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This synoptic review aims to bring some general information on fossil scorpions, namely those trapped in amber - fossilized resin - ranging from Lower Cretaceous through the Palaeocene and up to the Miocene. The question to be addressed is how the study of these fossils can be connected with possible present scorpionism problems. A precise knowledge of these ancient lineages provides information about the evolution of extant lineages, including the buthoids, which contain most known noxious species. Among the Arthropods found trapped in amber, scorpions are considered rare. A limited number of elements have been described from the Late Tertiary Dominican and Mexican amber, while the most ancient Tertiary amber from the Baltic region produced more consistent results in the last 30 years, primarily focusing on a single limited lineage. Contrarily, the Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, also called Burmite, has yielded and continues to yield a significant number of results represented by several distinct lineages, which attest to the considerable degree of diversity that existed in the Burmese amber-producing forests. As in my previous similar contributions to this journal, the content of this note is primarily addressed to non-specialists whose research embraces scorpions in various fields such as venom toxins and public health. An overview knowledge of at least some fossil lineages can eventually help to clarify why some extant elements associated with the buthoids represent dangerous species while others are not noxious.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Scorpions/anatomy & histology , Fossils , Amber/analysisABSTRACT
Background: Bacteria present in the atmosphere often show predicable patterns across space and time. and these patterns and properties of the bacteria can be affected by presence of soot which is generated by artisanal refining and excessive burning of fossil fuel. These bacteria are being inhaled by humans on daily basis and this can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. Aim: This work was carried out to investigate the microbial load and antimicrobial susceptibility of an environment associated with artisanal refining activities. Methodology: The eight samples were taken randomly from four different locations in a high artisanal refining state Rivers State (Ojoto Roundabout, Nembe Waterside, Rumuokalagbor Village, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Rivers State University Microbiology laboratory and Mile 1 Park) all in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and compared to two locations from another state Kano state (No. 33 Lamido Crescent and God is Good Motors Park, Kano State) without artisanal refining activities all in Nigeria and tested for viable bacteria load. The six test and two control samples were collected on prepared dry nutrient agar exposed to free air for a period of five (5) minutes and were covered properly and transferred to the laboratory and incubated at 37OC for 24 hours. The isolates were morphologically and biochemically determined and identified. Results: The Total Heterotrophic count indicates that samples from Rumuokalagbor village have a high number of bacteria growth colonies with a colony forming unit of 1.43 x 106 while sample from Rivers State University Teaching Hospital had lesser colony forming unit of 7.5 x 105,. However, the Total Heterotrophic Bacteria Count from our control is seen to be very low with 3.2 x 105 and 2.8 x 105 respectively. Microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus species and Staphylococcus species. were identified from the various locations. Few isolates were gotten from the entire laboratory with a total of 22 isolates, 18 Bacillus species (77), 3 Staphylococcus species (18%) and 1 Staphylococcus aureus (5%). The antimicrobial sensitivity results revealed Ciprofloxacin (77%) having higher sensitivity followed by Levofloxacin (66.6%). Norfloxacin (0%), Rifampicin (0%) and Ampiclox (0%) were seen to be highly resistant to the bacteria isolated. Conclusion: This work was able to identify Bacillus species,Staphylococcus species and Staphylococcus aerues. as bacteria associated with artisanal refining at the different sampled sites. Strict implementation on stopping artisanal refining in our communities is recommended to reduce the public health risk posed by soot inhalation.
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ABSTRACT The currently-known extinct Neuropterida fauna of Brazil comprises 18 families, 55 genera and 99 species (Neuroptera: 15 families, 49 genera, 89 species; Raphidioptera: 1 family, 2 genera, 5 species, + 1 genus incertae sedis with 2 species; Megaloptera: 1 family, 2 genera, 2 species; Order incertae sedis: 1 family, 1 genus, 1 species). All of these species have been described since 1980 and they collectively constitute the overwhelming majority of extinct Neuropterida presently known from South America. Other than one species of Permithonidae (Neuropterida incertae sedis) described from the Late Permian Irati Formation (Paraná Basin) of Rio Grande do Sul state, all extinct Brazilian Neuropterida taxa are known only from the Early Cretaceous Crato Formation (Araripe Basin) in Ceará and Pernambuco states. Of the 35 authors who have contributed to the descriptive literature of this fauna over the past 42 years, the work of Brazilian paleontologists Rafael Gioia Martins-Neto [1954-2010] and Maria Aparecida Vulcano-d'Andretta [1921-2018] - who together contributed to the description of 67 species - is especially notable. However, since their deaths, extinct Neuropterida have received little attention from Brazilian scientists and most later work on this fauna has been undertaken by workers outside Brazil. We provide this updated synthesis of the extinct Neuropterida of Brazil in order to centralize baseline knowledge for this fauna, to support efforts to document and conserve Brazilian fossil sites, and to encourage future work on the fauna, particularly by the next generation of Brazilian paleoentomologists.
