The impact of an invasive exotic bush on the stopover ecology of migrant passerines

Migration is highly energy-demanding and birds often need to accumulate large fuel loads during this period. However, original habitat at stopover sites could be affected by invasive exotic plants outcompeting native vegetation. The impact of exotic plants on the stopover behavior of migrant bird species is poorly understood. As a general hypothesis, it can be supposed that habitat change due to the presence of exotic plants will affect migrants, having a negative impact on bird abundance, on avian community assemblage, and/or on fuel deposition rate. To test these predictions, we used data obtained in August 2011 at a ringing station in a coastal wetland in northern Iberia which contained both unaltered reedbeds (Phragmites spp.) and areas where the reedbeds had been largely replaced by the invasive saltbush (Baccharis halimifolia). Passerines associated with reedbeds during the migration period were used as model species, with a particular focus on sedge warblers (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus). The saltbush promoted a noticeable change on bird assemblage, which became enriched by species typical of woodland habitats. Sedge warblers departed with a higher fuel load, showed a higher fuel deposition rate, and stayed for longer in the control zone than in the invaded zone. Invasive plants, such as saltbush, can impose radical changes on habitat, having a direct effect on the stopover strategies of migrants. The substitution of reedbeds by saltbushes in several coastal marshes in Atlantic Europe should be regarded as a problem with potential negative cons equences for the conservation of migrant bird species associated with this habitat

Generation of two transgene-free human iPSC lines from CD133+ cord blood cells

We have generated two human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from CD133+ cells isolated from umbilical cord blood (CB) of a female child using non-integrative Sendai virus. Here we describe the complete characterization of these iPSC lines: PRYDi-CB5 and PRYDi-CB40

Tailoring diamond's optical properties via direct femtosecond laser nanostructuring

We demonstrate a rapid, accurate, and convenient method for tailoring the optical properties of diamond surfaces by employing laser induced periodic surface structuring (LIPSSs). The characteristics of the fabricated photonic surfaces were adjusted by tuning the laser wavelength, number of impinging pulses, angle of incidence and polarization state. Using Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) modeling, the optical transmissivity and bandwidth was calculated for each fabricated LIPSSs morphology. The highest transmission of ~99.5% was obtained in the near-IR for LIPSSs structures with aspect ratios of the order of ~0.65. The present technique enabled us to identify the main laser parameters involved in the machining process, and to control it with a high degree of accuracy in terms of structure periodicity, morphology and aspect ratio. We also demonstrate and study the conditions for fabricating spatially coherent nanostructures over large areas maintaining a high degree of nanostructure repeatability and optical performance. While our experimental demonstrations have been mainly focused on diamond anti-reflection coatings and gratings, the technique can be easily extended to other materials and applications, such as integrated photonic devices, high power diamond optics, or the construction of photonic surfaces with tailored characteristics in general

Cognitive dysfunction in naturally occurring canine idiopathic epilepsy

Globally, epilepsy is a common serious brain disorder. In addition to seizure activity, epilepsy is associated with cognitive impairments including static cognitive impairments present at onset, progressive seizure-induced impairments and co-morbid dementia. Epilepsy occurs naturally in domestic dogs but its impact on canine cognition has yet to be studied, despite canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) recognised as a spontaneous model of dementia. Here we use data from a psychometrically validated tool, the canine cognitive dysfunction rating (CCDR) scale, to compare cognitive dysfunction in dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) with controls while accounting for age. An online cross-sectional study resulted in a sample of 4051 dogs, of which n = 286 had been diagnosed with IE. Four factors were significantly associated with a diagnosis of CCD (above the diagnostic cut-off of CCDR ≥50): (i) epilepsy diagnosis: dogs with epilepsy were at higher risk; (ii) age: older dogs were at higher risk; (iii) weight: lighter dogs (kg) were at higher risk; (iv) training history: dogs with more exposure to training activities were at lower risk. Impairments in memory were most common in dogs with IE, but progression of impairments was not observed compared to controls. A significant interaction between epilepsy and age was identified, with IE dogs exhibiting a higher risk of CCD at a young age, while control dogs followed the expected pattern of low-risk throughout middle age, with risk increasing exponentially in geriatric years. Within the IE sub-population, dogs with a history of cluster seizures and high seizure frequency had higher CCDR scores. The age of onset, nature and progression of cognitive impairment in the current IE dogs appear divergent from those classically seen in CCD. Longitudinal monitoring of cognitive function from seizure onset is required to further characterise these impairments

A genetic cause of Alzheimer disease: mechanistic insights from Down syndrome

Down syndrome, caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, is associated with a greatly increased risk of early onset Alzheimer disease. It is thought that this risk is conferred by the presence of three copies of the gene encoding amyloid precursor protein (APP), an Alzheimer risk factor, although the possession of extra copies of other chromosome 21 genes may also play a role. Further study of the mechanisms underlying the development of Alzheimer disease in Down syndrome could provide insights into the mechanisms that cause dementia in the general population

