China’s Foreign Aid and International Development Cooperation in a COVID-19 Pandemic World

By focusing on international cooperation in fighting the pandemic and supporting “small yet smart” assistance programs that benefit people’s livelihoods, China’s foreign aid has not only promoted pandemic response and socio-economic recovery of recipient countries, but also helped China build a new development paradigm and safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. In the face of a turbulent and changing world, the unique role of foreign aid as an important tool for building a community with a shared future has become even clearer.

Genetic Enhancement of Indigenous Cowpea with Gamma-Ray Induced Trait Variation

Production of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), a staple legume crop in Sub-Saharan Africa, faces challenges due to biotic and abiotic constraints. Induced mutagenesis was deployed to create genetic variation in two cowpea varieties (KVX396-4-5-2D and Moussa local). The radio-sensitivity tests led to determe the lethal dose 50 (LD50) corresponding to 230 Gy and 220 Gy for KVX396-4-5-2D and Moussa local varieties, respectively. Dried seeds (M0) of each variety were gamma-ray irradiated with LD50 − 50, LD50 and LD50 + 50. M1 seeds were advanced to generate M2, M3 and M4 mutants using the single-seed-descent method. M4 mutant lines were evaluated in rain-fed conditions using a randomized complete block design to assess phenotypic differences. Data on seven qualitative and eleven quantitative traits were collected. The results indicated that the mutation induced variability in three qualitative traits: in KVX 396-4-5-2D mutant lines, with flower and seed color frequencies at 2.61% and 0.56% respectively, and pod dehiscence at a frequency of 0.24%. While in Moussa local mutants, a pod color changed at a frequency of 17%. ANOVA results revealed significant differences between mutants of both varieties for all quantitative traits, including photosynthetic parameters. Positive correlations were observed between leaf diameter and 100-seed weight, and between branch number and 100-seed weight. Hierarchical clustering revealed three clusters among KVX 396-4-5-2D mutants and six clusters among Moussa local mutants. Early maturity and high foliage were induced traits in Cluster 3 of KVX 396-4-5-2D mutants while high hundred-seed weight was induced in Cluster 6 of Moussa local mutants.

Effects of Sowing Time on the Growth, Development and Productivity of Sweet Sorghum

The experiments were conducted to determine suitable sowing time in order to achieve high plant biomass and sugar content of sweet sorghum for bioethanol manufacture. The results showed that germination rate reached > 80% in all trial times (p > 0.05). The growth and development speed of sweet sorghum reduced when seeds were sowed in August and was significantly different from other sowing times (p < 0.05). Sowing from March to June obtained the highest plant height during all growth and development stages. Lodging and diseases observed in all periods of sowing, and planting began in July and August had lower percentage. In contrast, the productivity of fresh weight (1310.4 g/whole plant), sugar content (14.9% Brix), biomass yield (122.4 tons/ha) and theoretical converted ethanol yield (5 tons/ha) were the highest when sweet sorghum planted from March to June. It was observed that sowing sweet sorghum in four periods of month from March to June had the desirable biomass for bioethanol production.

An Integrative Socio-Technical Enterprise Approach to Urban Design/Planning for Sustainable Development

Human society locally and globally needs to better understand and respond to ever-more complex, interwoven problems: environmental degradation;climate instability;persistent poverty;disparities in human health;growing income/wealth inequality;economies and infrastructures vulnerable to climate shock;and mounting socio-political unrest. Cities are where most people live, urbanization is a strong upward global trend, and cities bring all these problems into sharp, compelling focus. Since outcomes stem from processes and systems, we argue transformative changes depend on re-imagining the Urban Design, Urban Planning and Urban Development Practice (UD/UP/UDP) process. While there has been insufficient attention to process innovation— with technological aspects tending to dominate UD/UP/UDP work—emerging systems views of cities, and disenchantment with existing modes are enabling. We propose an empirically based integrative frame to tackle recognized conundrums, and inform an adaptive UD/UP/UDP process—from concept through design, assessment, planning, implementation, project functioning and monitoring. The frame contemplates six domains (6-D): 1) Project ethos, concept, and framing;2) sectors, topics, and issues;3) Varying spatial and temporal scales;4) Stakeholder interests, relationships and capacities;5) Knowledge types, modes and methods;and 6) Socio-technical capacities and networks. The frame, process and outcomes constitute a socio-technical enterprise (STE) approach to UD/UP/UDP work, with implications for education, training, and professional practice. We highlight the pivotal role Integrators and Universities play, and the scalability of STE knowledge/capacity networks. The case of Greater Mexico City/Central Mexico Urban Region illustrates the utility of the approach in a hyper-complex, climate-change vulnerable regional context.

