Mammal species composition and habitat associations in a commercial forest and mixed-plantation landscape

Commercial forest plantations of fast-growing species have been established globally to meet increasing demands for timber, pulpwood, and other wood products. Industrial plantations may contribute to tropical forest conservation by reducing exploitation of primary and secondary natural forests. Whether such plantations can support critical elements of biodiversity, including provision of habitat and movement corridors for species of conservation concern, is an important question in Southeast Asia. Our objectives were to investigate relationships between habitat gradients and community attributes of medium-sized to large mammals in a mixed plantation mosaic in Bengkoka Peninsula, Sabah, East Malaysia. Data on mammals were collected using 59 remote camera stations deployed for a minimum of 21 days (24-hour sampling occasions) in three major land-use types: natural forest, Acacia plantations, and non-Acacia plantations (oil palm, rubber, young Eucalyptus pellita). We used sample-based rarefaction to evaluate variation in species richness with land use. We used generalized linear models and ordination analyses to evaluate whether variation in mammal detections and species composition was associated with habitat gradients. We recorded >22 mammal species over 1572 sampling occasions. Natural forest area was positively associated with mammal species richness and detections of threatened mammals. Overall detections of mammals increased with decreasing elevation, but decreased within, and close to, Acacia plantations. Detections of threatened mammals increased with greater proportions of natural forest and Acacia and increasing proximity to roads. Sample-based rarefaction indicated that species richness of mammals in Acacia and natural forest was considerably higher than observed. Both natural forest and Acacia plantations shared similar values for species richness and diversity, but non-Acacia plantations scored lower in both metrics. Mammal species composition differed among different types of land use. Smaller generalists used non-Acacia plantation forests. A variety of other mammals including some threatened species used natural forest, Acacia, or a combination of the two. Acacia plantations possess attributes supporting a diversity of mammal species, including those we defined as threatened based on IUCN criteria. However, this is likely a function of the habitat mosaic with natural forest in the study area and the mangrove forests on the fringes of the peninsula serving as refuges of mammal diversity. Retention and restoration of natural and mangrove forests may therefore enhance the conservation potential of industrial Acacia plantations. Additionally, controlled road access in conjunction with anti-poaching operations and strengthening public awareness are essential to reduce the threat of overexploitation

The sensorium at work: the sensory phenomenology of the working body

The sociology of the body and the sociology of work and occupations have both neglected to some extent the study of the ‘working body’ in paid employment, particularly with regard to empirical research into the sensory aspects of working practices. This gap is perhaps surprising given how strongly the sensory dimension features in much of working life. This article is very much a first step in calling for a more phenomenological, embodied and ‘fleshy’ perspective on the body in employment, and examines some of the theoretical and conceptual resources available to researchers wishing to focus on the lived working-body experiences of the sensorium. We also consider some possible representational forms for a more evocative, phenomenologically-inspired portrayal of sensory, lived-working-body experiences, and offer suggestions for future avenues of research

An evaluation of noninvasive sampling techniques for Malayan sun bears

Traditional mark-recapture studies to estimate abundance and trends of Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) populations are impeded by logistics of live-trapping wild individuals. The development of noninvasive sampling techniques for monitoring sun bear populations is therefore crucial for targeted conservation action. Sun bears have short fur, and conventional hair-snagging devices are ineffective. Moreover, scats are rapidly decomposed by the warm, humid environment, as well as by invertebrates. In combination with camera-sampling, we tested 2 designs of hair traps (n = 45) in situ at Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Sabah, Malaysia, during April-October 2017, to obtain hair samples from wild sun bears. We also deployed 4 types of hair traps in rainforest enclosures with captive sun bears to evaluate hair-capture success and the effects of weathering, lure, and adhesive on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification success. Wild adult male sun bears displayed back-rubbing behavior at hair traps and 6 individuals were identified based on unique chest marks. We collected 30 hair samples from wild sun bears, including 15 chest mark images of 6 individuals over 1,260 trap-nights. We detected adult males at hair traps more frequently than females and subadults. We obtained 39 hair samples in the captive trials. Extracted DNA from hair roots successfully amplified with mitochondrial (wild bears: 95%; captive bears: 97%) and microsatellite primers (wild bears: 100%; captive bears 87%). Adhesive and lure type did not affect PCR amplification, but weathering reduced amplification of microsatellite loci. This study is the first successful attempt to obtain genetic samples from wild sun bears using inexpensive, readily available materials such as duct tape, polybutyl glue, and locally sourced lures. The quality of genetic material from these genetic samples should be suitable for studies of population size and gene flow

Characterization of tetrafluoropropene-based gas mixtures for the Resistive Plate Chambers of the ALICE muon spectrometer

