A Fuzzy Selection Model of Microwave System Procurement

In order to cope with the coming of future digital television broadcasting, terrestrial broadcast companies have started to upgrade their program transmission relay devices from analog to digital. Although well-defined specifications can be referenced from all manufactures, with all the intricate factors such as functionalities, features, pricing, operation cost, and after service, it becomes a heavy burden as far as how to choose the most appropriate equipment in the procurement of digital microwave relay system. The goal of this report is to set up all kinds of evaluation items utilizing hierarchical structure model, and to choose the most appropriate digital microwave equipment using fuzzy assessment method

Size, temperature, and fitness: three rules

ABSTRACT Question: Associations of body size and of body temperature with fitness have complex relationships for ectotherms, but three general patterns are known. Bigger is better: Larger body size is frequently associated with greater fitness within populations. Hotter is smaller: Smaller adult body sizes typically result from development at higher temperatures. Hotter is better: Greater maximal performance at the optimal temperature is frequently associated with higher optimal temperatures. How do we -or even can we -reconcile these three apparently conflicting empirical patterns about temperature, size, and fitness of ectotherms? Methods: We summarize available evidence supporting or contradicting these three rules. We present a conceptual framework that describes how developmental and adult body temperatures affect causal connections among size, performance, and key components of fitness. Findings: There is strong empirical support for Bigger is better and Hotter is smaller (≥ 79% of studies/estimates), primarily for terrestrial insects, reptiles, and annual plants. Evidence regarding Hotter is better is still limited (and primarily from terrestrial insects), but most available information supports the rule. Analyses of counterexamples are particularly instructive. The rules operate at different levels. Bigger is better describes phenotypic variation within populations. Hotter is smaller describes phenotypic plasticity of a genotype. Hotter is better describes evolved variation in reaction norms among genotypes or between species. Conclusions: We unify these three rules into a path diagram that describes how temperature impacts critical rate processes throughout the life cycle. Adult body size and development time are key traits that are not only consequences of temperature-dependent processes, but also are causes of variation in fitness. An unresolved issue involves how to determine the appropriate fitness metric for a particular ecological context (population and environment). For example, the intrinsic rate of population increase (r) is strongly influenced by generation time (and development time), whereas net reproductive rate (R 0 ) is strongly influenced by fecundity (and size). Because the relative strengths of different paths contributing to fitness change differ for these fitness metrics, the choice of metric can affect whether Hotter is better is 'better' than Bigger is better

Distribution modelling of an introduced species: do adaptive genetic markers affect potential range?

Biological invasions have increased in the last few decades mostly due to anthropogenic causes such as globalization of trade. Because invaders sometimes cause large economic losses and ecological disturbances, estimating their origin and potential geographical ranges is useful. Drosophila subobscura is native to the Old World but was introduced in the New World in the late 1970s and spread widely. We incorporate information on adaptive genetic markers into ecological niche modelling and then estimate the most probable geographical source of colonizers; evaluate whether the genetic bottleneck experienced by founders affects their potential distribution; and finally test whether this species has spread to all its potential suitable habitats worldwide. We find the environmental space occupied by this species in its native and introduced distributions are notably the same, although the introduced niche has shifted slightly towards higher temperature and lower precipitation. The genetic bottleneck of founding individuals was a key factor limiting the spread of this introduced species. We also find that regions in the Mediterranean and north-central Portugal show the highest probability of being the origin of the colonizers. Using genetically informed environmental niche modelling can enhance our understanding of the initial colonization and spread of invasive species, and also elucidate potential areas of future expansions worldwide

Local adaptation and evolution of parasitoid interactions in an invasive species, Drosophila subobscura

International audienceBackground: About 30 years ago, the Palaearctic fly Drosophila subobscura successfully invaded the New World, where parasitoid species diversity was thought to be lower than in the Old World. Hypotheses: Because parasitoids cause major mortality to Drosophila, the invader should benefit from escaping its natural parasitoid enemies and enjoy lower rates of parasitism than in the Old World. Also, if co-evolutionary selection on parasitoids promotes their adaptation to local fly stocks, parasitoids should have enhanced fitness when reared on local flies rather than allopatric ones. Methods: We collected flies and parasitoids from Igé (France) and from near Seattle (USA). In factorial laboratory experiments, we exposed D. subobscura larvae from both sites to parasitoids (Leptopilina heterotoma) from both sites and then scored parasitoid success rate, impact rate, and fecundity. Results: Despite the generally held belief, the parasitoid community in Seattle is the same as that in Igé and not depauperate. Success rate (probability that an infested fly gave rise to an adult wasp) was high (0.83-0.86) and independent of treatment, showing that invasive and native flies were equally vulnerable to both populations of parasitoids. Seattle flies were larger than Igé flies, and parasitoids emerging from Seattle flies were larger than those emerging from Igé flies. Fecundity of parasitoids reared on Seattle flies was greater than those reared on Igé flies, especially when parasitoids were also from Seattle. Overall, the success of D. subobscura in the New World appears to be unrelated to biogeographical escape from parasitoids because these flies have very high mortality in the presence of local L. heterotoma, at least in the laboratory. Yet L. heterotoma does seem to be locally adapted, having higher fecundity when reared on local flies

Portable Augmented Reality installation with hologram special effect for kids’ education to learn everyday objects

The utilization of Information Technology has a great opportunity to be explored to support students in learning the materials. Presentations can help students learn new content more effectively, especially for children learning everyday objects. Learning can be made more interesting, memorable, and participatory by using Augmented Reality technology. Holograms are a hybrid of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, often used in amusement park rides. Generally, visitors can feel their emotions while riding the rides, and these recollections are preserved in their memories. Based on the benefits of AR and hologram special effects, researchers combined the “wow” effect of these things. They created a solution in education by using a hologram special effect and combining them with AR technology. When combined interactively with AR technology, the hologram special effect is predicted to become a good teaching approach. This solution aims to develop a portable AR installation with hologram special effects on a low budget, making it viable to apply in education and capable of helping students learn creatively

Can we predict ectotherm responses to climate change using thermal performance curves and body temperatures?

Thermal performance curves (TPCs), which quantify how an ectotherm\u27s body temperature (Tb ) affects its performance or fitness, are often used in an attempt to predict organismal responses to climate change. Here, we examine the key - but often biologically unreasonable - assumptions underlying this approach; for example, that physiology and thermal regimes are invariant over ontogeny, space and time, and also that TPCs are independent of previously experienced Tb. We show how a critical consideration of these assumptions can lead to biologically useful hypotheses and experimental designs. For example, rather than assuming that TPCs are fixed during ontogeny, one can measure TPCs for each major life stage and incorporate these into stage-specific ecological models to reveal the life stage most likely to be vulnerable to climate change. Our overall goal is to explicitly examine the assumptions underlying the integration of TPCs with Tb , to develop a framework within which empiricists can place their work within these limitations, and to facilitate the application of thermal physiology to understanding the biological implications of climate change