The Case for Integrative Sustainable Development Practice Based on the Minas Conga Gold-Mining Experience in Peru

Mining projects are among the most impactful development projects, and the most controversial. The Conga Mining Project, proposed by the U.S. based Newmont Mining Corporation, in partnership with Minas Buenaventura, was slated for the Cajamarca region of Peru. Since the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was completed in 2010, controversy has escalated: public protests have precipitated a political crisis for President Humala, with several ministers resigning. The proposed project would have been made located approximately 73 km northeast of the city of Cajamarca, in the northern Peruvian Andes, in the district of Sorochuco, within an area defined by four major lakes, headwaters of rivers, and wetlands. Despite findings of “no significant impact” by the 2010 EIA, the project is currently postponed indefinitely due to the public backlash, international attention, and questions of integrity surrounding environmental and social concerns. We use the Conga Mining case to interrogate business-as-usual (BAU) design, assessment, planning, implementation and monitoring practices for extractive development in Peru, and suggest alternatives. Our analysis is based on an integrative framework that is empirically based (previously developed by the authors), one with a greater likelihood of improving sustainable development and the equity of positive and negative impacts among stakeholders. Suggestions are tailored to the setting: we pay special attention to the climate-change and socio-political contexts of Peru. We seek to exploit a shifting political landscape that is resisting BAU and countering the systematic disenfranchisement of vulnerable populations by extractive resource industries. These appear to be enabling conditions to promote the adoption of a capacity building, socio-technical enterprise approach to framing and designing sustainable development projects in Peru, with implications beyond.

Can Lithium Energize Sustainable Development in Bolivia？ Institutional and Policy Challenges

A new extractive boom looms over Bolivia, home to roughly a third of the world＇s lithium reserves. Since previous mining booms have not put the country on a sustainable development path, this paper briefly outlines the initial results of a research on policy options to break away with the past. The paper first assesses the relationship between resource dependence and sustainable development by looking at the evolution of genuine savings in Bolivia and neighbouring, resource-rich countries. It then discusses Bolivia＇s potential position on the world＇s lithium market and examines the institutional variables that shape perceptions, expectations and policy options at national and local levels. Notwithstanding major technological challenges, the paper concludes that further research should shed light on how inclusive processes can be nurtured in rentier states, and how far specific institutional reforms can contribute to turning the looming lithium boom into sustainable outcomes in the Bolivian case.

International Collaboration between RSC and China

There is no doubt that international scientific collaboration has increased in recent years in terms of both volume and importance.The Royal Society of Chemistry(RSC) and our partners in China are continuously strengthening links with the chemical sciences community around the world through a number of initiatives.

Recent Advances in Electrolytes for High-Voltage Cathodes of Lithium-Ion Batteries

With the increasing scale of energy storage,it is urgently demanding for further advancements on battery technologies in terms of energy density,cost,cycle life and safety.The development of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)not only relies on electrodes,but also the functional electrolyte systems to achieve controllable formation of solid electrolyte interphase and high ionic conductivity.In order to satisfy the needs of higher energy density,high-voltage(>4.3 V)cathodes such as Li-rich layered compounds,olivine LiNiPO_(4),spinel LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(1.5)O_(4) have been extensively studied.However,high-voltage cathodebased LIBs fade rapidly mainly owing to the anodic decomposition of electrolytes,gradually thickening of interfacial passivation layer and vast irreversible capacity loss,hence encountering huge obstacle toward practical applications.To tackle this roadblock,substantial progress has been made toward oxidation-resistant electrolytes to block its side reaction with high-voltage cathodes.In this review,we discuss degradation mechanisms of electrolytes at electrolyte/cathode interface and ideal requirements of electrolytes for high-voltage cathode,as well as summarize recent advances of oxidation-resistant electrolyte optimization mainly from solvents and additives.With these insights,it is anticipated that development of liquid electrolyte tolerable to high-voltage cathode will boost the large-scale practical applications of high-voltage cathode-based LIBs.

