Effects of Charcoal Marketing on the Environment and Health in the City of Cotonou in Southern Benin

Charcoal marketing is the main activity in the Gbegamey district of Cotonou. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of charcoal marketing on the environment and health of the Gbegamey population. A mixed descriptive and evaluative design was adopted. Data were collected using an interview guide, a structured non-participatory observation grid and air quality analysis equipment (PCE RCM 8 air quality detector;Carbon monoxide meter AS 87000A and Anemometer AM 4812) among charcoal traders, food vendors and residents living near charcoal sales outlets, selected by non-probabilistic purposive sampling, and were analysed with reference to national regulatory provisions and WHO recommendations (2022). 57 people, including 26 shopkeepers, were surveyed. Their average age was 45, with extremes of 25 and 65. The effects of charcoal marketing on health and the environment were known to 23 traders, who unfortunately did not adopt any protective measures. Some of the health effects mentioned were rheumatic and cardiovascular diseases. Pollutants (PM1: 96 µg/m3, PM2.5: 161 µg/m3, PM10: 206 µg/m3, CO: 185 mg/m3) were present in the coal-selling environment at Gbegamey. According to the respondents, respiratory diseases (42.31%), rheumatic diseases (30.77%) and cardiovascular diseases (11.54%) affected the traders, while respiratory diseases (51.61%) affected the general population. The marketing of charcoal in the Gbegamey district generates a high concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere. The activity needs to be monitored in order to limit its effects.

Purification Effects of Aquatic Vegetations on Lake Wetland Water Environment and Analysis of the Influencing Factors in Hongze Lake

[Objective] To study the purification effect of plant community on wetland water environment in Hongze Lake, and to provide references to the ecological restoration of this area. [Methed] The typical lakeside zone of Hongze Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve was taken as the study area. Through the field survey based on environmental characteristics of aquatic areas and non-aquatic areas, combined with laboratory test, the content changes of nutrients （N and P）, COD （chemical oxygen demand） and SD （transparency） levels in the water body of lake wetland were measured; the purification effect of the lake wetland ecosystem in the growth process of aquatic vegetation was quantitatively analyzed, and possible influ- encing factors were discussed. [Result] Aquatic vegetation could remove the TN, TP, COD, Chla in wetland water environment and had obvious effects on the changes of SD content. Competition between aquatic plants can inhibit the growth of algae and relieve the eutrophication of water body. [Conclusion] This study provided theoretical basis for ecological restoration and enhancement of self-purification capability in the lakeside zone of Hongze Lake.

Mapping QTLs with epistatic effects and QTL×environment interactions for plant height using a doubled haploid population in cultivated wheat

Quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for plant height in wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） were studied using a set of 168 doubled haploid （DH） lines, which were derived from the cross Huapei 3/Yumai 57. A genetic linkage map was constructed using 283 SSR and 22 EST-SSR markers. The DH population and the parents were evaluated for wheat plant height in 2005 and 2006 in Tai＇an and 2006 in Suzhou. QTL analyses were performed using the software of QTLNetwork version 2.0 based on the mixed linear model. Four additive QTLs and five pairs of epistatic effects were detected, which were distributed on chromosomes 3A, 4B, 4D, 5A, 6A, 7B, and 7D. Among them, three additive QTLs and three pairs of epistatic QTLs showed QTL×environment interactions （QEs）. Two major QTLs, Qph4B and Qph4D, which accounted for 14.51% and 20.22% of the phenotypic variation, were located similar to the reported locations of the dwarfing genes Rhtl and Rht2, respectively. The Qph3A-2 with additive effect was not reported in previous linkage mapping studies. The total QTL effects detected for the plant height explained 85.04% of the phenotypic variation, with additive effects 46.07%, epistatic effects 19.89%, and QEs 19.09%. The results showed that both additive effects and epistatic effects were important genetic bases of wheat plant height, which were subjected to environmental modifications, and caused dramatic changes in phenotypic effects. The information obtained in this study will be useful for manipulating the QTLs for wheat plant height by molecular marker-assisted selection （MAS）.

