Comparative feeding strategies and dietary plasticity of the sympatric cobras Naja melanoleuca and Naja nigricollis in three diverging Afrotropical habitats

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Luiselli ◽  
Francesco M Angelici ◽  
Godfrey C Akani
Keyword(s):  
Prey Size ◽  
Prey Type ◽  
The Other ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Suburban Areas ◽  
Dietary Flexibility ◽  
Prey Composition ◽  
Ecological Success ◽  
The One

Two cobra species are found in the forest block of southern Nigeria (West Africa). However, whereas the one species, the spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis), is often found in strongly altered habitats (including suburban areas), the other, the black forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca), is a typical forest species that is currently subject to a rapid decrease in population abundance because of intensive forest alteration and landscape modification in this part of Africa. We studied whether the body sizes, diets, and feeding strategies of these two species changed in relation to habitat type, and whether the ecological success of the one species versus the other in altered habitats depends upon greater dietary flexibility in prey type or prey size. Therefore, we divided our cobra records into three habitat categories: (1) suburbia, (2) plantation–forest mosaic, and (3) mature forest. We observed that sexual size dimorphism was minor in both species and in all habitat types, and that intersexual differences in prey composition and prey size were also minor. Nevertheless, there was a remarkable ontogenetic change in taxonomic composition of the diet for one species (N. nigricollis, with juveniles taking almost exclusively lizards and adults taking small mammals, birds, and lizards) but not the other. Remarkably, the species that is less adapted to life in suburban areas showed a reduction in mean body size from the forest to suburbia, which may also indicate suboptimal adaptation to strongly altered habitats. Prey size was similar for the two species and in the three habitat types, and the relationships between prey size and predator size were similar. Thus, it seems unlikely that flexibility in prey-size patterns explains the greater colonizing success of N. nigricollis. Nevertheless, and although both species exhibited remarkable dietary flexibility, leading them to prey upon homeotherms as well as heterotherms and upon terrestrial as well as arboreal and even aquatic prey, there were important interspecific differences in prey composition that may explain the ecological success of N. nigricollis. The success of N. nigricollis likely lies not in dietary flexibility but in the consistency with which its juveniles prey upon a single prey type (lizards, mainly Agama agama) that is so abundant in nearly every altered habitat in Nigeria and is a virtually unlimited food resource for young N. nigricollis. However, adults of this species also forage frequently upon commensal rodents and poultry, which may also help it to colonize man-made habitats.

scholarly journals Faunistisch bemerkenswerte und für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern neue Arten der Kurzflügelkäfer (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) – Teil 7

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 35-63
Author(s):  
Andreas Kleeberg
Keyword(s):  
Rare Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Ecological Value ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Rove Beetles ◽  
Species Inventory ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The One ◽  
Current Species

Es werden Nachweise von 80 Arten der Kurzflügelkäfer in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern zwischen 1992 und 2020 dokumentiert sowie die Verbreitung und Häufigkeit verschiedener Arten diskutiert. Fünf Arten sind neu für die Fauna des Bundeslandes: Atheta aquatilis (Thomson, 1867), A. clientula (Erichson, 1839), A. sodermani Bernhauer, 1931, Paederus caligatus (Erichson, 1840) und Xantholinus elegans (Olivier, 1795). Für ausgewählte seltene Arten wird die Gemeinschaft der Begleitarten aus Gesiebeproben sehr verschiedener Habitate bzw. Strukturen charakterisiert. Der Vergleich des Arteninventars belegt den ökologischen Wert der feuchten bis trockenen Lebensräume und zeigt, welcher Aufwand zu leisten ist, um sowohl das aktuelle Arteninventar des Gebietes als auch Veränderungen in seiner Fauna registrieren zu können. Die Komplexität dieser Aufgabe liegt einerseits in der Arealerweiterung von Arten; andererseits im gleichzeitigen Verschwinden von Arten, der hauptsächlich durch den Verlust verschiedenster Lebensraumtypen verursacht wird. New and remarkable records of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from Mecklenburg- Vorpommern, Northeast Germany. Part 7. Abstract: In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, 80 species of rove beetles were recorded between 1992 and 2020. Distribution and abundance of various species are discussed. Five species are new to the fauna of the federal state: Atheta aquatilis (Thomson, 1867), A. clientula (Erichson, 1839), A. sodermani Bernhauer, 1931, Paederus caligatus (Erichson, 1840) and Xantholinus elegans (Olivier, 1795). For selected rare species, the community of accompanying species is characterized from sieve samples of most varied habitats or structures. A comparison of the species inventory proves the ecological value of wet to dry habitats, and shows the effort that needs to be made to register both the current species inventory of the area and its changes in time. The complexity of this task lies, on the one hand, in an expansion of the range of species and, on the other hand, in a simultaneous disappearance of species, mainly caused by the loss of various habitat types.