Antioxidant lignans sesamin and sesamolin in sesame(Sesamum indicum L.):a comprehensive review and future prospects

Sesame(Sesamum indicum L.)is a significantly lucrative cash crop for millions of small-holder farmers.Its seeds are an important source of a highly appreciated vegetable oil globally and two clinically essential antioxidant lignans,sesamin and sesamolin.Accordingly,many countries import millions of tons of sesame seed every year.The demand for lignan-rich sesame seeds has been increasing in recent years due to the continuous discovery of several pharmacological attributes of sesamin and sesamolin.To meet this demand,the sesame breeder’s primary objective is to release sesame cultivars that are enriched in oil and lignans.Thus,it is necessary to summarize the information related to the sesamin and sesamolin contents in sesame in order to promote the joint efforts of specialized research teams on this important oilseed crop.In this article,we present the current knowledge on the sesamin and sesamolin contents in S.indicum L.with respect to the updated biosynthesis pathway,associated markers,governing loci,available variability in sesame germplasm,the in planta potential roles of these compounds in sesame,and the newly discovered pharmacological attributes.In addition,we propose and discuss some required studies that might facilitate genomics-assisted breeding of high lignan content sesame varieties.

1960-2005年长江流域降水极值概率分布特征

根据1960-2005年长江流域147个气象站逐日降水观测资料和ECHAM5/MPI-OM气候模式20世纪试验期(1941-2000年)79个格点逐日降水模拟资料,建立年最大强降水AM(annual maximum)序列及汛期日降水量<1.27mm的最长干旱持续天数MI(Munger index)序列,分析了长江流域降水极值序列的时空分布特征和概率分布模式。结果表明:1)长江流域强降水事件的强度和概率最大的地区位于岷沱江流域中游、洞庭湖湖区、长江中下游干流区与鄱阳湖东南部支流等地区,干旱事件强度和概率最大的地区位于金沙江流域中下游与嘉陵江流域;2)气候模式模拟的长江流域AM事件的多年平均值普遍高于观测值,但离差系数普遍低于观测值;3)气候模式模拟结果与观测的降水极值空间分布有一定的差异,但对气候模式和实际观测的降水极值概率分布的拟合,均证明Wakeby分布函数能够较好地拟合降水极值的概率分布。

气候变化对塔里木河来自天山的地表径流影响

塔里木河水资源主要来自天山南坡两条源流,选择西段阿克苏河和中段开都河-孔雀河作为研究区.1956—2003年研究河源山区气温呈持续升温且降水波动增加的趋势,其中1995—2003年升温强劲,升温速率高出48 a期间平均的3倍以上;降水自1986年后持续增加,20世纪90年代较80年代增幅达18%,并显示出河源山区湿岛向塔里木盆地扩展.因高山缺少气象观测,出山径流过程变化可以综合反映中高山带的气候变化.塔里木河来自天山的地表径流在1986—2003年间持续增长,以冰川融水补给为主的库玛拉克河,1994年以来年径流量增加已在前期平均值基础上提升了一个台阶;开都河以降水径流补给为主,1986—2002年出现了观测记录以来的丰水期,并使1986年后博斯腾湖水位快速上升,恢复到1958年记录的最高水位以上.两河年径流变化趋势基本相似,但也显示有西、中段的气候变化局部差异,出现丰枯水期的不一致;然而,在近16 a升温过程中,年径流增长幅度和快慢相近.

