Is Russia suffering from Dutch Disease? Cointegration with structural break

This paper examines whether Russia suffers from “Dutch Disease” by investigating the real appreciation of the Russian ruble and the relative de-industrialization in the post Soviet Union-era. According to UNDP Russia Report (2009) the Russian economy has indeed exhibited some typical symptoms of “Dutch Disease” in recent years as upward movements in oil prices are accompanied by a reduction in the share of manufacturing output and an increase in service prices. Furthermore, the report claims that these developments may trigger a recession in Russia in the future. Using Gregory and Hansen (1996a, 1996b) and Arai and Kurozumi (2007) structural break cointegration frameworks, our results indicate that the Russian economy exhibits some typical symptoms of “Dutch Disease”. Although the diagnosis is not certain, the risk is evident. Hence, policies that would make the Russian economy more robust to shocks in the oil price need to be carefully designed and implemented.     

Dynamic relationship between precious metals

We use a relatively new approach to endogenously detect the volatility shifts in the returns of four major precious metals (gold, silver, platinum and palladium) from 1999 to 2013. We reveal that the turbulent year of 2008 has no significant effect on volatility levels of gold and silver however causes an upward shift in the volatility levels of palladium and platinum. Using the consistent dynamic conditional correlations, we show that precious metals get strongly correlated with each other in the last decade which reduces the diversification benefits across them and indicates a convergence to a single asset class. We endogenously detect the shifts in these dynamic correlation levels and reveal uni-directional volatility shift contagions among precious metals. The results show that gold has a uni-directional volatility shift contagion effect on all other precious metals and silver has a similar effect on platinum and palladium. However, the latter two do not matter in terms of volatility shift contagion. Thus, investors that hedge with precious metals should, in particular, monitor the volatility levels of gold and silver.     

Seasonal variation of Ra/Ra ratio in seaweed: implications for water circulation patterns in coastal areas of the Noto Peninsula, Japan

To examine water circulation patterns of coastal water, 72 seaweed (Sargasso) samples and 27 coastal water samples were collected from coastal areas of the Noto Peninsula, Japan, during the period from December 1998 to June 2002. The (228)Ra and (226)Ra activities of those samples were measured by low-background gamma-ray spectrometry. There was a wide range of activities of (228)Ra (0.5-2Bq/kg-fresh) and (226)Ra (0.5-1.2Bq/kg-fresh) in the Sargasso samples. The (228)Ra/(226)Ra activity ratio of Sargasso samples exhibited seasonal variation with minimum values in June ((228)Ra/(226)Ra= approximately 1) and maximum values in December (1.5-2.5), which was mainly governed by changes in (228)Ra activity. It is also notable that the seasonal variation of the (228)Ra/(226)Ra ratio of Sargasso is in approximate agreement with that of the ambient coastal water. Sargasso samples appear to have retained the (228)Ra/(226)Ra ratio of the ambient coastal waters, and the temporal variations in that ratio provide insight into seasonal changes in water circulation in the Noto Peninsula coastal area.     

提高材料利用率的有效途径

从运用数冲编程技巧、改进加工方案和改进结构设计三方面阐述了提高利用率的方法。     

Binding of trinitrotoluene (TNT) to water extractable humus

Solid-state ¹⁵N NMR was applied to the aqueous extracts of a ¹³C-enriched plant slurry (Lolium perenne), anaerobically incubated with ¹⁵N₃-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Almost all ¹⁵N₃-TNT transformation products became covalently bound to the plant-derived organic material extractable with water. DCPMAS ¹⁵N ¹³C NMR revealed a three-step reaction scheme. After reduction of TNT, the aryl amines are acetylated. Subsequent alkylation of the resulting amides strengthens the incorporation of TNT-transformation products into humic material. Comparable results have been recently obtained under aerobic conditions, which indicates that this pathway is a common process during biological TNT transformation.     