Environmental and Health Effects Associated With Harmful Algal Bloom and Marine Algal Toxins in China

The frequency and scale of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) and marine algal toxin incidents have been increasing and spreading in the past two decades, causing damages to the marine environment and threatening human life through contaminated seafood. To better understand the effect of HAB and marine algal toxins on marine environment and human health in China, this paper overviews HAB occurrence and marine algal toxin incidents, as well as their environmental and health effects in this country. HAB has been increasing rapidly along the Chinese coast since the 1970s, and at least 512 documented HAB events have occurred from 1952 to 2002 in the Chinese mainland. It has been found that PSP and DSP toxins are distributed widely along both the northern and southern Chinese coasts. The HAB and marine algal toxin events during the 1990s in China were summarized, showing that the HAB and algal toxins resulted in great damages to local fisheries, marine culture, quality of marine environment, and human health. Therefore, to protect the coastal environment and human health, attention to HAB and marine algal toxins is urgently needed from the environmental and epidemiologicalview.

QTL Mapping for Wheat Flour Color with Additive,Epistatic,and QTL×Environmental Interaction Effects

To investigate genetic factors affecting wheat flour color traits,a linkage map was constructed using a recombinant inbred line （RIL） population derived from Jing 771×Pm 97034.Main,epistatic and QTL×environment （QE） interaction effects of quantitative trait loci （QTLs） controlling wheat flour color were studied by the mixed linear modeling of data collected from wheat RIL plants under three different environmental conditions.13 QTLs with additive effects and 55 pairs of QTLs with epistatic effects were detected for wheat flour color traits.The additive-additive interactions （AA） involved all of the wheat chromosomes except 3D.Epistasis accounted for more of the observed phenotypic variation than did the main effect QTLs （M-QTLs）.Our results suggested that dual-locus interactions are widespread in the wheat genome and play a critical role in determining wheat flour color characteristics.In this study,3 QTLs were identified to have QE interaction effects,one of them showing significant QE interaction in E2 environment.

Genetic and Genotype × Environment Interaction Effects for Appearance Quality of Rice

This study was conducted to generate genetic information in rice varieties based on a complete diallel crosses over two years. The results indicated that genotype effect was significant for all traits. Genotype × environment interaction effects were significant only for cooked grain length （CGL） and cooked grain shape （CGSH）. General combining ability （GCA） and specific combining ability （SCA） effects were significant for entire traits, which indicated the important roles of both additive and non-additive gene actions. GCA x environment interaction effects were significant for CGL, CGSH and grain elongation index （GEI）. In the controlling of the inheritance of milled grain shape （GSH）, milled grain width （MGW）, GEI, milled grain length （MGL）, CGSH and cooked grain width （CGW）, the additive gene effects were more important than non-additive one. The average degree of dominance was within the range of partial dominance for all of the traits. The narrow-sense heritability was ranged from 0.65 （GSH） to 0.36 （CGL）. GCA effects were significant for all of the parents in milled grain length and it was significant for some of the parents in other traits. The crosses of Deilmani × IRFAON-215 exhibited significant SCA for GEI. The positive mean of heterosis was observed for CGW. The highest maximum values of heterosis were revealed in GEI, flowed by GSH, MGW and CGW. GCA and MPV were significantly and positively correlated together for all traits.

Effects of Climate Changes on the Ecological Environment of Panjin Wetland in Recent 50 Years

Based on the monitoring data of temperature,precipitation,sunshine and other meteorological elements,agro-meteorological and ecological observation data in Panjin wetland during 1957-2006,using statistical analysis method,the effects of climate change on the ecological environment system in Panjin wetland were studied.The results showed that in the past 50 years,the climatic factors in Panjin wetland experienced the changes characterized by the increase of air temperature,the reduction of precipitation days,decrease of sunshine hours,decrease of average wind speed and average relative humidity.The ecological environment that was closely related with the climate of Panjin wetland had also made a response to climate changes,including changes in growing season,increase in insect pests and plant diseases,animal and plant phenology changes and sea-level rise.

