Distribution of a word across contexts has proved to be a very useful ap- proximation of the word’s meaning. This paper reflects on the recent attempts to enhance distributional (or vector space) semantics of words with meaning composition, in particular with Fregean compositionality. I discuss the nature and performance of distributional semantic representations and argue against the thesis that semantics is in some sense identical with distribution (which seems to be a strong assumption of the compositional efforts). I propose instead that distribution is merely a reflection of semantics, and a substantially imperfect one. That raises some doubts regarding the very idea of obtaining semantic representations for larger wholes (phrases, sentences) by combining the distributional representations of particular items. In any case, I reject the generally unquestioned assumption that formal semantics provides a good theory of semantic composition, which it would be desirable to combine with distributional semantics (as a theory that is highly successful on the lexical field). I suggest that a positive alternative to the strong reading of the distributional hypothesis can be seen in the philosophy of inferentialism with respect to language meaning. I argue that the spirit of inferentialism is reasonably compatible with the current practice of distributional semantics, and I discuss the motivations for as well as the obstacles in the way of implementing the philosophical position in a computational framework., Ukázalo se, že rozložení slova napříč kontextem je velmi užitečným přiblížením významu slova. Příspěvek se zabývá nedávnými snahami o rozšíření sémantiky slov s významovou skladbou, zejména pak o fregovskou kompozici. Diskutuji o povaze a výkonu distribučních sémantických reprezentací a argumentuji proti té tezi, že sémantika je v určitém smyslu identická s distribucí (což se zdá být silným předpokladem kompozičního úsilí). Místo toho navrhuji, aby distribuce byla pouze odrazem sémantiky a podstatně nedokonalým. To vyvolává určité pochybnosti o samotné myšlence získat sémantické reprezentace pro větší celky (fráze, věty) kombinací distribučních reprezentací jednotlivých položek. V každém případě, Odmítám obecně nezpochybnitelný předpoklad, že formální sémantika poskytuje dobrou teorii sémantické kompozice, kterou by bylo žádoucí kombinovat s distribuční sémantikou (jako teorie, která je na lexikálním poli velmi úspěšná). Navrhuji, že pozitivní alternativu k silnému čtení distribuční hypotézy lze vidět ve filozofii inferenciality s ohledem na jazykový význam. Tvrdím, že duch inferenciality je přiměřeně slučitelný se současnou praxí distribuční sémantiky a diskutuji o motivacích i překážkách ve způsobu implementace filosofické pozice do výpočetního rámce. které by bylo žádoucí kombinovat s distribuční sémantikou (jako teorie, která je na lexikálním poli velmi úspěšná). Navrhuji, že pozitivní alternativu k silnému čtení distribuční hypotézy lze vidět ve filozofii inferenciality s ohledem na jazykový význam. Tvrdím, že duch inferenciality je přiměřeně slučitelný se současnou praxí distribuční sémantiky a diskutuji o motivacích i překážkách ve způsobu implementace filosofické pozice do výpočetního rámce. které by bylo žádoucí kombinovat s distribuční sémantikou (jako teorie, která je na lexikálním poli velmi úspěšná). Navrhuji, že pozitivní alternativu k silnému čtení distribuční hypotézy lze vidět ve filozofii inferenciality s ohledem na jazykový význam. Tvrdím, že duch inferenciality je přiměřeně slučitelný se současnou praxí distribuční sémantiky a diskutuji o motivacích i překážkách ve způsobu implementace filosofické pozice do výpočetního rámce., and Radek Ocelák
This study describes the of distribution and level of endangerment of the genus Gobio in Croatia. Four species of the genus Gobio live in the Croatian Danube River basin: Gobio Gobio - common gudgeon, G. albipinnatus - whitefin gudgeon, G. kesslerii - sand gudgeon and G. uranoscopus - stone gudgeon, while in the Croatian Adriatic Sea basin lives only G. Gobio. According to IUCN methodology and the level of endangerment, in the Red List of Threatened Plants and Animals of Croatia G. Gobio is considered to be of the least concern (LC). G. uranoscopus and G. kesslerii are in the category of near threatened (NT) while G. albipinnatus is considered as data deficient (DD).
