Mate replacement in experimentally widowed collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis): determinants and outcomes

There is increasing evidence that sexual selection may be intense even in socially monogamous birds, resulting from both mate choice and sperm competition. We studied these two modes of sexual selection experimentally by removing paired male collared flycatchers, Ficedula albicollis, from their mates for 2 days and investigating the factors that influenced the likelihood of a replacement male appearing and how the removals influenced paternity. Replacement males (usually neighbouring males) appeared at 81% (n = 37) of nests where males were removed. The likelihood of this appearance was unaffected by the probable reproductive value of the female's clutch to the replacing male. A replacement was, however, less likely when the original male had a large forehead patch, a trait previously shown to be subject to sexual selection in this population. Experimental removal of males increased the level of sperm competition: 74% of experimental broods were multiply sired, compared to 29% of unmanipulated broods in a previous study. Only two factors predicted how paternity was shared between males: removed males fathered more young if removed closer to laying, and if they had larger forehead patches. The former result is consistent with last-male sperm precedence determining paternity, whereas the latter adds to other evidence that forehead patch size is the target of female preference in this species. Our results suggest that females exert some control over male replacement, and also that they may influence the fertilisation success of males by behavioural means. Received: 15 July 1998 / Received in revised form: 16 March 1999 / Accepted: 28 March 1999     

INTEGRATED ECHO SOUNDER,GPS, AND GIS FOR RESERVOIR SEDIMENTATION STUDIES: EXAMPLES FROM TWO ARKANSAS LAKES1

ABSTRACT: Bathymetric and sedimentation surveys were conducted using a dual frequency (28/200 kHz) echo sounder system in two reservoirs (Lee Creek Reservoir and Lake Shepherd Springs) in the Ozark Plateau of northwestern Arkansas. Echo sounder survey data were merged within geographic information system (GIS) software to provide detailed visualization and analyses of current depths, pre‐impoundment topography, distribution, thickness, and volume estimates of lacustrine sediment, time averaged sediment accumulation rates, long term average annual sediment flux, and water storage capacity. Calculated long term average sediment accumulation rates were used to model sediment infilling and projected lifetimes of each reservoir. Results from echo sounder surveys and GIS analyses suggest that the Lee Creek Reservoir has a projected lifetime of approximately 500 years compared to a projected lifetime for Lake Shepherd Springs of approximately 3,000 years. Estimated differences in projected lifetimes of these reservoirs reflected differences in initial reservoir volume and long term average annual sediment flux from the respective watersheds related to watershed area, physiography, land cover, and land use. The universal soil loss equation (USLE) model generated sediment fluxes an order of magnitude larger from the watersheds of both reservoirs compared to the geophysical data estimates. This study demonstrated the utility of merging geophysical survey (echo sounder) data within a GIS as an aid to understanding patterns of reservoir sedimentation. These data and analyses also provide a baseline relevant to understanding sedimentation processes and are necessary for development of long term management plans for these reservoirs and their watersheds.     

航天继电器用AgCuONiO电接触材料的电寿命服役性能研究

目的 探究一种可替代AgCdO的高性能且环境友好的新型电接触材料,以提升航天继电器的可靠性。方法 在一定条件下以合金内氧化法制备AgCuONiO电接触材料,并与商用AgCdO电接触材料进行对比,利用电寿命模拟试验分析2款材料的电寿命循环服役性能,分析其失效机理。结果 AgCuONiO材料的总质量损失为0.000 88 g,平均燃弧时间、燃弧能量、熔焊力、回跳次数、回跳时间、回跳能量分别为4 222μs、694 mJ、0.049 N、1.799次、592.999μs、63.892 mJ,均大于商用AgCdO电接触材料,但其接触电阻低,且稳定,失效模式为无法分断电弧,而商用AgCdO电接触材料为粘连失效。AgCuONiO电接触材料的电寿命服役周期为44073次,是AgCdO电接触材料的3倍左右,因此可以显著提高航天继电器的可靠性。结论AgCuONiO电接触材料的一些电寿命服役性能虽然不如商用AgCdO电接触材料,但其电寿命服役周期明显强于商用Ag Cd O电接触材料,可作为替代AgCdO的较佳候选材料之一,应用于服役寿命要求更长的航天继电器。     

Performance evaluation of lean sustainable systems using adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system: a case study

The modern manufacturing organisations have been adopting both lean and sustainable manufacturing paradigms to survive in the competitive environment. Lean and sustainable strategies aim at achieving productivity improvement by streamlined processes and waste elimination. The performance of such integrated lean sustainable system has to be assessed to ensure whether the strategic objectives are in line with customer value and to identify improvement opportunities that enable and enhance the competitive advantage of an integrated lean sustainable system. This paper presents the formulation of conceptual performance evaluation model to assess lean sustainable systems. Appropriate performance indicators have been identified and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system approach is used to evaluate lean sustainability. A case of automotive component manufacturing firm in Indian scenario is exemplified. Based on the evaluation, lean sustainability index was computed and the firm was found to be ‘Averagely Lean Sustainable’. Further improvement actions to enhance the lean sustainable performance were planned and implemented. The developed performance evaluation model is capable of effectively evaluating the lean sustainable performance of manufacturing firms and has more practical relevance.     

