What limits predator detection in blue tits (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Parus caeruleus</Emphasis>): posture,task or orientation?

To detect threats and reduce predation risk prey animals need to be alert. Early predator detection and rapid anti-predatory action increase the likelihood of survival. We investigated how foraging affects predator detection and time to take-off in blue tits (Parus caeruleus) by subjecting them to a simulated raptor attack. To investigate the impact of body posture we compared birds feeding head-down with birds feeding head-up, but could not find any effect of posture on either time to detection or time to take-off. To investigate the impact of orientation we compared birds having their side towards the attacking predator with birds having their back towards it. Predator detection, but not time to take-off, was delayed when the back was oriented towards the predator. We also investigated the impact of foraging task by comparing birds that were either not foraging, foraging on chopped mealworms, or foraging on whole ones. Foraging on chopped mealworms did not delay detection compared to nonforaging showing that foraging does not always restrict vigilance. However, detection was delayed more than 150% when the birds were foraging on whole, live mealworms, which apparently demanded much attention and handling skill. Time to take-off was affected by foraging task in the same way as detection was. We show that when studying foraging and vigilance one must include the difficulty of the foraging task and prey orientation.Communicated by P.A. Bednekoff     

Heritability of the algal-foraging ability: an indirect benefit of female mate preference for males' carotenoid-based coloration in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata

Several sexual selection theories assume certain benefits of female mate preference. The direct benefit, i.e., the direct contribution from males to their offspring and females, has been well tested empirically. However, the indirect benefit, i.e., the male's genetic contribution to their offspring, has been poorly demonstrated. Female preference for males' carotenoid-based coloration is known in some animals. Since animals must acquire carotenoids through foods, it is often hypothesized that the brightness of the carotenoid-based coloration is a reliable indicator of the male's foraging ability. Hence, females' indirect benefits, such as greater foraging ability in their offspring, through mate preference for the carotenoid-based coloration are assumed. However, the heritability of the foraging ability for foods that serve as carotenoid resources has not been tested. In this study, a maze experiment was performed in guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to examine the heritability of the foraging ability for algae, carotenoid resources in nature. The latency for completing algal-foraging tasks in this experiment showed high individual variation. Heritable estimates of the foraging ability were substantial (h ² = 0.57 – 0.66) and significant, suggesting a genetic contribution to the foraging ability from fathers to their offspring. This result may support the hypothesis that indirect benefits influence the evolution of female choice.     

能源甘蔗主要经济和光合性状的遗传分析

以 4× 5不完全双列杂交 (NcII)衍生的 2 0个家系实生苗为材料 ,对其主要经济和光合性状的遗传力和配合力进行分析 .结果表明 :(1)锤度、株高和茎径的遗传主要由加性基因效应引起 ,而丛有效茎数、丛重、锤重和地上部鲜重的遗传主要由非加性基因效应引起 ;(2 )配合力分析表明 ,CP84 / 1198、CP74 / 383、崖 90 / 3、桂 73/ 16 7和科 5各性状 gca较大 ,是较好的高生物量高光效亲本 ,CP84 / 1198×Ya 90 / 3、CP85 / 14 32×桂 73/ 16 7、CP74 / 383×桂 73/ 16 7、CP85 /14 32×科 5各性状sca和tca较大 ,为较好的高生物量高光效组合 ;(3)茎径、锤度和丛重母本gca方差大于父本 gca方差 ,丛有效茎数、锤度和地上部鲜重的广义遗传力在 5 0 %以上 .表 7参 16     

薄膜级碳酸钙可焚烧母料的环保性能的探讨

采用 12 5 0目以上的碳酸钙填充料、铝酸酯偶联剂、焚烧热氧降解剂、生物活性剂等助剂制备的可焚烧PE母料 ,吹制成购物袋和垃圾袋。经人工加速老化实验、户外曝晒实验后 ,用红外光谱、高效液相色谱、热 红联用仪等对其综合环保性能进行表征 ,实验结果表明 ,该薄膜适应于垃圾的焚烧处理 ,特别是对促进塑料的快速完全燃烧和降低尾气中有害气体的含量 ,具有积极的意义 ,可用于装盛焚烧发电垃圾     

叶片微观结构变化对其颗粒物滞纳能力的影响

叶片作为植物滞留大气颗粒物最主要的载体,其表面微观结构特征和粗糙度的差异是颗粒物滞纳能力的重要决定因素.叶片微观结构会随着生长(内部因素)以及环境污染强度(外部因素)发生变化,然而现有的粉尘喷洒模拟实验,一般持续时间较短,而微观结构变化响应具有明显的滞后性,其结果无法客观反映由内外因素作用引起的微观结构变化对颗粒物滞纳能力的影响.本研究利用新叶和老叶研究叶片生长,并选择自然状态下不同污染源条件研究污染强度,分析叶片表面微观结构的变化及其对颗粒物滞纳能力的影响.研究得到3种常绿树种(矮紫杉Taxus cuspidata var.、侧柏Platycladus orientalis和油松Pinus tabuliformis)的老叶滞纳TSP、 PM_(10)、 PM_(2.5)和PM_1量均高于新叶,随着叶片的生长其颗粒物滞纳量在增大,且新叶与老叶对不同粒径颗粒物的滞纳量间均存在极显著的差异.生长中叶片粗糙度Rq值的增大是老叶颗粒物滞纳能力增大的主要原因. 5个树种(侧柏、油松、国槐Sophora japonica、毛白杨Populus tomentosa和银杏Ginkgo biloba)TSP和PM_(10)滞纳量为重度污染区高于相对清洁区.而PM_(2.5)和PM_1滞纳量则是油松、银杏和侧柏为重度污染区高于相对清洁区,国槐和毛白杨为相对清洁区高于重度污染区.不同污染强度区域间叶片TSP、PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)滞纳量存在着极显著的差异,PM_1滞纳量也存在着差异.主要归因于与相对清洁区相比,重度污染区叶片的气孔指数降低,蜡质层退化,表面纹理和细胞边界更加不规则,绒毛变长,变硬,叶片微观结构的这些变化使得重度污染区叶片粗糙度Rq值高于相对清洁区,且叶片背面的增加较正面更明显.研究结果将为深入揭示叶片颗粒物滞纳能力的驱动因素,以及提出更科学地提升净化颗粒物功能的城市森林管理措施提供数据支持.     

低频环境噪声对思维判断能力的干扰影响

选取了3种典型的城市居住区设备低频噪声实样和声学仪器产生的白噪声,使用剂量作业法,分别测定了播放噪声和无噪声干扰2种环境下,被试者的思维能力指数(AYP)和错误率.研究结果显示,在噪声干扰的条件下,多数被试者的AYP较无噪声干扰时有所下降,错误率上升,二者差异显著.多数被试人员在3种噪声实样对比组中的平均AYP和错误率变化较白噪声的对比组中较明显,其中AYP差异达显著水平.由此认为低频成份是影响思维能力的主要频率成份.配对t检验和对实录样本的频谱分析结果表明,室外空调机噪声样本的影响程度最大,表明峰值频率在50～300 Hz频率段的低频环境噪声比其他噪声负面影响更大.     

中国大陆地震检测能力的新进展

被普遍记录的最小震级是表征地震检测能力的重要标志。基于地震频度-震级关系统计了地震观测系统的检测率。引进了相应于70.7%检测率的系统震级下限参量Mr以定量表征地震实际观测能力。以1970-2009年40年来中国大陆地区的地震观测目录为基础数据,分三个时间段客观统计了地震台网的观测水平,展示了中国大陆地震检测能力的地理分布。     

Influence of temperature on the characteristics of aerobic granulation in sequencing batch airlift reactors

Aerobic granular sludge was cultivated in sequencing batch airlift reactors(SBAR) at 25,30,and 35°C,respectively.The effect of temperature on the granules characteristics was analyzed and the microbial community structures of the granules were probed using scanning electron microscope(SEM) and polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis(PCR-DGGE).The results showed that 30°C is optimum for matured granule cultivation,where the granules had a more compact structure,better settling abili...     

水资源系统风险构成及其评价——以北京市为例

论文在综合考虑系统属性、风险过程后,基于致险、承险因子及损害程度构建了水资源系统风险的评价指标体系及模型。该指标体系由4层次共20个指标构成,能更好地表征风险的产生和构成。评价模型包括参数计算与风险分级,能简便计算风险参数及因子贡献率并进行相应的风险级别划分。随后运用上述指标体系及模型,评价了北京市面临的水资源系统风险,结果表明主要致险因子是缺水率(0.426 1),主要的承险因子是水资源保障程度(0.647 6);若单考虑致险情况下的风险,北京市面临57.13%的致险率,在综合考虑水资源承险能力后得到风险为26.97%,显示北京市能较好应对水资源系统风险,但仍受约束性风险限制,可通过开源节流、调整产业结构及规范水资源管理来应对。     

Associations between driver training, determinants of risky driving behaviour and crash involvement

The core aim of the study is to examine associations between formal and informal practical driver training as well as driving experience on the one hand and young drivers’ safety attitudes, self-assessment of driving ability and self-reported driver behaviour on the other hand. An additional aim is to examine the associations between attitudes, self-assessment and behaviour on the one hand and crash involvement on the other hand. The results are based on a self-completion questionnaire survey conducted among a representative sample of Norwegian drivers aged 18–20 years (n = 1419). The results showed that there were small yet significant associations between driver training, on the one hand and traffic safety attitudes and risky driving behaviour on the other hand. The amount of formal driver training was negatively associated with the respondents’ evaluation of their driving skills; although the amount of lay instruction was positively associated with such self-evaluation. The results also showed that attitudes as well as self-assessment of driving ability were significantly associated with self-reported risk behaviour. This was especially true for attitudes related to rule violations. There was a strong association between crash involvement and exposure (measured as months holding a licence). Young novice drivers’ crash involvement seems stronger associated with driving skills (manifested as self-assessment of driving ability) than safety attitudes and self-reported driver behaviour. The consequences of the results for driver training and accident prevention are discussed.