甘肃河西走廊内陆河流域节水战略选择——地表水与地下水联合管理

过去20多年甘肃河西走廊内陆河流域的水资源管理经历了各类制度改革,不同程度地推动了地表水和地下水的联合管理。但是,由于机构设置及其权限制约以及改革目标差异,河西走廊地区的3个内陆河流域水资源管理效率差异化越来越显著,与石羊河流域相比,黑河和疏勒河流域的监管制度和管理办法并未完全跳出多头管理体制的窠臼,地表水和地下水没有形成有效的联合管理。通过梳理3个流域的水资源管理机构设置和管理模式,总结农业灌溉用水监管的经验教训,对比分析地表水和地下水联合管理措施在实践操作中的利弊,进一步探讨流域联合管理的实践意义和实现路径,寻求普遍适用于内陆河流域水资源的管理办法,保障内陆河流域节水战略的顺利实施。近10 a的实践经验表明:地表水和地下水联合管理是内陆河流域提高水资源利用效率、促进水资源可持续利用最为有效的路径,更是实现区域生态环境绿色发展的必由之路。

上海闵行区林业生态规划构想

上海闵行区林业生态建设提出“126工程”的规划构想,探讨了林业生态建设内涵,认为林业生态建设的空间布局应有前期规划,要因地制宜,并与城市总体规划相适应。

海口市海岸带生态系统服务及其时空变异

海岸带位于陆地、海洋交汇地带,有着重要的生态价值,但也是生态环境较为脆弱的地区。以海口市为研究区,研究海口市海岸带生态系统服务及其时空变异。基于1990、1995、2004和2012年4期Landsat TM影像得到土地利用覆盖数据;采用基于当量因子的生态系统服务价值评价方法,结合海口市实际情况,构建了海口市海岸带生态系统服务价值动态评估模型;借助GIS空间分析技术,应用局部空间自相关模型,定量研究了生态系统服务价值(ESV)的时空变异特征。研究结果表明:(1)在生态系统服务的总值方面,过去20多年的ESV整体变化不大,但近年来ESV有所降低,生态环境出现退化趋势。(2)在生态系统服务的时空变异方面,海口市海岸带ESV的空间正相关性显著,空间集聚程度较高,高值区主要集中于中心城区西部和东寨港周围,低值区主要集中于中心城区;近来,在发展城市经济和保护生态环境的双重作用下,位于中心城区的低值区和位于东寨港红树林自然保护区的高值区都有所辐射扩张。

Multifunctional landscapes—perspectives for the future

New methods in landscape ecology to study the link between landscape heterogeneity and landscape functionality are needed. Heterogeneity is a basic characteristic of landscape, and landscape function is the capacity to change the structural heterogeneity of a landscape system. In most developed countries the industrialisation of agriculture has in general resulted in a change of agricultural landscapes from a small-grained heterogeneous pattern towards more monotonous and monofunctional landscapes. During the 1990's this trends seems to have changed due to a diversification of rural land use and new trends in urbanisation. Weather these phases of landscape development should be expected in developing countries is a totally open question. Dealing with the study of multifunctionality of landscapes it is proposed to distinguish between ecological functionality of landscape ecosystems, functionality pertaining to land use and social functionality. Further, the relation between function, space and scale is important by the determination of spatial and time segregation as well as spatial and time integration of multifunctionality in landscapes.

SPATIAL GRADIENT ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACES COMBINED WITH LANDSCAPE METRICS IN JINAN CITY OF CHINA

Urban green spaces have been arisen growing concern responded to the social and environmental costs of urban sprawl. A wide range of planning and policies has been and/or will be designed to protect urban green spaces and optimize their spatial pattern. A better design or planning of urban green space can make a major contribution to quality of environment and urban life, and furthermore can decide whether we can have a sustainable development in the urban area. Information about the status quo of urban green spaces can help planners design more effectively. However, how to quantify and capture such information will be the essential question we face. In this paper, to quantify the urban green space, a new method comprising gradient analysis, landscape metrics and GIS was developed through a case of Jinan City. The results demonstrate: 1) the gradient analysis is a valid and reliable instrument to quantify the urban green space spatial pattern precisely; 2) using moving window, explicit landscape metrics were spatially realized. Compared with quantifying metrics in the entire landscape, it would be better to link pattern with process and establish an important basis for analyzing the ecological and socioeconomic functions of green spaces.

