356 research outputs found
Mining noise affects loud call structures and emission patterns of wild black-fronted titi monkeys
Anthropogenic noise pollution is increasing and
can constrain acoustic communication in animals. Our aim
was to investigate if the acoustic parameters of loud calls
and their diurnal pattern in the black-fronted titi monkey
(Callicebus nigrifrons) are affected by noise produced by
mining activity in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in Brazil.
We installed two passive acoustic monitoring devices to
record sound 24 h/day, 7 days every 2 months, for a year;
one unit was close to an opencast mine and the other
2.5 km away from it. Both sites presented similar habitat
structures and were inhabited by groups of black-fronted
titi monkeys. We quantified the noise at both sites by
measuring the equivalent continuous sound level every 2
months for 1 year and quantified the emission of loud calls
by titi monkeys through visual inspection of the recordings.
The close site presented higher ambient noise levels than
the far site. The quantitative comparison of loud calls of
black-fronted titi monkeys between the two sites showed
less calling activity in the site close to the mine than in the
site further away. Approximately 20 % of the calls detected
at the site close to the mine were masked by noise from
truck traffic. Loud calls were longer at the site far from the
mine and the diurnal patterns of vocal activity differed in
the amount of calling as well as in the timing of peak
calling activity between the two sites. Our results indicate
that mining noise may constrain titi monkeys’ long-distance
vocal communication. Loud calls occupy a similar
frequency band to mining noise, and an increase in ambient
noise may be triggering black-fronted titi monkeys to
adjust their long-distance communication patterns to avoid
masking of their calls. Given that vocalizations are an
important means of social interaction in this species, there
are concerns about the impact of mining noise on populations
exposed to this human activity
Non-invasive monitoring for population assessments of a critically endangered Neotropical primate
The northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus), is a Critically Endangered primate endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Remnant populations of muriquis suffer from a wide range of anthropogenic pressures and face a high risk of extinction due to demographic and environmental stochasticity. Despite the conservation status of the species and its urgent need for management and conservation based on scientific evidence, some muriqui populations are poorly studied and/or remain neglected due to the difficulties of applying traditional survey methods. Therefore, in this thesis, I assessed and provided population and genetic data of a muriqui population based in a previously unstudied site using remote sensing and molecular methods. I evaluated the use of canopy camera traps as an effective tool to detect and for a population assessment of non-habituated groups of muriqui and other arboreal primates (Callithrix flaviceps and Sapajus nigritus) in remote areas, demonstrating the applicability of the method for Neotropical primate surveys and conservation. Noninvasive genetic sampling allowed for a complementary population assessment in northern muriqui and provided information regarding the genetic diversity of the species in comparison to neighbouring populations. Overall, my studies demonstrated the potential and the effectiveness of an integrative approach based on non-invasive methods to advance our knowledge regarding a neglected and poorly studied population of muriquis, including recently discovered groups. The information provided here strengthens the potential of implementing non-invasive techniques for the assessment and monitoring of Neotropical primates in remote and difficult to reach areas, with the ultimate goal of informing management decisions and promoting species conservation
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Intrathecal enzyme replacement for Hurler syndrome: biomarker association with neurocognitive outcomes.
PurposeAbnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been reported in Hurler syndrome, a fatal neurodegenerative lysosomal disorder. While no biomarker has predicted neurocognitive response to treatment, one of these abnormalities, glycosaminoglycan nonreducing ends (NREs), holds promise to monitor therapeutic efficacy. A trial of intrathecal enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) added to standard treatment enabled tracking of CSF abnormalities, including NREs. We evaluated safety, biomarker response, and neurocognitive correlates of change.MethodsIn addition to intravenous ERT and hematopoietic cell transplantation, patients (N = 24) received intrathecal ERT at four peritransplant time points; CSF was evaluated at each point. Neurocognitive functioning was quantified at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years posttransplant. Changes in CSF biomarkers and neurocognitive function were evaluated for an association.ResultsOver treatment, there were significant decreases in CSF opening pressure, biomarkers of disease activity, and markers of inflammation. Percent decrease in NRE from pretreatment to final intrathecal dose posttransplant was positively associated with percent change in neurocognitive score from pretreatment to 2 years posttransplant.ConclusionIntrathecal ERT was safe and, in combination with standard treatment, was associated with reductions in CSF abnormalities. Critically, we report evidence of a link between a biomarker treatment response and neurocognitive outcome in Hurler syndrome
Do wild titi monkeys show empathy?
