Previous studies have indicated that the Yellow Sea underwent significant environmental changes during the Holocene, but many questions remain concerning the timing of the establishment of the modern circulation syste...Previous studies have indicated that the Yellow Sea underwent significant environmental changes during the Holocene, but many questions remain concerning the timing of the establishment of the modern circulation system, which would have major implications for the Yellow Sea ecosystem and carbon cycle. In this study, marine and terrestrial biomarkers were analyzed in Core YE-2 from a muddy area in the southern Yellow Sea to reconstruct Holocene environmental and phytoplankton community change. The content of three individual marine phytoplankton biomarkers (alkenones, brassicasterol and dinosterol) all display a similar trend, and their total contents during the early Holocene (362 ng/g) were lower than those during the mid-late Holocene (991 ng/g). On the other hand, the contents of terrestrial biomarkers (C27+C29+C31n-alkanes) during the early Holocene (1 661 ng/g) were about three times higher than those during the mid-late Holocene (499 ng/g). Our biomarker results suggest that the modern circulation system of the Yellow Sea was established by 5-6 ka, and resulted in higher marine productivity and lower terrestrial organic matter inputs. Biomarker ratios were used to estimate shifts in phytoplankton community structure in response to mid-Holocene (5-6 ka) environmental changes in the Yellow Sea, revealing a transition from a dinoflagellate-diatom dominant community structure during the early Holocene to a coccolithophore-dominant community structure during the mid-late Holocene.展开更多
Translation of public signs is related to the image of a city. It has aroused more and more concerns in recent years, for translations of these public signs are often totally wrong or inappropriate. Although many tran...Translation of public signs is related to the image of a city. It has aroused more and more concerns in recent years, for translations of these public signs are often totally wrong or inappropriate. Although many translators have pointed out all kind of mistakes, there is no guiding theory in translating public signs. According to the adaptation theory by Jef. Verschuren, the use of language is just to make continuous choices in order to adapt to the needs of communications. This scientific new research angle can explain and guide translation of public signs. The argument of this paper is how to translate Chinese public signs into English from different context. And it will be analyzed from three different ways: linguistic, communicative, dynamic dimensions.展开更多
We argue that genuine biological autonomy, or described at human level as free will, requires taking into account quantum vacuum processes in the context of biological teleology. One faces at least three basic problem...We argue that genuine biological autonomy, or described at human level as free will, requires taking into account quantum vacuum processes in the context of biological teleology. One faces at least three basic problems of genuine biological autonomy: (1) if biological autonomy is not physical, where does it come from? (2) Is there a room for biological causes? And (3) how to obtain a workable model of biological teleology? It is shown here that the solution of all these three problems is related to the quantum vacuum. We present a short review of how this basic aspect of the fundamentals of quantum theory, although it had not been addressed for nearly 100 years, actually it was suggested by Bohr, Heisenberg, and others. Realizing that the quantum mechanical measurement problem associated with the "collapse" of the wave function is related, in the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics, to a process between self-consciousness and the external physical environment, we are extending the issue for an explanation of the different processes occurring between living organisms and their internal environment. Definitions of genuine biological autonomy, biological aim, and biological spontaneity are presented. We propose to improve the popular two-stage model of decisions with a biological model suitable to obtain a deeper look at the nature of the mind-body problem. In the newly emerging picture biological autonomy emerges as a new, fundamental and inevitable element of the scientific worldview.展开更多
Raising public awareness and participation of the local communities in the environmental protection has become a major objective of sound development programs. In the framework of the canal environmental protection pr...Raising public awareness and participation of the local communities in the environmental protection has become a major objective of sound development programs. In the framework of the canal environmental protection program of Ho Chi Minh City, we had developed 32 public awareness meetings for 14 districts with about 2,726 participants from year 2012 to 2015. The program had been organized in various forms such as training, brochure, leaflet, poster, propaganda gifts, face-to-face discussion, study visits, survey questionnaire. The results of the program can add substantial value to the canal environmental protection program of the city. The information gained through public comments can help identify key issues and solutions for the authorities as district and city levels. It was determined that most important outcomes from the public participation were educating the public, incorporating public values, assumptions and preferences into decision making process.展开更多
