Search results for "Size"
showing 10 items of 2718 documents
Environmental noise and population dynamics of the ciliated protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila in aquatic microcosms
2003
Population theory predicts that the reddened environmental noise, especially in combination with high population growth rate, reddens population dynamics, increases population variability and strengthens environment–population correlation. We tested these predictions with axenic populations of ciliated protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila. Populations with low and high growth rate were cultured in a stable environment, and in environments with sublethal temperature fluctuations that had blue, white and red spectra (i.e. negatively autocorrelated, uncorrelated, or positively autocorrelated, respectively). Population size and biomass of individuals were determined at 3-h intervals for 18 days. Dy…
ESR study of thianthrenium radical cation within acid zeolites
1997
Abstract Thianthrene (E ox = 1.47 V vs NHE) has been adsorbed into a series of zeolites beta (s) and ZSM-5 in the NH 4 + or H + forms, having different particle size and Si/Al ratio. The resulting population of generated thianthrenium radical cation was determined by a combination of diffuse reflectance and ESR spectroscopies. From the results obtained it can be concluded: i) the process takes predominantly place in the interior of the voids (XPS measurements and lack of influence of the particle size); ii) ZSM-5 is more efficient than zeolite s; iii) no strong acid sites are required (both NH 4 + and H + forms produced very similar spin concentrations); iv) the zeolite framework acts isola…
Comparative parallel characterization of particle populations with two mass spectrometric systems LAMPAS 2 and SPASS
2006
Abstract Two transportable laser mass spectrometers, Single Particle Analysis and Sizing System (SPASS) and Laser Mass Analyzer for Particles in the Airborne State (LAMPAS 2), have been applied to investigate the dependence of spectra patterns on instrumental parameters and data evaluation procedures in an inter-comparison experiment. Laboratory experiments showed the spectral response of both instruments for mineral particles before and after heterogeneous reactions. During a period of 47 h, both instruments determined size and chemical composition of several thousand single particles of an ambient particle population. Time-resolved evaluation (1-h resolution) of specific ion signals, whic…
On sampling error in evolutionary algorithms
2021
The initial population in evolutionary algorithms (EAs) should form a representative sample of all possible solutions (the search space). While large populations accurately approximate the distribution of possible solutions, small populations tend to incorporate a sampling error. A low sampling error at initialization is necessary (but not sufficient) for a reliable search since a low sampling error reduces the overall random variations in a random sample. For this reason, we have recently presented a model to determine a minimum initial population size so that the sampling error is lower than a threshold, given a confidence level. Our model allows practitioners of, for example, genetic pro…
The unusual hydrodynamical behaviour of freshwater oncolites
1997
Algal concretions are frequent in calcareous environments, occuring as individual particles (oncolites) that are easily transported during floods. Several parameters have been measured and calculated for a population of 127 particles from French streams. These oncolites have a high porosity (mean 42.7%) and a low density (mean 1.65), in respect to quartz and calcite. Oncolites have a settling velocity 1.5 times lower than that of quartz grains with the same nominal diameter. The computation of multiple correlations results in a classification in terms of decreasing efficiency: shape coefficients (Corey, ψ, and SI of Sneed and Folk), nominal diameter, density, edge sharpness and roughness. A…
Inbreeding depression in perennial Lychnis viscaria (Caryophyllaceae): effects of population mating history and nutrient availability.
2005
We studied inbreeding depression in a perennial plant, Lychnis viscaria, in three populations differing in their inbreeding history and population size by measuring several traits at two nutrient levels over the plant's life cycle. The observed levels of inbreeding depression (cumulative inbreeding depression, from -0.057 to 0.629) were high for a plant with a mixed mating system. As expected, the population with a low level of isozyme variation expressed the least inbreeding depression for seed germination. Highest inbreeding depression for germination was found in the largest and genetically most variable population. No clear differences between populations in expression of inbreeding dep…
Biogeography of the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca): origin and conservation of the northernmost population
2014
Understanding historical range expansions and population demography can be crucial for the conservation and management of endangered species. In doing so, valuable information can be obtained regarding, for example, the identification of isolated populations, associations to particular habitats and distribution range shifts. As poikilotherms, snakes are vulnerable to environmental changes that can greatly shape their distribution ranges. Here we used mitochondrial data to elucidate the origin of the smooth snake population in Aland island, which is the northernmost location where the species is found. In Aland, we used mitochondrial and microsatellite data to fine-map its spatial genetic st…
Relationship between egg features and maternal body size in the simultaneous hermaphrodite Oxynoe olivacea (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia, Sacoglossa)
2005
This paper provides information on spawn morphology and egg features of the stenophagous planktotrophic Mediterranean sacoglossan Oxynoe olivacea. Smith and Fretwell’s hypothesis, predicting that individuals of the same population growing in the same environmental conditions and varying in size should spawn eggs of a constant size, was tested in a population of O. olivacea living in the Straits of Messina. To determine whether (a) spawn mass size, (b) total egg number per spawn, and (c) egg size were related to parent size of O. olivacea, 21 egg masses (seven egg masses deposited by seven different 20 mm animals, seven egg masses deposited by seven different 25 mm animals and seven egg mass…
Population processes under the influence of disasters occurring independently of population size
1989
Markov branching processes and in particular birth-and-death processes are considered under the influence of disasters that arrive independently of the present population size. For these processes we derive an integral equation involving a shifted and rescaled argument. The main emphasis, however, is on the (random) probability of extinction. Its distribution density satisfies an equation which can be solved numerically at least up to a multiplicative constant. In an example it is also found by simulation.
The voyage of an invasive species across continents: genetic diversity of North American and European Colorado potato beetle populations
2005
The paradox of successful invading species is that they are likely to be genetically depauperate compared to their source population. This study on Colorado potato beetles is one of the few studies of the genetic consequences of continent-scale invasion in an insect pest. Understanding gene flow, population structure and the potential for rapid evolution in native and invasive populations offers insights both into the dynamics of small populations that become successful invaders and for their management as pests. We used this approach to investigate the invasion of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) from North America to Europe. The beetles invaded Europe at the beginnin…