Material life cycle assessment in china

From the very beginning, the research of Material Life Cycle Assessment (MLCA) has been an important part of the ecomaterials research in China, and large numbers of researchers have been focusing their efforts on it. From 1998, and supported by the National High-tech Program-863 Projects, the study of some typical materials has been put into practice. Thus far, the first phase of the project has been finished smoothly. The practical MLCA methods have been developed, and the manufacturing technologies and processes of the steel and iron, aluminum, cement, ceramic, polymer and construction coatings have been assessed. The relevant assessment software has been developed. Reference systems are being set up for evaluation by studying typical materials. In this paper, the main achievements are reviewed. Some other developments of MLCA in China are also introduced.     

Solidarity and justice as guiding principles in genomic research

In genomic research the ideal standard of free, informed, prior and explicit consent is sometimes difficult to apply. This has raised concern that important genomic research will be restricted. Different consent procedures have therefore been proposed. This paper explicitly examines the question how, in genomic research, the principles of solidarity and justice can be used to justify forms of diminished individual control over personal data and bio-samples. After a discussion of the notions of solidarity and justice and how they can be related to health care and genomic research, we examine how and in which situations these notions can form a strong moral basis for demanding certain financial sacrifices. Then we examine when these principles can justify consent procedures which diverge from the ideal standard. Because much genomic research is not expected to lead to immediate (clinical) benefits we also discuss the question of whether we can be obliged to make any sacrifices for future (not yet existing) patients. We conclude with the formulation of a number of conditions that have to be met before autonomy sacrifices can be reasonably demanded in genomic research.     

Status of life cycle assessment and engineering research in South Africa

In view of the upcoming 2002 World Summit in Johannesburg, sustainable development is a topic of high priority in South Africa. Although the South African competency in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) has grown to some extent over the last ten years, South African industry and government have been slow to realise the benefit of LCAs and LCE as tools to support cleaner production and sustainable development. However, the local application of these tools, as well as considerations during their use, differs from practices in developed countries. The applications of LCAs and LCE, the type of organisations involved and the limitations and common problems associated with these tools in South Africa are discussed.     

普通烟草CESA基因家族成员的鉴定、亚细胞定位及表达分析

纤维素合成酶蛋白(cellulose-synthase proteins, CESA)是一类质膜定位蛋白,以蛋白复合体的形式存在于质膜上合成纤维素,在细胞壁建成和植物生长发育过程中起着非常重要的作用。本研究利用CESA蛋白保守域序列PF03552检索普通烟草(Nicotiana tabacum L.)蛋白序列,并通过拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)10个CESA蛋白序列在普通烟草基因组数据库中利用TBLASTN程序进行比对,共获得21条NtCESA基因候选序列,对这些序列进行蛋白序列理化性质分析、系统进化树构建、基因结构分析、保守结构域及跨膜区分析和组织表达模式分析,并对NtCESA9和NtCESA14两个蛋白进行了亚细胞定位实验。结果表明：获得的21条NtCESA蛋白序列的理化性质相似;系统进化分析将21个NtCESA基因和10个AtCESA基因分成5个分支,每一个分支各成员之间的进化相对保守,基因结构类似,不同分支之间的基因结构差异也较小;NtCESA蛋白结构域相对保守,都含有CESA蛋白典型的N端锌指结构、C端跨膜区和DDD-QXXRW保守功能域;组织表达分析结果表明,大部分NtCESA基因在幼苗和成熟期烟草的根、叶、胚芽和愈伤组织中都有表达,同一个分支中的基因表达模式基本一致,并且NtCESA基因参与初/次生细胞壁纤维素的合成与该基因编码蛋白的跨膜区数目存在关联,表明NtCESA基因家族成员功能上的复杂性;亚细胞定位结果证实NtCESA9和NtCESA14为质膜定位蛋白。本研究为烟草CESA基因家族功能的深入研究奠定了基础。     

Early life socioeconomic factors and genomic DNA methylation in mid-life

Epigenetic modifications may be one mechanism linking early life factors, including parental socioeconomic status (SES), to adult onset disease risk. However, SES influences on DNA methylation patterns remain largely unknown. In a US birth cohort of women, we examined whether indicators of early life and adult SES were associated with white blood cell methylation of repetitive elements (Sat2, Alu and LINE-1) in adulthood. Low family income at birth was associated with higher Sat2 methylation (β = 19.7, 95% CI: 0.4, 39.0 for lowest vs. highest income quartile) and single parent family was associated with higher Alu methylation (β = 23.5, 95% CI: 2.6, 44.4), after adjusting for other early life factors. Lower adult education was associated with lower Sat2 methylation (β = -16.7, 95% CI: -29.0, -4.5). There were no associations between early life SES and LINE-1 methylation. Overall, our preliminary results suggest possible influences of SES across the life-course on genomic DNA methylation in adult women. However, these preliminary associations need to be replicated in larger prospective studies.     

