Using simulation to explore the functional relationships of terrestrial carnivore population indices

Population indices based on visits to detection stations commonly are used to monitor wildlife populations. Inferences about populations are based on 1 of 2 measures: (1) change in the proportion of stations visited at least once or (2) change in the cumulative number of visits by unique individuals. The functional relationships between index responses and population density is poorly understood and can lead to misinterpretation of index data when an incorrect functional relationship (e.g. linear) is assumed. We created a flexible simulation environment to study the response of detection-based population indices under a wide variety of conditions meant to reflect species life history and study design. Proportional indices exhibited non-linear saturating responses to changes in population density while cumulative indices responded linearly. Shapes of responses were functions of home range sizes, individual detection probabilities, and spatial arrangement of animals and sampling stations. Non-linear relationships of proportional indices lead to under-estimation of mean population density when data are aggregated from multiple detection stations deployed in a heterogeneous landscape. Cumulative indices have significant statistical advantages over proportional indices including smaller sample sizes required to detect density change, linearity, consistent index responses across a wide range of densities, and ability to aggregate data to meet minimum sample size requirements. Our simulation provides a flexible tool for the interpretation of station-based population indices.     

Estimating dyad association probability under imperfect and heterogeneous detection

In animal behaviour studies, association indices estimate the proportion of time two individuals (i.e. a dyad) spend in association. In terms of dyads, all association indices can be interpreted as estimators of the probability that a dyad is associated. However, traditional indices rely on the assumptions that the probability to detect a particular individual (p) is either approximately one and/or homogeneous between associated and not associated individuals. Based on marked individuals we develop a likelihood based model to estimate the probability a dyad is associated (ψ) accounting for p < 1 and possibly varying between associated and not associated individuals. The proposed likelihood based model allows for both individual and dyadic missing observations. In addition, the model can easily be extended to incorporate covariate information for modeling p and ψ. A simulation study showed that the likelihood based model approach yield reasonably unbiased estimates, even for low and heterogeneous individual detection probabilities, while, in contrast, traditional indices showed moderate to strong biases. The application of the proposed approach is illustrated using a real data set collected from a population of Commerson's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) in Patagonia Argentina. Finally, we discuss possible extensions of the proposed model and its applicability in animal behaviour and ecological studies.     

Local calibration of coliforms parameters of water quality problem at Igapó I Lake, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

This article presents results concerning the local calibration of the transport parameters (longitudinal and transversal diffusions and decay coefficient) for a two-dimensional problem of water quality at Igapó I Lake, located in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, using fecal coliforms as an indicator of water quality. The simulation of fecal coliforms concentrations all over the water body is conducted by means of a structured discretization of the geometry of Igapó I Lake, together with the finite difference and finite element methods. By using the velocity field, modeled by the Navier-Stokes and Poisson equations, the flow of fecal coliforms is described by means of a transport model, which considers advective and diffusive processes, as well as a process of fecal coliforms decay. In the checkpoint, the longitudinal and transversal diffusion coefficients and the coliforms decay coefficient that best fitted the value of the fecal coliforms concentration were D_x = D_y = 0.001 m²/h and k = 0.5 d⁻¹ = 0.02083 h⁻¹. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the numerical simulations conducted in function of the diffusion coefficients and of the coliforms decay parameter provided a better understanding of the local water quality at Igapó I Lake.     

Analysis of behavioral changes of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in response to formaldehyde using Self-organizing map and a hidden Markov model

Two computational methods were applied to classification of movement patterns of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to elucidate Markov processes in behavioral changes before and after treatment of formaldehyde (0.1 mg/L) in semi-natural conditions. The complex data of the movement tracks were initially classified by the Self-organizing map (SOM) to present different behavioral states of test individuals. Transition probabilities between behavioral states were further evaluated to fit Markov processes by using the hidden Markov model (HMM). Emission transition probability was also obtained from the observed variables (i.e., speed) for training with the HMM. Experimental transition and emission probability matrices were successfully estimated with the HMM for recognizing sequences of behavioral states with accuracy rates in acceptable ranges at central and boundary zones before (77.3-81.2%) and after (70.1-76.5%) treatment. A heuristic algorithm and a Markov model were efficiently combined to analyze movement patterns and could be a means of in situ behavioral monitoring tool.     

Zn-TiO_2纳米管的光催化活性

采用水热合成-浸渍法制备锌掺杂TiO2纳米管（Zn-TiO2纳米管）,透射电镜照片显示Zn-TiO2纳米管为两端开口形貌均一的中空管状结构,管径约6～8 nm,壁厚约1 nm,长度约50～200 nm。研究了Zn-TiO2纳米管对甲基橙的光催化性能,结果表明：掺杂适量锌提高了TiO2纳米管对甲基橙的光催化降解性能,0.4%Zn-TiO2纳米管的光催化性能最佳。同时还探讨了Zn-TiO2纳米管用量和初始pH值等因素对光催化降解甲基橙的影响,结果显示Zn-TiO2纳米管能有效地降解甲基橙。随着光催化反应进行,CODCr去除率和脱色率变化规律不完全相同,可能是由于芳基和烷基降解速率不同所致。     

堆肥过程中有机质和微生物群落的动态变化

利用3个容积约为50 L的平行生物反应装置研究堆肥过程中温度、湿度（水分含量）、pH值和有机质的动态变化情况。按照Van Soest方法根据有机质不同的溶解特性将其分为：溶于沸水的有机质H2O、溶于中性试剂的有机质SOLU、半纤维素（HEMI）、纤维素（CELL）和木质素（LIGN）。结果表明：反应装置内环境湿度调控在60%左右时,堆肥系统内借助生化反应,温度最高可达到约50℃。堆肥材料在反应初期呈现偏酸性（pH=6.5）,而随着反应的发生,pH逐渐变为中性或弱碱性（pH=7.4）。经过20 d的堆肥实验,有机质总量降解了约47%。在微生物作用下的各类有机质的降解率不同,按大小排序为H2O〉HEMI〉CELL〉SOLU〉LIGN,其降解率分别是85%、56%、36%、32%和27%。为了深入理解堆肥过程中有机质的降解机制,文章采用磷脂脂肪酸（PLFAs）技术对体系中的微生物群落变化进行了初步分析,发现微生物优势群落随反应温度的改变发生明显变化,在堆肥初期和堆肥中期,细菌占优势,而堆肥末期时真菌比例较高。在堆肥的过程中,革兰氏阴性菌的比例呈下降趋势,而革兰氏阳性菌的比例呈上升趋势。     

植物碳酸酐酶对岩溶作用的影响及其生态效应

广泛存在各种类型生物细胞中的碳酸酐酶（cA）,通过催化C02和HCO3^-之间的相互转化,驱动岩溶过程。文章通过分析我国西南典型岩溶区植物叶片和根系CA活性,探讨其与岩溶作用的相互关系,结果表明：岩溶生态系统中植物的碳酸酐酶活性差异较大,并在植物的生长期发生变动,植株根系CA活性〉成熟叶片CA活性,因而在土壤水分充足的条件下．根系分泌的CA催化CO2＋H2O←→HCO3^-＋H^＋过程,促进石灰岩溶解,加快成土速率,并通过固定根呼吸和土壤微生物分解所释放的CO2产生岩溶碳汇效应;非岩溶生态系统由于土壤碳酸钙含量低,造成植物根系CA表达活性较低。     

Bradford法测定土壤球囊霉素相关蛋白的影响因子

土壤球囊霉素相关蛋白(glomalin-related soil protein,GRSP)是评价土壤健康的重要指标。研究了土样粒径、贮存条件和高温提取后离心延误时间3个影响因子对采用Bradford法测定GRSP含量的作用效果。结果表明,土样粒径对易提取GRSP(EEG)的提取测定影响显著,过0.074 mm孔径筛土样中提取出的EEG含量高于过0.149、0.25、1 mm孔径筛的土样;总GRSP(TG)含量的测定结果对土样粒径的变化没有明显响应,测定TG含量可采用过1 mm孔径筛的土样。贮存条件影响EEG和TG含量的测定,有机质含量低的土样室温保存18个月条件下测得的EEG含量低于-20℃保存条件下;有机质含量高的土样室温保存条件下测得的EEG含量高于-20℃保存条件下;室温保存条件下3个有机质含量水平的土样TG含量均高于-20℃保存条件下。不同样品保存方式间3个有机质含量水平的土样EEG或TG含量差异均显著。为减小有机质降解等的影响,宜低温保存土样。提取后延误离心将导致EEG含量测定值降低,因此延误时间以控制在1 h之内为宜;离心延误2 h内不同延误时间之间测得的TG含量无显著差异。     

保护层分析中独立保护层的识别研究

为阐述保护层分析(LOPA)中独立保护层(IPL)的识别规则,以及这些规则在实际应用中要注意的问题,以生产聚氯乙烯(PVC)的间歇聚合反应为例,对8个不同的LOPA场景进行分析,给出不同场景的IPL和要求时的失效概率(PFD),以及建议增加的IPL。分析结果表明,在进行IPL的识别时,应重点确认IPL的有效性和独立性。在评估IPL有效性时,应关注具有共同元件的IPL,IPL的行动能力、人员行动有效性及IPL的PFD等。在评估独立性时,应确保IPL独立于初始事件和同一场景中的其他IPL的任何构成元件。通过分析,发现PVC工艺中安全阀(PSV)设计、安全仪表功能(SIF)设计和人员行动等IPL中存在的问题,并提出相应的建议。     

充填体与岩体能量和强度匹配的分析及应用

矿山嗣后充填法中,采用经验类比法判定胶结充填体的强度存在诸多问题。利用新的方法来分析充填体与岩体的匹配是必要的。对某铜矿灰砂比为1∶6、1∶8、1∶10和1∶12的4种尾砂胶结充填体进行力学试验和匹配分析。首先利用损伤力学方法建立充填体破坏前本构方程,根据岩体开挖释放能量与充填体蓄积应变能相近的原则,来判定岩体与充填体的匹配;然后运用GTS/MI-DAS有限元软件模拟开采-充填过程,根据应力变化与充填体极限强度的大小关系判定两者的匹配。2种方法所得到的结论一致。分析结果表明,该矿山宜采用充填配比不小于1∶10的尾砂胶结充填体。