Found in the Trans-Himalayas of north-west Yunnan and south-east Tibet, the black-and-white snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) is one of the world’s most endangered primates. A recent survey indicates that onl...Found in the Trans-Himalayas of north-west Yunnan and south-east Tibet, the black-and-white snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) is one of the world’s most endangered primates. A recent survey indicates that only 15 groups with 2500 individuals remain in the wild. However, the Tibetan Xiaochangdu group may be the only equilibrium group in the field since the last investigation in 1988. To evaluate the effects of traditional culture and socioeconomic activity on biodiversity conservation of R. bieti, we conducted a case study in the Honglaxueshan National Nature Reserve in southeast Tibet from June 2003 to May 2005. Interviews, direct observations, and analysis of socioeconomic data indicated major advantages to the conservation of R. bieti, which included that: 1) traditional culture mainly depended on raising livestock and collecting non-timber products rather than forest planting of Tibetan highland barley; 2) religious beliefs, against to kill any wildlife living on the sacred mountain, were mainly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism; and 3) bigger household numbers were induced by the polyandrous marriage system, which resulted in lower per capita resource consumption than smaller ones.展开更多
In order to control the spawning quality and improve the economic benefit of Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, the indoor temperature and light control methods were employed for artificial maturation, spawning and hatch...In order to control the spawning quality and improve the economic benefit of Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, the indoor temperature and light control methods were employed for artificial maturation, spawning and hatching of A. japonicus, and the larval survival rate, disease incidence rate and economic benefit were analyzed. The results showed that compared with those of conventional temperature-reared larvae, the survival rate of raised temperature-reared larvae was increased by 15.8%, the disease incidence rate was reduced by 10.2%, and the economic benefit was improved by 21.6%. These results will provide theoretical basis and technical support for the artificial breeding of A. japonicus.展开更多
This study uses the data from a sample survey conducted in April 2007 on 1 251 rural households in 11 villages of Henan Province, the largest less developed agricultural province in China, to examine how geography aff...This study uses the data from a sample survey conducted in April 2007 on 1 251 rural households in 11 villages of Henan Province, the largest less developed agricultural province in China, to examine how geography affects rural household income (RHI). The quantitative analysis indicates following results. I) The significance of the traditional geographical factors reduces as RHI rank increases. 2) The landform does not affect the RHI significantly. The per capita income of rural household in a plain area is lower than that in a mountainous area. And 3) the capital endowment and status of non-farm economic activities contribute to the increase of RHI. But the probability and intensity of non-farm economic activities of rural households in urban outskirts villages are higher than that in non-urban outskirts villages. Based on the results, the paper further concludes that geography still plays a significant role in rural development, but it is changing over time. The agricultural resources (such as per capita arable land) significantly affect RHI with the relatively lower income level, while the geographical location shows a more significant impact on RHI with the relatively high income level. Along with economic development, the proximity replaces the traditional geographical factors such as landform and physical resources as the major determining factor in RHI.展开更多
In this paper, a total of 723 traditional villages in Hunan were selected for research. With the aid of spatial analysis of GIS, the number equilibrium and spatial autocorrelation of the traditional villages were anal...In this paper, a total of 723 traditional villages in Hunan were selected for research. With the aid of spatial analysis of GIS, the number equilibrium and spatial autocorrelation of the traditional villages were analyzed quantitatively, watershed distribution characteristics and ethnic distribution characteristics of the traditional villages were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, and the influence factors of distribution of the traditional village were explored in terms of three aspects of agricultural production and population migration, history and culture, and economic activities.展开更多