Damage effect analysis and experiment for electronic equipment in impact vibration environment

This paper analyzes the electronic equipment＇s effect factors such as structure characteristics and environment.The radar equipment is taken as an experimental subject.The damage laws of electro-products in vibration environment are analyzed.The experiment shows that the damage of electro-products in vibration environment has relations with both the type and amplitude of vibration and their structure.

Main properties of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced cement composites under couple effect of load and environment

This study aims to reveal the mechanism that how the content of steel fibers and strength grades affect the macro performance of the ultra-high performance fiber reinforced cementitious composite （UHPFRCC） and to study the UHPFRCC durability under the combined effect of loads and environments. Three types of high and ultra-high performance fiber reinforced cement composites with different strength grades （100, 150, 200 MPa） and different steel fiber volume fractions （0%, 1%, 2%, 3%） are prepared. The main properties of mechanical performance and short-term durability are studied. A preloading frame is designed to apply a four- point load external flexural stress with a stress selection ratio of 0.5 for UHPFRCC150 specimens. The results show that the growth in strength grade with a proper content of steel fiber greatly increases the strength and toughness of the HPFRCC and the UHPFRCC while decreasing the dry-shrinkage ratio. For the loaded specimens, the existence of steel fiber can reduce the negative influence of tensile stress on the Cl- penetration resistance of the UHPFRCC in addition to improving its ability to resist the freeze-thaw damage.

Effect Mechanisms of Hygrothermal Environments on Failure of Single-Lap and Double-Lap CFRP-Aluminum Bolted Joints

The high demands for load-carrying capability and structural efficiency of composite-metal bolted joints trigger in-depth investigations on failure mechanisms of the joints in hygrothermal environments.However,few studies have been presented to exhaustively reveal hygrothermal effects on the failure of CFRP-metal bolted joints,which differ from CFRP-CFRP or metal-metal bolted joints because of the remarkably different material properties of CFRPs and metals.In this paper,hygrothermal effects on tensile failures of single-lap and double-lap CFRP-aluminum bolted joints were experimentally and numerically investigated.A novel numerical model,in which a hygrothermal-included progressive damage model of composites was established and elastic-plastic models of metals were built,was proposed to predict the failures of the CFRP-metal bolted joints in hygrothermal environments and validated by corresponding experiments.Different failure mechanisms of single-lap and double-lap CFRP-aluminum bolted joints,under 23°C/Dry and 70°C/Wet conditions,were revealed,respectively.It follows that both the collapse failures of the single-lap and double-lap bolted joints were dominated by the bearing failure of the CFRP hole laminate in the two conditions,indicating that the hygrothermal environment did not change the macro failure modes of the joints.However,the hygrothermal environment considerably shortened the damage propagation processes and reduced the strength of the joints.Besides,the hygrothermal environment weakened the load-transfer capability of the single-lap joint more severely than the double-lap joint because it aggravated the secondary bending effects of the single-lap joint obviously.

Analysis of Urban Land Use and Its Effects on Air Environment in Chengdu, Western China from 1992 to 2008

