Habitat Use by Northern Dusky Salamanders in Riparian Corridors of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Amphibian populations have decreased in many parts of the world and the rate of decline has increased over the past 25 years. Much of the population decline can be attributed to habitat fragmentation, thus, possibly forming metapopulations. The semi-aquatic northern dusky salamander belongs to the family Plethodontidae and the genus Desmognathus. Amphibians, such as salamanders, may occupy undisturbed forest floors with biomass equal to, or exceeding, the biomass of other vertebrate groups and they can achieve their highest densities in ancient or undisturbed forests. Salamander densities can be estimated using cover items and this method has become a more common practice because of its relatively non-disruptive impact on the ecosystem, the ability to attract species that are difficult to trap in pitfalls, minimized observer biases and errors and reliability of developing a model estimating population size. The goals of this study were to 1) evaluate short-term changes in seasonal relative abundance of northern dusky salamanders; 2) determine if there was an increase in their relative abundance where cover boards were placed; 3) determine which habitat parameters influence relative salamander density; and 4) create a relative abundance model.;Four study areas each with 4 stream reaches were searched by using a 3--4 pass visual encounter survey and wooden cover boards (n = 50 boards/stream reach) during 2008 and 2009. A total of 2,287 salamanders from 7 species were captured and the northern dusky salamander comprised 87% of the total. Eighty--four percent of all the salamanders were captured under rocks while 9% were captured under cover boards. Salamanders were marked with a color coded visual implant elastomer and no northern dusky that was captured in one stream was then recaptured in a different stream indicating their strong site fidelity and limited dispersal ability. Of the 6 a priori models evaluated to estimate salamander density, the model using tree canopy cover, protective cover, and stream size proved to be the best fit (lowest corrected Akaike\u27s Information Criterion). The best fit model was then slightly modified (post-hoc) to incorporate stream size differences and a constant was added. The post-hoc model was verified at an independent study area and able to estimate (with a percent error of ≤ 75% of the estimated number of salamanders/m) the salamander density 75% of the time. Additional habitat parameters (i.e., tree stand age, water quality, substrate embeddedness, and stream flow) may need to be measured to increase the accuracy of the post-hoc model.;The 3 critical habitat parameters, ranked in order, were tree canopy cover, protective cover, and stream size with the first 2 being directly related to salamander density and the latter suggesting that a stream may be too small or too large to support salamanders. Furthermore, we determined that streams with deficiencies in 1 of these 3 factors had relatively lower salamander densities and streams that were deficient in 2 or 3 of these factors had the lowest density estimates. Captured juvenile (snout to vent length [SVL] = 18.17 mm, mass = 6.99 g) and adult (SVL = 50.68 mm, mass = 14.15 g) northern dusky salamanders in this study were similar in size (length and mass) to northern dusky salamanders captured in other studies. Likewise, our salamander densities were similar (X¯ = 0.15, SE = 0.02 salamanders/m) to other studies.;Our study supported the idea that salamanders are indicator species sensitive to riparian habitat conditions and that a single poor riparian zone characteristic may significantly impact the salamander population. As the amount of logging and natural gas drilling continues to increase in Pennsylvania and northeastern United States, wildlife managers could use this information to help manage riparian habitat, especially if the habitat is scheduled to be impacted by some type of anthropogenic disturbance (i.e., road). Furthermore, this study provides wildlife managers with a model that can estimate salamander densities pre-- and post--disturbance. With this model, wildlife managers can use it to evaluate the quality of the stream with respect to the northern dusky salamander.;Keywords: Northern dusky salamander, Desmognathus fuscus fuscus, habitat fragmentation, Pennsylvania, salamanders, visible implant elastomer, visual encounter survey, metapopulation

Nutrition labelling: a review of research on consumer and industry response in the global South

KIMBACKGROUND: To identify peer-reviewed research on consumers' usage and attitudes towards the nutrition label and the food industry's response to labelling regulations outside Europe, North America, and Australia and to determine knowledge gaps for future research. DESIGN: Narrative review. RESULTS: This review identified nutrition labelling research from 20 countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Consumers prefer that pre-packaged food include nutrition information, although there is a disparity between rates of use and comprehension. Consumer preference is for front-of-pack labelling and for information that shows per serving or portion as a reference unit, and label formats with graphics or symbols. Research on the food and beverage industry's response is more limited but shows that industry plays an active role in influencing legislation and regulation. CONCLUSIONS: Consumers around the world share preferences with consumers in higher income countries with respect to labelling. However, this may reflect the research study populations, who are often better educated than the general population. Investigation is required into how nutrition labels are received in emerging economies especially among the urban and rural poor, in order to assess the effectiveness of labelling policies. Further research into the outlook of the food and beverage industry, and also on expanded labelling regulations is a priority. Sharing context-specific research regarding labelling between countries in the global South could be mutually beneficial in evaluating obesity prevention policies and strategies

Effect of Nb doping on structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of flame-made TiO2 nanopowder

TiO2:Nb nanopowders within a dopant concentration in the range of 0.1-15at.% were prepared by one-step flame spray synthesis. Effect of niobium doping on structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide nanopowders was studied. Morphology and structure were investigated by means of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Diffuse reflectance and the resulting band gap energy were determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity of the investigated nanopowders was revised for the photodecomposition of methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO) and 4-chlorophenol under UVA and VIS light irradiation. Commercial TiO2-P25 nanopowder was used as a reference. The specific surface area of the powders was ranging from 42.9m2/g for TiO2:0.1at.% Nb to 90.0m2/g for TiO2:15at.% Nb. TiO2:Nb particles were nanosized, spherically shaped and polycrystalline. Anatase was the predominant phase in all samples. The anatase-related transition was at 3.31eV and rutile-related one at 3.14eV. TiO2:Nb nanopowders exhibited additional absorption in the visible range. In comparison to TiO2-P25, improved photocatalytic activity of TiO2:Nb was observed for the degradation of MB and MO under both UVA and VIS irradiation, where low doping level (Nb < 1at.%) was the most effective. Niobium doping affected structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of TiO2. Low dopant level enhanced photocatalytic performance under UVA and VIS irradiation. Therefore, TiO2:Nb (Nb < 1at.%) can be proposed as an efficient selective solar light photocatalys

Nutrition labelling : a review of research on consumer and industry response in the global South

In response to increasing nutrition-related noncommunicable disease (NCDs) rates, many governments are implementing multi-faceted policy interventions including adoption of nutrition labelling on pre-packaged foods and beverages. This review identifies nutrition labelling research from 20 countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Consumers prefer front-of-pack labelling, although there is a disparity between rates of use and comprehension. Further research into the outlook of the food and beverage industry, which plays an active role in influencing legislation and regulation, and as well on expanded labelling regulations is a priority

Determination of conduction and valence band electronic structure of anatase and rutile TiO 2

Electronic structures of rutile and anatase polymorph of TiO2 were determined by resonant inelastic X-ray scattering measurements and FEFF9.0 calculations. Difference between crystalline structures led to shifts in the rutile Ti d-band to lower energy with respect to anatase, i.e., decrease in band gap. Anatase possesses localized states located in the band gap where electrons can be trapped, which are almost absent in the rutile structure. This could well explain the reported longer lifetimes in anatase. It was revealed that HR-XAS is insufficient to study in-depth unoccupied states of investigated materials because it overlooks the shallow traps. Graphical Abstract The resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy around Ti k-edge was applied to probe local electronic structure of TiO2 rutile and anatase. By measuring 1s→3d excitation and 3p→1s decay channel, differences between localized and delocalized orbitals were determined. The 3d pre-edge structures were compared with ab initio multiple scattering simulations

Triple return on investment : the cost and impact of 13 interventions that could prevent stillbirths and save the lives of mothers and babies in South Africa

BACKGROUND : The time of labor, birth and the first days of life are the most vulnerable period for mothers and children. Despite significant global advocacy, there is insufficient understanding of the investment required to save additional lives. In particular, stillbirths have been neglected. Over 20 000 stillbirths are recorded annually in South Africa, many of which could be averted. This analysis examines available South Africa specific stillbirth data and evaluates the impact and cost-effectiveness of 13 interventions acknowledged to prevent stillbirths and maternal and newborn mortality. METHODS : Multiple data sources were reviewed to evaluate changes in stillbirth rates since 2000. The intervention analysis used the Lives Saved tool (LiST) and the Family Planning module (FamPlan) in Spectrum. LiST was used to determine the number of stillbirths and maternal and neonatal deaths that could be averted by scaling up the interventions to full coverage (99%) in 2030. The impact of family planning was assessed by increasing FamPlan’s default 70% coverage of modern contraception to 75% and 80% coverage. Total and incremental costs were determined in the LiST costing module. Cost-effectiveness measured incremental cost effectiveness ratios per potential life years gained. RESULTS: Significant variability exists in national stillbirth data. Using the international stillbirth definition, the SBR was 17.6 per 1 000 births in 2013. Full coverage of the 13 interventions in 2030 could reduce the SBR by 30% to 12.4 per 1 000 births, leading to an MMR of 132 per 100 000 and an NMR of 7 per 1 000 live births. Increased family planning coverage reduces the number of deaths significantly. The full intervention package, with 80% family planning coverage in 2030, would require US$420 million (US$7.8 per capita) annually, which is less than baseline costs of US$550 million (US$10.2 per capita). All interventions were highly cost-effective. CONCLUSION : This is the first analysis in South Africa to assess the impact of scaling up interventions to avert stillbirths. Improved coverage of 13 interventions that are already recommended could significantly impact the rates of stillbirth and maternal and neonatal mortality. Family planning should also be prioritized to reduce mortality and overall costs.http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpregnancychildbirtham201

Assessing the oxidation states and structural stability of the Ce analogue of brannerite

NSERCThe Ce‐containing analogue of brannerite (ie, UTi2O6) was previously considered to be stoichio- metric (ie, CeTi2O6); however, it has recently been determined that the material is O deficient. This oxygen‐deficient material has been suggested to be charged balanced by the presence of a minor concentration of Ce3+ or by the A‐site being cation deficient with the Ce oxidation state being 4+. A variety of Ti‐containing oxides (including brannerite) have been investigated as potential nuclear wasteforms, and it is necessary to understand the electronic structure of a proposed nuclear wasteform material as well as how the structure responds to radiation from incorporated waste elements. The radiation resistance of a material can be simulated by ion implantation. The objective of this study was to confirm the Ce oxidation state in the cation‐ and oxygen‐deficient material (ie, Ce0.94Ti2O6 − δ) and to determine how radiation damage affects this material. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectros- copy were used to study Ce0.94Ti2O6 − δ before and after being implanted with 2 MeV Au− ions. Analysis of the Ce 3d XPS spectra from the as‐synthesized samples by using a previously developed fitting method has unequivocally shown that Ce adopts both 4+ (major) and 3+ (minor) oxidation states, which was confirmed by examination of magnetic susceptibility data. Analysis of XPS and X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy spectra from ion‐implanted materials showed that both Ce and Ti were reduced because of radiation damage and that the local coordination environments of the cations are greatly affected by radiation damage