Clear Areas Research Articles

A Novel Multitemporal Approach for Satellite-Derived Bathymetry for Coastal Waters of Palau

Wei, C. and Theuerkauf, S.J., 2021. A novel multitemporal approach for satellite-derived bathymetry for coastal waters of Palau. Journal of Coastal Research, 37(2), 336–348. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Shallow water bathymetry is important for understanding biogeophysical and socioeconomic processes in coastal areas. In recent years, satellite-derived bathymetry (SDB) methods have been increasingly used to provide high-resolution bathymetry estimation in different regions using single remote sensing images. To tackle the common issues of single-image SDB, such as data gaps due to cloud coverage and false bathymetry due to water turbidity, this study applied a novel multitemporal workflow for SDB estimation in Palau, a Pacific Island nation. This workflow implements the typical empirical SDB steps to calculate relative water depth (i.e. log ratio of the blue and green band) of 20 Landsat 8 images that were composited and subsequently related to in situ depth measurements to estimate true depth. Before composition, a histogram equalization approach was employed to normalize the images and identify clear water areas of each image pair by applying a 1% difference threshold. To achieve better performance, different methodological options at three key steps were evaluated, including temporal composition (mean vs. median), point data extraction (direct vs. bilinear interpolation), and regression (linear vs. piecewise vs. polynomial). Among 12 models, the polynomial model built upon bilinearly interpolated mean composition data performed the best, accurately estimating water depth up to the extinction depth of 13.7 m (45 ft), with a root mean square error of 1.76 m (5.77 ft). This multitemporal approach, with proper methodological choices according to local circumstances, could be applied to other regions to derive gap-free and accurate bathymetry estimations.

Pathological diagnosis of Danon disease by endomyocardial biopsy

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of Danon disease. Methods: Two cases of Danon disease were selected from Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2019 to December 2019. The clinical history, histological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and gene mutation analysis were collected. Results: Both of the patients were male, aged 21 and 19 years old, respectively. They were diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by clinicians. The histologic features of endocardial biopsies were hypertrophy and vacuolar degeneration of cardiomyocytes. Part of cardiomyocytes appeared as intracellular clear areas lacking myofibers. The nuclei were large, irregular and hyperchromatic. And lipofuscin was occasionally observed in the nuclei of cardiomyocytes. Ultrastructural feature of electron microscopic was glycogen accumulation. Genetic analysis identified two lysosome-associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP2) gene mutations. A 1-bp deletion in exon 8 (c.973delC) was found in patient 1, leading to a frame-shift mutation. A 3-bp duplication in exon 5 (c.719_721dupAGC) was found in patient 2, leading to an insertion mutation. Conclusions: Danon disease is a rare disease characterized by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It is caused by mutations in the LAMP2 gene. Vacuolar degeneration of cardiomyocytes, glycogen accumulation under electron microscope and the mutation of LAMP2 gene are the critical features of Danon disease. Familiar with its clinicopathological characteristics would be helpful to avoid the misdiagnosis of Danon disease.

Pengamatan dan Pemetaan Penyakit Busuk Pangkal Batang di Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit Menggunakan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) dan Kamera Multispektral

Surveillance and Mapping of Basal Stem Rot Disease in Oil Palm Plantation Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Multispectral Camera
 Basal stem rot (BSR) disease caused by Ganoderma boninensis is still a major disease in oil palm plantations both in Indonesia and Malaysia. In some countries, remote sensing approach has been used for monitoring BSR in oil palm plantation. However, the utilization of satellite imagery in remote sensing especially in vegetation study on the tropical region was often limited by cloud cover. A drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) utilization is the best way to deal with cloud cover in the tropic region. Machine learning of random forest (RF) and satellite imagery used in the BSR study produced good accuracy. This research was aimed to identify and monitor the BSR infection on individual oil palm trees using an UAV and multispectral camera and RF classification. The results showed that the data acquired from UAV was affected by cloud shadows. The RF classification of healthy and infected oil palm trees by BSR disease and the spreading map of BSR infection was affected by cloud shadows. The highest accuracy of healthy and infected oil palm by BSR was 79.49%. Reflectance calibrator, digital to reflectance conversion, and model implications to build spreading map of BSR infection need to be conducted both on the clear area and the cloud shadow-covered area. Moreover, the UAV-based data should be considering the cloud view on the coverage area.

