Trichinella sp. in polar bears from Svalbard, in relation to hide length and age

DiaPhragma and masseter muscles from 376 polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ), 252 ringed seals ( Phoca hispida ), 84 bearded seals ( Erignathus barbatus ), and 77 arctic foxes ( Alopex lagopus ) from Svalbard were examined for Trichinella . Infection rates in polar bears varied between 23 and 58%, and between 3 and 67% in arctic fox- None of tne seals were infected. Trichinella in polar bears is probably transferred through cannibalism and scavenging upon polar bear carcasses. Infection rate in arctic fox was high when they preyed upon polar bear carcasses before polar bear hunting was prohibited in 1973. A low infection rate seems more natural when such prey is not available. No difference could be found in infection rate between male and female polar bears. There is only a slight increase in infection rate with age, as calculated from hide lengths, and many adult animals remain uninfected. Geographical isolation of polar bear populations may explain differences in Trichinella infection rates between bears from arctic America and arctic Europe. Possible explanations are that discrete polar bear populations have different food habits, or that they are exposed to different Trichinella strains.     

80年代我国人口性别比的变动及其省区差异

本文根据有关资料,讨论了80年代我国人口性别比的变动特点及其省区差异,认为我国人口性别比上升的主要原因是出生性别比的变化,最后分析了人口性别比上升对我国男性婚姻的影响。     

Random walk of the Earth's pole related to the Chandler wobble excitation

Summary. The equation governing the polar motion shows that the polar secular drift and the Chandler wobble amplitude are related to each other. In particular, a drift of the mean pole position comes out as a consequence of the maintenance of the Chandler wobble by possible step perturbations of the Earth's inertia tensor.
The minimum excitation functions necessary to explain the Chandler wobble amplitude variations for the period 1901–84 are derived from the Chandler term, with the hypothesis that the excitations follow a uniform random distribution in time. It is shown that they have the statistical properties of the steps of a two-dimensional random walk. These functions are then used to derive, from a statistical simulation, a lower limit of the secular drift which may result from the excitation of the Chandler wobble.
The drift generated by the random walk is of the same order of magnitude as the observed secular drift for the period 1901–84, but their time dependence is different. This indicates that the observed secular drift cannot be explained as the consequence of an excitation of the Chandler wobble by random steps of the Earth's inertia tensor. However, the possible contribution of the Chandler wobble excitation to the polar drift has to be taken into account when other mechanisms, such as lithospheric rebound related to deglaciation, are proposed.     

Geography and migration policies: the Indian experience

This paper attempts to examine the differences in sex preference and its impact on fertility behavior among various age groups in the State of Haryana. In India, male children have greater utility over females because of religious, social and economic reasons. Various studies have established the fact that there is a prevalence of sex preference and a marked relationship between son preference and family size. This leads to increased fertility, and ultimately towards population growth rate. Data were collected from the National Family Health Survey report in 1993. The intensity of sex preference on fertility was computed on the basis of contraception method. Moreover, detailed analysis was carried out on the basis of desired additional children and their sex ratio. This study also presents an examination of the Indian system, family planning measures, sex ratio of desired additional children taken as a basis for the measurement of overall effect of sex preference on fertility.     

Total mercury in hair of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Greenland and Svalbard

Concentrations (ppm = ug/g dry weight) of total mercury (Hg) were determined in hair of polar bears ( Ursus maritimus) from northwestern Greenland (N = 22; period of sampling: 1978-1989), eastern Greenland (N = 44: 1984-1989) and Svalbard (N = 31; 1980). For subadults (2-6 years of life), adults (7-10 years). and old bears (>10 years), concentrations of total Hg in hair were not found to be dependent on age or sex. A decreasing trend in Hg concentrations was found from west to east. The mean concentrations of total Hg in hair (cubs of the year and yearlings excluded) were: northwestern Greenland, x = 8.38 ppm (min.-max.: 4.71-14.19 ppm. N = 21); eastern Greenland: x = 4.58 ppm (min.-max.: 2.50-8.83 ppm. N = 41); and Svalbard, x = 1.98 ppm (min.-max.: 1.02-4.55 ppm, N = 29). Concentrations found in northwestern Greenland were similar to those reported by others from the hair of polar bears sampled within management zone F of the eastern Canadian High Arctic. Concentrations of total Hg in polar bear hair from eastern Greenland were similar to concentrations found by others in contemporary (1988) material collected during spring in western Svalbard. However, the mean concentration of total Hg in the 1980 Svalbard material, which was collected during July-September, was significantly lower than concentrations found in samples taken during late winter and spring in eastern Greenland and at Svalbard, respectively. Presumably the relatively low concentrations found in the 1980 Svalbard sample arc attributable to the period of moult and hence a larger proportion of newly grown hair in the individual samples. In a subsample consisting of internal tissues from 19 polar bears from eastern Greenland (1984-1987), concentrations of total Hg in hair correlated positively with concentrations of total Hg (wet weight) in muscle (N = 6), liver (N = 19) and kidney (N = 19) tissue. For liver and kidney tissue these relationships were statistically significant.     

