Exploring the potential of occupancy modelling using passive acoustics in Coua gigas and Coua coquereli

In highly threatened habitats such as the dry deciduous forests of western Madagascar, it is essential to develop new approaches to detect population changes and evaluate conservation measures. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is such a promising approach. This method has many advantages over conventional methods, such as time efficiency, money savings, and reduced wildlife disturbance. It is especially suitable for studying occupancy and activity patterns of vocalizing species such as birds. Our study analyzed data recorded with autonomous sound recorders in 2018 in Kirindy Forest for the territorial calls of Coua gigas and Coua coquereli. We modeled occupancy and detection probability for both species in the study area. We also examined activity patterns and found that the peak of vocal activity for Coua coquereli is at 0700h and for Coua gigas at 1100h. To also test the value of PAM in relation to ecological factors we modeled occupancy and included logging status as a site covariate. We detected a positive influence of logging in occupancy of Coua gigas. Our study provides guidelines for future occupancy studies using PAM in the two coua species. We conclude that PAM will improve the ecological monitoring of soniferous animals in Madagascar.   RÉSUMÉ Dans les habitats très menacés tels que les forêts sèches à feuilles caduques de l'ouest de Madagascar, il est essentiel de développer de nouvelles approches pour détecter les changements de population et évaluer les mesures de conservation. La surveillance acoustique passive (PAM) est une approche prometteuse. Cette méthode présente de nombreux avantages par rapport aux méthodes conventionnelles, comme le gain de temps, l'économie d'argent et la réduction des perturbations de la faune. Elle est particulièrement adaptée à l'étude des modèles d'occupation et d'activité des espèces vocalisantes telles que les oiseaux. Notre étude a analysé les données enregistrées avec des enregistreurs sonores autonomes en 2018 dans la forêt de Kirindy pour les vocalisations territoriaux de Coua gigas et Coua coquereli. Nous avons modélisé l'occupation et la probabilité de détection des deux espèces dans la zone d'étude. Nous avons également examiné les schémas d'activité et constaté que le pic d'activité vocale de Coua coquereli se situe à 0700h et celui de Coua gigas à 1100h. Pour tester également la valeur de la PAM par rapport aux facteurs écologiques, nous avons modélisé l'occupation et inclus le statut d'exploitation forestière en tant que covariable du site. Nous avons détecté une influence positive de l'exploitation forestière sur l'occupation de Coua gigas. Notre étude fournit des lignes directrices pour les futures études d'occupation utilisant la PAM pour les deux espèces de coua. Nous concluons que la PAM améliorera le suivi écologique des animaux sonifères à Madagascar

A Visual Assessment Scale for Rapid Evaluation of Mangrove Degradation, Using Examples from Myanmar and Madagascar

Mangroves are globally threatened, disappearing and degraded. They are lost due to land use changes, mostly agricultural expansion and aquaculture, but also degraded by cutting by villagers and logging and timber extraction for domestic and economic purposes. Extent and conversion of mangroves can usually be estimated by applying remote sensing and modern drone technology, but the scale of degradation of mangrove habitats is not easily detected by such methods. In this paper we propose an assessment tool for a rapid evaluation on the degradation, using examples from different regions in Myanmar and Madagascar. We propose a visual and practical guide listing a range of 1–6 to identify and quantify the level of degradation. We demonstrate the application by displaying various examples from Myanmar and Madagascar and how this tool can be used for wider applications, discussing advantages scope, and limitations

The Coming of Iron in a Comparative Perspective

The paper deals with the introduction of iron as a new raw material in the transition period between the outgoing Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. Objective of the paper is to introduce the interdisciplinary research group A5: Iron as a new raw material of the Excellence Cluster Topoi. The Formation and Transformation of Space and Knowledge in Ancient Civilizations. After a short overview of the history of the spread of iron technology after the decline of the Hittite empire, the central research categories of the group: space, knowledge, innovation and resource are introduced. The interdisciplinary composition of the group enables the integration of different methodological approaches from the archaeological sciences, ancient oriental studies and physical geography. Furthermore, the spatio-temporal potentials and limitations of the single disciplinary methodological approaches are discussed and a brief overview of the regions under investigation is given. The introduction of iron as a new raw material is in detail presented in the light of two case study regions: the Ancient Orient and the Teltow region

