Propane dehydrogenation(PDH)has emerged as a key on-purpose technology for the production of propylene,but it often depends on toxic chromium and expensive platinum catalysts,highlighting the need for environmentally ...Propane dehydrogenation(PDH)has emerged as a key on-purpose technology for the production of propylene,but it often depends on toxic chromium and expensive platinum catalysts,highlighting the need for environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives.In this study,we developed a facile impregnation method to fabricate unsaturated Co single-atoms with a tricoordinated Co_(1)O_(3)H_(x) structure by regulating silanol nests in purely siliceous Beta zeolites.Detailed PDH catalytic tests and characterizations revealed a positive correlation between the presence of silanol nests and enhanced catalytic activity.Additionally,the unsaturated Co single-atoms exhibited a carbon deposition rate more than an order of magnitude slower than that of Co nanoparticles.Notably,the optimized Co_(0.3%)/deAl-meso-Beta catalyst achieved a record-high propylene formation rate of 21.2 mmol_(C3H6) g_(cat)^(-1) h^(-1),with an exceptional propylene selectivity of 99.1%at 550℃.Moreover,the Co_(0.3%)/deAl-meso-Beta catalyst demonstrated excellent stability,with negligible deactivation after 5 consecutive regeneration cycles.This study emphasizes the pivotal role of silanol nests of zeolites in stabilizing and modulating the coordination environment of metallic active sites,providing valuable insights for the design of high-activity,high-stability,and low-cost PDH catalysts.展开更多
The aim of this work is to emphasize the importance of a differential diagnosis of von Brunn’s nests in cats from other urothelial neoplastic disorders, as transitional cell carcinoma, for a subsequent optimal care. ...The aim of this work is to emphasize the importance of a differential diagnosis of von Brunn’s nests in cats from other urothelial neoplastic disorders, as transitional cell carcinoma, for a subsequent optimal care. Von Brunn’s nests and cysts are submucosal benign urothelial processes, related to irritative stimuli (calculi and urinary infections), characterized by an invagination with buds and clusters of normal urothelium in the lamina propria. They are common findings in the urinary bladder of human beings, but few cases have been described in dogs and cats. We report macroscopic, histopathological and, in one case, immunohistochemical features of these rare forms in the left ureters of two cats. Macroscopic evidence during surgery of ureteral nodules in two cats was accompanied by histopathological diagnosis and, in one case, by immunohistochemical assessment. Histopathology was coherent with a rare condition characterized by nests and islands of normal urothelium in the lamina propria and submucosa, with formation of cysts and moderate focal subacute inflammation. In one case epithelial cells of the nests showed well differentiated urothelial cells with an intense immunoreactivity to pan-cytokeratin (CK AE1/AE3), CK19 in the first outer layers, a slight immunoreactivity to CK20 and a low proliferative activity using MIB-1 (Ki67).展开更多
We investigated a breeding population of Common Coots (Fulica atra) from April to June in 2008 and 2009.We found that each pair of coots built display platforms beside their nest in their territory during the breeding...We investigated a breeding population of Common Coots (Fulica atra) from April to June in 2008 and 2009.We found that each pair of coots built display platforms beside their nest in their territory during the breeding season.On average,3.1 (range 2-7) platforms were built by each pair of coots.Display platforms were simpler with less coverage and were significantly lower above the water surface than nests; however,their depth below the water surface was not significantly different.Platforms were primarily used for roosting,preening and mating in the breeding season,but they were also used to store animal food.In the breeding season,nest was usually built later than platforms,the use ratio (total and daily frequency) of platforms decreased after nest was built,and more mating behavior was performed on the nest than on the platform.We compared the use ratio of both sexes to the nest and platforms in different breeding phases; the results show that females used the nest more than the platforms,while males used the platforms more than the females,suggesting that females pay more attention to breeding,while males put more energy in territorial defense.Since coots are territorial during the breeding season,the platforms may play an important role in confirming and recognizing territorial boundaries.展开更多
We investigate the plant composition in the Skuas nest at Hennequin Point, located in the Admiralty Bay Area, King George Island, Antarctica. Sample of 61 activity nests were analyzed. 21 plant and lichenized fungi sp...We investigate the plant composition in the Skuas nest at Hennequin Point, located in the Admiralty Bay Area, King George Island, Antarctica. Sample of 61 activity nests were analyzed. 21 plant and lichenized fungi species were found in the nest composition, being the mosses Sanioniauncinata (Hedw.) Loeske and Polytrichastrumalpinum (Hedw) G. S. Smith the most frequent species found in the Skuas nests. Usneaantarctica Du Rietz was the most frequent lichen and the grass Deschampsiaantarctica Desv was the most frequent flowering plant found in the nests. These results contribute for the environmental menagement of the Admiralty Bay area research activities.展开更多
Edible bird＇s nest （EBN） is currently widely consumed by the Chinese community as tonic food and functional food, which is believed to have many medicinal benefits. Some studies have reported the biochemical compos...Edible bird＇s nest （EBN） is currently widely consumed by the Chinese community as tonic food and functional food, which is believed to have many medicinal benefits. Some studies have reported the biochemical compositions of EBN, graded on the basis of colour, nitrate and nitrite contents. Other studies have shown significant biological effects, while ongoing research is in progress to explore potential pharmacological applications. The high demand for EBNs in the global market has forced the local regulatory bodies to monitor swiftlet farming activities, including the EBN cleaning process. Furthermore, numerous techniques have been developed to authenticate EBN; proteomics is likely to be the most promising of these methods. However, there are limited numbers of relevant protein sequences deposited at the database. More research is needed at the molecular level to explore the mechanisms behind the biological functions, such as bone strength improvement, skin rejuvenation, epidermal growth factor activity and cell proliferation.The current and future prospects of EBN and swiftlet farming are critically reviewed in this article.展开更多
