Search results for "Models"
showing 10 items of 8211 documents
On the semi-automatic retrieval of biophysical parameters based on spectral index optimization
2014
Abstract: Regression models based on spectral indices are typically empirical formulae enabling the mapping of biophysical parameters derived from Earth Observation (EO) data. Due to its empirical nature, it remains nevertheless uncertain to what extent a selected regression model is the most appropriate one, until all band combinations and curve fitting functions are assessed. This paper describes the application of a Spectral Index (SI) assessment toolbox in the Automated Radiative Transfer Models Operator (ARTMO) package. ARTMO enables semi-automatic retrieval and mapping of biophysical parameters from optical remote sensing observations. The SI toolbox facilitates the assessment of biop…
The use of Markovian metapopulation models: a comparison of three methods reducing the dimensionality of transition matrices.
2001
The use of Markovian models is an established way for deriving the complete distribution of the size of a population and the probability of extinction. However, computationally impractical transition matrices frequently result if this mathematical approach is applied to natural populations. Binning, or aggregating population sizes, has been used to permit a reduction in the dimensionality of matrices. Here, we present three deterministic binning methods and study the errors due to binning for a metapopulation model. Our results indicate that estimation errors of the investigated methods are not consistent and one cannot make generalizations about the quality of a method. For some compared o…
The multiple directions of evolutionary change.
2008
The theory of Punctuated Equilibria challenges the neo-Darwinian tenet that evolution is a uniform process. Recently, an article by Hunt1 has found that directional change during the evolution of a lineage is relatively small (occurring only in 5% of 250 analyzed traits). Of those traits that were shown to follow a trend, size was more likely to show gradual changes, whereas shape changes were more random. Here, we provide a short view of the nature of evolutionary trends, showing that directional change within lineages and among clades provides valuable evolutionary information about the processes involved in their generation. BioEssays 30:521–525, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Territorial defense, territory size, and population regulation.
2005
The carrying capacity of an environment is determined partly by how individuals compete over the available resources. To territorial animals, space is an important resource, leading to conflict over its use. We build a model where the carrying capacity for an organism in a given environment results from the evolution of territorial defense effort and the consequent space use. The same evolutionary process can yield two completely different modes of population regulation. Density dependence arises through expanding and shrinking territories if fecundity is low, breeding success increases gradually with territory size, and/or defense is cheap. By contrast, when fecundity is high, breeding suc…
Effects of forest patch size on physiological stress and immunocompetence in an area-sensitive passerine, the Eurasian treecreeper ( Certhia familiar…
2004
We manipulated the primary brood size of Eurasian treecreepers (Certhia familiaris) breeding in different sized forest patches (0.5-12.8 ha) in moderately fragmented landscapes. We examined the effects of brood size manipulation (reduced, control, enlarged) and forest patch size on physiological stress (heterophil-lymphocyte ratios; H/L), body condition and cell-mediated immunocompetence (phytohaemagglutinin test). Nestlings' H/L ratios were negatively related to forest patch area in control and enlarged broods, whereas no effects were found in reduced broods. The effects of forest patch area were strongest in enlarged broods, which had, in general, twofold higher H/L ratios than control an…
The Impact of Population Ageing and Social Stratification: The Case of Latvia
2019
Population ageing and social stratification is widely assumed to have detrimental effects on the economy yet there is little empirical evidence about the magnitude of its effects. The aim of this article is to investigate the relationships between population ageing and social stratification and the state of economy of a small and post-transition economy. We are looking for these relationships and their strength of influence; at what time after shocking these variables reach their original levels. We apply standard Granger (non-) causality tests, VAR (Vector Auto-Regressive), IRF (Impulse Response Function) and the prediction error variance analysis by using quarterly data from 2000 to 2018.…
Modeling in Microbial Ecology
2014
SPE IPM; International audience; The bases and the principles of modeling in microbial community ecology and biogeochemistry are presented and discussed. Several examples are given. Among them, the fermentation process is largely developed, thus demonstrating how the model allows determining the microbial population growth rate, the death rate, and the maintenance rate. More generally, these models have been used to increase the development of bioenergetic formulations which are presently used in biogeochemical models (Monod, Droop, DEB models). Different types of interactions (competition, predation, and virus–bacteria) are also developed. For each topic, a complete view of the models used…
Evolution of fitness in experimental populations of vesicular stomatitis virus
1996
Abstract The evolution of fitness in experimental clonal populations of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) has been compared under different genetic (fitness of initial clone) and demographic (population dynamics) regimes. In spite of the high genetic heterogeneity among replicates within experiments, there is a clear effect of population dynamics on the evolution of fitness. Those populations that went through strong periodic bottlenecks showed a decreased fitness in competition experiments with wild type. Conversely, mutant populations that were transferred under the dynamics of continuous population expansions increased their fitness when compared with the same wild type. The magnitude of …
A discussion of potential exposure metrics for use in epidemiological studies on human exposure to radiowaves from mobile phone base stations
2000
There is currently a high level of concern in many countries that exposure to radiowaves from mobile phone base stations may be hazardous to health. When investigating such suggested risks, epidemiologists need to define an exposure metric that can reliably discriminate between exposed and unexposed groups of people. We conducted a feasibility study to investigate if either short-term measurements of electric field strength, calculations of electric field strength, or distance from nearby mobile phone base stations could be used to develop a metric reflecting an individual's exposure to radiowaves. With electric field strengths in the range of 0.012-0.343 V/m, radiowaves from mobile phone b…
Effect of population patchiness and migration rates on the adaptation and divergence of vesicular stomatitis virus quasispecies populations
1999
The effect of migration among different isolated virus quasispecies populations on their adaptation and diversity was analysed through experimental evolution. Anin vitrocell system was employed to simulate migration of vesicular stomatitis virus between isolated homogeneous host cell populations. The results clearly demonstrated a positive correlation between the migration rate and the magnitude of the mean fitness reached by the virus quasispecies populations. The results also showed, although less clearly, that fitness differences among quasispecies decreased with the magnitude of migration. These results are in close agreement with predictions of standard population genetics theory. Thes…