Developmental Modes and Developmental Mechanisms can Channel Brain Evolution

Anseriform birds (ducks and geese) as well as parrots and songbirds have evolved a disproportionately enlarged telencephalon compared with many other birds. However, parrots and songbirds differ from anseriform birds in their mode of development. Whereas ducks and geese are precocial (e.g., hatchlings feed on their own), parrots and songbirds are altricial (e.g., hatchlings are fed by their parents). We here consider how developmental modes may limit and facilitate specific changes in the mechanisms of brain development. We suggest that altriciality facilitates the evolution of telencephalic expansion by delaying telencephalic neurogenesis. We further hypothesize that delays in telencephalic neurogenesis generate delays in telencephalic maturation, which in turn foster neural adaptations that facilitate learning. Specifically, we propose that delaying telencephalic neurogenesis was a prerequisite for the evolution of neural circuits that allow parrots and songbirds to produce learned vocalizations. Overall, we argue that developmental modes have influenced how some lineages of birds increased the size of their telencephalon and that this, in turn, has influenced subsequent changes in brain circuits and behavior

Tuneable Capacitor based on dual picks profile of the sacrificial layer

In this paper, we present a novel dual gap tuneable capacitor process based on the profile of the sacrificial layer. This profile involves a tri-layer photo-resist process with only one mask level. This realization is based on a special profile of the sacrificial layer designed by two picks. The mechanism of the sacrificial layer realisation is dependent on resist thickness, resist formulation (viscosity, type of polymer and/or solvent, additives...), design of the patterned layer (size or width) and the conditions under which this layer is prepared: thermal treatment, etch back processes... In this communication we demonstrate influence of the later parameters and discuss how a dual pick profile was achieved.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDA Publishing Association (http://irevues.inist.fr/EDA-Publishing

Empirical fragility assessment of buildings affected by the 2011 Great East Japan tsunami using improved statistical models

Tsunamis are destructive natural phenomena which cause extensive damage to the built environment, affecting the livelihoods and economy of the impacted nations. This has been demonstrated by the tragic events of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, or the Great East Japan tsunami in 2011. Following such events, a few studies have attempted to assess the fragility of the existing building inventory by constructing empirical stochastic functions, which relate the damage to a measure of tsunami intensity. However, these studies typically fit a linear statistical model to the available damage data, which are aggregated in bins of similar levels of tsunami intensity. This procedure, however, cannot deal well with aggregated data, low and high damage probabilities, nor does it result in the most realistic representation of the tsunami-induced damage. Deviating from this trend, the present study adopts the more realistic generalised linear models which address the aforementioned disadvantages. The proposed models are fitted to the damage database, containing 178,448 buildings surveyed in the aftermath of the 2011 Japanese tsunami, provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure Transport and Tourism in Japan. In line with the results obtained in previous studies, the fragility curves show that wooden buildings (the dominant construction type in Japan) are the least resistant against tsunami loading. The diagnostics show that taking into account both the building’s construction type and the tsunami flow depth is crucial to the quality of the damage estimation and that these two variables do not act independently. In addition, the diagnostics reveal that tsunami flow depth estimates low levels of damage reasonably well; however, it is not the most representative measure of intensity of the tsunami for high damage states (especially structural damage). Further research using disaggregated damage data and additional explanatory variables is required in order to obtain reliable model estimations of building damage probability

Effects of light and prey availability on Arctic freshwater protist communities examined by high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing

Abstract Protists in high-latitude lakes are constrained by cold temperatures, low inorganic nutrient supply and low light availability for much of the year due to ice cover and polar darkness. The lengthening ice-free periods in these freshwater ecosystems due to a warming climate results in increased light availability, but the overall impacts on phytoplankton and other protists are unknown. We experimentally investigated protist community responses to changes in light and prey availability in a dilution series in Ward Hunt Lake (latitude 83°05 0 N), in the Canadian High Arctic. The communities at the end of the experiment were characterized using high-throughput pyrosequencing of the V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene as a measure of taxonomic presence, and of 18S rRNA (from RNA converted to cDNA) as a taxon-specific indicator of community response. At the end of the experiment under low irradiance, cDNA reads were dominated by photosynthetic dinoflagellate genera, except at the greatest dilution where Cercozoa were most abundant. In contrast, the cDNA reads in the high light treatments were dominated by chrysophytes. Given the known trophic differences among dinoflagellates, cercozoans and chrysophytes, this apparent environmental selection implies that the rise in underwater irradiance associated with increasing ice-free conditions may affect microbial food web structure and function in polar lakes