Base Curve of Progressive Addition Lenses Influences Clear Vision and Stereopsis Area.

PurposeProgressive addition lenses (PAL) are effective, particularly for middle-aged and elderly people who require reading spectacles. However, with PALs, peripheral vision may be distorted and blurred because of both the lateral bending of the surface and the effect of unequal bending of the light coming from an off-axis location in the tangential and sagittal directions, which may lead to a decrease in the quality of vision. Till date, no evaluation of PALs has been reported with regard to peripheral and binocular vision. We investigated the influence of high-base-curve PAL on the visual function of binocular vision using a synoptophore.MethodsThe subjects were seven males and 13 females aged 50–79 years with a best-corrected visual acuity of decimal visual acuity (1.0) or higher in both eyes and addition power of 1.50–2.50 diopters as the inclusion criteria. The study design was a two-group, two-period crossover trial. Using a synoptophore, the subjective clear vision area of monocular vision and stereopsis area of binocular vision were measured while wearing conventional-base curve PAL (4-curve) and high-base-curve PAL (8-curve). HOYALUX RF SPORT 1.6 lenses (HOYA Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) were used for the test PALs.ResultsThe clear vision area of monocular vision was significantly wider when wearing the 8-curve PAL on the temporal side of the right eye (P = 0.02), and on the temporal side of the left eye (P = 0.01). The stereopsis area of binocular vision was significantly wider in all directions when wearing the 8-curve PAL: right (P = 0.02); left (P = 0.03); right 15° upward (P = 0.02); and left 15° upward (P = 0.02).ConclusionIt was clarified that, compared to 4-curve PAL, clear vision and stereopsis areas are wider when wearing 8-curve PAL.

Coordinating UK trade and climate policy ambitions: A legislative and policy analysis

The UK Government has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 but also champion open multilateral trade and pursue new trade relationships with geographically distant partners. The dynamism of policymaking in both areas, as the UK leaves the EU, provides a useful case study for the larger question of how to reconcile liberal trade policy with a net-zero target. After setting out the relevance of trade policy to the climate target, we examine areas at their intersection: current and proposed UK green subsidies, regulatory trade barriers, potential carbon border adjustment, fossil fuel subsidies and free trade agreements. We apply two analytical tests: compliance with relevant World Trade Organisation obligations and coherence with the net-zero climate target. The analysis is hindered by uncertainty, primarily regarding the extent of future global climate ambition, but there are clear areas in which the UK could strengthen its approach to climate change mitigation without undermining its commitment to open trade. Barring a major increase in global ambition, achieving the net-zero target will, however, likely require new trade restrictions. The implication is that, rather than being situated at the margins, the climate target must comprise a central objective of trade strategy.

A new species of Tricorythodes Ulmer (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae) from Uruguay.

A new species of Tricorythodes Ulmer (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae) from Uruguay is described and illustrated based on nymphs and adults. Tricorythodes biluhue sp. nov. is related to T. arequita Traver, T. mirca Molineri, T. sallesi Dias, Cabette De Sousa, and T. tragoedia Souto, Angeli Salles. The adults of these species are similar (share body color patterns formed by irregularly distributed pigments, while nymphs and adults present subapical blackish marks on tibiae). The nymphs of the new species present a spine on the inner margin of superlingua; operculate gills with a clear paler anterolateral area; and fore tarsal claw with 10-13 marginal denticles and with 0-1 + 1 submarginal denticles. This species has a wide distribution in Uruguay and was found in small streams with stony substrate and thick sand. Additional records for T. arequita Traver in Uruguay are also provided.

Assessment of Phytoecological Parameters of Forest Massifs in the Kwilu Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rainforests constitute the great green heart of Africa and thus they present a unique combination of ecological, climatic and human interactions. The degradation of various forest ecosystems in mainly tropical regions and more particularly in sub-Saharan Africa has been a constant reality since the emergence of man. Faced to this almost alarming picture, most often linked to the countless economic challenges and calamitous management and confronted with unavoidable climate change, it seemed appropriate and imperative to assess the quantities of Air Biomass, sequestered carbon stocks, carbon equivalent and basal area produced by various forest massifs encountered in the Kwilu province. This study was carried out at the Kiyaka Agricultural Research Station located in the south of Kikwit. Five blocks of 100 m / 20 m were delineated using a 200 m long nylon wire divided into 10 m intervals. The system thus delimited made it possible to inventory all the trees, of which dbh measured at 1.30 m at chest height is ≥ 10 cm. The findings showed that species are divided into 11 orders, 42 genera and 19 families. The following systematic units are best represented in terms of number of plant species. These families are namely: Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Olacaceae, which together contain 26 plant species, while nine families are poorly represented. However, this reserve is threatened by its occupants on all sides; they do not want to clear large areas of forest for their field work. It is therefore urgent for INERA/Kiyaka officials to take the necessary measures for its full protection.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Disordered Eating: Clarifying the Overlap.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is estimated to occur in up to 1% of adolescents, with symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, and pain impacting daily functioning. However, many risk factors and symptoms for POTS overlap with those of youth with disordered eating, and adolescents with POTS may be at increased risk for developing eating disorders. Therefore, the present study sought to better understand this overlap. We hypothesized that patients with POTS would have higher than expected rates of weight change, restrictive eating patterns, and food sensitivities. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 96 adolescents and young adults diagnosed with POTS who were participating in a 3-week intensive interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program. We conducted descriptive and correlational statistical analyses on data from self-report measures, biomarkers of nutritional status, and abstracted information about eating and weight concerns from medical notes. Nearly 3 quarters of participants described engaging in restrictive eating, and more than half of them described experiencing weight loss. They also endorsed experiencing food allergies, celiac disease, and eating disorder at higher rates than would be expected in the general population. One-fifth of the sample had experienced invasive interventions to correct for nutritional imbalances, such as having a feeding tube. Weight and eating are clear areas of risk for patients with orthostatic intolerance. It is essential that treatment team members thoroughly screen for eating disturbances and make recommendations that support regular and balanced eating habits.

Nutrient enrichment stimulates herbivory and alters epibiont assemblages at the edge but not inside subtidal macroalgal forests

Nutrient enrichment is a major threat to subtidal macroalgal forests. Several studies have shown that nutrient inputs can enhance the ability of opportunistic algal species to acquire space freed by disturbance, at the expense of architecturally complex species that form forests. However, competition between canopy- and turf-forming macroalgae is not limited to the aftermath of disturbance. Canopy-forming macroalgae can provide suitable substratum for diverse epibiont assemblages, including both algae (epiphytes) and sessile invertebrates (epizoans). Despite evidence of enhanced epiphyte loading under eutrophic conditions, few experimental studies have assessed how nutrient enrichment influences the structure of epibiont assemblages on canopy-forming macroalgae at the edge versus inside forests. In oligotrophic waters of the NW Mediterranean, we experimentally tested the hypothesis that nutrient-driven proliferation of opportunistic epiphytic algae would affect the performance of the fucoid, Carpodesmia brachycarpa, and reduce the richness and abundance of the epizoan species they support. We predicted negative effects of nutrient enrichment to be greater at the edge than inside forests and on thalli that had recovered in cleared areas than on those within undisturbed canopy stands. Nutrient enrichment did not affect the photosynthetic efficiency and reproductive output of C. brachycarpa. By contrast, it enhanced herbivore consumption and decreased the cover and diversity of epizoans at forest edges, likely by stimulating the foraging activity of Arbacia lixula, the most abundant sea urchin in adjacent encrusting coralline barrens. Fertilization of areas inside forests had no effect on either C. brachycarpa or epibiont assemblages. Finally, nutrient enrichment effects did not vary between cleared and undisturbed areas. Our results show that moderate nutrient enrichment of oligotrophic waters does not necessarily cause the proliferation of epiphytes and, hence, a strengthening of their competitive effects on canopy-forming macroalgae. Nevertheless, enhanced herbivory damage to fertilized thalli at forest edges suggests that fragmentation could reduce the resilience of macroalgal forests and associated epibiont assemblages to nutrient enrichment.