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RESUMEN La producción de efluentes contaminados con hidrocarburos en las estaciones de servicio es un inconveniente a controlar y dar un tratamiento adecuado. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar la biorremediación de dos residuos de estaciones de servicio de la ciudad de Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina por medio de biodegradación. Se realizó la caracterización de la fase oleosa obtenida de efluentes de dos estaciones de servicio y se realizó una biorremediación con microcosmos de los mismos. El seguimiento se realizó con análisis de GC/MS para hidrocarburos y perfiles de ácidos grasos microbianos, como también se realizó un seguimiento de las bacterias degradadoras de hidrocarburos. Los dos residuos mostraron diferente perfil cromatográfico; esto impactó sobre la degradación de los mismos que fue para el Residuo 1 de 79,68 % y para el Residuo 2 de 29,23 %. Este último poseía un perfil más rico en hidrocarburos policíclicos que son tóxicos para las bacterias. El impacto sobre la comunidad bacteriana debido a la composición de los residuos también se evidenció en la evolución del índice de Shannon determinado, y de los diferentes grupos microbianos estudiados a partir de los ácidos grasos obtenidos desde el suelo, encontrándose un predominio de bacterias Gram positivas responsables de llevar adelante el proceso de biorremediacón. Los principales resultados obtenidos demostraron que la fase líquida no acuosa obtenida a partir de los efluentes de estaciones de servicio es posible de ser biorremediada por la comunidad bacteriana presente en el suelo de estudio.
ABSTRACT Gasoline station leached is an inconvenient to control and give a treatment of this waste. The aim of this work was to study the bioremediation of waste from gasoline stations in the city of Río Gallegos. The characterization of the oil phase was carried out and bioremediation was performed with microcosm thereof, the follow-up was performed with the GC-MS for hydrocarbons and fatty acid profiles, and the hydrocarbon degrading bacteria were also monitored. The content of the profile was different from the chromatographic profile; the impact on the degradation of the same that was used for residue 1 was 79.68% and for residue 2, it was 29.23%. The second one is a profile richer in light weight hydrocarbons that are toxic to bacteria. The impact on the microbiota was due to the composition of the waste. Based on the Shanon index, there is a predominance of gram positive bacteria. The non-aqueous liquid phase obtained from the effluents can be bioremediated by the bacterial soil community.
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Resumen El Bosque Petrificado Piedra Chamana, cerca del pueblo de Sexi en Cajamarca, registra la vegetación de los trópicos de Sudamérica de hace 39 millones de años, la que existió en los inicios de la historia de los bosques tropicales del Nuevo Mundo y antes del levantamiento de los Andes. En este bosque, descubrimientos notables incluyen el manglar del género Avicennia, un género de árboles forestales emergentes (Cynometra), y el segundo dipterocarp conocido del Nuevo Mundo. La importancia de los fósiles se basa en sus circunstancias únicas de preservación, es así como fósiles de plantas y suelos antiguos permiten la reconstrucción detallada del bosque y el medio ambiente en que existieron, contribuyendo con el conocimiento del cambio climático. Los sitios como este bosque fósil son muy vulnerables al disturbio y pérdida de los recursos fósiles. El monitoreo muestra que las actividades humanas y la erosión están teniendo efectos serios y que son necesarias medidas urgentes para su conservación. La importancia de los fósiles para la ciencia, la belleza de esta área de los Andes, y el potencial para la educación y turismo justifican el reconocimiento del Bosque Petrificado Piedra Chamana a nivel internacional. El bosque tropical representado por los fósiles es muy diferente del bosque diverso esclerófilo de hoja ancha que se encuentra actualmente en el sitio. La pérdida del suelo y la erosión del substrato suave y poroso por alteración de la cubierta vegetal son una amenaza para la biota nativa y los fósiles. Por lo tanto, las medidas de conservación necesarias para proteger los fósiles tendrían múltiples beneficios para la ecología del área.
Abstract The Piedra Chamana Fossil Forest, near the village of Sexi in central Cajamarca, records the vegetation of the South American tropics 39 million years ago, early in the New World tropical forests history and before the rise of the present-day Andes. In this fossil forest, notable discoveries have included the mangrove genus Avicennia, a genus of emergent forest trees (Cynometra), and the second dipterocarp known from the New World. The significance of the fossils rests on the unique circumstances of preservation, the detailed reconstruction of the forest and environment that is possible based on the plant fossils and ancient soils, and the importance of this record for the study of climate change. Sites like the fossil forest are particularly vulnerable to disturbance and loss of the fossil resources. Ongoing monitoring shows that human activities and erosion are having serious effects and, conservation measures are urgently needed. The importance of the fossils for science, the beauty of this area of the Andes, and the potential of the site for education and tourism justify recognition of the fossil forest at an international level. The lowland tropical forest represented by the fossils is very different from the diverse broad-leaf sclerophyllous forest or woodland now growing in the area. Soil loss and erosion of the soft, porous volcanic substrate when the vegetation cover is disturbed poses a threat to both the native biota and the fossils. The conservation measures needed at the fossil site would have multiple benefits for the ecology of the region.
