Science-based solutions to foster connectivity of wolf populations are limited by available data

European wolf populations are currently exposed to distinct sources of anthropogenic disturbance and mortality that can cause dispersal limitations and lead to isolation. The identification of factors that act as complete or partial barriers to movement, dispersal, or gene flow contribute to foster connectivity between populations. We reviewed the existing literature (N=32) on wolf population barriers to 1) identify main barriers to connectivity; 2) outline different methodologies; and 3) highlight knowledge gaps. Based on the reviewed studies that empirically tested barrier occurrence (N=14), we compiled data on wolf population structure, anthropogenic disturbance, land cover, ecological factors, geographical features, and prey availability, and tested them as predictors to explain barrier occurrence at continental scale. We report few studies directly addressing this subject for one of the most emblematic and thoroughly studied species, inhabiting one of the most modified landscapes in the world. Albeit our analysis suggested that anthropogenic features are the main drivers of barrier occurrence, we highlight that the absence of standardised data limits our understanding of this subject. Long-term, intensive monitoring programs, explicit hypothesis-driven research using empirical methodologies, and the integration of information on databases for collaborative science are needed to increase the conservation and management relevance of future scientific outcomes on this topic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

New metodology to measure ocular counterrolling

Purpose: To develop a methodology to evaluate ocular torsion reflex. Methods: Modifications of a Helmholtz keratometer were made in order to perform keratometry in the primary position and during head tilt (30 degrees to the right, 30 degrees to the left). A total of 16 patients (32 eyes) were examined. There was a mean astigmatism of 0.50 to 3.50 (mean 1.18 ± 0.61). Results: The mean recorded intortions (right eye 5.31 ± 4.23, left eye 5.22 ± 3.91) were slightly lower than the extortions (right eye 7.84 ± 4.79, left eye 7.78 ± 4.09) with no significant difference between both eyes. Conclusions: The modified Helmholtz keratometer allows new and simple method to quantify ocular counterrolling.Objetivo: Desenvolvimento de metodologia para avaliar a torção ocular reflexa. Métodos: Modificações no ceratômetro de Hemholtz. que permitem a avaliação da ceratometria de ambos os olhos na posição primária do olhar e durante as inclinações laterais da cabeça, para a direita e para a esquerda a 30 graus. Foram examinados um total de 16 pacientes e 32 olhos com astigmatismo refracional de 0,50 a 3,50 dioptrias (média de 1,18 ± 0,61). Resultados: Registrou-se intorção reflexa semelhante no olho direito e esquerdo (5,22 ± 3,91 para olho esquerdo e 5,31 ± 4,23 para olho direito). O mesmo ocorreu com os valores de extorção reflexa (7,84 ± 4,79 para olho esquerdo e 7,78 ± 4,09 para olho direito). Conclusão: As modificações no ceratômetro de Helmholtz permitiram a observação e quantificação da torção ocular reflexa em pacientes com astigmatismo, através de metodologia inédita e de fácil reprodutibilidade.Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo departamento de Oftalmologia e OtorrinolaringologiaFaculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo departamento de OftalmologiaFaculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo Departamento de Oftalmologia e Otorrinolaringologia departamento de Neuro-oftalmologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Pared cinética: una fachada humana y ambientalmente responsiva. Un enfoque de educación en arquitectura

El articulo presenta un framework del proyecto y de un prototipo funcional de una pared cinética responsiva a los seres humanos y de la trayectoria solar. La descripción es echa como un ejercicio replicable para las escuelas de arquitectura en América latina. El estudio demuestra aproximaciones entre temas como arquitectura responsiva, modelaje paramétrica y algorítmica en el proyecto de envolturas arquitectónicas. El resultado es un prototipo funcional de bajo costo y la descripción del framework de un ejercicio, posteriormente discutido en un grupo focal con estudiantes de graduación y posgrado. El abordaje contribuye pedagógicamente con la discusión de la complejidad del proyecto de edificios y la introducción de automatización, modelaje paramétrica y programación en ejercicios de diseño contemporáneo. Palabras clave: arquitectura responsiva, educación, fachada cinética, modelaje paramétrica, sombreamento

Pared cinética: Una fachada humana y ambientalmente responsiva. Un enfoque de educación en arquitectura

This article presents a framework for the design and functional prototype of a kinetic perforated panel wall that meets human thermal comfort and solar trajectory needs. The description of the framework is put forth as a potentially replicable exercise for architecture schools in Latin America. The study narrows the gap between topics such as responsive architecture, and parametric and algorithmic modeling in the design of building envelopes. The result is a low-cost functional prototype, as well as the framework for a building design exercise that was subsequently discussed in a focus group of undergraduate and graduate students. The method contributes pedagogically to the discussion on the complexity of building envelope design and the introduction of automation, parametric modeling and scheduling in contemporary design exercises.Este artículo presenta la estructura conceptual (framework) del proyecto y del prototipo funcional de una pared cinética que responde a las necesidades de los seres humanos en términos de confort térmico y de la relación con la trayectoria solar. La descripción de la estructura conceptual es construida como un ejercicio potencialmente replicable en escuelas de arquitectura en América Latina. El estudio demuestra aproximaciones entre temas como “arquitectura responsiva”, modelaje paramétrico y algorítmico en el proyecto de envolturas arquitectónicas. El resultado es un prototipo funcional de bajo costo, como también la descripción de la estructura conceptual de un ejercicio de diseño edilicio, posteriormente discutido en un grupo focal con estudiantes de graduación y posgrado. El abordaje contribuye pedagógicamente a la discusión de la complejidad del diseño de los proyectos de edificios y a la introducción de la automatización, el modelaje paramétrico y la programación en ejercicios de diseño contemporáneo.O artigo apresenta o framework do projeto e um protótipo funcional de uma parede cinética responsiva ao homem e a tragetória solar. A descrição é apresentada como um exercício replicável para escolas de arquitetura na América Latina. O estudo permeia abordagens entre tópicos como arquitetura responsiva, modelagem paramétrica e algorítmica no projeto de envoltórias arquitetônicas. O resultado é um protótipo funcional de baixo custo e a descrição da estrutura de um exercício, posteriormente discutida em um grupo focal com estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação. A abordagem contribui pedagogicamente com a discussão da complexidade do projeto de edificações e a introdução de automação, modelagem paramétrica e programação em exercícios de design contemporâneos. Palavras-chave: arquitetura responsiva, educação, fachada cinética, modelagem paramétrica, sombreamento

Genetic signature of blind reintroductions of Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) in Catalonia, Northeast Spain

Altres ajuts: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia PD/BD/150645/2020. FCT/MCTES (National Funds) UIDP/50017/2020+UIDB/50017/2020+LA/P/0094/2020, CESAM PORTUGAL 2020 (NORTE 2020), NORTE-06-3559-FCE-000045The Iberian ibex is one of the most singular species of the Iberian Peninsula. Throughout the years, this species suffered several threats which led the population to its decline. Many reintroductions and translocations were made, however, none of those actions took into account the genetic patterns of both reintroduced individuals and the target populations. In this paper, we explored the genetic traits of three populations of Iberian ibex in Catalonia, which experienced blind reintroductions in past years: The populations of Iberian ibex from Els Ports de Tortosa i Beseit National Game Reserve (TBNGR), Montserrat Natural Park (Monserrat) and Montgrí, les Illes Medes i el Baix Ter Natural Park (Montgrí) Based on the genetic patterns of the three populations coupled with the absence of genetic introgression with domestic goats-inferred using mitochondrial and nuclear markers-we propose that these should be regarded as two different management units: TBNGR coupled with Montserrat, and Montgrí. Montserrat population should be targeted as a population model for ecology and evolution studies. Although we did not detect evidences of recent bottleneck events, this population seems to be monomorphic for the mtDNA haplotype. Our results suggest that the blind reintroductions from TBNGR to Montserrat failed on maximizing the genetic diversity of the latter. We enhance the importance of genetic monitoring of both the source population and the selected individuals to be re-introduced. We conclude that the three studied population of Iberian ibex must be monitored to explore which strategy would be advantageous for maintaining the genetic diversity. On the other hand, TBNGR should be monitored to assess the existence of its singular genetic variation, where stochastic events could preserve this lost genetic variation

Amygdala activation in response to 2D and 3D emotion-inducing stimuli

Studying changes in brain activation according to the valence of emotion-inducing stimuli is essential in the research on emotions. Due to the ecological potential of virtual reality, it is also important to examine whether brain activation in response to emotional stimuli can be modulated by the three-dimensional (3D) properties of the images. This study uses functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to compare differences between 3D and standard (2D) visual stimuli in the activation of emotion-related brain areas. The stimuli were organized in three virtual-reality scenarios, each with a different emotional valence (pleasant, unpleasant and neutral). The scenarios were presented in a pseudo-randomized order in the two visualization modes to twelve healthy males. Data were analyzed through a GLM-based fixed effects procedure. Unpleasant and neutral stimuli activated the right amygdala more strongly when presented in 3D than in 2D. These results suggest that 3D stimuli, when used as “building blocks” for virtual environments, can induce increased emotional loading, as shown here through neuroimaging

2-(4-Methyl­phen­yl)-1H-anthraceno[1,2-d]imidazole-6,11-dione: a fluorescent chemosensor

In the title compound, C22H14N2O2, the five rings of the mol­ecule are not coplanar. There is a significant twist between the four fused rings, which have a slightly arched conformation, and the pendant aromatic ring, as seen in the dihedral angle of 13.16 (8)° between the anthraquinonic ring system and the pendant aromatic ring plane

Semiclassical thermodynamics of scalar fields

We present a systematic semiclassical procedure to compute the partition function for scalar field theories at finite temperature. The central objects in our scheme are the solutions of the classical equations of motion in imaginary time, with spatially independent boundary conditions. Field fluctuations -- both field deviations around these classical solutions, and fluctuations of the boundary value of the fields -- are resummed in a Gaussian approximation. In our final expression for the partition function, this resummation is reduced to solving certain ordinary differential equations. Moreover, we show that it is renormalizable with the usual 1-loop counterterms.Comment: 24 pages, 5 postscript figure

Iron-peptide complexes from spent yeast: evaluation of iron absorption using a Caco-2 monolayer

Anaemia is one of the most prevalent nutritional diseases worldwide with Fe deficiency being its major cause. In fact, the limited bioavailability of dietary iron and its interaction with food compounds contribute to its poor absorption in the human body and dietary Fe supplementation has been widely used to address this issue. By incorporating a circular economy framework, this study takes a novel approach of production of iron-peptide complexes from spent yeast peptide-rich extracts as a more effective substitute to conventional salt-based iron supplements, which are related with adverse consequences. Considering the regulation of iron absorption on duodenal enterocytes, iron-peptides complexes absorption was assessed using a Caco-2 monolayer, evaluating both iron uptake and the capacity to stimulate ferritin synthesis, after their in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion following INFOGEST protocol. An iron salt and a commercially available benchmark (iron bisglycinate) were also included in this study to compare the absorption performance. Results showed that iron-peptide complexes exhibited a similar behaviour (no statistically significant alterations (p > 0.05)) concerning the other tested samples, thus being a promising alternative for iron dietary supplementation. The remaining digested peptides from the complexes also showed potential antioxidant activity, suggesting protection of iron from oxidation within human body.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio