The effect of copper pollution on mitochondrial degeneration

The authors describe the effect of copper pollution on the mitochondria from various areas of the Torpedo marmorata central nervous system. A high percentage of swollen mitochondria has been observed in neurons from animals experimentally exposed to high level of copper (4 ppm). The correlation with age pigment granules is discussed.     

China's population: an alternative perspective

The author presents a selection of cartograms designed to illustrate aspects of the demography of China. Topics covered include population growth, density, regional variations in fertility, and age distribution. A discussion of the advantages of using cartograms (maps drawn proportional to a given variable) as opposed to conventional, area-based maps, is included.     

The homologous flare events in solar active regions

This paper consists of two parts. We first discuss recent general results on the study of properties of flare homology, and their relevance to the physical interpretation of the flare phenomenon at large. We devote particular attention to the discovery of homologous flares which occur in rapid succession, within a few minutes of each other in many cases. We name these kind of flares rafales. These flares signal the existence of several episodes of energy release within the same magnetic configuration. We also show the existence of particular sites in the solar atmosphere which have peculiar characteristics in terms of solar rotation, and where recurrent flaring may take place over and over again in different solar rotations. This indicates that the disturbance causing the emergence of activity is deep seated, below the solar photosphere. Finally, in the second part, we discuss an extensive set of observations of two homologous flares of a rafale, stressing the dynamic aspects of the observations, particularly the presence of peaks in the vertical component of the velocity field. These results are shown to be in agreement with studies of filament activations and the surging arches which are observed before the flash phase of solar flares.     

Far beyond the Gulf: the implications of warfare for Asian labour migration

The implications of the Gulf War are assessed for the countries in Asia that send labor migrants to the Middle East. "This paper seeks to examine the effects of...the loss of remittances (and related issues, including return migration), primarily in terms of the long-term implications of the War for the future of contract labour migration in the Asian region...."     

Rosat wide field camera data and the temperature of the interstellar medium

The shadowing effects of the molecular clouds in the nearby interstellar medium on the soft x-ray background has been investigated, using ROSAT WFC data in conjunction with previous rocket B and C band surveys. Shadowing over a 5° extent occurs only for a few percent of the sky, but the mixed model of the ISM is supported.Detailed modelling of the Draco shadowing region shows little evidence for a multi-temperature, hot ISM component.     

Demographic trends in the Austro-German Alps

Population trends in the German and Austrian Alps between 1971 and 1981 are described. The effects of commune size, tourism, and altitude on population dynamics are considered.