact on human health andwell-being.Papers describing biochemical,pharmacological,pathological,and immunological studies ofpharmaceuticals that might facilitate the interpretation of toxic effects of environmental pollutants are also

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, an intemational journal with emphasis on scientific findings in China, publishes articles dealing with biologic and toxic effects of environmental pollutants on man and other forms of life. The effects may be measured with pharmacological, biochemical, pathological, and immunological techniques. The journal also publishes reports dealing with the entry, transport, and fate of natural and anthropogenic chemicals in the biosphere, and their impact on human health and well-being. Papers describing biochemical, pharmacological, pathological, toxicological and immunological studies of pharmaceuticals （biotechnological products） are also welcome.

A Predictive 6G Network with Environment Sensing Enhancement:From Radio Wave Propagation Perspective

In order to support the future digital society,sixth generation(6G)network faces the challenge to work efficiently and flexibly in a wider range of scenarios.The traditional way of system design is to sequentially get the electromagnetic wave propagation model of typical scenarios firstly and then do the network design by simulation offline,which obviously leads to a 6G network lacking of adaptation to dynamic environments.Recently,with the aid of sensing enhancement,more environment information can be obtained.Based on this,from radio wave propagation perspective,we propose a predictive 6G network with environment sensing enhancement,the electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics prediction enabled network(EWave Net),to further release the potential of 6G.To this end,a prediction plane is created to sense,predict and utilize the physical environment information in EWave Net to realize the electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics prediction timely.A two-level closed feedback workflow is also designed to enhance the sensing and prediction ability for EWave Net.Several promising application cases of EWave Net are analyzed and the open issues to achieve this goal are addressed finally.

Quantum process discrimination with information from environment

In quantum metrology we usually extract information from the reduced probe system but ignore the information lost inevitably into the environment. However, K. Mφlmer [Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 040401 （2015）] showed that the information lost into the environment has an important effect on improving the successful probability of quantum process discrimination. Here we reconsider the model of a driven atom coupled to an environment and distinguish which of two candidate Hamiltonians governs the dynamics of the whole system. We mainly discuss two measurement methods, one of which obtains only the information from the reduced atom state and the other obtains the information from both the atom and its environment. Interestingly, for the two methods the optimal initial states of the atom, used to improve the successful probability of the process discrimination, are different. By comparing the two methods we find that the partial information from the environment is very useful for the discriminations.

Remote monitoring system for livestock environmental information based on LoRa wireless ad hoc network technology

The environmental quality of livestock houses is key to livestock breeding and directly affects the growth and health of animals.To target the characteristics of long application cycles and large coverage areas for environmental monitoring in large-scale livestock breeding,the current study designed a remote monitoring system to provide livestock environmental information based on LoRa wireless ad hoc network technology.The system consisted of collection terminals,control terminals,LoRa gateways,and Alibaba Elastic Compute Service.It realized real-time collection,wireless transmission,storage of multi-sensor node data,and remote control.The system was not limited by the selected time or region,because data interaction was achieved by accessing cloud servers using GPRS technology.Users could browse and obtain data from computers and a WeChat mini program from any location with network coverage.Additionally,the system used the improved receiver-based auto rate(RBAR)rate-adaptive algorithm in the LoRa wireless communication component.After application on a dairy farm,the results showed that the whole system collected 6140 sets of environmental data from four dairy houses.The packet loss rate was less than 1%within a communication distance of 604 m,and the communication success rate was greater than 99%.The control instructions were real-time and accurate,and the response time was less than 10 s,which met the remote control needs of large farms.The system provided powerful data and technical support for precision animal production.

‘Isomorp hic’behavior of corporate greenwashing

In the implementation of corporate environmental responsibility,‘greenwashing’is a pseudo-social behavior which is theopposite of‘genuine green’behaviors.With the improvement of the public awareness of environmental protection and the strengthening of the government environmental supervision,more and more enterprises are learning the green behavior adaptively.The frequentoccurrence of greenwashing has become a‘disharmonious’voice in the construction of ecological civilization.Institutional theory holdsthat institutional factors make organizations become more similar in structure and performance due to institutional forces.This paper describes an exploratory research on the law of group behavior in corporate greenwashing,analyzes the isomorphic mechanism of corporate greenwashing based on the institutional theory,and carries out an empirical test by using the data of A-share listed companiesin heavily polluting industries during the period of 2010−2016.The research in this paper shows that corporate greenwashing behavioris significantly affected by neighboring enterprises in the same region,and proves the existence of the‘bandwagon’effect.The results of analysis based on the nature of property rights show that state-owned enterprises have more significant regional isomorphic behaviors,indicating that state-owned enterprises are more inclined to claim legitimacy through the institutional isomorphism of greenwashing.Results of further analysis show that,greenwashing isomorphism does not significantly improve the operating performance of enterprises,but the similarity strengthens the ability of these enterprises to bear risks under an uncertain environment.As such,this provides empirical evidence support for the hypothesis that‘organizational isomorphism is usually for legitimacy rather than efficiency’in the institutional theory.The research in this paper reveals the land-derived characteristic of greenwashing behavior,and provides adecisive reference for policy implication.For the control of greenwashing,the central government should enforce and standardize theenterprise environmental report in terms of institutional arrangement,unify the form and content of disclosure,and improve the credibility and comparability of environmental information disclosure.The local governments need to strengthen the supervision of enterprises within their jurisdiction,as well as the coordination,cooperation and information sharing between departments,increase the punishment of violations,break the legal for enterprises to obtain socialrecognition by greenwashing.Meanwhile,it is necessary for the promotion of‘genuine green’large companies and state owned enterprises as role models.

