Distribution and habitat partitioning of cetaceans (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla) in the Bohol Sea, Philippines.

Understanding broad-scale species distribution and finer-scale ecological interactions is essential for conservation. We assessed species richness, distribution, habitat use and interspecific associations of cetacean in the Bohol Sea, Philippines. During 72 days of dedicated survey (2010 - 2013), we encountered 12 species of cetacean in 291 sightings, 16.8% of which involved mixed species. We used maximum entropy (MaxEnt) models to assess species’ habitat suitability and found slope and distance from the coast to be influential contributors to cetacean distribution. To explore habitat use, through foraging ecology and niche segregation of sympatric species, we compared behavioral budgets across species and found significant differences (chi-sq = 21.44; p-value = 0.044). We then used GLMs to determine the foraging likelihood in relation to oceanographic features, group size and presence of associated species. Results from model selection complimented those derived from MaxEnt. However, some inter-specific exclusion behavior might also occur. Overall, our study suggests that the Bohol Sea supports a high cetacean biodiversity while more complex inter-specific dynamics might further shape species’ ecological niches. These results highlight the importance of multi-species ecology and can be used to develop management actions

How Research Data Management Plans Can Help in Harmonizing Open Science and Approaches in the Digital Economy

Within this perspective article, we intend to summarise definitions and terms that are often used in the context of open science and data-driven R&D and we discuss upcoming European regulations concerning data, data sharing and handling. With this background in hand, we take a closer look at the potential connections and permeable interfaces of open science and digital economy, in which data and resulting immaterial goods can become vital pieces as tradeable items. We believe that both science and the digital economy can profit from a seamless transition and foresee that the scientific outcomes of publicly funded research can be better exploited. To close the gap between open science and the digital economy, and to serve for a balancing of the interests of data producers, data consumers, and an economy around services and the public, we introduce the concept of generic research data management plans (RDMs), which have in part been developed through a community effort and which have been evaluated by academic and industry members of the NFDI4Cat consortium. We are of the opinion that in data-driven research, RDMs do need to become a vital element in publicly funded projects

A Unified Research Data Infrastructure for Catalysis Research – Challenges and Concepts

Modern research methods produce large amounts of scientifically valuable data. Tools to process and analyze such data have advanced rapidly. Yet, access to large amounts of high‐quality data remains limited in many fields, including catalysis research. Implementing the concept of FAIR data (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) in the catalysis community would improve this situation dramatically. The German NFDI initiative (National Research Data Infrastructure) aims to create a unique research data infrastructure covering all scientific disciplines. One of the consortia, NFDI4Cat, proposes a concept that serves all aspects and fields of catalysis research. We present a perspective on the challenging path ahead. Starting out from the current state, research needs are identified. A vision for a integrating all research data along the catalysis value chain, from molecule to chemical process, is developed. Respective core development topics are discussed, including ontologies, metadata, required infrastructure, IP, and the embedding into research community. This Concept paper aims to inspire not only researchers in the catalysis field, but to spark similar efforts also in other disciplines and on an international level.DFG, 441926934, NFDI4Cat – NFDI für Wissenschaften mit Bezug zur Katalys

A Unified Research Data Infrastructure for Catalysis Research – Challenges and Concepts

Modern research methods produce large amounts of scientifically valuable data. Tools to process and analyze such data have advanced rapidly. Yet, access to large amounts of high-quality data remains limited in many fields, including catalysis research. Implementing the concept of FAIR data (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) in the catalysis community would improve this situation dramatically. The German NFDI initiative (National Research Data Infrastructure) aims to create a unique research data infrastructure covering all scientific disciplines. One of the consortia, NFDI4Cat, proposes a concept that serves all aspects and fields of catalysis research. We present a perspective on the challenging path ahead. Starting out from the current state, research needs are identified. A vision for a integrating all research data along the catalysis value chain, from molecule to chemical process, is developed. Respective core development topics are discussed, including ontologies, metadata, required infrastructure, IP, and the embedding into research community. This Concept paper aims to inspire not only researchers in the catalysis field, but to spark similar efforts also in other disciplines and on an international level. © 2021 The Authors. ChemCatChem published by Wiley-VCH Gmb

Cacao flower visitation: Low pollen deposition, low fruit set and dominance of herbivores

Pollination services of cacao are crucial for global chocolate production, yet remain critically understudied, particularly in regions of origin of the species. Notably, uncertainties remain concerning the identity of cacao pollinators, the influence of landscape (forest distance) and management (shade cover) on flower visitation and the role of pollen deposition in limiting fruit set. Here, we aimed to improve understanding of cacao pollination by studying limiting factors of fruit set in Peru, part of the centre of origin of cacao. Flower visitors were sampled with sticky insect glue in 20 cacao agroforests in two biogeographically distinct regions of Peru, across gradients of shade cover and forest distance. Further, we assessed pollen quantities and compared fruit set between naturally and manually pollinated flowers. The most abundant flower visitors were aphids, ants and thrips in the north and thrips, midges and parasitoid wasps in the south of Peru. We present some evidence of increasing visitation rates from medium to high shade (40%–95% canopy closure) in the dry north, and opposite patterns in the semi-humid south, during the wet season. Natural pollination resulted in remarkably low fruit set rates (2%), and very low pollen deposition. After hand pollination, fruit set more than tripled (7%), but was still low. The diversity and high relative abundances of herbivore flower visitors limit our ability to draw conclusions on the functional role of different flower visitors. The remarkably low fruit set of naturally and even hand pollinated flowers indicates that other unaddressed factors limit cacao fruit production. Such factors could be, amongst others, a lack of effective pollinators, genetic incompatibility or resource limitation. Revealing efficient pollinator species and other causes of low fruit set rates is therefore key to establish location-specific management strategies and develop high yielding native cacao agroforestry systems in regions of origin of cacao. © 2022 The Authors. Ecological Solutions and Evidence published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society