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Objective@#To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of adult inpatients with gas burns in the Department of Burns of Hwa Mei Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the author′s unit) , so as to provide evidence for the prevention of gas burn.@*Methods@#Medical records of all inpatients with flame burns admitted to the author′s unit from January 2011 to December 2017 were collected. The percentage of adult inpatients with gas burns in total inpatients with flame burns in the same period, and their gender, age, injury season, accident place, burn severity, common compound injury, complication, population caliber, education, industry, as well as the pre-injury disease and prognosis of elderly inpatients with gas burns were retrospectively analyzed. In addition, the age, accident place, education, and industry of the floating population in the adult inpatients with gas burns were analyzed separately and compared with the total population of adult inpatients with gas burns in 7 years. Data were processed with chi-square test or Fisher′s exact probability test (Monte Carlo algorithm).@*Results@#During the 7 years, 1 490 inpatients with flame burns were admitted to the author′s unit, among which 511 were adult inpatients with gas burns, accounting for 34.30%. The number of adult inpatients with gas burns increased gradually during the 7 years, but its percentage in the total inpatients with flame burns during the same period showed no significant difference (χ2=7.087, P>0.05). Among the 511 adult inpatients with gas burns (hereinafter referred to as the patients in this group), there were 315 males and 196 females, with a male/female ratio of 1.61 to 1.00, and the middle-aged patients were the most, up to 270 cases, accounting for 52.84%. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in gender and age (χ2=54.810, 27.832, P<0.01). Among the patients in this group, most were injured in summer, totally 251 cases, accounting for 49.12%, and the accident place was mainly at home, totally 388 cases, accounting for 75.93%. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in injury season (χ2=42.254, P<0.01), but not in accident place (χ2=6.782, P>0.05). The patients in this group were mainly with moderate burns (237 cases, accounting for 46.38%), and the distribution trend of burn severity of adult inpatients with gas burns was basically the same during the 7 years (χ2=19.680, P>0.05); 176 patients (34.44%) were accompanied by inhalation injury, and 30 patients (5.87%) were accompanied by blast injury of lung; post injury complications occurred in 20 patients (3.91%). In the elderly inpatients with gas burns, 44.44% (32/72) were accompanied by pre-injury basic diseases, and the proportion of death or unhealed reached 18.06% (13/72). Most of the patients in this group were permanent residents (358 cases, accounting for 70.06%) and received secondary education (304 cases, accounting for 59.49%), and the majority of them were engaged in manufacturing/construction (138 cases, accounting for 27.01%), self-employed business (90 cases, accounting for 17.61%), and catering (90 cases, accounting for 17.61%) industries. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in population caliber, education, and occupation (χ2=17.496, 29.898, 88.896, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among the patients of this group, the floating population were mainly young (90 cases, accounting for 58.82%) and middle-aged (62 cases, accounting for 40.52%), with main accident place at home (97 cases, accounting for 63.40%), generally received secondary education (101 cases, accounting for 66.01%), and were mainly engaged in manufacturing/construction (71 cases, accounting for 46.41%), self-employed business (26 cases, accounting for 16.99%), and catering (20 cases, accounting for 13.07%) industries. Compared with the total adult inpatients with gas burns in 7 years, the floating population were younger, more injured in the workplace, and more concentrated in industry (χ2=42.924, 9.390, 27.819, P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#Gas burn was the leading injury cause of inpatients with flame burns in the author′s unit, which mainly occurred in summer and at home; the patients were mainly male, young and middle-aged, and permanent residents, most of which were with moderate burn, often accompanied by inhalation injury. Most of the patients were of secondary education, engaged in manufacturing/construction, self-employed business, and catering industries, among which the floating population were younger, more injured in the workplace, and more concentrated in industry. In order to prevent gas burn, we should pay more attention to the propaganda and education of gas safety among young and middle-aged men, floating population, retired old people and housewives, especially in summer, we should do a good job in gas safety inspection at home. In addition, we should urge enterprises to further strengthen the supervision of production safety.
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Objective To study the evolutionary trends in the stature of Pleistocene hominins from China. Methods We took the indirect method of stature estimation from fragments of long bones; maximum length of the long bones was directly estimated from measurements of its fragments, and thereafter the stature was reconstructed from the estimated maximum length. Results The result showed that the stature variation was 155.4-169.2 cm for H. erectus (n = 4) and 155.2-171.7 cm for early modem humans (n = 12) , and only 166. 1 cm for one female in archaic Homo sapiens. The stature of Liujiang and Lijiang hominins located in the southeast was lower than other early modern humans from North China. Conclusion The stature variation is similarly from H. erectus to early modern humans, while the average stature seems to have increased continuously. We find that the geographical variation observed in modern humans has appeared in early modern humans. In addition, there is no significant difference between early modern humans and Neolithic populations.
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La especie extinta de tiburón Carcharocles megalodon (Clase: Chondrichthyes; Orden: Lamniformes) es considerado uno de los depredadores más grandes y más poderosos que ha poblado los mares templados de todo el mundo entre el Mioceno medio y el Plioceno (15,9-2,6 Ma). La reconstrucción de su historia evolutiva y ecología se basa principalmente en el estudio morfológico y métrico de los dientes, que representan la abrumadora mayoría de los restos fósiles de esta especie con esqueleto cartilaginoso hallados hasta hoy. En el presente artículo presentamos las características morfológicas y métricas de los dientes de Carcharocles megalodon que se conservan en el Museo Universitario de Chieti (Italia). La colección se compone de nueve dientes de la arcada superior, que pertenecerían a diferentes ejemplares de tamaño variable entre los 6,27-14,50 m y los 2.510-35.918 kg. de peso. Los dientes implementan el registro fósil existente de Carcharocles megalodon, de modo que los datos morfométricos recabados contribuirán a mejorar el conocimiento de los estudios filogenéticos y ecológicos de esta especie.
