Generic Composition Research Articles

Resilience of marine invertebrate communities during the early Cenozoic hyperthermals

The hyperthermal events of the Cenozoic, including the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, provide an opportunity to investigate the potential effects of climate warming on marine ecosystems. Here, we examine the shallow benthic marine communities preserved in the late Cretaceous to Eocene strata on the Gulf Coastal Plain (United States). In stark contrast to the ecological shifts following the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, our data show that the early Cenozoic hyperthermals did not have a long-term impact on the generic diversity nor composition of the Gulf Coastal Plain molluscan communities. We propose that these communities were resilient to climate change because molluscs are better adapted to high temperatures than other taxa, as demonstrated by their physiology and evolutionary history. In terms of resilience, these communities differ from other shallow-water carbonate ecosystems, such as reef communities, which record significant changes during the early Cenozoic hyperthermals. These data highlight the strikingly different responses of community types, i.e., the almost imperceptible response of molluscs versus the marked turnover of foraminifera and reef faunas. The impact on molluscan communities may have been low because detrimental conditions did not devastate the entire Gulf Coastal Plain, allowing molluscs to rapidly recolonise vacated areas once harsh environmental conditions ameliorated.

Darriwilian (Middle Ordovician) conodonts and graptolites from the Cerro La Chilca Section, Central Precordillera, Argentina

The Ordovician System is extensively represented in the Precordillera of San Juan Province, Argentina. At the Cerro La Chilca in the Jáchal area, the limestone of the San Juan Formation is paraconformably overlain by interbedded limestone and shale of the Gualcamayo Formation. The present contribution reports new data on the conodont fauna and biostratigraphy of these darriwilian units, revising local and regional chronostratigraphic relationships. New information on the composition of conodont and graptolite associations through the stratigraphic sequence is presented. The presence of Paroistodus horridus horridus, Yangtzeplacognathus crassus, and Histiodella sinuosa constrain the uppermost strata of the San Juan Formation to the lower part of the Y. crassus Zone, according to the Baltoscandian scheme, and to the H. sinuosa Subzone of the Periodon macrodentatus Zone of the North American scheme. In the overlying Gualcamayo Formation the co-occurrence of Y. crassus with Histiodella holodentata enable the recognition of the Y. crassus Zone and the H. holodentata Subzone of the P. macrodentatus Zone. The identification of these zones allows for precise global and regional correlation. A graptolite assemblage that belongs to the epipelagic and deep-water biotopes with some components restricted to low paleolatitudes is recognized. This diverse assemblage is characteristic of the pelagic biofacies. The important diversity of graptolites in this section suggests a favorable environment for their development. Local changes in the taxonomic composition are recognized through the Gualcamayo Formation. When comparing this fauna with that of different study localities from the Central Precordillera (Cerro Potrerillo, Oculta Creek, Cerro Viejo de Huaco and Las Aguaditas Creek) slight differences in the generic composition are observed. Taxonomic differences support the preference of certain associations for particular environments; though, graptolites are more diverse in black shales facies, which represent deeper environments (the Los Azules Formation), in relation to the calcareous-shale facies of the Gualcamayo Formation from Cerro La Chilca and correlative unit at Las Aguaditas Creek.

CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROALGAE -BASED FEED SUPPLEMENTAND THEIR POSSIBLE INFLUENCE ON CATTLE RUMEN MICROBIAL ECOSYSTEM

Rumen is a complex ecosystem where feed consumed by animals is digested by the help of rumen protozoa. They plays an important role in contributing nutrients to the host animal. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of unicellular microalgae Chlorella vulgaris spp. on total count and generic composition of protozoa in cows rumen. In this study, dietary treatments were tested during three 21-d experimental periods. Each of period content different amount of microalgae supplement. In the first experimental period in cows feed was added 30g (3,14g/kg of DM) of Chlorella, in second period-90g (9,6g/kg of DM) of Chlorella and in third period-170g (18,7 g/kg of DM). As a result of this study, ciliates of 10 genera were detected and identified. The number of this genera and total amount of ciliates were counted. The analysis of rumen protozoa population in tested cows shows visible effect of the presence of microalgae in cows dietary. In particular, the density of ciliates protozoa of the cows treated with 90 and 170 g of algal supplement was visibly higher compare to results from the control diet. Microalgae-based supplement diet had stimulative effect on ruminal protozoa population and caused increasing of many protozoa genera such as Isotricha, Dasytricha, Charonina, Buetschlia, Ostracodinium, Ophryoscolex.

