Differential predator escape performance contributes to a latitudinal sex ratio cline in a migratory shorebird

Sexual segregation outside the mating season is common in vertebrates, and has been attributed to sexual differences in predator escape performance in ungulates and fish, but not in birds. Here, we tested the hypothesis that sex- and latitude-specific predator escape performance underlies the differential nonbreeding distribution of western sandpipers (Calidris mauri), a migratory shorebird. Females overwinter further south along the American Pacific coast, creating a latitudinal cline in sex ratio. Escape performance is reduced with increasing body mass, and birds generally carry less fat further south. Western sandpipers with poor escape performance were therefore predicted to prefer southern sites to reduce the risk of mortality posed by predators. Data from four nonbreeding latitudes showed that wing loading, used as an index of escape performance, was overall higher for females, and that it decreased with latitude in both sexes. Within latitudes, wing loading was lower at smaller, and presumably more dangerous, sites. Flight response to a predatory attack was longer in the south. Mortality risk offers a novel and candidate explanation for differential distribution patterns in western sandpipers and possibly other avian migrants.     

Are blue eggs a sexually selected signal of female collared flycatchers? A cross-fostering experiment

Impressive variation in egg colouration among birds has puzzled evolutionary biologists for a long time. The most frequently studied selective forces moulding egg colouration—predation and brood parasitism—have either received little empirical support or may play a role in only a minority of species. A novel hypothesis has suggested that egg colour may be significantly influenced by sexual selection. Females may deposit a blue-green pigment biliverdin into eggshells instead of using it for themselves as a powerful antioxidant. By this handicap, females may signal their quality to males, which are then hypothesized to increase their paternal effort. We experimentally tested the hypothesis in the collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis), a species laying blue-green eggs. We cross-fostered clutches between nests to disentangle effects of female/territory quality and egg colour on paternal effort and nestling quality. The results supported two assumptions of sexual signalling through egg colour hypothesis: Blue pigment seems to be a limited resource for females, and female quality is positively correlated with the intensity of the blue-green colour. However, we did not find support for the main prediction of the hypothesis, as male parental effort parameters (feeding frequencies to nestlings and intensity of nest defence) were unrelated to egg colour. We discuss possible reasons for the discrepancy between our results and previous correlative analyses that supported the hypothesis that blue egg colour may be a postmating, sexually selected signal in females.     

Female egg investment in relation to male sexual traits and the potential for transgenerational effects in sexual selection

Life-history theory predicts that individuals should increase their reproductive effort when the fitness return from reproduction is high. Females mated with high-quality males are therefore expected to have higher investment than females mated with low-quality males, which could bias estimates of paternal effects. Investigating the traits females use in their allocation decisions and the aspects of reproduction that are altered is essential for understanding how sexual selection is affected. We studied the potential for differential female allocation in a captive population of a precocial bird, the Chinese quail, Coturnix chinensis. Females paired with males with large sexual ornaments laid larger, but not more, eggs than females paired with males with small sexual ornaments. Furthermore, female egg mass was also significantly positively affected by male testis size, probably via some unknown effect of testis size on male phenotype. Testis size and ornament size were not correlated. Thus, both primary and secondary male sexual traits could be important components of female allocation decisions. Experimental manipulation of hormone levels during embryonic development showed that both male and female traits influencing female egg size were sensitive to early hormone exposure. Differences in prenatal hormone exposure as a result of maternal steroid allocation to eggs may explain some of the variation in reproductive success among individuals, with important implications for non-genetic transgenerational effects in sexual selection.Communicated by C. Brown     

Towards the development of differential land taxation and its implications for sustainable land management

Despite the concerted efforts by the researchers, government and NGOs to arrest land degradation problems, most agricultural lands of developing countries are still suffering from massive degradation. This study introduces a new strategy, called differential land taxation (DLT), where rural lands are subject to different taxation rates. DLT is determined by rating the magnitude of accord or discord between the recommended and the implemented land management practices. To appraise DLT, opinion of stakeholders, drawn from sample localities of central Ethiopia, were assessed. Most respondents proved that DLT could bring about sustainable land management practices through encouraging conservation-minded peasants while systematically discouraging land abusers.     

