The rates at which birds use energy may have profound effects on fitness, thereby influencing physiology, behavior, ecology and evolution. Comparisons of standardized metabolic rates (e.g., lower and upper limits of ...The rates at which birds use energy may have profound effects on fitness, thereby influencing physiology, behavior, ecology and evolution. Comparisons of standardized metabolic rates (e.g., lower and upper limits of metabolic power output) present a method for elucidating the effects of ecological and evolutionary factors on the interface between physiology and life history in birds. In this paper we review variation in avian metabolic rates [basal metabolic rate (BMR; minimum normothermic metabolic rate), summit metabolic rate (Msum; maximal thermoregulatory metabolic rate), and maximal metabolic rate (MMR; maximal exercise metabolic rate)], the factors associated with this variation, the evidence for functional links between these metabolic traits, and the ecological and evolutionary significance of avian metabolic diversity. Both lower and upper limits to metabolic power production are phenotypically flexible traits, and vary in association with numerous ecological and evolutionary factors. For both inter- and intraspecific comparisons, lower and upper limits to metabolic power production are generally upregulated in response to energetically demanding conditions and downregulated when energetic demands are relaxed, or under conditions of energetic scarcity. Positive correlations have been documented between BMR, Msum and MMR in some, but not all studies on birds, providing partial support for the idea of a functional link between lower and upper limits to metabolic power production, but more intraspecific studies are needed to determine the robustness of this conclusion. Correlations between BMR and field metabolic rate (or daily energy expenditure) in birds are variable, suggesting that the linkage between these traits is subject to behavioral adjustment, and studies of the relationship between field and maximal metabolic rates are lacking. Our understanding of avian metabolic diversity would benefit from future studies of: (1) the functional and mechanistic links between lower and upper limits of metabolic power output; (2) the environmental and ecological cues driving phenotypically flexible metabolic responses, and how responses to such cues might impact population responses to climate change; (3) the shapes of metabolic reaction norms and their association with environmental variability; and (4) the relationship of metabolic variation to fitness, including studies of repeatability and heritability of minimum and maximum metabolic power output [Current Zoology 56 (6): 741-758, 2010].展开更多
Classifying researchers' work according to the quality of their publications rather than the quantity of their publications is an important issue. To this end we introduce a new measure, the "percentage range" or A...Classifying researchers' work according to the quality of their publications rather than the quantity of their publications is an important issue. To this end we introduce a new measure, the "percentage range" or A-index, which provides a qualitative evaluation of a researchers' productivity. The percentage range depends to a great extent on the number of single-author published papers and their citations. It is to be a new index to be considered along with the h-index. The combined factors have the advantage of making clearer the innovation of the individual authors. The resultant percentage range gives a reduced impact on its numerical value for authors who gain citations by adding their names on multi-author papers. It is shown that various dimensions of ethical integrity and originality are clarified by the new index. The important scenarios arising from this analysis are demonstrated with examples, The great differences between the new percentage range and old h-index come from the percentage range's emphasis on considering the whole work of an author, including the significance of the author's single-author papers as opposed to multiple-author contributions. This emphasis is demonstrated.展开更多
In a rational exercise, in the present paper it is extrapolated how the development of ICTs (information and communication technologies) and the incipient technological development of additive manufacturing has the ...In a rational exercise, in the present paper it is extrapolated how the development of ICTs (information and communication technologies) and the incipient technological development of additive manufacturing has the potential to change our society. In the following, it is analyzing the evolution of man over physical matter and how this has shaped our society. The main milestones or key stages in history that have marked a transcendental change in the human-machine-environment relationship have been identified and consequently have led us to ask ourselves: What is next, how far are we, and what are we capable of printing? In an attempt to identify the current state of the art, highlighting the possibilities those additive technologies can offer.展开更多
The performance of some growth and milk traits of selected Qomi native (Lori black) goats and hybrids of saanen with native goats during 2008-2010 was compared. Growth traits include birth weight (BW), one-month w...The performance of some growth and milk traits of selected Qomi native (Lori black) goats and hybrids of saanen with native goats during 2008-2010 was compared. Growth traits include birth weight (BW), one-month weight (1 MW), weaning weight (WW) and 6-month weight (6 MW). Also the milk production traits was monthly milk production on 2, 3, 4, 5th months (quantitative traits) and some milk composition included dry matter (%DM), fat (%F), and protein (%P) percentage on during of production (qualitative traits). There were no significant differences in sex, birth type and genetic group for BW. Also the effect of genetic groups on 1 MW, WW, and 6 MW was significant, while effects of sex and birth type on 1 MW, WW and 6 MW was not significant. Also MW (Mothe's weight) had no significant effect on BW, 1 MW, WW and 6 MW. The average of daily milk records was 0.48 kg for nativel and 1.1 kg for crossed goats. The maximum monthly milk records in two groups were in second month (native: 0.64 -4- 0.05, crossed: 1.44 ~: 0.12) and the minimum were in fifth month (native: 0.36 + 0.03, crossed: 0.77 -4- 0.05). %DM, %F and %P in 5th month were higher than other months in two groups. Effects of genetic groups on milk production and also on average of%F, %DM and %P were significant. This study showed that the crossbreeding has a significant effect on most milk production and growth traits in Iranian native goats.展开更多
