In this study, we ask if instead of being fundamentally opposed, niche and neutral theories could simply be located at the extremes of a continuum. First, we present a model of recruitment probabilities that combines both niche and neutral processes. From this model, we predict and test whether the relative importance of niche vs. neutral processes in controlling community dynamics will vary de...

Sequential exchanges of vocalizations (staccatos and neighs) emitted by Northern Muriquis Brachyteles arachnoides hypoxanthus were recorded at the Biological Station of Caratinga, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Staccatos and neighs containing larger proportion of short elements were preferentially produced during short-range exchanges; neighs, produced by a larger number of participants, were typi...

In several studies with hierarchical stimuli it has been shown that the left and the right hemispheres are specialized for the processing of local and global information, respectively. However, although corresponding visual-field (VF) effects regularly show up for incongruent stimuli, they are often absent for congruent ones. In this study, it was investigated whether the spacing between the el...

A method to design cost-optimum slab formwork components is proposed in this paper. Genetic Algorithms (GAs), a technique based on the principles of natural selection and evolution, is applied to solve the optimisation problem. GAs search from a population of possible solutions limited by a set of constraints. The cost of form components and labor involved, were considered for the formulation o...

This study presents the numerical simulation of optimum pin-fin heat sink with air impinging cooling by using Taguchi method. 9 L ( 4 3 ) orthogonal array is selected as a plan for the four design-parameters with three levels. The governing equations are discretized by using the control-volume-based-finite-difference method with a power-law scheme on the non-uniform staggered grid. We solved th...

This paper presents the application of the harmony search based algorithm to the optimum detailed design of special seismic moment reinforced concrete (RC) frames under earthquake loads based on American Standard specifications. The objective function is selected as the total cost of the frame which includes the cost of concrete, formwork and reinforcing steel for individual members of the fram...

This paper presents the application of the harmony search based algorithm to the optimum detailed design of special seismic moment reinforced concrete (RC) frames under earthquake loads based on American Standard specifications. The objective function is selected as the total cost of the frame which includes the cost of concrete, formwork and reinforcing steel for individual members of the fram...