Structured health care for subjects with diabetic foot ulcers results in a reduction of major amputation rates

OBJECTIVE: We tested the effects of structured health care for the diabetic foot in one region in Germany aiming to reduce the number of major amputations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a prospective study we investigated patients with diabetic foot in a structured system of outpatient, in-patient and rehabilitative treatment. Subjects were recruited between January 1(st), 2000 and December 31, 2007. All participants underwent a two-year follow-up. The modified University of Texas Wound Classification System (UT) was the basis for documentation and data analysis. We evaluated numbers of major amputations, rates of ulcer healing and mortality. In order to compare the effect of the structured health care program with usual care in patients with diabetic foot we evaluated the same parameters at another regional hospital without interdisciplinary care of diabetic foot (controls). RESULTS: 684 patients with diabetic foot and 508 controls were investigated. At discharge from hospital 28.3% (structured health care program, SHC) vs. 23.0% (controls) of all ulcers had healed completely. 51.5% (SHC) vs. 49.8% (controls) were in UT grade 1. Major amputations were performed in 32 subjects of the structured health care program group (4.7%) vs. 110 (21.7%) in controls (p<0.0001). Mortality during hospitalization was 2.5% (SHC) vs. 9.4% in controls (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: With the structured health care program we achieved a significant reduction of major amputation rates by more than 75% as compared to standard care

On species delimitation: Yet another lemur species or just genetic variation?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although most taxonomists agree that species are independently evolving metapopulation lineages that should be delimited with several kinds of data, the taxonomic practice in Malagasy primates (Lemuriformes) looks quite different. Several recently described lemur species are based solely on evidence of genetic distance and diagnostic characters of mitochondrial DNA sequences sampled from a few individuals per location. Here we explore the validity of this procedure for species delimitation in lemurs using published sequence data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We show that genetic distance estimates and <it>Population Aggregation Analysis </it>(PAA) are inappropriate for species delimitation in this group of primates. Intra- and interspecific genetic distances overlapped in 14 of 17 cases independent of the genetic marker used. A simulation of a fictive taxonomic study indicated that for the mitochondrial D-loop the minimum required number of individuals sampled per location is 10 in order to avoid false positives via PAA.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Genetic distances estimates and PAA alone should not be used for species delimitation in lemurs. Instead, several nuclear and sex-specific loci should be considered and combined with other data sets from morphology, ecology or behavior. Independent of the data source, sampling should be done in a way to ensure a quantitative comparison of intra- and interspecific variation of the taxa in question. The results of our study also indicate that several of the recently described lemur species should be reevaluated with additional data and that the number of good species among the currently known taxa is probably lower than currently assumed.</p

Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Iron Deficiency: CLEVER Trial Study Design and Protocol

INTRODUCTION HbA1c is the gold standard for glycemic control in pre-diabetes and diabetes. However, its validity has been questioned, especially in the presence of imbalanced iron homeostasis. The CLEVER trial aims to evaluate the relationship between iron deficiency and HbA1c (a biomarker for the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of type 2 diabetes) in a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial. METHODS The CLEVER (intravenous ferric CarboxymaLtosE for improVement of mEtabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes patients with iRon deficiency) trial is a randomized, single-blind, proof-of-concept study with two treatment arms. 140 men and women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and iron deficiency will receive either placebo or ferric carboxymaltose (500 or 1000 mg) as intravenous infusions. The primary outcome measure is the change in HbA1c level between baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints include change of iron status and metabolic markers as well as treatment safety and tolerability. Furthermore, the potential clinical improvement in quality of life and the reliability of HbA1c measurement in patients with type 2 diabetes and iron deficiency will be investigated. RESULTS Both excessive iron and iron deficiency are associated with metabolic disorders; excessive iron is a risk factor for the development of diabetes, whereas iron deficiency is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. It has been suggested that iron increases insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells. CLEVER is the first study to investigate the hypothesis that intravenous substitution with ferric carboxymaltose reduces HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and iron deficiency, thereby improving metabolic status and quality of life