Primera cita de reproducción de cigüeñuela común Himantopus himantopus L., 1758 en Urdaibai (Bizkaia)

La colonización del Cantábrico por la cigüeñuela común Himantopus himantopus L., 1758 es un fenómeno reciente (se cita por primera vez en 2009 en Asturias y Cantabria). En 2012, y por primera vez para Urdaibai y la costa vasca, se constata la reproducción de cigüeñuela en la laguna de Orueta, en el municipio de Gautegiz-Arteaga (Bizkaia). En particular, una pareja fue capaz de sacar adelante 3 pollos

Reduced food availability induces behavioural changes in Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus

In natural conditions, Griffon Vultures typically show shy behaviour and escape by flying if approached by humans. According to the state-dependent foraging theory, Griffon Vultures should modify their foraging behaviour depending on food availability and predation risk, humans being the main potential predator. We tested the Reaction Time (RT) and Flight Initiation Distance (FID) in five different artificial feeding schemes over three years in which food availability in the field varied significantly. The first scenario was set in a so-called “vulture restaurant”, in which government employees feed vultures that may exhibit tame behaviour and stay within a few meters from a feeding person. Scenario 2 involved similar conditions, but here the researchers not employees placed the food in the vulture restaurant. The vultures did not land at the restaurant until one day had passed, and they flew away when people approached them within 250 m. The third scenario was established in a local zoo several months after the closure of the vulture restaurant. Here, employees fed captive vultures that were often accompanied by wild birds that landed to take food. The RT was 14.2 min and the FID was 50 m. The fourth scenario was established during the subsequent breeding season in a mountain where vultures were fed by the authors of the present study. The RT was 2.8 min and the FID was 15.2 m. The fifth scenario was established in another mountain after the breeding season. Now, the RT was 19.2 min and the FID was 52.2 m. These results demonstrate the ability of vultures to evaluate the predation risk depending on food availability and their state of hunger, and their ability to modify their behaviour from “natural” caution (”shyness”) towards a more tolerant (”fearless”) behaviour.Peer reviewe

Design of high-temperature solar-selective coatings based on aluminium titanium oxynitrides AlyTi1-y(OxN1-x). Part 1: Advanced microstructural characterisation and optical simulation

Aluminium titanium oxynitrides were studied as candidate materials for high temperature absorbers in solar selective coatings due to their excellent stability and their tuneable optical behaviour. A set of individual AlyTi1-y(OxN1-x) layers with different oxygen content was prepared by cathodic vacuum arc (CVA) deposition. The composition, morphology, phase structure and microstructure of the films were characterized by elastic recoil detection (ERD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. An fcc phase structure is found in a broad compositional range of AlyTi1-y(OxN1-x). Simultaneously, sample microstructure and morphology undergo systematic changes from a columnar growth to the development of a heterogeneous structure with spherical nanoparticle inclusions when the oxygen concentration is increased. The optical properties were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and UV–Vis–NIR and FTIR spectrophotometry. A comprehensive analysis of the film properties allowed an accurate modelling of the optical constants of the AlyTi1-y(OxN1-x) in the whole wavelength range of solar interest (from 190 nm to 25 µm). It points to a transition from metallic to dielectric behaviour with increasing oxygen content. Consequently, it is demonstrated that the optical properties of these AlyTi1-y(OxN1-x) deposited films can be controlled in a wide range from metallic to dielectric character by adjusting the oxygen concentration, opening a huge range of possibilities for the design of solar selective coatings (SSC) based on this material. Complete SSC, including a TiN layer as IR reflector, were designed by applying optical simulations, obtaining excellent optical selective properties of α=94.0% and εRT = 4.8%

Seasonal dynamics in social behaviour and spacing patterns of the Little Owl Athene noctua

Most owl species exhibit territorial behaviour in order to have sufficient resources to maintain their fitness and biological success. The Little Owl (Athene noctua) has been considered a territorial species, although some authors have pointed to movements and social interactions outside a particular territory. We hypothesise that the spatial behaviour and social organisation of Little Owl follows a complex pattern, which varies throughout the year. We radio-tracked nine Little Owls in an area of 10 km(2) over nine months, paying particular attention to home range variation, social interaction and vocal behaviour. Home range size and overlap varied markedly throughout the year, with maximums in winter, and minimum size and overlap during the breeding season. Little Owls showed exclusive home ranges during the breeding season, whereas home range overlap was frequent in winter. Owls which had lost clutches increased their home ranges and shared the same foraging areas with other owls. Vocal activity was low all year round, except in the months immediately prior to courtship. Increase of vocal behaviour was therefore also associated with a reduction in home range