Multivariate Analysis of the Ecoregion Delineation for Aquatic Systems

The ecoregion concept is a popular method of understanding the spatial distribution of the environment', however, it has yet to be adequately demonstrated that the environment is distributed in accordance with these bounded units. In this paper, we generated a testable hypothesis based on the current usage of ecoregions: the ecoregion classification will allow for discrimination between lakes of different water quality. The ecoregion classification should also be more effective better than a comparably scaled classification based on political boundaries, land-use class, or random grouping. To test this hypothesis we used the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) lake water chemistry data from the northeast United States. The water chemistry data were reduced to four components using principal component analysis. For comparison to an optimal grouping of these data we used K-means cluster analysis to define the extent at which these lakes could be segregated into distinct classes. Jackknifed discriminant analysis was used to determine the classification rate of ecoregions, the three alternative spatial classification methods, and the clustering algorithm. The classification based on ecoregions was successful for 35% of the lakes included in this study, in comparison to the clustered groups accuracy of 98%. These results suggest that the large scale spatial distribution of ecosystem types is more complicated than that suggested by the present ecoregion boundaries. Further tests of ecoregion delineations are needed and alternative large-scale management strategies should be investigated.     

Postfire Regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinea</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinaster</Emphasis> Aiton in Andalucia (Spain)

The objective of this study was to examine postfire regeneration of tree, shrub, and dwarf shrub species, in relation to levels of damage in four planted pine forests (Pinus pinea, Pinus pinaster) in Andalusia. A prefire vegetation map was used for detailing species composition, vertical structure, and density and another for detailing the extent and intensity of fire damage. Between 3 and 7 years after the fires, an inventory was made of the vegetation in each area, using the step-point method. The information thus obtained was used to determine the amount of cover in the dwarf/shrub and tree layers, the frequency of species in each of the layers, floristic richness, and diversity (Shannon index). The botanical composition of the dwarf and shrub layer was analyzed using TWINSPAN. Variables were poorly correlated with level of fire damage, which suggests that the forests in this study followed the autosuccession model. Because of the artificial origin or seminatural condition, regeneration of the dominant tree species is poor, and it seems unlikely that forests will recover to their prefire state. Therefore action is recommended to restore these ecosystems.     

Compliance with Regulations by “Swim-with-Dolphins” Operations in Port Phillip Bay,Victoria, Australia

Managing the activities of commercial wildlife viewing tends to involve either restricting the number of industry participants and/or regulating the activities or industry participants. We report on operator compliance with regulations regarding humans swimming with free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. A total of 128 commercial dolphin-swim trips was studied between September 1998 and April 2000. Four permit conditions were investigated: approach type, swim time, time in proximity of dolphins, and presence of “fetal fold” calves. Results demonstrate noncompliance by operators to all of the four permit conditions studied. Compliance with temporal conditions was poorer than with other conditions. When conducting studies on the extent to which tourism affects cetaceans, investigators should consider whether tourist operations comply with existing regulations or guidelines.     

Impact of Busy Roads on Breeding Success in Pied Flycatchers <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficedula hypoleuca</Emphasis>

The impact of dense traffic on the breeding success in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) was studied using roadside nest-boxes. Nest site selection and breeding success of flycatchers were observed in relation to the distance from the road. The number of occupied territories was no higher closer to the road than it was deeper inside the forest. The distance to the road had no effect on the laying date, clutch size, or brood size. However, nests closer to the road were more likely to fail at the chick stage. The number of broods that were closer to roads and were lost completely was significantly higher than those further away. As a consequence, the number of fledglings per breeding attempt decreased closer to roads. The nestlings typically died as older chicks when the parent birds were providing them with maximum quantities of food. A possible reason for the declining reproductive success was the traffic-related mortality of parent birds, as weather conditions were not especially adverse for raising healthy offspring.     