Collection and arrangement of the historical records of climatic changes andenvironment evolution, especially in the aspect of calamities, are made on the history documents ofpast 1500 years about Hai'an region, J...Collection and arrangement of the historical records of climatic changes andenvironment evolution, especially in the aspect of calamities, are made on the history documents ofpast 1500 years about Hai'an region, Jiangsu Province. There existed two obvious flooding-droughtfrequently-occurring periods: one was from 1550 AD to 1850 AD and another was 1000 AD to 1200 AD.The period of 1550 AD to 1850 AD is interrupted by two relatively arid and cold climatic periods:one was from 1630 AD to 1700 AD and another was 1750 AD to 1820 AD. The main characteristic of thecalamity periods is that they occurred by turns, and sometimes, both drought and flooding occurredin the same year. The instability of the climatic changes in the Little Ice Age may be the mainreason of the frequently-occurring flooding and drought in Hai'an region. Research results also showthat the frequently-occurring periods of flooding and drought is in close relationship with thesolar activity, and therefore, occurrence of the flooding and drought may be in relation with theintensity of the solar activity. This hypothesis may need further study in the future.展开更多
Fucoidan, a group of sulfated heteropolysaccharides, was extracted from Laminaria japonica, an important economic alga species in China. The anticoagulant activity of fucoidan and its derivatives (including sulfated, ...Fucoidan, a group of sulfated heteropolysaccharides, was extracted from Laminaria japonica, an important economic alga species in China. The anticoagulant activity of fucoidan and its derivatives (including sulfated, phosphorylated, and aminated fucoidan) was examined using in-vitro anticoagulant systems. The correlation between chemical variations within the fucoidan group and anticoagulant activity was determined. The in-vitro anticoagulant properties of fucoidan and its derivatives were determined by measuring activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT). The results indicate anticoagulant activity in all samples using APTT and TT assays; however, only the fucoidan derivatives affected the PT assay. Thus, the fucoidan derivatives were able to inhibit both intrinsic and extrinsic blood coagulants. Fucoidan (FPS) and its derivatives presented better anticoagulant activity than low molecular weight fucoidan (DFPS) and its derivatives, suggesting that molecular weight and proper conformation are contributing factors for anticoagulant activity of polysaccharides. Amino groups have a positive charge and can thus change the charge density of fucoidan. Accordingly, among the tested samples, aminated fucoidan (NF) was the most active reflecting the importance of charge density for anticoagulant activity. Available data obtained using in-vitro models suggest that the sulfate content, sulfate/total-sugar ratio, molecular weight, and the substituted group of fucoidan are important factors for anticoagulant activity but that the influence of sulfate, phosphate and amino groups on anticoagulant activity was different.展开更多
Biodiversity and tropical forests play a fundamental role in the life of the black people of Africa. In Benin, while some aspects of this role are well-documented, others are barely known. Moreover, these information ...Biodiversity and tropical forests play a fundamental role in the life of the black people of Africa. In Benin, while some aspects of this role are well-documented, others are barely known. Moreover, these information remains so far very scattered through the literature which does not allow to have a global view on the contribution of biodiversity and forests to the life of people. In this work, it is presented the role of forests and biological diversity in the main vital areas of life of populations in south of Benin. The methodology used was based, with regard to the field, on bibliographical research, observation and/or field stakeholder survey. Investigations are more particularly focused on hardwood lumber uses and the species that are significantly used. The results highlight the uses that are made of vegetal elements of biological diversity and timber as forest products in south of Benin. The main areas explored are animist or traditional religion and traditional medicine, as well as socio-cultural and economic life. In this latter area, the most used timber species and their uses are identified; these include furniture, light carpentry, sculpture, formwork, canoe construction, drums and mortar making.展开更多
Mountainous areas have been long recognized as particularly important for the planet and sustainable mountain development is a global priority. In order to improve the socioeconomic development perspectives of mountai...Mountainous areas have been long recognized as particularly important for the planet and sustainable mountain development is a global priority. In order to improve the socioeconomic development perspectives of mountain societies, efficient and well-targeted energy strategies should be formed. An important step towards this direction is adequate understanding of local conditions and specific features that affect energy sector. This procedure allows the inclusion of "locality" in energy planning and so, decentralized energy production is facilitated. The present study attempts to determine the particular energy identity of mountainous areas. Greece, which is the second most mountainous country in the EU, has been selected as a case study. Essential features of the mountainous space have been selected, namely altitude, inclination, remoteness, lack of productive activities, old buildings/vernacular