Scenarios of change in the realized climatic niche of mountain carnivores and ungulates

Mountains are among the natural systems most affected by climate change, and mountain mammals are considered particularly imperiled, given their high degree of specialization to narrow tolerance bands of environmental conditions. Climate change mitigation policies, such as the Paris Agreement, are essential to stem climate change impacts on natural systems. But how significant is the Paris Agreement to the survival of mountain mammals? We investigated how alternative emission scenarios may determine change in the realized climatic niche of mountain carnivores and ungulates in 2050. We based our predictions of future change in species niches based on how species have responded to past environmental changes, focusing on the probabilities of niche shrink and niche stability. We found that achieving the Paris Agreement's commitments would substantially reduce climate instability for mountain species. Specifically, limiting global warming to below 1.5°C would reduce the probability of niche shrinkage by 4% compared with a high-emission scenario. Globally, carnivores showed greater niche shrinkage than ungulates, whereas ungulates were more likely to shift their niches (i.e., face a level of climate change that allows adaptation). Twenty-three species threatened by climate change according to the IUCN Red List had greater niche contraction than other species we analyzed (3% higher on average). We therefore argue that climate mitigation policies must be coupled with rapid species-specific conservation intervention and sustainable land-use policies to avoid high risk of loss of already vulnerable species.     

Hidden demographic impacts of fishing and environmental drivers of fecundity in a sea turtle population

Fisheries bycatch is a critical threat to sea turtle populations worldwide, particularly because turtles are vulnerable to multiple gear types. The Canary Current is an intensely fished region, yet there has been no demographic assessment integrating bycatch and population management information of the globally significant Cabo Verde loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) population. Using Boa Vista island (Eastern Cabo Verde) subpopulation data from capture–recapture and nest monitoring (2013–2019), we evaluated population viability and estimated regional bycatch rates (2016–2020) in longline, trawl, purse-seine, and artisanal fisheries. We further evaluated current nesting trends in the context of bycatch estimates, existing hatchery conservation measures, and environmental (net primary productivity) variability in turtle foraging grounds. We projected that current bycatch mortality rates would lead to the near extinction of the Boa Vista subpopulation. Bycatch reduction in longline fisheries and all fisheries combined would increase finite population growth rate by 1.76% and 1.95%, respectively. Hatchery conservation increased hatchling production and reduced extinction risk, but alone it could not achieve population growth. Short-term increases in nest counts (2013–2021), putatively driven by temporary increases in net primary productivity, may be masking ongoing long-term population declines. When fecundity was linked to net primary productivity, our hindcast models simultaneously predicted these opposing long-term and short-term trends. Consequently, our results showed conservation management must diversify from land-based management. The masking effect we found has broad-reaching implications for monitoring sea turtle populations worldwide, demonstrating the importance of directly estimating adult survival and that nest counts might inadequately reflect underlying population trends.     

Mechanical,Barrier and Antioxidant Properties of Chitosan Films Incorporating Cinnamaldehyde

Chitosan films (CF) [1 and 2% w/v] alone and with cinnamaldehyde (CNE) [0.25, 0.5 and 1% v/v] were prepared using an emulsion method, and the obtained films were characterized in terms of water vapor permeability (WVP), water solubility and optical, mechanical and antioxidant properties. The incorporation of CNE at 1% (v/v) significantly decreased the water solubility of the film by approximately 4% for the 1 and 2% CF films, whereas the WVP increased (2.5–3.5 times). The incorporation of CNE (0.25 and 0.5%) into 2% CF significantly increased the tensile strength (TS) (62 and 34%, respectively) and the percent elongation (%E) values, 26, 30 and 52% for CF that contained 0.25, 0.5 and 1% CNE, respectively. The largest value of the elasticity modulus (EM) was observed for 2% CF with 0.25% CNE. All films exhibited a yellow appearance (b*), but the CNE content had a marked impact on the coloration of the films. The CNE recoveries of the CF films (1 and 2%) with 1% of CNE were high (43 and 67%). The antioxidant activities indicated that the incorporation of 1% CNE into CF films (1 and 2%) increased the antioxidant activity. The protective effects of the films with and without CNE on erythrocytes were very strong (36–72% hemolysis inhibition). These results suggest there are potential applications for CF-CNE films as active packaging for the preservation of food products.     

Occupational back pain among schoolteachers in Jordan: estimated prevalence and factors associated with self-reported pain and work limitations

Purpose. To investigate the point prevalence of upper back pain and lower back pain in Jordanian schoolteachers and to estimate the work-related reported disability. Method. A cross-sectional survey was used to assess back pain in a convenience sample of teachers in Jordan. Crude and weighted prevalence estimates of self-reported spinal pain and limited productivity were described. Demographic and occupational factors associated with self-reported pain and limited productivity were identified by multinomial/logistic regression. Results. Crude rates differed by gender, geographic location, school funding and grade levels of teaching. Weighted estimates for self-reported pain were 46% for females and 36% for males. Pain with limitation was 55% for males and 49% for females. Pain without limitation was associated with female gender (odds ratio [OR]?=?5.26). Pain with limitations was associated with female gender (OR?=?2.92), teaching in public school (OR?=?2.06) and body mass index (OR?=?1.1). Among subjects with pain, limitations were associated with male gender (OR?=?2.34), teaching in public school (OR?=?3.18) and pain in both upper and lower back (OR?=?4.64). Conclusions. Pain and occupational limitations are highly prevalent in schoolteachers in Jordan.     

