Macroecological Patterns of Climatic Niche Breadth Variation in Lacertid Lizards

Measuring climatic niche position and breadth may help to determine where species can occur over space and time. Using GIS-based and phylogenetic comparative methods, we investigated global patterns of variation in climatic niche breadth in lacertid lizards to test the following three hypotheses about climatic niche widths. First, does a species’ temperature or precipitation niche breadth relate to its temperature or precipitation niche position (the mean value of annual mean temperature or annual precipitation across sampled localities in the range of each species)? Second, are there trade-offs between a species’ temperature niche breadth and precipitation niche breadth? Third, does a species’ temperature or precipitation niche breadth relate to altitude or latitude? We expect that: (1) species distributed in cold regions are specialized for low-temperature environments (i.e. narrow niche breadth center around low temperatures); (2) a negative relationship between species niche breadth on temperature and precipitation axes according to the trade-off hypothesis (i.e. species that tolerate a broad range of precipitation regimes cannot also tolerate a broad range of temperatures); (3) precipitation niche breadth decreases with altitude or latitude, whereas temperature climatic niche breadth increases with altitude or latitude. Based on the analytical results we found that: (1) temperature niche breadth and position are negatively related, while precipitation niche breadth and position are positively related; (2) there is no trade-off between temperature and precipitation niche breadths; and (3) temperature niche breadth and latitude/altitude are positively related, but precipitation niche breadth and latitude/altitude are not significantly related. Our results show many similarities with previous studies on climatic niche widths reported for amphibians and lizards, which provide further evidence that such macroecological patterns of variation in climatic niche breadths may be widespread

Reducing critical hindrances to building information modeling implementation: The case of the Singapore construction industry

10.3390/app9183833Applied Sciences (Switzerland)918383

A project management framework for enhanced productivity performance using building information modelling

Although the Singapore government has mandated submissions of building plans in building information modelling (BIM) format since July 2013, this does not yet seem to lead to enhanced productivity performance. BIM collaboration between designers and downstream contractors appears to remain inadequate. While many studies have been conducted on using BIM for better project outcomes, studies that relate BIM with the identification of non-value adding activities in the project lifecycle and the reduction of the resulting wastes are at infancy stage. This paper aims to propose a project management framework for enhancing the productivity of building projects in Singapore, which forms Phase I of an ongoing research project. A two-pronged approach is presented. Firstly, non-value adding activities in the current project delivery process that uses BIM partially in Singapore are identified by comparing the typical current process with full BIM-based processes; such activities are cut down after process transformation in terms of people, process, and technology. Secondly, time savings derived from reducing the wastes caused by these activities are quantified. The proposed framework was validated by a case study of a local residential project. It was concluded that this framework provides a valuable tool for project teams to enhance productivity performance

Identifying Intraspecific Variation in Venom Yield of Chinese Cobra (Naja atra) from Ten Populations in Mainland China

Detailed information on venom yield is helpful in preparing antivenoms and treating snakebites, but such information is lacking for many species of venomous snakes. The Chinese cobra (Naja atra) is a large sized, venomous snake commonly found in southeastern China, where it causes a heavy burden of snakebites. To examine the effects of various factors (morphology, sex, age, season, and geographical origin) on the venom yield in this snake, we collected venom samples of 446 individuals (426 adults and 20 neonates) from 10 populations of N. atra over an eight-year period. We used two variables, lyophilized venom mass (venom yield) and solid content of venom (% solids), to quantify the venom yield. We used linear regression analysis to check if venom yield was related to morphological factors, one-way ANOVA and one-way ANCOVA to detect the sexual, ontogenetic, and geographic variation in venom yield, and repeated-measures ANOVA to examine seasonal shifts in venom yield. Our results indicate that venom yield of N. atra is positively related to the morphological traits examined, with male snakes expelling more venom than females. Venom yield in N. atra was age-related, with elder snakes always expelling more venom than younger ones. Geographic variation in venom yield was also observed, while seasonal variation was not. The solid content of venom was lower in males than in females, but this was not related to morphology, season, age, or geography. Our findings suggest that venom yield in N. atra is influenced by multiple factors, as well as by the interactions among these factors

Growth performance, digestive capacity and intestinal health of juvenile spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus) fed dietary laminarin supplement

Laminarin has antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties and favorably impacts gut microbial composition, providing a potential solution for the treatment of intestinal diseases in fish. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of laminarin on the growth and intestinal health of juvenile spotted seabass, Lateolabrax maculatus. A total of 450 juveniles (initial body weight: 7.14 ± 0.10 g) were randomly divided into 6 groups with 3 replicates per group and 25 fish per replicate. Six diets were prepared with laminarin supplementation at doses of 0% (Control), 0.4% (P0.4), 0.8% (P0.8), 1.2% (P1.2), 1.6% (P1.6), and 2% (P2). Each group was fed the corresponding diet for 8 weeks. The results indicated that dietary laminarin supplementation of 0.4-1.6% enhanced the specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain rate (WGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of juvenile spotted seabass, and the difference was significant in the P0.8 group (P<0.05). Significantly higher intestinal amylase activity was measured in P0.8 compared with the control group. Trypsin activity was significantly increased in P0.4 and P0.8 groups in contrast to the control (P<0.05). Lipase activity was significantly increased in P0.4, P0.8, P1.6, and P2 groups in contrast to the control (P<0.05). Total antioxidant capacity was significantly increased in the P0.8, P1.2, and P1.6 groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). The P0.8 group exhibited significant increases in reduced glutathione, alkaline phosphatase, and lysozyme levels (P<0.05), whereas the concentrations of diamine oxidase and D-lactate were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Furthermore, intestinal villus height, villus width, and crypt depth were significantly increased in P0.8 and P2 groups (P<0.05), and muscular thickness was significantly increased in the P1.2 group (P<0.05). Intestinal microbial analysis revealed that the alpha diversity of the laminarin supplemented groups was significantly higher than that of the control group. Moreover, the abundance of intestinal beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus and Klebsiella in P0.4 and P0.8 groups was significantly increased (P<0.05), indicating that laminarin altered the composition of intestinal flora and the abundance of dominant bacteria, with a low dose being more conducive to the formation of beneficial bacteria. In conclusion, dietary laminarin supplementation can improve the growth performance and intestinal function of juvenile spotted seabass. Based on the regression analyses of weight gain rate and specific growth rate, the optimal supplemental level of laminarin was estimated to be 0.97% and 0.98%, respectively

