Hasil untuk "Natural history (General)"

Øivind Bergh, Elisabeth Ytteborg, Lynne Falconer

Changyan YU, Jiarui XIN, Ming XU et al.

BackgroundAs the population ages, there has been a growing focus on the decline in fertility. Research has identified age and fertility history as the primary influencing factors. Nevertheless, there is a deficiency in fundamental data regarding the fertility status among different industries. ObjectiveTo investigate the fertility status and influencing factors among female workers aged 22-35 years in different industries. MethodsFrom July 2020 to February 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a staged sampling approach. This survey specifically targeted 22-35-year-old married female workers with a history of pregnancy in industries such as education, healthcare, finance, and telecommunications, totaling 22903 participants. The survey encompassed industry, demographic characteristics, pregnancy history, time to pregnancy (TTP), and other influencing factors. The influencing factors of decline in fertility were identified by chi-square test and Cox proportional hazards regression. Subsequent industry-specific Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compared fertility decline patterns across a spectrum of industries after selected influencing factors were adjusted. ResultsAmong the 22903 respondents, 19194 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid recovery rate of 83.8%. The cumulative pregnancy rates (CRP) of 1-6 months and 1-12 months for the 22-35-year-old female workers were 67.23% and 91.33% respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that region, age, education level, personal annual income, housework time, coping style, gravidity, parity, and spontaneous abortion were influencing factors of fertility decline (P<0.05). Female workers with ≥3 gravidities and ≥2 spontaneous abortions had a higher risk of fertility decline, with hazard ratios (HR) and associated 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 0.633 (0.582, 0.688) and 0.785 (0.670, 0.921) respectively (P<0.01). Compared to the education industry, the healthcare and finance industries showed a higher risk of fertility decline, with HR (95%CI) values of 0.876 (0.834, 0.920) and 0.909 (0.866, 0.954), respectively (P<0.05). These two HR (95%CI) values remained statistically significant [0.899 (0.852, 0.948) and 0.882 (0.833, 0.934) respectively, P<0.05)] after further adjustment with nine influencing factors such as region and age. ConclusionRegions, age, education level, personal annual income, housework time, coping style, pregnancy and childbirth times, and natural abortion times are influencing factors of fertility decline in female workers. Compared to the education industry, the healthcare and finance industries have a higher risk of declining fertility.

Christian Moisés Trujillo Córdova

La crisis ambiental por el cambio climático ha obligado a muchos Estados a dirigir esfuerzos hacia la transición medioambiental para reducir la probabilidad de ocurrencia de una situación con un impacto negativo sobre su población o medioambiente. El Perú no es la excepción. En tal sentido, surge la necesidad de identificar y categorizar sus distritos según un determinado riesgo socioambiental. Ante tal reto, se construyó e implementó una metodología cuantitativa multietápica, la cual hizo uso tanto del aprendizaje automatizado (supervisado y no supervisado) como de la econometría espacial. Los resultados de la metodología, visualizados a través de índices de riesgo emergentes, evidenciaron la existencia de 165 distritos considerados zonas con riesgo socioambiental (ZRS), ubicados en su mayoría en la franja costera. Finalmente, se concluye que el patrón y replicabilidad del modelo de desarrollo urbanístico en el Perú actualmente no es coherente con los esfuerzos de conservación y preservación del medioambiente.

Julianna Szulamit Szapu, József Lanszki, Péter Pongrácz et al.