The extinct species of shark Carcharocles megalodon (Class: Chondrichthyes; Order: Lamniformes) is considered one of the largest and most powerful predators that populated the temperate seas around the world between the middle Miocene and the Pliocene periods (15.9-2.6 My). The reconstruction of its evolutionary history and ecology is based mainly on the morphological and metric studies of the teeth, which represent the overwhelming majority of the fossil remains of this cartilaginous skeleton species. In this article we present the morphological and metric characteristics of the teeth of Carcharocles megalodon that are housed in the University Museum of Chieti (Italy). In particular, the collection is composed of nine teeth of the upper arch, which belonged to different specimens of variable size and weight (total length range: 6.27-14.50 m; weight range: 2,510-35,918 kg). The teeth implement the existing fossil record of Carcharocles megalodon, so that the morphometric data collected will contribute to improve knowledge of the phylogenetic and ecological studies of this species.
Subject(s)
Animals , Sharks/anatomy & histology , Tooth/anatomy & histology , Fossils , PaleontologyABSTRACT
La paleopatología es la ciencia que estudia el origen y la evolución de las enfermedades del pasado. El interés por esta disciplina deriva del hecho de que la frecuencia y la distribución de las patologías que han afectado a las especies extintas se correlacionan con su ecología y etología. Esta suposición también es válida en el caso de Carcharocles megalodon, el tiburón más grande jamás existido, situado en lo alto de la cadena alimenticia y que vivió en los mares templados desde el Mioceno medio hasta el Plioceno (15,9-2,6 Ma). En el presente artículo presentamos las alteraciones patológicas de los dientes de Carcharocles megalodon que se conservan en el Museo Universitario de Chieti (Italia). La colección se compone de nueve dientes de la arcada superior, todos ellos con presencia de alteraciones patológicas correspondientes a defectos del desarrollo y traumas de la corona. Un diente en particular (espécimen #165), presenta una aposición anómala del esmalte sobre la superficie labial, que corresponde a una condición no descrita en la literatura. La colección del Museo Universitario de Chieti enriquece el registro paleopatológico relativamente pobre existente, contribuyendo a completar el conocimiento sobre la paleobiología de Carcharocles megalodon.
Paleopathology is the science that studies the origin and evolution of diseases. The interest in this discipline derives from the fact that the frequency and distribution of the pathologies that have affected the extinct species, correlate with their ecology and ethology. This assumption is also valid in the case of Carcharocles megalodon, the largest shark that ever existed, located at the top of the food chain and that lived in temperate seas from the middle Miocene to the Pliocene periods (15.9-2.6 My). In the present article we present the pathological alterations of the teeth of Carcharocles megalodon housed in the University Museum of Chieti (Italy). The collection consists of nine teeth of the upper arch, all of them with pathological alterations corresponding to developmental defects and crown trauma. A particular tooth (specimen #165) presents an anomalous apposition of the enamel on the labial surface, a condition not yet described in the literature. The collection of the University Museum of Chieti enriches the existing relatively poor paleopathological record, and could improve the knowledge of the paleobiology of Carcharocles megalodon.
Subject(s)
Animals , Sharks/anatomy & histology , Tooth/pathology , Tooth Abnormalities , Paleopathology , FossilsABSTRACT
RESUMEN La movilidad motorizada está íntimamente ligada a los combustibles líquidos como la gasolina y el diésel; y en consecuencia, con el medio ambiente. Además de la problemática con el calentamiento global, la utilización de estos combustibles genera compuestos de carácter contaminante que afecta la salud de la población. Entre todos los contaminantes criterio, el material particulado (PM) de tamaño menor o igual a 2,5 micras (PM25) es considerado como uno de los compuestos de mayor peligrosidad debido a que puede penetrar hasta la región de intercambio de gases del pulmón. Los registros para el Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá (AMVA) muestran eventualmente que los niveles promedio de calidad del aire resultan ser nocivos para la salud del habitante metropolitano. Lo anterior se debe principalmente a las altas concentraciones de PM25 generadas por vehículos pesados que usan combustible diésel. Si bien las propiedades de este combustible tienen un efecto directo en el PM respirable, existen otras estrategias que influyen en las características y la cantidad de las emisiones generadas. Por ejemplo, la mejora del nivel tecnológico de los motores a partir de planes de chatarrización y renovación, y de la pauta de conducción, así como la incorporación de vehículos eléctricos. Con todo lo anterior, este trabajo muestra una serie de consideraciones a fin de plantear posibles estrategias de solución a la problemática ambiental de la ciudad y el país.(AU)
ABSTRACT Motorized mobility is closely linked to liquid fuels such as gasoline and diésel and therefore, to the environment. Besides the problems associated with global warming, the use of these fuels also generates polluting compounds affecting the population health. Among all primary pollutants, particulate matter (PM) less than or equal to 2.5 microns (PM25) in size, is regarded as one of the most dangerous compounds because it can penetrate the region lung gas exchange. The records for the Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá (AMVA) often show that the average levels of air quality were found to be harmful to the health of metropolitan habitants. This is mainly attributed to the high concentrations of PM25 generated by heavy-duty vehicles that use diésel fuel. Although the properties of diesel fuel have a direct effect on breathable PM, there are other strategies influencing both nature and amount of emissions. For example, the improvement of the technological level of the engines and the driving pattern, as well as the incorporation of electric vehicles. This paper shows some considerations in order to propose possible strategies to solve the environmental problem of the city and the country.(AU)