architecture, in order to explore their interrelation with the energy sector. Based on literature review and research findings the interaction between mountainous character and energy is outlined. Therefore, a framework of the characteristics of mountain energy identity is composed, which can provide support to the formation of specialized energy policy for mountainous areas. Some of the main findings of the present study include the significantly increased energy loads of mountainous areas, the abundance of renewable energy potential in high – altitude areas, the vulnerability of mountain societies to energy poverty and the difficulties in sitting energy projects in the restricted usable space of mountains. Since the literature regarding mountains and energy is rather poor the present paper aspires to be a step towards highlighting the importance of energy issues for mountain areas and societies. By determining the features of mountain energy identity energy planning in high – altitude areas and so, helping make energy planning more effective, such research works can be parts of sustainable development strategies for mountainous areas.展开更多
In the Garhwal of Uttarakhand, India, the Bhotiya, an ethnically and culturally distinct tribal group, were historically engaged in seasonal migration(i.e. transhumance) to take advantage of scarce mountain resources ...In the Garhwal of Uttarakhand, India, the Bhotiya, an ethnically and culturally distinct tribal group, were historically engaged in seasonal migration(i.e. transhumance) to take advantage of scarce mountain resources and trade relations with Tibet. This livelihood practice has all but disappeared.Households are adapting to these changing circumstances by engaging in the collection and sale of the valuable alpine medicinal fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis, widely known as Cordyceps. The collection of this fungus has exploded, emerging as a lucrative yet high-risk livelihood strategy for many Bhotiya communities.The Bhotiyas' historic herding and trade-based interactions and knowledge of these alpine environments where Cordyceps are found uniquely positions them to access this valuable biological resource. Elsewhere in the Himalayan region, some households are earning as much as two-thirds of their income from the collection of Cordyceps; in China Cordyceps is now listed as an endangered species due to intense over-exploitation in the Tibetan Plateau.This paper seeks to fill the void in the scientific literature on the social, ecological and economic aspects of the emerging Cordyceps trade in the Garhwal. Our study investigates the socio-spatial dimensions of Cordyceps collection in the high alpine meadows. We document how a fusion of local knowledge and practice with alpine mountain systems has served to reinvigorate the economic integrity of mountain communities at a time of rapid socioeconomic change and to reimagine a new relationship between alpine resources and community well-being.The article offers suggestions to address the sustainability of both Cordyceps collection and livelihood activities which hinge on this fungus population. We find a need for(1) community-based conservation measures that are rooted in(2) secure resource access rights for local communities to continue sustainable collection and sale of Cordyceps and(3) participatory-and science-based processes for determining appropriate local collection numbers.展开更多
Energy plays an important role in the economic life. With the rapid development of economy, the constraint of energy on the sustainable development of economy is becoming more and more obvious. This paper just Studies...Energy plays an important role in the economic life. With the rapid development of economy, the constraint of energy on the sustainable development of economy is becoming more and more obvious. This paper just Studies the factors influencing energy efficiency of China and the relationship between energy efficiency and China's economic: growth. By using time series multivariable linear regression methods with China's relevant data from 1953 to 2006, this paper constructs the regression model to analyze the factors that would impact energy, efficiency. After that, a regression model of China's real output to capital, labor and energy e lficiency is conducted to estimate the marginal contribution of every factor to the real output to prove the fundamental influence of energy efficiency to the economic growth. In the end, some policies and recommendations are also put forward in order to improve the energy efficiency; of China.展开更多