Background:Research activities have often been thought to potentially influence avian nesting success by increasing nest predation rates.Although recent studies of species building open nests and cavity nests suggest ...Background:Research activities have often been thought to potentially influence avian nesting success by increasing nest predation rates.Although recent studies of species building open nests and cavity nests suggest that research disturbance does not generally induce nest predation,whether it is also the case in species building domednests remains unknown.In birds,domed-nest species exist in about half of the passerine families,and research disturbance to the domed nests may differ from that to the nests of other types for their different nest structures.Methods:We investigated if research activities affected nest predation rate by analyzing the relationships of the daily nest survival rate with the research activities at the egg and nestling stages of a domed-nest species,the Silverthroated Tit(Aegithalos glaucogularis).Results:Our results showed that nest daily survival rate was significantly affected by the laying date and nest age during the egg stage,and by the hatching date only during the nestling stage.By contrast,there were no significant effects of research activities,in terms of visiting nests and filming nests,on the nest survival of the Silver-throated Tit at both the egg and nestling stages.Conclusions:Our results coincide with the findings in species building other types of nests that research activities do not always have negative effects on avian nesting success.展开更多
Background: Nest construction is a key element of avian reproductive behaviour and the result is often a complex structure that is used for incubation of eggs, which represents an extended phenotype. It is known that ...Background: Nest construction is a key element of avian reproductive behaviour and the result is often a complex structure that is used for incubation of eggs, which represents an extended phenotype. It is known that nest construction is a plastic behaviour but the extent to which plasticity is observed in a single species with a wide geographical distribution is largely unknown. This study sought to better understand variation in nest size and composition across a very wide geographical area. The hypothesis suggested that location would affect size but not composition of nests of the European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). Methods: Nests and reproductive data were collected from seventeen study sites, spread over 6° of latitude and 3.3° of longitude on the island of Great Britain. Dimensions of nests were measured before they were deconstructed to determine the masses and types materials used in the outer nest and the cup lining. Results: Geographical variation was observed in base thickness of nests but not many other dimensions. Nests varied in composition but were mainly made of leaf, moss, bark, grass, root and fern. Moss was used more to the north and east of the study area compared with more leaf mass towards the south and west. The species of leaf and bark used in the nests varied between geographical locations. Additionally, the use of leaves or bark from a particular tree species did not reflect the incidence of the tree species in the immediate territory. Conclusions: This study showed that nest composition was affected by geographical location over a wide area. Variation between nests at each location was high and so it was concluded that differences in nest composition reflect individual selection of materials but evidence is such that it remains unclear whether this is deliberate to fulfil a specific role in the nest, or simply opportunistic with birds simply picking up materials with the appropriate characteristics as they find them outside their nestbox.展开更多
In this study, we investigated the spatial aggregation of old and incipient nests of Atta sexdens rubropilosa by fitting Poisson and Negative binomial models to nest abundance data. Our aim is to analyse the distribut...In this study, we investigated the spatial aggregation of old and incipient nests of Atta sexdens rubropilosa by fitting Poisson and Negative binomial models to nest abundance data. Our aim is to analyse the distribution of ant nests in eucalypt regrowth, Cerrado and native forest fragment. We also investigated the correlation between nest abundance and climatic factors, as well as different nest ages. When comparing nests of different ages we observed an aggregated pattern for both old and incipient nests. On the other hand, analysing the distribution of nests separately, only taking into account the different areas and respective borders, old nests exhibited an aggregated pattern and incipient nests showed a random pattern, except for native forest with ants exhibiting only an aggregated pattern. The levels of aggregation changed in response to different areas and border gradients, with more external borders showing higher aggregation than more internal borders. Temperature was the variable showing the highest correlation with nest abundance and the correlation between nests of different ages was totally depending on the different areas.展开更多
Objectives:Edible bird nest hydrolysates(EBNHs)are renowned for their health benefits.The study aimed to determine their functional effects as an ingredient in cocoa-flavoured soy-based powder drink mix(PDM).The glyca...Objectives:Edible bird nest hydrolysates(EBNHs)are renowned for their health benefits.The study aimed to determine their functional effects as an ingredient in cocoa-flavoured soy-based powder drink mix(PDM).The glycaemic and satiety effects of the product were also studied.Materials and Methods:The product was enriched with a reasonably low amount of spray-dried EBNH.The product’s functional effects with respect to in vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitory activity and human red blood cell membrane stabilization(RBCMS)activity were evaluated using its water extract(90-95℃).The glycaemic and satiety impacts were evaluated in twelve and thirty subjects,respectively,who consumed 250 mL of the product,which contained 25 g of available carbohydrates.Results:The enriched PDM ACE inhibitory activity and RBCMS activity were significantly higher(P<0.05)than those that were devoid of EBNH.Two hundred and forty milliliters(12.5%(125 mg/mL))of PDM(containing 3.0%EBNH,75.44%soybean powder,20%cocoa powder,0.5%xanthan gum,1.0%silicon dioxide,and 0.06%sucralose(mass fraction))provides approximately 3.7 kcal/g energy.The 250 mL meal(consistency index of 14.17 Pa·sn)is high in protein and dietary fibre.The product’s glycaemic index(GI)and glycaemic load(GL)are low,24 and 6.0,respectively,raising a normal level of 2-h postprandial blood glucose(<6 mmol/L)and satisfying hunger for approximately 2.5 h.Conclusions:EBNH,as an ingredient,enhances the antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties of PDM.The overall findings suggest that the formulated PDM is a wellness food product capable of promoting good human health,including for dieters and individuals with diabetes.展开更多
Edible birds'nests(EBNs)have traditionally been produced in Southeast Asia.Indonesian farmers construct buildings for swiftlets and harvest their nests.EBN farming does not directly degrade forest resources and is...Edible birds'nests(EBNs)have traditionally been produced in Southeast Asia.Indonesian farmers construct buildings for swiftlets and harvest their nests.EBN farming does not directly degrade forest resources and is therefore considered a sustainable means of production,whereas the expansion of other agricultural activities often relies on the degradation of natural resources.This study examines the relationship between natural resources and agricultural livelihoods,focusing on Indonesian EBN farmers.Using survey data that we collected In 2017,combined with satellite information on the extent of the forest in Central Kalimantan,Indonesia,we measured production efficiency and identified the natural and social factors that enhance production performance.The results show that a forest extent ranging between2,000 and 6,000 meters from nesting building is positively associated with the production efficiency of EBN farming,perhaps because extensive forest could help swiftlets to collect food and build nests.Conversely,while EBN farming is a sustainable and profitable option,the initial costs of constructing buildings to house swiftlets may deter farmers from participating in the process.展开更多
