123 research outputs found

    Taxonomic Loss for Morphological Glossing of Low-Resource Languages

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    Morpheme glossing is a critical task in automated language documentation and can benefit other downstream applications greatly. While state-of-the-art glossing systems perform very well for languages with large amounts of existing data, it is more difficult to create useful models for low-resource languages. In this paper, we propose the use of a taxonomic loss function that exploits morphological information to make morphological glossing more performant when data is scarce. We find that while the use of this loss function does not outperform a standard loss function with regards to single-label prediction accuracy, it produces better predictions when considering the top-n predicted labels. We suggest this property makes the taxonomic loss function useful in a human-in-the-loop annotation setting

    Exploring Animal Behavior Through Sound: Volume 1

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    This open-access book empowers its readers to explore the acoustic world of animals. By listening to the sounds of nature, we can study animal behavior, distribution, and demographics; their habitat characteristics and needs; and the effects of noise. Sound recording is an efficient and affordable tool, independent of daylight and weather; and recorders may be left in place for many months at a time, continuously collecting data on animals and their environment. This book builds the skills and knowledge necessary to collect and interpret acoustic data from terrestrial and marine environments. Beginning with a history of sound recording, the chapters provide an overview of off-the-shelf recording equipment and analysis tools (including automated signal detectors and statistical methods); audiometric methods; acoustic terminology, quantities, and units; sound propagation in air and under water; soundscapes of terrestrial and marine habitats; animal acoustic and vibrational communication; echolocation; and the effects of noise. This book will be useful to students and researchers of animal ecology who wish to add acoustics to their toolbox, as well as to environmental managers in industry and government

    Spatial distribution of benthic flora and fauna of costal Placentia Bay, an ecologically and biologically significant area of the island of Newfoundland, Atlantic Canada

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    Coastal habitats are not only hotspots of biodiversity and ecosystem services, but are also hotspots for human development and exploitation, causing stress that threatens their sustainability. Overlap of coastal ecosystems with regions of high anthropogenic impacts requires developing a baseline that captures the present benthic composition with inclusion of the fundamental ecology of organisms interacting with their environment. This study establishes a baseline describing benthic organisms present along the western coast of Placentia Bay, a declared Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) of the Island of Newfoundland, Canada. The interactions of the four identified epifaunal assemblages and two dominant macrophyte species with their physical environment were modelled with a new modelling technique: Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM). Each developed model determined the inclusion of fine-scale (< 1 m) substrate % coverage as crucial to understanding the distribution of both epifauna and flora. This study also found that the epifaunal assemblage with the greatest coverage contains the highest species richness and that there is extensive coverage by the two target macrophytes. This baseline can be used to inform future monitoring of Placentia Bay’s coastal ecosystem and observe changes that may occur

    No-take fishery reserves for restoring overexploited deep-sea habitats: the case of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea

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    [eng] In September 2017, a no-take fishery reserve was established in the deep waters of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea, specifically focused on recovering the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) population. The main objective of this Ph.D. thesis is to evaluate the effectiveness of this no-take reserve as a tool for restoring overexploited demersal populations. In the first study, the biological parameters of the Norway lobster population in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea were updated, providing information about the status of the fishery and the population, which showed signs of overexploitation. To evaluate the effects of the no-take reserve, potential predators of the Norway lobster in the northwest Mediterranean were first identified using genetic markers and stable isotopes. It was confirmed that the size of the marine reserve was adequate by conducting tagging and recapture experiments to describe its spatial ecology and reveal its territorial and solitary behavior. The effectiveness of the reserve was evaluated using a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) approach, conducting experimental fishing surveys both inside the reserve and in a control zone where fishing was allowed. Through a non-invasive methodology using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), the species community and habitat were also monitored. All results indicated signs of Norway lobster recovery within the reserve in terms of abundance, biomass, size structure, and other associated species. Finally, several configurations of no-take fishery reserve networks were simulated using the spatial planning tool "Marxan". These scenarios included a dynamic management approach to adapt the reserves according to seasonal fluctuations in species and associated costs. The simulation results showed that dynamic scenarios achieved all conservation objectives with a lower opportunity cost than the static network. Overall, this thesis highlights the potential of spatial management measures to contribute to the recovery and sustainability of fisheries and the conservation of marine ecosystems. Although the Norway lobster population has been used as a case study, the approach can be applied to many other species and help address the global concern over the decline of fish populations.[spa] En septiembre de 2017, se estableció una reserva marina de interés pesquero en aguas profundas del noroeste del Mediterráneo, específicamente dirigida a la recuperación de la población de cigala (Nephrops norvegicus). El objetivo principal de esta tesis doctoral es evaluar la efectividad de esta reserva como herramienta para restaurar poblaciones demersales sobreexplotadas. En el primer estudio se actualizan los parámetros biológicos de la población de cigala del noroeste Mediterráneo, proporcionando información sobre el estado de la pesquería y de la población, que demostró signos de sobreexplotación. Para evaluar la reserva, primero se identificaron los depredadores potenciales de la cigala en el noroeste Mediterráneo, utilizando marcadores genéticos e isótopos estables. Se comprobó que el tamaño de la reserva marina era adecuado realizando experimentos de marcaje y recaptura para describir su ecología espacial, revelando su comportamiento territorial y solitario. La eficacia de la reserva se evaluó con un enfoque Before- After-Control-Impact (BACI) realizando muestreos de pesca experimentales tanto dentro de la reserva como en una zona de control, donde se permitía la pesca. Mediante una metodología no invasiva, ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles), también se monitoreó la comunidad de especies y el hábitat. Todos los resultados indicaron signos de recuperación de la cigala dentro de la reserva en términos de abundancia, biomasa y estructura de tallas, así como de otras especies asociadas. Finalmente, se simularon varias configuraciones de redes de reservas de interés pesquero utilizando la herramienta de planificación espacial “Marxan”. Estos escenarios incluyeron un enfoque de gestión dinámica para adaptar las reservas según las fluctuaciones estacionales de las especies y el coste asociado. Los resultados de las simulaciones mostraron que los escenarios dinámicos lograban todos los objetivos de conservación con un costo de oportunidad menor que la red estática. En general, esta tesis destaca el potencial de las medidas de gestión espacial para contribuir a la recuperación y sostenibilidad de las pesquerías y la conservación de los ecosistemas marinos. Aunque se ha utilizado la población de cigala como caso de estudio, el enfoque puede aplicarse a muchas otras especies y ayudar a abordar la preocupación mundial por el declive de las poblaciones pesqueras

