Deep Body Research Articles

Land-Use and Land-Cover Change Detection in a North-Eastern Wetland Ecosystem of Bangladesh Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Lakshmibaur-Nalair Haor, a freshwater wetland ecosystem is situated in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh. This place hosts the second largest freshwater swamp forest in Bangladesh. Containing rich biodiversity, this unique area experiences significant landscape changes. This study examines land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes between 1989 and 2019 in the Lakshmibaur-Nalair Haor area by operating Landsat multispectral imageries through remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. The changing status of the haor was analyzed by initiating normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI). The unsupervised classification technique was implemented to classify these images into five major classes (vegetation, cropland, bare soil, shallow water, and deep water bodies) using threshold values of NDVI and MNDWI. After accuracy assessment, the post-classification comparison method was performed to evaluate the change detection. This study demonstrates that this valuable area lost ~ 2208.6 ha (37.54%) of the deep water body and 489.6 ha (8.34%) of vegetation over the last 3 decades. However, it has gained about 1729 ha (29.39%) of cropland, 2673 ha (45.44%) of shallow water and 1124 ha (28%) of bare soil. Such changes indicate significant human interventions such as expansion of croplands with increased population pressure. Gradual change of deep water into shallow water over time is enabling local community to expand agricultural lands and activities during the dry season. This study’s findings are useful in understanding and tracking changes in wetlands in Bangladesh and other similar settings.

Differentiation of two swim bladdered fish species using next generation wideband hydroacoustics

Monitoring fish populations in large, deep water bodies by conventional capture methodologies requires intensive fishing effort and often causes mass mortality of fish. Thus, it can be difficult to collect sufficient data using capture methods for understanding fine scale community dynamics associated with issues such as climate change or species invasion. Hydroacoustic monitoring is an alternative, less invasive technology that can collect higher resolution data over large temporal and spatial scales. Monitoring multiple species with hydroacoustics, however, usually requires conventional sampling to provide species level information. The ability to identify the species identity of similar-sized individuals using only hydroacoustic data would greatly expand monitoring capabilities and further reduce the need for conventional sampling. In this study, wideband hydroacoustic technology was used in a mesocosm experiment to differentiate between free swimming, similar-sized individuals of two swim-bladdered species: whitefish (Coregonus wartmanni) and stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Individual targets were identified in echograms and variation in wideband acoustic responses among individuals, across different orientations, and between species was quantified and visually examined. Random forest classification was then used to classify individual targets of known species identity, and had an accuracy of 73.4% for the testing dataset. The results show that species can be identified with reasonable accuracy using wideband hydroacoustics. It is expected that further mesocosm and field studies will help determine capabilities and limitations for classifying additional species and monitoring fish communities. Hydroacoustic species differentiation may offer novel possibilities for fisheries managers and scientists, marking the next crucial step in non-invasive fish monitoring.

Morphological characteristics of Kellicottia bostoniensis (Rousselet, 1908) (Rotifera: Brachionidae) in water bodies of the Middle Volga basin

The morphological characteristics of the North American invasive species Kellicottia bostoniensis Rousselet, 1908 were studied in 29 various types of water bodies and watercourses of the Middle Volga basin. The water bodies, which are the habitats of K. bostoniensis, are located on several territories that differ significantly in a set of characteristics, such as their geological structure, relief, climate, anthropogenic impact, hydrochemical and hydrophysical indicators, etc. The sizes of K. bostoniensis individuals in most of the studied water bodies and watercourses were measured and analyzed for the first time. A high positive correlation was found between the total body length and the posterior spine length (R2 = 0.79, p < 0.01), as well as the anterior spine length (R2 = 0.75, p < 0.01). A relationship was revealed between the lengths of the anterior and posterior spines (R2 = 0.58, p < 0.01). K. bostoniensis individuals in the studied water bodies and watercourses are characterized by large sizes, the median values of the total body length being 236–440 μm. These sizes are similar to those of individuals in the native habitats of North America and some biotopes of Europe and European Russia. Among the previously studied water bodies of Russia and other countries (Belarus, Sweden, Finland, Brazil, and Argentina), where researches of the morphological variability of K. bostoniensis were carried out, the largest body sizes were characteristic for the invader species of the Sura River. Larger K. bostoniensis specimens live in deep mesotrophic water bodies with high transparency, compared with representatives of this species in shallow eutrophic water bodies with less transparency in the Middle Volga basin. Our data on the morphological characteristics of the invading species of water bodies in the Middle Volga basin significantly expand the existing information on the morphological variability of K. bostoniensis individuals and their dependence on environmental factors.

