Anchovies are migratory fish and adult individuals migrate in group from the sea into the river every year because of reproductive needs. TheYangtze River is the largest river in China, with rich food and fish species...Anchovies are migratory fish and adult individuals migrate in group from the sea into the river every year because of reproductive needs. TheYangtze River is the largest river in China, with rich food and fish species, hence, the Yangtze River would be an ideal habitat for growth and reproduction of anchovy. In this pa- per, based on fishing log data of anchovy in Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River, realted analysis was conducted in digital map using statistical software and GIS. From 2008 to 2011, the number of anchovy fishing vessels and fishing days in Jiangsu section remained stable, but the fishing volume and economic profit of single-vessel fluctuated constantly. This study provides references and advices for plan and management of anchovy fishery resource to administrative department.展开更多
Daily precipitation for 1960-2011 and maximum/minimum temperature extremes for 1960-2008 recorded at 549 stations in China are utilized to investigate climate extreme variations.A set of indices is derived and analyze...Daily precipitation for 1960-2011 and maximum/minimum temperature extremes for 1960-2008 recorded at 549 stations in China are utilized to investigate climate extreme variations.A set of indices is derived and analyzed with a main focus on the trends and variabilities of daily extreme occurrences.Results show significant increases in daily extreme warm temperatures and decreases in daily extreme cold temperatures,defined as the number of days in which daily maximum temperature (Tmax) and daily minimum temperature (Tmin) are greater than the 90th percentile and less than thel0th percentile,respectively.Generally,the trend magnitudes are larger in indices derived from Tmin than those from Tmax.Trends of percentile-based precipitation indices show distinct spatial patterns with increases in heavy precipitation events,defined as the top 95th percentile of daily precipitation,in westem and northeastern China and in the low reaches of the Yangtze River basin region,and slight decreases in other areas.Light precipitation,defined as the tail of the 5th percentile of daily precipitation,however,decreases in most areas.The annual maximum consecutive dry days (CDD) show an increasing trend in southem China and the middle-low reach of the Yellow River basin,while the annual maximum consecutive wet days (CWD) displays a downtrend over most regions except western China.These indices vary significantly with regions and seasons.Overall,occurrences of extreme events in China are more frequent,particularly the night time extreme temperature,and landmasses in China become warmer and wetter.展开更多
Relatively short historical catch records show that anchovy populations have exhibited large variability over multi-decadal timescales.In order to understand the driving factors(anthropogenic and/or natural) of such v...Relatively short historical catch records show that anchovy populations have exhibited large variability over multi-decadal timescales.In order to understand the driving factors(anthropogenic and/or natural) of such variability,it is essential to develop long-term time series of the population prior to the occurrence of notable anthropogenic impact.Well-preserved fish scales in the sediments are regarded as useful indicators reflecting the fluctuations of fish populations over the last centuries.This study aims to validate the anchovy scale deposition rate as a proxy of local anchovy biomass in the Yellow Sea adjoining the western North Pacific.Our reconstructed results indicated that over the last 150 years,the population size of anchovy in the Yellow Sea has exhibited great fluctuations with periodicity of around 50 years,and the pattern of current recovery and collapse is similar to that of historical records.The pattern of large-scale population synchrony with remote ocean basins provides further evidence proving that fish population dynamics are strongly affected by global and basin-scale oceanic/climatic variability.展开更多
The word “chudu” comes from Qu Yuan’s Li Sao “huang lan kui yu chu du xi, zhao ci yu yi jia ming”. The original meaning was the day of birth. After the Song Dynasty, the literati began to use it to refer to birth...The word “chudu” comes from Qu Yuan’s Li Sao “huang lan kui yu chu du xi, zhao ci yu yi jia ming”. The original meaning was the day of birth. After the Song Dynasty, the literati began to use it to refer to birthdays. By the end of the Ming Dynasty, they had been calling their birthdays “chudu” once they celebrated it and they were so keen on birthday celebrations. Gu Yanwu pointed out that the word “chudu” only fits “the old ministers (or the exiled ministers) who lamented the crash of the Yingcapital of the country of “Chu” such as Qu Yuan. At the same time, its use in Huang Zongxi’s and Wang Fuzhi’s birthday poems is also consistent with this context. The unique situation and mood of the adherents led them to be close to Qu Yuan and Wen Tianxiang, which bestowed “chudu” the special meaning. It is very suitable for the ministers who suffered the crash of their Dynasties or those who were exiled distantly to express their feelings about the old dynasties and old friends. After these people, Chen Yinke consciously acknowledged this layer of interpreting “chudu” and used it, which has not only enriched the connotation of “chudu”, but also extended its cultural life. From Qu Yuan to Wen Tianxiang, until Gu Yanwu, Huang Zongxi, Wang Fuzhi, and then to Chen Yinke, we can take a glimpse of the spiritual world of the Chinese adherents of Dynasties.展开更多