Pseudobatos horkelii, Brazilian Guitarfish

The Brazilian Guitarfish (Pseudobatos horkelii) is a small (to 138 cm total length) shark-like ray that occurs in the Southwest Atlantic from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to northern Argentina. It is demersal on soft substrates of the continental shelf inshore to 150 m depth. It is captured in intense and largely unmanaged commercial and artisanal demersal trawl, gillnet, longline, and beach seine fisheries throughout its geographic range. There are three estimates of population reduction. First, in Rio Grande do Sul, total landings increased from 842 t in 1975 to 1,804 t in 1984 and then declined continuously to 157 t in 2001, the equivalent of a >99% reduction over three generations (55.5 years). Second, the average research trawl catch-per-unit-effort of Brazilian Guitarfish in southern Brazil over the years 1993 to 1999 was 17% of that observed during 1975 to 1986, also the equivalent of a >99% reduction over three generations. Fisheries remain intense and unmanaged there. Third, in Uruguay, this guitarfish is captured frequently in gillnets and longlines, is landed, and is sometimes targeted, and it is also captured in artisanal trawl fisheries. Catches from research trawls there in the 1980s and early 1990s were on average around 1,400 kg/hr, and between 2013 and 2017 were only 480 kg/hr, the equivalent of a >92% reduction over three generations. In Argentina, it is suspected that intense and inadequately managed gillnet fishing pressure has led to declines in abundance there as well. Overall, due to intense and inadequately managed fishing pressure throughout its range, and steep population declines, it is inferred that the Brazilian Guitarfish has undergone a population reduction of >80% over the past three generations (55.5 years), and it is assessed as Critically Endangered A2bd.Fil: Pollom, R.. University Fraser Simon; CanadáFil: Barreto, R.. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservacao Da Biodiversidade; BrasilFil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Chiaramonte, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Hidrobiológica de Puerto Quequén (sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Cuevas, J. M.. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Herman, K.. Georgia Aquarium; Estados UnidosFil: Martins, M. F.. Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande.; BrasilFil: Montealegre Quijano, S.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Motta, F.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Paesch, L.. Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; UruguayFil: Rincon, G.. Universidade Federal Do Maranhao.; Brasi

Narcine brasiliensis, Lesser Numbfish

The Lesser Numbfish (Narcine brasiliensis) is a small (to 45 cm total length) ray that occurs in the Southwest Atlantic from southern Brazil to Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. It is benthic on soft substrates of the continental shelf at depths of 6?60 m. It is captured in intense and largely unmanaged commercial and artisanal trawl and beach seine fisheries throughout much of its geographic range. A population reduction is suspected from the peak and subsequent declines in reported ray landings from the Rio del Plata area. This species is discarded when caught and discard survival rates are unknown, but are suspected to be variable based on the injuries of captured individuals. Although this ray is subject to high fishing pressure across its range, it is still observed commonly in fisheries despite this pressure. It is suspected that the Lesser Numbfish has undergone a population reduction of 20-29% over the past three generations (26 years), and it is assessed as Near Threatened (nearly meeting Vulnerable A2d).Fil: Pollom, R.. University Fraser Simon; CanadáFil: Barreto, R.. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservacao Da Biodiversidade; BrasilFil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Chiaramonte, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Hidrobiológica de Puerto Quequén (sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Cuevas, J. M.. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Faria, V.. Universidade Federal Do Ceara; BrasilFil: Herman, K.. Georgia Aquarium; Estados UnidosFil: Marcante, F.. Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande.; BrasilFil: Montealegre Quijano, S.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Motta, F.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Paesch, L.. Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; UruguayFil: Rincon, G.. Universidade Federal Do Maranhao.; Brasi