Libro Healthy Towns' - A food business protocol for nutrition and allergen declaration

Abstract‘Libro Healthy Towns’ is a joint public health initiative developed under the Healthy Ireland Charter. The initiative ultimately aims to improve the food environment and support informed food choices through technology. Food businesses are required by EU regulation 1169/2011 on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers, to provide allergen information on foods served. Calorie labelling, while not required, has been established as a strong public desire. This study aims to establish a protocol for implementation of allergen and nutrition declaration in food outlets. A catchment area was used to identify food businesses that were categorised by service sector and organisational type. Two businesses from each service sector were contacted to establish their willingness to participate in the study. A template was developed to collect the food information necessary for nutrition and allergen declaration including: menu items, component recipes and sub-recipes, recipe ingredients and quantities, cooking methods, servings per recipe and recipe weight following cooking. Facilitated weighing was used to establish ingredient weights. Ingredient specific food information: food name, brand, ingredient list, supplier and food form, were observed from packaging. Foods suitable for analysis using generic composition data were identified. Feedback from food businesses was recorded during recruitment and observationally, during onboarding. Of the 54 food outlets included within the catchment area: 57% were classified as ‘restaurant/takeaway’, 28% ‘restaurant/cafe’, 7% ‘pub/restaurant’, 7% ‘takeaway’ and 4% ‘hotel’. 57% of businesses were ‘multisite’, 43% ‘independent’. Of the 10 businesses contacted, 2 businesses volunteered to take part. (Site A & B; a restaurant/cafe and restaurant/takeaway, respectively). In total, 72 ingredients were used for recipe analysis in site A, most (n = 41) were branded. In total, 75 ingredients were used for recipe analysis in site B, most (n = 73) were generic. Reasons for not participating included: fear that declaring nutrition information would negatively impact sales 12.5%, concern regarding digital security of proprietary recipes 12.5%, limited technological skills 12.5%, no reason 25% and unavailability of a decision maker 37.5%. Furthermore, difficulty measuring ingredients, reluctance to waste food and lack of knowledge of brands purchased were identified as barriers to recipe information collection. This study establishes parameters for implementing nutrition and allergen declaration in food outlets. It highlights challenges to providing and collecting food information. Ensuring that provisions are made to address these will be vital to the success of the ‘Libro Healthy Towns’ public health initiative.

Carboniferous bryozoans from the Kalmard area, central Iran

Four bryozoan species are described from the Siliciclastic Imagh Formation of the Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) succession at the Imagh section, Posht-e-Badam Block, Kalmard area in central Iran. Three species are new: two trepostomes Dyscritella multiporata sp. nov., Dyscritella kalmardensis sp. nov., and a rhabdomesine cryptostome Rhombopora aryani sp. nov. The species Nikiforovella ambigua Xia and Liu (Rhabdomesina, Cryptostomata) was previously recorded from the Pennsylvanian of China. The generic composition is cosmopolitan for the Carboniferous. The studied bryozoan assemblage indicates middle-to-deep shelf environment.

Phylogenetic Systematics and Evolution of the Spider Infraorder Mygalomorphae Using Genomic Scale Data.

The infraorder Mygalomorphae is one of the three main lineages of spiders comprising over 3000 nominal species. This ancient group has a worldwide distribution that includes among its ranks large and charismatic taxa such as tarantulas, trapdoor spiders, and highly venomous funnel-web spiders. Based on past molecular studies using Sanger-sequencing approaches, numerous mygalomorph families (e.g., Hexathelidae, Ctenizidae, Cyrtaucheniidae, Dipluridae, and Nemesiidae) have been identified as non-monophyletic. However, these data were unable to sufficiently resolve the higher-level (intra- and interfamilial) relationships such that the necessary changes in classification could be made with confidence. Here, we present a comprehensive phylogenomic treatment of the spider infraorder Mygalomorphae. We employ 472 loci obtained through anchored hybrid enrichment to reconstruct relationships among all the mygalomorph spider families and estimate the timeframe of their diversification. We sampled nearly all currently recognized families, which has allowed us to assess their status, and as a result, propose a new classification scheme. Our generic-level sampling has also provided an evolutionary framework for revisiting questions regarding silk use in mygalomorph spiders. The first such analysis for the group within a strict phylogenetic framework shows that a sheet web is likely the plesiomorphic condition for mygalomorphs, as well as providing insights to the ancestral foraging behavior for all spiders. Our divergence time estimates, concomitant with detailed biogeographic analysis, suggest that both ancient continental-level vicariance and more recent dispersal events have played an important role in shaping modern day distributional patterns. Based on our results, we relimit the generic composition of the Ctenizidae, Cyrtaucheniidae, Dipluridae, and Nemesiidae. We also elevate five subfamilies to family rank: Anamidae (NEW RANK), Euagridae (NEW RANK), Ischnothelidae (NEW RANK), Pycnothelidae (NEW RANK), and Bemmeridae (NEW RANK). Three families Entypesidae (NEW FAMILY), Microhexuridae (NEW FAMILY), and Stasimopidae (NEW FAMILY), and one subfamily Australothelinae (NEW SUBFAMILY) are newly proposed. Such a major rearrangement in classification, recognizing nine newly established family-level rank taxa, is the largest the group has seen in over three decades. [Biogeography; molecular clocks; phylogenomics; spider web foraging; taxonomy.].

Probing Peptide Sequences on Their Ability to Generate Affinity Sites in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers.

An array of 4000 defined and addressable tripeptides on a polymer-coated glass slide is used to synthesize molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanoparticles. This work is undertaken to systematically probe the impact of the peptide sequence on the ability to generate affinity MIPs. The polymer affinity is assessed by measuring the fluorescence of bound MIP nanoparticles at each peptide spot on the surface after washing the array to remove any low-affinity polymer. The generic composition commonly used in the preparation of MIPs against proteins seems to be equally suitable for imprinting hydrophobic and hydrophilic tripeptides. The amino acids frequently contributing to the formation of high-affinity MIPs include T, F, D, N, Y, W, and P. The amino acids that rarely contribute to the formation of high-affinity interactions with MIPs are G, V, A, L, I, and M. These observations are confirmed by computational modeling. The basic technique proposed here may be applicable in optimizing polymer compositions for the production of high-affinity MIPs or, more specifically, for the selection of appropriate amino acid sequences when peptide epitopes are used instead of whole protein imprinting.

Influence of invasion by Sosnowsky’s hogweed on nematode communities and microbial activity in forest and grassland ecosystems

This study determined the effect of the invasive plant Heracleum sosnowskyi on selected soil microbial properties and the taxonomic and trophic composition of soil nematode communities in the Serpukhov district of Moscow region, Russia. We compared invaded by H. sosnowskyi (at least twenty years) and uninvaded plots in two ecosystems, forest and grassland. Soil was sampled and analysed in the autumn and spring. The forest and grassland ecosystems had substantially different soil microbial and nematode communities, but both were considerably altered by invasion. The soil microbial properties differed among the investigated plots and season, but the differences were observed to be non-significant between the invaded and the uninvaded plots. By contrast, invasion significantly negatively affected total nematode abundance and altered nematode numbers and the generic composition of two trophic groups, herbivores and omnivores, in both seasons, but significantly only in the spring. The numbers of bacterivorous, fungivorous, and predaceous nematodes were not affected by H. sosnowskyi invasion. The channel index indicated that bacteria strongly contributed to decomposition in all plots (grassland and forest), regardless of invasion status. Enrichment and structure indices suggested that resource availability and ecosystem disturbance were higher in the invaded than the uninvaded plots, but significantly only in the spring. Our results thus indicated that invasion by H. sosnowskyi influenced several nematode communities parameters while others remained unaffected, regardless of habitat were invasion take place.

