The Application of Wavelets and Fuzzy Logic to Eddy Current Flaw Detection in Steam Generator Tubes

Eddy current testing is a widely used nondestructive testing method, especially for inspecting steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants. Due to the complex nature of this technique, the analysis of inspection data is a difficult task requiring a great deal of work by experienced human analysts. This is time consuming, expensive, and can be inconsistent due to human nature. Also, the presence in eddy current signals of interference from the tube support plates and deposits can make the data very difficult to analyze. To help overcome these obstacles, an automatic eddy-current analysis system is needed to aid the analysts

Ecoregion Prioritization Suggests an Armoury Not a Silver Bullet for Conservation Planning

In the face of accelerating species extinctions, map-based prioritization systems are increasingly useful to decide where to pursue conservation action most effectively. However, a number of seemingly inconsistent schemes have emerged, mostly focussing on endemism. Here we use global vertebrate distributions in terrestrial ecoregions to evaluate how continuous and categorical ranking schemes target and accumulate endangered taxa within the IUCN Red List, Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE), and EDGE of Existence programme. We employed total, endemic and threatened species richness and an estimator for richness-adjusted endemism as metrics in continuous prioritization, and WWF's Global200 and Conservation International's (CI) Hotspots in categorical prioritization. Our results demonstrate that all metrics target endangerment more efficiently than by chance, but each selects unique sets of top-ranking ecoregions, which overlap only partially, and include different sets of threatened species. Using the top 100 ecoregions as defined by continuous prioritization metrics, we develop an inclusive map for global vertebrate conservation that incorporates important areas for endemism, richness, and threat. Finally, we assess human footprint and protection levels within these areas to reveal that endemism sites are more impacted but have more protection, in contrast to high richness and threat ones. Given such contrasts, major efforts to protect global biodiversity must involve complementary conservation approaches in areas of unique species as well as those with highest diversity and threat

The biogeographic basis of Ebola-virus disease outbreaks: A model for other zoonotic diseases?

We first determined the differential role of favorability of environmental conditions and mammalian chorotypes in explaining the presence of the Ebola virus in Africa. We then combined environmental factors and chorotypes using fuzzy logic, which better explained the distribution of Ebola virus. The core area for the virus was associated with human infections of known animal origin, with infections of unknown source detected in areas that are biogeographically more peripheral. Variation in the environmental favorability for disease outbreaks may be monitored using indices of macroclimatic oscillations. This may provide the basis for an early warning system based on the variation in macroclimatic indices and the locations where human contact with multiple animal species tend to occur. We propose to study the biogeography of zoonoses by: 1) determining the potential spatial distribution of these diseases, according to environmental factors and the biogeographic structure of animals linked to the zoonosis cycle; 2) search for relationships between disease outbreaks and global atmospheric oscillations to forecast periods of higher risk of emergence of the infectious diseases.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Association between herd management practices and antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella spp. from cull dairy cattle in Central California.

BackgroundIn this study cull dairy cows from six California dairy herds were sampled seasonally over the course of a year. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) Salmonella spp. shed in cull cow feces, and the factors associated with fecal shedding of AMR and multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella.MethodsSix dairy farms located in the San Joaquin Valley of California were identified and enrolled as a convenience sample. On each dairy, and once during each of the four seasons, 10 cull cows were randomly selected for fecal sampling on the day of their removal from the herd. In addition, study personnel completed a survey based on responses of the herd manager to questions related to the previous 4 month's herd management and the specific cattle sampled. Fecal samples were submitted to the California Animal Health and Food Safety laboratory for Salmonella isolation. Antimicrobial resistance was evaluated using broth microdilution method and a gram-negative assay plate following Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and breakpoint references. All statistical models were survey adjusted for number of animals on sampling day.ResultsA total of 62 Salmonella were isolated from 60 of the 239 fecal samples collected. For 12% (95% confidence interval (CI) [3-20]) of fecal samples a multidrug resistant Salmonella was isolated. The survey-weighted results for the two most common drug classes for which isolates were resistant were tetracycline (39%; 95% CI [27-51]) and ampicillin (18%; 95% CI [9-27]). An important finding was the identification of cephalosporin as the third most common drug class for which isolates were resistant, with ceftriaxone (10%; 95% CI [2-17]) being the most common drug associated with resistance in that class. At the cow-level, reason for culling, prior treatment with antimicrobial drugs as the reason for culling was associated with higher odds of isolating an AMR Salmonella isolate. At the herd-level, percent of animals monthly culled on the farm as well as number of milking cows in the herd were associated with isolation of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella in cull cows.DiscussionSalmonella isolated from fecal samples from cull cows were resistant to important antimicrobials, such as ceftriaxone. The most common drug classes for which isolates were resistant were tetracyclines and beta-lactams, with ampicillin, ceftriaxone and ceftiofur being the three most common drugs within the latter. Cow and herd level factors were associated with isolating antimicrobial resistant Salmonella that should be further investigated for their potential role in promoting occurrence of AMR Salmonella. Our results also highlight the importance of monitoring dairy cattle sent to slaughter for shedding of Salmonella resistant to medically important antimicrobial drugs

Asymptotic power of the sphericity test under weak and strong factors in a fixed effects panel data model