Body shape and fin size in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): effects of temperature during embryogenesis

Temperature during egg incubation and early development influences later life stages of fishes, potentially influencing survival. Throughout its distribution, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus, 1758) have experienced population declines, and in view of ongoing global warming, we tested if temperature during the earliest developmental stages modified body shape and fin size when temperatures averaged 2.6 vs. 5.6 °C. This temperature difference simulates increases predicted in climate change scenarios. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that salmon originating from eggs subjected to cold incubation temperatures would have slimmer bodies and larger pectoral and dorsal fins than salmon from eggs that experienced warmer temperatures. After hatching, the juveniles were raised for 1 year under identical temperatures, after which we measured their body shape and fin areas. We found no support for our hypothesis regarding body shape. Indeed, we found the opposite, with cold-incubated salmon having deeper bodies than warm-incubated salmon. For fin size, the pectoral fins of cold-incubated salmon were larger than for warm-incubated salmon as predicted, but there was no difference in dorsal fin size. These results suggest that global warming may lead to altered body shape and fin size, possibly affecting swimming performance, and thus raise questions about the ecological consequences of the changes.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Hypotension in Unanesthetized Hypertensive Rats

Background Hypertension and sepsis are highly prevalent clinical risk factors for morbidity and mortality. Administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces systemic inflammation (SI) and phathophysiological changes observed during sepsis, such as exacerbated release of inflammatory markers associated with hypotension, tachycardia, and hypothermia followed by fever. We have previously shown that both LPS-induced hypothesion and hypothermia are enhanced in hypertensive rats. Increased availability of acetylcholine may reduce inflammation. However, whether acetylcholinesterase inhibition modulates SI and its cardiovascular and thermorregulatory consequences in neurogenic hypertension remains unkonwn. Aim This study aimed to investigate the putative anti-inflammatory property of pyridostigmine (PIR), an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on cardiovascular and thermoregulatory changes observed during LPS-induced SI (at a septic-like model) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods Wistar and SHR rats were used in the present study. Forty-eight hours before cardiovascular and deep body temperature (Tb) recordings, the animals underwent the surgery for femoral artery (for direct hemodynamic recordings) and vein catheterization for PIR (0.25 mg kg-1), LPS (1.5mg kg−1), or saline administration. In the same surgical procedure, an intraperitoneal temperature data-logger capsule was inserted for Tb recordings. We combined hemodynamic and thermoregulatory recordings after LPS administration and plasma measurements of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. Results SI in Wistar rats was marked by a drop in blood pressure (2 ± 2 vs. −12 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.0001). Compared with Wistar, LPS-induced drop in blood pressure was higher in SHR (−44 ± 4 vs. 2 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.0001). PIR attenuated LPS-induced hypotension in Wistar (-12 ± 2 vs. 4 ± 3 mmHg, P = 0.0048) and SHR rats (-44 ± 4 vs. -23 ± 4 mmHg, P = 0.0016). LPS induced hypothermia followed by fever in Wistar rats (37.5 ± 0.2 vs. 38.9 ± 0.2ºC, P < 0.0001), whereas, in SHR, a maintained hypothermia without fever was observed (36.4 ± 0.2ºC). PIR attenuated fever in Wistar rats (38.9 ± 0.2 vs. 38.0 vs. 0.2ºC, P = 0.0015), but did not affect LPS-induced hypothermia in SHR (36.6 ± 0.1ºC). After LPS administration, Wistar rats showed significant plasma IL-1β (1393 ± 218 vs. 49 ± 12 pg mL−1, P < 0.0001) and IL-6 surges (44732 ± 5870 vs. 144 ± 13, P < 0.0001), and this increase was prevented by PIR pretreatment (1393 ± 218 vs. 430 vs. 98 pg mL−1, P = 0.0018 and 44732 ± 5870 vs. 18280 vs. 4123 pg mL−1, P = 0.0438). This anti-inflammatory effect of PIR was not observed in SHR. Conclusion The findings of the present study are consistent with the notion that pretreatment with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (PIR) attenuates the plasma IL-1β and IL-6 surges, hypotension, and fever in Wistar rats. On the other hand, PIR attenuated hypotension without preventing hypothermia, and plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines surges in SHR. We suggest that increased acetylcholine availability reduces LPS-induced SI in Wistar, but not in SHR. These findings reveal a novel effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibition during SI in normotensive and hypertensive rats.

