Predation thresholds for reintroduction of native avifauna following suppression of invasive Brown Treesnakes on Guam

The brown treesnake (BTS) (Boiga irregularis) invasion on Guåhan (in English, Guam) led to the extirpation of nearly all native forest birds. In recent years, methods have been developed to reduce BTS abundance on a landscape scale. To help assess the prospects for the successful reintroduction of native birds to Guåhan following BTS suppression, we modeled bird population persistence based on their life history characteristics and relative sensitivity to BTS predation. We constructed individual-based models and simulated BTS predation in hypothetical founding populations for each of seven candidate bird species. We represented BTS predation risk in two steps: risk of being encountered and risk of mortality if encountered. We link encounter risk from the bird’s perspective to snake contact rates at camera traps with live animal lures, the most direct practical means of estimating BTS predation risk. Our simulations support the well-documented fact that Guåhan’s birds cannot persist with an uncontrolled population of BTS but do indicate that bird persistence in Guåhan’s forests is possible with suppression short of total eradication. We estimate threshold BTS contact rates would need to be below 0.0002–0.0006 snake contacts per bird per night for these birds to persist on the landscape, which translates to an annual encounter probability of 0.07–0.20. We simulated the effects of snake-proof nest boxes for Sihek (Todiramphus cinnamominus) and Såli (Aplonis opaca), but the benefits were small relative to the overall variation in contact rate thresholds among species. This variation among focal bird species in sustainable predation levels can be used to prioritize species for reintroduction in a BTS-suppressed landscape, but variation among these species is narrow relative to the required reduction from current BTS levels, which may be four orders of magnitude higher (\u3e0.18). Our modeling indicates that the required predation thresholds may need to be lower than have yet been demonstrated with current BTS management. Our predation threshold metric provides an important management tool to help estimate target BTS suppression levels that can be used to determine when bird reintroduction campaigns might begin and serves as a model for other systems to match predator control with reintroduction efforts

Osborne\u27s Ligament: A Review of its History, Anatomy, and Surgical Importance.

When discussing the pathophysiology of ulnar neuropathy, Geoffrey Vaughan Osborne described a fibrous band that can be responsible for the symptoms seen in this disorder. In this paper, we take a glimpse at the life of Osborne and review the anatomy and surgical significance of Osborne\u27s ligament. This band of tissue connects the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris and thus forms the roof of the cubital tunnel. To our knowledge, no prior publication has reviewed the history of this ligament, and very few authors have studied its anatomy in any detail. Therefore, the aim of the present paper is to elucidate this structure that is often implicated and surgically transected to decompress the ulnar nerve at the elbow

Reply to Comment by A. Argnani on "Geometry of the Deep Calabrian Subduction from Wide‐Angle Seismic Data and 3‐D Gravity Modeling"

Keypoints This contribution is a reply on a comment submitted by A. Argnani. The alternate interpretation of the wide-angle seismic model is discussed. The Alfeo Fault system is proposed to be the current location of STEP fault. Abstract Andrea Argnani in his comment on Dellong et al., 2020 (Geometry of the deep Calabrian subduction (Central Mediterranean Sea) from wide‐angle seismic data and 3D gravity modeling), proposes an alternate interpretation of the wide-angle seismic velocity models presented by Dellong et al., 2018 and Dellong et al., 2020 and proposes a correction of the literature citations in these paper. In this reply, we discuss in detail all points raised by Andrea Argnani

Self-association of bovine β-casein as influenced by calcium chloride, buffer type and temperature