Abstract Many species of microalga Dunaliella exhibit a remarkable tolerance to salinity and are therefore ideal for probing the effects of salinity. In this work, we assessed the effects of NaC1 stress on the growth,...Abstract Many species of microalga Dunaliella exhibit a remarkable tolerance to salinity and are therefore ideal for probing the effects of salinity. In this work, we assessed the effects of NaC1 stress on the growth, activity and mRNA level of carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzymes of D. viridis. The alga could grow over a salinity range of 0.44 mol L-t to 3.00 mol L-1 NaCI, but the most rapid growth was observed at 1.00molL-1NaC1, followed by 2.00 molL-l NaC1. Paralleling these growth patterns, the highest initial and total Rubisco activities were detected in the presence of 1.00molL-t NaC1, decreasing to 37.33% and 26.39% of those values, re- spectively, in the presence of 3.00 mol L-1 NaC1, respectively. However, the highest extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity was measured in the presence of 2.00molL-1 NaC1, followed by 1.00molL-1NaC1. Different from the two carbon enzymes, nitrate reductase (NR) activity showed a slight change under different NaC1 concentrations. At the transcriptional level, the mRNAs of Rubisco large subunit (rbcL), and small subunit (rbcS), attained their highest abundances in the presence of 1.00 and 2.00molL-1 NaC1, respectively. The CA mRNA accumulation was induced from 0.44molL ~ to 3.00molL-1 NaC1, but the NR mRNA showed the decreasing tendency with the increasing salinity. In conclusion, the growth and carbon fixation enzyme of Rubisco displayed similar tendency in response to NaC1 stress, CA was proved be salt-inducible within a certain salinity range and NR showed the least effect by NaC1 in D. viridis.展开更多
The study reveals that 10.2% of the sampled households in Nepal suffer from chronic food insecurity,i.e.,neither are they able to produce sufficient food from their farms nor earn the food security threshold income fo...The study reveals that 10.2% of the sampled households in Nepal suffer from chronic food insecurity,i.e.,neither are they able to produce sufficient food from their farms nor earn the food security threshold income for deficit months.With the highest and the lowest exponential value of coefficient obtained from binary logistic regression model,it is concluded that any program targeting occupational caste and small landholding farm category or landless will contribute significantly to reduce food-insecurity.The provision of employment opportunities for economically active age group,thus,reducing dependency ratio from 1.2 (economically active population) to 0.7 (economically active age group) can also contribute significantly to reduce food insecurity.Significant positive coefficient of family size squared shows the increase in the probability of being foodinsecure with the increase in family size.In addition,an increase in irrigation availability can contribute significantly to reduce food insecurity.A significant proportion of male-headed households and households residing in Tarai are food-secure.This justifies the need to target female-headed households and households residing in Mountain and Hill in any program aimed at resolving food insecurity.A negative and significant association of household's participation in community organizations and food insecurity fortifies the need for inclusion of vulnerable groups such as occupational caste,female-headed households,households with illiterate heads,small landholding farm category or landless,and households residing in Mountain and Hill (including some target communities in Tarai) in community organizations.Furthermore,making these communities a target of food security programs can help significantly to reduce the incidence of food insecurity.展开更多
Different amounts of vitamin C were added to diets fed to juveniles (2.5+0.15 g) of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) in an attempt to reduce the stress response of specimens exposed to nitrite stress...Different amounts of vitamin C were added to diets fed to juveniles (2.5+0.15 g) of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) in an attempt to reduce the stress response of specimens exposed to nitrite stress. A commercial feed was used as the control diet and three experimental diets were made by supplementing 1 000, 1 500, or 2 000 mg vitamin C/kg diet to control diet separately in a 45-day experiment. Sea cucumbers were exposed to three different levels (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/L) of nitrite stress for 4, 8, and 12 h at four time intervals (0, 15, 30, and 45 d). Growth of the animals was recorded during the experiment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) (i.e. hydroxyl free radical (-OH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)) and antioxidant enzyme activities (i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD) and eatalase (CAT)) were measured. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to analyze the effect of multiple factors on ROS indices and enzyme activities. Weight gain (WG) and special growth rate (SGR) of vitamin C supplementation groups were significantly higher than those of control group (P〈0.05). The levels of-OH and MDA increased under exposure time extending and nitrite concentration increasing, whereas T-AOC level decreased. SOD and CAT activities increased at 4 h and 8 h and decreased at 12 h. During the days in which the animal consumed experimental diets, the levels of-OH and MDA decreased and that of T-AOC increased. This result suggests that diets containing vitamin C could reduce the nitrite stress response in the animals and increase their antioxidant capacity. The multifactor regression equation of growth performance, ROS indices, and duration of feeding results suggest that vitamin C supplementation of 1 400-2 000 mg/kg diet for 29-35 days could reduce effectively the effects of nitrite exposure.展开更多