The Wuliu-Zengjiayan section in Jianhe County, Guizhou Province, China has been suggested as a potential Global Stratotype Section and Point(GSSP) for the defined base of Cambrian Series 3. A molecular organic geochem...The Wuliu-Zengjiayan section in Jianhe County, Guizhou Province, China has been suggested as a potential Global Stratotype Section and Point(GSSP) for the defined base of Cambrian Series 3. A molecular organic geochemical study on the Cambrian Series 2Series 3 boundary interval was carried out to reveal the biotic and environmental change during this transition. The hydrocarbons extracted from the Kaili Formation were proved to be indigenous. The various geochemical proxies such as biomarker parameter, δ13Corg, atomic H/C value of kerogen, and TOC content, co-vary along with the sedimentary column, and show a quick and significant change just across the Cambrian Series 2Series 3 boundary. The less abundance of isoprenoid hydrocarbons, the relative enrichment of midchain monomethyl branched alkanes(mmb-alkanes), the relatively negative value of δ13Corg, and the higher TOC contents may suggest that the upper Cambrian Series 2 was deposited in a relatively reducing environment with a higher organic input from cyanobacteria-predominated benthic microbial mats. On the other hand, the relative enrichment of isoprenoid hydrocarbons, the less abundance of mmb-alkanes, the relatively positive value of δ13Corg, the lower TOC contents, and the lower atomic H/C values of kerogen are combined to indicate an enhanced phytoplankton production and an increased oxygen content and nutrients in the ocean during the early Cambrian Series 3, which could have benefited the explosion of the Kaili Biota. The Wuliu-Zengjiayan section may provide a typical case to understand the co-variation of marine microbe, animal, and environment.展开更多
Pollution of the aquatic environment is an ever-growing problem, as waters are the ultimate sink for the large number of xenobiotics from multiple sources. DNA damaging agents have a significant ecological relevance s...Pollution of the aquatic environment is an ever-growing problem, as waters are the ultimate sink for the large number of xenobiotics from multiple sources. DNA damaging agents have a significant ecological relevance since they are implicated in many pathological processes and exert effects beyond that of individual being active through following generations. A large number of methods have been applied to evaluate genotoxic damage in different aquatic species. Comet assay, as method for de- tecting DNA alterations, and micronucleus test, as an index of chromosomal damage are the most widely applied and validated methods in field studies. These methods were applied in different vertebrate and invertebrate aquatic species, but only mollusk and fish species have been employed in routine biomonitoring programs. Mussels, due to their widely geographical distribution and the suitability for caging represent the bioindicator of choice in field studies. Mytilus species is the most used marine mussel. The use of fish is limited to specific geographic areas. The present review mainly focuses on the application of comet assay and micronucleus test in mussels. A number of biomonitoring studies in mussels, using comet assay or micronucleus test, revealed exposure to different classes of genotoxic compounds with a good discrimination power. The different evidence from the two as- says, reflects different biological mechanisms for the two genetic endpoints, DNA damage and chromosomal damage, suggesting their combined application in the field. Different endogenous and exogenous factors have been shown to modulate the genotoxic responses in mussels, acting as confounding factors in environmental monitoring. The use of standardized protocol for caging, sampling and genotoxity evaluation is critical in biomonitoring studies. The use of a multimarker approach coupling genotoxicity biomarkers with physiological and biochemical factors allows to have a complete picture of the environmental pollution [Current Zoology 60 (2): 273-284, 2014].展开更多