The following species of the genus Gobio occur in the Tisza River drainage area in Slovakia: G. Gobio, G. kesslerii, G. albipinnatus and G. uranoscopus. G. Gobio is the commonly distributed species. It occurs in streams of various sizes, attaining the largest numbers in streams populated by the barbel type fish communities. It occurs together with other Gobio spp., whith which it can produce hybrids. The present occurrence of G. Gobio has not changed basically from that in the past. G. albipinnatus occurs primarily in lowland streams, both in large rivers and canalised minor streams and channels. The distribution of this species in the Tisza River drainage area in Slovakia has not, appreciably changed from that in the previous period. According to earlier data, G. kesslerii was relatively abundant in the middle and upper reaches of a number of streams. At present the occurrence of this species has been confirmed in just a few localities so that its range has been markedly restricted. In some cases, however, the species may have been mistaken for G. albipinnatus. According to literary data, G. uranoscopus occurred in the past mainly in the upper reaches of rivers Torysa (the Hornád River drainage area), Topľa, Ondava, Laborec, and Uh (the Bodrog River drainage area). This species shows the most marked decrease in range, compared to that in the past. in recent times its presence has been confirmed only in a few localities. The devastating factors that have affected the distribution of the particular Gobio spp. include water pollution, stream and bed canalisation, decreased river bottom diversity, extraction of gravel materials, and hydro-energetic constructions (steps, weirs and dams). of the above gedgeon species, G. uranoscopus and G. kesslerii are protected by the national legislation in Slovakia. In accordance with the EU legislation (Council Directive 92/43/EEC), special protection regions (NATURA 2000) are being defined for G. uranoscopus, G. albipinnatus, and G. kesslerii.
In central Japan Ganaspis xanthopoda and Asobara japonica commonly parasitize the larvae of frugivorous drosophilids, mainly in montane forests, and urban environments and small groves, respectively. These two parasitoids start reproduction about one month later than their host drosophilids, probably to avoid searching for hosts when host density is low in early spring. It is likely that the local variation in the abundance of these parasitoids and a temporal refuge for their hosts contribute to the persistence of this parasitoid-host community. The forest species, G. xanthopoda, parasitized at least three Drosophila species that are abundant in forests, supporting the hypothesis that parasitoids are better adapted to attack frequently-encountered host species. This parasitoid did not parasitize drosophilid species that are phylogenetically distantly-related to the three host species or less frequent in forests. Benefits of using such species as host would not exceed the costs of evolving virulence to them. Another parasitoid, A. japonica, parasitized various indigenous and exotic drosophilid species including those that it rarely encountered in the field. It is not clear why this species has such a wide host range.
Hainan Eld’s deer (Cervus eldi hainanus) was once widely distributed in Hainan Island of China. With the rapid increase of human population and the fast expansion of agriculture in the recent 350 years of Chinese history, the habitat of the deer has been greatly reduced. Habitat loss and hunting have driven the deer to the verge of extinction. The last group of 26 deer was protected at Datian Nature Reserve (DNR) which was founded in 1976. The habitat at present remains only 13.14 km2 at DNR, just 4.38–6.57% of that of the 1950’s. The deer population increased to over 1,000 individuals in 2003 under the protection of enclosure building along the boundary of DNR. Moreover, an off-site conservation approach for the deer has been launched since 1990. A total of 83 deer from DNR had been accumulatively introduced to establish off-site populations by the end of 2000. The off-site conserved populations had reached 263 by the end of 2002, of which 246 animals were born in captivity or semi-captivity. A new off-site population in the natural environment was founded by introducing 65 animals from DNR during July to December 2003. The deer population still however faces challenges of habitat limitation, decrease of genetic diversity, inbreeding and poaching. Conservation approaches needed to practice immediately have been proposed in this paper.
Concordant differences in morphology, phenology and RAMS markers, as well as in sequenced mtDNA (COI, COII, cytb) and nuclear DNA (ITS2) fragments, indicate that Dolerus asper Zaddach, 1859 and Dolerus brevicornis Zaddach, 1859 are valid species. On the basis of morphology, molecular markers, and distributional records, both species are distinct from Dolerus gibbosus Hartig, 1837 (= Dolerus planatus Hartig, 1837). Taxonomy of the species is clarified and the neotypes of Dolerus asper Zaddach, 1859 and Dolerus brevicornis Zaddach, 1859 are designated. The synonymies of Dolerus asper Zaddach, 1859, to Dolerus planatus Hartig, 1837 and Dolerus derzavini Malaise, 1931, spec. rev. to D. asper Zaddach, 1859 are abandoned. Dolerus carbonarius Zaddach, 1859 and Dolerus fumosus Zaddach, 1859 are considered to be species inquirendae. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS2 fragment and fragments of ITS2 + COI and ITS2 + COII yielded the topology [D. asper, (D. brevicornis, D. gibbosus)], while those of all other markers and their combinations resulted in the topology [D. brevicornis, (D. asper, D. gibbosus)]. In the latter hypothesis the clade asper + gibbosus is also supported by structural synapomorphies.