Tuning the microstructural, optical and superexchange interactions with rare earth Eu doping in nickel ferrite nanoparticles

A methodical study on structural, magnetic and optical properties of Eu doped NiFe2O4 nanoparticles with generic composition NiEuxFe2-xO4 (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06), synthesized via co-precipitation technique has been reported in this article. The fabrication of single phase ferrite nanoparticles was verified using X-ray powder diffractograms. The analysis of W–H plots revealed the presence tensile strain in the samples along with an average crystallite size of 20 ± 4 nm. The existence lowering of cubic symmetry at octahedral sublattices was detected by vibrational Raman spectra recorded at 300 K. The values of indirect optical band gap were noted in the range of 1.76 ± 0.02 eV. The hysteresis loops at room temperature supported the paramagnetic character of Eu3+ ions in spinel structure. The evidence of reduced A-O-B superexchange interaction along with reduction of saturation magnetization was also found for higher Eu content nanoparticles at 300 K. The coercivity was observed to increase at 5 K. The blocking temperature and thermo-magnetic irreversibility was reduced with increasing Eu concentration.

Variation of nematode indices under contrasting pest management practices in a tomato growing agro-ecosystem

This study examined the variation of generic composition and nematode indices to evaluate the soil health status under differently treated tomato growing experimental plots. The study was conducted from 2016 to 2018 in summer and winter seasons on a traditionally tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) growing farm in the Northern part of the Kathmandu valley, Nepal. Soil samples were taken from four types of replicating plots (each 5 × 5 m sq.) each using a different pest control method consisting of: cattle manure (MP), chemical pesticides (PP), botanical pesticides (BP), and a control plot (CP). The nematode communities were extracted, colonizer-persister (c-p) values assigned and ecological indices such as maturity index (MI), enrichment indexes (EI), structural index (SI) and channel index (CI) were calculated. The low abundance of all indices in pesticide applied plots during both seasons (winter and summer) was recorded. This result indicated pesticide application can be linked to the sensitivity of nematode genera. Nematode indices such as maturity index (MI), enrichment index (EI) and structural index (SI) were significantly affected with lower mean value especially in chemical pesticides applied plots during both the summer and winter seasons. The decomposition channel index (CI) did not exhibit significant variation in our analysis of treatment plots in either season. There was a positive response towards moisture content, soil temperature and nitrogen–carbon ratios for these indices. Nematode genera and indices showed significant variation for pest management practices in tomato grown plots.

Spatial variability in benthic assemblage composition in shallow and upper mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Philippines

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) have received increasing attention in recent years in recognition of their unique biodiversity and also their potential importance as refuges from disturbance events. However, knowledge of the composition of MCEs and how they vary in space is lacking in many regions, particularly the Coral Triangle biodiversity hotspot. Here, we compared the benthic components and coral genera composition between shallow-water reefs (SWRs, 8–13 m depth) and upper MCEs (30–40 m) in four locations in the Philippines that are exposed to differing environmental conditions. Coral cover, abundance, and generic diversity were lower in MCEs than SWRs at three of the four locations. Benthic composition and coral generic composition also varied significantly among locations for both shallow and deep sites. Differences in benthic composition among sites was due primarily to variation in hard corals, macroalgae, sand and silt, while variation in coral assemblage was due to differences in abundance of encrusting Porites, branching Acropora, branching Seriatopora. Our results showed that the composition of MCE communities varied significantly from adjacent shallow reefs, but also among MCEs in differing geographic locations. Furthermore, our results suggest disturbances affecting shallow-water reefs, particularly sedimentation, also negatively impact MCEs, and that depth therefore provides no potential refuge from these disturbances. We recommend that conservation of MCEs consider spatial variability in community composition among sites, and urge further research to better understand the spatial variation in the composition of MCE communities in the Philippines.