Using remote sensing to assess peatland resilience by estimating soil surface moisture and drought recovery

Peatland areas provide a range of ecosystem services, including biodiversity, carbon storage, clean water, and flood mitigation, but many areas of peatland in the UK have been degraded through human land use including drainage. Here, we explore whether remote sensing can be used to monitor peatland resilience to drought. We take resilience to mean the rate at which a system recovers from perturbation; here measured literally as a recovery timescale of a soil surface moisture proxy from drought lowering. Our objectives were (1) to assess the reliability of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) backscatter as a proxy for water table depth (WTD); (2) to develop a method using SAR to estimate below-ground (hydrological) resilience of peatlands; and (3) to apply the developed method to different sites and consider the links between resilience and land management. Our inferences of WTD from Sentinel-1 SAR data gave results with an average Pearson's correlation of 0.77 when compared to measured WTD values. The 2018 summer drought was used to assess resilience across three different UK peatland areas (Dartmoor, the Peak District, and the Flow Country) by considering the timescale of the soil moisture proxy recovery. Results show clear areas of lower resilience within all three study sites, which often correspond to areas of high drainage and may be particularly vulnerable to increasing drought severity/events under climate change. This method is applicable to monitoring peatland resilience elsewhere over larger scales, and could be used to target restoration work towards the most vulnerable areas.

The use of the photodynamic method in the treatment of recurrent basal cell carcinoma on the example ofGorlin‐Goltzsyndrome‐management algorithm

Conventional methods of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) treatment bring many severe side effects, especially, if they are repeated many times. The aim of this study is to present the clinical effectiveness of photodynamic method in the treatment and prevention of BCC relapses on the face and to propose a management algorithm. In a patient with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (NBCCS) lesions on the face were assessed clinically and with photodynamic diagnostics (PDD), initially and in follow-up every 3 months, for a total of 12 months. Detected BCCs were treated with photodynamic therapy three times every week. In whole follow-up period no clinical relapses were shown. However, in PDD after 6 month in one irradiated and in one initially clinically clear area red fluorescence indicating atypical foci was observed and irradiated additional one time. Photodynamic therapy is not limited by previous treatments, can be repeated without adverse events, heals multiple lesions at once and prevents new ones. Because BCC in NBCCS will occur constantly, the implementation of PDD to control the condition of the skin in long-term care should be obligatory. We indicate the validity of using the photodynamic diagnostic and therapy, as a medical procedures of choice.

An area based physical layer authentication framework to detect spoofing attacks

In this paper, we propose an area-oriented authentication framework, which aims to provide a light-weight first authentication by reducing the complexity in acquiring and maintaining many different reference vectors as in the traditional one-by-one authentication framework. Under the proposed framework, we first derive the missing detection probability and the false alarm probability, respectively. Then we quantitatively evaluate the average risks that a spoofer is successfully detected or a legitimate user is falsely alarmed, at any position in a certain area. And correspondingly three kinds of areas are defined as the clear area where the spoofers prefer not to attack, the danger area where the spoofers have pretty high probabilities to attack successfully, and the warning area where the legitimate users are much likely to be falsely reported as attackers. These results depict the security situation distribution of a region, and provide useful insights for network operators to take proper following strategies. Finally, simulations are given to verify our analytical derivations and show the impacts of system parameters.