Climate change and disaster management

Climate change, although a natural phenomenon, is accelerated by human activities. Disaster policy response to climate change is dependent on a number of factors, such as readiness to accept the reality of climate change, institutions and capacity, as well as willingness to embed climate change risk assessment and management in development strategies. These conditions do not yet exist universally. A focus that neglects to enhance capacity-building and resilience as a prerequisite for managing climate change risks will, in all likelihood, do little to reduce vulnerability to those risks. Reducing vulnerability is a key aspect of reducing climate change risk. To do so requires a new approach to climate change risk and a change in institutional structures and relationships. A focus on development that neglects to enhance governance and resilience as a prerequisite for managing climate change risks will, in all likelihood, do little to reduce vulnerability to those risks.     

Struvite precipitation by the dissolved CO2 degasification technique: impact of the airflow rate and pH

In the present work, struvite precipitation was provoked by the dissolved CO(2) degasification technique where precipitation occurred following the degassing of the CO(2) by atmospheric air. The impact of the airflow rate and initial solution pH on struvite precipitation were assessed. For initial solution pH<6.5, no precipitation was observed. For initial solution pH>6.5, the phosphorus removal through struvite precipitation could be improved by increasing the airflow rate up to 25 L min(-1), or by increasing the initial pH for higher airflow rates. Compared to traditional techniques of struvite precipitation such as stirring and aeration, the dissolved CO(2) degasification technique is promising since a high amount of phosphorus (approximately 78%) could be removed at relatively short experiment time.     

The effect of saline water disposal: implications for monitoring programs and management

In an effort to combat rising groundwater tables andexpanding saline lakes, saline water has been disposedof into the aquatic environment, despite there beinglittle information as to the environmental effects.Monitoring of the effect of saline lake water disposalon aquatic macroinvertebrates and water quality wasconducted in the Barwon River, south west Victoria,Australia, in association with toxicity tests. Thedisposal of saline lake water was associated withchanges in macroinvertebrate community structure.Contrary to expectations, increases in electricalconductivity (a measure of salinity) was not the onlywater quality parameter associated with saline waterdisposal. An experiment was conducted where thetoxicity of saline lake water was compared to that ofa prepared solution of the same electricalconductivity. Toxicity was greater in the saline lakewater than the prepared solution. The results suggestthat saline water disposal is impacting onmacroinvertebrate fauna but electrical conductivity isnot the only factor responsible. These results haveconsequences for both management of aquatic resourcesand for monitoring programs which are discussed.     

基于GIS淹没模型的城市道路内涝灾害风险区划研究

在求取襄阳中心城区重现期雨量与可抽排雨量的基础上,采用基于GIS暴雨洪涝淹没模型计算不同重现期致灾雨量的淹没水深和范围;依据城市内涝对道路的实际影响,制作城市道路内涝灾害风险区划图。结果表明,该方法能够直观表达研究区域内不同雨量阈值的内涝灾害淹没风险分布,定量评估淹没水深、淹没范围。同时给出了城市道路内涝灾害风险区划图,结合城市道路信息,准确定位高风险易涝街区,为政府部门决策提供科学依据。     

中国酸雨控制政策初步评估研究

采用环境政策评估的一般模式,通过构建包括评估目标、评估标准等在内的评估框架,对我国现有酸雨控制政策进行了初步的评估。结果表明,中国酸雨控制政策体系已经初步建立,不仅促进了燃煤火电厂脱硫工程的建设,为SO2排放控制奠定了工程基础,还使单位燃煤量SO2排放量得到降低。但并没有实现排放总量的绝对降低,酸沉降范围仍有扩大趋势,发生重酸雨城市的数量也在增加。主要原因是:现有的地方政府负责的管理体制设计缺乏酸雨外部性的考虑,管理成本大;燃煤火电厂脱硫装置的运行和SO2排放量的削减缺乏有效的政策手段来保证,减排成本较高。现行的政策手段中,事前控制手段由于不具有过程控制的功能,未能有效遏制SO2的排放;总量控制和排放标准的政策对象没有明确界定,无法实现边际减排;排污收费在地方政府与企业利益高度一致的背景下,刺激减排的效果一般;脱硫电价补贴作为刺激减排的经济制度,并未直接对脱硫量进行补贴,而是对上网脱硫电量实行补贴,补贴对象针对性不强。建议实施以排污许可证制度为核心的排放控制政策体系,并将排放控制政策向过程和源头延伸;同时改革排污收费制度,使其成为规费辅助排污许可证制度的实施;建议由国家环保部直接负责酸雨控制,包括燃煤火电厂的环评审批、排污许可证的发放和实施。