GIS-and RS-based spatial decision support:structure of a spatial environmental information system(SEIS)

The development of spatial decision support for environmental resource management,e.g.forest and agroecosystem management,biodiversity conservation,or hydrological planning,started in the 1980s and was the focus of many research groups in the 1990s.The combined availability of spatial data and communication,computing,positioning,geographic information system(GIS)-and remote sensing(RS)-technologies has been responsible for the implementation of complex SDSS since the late 1990s.The regional GIS-based modelling of environmental resources,and therefore ecosystems in general,requires setting-up an extensive geo and model database.Spatial data on topography,soil,climate,land use,hydrology,flora,fauna and anthropogenic activities have to be available.Therefore,GIS-and RS-technologies are of central importance for spatial data handling and analysis.In this context,the structure of spatial environmental information systems(SEIS)is introduced.In SEIS,the input data for environmental resource management are organised in at least seven subinformation systems:base geodata information system(BGDIS),climate information system(CIS),soil information system(SIS),land use information system(LUIS),hydrological information system(HIS),spatial/temporal biodiversity information system(STBIS),forest/agricultural management information system(FAMIS).The major tasks of a SEIS are to(i)provide environmental resource information on a regional level,(ii)analyse the impact of anthropogenic activities and(iii)simulate scenarios of different impacts.

INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS

Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, an international journal with emphasis on scientific findings in China, publishes articles dealing with biologic and toxic effects of environmental pollutants on man and other forms of life.

Innovations of subject service in National Science Library,Chinese Academy of Sciences and the implications

Looking at the development of subject librarians and subject services in Chinese libraries during the past decade,this paper highlights the innovative concepts and practices of subject librarians in National Science Library(NSL),Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).After a two-year trial period,NSL,CAS,with 39 full-time subject librarians,has begun to provide personalized,subject-specific,and knowledge-based services to the end-users since 2006.Such a practice manifests that subject librarians and subject services should be embedded into the research process and working environment.And,the subject service should be made available to the users beyond the space restriction and time limit,and finally create a congenial environment for users.Librarians should develop new expertise to offer the user-oriented service,changing the role from book keepers to research instructors,advisors,even chief information officer(CIO)or chief knowledge officer(CKO).

An implementation assessment of China's Environmental Information Disclosure Decree

China＇s 2007 Open Government Information Regulations is widely considered as a milestone in the country＇s information policy history and is praised as a ＂sunshine program＂. The Environmental Information Disclosure Decree was the first to operationalize these general regulations into a sectorai information disclosure system on environment. This study assessed the implementation of the environmental information disclosure system about six months after the Decree took effect on May 1, 2008. Through reviewing the websites of all 31 provincial Environmental Protection Bureaus and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, conducting an experiment with actual information disclosure request, and through interviews with all provincial Environmental Protection Bureaus, this article concluded that the implementation of the environmental information disclosure system still fails short. Future improvements should focus on further publicity of the regulations and decree to enhance public participation, the establishment of an independent evaluation and supervision system for information disclosure, the exchange of experiences and best practices among provincial Environmental Protection Bureaus, and on strengthening the legal status of environmental information disclosure.

