Self-assembly of multi-component fluorescent molecular logic gates in micelles

A recent strategy for developing supramolecular logic gates in water is based on combinations of molecules via self-assembly with surfactants, which eliminates the need for time-consuming synthesis. The self-assembly of surfactants and lumophores and receptors can result in interesting properties providing cooperative e ffects useful for molecular information processing and other potential applications such as drug delivery systems. This article highlights some of the recent advancements in supramolecular information processing using microheterogeneous media including micelles in aqueous solution.peer-reviewe

Photomechanical Investigation of Structural Behavior of Gyroscope Components. Task IV - Analysis of Initial Redesign of AB5-K8 GYROSCOPE

Photomechanics of structure and materials in redesigned AB5-K8 gyroscope component

Environmental consequences of oil production from oil sands

Crude oil from oil sands will constitute a substantial share of future global oil demand. Oil sands deposits account for a third of globally proven oil reserves, underlie large natural forested areas, and have extraction methods requiring large volumes of freshwater. Yet little work has been done to quantify some of the main environmental impacts of oil sands operations. Here we examine forest loss and water use for the world's major oil sands deposits. We calculate actual and potential rates of water use and forest loss both in Canadian deposits, where oil sands extraction is already taking place, and in other major deposits worldwide. We estimated that their exploitation, given projected production trends, could result in 1.31 km3 yr−1 of freshwater demand and 8700 km2 of forest loss. The expected escalation in oil sands extraction thus portends extensive environmental impacts

STATUS OF THE THREE‐WATTLED BELLBIRD (PROCNIAS TRICARUNCULATUS) IN THE NICOYA MOUNTAINS, COSTA RICA

Abstract ∙ Wildlife conservation often relies on accurate data of species distributions, yet scientific knowledge is often limited in scope. Local knowledge and habitat mapping can provide additional information particularly useful in assessing the absence or presence of a species or population. In May 2015, we combined point counts, local interviews, citizen science databases, and habitat mapping to assess the presence of breeding Three‐wattled Bellbirds (Procnias tricarunculatus), a species listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, in the Nicoya Mountains of Costa Rica, where a disjunct population had previously been reported. Our point counts, local interviews, and citizen science databases provided strong evidence that bellbirds no longer breed in the Nicoya Mountains, and our habitat mapping demonstrated that a minimum of 23% of the bellbird habitat is now pasture. We conclude that a putative historic resident population of this species is now most likely non‐existent in the Nicoya Mountains.Resumen ∙ Estatus del Pájaro Campana (Procnias tricarunculatus) en las montañas de Nicoya, Costa Rica La conservación de la vida silvestre se basa comúnmente en el conocimiento exacto de la distribución de las especies, sin embargo, este conocimiento es limitado para muchas especies. El conocimiento local y mapeo del hábitat pueden proveer información adicional, particularmente útil en la evaluación de la presencia o ausencia de especies o poblaciones. En mayo de 2015, combinamos puntos de conteo, entrevistas locales, bases de datos de ciencia ciudadana, y mapeo de hábitat para determinar la presencia de poblaciones reproductivas de Pájaro Campana (Procnias tricarunculatus), especie enlistada como vulnerable por la IUCN, en las montañas de Nicoya, Costa Rica, donde una población ha sido reportada previamente.  Nuestros puntos de conteo, entrevistas a locales, y bases de datos de ciencia ciudadana indican que el Pájaro Campana no se reproduce en las montañas de Nicoya; nuestro mapeo de hábitat demuestra que un 23% del hábitat del Pájaro Campana ha sido transformado en pastizales. Concluimos que una supuesta población residente histórica de esta especie es ahora muy probablemente inexistente en las montañas de Nicoya.

Computerised speechreading training for deaf children: A randomised controlled trial

Purpose: We developed and evaluated in a randomised controlled triala computerised speechreading training programme to determine a) whether it is possible to train speechreading in deaf children and b) whether speechreading training results in improvements in phonological and reading skills.Previous studies indicate a relationship between speechreading and reading skill and further suggest this relationshipmay be mediated by improved phonological representations. This is important since many deaf children find learning to read to be very challenging. Method: Sixty-six deaf 5-7 year olds were randomised into speechreading and maths training arms. Each training programme was comprised of10 minutesessionsa day, 4 days a week for 12 weeks. Children were assessed on a battery of language and literacy measures before training, immediately after training, 3 months and 10 months after training. Results: We found no significant benefits for participants who completed the speechreading training, compared to those who completed the maths training, on the speechreading primary outcome measure. However, significantly greater gains were observed in the speechreading training group on one of the secondary measures of speechreading. There was also some evidence of beneficial effects of the speechreading training on phonological representations, however these effects were weaker. No benefits were seen toword reading. Conclusions: Speechreading skill is trainable in deaf children. However, to support early reading, training may need to be longer or embedded in a broader literacy programme. Nevertheless, a training tool that can improve speechreading is likely to be of great interest to professionals working with deaf children

A magnetic map leads juvenile European eels to the Gulf Stream

Migration allows animals to track the environmental conditions that maximize growth, survival, and reproduction [ 1–3 ]. Improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying migrations allows for improved management of species and ecosystems [ 1–4 ]. For centuries, the catadromous European eel (Anguilla anguilla) has provided one of Europe’s most important fisheries and has sparked considerable scientific inquiry, most recently owing to the dramatic collapse of juvenile recruitment [ 5 ]. Larval eels are transported by ocean currents associated with the Gulf Stream System from Sargasso Sea breeding grounds to coastal and freshwater habitats from North Africa to Scandinavia [ 6, 7 ]. After a decade or more, maturing adults migrate back to the Sargasso Sea, spawn, and die [ 8 ]. However, the migratory mechanisms that bring juvenile eels to Europe and return adults to the Sargasso Sea remain equivocal [ 9, 10 ]. Here, we used a “magnetic displacement” experiment [ 11, 12 ] to show that the orientation of juvenile eels varies in response to subtle differences in magnetic field intensity and inclination angle along their marine migration route. Simulations using an ocean circulation model revealed that even weakly swimming in the experimentally observed directions at the locations corresponding to the magnetic displacements would increase entrainment of juvenile eels into the Gulf Stream System. These findings provide new insight into the migration ecology and recruitment dynamics of eels and suggest that an adaptive magnetic map, tuned to large-scale features of ocean circulation, facilitates the vast oceanic migrations of the Anguilla genu