Tool use-once considered rare in insects-has been documented in a crafty predator.Researchers from China Agricultural University,and two institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences-the Xishuangbanna Tropical Bo...Tool use-once considered rare in insects-has been documented in a crafty predator.Researchers from China Agricultural University,and two institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences-the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden(XTBG)and the Institute of Zoology-revealed that the assassin bug Pahabengkakia piliceps weaponizes resin from stingless bee nests to trick its prey.展开更多
This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of nesting optimization algorithms in the shipbuilding industry,emphasizing their role in improving material utilization,minimizing waste,and enhancing production ...This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of nesting optimization algorithms in the shipbuilding industry,emphasizing their role in improving material utilization,minimizing waste,and enhancing production efficiency.The shipbuilding process involves the complex cutting and arrangement of steel plates,making the optimization of these operations vital for cost-effectiveness and sustainability.Nesting algorithms are broadly classified into four categories:exact,heuristic,metaheuristic,and hybrid.Exact algorithms ensure optimal solutions but are computationally demanding.In contrast,heuristic algorithms deliver quicker results using practical rules,although they may not consistently achieve optimal outcomes.Metaheuristic algorithms combine multiple heuristics to effectively explore solution spaces,striking a balance between solution quality and computational efficiency.Hybrid algorithms integrate the strengths of different approaches to further enhance performance.This review systematically assesses these algorithms using criteria such as material dimensions,part geometry,component layout,and computational efficiency.The findings highlight the significant potential of advanced nesting techniques to improve material utilization,reduce production costs,and promote sustainable practices in shipbuilding.By adopting suitable nesting solutions,shipbuilders can achieve greater efficiency,optimized resource management,and superior overall performance.Future research directions should focus on integrating machine learning and real-time adaptability to further enhance nesting algorithms,paving the way for smarter,more sustainable manufacturing practices in the shipbuilding industry.展开更多
Predator dummies are usually used to explore the impact of predator features on the anti-predator behavior of birds.Previous studies have shown that the morphology and behavior of aerial predators can signal different...Predator dummies are usually used to explore the impact of predator features on the anti-predator behavior of birds.Previous studies have shown that the morphology and behavior of aerial predators can signal different threat levels to birds.However,whether subtle changes in ground predator dummies cause changes in the nest defense behavior of parent birds is unclear.In this study,we aimed to investigate whether Japanese Tits(Parus minor)exhibit different nest defense behaviors in response to experimentally manipulated variations in the appearance,posture,and size of virtual snake proxies(common nest predators).During the incubation period,we observed the nest defense behaviors of the parent tits against taxidermized Siberian Ratsnakes(Elaphe schrenckii)with varied characteristics and rubber-made model snakes.The tits exhibited more intense responses to taxidermized large(body length about 120 cm)coiled ratsnakes than to large coiled model snakes.They exhibited weaker responses to taxidermized small(body length about 20 cm)coiled ratsnakes than to taxidermized small sinusoidal ratsnakes.In addition,they exhibited more intense responses to taxidermized large coiled ratsnakes than to taxidermized small coiled ratsnakes,and more intense responses to taxidermized small sinusoidal ratsnakes than to large model snakes.However,there was no difference in the response of tits to taxidermized small sinusoidal ratsnakes and taxidermized large coiled ratsnakes,or to taxidermized small coiled ratsnakes and model snakes.Thus,the presence of scales,a sinusoidal posture,and a large body size of snake dummies can induce more intense behavioral responses in Japanese Tits.We suggested that Japanese Tits can discriminate subtle differences in ground predator dummies of nests and exhibit different nest defense behaviors.展开更多
BACKGROUND The impact of psychiatric disorder,especially depression,on the prognosis of sarcopenic patients is gaining prominence.Yet,there have been very few studies focusing on this issue,let alone the related targe...BACKGROUND The impact of psychiatric disorder,especially depression,on the prognosis of sarcopenic patients is gaining prominence.Yet,there have been very few studies focusing on this issue,let alone the related targeted mental health prevention.This cohort-based nested case-control study is geared to compare risk of depression and the depression-related ambulatory care utilization for sarcopenia persons with and without receiving add-on Chinese herbal medicines(CHMs)treatment.AIM To compare risk of depression and the depression-related ambulatory care utili-zation for sarcopenia persons with and without receiving add-on CHMs treat-ment.METHODS In the beginning,we recruited those aged 20-70 years with newly diagnosed sarcopenia and free of depression between 2002 and 2010 from a nationwide insurance database.From them,we identified cases with depression onset occurring after sarcopenia until December 31,2013.To cautiously isolate the effect of CHMs,we established the matched sets of treated and untreated subjects with CHMs use by randomly frequency matching.A conditional logistic regression was executed to explore the association of CHMs to depression risk,and the frequency and costs of depression-related ambulatory care were compared using Mann-Whitney U test.RESULTS Addition of CHMs to routine care of sarcopenia notably correlated with a lower risk of depression.A remarkable effect of CHMs in reducing depression was detected when sarcopenia subjects received CHMs for more than three years,lowering depression risk by as much as 65%.As compared to CHMs users,the non-CHMs users indeed incurred higher frequency and costs of depression-related ambulatory care after depression attack(P<0.05).Notably,the costs for per depression-related ambulatory care profoundly increased with the years after depression attack.CONCLUSION Sarcopenic patients can greatly benefit from add-on CHMs treatment,underscoring the urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration and proactive treatment planning.展开更多
