Living within fallen palm leaves: the discovery of an unknown Blommersia (Mantellidae: Anura) reveals a new reproductive strategy in the amphibians of Madagascar

We describe a new mantelline frog of the genus Blommersia found in rainforest in North East Madagascar, from the protected areas of Ambatovaky, Betampona, Masoala, and Zahamena. Blommersia angolafa n.sp. is a small frog, with a body size of 17–21 mm, expanded finger and toe tips, and colouration ranging from yellow to dark brown, with pale-bluish spots on the flanks and light tips of fingers and toes. A peculiar aspect characterising this new species is its novel life history and reproductive mode. Both sexes live and breed in a phytotelmic habitat of water accumulated within fallen prophylls and fallen leaf sheaths of at least three species of Dypsis palms. Within these phytotelmata, egg laying and complete larval development occur. Thus, B. angolafa n.sp. represents a new evolutionary lineage of Malagasy frogs in which phytotelmy is known. Up to now, reproduction in phytotelmata in Malagasy frogs has been reported for many cophyline microhylids, most species of Guibemantis, Mantella laevigata, and possibly in a still-undescribed species belonging to the genus Spinomantis. We consider the reproductive mode of B. angolafa as a derived character, having evolved from the more typical reproduction in lentic water bodies. The general scarcity of lentic habitats in Malagasy rainforests may have provided the conditions that favoured the evolution of this phytotelmic breeding strategy. The new species, being specialised to a habitat represented by a few selected Dypsis species, potentially suffers the selective exploitation of these palms.     

Interdisciplinary knowledge integration through group model building: recognizing dualities and triadizing the conversation

As part of the inquiry into managing an interdisciplinary research process on adaptive water governance, we investigated the process of group model building (GMB) and, more specifically, the role of Unified Modeling Language (UML) in this process. An analysis of group interaction reveals several tensions in the process of knowledge integration, which can be grouped into three overarching dualities: ‘simplicity versus complexity’, ‘constraining versus containing’ and ‘defining versus refining’. As group members take different positions with regard to these dualities, these represent sources of tension and potential ‘stuckness’ of the GMB. Hence the question arises how the group can manage duality in ways that take the GMB beyond its opposing forces. We suggest that knowledge integration processes may benefit from early recognition of the dualities at hand and strategies aimed at creating ‘thirdness’, including some suggestions on the concrete forms such ‘thirdness’ may take.     

Oxidative treatment of simulated dyehouse effluent by uv and near-UV light assisted Fenton's reagent

UV/Fenton, near-UV-visible/Fenton, dark Fenton, and H₂O₂/UV reactions have been used to treat simulated dyehouse effluents representing wastewater from the textile dyeing and rinsing process. Experiments were carried out in a lab - scale photochemical reactor using concentrations of 0.5–25 mM H₂O₂, 0.04-0.5 mM Fe²⁺-ion and different dilutions of textile wastewater. To assess the extent of mineralization, decolourization kinetics and the effect of different fight sources on treatment efficiency, DOC, optical density at 254 nm and 600 nm wavelength and residual H₂O₂ concentrations were measured during the course of the advanced oxidation reactions. Comparative evaluation of the obtained results revealed that the decolourization rate increased with applied H₂O₂ and Fe²⁺-ion dose as well as the strength of the synthetic textile wastewater. The best results were obtained by the near - UV/visible/Fenton process with a decolourization rate constant of 1.57 min⁻¹, a UV_254nm reduction of 97% and a DOC removal of 41% at relatively low doses of the H₂O₂ oxidant and Fe²⁺-ion catalyst within 60 min treatment time.     

宁夏输电线路特殊地段运维可视化管控系统

为确保宁夏地区地区“三跨”、鸟害外力破坏等特殊地段输电线路的安全高效运行,构建了由主站层、网络层和终端层组成的三层系统构架,将视频监测终端和图像监测终端的监测数据通过无线APN专网进行传输至后台的输电线路可视化运维管控系统,从而实现故障综合研判、作业现场隐患智能管控及大数据综合分析决策等目的,大大提高运维的便利化、智能化。前期试验第一阶段运行效果说明了本系统是一套能实时有效预防重大事故发生的预警系统。     

Alarming decline of freshwater trigger species in western Mediterranean key biodiversity areas

Theidentification of key biodiversity areas (KBA) was initiated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2004 to overcome taxonomic biases in the selection of important areas for conservation, including freshwater ecosystems. Since then, several KBAs have been identified mainly based on the presence of trigger species (i.e., species that trigger either the vulnerability and or the irreplaceability criterion and thus identify a site as a KBA). However, to our knowledge, many of these KBAs have not been validated. Therefore, classical surveys of the taxa used to identify freshwater KBAs (fishes, molluscs, odonates, and aquatic plants) were conducted in Douro (Iberian Peninsula) and Sebou (Morocco) River basins in the Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot. Environmental DNA analyses were undertaken in the Moroccan KBAs. There was a mismatch between the supposed and actual presence of trigger species. None of the trigger species were found in 43% and 50% of all KBAs surveyed in the Douro and Sebou basins, respectively. Shortcomings of freshwater KBA identification relate to flawed or lack of distribution data for trigger species. This situation results from a misleading initial identification of KBAs based on poor (or even inaccurate) ecological information or due to increased human disturbance between initial KBA identification and the present. To improve identification of future freshwater KBAs, we suggest selecting trigger species with a more conservative approach; use of local expert knowledge and digital data (to assess habitat quality, species distribution, and potential threats); consideration of the subcatchment when delineating KBAs boundaries; thoughtful consideration of terrestrial special areas for conservation limits; and periodic field validation.     

The development of aquaculture on the northern coast of Manila Bay (Philippines): an analysis of long-term land-use changes and their causes

This study documents the event chronology and causes of land-use change in a deltaic region of the Philippines since the beginnings of aquaculture in the late nineteenth century. Satellite images and topographic maps spanning the period 1972–2013 were processed to map fishponds and the natural habitats over which they have encroached. Historical archives were consulted and interviews were conducted to understand the historical exploitation of local natural resources and the reasons behind the recorded land changes. Results showed that aquaculture developed in the late nineteenth century and expanded subsequently across the landscape under a succession of forcing factors. The global market, for example, played an early role but a number of land-use changes were also a direct response to changing environmental constraints and natural hazards. These cumulative events have promoted continuous gain in favor of aquaculture, to the detriment of other land-use options.     

Synthesis of Polylactide-b-Poly (Dimethyl Siloxane) Block Copolymers and Their Blends with Pure Polylactide

The synthesis of polylactide (PLA)-b-poly (dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) linear block copolymers and their use in blends with pure-PLA are described. PLA-b-PDMS linear block copolymers were obtained by the transesterification reaction in chloroform solution between poly(dimethyl siloxane) bis (2-aminopropyl ether) (molecular weight 2,000?Da) with PLA in the presence of stannous octoate. Molecular weights (Mw) of the block copolymers were varied from 53,800 to 63,600?Da while that of pristine PLA was 73,600?Da. The copolymers obtained were purified by fractional precipitation and then characterized by ¹H NMR, FTIR, GPC, viscometry and DSC techniques. Blends of pure PLA with PLA-b-PDMS block copolymers displayed improved elastic properties (elongation up to 140%) compared to pure PLA (elongation ~9%). Thermal, mechanical and morphological characterization of the blends were also conducted.