Traffic Simulation-Based Approach for A Cradle-to-Grave Greenhouse Gases Emission Model

This paper presents a model to evaluate the life cycle greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq), of a generic fleet composition as a function of the traffic simulation results. First we evaluated the complete life cycle of each category of the vehicles currently circulating; next, by defining a general linear equation, the traffic environmental performances of a real road network (city of Rome) were evaluated using a traffic simulation approach. Finally, the proposed methodology was applied to evaluate the GHG emission of a 100% penetration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and various electric and conventional vehicles composition scenarios. In terms of life cycle impacts, BEVs are the vehicles with the highest GHG emissions at the vehicle level (construction + maintenance + end-of-life processes) that are, on average, 20% higher than internal combustion engine vehicles, and 6.5% higher than hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Nevertheless, a 100% BEVs penetration scenario generates a reduction of the environmental impact at the mobility system level of about 65%.

Trilobite assemblage of Calceola-bearing beds in Acanthopyge Limestone (Choteč formation, Middle Devonian, Eifelian, Prague Basin, the Czech Republic)

Abstract The trilobite assemblage of Calceola-bearing beds in the upper part of Acanthopyge Limestone (Choteč Formation, Eifelian) in the Koněprusy area, the Czech Republic, is described. Together with occurrence of Calceola, it indicates absence of significant palaeogeographic barriers restricting the distribution of the Rhenish-Type faunas in the Middle Devonian. The generic composition of the gathered trilobite assemblage somewhat differs from typical Acanthopyge-Phaetonellus assemblage characteristic for the Acanthopyge Limestone facies in possible absence and/or very rare occurrence of Phaetonellus, and only infrequent occurrence of Acanthopyge. Phacopid Chotecops cf. hoseri (Hawle et Corda, 1847) distinctly dominates; all other taxa are rather rare. Important is an occurrence of scutelluids of the Scutellum sensu lato group (preservation of remains does not enable more precise determination) and Longiproetus(?). Trilobite remnants are generally poorly preserved and very fragmented (only minute shields are not affected), which support a high-dynamic, shallow-water original environment.

Anderemaeus (Acari, Oribatida)-overview, three new species from South America and reassessment of Anderemaeidae supported by ontogeny.

Anderemaeus is a genus of Gondwanan soil-dwelling oribatid mites with seven of the eight previously known species being South American. We propose two new species from Chile- A. sidorchukae sp. nov. and A. dentatus sp. nov.-and a third from Ecuador, A. mataderoensis sp. nov. Juveniles of the former two species are described, comprising the first such data for Anderemaeidae: nymphs notably lack both exuvial scalps and centrodorsal gastronotic setae, and the opisthonotal gland opens on a distinct stalk. The generic description is revised and expanded and a key to known species of Anderemaeus is presented, including A. tridactylus comb. nov. We reject the inclusion of Anderemaeus in a broad concept of Caleremaeidae and the implied subsumption of Anderemaeidae, as there are no synapomorphies linking the taxa. Anderemaeus species possess derived traits-e.g. adult with circumpedal carina and nymphs with smooth cuticle and no scalp retention-that are absent from Caleremaeus but are shared with more derived brachypyline taxa. The higher classification of Anderemaeus is reviewed: an analysis of known traits is inconclusive regarding both the generic composition of Anderemaeidae and its superfamilial relationships. However, on the strength of juvenile morphology, we propose the transfer of Anderemaeidae to Gustavioidea.

Broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) can Influence the Microbial Cenosis in Sunflower Rhizosphere