The effect of body surface area exposure to menthol on temperature regulation and perception in men.

In warm conditions topical application of menthol increases cool sensations and influences deep body temperature. The purpose of this experiment was to explore whether different body surface areas (BSA) exposed to menthol influence these responses. It was hypothesized that the forcing function exerted by menthol will be proportionally related to BSA. Using a within-participant design, 13 participants underwent three BSA exposures (Small [S; finger]; Medium [M; arm]; Large [L; upper/lower body]) to 4.13% menthol, and one Placebo exposure. During each exposure participants rested supine in a tent (30°C, 50%rh) for 30-min before their intervention and 30-min thereafter. Measures included thermal sensation, thermal comfort, irritation, skin blood flow (finger SkBF; laser Doppler flowmetry), rectal temperature (Tre), and skin temperature (chest, forearm, thigh, calf). The Area Under the Curve from minute 30 to 60 was calculated and analyzed using a one-way ANOVA or Friedman's test with post-hoc testing (0.05 alpha level). There was no significant difference in any measure of thermometry (p>0.05), while SKBF was significantly lowered in L, M, and S vs. P respectively (p<0.05). Participants in L felt cooler vs. P and S (p<0.05). Losses in thermal comfort were noted in L and M vs. P and S (p<0.05), along with increased irritation in L vs. S (p<0.05). Despite similar skin temperatures, larger BSA's exposed to menthol caused cooler sensations, likely due to the activation of a larger pool of menthol-sensitive neurons. This occurred in the absence of thermal discomfort and without perceptions of irritation exceeding 'weak'. Larger BSA's also exhibited greater alterations in Tre, likely driven by a reduction in SkBF, but despite this mean body temperature was regulated suggesting the thermoregulatory system can cope with the range of BSA exposures studied herein.

Environmental DNA metabarcoding uncovers environmental correlates of fish communities in spatially heterogeneous freshwater habitats

Biomonitoring of complex heterogeneous environments is highly challenging. Fish in deep water bodies occupy different habitats, so a combination of survey methods has traditionally been used. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a novel monitoring tool that can overcome spatial heterogeneity in a highly sensitive and entirely non-invasive manner. However, taxon detection probability is dependent on environmental variables. In this study, three reservoirs were sampled in two seasons using a spatiotemporally distributed sampling design covering major environmental gradients. In all sampling campaigns, 31 fish taxa were detected. Data reliability was supported by tight positive correlations between individual taxon scores derived from gillnet sampling and eDNA site occupancy. Analyses confirmed anticipated trends, such as the highest number of taxa in the largest water body, and more taxa in inflows and littoral regions compared to open water. The most important factors for fish distribution were temperature, water age and trophic status (expressed as total Chlorophyll a concentration) of water bodies. Taxon detection reflected ecological niches of individual species, e.g. warm water wels catfish (Silurus glanis) and cold water salmonids. This study provides further evidence that eDNA metabarcoding is a suitable alternative or complement to conventional fish sampling in reservoirs.

Ant Colony Optimization Inversion Using the L1 Norm in Advanced Tunnel Detection

During the construction of the tunnel, there may be water-bearing anomalous structures such as fault fracture zone. In order to ensure the safety of the tunnel, it is necessary to carry out advanced tunnel detection. The traditional linear inversion method is highly dependent on the initial model in the tunnel resistivity inversion, which makes the inversion results falling into the local optimal optimum rather than the global one. Therefore, an inversion method for tunnel resistivity advanced detection based on ant colony algorithm is proposed in this paper. In order to improve the accuracy of tunnel advanced detection of deep anomalous bodies, an ant colony optimization (ACO) inversion is used by integrating depth weighting into the inversion function. At the same time, in view of the high efficiency and low cost of one-dimension inversion and the advantages of L1 norm in boundary characterization, a one-dimensional ant colony algorithm is adopted in this paper. In order to evaluate the performance of the algorithm, two sets of numerical simulations were carried out. Finally, the application of the actual tunnel water-bearing anomalous structure was carried out in a real example to evaluate the application effect, and it was verified by excavation exposure.