Large-scale development of urban land use has led to change of a variety of natural processes and ecological processes, resulting in complex eco-environmental consequences. The objective of this study was to analyze the urban land use and its impact on air environment effect in Chengdu, western China from 1992 to 2008 following the RS (Remote Sensing) and GIS technique. The environmental effects data of urban land use was extracted and analyzed by overlaying layers of urban land use and the density of nitrogen dioxide and total suspended particulate matter in sampling points data concerning to the air quality of the environment in Chengdu based on GIS spatial analysis method. The results show that the main feature of urban land use change was substantial reduction of cultivated land and construction land and forest land increased significantly within the study area from1992 to 2008. The temporal-spatial change was notable in study period time. Land use has a significant impact on urban air environment, the chroma change of nitrogen dioxide derived from forest land was obvious, the area occupied by different nitrogen dioxide chroma was the largest. The urban land use impact on the highest class chroma of total suspended particulate matter was notable and its area was the greatest. The results show also the spatial distribution of nitrogen dioxide chroma and total suspended particulate matter chroma in study area is reduced following from Qingbaijiang District-Xindu District-downtown to both sides. The spatial distribution of industry, mining and traffic land is basically the same chroma spatial distribution. Therefore, the results of this study provide a scientific basis for improvement air environment quality, the urban sustainable development and a scientific response for decisions from the municipal governments.

Analysis of the negative effects of groundwater exploitation on geological environment in Asia

This paper summarizes the negative effects on geological environment caused by groundwater exploitation and its distribution. There are seven main types of the geological environment negative effects, which are generally as follows:(1) Constant decrease of groundwater level is mainly distributed in China(East Asia), India(South Asia), Tajikistan(Central Asia) and Saudi Arabia(West Asia);(2) land subsidence occurs mainly in eastern plains of East Asia and west Siberian Plain of North Asia;(3) seawater intrusion occurs mainly in China, Japan and South Korea in East Asia, Philippines and Indonesia in Southeast Asia, the Indian coastal areas in South Asia;(4) groundwater level decline caused by groundwater exploitation in oil fields;(5) mining collapse is mainly in 50° to 70° north latitude band;(6) the total area of karst collapse in China of East Asia is as much as 197.05 km^2; and(7) ground fracture is mainly distributed in the North China Plain, Fenwei Plain and the Yangtze River Delta. Asia can be divided into 6 zones in terms of the geological environment negative effect caused by groundwater exploitation. According to analysis, with the increasing intensity of human activities, geological environment issues become more and more serious, therefore it is vital to control the human activities within the scope of 5× 10~5 people/km^2 to 9.9× 10~5 people/km^2 for the effective control of the size of the affected area by geological environment problems.

Impact of coupling coordination development of port and city environments on urban economic competitiveness:Evidence from the coastal port cities in eastern China

Promoting the coupling coordination development of port and its hinterland city environments is an important way to improve urban economic competitiveness.Based on relevant data of 13 coastal port cities in eastern China from 2000 to 2018,this study explores the coupling coordination development of port and city environments and its impact on urban economic competitiveness by constructing the coupling coordination degree model and the panel threshold model.The research results show that:(1)In terms of the coupling coordination development of port and city environments,most coastal ports and their hinterland cities are in a state of moderate or serious disorder.Overall,the degree of coupling coordination of port and city environments needs to be further improved;(2)The coupling coordination degree of port and city environments has a significant impact on urban economic competitiveness,and this effect gradually increases with the development of the ports and the urban economy.Among the variables that impact the urban economic competitiveness,fixed assets investment and foreign trade are significant factors that can enhance urban economic competitiveness.(3)At present,there is a“U-shaped”relationship between the coupling coordination degree of port-city environments and the urban economic competitiveness.This relationship lies on the right side of the inflection point of the“U-shaped”curve.Therefore,following the concept of assigning priority to ecological development,expanding fixed assets investment and actively developing foreign trade can further enhance the urban economic competitiveness.

The Effects of the Enriched Environment on Sympathetic Skin Response in Pentylenetetrazol-Kindled Rats

Epilepsy is a neurodegenerative disease that interrupts the normal electrical activity of the brain and promotes abnormal wiring in this organ.Epileptic seizures are often associated with significant changes in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system(ANS).