Abstract The common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) occupies a controversial position among mammals inhabiting agricultural areas, as it is possibly the only critically endangered species that is legally targeted by lethal control methods, making it a conflict‐generating pest. We surveyed various stakeholders, agrarian consultants, wildlife rangers, and residents for the first time in Hungary, with two interrelated questionnaires to obtain accurate information about hamster populations, and to learn about the participants knowledge of, and attitude toward hamsters in order to provide fundamental information for planning and strengthening social embeddedness. Additionally, we prepared the current distribution map of the hamster. Based on the relatively wide distribution and locally high abundance of the species, Hungary has a key role in hamster conservation. We identified several factors, which can contribute to successful species protection. The results indicated that more than 60% of the respondent's liked hamsters. In contrast, only a few residents considered hamsters in their settlement to be beneficial. Our results suggest that the hamster's reputation is disproportionately negative due to vaguely known perceptions of harm as compared with actual reported damage. This imbalance could be rectified through enhanced communication efforts. Improving the species' reputation is integral to effective species conservation initiatives. Current pest control practices (poisons and snap traps) kill the hamsters, even though 82% of the residents would prefer to keep the hamsters alive, conforming to conservation efforts. The results also indicated that the hamster could be a flagship species in Hungary. Knowledge of the protected status of the hamster predicted a positive attitude toward the species and related to nature conservation consciousness. We conclude that requirements of residents should be included in the species action plan along with the experts' knowledge, as this could contribute to successful, long‐term conservation of the hamster.

C. Vieira

Continuando a revisão das varias ordens dos mamíferos ate agora encontrados dentro dos limites do Estado de São Paulo, tratamos aqui dos Xenartros (tatus, tamanduás e preguiças) e dos Marsupials (gambas e cuícas). São os Xenartros uma ordem quase exclusivamente sul-americana, bem representada no Estado de São Paulo, onde, sobretudo os tatus, são muito conhecidos e cágados por toda a parte. O mesmo porem não acontece com a maioria dos Marsupials, dos quais, a não ser os gambas, habituais moradores dos centros povoados, as restantes minúsculas espécies são pouco conhecidas pelas populações rurais do interior que, em geral, as confunde com os ratos. Como nas revisões precedentes, (1) tomamos por base a coleção de peles e crânios atualmente existente no Departamento de Zoologia, redescrevendo várias espécies e subéspecies e atualizando, na medida do possível, a nomenclatura.

Wei He, Wei He, Jinghui Fang et al.

Bioturbation of infauna plays an important role in the biogeochemical processing of sediments. Infaunal animals build burrows and enlarge the sediment-water interface by their activities and so bioturbation is closely related with burrow structure and animal behavior in the sediment. The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of Perinereis aibuhitensis burrow structures with the factors of months and animal sizes (0-1g, 1-2g, 2-3g, 3-4g, and &gt;4g), which would also provide useful knowledge of infauna behavioral ecology. The dimension and complexity of the burrows of P. aibuhitensis were measured by dissecting sediments. The results showed that there were three burrow shapes of P. aibuhitensis, i.e., I, Y and U shapes. Overall, the order of abundance of each of the three burrow shapes were I &gt; Y &gt; U. Larger P. aibuhitensis are inclined to build Y- and U-shaped burrows in June and August. There were significant differences in the tunnel diameter, burrow depth and burrow length separately between different polychaete size classes (P&lt; 0.001). In February and August, the burrow depths and burrow lengths of P. aibuhitensis individuals with body weights of 1-2 g and 2-3 g were significantly greater than in other months (P&lt; 0.001). P. aibuhitensis individuals of 1-2 g and 3-4 g body weight had significantly more burrow openings and branches in August than in February (P&lt; 0.001). Within the same month, the burrow HEindex increased with increasing polychaete size, and when the sizes were 1-2 g, 2-3 g and 3-4 g, the complexity in August was higher than that in other months. This study suggests that I-shaped burrow dominants the burrow architecture of P. aibuhitensis. The polychaete with large size has a higher HEindex (burrow complexity) indicating a strong bioturbation ability. Y-shaped burrows are more conducive to the survival of P. aibuhitensis in hot weather. In order to adapt to environmental stresses outside, P. aibuhitensis usually builds deeper burrows.

Hiroyuki Tomita, Kunio Kutsuwada, Masahisa Kubota et al.

