Temporal and spatial biosonar activity of the recently established uppermost Yangtze finless porpoise population downstream of the Gezhouba Dam: Correlation with hydropower cascade development, shipping, hydrological regime, and light intensity.

Numerous dams disrupt freshwater animals. The uppermost population of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise has been newly formed below the Gezhouba Dam, however, information regarding the local porpoise is scarce. Passive acoustic monitoring was used to detect the behaviors of porpoises below the Gezhouba Dam. The influence of shipping, pandemic lockdown, hydrological regime, and light intensity on the biosonar activity of dolphins was also examined using Generalized linear models. Over the course of 4 years (2019-2022), approximately 848, 596, and 676 effective monitoring days were investigated at the three sites, from upstream to downstream. Observations revealed significant spatio-temporal biosonar activity. Proportion of days that are porpoise positive were 73%, 54%, and 61%, while porpoise buzz signals accounted for 78.49%, 62.35%, and 81.30% of all porpoise biosonar at the three stations. The biosonar activity of porpoises was much higher at the confluence area, particularly at the MZ site, during the absence of boat traffic, and during the Pandemic shutdown. Temporal trends of monthly, seasonal, and yearly variation were also visible, with the highest number of porpoises biosonar detected in the summer season and in 2020. Significant correlations also exist between the hydrological regime and light intensity and porpoise activity, with much higher detections during nighttime and full moon periods. Hydropower cascade development, establishment of a natural reserve, fish release initiatives, and implementation of fishing restrictions may facilitate the proliferation of the porpoise population downstream of the Gezhouba Dam within the Yichang section of the Yangtze River. Prioritizing restoration designs that match natural flow regimes, optimize boat traffic, and reduce noise pollution is crucial for promoting the conservation of the local porpoises.

Increased Yangtze finless porpoise presence in urban Wuhan waters of the Yangtze River during fishing closures.

Wuhan, a highly urbanized and rapidly growing region within China's Yangtze Economic Zone, has historically been identified as a gap area for the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) based on daytime visual surveys. However, there has been a noticeable increase in porpoise sightings since 2020. This study employed passive acoustic monitoring to investigate porpoise distribution in Wuhan between 2020 and 2022. Generalized linear models were used to explore the relationship between shipping, hydrological patterns, light intensity, and porpoise biosonar activity. Over 603 days of effective monitoring, the daily positive rate for porpoise biosonar detection reached 43%, with feeding-related buzz signals accounting for 55% of all porpoise biosonar signals. However, the proportion of minutes during which porpoise presence was detected was 0.18%, suggesting that while porpoises may frequent the area, their visits were brief and mainly focused on feeding. A significant temporal trend emerged, showing higher porpoise biosonar detection during winter (especially in February) and 2022. Additionally, periods without boat traffic correlated with increased porpoise activity. Hydrological conditions and light levels exhibited significant negative correlations with porpoise activity. Specifically, porpoise sonar detections were notably higher during the night, twilight, and new moon phases. It is highly conceivable that both fishing bans and COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns contributed to the heightened presence of porpoises in Wuhan. The rapid development of municipal transportation and shipping in Wuhan and resulting underwater noise pollution have emerged as a significant threat to the local porpoise population. Accordingly, it is imperative for regulatory bodies to effectively address this environmental stressor and formulate targeted protection measures to ensure the conservation of the finless porpoise.

Anthropogenic activity, hydrological regime, and light level jointly influence temporal patterns in biosonar activity of the Yangtze finless porpoise at the junction of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake, China.

Under increasing anthropogenic pressure, species with a previously contiguous distribution across their ranges have been reduced to small fragmented populations. The critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise ( Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis), once commonly observed in the Yangtze River-Poyang Lake junction, is now rarely seen in the river-lake corridor. In this study, static passive acoustic monitoring techniques were used to detect the biosonar activities of the Yangtze finless porpoise in this unique corridor. Generalized linear models were used to examine the correlation between these activities and anthropogenic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and boat navigation, as well as environmental variables, including hydrological conditions and light levels. Over approximately three consecutive years of monitoring (2020-2022), porpoise biosonar was detected during 93% of logged days, indicating the key role of the corridor for finless porpoise conservation. In addition, porpoise clicks were recorded in 3.80% of minutes, while feeding correlated buzzes were detected in 1.23% of minutes, suggesting the potential existence of localized, small-scale migration. Furthermore, both anthropogenic and environmental variables were significantly correlated with the diel, lunar, monthly, seasonal, and annual variations in porpoise biosonar activities. During the pandemic lockdown period, porpoise sonar detection showed a significant increase. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was identified between the detection of porpoise click trains and buzzes and boat traffic intensity. In addition to water level and flux, daylight and moonlight exhibited significant correlations with porpoise biosonar activities, with markedly higher detections at night and quarter moon periods. Ensuring the spatiotemporal reduction of anthropogenic activities, implementing vessel speed restrictions (e.g., during porpoise migration and feeding), and maintaining local natural hydrological regimes are critical factors for sustaining porpoise population viability.