The paper analyzes the financing activity, investing activity and operating activity of Target Corporation by comparing with other companies in the same industry. The analysis shows that Target overall is better at me...The paper analyzes the financing activity, investing activity and operating activity of Target Corporation by comparing with other companies in the same industry. The analysis shows that Target overall is better at meeting it in short-term obligations as well as earning money for its investors. Target is a safe and consistent investment. The company should pay attention to interest rate changes because the company's majority of financing charges are based on floating-rate debt obligations.展开更多
基金supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-1-03)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30870375, 31071937)the Central South University of Forestry & Technology (101-0654)
文摘Found in the Trans-Himalayas of north-west Yunnan and south-east Tibet, the black-and-white snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) is one of the world’s most endangered primates. A recent survey indicates that only 15 groups with 2500 individuals remain in the wild. However, the Tibetan Xiaochangdu group may be the only equilibrium group in the field since the last investigation in 1988. To evaluate the effects of traditional culture and socioeconomic activity on biodiversity conservation of R. bieti, we conducted a case study in the Honglaxueshan National Nature Reserve in southeast Tibet from June 2003 to May 2005. Interviews, direct observations, and analysis of socioeconomic data indicated major advantages to the conservation of R. bieti, which included that: 1) traditional culture mainly depended on raising livestock and collecting non-timber products rather than forest planting of Tibetan highland barley; 2) religious beliefs, against to kill any wildlife living on the sacred mountain, were mainly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism; and 3) bigger household numbers were induced by the polyandrous marriage system, which resulted in lower per capita resource consumption than smaller ones.
文摘In order to control the spawning quality and improve the economic benefit of Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, the indoor temperature and light control methods were employed for artificial maturation, spawning and hatching of A. japonicus, and the larval survival rate, disease incidence rate and economic benefit were analyzed. The results showed that compared with those of conventional temperature-reared larvae, the survival rate of raised temperature-reared larvae was increased by 15.8%, the disease incidence rate was reduced by 10.2%, and the economic benefit was improved by 21.6%. These results will provide theoretical basis and technical support for the artificial breeding of A. japonicus.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.40535025)Ministry of Education Project of Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences in Universities (07JJD790124)
文摘This study uses the data from a sample survey conducted in April 2007 on 1 251 rural households in 11 villages of Henan Province, the largest less developed agricultural province in China, to examine how geography affects rural household income (RHI). The quantitative analysis indicates following results. I) The significance of the traditional geographical factors reduces as RHI rank increases. 2) The landform does not affect the RHI significantly. The per capita income of rural household in a plain area is lower than that in a mountainous area. And 3) the capital endowment and status of non-farm economic activities contribute to the increase of RHI. But the probability and intensity of non-farm economic activities of rural households in urban outskirts villages are higher than that in non-urban outskirts villages. Based on the results, the paper further concludes that geography still plays a significant role in rural development, but it is changing over time. The agricultural resources (such as per capita arable land) significantly affect RHI with the relatively lower income level, while the geographical location shows a more significant impact on RHI with the relatively high income level. Along with economic development, the proximity replaces the traditional geographical factors such as landform and physical resources as the major determining factor in RHI.
基金Sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China(51708469)Basic Scientific Research Service Funds of Central University of Southwest University for Nationalities(2018HQZZ24)Research on Soft Science of Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Department(Project application number 18RKX0129)
文摘In this paper, a total of 723 traditional villages in Hunan were selected for research. With the aid of spatial analysis of GIS, the number equilibrium and spatial autocorrelation of the traditional villages were analyzed quantitatively, watershed distribution characteristics and ethnic distribution characteristics of the traditional villages were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, and the influence factors of distribution of the traditional village were explored in terms of three aspects of agricultural production and population migration, history and culture, and economic activities.
