Changing institutions for environmental policy and politics in New Era China

The evolution of Chinese environmental policy and politics can be better understood in the broader context of institutional changes that have taken place since the late 1970s. In this study,an analytical framework was established to analyze how overall institutional changes were reflected in the roles of relationships between governmental and non-governmental actors engaged in environmental governance. Institutional changes were observed at three levels:informal institutions(cultural traditions, and political ideology); formal institutions(the polity,political system, property rights, and judiciary); and governing mechanisms(structures, regulatory approaches, and incentives). This analysis of interactions between institutional changes and the changing environmental process explained not only the drives and constraints behind China's environmental policy evolution so far but also shed light on future challenges and opportunities.

Estimation of Annual Energy Output from BCM Tidal Barrage and the Corresponding Marine Environmental Impact

Based on the finite-volume coastal ocean model(FVCOM),a three-dimensional numerical model FVCOM was built to simulate the ocean dynamics in pre-dam and post-dam conditions in Bachimen(BCM).The domain decomposition method,which is effective in describing the conservation of volume and non-conservation of mechanical energy in the utilization of tidal energy,was employed to estimate the theoretical tidal energy resources and developable energy resources,and to analyze the hydrodynamic effect of the tidal power station.This innovative approach has the advantage of linking physical oceanography with engineering problems.The results indicate that the theoretical annual tidal energy resources is about 2×10~8 k Wh under the influence of tidal power station;Optimized power installation is confirmed according to power generation curve from numerical analysis;the developable resources is about 38.2% of theoretical tidal energy resources with the employment of one-way electricity generation.The electricity generation time and power are 3479 hours and 2.55×10~4 KW,respectively.The power station has no effect on the tide pattern which is semi-diurnal tide in both two conditions,but the amplitudes of main constituents apparently decrease in the area near the dam,with the M_2 decreasing the most,about 62.92 cm.The tidal prism shrinks to 2.28×10~7 m^3,but can still meet the flow requirement for tidal power generation.The existence of station increases the flow rate along the waterway and enhances the residual current.There are two opposite vortexes formed on the east side beside the dam of the station,which leads to pollutants gathering.

Metagenomic Shotgun Sequencing Provides Prevalence Data for Pathogens, and Source-Tracking Indices Useful in Public Health Risk Assessment of Environmental Waters

State-approved membrane filtration (MF) techniques for water quality assessments were contrasted with metagenomic shotgun sequencing (MSS) protocols to evaluate their efficacy in providing precise health-risk indices for surface waters. Samples from a freshwater receiving pond (ABI-1002) and two upstream storm water ditches (ABI-1003) and (ABI-1004) yielded alarmingly high Fecal coliform MF densities of 220, >2000 and >2000 CFU/100ml respectively. The indicator, Enterococcus bacteria exceeded allowable limits in all but the equipment control (ABI-1001). Using MSS, the relative numerical abundance of pathogenic bacteria, virulence and antibiotic resistance genes revealed the status and potential pollution sources of each ditch. High levels of Shigella sp. (0 (ABI-1001), 4945 (ABI-1002), 55,008 (ABI-1003), and 2221 (ABI-1004) genomic reads/100ml) correlated with virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes found in fecal samples for ABI1003 and not ABI1004. Traditional culture methods (TCM) showed possible fecal contamination in two of the four samples, and no contamination in the others. MSS clearly distinguished between fecal and environmental bacteria contamination sources, and pinpointed actual risks from pathogens. Our data underscore the potential utility of MSS in precision risk assessment for public and biodiversity health and tracking of environmental microbiomes shifts by field managers and policy makers.

Environmental Mapping of Potential Habitats for Anthropod Vectors of Trypanosomiasis in Northern Nigeria

This paper presents analysis of a cost effective methodology using remotely sensed data analysed within a geographical systems (GIS) environment for mapping out potential habitats of anthropod vectors responsible for trypanosomiasis in northern Nigeria. These geographical locations are areas with high population of livestock in Nigeria. Animal Trypanosomiasis is considered as an arthropod-borne viral disease which is endemic in about 37 countries of the sub-Saharan Africa and in particular northern Nigeria. This anthropod-borne viral disease remains a threat to both humans and livestock in many communities, and the outbreak of such diseases is shown to relate to fluctuations in the changing climate mostly experienced whenever there are changes in global precipitation which also relates to changes in sea surface temperatures otherwise known as “El Niňo Southern Oscillations” (ENSO). Monthly Satellite imageries in the form of Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at 250 meters spatial resolution obtained from NASA-MODIS/CMD were subjected to principal component analysis utilizing the standardized principal components within a GIS environment and supplemented with Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data in the analysis. Results from the maps showed that pockets of probable habitats of these anthropod vectors responsible for trypanosomiasis mostly located around forest islands characterized by dry woodland and savanna, and in some cases around gallery forests and few lowland and riverine areas. This study provides baseline information for policy makers in Nigeria and other stakeholders as a cost effective measure for mapping potential habitats for anthropod vectors responsible for trypanosomiasis in Northern Nigeria. Further studies are encouraged so as to clearly understand the magnitude and actual locations of the habitat of this vector and find ways of targeting their locations for minimizing or even eradicating these vectors.