The alpine meadow, as one of the typical vegetation types on the Tibetan Plateau, is one of the most sensitive terrestrial ecosystems to climate warming. However, how climate warming affects the carbon cycling of the ...The alpine meadow, as one of the typical vegetation types on the Tibetan Plateau, is one of the most sensitive terrestrial ecosystems to climate warming. However, how climate warming affects the carbon cycling of the alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau is not very dear. A field experiment under controlled experimental warming and clipping conditions was conducted in an alpine meadow on the Northern Tibetan Plateau since July 2008. Open top chambers (0TCs) were used to simulate climate warming. The main objective of this study was to examine the responses of ecosystem respiration (Reco) and its temperature sensitivity to experimental warming and clipping at daily time scale. Therefore, we measured Reco once or twice a month from July to September in 2010, from June to September in 2011 and from August to September in 2012. Air temperature dominated daily variation of Reco whether or not experimental warming and clipping were present. Air temperature was exponentially correlated with Reco and it could significantly explain 58-96% variation of Redo at daily time scale. Experimental warming and clipping decreased daily mean Reco by 5.8-37.7% and -11.9-23.0%, respectively, although not all these changes were significant. Experimental warming tended to decrease the temperature sensitivity of Reco, whereas clipping tended to increase the temperature sensitivity of Reco at daily time scale. Our findings suggest that Reco wasmainly controlled by air temperature and may acclimate to climate warming due to its lower temperature sensitivity under experimental warming at daily time scale.展开更多
The characteristics of haze days and the climatic background are analyzed by using daily observations of haze,precipitation,mean and maximum wind speed of 664 meteorological stations for the period of 1961–2012.The r...The characteristics of haze days and the climatic background are analyzed by using daily observations of haze,precipitation,mean and maximum wind speed of 664 meteorological stations for the period of 1961–2012.The results show that haze days occur significantly more often in eastern China than in western China.The annual number of haze days is 5–30 d in most parts of central-eastern China,with some areas experiencing more than 30 d,while less than 5 d are averagely occurring in western China.Haze days are mainly concentrated in the winter half-year,with most in winter,followed by autumn,spring,and then summer.Nearly 20%of annual haze days are experienced in December.The haze days in central-eastern China in the winter half-year have a significant increasing trend of 1.7 d per decade during 1961–2012.There were great increases in haze days in the 1960s,1970s and the beginning of the 21st century.There was also significant abrupt changes of haze days in the early 1970s and 2000s.From 1961 to 2012,haze days in the winter half-year increased in South China,the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River,and North China,but decreased in Northeast China,eastern Northwest China and eastern Southwest China.The number of persistent haze is rising.The Longer the haze,the greater the proportion to the number persistent haze.Certain climatic conditions exacerbated the occurrence of haze.The correlation coefficient between haze days and precipitation days in the winter half-year is mainly negative in central-eastern China.The precipitation days show a decreasing trend in most parts of China,with a rate of around–4.0 d per decade in central-eastern China,which reduces the sedimentation capacity of atmospheric pollutants.During the period of 1961–2012,the correlation coefficients between haze days and mean wind speed and strong wind days are mainly negative in central-eastern China,while there exists positive correlation between haze days and breeze days in the winter half-year.The mean wind speed and strong wind days are decreasing,while breeze days are increasing in most parts of China,which is benefitial to the reduction of the pollutants diffusion capacity.As a result,haze occurs more easily.展开更多
Based on the GDEM hydrographic data with a resolution of 0.5°× 0.5°, the current system (Kuroshio south of Japan and Kuroshio Extension east of Japan) is determined by using the P-Vector Method, and its...Based on the GDEM hydrographic data with a resolution of 0.5°× 0.5°, the current system (Kuroshio south of Japan and Kuroshio Extension east of Japan) is determined by using the P-Vector Method, and its seasonal variability is investigated. The Kuroshio Meander south of Japan, the two lee-wave meanders in the Kuroshio Extension and the bifurcation of the Kuroshio Extension are properly presented. The path of the Kuroshio Meander, the position of the second (east) meander in the Kuroshio Extension and the bifurcation of the Kuroshio Extension display evident seasonal variation.展开更多
This paper explores liturgical ministers as ministerial leaders to embrace different liturgical functions as ministries of service. This is against the backdrop of Tridentine liturgy whereby the worship is looked up a...This paper explores liturgical ministers as ministerial leaders to embrace different liturgical functions as ministries of service. This is against the backdrop of Tridentine liturgy whereby the worship is looked up as an exclusive leadership function of the priests alone to lord it over others. It identifies lack of active participation by the lay faithful as one of the major factors escalating passive participation in the liturgical celebrations in Nigeria. In this way, the paper argues that rethinking ministerial leadership is a medium to promote active and parish liturgical participation. Their implications suggest the bishops and priests to ensure that the lay faithful take part fully aware of their ministerial leadership role, actively engaged in the rite and enriched by its effects. Employing descriptive and analytical methods, the mantra of the paper is that in a parish worship where liturgical ministers thrives well as ministerial leaders, it produces mature Christian faithful who know their faith, understand their liturgical roles and diligently exercise them. Such a parish community operates on a level of facilitative and participatory leadership where everyone is carried along through direct participation in directing the liturgical celebrations of the parish.展开更多
