Ecological and Cognitive Influences on Orangutan Space Use

Many primates depend on resources that are dispersed non-uniformly. Primates able to encode the locations of such resources and navigate efficiently between them would gain a selective advantage. However, little is currently known about the cognitive mechanisms that help primates achieve this efficiency in the wild. The presence habitual route networks in some primate species suggests they may navigate using route-based cognitive maps for encoding spatial information. However, little is known about factors that influence where such route networks are established. Recent evidence of habitual route networks in wild orangutans makes them ideal candidates for examining factors that affect the establishment and use of such networks. I completed three studies using new methodology to examine ecological and cognitive factors that may affect habitual route networks in wild orangutans living in Kutai National Park, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Results suggest that orangutan habitual route networks are likely the product of both local ecological considerations and how they cognitively encode and use spatial information. Results imply that the spatial configuration of habitual route networks may primarily be a product of local ecology, whereas how orangutans use them day-to-day may be a product of both local ecology and sophisticated cognitive strategies that may include cognitive maps. These studies demonstrate the utility of using modern mapping software and machine learning technology for applications in primate behavior and ecology

Teaching Ethics with Sports: Recent Developments

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The C-terminal portion of the cleaved HT motif is necessary and sufficient to mediate export of proteins from the malaria parasite into its host cell

The malaria parasite exports proteins across its plasma membrane and a surrounding parasitophorous vacuole membrane, into its host erythrocyte. Most exported proteins contain a Host Targeting motif (HT motif) that targets them for export. In the parasite secretory pathway, the HT motif is cleaved by the protease plasmepsin V, but the role of the newly generated N-terminal sequence in protein export is unclear. Using a model protein that is cleaved by an exogenous viral protease, we show that the new N-terminal sequence, normally generated by plasmepsin V cleavage, is sufficient to target a protein for export, and that cleavage by plasmepsin V is not coupled directly to the transfer of a protein to the next component in the export pathway. Mutation of the fourth and fifth positions of the HT motif, as well as amino acids further downstream, block or affect the efficiency of protein export indicating that this region is necessary for efficient export. We also show that the fifth position of the HT motif is important for plasmepsin V cleavage. Our results indicate that plasmepsin V cleavage is required to generate a new N-terminal sequence that is necessary and sufficient to mediate protein export by the malaria parasite

Dust mass concentrations from the UK volcanic ash lidar network compared with in-situ aircraft measurements

This is the final version. Available from EDP Sciences via the DOI in this record. The Met Office has recently established a series of 10 lidar / sun-photometer installations across the UK, consolidating their ash / aerosol remote sensing capabilities [1]. In addition to this network, the Met Office have acquired the Civil Contingency Aircraft (MOCCA) which allows airborne in-situ measurements of ash / aerosol scattering and size-distributions. Two case studies are presented in which mass concentrations of Saharan dust are obtained remotely using lidar returns, and are then compared with those obtained in-situ. A thorough analysis of the mass concentration uncertainty will be provided at the conference

Saharan dust and biomass burning aerosols during ex-hurricane Ophelia: Observations from the new UK lidar and sun-photometer network