A new genus and species of Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Enicocephalomorpha: Aenictopecheidae: Aenictopecheinae, Ulugurocoris grebennikovi gen. et sp. n., based on micropterous females from Tanzania, Uluguru Mts, Budunki, is described and differentiated. The males are probably macropterous. Some general aspects of morphology of U. grebennikovi are discussed in a broader context, such as presence of cephalic trichobothria (suggested to be a groundplan character of Heteroptera), presence of “gular sulci” (suggested to have an ecdysial function), lack of cephalic neck (symplesiomorphy with other Hemiptera), presence of posterior lobe of pronotum associated with the epimeroid (a new term for so called “proepimeral lobe”), and presence of notopleural sulcus on the propleuron. Diagnostic characters of the Aenictopecheinae are summarized and distribution of their seven genera is reviewed. Ulugurocoris grebennikovi is the first representative of the basal family Aenictopecheidae in the Afrotropical Region. The type locality is situated in the Eastern Arc Mountains (Tanzania), a recently identified hotspot of Afrotropical diversity characterized by a high degree of endemism caused by high rates of speciation combined with low rates of extinction. A brief characterization of the area is provided., Pavel Štys, Petr Baňař., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
We present an overview of the emerging field of species-level distributional ecology, particularly as it relates to phylogeographic studies of birds in Eurasia. This field centers around distributional inferences and predictions deriving from the use of ecological niche modeling. We provide a brief historical review, and then proceed to outline a number of crucial methodological considerations, if models are to have biological meaning and reality. We then proceed to provide a worked example, as well as some thinking about directions in which the field should be moving in terms of questions and approaches.
The factors that affect the local distribution of the invasive Harmonia axyridis are not yet completely resolved. Hypotheses predicting positive and independent effects of prey abundance and degree of urbanization on the adult abundance of this species in Central Europe were tested. Populations of H. axyridis were sampled in a period when it was most abundant, by sweeping lime trees (Tilia spp.) at 28 sites along a 20 km transect across urban (western Prague) and surrounding rural areas. The sites differed in aphid abundance (number of Eucallipterus tiliae per 100 sweeps) and degree of urbanization (percentage of the surrounding area within a 500 m radius covered by impervious human constructions). Multiple linear regression analysis of log-transformed data revealed that abundance of H. axyridis (number of adults per 100 sweeps) increased significantly with both aphid abundance (P = 0.015) and urbanization (P = 0.045). The positive relationship between degree of urbanization and abundance of H. axyridis was thus not a side effect of variation in aphid abundance, which was also greater in urban than rural areas. The effect of urbanization might constrict the habitat available to H. axyridis and force this species to aggregate in urban green "refugia". These results point to a plurality of factors that determine coccinellid abundance at natural sites.
Two Late Iron Age rotary querns found in Bohemia manufactured using grey, vesicular lava have been analysed typologically and geochemically with the aim to determine their provenance. Both objects match up with a typology which was developed on the basis of numerous Late Iron Age rotary querns discovered in Germany: The types of the upper and lower stone are characteristic for the production in quarries located in the Eifel. Using a combination of geochemical discrimination, cluster-, and discriminant analyses, both rotary querns could be allocated exactly to their quarries at the Bellerberg volcano near Mayen in the East Eifel area. However, being the only Eifel lava rotary querns known in Bohemia their occurrence is not sufficient to assume a regular and continuous exchange between Bohemia and the Eifel quarries in Late Iron Age times. and Dva české nálezy rotačních žernovů z doby železné, vyrobené z šedé pórézní lávy, byly podrobeny typologickým a geochemických analýzám, jež měly stanovit jejich provenienci. Oba předměty se řadí k typologii vypracované na četných nálezech z doby železné v Německu. Typy, které zkoumaný běhoun a ležák představují, jsou charakteristické pro produkci lomů Eifelské vrchoviny. Kombinací clusterové a diskriminační analýzy byl stanoven původ obou exemplářů na bellerberském vulkánu, poblíž města Mayen ve východním Eifelu. Dva dosud osamocené české nálezy žernovů vyrobených z eifelské suroviny ovšem nelze interpretovat jako doklad pravidelných kontaktů mezi oběma oblastmi.