The basic goal of accounting is to provide quality accounting information that will aid reliable decision-making. The quality level of this accounting information comes from the company's governance practices, thereb...The basic goal of accounting is to provide quality accounting information that will aid reliable decision-making. The quality level of this accounting information comes from the company's governance practices, thereby emphasizing the importance of corporate governance in companies. Recently, following the financial crises resulting in accounting scandals, attention has been moving towards internal audit function as an important factor in the structure of corporate governance. This paper therefore examined the extent of the relationship between internal audit function and the quality of accounting information of companies. The study adopted the survey research design. The research instrument employed was questionnaire which was administered to internal auditors of the "Big Four". Linear regression analysis was employed in the analysis of the data collected with the use of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed that there is a significant relationship between the internal audit characteristics and the quality of accounting information. It was recommended that in order to provide credibility to the financial statement, there should be a law in place mandating attachment of internal auditors report to the financial statement.展开更多
Fish supplies 25% of the total protein source in developing countries. A techno-economic analysis was performed for developing a good business proposal for aquaculture loans to enhance aquaculture development in Niger...Fish supplies 25% of the total protein source in developing countries. A techno-economic analysis was performed for developing a good business proposal for aquaculture loans to enhance aquaculture development in Nigeria. A case study of catfish Clarias gariepinus framing was conducted in Abeokuta North Local Government of Ogun State, Nigeria. The results show that the fixed cost is N18 338 per year, and the variable cost is N459 700 per year, accounting for the largest amount of the total; therefore, a profit of N43 289 per month can be made. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess any risk(s) that associated with unfavorable changes in government policy with particular reference to monetary policy. Positive net present value shows that the investment in fish farm is economically feasible and the net investment ratio is 3.52. Also, the benefit-cost ratio is 2.17. The internal rate of return (IRR) is 21% showing that the enterprise is able to offset the interest being charged on the loan. It is therefore worthwhile to invest into fish farm business in the study area. The study suggests that to better sustain the local aquaculture business, the government should create a good conducive environment to foster development of the fish farming. Government intervention is urgently needed to solve problems such as in traditional land tenure, grant credit facilities and subsidies, to enhance the aquacultural development in the country.展开更多
The study was conducted in four states of the Southwest geo-political zone in Nigeria and four regions in Ghana.. The results showed that the existing forest, agricultural and land use decree/policies in Nigeria and G...The study was conducted in four states of the Southwest geo-political zone in Nigeria and four regions in Ghana.. The results showed that the existing forest, agricultural and land use decree/policies in Nigeria and Ghana indicated lack of integration between Forestry and Agricultural land uses. The main conflicting areas were obsolete land use decree in Nigeria and lack of national land use policy in Ghana. The causes and effects of the conflicts had policy enunciation, stakeholders, and institutional and managerial dimensions. Some of the causes of the conflicts were lack of national land use policies for coherent and integrated forest and agricultural sectors; high population growth, de-reservation of forest reserves, unsustainable agricultural practices and technologies, land hunger, encroachment of forest reserves with cash crops and stakeholders' litany of demands and other diverse interests. Consequences of conflicts in the study locations included disharmony between forestry officials and farmers, antagonism between timber concenssionnaires and communities, wanton destruction of economic trees and seedlings, extinction of tree species, expansion of illegal farm lands and an attendant poverty. The logistic regression model for conflicts between forestry and agricultural land uses in Nigeria and Ghana indicated significant fit to the data judging from chi square value (df, 9) = 3174.1 that is significant at P 〈 0.05. The final loss of the model indicated a value of 92.47.展开更多