Data and tools to integrate climate and environmental information into public health

Background:During the last 30 years,the development of geographical information systems and satellites for Earth observation has made important progress in the monitoring of the weather,climate,environmental and anthropogenic factors that influence the reduction or the reemergence of vector-borne diseases.Analyses resulting from the combination of geographical information systems(GIS)and remote sensing have improved knowledge of climatic,environmental,and biodiversity factors influencing vector-borne diseases(VBDs)such as malaria,visceral leishmaniasis,dengue,Rift Valley fever,schistosomiasis,Chagas disease and leptospirosis.These knowledge and products developed using remotely sensed data helped and continue to help decision makers to better allocate limited resources in the fight against VBDs.Main body:Because VBDs are linked to climate and environment,we present here our experience during the last four years working with the projects under the,World Health Organization(WHO)/The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases(TDR)-International Development Research Centre(IDRC)Research Initiative on VBDs and Climate Change to integrate climate and environmental information into research and decision-making processes.The following sections present the methodology we have developed,which uses remote sensing to monitor climate variability,environmental conditions,and their impacts on the dynamics of infectious diseases.We then show how remotely sensed data can be accessed and evaluated and how they can be integrated into research and decision-making processes for mapping risks,and creating Early Warning Systems,using two examples from the WHO TDR projects based on schistosomiasis analysis in South Africa and Trypanosomiasis in Tanzania.Conclusions:The tools presented in this article have been successfully used by the projects under the WHO/TDRIDRC Research Initiative on VBDs and Climate Change.Combined with capacity building,they are an important piece of work which can significantly contribute to the goals of WHO Global Vector Control Response and to the Sustainable Development Goals especially those on health and climate action.

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DISCLOSURE IN CHINA： IN THE ERA OF INFORMATIZATION AND BIG DATA

The past decade has seen remarkable progress made in the field of environmental information disclosure in China. While the overall institutional changes and the motivation/willingness of the government to open up information are important conditions, China＇s encounter with revolutionary Information and Communication Technological （ICT） advancement and rapidly emerging big data quickly changed China from an ＂information poor environment＂ to an ＂information complex environment.＂ While most previous studies centered on those drives/constraints that were recognized in established informational governance framework, recent advancement in ICTs and emerging big data posed new challenges, opportunities and research questions. When increasing information disclosure became a new game changer in environmental governance, China has had to cope with risks and pitfalls in a new technology-empowered information environment as well. This article updated previous studies on legislation/ regulations/policies regarding environmental information disclosure in China and their implementation effectiveness, and paid special attention to China＇s recent informatization progress and emerging big data. Information disclosure was treated as a process that includes data/information generation/collection, disclosure, functional pathways of communication, and direct/indirect impacts. Changes in environmental information disclosure should be understood in a broader context of overall changing environmental governance and informatization in China. It is important to understand ICTs and information disclosure as a double-edged sword. Normative, substantive, and instrumental benefits of disclosure as well as collection and reporting costs, the issue of targeted transparency, and the risk of unintended use should be strategically considered. Principles and guidelines need to be developed to avoid pitfalls while maximizing benefits.

Relationship between Chief Executive Officer characteristics and corporate environmental information disclosure in Thailand

This study focuses on the influence of Chief Executive Officer(CEO)characteristics on environmental information disclosure(EID)in the annual reports of companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.A regression analysis method is used to explore the relationship between CEO characteristics and corporate environmental disclosure.Pollution-intensive companies are taken as the samples in this study.Results show that financial expertise,educational level,and tenure of CEOs are positively correlated with corporate EID.By contrast,age or gender of CEOs is insignificantly related to EID.

3D extrusion of multi-biomaterial lattices using an environmentally informed workflow

The conventional building material palette has been proven limited in terms of adaptability to our current environmental challenges. Innovations in computational design and digital manufacturing have supported the broadening of biomaterial applications as an alternative. While biomaterials are characteristically responsive to stimuli such as temperature and humidity, their unpredictable behaviour is a hurdle to standardization and architectural utilisation. To examine the nexus between material formulation, computation and manufacturing, multi-biomaterial lattice structures were produced through an environmentally informed workflow. Customized biomaterial development resulted in three candidate biopolymer blends with varying levels of hydro-responsiveness and transparency. The computational strategy included a machine learning clustering algorithm to customise results and dictate material distribution outputs. To test the workflow, environmental data of solar radiation exposure and solar heat gain from a specific location was used to inform the material deposition via pneumatic extrusion for the design and digital fabrication of a deformation-controlled prototype of 350 mm × 350 mm. This led to a series of multi-biomaterial wall panel components that can be applied at architectural scale. In future, these techniques can support the incorporation of living elements to be embedded within the built environment for truly animate architecture.

Abstraction of informed virtual geographic environments

We propose a novel method for the automated generation of virtual geographic environments that allows using geographic information system data to build what we call informed virtual geographic environment(IVGE).The description of an IVGE integrates semantic information expressed using conceptual graphs,a standard knowledge representation technique.In addition,we propose an abstraction process that uses geometric,topologic,and semantic characteristics of geographic features to build a hierarchical graph-based structure describing this IVGE.Our IVGE model enables the support of large-scale and complex geographic environment modeling for multiagent geo-simulations in which the agents are situated and with which they interact.