This paper reviews programs and projects that are elements of the strategy to boost crop production in general and grain legumes in particular in Nigeria. The objective is to bring to fore the neglect of grain legumes...This paper reviews programs and projects that are elements of the strategy to boost crop production in general and grain legumes in particular in Nigeria. The objective is to bring to fore the neglect of grain legumes production in such strategies and for improved understanding of the need to implement grain legumes specific programs for enhanced food security in the country. The paper reiterates that grain legumes were neglected in most of the strategies for increased crop production which presented enormous challenges and reflects largely the inbalance in the policies for the attainment of food self-sufficiency and food security in the country The paper gives an overview of the programs and projects, and reviews the output of grain legumes during the period (1970-2007). It submits that the activities of some research institutes and the presidential initiative on vegetable oil development program had positive impact on the output of legumes which is an added impetus for the need to establish grain legumes specific research institutes and programs for further productivity increases. Constraints identified by the paper include: poverty, storage systems, among others. It itemizes prospects and current challenges for grain legume crop sub-sector in Nigeria.展开更多
Through an analysis of the effects of Guangdong on exports from other provinces, this paper examines China's interregional relationships regarding exports. We utilize provincial level data from 1998 to 2008 and apply...Through an analysis of the effects of Guangdong on exports from other provinces, this paper examines China's interregional relationships regarding exports. We utilize provincial level data from 1998 to 2008 and apply the system GMM to estimate an empirical model derived from the gravity equation. The results indicate that Guangdong significantly crowds out exports from other provinces. Coastal provinces are less affected than their non-coastal counterparts. In coastal areas, the displacement effect on the Yangtze River Delta is less than that on the Pan Bohai Rim. Further research reveals that the improvements in service industries, labor productivity, capital-labor ratio, and agglomeration of manufacturing industries have significantly reduced export competition. Additionally, a province with a larger market potential or a lower degree of market disintegration is less affected by Guangdong's export competition.展开更多
文摘The rates at which birds use energy may have profound effects on fitness, thereby influencing physiology, behavior, ecology and evolution. Comparisons of standardized metabolic rates (e.g., lower and upper limits of metabolic power output) present a method for elucidating the effects of ecological and evolutionary factors on the interface between physiology and life history in birds. In this paper we review variation in avian metabolic rates [basal metabolic rate (BMR; minimum normothermic metabolic rate), summit metabolic rate (Msum; maximal thermoregulatory metabolic rate), and maximal metabolic rate (MMR; maximal exercise metabolic rate)], the factors associated with this variation, the evidence for functional links between these metabolic traits, and the ecological and evolutionary significance of avian metabolic diversity. Both lower and upper limits to metabolic power production are phenotypically flexible traits, and vary in association with numerous ecological and evolutionary factors. For both inter- and intraspecific comparisons, lower and upper limits to metabolic power production are generally upregulated in response to energetically demanding conditions and downregulated when energetic demands are relaxed, or under conditions of energetic scarcity. Positive correlations have been documented between BMR, Msum and MMR in some, but not all studies on birds, providing partial support for the idea of a functional link between lower and upper limits to metabolic power production, but more intraspecific studies are needed to determine the robustness of this conclusion. Correlations between BMR and field metabolic rate (or daily energy expenditure) in birds are variable, suggesting that the linkage between these traits is subject to behavioral adjustment, and studies of the relationship between field and maximal metabolic rates are lacking. Our understanding of avian metabolic diversity would benefit from future studies of: (1) the functional and mechanistic links between lower and upper limits of metabolic power output; (2) the environmental and ecological cues driving phenotypically flexible metabolic responses, and how responses to such cues might impact population responses to climate change; (3) the shapes of metabolic reaction norms and their association with environmental variability; and (4) the relationship of metabolic variation to fitness, including studies of repeatability and heritability of minimum and maximum metabolic power output [Current Zoology 56 (6): 741-758, 2010].