Influence of lignin distribution, physicochemical characteristics and microstructure on the quality of biofuel pellets made from four different types of biomass

The worldwide increase in the demand for wood pellets has led to increased interest in the use of biomass feedstock. However, the quality of pellets depends directly on the biomass feedstocks. This paper brings new insights about the influence of lignin distribution, physicochemical characteristics, and microstructure on the quality of pellets. The aim of the study was to characterize the physical, chemical, mechanical and energy properties of pellets produced from Pinus radiata (PR), Eucalyptus nitens (EN), Paulownia elongata × fortune (P), and Miscanthus × giganteus (MG), as well as to use microscopic techniques to examine how lignin distribution influences the mechanical properties. The findings show that the pellets made from PR were more suitable for bioenergy production compared to those produced with EN, P, and MG. Anatomical structure proved to be important in relation to pellet quality. The clear areas on the surface of the pellets presented relationship with the percentage of biomass lignin (which ranged from 26.4 to 34.2%). The P and PR pellets were more durable and had fewer empty spaces between particles. The pellets made from EN, which was the material most difficult to compact, had abundant cracks.

Dynamics of savanna clearing and land degradation in the newest agricultural frontier in Brazil

ABSTRACT We investigated the dynamics of savanna clearing and land degradation in the MATOPIBA region, the newest agricultural frontier over the Cerrado in Brazil. For geospatial analysis of the “big data,” we used algorithms available on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform along with different satellite products. For the detection of vegetation clearing in the 1985–2018 period, we applied the LandTrendr algorithm to the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) obtained from Landsat satellite instruments. In the evaluation of land degradation (2001–2015), we used the Trends.Earth algorithm to analyze NDVI data calculated from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). By combining different datasets into the analysis, we discussed the relationships among savanna clearings, land degradation, topographic attributes, and fire frequency. The results showed that the largest proportions of savanna clearing in the 1985–1990 period were detected in the south of MATOPIBA (mesoregions Ocidental do Tocantins and Extremo Oeste Baiano). The savanna clearing progressed toward the mesoregions Oriental do Tocantins, Sudoeste Piauiense, and Sul Maranhense between 1991 and 2005. Variations over time in cleared areas ranged from 0.086 Mha to 2.146 Mha per year, showing well-defined peaks in 1986, 1991, and 2012. The clearing events followed the soybean expansion, especially over flat terrains at high elevations. In addition to the spillover effects of the Amazon Soy Moratorium on the savannas, other political and economic factors promoted changes in cleared areas of MATOPIBA. Compared to the decade preceding the signature of the Amazon Soy Moratorium in 2006, the cleared area of MATOPIBA increased 41% in the 10-year post-moratorium period. In the other analysis, our Trends.Earth results showed that the largest proportions of land degradation areas, as proxied by the MODIS NDVI, were the Sudoeste Piauiense and Centro Maranhense. These mesoregions presented distinct patterns of precipitation and soil composition. The number of fire events increased with vegetation clearing. However, the amount of cleared areas correlated moderately with that of burned areas due to the multi-use of fire in the region. Finally, we observed that the amount of land-degraded areas increased with fire frequency over agricultural areas, but remained relatively stable over native vegetated areas. Results highlight the importance of satellite sensors and cloud-computing platforms to inspect long-term trajectories of land occupation and degradation over broad savanna areas.

Patterns of behaviour in nursing staff actioning the afferent limb of the rapid response system (RRS): A focused ethnography.

To improve understanding of afferent limb behaviour in acute hospital ward settings, to define and specify who needs to do what differently and to report what afferent limb behaviours should be targeted in a subsequent multi-phase, theory-based, intervention development process. Focused ethnography was used including direct observation of nursing staff enacting afferent limb behaviours and review of vital signs charts. An observation guide focused observation on "key moments" of the afferent limb. Descriptions of observations from between 7 January 2019-18 December 2019 were recorded in a field journal alongside reflexive notes. Vital signs and early warning scores from charts were reviewed and recorded. Field notes were analysed using structured content analysis. Observed behaviour was compared with expected (policy-specified) behaviour. Observation was conducted for 300hr. Four hundred and ninety-nine items of data (e.g., an episode of observation or a set of vital signs) were collected. Two hundred and eighty-nine (58%) items of data were associated with expected (i.e. policy-specified) afferent limb behaviour; 210 (42%) items of data were associated with unexpected afferent limb behaviour (i.e. alternative behaviour or no behaviour). Ten specific behaviours were identified where the behaviour observed deviated (negatively) from policy or where no action was taken when it should have been. One further behaviour was seen to expedite the assessment of a deteriorating patient by an appropriate responder and was therefore considered a positive deviance. Afferent limb failure has been described as a problem of inconsistent staff behaviour. Eleven potential target behaviours for change are reported and specified using a published framework. Clear specification of target behaviour will allow further enquiry into the determinants of these behaviours and the development of a theory-based intervention that is more likely to result in behaviour change and can be tested empirically in future research.