The reliability of surface net heat flux data obtained from the latest satellite-based estimation [the third-generation Japanese Ocean Flux Data Sets with Use of Remote Sensing Observations (J-OFURO3, V1.1)] was investigated. Three metrics were utilized: (1) the global long-term (30 years) mean for 1988–2017, (2) the local accuracy evaluation based on comparison with observations recorded at buoys located at 11 global oceanic points with varying climatological characteristics, and (3) the physical consistency with the freshwater balance related to the global water cycle. The globally averaged value of the surface net heat flux of J-OFURO3 was −22.2 W m−2, which is largely imbalanced to heat the ocean surface. This imbalance was due to the turbulent heat flux being smaller than the net downward surface radiation. On the other hand, compared with the local buoy observations, the average difference was −5.8 W m−2, indicating good agreement. These results indicate a paradox of the global surface net heat flux. In relation to the global water cycle, the balance between surface latent heat flux (ocean evaporation) and precipitation was estimated to be almost 0 when river runoff from the land was taken into consideration. The reliability of the estimation of the latent heat flux was reconciled by two different methods. Systematic ocean-heating biases by surface sensible heat flux (SHF) and long wave radiation were identified. The bias in the SHF was globally persistent and especially large in the mid- and high latitudes. The correction of the bias has an impact on improving the global mean net heat flux by +5.5 W m−2. Furthermore, since J-OFURO3 SHF has low data coverage in high-latitudes areas containing sea ice, its impact on global net heat flux was assessed using the latest atmospheric reanalysis product. When including the sea ice region, the globally averaged value of SHF was approximately 1.4 times larger. In addition to the bias correction mentioned above, when assuming that the global ocean average of J3 SHF is 1.4 times larger, the net heat flux value changes to the improved value (−11.3 W m−2), which is approximately half the original value (−22.2 W m−2).

Manuel De Rojas, Jorge Doña, Ivan Dimov

Boyukkhanum I. Eminli

The aim of the article is to analyse the leading and decisive role and the position of language in a nation`s mind. Every person belongs to a certain culture which combines national traditions, history and literature. The economic and cultural relations of countries and their peoples actualize the themes related to the relationship between a language and a culture by studying the linguistic identity of the intercultural communications. A national culture defines spiritual characteristics of a nation and people. The nation may have a right to survive only if it has an excellent culture. It is obvious that a person becomes an adult when he masters the language together with the culture of his nation from the childhood. All the pecularities of the culture of any nation are reflected in its language, which is specific and unique, as each language reflects the world and the human in different ways. The research is based on сomparative description method. It is concluded that language is a strong general heritage which effectively unite and protects the nation. In other words, language is a natural and systematic tool for understanding; a mirror and a carrier of the national culture, an effective element of building unity and integrity as a mean of expressing the society`s cultural values. Information about the universe comes to the person through the linguistic channel, that is why the person lives in the world of intellectual, spiritual and social needs created by himself rather than in the world of objects and things. The great amount of information comes to the person by means of words. The person’s success in the society depends on how well he uses the words. It is not only about speech culture, but also about skills to access the secrets of the language. According to philosophers, it is easier to perceive the material world even if you accurately understand the word that indicates the name of any object or concept. The language emerges from the meaning into the world, and the meaning is a path that connects the language with non-linguistic reality. There is a certain social culture behind linguistic events. And behind the linguistic view of the world there is the socio-cultural view of the world. In order to use spoken language realistically, it is necessary to know all the non-linguistic facts behind the language. Culture and language are the most important means of building the national identity. Everyone has the right to call himself a member of any ethnic group, regardless of the race or the place of birth. Everyone is a bearer of the culture of the nation to which he belongs. The ethnic identity is not innate; it is the result of a person’s free choice of a common culture

María I. Hermoso, María I. Hermoso, Victoria Y. Martin et al.

