A comparison of the social organization of three syntopic species of Australian thornbill,Acanthiza

Summary Brown (Acanthiza pusilla), buff-rumped (A. reguloides) and striated thronbills (A. lineata) were studied over three years in eucalypt forest in northern New South Wales. All three are small, sexually monomorphic insectivores. A. pusilla is a shrub-feeder, reguloides a bark and ground forager and lineata gleans from eucalypt leaves. A. reguloides and lineata show a two-tiered social organization with territorial clans in the non-breeding season which split up into breeding pairs or groups of 3 or 4. Non-breeding birds feed nestlings and fledglings, and after reformation of the clan adults feed fledglings belonging to other groups. Females tend to disperse more than males before the next breeding season, males tend to stay and help. A. pusilla breeds in pairs, with no helpers, defends year-round territories and expels juveniles a few months after they fledge. We discuss possible reasons why A. pusilla is not cooperative whereas the other two species are. It seems not to be due to greater adult survival and habitat saturation in the latter two, nor to reduced seasonal fluctuations in food. We propose that a major factor is the low risk of dispersing relative to staying at home in pusilla compared with the other two species.     

A new method for assessing CO2-emissions from container terminals: a promising approach applied in Rotterdam

At present, the notion is generally accepted that societies have to combat climate change. The reduction of CO₂-emissions, an important cause for global warming, has become a priority, and consequently there is increasing pressure on governments and industries to come forward with initiatives to reduce CO₂-emissions. This is highly relevant for the transport sector, as the share of transportation is still increasing, while other sectors are reducing their CO₂-footprint. The main purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to analyse the CO₂-emissions from container terminals, illustrated by the Port of Rotterdam.The objective of this paper is twofold. Firstly, the development of a methodology to analyse and gain a better understanding of the CO₂-emissions by container terminals in port areas is described. Secondly, the most effective solutions to reduce CO₂-emissions by container terminals in port areas are identified. The study provides insight into the processes of container transshipment at the terminals and the contribution of these processes to the CO₂-emissions of the container terminals. Using these insights, potential solutions to reduce the CO₂ at the terminals are identified and policy proposals are made for the operators of existing terminals and for governments.The most effective measure for CO₂ reduction is undoubtedly the adaptation of the terminal layout as in the example of the Rotterdam Shortsea Terminal. This makes it possible to reduce the CO₂-emissions of the current terminals by nearly 70 per cent. The other perspective is the incorporation of mixing 30 per cent biofuels with the presently used diesel. This results in a reduction of CO₂-emissions by between 13 and 26 per cent per terminal and a reduction of the emissions of the total container sector by 21 per cent. On the basis of these findings, concrete recommendations are made to reducing CO₂-emissions at container terminals.     

Male turnover reduces population growth: an enclosure experiment on voles

Turnover of individuals is assumed to cause disruptions of social organization, followed by reduced reproduction and survival. We tested how male turnover (removal of resident males and their replacement by unfamiliar males) affected population performance in experimental root vole (Microtus oeconomus) populations. The treatment simulated predation of adult males, with the subsequent replacement by immigrants, and provided insight into the interaction between extrinsic (i.e., predation) and intrinsic (i.e., social organization) factors. We showed that recruitment and female survival dramatically declined and that reproduction commenced slightly later in treatment populations compared with control populations. The treatment nearly halved the population growth rate. We suspect that recruitment failed due to infanticidal immigrating males. Reduced female survival was particularly apparent in treatment populations in which females exhibited a high degree of spatial overlap. Our experimental results show how males may significantly shape population dynamics and suggest how predation and social factors interact mechanistically.     

Prenatal diagnosis of apparently isolated unilateral multicystic kidney: implications for counselling and management

Cases where initial prenatal diagnosis was made of isolated unilateral multicystic kidney (UMCK) were reviewed to determine appropriate counselling and management strategies. For the 73 cases, chromosome abnormalities, pregnancy complications and family histories were reviewed. In addition, subsequently diagnosed birth defects, and pediatric medical and surgical outcomes were available for 54 cases. Of those with outcome information available renal/genital–urinary tract abnormalities were diagnosed subsequently in 33% and non-renal abnormalities in 16% of cases. Of the non-renal abnormalities, congenital heart defects were most frequent (7%). One chromosome abnormality, a trisomy 21, was present among 32 cases where karyotypes were known (3%). Amniotic fluid volume abnormalities were present in 11 cases but not predictive of associated anomalies, with the exception of one case where polyhydramnios accompanied multiple malformations consistent with VATER association. A family history of structural renal anomalies was reported in 11 cases (20%). There were 14 cases of partial or complete involution (25%), including two cases of complete prenatal involution of the cystic kidneys. No long-term associated morbidity such as hypertension or malignancy was present in our cohort. Based on our study and corroborating literature, amniocentesis should be offered to women when a seemingly isolated UMCK is detected on routine prenatal ultrasound. Furthermore, a detailed ultrasound with careful assessment of the fetal heart and contralateral kidney is indicated at diagnosis and during the third trimester to assess for further evidence of structural abnormalities, as well as amniotic fluid volume abnormalities. Careful assessment of the newborn is indicated with appropriate speciality referral as required. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A modeling study of fouling development in membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment.