Feroxichthys panzhouensis sp. nov., a hump-backed colobodontid (Neopterygii, Actinopterygii) from the early Middle Triassic of Panzhou, Guizhou, China.

Neopterygii is a taxonomically diverse clade of ray-finned fishes, including Teleostei, Holostei and closely related fossil taxa. The Colobodontidae is a stem group of large-sized neopterygians with a durophagous feeding adaption from the Middle to Late Triassic marine ecosystems in Europe and South China. Here, we report the discovery of a new colobodontid, Feroxichthys panzhouensis sp. nov., based on a well-preserved specimen from the early Middle Triassic (Anisian) of Panzhou (formerly known as Panxian), Guizhou, China. The discovery extends the geographical distribution of Feroxichthys from eastern Yunnan into western Guizhou, and demonstrates a more rapid diversification of early colobodontids than previously thought. The new species possesses diagnostic features of Feroxichthys (e.g., a fused lacrimal-maxilla), but it is easily distinguished from the type species Feroxichthys yunnanensis and other colobodontids by some derived features on the skull and, especially, the relatively short and deep body with a prominent postcranial hump. This body form, previously unknown in colobodontids, implicates a morphological adaptation to structurally complex habitats in light of ecological studies of modern ray-finned fishes with a similar body form. In addition, the feeding apparatus suggests a more obligate durophagous diet for F. panzhouensis sp. nov. than other colobodontids. Results of a cladistic analysis recover the new species as a sister taxon of F. yunnanensis within the Colobodontidae, and suggest that a hump-backed body form has independently evolved multiple times in Triassic neopterygians. As such, the new finding provides an important addition for our understanding of the morphological and ecological diversity of neopterygian fishes from the Triassic marine ecosystems in South China.

Chondrostoma smyrnae, a new nase from the Tahtalı reservoir drainage in the Aegean Sea basin (Teleostei, Leuciscidae)

Chondrostoma smyrnae, a new species, from the Tahtalı reservoir drainage is distinguished by having a slightly arched lower jaw with a well-developed keratinised edge, a deep and cylindric body, a complete lateral line with 47–52+1 total scales, 8–9 scale rows between the lateral line and the dorsal-fin origin, 4 scale rows between the lateral line and the pelvic fin-origin, and 19–23 gill rakers on the first gill arch. Moreover, molecular analyses using full cyt b (1141 bp) and partial coI (652 bp) sequences of the mitochondrial genome from specimens of the new species, C. smyrnae and specimens belonging to other Chondrostoma species from central and western Anatolia demonstrated that the C. smyrnae is easily differentiated by their high pairwise genetic distances of cyt b and coI data set (&amp;gt;2.20 and 1.03%, respectively) and by their position in the phylogenetic trees obtained through Maximum Likelihood (ML) methodology.

Study the Effect of Naturally Low Temperature in Animals Experiment

In modern conditions of Arctic development, the problem of hypothermia of humans and animals is becoming fundamental and applicable nature. Studying deep hypothermia effect and body recovery after it on experimental models of animals is relevant for world science. The article presents some aspects of the naturally low temperatures affect (-40° C and below) on the domestic pig’s body under the conditions of Yakutia (experimental research). To perform this task, we simulated the conditions of natural deep hypothermia, in which we studied the mechanisms of entering an anabiosis state and got the data of experimental animals’ brain and heart bioelectrical activity. The experiment was conducted according to the ethical standards of the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes No. 123 of 18 March 1986, Strasbourg, and the order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 199n of 01.04.2016 “on approval of the regulations of good laboratory practice”. Permission of the bioethical commission is available.

