Life's origin: the cosmic, planetary and biological processes

From elements formed in interstellar furnaces to humans peering back at the stars, the evolution of life has been a long, intricate and perhaps inevitable process. Life as we know it requires a planet orbiting a star at just the right distance so that water can exist in liquid form. It needs a rich supply of chemicals and energy sources. On Earth, the combination of chemistry and energy generated molecules that evolved ways of replicating themselves and of passing information from one generation to the next. Thus, the thread of life began. This chart traces the thread, maintained by DNA molecules for much of its history, as it weaves its way through the primitive oceans, gaining strength and diversity along the way. Organisms eventually moved onto the land, where advanced forms, including humans, ultimately arose. Finally, assisted by a technology of its own making, life has reached back out into space to understand its own origins, to expand into new realms, and to seek other living threads in the cosmos.     

Education as a determinant of fertility: a case study of Kullu Town

Using a sample of 885 females (1/2 of all married women of reproductive age), this study examines the role of education as a determinant of fertility among couples in Kullu town of Himachol Pradesh, India. Of the 885 respondents, only 149 were illiterate. The average family size was 2.88. Findings reveal that 1) the average family size was largest for illiterate respondents (3.57) and for illiterate males (3.76); 2) average family size declined consistently after the middle level of education to 1.29 for post graduate respondents and 2.33 for post graduate males; 3) a negative correlation exists between fertility and education of both husband and wife, with the wife's education having a stronger negative correlation with fertility; and 4) couples with an educational level of matriculation and above have a distinctly smaller family size than those less educated.     

The possible formation of a hydrogen coma around comets at large heliocentric distances

An observational test--the detection of a hydrogen coma around comets at large heliocentric distances--is proposed for determining whether comets were formed by the agglomeration of unaltered, ice-coated, interstellar grains. Laboratory experiments showed that amorphous water ice traps H2, D2, and Ne below 20 K and does not release them completely until the ice is heated to 150 K. Gas/ice ratios as high as 0.63 are obtainable. Thus, if the ice-coated interstellar grains were not heated above approximately 110 K, prior to their agglomeration into cometary nuclei, the inward propagating heat waves should release from the comets a continuous flux of molecular hydrogen. This flux would exceed that of water molecules at approximately 3 AU preperihelion and approximately 4 AU postperihelion.     

发射模式连续光源原子吸收光谱法测定饮用水中的钠钾锂

实验在德国耶拿分析仪器股份公司的Contr AA连续光源原子吸收光谱仪上进行,仪器配有SFS 6分段流动注射和AS 52 s自动进样器,测定饮用水中的钠、钾、锂。为了在检出限和检测限附近低浓度范围进行校准,样品需用自动进样器进行自动稀释,并在测定时加入0.1%(质量分数)的CsC l/LaC l3和1.5%(体积分数)的HC l。待分析样品可以直接进行测定。1仪器工作条件设定Contr AA原子吸收光谱仪的工作条件见表1,元素测量条件见表2。表1仪器工作条件元素波长λ/nm火焰类型燃气流量(L/h)燃气/助燃气比燃烧头宽度(mm)燃烧头角度θ/(°)燃烧头高度(mm)Na 588.995 C2     

地学大师，学界楷模——纪念著名矿床学家、地球化学家涂光炽院士逝世一周年

今年7月31日是我国著名矿床学家、地球化学家涂光炽院士逝世一周年纪念日,本刊特组织专刊纪念我国地学界的这位大师和我国地球化学的奠基人.     

Total content and chemical speciation of arsenic in the polychaete Sabella spallanzanii

An unusual feature has been observed in polychaetes regarding their capacity to accumulate high levels of relatively toxic forms of arsenic in specific tissues. Basal levels of arsenic and distribution of its compounds were investigated in tissues of the Mediterranean polychaete Sabella spallanzanii. Particularly high concentrations were measured in the branchial crown (1036+/-136 microg/g d.w.) and chemical speciation revealed that the predominant form was the relatively toxic dimethylarsinate (DMA). These data suggest a potential role of As as anti-predatory strategy in polychaetes.     

《东海海洋》第一届编委会第二次会议纪要

《东海海洋》第一届编委会第二次会议于1983年12月16日在宁波召开。出席会议的有本届编委会委员、浙江省海洋学会理事及编辑部成员等二十余人。与会人员在听取编辑部负责人关于刊物编辑出版工作情况汇报的基础上,着重讨论了新形势下《东海海洋》编辑方针任务的调整意见及进一步提高刊物水平和质量的具体措施。 会议充分肯定了《东海海洋》创刊以来所取得的基本成绩。大家一致认为:在浙江省海洋学会与国家海洋局第二海洋研究所的直接领导和海洋出版社的关心指导下,编辑部认真贯彻