Comments to a polar bear population model

Larsen, T. & Ugland, K. I. (Polar Research 2 n.s., 117–118) note correctly that a Leslie matrix model treats cubs and females as independent units which is not the case lor polar bears. Population projections using the Leslie model with hunting mortalities added are instructive first approximations in evaluations of field data, however, and are recommended as exercises also for polar bear biologists. An APL programme for such projections is available.     

转型期北京社会空间分异重构

利用分街区人口普查数据, 分析1982-2000 年北京都市区社会空间分异特征, 通过计算信息熵、绝对分异指数、相对分异指数和隔离指数等指标, 探讨转型期北京社会空间分异 的重构特征。研究表明: “街区尺度”是展现都市区社会空间分异特征具有可操作性的空间尺度; 北京各类居住人口、就业人口以及住房状态都存在明显的空间分异特征; 除了老年人口、性别比、户均人数和农业就业人口等少数指标以外, 1982-2000 年北京绝大部分社会指标 的空间分异程度在下降; 同期, 外来人口、各少数民族人口、高学历人口以及二产、三产就业人口等与总人口分布格局的一致性在变好, 而老年人口、文盲人口以及与农业相关的人口 逐渐偏离与总人口分布格局的一致性。18 年间城市人口的混居性普遍增强, 但老年人口、外来人口和农业人口却表现出相对于其他人口混居性变弱而群居性增强的特征。北京社会空间分异重构特征还可以从各社会指标与距离关系的演变中获得直观认识。在中国大城市转型期 间, “规模重构”和“空间效应”交互作用, 构成社会空间分异重构的外在表现, 其基础动力主要来自于制度、市场和文化的变迁。     

Polar bear predation on ringed seals in the fast-ice of Hornsund, Svalbard

Polar bear hunting success on ringed seals in subnivean lairs and basking on the fast ice, was studied in Hornsund, Svalbard. A few bears were observed while actually hunting, but in most cases bear tracks were followed by snowmobile to determine the outcome of hunts. Seal carcasses were classified from size and tooth annuli as pups, juveniles or adults. A total of 62 subnivean structures were entered by bears, with six seals killed. One of ten charges on basking seals resulted in a kill. Success rates of bears in Hornsund arc compared with results of studies in Canada and Svalbard. OHunting success, polar bear, predation, ringed seal     

新疆生态经济系统的能值分析及其可持续性评估

运用能值理论与方法,对新疆1991～1999年的净能值产出率、能值投入率、环境负荷率、能值-货币比、能值使用强度、电力能值使用量比、可持续发展指数、人均能值用量和人口承载力等9个指标及其变化趋势进行分析,并与其他国家和地区的有关指标进行比较研究。分析结果表明：(1)1991～1999年新疆的净能值产出率曲线为非匀速下降趋势,从1991年的23.6下降到1999年的11.7。尽管净能值产出率有所下降,但仍然大大高于1,这表明新疆向外界输出的能值高于区外对其投入的能值,是一个资源输出型的生态经济区域;(2)新疆的可持续发展指数曲线与净能值产出率变化趋势一致,为非匀速下降趋势,从1991年的262.0下降到1999年的64.1。这表明从1991～1999年新疆的资源被开发和利用的程度有所增加,经济有了一定程度的发展,但开发程度仍较低,经济上还处于极不发达的阶段;(3)环境负荷率的变化曲线呈上升趋势。环境负荷率上升的主要原因是新疆的进口资源及劳务的能值用量增大,尽管如此,由于环境负荷率较低,因此,新疆的经济发展还有较大的潜力。     