Uncertainty calculation in life cycle assessments

Goal and Background  Uncertainty is commonly not taken into account in LCA studies, which downgrades their usability for decision support. One often stated reason is a lack of method. The aim of this paper is to develop a method for calculating the uncertainty propagation in LCAs in a fast and reliable manner. Approach  The method is developed in a model that reflects the calculation of an LCA. For calculating the uncertainty, the model combines approximation formulas and Monte Carlo Simulation. It is based on virtual data that distinguishes true values and random errors or uncertainty, and that hence allows one to compare the performance of error propagation formulas and simulation results. The model is developed for a linear chain of processes, but extensions for covering also branched and looped product systems are made and described. Results  The paper proposes a combined use of approximation formulas and Monte Carlo simulation for calculating uncertainty in LCAs, developed primarily for the sequential approach. During the calculation, a parameter observation controls the performance of the approximation formulas. Quantitative threshold values are given in the paper. The combination thus transcends drawbacks of simulation and approximation. Conclusions and Outlook  The uncertainty question is a true jigsaw puzzle for LCAs and the method presented in this paper may serve as one piece in solving it. It may thus foster a sound use of uncertainty assessment in LCAs. Analysing a proper management of the input uncertainty, taking into account suitable sampling and estimation techniques; using the approach for real case studies, implementing it in LCA software for automatically applying the proposed combined uncertainty model and, on the other hand, investigating about how people do decide, and should decide, when their decision relies on explicitly uncertain LCA outcomes-these all are neighbouring puzzle pieces inviting to further work.     

哈氏噬纤维菌生活史中形态的变化

【目的】研究哈氏噬纤维菌Cytophaga hutchinsonii 在生活史中细胞形态的变化。【方法】利用光学显微镜、荧光显微镜和电子扫描显微镜对哈氏噬纤维菌生活状态进行详细观察。【结果】发现在饥饿状态下,长杆状菌体开始逐渐弯曲,菌体两端靠近成环形,环形菌体又进一步盘绕收缩成微小球形体,微小球形体在一定条件下能像生孢噬纤维菌的小孢囊一样萌发形成长杆状菌。另外还观察到哈氏噬纤维菌特殊的类核分裂现象。【结论】首次对哈氏噬纤维形成环形菌体和类似小孢囊的微小球形体的过程进行详细描述,为进一步揭示其形态变化与纤维素降解能力之间的关系提供依据。     

Working conditions in hydrogen production: A social life cycle assessment

Social impacts of novel technology can, parallel to environmental and economic consequences, influence its sustainability. By analyzing the case of hydrogen production by advanced alkaline water electrolysis (AEL) from a life cycle perspective, this paper illustrates the social implications of the manufacturing of the electrolyzer and hydrogen production when installed in Germany, Austria, and Spain. This paper complements previous environmental and economic assessments, which selected this set of countries based on their different structures in electricity production. The paper uses a mixed method design to analyze the social impact for the workers along the process chain. Appropriate indicators related to working conditions are selected on the basis of the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The focus on workers is chosen as a first example to test the relatively new Product Social Impact Life Cycle Assessment (PSILCA) database version 2.0. The results of the quantitative assessment are then complemented and compared through an investigation of the underlying raw data and a qualitative literature analysis. Overall, advanced AEL is found to have least social impact along the German process chain, followed by the Spanish and the Austrian. All three process chains show impacts on global upstream processes. In order to reduce social impact and ultimately contribute to Sustainable Development, policymakers and industry need to work together to further improve certain aspects of working conditions in different locations, particularly within global upstream processes.     

转SOD基因对烟草抗旱性和相关生理指标的影响

以近等基因系烟草(非转基因品系、转Fe-SOD基因品系和转Mn-SOD基因品系)为材料,研究了盆栽条件下转SOD基因对烟草抗旱性的影响。结果显示:外源Mn-SOD基因的导入能切实提高烟草抗旱能力,而导入的Fe-SOD基因虽能提高烟草体内的SOD活性水平,但不能提高烟草的抗旱性,说明Mn-SOD可能与烟草的抗旱性关系较大;当遭受干旱胁迫时,所导入的2种SOD基因可能在某种程度上影响了植物体内MDA、蛋白质、光合作用以及脯氨酸等的正常生理代谢;脯氨酸、MDA、蛋白质等生理指标的变化在抗旱与不抗旱品系之间并没有表现出明显的规律性,因此能否作为抗旱育种的重要指标应该通过更多的试验来确定。     

Approaches for inclusion of forest carbon cycle in life cycle assessment – a review

Forests are a significant pool of terrestrial carbon. A key feature related to forest biomass harvesting and use is the typical time difference between carbon release into and sequestration from the atmosphere. Traditionally, the use of sustainably grown biomass has been considered as carbon neutral in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. However, various approaches to account for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and sinks of forest biomass acquisition and use have also been developed and applied, resulting in different conclusions on climate impacts of forest products. The aim of this study is to summarize, clarify, and assess the suitability of these approaches for LCA. A literature review is carried out, and the results are analyzed through an assessment framework. The different approaches are reviewed through their approach to the definition of reference land‐use situation, consideration of time frame and timing of carbon emissions and sequestration, substitution credits, and indicators applied to measure climate impacts. On the basis of the review, it is concluded that, to account for GHG emissions and the related climate impacts objectively, biomass carbon stored in the products and the timing of sinks and emissions should be taken into account in LCA. The reference situation for forest land use has to be defined appropriately, describing the development in the absence of the studied system. We suggest the use of some climate impact indicator that takes the timing of the emissions and sinks into consideration and enables the use of different time frames. If substitution credits are considered, they need to be transparently presented in the results. Instead of carbon stock values taken from the literature, the use of dynamic forest models is recommended.     

