Observations on the distribution of leather jackets in Northern Ireland

A map of the geographic distribution of leather jackets across five counties of Northern Ireland was produced from annual survey data. Climatic data were used to develop a multiple regression model explaining variation in the mean annual survey population for the years 1970–1984. Predicted populations for 1985–1988 compared favourably with observed counts. Both negative binomial and Adès distributions were successfully fitted to the frequency distribution of leatherjacket field populations from 1969–1986. It is concluded that the distribution of populations in the Province is not random and factors influencing mean leatherjacket numbers differ from those reported for other regions. The multiple regression model is proposed as a substitute for an annual survey of leatherjacket populations in Northern Ireland and it is suggested that the Adès family of distributions may enable it to be extended to predict leatherjacket frequency distributions each year.     

Protestant identification and political change in Northern Ireland

This article demonstrates the responsiveness of national and religious identifications to political change among Protestants in Northern Ireland. It begins by theorizing identification as a process of working out our ideas of self, others and place. Subsequently, it proceeds to outline how the recent Good Friday Agreement (1998) changes the political landscape from the perspective of a variety of Protestants. Then, based on a narrative analysis of interview data collected in 2000, it maps the main directions of change. Three responses are highlighted, as people come to accept, reject or ignore political developments after the Agreement, and their differing relationships with British national and Protestant religious identifications are discussed. The article concludes by highlighting the underlying dynamics of identification with a view to maximizing the acceptance of political change in Northern Ireland.     

Population decline of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis, G. pallida) in field soils in Northern Ireland

The decline rates of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis, G. pallida) in agricultural soils in Northern Ireland were monitored over 13 years. Initial decline rates appeared erratic due to variable cyst ages and high Standard Errors at low population levels, but were, generally, slower than those previously reported with less than 10% annual decline within each category of assessment (cysts sample^-1, eggs g^-1 and eggs cyst^-1). Rate of decline was not affected by the range of soil types studied, but regular cultivation of infested land appeared to accelerate it. Juveniles present within cysts over 30 years old were either dead or inactive and such field populations were considered non-viable.     

The Variation in the Acidity of Ground and Surface Waters in Northern Ireland

The distribution of surface and ground waters in Northern Ireland were mapped with respect to pH and total hardness and the distributions discussed in relation to the regional geology and pedology. These waters were grouped into 3 categories depending on their vulnerability to acidification. Three upland areas, the Mournes, the western Sperrins and the northern Glens of Antrim, were identified as being vulnerable to acidification. Concentrations of total and labile aluminium in these areas were high and, in the Mournes and Sperrin areas, exceeded the EC directive on total aluminium in drinking water. However, because of their differing geology and pedology, only the Mournes area had labile aluminium levels which gave cause for concern. A fish survey in a reservoir in the Mournes catchment showed that it supported a small but self-sustaining population of brown trout (Salmo trutta) which, although small in size, showed no signs of deformity.     

A comparison of management options for leatherjacket populations in organic crop rotations using mathematical models

1 Pest management in organic systems is challenged by the paucity of options for direct interventions to control damaging populations compared with conventional agriculture. Consequently, a greater emphasis has to be placed on managing pest numbers through a rotation. In the present study, simulation modelling is used to evaluate the effects of different management options on populations of Tipula paludosa (leatherjackets) in organic rotations.
2 The growth of leatherjacket populations in grass was simulated over 5 years for different starting numbers. A significant risk of leatherjacket attack to subsequent crops can be avoided by limiting the fertility building phase of a rotation to a maximum of 2 years.
3 The effect of cultural control through additional cultivation interventions was compared in rotations comprising a grass/clover fertility building phase with host and/or nonhost crops. It is concluded that the effects are marginal and that prophylactic use cannot be recommended.
4 The prophylactic use of biological control agents in permanent grass and grass/arable rotations was investigated. Maximum population reductions in grass were achieved through annual autumn applications but the optimal economic strategy was less frequent than this. Application in the autumn preceding a spring-sown arable crop provided the best risk reduction.
5 A model decision support system for the control of pests in organic systems using data for leatherjacket damage to spring barley is presented. Economic threshold concepts are used to define when cultural control (as additional cultivation) and biocontrol applications should be used.
6 The present study shows the potential benefits of simulation modelling for the rapid evaluation of a wide range of pest management options. Any conclusions drawn from such simulations, however, are provisional until they can be tested experimentally.     