Implementation of a software platform to support an eco-design methodology within a manufacturing firm

The paper aims to explore the implementation of an eco-design methodology and the related software platform (G.EN.ESI – Green ENgineering dESIgn) within technical departments of a manufacturing firm. The G.EN.ESI eco-design methodology is based on the life cycle thinking concept and the software platform is conceived as a set of inter-operable software tools able to efficiently exchange data among them and with the traditional design systems (i.e. CAD, PDM and PLM). A multinational company, designing and producing household appliances, adopted the proposed methodology and related software platform for redesigning two cooker hood models with the aim to improve their environmental performances. Design and engineering departments evaluated the methodology and platform impact on the product development process, as well as the platform inter-operability with traditional design tools. The results indicate that methodology and software platform satisfy the requirements of the enterprise in terms of: (i) degree of expertise and training requirement on this subject, (ii) low impact in a consolidated design process and, (ii) good level of inter-operability among heterogeneous tools. However, the testing results highlight the necessity of a further platform optimisations in terms of software integration (single workbench made by integrated software tools with the same graphical user interface).     

Energy crops on landfills: functional,environmental, and costs analysis of different landfill configurations

The cultivation of energy crops on landfills represents an important challenge for the near future, as the possibility to use devalued sites for energy production is very attractive. In this study, four scenarios have been assessed and compared with respect to a reference case defined for northern Italy. The scenarios were defined taking into consideration current energy crops issues. In particular, the first three scenarios were based on energy maximisation, phytotreatment ability, and environmental impact, respectively. The fourth scenario was a combination of these characteristics emphasised by the previous scenarios. A multi-criteria analysis, based on economic, energetic, and environmental aspects, was performed. From the analysis, the best scenario resulted to be the fourth, with its ability to pursue several objectives simultaneously and obtain the best score relatively to both environmental and energetic criteria. On the contrary, the economic criterion emerges as weak, as all the considered scenarios showed some limits from this point of view. Important indications for future designs can be derived. The decrease of leachate production due to the presence of energy crops on the top cover, which enhances evapotranspiration, represents a favourable but critical aspect in the definition of the results.     

Status and trends of circumpolar peregrine falcon and gyrfalcon populations

Ambio - The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) are top avian predators of Arctic ecosystems. Although existing monitoring efforts are well established for both...     

Decomposition of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane over solid oxides

The decomposition of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (HMCTS) has been studied at room temperature and in the range 473-673 K over the surface of basic (CaO, MgO) and acidic oxides (Al(2)O(3), SiO(2)). Alumina allows the complete removal of HMCTS from synthetic biogases at 673 K. A reactive adsorption occurs with surface silication and release of methane. The adsorption capacity of our alumina adsorbent (180 m(2) g(-1)), until saturation, at 673 K, is 0.31 g((HMCTS))g((Al2O3))(-1), which corresponds to one silicon atom per 9 A(2), i.e. the silication monolayer capacity. On the contrary, silica, which is an excellent adsorbent for siloxanes at room temperature, looses its adsorption ability at high temperature as it is typical of a molecular adsorption behavior. Basic oxides such as MgO and CaO have strong reactivity in decomposing siloxanes in the absence of CO(2), but loose reactivity when in contact with carbon dioxide because of surface carbonation.     

Qualitative Study of Organic Compounds in Wastewaters of a Swine Slaughterhouse

The main purpose of this work was the preliminary qualitative study of organic compounds in wastewaters of swine slaughterhouses. The samples were collected in a local abattoir and submitted to Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE) and Solid-phase Extraction (SPE) with XAD-4^TM resin as stationary phase. The instrumental analysis was performed by Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometer Detector (GC/MSD). The compounds present in the LLE and SPE extracts were identified by the GC/MSD library (Wiley). The results pointed out that SPE and LLE can extract practically the same classes of compounds at the same amounts. LLE works well for the extraction of polar organic compounds, with acidified samples, while SPE presents a better performance for the extraction of less polar organic compounds. Aldehydes were main class of the compounds extracted by SPE and LLE and decenal was the major aldehyde identified. Fatty alcohols and carboxylic acids were also identified but in minor proportions.     

Psychological consequences of prenatal diagnosis in a case of familial Angelman Syndrome

Angelman Syndrome (AS), characterized by mental retardation, absence of speech, seizures and motor dysfunction, is caused by genetic defects leading to loss of expression of the maternal copy of the chromosome 15q11–13 imprinted region. Most cases are sporadic, being caused by de novo deletion of maternal chromosome 15q11–13 (75%) or by paternal uniparental disomy (3–4%). Familial cases can occur, due to mutations in the UBE3A gene or in the imprinting center. We describe the case of a pregnant woman having two nephews with AS caused by a UBE3A mutation; lack of communication within the family led the woman to be completely unaware of the risk of disease recurrence until 15 weeks of gestation. UBE3A genetic testing revealed she carried the familial mutation 892–893delCT. Prenatal diagnosis was performed on amniotic fluid and demonstrated that the fetus had inherited the mutation. The unexpected diagnosis and the subsequent termination of the pregnancy caused the woman to undergo acute psychological distress showing relevant psychopathological symptoms. Nevertheless, at 2-year follow-up, adverse consequences were minimized, and the couple was planning a new pregnancy. Factors affecting the psychological outcome of abortion and the role of psychological support in reducing the risk of long-term unfavorable consequences are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.