An Analysis of Urban Size and Territorial Location Effects on Employment Probabilities: The Spanish Case

The probability of being employed varies depending on several factors. Many of these are related to personal characteristics such as educational level, age, gender, or number and age of children. Nevertheless, other factors may be relevant, in particular the geographical environment. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relevance of urban size and the position of each territory (in terms of its distance from large metropolises) for the probability of being employed in the Spanish economy. Following the set of economic regions suggested by Polése, Shearmur and Rubiera (2007 ), we try to explain the spatial patterns of employment distribution. Our results show some relevant differences between these alternative economic areas. We find that municipalities with similar sizes and located at a similar distance from a metropolis but belonging to different Autonomous Communities or provinces share similar employability patterns.     

Irrigation development on Cooper Creek,central Australia—prospects for a regulated economy in a boom-and-bust ecology

1. We take issue with a proposal to irrigate cotton crops from Cooper Creek, as the development would be in sharp contrast to the ‘boom-and-bust’ character of the local environment. In dryland rivers the flow regime is influenced by aseasonal climatic phenomena like the Southern Oscillation, so that patterns are highly variable and averages are virtually meaningless. Some irrigation developments on dryland rivers have been planned during periods that were unusually wet and, as a result, present levels of water use are not sustainable. 2. Long, dry periods are the norm in dryland rivers. The biota tolerate drought and respond to occasional floods that may have long-enduring effects (riparian trees, for example, may live for centuries). All are sensitive to the rates of rise and fall and the amplitude, duration and frequency of floods. Where the flood pulse is erratic, as in Cooper Creek, species with opportunistic traits are likely to dominate. Base flows and seasonal variations imposed by irrigation use present a very different physical environment for these species. The plan to tap the Cooper headwaters would amplify the impacts because this region is a refuge for flora and fauna. 3. In general, we contend that the Cooper Creek ecosystem could not accommodate a competitor for water that is vital for its own maintenance, and that the irrigation proposal could be rationalized only in the sophistry of short-term economics. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microsatellite DNA analysis and hydrodynamic modelling reveal the extent of larval transport and gene flow between management zones in an exploited marine fish (Glaucosoma hebraicum)

Determining the extent of dispersal in exploited marine fishes is essential for understanding their population dynamics and optimising management. The West Australian dhufish, Glaucosoma hebraicum, is a highly sought‐after, large and long‐lived reef‐dwelling species, endemic to south‐western Australia. Stock assessments indicate that this indicator species is overexploited. The fishery is managed using a zone‐based system, which implicitly assumes a high degree of demographic independence among zones. While tagging studies indicate limited movement of adult G. hebraicum, there is no understanding of the spatial scale of dispersal of its larvae and thus the true extent of interdependence of management zones. We analysed 13 microsatellite DNA loci to characterise the extent of gene flow, and conducted particle tracking simulations to model larval transport in this species. Genetic data demonstrated that some local recruitment was likely, but that on a broad scale gene flow between the management zones was extensive, and the entire fishery represents a single genetic stock. Hydrodynamic modelling predicted that the majority of dhufish larvae recruit from within the management zone where they are spawned, and that inter‐annual variation in current velocities has limited effect on the extent of larval transport. Because management zones are likely to be largely independent in terms of both larval and adult recruitment, heavy localised fishing pressure has the potential to reduce the abundance and reproductive capacity of this species in highly fished areas, but it should have limited impact on neutral genetic diversity.     

Measurement of C‐peptide concentrations and responses to somatostatin,glucose infusion,and insulin resistance in horses

Reasons for performing study: Hyperinsulinaemia is detected in horses with insulin resistance (IR) and has previously been attributed to increased pancreatic insulin secretion. Connecting peptide (C‐peptide) can be measured to assess pancreatic function because it is secreted in equimolar amounts with insulin and does not undergo hepatic clearance. Hypothesis: A human double antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA) detects C‐peptide in equine serum and concentrations would reflect responses to different stimuli and conditions. Methods: A validation procedure was performed to assess the RIA. Six mature mares were selected and somatostatin administered i.v. as a primed continuous rate infusion, followed by 50 nmol human C‐peptide i.v. Insulin and C‐peptide concentrations were measured in horses (n = 6) undergoing an insulin‐modified frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test, and in horses with insulin resistance (n = 10) or normal insulin sensitivity (n = 20). Results: A human RIA was validated for use with equine sera. Endogenous C‐peptide secretion was suppressed by somatostatin and median (range) clearance rate was 0.83 (0.15–1.61) ml/min/kg bwt. Mean ± s.d. C‐peptide‐to‐insulin ratio significantly (P = 0.004) decreased during the glucose tolerance test from 3.60 ± 1.95 prior to infusion to 1.03 ± 0.18 during the first 20 min following dextrose administration. Median C‐peptide and insulin concentrations were 1.5‐ and 9.5‐fold higher, respectively in horses with IR, compared with healthy horses. Conclusions: Endogenous C‐peptide secretion decreases in response to somatostatin and increases after dextrose infusion. Results suggest that relative insulin clearance decreases as pancreatic secretion increases in response to dextrose infusion. Hyperinsulinaemia in insulin resistant horses may be associated with both increased insulin secretion and decreased insulin clearance. Potential relevance: Both C‐peptide and insulin concentrations should be measured to assess pancreatic secretion and insulin clearance in horses.     