Abstract The bacterial and micromycete complexes in the rhizosphere of sunflower plants non-infected and infected with broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) have been compared. The investigations were carried out in the conditions of a stationary infectious field which was annually enriched with infected plant residues and broomrape seeds collected in different regions of Ukraine. Soil is leached, low-humic chernozem with acidic pH. The soil samples selected at the end of vegetation from the rhizosphere of healthy and infected with broomrape plants of sunflower breeding samples. The total number of bacteria found in the rhizosphere of sunflower plants infected by the parasite did not differ significantly from the control and was 11.7 and 12.1 million CFU / g of soil, respectively. The numbers of ammonifiers as well as bacterial microflora, using for its life mineral nitrogen, and pedotrophs and oligotrophs in the compared soil samples did not differ significantly, and generally corresponded to this type of soil. Although in general, both tested samples of soil were characterized by a low content of bacteria of the genus Azotobacter, the number of representatives of this genus in the rhizosphere of parasite-infected plants was somewhat less than in control (35 % and 21 %, respectively). However, unlike most bacteria, the number of micromycetes detected on Czapek-Dox and starch-ammonia agar media, in the rhizosphere of plants infected by broomrape almost twice exceeded the number of these microorganisms in the rhizosphere of healthy plants. Analysis of the generic and species composition of microscopic fungi showed that in the rhizosphere of sunflower plants infected by the parasite a very specific mycocenosis was formed that differ from a mycocenosis of healthy plants. This mycocenosis was characterized by a much smaller number of genera and species of micromycetes. At the same time for the structure of the fungal cenosis of diseased plants there was a characteristic increase in the proportion of toxin-forming fungi of the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera with active conidiogenesis. The obtained data testify not only to the differences in the microbial complexes in the rhizosphere of sunflower plants non-infected and infected by broomrape, but also indicate the direction of action of this parasite.

Revision of Mesothymbris Evans, 1956, from the Late Triassic of Mount Crosby, Queensland (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Hylicelloidea: Hylicellidae).

New specimens and a re-examination of their holotypes have clarified the status of five species of the extinct cicadomorphan family Hylicellidae from the Late Triassic (Norian) Mount Crosby Formation of south-eastern Queensland. All were found to be conspecific, resulting in the following synonymies: Mesothymbris Evans, 1956 (= Triassoscytina Evans, 1956, syn. nov. = (in part) Triassoscytinopsis Evans, 1956, syn. nov.), Mesothymbris perkinsi Evans, 1956 (= Mesothymbris woodwardi Evans, 1956, syn. nov. = Triassoscytina incompleta Evans, 1956, syn. nov. = Triassoscytinopsis stenulata Evans, 1956, syn. nov. = Triassoscytinopsis aberrans Evans, 1956, syn. nov.). The Hylicellidae is still poorly defined as is its generic composition. Mesothymbris, however, is clearly distinct from the other Mount Crosby hylicellids, Hylicella Evans, 1956, and Triassocotis, Evans, 1956, in the quite distal primary fork of R, the angled RA at the point of separation of RA1 with RA2 directed towards the apex of the tegmen, the upright RA1, the shape of the intra-medial cell, and CuA just distal to the basal cell strongly curved and very closely approximating the claval suture. The new synonymies further clarify the composition of the cicadomorphan fauna of the Mount Crosby Formation, which as a result of this and other recent revisions, now comprises 16 nominal species in the Dysmorphoptilidae, Hylicellidae and Mesojabloniidae, as well as three species incertae sedis. In the presence of Dysmorphoptilidae and Hylicellidae, the Mount Crosby cicadomorphan fauna is similar to that of the younger Late Triassic Blackstone Formation at nearby Denmark Hill and Dinmore. It differs significantly, however, in the absence, after 90 years of collecting of 100s of specimens, of any representatives of the Dunstaniidae, Mesogereonidae, or Tettigarctidae, families so characteristic of the Denmark Hill/Dinmore fauna. Whether this difference is biogeographical, ecological, or simply as a result of differential preservation is unknown.

Analysis of the insemination of the mesophilic and psychrotrophic microflora of frozen fish

Analysis of the insemination of the mesophilic and psychrotrophic microflora of frozen fish

A general and explicit Eshelby-type estimator for evaluating the equivalent stiffness of multiply coated ellipsoidal heterogeneities

