Body composition changes, metabolic fuel use and energy expenditure during extended fasting in subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) pups at Amsterdam Island

The fasting metabolism of 71- to 235-d-old subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) pups from Amsterdam Island, southern Indian Ocean, was investigated during the long foraging trips of their mothers. Body lipid reserves were proportionally greater in female than male pups and higher in postmoult (37%) than premoult (10%) animals. The mass-specific rate of mass loss did not differ between the sexes but was lower than observed in other species. Daily mass loss was estimated to 56% fat, 10% protein, and 34% water. The rate of protein catabolism (15 g d⁻¹) was negatively related to the size of initial lipid stores and accounted for 9% (±1%) of total energy expenditure. However, body composition changes during the fast were not equal between the sexes, with females relying more on protein catabolism than males (11% and 5% of total energy expenditure, respectively). Energy expenditure (270 kJ kg⁻¹ d⁻¹) and metabolic water production (11.5 mL kg⁻¹ d⁻¹) rates are the lowest reported for an otariid species. These results suggest that subantarctic fur seal pups greatly reduce activity levels to lower energy expenditure in addition to adopting protein-sparing metabolic pathways in order to survive the extreme fasts they must endure on Amsterdam Island.

Countryside elements and the conservation of birds in agricultural environments

Throughout the world, many native species inhabit agricultural landscapes. While natural habitats will form the cornerstone of conservation efforts in production-oriented environments, the success of these efforts will be enhanced by a greater understanding of the potential contribution of the increasingly modified countryside (‘matrix’) elements in these landscapes. Here, we investigate the relative occurrence of birds in some landscape elements (i.e. land-uses, vegetation types) common to agricultural environments around the world. Twenty-seven study mosaics (1 km × 1 km in size), selected to incorporate variation in the cover of native vegetation and the richness of different landscape elements, were sampled in Gippsland, south-eastern Australia. Birds were surveyed in five main types of elements: native vegetation, linear vegetation, plantation, scattered trees and pasture. The greatest number of species was recorded in native vegetation, the most important element for the majority of birds in Australian agricultural landscapes. Nevertheless, most countryside elements had value for many species; particularly structurally complex elements. Ordination analyses (based on presence/absence data for 81 species) showed that the composition of bird communities differed between elements. The number of mosaics in which ‘all species’ and ‘woodland species’ were recorded was positively related to the breadth of elements they used; thus species using a greater number of elements occurred more frequently in the study region. Correlation analyses identified that the richness of woodland species (those of increased conservation concern in Australia) in different elements was influenced by features of the mosaic in which they occurred. Notably, the richness of woodland bird species recorded in scattered trees and pasture increased with local native vegetation cover. Key implications for conservation in Australian agricultural environments include: (1) native vegetation is vital for the persistence of birds in these landscapes, and thus is the primary element on which conservation efforts in agricultural landscapes depend; (2) countryside elements can enhance the conservation value of agricultural landscapes by (a) increasing structural complexity in largely cleared areas and (b) increasing the heterogeneity of the entire landscape; and (3) patches of different elements cannot be managed in isolation from their surroundings, as landscape properties affect the richness of bird assemblages in different elements.

Power demand and energy usage of container crane - comparison between AC and DC drives

The electrical data of two quay cranes, one has a DC drive system and the other has an AC drive system, in actual working conditions at a container terminal are measured and presented in this paper. Peak demand, energy usage, power factor and power quality are examined and compared.

Compressive behavior and energy absorption of constructed cellular aluminum

The defoThe deformation behaviors and energy absorption characteristics of constructed cellular aluminums were investigated by compressive tests. Constructed cellular aluminum specimens with two kinds of thickness in the cold-pressed panel and various numbers of layers bonded together have been tested. The plateau stress and the energy absorption have been measured and furthermore, the deformation behaviors have been evaluated. Results indicate that superior mechanical properties with constructed cellular aluminums can be achieved when the distribution of material at cell level is properly selected. Excellent energy absorption per unit mass can be obtained by only changing the thickness of the original aluminum sheet.nnation behaviors and energy absorption characteristics of constructed cellular aluminums were investigated by compressive tests. Constructed cellular aluminum specimens with two kinds of thickness in the cold-pressed panel and various numbers of layers bonded together have been tested. The plateau stress and the energy absorption have been measured and furthennore, the defonnation behaviors have been evaluated. Results indicate that superior mechanical properties with constructed cellular aluminums can be achieved when the distribution of material at cell level is properly selected. Excellent energy absorption per unit mass can be obtained by only changing the thickness of the original aluminum sheet.

(Pan-)animal magics : ecofeminist ethics and aesthetics in the Web

The 1990s has often been dubbed 'The Decade of the Environment'. Pollution, deforestation and desertification, ozone destruction, endangerment of species of animals and wildlife, vanishing wildernesses, and energy conservation are some of the visible environmental concerns which have gained international recognition. A less visible but potentially just as important environmental concern has been raised by ecological feminists. This is a concern about the connections historical, empirical, theoretical, symbolic, and experiential between the domination of women and the domination of non-human nature.

Burnout and the conservation of resources theory

This thesis examines, within the framework of the Conservation of Resources Theory, the development of burnout in a sample of Victorian nurses over a nine-month period. Results showed that work characteristics demonstrated different associations with burnout and that COR theory was partially successful as an explanatory framework.

Prison architecture and privatisation : project delivery in the Australian context

The study is a comparison of the relationship between the architect and associated parties in the planning, design and construction of private and public prisons in Australia between 1985-2000.

Landscape pattern, countryside heterogeneity and bird conservation in agricultural environments

This study confirms the valuable contribution that agricultural landscapes make to bird conservation in Australia. While native vegetation is critical to conservation efforts, careful management of production land-use types may provide additional benefits. Results show that productive farm enterprises can make real contributions to the success of broader conservation goals.

Stadium architecture and a sense of 'place'

Stadiums are unique places, a building form that in modern times is perhaps unrivalled in reflecting an intense identification of 'place' for people and for cities. This research investigates the role that architecture plays in the development of such a sense of 'place', as compared to the influence of cultural factors such as history and a tradition of events.

Sites of dreaming: architecture and narrative

In this collection of work Daniel investigated relationships between architecture and the architectural in terms of memories, fictions and imagination. The work has drawn from childhood explorations of architecture and play, namely in the form of the Cubby Hut as well as exploring relationships between architecture in terms of culture and fiction with respect to architectural structures which are inspired by the classic form of the flying saucer or UFO.

A study on look-ahead control and energy management strategies in hybrid electric vehicles

Fuel efficiency in a hybrid electric vehicle requires a fine balance between usage of combustion engine and battery power. Information about the geometry of the road and traffic ahead can have a great impact on optimized control and the power split between the main parts of a hybrid electric vehicle. This paper provides a survey on the existing methods of control and energy management emphasizing on those that consider the look-ahead road situation and trajectory information. Then it presents the future trends in the control and energy management of hybrid electric vehicles.