Sympterygia bonapartii, Smallnose Fanskate

The Smallnose Fanskate (Sympterygia bonapartii) is a medium-sized (to 88 cm total length) skate that occurs in the Southeast Pacific in the Strait of Magellan, Chile, and in the Southwest Atlantic from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Santa Cruz, Argentina. It is demersal on the continental shelf and upper slope and inhabits depths down to 100 m and occasionally to 500 m deep. This skate is captured in intense artisanal and commercial demersal trawl and longline fisheries and recreational fisheries in Argentina. Research trawl surveys conducted on the southern Brazilian shelf indicate a reduction in catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of 94% between 1980 and 2005. In Uruguay, research surveys exhibit an increase in catch-per-unit-effort between 1984 and 2008 followed by a stabilization. Overall, the Smallnose Fanskate is subjected to intense largely unregulated fishing pressure across most of its range, but is able to survive when discarded. The larger part of this species' range is in central and southern Argentina where fishing mortality is likely to be lower. Due to the level of fisheries mortality that this species is exposed in the northern part of its range, balanced with lower pressure in the south, and its high survivorship when discarded, it is suspected that the Smallnose Fanskate has undergone a population reduction of 20-29% over the past three generations (49.5 years), and it is assessed as Near Threatened (nearly meeting Vulnerable A2bd).Fil: Pollom, R.. University Fraser Simon; CanadáFil: Barreto, R.. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservacao Da Biodiversidade; BrasilFil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Chiaramonte, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Hidrobiológica de Puerto Quequén (sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Cuevas, J. M.. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Faria, V.. Universidade Federal Do Ceara; BrasilFil: Herman, K.. Georgia Aquarium; Estados UnidosFil: Marcante, F.. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Montealegre Quijano, S.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Motta, F.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Paesch, L.. Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; UruguayFil: Rincon, G.. Universidade Federal Do Maranhao.; Brasi

Zapteryx brevirostris, Shortnose Guitarfish

The Shortnose Guitarfish (Zapteryx brevirostris) is a small (to 66 cm total length) benthic shark-like ray that occurs in the Southwest Atlantic from Espírito Santo state, Brazil to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It inhabits inshore waters over soft substrates at depths of 2–140 m. It is captured in intense and largely unmanaged artisanal and commercial demersal trawl and gillnet fisheries throughout its geographic range. There are two estimates of population reduction. First, in Santa Catarina state, Brazil, catch-perunit-effort (CPUE) decreased 90% from 100 kg/hr in the 1980s to 10 kg/hr in 2005, the equivalent of a population reduction of >85% over three generation lengths (21 years). Second, in Uruguay, the research trawl survey CPUE declined by nearly 40%; in the 1980s and early 1990s, 2,200 kg/hr were caught, and between 2013 and 2017 there were just over 1,400 kg/hr caught, the equivalent of a population reduction of >25% over three generation lengths (21 years). Furthermore, demographic analyses have shown that this species is being overfished given the level of mortality it is exposed to. This guitarfish is subjected to intense and mostly unmanaged fishing pressure across its limited range, it has no refuge at depth, and where recorded in landings it has declined. Overall, it is suspected that the Shortnose Guitarfish has undergone a population reduction of 50–79% over the past three generation lengths (21 years), and it is assessed as Endangered A2bd.Fil: Pollom, R.. University Fraser Simon; CanadáFil: Barreto, R.. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservacao Da Biodiversidade; BrasilFil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Chiaramonte, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Hidrobiológica de Puerto Quequén (sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Cuevas, J. M.. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Faria, V.. Universidade Federal Do Ceara; BrasilFil: Herman, K.. Georgia Aquarium; Estados UnidosFil: Marcante, F.. Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande.; BrasilFil: Montealegre Quijano, S.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Motta, F.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Paesch, L.. Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; UruguayFil: Rincon, G.. Universidade Federal Do Maranhao.; Brasi

Sympterygia acuta, Bignose Fanskate

The Bignose Fanskate (Sympterygia acuta) is a small (to 62 cm total length) skate that occurs in the Southwest Atlantic from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. It inhabits the continental shelf from inshore to 188 m depth. It is captured in intense largely unmanaged demersal trawl fisheries throughout its geographic range. It is one of the most commercially important species and the wings are sold mainly to Asian markets at high prices. In southern Brazil, research trawl catchper-unit-effort revealed a decline in biomass of 74.5% between 1974 and 2005, equivalent to a population reduction of >83% scaled over three generations (40.5 years). This species is a target of the longline fishery in Uruguay, but now it is uncommonly captured in research trawl surveys there. Further, in Argentina, total skate landings have peaked and are declining as a result of overfishing. Overall, due to intense and largely managed trawl fisheries that operate throughout its geographic and depth range, it is suspected that the Bignose Fanskate has undergone a population reduction of >80% over the past three generations (40.5 years), and it is assessed as Critically Endangered A2bd.Fil: Pollom, R.. University Fraser Simon; CanadáFil: Barreto, R.. Centro Nacional Pesquisa E Conservação Da Biodiversidad; BrasilFil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Chiaramonte, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Hidrobiológica de Puerto Quequén (sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Cuevas, J. M.. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Herman, K.. Georgia Aquarium; Estados UnidosFil: Montealegre Quijano, S.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Motta, F.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Paesch, L.. Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; Urugua