Membrane fouling is a primary concern in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) in wastewater treatment because it strongly affects both system stability and economic feasibility. A mathematical model was developed in this study for membrane fouling in submerged MBR systems for wastewater treatment, in which both reversible and irreversible fouling were quantified. While mixed liquor suspended solids are the major components of the reversible fouling layer, dissolved organic matter is thought to be the key foulant, in particular, responsible for the long-term irreversible fouling of the filtration unit. The model was calibrated (parameter identification) with a set of operational data from a pilot MBR and then verified with other independent operational data from the MBR. The good agreement between theoretical predictions and operational data demonstrates that the outlined modeling concept can be successfully applied to describe membrane fouling in submerged MBR systems.     

Fetal aortic root dilation: a prenatal feature of the Loeys-Dietz syndrome

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a recently described autosomal dominant disorder with cardinal manifestations in cardiovascular, craniofacial and skeletal systems. Although the disease has some phenotypic overlap with Marfan syndrome, the disease, that is caused by mutations in the transforming growth factor beta-receptor 1 (TGFBR1) or transforming growth factor beta-receptor 2 (TGFBR2) genes, presents many distinctive features and a particularly aggressive cardiovascular course. We describe prenatal identification of an aortic root aneurysm in a fetus of 19 week of gestation as an early marker of Loeys-Dietz syndrome. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling spatial patterns of correlations between concentrations of heavy metals in mosses and atmospheric deposition in 2010 across Europe

Background

This paper aims to investigate the correlations between the concentrations of nine heavy metals in moss and atmospheric deposition within ecological land classes covering Europe. Additionally, it is examined to what extent the statistical relations are affected by the land use around the moss sampling sites. Based on moss data collected in 2010/2011 throughout Europe and data on total atmospheric deposition modelled by two chemical transport models (EMEP MSC-E, LOTOS-EUROS), correlation coefficients between concentrations of heavy metals in moss and in modelled atmospheric deposition were specified for spatial subsamples defined by ecological land classes of Europe (ELCE) as a spatial reference system. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and logistic regression (LR) were then used to separate moss sampling sites regarding their contribution to the strength of correlation considering the areal percentage of urban, agricultural and forestry land use around the sampling location. After verification LDA models by LR, LDA models were used to transform spatial information on the land use to maps of potential correlation levels, applicable for future network planning in the European Moss Survey.

Results

Correlations between concentrations of heavy metals in moss and in modelled atmospheric deposition were found to be specific for elements and ELCE units. Land use around the sampling sites mainly influences the correlation level. Small radiuses around the sampling sites examined (5 km) are more relevant for Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn, while the areal percentage of urban and agricultural land use within large radiuses (75–100 km) is more relevant for As, Cr, Hg, Pb, and V. Most valid LDA models pattern with error rates of <?40% were found for As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and V. Land use-dependent predictions of spatial patterns split up Europe into investigation areas revealing potentially high (=?above-average) or low (=?below-average) correlation coefficients.

Conclusions

LDA is an eligible method identifying and ranking boundary conditions of correlations between atmospheric deposition and respective concentrations of heavy metals in moss and related mapping considering the influence of the land use around moss sampling sites.

     

Biosorption of Malachite Green from Aqueous Solutions onto Polylactide/Spent Brewery Grains Films: Kinetic and Equilibrium Studies

Batch experiments were conducted to study the biosorption of Malachite Green (MG) onto polylactide (PLA)/spent brewery grains (SBGs) films. Films were prepared by solvent-casting method using dichloromethane. Effects of contact time, pH, salt concentration, and optimal experimental condition was evaluated. At pH 6.89 and low salt concentration, Malachite Green was removed effectively. The isotherm data fitted the Freundlich model with 0.969 R² value and 0.738 slope implying chemisorptions process. The biosorption process followed pseudo-second order kinetics with calculated adsorption capacity at equilibrium (qe) of 0.572?mg/g at 23?°C. The investigation showed that PLA/SBGs films are effective in dye removal from textile, paper and leather industries effluents.