International audienceThe muon identification system of the ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC is based on Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC) detectors. These RPCs are operated in the so-called maxi-avalanche mode with a gas mixture made of tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and isobutane (i-C4H10). All of these components are greenhouse gases: in particular, the first gas is already phasing out of production, due to recent European Union regulations, and its cost is expected to increase in the near future. Therefore, finding a new eco-friendly gas mixture has become extremely important in order to reduce the impact of the RPC operation on the environment, and for economic reasons. Due to the similar chemical structure, hydrofluoroolefins appear appropriate candidates to replace C2H2F4 thanks to their very low GWPs, especially tetrafluoropropene (C3H2F4) with the trade name HFO1234ze(E). In order to identify an eco-friendly gas mixture fulfilling the requirements for operation in the ALICE environment in the coming years, a dedicated experimental set-up has been built to carry out R&D studies on promising gas mixtures. Measurements have been performed with a small-size RPC equipped with the front-end electronics, providing signal amplification, developed for ALICE operation at high luminosity after the LHC Long Shutdown 2. HFO1234ze(E)-based mixtures with the addition of CO2 are discussed in this paper as well as the role of i-C4H10, as quencher, and SF6, as strong electronegative gas, in such mixtures

Studies on tetrafluoropropene-based gas mixtures with low environmental impact for Resistive Plate Chambers

International audienceGaseous detectors are widely used in high-energy physics experiments, and in particular at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC), to provide tracking and triggering over large volumes. It has been recently estimated that Resistive Plate Chambers (RPC), used for muon detection, have the highest contribution on the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the LHC experiments. Gas mixtures for RPCs are mainly made of C2H2F4, which is a greenhouse gas with a high environmental impact in the atmosphere. C2H2F4 is already phasing out of production, due to recent European Union (EU) regulations, and its cost is expected to increase in the near future. Therefore, finding alternative gas mixtures made of gas components with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) has become extremely important for limiting the GHG emissions as well as for economic reasons. The novel hydrofluoroolefins are likely appropriate candidates to replace C2H2F4 due to their similar chemical structures. This study is focused on the characterization of innovative gas mixtures with tetrafluoropropene HFO1234ze(E) (C3H2F4) that is one of the most eco-friendly hydrofluoroolefins, thanks to its very low GWP. HFO1234ze(E)-based gas mixtures with the addition of Ar, N2, O2 and CO2 are extensively discussed in this paper as well as the role of i-C4H10 and SF6 in such mixtures

Environment-friendly gas mixtures for Resistive Plate Chambers: an experimental and simulation study

International audienceResistive Plate Chambers (RPC) have shown stable operation at the Large Hadron Collider and satisfactory efficiency for the entire Run 1 (2010–2013) and Run 2 (2015–2018) with C2H2F4-based gas mixtures and the addition of SF6 and i-C4H10. Since its global warming potential (GWP) is high, C2H2F4 is phasing out of production due to recent European Union regulations and as a result its cost is progressively increasing. Therefore, finding a new RPC gas mixture with a low GWP has become extremely important. This contribution describes the simulation of the RPC efficiency with tetrafluoropropene C3H2F4 (HFO1234ze), a hydrofluoroolefin with very low GWP. Simulation results are systematically compared with measurements of RPC efficiency in C3H2F4-based gas mixtures with the addition of different combinations of Ar, He, CO2, O2 and i-C4H10 in various concentrations. This simulation allows the study of the interplay between C3H2F4 and the other gas components in the mixture as well as may allow the identification of the most promising environment-friendly gas mixtures with C3H2F4 for RPCs

Young people living with cystic fibrosis: An insight into their subjective experience

The aim of this article is to explore the experiences of young people living with cystic fibrosis and the impact of these experiences on their compliance to treatment regimen. Thirty-one young adults participated in semi-structured interviews which were transcribed and the data collected analysed using interpretative phenomenology. Emerging themes underlined just how complex it is to manage life with a chronic illness as demanding as cystic fibrosis. A strong emphasis emerged from the participants about their desire to integrate into society and to be seen to be normal and this was seen as in conflict with some aspects of their recommended ongoing treatment. The findings suggested that complete compliance is rare and is affected by a multitude of factors, set within the context of each individual's unique life experience. Healthcare professionals need to understand, not just the objective medical condition in delivering care, but they also need to develop an insight into the subjective experience of living with illnesses such as cystic fibrosis. Their central concern should not be to maximise compliance but rather to support the making of informed decisions about broader lifestyles and health behaviours. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Eco-friendly gas mixtures for future RPC detectors

International audienceSince a few years a joint collaboration between ALICE, ATLAS, CMS, LHCb/SHiP and CERN EP-DT groups is in place with the goal to study the performance of RPCs operated with eco-friendly gas mixtures under different irradiation conditions at GIF++.The performance of several chambers with different layout and electronics has been studied during dedicated beam tests, with and without gamma irradiation at GIF++. The RPCs have been operated with different gas mixtures based on $\rm{CO_{2}}$ and HFO1234ze gases. Results of these tests together with the future plans for aging studies of the chambers will be presented