Variation range and “limits of the norm” of relative spleen weight in small mammals from natural populations

Variation in the relative spleen weight was studied in three small rodent species of two genera, Microtus and Myodes. Its range was found to reach 80?C94/%.. Regression equations for the upper and lower limits of normal spleen weight were calculated, and its values were shown to lie between 2.0 and 2.0?C5.0??.     

Distribution of radionuclides among the main components of Lake Chervyanoe in the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace

Radioecological conditions have been estimated in Lake Chervyanoe located on the central axis of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT) about 100–110 km northeast of the Mayak Production Association. Data on the ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs contents in the main components of the lake, the distribution of these radionuclides over the profile of bottom sediments, and their amounts in the lake are presented. The experimental data have been used to construct mathematical models for estimating changes in the radionuclide concentrations and amounts in the water and bottom sediments of the lake over a long period after the nuclear accident, as well as the tritium content of the lake water in different periods of time.     

Structural-temporal organization of a rodent community in the Teletskaya Taiga,Altai Mountains

The structural-temporal organization of a murine rodent community in the taiga has been studied near Lake Teletskoe, Mountain Altai. The results show that the long-term dynamics of indices characterizing community diversity depend mainly on changes in the structure of dominance rather than on the population dynamics of species. The distribution of species in the factor space corresponds to their preference for certain biotopes, from dry to relatively moist. An analysis of relationships within the rodent community has revealed the synchronous dynamics of species abundance and antiphase pattern of changes in the structural indices of dominant species.     

The CO2 abatement cost curve for the Thailand cement industry

The cement industry is one of the largest carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitters in the Thai industry. The cement sector accounted for about 20,633 kilotonnes (ktonnes) CO₂ emissions in 2005 in Thailand. A bottom-up CO₂ abatement cost curve (ACC) is constructed in this study for the Thai cement industry to determine the potentials and costs of CO₂ abatement, taking into account the costs and CO₂ abatement of different technologies. The period of 2010–2025 is chosen as the scenario period. We analyzed 41 CO₂ abatement technologies and measures for the cement industry. Using the bottom-up CO₂ ACC model, the cost-effective annual CO₂ abatement potential for the Thai cement industry during the 15 year scenario period (2010–2025) is equal to 3095 ktonnes CO₂/year. This is about 15% of the Thai cement industry’s total CO₂ emissions in 2005. The total technical annual CO₂ abatement potential is 3143 ktonnes CO₂/year, which is about 15.2% of the Thai cement industry’s total CO₂ emissions in 2005. We also conducted a sensitivity analysis for the discount rate parameter.     

Retention of particulate adenosine triphosphate from Mediterranean deep-sea water by glass-fibre and membrane filters

When deep-water samples from the Mediterranean Sea were passed through glass-fibre filters (Whatman GF/F), the adenosine nucleotide concentration of the particulate material was exceptionally low. The concentration was higher when the particulate material was concentrated on SM cellulose-membrane filters with porosities of less than 1 μm. There would seem to be two reasons for this: (1) inhibition of the bioluminescent reaction; (2) an apparently lower retention of ATP by the glass-fibre filters. In order to compare results obtained with the two different types of filters, a correction factor of two can be used if measurements are made with an internal standard. This constant factor can only be applied to samples from depths greater than 300 m.     

Prenatal diagnosis and psychological distress: Amniocentesis or chorionic villus biopsy?

The psychological reactions of 211 women undergoing prenatal diagnosis (PND) with amniocentesis (group A, n = 122) or chorionic villus biopsy (group V, n = 90) were exmained by questionnaires and interviews. The distress experienced while waiting for the test, during the test procedure, and while waiting for the result was reported by the women, both in questionnaires and in interviews. In the questionnaires, no difference between the two diagnostic methods was observed. In the interviews, however, the women undergoing amniocentesis appeared significantly more distressed by the procedure. In group A 97 per cent and in group V 100 per cent wished a method which, like chorionic villus biopsy, could be used in the first weeks of pregnancy. The risk of miscarriage was, as described in other studies, regarded as a serious threat by the pregnant women.