Divers have widely participated in citizen science (CS) projects and are one of the main groups of marine citizen scientists. However, there is little knowledge about profiles of, and incentives for potential divers to join CS projects. To date, most studies have focused on the SCUBA diving industry; nevertheless, there is a diversity of divers, not all using SCUBA, who engage in different activities during their dives. Differences in diver profiles could affect their willingness and ability to contribute to CS. In this study, we compare the diving profile, interests, preferences and motivations to participate in CS of five diver types (artisanal fishermen, recreational divers, instructors, scientific divers, and others). All divers have strong interests in participating in CS projects, with no major differences among diver types. In general, they are interested in a wide variety of themes related to CS but they prefer simple sampling protocols. Divers are motivated to participate in CS to learn about the sea and contribute to science. Some important differences among diver types were found, with artisanal fishermen having significantly more dive experience than other diver types, but less free time during their dives and limited access to some communication channels and technologies. These characteristics make them ideal partners to contribute their local ecological knowledge (LEK) to local CS projects. In contrast, recreational divers have the least experience but most free time during their dives and good access to cameras and communications channels, making them suitable partners for large-scale CS projects that do not require a high level of species knowledge. Instructors and scientific divers are well-placed to coordinate and supervise CS activities. The results confirm that divers are not all alike and specific considerations have to be taken into account to improve the contribution of each diver type to CS. The findings provide essential information for the design of different types of CS projects. By considering the relevant incentives and opportunities for diverse diver groups, marine CS projects will make efficient gains in volunteer recruitment, retention, and collaborative generation of knowledge about the marine environment.

Hau-Jyun Su, Yu-Tse Chiu, Chuan-Tai Chiu et al.

The global incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased over the last 2-4 decades, likely because of the adoption of a more “western” lifestyle as well as improved detection and awareness, and Taiwan is no exception. To characterize the increasing burden of IBD, we conducted a comprehensive review of IBD in the existing literature. The following parameters were reviewed: background knowledge and current standard care for IBD, including natural history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. In addition, new imaging modalities and treatment options such as combined positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance enterography, new biologic agents, small-molecule therapy, biosimilar therapeutics, mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, and fecal microbiota transplantation, all of which have been introduced for IBD management, were reviewed. We also used the hospital-based as well as population-based Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to assess Taiwan-specific trends for comparison with global trends. Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, 2018, Update

Istvan Ham

Deliblato sands is an isolated foreststeppe area of about 350 km2 within the agricultural area of the South East Pannonian Plain. In this area, 200 years ago, people began to foresting sand dunes in order to ban sheep grazing in the second half of the last century and continue to afforest open grasslands with steppe-pasture biocenoses. This jeopardized many sparsed species of mammals and birds, in particular Eastern Imperial Eagle (EIE) (Aquila heliaca). In the period brtween 1963–1967 in the central parts of the Deliblato sands, 5 nests of the EIE pairs were distributed (localities: V. Kravan, Ćarlika, Orlovo gnezdo, Crni Vrh and Plop). A detailed monitoring of the entire bird fauna, especially the EIE in the reproductive period, started in 1976 and ended in 1986. Given that complete data on this monitoring have  not been published until today, for more than 20 years we do not have scientifically verified data on nesting of this species, also Deliblato sands continues to be a potential breeding area for the EIE, I have decided to present the old data, in order to point out the necessity of organizing and conducting a comprehensive and long-term search and monitoring, which has not been done until today.

Marcela Pimid, Abu Hassan, Nurita Abu Tahir et al.

The colony structure of Oecophylla smaragdina within the compound of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang Island, Malaysia was determined. The current study involved a total of twelve nests which were taken from two different locations. Each nest was dissected and the specimens were separated according to their caste. Results show that the colony structure of O. smaragdina consisted of a dealate queen, eggs, larvae of female alates, pupae of major and minor workers, pupae of female alates, major workers, minor workers, female alates and male alates. Our present study shows that O. smaragdina had a distinct caste system and the numbers of individuals in each caste reflect their respective functions which contributed to the success of their colony.