The Effect of Cervical Paravertebral Extensor Degeneration on Sagittal Alignment and Functional Status of Cervical Spine in Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

This was a cross-sectional study. The objective of this study was to assess cervical paravertebral extensor degeneration in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and its impact on the sagittal parameters and functional status of the cervical spine. Paravertebral extensor degeneration is well-studied in CSM; however, the effect of extensor degeneration on the sagittal balance and functional status of the cervical spine is unclear. We enrolled 52 CSM patients (CSM group) and 52 age-matched and sex-matched healthy adults (control group). The C2-C7 and C0-C2 Cobb angles (CAs), C7 slope, T1 slope, cervical arc cord distance, cervical tilt (CERT), cranial tilt (CRAT), and C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured. The cross-sectional areas of the deep extensors (DEA), superficial extensors (SEA), and cervical vertebral body (VBA) of C4-C7 were measured. DEA/VBA and SEA/VBA were used to quantify the extensor volume. We analyzed the fatty infiltration ratio of the deep (DFIR) and superficial extensors (SFIR). The Visual Analog Scale, Neck Disability Index, and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale scores of the CSM group were calculated. The DEA/VBA was significantly lower and the DFIR and SFIR were significantly higher in the CSM group. The C4 DEA/VBA correlated with the C2-C7 SVA, C2-C7 CA, CERT, and the Neck Disability Index and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale scores (r=-0.608, 0.291, 0.335,-0.649, and 0.409, respectively). The DEA/VBA of C5 correlated with the cervical arc cord distance and CRAT (r=-0.350 and -0.356, respectively). The C4 DFIR correlated with the C2-C7 SVA, C2-C7 CA, and the Visual Analog Scale (r=0.286, -0.297, and 0.429, respectively). The SFIR of C7 correlated with the T1 slope and C7 slope (r=0.368 and 0.319, respectively). Paravertebral extensor degeneration negatively impacts the sagittal sequence and functional status of the cervical spine in CSM patients. Our study provides an insight into understanding the significance of cervical muscular degeneration in CSM patients. Level III.

Textures, trace elements and Pb isotopes of pyrite from the Donggushan tungsten polymetallic deposit, eastern China: Deciphering the source of a skarn tungsten polymetallic deposit

The Donggushan tungsten polymetallic deposit is located near the northern margin of one of the most important ore deposit belts in China; the Middle - Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt (MLYB). The source and genesis of mineralization in the Donggushan deposit is poorly understood and is investigated using pyrite textures and geochemistry. Two types of pyrite and two subtypes were recognized, based on the location within the ore body, mineral assemblages, textures and geochemistry. Pyrite 1a occurs in the cores of pyrite crystals in the tungsten orebody, at depth within the deposit, near the intrusive rocks. It is characterized by high Ni and low contents of other trace elements and is overgrown by Py1b which has low Ni and higher trace elements. Pyrite 2a is characterized by moderate As and higher trace elements than those in Pyrite 1. It occurs in the cores of pyrite crystals in the shallow zinc-lead orebody. This pyrite is overgrown by Pyrite 2b characterized by higher trace elements. The trace elements, textures and inclusions in these pyrites suggest a progressive decrease in temperature, with Pyrite 1a forming at 350 °C through to Pyrite 2b forming at < 250 °C. The Pb isotopic compositions in the pyrites indicate that Pb in the deep tungsten ore body was derived from Yangtze upper crust (Dongling basement) but that Pb in the shallower ore body was sourced from the Dabie Orogen lower crust. The data supports a model whereby intra-continental subduction was the main geodynamic process controlling the mineralization of the Donggushan deposit.

A new borehole electromagnetic receiver developed for controlled-source electromagnetic methods

Abstract. Conventional surface electromagnetic methods have limitations of a shallow detection depth and low resolution. To increase the detection depth and resolution, borehole–surface electromagnetic methods for electromagnetic three-dimensional observations of the ground, tunnels, and boreholes have been developed. Current borehole receivers only measure a single parameter of the magnetic field component, which does not meet the special requirements of controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) methods. This study proposes a borehole electromagnetic receiver that realizes synchronous acquisition of the vertical electric field component in the borehole and the three-axis orthogonal magnetic field components. This receiver uses Ti electrodes and fluxgate magnetometers (fluxgates) as sensors to acquire electric and magnetic field components. Multi-component comprehensive observation methods that add the electric field component can effectively support the CSEM method, improve detection accuracy, and exhibit a strong potential for detecting deep ore bodies. We conducted laboratory and field experiments to verify the performance of our new borehole electromagnetic receiver. The receiver achieved a magnetic field noise of less than 6 pTHz-1/2 at 1 kHz, and the electric field noise floor was approximately 20 nVm-1Hz-1/2 at 1 kHz. The −3 dB electric field bandwidth can reach DC −10 kHz. The results of our experiments prove that high-quality CSEM signals can be obtained using this new borehole electromagnetic receiver and that the electric field component exhibits sufficient advantages for measuring the vertical component of the electric field.