We observed a putative case of empathy among wild black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons)
from two different groups (D and R). In over 10 years of behavioural observations of five habituated
groups of this species, only low levels of inter-group tolerance have been observed. However, on one day, we
encountered the adult male from group D limping (poor hind limb motor coordination) as he travelled alone
along the ground. Interestingly, we observed that members of group R did not express any agonistic behaviour
towards this neighbouring male and apparently allowed this disabled individual to follow them in the forest for
over 5 h. They stayed low in the forest (<2m above the ground) and <10m horizontally from the individual,
and remained in visual contact with him. At the end of the day, this male from group D slept in the sleeping site of
group R and was groomed by the adult female of group R. Such tolerance between members of different groups
has never been previously observed in this species. Furthermore, group R exposed themselves to increased predation
risk by staying close to the ground for protracted periods. The behaviour of group R could be interpreted
by as a putative case of empathic responding in this species
Empirical agent-based modelling of everyday pro-environmental behaviours at work
We report on agent-based modelling work in the LOCAW project (Low Carbon at Work: Modelling Agents and Organisations to Achieve Transition to a Low Carbon Europe). The project explored the effectiveness of various backcasting scenarios conducted with case study organisations in bringing about pro-environmental change in the workforce in the domains of transport, energy use and waste. The model used qualitative representations of workspaces in formalising each scenario, and decision trees learned from questionnaire responses to represent decision-making. We describe the process by which the decision trees were constructed, noting that the use of decision trees in agent-based models requires particular considerations owing to the potential use of explanatory
variables in model dynamics. The results of the modelling in various scenarios emphasise the importance of structural environmental changes in facilitating everyday pro-environmental behaviour, but also show there is a role for psychological variables such as norms, values and efficacy. As such, the topology of social interactions is a potentially important driver, raising the interesting prospect that both workplace geography and organisational hierarchy have a role to play in influencing workplace pro-environmental behaviours
Cesium, iodine and tritium in NW Pacific waters - a comparison of the Fukushima impact with global fallout
Radionuclide impact of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident on the distribution of radionuclides in seawater of the NW Pacific Ocean is compared with global fallout from atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons. Surface and water column samples collected during the <i>Ka'imikai-o-Kanaloa</i> (<i>KOK</i>) international expedition carried out in June 2011 were analyzed for <sup>134</sup>Cs, <sup>137</sup>Cs, <sup>129</sup>I and <sup>3</sup>H. The <sup>137</sup>Cs, <sup>129</sup>I and <sup>3</sup>H levels in surface seawater offshore Fukushima varied between 0.002–3.5 Bq L<sup>−1</sup>, 0.01–0.8 μBq L<sup>−1</sup>, and 0.05–0.15 Bq L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. At the sampling site about 40 km from the coast, where all three radionuclides were analyzed, the Fukushima impact on the levels of these three radionuclides represents an increase above the global fallout background by factors of about 1000, 50 and 3, respectively. The water column data indicate that the transport of Fukushima-derived radionuclides downward to the depth of 300 m has already occurred. The observed <sup>137</sup>Cs levels in surface waters and in the water column are compared with predictions obtained from the ocean general circulation model, which indicates that the Kuroshio Current acts as a southern boundary for the transport of the radionuclides, which have been transported from the Fukushima coast eastward in the NW Pacific Ocean. The <sup>137</sup>Cs inventory in the water column is estimated to be about 2.2 PBq, what can be regarded as a lower limit of the direct liquid discharges into the sea as the seawater sampling was carried out only in the area from 34 to 37° N, and from 142 to 147° E. About 4.6 GBq of <sup>129</sup>I was deposited in the NW Pacific Ocean, and 2.4–7 GBq of <sup>129</sup>I was directly discharged as liquid wastes into the sea offshore Fukushima. The total amount of <sup>3</sup>H released and deposited over the NW Pacific Ocean was estimated to be 0.1–0.5 PBq. These estimations depend, however, on the evaluation of the total <sup>137</sup>Cs activities released as liquid wastes directly into the sea, which should improve when more data are available. Due to a suitable residence time in the ocean, Fukushima-derived radionuclides will provide useful tracers for isotope oceanography studies on the transport of water masses during the next decades in the NW Pacific Ocean
Assessing the potential of environmental DNA metabarcoding for monitoring Neotropical mammals : a case study in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest, Brazil
The application of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool has greatly increased in the last decade. However, most studies have focused on aquatic macro-organisms in temperate areas (e.g., fishes). We apply eDNA metabarcoding to detect the mammalian community in two high-biodiversity regions of Brazil, the Amazon and Atlantic Forest. We identified critically endangered and endangered mammalian species in the Atlantic Forest and Amazon respectively and found overlap with species identified via camera trapping in the Atlantic Forest. In light of our results, we highlight the potential and challenges of eDNA monitoring for mammals in these highly biodiverse regions
The Large Enriched Germanium Experiment for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (LEGEND)
The observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay (0)
would show that lepton number is violated, reveal that neutrinos are Majorana
particles, and provide information on neutrino mass. A discovery-capable
experiment covering the inverted ordering region, with effective Majorana
neutrino masses of 15 - 50 meV, will require a tonne-scale experiment with
excellent energy resolution and extremely low backgrounds, at the level of
0.1 count /(FWHMtyr) in the region of the signal. The
current generation Ge experiments GERDA and the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR
utilizing high purity Germanium detectors with an intrinsic energy resolution
of 0.12%, have achieved the lowest backgrounds by over an order of magnitude in
the 0 signal region of all 0
experiments. Building on this success, the LEGEND collaboration has been formed
to pursue a tonne-scale Ge experiment. The collaboration aims to develop
a phased 0 experimental program with discovery potential
at a half-life approaching or at years, using existing resources as
appropriate to expedite physics results.Comment: Proceedings of the MEDEX'17 meeting (Prague, May 29 - June 2, 2017
Características fisiológicas de plantas hibernais com potencial fitorremediador sob influência dos herbicidas fomesafen e sulfentrazone.