Eospirifer,the oldest known genus of the spiriferide group(Brachiopoda),first appeared on the Zhe-Gan Platform of South China paleoplate during late Katian(Late Ordovician) represented by E.praecursor.It survived the ...Eospirifer,the oldest known genus of the spiriferide group(Brachiopoda),first appeared on the Zhe-Gan Platform of South China paleoplate during late Katian(Late Ordovician) represented by E.praecursor.It survived the end-Ordovician mass extinction,and reappeared on the Upper Yangtze Platform of South China paleoplate by the end of Ordovician near the upper part of the Normalograptus persculptus Biozone.Starting from the beginning of Silurian,Eospirifer experienced some morphological innovations and expanded its geographical distribution substantially.It reached its species diversity acme and the widest geographic distribution in Wenlock(middle Silurian),with the diversity hotspots in Laurentia,Avalonia,and Baltica.Various shell size frequency curves of E.praecursor under different paleogeographic settings suggest that this pioneer species of Eospirifer,with several macroevolutionary novelties,adopted a range of life strategies to adapt to the changing environments during early spiriferide evolution.There are also some morphological macroevolutionary trends during the evolutionary history of Eospirifer from Late Ordovician to the end of Silurian,such as the ever enlarging shell sizes and the width/length ratios from late Katian to Wenlock,but decreasing apparently of both parameters from Wenlock to Pridoli.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No. 2010CB428901)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 40976042, 41020164005)the Shandong Province Natural Science Foundation (No. ZR2009EM004)
文摘Previous studies have indicated that the Yellow Sea underwent significant environmental changes during the Holocene, but many questions remain concerning the timing of the establishment of the modern circulation system, which would have major implications for the Yellow Sea ecosystem and carbon cycle. In this study, marine and terrestrial biomarkers were analyzed in Core YE-2 from a muddy area in the southern Yellow Sea to reconstruct Holocene environmental and phytoplankton community change. The content of three individual marine phytoplankton biomarkers (alkenones, brassicasterol and dinosterol) all display a similar trend, and their total contents during the early Holocene (362 ng/g) were lower than those during the mid-late Holocene (991 ng/g). On the other hand, the contents of terrestrial biomarkers (C27+C29+C31n-alkanes) during the early Holocene (1 661 ng/g) were about three times higher than those during the mid-late Holocene (499 ng/g). Our biomarker results suggest that the modern circulation system of the Yellow Sea was established by 5-6 ka, and resulted in higher marine productivity and lower terrestrial organic matter inputs. Biomarker ratios were used to estimate shifts in phytoplankton community structure in response to mid-Holocene (5-6 ka) environmental changes in the Yellow Sea, revealing a transition from a dinoflagellate-diatom dominant community structure during the early Holocene to a coccolithophore-dominant community structure during the mid-late Holocene.
文摘Translation of public signs is related to the image of a city. It has aroused more and more concerns in recent years, for translations of these public signs are often totally wrong or inappropriate. Although many translators have pointed out all kind of mistakes, there is no guiding theory in translating public signs. According to the adaptation theory by Jef. Verschuren, the use of language is just to make continuous choices in order to adapt to the needs of communications. This scientific new research angle can explain and guide translation of public signs. The argument of this paper is how to translate Chinese public signs into English from different context. And it will be analyzed from three different ways: linguistic, communicative, dynamic dimensions.
文摘We argue that genuine biological autonomy, or described at human level as free will, requires taking into account quantum vacuum processes in the context of biological teleology. One faces at least three basic problems of genuine biological autonomy: (1) if biological autonomy is not physical, where does it come from? (2) Is there a room for biological causes? And (3) how to obtain a workable model of biological teleology? It is shown here that the solution of all these three problems is related to the quantum vacuum. We present a short review of how this basic aspect of the fundamentals of quantum theory, although it had not been addressed for nearly 100 years, actually it was suggested by Bohr, Heisenberg, and others. Realizing that the quantum mechanical measurement problem associated with the "collapse" of the wave function is related, in the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics, to a process between self-consciousness and the external physical environment, we are extending the issue for an explanation of the different processes occurring between living organisms and their internal environment. Definitions of genuine biological autonomy, biological aim, and biological spontaneity are presented. We propose to improve the popular two-stage model of decisions with a biological model suitable to obtain a deeper look at the nature of the mind-body problem. In the newly emerging picture biological autonomy emerges as a new, fundamental and inevitable element of the scientific worldview.