Naoki Fujiwara Tsujii, Kotone Tokunaga, Toshiharu Akino et al.

The Japanese queenless ponerine ant Diacamma sp. from Japan employs tandem running during nest relocation, in which a leader ant guides nestmate followers one at a time. We replicated this process by presenting one entire abdominal part of a leader, except for the petiole to followers. When the abdominal part had been rinsed with n-hexane, however, it attracted significantlyfewer followers. This suggests that chemicals on the leader’s abdominal part evoke tandem running. Dissection of abdominal major exocrine glands revealed that the Dufour’s gland was the source of this chemical signal. The chemicals were eluted in the hydrocarbon fraction by silica-gel column chromatography, and the quantitatively major component was estimated as heptadecene (C17:1) through gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GCMS) analysis. The position of the double bond was estimated to be between the 8th and 9th carbons through analysis of the epoxidized compound. Only (Z)-isomers of 8-heptadecene evoked tandem running in the followers. We identified the tandem running pheromone of this ant species to be (Z)-8- heptadecene. (163)

Primož Presetnik, Tomi Trilar

n/a

Sedighe Karimi, Ahmad-Reza Nasr Esfahani, Live and Learn, Mostafa Sharif

Introduction The growth of science and technology tend to convert society to a learning society and enjoy its profits and also cope with its challenges (Edwards, 2002; Jarvis, 2008; Unesco, 2005). In response to questions such as "what is a learning society?" And "what are features of a learning society?" researchers have noted that understanding the concept of learning society requires attention to lifelong learning objectives or outcomes (Tuomi, 2005). These goals can be obtained by individual, social and economic developments. Today, despite the differences of opinion between the professionals about the purpose of lifelong learning, all believe that in a learning society, individuals are encouraged to undertake learning in different locations to realize the above three developments. They have proposed different models about learning society. Edwards (1997) have divided these models based on their philosophical foundations into three: learning society as an educated society, as a learning market, and as learning networks. Reviewing the learning society model, many scholars have noted that there is not a single ideal model for learning society, which could be suitable for all countries. Therefore each country should supply a specific strategic model of learning society that fits the cultural and national heritage of its nation (Tuijnman, 2002, p 26). According to the notification, the present paper seeks to examine the concept and model of learning society for Iran. Materials & Methods This research is a developmental study to design a model based on the philosophical foundations of Islam and Iranian culture. Also, it is a descriptive qualitative survey study. The Statistical population consists of two groups. The first group includes managers, assistants and faculty members working in the public universities in the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran in the academic year 2010-2011. The criteria for their selection were a history of teaching, management and research on issues related to the research topic. The second group includes professionals working in higher education and research institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology in Iran. Potential sample size included 98 individuals who were identified as informants based on purposive sampling strategies and chain approach. They were all invited to participate in the interview. Finally, 24 individuals (9 male and 15 female administrators and faculty experts) announced their agreement. They were all interviewed. We analyzed interviews using thematic categorization and the results were analyzed by direct and indirect quotations in the research report. Discussion of Results & Conclusions With the turn of the third millennium, the Iranian society has chosen a knowledge-based development as its path towards development. In this country, the community members should keep their skills up to date, not only because of the natural need but also for being able to be actively involved in generation, transmission, distribution and use of knowledge. In other words, they must become a learning society. This society must be based on the philosophical foundations of Islam. The main message of this religion is (Aqra’) which asks people to read and learn from the cradle to the grave. According to Islam, The ultimate goal of people in a learning society is to be the servants of God. Therefore, learning is considered as a duty for every Muslim at any time and at any age. And the community should provide the opportunity to perform this task. However, Iranian society is a learning society that has a balanced look to the three goals of learning throughout life (Individual development, economic development and social development). Iranian-learning society is a community with the features listed below: This society: • considers the right to receive education • and develops equal learning opportunities to establish social justice • supports the collective rationality and is both critic and receptive of critic • encourages active citizenship in a global and national level to achieve the ultimate goal of being servant of God. • provides learning opportunities to help people feel they have reached to the learning and teaching right • enhances learning motivations by different methods. • fosters the ability of self-directed learning and learning how to learn. Educational Features in this society include: • interconnectivity among different sectors of formal education • Informal education is developed to suit the needs of all people. • appropriate learning strategies to take non-formal learning into account. • qualitative and quantitative developments of learning opportunities at the same time • The potential of ICT for development of national and global learning networks is used. Cultural features of this society include: • citizens extracts their procedures and instructions from principles and teachings of Islam. Economical features of this society include: • learning opportunities are provided to help people keep up to date with their knowledge and skills and to supply their personal life and skilled manpower for economic development The comparison between this model and other models shows that Iranian Learning Society is a Humanist Society which is based on Islamic philosophical foundations; hence this is different from Western models. It is necessary to note that the current cultural, social and educational conditions are not desirable to provide the basis for development of a learning society in Iran. Lack of belief in science and knowledge among all people, reduced learning motivation, inattention to orders of Islam, problems in the educational system are, among others, a few obstacles to realize this model.