文摘Collection and arrangement of the historical records of climatic changes andenvironment evolution, especially in the aspect of calamities, are made on the history documents ofpast 1500 years about Hai'an region, Jiangsu Province. There existed two obvious flooding-droughtfrequently-occurring periods: one was from 1550 AD to 1850 AD and another was 1000 AD to 1200 AD.The period of 1550 AD to 1850 AD is interrupted by two relatively arid and cold climatic periods:one was from 1630 AD to 1700 AD and another was 1750 AD to 1820 AD. The main characteristic of thecalamity periods is that they occurred by turns, and sometimes, both drought and flooding occurredin the same year. The instability of the climatic changes in the Little Ice Age may be the mainreason of the frequently-occurring flooding and drought in Hai'an region. Research results also showthat the frequently-occurring periods of flooding and drought is in close relationship with thesolar activity, and therefore, occurrence of the flooding and drought may be in relation with theintensity of the solar activity. This hypothesis may need further study in the future.
基金Supported by the Ocean Public Welfare Scientific Research Project, State Oceanic Administration of the People's Republic of China (No. 201005024)
文摘Fucoidan, a group of sulfated heteropolysaccharides, was extracted from Laminaria japonica, an important economic alga species in China. The anticoagulant activity of fucoidan and its derivatives (including sulfated, phosphorylated, and aminated fucoidan) was examined using in-vitro anticoagulant systems. The correlation between chemical variations within the fucoidan group and anticoagulant activity was determined. The in-vitro anticoagulant properties of fucoidan and its derivatives were determined by measuring activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT). The results indicate anticoagulant activity in all samples using APTT and TT assays; however, only the fucoidan derivatives affected the PT assay. Thus, the fucoidan derivatives were able to inhibit both intrinsic and extrinsic blood coagulants. Fucoidan (FPS) and its derivatives presented better anticoagulant activity than low molecular weight fucoidan (DFPS) and its derivatives, suggesting that molecular weight and proper conformation are contributing factors for anticoagulant activity of polysaccharides. Amino groups have a positive charge and can thus change the charge density of fucoidan. Accordingly, among the tested samples, aminated fucoidan (NF) was the most active reflecting the importance of charge density for anticoagulant activity. Available data obtained using in-vitro models suggest that the sulfate content, sulfate/total-sugar ratio, molecular weight, and the substituted group of fucoidan are important factors for anticoagulant activity but that the influence of sulfate, phosphate and amino groups on anticoagulant activity was different.
文摘Biodiversity and tropical forests play a fundamental role in the life of the black people of Africa. In Benin, while some aspects of this role are well-documented, others are barely known. Moreover, these information remains so far very scattered through the literature which does not allow to have a global view on the contribution of biodiversity and forests to the life of people. In this work, it is presented the role of forests and biological diversity in the main vital areas of life of populations in south of Benin. The methodology used was based, with regard to the field, on bibliographical research, observation and/or field stakeholder survey. Investigations are more particularly focused on hardwood lumber uses and the species that are significantly used. The results highlight the uses that are made of vegetal elements of biological diversity and timber as forest products in south of Benin. The main areas explored are animist or traditional religion and traditional medicine, as well as socio-cultural and economic life. In this latter area, the most used timber species and their uses are identified; these include furniture, light carpentry, sculpture, formwork, canoe construction, drums and mortar making.
文摘Mountainous areas have been long recognized as particularly important for the planet and sustainable mountain development is a global priority. In order to improve the socioeconomic development perspectives of mountain societies, efficient and well-targeted energy strategies should be formed. An important step towards this direction is adequate understanding of local conditions and specific features that affect energy sector. This procedure allows the inclusion of "locality" in energy planning and so, decentralized energy production is facilitated. The present study attempts to determine the particular energy identity of mountainous areas. Greece, which is the second most mountainous country in the EU, has been selected as a case study. Essential features of the mountainous space have been selected, namely altitude, inclination, remoteness, lack of productive activities, old buildings/vernacular architecture, in order to explore their interrelation with the energy sector. Based on literature review and research findings the interaction between mountainous character and energy is outlined. Therefore, a framework of the characteristics of mountain energy identity is composed, which can provide support to the formation of specialized energy policy for mountainous areas. Some of the main findings of the present study include the significantly increased energy loads of mountainous areas, the abundance of renewable energy potential in high – altitude areas, the vulnerability of mountain societies to energy poverty and the difficulties in sitting energy projects in the restricted usable space of mountains. Since the literature regarding mountains and energy is rather poor the present paper aspires to be a step towards highlighting the importance of energy issues for mountain areas and societies. By determining the features of mountain energy identity energy planning in high – altitude areas and so, helping make energy planning more effective, such research works can be parts of sustainable development strategies for mountainous areas.