The use of plant species for phytoremediation of soil contaminated with persistent herbicides, such as inhibitors of the protoporphyrinogen oxidase enzyme (PROTOX), is an interesting alternative from the economic and environmental point of view. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of fomesafen and sulfentrazone on the characteristics related to the physiology of winter species with potential for phytoremediation of soil contaminated by these herbicides. Two experiments were installed in a greenhouse, one with the herbicide fomesafen and another with the sulfentrazone, in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Fomesafen (0.0, 0.125, 0.250, and 0.5 kg ha-1) and sulfentrazone (0.0, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 kg ha-1), commercial brands Flex® and Boral 500®, respectively, were applied pre-emergence on species with phytoremediation potential (black oats, vetch, turnip and lotus). The chlorophyll index, the carboxylation efficiency (EC - mol CO2 m-2 s-1), the stomatal conductance of water vapors (Gs - mol m-1 s-1), the internal CO2 concentration (Ci - μmol mol-1), the transpiration rate (E - mol H2O m-2 s-1), the amount of CO2 consumed (QT - μmol mol-1) and the water use efficiency (UEA - mol CO2 mol H2O-1), the leaf temperature ΔT (ºC), the photosynthetic rate (A - μmol m-2 s-1) and the shoot dry mass (g vase-1) were evaluated 45 days after plant emergence. It was observed that the vetch presented the best results for all evaluated variables, thus demonstrating potential to be further tested for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with the herbicides fomesafen and sulfentrazone.O emprego de espécies vegetais para fitorremediação de solos contaminados com herbicidas persistentes, como os inibidores da enzima protoporfirinogênio oxidase (PROTOX), é uma alternativa interessante dos pontos de vista econômico e ambiental. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de fomesafen e sulfentrazone nas características relacionadas à fisiologia de espécies hibernais com potencial para aplicação como fitorremediadoras de solo contaminado por esses herbicidas. Dois experimentos foram instalados em casa de vegetação, um com o herbicida fomesafen e outro com o sulfentrazone, no delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Foram testadas doses dos herbicidas fomesafen (0,0; 0,125; 0,250; e 0,5 kg ha-1) e sulfentrazone (0,0; 0,3; 0,6; e 1,2 kg ha-1), marcas comerciais Flex® e Boral 500®, respectivamente, aplicadas na pré-emergência das espécies com potencial fitorremediador (aveia-preta, ervilhaca, nabo e cornichão). Aos 45 dias após a emergência das plantas, foram avaliados o índice de clorofila, a eficiência de carboxilação (EC- mol CO2 m-2 s-1), a condutância estomática de vapores de água (Gs - mol m-1 s-1), a concentração interna de CO2 (Ci - µmol mol-1), a taxa de transpiração (E - mol H2O m-2 s-1), a quantidade de CO2 consumido (QT - µmol mol-1), o uso eficiente da água (UEA - mol CO2 mol H2O-1), a temperatura da folha ΔT (ºC), a taxa fotossintética (A - µmol m-2 s-1) e a massa seca (g vaso-1) da parte aérea. Observou-se que a ervilhaca apresenta os melhores resultados para todas as variáveis avaliadas, demonstrando assim potencial para ser testada como fitorremediadora de solos contaminados com os herbicidas fomesafen e sulfentrazone
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