B. Vykhor, B. Prots

The character and dynamics of distribution of Sosnowsky’s Hogweed (Heracleum sos­nowskyi Manden.) in the Transcarpathia (Ukraine) were estimated. The species populations penetrated into 20% of total number of mapping squares of studied area. The dynamics tendency can be divided into two invasion stages – initial (1973–1999) and exponential (2000 – till today). The distribution analysis according to floristic divisions and plant belts is presented. The ecological and elevation preferences of the species were characterized. Most frequently H. sosnowskyi occurs within limits of 150–399 м a.s.l. in belts of lowland and lower mountain oak forests. The Transcarpathian Lowland floristic region is the most invaded area, while Gorgany and Chornogora are the at least invaded. The impact of Sosnowsky’s Hogweed on the environment was assessed. The species belongs to a group of invasive species with high impact on the environment, and high distribution potential. It is very hard to control, and the control needs high resources and efforts. The management methods to suppress the invasion of the species are discussed.

Leif Kullman

Tree-limit and climate evolution at the southern extremity of the Swedish Scandes have been reconstructed for the entire Holocene and for the past century. The main objective was to test the reproducibility of a similar study further north in the Swedish Scandes. The long-term history relies mainly on radiocarbondated megafossil tree remains preserved in peat and mineral soil. The more recent perspective was analysed from age distributions in the most marginal, extant tree populations. Pinus sylvestris (pine) immigrated to the study region already during the Late-Glacial, 10,500 14C yr BP, when it grew in the summit areas of fi rst deglaciated mountains. The pine tree-limit peaked ca. 9200 14C yr BP, followed by a 345 m gradual descent (summer cooling + land uplift) until about a century ago. Presence of tree species assemblages without modern analogs at high elevations during the early-Holocene, Pinus sylvestris (dominant), Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa, Picea abies, Larix sibirica, Quercus robur and Corylus avellana, strengthens the view of a warm and dry summer climate, although with a different seasonal distribution of incoming radiant energy than today. The longterm natural trend of tree-limit retreat and summer cooling was anomalously broken about a century ago. During the 20th century, the pine tree-limit has shifted 140 m uphill, in congruence with instrumentally recorded summer warming by ca. 1 ºC. In a perspective of the entire Holocene tree-limit chronology, the modern tree-limit rise (and climate warming) is anomalous for the past 4000–7000 years. Except for tree-limit rise, recent warming has contributed to changes in the alpine plant cover, e.g. vanishing snow-bed communities, expansion of deciduous dwarf-shrubs, graminoids, and invasion of exotic and thermophilic plant species. Overall, this study has reproduced processes and patterns previously reported further north in the Scandes.

Reginaldo José Donatelli

Gilbert Canet

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