加拿大爱得蒙顿市犯罪问题的地理研究*

运用GIS技术和回归分析方法,分析加拿大爱得蒙顿市各类犯罪的空间分布规律。结果发现：城市犯罪分布的空间差异异常明显,城市内部存在少数极端的犯罪高发区;犯罪的空间分布遵循距离衰减规律,表现为距城市中心越近的地区犯罪发生密度越高,距城市中心越远的地区犯罪密度越低;犯罪发生密度与居住人口密度成正相关,即居住人口密度越高,越容易诱发犯罪,但不同类型的犯罪与居住人口密度的关联程度不一样;不同用地性质的区域犯罪发生密度存在明显差异,在各类用地中,商业区为城市犯罪的高发区。     

Aerial strip surveys of polar bears in the Barents Sea

Aerial strip surveys of polar bears in the Barents Sea were performed by helicopter in winter 1987. The number of bears within 100 m on each side of the helicopter was counted. A total of 263.6 km² was surveyed and 21 bears were counted. Most of the bears were found in the southern part of the area, which indicates that the southwestern ice edge area in the Barents Sea is a very important winter habitat for polar bears.     

Polar bears killed in Svalbard 1987–1992

A total of 26 polar bears have been killed in Svalbard since January 1987. Fifteen of these cases were self defense, four precautionary measures, six acts of mercy and one unknown. Twelve of the 15 self defense cases occurred in the wilderness; none occurred in populated areas. Most self defence cases involved nonresidents of Svalbard and hence people not familiar with polar bear behaviour and encounters.     

Status of the Atlantic walrus Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus in the Svalbard area

Observations of walrus in the Svalbard area in the period 1954-1982 indicate an increase since 1970 in the numbers summering in this area. The numbers of walrus observed show annual fluctuations. With the exception of 1973, when at least 300 animals were observed on one occasion at Kvitøya, the observations indicate a summering stock of about 100 animals. In 1982, when most walrus habitats in Svalbard were surveyed, observations of 248-274 animals were recorded. These observations were estimated to represent 82–85 individuals.
During summer, walrus are most frequently observed at Tusenøyane, in Murchisonfjorden and along adjacent coasts, along the northern coast of Nordaustlandet, at Kvitoya, and at Moffen. Apparently, the walrus re-established the use of Moffen as a summer haul-out site about the beginning of the 1970s.
An apparent under-representation of observations of females with dependent calves in Svalbard indicates that the area is mainly used as a summering area by males and that Svalbard is in the process of being repopulated by an extension of a population centred elsewhere. It is suggested that the walrus summering in Svalbard belong to a population with its main distribution in the Frans Josef Land archipelago, but at least some may be derived from a walrus population(s) occurring at Novaja Zemlja and in the Kara Sea.     

Changes of population growth in Tibet Autonomous Region

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Sex expression and growth rates in natural populations of the desert soil crustal mossSyntrichia caninervis

The low elevation Mojave Desert cryptobiotic crust is dominated by the mossSyntrichia caninervis. In 16 populations of this moss, stem height and population were significantly associated with sex expression, with longer stems expressing sex more frequently and producing more perichaetia. The above-ground age of stems ranged up to 10 years, with a mean growth rate across populations of 0.36 mm year⁻¹. The overall stem sex ratio, as a proportion of the total number of stems, was 0.30♀: 0♂: 0.70 non-expressing. The probability of expressing sex in a given season was 0.09. The absence of sexual reproduction (no sporophytes) and likely absence of the male sex from the area indicate that the non-expressing plants are female individuals. The slow growth rates, low rates of sex expression, absence of male plants, and absence of sexual reproduction in this crustal species may help explain why re-establishment of mosses on desert soils can take decades.     

The polar bear Ursus maritimus feeding in a seabird colony in Frans Josef Land

During the second half of August 1992 polar bears were observed feeding intensively in the little auk Alle alle colony on Rubini Rock, Hooker Island, Frans Josef Land. They dug out nests eating eggs, chicks and adult birds. Their activity results in both worsening the breeding conditions and decreasing the breeding success of the little auks. The polar bear has not earlier been known as a little auk predator.     