A new available dataset of daily observational precipitation is used to study the temporal and spatial variability of extreme precipitation events for 1956-2008 in the ten large river basins of China. The maximum dail...A new available dataset of daily observational precipitation is used to study the temporal and spatial variability of extreme precipitation events for 1956-2008 in the ten large river basins of China. The maximum daily rainfall and heavy precipitation days (≥50 mm d^-1) are analyzed for the basins of the Songhua River, Liaohe River, Haihe River, Yellow River, Northwest China Rivers, Huaihe River, Yangtze River, Pearl River, Southeast China Rivers, and Southwest China Rivers. The results indicate that the maximum daily rainfall was increasing in southern river basins, while it was decreasing in northern river basins, which leads to no discernible increasing or decreasing trend in the maximum daily rainfall of whole China,especially 2001. The national averaged heavy precipitation days shows an insignificant increase. However, a rise in heavy precipitation days of southern river basins and a decline of northern river basins are observed.展开更多
The survey was carried out in Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun states located in SW Nigeria. The respondents for the study include thirty marketers and thirty producers of African walnut randomly selected within each ...The survey was carried out in Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun states located in SW Nigeria. The respondents for the study include thirty marketers and thirty producers of African walnut randomly selected within each of the state, making a total of 60 respondents per state and 300 for the five states. Two sets of structured questionnaires were designed, one for each eatergory of the respondents. The questionnaires were designed to solicit information on demographic characteristics of the producers and marketers of African walnut, production and marketing challenges of the walnut, price trend along the marketing chain, and interraction and relationships of the middlemen. The questionnaires were administered through individual and focus group methods. Also, indepth interview of the respondents was conducted to supplement data obtained from the questionnaires. Purposive sampling method was used to select local markets where the walnut were sold for study of the price trend of the walnut for two seasons (from 2007 to 2008). Marketing of the walnut started with farmers that plant the perennial climber on their farmland, while the marketing intermediaries include the village merchants, wholesalers, and the retailers. Adult male dominated the production sector of African walnut while processing and marketing the nuts were mostly done by the women and children. There is high demand for the walnut as delicacy and snack; although industrial usage is yet to be fully developed. Marketing of the cooked nuts and at retail quantity had the highest profit along the marketing chain. There is need for expansion of the current scale of production of the walnut to meet increasing demand. Provision of appropriate storage facilities to prevent spoilage of the product in rural areas and good rural road network for easy conveyance to urban markets where it is majorly consumed is pertinent for marketing of the walnut.展开更多
Cashew nuts market in south western Nigeria is characterized by price fluctuations through space and time. This may be linked with the large number of market intermediaries who act between the primary producers and th...Cashew nuts market in south western Nigeria is characterized by price fluctuations through space and time. This may be linked with the large number of market intermediaries who act between the primary producers and the markets. The sample for the study comprised 250 cashew nuts marketers who were randomly selected from the five south westem states of Nigeria. About 76 % of the cashew nuts marketers had up to secondary school education and 86% of them had 15-year marketing experience and below. Pricing efficiency of the marketers was highest in Ogun state with average efficiency level of85.1% and least for Oyo state (68.9%). In all, 720 tonnes were transacted in the region with 206 marketers handling maximum of 2 kg per month per individual. Gini-coefficient estimate of 82.3% implied that there was a concentrated market for the cashew nuts. To further increase the pricing efficiency of the commodity it is necessary to reduce the costs incurred on various physical aspects in marketing system. Corporate organizations, government agencies and co-operative societies should assist the cashew nuts marketers in the provision of credit facilities so as to ensure a higher level of pricing efficiency, stable market prices and reduced level of concentration of the marketers.展开更多
We describe organogenesis at a histological level in American shad( Alosa sapidissima) larvae from 0 until 45 days after hatching(DAH). Larval development was divided into four stages based on the feeding mode,externa...We describe organogenesis at a histological level in American shad( Alosa sapidissima) larvae from 0 until 45 days after hatching(DAH). Larval development was divided into four stages based on the feeding mode,external morphological features,and structural changes in the organs: stage 1(0–2 DAH),stage 2(3–5 DAH),stage 3(6–26 DAH) and stage 4(27–45 DAH). At early stage 2(3 DAH),American shad larvae developed the initial digestive and absorptive tissues,including the mouth and anal opening,buccopharyngeal cavity,oesophagus,incipient stomach,anterior and posterior intestine,differentiated hepatocytes,and exocrine pancreas. The digestive and absorptive capacity developed further in stages 2 to 3,at which time the pharyngeal teeth,taste buds,gut mucosa folds,differentiated stomach,and gastric glands could be observed. Four defined compartments were discernible in the heart at 4 DAH. From 3 to 13 DAH,the excretory systems started to develop,accompanied by urinary bladder opening,the appearance and development of primordial pronephros,and the proliferation and convolution of renal tubules. Primordial gills were detected at 2 DAH,the pseudobranch was visible at 6 DAH,and the filaments and lamellae proliferated rapidly during stage 3. The primordial swim bladder was first observed at 2 DAH and started to inflate at 9 DAH; from then on,it expanded constantly. The spleen was first observed at 8 DAH and the thymus was evident at 12 DAH. From stage 4 onwards,most organs essentially manifested an increase in size,number,and complexity of tissue structure.展开更多