peer-reviewedThe aim of this study was to investigate the aggregation behaviour of a pure β-casein (β-CNpure) and a β-casein concentrate (β-CNconc) as a function of temperature, buffer type (pH 6.8) and the presence of CaCl2. The particle size distribution and turbidity of β-casein (β-CN) dispersions were measured by dynamic light-scattering (DLS) and UV/vis spectroscopy between 4 and 55 °C. Upon heating (4–55 °C), the particle size of both β-CN samples increased, indicating self-association via hydrophobic interactions. It was shown that the self-association of β-CN increased with increasing β-CN concentration and that β-CNpure self-associated at significantly lower concentration than β-CNconc. Both turbidity and particle size measurements showed that the β-CN samples had similar aggregation behaviour in water and imidazole buffer (pH 6.8) but differed in sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), especially at higher ionic calcium concentrations. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed very little change in the secondary structure of β-CN during heating (4–55 °C). The microstructure of β-CN aggregates was monitored during heating from 10 to 55 °C, followed by cooling to 10 °C, using polarised light microscopy. Spherical and heterogeneous aggregates were observed when heated at temperatures above 37 °C, which were reversible upon cooling. This study confirmed that β-CN undergoes self-association on heating that reverses upon cooling, with the aggregation process being highly dependent on the purity of β-CN, the solvent type and the presence of ionic calcium

Critical Analysis of in situ Performance of Glass Fiber Core VIPs in Extreme Cold Climate

Glass fiber core vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) are becoming an increasingly attractive option for building envelope construction due to lower cost and availability around the world. Although fumed silica core VIPs have shown superior long-term performance under accelerated aging tests compared to glass fiber core VIPS, these laboratory test results have yet to be verified with long-term field performance data. In 2011, glass fiber core VIPs were installed in a commercial building retrofit project in Yukon, Canada (one of Canada's most northern territories), and have been continuously monitored since. This paper summarizes the thermal performance of the glass fiber core VIPs over the period of 2011–2018 in an extreme cold climate. Findings from this study provided data to validate glass fiber core VIP accelerated aging test results and the aging rate of VIPs in a cold and dry climate was determined. These results will help developing a better understanding of the long-term performance of glass fiber core VIPs in a real-world context

Laser surface polishing of Ti-6Al-4V parts manufactured by laser powder bed fusion

Poor surface quality of Additively Manufactured (AM) components, can greatly increase the overall cost and lead time of high-performance components. Examples are medical devices where surfaces may contact the patient’s skin and hence need to be smooth and aerospace components with high fatigue strength requirements where surface roughness could reduce fatigue life. The average surface roughness (Ra) of AM parts can reach high levels greater than 50 microns and maximum distance between the high peaks and the low valleys of more than 300 microns. As such, there is a need for fast, cost effective and selective finishing methods of AM produced components targeted at high-performance industries. In this paper Ti-6Al-4V Grade 23 ELI, popular for medical devices and aerospace parts production, was L-PBF processed to manufacture parts which were subsequently treated via laser polishing. Here in this work, CO2 laser polishing was used for the surface modification of the Ti-6Al-4V produced samples. The most significant processing parameters were optimised to achieve approximately an 80% reduction in the average surface roughness and a 90% reduction in the peak-to-valley distance with a processing time of 0.1 sec/mm2 and cost of 0.2 €/cm2

USP6 oncogene promotes Wnt signaling by deubiquitylating Frizzleds

Ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6) is a deubiquitylase that is overexpressed by chromosome translocation in two human neoplasms, aneurysmal bone cyst and nodular fasciitis. The relevant substrates of this ubiquitin-specific protease are not clear. Here, we identify the Wnt receptor Frizzled (Fzd) as a key target of the USP6 oncogene. Increased expression of USP6 increases the membrane abundance of Fzd, and hence increases cellular sensitivity to Wnts. USP6 opposes the activity of the ubiquitin ligase and tumor suppressor ring finger protein 43 (RNF43). This study identifies a new mechanism for pathological Wnt pathway activation in human disease and suggests a new approach to regulate Wnt activity therapeutically

Atheisms and the purification of faith

Philosophers of religion have distinguished between ‘negative’ and ‘positive’ atheism. This article considers further conceptions of atheism, especially the idea that atheism can facilitate a faith in God purified of idolatrous assumptions. After introducing Bultmann’s contention that a ‘conscious atheist’ can find something transcendent in the world, this contention is interpreted through reflection on Ricoeur’s claim that the atheisms of Nietzsche and Freud serve to mediate a transition to a purified faith – a faith involving heightened receptivity to agapeic love. The troubling question of what differentiates atheism from belief in God is then discussed in the light of Simone Weil’s meditations on God’s secret presence