Subject(s)
Air Quality Control , Air Pollutants/adverse effects , Fossil Fuels/adverse effects , Population Health , Colombia , Motor VehiclesABSTRACT
Fossil gonorynchiform fishes range from the Lower Cretaceous to the early Miocene, and are represented by a few dozen living species. The order is currently divided into two major clades: Gonorynchoidei, which includes the families Gonorynchidae and Kneriidae, and Chanoidei, encompassing a single family, Chanidae, with a single recent species, the Indo-Pacific Chanos chanos, and several fossil taxa. Chanidae includes some poorly known taxa, such as Dastilbe moraesi, described from the Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) of the Areado Formation, Sanfranciscana basin, Brazil. This species is currently considered to be a junior synonym of the type species of its genus, Dastilbe crandalli, from Santana Formation, Aptian, northeastern Brazil. The analysis of abundant D. moraesi specimens revealed several new morphological features, many of which had previously been misinterpreted. Dastilbe moraesi was incorporated into a gonorynchiform character matrix as revised and modified for the Chanidae. We obtained a single most parsimonious tree in which D. moraesi is distinct and phylogenetically apart from D. crandalli. According our analysis, D. moraesi forms a sister pair with Chanos, a clade which is closely related to Tharrhias, all composing the tribe Chanini.(AU)
Gonorynchiformes fósseis ocorrem desde do Cretáceo inferior ao Mioceno inferior, e são representados por alguns representantes viventes. A ordem está dividida atualmente em dois clados principais: Gonorynchoidei, que inclui as famílias Gonorynchidae e Kneriidae, e Chanoidei, compreendendo uma única família, Chanidae, com uma única espécie vivente, Chanos chanos, do Indo-Pacífico, além de vários representantes fósseis. Chanidae inclui alguns táxons problemáticos, tais como Dastilbe moraesi, descrito do Aptiano (Cretáceo Inferior) da Formação Areado, bacia Sanfranciscana, Brasil. Esta espécie é atualmente considerada um sinônimo júnior da espécie-tipo de seu gênero, Dastilbe crandalli, da Formação Santana, Aptiano do nordeste do Brasil. A análise de abundante material de D. moraesi revelou várias novas características anatômicas, muitas das quais haviam sido previamente mal interpretadas. Dastilbe moraesi foi incorporado em uma matriz revisada de caracteres da família Chanidae. Nós obtivemos uma única árvore mais parcimoniosa na qual D. moraesi é distinto e filogeneticamente distante de D. crandalli. De acordo com nossa análise, D. moraesi é o grupo-irmão de Chanos, um clado intimamente relacionado a Tharrhias, com todos compondo a tribo Chanini.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Phylogeny , Fishes/genetics , FossilsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Compared to 10 years ago, the ambient particulate matter 10 (PM10) and carbon monoxide (CO) levels in South Korea have decreased. However, compared to many other OECD countries, these levels are still too high. Concentration of air pollutants such as PM10 is especially higher during winter than during summer. The first step to rationally solving the air pollution problem in Korea is to identify the key air pollution sources during each season. This ecological study was performed to assess the association between the number of days the accepted PM10 and CO thresholds were exceeded and the concentration of potential emission sources in winter season 2015. METHODS: An emission inventory of the PM10 and CO emissions in the 232 administrative South Korean districts in January, 2015, and February, 2015 and December, 2015, and the population density, number of car registrations, number of car accidents, industrial power usage, and presence of a fossil-fuel power plant in each district was established on the basis of official web-page data from the government. For all emission source variables except power plants, the administrative districts were grouped into quartiles. Districts were also divided according to whether a power plant was present or not. Negative binomial regression was performed to assess the associations between the PM10 and CO air pollution (defined as ≥100 g/m3 and ≥ 9 ppm, respectively) and the concentration of each emission source. RESULTS: Compared to the districts with the lowest population density, the districts with the third highest population density associated most strongly with air pollution. This was also observed for industrial power usage. Car accident number and car registration numbers showed a linear relationship with air pollution. Districts with power plants were significantly more likely to have air pollution than districts that lacked a plant. CONCLUSIONS: Greater car numbers, industrial activity, and population density, and the presence of fossil-fuel plants associated with air pollution in the 2015 winter in South Korea. These data highlight the contaminant sources that could be targeted by interventions that aim to reduce air pollution, decrease the incidence of exposure, and limit the impact of pollution on human health. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s40557-018-0273-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Subject(s)
Humans , Accidents, Occupational , Air Pollutants , Air Pollution , Carbon Monoxide , Incidence , Korea , Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development , Particulate Matter , Plants , Population Density , Power Plants , SeasonsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: With 29 Km2, the Fildes Peninsula is the largest ice free area in King George Island and probably in Antarctica. The region is house of six permanent bases including the only airport in the South Shetlands, which led to impacts on its original landscape and vegetation. In recognition for the need to protect natural values, an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA 125) was established in the region. Focused mostly on protecting the fossils, the ASPA also plays a role in protecting the vegetation but so far, the management plan for the area does not contain a list of moss species present there. RESULTS: We provided an updated study and checklist of mosses present in ASPA 125. A key to species identification and photographs of main morphological features are also available in this paper. Also, six new occurrences are reported for Fildes Peninsula. CONCLUSION: Considering the scarce knowledge about specific local floras in Antarctica associated with highly impacted area, of which only a fraction is protected, it is suggested the necessity to invest in detailed sampling studies, as well as in a better understanding of the local floras interactions in Antarctica.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring/methods , Bryophyta/classification , Fossils , Bryophyta/anatomy & histology , Islands , Antarctic RegionsABSTRACT
Abstract:It has been assumed that Tetrapus female wasps (Agaonidae s.s.), the pollinators of the figs of the New World, section Pharmacosycea, are mainly characterized by the presence of one mandibular appendange only, and that it is the most ancestral clade of extant Agaonidae s.s., and the males are tetrapodous. The main objective of this work was to study five Tetrapus morphotypes, whose females have two mandibular appendages and the males are hexapodous, their fig host association and phylogenetic position to the family Agaonidae. The question of which group of fig pollinating wasps and associated figs are the sister to the rest of the pollinating agaonids, and figs respectively remain open. I report a group of New World extant Tetrapus morphotypes (Agaonidae: Agaoninae) provisionally assigned to Hexapus subg. nov. in preparation. Currently, Tetrapus appears as the sister taxon to all other fig pollinating taxa. Howeveer, morphologically, ecologically, geographically and historically Hexapus seems to be the ancestral clade of the extant Agaoninae. Hexapus morphotypes develop in fig species of subsection Petenenses (section Pharmacosycea). In the known extant Tetrapus, the females have one mandibular appendage and the males have reduced one or two short-lobe atrophied non-functional midlegs (tetrapodous). Hexapus females have two free mandibular appendages, and the males have five segmented functional mid-legs (hexapodous). Molecularly Hexapus seems to be the ancestral clade of extant Agaoninae; e.g., a Tetrapus sp. of Ficus crassivenosa was placed by other author as the ancestral clade of 101 wasp species, representing 19 worldwide Agaoninae genera, including four Tetrapus species. In Tetrapus sp. of Ficus crassivenosa, the female has two mandibular appendages and the male is hexapodous. The females of T. apopnus and T. delclosi, preserved in Early to mid-Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic, also have two mandibular appendages and the general morphology of extant Hexapus. I suggest that Hexapus stands up as a living fossil and the sister clade of Tetrapus s.s. The presence of extant Hexapus; as well as extant Tetrapus and their fig host species, especially in South America supports a Southern Gondwanaland origin for both of them, but not a trans-Pacific migrating connection with tropical America for section Pharmacosycea (the host of Tetrapus and Hexapus), a long oceanic dispersal, high levels of stem extinction of Tetrapus or Atlantic land connections, as proposed by other authors. However, lastly it has been assumed that figs and their pollinators arose simultaneously in Eurasia during early Tertiary and spread southwards from it. Most of the morphological and molecular studies of the fig biology of Agaoninae and Ficus, did not include Hexapus morphotypes and their fig hosts, and assumed that Tetrapus is the most ancestral clade of the extant fig pollinating wasps. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (4): 1721-1735. Epub 2016 December 01.
Resumen:Se ha asumido que las hembras de las avispas Tetrapus (Agaonidae s.s.), las polinizadoras de los higos de la sección Pharmacosycea del Nuevo Mundo, se caracterizan principalmente por la presencia de un solo apéndice mandibular, que es el clado más ancestral de los Agaonidae s.s. existentes y los machos son tetrápodos. El principal objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar algunos morfotipos de avispas Tetrapus, cuyas hembras poseen dos apéndices mandibulares y los machos tres pares de patas funcionales (hexápodos); su asociación con sus higos hospederos y la posición filogenética en la familia Agaonidae. Cuestiono cuál grupo de avispas polinizadoras de los higos, constituye el grupo hermano de otras avispas polinizadoras de los higos (Agaonidae). Informo sobre un grupo de avispas (Tetrapus: Agaoninae) existentes, provisionalmente asignado a Hexapus subg. nov. en preparación. Morfológica, ecológica, geográfica e históricamente, Hexapus parece ser el clado ancestral de los polinizadores de higos Agaoninae existentes. Los morfotipos de Hexapus se desarrollan en especies de higos de la subsección Petenenses (sección Pharmacosycea). Las hembras de Tetrapus existentes tienen únicamente un apéndice mandibular y los machos tienen uno o dos lóbulos cortos, en lugar de las patas medias y por lo tanto no son funcionales (tetrápodos). Las hembras de Hexapus tienen dos apéndices mandibulares libres y los machos tienen patas medias funcionales con cinco segmentos (hexápodos). Molecularmente, Hexapus parece ser el clado ancestral de los Agaoninae existentes; por ejemplo, una especie de Tetrapus de Ficus crassivenosa fue colocado por otros autores como el clado ancestral de 101 especies de avispas que representan 19 géneros de Agaoninae mundiales, incluidas cuatro especies de Tetrapus. En Tetrapus sp. de Ficus crassivenosa, la hembra tiene dos apéndices mandibulares y el macho es hexápodo. Las hembras de T. apopnus y T. delclosi, descritas del Mioceno Temprano (Burdigaliense), conservadas en ámbar de la República Dominicana, también tienen dos apéndices mandibulares y la morfología general de Hexapus existente. El autor sugiere que Hexapus representa un fósil viviente y es un clado hermano de Tetrapus s.s. La presencia de Hexapus y Tetrapus actuales, y sus higos hospederos, especialmente en Suramérica, sugieren que tienen un origen en la Gondwana meridional del Cretácico. La presencia de Hexapus y Tetrapus en el Nuevo Mundo, no parece apoyar una conexión migratoria a través del Pacífico con América tropical, para los higos de la sección Pharmacosycea (los hospederos de Tetrapus y Hexapus), una amplia dispersión transoceánica, altos niveles de extinción básica de Tetrapus y conexiones terrestres a través del Atlántico, propuesto por otros autores. Sin embargo, últimamente se ha aceptado que los higos y sus polinizadores se originaron simultáneamente en Eurasia, durante el Terciario Primario y se diseminaron hacia el sur. La mayoría de estudios morfológicos y moleculares de biólogos de los Agaoninae y Ficus, no incluyeron morfotipos de Hexapus, o sus especies hospederas de Ficus y aceptadaron que Tetrapus es el clado más ancestral de las avispas polinizadoras de los higos existentes.