Seismic excitation of the Chandler wobble revisited

Summary. An overview is taken of the last decade of studies of the effect of earthquakes on the polar motion. The treatment of the liquid outer core in static deformation is reviewed and some misconceptions in a number of papers are pointed out. Volterra's formula is generalized to the case of a liquid core which does not obey the highly idealized Adams—Williamson density law. The focal mechanism representation of Smylie & Mansinha (1971) is corrected for neglected terms arising from coordinate curvature, bringing the computed polar shifts into near numerical agreement with those of other workers. On the basis of the comparison of the observed and computed polar shifts for the Chile 1960 and Alaska 1964 events, it is suggested that the observed polar shifts for large earthquakes may be useful as discriminators in selecting focal mechanism parameters. The observed level of Chandler wobble excitation provides a constraint on some of the more extreme values of seismic moment recently proposed, unless these are supposed to depend only weakly on magnitude. The cumulative effect of the 30 largest earthquakes in the period 1901–64, recently examined by O'Connell & Dziewonski, is found to yield a rms Chandler wobble excitation of 0".10, using the random walk theory of Mansinha & Smylie (1967). This is close to the observed level (∼ 0".15). In addition to yielding the solution to a very long-standing geophysical puzzle, the study of the effect of earthquakes on the polar motion over the last decade may have produced a useful tool for the elucidation of seismic mechanism.     

THE POLAR IONOSPHERE AND THE MAGNETOSPHERE-IONOSPHERE COUPLING

EISCAT (the Incoherent System at the northern polar region) data are used in discussion of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. Comperison between samples in geomagnetic quiet days and during magnetic storms shows a significant effect of the basic magnetospheric processes on the features of the polar ionosphere. It not only demonstrates that the polar ionosphere can be regarded as a 'panoramic screen' of these process, but also indicates an importance of the simultaneous observation of southern and northern polar regions (especially, at the magnetic conjugate points). A few topics concerned are suggested for the further study of the southern polar region.     

Disparities in Spatial Accessibility of Pharmacies in Baton Rouge,Louisiana

This study examines spatial accessibility of pharmacies in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Two popular geographic information systems (GIS)—based methods are compared: the proximity method uses the distance (travel time) from the nearest pharmacy, and the two‐step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method considers the match ratio between providers and population as well as the complex spatial interaction between them. The study indicates that disproportionally higher percentages of African‐Americans are in areas with shorter travel time to the nearest pharmacies than whites, but suffer from poorer accessibility measured by the 2SFCA method—that is, fewer pharmacies per 10,000 residents. Seniors, particularly those of seventy‐five years or older, tend to be disproportionally concentrated in areas that not only are closer to pharmacies, but also have more pharmacies per 10,000 residents. The two methods used in the study capture different elements in spatial accessibility: one being physically close to a facility and another adding the crowdedness in service. Both properties can be valuable for residents. The two may not always coincide with each other in spatial variability, as it is the case for racial disparity in our study area. However, when they do, as in the case for seniors, it may imply a true (dis)advantage for a demographic group in terms of both properties of spatial accessibility.     

Preliminary determination of calcium,phosphorus,and the calcium/phosphorus ratio in cortical bone of Chinstrap penguin using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence analysis

Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) approach was applied to analyzing of Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis Antarctica) cortical bone. The method enabled the in situ determination of Ca and P concentrations and the Ca/P ratio in cortical bone. The preliminary results show that: (1) there is the bone site-related difference for Ca and P concentrations. The mean values for the investigated parameters (on a dry-weight basis) are: 30.7% (Ca) and 14.9% (P) for the femoral cortical bone, 21.4% (Ca) and 11.5% (P) for wing cortical bone. (2) The variation for the Ca/P ratio in cortical bone is lower than those for Ca and P separately. This is in agreement with the previous report that the specificity of the Ca/P ratio is better than that of Ca and P concentrations and is more reliable for the diagnosis of bone disorders. The authors suggest that further studies be conducted to establish normal values of Ca, P and Ca/P ratio for polar animals and provide a basis for the diagnosis of bone disorders.