Throughflow analysis: A stochastic approach

Ecological network analysis (ENA), predicated on systems theory and Leontiev input–output analysis, is a method widely used in ecology to reveal ecosystem properties. An important ecosystem property computed in ENA is throughflows, the amount of matter/energy leaving each compartment of the ecosystem. Throughflows are analyzed via a matrix representing their relationships to the driving input at the boundary. Network particle tracking (NPT) builds on ENA to offer a Lagrangian particle method that describes the activity of the ecosystem at the microscopic level. This paper introduces a Lagrangian throughflow analysis methodology using NPT and shows that the NPT throughflow matrix, , agrees with the conventional ENA throughflow matrix, , for ecosystems at steady-state with donor-controlled flows. The matrix is computed solely from the pathways (particles’ histories) generated by NPT simulations and its average over multiple runs of the algorithm with longer simulation time agrees with the Eulerian matrix (Law of Large Numbers). While the traditional NEA throughflow analysis is mostly used with steady-state ecosystem models, the Lagrangian throughflow analysis that we propose can be used with non-steady-state models and paves the way for the development of dynamic throughflow analysis.     

钴活化过一硫酸盐氧化过程中卤代副产物的生成

活化过硫酸盐产生的硫酸根自由基(SO~(·-)_4)可以降解大多数有机污染物,被广泛用于地下水、土壤修复等领域.本研究发现在钴活化过一硫酸盐(PMS)高级氧化过程中,溴离子会被SO~(·-)_4氧化生成自由溴,继而和苯酚反应生成溴代苯酚,最终生成三溴甲烷和二溴乙酸等副产物.当反应液中苯酚初始浓度为0.05 mmol·L~(-1)、Br~-浓度0.2 mmol·L~(-1)、Co~(2+)浓度5μmol·L~(-1)、PMS浓度1 mmol·L~(-1)、p H为6.0时,三溴甲烷和二溴乙酸的生成随反应的进行先增加后降低,在8 h达到最大,分别为10.3μmol·L~(-1)和14.6μmol·L~(-1).卤代副产物的生成随p H的升高而降低.当卤离子总量保持不变,随着溶液中Cl~-/Br~-比例的增加,卤代副产物的生成总量逐渐降低,而含氯副产物的产量逐渐增加.本研究为全面评价过硫酸盐高级氧化工艺在污染控制方面的应用可行性提供了依据.     

Effectiveness of Predator Removal for Enhancing Bird Populations

Abstract: Predation pressure on vulnerable bird species has made predator control an important issue for international nature conservation. Predator removal by culling or translocation is controversial, expensive, and time‐consuming, and results are often temporary. Thus, it is important to assess its effectiveness from all available evidence. We used explicit systematic review methodology to determine the impact of predator removal on four measurable responses in birds: breeding performance (hatching success and fledging success) and population size (breeding and postbreeding). We used meta‐analysis to summarize results from 83 predator removal studies from six continents. We also investigated whether characteristics of the prey, predator species, location, and study methodology explained heterogeneity in effect sizes. Removing predators increased hatching success, fledging success, and breeding populations. Removing all predator species achieved a significantly larger increase in breeding population than removing only a subset. Postbreeding population size was not improved on islands, or overall, but did increase on mainlands. Heterogeneity in effect sizes for the four population parameters was not explained by whether predators were native or introduced; prey were declining, migratory, or game species; or by the study methodology. Effect sizes for fledging success were smaller for ground‐nesting birds than those that nest elsewhere, but the difference was not significant. We conclude that current evidence indicates that predator removal is an effective strategy for the conservation of vulnerable bird populations. Nevertheless, the ethical and practical problems associated with predator removal may lead managers to favor alternative, nonlethal solutions. Research is needed to provide and synthesize data to determine whether these are effective management practices for future policies on bird conservation.     

Ecological‐Niche Modeling and Prioritization of Conservation‐Area Networks for Mexican Herpetofauna

Abstract: One of the most important tools in conservation biology is information on the geographic distribution of species and the variables determining those patterns. We used maximum‐entropy niche modeling to run distribution models for 222 amphibian and 371 reptile species (49% endemics and 27% threatened) for which we had 34,619 single geographic records. The planning region is in southeastern Mexico, is 20% of the country's area, includes 80% of the country's herpetofauna, and lacks an adequate protected‐area system. We used probabilistic data to build distribution models of herpetofauna for use in prioritizing conservation areas for three target groups (all species and threatened and endemic species). The accuracy of species‐distribution models was better for endemic and threatened species than it was for all species. Forty‐seven percent of the region has been deforested and additional conservation areas with 13.7% to 88.6% more native vegetation (76% to 96% of the areas are outside the current protected‐area system) are needed. There was overlap in 26 of the main selected areas in the conservation‐area network prioritized to preserve the target groups, and for all three target groups the proportion of vegetation types needed for their conservation was constant: 30% pine and oak forests, 22% tropical evergreen forest, 17% low deciduous forest, and 8% montane cloud forests. The fact that different groups of species require the same proportion of habitat types suggests that the pine and oak forests support the highest proportion of endemic and threatened species and should therefore be given priority over other types of vegetation for inclusion in the protected areas of southeastern Mexico.     