[Prognostic Value of CD56 Expression in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients and Its Related Factors].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of CD56 expression on the prognosis of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients and explore the relationship between CD56 with clinical characteristics. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the clinical data and laboratory parameters of 175 newly diagnosed MM patients from February 2015 to December 2020 in the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University were collected. The patients were divided into CD56+ and CD56- groups based on the expression of CD56, and the general data and laboratory parameters of the two groups were compared. The patients were followed up to June 30, 2021, and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were recorded. PFS and OS curves of the two groups were plotted respectively, and the survival differences were compared. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to analyze the effect of CD56 on the prognosis of newly diagnosed MM patients. RESULTS: In 175 newly diagnosed MM patients, 57(32.6%) cases were in the CD56-group and 118 (67.4%) cases in the CD56+ group. There was significant correlation between CD56 expression and ISS stage, ECOG score, platelets, ß2-microglobulin, creatinine, and extramedullary disease (all P <0.05). The incidence of extramedullary disease in the CD56- group was significantly higher than that in the CD56+ group (29.8% vs 12.7%, P =0.006). The median follow-up time of the whole cohort was 23.6 (1.0-78.6) months. The median PFS of patients in CD56+ group and CD56- group were 18.6 (1.2-77.6) and 12.2 (1.0-49.0) months, respectively, and the median OS of the two groups were 27.6 (1.4-77.7) and 19.7 (1.0-78.6) months, respectively. The 2-year PFS rate in the CD56+ group was significantly higher than that in the CD56- group (57.6% vs 36.8%, P =0.010), and the 2-year OS rate in the CD56+ group was higher than that in the CD56- group, but it didn't reach statistical significance (74.6% vs 64.9%, P =0.158). The results of univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the PFS was significantly shorter in newly diagnosed MM patients with advanced age, type IgG, high ECOG score, decreased platelet count, increased lactate dehydrogenase level, extramedullary disease, and CD56- (all P <0.05), the OS was significantly shorter in patients with high ECOG score, decreased platelet count, increased lactate dehydrogenase level, extramedullary disease, and CD56- (all P <0.05). The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that advanced age, type IgG, elevated lactate dehydrogenase level, extramedullary disease, and CD56- were independent prognostic factors for poor PFS (all P <0.05); and decreased platelet count, elevated lactate dehydrogenase level, and extramedullary disease were independent adverse prognostic factors for OS (all P <0.05), while there was no significant independent correlation between CD56 and OS (P >0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of the newly diagnosed MM patients have positive expression of CD56. Loss of CD56 expression was associated with unfavorable biological and clinical parameters and poor prognosis, suggesting that CD56 has important clinical value in the prognosis of newly diagnosed MM patients.

Auditory evoked potential in stranded melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra): With severe hearing loss and possibly caused by anthropogenic noise pollution.

Highly concentrated live mass stranding events of dolphins and whales happened in the eastern coast of China between June and October 2021. The current study adopted the non-invasive auditory evoked-potential technique to investigate the hearing threshold of a stranded melon headed whale (Peponocephala electra) at a frequency range of between 9.5 and 181 kHz. It was found that, at the frequency range of from 10 to 100 kHz, hearing thresholds for the animal were between 20 and 65 dB higher than those of its phylogenetically closest species (Pygmy killer whale). The severe hearing loss in the melon headed whale was probably caused by transient intense anthropogenic sonar or chronic shipping noise exposures. The hearing loss could have been the cause for the observed temporal and spatial clustered stranding events. Therefore, there is need for noise mitigation strategies to reduce noise exposure levels for marine mammals in the coastal areas of China.

Riverside underwater noise pollution threaten porpoises and fish along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China.

The Yangtze River exhibits a high biodiversity and plays an important role in global biodiversity conservation. As the world's busiest inland river in regard to shipping, little attention has been paid to underwater noise pollution. In 2017, the underwater noise level in 25 riverside locations along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River mainly at night time were investigated by using passive acoustic monitoring method. Approximately 88% and 40% of the sampled sites exhibit noise levels exceeding the underwater acoustic thresholds of causing responsiveness and temporary threshold shift, respectively, in cetacean. Noise pollution may impose a high impact on fish with physostomous swim bladders and Weberian ossicles, such as silver carp, bighead carp, goldfish and common carp, whereas it may affect fish with physoclistous swim bladders and without Weberian ossicles, such as lake sturgeon and paddlefish, to a lesser extent. Noise levels reductions of approximately 10 and 20 dB were observed in the middle and lower reaches, respectively, of the Yangtze River over the 2012 level. The green development mode of the ongoing construction of green shipping in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, including the development of green shipping lanes, ports, ships and transportation organizations, may account for the alleviated underwater noise pollution. Follow-up noise mitigation endeavors, such as the extension of ship speed restrictions and the study and implementation of the optimal navigation speed in ecologically important areas, are required to further reduce the noise level in the Yangtze River to protect local porpoises and fish.