The paper presents an efficient estimator for the equivalent stiffness calculation of multiphase ellipsoidal heterogeneities. This estimator is derived from the exact effective stiffness of a generic monofiller composite associated with Eshelby's equivalence principle. It is originally developed for a two-phase ellipsoidal configuration and is subsequently generalized to multiphase heterogeneities via a layer-wise sweeping procedure. The developed estimator has an explicit form, which makes it amenable to computer programming. The performance of the proposed estimator is evaluated by analyzing several numerical examples of spherical compounds and two spheroidal ones spanning a wide range of elasticity contrasts, which are also examined by two other applicable Eshelby-type estimators. To assess the validity of our estimator in two-level homogenization problems, several examples of composite systems reinforced with core-shell inclusions are analyzed using a two-level homogenization scheme in which use is made of the estimator of this study. It is concluded that the presented estimator can be applied to a wide range of multiphase ellipsoidal heterogeneities or limit cases thereof, as well as heterogeneities with radially graded interphases.

Shape-based Three-dimensional Body Composition Extrapolation Using Multimodality Registration.

The ubiquity of commodity-level optical scan devices and reconstruction technologies has enabled the general public to monitor their body shape related health status anywhere, anytime, without assistance from professionals. Commercial optical body scan systems extract anthropometries from the virtual body shapes, from which body compositions are estimated. However, in most cases, these estimations are limited to the quantity of fat in the whole body instead of a fine-granularity voxel-level fat distribution estimation. To bridge the gap between the 3D body shape and fine-granularity voxel-level fat distribution, we present an innovative shape-based voxel-level body composition extrapolation method using multimodality registration. First, we optimize shape compliance between a generic body composition template and the 3D body shape. Then, we optimize data compliance between the shape-optimized body composition template and a body composition reference from the DXA pixel-level body composition assessment. We evaluate the performance of our method with different subjects. On average, the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of our body composition extrapolation is 1.19%, and the R-squared value between our estimation and the ground truth is 0.985. The experimental result shows that our algorithm can robustly estimate voxel-level body composition for 3D body shapes with a high degree of accuracy.

The lichen family Teloschistaceae in the Altai-Sayan region (Central Asia)

Within the Altai-Sayan region, we identified 103 species of Teloschistaceae from 1193 field records supported by herbarium vouchers. The recorded species belong to the subfamilies Xanthorioideae (46 species in 14 genera) and Caloplacoideae (57 species in 17 genera); Teloschistoideae is absent. We divided the 194 surveyed localities into four categories: arid alpine, arid non-alpine, humid alpine, humid non-alpine. Each category has a specific lichen composition and a typical combination of traits. Humid non-alpine localities are mostly inhabited by broadly distributed boreal-montane species; humid alpine sites by arctic-alpine lichens; arid non-alpine habitats are preferred by xerophilous Eurasian species and arid alpine sites by xerophilous Central Asian species with (presumably) large geographic ranges in dry continental Asia. Some arid alpine species have a thick crustose thallus with a very thick medulla and cortex; this morphological trait is confined to the Central Asian group of lichens and is absent from other climatic regions, such as arctic, boreal or oceanic Eurasia. We compared species diversity in the Altai-Sayan region with the Alps. Both regions differ in species and generic composition and the richness is higher in the latter. Taxonomy: Caloplaca fluviatilis is newly described. New combinations are Pachypeltis insularis, P. pachythallina, P. phoenicopta and Variospora sororicida. Two of Magnusson’s names are newly synonymized: Caloplaca infestans with Pachypeltis intrudens and Caloplaca kansuensis with C. bicolor. In addition to 22 known genera, we define, provisionally, 9 groups of species that may merit recognition as genera. Caloplaca epithallina is provisionally placed in Shackletonia, but we do not formally publish a new combination. Lichenicolous Pachypeltis phoenicopta and Variospora sororicida are less host-specific than originally thought. Floristics: Caloplaca pratensis is new to Eurasia, Caloplaca helygeoides (= C. diphyodes auct.), C. monacensis and C. soralifera are new to Asia. 12 species are new to Russia, 9 new to Siberia, 9 new to China, 2 new to Kazakhstan, and 2 new to Xinjiang. Outside the studied region Pachypeltis phoenicopta is new to Europe (Spain, Sierra Nevada) and we report the first reliable record of Pachypeltis insularis from Greece (Mt Olympus).