Roads are a leading cause of habitat fragmentation and may reduce bird populations by increasing nest predation rates.However,few studies have investigated the effects of traffic volume on the reproductive success of ...Roads are a leading cause of habitat fragmentation and may reduce bird populations by increasing nest predation rates.However,few studies have investigated the effects of traffic volume on the reproductive success of roadside birds in the neotropics.Our goal was to evaluate the effects of spatial,temporal,and vehicle flow variations on the survival of artificial open-cup nests.The study was carried out in a nature reserve on the side of a highway during the breeding season(from October to March)in two restinga(sand-coastal plain)phytophysiognomies in southeastern Brazil:non-floodable(open)and floodable(closed).One hundred thirty nests were distributed along transects ranging from 3 m to 300 m from the highway in each vegetation type(totaling 260 nests).The nests were checked every three days for their status(depredated or intact)over 12 days,and new nests were subsequently placed near sampling points of depredated or successful nests.We estimated survival using logistic exposure generalized linear and additive mixed models.At the end of the 180 days of the experiment,33%of 6202 nests were successful.Nest survival was higher in open restinga than in closed restinga.In both habitats,nest survival was lowest mid-season and highest at the beginning and end.Survival rates peaked near the highway,declined up to 50 m away,then showed a slight increase.Finally,survival increased at moderate-to-high traffic volumes(∼22,000 vehicles/day),particularly in open restinga.We suggest that spatial,temporal,and habitat-specific highway impacts(e.g.,noise,vibration,visual stimuli)can lead to variations in the activity of nest predators,generating fluctuations in nest survival associated with predator behavior.展开更多
Urban green spaces and parks offer opportunities for retaining and increasing bird richness, diversity, and species abundance. However, urbanisation influences predator–prey interactions, leading to high predation ra...Urban green spaces and parks offer opportunities for retaining and increasing bird richness, diversity, and species abundance. However, urbanisation influences predator–prey interactions, leading to high predation rates in urban areas, in the UK notably through the presence of large populations of domestic cats and increased populations of synanthropic species, such as rats and squirrels. These high predation rates are assumed to be a significant cause of reproductive failure in birds. Some ecologists advocate for the use of buffer zones with reduced human influence to reduce potential hunting pressure in eco-sensitive areas. However, the buffer effect on predation rates of nesting birds in suburban areas is rarely investigated. In this study, we investigated how edge effects (how close nest sites are to housing) and nest height (i.e., ground vs. above-ground) affected nest predation rates in a suburban park using camera traps to monitor artificial nests containing quail eggs. Our hypothesis was that nests in the buffer area (<300 m inward from university boundary) and at low height would suffer higher predation rates than nests in the core area (>300 m from the university boundary) and at height, as the buffer zone effect, and ease of access to ground predators would result in higher predation rates. We found no significant effect of nest height in nest predation rates. However, contrary to our expectations, nests in the core zone suffered higher predation rates than those in the buffer zone, and corvids were responsible for almost half of the egg loss events. We speculate that this may be a consequence of higher levels of anthropogenic disturbance (e.g., pedestrians, dog walking, vehicles) adjacent to our buffer zone acting as a deterrent to avian nest predators. This work suggests that protecting urban sites from disturbance may not always act to support bird abundance.展开更多
Advertisement calls are essential for communication among anuran amphibians,with their production influenced by a range of environmental factors and morphological traits.To understand the primary sources of variation ...Advertisement calls are essential for communication among anuran amphibians,with their production influenced by a range of environmental factors and morphological traits.To understand the primary sources of variation of advertisement calls in male Leptobrachium liui,we recorded their advertisement calls during the breeding season and analyzed two primary acoustic parameters: call duration(CD) and dominant frequency(DF),along with their within-individual coefficients of variation.Additionally,we collected nest-related environmental parameters and morphological traits to investigate how these factors influence the variation in advertisement calls.Our analyses revealed that both nest-related environmental parameters(particularly water temperature) and individual morphological traits(especially head morphology) significantly influenced advertisement call characteristics in male L.liui.Water temperature showed a negative relationship with CD,while head morphology was positively associated with both CD and DF.These findings enhance our understanding of the factors shaping acoustic communication in L.liui during the breeding season and highlight the importance of both environmental and morphological factors in anuran vocalization.展开更多
Avian incubation is characterised by the contact between the eggs and the bird's skin to transfer heat to increase egg temperature above ambient conditions. Birds can be attentive to the clutch all of the time or,...Avian incubation is characterised by the contact between the eggs and the bird's skin to transfer heat to increase egg temperature above ambient conditions. Birds can be attentive to the clutch all of the time or, particularly if only one parent incubates, attentiveness may be quite low. Attentiveness is related to egg size with large eggs having high attentiveness, whereas small eggs (<10 g) can have attentiveness ranging from 50% to 100%. Previous studies have suggested that incubation duration is a function of attentiveness albeit for small birds. This study tested the hypothesis that, after controlling for egg size and phylogeny, incubation duration would be a function of attentiveness. Data for 444 bird species representing 24 orders were analysed. Whilst egg mass had a significant relationship with incubation duration, there was no relationship with attentiveness for all of the species or a subset of the passerines. Despite egg temperature drops during an incubation recess, average day-time and night-time temperatures are similar in a range of species. Re-examination of previously reported temperature profiles recorded by dummy eggs over a 24-h period shows that after an incubation recess there seems to be an additional heat flux that raises egg temperature above that seen during night-time periods of constant incubation. The reasons why eggs under intermittent incubation are not considerably cooler than eggs during constant incubation are discussed.展开更多