Training of expatriate refugee health workers: Principles and practices

Abstract—This paper describes in detail the separate components of an ideal expatriate refugee health worker training course. Emphasis is given to organizational aspects of such courses.     

企业安全资源的资源观分析

依据资源理论对资源优势与竞争优势之间关系的研究成果,笔者提出安全资源优势是企业形成整体资源优势的必备条件之一,良好的安全资源能够为企业创造竞争优势。为此,首先指出,企业的安全意识、安全制度与安全设施等均属企业中的安全资源之列,按照资源理论对企业资源的分类,该类安全资源贯穿于企业的各种资源之中;随后,论述了安全资源与企业中的其他资源一样,具有价值性、稀缺性、不可模仿性和不可替代性等优势资源禀赋;根据资源理论中对竞争优势的经济学解释,分析了安全资源本身,以及安全资源与企业中其他资源的组合使用是如何为企业创造竞争优势的,安全资源优势通过降低企业的长期平均生产成本、延长其他资源的使用寿命从而提高产品产量等途径,能够为企业创造租金,进而形成企业的竞争优势。该论述以全新视角认识企业安全资源,有助于企业改变以往对安全资源建设的错误认识,调动企业对安全资源投资的积极性和主动性     

Electrosensory basis for individual recognition in a weakly electric, mormyrid fish, Pollimyrus adspersus (Günther, 1866)

Pollimyrus adspersus discriminates the individually variable waveforms of Electric Organ Discharges (EODs) of conspecifics of only 150–250 s duration. We examined: (1) the discrimination threshold for artificially generated EODs of similar waveform, (2) the mechanism of signal analysis (spectral vs temporal) present, by determining the discrimination between different waveforms of identical amplitude spectra, and (3) the threshold field intensity and reach of discrimination. The triphasic P. adspersus EOD waveform was artificially generated by superimposing two Gaussians, one wide, the second narrow, inverted, and of threefold amplitude. The natural variability among individual EOD waveforms was simulated by phase-shifting one Gaussian relative to the other. The symmetrical waveform where the peaks of the two Gaussians coincided was used as a reference (phase shift=0, rewarded stimulus S+). Results were: (1) in food-rewarded conditioning experiments, trained fish (N=7) detected a phase-shift in artificial EOD stimuli as low as 2 s (N=2 fish), 6 s (N=1) and 10 s (N=1). (2) All fish tested (N=3) discriminated between artificial EODs of identical amplitude spectra but different waveforms (hence, different phase spectra), demonstrating a temporal mechanism of signal analysis. (3) The maximum reach of waveform discrimination was 130 cm at 4.9 V_p-p/cm and 100 S/cm water conductivity (test signal generated at natural amplitude), that is, similar to the reach of EOD detection. Therefore, among the three kinds of electroreceptor organ present in mormyrids, we consider Knollenorgane the relevant sensory organs for EOD waveform discrimination.Communicated by J. Krause     

Fishing quota markets

In 1986, New Zealand responded to the open-access problem by establishing the world's largest individual transferable quota (ITQ) system. Using a 15-year panel dataset from New Zealand that covers 33 species and more than 150 markets for fishing quotas, we assess trends in market activity, price dispersion, and the fundamentals determining quota prices. We find that market activity is sufficiently high in the economically important markets and that price dispersion has decreased. We also find evidence of economically rational behavior through the relationship between quota lease and sale prices and fishing output and input prices, ecological variability, and market interest rates. Controlling for these factors, our results show a greater increase in quota prices for fish stocks that faced significant reductions, consistent with increased profitability due to rationalization. Overall, this suggests that these markets are operating reasonably well, implying that ITQs can be effective instruments for efficient fisheries management.     

Influences on individual initiative to use gypsy moth control in New Hampshire,USA

Socioeconomic, demographic, and attitudinal factors likely to influence individual initiative to use control measures against gypsy moth infestation in New Hampshire are examined. Data were acquired through a mail survey from 629 individuals in three targeted towns: Bow, Conway, and Exeter. Using logit regression analysis, numerous variables are shown to be statistically significant in influencing an individual's willingness to use control measures. The influencing factors include: the individual knowing the difference between the gypsy moth caterpillar and the eastern tent caterpillar; the individual being a homeowner rather than a renter; the number of acres of land accompanying the individual's dwelling; the number of trees on the individual's property; the individual's gender; and the individual's level of income. Aesthetic damage and the nuisance caused by gypsy moth infestation were the primary reasons for individuals to use control measures. The results from this study indicate that the motivation behind an individual's initiative to use control measures is influenced by diverse and varying factors. The models, methodology, and results as applied and presented here are exploratory in nature, yet could prove informative for researchers seeking a greater understanding of the interaction between humans and insect pests.     

硫铁矿烧渣湿法制备铁系产品的原理和途径分析

本文叙述了硫铁矿烧渣的化学成分和物相 ,以及酸浸还原烧渣提取铁的基本原理。论述了硫铁矿烧渣湿法制备铁盐 ,铁氧化物颜料 ,铁基磁粉以及铁粉等铁系产品的原理 ,并对铁系产品的途径进行了分析。