Note on Selection of Coordinate Systems for Geodynamics

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 395-407
Author(s):  
S. Henriksen
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
The Other ◽  
Coordinate Systems ◽  
Mean Sea Level ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The One ◽  
Static Systems ◽  
Selection Of

The first question to be answered, in seeking coordinate systems for geodynamics, is: what is geodynamics? The answer is, of course, that geodynamics is that part of geophysics which is concerned with movements of the Earth, as opposed to geostatics which is the physics of the stationary Earth. But as far as we know, there is no stationary Earth – epur sic monere. So geodynamics is actually coextensive with geophysics, and coordinate systems suitable for the one should be suitable for the other. At the present time, there are not many coordinate systems, if any, that can be identified with a static Earth. Certainly the only coordinate of aeronomic (atmospheric) interest is the height, and this is usually either as geodynamic height or as pressure. In oceanology, the most important coordinate is depth, and this, like heights in the atmosphere, is expressed as metric depth from mean sea level, as geodynamic depth, or as pressure. Only for the earth do we find “static” systems in use, ana even here there is real question as to whether the systems are dynamic or static. So it would seem that our answer to the question, of what kind, of coordinate systems are we seeking, must be that we are looking for the same systems as are used in geophysics, and these systems are dynamic in nature already – that is, their definition involvestime.

Stories and the Self

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Krause ◽  
Markus Appel
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The Self ◽  
The Other ◽  
Lower Degree ◽  
Contrast Effects ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The One ◽  
Implicit And Explicit

Abstract. Two experiments examined the influence of stories on recipients’ self-perceptions. Extending prior theory and research, our focus was on assimilation effects (i.e., changes in self-perception in line with a protagonist’s traits) as well as on contrast effects (i.e., changes in self-perception in contrast to a protagonist’s traits). In Experiment 1 ( N = 113), implicit and explicit conscientiousness were assessed after participants read a story about either a diligent or a negligent student. Moderation analyses showed that highly transported participants and participants with lower counterarguing scores assimilate the depicted traits of a story protagonist, as indicated by explicit, self-reported conscientiousness ratings. Participants, who were more critical toward a story (i.e., higher counterarguing) and with a lower degree of transportation, showed contrast effects. In Experiment 2 ( N = 103), we manipulated transportation and counterarguing, but we could not identify an effect on participants’ self-ascribed level of conscientiousness. A mini meta-analysis across both experiments revealed significant positive overall associations between transportation and counterarguing on the one hand and story-consistent self-reported conscientiousness on the other hand.

Radioimmunotherapy for treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome

2005 ◽  
Vol 44 (03) ◽  
pp. 107-117
Author(s):  
R. G. Meyer ◽  
W. Herr ◽  
A. Helisch ◽  
P. Bartenstein ◽  
I. Buchmann
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukaemia ◽  
Primary Tumour ◽  
The Other ◽  
Haematopoietic Stem Cell ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Primary Reduction ◽  
The One ◽  
Acute Myeloid

SummaryThe prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has improved considerably by introduction of aggressive consolidation chemotherapy and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Nevertheless, only 20-30% of patients with AML achieve long-term diseasefree survival after SCT. The most common cause of treatment failure is relapse. Additionally, mortality rates are significantly increased by therapy-related causes such as toxicity of chemotherapy and complications of SCT. Including radioimmunotherapies in the treatment of AML and myelodyplastic syndrome (MDS) allows for the achievement of a pronounced antileukaemic effect for the reduction of relapse rates on the one hand. On the other hand, no increase of acute toxicity and later complications should be induced. These effects are important for the primary reduction of tumour cells as well as for the myeloablative conditioning before SCT.This paper provides a systematic and critical review of the currently used radionuclides and immunoconjugates for the treatment of AML and MDS and summarizes the literature on primary tumour cell reductive radioimmunotherapies on the one hand and conditioning radioimmunotherapies before SCT on the other hand.

Das Ende der Postdemokratie, den Pessimismus überwinden.

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (188) ◽  
pp. 487-494
Author(s):  
Daniel Mullis
Keyword(s):  
Political Thought ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Social Conditions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Economic Decline ◽  
Far Right ◽  
Windows Of Opportunity ◽  
Political Events ◽  
Political Struggles ◽  
The One

In recent years, political and social conditions have changed dramatically. Many analyses help to capture these dynamics. However, they produce political pessimism: on the one hand there is the image of regression and on the other, a direct link is made between socio-economic decline and the rise of the far-right. To counter these aspects, this article argues that current political events are to be understood less as ‘regression’ but rather as a moment of movement and the return of deep political struggles. Referring to Jacques Ranciere’s political thought, the current conditions can be captured as the ‘end of post-democracy’. This approach changes the perspective on current social dynamics in a productive way. It allows for an emphasis on movement and the recognition of the windows of opportunity for emancipatory struggles.

Tolerance is theoretical and practical principles

1996 ◽  
pp. 13-23
Author(s):  
Mykhailo Babiy
Keyword(s):  
Religious Diversity ◽  
The Other ◽  
Nodal Points ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
The One ◽  
Ukrainian Society

Political ideological pluralism, religious diversity are characteristic features of modern Ukrainian society. On the one hand, multiculturalism, socio-political, religious differentiation of the latter appear as important characteristics of its democracy, as a practical expression of freedom, on the other - as a factor that led to the deconsocialization of society, gave rise to "nodal points" of tension, confrontational processes, in particular, in political and religious spheres.

The Salvage of Ideas: Schumpeter and the Core Problems Still Confronting Economics

2003 ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
P. Wynarczyk
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
The Core ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The One

Two aspects of Schumpeter' legacy are analyzed in the article. On the one hand, he can be viewed as the custodian of the neoclassical harvest supplementing to its stock of inherited knowledge. On the other hand, the innovative character of his works is emphasized that allows to consider him a proponent of hetherodoxy. It is stressed that Schumpeter's revolutionary challenge can lead to radical changes in modern economics.

Hidden “holes” in the capital of banks and the supply of credit to the real sector of economy

2018 ◽  
pp. 49-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Mamonov
Keyword(s):  
Credit Risk ◽  
The Other ◽  
Real Sector ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Loan Loss ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Real ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
The One

Our analysis documents that the existence of hidden “holes” in the capital of not yet failed banks - while creating intertemporal pressure on the actual level of capital - leads to changing of maturity of loans supplied rather than to contracting of their volume. Long-term loans decrease, whereas short-term loans rise - and, what is most remarkably, by approximately the same amounts. Standardly, the higher the maturity of loans the higher the credit risk and, thus, the more loan loss reserves (LLP) banks are forced to create, increasing the pressure on capital. Banks that already hide “holes” in the capital, but have not yet faced with license withdrawal, must possess strong incentives to shorten the maturity of supplied loans. On the one hand, it raises the turnovers of LLP and facilitates the flexibility of capital management; on the other hand, it allows increasing the speed of shifting of attracted deposits to loans to related parties in domestic or foreign jurisdictions. This enlarges the potential size of ex post revealed “hole” in the capital and, therefore, allows us to assume that not every loan might be viewed as a good for the economy: excessive short-term and insufficient long-term loans can produce the source for future losses.

Global Economic Crisis of 2008-2009: Sources and Roots

2009 ◽  
pp. 18-31
Author(s):  
G. Rapoport ◽  
A. Guerts
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Trade Deficit ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The Other ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Market Mechanisms ◽  
Production Output ◽  
The One ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Partial Destruction

In the article the global crisis of 2008-2009 is considered as superposition of a few regional crises that occurred simultaneously but for different reasons. However, they have something in common: developed countries tend to maintain a strong level of social security without increasing the real production output. On the one hand, this policy has resulted in trade deficit and partial destruction of market mechanisms. On the other hand, it has clashed with the desire of several oil and gas exporting countries to receive an exclusive price for their energy resources.

Psychology of the Market and Economic Power (On Psychological Approach of Alan Greenspan to the Analysis of Economic Problems)

2011 ◽  
pp. 99-118
Author(s):  
Yu. Olsevich
Keyword(s):  
Economic Policy ◽  
Institutional Transformation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Economic Power ◽  
Psychological Approach ◽  
Market System ◽  
Economic Problems ◽  
Systemic Crisis ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
The One

The article analyzes the psychological basis of the theory and economic policy of libertarianism, as contained in the book by A. Greenspan "The Age of Turbulence", clarifies the strengths and weaknesses of this doctrine that led to its discredit in 2008. It presents a new understanding of liberalization in 1980-1990s as a process of institutional transformation at the micro and meso levels, implemented by politicians and entrepreneurs with predatory and opportunistic mentality. That process caused, on the one hand, the acceleration of growth, on the other hand - the erosion of informal foundations of a market system. With psychology and ideology of libertarianism, it is impossible to perceive real macro risks generated at the micro level, which lead to a systemic crisis, and to develop measures to prevent it.

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