Ethnic politics and labour market closure: Shipbuilding and industrial decline in Northern Ireland

This article examines the interplay of ethnic conflict and economic interests in Northern Ireland, specifically for the case of the shipbuilding industry, which received massive state aid despite its terminal decline. Parkin's theory of dual social closure by members of the subordinate class but dominant status group to monopolize resources and opportunities is employed to examine the interests and actions of Protestant workers. The contribution of local institutions including Extended Internal Labor Markets to the salience of Protestant group solidarity is examined from a political economy perspective. Political accommodation between Protestant labour and the Northern Ireland government, and later British government political fears of antagonizing Loyalist workers, facilitated huge aid to a failing industry.     

Gendering ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland: A comparative analysis of nationalist women's political protests

This article examines and develops a comparison of the Holy Cross School conflict and the campaign by Robert McCartney's sisters and partner to bring those responsible for his murder to justice in Northern Ireland. Both events involved women who identify with the Irish nationalist community in public protest. The article employs a feminist theoretical framework to investigate the ethno-gender dynamics of these particular manifestations of women's political protest. By engaging in a comparative analysis of both protests, the article exposes how these specific expressions of women's political agency and the political discourses and images that they stimulated were influenced by, reflected and disturbed notions about the role of women in nationalist societies.     

Ethnic minority status and attitudes towards police powers: A comparative study of Great Britain,Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

It is one of the axioms of police research that the relationship between the police and ethnic minorities is, to say the least, problematic. There is now a growing body of empirical research which shows that the relationship is characterized by mutual antipathy. Using recent comparable data from Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, such conventional wisdom is tested in this article by means of ethnic responses to the power of the police in dealing with known criminals. Using multivariate regression analysis, the results suggest that not only is the relationship between ethnic minority status and attitudes towards the power of the police clearly different across these three countries, it also operated in unexpected ways which run directly counter to well‐accepted beliefs about the problematic relationship between the police and members of ethnic minority groups. In other words, for these three societies at least, occupying an ethnic minority group status does not automatically lead to a negative view of the powers that the police should be accorded in the pursuit of known criminals.     

Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in a subset of intensive poultry flocks in Ireland

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter species in a subset of intensive poultry flocks by examining samples collected in geographically disparate areas on the island of Ireland.
Methods and Results:  Faecal, water and environmental samples were collected from the interior of poultry houses on nine farms. Three cultural methods were used for Campylobacter isolation: direct plating, enrichment culture and a recovery method for emerging Campylobacter spp. Presumptive Campylobacter isolates were confirmed using biochemical tests and further identified to species level by multiplex PCR. All flocks sampled in this study were found to be contaminated with Campylobacter at the time of sampling. Structural and air samples taken from the interior of broiler houses were also found to be Campylobacter positive. All water samples were found to be Campylobacter negative. The Campycheck method was used for the isolation of emerging Campylobacter spp.
Conclusions:  Campylobacter spp. were recovered (as contaminants) from the poultry house interior, air and environmental samples in all intensive poultry flocks surveyed.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study highlights the need for improved biosecurity on selected poultry farms.     