Nest predation is the leading cause of reproductive failure in birds and a major driving force in the evolution of anti-predation strategies.Current studies on the anti-predation strategies of birds driven by predatio...Nest predation is the leading cause of reproductive failure in birds and a major driving force in the evolution of anti-predation strategies.Current studies on the anti-predation strategies of birds driven by predation pressure have mainly focused on adults.However,the detection and behavioral responses of nestlings toward predation risk require further investigation.In this study,we examined nestling responses to predator sounds.Two species of nestlings,the Reed Parrotbill(Paradoxornis heudei)and Vinous-throated Parrotbill(Sinosuthora webbiana),were exposed to the Sparrowhawk(Accipiter nisus,less common)and Oriental Magpie(Pica serica,more common),which are predator species,the Oriental Turtle Dove(Streptopelia orientalis),which is a commonly found harmless species,and background noise.Our findings revealed that compared to pre-playback of natural begging and playback of background noise and Oriental Turtle Dove sounds,playback of the two predator types decreased the total begging time and total number of calls of the two nestlings species,with the calls of the Sparrowhawk leading to greater suppression of nestling begging behavior than those of the Oriental Magpie.Therefore,our results indicated that these nestlings were able to distinguish predators from harmless species based on auditory cues.展开更多
文摘Propane dehydrogenation(PDH)has emerged as a key on-purpose technology for the production of propylene,but it often depends on toxic chromium and expensive platinum catalysts,highlighting the need for environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives.In this study,we developed a facile impregnation method to fabricate unsaturated Co single-atoms with a tricoordinated Co_(1)O_(3)H_(x) structure by regulating silanol nests in purely siliceous Beta zeolites.Detailed PDH catalytic tests and characterizations revealed a positive correlation between the presence of silanol nests and enhanced catalytic activity.Additionally,the unsaturated Co single-atoms exhibited a carbon deposition rate more than an order of magnitude slower than that of Co nanoparticles.Notably,the optimized Co_(0.3%)/deAl-meso-Beta catalyst achieved a record-high propylene formation rate of 21.2 mmol_(C3H6) g_(cat)^(-1) h^(-1),with an exceptional propylene selectivity of 99.1%at 550℃.Moreover,the Co_(0.3%)/deAl-meso-Beta catalyst demonstrated excellent stability,with negligible deactivation after 5 consecutive regeneration cycles.This study emphasizes the pivotal role of silanol nests of zeolites in stabilizing and modulating the coordination environment of metallic active sites,providing valuable insights for the design of high-activity,high-stability,and low-cost PDH catalysts.
文摘The aim of this work is to emphasize the importance of a differential diagnosis of von Brunn’s nests in cats from other urothelial neoplastic disorders, as transitional cell carcinoma, for a subsequent optimal care. Von Brunn’s nests and cysts are submucosal benign urothelial processes, related to irritative stimuli (calculi and urinary infections), characterized by an invagination with buds and clusters of normal urothelium in the lamina propria. They are common findings in the urinary bladder of human beings, but few cases have been described in dogs and cats. We report macroscopic, histopathological and, in one case, immunohistochemical features of these rare forms in the left ureters of two cats. Macroscopic evidence during surgery of ureteral nodules in two cats was accompanied by histopathological diagnosis and, in one case, by immunohistochemical assessment. Histopathology was coherent with a rare condition characterized by nests and islands of normal urothelium in the lamina propria and submucosa, with formation of cysts and moderate focal subacute inflammation. In one case epithelial cells of the nests showed well differentiated urothelial cells with an intense immunoreactivity to pan-cytokeratin (CK AE1/AE3), CK19 in the first outer layers, a slight immunoreactivity to CK20 and a low proliferative activity using MIB-1 (Ki67).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 200904012)the Jiangxi Agricultural University Research Start Fund for Doctor (09003274)
文摘We investigated a breeding population of Common Coots (Fulica atra) from April to June in 2008 and 2009.We found that each pair of coots built display platforms beside their nest in their territory during the breeding season.On average,3.1 (range 2-7) platforms were built by each pair of coots.Display platforms were simpler with less coverage and were significantly lower above the water surface than nests; however,their depth below the water surface was not significantly different.Platforms were primarily used for roosting,preening and mating in the breeding season,but they were also used to store animal food.In the breeding season,nest was usually built later than platforms,the use ratio (total and daily frequency) of platforms decreased after nest was built,and more mating behavior was performed on the nest than on the platform.We compared the use ratio of both sexes to the nest and platforms in different breeding phases; the results show that females used the nest more than the platforms,while males used the platforms more than the females,suggesting that females pay more attention to breeding,while males put more energy in territorial defense.Since coots are territorial during the breeding season,the platforms may play an important role in confirming and recognizing territorial boundaries.
基金The authors thank the Brazilian National Council of Sci-entific Research-CNPq(process 574018/2008 e 314664/2009-2),FAPERJ(process E-26/170.023/2008)and MMA/MCT/PROANTAR for the financial support.
文摘We investigate the plant composition in the Skuas nest at Hennequin Point, located in the Admiralty Bay Area, King George Island, Antarctica. Sample of 61 activity nests were analyzed. 21 plant and lichenized fungi species were found in the nest composition, being the mosses Sanioniauncinata (Hedw.) Loeske and Polytrichastrumalpinum (Hedw) G. S. Smith the most frequent species found in the Skuas nests. Usneaantarctica Du Rietz was the most frequent lichen and the grass Deschampsiaantarctica Desv was the most frequent flowering plant found in the nests. These results contribute for the environmental menagement of the Admiralty Bay area research activities.
文摘Edible bird＇s nest （EBN） is currently widely consumed by the Chinese community as tonic food and functional food, which is believed to have many medicinal benefits. Some studies have reported the biochemical compositions of EBN, graded on the basis of colour, nitrate and nitrite contents. Other studies have shown significant biological effects, while ongoing research is in progress to explore potential pharmacological applications. The high demand for EBNs in the global market has forced the local regulatory bodies to monitor swiftlet farming activities, including the EBN cleaning process. Furthermore, numerous techniques have been developed to authenticate EBN; proteomics is likely to be the most promising of these methods. However, there are limited numbers of relevant protein sequences deposited at the database. More research is needed at the molecular level to explore the mechanisms behind the biological functions, such as bone strength improvement, skin rejuvenation, epidermal growth factor activity and cell proliferation.The current and future prospects of EBN and swiftlet farming are critically reviewed in this article.