喀斯特高原区5种常见灌木叶片δ~(13)C值的季节变化及其对石漠化程度的响应

测定了贵州高原喀斯特石漠化小流域内5种灌木叶片δ13C值的季节变化,旨在探讨季节及石漠化等级对植物叶片δ13C值的影响。结果表明:不同季节间植物叶片δ13C值呈显著差异,生长初期(4月)叶片的δ13C值显著高于生长中后期(7月、9月及12月);5种灌木种种间差异显著,火棘的叶片δ13C值最负,荚蒾的叶片δ13C值最正,粉枝莓,鼠李和竹叶椒的叶片δ13C值居中;7月不同石漠化等级间植物叶片δ13C值存在显著差异,而在其余月份(即4月、9月及12月)不同石漠化等级间植物叶片δ13C值不存在显著差异,但基本呈现无、轻度石漠化植物叶片小于中度石漠化植物叶片δ13C值的格局;整个生长季中,叶片δ13C值与土壤含水量的相关关系研究表明大多数种在大多数时间随土壤水分的减少其δ13C值增高。     

中国营养物质排放控制标准特点分析及发展

水体的富营养化及由此引起的水污染治理是一个世界性难题。污染物排放控制标准对控制污染与保护环境具有重要贡献。氮磷是富营养化的重要指标。随着水体富营养化程度的加重,中国氮磷排放控制标准愈趋严格和完善。为有效改善水体环境和水质,进一步完善营养物质控制标准,有必要制定纳管企业氮磷预处理环保标准,并深入研究以确定基于生态分区的营养物基准,研究制定科学、合理的富营养化评价方法及分级标准等。     

Effect of nutrient level on phytoplankton community structure in di erent water bodies

Increasing levels of pollution within water bodies can cause eutrophication and an associated rapid growth in and reproduction of phytoplankton. Although most frequently occurring in bodies of water such as lakes and dams, in recent years an increasing number of river systems in China have suffered serious algal blooms. The community structure of phytoplankton may differ, however, dependent on the hydrodynamic conditions and nutrient levels within the water body. The field investigation results obtained fro...     

Effects of metal lead on growth and mycorrhizae of an invasive plant species （Solidago canadensis L.）

It is less known whether and how soil metal lead (Pb) impacts the invasion of exotic plants.A greenhouse experiment was conducted to estimate the effects of lead on the growth and mycorrhizae of an invasive species(Solidago canadensis L.)in a microcosm system. Each microcosm unit was separated into HOST and TEST compartments by a replaceable mesh screen that allowed arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal hyphae rather than plant roots to grow into the TEST compartments.Three Pb levels(control,300,and 600 mg/kg soil)were used in this study to simulate ambient soil and two pollution sites where S. canadensis grows.Mycorrhizal inoculum comprised five indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species (Glomus mosseae,Glomus versiform,Glomus diaphanum,Glomus geosporum,and Glomus etunicatum).The 15N isotope tracer was used to quantify the mycorrhizally mediated nitrogen acquisition of plants.The results showed that S. canadensis was highly dependent on mvcOrrhizae.The Pb additions significantly decreased biomass and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization(root length colonized,RLC%) but did not affect spore numbers,N(including total N and 15N) and P uptake.The facilitating efficiency of mycorrhizae on nutrient acquisition was promoted by Pb treatments.The Pb was mostly sequestered in belowground of plant (root and rhizome).The results suggest that the high efficiency of mycorrhizae on nutrient uptake mightgive S. canadensis a great advantage over native species in Pb polluted softs.     

Nitrous oxide fluxes from upland soils in central Hokkaido, Japan

Nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from soils were measured using the closed chamber method during the snow-free seasons (middle April to early November),for three years,in a total of 11 upland crop fields in central Hokkaido,Japan.The annual mean N2O fluxes ranged from 2.95 to 164.17 μgN/(m2·h),with the lowest observed in a grassland and the highest in an onion field.The instantaneous N2O fluxes showed a large temporal variation with peak emissions generally occurring following fertilization and heavy rainfall eve...