Habitat specialist spiders in coastal dunes benefit from eradication of the invasive shrub Rosa rugosa

Eradication of invasive plants from natural habitats may have positive side effects other than removal of the invasive species. The study describes an unintended but positive consequence of a program for eradication of Rosa rugosa in Danish coastal dunes. The measures undertaken leaves areas formerly covered by rose bushes as bare sandy patches. Vegetation-free habitat has become rare in coastal dune areas due to effective control of the natural sand dynamics, with potentially devastating consequences for the most specialized dune fauna. As a result, xerothermic species, i.e. species that depend on dry, sun-exposed and vegetation-free habitat, are particularly threatened. In a rose eradication program carried out by the Danish Nature Agency in Thy, Denmark, I tested the hypothesis that habitat specialist spiders in general and xerothermic spider species in particular would take advantage of such newly created habitat. I sampled the spider fauna by pitfall traps in areas cleared of roses, in adjacent marram vegetation, and in remaining small rose patches. The assemblage of spiders caught in the cleared areas consisted of species with more narrow habitat occurrence and stronger preference for openness of the habitat compared with those of the marram vegetation and rose patches. Also, the proportion of xerothermic individuals and species was increased in the assemblages of the cleared areas. I conclude that the habitat disturbance from rose eradication favours specialist spiders by substituting for the natural sand dynamics. Creation of vegetation-free areas benefits dune specialist species and should be implemented for that purpose even if not combined with eradication of roses.

The Digital Skills, Experiences and Attitudes of the Northern Ireland Social Care Workforce Toward Technology for Learning and Development: Survey Study.

BackgroundContinual development of the social care workforce is a key element in improving outcomes for the users of social care services. As the delivery of social care services continues to benefit from innovation in assistive technologies, it is important that the digital capabilities of the social care workforce are aligned. Policy makers have highlighted the importance of using technology to support workforce learning and development, and the need to ensure that the workforce has the necessary digital skills to fully benefit from such provisions.ObjectiveThis study aims to identify the digital capability of the social care workforce in Northern Ireland and to explore the workforce’s appetite for and barriers to using technology for learning and development. This study is designed to answer the following research questions: (1) What is the digital capability of the social care workforce in Northern Ireland? (2) What is the workforce’s appetite to participate in digital learning and development? and (3) If there are barriers to the uptake of technology for learning and development, what are these barriers?MethodsA survey was created and distributed to the Northern Ireland social care workforce. This survey collected data on 127 metrics that described demographics, basic digital skills, technology confidence and access, factors that influence learning and development, experience with digital learning solutions, and perceived value and challenges of using technology for learning.ResultsThe survey was opened from December 13, 2018, to January 18, 2019. A total of 775 survey respondents completed the survey. The results indicated a workforce with a high level of self-reported basic digital skills and confidence. Face-to-face delivery of learning is still the most common method of accessing learning, which was used by 83.7% (649/775) of the respondents; however, this is closely followed by digital learning, which was used by 79.0% (612/775) of the respondents. There was a negative correlation between age and digital skills (rs=−0.262; P<.001), and a positive correlation between technology confidence and digital skills (rs=0.482; P<.001). There was also a negative correlation between age and the perceived value of technology (rs=−0.088; P=.02). The results indicated a predominantly motivated workforce in which a sizable portion is already engaged in informal digital learning. The results indicated that lower self-reported basic digital skills and confidence were associated with less interest in engaging with e-learning tools and that a portion of the workforce would benefit from additional basic digital skills training.ConclusionsThese promising results provide a positive outlook for the potential of digital learning and development within the social care workforce. The findings provide clear areas of focus for the future use of technology for learning and development of the social care workforce and considerations to maximize engagement with such approaches.