中国生命周期评价理论与实践研究进展及对策分析

主要分析了我国生命周期评价的理论与实践研究进展与数据库构建现状,针对当前我国生命周期评价理论与应用研究的关键薄弱环节即不确定性分析、本土化数据库构建、本土化生命周期环境影响评价模型构建,指出了利用泰勒系列展开模型进行符合我国产业链生产现状的精确、完整、具有代表性、具有时空动态特征的生命周期数据库构建的必要性;并指出需要根据我国国情(例如:环境、地理、人口、暴露等)来构建生命周期环境影响评价模型的紧迫性。     

醇化烟叶酵母菌分离鉴定及其生物学特性研究

采用涂布培养法和富集培养法对醇化烟叶样品中酵母菌进行了分离,富集培养法分离到23株,涂布培养法分离到6株。29株酵母菌的生物学特性研究表明,其中果胶酶、蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂酶、纤维素酶、酚类利用、木质素利用、尼古丁降解、发酵产物气味等试验呈阳性的菌株数分别是1、10、0、3、10、22、1、21和29株。利用ATB系统,将ATY1、ATY8和ATY27等3株酵母菌分别鉴定为黏红酵母(Rhodotorula glutinis)、罗伦隐球酵母(Cryptococcus laurentii)和粗壮假丝酵母(Candida valida),各菌株鉴定结果的符合率分别为99.4%、98.2%和89.9%。研究结果表明,醇化烟叶中酵母菌种群数量较小,但酵母菌的生物学特性有利于烟叶醇化,值得进一步深入研究。     

Measuring the performance of international genomics research projects in fostering genomic capacity in the developing world

Therapeutic applications of genomic medicine are slowly finding their way into the healthcare framework of developing countries. The establishment of equitable innovation policies is a determining factor in how genomic-based therapeutic applications will evolve in these countries. In the biomedical field, the commercialization of research results has established itself as the dominant paradigm in the innovation system. However, many recent studies have demonstrated that this emphasis on commercialization and the protection of intellectual property has led to disappointing results. A growing number of stakeholders in this debate argue that it is now necessary to go beyond the commercialization of research and implement policies based on the research valorization paradigm, which supports the achievement of social as well as economic objectives. We thus propose a new set of more inclusive research performance indicators to help policymakers measure the impact of international genomics projects on developing countries.     

Genome-wide identification of novel genomic islands that contribute to Salmonella virulence in mouse systemic infection

Salmonella pathogenicity islands are inserted into the genome by horizontal gene transfer and are required for expression of full virulence. Here, we performed tRNA scanning of the genome of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and compared it with that of nonpathogenic Escherichia coli in order to identify genomic islands that contribute to Salmonella virulence. Using deletion analysis, we identified four genomic islands that are required for virulence in the mouse infection model. One of the newly identified pathogenicity islands was the pheV- tRNA-located genomic island, which is comprised of 26 126 bp, and encodes 22 putative genes, including STM3117–STM3138. We also showed that the pheV tRNA-located genomic island is widely distributed among different nontyphoid Salmonella serovars. Furthermore, genes including STM3118–STM3121 were identified as novel virulence-associated genes within the pheV- tRNA-located genomic island. These results indicate that a Salmonella -specific pheV- tRNA genomic island is involved in Salmonella pathogenesis among the nontyphoid Salmonella serovars.     

A link between mitochondrial gene expression and life stage morphologies in Trypanosoma cruzi

The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi has a complicated dual-host life cycle, and starvation can trigger transition from the replicating insect stage to the mammalian-infectious nonreplicating insect stage (epimastigote to trypomastigote differentiation). Abundance of some mature RNAs derived from its mitochondrial genome increase during culture starvation of T. cruzi for unknown reasons. Here, we examine T. cruzi mitochondrial gene expression in the mammalian intracellular replicating life stage (amastigote), and uncover implications of starvation-induced changes in gene expression. Mitochondrial RNA levels in general were found to be lowest in actively replicating amastigotes. We discovered that mitochondrial respiration decreases during starvation in insect stage cells, despite the previously observed increases in mitochondrial mRNAs encoding electron transport chain (ETC) components. Surprisingly, T. cruzi epimastigotes in replete medium grow at normal rates when we genetically compromised their ability to perform insertion/deletion editing and thereby generate mature forms of some mitochondrial mRNAs. However, these cells, when starved, were impeded in the epimastigote to trypomastigote transition. Further, they experience a short-flagella phenotype that may also be linked to differentiation. We hypothesize a scenario where levels of mature RNA species or editing in the single T. cruzi mitochondrion are linked to differentiation by a yet-unknown signaling mechanism.