A multi-scale modelling framework to guide management of plant invasions in a transboundary context

Background：Attention has recently been drawn to the issue of transboundary invasions,where species introduced and naturalized in one country cross international borders and become problematic in neighbouring countries.Robust modelling frameworks,able to identify the environmental drivers of invasion and forecast the current and future potential distribution of invasive species,are needed to study and manage invasions.Limitations due to the lack of species distribution and environmental data,or assumptions of modelling tools,often constrain the reliability of model predictions.Methods：We present a multiscale spatial modelling framework for transboundary invasions,incorporating robust modelling frameworks（Multimodel Inference and Ensemble Modelling） to overcome some of the limitations.The framework is illustrated using Hakea sericea Schrad.（Proteaceae）,a shrub or small tree native to Australia and invasive in several regions of the world,including the Iberian Peninsula.Two study scales were considered：regional scale（western Iberia,including mainland Portugal and Galicia） and local scale（northwest Portugal）.At the regional scale,the relative importance of environmental predictors sets was evaluated and ranked to determine the main general drivers for the species distribution,while the importance of each environmental predictor was assessed at the local scale.The potential distribution of H.sericea was spatially projected for both scale areas.Results：Model projections for western Iberia suggest that a large area is environmentally suitable in both Portugal and Spain.Climate and landscape composition sets were the most important determinants of this regional distribution of the species.Conversely,a geological predictor（schist lithology） was more important in explaining its local-scale distribution.Conclusions：After being introduced to Portugal,H.sericea has become a transboundary invader by expanding in parts of Galicia（Spain）.The fact that a larger area is predicted as environmentally suitable in Spain raises concerns regarding its potential continued expansion.This highlights the importance of transboundary cooperation in the early management of invasions.By reliably identifying drivers and providing spatial projections of invasion at multiple scales,this framework provides insights for the study and management of biological invasions,including the assessment of transboundary invasion risk.

Fishing Production and Fishing Changes in Hong Kong after the Ground Trawl Ban of 31st December 2012:A Geospatial Evaluation

From data published by the Hong Kong SAR(HKSAR)government in their two sole fisheries surveys of 2006 and 2016/2017,the current authors produced regional maps using spatial interpolation to more accurately describe and estimate the geographic coverage of changes in fishing production in Hong Kong waters since the ground trawl ban of 2012 December 31st.These suggest the fishing industry has adapted to smaller craft,and that fishing production increased in several areas in the period after the ground trawl ban came into effect.In addition,the maps enable a smoother assessment to be made of the geospatial changes in fishing production which have occurred since the ground trawl ban and suggest a‘workaround’by fishermen.In particular,small fishing craft known as sampans are able to take advantage by being more suitable vessels for areas such as narrower or shallower bays.Marine plastics pollution is also a proxy indicator of these activities,as evidenced by discarded fishing gear that includes plastic nets,floats,and other fishing boat equipment.

Multisensor Comparisons for Validation of MODIS Vegetation Indices

Vegetation indices (VI) are one of the standard science products available from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Validation of MODIS-VI products was an important prerequisite to using these variables for global modeling. In this study, validation of the MODIS-VI products including single-day MODIS, level 2 (gridded) daily MODIS surface reflectance (MOD09), 16-day composited MODIS (MOD13) was performed utilizing multisensor data from MODIS, Thematic Mapper (TM), and field radiometer, for a rice-planting region in southern China. The validation approach involved scaling up independent fine-grained datasets, including ground measurement and high spatial resolution imagery, to the coarser MODIS spatial resolutions. The 16-day composited MODIS reflectance and VI matched well with the ground measurement reflectance and VI. The VI of TM and MODIS were lower than the ground VI. The results demonstrated the accuracy, reliability, and utility of the MODIS-VI products for the study region.

A numerical study on the circulation and tide in a zigzag bay

The Shacheng Bay （SCB） is one of the most complex coastal bays in southeast China and due to the fact of complicated geometry and dynamic coastal processes, it is considered as a challenging area for the nu- merical simulation of its hydrodynamic characteristics. The most advanced finite volume ocean model, fi- nite-volume coastal ocean model （FVCOM）, has adopted to simulate this hydrodynamic system, where tidal currents, tidal residual current and dye diffusion processes were studied and analyzed quantitatively. The validation of this numerical model matches well with various observation data, including elevation and current data. The misfit of a tidal elevation has a relative standard error of 3.66% and 4.67% for M2 and S2 tide components. The current validation shows a good match with an average error of 10 cm/s and 8° in the speed major axis and its direction respectively between the simulation and the measurement. This proves the robustness and reliability of this model. It is also found that the cape effect is significant and important in this system. The dye diffusion simulations show a 53 d flushing period for the whole inner bay waterbody. The results are of its first kind for understanding the hydrodynamic system in the SCB and they can provide helnful and trustful scientific information for others.

Comparison of Functional Properties between Native and Chemically Modified Starches from Acha (<i>Digitaria</i>Stapf) Grains

Acha grain (Digitariaexilis) starch was isolated and subjected to chemical modifications by acetylation, benzylation, succinylation, carboxymethylation and acid-thining. Functional properties (swelling, solubility, gelation, oil and water absorption capacities, alkaline water retention) and rheological properties of the native and modified starches were determined. Swelling power and solubility of the starch samples increased with increase in temperature. Swelling power and solubility were pH dependent, with maximum values obtained at pH 12 in both native and modified starches. Increasing degree of alkalinity increased both solubility and swelling capacity. Water absorption capacities of chemically modified starches decreased, but acetylated starch, ATAS showed higher value compared to the native and also chemically modified starches improved oil absorption capacity of the native starch. The modified starches showed increase in alkaline water retention. Gelation studies revealed that ACAS had higher LGC than the native while some chemically modified starches did not alter the gelation capacity of the native starch except for BAS and ACAS with LGC of 10% and 16% v/w. There were significant differences in functional properties between native and chemically modified starches from acha, so chemical modification improved functional properties. Chemical modifications increased pasting temperature except for ATAS and BAS. Set-back values were reduced after modifications, indicating that modification would minimize starch retrogradation.

An Inexpensive and Simple Experimental Approach for the Estimation of Solute Import into Groundwater and Subsequent Export Using Inflow/Outflow Data

In agricultural catchments where groundwater (GW) base flow discharge contributes substantially towards stream flow, the information linking GW inflow/outflow with contaminant import/export is scarce. However, this information is essential to address aquatic ecosystem health hazard/risk associated with nitrate export and subsequent loading in sensitive surface water bodies (SWB). The objectives of this study were to assess the temporal dynamics of (i) rain water inflow/outflow behaviour in three agricultural catchments in the humid tropics of far-northeast Queensland of Australia, (ii) solute import via inflow and subsequent export in outflow, and (iii) the association between GW inflow/outflow and solute import/export. Approximately 71% of the average seasonal rainfall percolated (inflow) into the porous basaltic regolith of the Johnstone River Catchment (JRC) compared with 44% into the alluvial regolith in the Mulgrave River Catchment (MRC) and 29% into the metamorphic regolith in the Tully River Catchment (TRC), respectively. The outflows from the basaltic, alluvial, and metamorphic regoliths were 56%, 36%, and 55% of the inflows, respectively. The cumulative nitrate import per season was 25 k/ha in the JRC compared with 11 kg/ha in MRC and 34 kg/ha in TRC. The corresponding exports were 24 kg/ha, 8 kg/ha 26 kg/ha in JRC, MRC, and TRC, respectively. The total dissolved solute (TDS) exports were 82%, 77%, 75%, of the corresponding imports in JRC, MRC, and TRC, respectively. Simple correlations indicated that nitrate export was positively correlated with the outflow in each one of the regolith and similar trends were observed between inflow and import. The import/export mass balance for nitrate shows that 73% to 96% of the imports were exported during the same rainy season, suggesting the potential for nitrate associated ecosystem health hazard/risk in sensitive SWB receiving the outflows.