    EVOLUTION OF THE SUBCONTINENTAL LITHOSPHERE DURING MESOZOIC TETHYAN RIFTING: CONSTRAINTS FROM THE EXTERNAL LIGURIAN MANTLE SECTION (NORTHERN APENNINE, ITALY)

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    Our study is focussed on mantle bodies from the External Ligurian ophiolites, within the Monte Gavi and Monte Sant'Agostino areas. Here, two distinct pyroxenite-bearing mantle sections were recognized, mainly based on their plagioclase-facies evolution. The Monte Gavi mantle section is nearly undeformed and records reactive melt infiltration under plagioclase-facies conditions. This process involved both peridotites (clinopyroxene-poor lherzolites) and enclosed spinel pyroxenite layers, and occurred at 0.7–0.8 GPa. In the Monte Gavi peridotites and pyroxenites, the spinel-facies clinopyroxene was replaced by Ca-rich plagioclase and new orthopyroxene, typically associated with secondary clinopyroxene. The reactive melt migration caused increase of TiO2 contents in relict clinopyroxene and spinel, with the latter also recording a Cr2O3 increase. In the Monte Gavi peridotites and pyroxenites, geothermometers based on slowly diffusing elements (REE and Y) record high temperature conditions (1200-1250 °C) related to the melt infiltration event, followed by subsolidus cooling until ca. 900°C. The Monte Sant'Agostino mantle section is characterized by widespread ductile shearing with no evidence of melt infiltration. The deformation recorded by the Monte Sant'Agostino peridotites (clinopyroxene-rich lherzolites) occurred at 750–800 °C and 0.3–0.6 GPa, leading to protomylonitic to ultramylonitic textures with extreme grain size reduction (10–50 μm). Compared to the peridotites, the enclosed pyroxenite layers gave higher temperature-pressure estimates for the plagioclase-facies re-equilibration (870–930 °C and 0.8–0.9 GPa). We propose that the earlier plagioclase crystallization in the pyroxenites enhanced strain localization and formation of mylonite shear zones in the entire mantle section. We subdivide the subcontinental mantle section from the External Ligurian ophiolites into three distinct domains, developed in response to the rifting evolution that ultimately formed a Middle Jurassic ocean-continent transition: (1) a spinel tectonite domain, characterized by subsolidus static formation of plagioclase, i.e. the Suvero mantle section (Hidas et al., 2020), (2) a plagioclase mylonite domain experiencing melt-absent deformation and (3) a nearly undeformed domain that underwent reactive melt infiltration under plagioclase-facies conditions, exemplified by the the Monte Sant'Agostino and the Monte Gavi mantle sections, respectively. We relate mantle domains (1) and (2) to a rifting-driven uplift in the late Triassic accommodated by large-scale shear zones consisting of anhydrous plagioclase mylonites. Hidas K., Borghini G., Tommasi A., Zanetti A. &amp; Rampone E. 2021. Interplay between melt infiltration and deformation in the deep lithospheric mantle (External Liguride ophiolite, North Italy). Lithos 380-381, 105855