This is the final version. Available from European Geosciences Union (EGU) / Copernicus Publications via the DOI in this record. On 15-16 October 2017, ex-hurricane Ophelia passed to the west of the British Isles, bringing dust from the Sahara and smoke from Portuguese forest fires that was observable to the naked eye and reported in the UK's national press. We report here detailed observations of this event using the UK operational lidar and sun-photometer network, established for the early detection of aviation hazards, including volcanic ash. We also use ECMWF ERA5 wind field data and MODIS imagery to examine the aerosol transport. The observations, taken continuously over a period of 30 h, show a complex picture, dominated by several different aerosol layers at different times and clearly correlated with the passage of different air masses associated with the intense cyclonic system. A similar evolution was observed at several sites, with a time delay between them explained by their different location with respect to the storm and associated meteorological features. The event commenced with a shallow dust layer at 1-2 km in altitude and culminated in a deep and complex structure that lasted ∼12 h at each site over the UK, correlated with the storm's warm sector. For most of the time, the aerosol detected was dominated by mineral dust mixtures, as highlighted by depolarisation measurements, but an intense biomass burning aerosol (BBA) layer was observed towards the end of the event, lasting around 3 h at each site. The aerosol optical depth at 355 nm (AOD355) during the whole event ranged from 0.2 to 2.9, with the larger AOD correlated to the intense BBA layer. Such a large AOD is unprecedented in the UK according to AERONET records for the last 20 years. The Raman lidars permitted the measurement of the aerosol extinction coefficient at 355 nm, the particle linear depolarisation ratio (PLDR), and the lidar ratio (LR) and made the separation of the dust (depolarising) aerosol from other aerosol types possible. A specific extinction has also been computed to provide an estimate of the atmospheric concentration of both aerosol types separately, which peaked at 420±200 μgm-3 for the dust and 558±232 μgm-3 for the biomass burning aerosols. Back trajectories computed using the Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME) were used to identify the sources and strengthen the conclusions drawn from the observations. The UK network represents a significant expansion of the observing capability in northern Europe, with instruments evenly distributed across Great Britain, from Camborne in Cornwall to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, and this study represents the first attempt to demonstrate its capability and validate the methods in use. Its ultimate purpose will be the detection and quantification of volcanic plumes, but the present study clearly demonstrates the advanced capabilities of the network.Natural Environment Research CouncilUniversity of Exete

Single-Molecule LATE-PCR Analysis of Human Mitochondrial Genomic Sequence Variations

It is thought that changes in mitochondrial DNA are associated with many degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and diabetes. Much of the evidence, however, depends on correlating disease states with changing levels of heteroplasmy within populations of mitochondrial genomes, rather than individual mitochondrial genomes. Thus these measurements are likely to either overestimate the extent of heteroplasmy due to technical artifacts, or underestimate the actual level of heteroplasmy because only the most abundant changes are observable. In contrast, Single Molecule (SM) LATE-PCR analysis achieves efficient amplification of single-stranded amplicons from single target molecules. The product molecules, in turn, can be accurately sequenced using a convenient Dilute-‘N’-Go protocol, as shown here. Using these novel technologies we have rigorously analyzed levels of mitochondrial genome heteroplasmy found in single hair shafts of healthy adult individuals. Two of the single molecule sequences (7% of the samples) were found to contain mutations. Most of the mtDNA sequence changes, however, were due to the presence of laboratory contaminants. Amplification and sequencing errors did not result in mis-identification of mutations. We conclude that SM-LATE-PCR in combination with Dilute-‘N’-Go Sequencing are convenient technologies for detecting infrequent mutations in mitochondrial genomes, provided great care is taken to control and document contamination. We plan to use these technologies in the future to look for age, drug, and disease related mitochondrial genome changes in model systems and clinical samples

Implications for career counseling using Schlossberg’s Transition Theory with at-risk college students

Abstract: This roundtable will explain the basic tenets of Schlossberg’s Transition Theory, as well as its applicability and utility in working with at-risk college students. Case examples will be used to generate discussion on the theory’s use in this context as well as to facilitate conversation on further research and application. Proposal Summary: Provide program description (refer to instructions for more information regarding requirements). One of the main tasks in career counseling is to identify barriers, or career blocks, which are psychological, physiological, environmental, or interpersonal obstacles that prevent clients from making informed, meaningful career decisions. When academically at-risk college students seek out career counseling, they are most frequently in the middle of a difficult vocational transition that is related to their educational path. A theory of adult transitions exists called the Schlossberg Transition Theory, which provides a parsimonious and practical format for conceptualizing and counseling this population. While Schlossberg’s theory is not as well-known as traditional career counseling theories, it offers a means of quickly assessing a client’s situation, identifying key elements that are hindering successful transitions, and still allows room for the use of vocational assessments and traditional counseling techniques within the bounds of often brief counseling relationships. The purpose of this presentation is to show and discuss the utility of this model in career counseling, and its potential to be a bridge to reach clients, and more specifically, at-risk college students. The plan for the discussion will begin with a didactic portion to explain the theory, and the context in which it has been used. Next, a case example will be presented to illustrate the practical application of the theory which will include a template for how to use the theory in career counseling case conceptualization. Finally, semi-structured discussion questions will be used to elicit feedback and dialogue, as well as to generate ideas for future research