New carnivorous dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of NW Patagonia and the evolution of abelisaurid theropods

A nearly complete skeleton of the new abelisaurid Skorpiovenator bustingorryi is reported here. The holotype was found in Late Cenomanian–Early Turonian outcrops of NW Patagonia, Argentina. This new taxon is deeply nested within a new clade of South American abelisaurids, named Brachyrostra. Within brachyrostrans, the skull shortening and hyperossification of the skull roof appear to be correlated with a progressive enclosure of the orbit, a set of features possibly related to shock-absorbing capabilities. Moreover, the development of horn-like structures and differential cranial thickening appear to be convergently acquired within Abelisauridae. Based on the similarities between Skorpiovenator and carcharodontosaurid tooth morphology, we suggest that isolated teeth originally referred as post-Cenomanian Carcharodontosauridae most probably belong to abelisaurids. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Covariability in three dimensions of teenage driving risk behavior: impaired driving,risky and unsafe driving behavior,and secondary task engagement

Objective: This research examined the extent to which teenagers who engaged in one form of risky driving also engaged in other forms and whether risky driving measures were reciprocally associated over time.

Methods: The data were from waves 1, 2, and 3 (W1, W2, and W3) of the NEXT Generation study, with longitudinal assessment of a nationally representative sample starting with 10th graders starting in 2009–2010. Three measures of risky driving were assessed in autoregressive and cross-lagged analyses: driving while alcohol/drug impaired (DWI), Checkpoints Risky Driving Scale (risky and unsafe driving), and secondary task engagement while driving.

Results: In adjusted autoregression models, the risk variables demonstrated high levels of stability, with significant associations observed across the 3 waves. However, associations between variables were inconsistent. DWI at W2 was associated with risky and unsafe driving at W3 (β = 0.21, P < .01); risky and unsafe driving at W1 was associated with DWI at W2 (β = 0.20, P < .01); and risky and unsafe driving at W2 is associated with secondary task engagement at W3 (β = 0.19, P < .01). Over time, associations between DWI and secondary task engagement were not significant.

Conclusions: Our findings provide modest evidence for the covariability of risky driving, with prospective associations between the Risky Driving Scale and the other measures and reciprocal associations between all 3 variables at some time points. Secondary task engagement, however, appears largely to be an independent measure of risky driving. The findings suggest the importance of implementing interventions that addresses each of these driving risks.     

Sustainable mechanochemical synthesis of β-cyclodextrin polymers by twin screw extrusion

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cyclodextrin nanosponges (CD-NS) are cross-linked cyclodextrin polymers characterized by a nanostructured three-dimensional network. CD-NSs in the...     

Decadal changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration and δ13C over two seas and two oceans: Italy to New Zealand

Continuous measurements of the CO₂ concentration were repeatedly carried out from 1996 to 2007 between Italy and New Zealand by means of a Siemens Ultramat 5E analyzer assembled for shipboard use. Along the ship routes discrete air samples were collected from 1998 to 2005 using four-litre Pyrex flasks. The δ¹³C of the CO₂ from the flask air samples was measured according to well-established techniques. The decadal changes of these two variables can now be evaluated from these results. Large variations of the CO₂ concentration were normally recorded in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Completely different trends of the CO₂ concentration were observed in the Red Sea (30° N to about 13° N) between 2007 (a marked southward decrease) and 2005 and 2003 when a marked southward increase is apparent, at least between 23° and 13° N. A further difference among different expeditions is related to the decrease or increase of the CO₂ concentration in the Gulf of Aden. The backward trajectories of the air masses help to explain, at least partially, these differences. In the Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean a decrease of a few ppmv of the CO₂ concentration takes place from Cape Guardafui (Northern Somaliland) to southern New Zealand, particularly during 2005 and 2007. The yearly rate of increase of the CO₂ concentration between 1996 and 2007 for the Indian Ocean is of about 1.9 ppmv yr^?1, in excellent agreement with the NOAA/CMDL measurements carried out during the same period at Mahé Isld. (Indian Ocean) and Cape Grim (Tasmania). The δ¹³C results obtained from the CO₂ of flask samples collected in the Mediterranean show the effect of anthropogenic emissions, though this is considerably smaller than expected. This inconsistency may be related to the large terrestrial biospheric sink of CO₂ in the Northern Hemisphere. The results obtained from the Red Sea are quite variable through time and space, particularly in its southern section; their interpretation is not easy. The Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean show rather homogeneous δ¹³C results even though a variable carbon isotope shift can be calculated from period/cruise to period/cruise. In the case of the Indian Ocean the mean δ¹³C value from the flask air samples collected in 2005 is ?8.29‰ and the calculated rate of the carbon isotope shift between 1998 and 2005 is ?0.034‰ yr^?1, considerably larger than that calculated at the closest NOAA station (Mahé Isld.) of ?0.026‰ yr^?1. This discrepancy may be, at least partially, caused by the small number of measurements carried out at sea. However, the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean is less affected by anthropogenic emissions than in other areas.     

Butyltin Compounds in Sediments of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina

Systematic measurements of both Tributyltin (TBT) and Dibutyltin (DBT) in sediments along different locations in the inner zone of Bahía Blanca estuary were done. Two samples were taken near the main dry dock facility, at Puerto Belgrano naval base, in Argentina. TBT concentrations from non-detected to 170.3 ng Sn g⁻¹ were measured in the inner region of the estuary, and higher one of 3,288 ng Sn g⁻¹ near the dry dock at Puerto Belgrano. DBT values ranging between non-detected and 75.2 ng Sn g⁻¹ were obtained along the principal channel, but extreme concentration of 1,645 ng Sn g⁻¹ was measured at Puerto Belgrano. These values show that this estuary is affected by organotin pollution, mainly in areas of heavy shipyard activities.     

Population Declines and Priorities for Amphibian Conservation in Latin America

Abstract: Although dramatic amphibian population declines have been reported worldwide, our understanding of the extent of the declines in Latin America, where amphibian diversity is high, is limited to a few well-documented studies. To better understand the geographic extent of declines, their possible causes, and the measures needed to improve Latin American scientists' ability to research the phenomenon and make effective management recommendations, we convened three regional workshops with 88 Latin American herpetologists and conservationists. Population declines are widespread in Latin America. At least 13 countries have experienced declines, and in 40 cases species are now thought to be extinct or extirpated in a country where they once occurred. Declines or extinctions have affected 30 genera and nine families of amphibians. Most declines have occurred in remote highlands, above 500 m in elevation in Central America and above 1000 m in the Andes. Most documented declines occurred in the 1980s. Of the possible causes studied to date, climate change appears to be important at one site and chytrid fungal disease has been identified at sites in three countries. Although many monitoring studies are currently underway in a variety of habitats, most studies are recent and of short duration. In a signed resolution, workshop participants called for greater collaboration and communication among scientists working in Latin America to understand the geographic extent of population declines and the distribution of possible causal factors. In situ conservation is important to protect habitats, but captive-rearing programs for species subject to imminent extinction are also needed. Better understanding of the taxonomy and natural history of amphibians and more funding for research and monitoring are critical to developing a scientific basis for management action to arrest and reverse population declines.     

Characterisation of the airborne pollen spectrum in Guadalajara (central Spain) and estimation of the potential allergy risk

Aerobiological research into airborne pollen diversity and seasonal variations in pollen counts has become increasingly important over recent decades due to the growing incidence of asthma, rhinitis and other pollen-related allergic conditions. Airborne pollen in Guadalajara (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) was studied over a 6-year period (2008–2013) using a Hirst-type volumetric spore trap. The highest pollen concentrations were recorded from February to June, coinciding with the pollen season of the pollen types that most contribute to the local airborne pollen spectrum: Cupressaceae (32.2 %), Quercus (15.1 %), Platanus (13.2 %), Olea (8.3 %), Populus (7.8 %) and Poaceae (7.2 %). These are therefore critical months for allergy sufferers. The pollen calendar was typically Mediterranean and comprised 25 pollen types. Between January and March, Cupressaceae pollen concentrations exceeded allergy risk thresholds on 38 days. Other woody species such as Olea and Platanus have a shorter pollen season, and airborne concentrations exceeded allergy risk thresholds on around 13 days in each case. Poaceae pollen concentrations attained allergy risk levels on 26 days between May and July. Other highly allergenic pollen types included Urticaceae and Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, though these are less abundant than other pollen types in Guadalajara and did not exceed risk thresholds on more than 3 and 5 days, respectively.     

Current and future suitability areas of kermes oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus coccifera</Emphasis> L.) in the Levant under climate change

Quercus coccifera L. (Kermes oak) is an evergreen oak, typical of the maquis in the eastern and south-eastern part of the Mediterranean. It occurs almost continuously along the Syrian–Lebanese coast up to 1500 m and is more scattered inland, up to the arid southernmost area of Petra in Jordan. Human impact and global warming both strongly affect the natural distribution of the species, thus leading to a widespread forest fragmentation in the whole region. In this study, we investigate the current bioclimatic range of Kermes oak and forecast which areas are potentially most suitable over the course of the twenty-first century. Ecological niche modelling was used to retrieve the environmental envelope of the species according to 23 topographic and climate variables. Five algorithms and three general circulation models were applied to provide the potential distribution of Kermes oak at the present time and project it to the future. Results showed a current suitability area in the Middle East extending from NW of Syria, rather continuously along the Lebanese coasts and inland up to the Mediterranean western slopes of Palestine and the Golan area (Israel), encompassing the Jordan Valley towards Dana and Wadi Rum (Jordan), with an isolated patch in Jabal Al-Arab (South Syria). Future scenarios depict a significant fragmentation and restriction of Kermes oak range, especially in the north of Syria and Golan, with a general shifting in altitude. This information may be useful in helping the foresters to cope with the challenge of climate changes by identifying the most suitable areas climatically effective for successful ecosystem restoration and management, including reforestation programmes.     

Mutagenic properties of linuron and chlorbromuron evaluated by means of cytogenetic biomarkers in mammalian cell lines

Agricultural practices are usually supported by several chemical substances, such as herbicides. Linuron and chlorbromuron are phenylurea herbicides largely used to protect crops from weeds, blocking photosynthesis by inhibition of the photosystem II complex. The former, also commercially known as lorox or afalon, is selectively used to protect bean and French bean plants, fennels, and celeriacs; the second, commercially known as maloran, is selectively used for carrots, peas, potatoes, soy sprouts, and sunflowers. Considering the widespread use of herbicides and, more generally, pesticides, it is important to clarify their involvement on human health, one of them concerning the possible direct or indirect effect on the genome of exposed populations. Here, we show that these herbicides are endowed by mutagenic properties, as demonstrated by an increased number of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in two exposed Chinese hamster cell lines derived from ovary and epithelial liver, respectively. This was also confirmed by sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus (MN) assays. Our present and previously obtained data clearly indicate that phenylurea herbicides must be used with great caution, especially for agricultural workers who use large amounts of herbicides during their work, and particular attention should be given to residues of these herbicides and their involvement in environmental pollution.