Light spectra regulated foraging and feeding behaviors shed light on stock enhancement of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

Light is an important environmental factor for the fitness of small sea urchins. It is thus important to reveal the appropriate light environments for their stock enhancement. However, the effects of light spectra on fitness related behaviors of sea urchins remain mostly unknown. To reveal appropriate light spectra for stock enhancement of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius, we investigated the effects of light spectra on the foraging behavior, phototaxis, Aristotle's lantern reflex of S. intermedius (test diameter: 10.35 ± 0.05 mm). There were five light spectra, including red (630–670 nm), yellow (570–600 nm), green (510–550 nm), blue (440–490 nm) and white light (a mix of blue-based and a little red). We found that successful foraging proportion under blue light (65 %) was obviously higher than those under other light spectra, although no significant difference was detected (P > 0.05). The foraging time of S. intermedius was significantly higher under red light than under blue (P < 0.05) and white light (P < 0.01). Light spectra did not significantly affect the movement distance of S. intermedius (P> 0.05). Light spectra showed no significant effect on phototaxis of S. intermedius (P > 0.05). This indicates that the effect of light spectra on the foraging behavior is not due to phototaxis and movement distance in S. intermedius. Further, Aristotle's lantern reflex of S. intermedius under white light was significantly higher than that under red light (P < 0.01). In summary, S. intermedius showed significantly better foraging and feeding ability, when they were exposed to blue and white light. Since most of the spectrum is short-wavelength light (blue light) in the water below 10 m, we suggest that small S. intermedius are appropriate to be reseeded into clear water areas with the depths more than 10 m.

Investigating users’ perspectives on the development of bike-sharing in Shanghai

High levels of car dependence have caused tremendous challenges for sustainable transport development. Transport planners, therefore, seek ways of replacing motor vehicles, as well as increasing the proportion of active travel. The bike-sharing scheme can be seen as an effective way of doing so, particularly in Asian cities. The aim of this paper is to investigate users’ perspectives on the development of bike-sharing using Shanghai as an example. Semi-structured interviews are used to examine the main factors motivating and impeding the development of the bike-sharing scheme in Shanghai. Our findings show that convenience, saving time and financial savings are the major motivations; whereas problems with bicycles being poorly maintained and abused by users, operational issues, financial issues and an unsuitable business model are the major obstacles. In addition, the findings also suggest that a public and private partnership could be the best option for running a sustainable bike-sharing scheme with clear areas of responsibility. Financial incentives, a bicycle-friendly infrastructure, regular operational management and supportive policies should be prioritised. In order to achieve the targets set by the Shanghai Master Plan 2035, transport planners and policymakers should integrate the bike-sharing scheme within the wider active travel system.

Individual variability of growth of the cultivated Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. in various habitat conditions of the Black sea coastal zone

Bivalve mollusc M. galloprovincialis is one of the most common marine animals in the Azov-Black Sea basin. The shell length increment of mussels is indicators of the degree of favourable environmental. The aim of the study the individual growth of M. galloprovincialis mussel in various habitat conditions. To determine the individual growth of mussel, a labelling technique was used. 50 individuals of one-sized 35 and other sized 60-mm mussels were placed into separate sectors of two oyster cages. One cage was hung out in the clear water area of a mussel–oyster farm, the second in a polluted apex part of the harbour. Mussels with a shell length of 35 mm from the mussel–oyster farm were 6 times higher in the shell length increment than mussels from harbour, in the size group of 60 mm were 3.5 times higher. In the studied water areas during the experimental period, the growth of mussels of the two size groups was uneven. In adverse harbour conditions, mussel growth slowed down, stopped and sometimes had ‘negative growth’ values were noted. The shell length increment of mussels was influenced by the ecological state of the environment (pollution), nutritive base, reproductive state and hydrodynamic regime of the compared water areas. The shell length increment of M. galloprovincialis reflects the adaptation of mussels to a complex of environmental factors and can be used as a one of the parameters of bioindication of water areas.