The Sediment and Hydrographic Characteristics of Three Horseshoe Crab Nursery Beaches in Hong Kong

Horseshoe crab juveniles have been recorded from sand and sandy-mud nursery beaches at Pak Nai (western New Territories), San Tau and Shui Hau (Lantau Island), Hong Kong. In order to provide a better understanding of these beaches and to identify those plausible factors which have made them preferred by spawning horseshoe crabs, environmental parameters, including temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen content of the water, and particle size distribution and organic matter content of the sediments at the three sites, were determined and compared. The hydrographic and sediment data obtained for the three study sites have revealed some common environmental features. The three nursery beaches are relatively remote, and far (in Hong Kong terms) from urbanized and densely populated areas. The beaches are generally well sheltered from strong wave action and inundated regularly by estuarine waters. Horseshoe crab adults tend to select these beaches for spawning as their protected features ensures the laid eggs are less likely to be washed out of the sand, and hatched juveniles can feed on the meiofauna and grow. Sediments of the three beaches largely comprise medium-sized sand particles and are moderately sorted, suggesting medium porosity and good water permeability. Such a sand type, with the generally high oxygen levels in incursing waters, may help create a well-oxygenated micro-environment for the normal development of horseshoe crab eggs, larvae and juveniles. Lantau Island beaches at San Tau and Shui Hau are relatively free from organic pollution, as reflected in generally high dissolved oxygen level, and low BOD 5 and ammonia nitrogen values. Pak Nai is, however, more polluted.

Impact of Sand Dredging Activities on Ecosystem and Community Survival in Ibeshe Area of Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria

This study investigates the impact of sand dredging activities on coastal ecosystem and community survival around Ibeshe area of the Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria. Surface water and bottom sediment samples were collected from locations partitioned into Dredged Area (DA) and Undredged Area (UA) in the lagoon for laboratory analyses. Questionnaires were administered to community dwellers and sand miners to further analyze perception of locals. Significant differences in water quality parameters and sediments properties from Dredged and Undredged areas, and highly significant relationship between sand dredging and unsustainable ecological practices in Ibeshe were observed. One way ANOVA test indicates that all water quality parameters measured with exception of turbidity and nitrate concentration were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between Dredged and Undredged area. With exception of moisture content other sediment parameters measured were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between Dredged and Undredged areas. The project also determined the impact of dredging activities on the fisheries and fishing business in the environment. Turbidity values revealed that fishes will be negatively affected due to dredging activities;moreover dwellers pay little or no attention to conservation of the area due to unawareness. Sand dredging operations negatively influence ecological resources and water composition of the area. This project is designed to randomly sample the opinion of sand mining operators and residents;and questionnaires were administered to obtain data. Strict regulation and enforcement will assist to control ecological destruction and solve problems facing the lagoon environment.

Spatial Assessment of Flood Vulnerability in Aba Urban Using Geographic Information System Technology and Rainfall Information

This study investigated the relationship between topographic information and trends in rainfall in Aba urban, South Eastern Nigeria. GIS data were applied to generate topographical information on?runoff characteristics, the slope, the contour, the aspect and the digital elevation model. The Mann-Kendall Trend was applied to the rainfall data to show if a monotonic increase, decrease or stability trend exist for the rainfall data of Aba metropolis for the period 2000-2010. Results showed that virtually all parts of Aba were liable to floods expect Ogbor hill axis. The flood vulnerability map indicated that 71.65% of the study area was vulnerable to flood. Rainfall trend showed a decrease in six out of the ten year period. Since within this period, flood intensity had generally remained the same, we concluded that topography, poor drainage infrastructure and non-compliance with building, planning and environmental regulations rather than rainfall trend were the key cause of flood problem in the study area.

Isolation and Identification of Bacteria Found in the Milt of Cultured Clarias gariepinus

This study investigated bacteria that are associated with milt in cultured samples of African catfish-Clarias gariepinus.Male broodstocks of Clarias gariepinus were collected from private Fish Farm in Ogun State,Nigeria,while the fish’s milt was collected and analyzed for microbial load at laboratory of the Department of Microbiology,Federal University of Agriculture,Abeokuta,Ogun State.The molecular characterization of the amplicon was done at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture,Ibadan.Bio-edit was used for importing and mining nucleotide sequences into gene bank.As revealed by the results,bacterial organisms that were present in the milt of Clarias gariepinus are Aeromonas caviae,Proteus mirabilis,Serratia rubidaea,Pseudomonas mosselii,Acinetobacter soli and Klebsiella variicola.The Basic Local Alignment Search Tools revealed the percentage similarity ranging from 86%-97.04%and their accession numbers.These bacteria indicated high levels of faecal contamination in the environment.In conclusion,bacteria were found in the milt of cultured catfish and are capable of being pathogenic to humans and may increase the vertical transfer to fry during breeding and rearing stage.Therefore,fish farmers should maintain a hygiene and serene environment during breeding and culturing of catfish.