Surgical Repair of an Intrathoracic Esophageal Pulsion Diverticulum in a Horse

An intrathoracic esophageal pulsion diverticulum causing repeated episodes of esophageal obstruction in a Morgan weanling colt was diagnosed by endoscopy, positive contrast radiography, and pleuroscopy. Surgical excision of the diverticulum alleviated clinical signs, and the horse was able to resume a normal diet by day 6. After 9 months the colt remains asymptomatic.     

雷州半岛加勒比松人工林旱季液流特征与耗水量研究

利用热脉冲技术对雷州半岛25年生加勒比松人工林旱季 (2000年10月至2001年2月)树干液流特征、耗水及环境因子的关系进行研究.结果表明:加勒比松边材不同位点的液流密度由外到内呈低-高-低的态势;观测期间林分日液流密度变幅为411～4 120 L·m-2·d-1,日平均液流密度为2 084 L·m-2·d-1;旱季无雨时,加勒比松日液流密度与太阳辐射、饱和蒸汽压差、气温及湿度相关性显著;有雨时,加勒比松日液流密度仅与饱和蒸汽压及湿度相关性显著;单株日耗水量变幅为6.4～169.5 L,日平均耗水量为55.5 L,林分日耗水量变幅为0.35～3.52 mm·d-1,日均耗水量为1.71 mm·d-1,旱季总耗水量为257.7 mm,占同期降水量的72.3%.     

Urethral Defects in Geldings With Hematuria and Stallions With Hemospermia

A urethral defect, presumed to communicate with the corpus spongiosum penis, caused hematuria in seven geldings and hemospermia in three stallions. Hematuria in geldings occurred at the end of urination. Hematuria was not observed in stallions with hemospermia. A linear urethral defect was identified, by endoscopic examination, on the convex surface the urethra at the level of the ischial arch of each horse. Cause of the defect was not determined. Two stallions were successfully treated for hemospermia, one by temporary subischial urethrostomy combined with sexual rest for 10 weeks, and the other by sexual rest alone for 6 months. The third stallion had hemospermia 6 weeks after urethrostomy. The geldings were successfully treated for hematuria, six by temporary subischial urethrostomy, and one by a subischial incision that extended into the corpus spongiosum penis but did not enter the lumen of the urethra. Efficacy of subischial urethrostomy for treatment of hemospermia was difficult to assess because of the small number of surgically treated stallions. In geldings, surgery eliminated hematuria, presumably by reducing vascular pressure in the corpus spongiosum penis during urination, thus allowing the urethral defect to heal.     

Sickness, mortality and the buller steer syndrome in a western Canadian feedlot

Objective To determine if an association existed between sickness, mortality and bullers in a western Canadian feedlot.
Design A retrospective epidemiological study.
Animals 78,445 male cattle that entered a 24,000-head feedlot in western Canada from 1991 to 1993.
Procedure Animal health records for bullers were collected and analysed to see if they were at greater risk of sickness and mortality than other steers, and to see if pens with a high prevalence of bullers also had a high prevalence of sickness and mortality.
Results The prevalence of bullers increased with increasing age of cattle on arrival at the feedlot (R = 0.36; P < 0.001). Sickness and mortality decreased with increasing age of cattle on arrival. However, sickness and mortality in bullers relative to other steers actually increased with increasing age on arrival suggesting an interaction existed between sickness and bullers. Bullers were significantly (P < 0.05) more likely to get sick and to die than other steers. In all cases, there was a strong temporal association between sickness and bullers, with sickness and bullers mostly occurring within the first 30 days of the feeding period. On average, pens of cattle with a high prevalence of bullers did not have a correspondingly high prevalence of sickness or mortality.
Conclusion This study suggests that sickness is an effect modifier of dominance behaviour and therefore bullers in feedlot steers. Bullers should always be checked for signs of sickness and treated accordingly. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of sickness on dominance behaviour in pens of feedlot cattle.     

Transendoscopic Chemical Ablation of Progressive Ethmoidal Hematomas in Standing Horses

Objective —To examine the response of horses with progressive ethmoidal hematoma (PEH) to intralesional injection of 4% formaldehyde solution.
Study Design —Nasal passages of horses affected with PEH were examined endoscopically at different intervals to determine the effects of intralesional injection of formaldehyde solution.
Animals —21 horses with PEH.
Methods —PEHs were injected transendoscopically with 4% formaldehyde solution. Horses were examined endoscopically and retreated at different intervals until the PEH was eliminated or was so small that reinjection was not possible.
Results —Lesions diminished significantly in size or were eliminated after 1 to 18 injections (median, 5; mean, 7.0 ± 5.62). Seventeen lesions (60.7%) resolved completely after 1 to 18 injections (median, 5; mean, 7.2 ± 5.71). Five lesions decreased markedly in size but did not resolve after receiving 1 to 18 injections (median, 5; mean, 7.6 ± 6.66). Injection of these lesions was discontinued 4.0 to 25.1 months (median, 9.5; mean, 11.02 ± 8.446) after the first injection. The PEH of one horse was removed surgically after one injection. Three horses, one with bilateral PEH, were lost to follow-up. One horse developed signs of laminitis. No other complications were observed.
Conclusions —Horses with a PEH can be treated effectively by transendoscopic, intralesional injection of 4% formaldehyde solution.