Landscape perception by forest understory birds in the Atlantic Rainforest: black-and-white versus shades of grey

Even among forest specialists, species-specific responses to anthropogenic forest fragmentation may vary considerably. Some appear to be confined to forest interiors, and perceive a fragmented landscape as a mosaic of suitable fragments and hostile matrix. Others, however, are able to make use of matrix habitats and perceive the landscape in shades of grey rather than black-and-white. We analysed data of 42 Chiroxiphia caudata (Blue Manakin), 10 Pyriglena leucoptera (White-shouldered Fire-eye) and 19 Sclerurus scansor (Rufous-breasted Leaftosser) radio-tracked in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil between 2003 and 2005. We illustrate how habitat preferences may determine how species respond to or perceive the landscape structure. We compared available with used habitat to develop a species-specific preference index for each of six habitat classes. All three species preferred old forest, but relative use of other classes differed significantly. S. scansor perceived great contrast between old forest and matrix, whereas the other two species perceived greater habitat continuity. For conservation planning, our study offers three important messages: (1) some forest specialist species are able to persist in highly fragmented landscapes; (2) some forest species may be able to make use of different anthropogenic habitat types to various degrees; whereas (3) others are restricted to the remaining forest fragments. Our study suggests species most confined to forest interiors to be considered as potential umbrella species for landscape-scale conservation planning.

GLP-1 Inhibits and Adrenaline Stimulates Glucagon Release by Differential Modulation of N- and L-Type Ca(2+) Channel-Dependent Exocytosis

Glucagon secretion is inhibited by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and stimulated by adrenaline. These opposing effects on glucagon secretion are mimicked by low (1-10 nM) and high (10 mu M) concentrations of forskolin, respectively. The expression of GLP-1 receptors in a cells is <0.2% of that in beta cells. The GLP-1-induced suppression of glucagon secretion is PKA dependent, is glucose independent, and does not involve paracrine effects mediated by insulin or somatostatin. GLP-1 is without much effect on a cell electrical activity but selectively inhibits N-type Ca(2+) channels and exocytosis. Adrenaline stimulates a cell electrical activity, increases [Ca(2+)] enhances L-type Ca(2+) channel activity, and accelerates exocytosis. The stimulatory effect is partially PKA independent and reduced in Epac2-deficient islets. We propose that GLP-1 inhibits glucagon secretion by PKA-dependent inhibition of the N-type Ca(2+) channels via a small increase in intracellular cAMP ([cAMP]). Adrenaline stimulates L-type Ca(2+) channel-dependent exocytosis by activation of the low-affinity cAMP sensor Epac2 via a large increase in [cAMP],.

Progression of Diet-Induced Diabetes in C57BL6J Mice Involves Functional Dissociation of Ca(2+) Channels From Secretory Vesicles

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to elucidate the cellular mechanism underlying the suppression of glucose-induced insulin secretion in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 15 weeks. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-C57BL6J mice were fed a HFD or a normal diet (ND) for 3 or 15 weeks. Plasma insulin and glucose levels in vivo were assessed by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. Insulin secretion in vitro was studied using static incubations and a perfused pancreas preparation. Membrane currents, electrical activity, and exocytosis were examined by patch-clamp technique measurements. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) was measured by microfluorimetry. Total internal reflection fluorescence microscope (TIRFM) was used for optical imaging of exocytosis and submembrane depolarization-evoked [Ca(2+)](i). The functional data were complemented by analyses of histology and gene transcription. RESULTS After 15 weeks, but not 3 weeks, mice on HFD exhibited hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. Pancreatic islet content and beta-cell area increased 2- and 1.5-fold, respectively. These changes correlated with a 20-50% reduction of glucose-induced insulin secretion (normalized to insulin content). The latter effect was not associated with impaired electrical activity or [Ca(2+)](i) signaling. Single-cell capacitance and TIRFM measurements of exocytosis revealed a selective suppression (>70%) of exocytosis elicited by short (50 ms) depolarization, whereas the responses to longer depolarizations were (500 ms) less affected. The loss of rapid exocytosis correlated with dispersion of Ca(2+) entry in HFD beta-cells. No changes in gene transcription of key exocytotic protein were observed. CONCLUSIONS HFD results in reduced insulin secretion by causing the functional dissociation of voltage-gated Ca(2+) entry from exocytosis. These observations suggest a novel explanation to the well-established link between obesity and diabetes. Diabetes 59:1192-1201, 2010