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Wasps/anatomy & histology , Ficus/physiology , Pollination/physiology , Phylogeny , Pollen/anatomy & histology , Species Specificity , Sex Factors , Mandible/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
The reliability of using the abundance of Sporormiella spores as a proxy for the presence and abundance of megaherbivores was tested in southern Brazil. Mud-water interface samples from nine lakes, in which cattle-use was categorized as high, medium, or low, were assayed for Sporormiella representation. The sampling design allowed an analysis of both the influence of the number of animals using the shoreline and the distance of the sampling site from the nearest shoreline. Sporormiella was found to be a reliable proxy for the presence of large livestock. The concentration and abundance of spores declined from the edge of the lake toward the center, with the strongest response being in sites with high livestock use. Consistent with prior studies in temperate regions, we find that Sporormiella spores are a useful proxy to study the extinction of Pleistocene megafauna or the arrival of European livestock in Neotropical landscapes.
A confiabilidade dos valores de Sporormiella como um proxy para estimar a presença e abundância de megaherbívoros foi testada na região sudeste do Brasil. Amostras superficiais de nove lagos, categorizados quanto a presença de gados em alto, médio e baixo uso do seu entorno foram coletadas para a análise de abundância de Sporormiella. O modelo amostral aplicado permitiu a interpretação tanto da influência do número de animais que usam a margem do lago quanto a distância da margem do lago sobre a quantidade de esporos encontrados. As análises indicam que esporos de Sporormiella é um excelente proxy para detectar a presença de grandes herbívoros. A concentração e abundância de esporos reduz em direção ao centro do lago, o que fica mais evidente em locais com alto uso do entorno do lago por esses animais. Consistente com estudos realizados em regiões temperadas, nós concluímos que o uso de Sporormiella se mostra de grande valia para entender a extinção da megafauna do Pleistoceno como também a introdução de animais nas paisagens neotropicais.
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En esta contribución se da a conocer el primer registro de termiteros fósiles para la región Mesopotámica de Argentina, y su disposición espacial, al tiempo que se discuten sus afinidades taxonómicas e implicancias paleoambientales. Las estructuras fósiles pertenecen a nidificaciones de insectos sociales atribuibles a miembros de la Familia Termitidae, y se ubican en la zona de contacto entre la base de la Fm. Toropí/Yupoí (Pleistoceno tardío) y el tope de la Fm. Ituzaingó (Mioceno tardío-Plioceno). Se las identifica en los alrededores del Arroyo Toropí (28°36' S y 59°02' W), Departamento Bella Vista, provincia de Corrientes. El estudio de las nidificaciones y su disposición espacial se realizó en cinco campos de termiteros mediante su relevamiento y descripción morfológica. La morfología de las estructuras estudiadas coincide claramente con la de los nidos de termitas, en donde resulta característica una fuerte muralla externa. La caracterización de campo, yacencia, desarrollo, frecuencia, tamaños e interrelaciones de los termiteros fósiles y actuales sugieren una estrecha similitud con montículos del género Cornitermes. La morfología presente muestra también cierta semejanza con Tacuruichnus farinai, descripta para el Piso/Edad Marplatense (Plioceno) de la región Pampeana. Por otro lado, el análisis fitolítico indicó que las cantidades y las morfologías fitolíticas son semejantes tanto en los termiteros actuales como en los fósiles. Desde un punto de vista paleoambiental, la abundancia de estos termiteros en el contacto entre las mencionadas unidades indicaría la existencia de suelos bien desarrollados, con abundante vegetación graminosa y condiciones húmedas y cálidas con estacionalidad marcada.
In this contribution we show the first termite nests fossil record presence from the Mesopotamian region of Argentina and its spatial distribution. At the same time taxonomic affinities and paleoenvironmental implications are discussed. The discovery takes place in the contact area between the base of the Toropí / Yupoí formations (late Pleistocene) and the top of the Ituzaingó Fm. (late Miocene-Pliocene), around the Toropí stream (28°36' S y 59°02' W), Bella Vista Department, Corrientes province. These fossil structures belong to nestings of social insects, such as the termite nests type. They could be attributable to representatives of the Termitidae Family. The study of nestings and their spatial arrangement was carried out on five termite nest fields, by surveying and detailed morphological description thereof. The morphology of the studied structures clearly matches with termite nests, with a typical strong outer wall. Characterization of field development, frequency, size and relationships of extant and fossil termite nests suggest a close similarity with mounds of the Cornitermes genus. Furthermore the morphology of these fossil termite nests also shows some resemblance to Tacuruichnus farinai, described for the Marplatanse Stage (Pliocene) of the Pampean region. From a paleoenvironmental point of view, the abundance of these termite nests in the contact between these units indicates the existence of well developed soils with abundant grassy vegetation and humid warm conditions with marked seasonality.