Seasonality,population dynamics and production of planktonic rotifers in Lough Neagh,Northern Ireland

The abundances, population dynamics and production of the rotifer community of Lough Neagh were examined for a three year period. Keratella cochlearis was the most abundant species accounting for over 40% of biomass followed by Polyarthra dolichoptera and Notholca acuminata. The mean standing crop for the rotiferan zooplankton increased in successive years (41, 51, 75 mg dwt m^–2) as did production (1037, 1322, 1417 mg dwt m^–2 y^–1). The seasonal pattern of biomass expression and production varies markedly in different years. Instantaneous birth rates tend to be lower but more consistent for the more abundant species, instantaneous death rates show periods of negative mortality indicating an inadequacy of the model employed but explicable as hatching of resting eggs. K. cochlearis as the most successful species is explained as its perennial appearance and adaptation to the low annual temperature cycle found in the lough. The population succession and the annual occurrence of species differs in each year.     

Genetic variation in populations of the terrestrial planarian Artioposthia triangulata (Dendy), and evidence for passive dispersal in Northern Ireland

Genetic variation in 12 populations of the terrestrial planarian Artioposthia triangulata from Northern Ireland and one in the Republic of Ireland were assessed using starch-gel electrophoresis. Seven enzymes - adenylate kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, enolase, malate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucose isomerase, phosphomannose isomerase and superoxide dismutase - provided consistent, resolved stains. Coefficients of genetic identity were similar for all comparisons suggesting that the populations did not belong to distinct taxa. There was no relationship between genetic distance and geographic distance for populations, thus confirming the role of passive dispersal in the spread of A. triangulata. Average percentage polymorphic loci and mean heterozygosities were higher in the east of the Province (41.4% and 0.240), than the west (37.5% and 0.185) suggesting that the planarian had spread westwards after an initial colonisation in the east.     

中国北方地区的本底植被

根据现代地植物学和古生态研究结果．恢复、评估了我国北方地区的原生植被和潜在植被状况．并论述它们对生态建设的意义。潜在植被分布表明．温带或亚热带郁闭森林仅可以发育在北方的东南边缘地带,而东北中西部、华北平原大部、黄土高原东南部和青藏高原东缘等地区为郁闭度较低的疏林或森林草原可能发育地带。这些地区是北方农业发展和生态恢复的主要区域;东北西部、内蒙古东南部、陕北、宁夏东南部、陇东南和青海省东中部等地区．潜在地带植被当属温带草原．宜发展牧业．是目前退耕还草的重点区域。在全新世中期,东北地区东北部的原生植被为温带落叶阔叶林;东北的南部、河北东部、山东东部、淮河流域等地生长着暖温带落叶阔叶林;在黄土高原东南部、黄淮平原西部和青藏高原东部边缘等地区,原生森林面积比目前大得多．分别分布着以松属和落叶阔叶树占优势的稀疏森林和以云、冷杉占优势的山地寒温带森林．为这些地区勾勒了未来生态恢复所能达到的理想境界。根据原生植被分布．黄土高原西北部地区同样不适合发展林业．退耕以后所能够恢复的也只能是草,而不是林;再往西北．到了毛乌素沙地西北部及其我国西北内陆的广袤半荒漠、荒漠地带．原生地带植被中从未出现森林．在绝大多数情况下均不宜发展林业。     

我国北方15种蚤的季节数量变动

本文报道了我国北方15种蚤的季节数量消长情况。这些蚤的指数,都以夏季为转拆点,即有些蚤指数夏季最高,而另一些则夏季最低。此外,秋季指数均高于春季。     

A freshwater‐feeding Lampetra fluviatilis L. population in Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland

Pollan Coregonus autumnalis , caught in the fresh waters of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland, were scarred by river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis and adult river lamprey were found for much of the year with full guts, indicating a freshwater‐feeding population.     