A singular integro-differential equation model for dryout in LMFBR boiler tubes

A 2D steady model for the annular two-phase flow of water and steam in the steam-generating boiler pipes of a liquid metal fast breeder reactor is proposed The model is based on thin-layer lubrication theory and thin aerofoil theory. The exchange of mass between the vapour core and the liquid film due to evaporation of the liquid film is accounted for using some simple thermodynamics models, and the resultant change of phase is modelled by proposing a suitable Stefan problem Appropriate boundary conditions for the now are discussed The resulting non-lineal singular integro-differential equation for the shape of the liquid film free surface is solved both asymptotically and numerically (using some regularization techniques) Predictions for the length to the dryout point from the entry of the annular regime are made The influence of both the traction tau provided by the fast-flowing vapour core on the liquid layer and the mass transfer parameter eta on the dryout length is investigated

Objective characterization of the course of the parasellar internal carotid artery using mathematical tools

Background Along the internal carotid artery (ICA), atherosclerotic plaques are often located in its cavernous sinus (parasellar) segments (pICA). Studies indicate that the incidence of pre-atherosclerotic lesions is linked with the complexity of the pICA; however, the pICA shape was never objectively characterized. Our study aims at providing objective mathematical characterizations of the pICA shape. Methods and results Three-dimensional (3D) computer models, reconstructed from contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) data of 30 randomly selected patients (60 pICAs) were analyzed with modern visualization software and new mathematical algorithms. As objective measures for the pICA shape complexity, we provide calculations of curvature energy, torsion energy, and total complexity of 3D skeletons of the pICA lumen. We further measured the posterior knee of the so-called ""carotid siphon"" with a virtual goniometer and performed correlations between the objective mathematical calculations and the subjective angle measurements. Conclusions Firstly, our study provides mathematical characterizations of the pICA shape, which can serve as objective reference data for analyzing connections between pICA shape complexity and vascular diseases. Secondly, we provide an objective method for creating Such data. Thirdly, we evaluate the usefulness of subjective goniometric measurements of the angle of the posterior knee of the carotid siphon.

Three-dimensional description and mathematical characterization of the parasellar internal carotid artery in human infants

Inside the `cavernous sinus` or `parasellar region` the human internal carotid artery takes the shape of a siphon that is twisted and torqued in three dimensions and surrounded by a network of veins. The parasellar section of the internal carotid artery is of broad biological and medical interest, as its peculiar shape is associated with temperature regulation in the brain and correlated with the occurrence of vascular pathologies. The present study aims to provide anatomical descriptions and objective mathematical characterizations of the shape of the parasellar section of the internal carotid artery in human infants and its modifications during ontogeny. Three-dimensional (3D) computer models of the parasellar section of the internal carotid artery of infants were generated with a state-of-the-art 3D reconstruction method and analysed using both traditional morphometric methods and novel mathematical algorithms. We show that four constant, demarcated bends can be described along the infant parasellar section of the internal carotid artery, and we provide measurements of their angles. We further provide calculations of the curvature and torsion energy, and the total complexity of the 3D skeleton of the parasellar section of the internal carotid artery, and compare the complexity of this in infants and adults. Finally, we examine the relationship between shape parameters of the parasellar section of the internal carotid artery in infants, and the occurrence of intima cushions, and evaluate the reliability of subjective angle measurements for characterizing the complexity of the parasellar section of the internal carotid artery in infants. The results can serve as objective reference data for comparative studies and for medical imaging diagnostics. They also form the basis for a new hypothesis that explains the mechanisms responsible for the ontogenetic transformation in the shape of the parasellar section of the internal carotid artery.

Systemarkitektur för presentation av geografiskinformation- Utredning av Informationssystem och produkter

Banverket Trafik has a responsibility to make sure that the companies who traffic the Swedish railroad have the correct information about the status of the railroad. One of Banverket Trafiks information systems (Opera) presents the train’s actual position on a map and provides the user with physical information about the trains. Due to increasing demands on the information systems, Banverket Trafik needs to update the present system architecture in order to manage the increasing demands on map graphics and map functions. This paper analysis the information system Opera on the basis of theory and support of methods and discuss problems and demands for Opera. Further we investigate three GIS products to se if they meet the demands. Information about the products was gathered from both supplier and independent users to get a just picture of the products potentials. This paper comprises a suggestion of new system architecture that meet these needs. The suggested system architecture is capable of handling the map graphics and the map’s functions of more than one information system. Hopefully more than one information system will use the suggested system architecture as a map service.