Predicting herbicides concentrations in paddy water and runoff to the river basin

This study was conducted to investigate the dissipation pattern and runoff of herbicides to the river basin from the paddy fields. Pesticide paddy field model(PADDY) was applied to predict herbicide concentration in paddy fields. A field study was conducted in a paddy farm of Higashi Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan in the year of 2003 paddy season. The herbicides were mefenacet, thiobencarb, and bensulfuron methyl. The sample water was analyzed by using gas chromatography and HPLC after solid phase extraction. Predicted dissipation rate of thiobencarb in paddy water was higher(DT_ 50 = 4 36) than that measured, with a lower k value(-0 069). Two weeks after application no thiobencarb was detected in the drainage channel and down stream. In the down stream, thiobencarb was detected until 3 d after application, with a range of 0 02% to 0 08% of applied herbicide. The predicted dissipation rate(k) and half-life(DT_ 50 ) of mefenacet was not significantly different from that of measured. In the drainage channel, upstream and downstream mefenacet was found during the whole study period. In downstream, the maximum concentration of mefenacet was present 0 61% of applied in the paddy field on 3DAH. The dissipation rate(k) of BSM varied from -0 0860 to -0 1059 to with half-life(DT_ 50 ) 3 5 and 2 84 d. In upstream water, no BSM was detected except trace amounts(0 01 μg/L) at 3 d after application. However, in the drainage channel 8%, 6% and 1 58% of applied BSM was present at 0, 1 and 3 d after application respectively. In the down stream, the highest concentration was 1 06%, shortly after application.

Landscape ecological characteristics in temporal changes of riverside open space in urbanized area

The aim of this paper is to clarify the pattern and process of changes of landscape in riverside open spaces in urbanized area.The area between the old banks of the Furukawa River in Hiroshima City was examined in this research.The land use maps of the study area were drawn at seven different times were analyzed,and the number,sizes and perimeters of all patches of all land use types were measured.In these areas,temporal patterns of land use change over the past 30 years were divided to three stages:19661976,19761988 and 19881997.As a result of human disturbance,the riparian forest patches in urbanized areas have decreased in average size and have also become longer and narrower.

同时测定无机离子的改良离子色谱法在河水和废水质量监控中的应用(英文)

In this study,our recent work on advanced ion chromatographic methods for the simultaneous determination of inorganic ionic species such as common anions(SO2-4,Cl-and NO-3) and cations(Na+,NH+4,K+,Mg2+,and Ca2+),nutrients(phosphate and silicate) and hydrogen ion/alkalinity are summarized first.Then,the applications using these methods for monitoring environmental water quality are also presented.For the determination of common anions and cations with nutrients,the separation was successfully performed by a polymethacrylate-based weakly acidic cation-exchange column of TSKgel Super IC-A/C(Tosoh,150 mm×6.0 mm i.d.) and a mixture solution of 100 mmol/L ascorbic acid and 4 mmol/L 18-crown-6 as acidic eluent with dual detection of conductivity and spectrophotometry.For the determination of hydrogen ion/alkalinity,the separation was conducted by TSKgel ODS-100Z column(Tosoh,150 mm×4.5 mm i.d.) modified with lithium dodecylsulfate and an eluent of 40 mmol/L LiCl/0.1 mmol/L lithium dodecylsulfate/0.05 mmol/L H2SO4 with conductivity detector.The differences of ion concentration between untreated and treated wastewater showed the variation of ionic species during biological treatment process in a sewage treatment plant.Occurrence and distribution of water-quality conditions were related to the bioavailability and human activity in watershed.From these results,our advanced ion chromatographic methods have contributed significantly for water quality monitoring of environmental waters.

Impact of Land Use Change on Groundwater Recharge in Guishui River Basin,China

It is important to understand how land use change impacts groundwater recharge, especially for regions that are undergoing rapid urbanization and there is limited surface water. In this study, the hydrological processes and re- charge ability of various land use types in Guishui River Basin, China （in Beijing Municipality） were analyzed. The impact of land use change was investigated based on water balance modeling, WetSpass and GIS. The results indicate that groundwater recharge accounts for only 21.16% of the precipitation, while 72.54% is lost in the form of evapotranspiration. The annual-lumped groundwater recharge rate decreases in the order of cropland, grassland, urban land, and forest. Land use change has resulted in a decrease of 4 x 106 m3 of yearly groundwater recharge in the study area, with a spatially averaged rate of 100.48 mm/yr and 98.41 mm/yr in 1980 and 2005, respectively. This variation has primarily come from an increase of urban area and rural settlements, as well as a decrease of cropland.