Main seagrass beds and threats to their habitats in the coastal sea of South China

The distribution, species, biomass,productivity of main seagrasses and their sufferedmain threats are introduced and discussed in thispaper based on the field surveys in the offshore areas of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan provinces.The seagrass beds distributed mainly in Liusha Bay,Donghai Island and Hailing Island of GuangdongProvince; Hepu and Pearl Bay of Guangxi ZhuangAutonomous Region; Li’an Bay, Xincun Bay, Longwan Bay and Sanya Bay of Hainan Province and soon. The total area of seagrass beds in the coastal seaof South China is about 2400 ha. There are about 8species, such as Halophila ovalis, Halodule uninervisHalophila beccarii, Zostera japonica, Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemperichii, Ruppia martime andCymodocea rotundata. These seagrasses have highbiomass and productivity. However, they are subjected to some threats resulting from artificial andnatural factors, especially anthropogenic causes,such as culture of shrimps and fishes, shellfish collection, fishing by means of poisons, electric powerand explosives as well as trawling, artificial pollution,dredging channels, and typhoons natural disaster.

Effects of Jianpi herbal suppository on hemorheology and CD62p in patients with ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a Chinese herbal suppository(Jianpi suppository) and Western Medicine(mesalazine) on hemorheology and CD62p in patients with ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS: In a randomized trial, 120 mild to moderate UC patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. The Jianpi suppository group used Chinese herbal suppository rectally, while the mesalazine group was treated with mesalazine tablets orally. Two 15-day courses of treatment were carried out in both groups. Changes in the hemorheology and CD62p indices in patients were observed.RESULTS: The hemorheology and CD62p indices in the Jianpi suppository group decreased significantly more than those of the mesalazine group.CONCLUSION: Jianpi suppository is effective in improving the hypercoagulability of UC patients, and therefore may be worth using in clinical practice.

Status monitoring and health assessment of Luhuitou fringing reef of Sanya, Hainan, China

The monitoring survey and health assessment for benthic community were carried out in Luhuitou fringing reef of Sanya, Hainan, China in 2002. Monitoring survey included manta tow, line intercept transect, video transect and digital photograph. The mean live coral cover was 23.40%. Comparison of used monitoring methods showed that video transect can replace line intercept transect, and 50 m transect is better than 20 m transect in uneven coral region. Survey data and comparison with previous research work showed that Luhuitou fringing reef has been damaged severely and has a general declining trend with live coral cover from about 85% in the 1960s down to 20% in 2004, but it still has quite high biodiversity and therefore has special protection value. Main factors of Luhuitou fringing reef declining were human activities including reef rock digging and curios collecting, destructive fishing, sediment and pollutant from coastal land, and recent marine aquaculture. Only strengthening integrated management can reach improvement and restoration of Luhuitou declining coral reef ecosystem.

Coupling of zero valent iron and biobarriers for remediation of trichloroethylene in groundwater

This study attempted to construct a three series barrier system to treat high concentrations of trichloroethylene （TCE; 500 mg/L） in synthetic groundwater. The system consisted of three reactive barriers using iron fillings as an iron-based barrier in the first column, sugarcane bagasse mixed with anaerobic sludge as an anaerobic barrier in the second column, and a biofilm coated on oxygen carbon inducer releasing material as an aerobic barrier in the third column. In order to evaluate the extent of removal of TCE and its metabolites in the aquifer down gradient of the barrier system, a fourth column filled with sand was applied. Residence time of the system was investigated by a bromide tracer test. The results showed that residence time in the column system of the control set and experimental set were 23.62 and 29.99 days, respectively. The efficiency of the three series barrier system in removing TCE was approximately 84% in which the removal efficiency of TCE by the iron filling barrier, anaerobic barrier and aerobic barrier were 42%, 16% and 25%, respectively. cis-Dichloroethylene （cis-DCE）, vinyl chloride （VC）, ethylene and chloride ions were observed as metabolites following TCE degradation. The presence of chloride ions in the effluent from the column system indicated the degradation of TCE. However, cis-DCE and VC were not fully degraded by the proposed barrier system which suggested that another remediation technology after the barrier treatment such as air sparging and adsorption by activated carbon should be conducted.

How to achieve deep remission in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE: This article investigates the methods of achieving deep remission of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Increasing recognition of the concept of quality of care is contributing to the evolution of treatment goals in patients with IBD from clinical response and remission (symptom control) toward deep remission. A change in the treatment goal requires a change in the treatment strategy. Optimization of conventional therapy, early treatment, use of the Lemann score, performance of double-balloon endoscopy, treatment using Traditional Chinese Medicine, and good communication between physicians and patients are needed to attain deep remission. RESULTS: The above-mentioned methods can help to achieve deep remission. CONCLUSION: Using the above methods, it will bepossible to improve the prognoses of patients with IBD by minimizing complications and bowel damage and thereby changing the course of the disease.