Modell för att prediktera när tertiära glödskalsproblem uppstår

SSAB Tunnplåt har i Borlänge en produktionsanläggning innehållande varmvalsverk, kallvalsverk, normaliseringsanläggning, betsträckor, spaltsträckor, klippsträckor och ytbeläggningslinjer m.m. Genom hela varmvalsningsprocessen bildas oxid på den varma stålytan s.k. glödskal. Under pågående processer avlägsnas glödskalet för att ej påverka slutproduktens ytfinish och materialegenskaper. Fastän ytan spolas ren från glödskal före varje valsning händer det att det finns glödskalsproblem i form av grov yta på de färdiga banden. Anledningen till detta är att det hinner bildas glödskal i början av färdigverket efter att den sista glödskalsrensningen gjorts. Denna glödskalsbildning beror på en rad olika faktorer och troligen kombinationer av olika faktorer. En nyligen installerad ytsyningsanläggning detekterar återbildat (tertiärt) glödskal, detta presenteras som area fraktion av defekter per band. Detta mått används som resultat parameter när man med hjälp av ett verktyg för multivariatdataanalys analyserar ett stort antal valsningsparametrar som kan ha påverkan på det återbildade glödskalet. Analysen utförs med ett verktyg för multivariatdataanalys som heter Simca. Resultatet från analysen skall ses som ett hjälpmedel för att tala om inom vilka gränser valsverket skall köras för att undvika problemen med återbildat glödskal.

Vem bestämmer? : en undersökning av elevers uppfattning av informellt inflytande i gymnasieskolan

Syftet med detta examensarbete har varit mångfacetterat. Vi har undersökt om hur eleverna upplever det informella inflytandet över utbildningen på sina program, generellt sett och i samhällskunskap A. I detta har vi även undersökt skillnader mellan mäns och kvinnors uppfattning av inflytande i detta. Vidare har vi undersökt om eleverna ansett sig ha elevinflytande, och om de är nöjda med inflytandet på sin utbildning. Slutligen är syftet att skapa en modell för utvärdering av elevinflytande.Undersökningen är baserad på en enkätundersökning, som vi har genomfört på fyra program, på en gymnasieskola i Mellansverige. Programmen har varit El-, Handels, Medie- och samhällsprogrammet. Vi har avgränsat oss till det så kallade informella inflytandet, som har att göra med elevens inflytande över undervisningen, genom till exempel planering, genomförande och utvärdering. I vår undersökning har vi undersökt kategorierna: Innehåll i undervisningen, arbetsform, läromedel samt examinationssätt.Undersökningen påvisar att eleverna, i majoritet, anser att de har inflytande över sin utbildning. Vidare så anser en majoritet av eleverna, utom i Handelsprogrammet, att de är nöjda med inflytandet på utbildningen. Vi har dock kommit fram till att eleverna, generellt sett på utbildningen, upplever att det informella inflytandet är svagt och/eller gränsande mot mycket svagt informellt inflytande, i de olika kategorier som vi undersökt. Resultatet visar också, angående kursen samhällskunskap A, även där är svagt och/eller mycket svagt gällande det informella inflytandet, i de olika kategorier som vi undersökt.Vidare så har kommit fram till att det finns ett genusperspektiv, gällande det informella elevinflytandet. Skillnaderna mellan könen är att männen anser sig ha mest att säga till om gällande arbetsform och läromedel och minst om examinationssätt och innehåll i undersvingen, generellt sett på programmen. Medans kvinnorna enbart anser att de har mest inflytande över läromedel och minst över innehållet i undervisningen, generellt sett på programmen. Gällande samhällskunskap A, så anser männen att de har mest inflytande över arbetsform, och minst över examinationssätt. Medans kvinnorna ansett sig ha mest över innehåll i undervisningen och minst över examinationssätt. Männen och kvinnorna har dock den likheten, att de i samtliga kategorier anser att elevernas upplevelse av det informella inflytandet, är att det både generellt sett och i kursen samhällskunskap A är svagt och/eller mycket svagt.

Utveckling och analys av en PIC-mikrokontrollers möjligheter att kommunicera via TCP/IP

Sterners Specialfabrik AB tillverkar bland annat mynt- och biljettautomater. För att underlätta felsökning, underhåll, avläsning av statistik med mera på en automat är det lämpligt att detta utförs på en PC över Internet. Det innebär att automaten inte behöver besökas då dessa uppgifter skall utföras. Examensarbetet går ut på att få en PIC mikrokontroller att kommunicera med en användare vid en PC över internet. För detta krävs att en TCP/IP stack implementeras på PICmikrokontrollern. Arbetet ledde till en fungerande demoapplikation som klarar av att kommunicera över TCP/IP. Demoapplikationen innehåller diverse olika funktioner för att demonstrera hur en automat skulle kunna styras och övervakas.