Growth of palladium nanoparticles on nanostructured highly ordered pyrolytic graphite

We report on the growth of palladium nanoparticles on the basal plane of as-cleaved highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) samples, and on CO2 ion sputtered nanostructured HOPG surfaces. The morphology of Pd nanostructures grown at room temperature is investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The STM observations indicate that the morphology of the Pd films is strongly dependent on the HOPG surface. Stabilized Pd particles only form on the sputtered surface, while ramified Pd particles decorate the clean HOPG terraces. The prestructuring of HOPG surface leads to a selective location of particles at the rim of the nanopits generated by the CO2 ion sputtering and annealing of the surface. The correlation between size, form, density, spatial distribution of the Pd nanoparticles and the quantity of metal added on surface is discussed. We also describe trench channeling of graphite or graphene basal planes by means of Pd nanoparticles in an ambient environment. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Have Anglo-Saxon concepts really influenced the development of European qualifications policy?

This paper considers how far Anglo-Saxon conceptions of have influenced European Union vocational education and training policy, especially given the disparate approaches to VET across Europe. Two dominant approaches can be identified: the dual system (exemplified by Germany); and output based models (exemplified by the NVQ ‘English style’). Within the EU itself, the design philosophy of the English output-based model proved in the first instance influential in attempts to develop tools to establish equivalence between vocational qualifications across Europe, resulting in the learning outcomes approach of the European Qualifications Framework, the credit-based model of European VET Credit System and the task-based construction of occupation profiles exemplified by European Skills, Competences and Occupations. The governance model for the English system is, however, predicated on employer demand for ‘skills’ and this does not fit well with the social partnership model encompassing knowledge, skills and competences that is dominant in northern Europe. These contrasting approaches have led to continual modifications to the tools, as these sought to harmonise and reconcile national VET requirements with the original design. A tension is evident in particular between national and regional approaches to vocational education and training, on the one hand, and the policy tools adopted to align European vocational education and training better with the demands of the labour market, including at sectoral level, on the other. This paper explores these tensions and considers the prospects for the successful operation of these tools, paying particular attention to the European Qualifications Framework, European VET Credit System and European Skills, Competences and Occupations tool and the relationships between them and drawing on studies of the construction and furniture industries

Omalizumab may decrease IgE synthesis by targeting membrane IgE+ human B cells

Omalizumab, is a humanized anti-IgE monoclonal antibody used to treat allergic asthma. Decreased serum IgE levels, lower eosinophil and B cell counts have been noted as a result of treatment. In vitro studies and animal models support the hypothesis that omalizumab inhibits IgE synthesis by B cells and causes elimination of IgE-expressing cells either by induction of apoptosis or induction of anergy or tolerance. METHODS: We examined the influence of omalizumab on human tonsillar B cell survival and on the genes involved in IgE synthesis. Tonsillar B cells were stimulated with IL-4 plus anti-CD40 antibody to induce class switch recombination to IgE production in the presence or absence of omalizumab. Cell viability was assessed and RNA extracted to examine specific genes involved in IgE synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: We found that omalizumab reduced viable cell numbers but this was not through induction of apoptosis. IL-4R and germline Cϵ mRNA levels were decreased as well as the number of membrane IgE+ cells in B cells treated with omalizumab. These data suggest that omalizumab may decrease IgE synthesis by human B cells by specifically targeting membrane IgE-bearing B cells and inducing a state of anergy

Complex temporal climate signals drive the emergence of human water-borne disease

Predominantly occurring in developing parts of the world, Buruli ulcer is a severely disabling mycobacterium infection which often leads to extensive necrosis of the skin. While the exact route of transmission remains uncertain, like many tropical diseases, associations with climate have been previously observed and could help identify the causative agent's ecological niche. In this paper, links between changes in rainfall and outbreaks of Buruli ulcer in French Guiana, an ultraperipheral European territory in the northeast of South America, were identified using a combination of statistical tests based on singular spectrum analysis, empirical mode decomposition and cross-wavelet coherence analysis. From this, it was possible to postulate for the first time that outbreaks of Buruli ulcer can be triggered by combinations of rainfall patterns occurring on a long (i.e., several years) and short (i.e., seasonal) temporal scale, in addition to stochastic events driven by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation that may disrupt or interact with these patterns. Long-term forecasting of rainfall trends further suggests the possibility of an upcoming outbreak of Buruli ulcer in French Guiana