Nitrate is one of the problematic and wide spread contaminations. Indiscriminate disposition of human and animal wastes in Nigeria especially in urban region, and lack of proper environmental sanitation geared the nee...Nitrate is one of the problematic and wide spread contaminations. Indiscriminate disposition of human and animal wastes in Nigeria especially in urban region, and lack of proper environmental sanitation geared the need for the monitoring of groundwater contamination. This research work monitored the concentration of nitrate and nitrate-nitrogen in portable water from wells in Odo Ado, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, and examined the relationship between this concentration and the well depth as well as its nature (ringing). The results showed that out of 20 water wells sampled, 50% of samples contain high level of nitrate with the highest having concentration of 140 mg/L and least 49 mg/L while the remaining has acceptable concentration ranging between 3.5 mg/L and 35 mg/L with most ringed wells. The mean concentration of nitrates is 48.06 mg/L and the nitrate-nitrogen is 10.85 mg/L. The statistical correlation between the concentrations and depth showed that there is a significant difference between their means at 95% confidence using T-test. Out of ringed wells, five have high concentration and eight have low concentrations while two of the wells (not ringed) fall below the acceptable limit (EPA) which indicates that there are other factors such as closeness to the point source and soil texture which were not considered in this work.展开更多
基金Supported by the R&D Special Fund for Public Welfare Industry(201203086)Special Financial Fund of Ministry of Agriculture(6125005)Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund(2011JBFC04)~~
文摘Anchovies are migratory fish and adult individuals migrate in group from the sea into the river every year because of reproductive needs. TheYangtze River is the largest river in China, with rich food and fish species, hence, the Yangtze River would be an ideal habitat for growth and reproduction of anchovy. In this pa- per, based on fishing log data of anchovy in Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River, realted analysis was conducted in digital map using statistical software and GIS. From 2008 to 2011, the number of anchovy fishing vessels and fishing days in Jiangsu section remained stable, but the fishing volume and economic profit of single-vessel fluctuated constantly. This study provides references and advices for plan and management of anchovy fishery resource to administrative department.
基金supported by the Department of Science and Technology of China(2009CB421403 and2010CB428403)by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41275110)
文摘Daily precipitation for 1960-2011 and maximum/minimum temperature extremes for 1960-2008 recorded at 549 stations in China are utilized to investigate climate extreme variations.A set of indices is derived and analyzed with a main focus on the trends and variabilities of daily extreme occurrences.Results show significant increases in daily extreme warm temperatures and decreases in daily extreme cold temperatures,defined as the number of days in which daily maximum temperature (Tmax) and daily minimum temperature (Tmin) are greater than the 90th percentile and less than thel0th percentile,respectively.Generally,the trend magnitudes are larger in indices derived from Tmin than those from Tmax.Trends of percentile-based precipitation indices show distinct spatial patterns with increases in heavy precipitation events,defined as the top 95th percentile of daily precipitation,in westem and northeastern China and in the low reaches of the Yangtze River basin region,and slight decreases in other areas.Light precipitation,defined as the tail of the 5th percentile of daily precipitation,however,decreases in most areas.The annual maximum consecutive dry days (CDD) show an increasing trend in southem China and the middle-low reach of the Yellow River basin,while the annual maximum consecutive wet days (CWD) displays a downtrend over most regions except western China.These indices vary significantly with regions and seasons.Overall,occurrences of extreme events in China are more frequent,particularly the night time extreme temperature,and landmasses in China become warmer and wetter.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program (973 Program 2010CB428902)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40876088)
文摘Relatively short historical catch records show that anchovy populations have exhibited large variability over multi-decadal timescales.In order to understand the driving factors(anthropogenic and/or natural) of such variability,it is essential to develop long-term time series of the population prior to the occurrence of notable anthropogenic impact.Well-preserved fish scales in the sediments are regarded as useful indicators reflecting the fluctuations of fish populations over the last centuries.This study aims to validate the anchovy scale deposition rate as a proxy of local anchovy biomass in the Yellow Sea adjoining the western North Pacific.Our reconstructed results indicated that over the last 150 years,the population size of anchovy in the Yellow Sea has exhibited great fluctuations with periodicity of around 50 years,and the pattern of current recovery and collapse is similar to that of historical records.The pattern of large-scale population synchrony with remote ocean basins provides further evidence proving that fish population dynamics are strongly affected by global and basin-scale oceanic/climatic variability.
文摘The word “chudu” comes from Qu Yuan’s Li Sao “huang lan kui yu chu du xi, zhao ci yu yi jia ming”. The original meaning was the day of birth. After the Song Dynasty, the literati began to use it to refer to birthdays. By the end of the Ming Dynasty, they had been calling their birthdays “chudu” once they celebrated it and they were so keen on birthday celebrations. Gu Yanwu pointed out that the word “chudu” only fits “the old ministers (or the exiled ministers) who lamented the crash of the Yingcapital of the country of “Chu” such as Qu Yuan. At the same time, its use in Huang Zongxi’s and Wang Fuzhi’s birthday poems is also consistent with this context. The unique situation and mood of the adherents led them to be close to Qu Yuan and Wen Tianxiang, which bestowed “chudu” the special meaning. It is very suitable for the ministers who suffered the crash of their Dynasties or those who were exiled distantly to express their feelings about the old dynasties and old friends. After these people, Chen Yinke consciously acknowledged this layer of interpreting “chudu” and used it, which has not only enriched the connotation of “chudu”, but also extended its cultural life. From Qu Yuan to Wen Tianxiang, until Gu Yanwu, Huang Zongxi, Wang Fuzhi, and then to Chen Yinke, we can take a glimpse of the spiritual world of the Chinese adherents of Dynasties.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41171084and 40771121)Innovation Project of the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No.2012ZD005)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of the Tibet Autonomous Region (Name. the Response Experiment of the Alpine Meadow Vegetation to Climate Warming)the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No.2010CB951704)the National Science and Technology Plan Project of China (Grant No.2011BAC09B03)
文摘The alpine meadow, as one of the typical vegetation types on the Tibetan Plateau, is one of the most sensitive terrestrial ecosystems to climate warming. However, how climate warming affects the carbon cycling of the alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau is not very dear. A field experiment under controlled experimental warming and clipping conditions was conducted in an alpine meadow on the Northern Tibetan Plateau since July 2008. Open top chambers (0TCs) were used to simulate climate warming. The main objective of this study was to examine the responses of ecosystem respiration (Reco) and its temperature sensitivity to experimental warming and clipping at daily time scale. Therefore, we measured Reco once or twice a month from July to September in 2010, from June to September in 2011 and from August to September in 2012. Air temperature dominated daily variation of Reco whether or not experimental warming and clipping were present. Air temperature was exponentially correlated with Reco and it could significantly explain 58-96% variation of Redo at daily time scale. Experimental warming and clipping decreased daily mean Reco by 5.8-37.7% and -11.9-23.0%, respectively, although not all these changes were significant. Experimental warming tended to decrease the temperature sensitivity of Reco, whereas clipping tended to increase the temperature sensitivity of Reco at daily time scale. Our findings suggest that Reco wasmainly controlled by air temperature and may acclimate to climate warming due to its lower temperature sensitivity under experimental warming at daily time scale.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2012CB955902)
文摘The characteristics of haze days and the climatic background are analyzed by using daily observations of haze,precipitation,mean and maximum wind speed of 664 meteorological stations for the period of 1961–2012.The results show that haze days occur significantly more often in eastern China than in western China.The annual number of haze days is 5–30 d in most parts of central-eastern China,with some areas experiencing more than 30 d,while less than 5 d are averagely occurring in western China.Haze days are mainly concentrated in the winter half-year,with most in winter,followed by autumn,spring,and then summer.Nearly 20%of annual haze days are experienced in December.The haze days in central-eastern China in the winter half-year have a significant increasing trend of 1.7 d per decade during 1961–2012.There were great increases in haze days in the 1960s,1970s and the beginning of the 21st century.There was also significant abrupt changes of haze days in the early 1970s and 2000s.From 1961 to 2012,haze days in the winter half-year increased in South China,the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River,and North China,but decreased in Northeast China,eastern Northwest China and eastern Southwest China.The number of persistent haze is rising.The Longer the haze,the greater the proportion to the number persistent haze.Certain climatic conditions exacerbated the occurrence of haze.The correlation coefficient between haze days and precipitation days in the winter half-year is mainly negative in central-eastern China.The precipitation days show a decreasing trend in most parts of China,with a rate of around–4.0 d per decade in central-eastern China,which reduces the sedimentation capacity of atmospheric pollutants.During the period of 1961–2012,the correlation coefficients between haze days and mean wind speed and strong wind days are mainly negative in central-eastern China,while there exists positive correlation between haze days and breeze days in the winter half-year.The mean wind speed and strong wind days are decreasing,while breeze days are increasing in most parts of China,which is benefitial to the reduction of the pollutants diffusion capacity.As a result,haze occurs more easily.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China under contract(Grant No.2002CCA00200)by the Ministry of Education of China under contract(Grant No.99075).
文摘Based on the GDEM hydrographic data with a resolution of 0.5°× 0.5°, the current system (Kuroshio south of Japan and Kuroshio Extension east of Japan) is determined by using the P-Vector Method, and its seasonal variability is investigated. The Kuroshio Meander south of Japan, the two lee-wave meanders in the Kuroshio Extension and the bifurcation of the Kuroshio Extension are properly presented. The path of the Kuroshio Meander, the position of the second (east) meander in the Kuroshio Extension and the bifurcation of the Kuroshio Extension display evident seasonal variation.
文摘This paper explores liturgical ministers as ministerial leaders to embrace different liturgical functions as ministries of service. This is against the backdrop of Tridentine liturgy whereby the worship is looked up as an exclusive leadership function of the priests alone to lord it over others. It identifies lack of active participation by the lay faithful as one of the major factors escalating passive participation in the liturgical celebrations in Nigeria. In this way, the paper argues that rethinking ministerial leadership is a medium to promote active and parish liturgical participation. Their implications suggest the bishops and priests to ensure that the lay faithful take part fully aware of their ministerial leadership role, actively engaged in the rite and enriched by its effects. Employing descriptive and analytical methods, the mantra of the paper is that in a parish worship where liturgical ministers thrives well as ministerial leaders, it produces mature Christian faithful who know their faith, understand their liturgical roles and diligently exercise them. Such a parish community operates on a level of facilitative and participatory leadership where everyone is carried along through direct participation in directing the liturgical celebrations of the parish.
文摘The basic goal of accounting is to provide quality accounting information that will aid reliable decision-making. The quality level of this accounting information comes from the company's governance practices, thereby emphasizing the importance of corporate governance in companies. Recently, following the financial crises resulting in accounting scandals, attention has been moving towards internal audit function as an important factor in the structure of corporate governance. This paper therefore examined the extent of the relationship between internal audit function and the quality of accounting information of companies. The study adopted the survey research design. The research instrument employed was questionnaire which was administered to internal auditors of the "Big Four". Linear regression analysis was employed in the analysis of the data collected with the use of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed that there is a significant relationship between the internal audit characteristics and the quality of accounting information. It was recommended that in order to provide credibility to the financial statement, there should be a law in place mandating attachment of internal auditors report to the financial statement.
文摘Fish supplies 25% of the total protein source in developing countries. A techno-economic analysis was performed for developing a good business proposal for aquaculture loans to enhance aquaculture development in Nigeria. A case study of catfish Clarias gariepinus framing was conducted in Abeokuta North Local Government of Ogun State, Nigeria. The results show that the fixed cost is N18 338 per year, and the variable cost is N459 700 per year, accounting for the largest amount of the total; therefore, a profit of N43 289 per month can be made. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess any risk(s) that associated with unfavorable changes in government policy with particular reference to monetary policy. Positive net present value shows that the investment in fish farm is economically feasible and the net investment ratio is 3.52. Also, the benefit-cost ratio is 2.17. The internal rate of return (IRR) is 21% showing that the enterprise is able to offset the interest being charged on the loan. It is therefore worthwhile to invest into fish farm business in the study area. The study suggests that to better sustain the local aquaculture business, the government should create a good conducive environment to foster development of the fish farming. Government intervention is urgently needed to solve problems such as in traditional land tenure, grant credit facilities and subsidies, to enhance the aquacultural development in the country.
文摘The study was conducted in four states of the Southwest geo-political zone in Nigeria and four regions in Ghana.. The results showed that the existing forest, agricultural and land use decree/policies in Nigeria and Ghana indicated lack of integration between Forestry and Agricultural land uses. The main conflicting areas were obsolete land use decree in Nigeria and lack of national land use policy in Ghana. The causes and effects of the conflicts had policy enunciation, stakeholders, and institutional and managerial dimensions. Some of the causes of the conflicts were lack of national land use policies for coherent and integrated forest and agricultural sectors; high population growth, de-reservation of forest reserves, unsustainable agricultural practices and technologies, land hunger, encroachment of forest reserves with cash crops and stakeholders' litany of demands and other diverse interests. Consequences of conflicts in the study locations included disharmony between forestry officials and farmers, antagonism between timber concenssionnaires and communities, wanton destruction of economic trees and seedlings, extinction of tree species, expansion of illegal farm lands and an attendant poverty. The logistic regression model for conflicts between forestry and agricultural land uses in Nigeria and Ghana indicated significant fit to the data judging from chi square value (df, 9) = 3174.1 that is significant at P 〈 0.05. The final loss of the model indicated a value of 92.47.
基金supported by the Ministry of Water Resource of China(GYHY200801001)National Key Technologies R&D Program(2007BAC29B02 and 2007BAC29B05)+2 种基金National Basic Research Program (2010CB428401)Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2010DFA21340)and China Meteorological Administration(540000G010C01)
文摘A new available dataset of daily observational precipitation is used to study the temporal and spatial variability of extreme precipitation events for 1956-2008 in the ten large river basins of China. The maximum daily rainfall and heavy precipitation days (≥50 mm d^-1) are analyzed for the basins of the Songhua River, Liaohe River, Haihe River, Yellow River, Northwest China Rivers, Huaihe River, Yangtze River, Pearl River, Southeast China Rivers, and Southwest China Rivers. The results indicate that the maximum daily rainfall was increasing in southern river basins, while it was decreasing in northern river basins, which leads to no discernible increasing or decreasing trend in the maximum daily rainfall of whole China,especially 2001. The national averaged heavy precipitation days shows an insignificant increase. However, a rise in heavy precipitation days of southern river basins and a decline of northern river basins are observed.
文摘The survey was carried out in Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun states located in SW Nigeria. The respondents for the study include thirty marketers and thirty producers of African walnut randomly selected within each of the state, making a total of 60 respondents per state and 300 for the five states. Two sets of structured questionnaires were designed, one for each eatergory of the respondents. The questionnaires were designed to solicit information on demographic characteristics of the producers and marketers of African walnut, production and marketing challenges of the walnut, price trend along the marketing chain, and interraction and relationships of the middlemen. The questionnaires were administered through individual and focus group methods. Also, indepth interview of the respondents was conducted to supplement data obtained from the questionnaires. Purposive sampling method was used to select local markets where the walnut were sold for study of the price trend of the walnut for two seasons (from 2007 to 2008). Marketing of the walnut started with farmers that plant the perennial climber on their farmland, while the marketing intermediaries include the village merchants, wholesalers, and the retailers. Adult male dominated the production sector of African walnut while processing and marketing the nuts were mostly done by the women and children. There is high demand for the walnut as delicacy and snack; although industrial usage is yet to be fully developed. Marketing of the cooked nuts and at retail quantity had the highest profit along the marketing chain. There is need for expansion of the current scale of production of the walnut to meet increasing demand. Provision of appropriate storage facilities to prevent spoilage of the product in rural areas and good rural road network for easy conveyance to urban markets where it is majorly consumed is pertinent for marketing of the walnut.
文摘Cashew nuts market in south western Nigeria is characterized by price fluctuations through space and time. This may be linked with the large number of market intermediaries who act between the primary producers and the markets. The sample for the study comprised 250 cashew nuts marketers who were randomly selected from the five south westem states of Nigeria. About 76 % of the cashew nuts marketers had up to secondary school education and 86% of them had 15-year marketing experience and below. Pricing efficiency of the marketers was highest in Ogun state with average efficiency level of85.1% and least for Oyo state (68.9%). In all, 720 tonnes were transacted in the region with 206 marketers handling maximum of 2 kg per month per individual. Gini-coefficient estimate of 82.3% implied that there was a concentrated market for the cashew nuts. To further increase the pricing efficiency of the commodity it is necessary to reduce the costs incurred on various physical aspects in marketing system. Corporate organizations, government agencies and co-operative societies should assist the cashew nuts marketers in the provision of credit facilities so as to ensure a higher level of pricing efficiency, stable market prices and reduced level of concentration of the marketers.
基金Supported by the National Spark Program of China(No.2012GA690001)
文摘We describe organogenesis at a histological level in American shad( Alosa sapidissima) larvae from 0 until 45 days after hatching(DAH). Larval development was divided into four stages based on the feeding mode,external morphological features,and structural changes in the organs: stage 1(0–2 DAH),stage 2(3–5 DAH),stage 3(6–26 DAH) and stage 4(27–45 DAH). At early stage 2(3 DAH),American shad larvae developed the initial digestive and absorptive tissues,including the mouth and anal opening,buccopharyngeal cavity,oesophagus,incipient stomach,anterior and posterior intestine,differentiated hepatocytes,and exocrine pancreas. The digestive and absorptive capacity developed further in stages 2 to 3,at which time the pharyngeal teeth,taste buds,gut mucosa folds,differentiated stomach,and gastric glands could be observed. Four defined compartments were discernible in the heart at 4 DAH. From 3 to 13 DAH,the excretory systems started to develop,accompanied by urinary bladder opening,the appearance and development of primordial pronephros,and the proliferation and convolution of renal tubules. Primordial gills were detected at 2 DAH,the pseudobranch was visible at 6 DAH,and the filaments and lamellae proliferated rapidly during stage 3. The primordial swim bladder was first observed at 2 DAH and started to inflate at 9 DAH; from then on,it expanded constantly. The spleen was first observed at 8 DAH and the thymus was evident at 12 DAH. From stage 4 onwards,most organs essentially manifested an increase in size,number,and complexity of tissue structure.
文摘Nitrate is one of the problematic and wide spread contaminations. Indiscriminate disposition of human and animal wastes in Nigeria especially in urban region, and lack of proper environmental sanitation geared the need for the monitoring of groundwater contamination. This research work monitored the concentration of nitrate and nitrate-nitrogen in portable water from wells in Odo Ado, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, and examined the relationship between this concentration and the well depth as well as its nature (ringing). The results showed that out of 20 water wells sampled, 50% of samples contain high level of nitrate with the highest having concentration of 140 mg/L and least 49 mg/L while the remaining has acceptable concentration ranging between 3.5 mg/L and 35 mg/L with most ringed wells. The mean concentration of nitrates is 48.06 mg/L and the nitrate-nitrogen is 10.85 mg/L. The statistical correlation between the concentrations and depth showed that there is a significant difference between their means at 95% confidence using T-test. Out of ringed wells, five have high concentration and eight have low concentrations while two of the wells (not ringed) fall below the acceptable limit (EPA) which indicates that there are other factors such as closeness to the point source and soil texture which were not considered in this work.