基金funded in part by the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana,MissoulaThe logistical support and research assistance provided by the Mountain Shepherds Initiative and the Nanda Devi Campaign based in Uttarakhand were paramount
文摘In the Garhwal of Uttarakhand, India, the Bhotiya, an ethnically and culturally distinct tribal group, were historically engaged in seasonal migration(i.e. transhumance) to take advantage of scarce mountain resources and trade relations with Tibet. This livelihood practice has all but disappeared.Households are adapting to these changing circumstances by engaging in the collection and sale of the valuable alpine medicinal fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis, widely known as Cordyceps. The collection of this fungus has exploded, emerging as a lucrative yet high-risk livelihood strategy for many Bhotiya communities.The Bhotiyas' historic herding and trade-based interactions and knowledge of these alpine environments where Cordyceps are found uniquely positions them to access this valuable biological resource. Elsewhere in the Himalayan region, some households are earning as much as two-thirds of their income from the collection of Cordyceps; in China Cordyceps is now listed as an endangered species due to intense over-exploitation in the Tibetan Plateau.This paper seeks to fill the void in the scientific literature on the social, ecological and economic aspects of the emerging Cordyceps trade in the Garhwal. Our study investigates the socio-spatial dimensions of Cordyceps collection in the high alpine meadows. We document how a fusion of local knowledge and practice with alpine mountain systems has served to reinvigorate the economic integrity of mountain communities at a time of rapid socioeconomic change and to reimagine a new relationship between alpine resources and community well-being.The article offers suggestions to address the sustainability of both Cordyceps collection and livelihood activities which hinge on this fungus population. We find a need for(1) community-based conservation measures that are rooted in(2) secure resource access rights for local communities to continue sustainable collection and sale of Cordyceps and(3) participatory-and science-based processes for determining appropriate local collection numbers.
文摘Energy plays an important role in the economic life. With the rapid development of economy, the constraint of energy on the sustainable development of economy is becoming more and more obvious. This paper just Studies the factors influencing energy efficiency of China and the relationship between energy efficiency and China's economic: growth. By using time series multivariable linear regression methods with China's relevant data from 1953 to 2006, this paper constructs the regression model to analyze the factors that would impact energy, efficiency. After that, a regression model of China's real output to capital, labor and energy e lficiency is conducted to estimate the marginal contribution of every factor to the real output to prove the fundamental influence of energy efficiency to the economic growth. In the end, some policies and recommendations are also put forward in order to improve the energy efficiency; of China.
基金funded by the Project of Science and Technology Innovation Team of Zhejiang Province (2010R50025-25)sponsored by the K. C. Wong Magna Fund
文摘Abstract Many species of microalga Dunaliella exhibit a remarkable tolerance to salinity and are therefore ideal for probing the effects of salinity. In this work, we assessed the effects of NaC1 stress on the growth, activity and mRNA level of carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzymes of D. viridis. The alga could grow over a salinity range of 0.44 mol L-t to 3.00 mol L-1 NaCI, but the most rapid growth was observed at 1.00molL-1NaC1, followed by 2.00 molL-l NaC1. Paralleling these growth patterns, the highest initial and total Rubisco activities were detected in the presence of 1.00molL-t NaC1, decreasing to 37.33% and 26.39% of those values, re- spectively, in the presence of 3.00 mol L-1 NaC1, respectively. However, the highest extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity was measured in the presence of 2.00molL-1 NaC1, followed by 1.00molL-1NaC1. Different from the two carbon enzymes, nitrate reductase (NR) activity showed a slight change under different NaC1 concentrations. At the transcriptional level, the mRNAs of Rubisco large subunit (rbcL), and small subunit (rbcS), attained their highest abundances in the presence of 1.00 and 2.00molL-1 NaC1, respectively. The CA mRNA accumulation was induced from 0.44molL ~ to 3.00molL-1 NaC1, but the NR mRNA showed the decreasing tendency with the increasing salinity. In conclusion, the growth and carbon fixation enzyme of Rubisco displayed similar tendency in response to NaC1 stress, CA was proved be salt-inducible within a certain salinity range and NR showed the least effect by NaC1 in D. viridis.