Can environmental sustainability be decoupled from economic growth? Empirical evidence from Eastern Europe using the common correlated effect mean group test

The European Union(EU) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD) aim to develop long-term policies for their respective member countries. Having observed increasing dangers to the environment posed by rising economic growth, they are seeking pathways to enable policy action on economic growth and environmental sustainability. Given the facts in theoretical and empirical studies, this study assessed the validity of the decoupling hypothesis by investigating asymmetricity in the relationship between environmental sustainability and economic growth in nine Eastern European countries from 1998 to 2017 using the cross-section augmented Dickey-Fuller(CADF) unit root, panel corrected standard error(PCSE), common correlated effect mean group(CCEMG), and Dumitrescu Hurlin causality approaches. Both population growth and drinking water are used as controlled variables. The outcomes establish strong cointegration among all the variables of interest. According to the results of CCEMG test, economic growth exerts short-term environmental degradation but has long-term environmental benefits in Eastern Europe;and population growth and drinking water exert a positive effect on environmental sustainability in both the short-and long-run. The results of Dumitrescu Hurlin causality test indicate that environmental sustainability is unidirectionally affected by economic growth. Based on these outcomes, we suggest the following policies:(1) the EU and OECD should implement member-targeted policies on economic growth and fossil-fuel use towards regulating industrial pollution, water use, and population control;and(2) the EU and OECD member countries should invest in environmental technologies through green research and development(R&D) to transform their dirty industrial processes and ensure productive energy use.

The Research on Land-Use Change and Ecological Environment Effect of Urban Landscape in China

The rapid expansion of urban construction land has become the major characteristic of urban land-use change in China today. Meanwhile, the rapid urbanization process has led to the great changes of urban landscape in China, and it also has had certain impacts on environmental factors such as climate, soil, hydrology, biodiversity, etc., then it has made the overall ecological environment deteriorated. This study is based on the summary and analysis of research on land-use change and ecological environment effect of urban landscape in recent 20 years in China, and it aims at providing scientific bases and theoretical supports for the planning and construction of urban landscape, the sustainable land-use of city and the protection of ecological environment in China.

Environment Geological Effect of Groundwater Exploitation in Linfen

Through analyzing environment geological effect of groundwater in detail, the authors hold that the groundwater exploitation is excessive in Linfen City. A regional depression cone has been formed in the civic center; The subsidence scale keeps increasing, and five developed earth fissure hazards zones have been formed. This hinders the sustainable economic development of Linfen severely. Large scale observation net of groundwater should be established to dynamically monitor the ground water, ensuring a rational exploitation.

Present Development Situation of Transgenic Crops and Effect on Ecological Environment

The present development situation of transgenic crops and their effect on ecological environment are introduced in the paper. Some relevant strategies for their future and how to control the risks of ecological environment are presented.

Mantle/Crust Evolution and Eco-Environmental Effects as Exemplified by Zhangjiakou-West Beijing Region

The living circumstances of human beings are closely related to the geological environment. As exemplified by the Zhangjiakou-West Beijing region, this paper describes the intensive mantle-crust uplift, which led to anomalous element background values for regional rocks (ores) and soils. As a result, some agricultural crops, and forests and fruits are of “super-quality and high yield” or of “poor quality and low yield”. The anomalous elements can find their way into grains, fruits, vegetables and drinking water and then will be taken by human beings, constituting a food chain, which would directly impact human health and lead to the spread of some endemic diseases. Studies have shown that the geomorphological features in the Zhangjiakou-West Beijing region are the outcome of geotectonic evolution since the Mesozoic. Mantle-crust movement is the key factor leading to the evolution and change of the regionally geological environment.

THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENT WORK ON EFFECTIVE SEGREGATION COEFFICIENT OF SOLUTE AT SOLID／LIQUID INTERFACE

The model of effective segregation coefficient(Keff) of solute atoms has been developed by considering the effect of environment work on barrier potential of atom motion at solid/liquid interface.It was found that not only the amount but also the type of environ ment work strongly affected the Keff in addition to the growth velocity R.