Effect of bioflocculants on the coagulation activity of alum for removal of trihalomethane precursors from low turbid water

Reactivity of chlorine towards hydrophobic groups present in natural organic matter(NOM)provokes the formation of carcinogenic disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes in chlorinated water. The present study aimed to investigate the variations in coagulant activity of alum using two different bioflocculants(coagulant aid) namely, Moringa oleifera and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba for the removal of hydrophobic fractions of NOM and subsequent chlorine consumption by treated water. Effect of dual coagulants on trihalomethane surrogate parameters such as total organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, UV absorbing materials and prominent hydrophobic species such as phenolic groups along with aromatic chromophores, polyhydroxy aromatic moiety have also been studied. The concept of differential spectroscopy and absorbance slope index has been employed to understand the combined effects of alum-bioflocculants on the reactivity of NOM with chlorine. Our result shows that the combination of alum and C. tetragonoloba is more efficient for reducing trihalomethane surrogates from chlorinated water as compared to M. oleifera. C. tetragonoloba elicited synchronized effects of sweep coagulation and particle bridging-adsorption which eventually facilitated efficient removal of hydrophobic fractions of NOM. The variation in the mechanistic approach of bioflocculants was due to the presence of cationic charge on M. oleifera and adhesive property of C. tetragonoloba.     

木荷林带阻火性研究

采用锥型量热计和野外火烧试验方法研究木荷林带的阻火能力。锥型量热计采用75kW／m^2辐射强度、外部点燃条件下，测试木荷(Schima superba)与马尾松(Pinus massoniana)落叶的燃烧过程。结果表明，马尾松落叶的热释放速率峰值高(146kW／m^2)，能量释放快。木荷落叶燃烧缓慢且释放热量少。野外火烧试验对室内试验结果进行了验证。火烧前后分别测定木荷林带和马尾松林的可燃物分布，试验火以地表火为主，蔓延速度为2．2m／min，火线强度168～2961kW／m,有些地段由于可燃物较多，发生了树冠火，火焰高度达到8～8．5m，火线强度达24.881～28379kW／m。火烧后林带受害不严重，无树木死亡。试验证明，木荷林带可以有效阻隔地表火和树冠火的蔓延，浓厚树冠层也可以阻挡短距离的飞火。     

特大断面公路隧道线型感温火灾探测系统适用性研究

随着我国公路交通量日益增多,大断面、特大断面公路隧道不断涌现,可靠、有效的隧道火灾探测越来越重要。选取了6种典型的隧道断面,综合考虑探测器类型、纵向风速、火源功率、火源位置等因素,运用火灾动力学模拟软件FDS分析了系列火灾场景下温度、烟气分布、探测器报警时间、报警位置偏移量等特性。研究结果表明: 隧道断面尺寸、纵向风速越大,感温探测器报警时间越长。通过对顶棚烟气温度的分析,发现特大断面隧道中线型感温探测系统采用差温报警较定温报警更有效。在使用差温报警时,纵向通风会使报警位置发生偏移,报警位置偏移量d与隧道纵向风速v、火源到隧道顶棚距离Hd满足线性关系式:d=6.404v+0.923Hd-6.762。随着隧道断面尺寸的增大,需要敷设更多的感温光纤以在规定时间(60 s)内探测到火灾。对于高度H≥12 m的隧道,即使增设多条感温光纤,也无法在60 s内有效报警,需补充设置基于火焰和烟气特征的非接触式火灾探测器。     

样品尺寸对热塑性聚氨酯燃烧性能的影响研究

采用锥形量热仪对不同尺寸的热塑性聚氨酯材料进行小尺寸燃烧试验研究,获得了点燃时间、热释放速率、烟气释放速率及燃烧特性指数等参数,分析了样品尺寸对其燃烧性能的影响.结果表明:点燃时间随着材料厚度的增加而延长;材料厚度的增加加长了内部导热过程,使热释放速率峰值和烟气释放速率峰值增大,到达峰值的时间延长;燃烧特性指数中火灾增...     

用加速量热仪研究乳化炸药的热稳定性

使用加速量热仪（ARC）研究了一种新型乳化炸药的热稳定性,得到了乳化炸药样品的热分解温度和压力随时间的变化曲线以及自热速度,分解压力随温度的变化曲线,分析了其热分解过程,计算了表观活化能Ea和指前因子A。测试和分析结果表明所测试的乳化炸药具有良好的热稳定性。