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In this article the classics textual research to the origin of "Zha-xun" was carried out, the ethnobotanical research methods, the origin of visits, key informant interviews, sample collection and textual research were applied in the research. The results showed that the hypothesis of Zha-xun"s origin mainly included "source of mine", "source of feces", "source of monkey menstrual blood" in China. There were "source of fossil", "source of the plant secretion" abroad. The authors had interviewed the villagers at origin, herbalists, Tibetan doctors, herb dealers, foreign scholars for a total of 18 people, and collecting 45 batches medicinal materials. According to ancient Tibetan classics textual and Tibetan medicine doctors' views, medicinal materials were divided into the genuine and the substitutes. The genuine was identified as ancient so-called "iron" type "Zha-xun", and the substitute was fecal pellet bonding briquette. According to the field survey and literature research, "source of fossil" more in line with substance of Zha-xun was derived from the rock. As the results, the author believed that Zha-xun was the mixture of organic fossils from the rock seepage with flying squirrel, pika feces. So it is needed to be set up Zha-xun classification standard to evaluate the quality of medicinal materials. Meanwhile, it was necessary to further clarify fecal pellet substitute rationality. Above all, this article clarified the status of the use of Tibetan medicine-"Zha-xun", and laid the foundation of species systematics and quality standards research of "Zha-xun".
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This study investigated and analyzed the determinants of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission in Nigeria. The study relied on secondary data from World Bank and Central Bank of Nigeria covering 40 years (1970-2009). The data were analyzed using Zellner’s Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SURE) model. The results of the analysis show that fossil energy demand or consumption, rents from forestry trade, agricultural land area expansion and farm technology were significant determinants of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in the study area. On the other hand, the second equation indicated that fossil fuel energy demand was exogenously determined by economic growth rate (proxied by GDP growth rate) and farm technology applied in the country. It was recommended that Nigeria should put in place policies that will tax companies or firms emitting GHGs and utilize such tax proceeds for research and building the capacities of farmers to adapt to deleterious effect of climate change in the country and continent. The development of existing and new technologies for adapting to climate change and variability, building of environmental consciousness of Nigerians through curriculum restructuring and provision of weather information services by the Nigerian governments and their agencies to enable farmers plan against weather uncertainty and risks were also recommended.
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O combustível fóssil dá sinais de esgotamento das suas reservas além de afetar o meio ambiente devido à poluição decorrente de sua queima. Surgiu assim um novo desafio: encontrar um combustível substituto que seja renovável e que seja menos poluente. O biodiesel surgiu como potencial substituto do combustível fóssil, por ser oriundo de várias matérias primas, reduzir o impacto ambiental gerado por poluição e ainda trazer vários benefícios sociais. Porém essa tecnologia é nova e ainda precisa ser aperfeiçoada. Vários trabalhos científicos vêm surgindo com o intuito de trazer melhoria para o biodiesel. Por meio da Cienciometria é possível saber a tendência de pesquisa desses trabalhos, sendo este fato importante para a sociedade acadêmica, para que possam ser realizados novos estudos de biodiesel. Sendo assim, objetivou-se neste trabalho fazer uma análise cienciométrica do biodiesel. O banco de dados utilizado foi o "SciVerseScopus". Foi realizada uma busca de todos os trabalhos que possuía no título a palavra biodiesel*. Os trabalhos foram analisados a partir de 1993, primeiro ano de registro para o termo, até 2010. As seguintes informações foram levantadas: a)Ano de publicação, b)Tipo de trabalho, c)Tipo do periódico em que o trabalho foi publicado, d)Nome do periódico em que o trabalho foi publicado, e)Área de concentração, f)Palavras-chave, g)Idioma, h)País de publicação, e i)Matéria prima utilizada para a obtenção do biodiesel estudado em trabalhos brasileiros. De uma forma geral os trabalhos analisados acompanham as tendências mundiais de produção e consumo do biodiesel, mostrando-se importantes para o aperfeiçoamento desta tecnologia.
Fossil fuel is showing signs of depletion of its reserves and affect the environment due to pollution from burning. Thus emerged a new challenge: to find a substitute fuel that is renewable and less polluting. Biodiesel has emerged as a potential substitute for fossil fuel, for it comes from various raw materials, reduce the environmental impact of pollution and also bring many benefits. However this technology is new and still needs to be improved. Several scientific studies have emerged in order to bring about improvement for biodiesel. Through scientometrics is possible to know the trend of research work, which is indeed important for the academic society, that may be new studies of biodiesel. Thus, this study aimed to make a scientometric analysis of biodiesel. The database used was the "SciVerseScopus." We performed a search of all studies that had biodiesel* in the title. The studies were analyzed from 1993, the first year of registration for the term until 2010. The following information was obtained: a) Year of publication, b) type of study, c) Type of the journal where the paper was published, d) name of journal in which the study was published, e) Area of concentration, f) keywords, g) Language, h) Country of publication, i) Raw materials used to obtain biodiesel studied in Brazilian studies. In general the studies analyzed follow world trends in production and consumption of biodiesel, being important for the improvement of technology. New jobs scientometrics of biodiesel can be made taking into account their specific characteristics.