基金This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.31970421,31472011,31101644).
文摘Background:Research activities have often been thought to potentially influence avian nesting success by increasing nest predation rates.Although recent studies of species building open nests and cavity nests suggest that research disturbance does not generally induce nest predation,whether it is also the case in species building domednests remains unknown.In birds,domed-nest species exist in about half of the passerine families,and research disturbance to the domed nests may differ from that to the nests of other types for their different nest structures.Methods:We investigated if research activities affected nest predation rate by analyzing the relationships of the daily nest survival rate with the research activities at the egg and nestling stages of a domed-nest species,the Silverthroated Tit(Aegithalos glaucogularis).Results:Our results showed that nest daily survival rate was significantly affected by the laying date and nest age during the egg stage,and by the hatching date only during the nestling stage.By contrast,there were no significant effects of research activities,in terms of visiting nests and filming nests,on the nest survival of the Silver-throated Tit at both the egg and nestling stages.Conclusions:Our results coincide with the findings in species building other types of nests that research activities do not always have negative effects on avian nesting success.
文摘Background: Nest construction is a key element of avian reproductive behaviour and the result is often a complex structure that is used for incubation of eggs, which represents an extended phenotype. It is known that nest construction is a plastic behaviour but the extent to which plasticity is observed in a single species with a wide geographical distribution is largely unknown. This study sought to better understand variation in nest size and composition across a very wide geographical area. The hypothesis suggested that location would affect size but not composition of nests of the European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). Methods: Nests and reproductive data were collected from seventeen study sites, spread over 6° of latitude and 3.3° of longitude on the island of Great Britain. Dimensions of nests were measured before they were deconstructed to determine the masses and types materials used in the outer nest and the cup lining. Results: Geographical variation was observed in base thickness of nests but not many other dimensions. Nests varied in composition but were mainly made of leaf, moss, bark, grass, root and fern. Moss was used more to the north and east of the study area compared with more leaf mass towards the south and west. The species of leaf and bark used in the nests varied between geographical locations. Additionally, the use of leaves or bark from a particular tree species did not reflect the incidence of the tree species in the immediate territory. Conclusions: This study showed that nest composition was affected by geographical location over a wide area. Variation between nests at each location was high and so it was concluded that differences in nest composition reflect individual selection of materials but evidence is such that it remains unclear whether this is deliberate to fulfil a specific role in the nest, or simply opportunistic with birds simply picking up materials with the appropriate characteristics as they find them outside their nestbox.
文摘In this study, we investigated the spatial aggregation of old and incipient nests of Atta sexdens rubropilosa by fitting Poisson and Negative binomial models to nest abundance data. Our aim is to analyse the distribution of ant nests in eucalypt regrowth, Cerrado and native forest fragment. We also investigated the correlation between nest abundance and climatic factors, as well as different nest ages. When comparing nests of different ages we observed an aggregated pattern for both old and incipient nests. On the other hand, analysing the distribution of nests separately, only taking into account the different areas and respective borders, old nests exhibited an aggregated pattern and incipient nests showed a random pattern, except for native forest with ants exhibiting only an aggregated pattern. The levels of aggregation changed in response to different areas and border gradients, with more external borders showing higher aggregation than more internal borders. Temperature was the variable showing the highest correlation with nest abundance and the correlation between nests of different ages was totally depending on the different areas.
基金supported by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia(UKM)through the research project grant GUP-2018-059.
文摘Objectives:Edible bird nest hydrolysates(EBNHs)are renowned for their health benefits.The study aimed to determine their functional effects as an ingredient in cocoa-flavoured soy-based powder drink mix(PDM).The glycaemic and satiety effects of the product were also studied.Materials and Methods:The product was enriched with a reasonably low amount of spray-dried EBNH.The product’s functional effects with respect to in vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitory activity and human red blood cell membrane stabilization(RBCMS)activity were evaluated using its water extract(90-95℃).The glycaemic and satiety impacts were evaluated in twelve and thirty subjects,respectively,who consumed 250 mL of the product,which contained 25 g of available carbohydrates.Results:The enriched PDM ACE inhibitory activity and RBCMS activity were significantly higher(P<0.05)than those that were devoid of EBNH.Two hundred and forty milliliters(12.5%(125 mg/mL))of PDM(containing 3.0%EBNH,75.44%soybean powder,20%cocoa powder,0.5%xanthan gum,1.0%silicon dioxide,and 0.06%sucralose(mass fraction))provides approximately 3.7 kcal/g energy.The 250 mL meal(consistency index of 14.17 Pa·sn)is high in protein and dietary fibre.The product’s glycaemic index(GI)and glycaemic load(GL)are low,24 and 6.0,respectively,raising a normal level of 2-h postprandial blood glucose(<6 mmol/L)and satisfying hunger for approximately 2.5 h.Conclusions:EBNH,as an ingredient,enhances the antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties of PDM.The overall findings suggest that the formulated PDM is a wellness food product capable of promoting good human health,including for dieters and individuals with diabetes.
基金supported by JSPS KAKENHI[Grant Number JP19H04340]
文摘Edible birds'nests(EBNs)have traditionally been produced in Southeast Asia.Indonesian farmers construct buildings for swiftlets and harvest their nests.EBN farming does not directly degrade forest resources and is therefore considered a sustainable means of production,whereas the expansion of other agricultural activities often relies on the degradation of natural resources.This study examines the relationship between natural resources and agricultural livelihoods,focusing on Indonesian EBN farmers.Using survey data that we collected In 2017,combined with satellite information on the extent of the forest in Central Kalimantan,Indonesia,we measured production efficiency and identified the natural and social factors that enhance production performance.The results show that a forest extent ranging between2,000 and 6,000 meters from nesting building is positively associated with the production efficiency of EBN farming,perhaps because extensive forest could help swiftlets to collect food and build nests.Conversely,while EBN farming is a sustainable and profitable option,the initial costs of constructing buildings to house swiftlets may deter farmers from participating in the process.