Image-based body mass prediction of heifers using deep neural networks

Manual weighing of heifers is time-consuming, labour-intensive, expensive, and can be dangerous and risky for both humans and animals because it requires the animal to be stationary. To overcome this problem, automated approaches have been developed using computer vision techniques. In this research, the aim was to design a novel mass prediction model using deep learning algorithms for youngstock on dairy farms. The Mask-RCNN segmentation algorithm was used to segment the images of heifers and remove the background. A convolutional neural networks (CNN) model was developed on the Keras platform to predict the body mass of heifers. For the case study, a new dataset based on images of 63 heifers was built. Animals were between the age of 0 and 365 days and lived on the same farm in the Netherlands. The range of body mass of the heifers was between 37 kg and 370 kg. The side-view model had a coefficient of determination (R 2 ) of 0.91 and a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 27 kg, the top-view model had an R 2 of 0.96 and an RMSE of 20 kg. The experimental results demonstrated that our proposed mass prediction model using the Mask-RCNN segmentation algorithm, together with a novel CNN-based model, provided remarkable results, and that the top view was more suitable than the side view for predicting the body mass of youngstock in dairy farms. • Novel deep learning-based body mass prediction model for heifers developed. • Model utilised the mask-RCNN and CNN algorithms. • Comparative analysis was performed based on top and side views. • Our novel model using the top view of animals had an R 2 of 0.96

Geochemical characteristics of chlorite in the Luohe iron deposit in the middle-lower Yangtze metallogenic Belt, Eastern China

Chlorite is an alteration mineral commonly found in magmatic-hydrothermal deposits. In recent years, trace elements in chlorite have become an effective way to estimate the location of the mineralization centre (intrusive rocks) in many porphyry deposits, however, the usefulness of this approach has not yet been evaluated for iron oxide apatite (IOA) deposits. The Luohe iron deposit, located in the northwestern part of the Luzong (Lujiang-Zongyang) Basin of the Middle-Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt (MLYB), is the largest iron deposit in the MLYB. It is composed of a shallow (380–850 m) and a deep (1350–1800 m) ore body. However, no core intrusive rock has been found in the exploration area, which restricts field exploration and theoretical research of its metallogenic model. Based on the geological characteristics of the Luohe iron deposit, samples were collected from different locations along a 545 m long exploration tunnel and from four drillholes at depths ranging between 870 and 1850 m. The samples were analysed using in-situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to identify the trace element characteristics of chlorite. The results showed significant negative correlations of Fe vs Na, Fe vs Si, and Fe vs K, and a positive correlation of Fe vs Mg in chlorite. The ratios Ti/Pb, Mg/Sr, Ni/V, and Ti/Sr gradually increased from east to west, with the values highest in chlorite of drillhole zk2-1, and decreased northward and southward. The results confirm that the spatial distribution pattern of trace elements in chlorite in IOA deposits is similar to that in porphyry deposits. Therefore, a methodology similar to that for porphyry deposits was herein adopted for estimating the position of the mineralization centre in the Luohe iron deposit. According to the Ti/Sr ratios in Luohe chlorite, we estimate that the concealed mineralisation centre is located southwest of the lower ore body at a depth of approximately 2300–2500 m.