    Spatial and Temporal Variation of Reef Fish Assemblages in the Galapagos Archipelago: The Influence of Biogeography, Management and ENSO

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    I investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of Galapagos fish assemblages using diversity, abundance, and length data from baited remote underwater stereo-video systems. I generated information describing the ecology and status of finfish populations in relation to key natural and anthropogenic pressures. This information has local and global implications, including highlighting the unique values of the Galapagos archipelago for biogeography research. I suggest possible management actions to improve the status of local fish populations

    Impact of Etna’s volcanic emission on major ions and trace elements composition of the atmospheric deposition

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    Mt. Etna, on the eastern coast of Sicily (Italy), is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet and it is widely recognized as a big source of volcanic gases (e.g., CO2 and SO2), halogens, and a lot of trace elements, to the atmosphere in the Mediterranean region. Especially during eruptive periods, Etna’s emissions can be dispersed over long distances and cover wide areas. A group of trace elements has been recently brought to attention for their possible environmental and human health impacts, the Technology-critical elements. The current knowledge about their geochemical cycles is still scarce, nevertheless, recent studies (Brugnone et al., 2020) evidenced a contribution from the volcanic activity for some of them (Te, Tl, and REE). In 2021, in the framework of the research project “Pianeta Dinamico”, by INGV, a network of 10 bulk collectors was implemented to collect, monthly, atmospheric deposition samples. Four of these collectors are located on the flanks of Mt. Etna, other two are in the urban area of Catania and three are in the industrial area of Priolo, all most of the time downwind of the main craters. The last one, close to Cesarò (Nebrodi Regional Park), represents the regional background. The research aims to produce a database on major ions and trace element compositions of the bulk deposition and here we report the values of the main physical-chemical parameters and the deposition fluxes of major ions and trace elements from the first year of research. The pH ranged from 3.1 to 7.7, with a mean value of 5.6, in samples from the Etna area, while it ranged between 5.2 and 7.6, with a mean value of 6.4, in samples from the other study areas. The EC showed values ranging from 5 to 1032 μS cm-1, with a mean value of 65 μS cm-1. The most abundant ions were Cl- and SO42- for anions, Na+ and Ca+ for cations, whose mean deposition fluxes, considering all sampling sites, were 16.6, 6.8, 8.4, and 6.0 mg m-2 d, respectively. The highest deposition fluxes of volcanic refractory elements, such as Al, Fe, and Ti, were measured in the Etna’s sites, with mean values of 948, 464, and 34.3 μg m-2 d-1, respectively, higher than those detected in the other sampling sites, further away from the volcanic source (26.2, 12.4, 0.5 μg m-2 d-1, respectively). The same trend was also observed for volatile elements of prevailing volcanic origin, such as Tl (0.49 μg m-2 d-1), Te (0.07 μg m-2 d-1), As (0.95 μg m-2 d-1), Se (1.92 μg m-2 d-1), and Cd (0.39 μg m-2 d-1). Our preliminary results show that, close to a volcanic area, volcanic emissions must be considered among the major contributors of ions and trace elements to the atmosphere. Their deposition may significantly impact the pedosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere and directly or indirectly human health

    Impact of geogenic degassing on C-isotopic composition of dissolved carbon in karst systems of Greece

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    The Earth C-cycle is complex, where endogenic and exogenic sources are interconnected, operating in a multiple spatial and temporal scale (Lee et al., 2019). Non-volcanic CO2 degassing from active tectonic structures is one of the less defined components of this cycle (Frondini et al., 2019). Carbon mass-balance (Chiodini et al., 2000) is a useful tool to quantify the geogenic carbon output from regional karst hydrosystems. This approach has been demonstrated for central Italy and may be valid also for Greece, due to the similar geodynamic settings. Deep degassing in Greece has been ascertained mainly at hydrothermal and volcanic areas, but the impact of geogenic CO2 released by active tectonic areas has not yet been quantified. The main aim of this research is to investigate the possible deep degassing through the big karst aquifers of Greece. Since 2016, 156 karst springs were sampled along most of the Greek territory. To discriminate the sources of carbon, the analysis of the isotopic composition of carbon was carried out. δ13CTDIC values vary from -16.61 to -0.91‰ and can be subdivided into two groups characterized by (a) low δ13CTDIC, and (b) intermediate to high δ13CTDIC with a threshold value of -6.55‰. The composition of the first group can be related to the mixing of organic-derived CO2 and the dissolution of marine carbonates. Springs of the second group, mostly located close to Quaternary volcanic areas, are linked to possible carbon input from deep sources
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