Normal-weight central obesity: implications for diabetes mellitus

BackgroundCurrent guidelines for obesity prevention and control focus on body mass index (BMI) and rarely address central obesity. Few studies have been conducted on the association between normal-weight central obesity and the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM).Methods26,825 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in our study. A weighted multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between different obesity patterns and the risk of DM.ResultsOur results suggest that normal-weight central obesity is associated with an increased risk of DM (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.75–3.23) compared with normal-weight participants without central obesity. When stratified by sex, men with normal-weight central obesity, obesity and central obesity were found to have a similar risk of DM (OR: 3.83, 95% CI: 2.10–5.97; OR: 4.20, 95% CI: 3.48–5.08, respectively) and a higher risk than all other types of obesity, including men who were overweight with no central obesity (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.96–1.51) and obese with no central obesity (OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.30–0.91).ConclusionOur results highlight the need for more attention in people with central obesity, even if they have a normal BMI

2021 Taxonomic update of phylum Negarnaviricota (Riboviria: Orthornavirae), including the large orders Bunyavirales and Mononegavirales.

Correction to: 2021 Taxonomic update of phylum Negarnaviricota (Riboviria: Orthornavirae), including the large orders Bunyavirales and Mononegavirales. Archives of Virology (2021) 166:3567–3579. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-021-05266-wIn March 2021, following the annual International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) ratification vote on newly proposed taxa, the phylum Negarnaviricota was amended and emended. The phylum was expanded by four families (Aliusviridae, Crepuscuviridae, Myriaviridae, and Natareviridae), three subfamilies (Alpharhabdovirinae, Betarhabdovirinae, and Gammarhabdovirinae), 42 genera, and 200 species. Thirty-nine species were renamed and/or moved and seven species were abolished. This article presents the updated taxonomy of Negarnaviricota as now accepted by the ICTV.This work was supported in part through Laulima Government Solutions, LLC prime contract with the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under Contract No. HHSN272201800013C. J.H.K. performed this work as an employee of Tunnell Government Services (TGS), a subcontractor of Laulima Government Solutions, LLC under Contract No. HHSN272201800013C. This work was also supported in part with federal funds from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), under Contract No. 75N91019D00024, Task Order No. 75N91019F00130 to I.C., who was supported by the Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate, Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research. This work was also funded in part by Contract No. HSHQDC-15-C-00064 awarded by DHS S&T for the management and operation of The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, a federally funded research and development center operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (V.W.); and NIH contract HHSN272201000040I/HHSN27200004/D04 and grant R24AI120942 (N.V., R.B.T.). S.S. acknowledges partial support from the Special Research Initiative of Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES), Mississippi State University, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture, Hatch Project 1021494. Part of this work was supported by the Francis Crick Institute which receives its core funding from Cancer Research UK (FC001030), the UK Medical Research Council (FC001030), and the Wellcome Trust (FC001030).S

2021 Taxonomic update of phylum Negarnaviricota (Riboviria: Orthornavirae), including the large orders Bunyavirales and Mononegavirales.

In March 2021, following the annual International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) ratification vote on newly proposed taxa, the phylum Negarnaviricota was amended and emended. The phylum was expanded by four families (Aliusviridae, Crepuscuviridae, Myriaviridae, and Natareviridae), three subfamilies (Alpharhabdovirinae, Betarhabdovirinae, and Gammarhabdovirinae), 42 genera, and 200 species. Thirty-nine species were renamed and/or moved and seven species were abolished. This article presents the updated taxonomy of Negarnaviricota as now accepted by the ICTV

Ecography data

Ecography dat

Investigating Critical Non-Value Adding Activities and Their Resulting Wastes in BIM-Based Project Delivery

Building information modeling (BIM) is deemed a useful innovation for technological and sustainable development of the economy. It is partially used in building projects in Singapore, although its implementation is mandated by the local government, resulting in various wastes and suboptimal productivity. Little is known about how non-value adding (NVA) BIM implementation practices were perceived by the local practitioners and how these practices affected productivity in building projects in Singapore. This study aimed to identify critical NVA BIM implementation activities and investigate the criticality of their resulting wastes to productivity performance in the current project delivery process in Singapore. The results from a questionnaire survey of 73 experts and four post-survey interviews in Singapore revealed that 38 NVA BIM implementation activities were deemed critical, among which “lack of involvement by contractors to contribute site knowledge” in the design development phase was ranked top; the top five resulting wastes with highest criticalities were reworks/abortive works, requests for information, design deficiencies, defects, and waiting/idle time. Furthermore, an independent-samples t-test was conducted to examine whether construction firms and upfront stakeholders perceived the NVA activities differently. It was discovered that most NVA activities exerted more agreement from construction firms than upfront non-construction organizations. Six strategies were proposed to mitigate the NVA activities and wastes. The findings can help practitioners identify weak areas of their BIM implementation practices and prioritize resources accordingly to eliminate the wastes and foster sustainability, as well as help overseas project teams, with minor adjustments, customize their own NVA BIM implementation activities and management strategies