Perceived Thermal Response of Stone Quarry Workers in Hot Environment

Introduction: Impact of heat on health of workers goes unrecognized by the virtue of the indispensable fact that every individual has varied perception and tolerance capacity. The present study determine the physiological signs with perceived subjective responses under the thermal stress.Materials and Methods: The study was spread on open field stone quarry workers (N = 934) during the summer (May to June), post monsoon (September to October), and winter (December to January).Results: In the summer months, dry bulb temperature range from 36.1 to 43.2°C and the distribution of Wet Bulb Globe temperature (WBGT) outdoor values were outlier-prone than normal distribution indicated heat vulnerability. The environmental effect on weighted average skin temperature (Tsk) local segmental Tsk and deep body temperature (Tcr) were greater than the effects that might be attributed to work severity. The tolerance time level in summer months (65 ± 13 min at WBGT 35 ± 2.3°C) was less than in other two season. About 85% of workers in summer, 68% in post monsoon and 79% in winter recorded working heart rate greater than 90 beats/min. Physiological and subjective responses to heat stress indicated that during summer month the workers complained of excessive sweating (93.5%), feeling of thirst/dry mouth (88.7%), elevated Core temperature (Tcr) (58.7%) and decreased working capacity (75.6%). The observation found that around 14% workers were vulnerable to heat stress and the workers had no knowledge to mitigate the heat related illnesses.Discussion and Conclusions: The stone quarry work as compared to other outdoor workers have environmental adversaries which becomes confounding variables in the study of such occupations. There was significant difference (p &amp;lt; 0.001) as far as the physiological and thermoregulatory responses were concerned in three different months of investigation.

Inclusion in neuroscience through high impact courses

Recognizing that STEM disciplines, including neuroscience, have a long way to go to attract and retain diverse talent, educators can take action by being more intentional about their departmental curricula, course design, and pedagogical strategies. A deep body of research suggests that one way we can promote inclusion is through the use of high impact practices (HIPs). These active learning teaching practices promote deep learning and student engagement and have been shown to have a positive differential impact on historically underserved student populations. Here we describe the characteristics of two different types of HIP courses, makerspace classes, and course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). In addition, we provide ideas for how these courses can be structured to help all students engage and learn. With experience overseeing a large campus-wide program introducing these course types to the curriculum, we also provide insights about faculty experiences and assessment. We propose that including these types of courses in a curriculum can engage a more diverse group of students to choose neuroscience as a major and as a career.

Urbanisation and eutrophication as drivers of morphological and physiological divergence among riverine fish populations

Abstract Freshwater ecosystems are highly impacted by human activities, but the effects of human‐induced perturbations on fish phenotypic divergence remain poorly understood, especially in riverine systems. In this study, we tested the effects of urbanisation and eutrophication on several morphological and physiological traits in 17 gudgeon populations of Gobio occitaniae from South of France. We first demonstrated that eutrophication gradient was associated with changes in morphology and energy reserves, while urbanisation was associated with changes in body condition. More specifically, fish from highly eutrophic sites had deeper bodies and larger jaws, and a higher lipid content in their muscles. Urban fish had a higher body condition compared to their rural counterparts. The phenotypic divergence (Pst) among sites was significantly higher than the neutral genetic differentiation (Fst), suggesting that these morphological and physiological differences cannot be explained by neutral genetic drift alone. This study thus suggests that eutrophication and urbanisation are major drivers of phenotypic divergence in riverine fish populations, and calls for further experimental studies investigating the ecological and evolutionary effects of human activities on riverine fish populations.

Development of Noncontact Body Temperature Monitoring and Prediction System for Livestock Cattle

Annually, numerous cattle die of various diseases, necessitating the need for effective cattle health management. To ensure cattle disease detection at an early stage and identify the health status of cattle, we collected the environment temperature, humidity, illuminance, and infrared images of cattle in an actual-life environment as input parameters to develop an artificial intelligence characterization module for measuring deep body temperature in a contactless manner. By analyzing the correlation of estimating deep body temperature at the horn, eyeball, and nose of cattle, the most effective way of estimating this temperature was found to be at the horn. The estimation accuracy was particularly high in the sitting state. Moreover, we proposed a noncontact measurement system that can approximately measure the moving distance of cattle and depict the cattle movement trajectory. The usability and reliability of the proposed systems were verified via an experiment using special feed. We used moving distance data as an additional input for the body temperature estimation system and found that rumen temperature can be accurately estimated. The body temperature estimated using the proposed system can be used to realize long-term remote monitoring of cattle health and early and timely abnormality detection.