文摘Tool use-once considered rare in insects-has been documented in a crafty predator.Researchers from China Agricultural University,and two institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences-the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden(XTBG)and the Institute of Zoology-revealed that the assassin bug Pahabengkakia piliceps weaponizes resin from stingless bee nests to trick its prey.
文摘This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of nesting optimization algorithms in the shipbuilding industry,emphasizing their role in improving material utilization,minimizing waste,and enhancing production efficiency.The shipbuilding process involves the complex cutting and arrangement of steel plates,making the optimization of these operations vital for cost-effectiveness and sustainability.Nesting algorithms are broadly classified into four categories:exact,heuristic,metaheuristic,and hybrid.Exact algorithms ensure optimal solutions but are computationally demanding.In contrast,heuristic algorithms deliver quicker results using practical rules,although they may not consistently achieve optimal outcomes.Metaheuristic algorithms combine multiple heuristics to effectively explore solution spaces,striking a balance between solution quality and computational efficiency.Hybrid algorithms integrate the strengths of different approaches to further enhance performance.This review systematically assesses these algorithms using criteria such as material dimensions,part geometry,component layout,and computational efficiency.The findings highlight the significant potential of advanced nesting techniques to improve material utilization,reduce production costs,and promote sustainable practices in shipbuilding.By adopting suitable nesting solutions,shipbuilders can achieve greater efficiency,optimized resource management,and superior overall performance.Future research directions should focus on integrating machine learning and real-time adaptability to further enhance nesting algorithms,paving the way for smarter,more sustainable manufacturing practices in the shipbuilding industry.
基金sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32271560 to H.W.,32001094 to J.Y.)Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province,China(No.20230101160JC to L.J.)+1 种基金the Open Project of Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands,Hainan Normal University,China(No.HNSF-OP-202301 to J.Y.)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2412022ZD019 to J.Y.)。
文摘Predator dummies are usually used to explore the impact of predator features on the anti-predator behavior of birds.Previous studies have shown that the morphology and behavior of aerial predators can signal different threat levels to birds.However,whether subtle changes in ground predator dummies cause changes in the nest defense behavior of parent birds is unclear.In this study,we aimed to investigate whether Japanese Tits(Parus minor)exhibit different nest defense behaviors in response to experimentally manipulated variations in the appearance,posture,and size of virtual snake proxies(common nest predators).During the incubation period,we observed the nest defense behaviors of the parent tits against taxidermized Siberian Ratsnakes(Elaphe schrenckii)with varied characteristics and rubber-made model snakes.The tits exhibited more intense responses to taxidermized large(body length about 120 cm)coiled ratsnakes than to large coiled model snakes.They exhibited weaker responses to taxidermized small(body length about 20 cm)coiled ratsnakes than to taxidermized small sinusoidal ratsnakes.In addition,they exhibited more intense responses to taxidermized large coiled ratsnakes than to taxidermized small coiled ratsnakes,and more intense responses to taxidermized small sinusoidal ratsnakes than to large model snakes.However,there was no difference in the response of tits to taxidermized small sinusoidal ratsnakes and taxidermized large coiled ratsnakes,or to taxidermized small coiled ratsnakes and model snakes.Thus,the presence of scales,a sinusoidal posture,and a large body size of snake dummies can induce more intense behavioral responses in Japanese Tits.We suggested that Japanese Tits can discriminate subtle differences in ground predator dummies of nests and exhibit different nest defense behaviors.
文摘BACKGROUND The impact of psychiatric disorder,especially depression,on the prognosis of sarcopenic patients is gaining prominence.Yet,there have been very few studies focusing on this issue,let alone the related targeted mental health prevention.This cohort-based nested case-control study is geared to compare risk of depression and the depression-related ambulatory care utilization for sarcopenia persons with and without receiving add-on Chinese herbal medicines(CHMs)treatment.AIM To compare risk of depression and the depression-related ambulatory care utili-zation for sarcopenia persons with and without receiving add-on CHMs treat-ment.METHODS In the beginning,we recruited those aged 20-70 years with newly diagnosed sarcopenia and free of depression between 2002 and 2010 from a nationwide insurance database.From them,we identified cases with depression onset occurring after sarcopenia until December 31,2013.To cautiously isolate the effect of CHMs,we established the matched sets of treated and untreated subjects with CHMs use by randomly frequency matching.A conditional logistic regression was executed to explore the association of CHMs to depression risk,and the frequency and costs of depression-related ambulatory care were compared using Mann-Whitney U test.RESULTS Addition of CHMs to routine care of sarcopenia notably correlated with a lower risk of depression.A remarkable effect of CHMs in reducing depression was detected when sarcopenia subjects received CHMs for more than three years,lowering depression risk by as much as 65%.As compared to CHMs users,the non-CHMs users indeed incurred higher frequency and costs of depression-related ambulatory care after depression attack(P<0.05).Notably,the costs for per depression-related ambulatory care profoundly increased with the years after depression attack.CONCLUSION Sarcopenic patients can greatly benefit from add-on CHMs treatment,underscoring the urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration and proactive treatment planning.
基金supports were provided by the Concessionária Rodovia do Sol/SA(RodoSol)the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(CNPq,grant:45.6446/2014/1)+2 种基金the São Paulo Research Foundation(FAPESP,Process Number#2024/13237-3)PD received a postdoctoral fellowship from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES,grant:88887.469218/2019-00)CD is grateful to CNPq(Bolsa de Produtividade em Pesquisa,grant:308997/2023-9).
文摘Roads are a leading cause of habitat fragmentation and may reduce bird populations by increasing nest predation rates.However,few studies have investigated the effects of traffic volume on the reproductive success of roadside birds in the neotropics.Our goal was to evaluate the effects of spatial,temporal,and vehicle flow variations on the survival of artificial open-cup nests.The study was carried out in a nature reserve on the side of a highway during the breeding season(from October to March)in two restinga(sand-coastal plain)phytophysiognomies in southeastern Brazil:non-floodable(open)and floodable(closed).One hundred thirty nests were distributed along transects ranging from 3 m to 300 m from the highway in each vegetation type(totaling 260 nests).The nests were checked every three days for their status(depredated or intact)over 12 days,and new nests were subsequently placed near sampling points of depredated or successful nests.We estimated survival using logistic exposure generalized linear and additive mixed models.At the end of the 180 days of the experiment,33%of 6202 nests were successful.Nest survival was higher in open restinga than in closed restinga.In both habitats,nest survival was lowest mid-season and highest at the beginning and end.Survival rates peaked near the highway,declined up to 50 m away,then showed a slight increase.Finally,survival increased at moderate-to-high traffic volumes(∼22,000 vehicles/day),particularly in open restinga.We suggest that spatial,temporal,and habitat-specific highway impacts(e.g.,noise,vibration,visual stimuli)can lead to variations in the activity of nest predators,generating fluctuations in nest survival associated with predator behavior.
文摘Urban green spaces and parks offer opportunities for retaining and increasing bird richness, diversity, and species abundance. However, urbanisation influences predator–prey interactions, leading to high predation rates in urban areas, in the UK notably through the presence of large populations of domestic cats and increased populations of synanthropic species, such as rats and squirrels. These high predation rates are assumed to be a significant cause of reproductive failure in birds. Some ecologists advocate for the use of buffer zones with reduced human influence to reduce potential hunting pressure in eco-sensitive areas. However, the buffer effect on predation rates of nesting birds in suburban areas is rarely investigated. In this study, we investigated how edge effects (how close nest sites are to housing) and nest height (i.e., ground vs. above-ground) affected nest predation rates in a suburban park using camera traps to monitor artificial nests containing quail eggs. Our hypothesis was that nests in the buffer area (<300 m inward from university boundary) and at low height would suffer higher predation rates than nests in the core area (>300 m from the university boundary) and at height, as the buffer zone effect, and ease of access to ground predators would result in higher predation rates. We found no significant effect of nest height in nest predation rates. However, contrary to our expectations, nests in the core zone suffered higher predation rates than those in the buffer zone, and corvids were responsible for almost half of the egg loss events. We speculate that this may be a consequence of higher levels of anthropogenic disturbance (e.g., pedestrians, dog walking, vehicles) adjacent to our buffer zone acting as a deterrent to avian nest predators. This work suggests that protecting urban sites from disturbance may not always act to support bird abundance.
基金supported by the County-School Cooperation Project in Suichang County (2024-HZ12)Ecological Discipline Construction Fund of Lishui University。
文摘Advertisement calls are essential for communication among anuran amphibians,with their production influenced by a range of environmental factors and morphological traits.To understand the primary sources of variation of advertisement calls in male Leptobrachium liui,we recorded their advertisement calls during the breeding season and analyzed two primary acoustic parameters: call duration(CD) and dominant frequency(DF),along with their within-individual coefficients of variation.Additionally,we collected nest-related environmental parameters and morphological traits to investigate how these factors influence the variation in advertisement calls.Our analyses revealed that both nest-related environmental parameters(particularly water temperature) and individual morphological traits(especially head morphology) significantly influenced advertisement call characteristics in male L.liui.Water temperature showed a negative relationship with CD,while head morphology was positively associated with both CD and DF.These findings enhance our understanding of the factors shaping acoustic communication in L.liui during the breeding season and highlight the importance of both environmental and morphological factors in anuran vocalization.
文摘Avian incubation is characterised by the contact between the eggs and the bird's skin to transfer heat to increase egg temperature above ambient conditions. Birds can be attentive to the clutch all of the time or, particularly if only one parent incubates, attentiveness may be quite low. Attentiveness is related to egg size with large eggs having high attentiveness, whereas small eggs (<10 g) can have attentiveness ranging from 50% to 100%. Previous studies have suggested that incubation duration is a function of attentiveness albeit for small birds. This study tested the hypothesis that, after controlling for egg size and phylogeny, incubation duration would be a function of attentiveness. Data for 444 bird species representing 24 orders were analysed. Whilst egg mass had a significant relationship with incubation duration, there was no relationship with attentiveness for all of the species or a subset of the passerines. Despite egg temperature drops during an incubation recess, average day-time and night-time temperatures are similar in a range of species. Re-examination of previously reported temperature profiles recorded by dummy eggs over a 24-h period shows that after an incubation recess there seems to be an additional heat flux that raises egg temperature above that seen during night-time periods of constant incubation. The reasons why eggs under intermittent incubation are not considerably cooler than eggs during constant incubation are discussed.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32301295 to J.W.,32101242 to L.M.and 32260253 to L.W.)High-Level Talents Research Start-Up Project of Hebei University (521100222044 to J.W.)。
文摘Nest predation is the leading cause of reproductive failure in birds and a major driving force in the evolution of anti-predation strategies.Current studies on the anti-predation strategies of birds driven by predation pressure have mainly focused on adults.However,the detection and behavioral responses of nestlings toward predation risk require further investigation.In this study,we examined nestling responses to predator sounds.Two species of nestlings,the Reed Parrotbill(Paradoxornis heudei)and Vinous-throated Parrotbill(Sinosuthora webbiana),were exposed to the Sparrowhawk(Accipiter nisus,less common)and Oriental Magpie(Pica serica,more common),which are predator species,the Oriental Turtle Dove(Streptopelia orientalis),which is a commonly found harmless species,and background noise.Our findings revealed that compared to pre-playback of natural begging and playback of background noise and Oriental Turtle Dove sounds,playback of the two predator types decreased the total begging time and total number of calls of the two nestlings species,with the calls of the Sparrowhawk leading to greater suppression of nestling begging behavior than those of the Oriental Magpie.Therefore,our results indicated that these nestlings were able to distinguish predators from harmless species based on auditory cues.