模拟海洋全浸区环境下A517海工钢的腐蚀机理研究

目的 探究 A517 海工钢在海洋全浸区环境下的腐蚀机理。方法 通过模拟海洋全浸区腐蚀环境,利用失重法、SEM、EDS、XRD、电化学等测试技术,分析A517钢的腐蚀行为历程,并探讨其在全浸区的腐蚀机理。结果A517钢在厚度方向上的最大电位差为 13 mV,小于发生电偶腐蚀的最小电位差50mV,说明材料在厚度方向上的腐蚀敏感性一致。随浸泡时间的延长,腐蚀质量损失量逐渐增加,平均腐蚀速率先降低、后升高、最后趋于稳定,腐蚀速率约为 0.127 mm/a。结论 腐蚀动力初期主要是由溶解氧的极限扩散控制,后期则是腐蚀产物的氧化还原电荷转移控制。腐蚀首先在 Al₂O₃、MgO 等夹杂物处萌生扩展,腐蚀产物出现明显的分层现象,外锈层主要是疏松易脱落的γ-FeOOH,内锈层主要是致密均匀的 Fe₃O₄,同时锈层中还检测到了β-FeOOH和α-FeOOH的存在。锈层中存在大量微裂纹,削弱了产物膜的保护作用,促进了腐蚀的进行。     

Q235钢在火灾条件下的力学性能研究

在试验的基础上,对建筑中常用的Q235铜在火灾条件下的力学性能进行了研究,获得了Q235钢的屈服强度、极限强度、弹性模量、极限应变等力学性能随温度变化而变化的规律,并对影响Q235钢力学性能的因素进行了分析。     

用钡渣制取硫酸钡

用盐酸浸取钡渣，所得的氯化钡溶液再和硫酸反庆，得到硫酸钡沉淀，母液返回去浸取钡渣。浸取钡渣的适宜条件为：浸取时间５０ｍｉｎ、ｐＨ２－３、钡渣粒度１２０目、浸取温度４０－４５℃、液固比３：１。     

阳离子交换树脂生产中废酸的回收利用及树脂质量控制

采用 酸套洗工艺代替传统的加水稀释洗涤工艺，成功地解决了阳离子交换树脂生产中废酸的回收利用问题，研究了采用新洗涤工艺后树脂变红的机理和防止对策，结果表明，树脂发红帅微生物的参与而引起的。采以完善洗涤 灭菌措施可防止树脂 ，从而确保了稀酸套洗工艺的顺利实施。     

恶臭的测定与评价

介绍了恶臭的测定和评价方法及有关知识。重点介绍了日本恶臭防止法所规定的仪器分析法和官能法中的三点比较式臭袋法，并从原理、应用方面对这两种分析方法进行了分析对比。此外，还介绍了目前国内外常用的恶臭评价标准。     

Study of chest injuries to 3-year-old child occupants seated in impact shield and 5-point harness CRSs

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the 5-point harness or the impact shield child restraint system (CRS) or both have the potential to cause chest injuries to children. This is determined by examining whether the loading to the chest reaches the internal organ injury threshold for children.

Method: The chest injury risk to a child occupant in a CRS was investigated using Q3 dummy tests, finite element (FE) simulations (Q3 dummy and human models), and animal tests. The investigation was done for 2 types of CRSs (i.e., the impact shield CRS and 5-point harness CRS) based on the UN R44 dynamic test specifications.

Results: The tests using a Q3 dummy indicated that although the chest deflection of the dummy in the impact shield CRS was large, it was less than the injury threshold (40 mm). Computational biomechanics simulations (using finite element FE analysis) showed that the Q3 dummy's chest is loaded by the shield and deforms substantially under this load. To clarify whether chest injuries due to chest compression can occur with an impact shield or with the 5-point harness CRS, 7 experiments were performed using Tibetan miniature pigs with weights ranging from 9.7 to 13 kg. Severe chest and abdominal injuries (lung contusion, coronary artery laceration, liver laceration) were found in the tests using the impact shield CRS. No chest injuries were present when using the 5-point harness CRS.

Conclusion: When using the impact shield CRS, the chest deformed substantially in dummy tests and FE simulations, and chest and abdominal injuries were observed in pig tests. It is possible that these chest injuries could also occur to child occupants sitting in the impact shield CRS.