Non-invasive genetic study and population monitoring of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) (Mammalia: Ursidae) in Kastoria region – Greece

The brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Greece is considered endangered but little is known about the genetic status and the exact size of local populations. Non-invasive genetic sampling was used in this study to investigate the genetic diversity and genetic structure of the brown bear population in the Kastoria region (northwest Macedonia, Greece) and to estimate its population size. Estimation of demographic parameters was based on innovative, well-evaluated methods that can provide estimates from a single sampling session. DNA was extracted from hairs, scat and blood samples and subsequent amplification of 10 microsatellite loci allowed the identification of a minimum number of 75 living bears in the study area while the mark–recapture-based analysis resulted in a point estimation of 219 individuals. Relatively high diversity values, lack of heterozygosity deficiency as well as estimated effective population size, support the Kastoria bear population having good conservation status.     

Diet composition of an invasive population of Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) from Argentina

The American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus has been introduced around the world, with invasive populations reported from almost all South American countries. A population of this species was introduced in the Calingasta department of San Juan province, which is an arid environment in western Argentina. This work provides information on the dietary composition of an invasive population of L. catesbeianus, and compares the degree of dietary overlap between adults and juveniles. Stomach contents of 169 bullfrogs (82 adults and 87 juveniles) were analysed. Adults consumed 40 prey taxa and Hymenoptera (Insecta) was the most numerous prey item (41.8%), followed by Araneae (13.6%) and Aeglidae (13.4%). Juveniles consumed 29 prey taxa and Hymenoptera constituted the highest percentage in prey number (77.2%). The trophic overlap niche index at the same level shows a value of 0.64 overlap in dietary community between adults and juveniles of this bullfrog. Aeglidae was volumetrically the most important trophic item (25.4%), followed by Anura (25.02%). Our results showed that cannibalism in bullfrogs is more common than the consumption of native anurans, coinciding with that reported in other populations of introduced bullfrogs. The high similarity in the diets of both size classes and the association between the size of the predator and prey suggest that the impact caused by bullfrogs throughout their ontogeny is high and probably has an impact on their prey. Freshwater crabs are the main items in the diet of Lithobates catesbeianus in other introduced populations and are usually the most conspicuous at our study site. The crabs in freshwater ecosystems are part of the lowest trophic level in the food chain. The major threats to the southern region’s freshwater crabs include deforestation, farming and exotic species. Lithobates catesbeianus has a generalist diet and high overlap between adults and juveniles.     

中国人口系统结构的灰色关联分析

根据1998～2003年中国人口数据,利用灰色系统理论和灰色关联分析模型法建立由总人口、城镇人口、乡村人口等17个影响人口增长的关联因素构成的指标体系及灰色关联分析模型,对中国人口系统结构进行关联分析,以期找出影响人口增长的主要因素,为我国人口系统的建模、预测、决策、规划、管理和控制提供了的依据,以便实现人口与资源、环境、经济和社会的可持续发展.运算和系统分析结果显示人口增长的主要影响因素为:女性人口、城乡人口、年龄结构、性别结构和人口自然增长率.其中,15～49岁的育龄妇女、农村人口和人口自然增长率3个因素对总人口和年净增人数影响最大.本文中国人口系统结构的灰色关联分析结果较符合中国人口的实际情况,为中国人口发展与控制的管理决策提供了一种新的有效方法.     

Mortality effects of temperature changes in the United Kingdom

Temperature changes are known to affect the social and environmental determinants of health in various ways. Consequently, excess deaths as a result of extreme weather conditions may increase over the coming decades because of climate change. In this paper, the relationship between trends in mortality and trends in temperature change (as a proxy) is investigated using annual data and for specified (warm and cold) periods during the year in the UK. A thoughtful statistical analysis is implemented and a new stochastic, central mortality rate model is proposed. The new model encompasses the good features of the Lee and Carter (Journal of the American Statistical Association, 1992, 87: 659–671) model and its recent extensions, and for the very first time includes an exogenous factor which is a temperature‐related factor. The new model is shown to provide a significantly better‐fitting performance and more interpretable forecasts. An illustrative example of pricing a life insurance product is provided and discussed.     

基于动态种群结构的粒子群算法及仿真研究

针对标准粒子群算法易陷入局部最优而早熟的问题,提出了一种基于动态种群结构的粒子群算法。该算法在种群结构中引入小世界网络模型,由于网络模型的演化,使算法具有动态的种群结构,从而保持了种群的多样性。同时为了使粒子尽可能地分布在不同的搜索空间,在网络模型演化过程中考虑了结点的个体价值。为了加快算法的收敛速度,在进化后期采用全局模型粒子群算法。通过对三个经典测试函数优化问题的数值仿真并与其它方法进行比较,结果表明了算法的有效性和实用性。     

赫哲人口的现状与发展态势

适度的人口数量,较高的人口素质和合理的人口结构会对民族的进步、社会的可持续发展具有积极的作用。新中国成立后,赫哲人口数量有了很大增加,人口质量也得到一定程度的提高,人口结构趋于合理。但从现状和发展态势看,还存在一定问题。掌握赫哲族人口现状,认清人口发展态势,可为赫哲族发展创造良好的环境,并为国家制定人口较少民族的人口政策以及和谐社会的构建提供相关依据。     

Natural history of the marsupial Thylamys macrurus (Mammalia,Didelphidae) in fragments of savannah in southwestern Brazil

The objective of this study was to furnish information on the natural history of the Neotropical marsupial Thylamys macrurus in the southern Cerrado of Brazil. A range expansion of the species was observed to the northeast of the Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Specimens were surveyed in fragments of savannah (40–600 ha) during dry and wet seasons in 2003 and 2004 with live‐trap grids and pitfall lines. With an effort of 9767 trap nights and 2200 pitfall nights, we obtained 102 captures and 49 recaptures of T. macrurus. The data analyzed (57 males and 40 females) showed that males are more abundant in the dry season and females in the wet season. Young were recorded mostly during the wet season. Thylamys macrurus was scansorial, using the floor and the understorey. Sexual dimorphism was recorded, with males being larger than females. Information on ectoparasites is supplied.     

浅析确保高危客户安全用电的措施

分析了煤矿高危客户安全用电方面存在的问题,并提出了相应的解决办法。     

种群细胞增生中迁移方程的研究进展

介绍了近年来国际上种群细胞增生中的迁移方程的研究进展,主要阐述了这类迁移方程解的构造性理论及应用等研究成果。     

井冈山区常绿阔叶林更新的发展动态分析

本文从常绿阔叶林更新苗的分析和生态因子的研究入手,并通过对更新苗种群和区系特征的分析,初步揭示了在井冈山区,恢复和发展以热带—亚热带区系植物为主要类成分的常绿阔叶林的可能性。