Glucose and Proline Metabolism in Nautilus

The rates of incorporation of [U-14C]proline and [U-14C]glucose into CO2 and glycogen were assessed in Nautilus pompilius under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Both substrates exhibited tissue-specific rates of metabolism. However, overall higher rates of incorporation into CO2 and glycogen were observed with glucose, both with tissue slices and in the intact, catheterized organism

The Fate of Arginine and Proline Carbon in Squid Tissues

The metabolism of proline and arginine was investigated in kidney, gill, and heart of the pelagic squid, Symplectoteuthis. The rates of CO2 release from 14C-proline exceeded the rates from 14C-arginine. The metabolic rate of arginine and proline was assessed by monitoring the incorporation of arginine-derived carbon into various intermediates. Arginine was metabolized, through ornithine, to proline as well as to glutamate and various subsequent derivatives (alanine, octopine, aspartate, and carboxylic acids). The same components became labeled using 14C-proline as the starting substrate, but only the gill was capable of converting proline to arginine via the urea cycle. In addition, 14C-proline oxidation rates were high enough to exceed those of 14C-glucose in at least three tissues, kidney, heart, and inner mantle muscle

Exploring community resilience and human development in the context of climate change adaptation in El Salvador and Canada

The project resulted in improved local understanding and capacity of communities regarding climate change, adaptation, and its impacts, with local researchers engaging in learning exchanges in Panama, Canada, and parts of El Salvador, to share research methodology and findings. Two communities of local environmental committees emerged during the project through which the adaptation process will be further developed. Through “photovoice” the project connected with local people’s perspectives, understanding, and daily experiences. Photovoice is a qualitative method used for community-based participatory research to document and reflect local realities

Developing sustainability, developing the self : an integral approach to international and community development

Spanish version available in IDRC Digital Library: Desarrollando la sustentabilidad, desarrollando el ser : un enfoque integral al desarrollo internacional y comunitari

Desarrollando la sustentabilidad, desarrollando el ser : un enfoque integral al desarrollo internacional y comunitario

Versión en inglés disponible en la Biblioteca Digital del IDRC: Developing sustainability, developing the self : an integral approach to international and community developmen

Distribution models using semi-structured community science data outperform unstructured-data models for a data-poor species, the Plain Tyrannulet

Modeling the distribution of a data-poor species is challenging due to a reliance on unstructured data that often lacks relevant information on sampling and produces coarse-resolution outputs of varying accuracy. Data on sampling effort associated with higher-quality, semi-structured data derived from some community science programs can be used to produce more precise models of distribution, albeit at a cost of using fewer data. Here, we used semi-structured data to model the seasonal ranges of the Plain Tyrannulet (Inezia inornata), a poorly known Austral-Neotropical migrant, and compared predictive performance to models built with the full unstructured dataset of the species. By comparing these models, we examined the relatively unexplored tradeoff between data quality and data quantity for modeling of a data-sparse species. We found that models using semi-structured data outperformed unstructured-data models in the predictive accuracy metrics (mean squared error, area under the curve, kappa, sensitivity, and specificity), despite using only 30% of the available detection records. Moreover, semi-structured models were more biologically accurate, indicating that the tyrannulet favors arboreal habitats in dry and hot lowlands during the breeding season (Chaco region) and is associated with proximity to rivers in tropical and wet areas during the nonbreeding season (Pantanal, Beni, and southwest Amazonia). We demonstrate that more detailed insights into distributional patterns can be gained from even small quantities of data when the data are analyzed appropriately. The use of semi-structured data promises to be of wide applicability even for data-poor bird species, helping refine information on distribution and habitat use, needed for effective assessments of conservation status.Fil: Gorleri, Fabricio Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; ArgentinaFil: Hochachka, Wesley Michael. Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology; Estados UnidosFil: Areta, Juan Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; Argentin

The role of automated feedback in training and retaining biological recorders for citizen science

The rapid rise of citizen science, with lay people forming often extensive biodiversity sensor networks, is seen as a solution to the mismatch between data demand and supply while simultaneously engaging citizens with environmental topics. However, citizen science recording schemes require careful consideration of how to motivate, train, and retain volunteers. We evaluated a novel computing science framework that allowed for the automated generation of feedback to citizen scientists using natural language generation (NLG) technology. We worked with a photo-based citizen science program in which users also volunteer species identification aided by an online key. Feedback is provided after photo (and identification) submission and is aimed to improve volunteer species identification skills and to enhance volunteer experience and retention. To assess the utility of NLG feedback, we conducted two experiments with novices to assess short-term (single session) and longer-term (5 sessions in 2 months) learning, respectively. Participants identified a specimen in a series of photos. One group received only the correct answer after each identification, and the other group received the correct answer and NLG feedback explaining reasons for misidentification and highlighting key features that facilitate correct identification. We then developed an identification training tool with NLG feedback as part of the citizen science program BeeWatch and analyzed learning by users. Finally, we implemented NLG feedback in the live program and evaluated this by randomly allocating all BeeWatch users to treatment groups that received different types of feedback upon identification submission. After 6 months separate surveys were sent out to assess whether views on the citizen science program and its feedback differed among the groups. Identification accuracy and retention of novices were higher for those who received automated feedback than for those who received only confirmation of the correct identification without explanation. The value of NLG feedback in the live program, captured through questionnaires and evaluation of the online photo-based training tool, likewise showed that the automated generation of informative feedback fostered learning and volunteer engagement and thus paves the way for productive and long-lived citizen science projects

Dormancy

Dormancy or torpor is a widely-recognized behavioral and physiological state of bothanimals and plants that generally indicates inactivity and reduced metabolic rate. It caninvolve very different physiological states in response to a variety of environmentalstimuli, including temperature, water, or food. It can last < 1 day, may occur for a fewconsecutive days, or may last an entire season or even many years. Torpor involvesphysiological changes related especially to body temperature, metabolism and waterbalance. Hibernation is when an organism spends the winter in a state of dormancy; it islong-term multi-day torpor for survival of cold conditions. Estivation is summer dormancy, for survival of hot and dry periods. The general roles of torpor, hibernation or estivation are avoidance of unfavorable or lethal short- or long-term (seasonal) climatic conditions and conservation of energy during this period of inactivity. Seasonaldormancy allows species to exploit ephemeral environments and colonize habitats that would otherwise be unsuitable for growth or survival at certain times of the year. Thereare costs to dormancy and torpor, but the advantages contribute to the fitness of individuals and species that use it