文摘The study reveals that 10.2% of the sampled households in Nepal suffer from chronic food insecurity,i.e.,neither are they able to produce sufficient food from their farms nor earn the food security threshold income for deficit months.With the highest and the lowest exponential value of coefficient obtained from binary logistic regression model,it is concluded that any program targeting occupational caste and small landholding farm category or landless will contribute significantly to reduce food-insecurity.The provision of employment opportunities for economically active age group,thus,reducing dependency ratio from 1.2 (economically active population) to 0.7 (economically active age group) can also contribute significantly to reduce food insecurity.Significant positive coefficient of family size squared shows the increase in the probability of being foodinsecure with the increase in family size.In addition,an increase in irrigation availability can contribute significantly to reduce food insecurity.A significant proportion of male-headed households and households residing in Tarai are food-secure.This justifies the need to target female-headed households and households residing in Mountain and Hill in any program aimed at resolving food insecurity.A negative and significant association of household's participation in community organizations and food insecurity fortifies the need for inclusion of vulnerable groups such as occupational caste,female-headed households,households with illiterate heads,small landholding farm category or landless,and households residing in Mountain and Hill (including some target communities in Tarai) in community organizations.Furthermore,making these communities a target of food security programs can help significantly to reduce the incidence of food insecurity.
基金Supported by the Main Direction Program of Knowledge Innovation of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.KZCX2-EWQ215)
文摘Different amounts of vitamin C were added to diets fed to juveniles (2.5+0.15 g) of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) in an attempt to reduce the stress response of specimens exposed to nitrite stress. A commercial feed was used as the control diet and three experimental diets were made by supplementing 1 000, 1 500, or 2 000 mg vitamin C/kg diet to control diet separately in a 45-day experiment. Sea cucumbers were exposed to three different levels (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/L) of nitrite stress for 4, 8, and 12 h at four time intervals (0, 15, 30, and 45 d). Growth of the animals was recorded during the experiment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) (i.e. hydroxyl free radical (-OH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)) and antioxidant enzyme activities (i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD) and eatalase (CAT)) were measured. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to analyze the effect of multiple factors on ROS indices and enzyme activities. Weight gain (WG) and special growth rate (SGR) of vitamin C supplementation groups were significantly higher than those of control group (P〈0.05). The levels of-OH and MDA increased under exposure time extending and nitrite concentration increasing, whereas T-AOC level decreased. SOD and CAT activities increased at 4 h and 8 h and decreased at 12 h. During the days in which the animal consumed experimental diets, the levels of-OH and MDA decreased and that of T-AOC increased. This result suggests that diets containing vitamin C could reduce the nitrite stress response in the animals and increase their antioxidant capacity. The multifactor regression equation of growth performance, ROS indices, and duration of feeding results suggest that vitamin C supplementation of 1 400-2 000 mg/kg diet for 29-35 days could reduce effectively the effects of nitrite exposure.
文摘The paper analyzes the financing activity, investing activity and operating activity of Target Corporation by comparing with other companies in the same industry. The analysis shows that Target overall is better at meeting it in short-term obligations as well as earning money for its investors. Target is a safe and consistent investment. The company should pay attention to interest rate changes because the company's majority of financing charges are based on floating-rate debt obligations.