文摘Raising public awareness and participation of the local communities in the environmental protection has become a major objective of sound development programs. In the framework of the canal environmental protection program of Ho Chi Minh City, we had developed 32 public awareness meetings for 14 districts with about 2,726 participants from year 2012 to 2015. The program had been organized in various forms such as training, brochure, leaflet, poster, propaganda gifts, face-to-face discussion, study visits, survey questionnaire. The results of the program can add substantial value to the canal environmental protection program of the city. The information gained through public comments can help identify key issues and solutions for the authorities as district and city levels. It was determined that most important outcomes from the public participation were educating the public, incorporating public values, assumptions and preferences into decision making process.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.40772024,41172005 and 41272040)
文摘The Wuliu-Zengjiayan section in Jianhe County, Guizhou Province, China has been suggested as a potential Global Stratotype Section and Point(GSSP) for the defined base of Cambrian Series 3. A molecular organic geochemical study on the Cambrian Series 2Series 3 boundary interval was carried out to reveal the biotic and environmental change during this transition. The hydrocarbons extracted from the Kaili Formation were proved to be indigenous. The various geochemical proxies such as biomarker parameter, δ13Corg, atomic H/C value of kerogen, and TOC content, co-vary along with the sedimentary column, and show a quick and significant change just across the Cambrian Series 2Series 3 boundary. The less abundance of isoprenoid hydrocarbons, the relative enrichment of midchain monomethyl branched alkanes(mmb-alkanes), the relatively negative value of δ13Corg, and the higher TOC contents may suggest that the upper Cambrian Series 2 was deposited in a relatively reducing environment with a higher organic input from cyanobacteria-predominated benthic microbial mats. On the other hand, the relative enrichment of isoprenoid hydrocarbons, the less abundance of mmb-alkanes, the relatively positive value of δ13Corg, the lower TOC contents, and the lower atomic H/C values of kerogen are combined to indicate an enhanced phytoplankton production and an increased oxygen content and nutrients in the ocean during the early Cambrian Series 3, which could have benefited the explosion of the Kaili Biota. The Wuliu-Zengjiayan section may provide a typical case to understand the co-variation of marine microbe, animal, and environment.
文摘Pollution of the aquatic environment is an ever-growing problem, as waters are the ultimate sink for the large number of xenobiotics from multiple sources. DNA damaging agents have a significant ecological relevance since they are implicated in many pathological processes and exert effects beyond that of individual being active through following generations. A large number of methods have been applied to evaluate genotoxic damage in different aquatic species. Comet assay, as method for de- tecting DNA alterations, and micronucleus test, as an index of chromosomal damage are the most widely applied and validated methods in field studies. These methods were applied in different vertebrate and invertebrate aquatic species, but only mollusk and fish species have been employed in routine biomonitoring programs. Mussels, due to their widely geographical distribution and the suitability for caging represent the bioindicator of choice in field studies. Mytilus species is the most used marine mussel. The use of fish is limited to specific geographic areas. The present review mainly focuses on the application of comet assay and micronucleus test in mussels. A number of biomonitoring studies in mussels, using comet assay or micronucleus test, revealed exposure to different classes of genotoxic compounds with a good discrimination power. The different evidence from the two as- says, reflects different biological mechanisms for the two genetic endpoints, DNA damage and chromosomal damage, suggesting their combined application in the field. Different endogenous and exogenous factors have been shown to modulate the genotoxic responses in mussels, acting as confounding factors in environmental monitoring. The use of standardized protocol for caging, sampling and genotoxity evaluation is critical in biomonitoring studies. The use of a multimarker approach coupling genotoxicity biomarkers with physiological and biochemical factors allows to have a complete picture of the environmental pollution [Current Zoology 60 (2): 273-284, 2014].
基金supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZCX2-YW-Q05-01)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No. 40825006)the CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams and the State Key Laboratory of Paleobiology and Stratigraphy
文摘Eospirifer,the oldest known genus of the spiriferide group(Brachiopoda),first appeared on the Zhe-Gan Platform of South China paleoplate during late Katian(Late Ordovician) represented by E.praecursor.It survived the end-Ordovician mass extinction,and reappeared on the Upper Yangtze Platform of South China paleoplate by the end of Ordovician near the upper part of the Normalograptus persculptus Biozone.Starting from the beginning of Silurian,Eospirifer experienced some morphological innovations and expanded its geographical distribution substantially.It reached its species diversity acme and the widest geographic distribution in Wenlock(middle Silurian),with the diversity hotspots in Laurentia,Avalonia,and Baltica.Various shell size frequency curves of E.praecursor under different paleogeographic settings suggest that this pioneer species of Eospirifer,with several macroevolutionary novelties,adopted a range of life strategies to adapt to the changing environments during early spiriferide evolution.There are also some morphological macroevolutionary trends during the evolutionary history of Eospirifer from Late Ordovician to the end of Silurian,such as the ever enlarging shell sizes and the width/length ratios from late Katian to Wenlock,but decreasing apparently of both parameters from Wenlock to Pridoli.