文摘Classifying researchers' work according to the quality of their publications rather than the quantity of their publications is an important issue. To this end we introduce a new measure, the "percentage range" or A-index, which provides a qualitative evaluation of a researchers' productivity. The percentage range depends to a great extent on the number of single-author published papers and their citations. It is to be a new index to be considered along with the h-index. The combined factors have the advantage of making clearer the innovation of the individual authors. The resultant percentage range gives a reduced impact on its numerical value for authors who gain citations by adding their names on multi-author papers. It is shown that various dimensions of ethical integrity and originality are clarified by the new index. The important scenarios arising from this analysis are demonstrated with examples, The great differences between the new percentage range and old h-index come from the percentage range's emphasis on considering the whole work of an author, including the significance of the author's single-author papers as opposed to multiple-author contributions. This emphasis is demonstrated.
文摘In a rational exercise, in the present paper it is extrapolated how the development of ICTs (information and communication technologies) and the incipient technological development of additive manufacturing has the potential to change our society. In the following, it is analyzing the evolution of man over physical matter and how this has shaped our society. The main milestones or key stages in history that have marked a transcendental change in the human-machine-environment relationship have been identified and consequently have led us to ask ourselves: What is next, how far are we, and what are we capable of printing? In an attempt to identify the current state of the art, highlighting the possibilities those additive technologies can offer.
文摘The performance of some growth and milk traits of selected Qomi native (Lori black) goats and hybrids of saanen with native goats during 2008-2010 was compared. Growth traits include birth weight (BW), one-month weight (1 MW), weaning weight (WW) and 6-month weight (6 MW). Also the milk production traits was monthly milk production on 2, 3, 4, 5th months (quantitative traits) and some milk composition included dry matter (%DM), fat (%F), and protein (%P) percentage on during of production (qualitative traits). There were no significant differences in sex, birth type and genetic group for BW. Also the effect of genetic groups on 1 MW, WW, and 6 MW was significant, while effects of sex and birth type on 1 MW, WW and 6 MW was not significant. Also MW (Mothe's weight) had no significant effect on BW, 1 MW, WW and 6 MW. The average of daily milk records was 0.48 kg for nativel and 1.1 kg for crossed goats. The maximum monthly milk records in two groups were in second month (native: 0.64 -4- 0.05, crossed: 1.44 ~: 0.12) and the minimum were in fifth month (native: 0.36 + 0.03, crossed: 0.77 -4- 0.05). %DM, %F and %P in 5th month were higher than other months in two groups. Effects of genetic groups on milk production and also on average of%F, %DM and %P were significant. This study showed that the crossbreeding has a significant effect on most milk production and growth traits in Iranian native goats.
文摘This paper reviews programs and projects that are elements of the strategy to boost crop production in general and grain legumes in particular in Nigeria. The objective is to bring to fore the neglect of grain legumes production in such strategies and for improved understanding of the need to implement grain legumes specific programs for enhanced food security in the country. The paper reiterates that grain legumes were neglected in most of the strategies for increased crop production which presented enormous challenges and reflects largely the inbalance in the policies for the attainment of food self-sufficiency and food security in the country The paper gives an overview of the programs and projects, and reviews the output of grain legumes during the period (1970-2007). It submits that the activities of some research institutes and the presidential initiative on vegetable oil development program had positive impact on the output of legumes which is an added impetus for the need to establish grain legumes specific research institutes and programs for further productivity increases. Constraints identified by the paper include: poverty, storage systems, among others. It itemizes prospects and current challenges for grain legume crop sub-sector in Nigeria.
文摘Through an analysis of the effects of Guangdong on exports from other provinces, this paper examines China's interregional relationships regarding exports. We utilize provincial level data from 1998 to 2008 and apply the system GMM to estimate an empirical model derived from the gravity equation. The results indicate that Guangdong significantly crowds out exports from other provinces. Coastal provinces are less affected than their non-coastal counterparts. In coastal areas, the displacement effect on the Yangtze River Delta is less than that on the Pan Bohai Rim. Further research reveals that the improvements in service industries, labor productivity, capital-labor ratio, and agglomeration of manufacturing industries have significantly reduced export competition. Additionally, a province with a larger market potential or a lower degree of market disintegration is less affected by Guangdong's export competition.