Med perspektiv på gymnasievalet : en kvalitativ undersökning av motiv, värderingar och attityder som väglett några ungdomar inför deras gymnasieval

Vid femton års ålder ställs skolungdomar i vårt land inför ett beslut som sannolikt kommer att få konsekvenser för dem under lång tid. De ska då välja vilket gymnasieprogram de ska gå under de närmast följande tre åren, en tid under vilken de i hög grad formar sin identitet och skapar nya nätverk. Gymnasieutbildningen ger dessutom en första inriktning inför deras studie- och yrkeskarriär och valet kan därför ses som en manifestation av vad den unga människan har tänkt med sitt liv.Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka vilka motiv, värderingar och attityder som väglett några ungdomar vid deras val av gymnasieprogram. Min utgångspunkt är att det kan finnas en rad olika faktorer som spelar in och mina frågeställningar är därför:•Vilken roll har viktiga personer i den närmaste omgivningen, som föräldrar, syskon och kompisar spelat?•Vilken betydelse har individens egna biografiska erfarenheter av skola och arbete haft?•Hur kan valet av program relateras till deras nuvarande självbild eller identitet?•Kan individens mer kulturellt grundade attityder till arbete och karriär ha påverkat beslutet?•Finns det uttalade eller outtalade framtidsplaner eller livsprojekt i bakgrunden?•Vilken betydelse har individens förhållande till samhällets strukturella mönster vad gäller klass och kön i dessa fall?Undersökningen har genomförts i form av en fokusgrupp och kvalitativa intervjuer där fem gymnasieelever deltagit. De gick första året och hade därmed redan gjort sina val och dessutom påbörjat sin utbildning. Perspektivet för dem är retrospektivt.De teoretiska perspektiv jag har tillämpat på intervjumaterialet är tre: Med symbolisk interaktionism har jag försökt lägga ett aktörsperspektiv. Med Bourdieus begrepp habitus och kapital anlade jag ett strukturellt perspektiv. Slutligen har jag, med begreppet livsprojekt, velat koppla samman de intervjuades värderingsmönster med deras gymnasieval.De slutsatser som kan dras är att alla dessa perspektiv har sin tillämpning, ibland på en och samma individ. Men det har varit lättare att påvisa aktörskapet än de strukturella faktorerna. Vad gäller värderingsmönstren har undersökningen gett en mångtydig bild.

Solar Energy assessment based on weather station data for direct site monitoring in Indonesia

This thesis evaluates different sites for a weather measurement system and a suitable PV- simulation for University of Surabaya (UBAYA) in Indonesia/Java. The weather station is able to monitor all common weather phenomena including solar insolation. It is planned to use the data for scientific and educational purposes in the renewable energy studies. During evaluation and installation it falls into place that official specifications from global meteorological organizations could not be meet for some sensors caused by the conditions of UBAYA campus. After arranging the hardware the weather at the site was monitored for period of time. A comparison with different official sources from ground based and satellite bases measurements showed differences in wind and solar radiation. In some cases the monthly average solar insolation was deviating 42 % for satellite-based measurements. For the ground based it was less than 10 %. The average wind speed has a difference of 33 % compared to a source, which evaluated the wind power in Surabaya. The wind direction shows instabilities towards east compared with data from local weather station at the airport. PSET has the chance to get some investments to investigate photovoltaic on there own roof. With several simulations a suitable roof direction and the yearly and monthly outputs are shown. With a 7.7 kWpeak PV installation with the latest crystalline technology on the market 8.82 MWh/year could be achieved with weather data from 2012. Thin film technology could increase the value up to 9.13 MWh/year. However, the roofs have enough area to install PV. Finally the low price of electricity in Indonesia makes it not worth to feed in the energy into the public grid.

The facial affective scale as a predictor for pain unpleasantness when children undergo immunizations.

Needle fear is a common problem in children undergoing immunization. To ensure that the individual child's needs are met during a painful procedure it would be beneficial to be able to predict whether there is a need for extra support. The self-reporting instrument facial affective scale (FAS) could have potential for this purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the FAS can predict pain unpleasantness in girls undergoing immunization. Girls, aged 11-12 years, reported their expected pain unpleasantness on the FAS at least two weeks before and then experienced pain unpleasantness immediately before each vaccination. The experienced pain unpleasantness during the vaccination was also reported immediately after each immunization. The level of anxiety was similarly assessed during each vaccination and supplemented with stress measures in relation to the procedure in order to assess and evaluate concurrent validity. The results show that the FAS is valid to predict pain unpleasantness in 11-12-year-old girls who undergo immunizations and that it has the potential to be a feasible instrument to identify children who are in need of extra support to cope with immunization. In conclusion, the FAS measurement can facilitate caring interventions.