This paper studies the asymptotic power for the sphericity test in a Öxed e§ect panel data model proposed by Baltagi, Feng and Kao (2011), (JBFK). This is done under the alternative hypotheses of weak and strong factors. By weak factors, we mean that the Euclidean norm of the vector of the factor loadings is O(1). By strong factors, we mean that the Euclidean norm of the vector of factor loadings is O(√n), where n is the number of individuals in the panel. To derive the limiting distribution of JBFK under the alternative, we Örst derive the limiting distribution of its raw data counterpart. Our results show that, when the factor is strong, the test statistic diverges in probability to inÖnity as fast as Op(nT). However, when the factor is weak, its limiting distribution is a rightward mean shift of the limit distribution under the null. Second, we derive the asymptotic behavior of the di§erence between JBFK and its raw data counterpart. Our results show that when the factor is strong this difference is as large as Op(n). In contrast, when the factor is weak, this di§erence converges in probability to a constant. Taken together, these results imply that when the factor is strong, JBFK is consistent, but when the factor is weak, JBFK is inconsistent even though its asymptotic power is nontrivial

Wild meat hunting and use by sedentarised Baka Pygmies in southeastern Cameroon

As a result of sedentarisation many Baka Pygmies have changed their mobility patterns away from nomadic lifestyles to living in roadside villages. These settled groups are increasingly dependent on cultivated foods but still rely on forest resources. The level of dependence on hunting of wild animals for food and cash, as well as the hunting profiles of sedentarised Pygmy groups is little known. In this study we describe the use of wild meat in 10 Baka villages along the Djoum-Mintom road in southeastern Cameroon. From data collected from 1,946 hunting trips by 121 hunters, we show that most trips are of around 13 hours and a median of eight hours. A mean ± SD of 1.15 ± 1.11 animal carcasses are taken in a single trip; there was a positive correlation between duration of trips and carcasses. A total of 2,245 carcasses of 49 species of 24 animal families were taken in the study; species diversity was similar in all villages except one. Most hunted animals were mammals, with ungulates contributing the highest proportion. By species, just over half of the animal biomass extracted by all hunters in the studied villages was provided by four mammal species. Most animals were trapped (65.77% ± 16.63), followed by shot with guns (22.56% ± 17.72), other methods (8.69% ± 6.96) and with dogs (2.96% ± 4.49). A mean of 7,569.7 ± 6,103.4 kg yr−1 (2,080.8–19,351.4) were extracted per village, giving 75,697 kg yr−1 in total, which is equivalent to 123 UK dairy cattle. In all villages, 48.07% ± 17.58 of animals hunted were consumed by the hunter and his family, around 32.73% ± 12.55, were sold, followed by a lower percentage of carcasses partially sold and consumed (19.21% ± 17.02). Between 60% and 80% of carcasses belonged to the “least concern” category, followed by “near threatened”, “vulnerable” and, rarely “endangered”. The only endangered species hunted was the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). We suggest that hunting is a critical activity that provides a vital source of food for our study communities. Measured wild meat extraction levels are likely to be sustainable if hunter densities do not increase

Brotes de ébola y la presencia de murciélagos en áreas humanizadas: un análisis biogeográfico

Recientemente se ha demostrado que existe una relación positiva entre la deforestación en África y la aparición de brotes de Ébola en humanos. Sin embargo, los mecanismos que median en esta relación aún son desconocidos. Se ha sugerido la facilitación del acceso del ser humano a la selva, y por tanto su mayor contacto con la fauna autóctona; y el favorecimiento ambiental de la fauna capaz de transmitir el virus, incluidos los murciélagos de la fruta (familia Pteropodidae). Nuestro objetivo ha sido tratar de comprobar el posible papel de los murciélagos de la fruta en la transmisión del Ébola en zonas recientemente deforestadas, mediante un enfoque hipotético-deductivo basado en la biogeografía de estas especies. Las actividades humanas podrían haber contribuido significativamente a definir las áreas de distribución de 15 especies de murciélagos de la fruta. Esta contribución es más significativa aún cuando el área de estudio se restringe a África central y occidental, contexto biogeográfico favorable a la presencia del virus del Ébola en la naturaleza. La influencia humana se intensifica en el caso de tres especies en particular: Eidolon helvum, Epomops franqueti e Hypsignatus monstrosus, cuyo vínculo con el Ébola está demostrado a través de pruebas serológicas y biomoleculares. Además, nuestro análisis proporciona evidencias de que las zonas donde la actividad humana favorece la presencia de 7 especies de murciélagos de la fruta están significativamente solapadas con la localización de brotes de Ébola cuya relación con eventos de deforestación se ha sugerido con anterioridad. Entre éstas especies hay 5 cuya relación con el Ébola está confirmada en laboratorio: las tres antes citadas, más Micropteropus pusillus y Rousettus aegyptiacus. Esto sugiere la existencia de un vínculo positivo entre la pérdida de bosque y la presencia de murciélagos de la fruta con capacidad de transmitir la enfermedad, en zonas donde infecciones de Ébola en seres humanos han tenido lugar.UKAID y USAID a través de CIFOR Bushmeat Research Initiative; proyecto CGL2016-76747-R del Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competividad y Fondos FEDER. // Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec