Does song reflect age and viability? A comparison between two populations of the great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus

Song complexity is often regarded as a sexually selected trait that reflects the overall quality of a male. In many passerine species, old males possess larger song repertoires than younger males. This may be either because individual males improve their performance as they get older (longitudinal increase) or because poor singers have reduced viability and, hence, are underrepresented in old age classes (cross-sectional increase). We studied the age dependence of repertoire size and other song traits in a German and a Swedish great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) population. We found marked differences between longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches, as well as between the two study populations. In the German population, we found that syllable switching, a measure of immediate versatility and strophe length, increased with age in a cross-sectional analysis. This was not because birds improved with age (longitudinally) but because syllable switching was positively correlated with male longevity. However, in Sweden, syllable switching seemed to be unrelated to age and longevity. In the Swedish population, individual males increased their repertoire size as they got older (longitudinal increase), but this did not happen in the German population. Hence, two populations, even when belonging to the same subspecies, may differ in whether or not they show delayed song maturation.     

直线、圆曲线上斜交涵洞长度精确计算通用程序设计

将直线上斜交涵长计算归化为圆曲线上斜交涵长计算的一种特例,本文对其作了理论上的推导证明.并编写了计算程序.通过算例验证:计算程序的可靠有效的.     

Horizontal lifelines – review of regulations and simple design method considering anchorage rigidity

Among the many occupational risks construction workers encounter every day falling from a height is the most dangerous. The objective of this article is to propose a simple analytical design method for horizontal lifelines (HLLs) that considers anchorage flexibility. The article presents a short review of the standards and regulations/acts/codes concerning HLLs in Canada the USA and Europe. A static analytical approach is proposed considering anchorage flexibility. The analytical results are compared with a series of 42 dynamic fall tests and a SAP2000 numerical model. The experimental results show that the analytical method is a little conservative and overestimates the line tension in most cases with a maximum of 17%. The static SAP2000 results show a maximum 2.1% difference with the analytical method. The analytical method is accurate enough to safely design HLLs and quick design abaci are provided to allow the engineer to make quick on-site verification if needed.     

学生食堂优化管理的数学模型

从学生食堂的设备及场所、物资的储存与购入、工作人员的管理及就餐者对食堂的要求这4个方面描述了各自对学生食堂管理的影响,得出了评估学生食堂优劣的一般公式Y=n∑i=1ωixi,并着重解决了学生就餐排队等待时间太长的问题,分析了该等待问题在排队论中所属的模型,解决了该课题要研究的问题的一般情况和个别案例,确定了各参数之间的关系.通过分析,得出了最优排队模型、费用模型及服务台数,并证明了最优模型的一般性.     

Primary neuronal-astrocytic co-culture platform for neurotoxicity assessment of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Plastics such as polyvinyl chlorides （PVC） are widely used in many indoor constructed environments; however, their unbound chemicals, such as di-（2-ethylhexyl） phthalates （DEHP）, can leach into the surrounding environment. This study focused on DEHP＇s effect on the central nervous system by determining the precise DEHP content in mice brain tissue after exposure to the chemical, to evaluate the specific exposure range. Primary neuronal-astrocyte co-culture systems were used as in vitro models for chemical hazard identification of DEHP. Oxidative stress was hypothesized as a probable mechanism involved, and therefore the total reactive oxygen species （ROS） concentration was determined as a biomarker of oxidative stress. In addition, NeuriteTracer, a neurite tracing plugin with ImageJ, was used to develop an assay for neurotoxicity to provide quantitative measurements of neurological parameters, such as neuronal number, neuron count and neurite length, all of which could indicate neurotoxic effects. The results showed that with 1 nmol/L DEHP exposure, there was a significant increase in ROS concentrations, indicating that the neuronal-astrocyte cultures were injured due to exposure to DEHP. In response, astrocyte proliferation （gliosis） was initiated, serving as a mechanism to maintain a homeostatic environment for neurons and protect neurons from toxic chemicals. There is a need to assess the cumulative effects of DEHP in animals to evaluate the possible uotake and effects on the human neuronal system from exoosure to DEHP in the indoor environment.     

Phytotoxicity assessment of phenanthrene, pyrene and their mixtures by a soil-based seedling emergence test

Seedling emergence tests were conducted in a meadow brown soil using five plant species ( i. e., Chinese cabbage, green onion, tomato, turnip and wheat) to determine the phytotoxicity of phenanthrene, pyrene and their mixtures. The soil was amended with up to 1000mg/kg soil of phenanthrene or 600 mg/kg soil of pyrene. Seedling emergence and root growth were measured. The results indicated that root elongation was more sensitive than seedling emergence. Root length decreased with increasing phenanthrene or pyrene concentrations(p≤0.05). Phenanthrene was more phytotoxic than pyrene. The lowest observable adverse effect concentration(LOAEC) was 10mg/kg for phenanthrene when tested with green onion, and 50mg/kg for pyrene when tested with wheat. Among the five species, wheat was found to be the most sensitive. When amended jointly at or below their respective LOAEC, phenanthrene and pyrene produced a synergistic toxic effect.     

张弦网壳结构索张拉模拟计算及试验研究

施工张拉控制是张弦网壳结构的关键技术之一,提出采用控制索原长的反分析方法追踪结构施工整个过程。首先,通过控制索在预应力状态下的张拉力求出零状态和索原长,并同时获得预应力态下所有单元的内力。在此基础上,通过控制每一级张拉索的原长,进行非线性有限元迭代计算,可求出索在分级分批施工时的控制力,并用VC＋＋6.0编制相应的计算程序。这一方法有效地避免了通用有限元需要反复试算,计算繁琐的缺点。最后,以张弦网壳结构模型为试验对象,按分级分批张拉的方式模拟结构的现场施工,并跟踪施工过程中杆件单元的应力状态。结果表明,数值模拟计算与试验值吻合较好,计算结果可靠,该方法能精确模拟结构的施工成形过程,且在整个过程中,每根索只需张拉一次,简化了施工工艺。     

过去20年气候变暖对我国冬季采暖气候条件与能源需求的影响

20世纪80年代中期以来,我国气候变暖,尤其是90年代中期以来的显著变暖,对我国冬季采暖气候条件和能源需求产生了很大影响。论文以全国458个气象台站逐日平均气温为基础,对其影响进行了分析。依照《采暖通风与空气调节设计规范G(B50019-2003)》的规定,确定了采暖初(终)日及集中(过渡)采暖期的划分方法,并采用度日法分析了采暖强度。结果发现与1980年以前时段相比,1985-2004年以及1995-2004年间,我国集中采暖区和过渡采暖区的界线明显北移,尤其110E°以东地区北移最大达2～3个纬距;北方大部地区采暖期长度缩短5～15d,长江以南地区缩短最大达30d以上;北方采暖强度普遍减小200℃以上;理论上由气候变暖导致的我国北方地区冬季采暖耗能降低了5%～30%,长江中下游地区冬季采暖耗能降低了30%以上。     

天然气管道失效个人生命风险评价技术研究

为研究天然气长输管道失效个人生命风险,提出一种以人员伤亡概率为指标的天然气管道失效后果风险评价方法。基于天然气管道的失效概率和失效致死长度参数,建立天然气长输管道生命风险评价模型。用该模型,对国内某城市住宅小区内带腐蚀缺陷的天然气管线进行定量风险分析。借鉴英国天然气输送公司数据,确定天然气管线个人生命风险值。案例证明,用所建立的天然气管道失效个人生命风险评价模型能够有效地分析带缺陷天然气管道失效后果,实现天然气管道的个人安全生命风险全定量评价。