我国北方植被指数对土壤湿度的敏感性分析

土壤湿度对植被指数起着重要的作用。利用NOAA-AVHRR数据中的植被指数(NDVI)和我国气象台站所监测的土壤湿度数据,对我国北方地区的NDVI与土壤湿度的关系进行了研究。结果表明,近18年来,北方地区土壤湿度不同区域其变化趋势存在差异,西北地区土壤湿度在增加,而华北和东北地区土壤湿度在下降。NDVI对土壤湿度的响应也存在着明显的区域差异,我国西北地区植被对土壤湿度的敏感性最强,其次是华北地区,敏感性弱的是东北地区;对于不同层次的土壤湿度,也表现为同样的区域特点。但随着土壤深度的增加,敏感性减弱。这种敏感性也表现在不同季节变化上,春季华北地区土壤湿度对植被指数影响较大,其次是西北和东北地区,夏季和秋季北方地区土壤湿度与植被指数都有较好的相关性,以西北地区的相关系数最大,而冬季北方地区植被指数对土壤湿度都不敏感。     

Prevalence of IgG reactivity in Lyme borreliosis patients versus Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii in a restricted area of Northern Italy

Abstract This survey evaluates the antibody band patterns of sera taken from clinically defined cases of Lyme borreliosis, towards three locally isolated strains of Borrelia burgdorferi , belonging to the three species: Borrelia sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii , by means of Western blot. The sera were taken from patients resident in a limited area of Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) region. The data indicated that, besides a different feature of the band reactivity which correlated to the different stages of Lyme borreliosis, there was a preferential reactivity to the species Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii . An immunodominant band at 51 kDa, corresponding to a protein visible in the electrophoretic profile of strain BL3 ( B. afzelii ), behaved like a marker of an early infection, because it was present exclusively in the sera of patient with ECM. The overall findings would indicate that B. afzelii and B. garinii are the prevalent genospecies in the FVG area, even if strains belonging to B. sensu stricto have been also isolated in this area. Consequently strains representative of these two species must be used as antigens in Western blot.     

棉蚜种群动态预报模型

对１９８０—１９８９年河南棉区棉蚜种群动态分析表明,棉蚜为害可分为苗蚜和伏蚜两个时期,根据环境因子（气温、相对湿度、降雨量）和不同危害期,建立了２个模糊预报模型,并取得了较满意的预测效果．     

The functional response of Toxorhynchites rutilus rutilus to changes in the population density of its prey Aedes aegypti

We present an analysis of the functional response of the predator Toxorhynchites rutilus rutilus (Coquillett) to changes in the density of the larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). The experiment was replicated for five different ages, and at three different densities of the predator. The data were fitted to Rogers' (1972) random predator equation by non-linear least-squares in order to estimate searching efficiency and handling time for each experimental treatment. The data show that estimated searching efficiencies are highest at intermediate ages of the predator for all predator densities tested. Handling time declines exponentially with increasing predator age. There is a marked interference effect; searching efficiency decreases with increased predator density, and this is most pronounced at intermediate prey ages. Estimated handling times increase with predator density at a rate which declines with increasing predator age.     

Fluctuations in fruit fly abundance and infestation in sweet gourd fields in relation to varied meteorological factors

The study was conducted with the aim of furthering our understanding of seasonality in the population dynamics and infestation rates of the fruit fly Bactrocera spp. in sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata) during winter and summer in 2017. We also investigated the effects of using methyl eugenol traps on fly abundance and infestation. Two fruit fly species, namely, B. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis, were present in the sweet gourd field, and we observed fluctuations in their abundance. Compared to B. dorsalis, B. cucurbitae was significantly more abundant in both winter and summer. Infestation level was found to be the highest in fields lacking methyl eugenol traps in both seasons. Fruit fly larval population per infested fruit was higher in summer than in winter. Fly abundance was significantly and positively correlated with mean temperature and rainfall but significantly and negatively correlated with light intensity. Relative humidity was insignificantly but positively correlated with fly abundance. The temperature, light intensity, relative humidity, and rainfall individually explained 48.9, 24.1, 0.8, and 1.6% of variation in fruit fly abundance, respectively. The combined effect of the weather parameters on fruit fly abundance was 75.4% and was significant predictor of fruit fly abundance.