[Effect of Expression Level Changes of M-MDSC to Related Immune Function in Patients with Primary ITP].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of expression level changes of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSC) to related immune function in the patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 53 newly diagnosed ITP patients and 30 healthy volunteers. The quantity of M-MDSC, mRNA levels of Arg-1 and iNOS were detected. CD4+T, M-MDSC and CD14+HLA-DR+ cells were sorted. CD4+T cells were marked by CFSE, and the immunosuppressive mechanism of M-MDSC was analyzed. RESULTS: The count of M-MDSC in peripheral blood of newly diagnosed ITP patients was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01). However, the expression level of Arg-1 in peripheral blood was not significantly different between the newly diagnosed ITP group and the control group. But the expression level of iNOS in the newly diagnosed ITP patients was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the count of M-MDSC in the patients with ITP was significantly lower than before treatment (P < 0.01), which showed that M-MDSC could significantly inhibit the proliferation and secretion of IFN-γ in CD4+T cells. CONCLUSION: M-MDSC may be related to the disorder of immune tolerance in the patients with ITP, and may become a new index to monitor the curative efficacy of ITP patients.

Characterisation of thickness changes in the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer in patients with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Limited studies have identified the changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness in patients with chronic Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) at different stages of the disease. We aimed to characterise the pRNFL thickness changes in patients with LHON having m.11778G>A (MT-ND4) mutation. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 221 eyes from patients with LHON (n=145)-classified into seven groups according to disease duration-and 52 eyes from healthy controls (n=26). All subjects underwent pRNFL examinations. pRNFL thickness of the superior, nasal and inferior, and temporal quadrants, and the 360° average were measured. RESULTS: Within 3 months of onset, the temporal pRNFL thickness decreased significantly, whereas the remaining quadrants and the average pRNFL thickness initially increased. The temporal quadrant (p<0.01) and average pRNFL thickness (p=0.02) significantly decreased at 3-6 months. Excluding that in the nasal quadrant (p=0.93), pRNFL thickness significantly decreased in all other quadrants at 6-9 months. At 9-12 months, the average and individual quadrant pRNFL thicknesses continued to decrease. Compared with 12-24 months, the pRNFL thickness was thinner at 24-60 months and >60 months. CONCLUSIONS: The papillomacular bundle was affected first and preferentially in LHON. pRNFL thickness initially increased and then decreased, corresponding to the retinal ganglion cell swelling and apoptosis. pRNFL thinning first occurred in the temporal quadrant, followed by the inferior and superior quadrants, and finally, the nasal quadrant. pRNFL continued to thin slowly in some quadrants even after 60 months.

Association of high-resolution computed tomography score with ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to explore the association of the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) score with ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHOD: In total, 197 patients treated for ARDS from October 2004 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multifactor regression analysis were used to determine the relationship of the HRCT score with ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality. Curve-fitting analysis and threshold analysis were further used to explore the association of the HRCT score with ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality. RESULTS: The multifactor regression analysis showed that the HRCT score was significantly associated with a lower rate of ventilator weaning and a higher risk of 28-day mortality in patients with ARDS. HRCT scores of 257.0 and 243.2 were the thresholds for ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality, respectively. When the HRCT score was below the threshold, every 1-point increase in the HRCT score was associated with a 4.6% decrease in the ventilator weaning rate and a 4.6% increase in the 28-day mortality rate. CONCLUSION: The HRCT score was associated with ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality with a threshold of 257.0 and 243.2 points, respectively.

Evoked-potential audiogram variability in a group of wild Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis).

Hearing is considered the primary sensory modality of cetaceans and enables their vital life functions. Information on the hearing sensitivity variability within a species obtained in a biologically relevant wild context is fundamental to evaluating potential noise impact and population-relevant management. Here, non-invasive auditory evoked-potential methods were adopted to describe the audiograms (11.2-152 kHz) of a group of four wild Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) during a capture-and-release health assessment project in Poyang Lake, China. All audiograms presented a U shape, generally similar to those of other delphinids and phocoenids. The lowest auditory threshold (51-55 dB re 1 µPa) was identified at a test frequency of 76 kHz, which was higher than that observed in aquarium porpoises (54 kHz). The good hearing range (within 20 dB of the best hearing sensitivity) was from approximately 20 to 145 kHz, and the low- and high-frequency hearing cut-offs (threshold > 120 dB re l µPa) were 5.6 and 170 kHz, respectively. Compared with aquarium porpoises, wild porpoises have significantly better hearing sensitivity at 32 and 76 kHz and worse sensitivity at 54, 108 and 140 kHz. The audiograms of this group can provide a basis for better understanding the potential impact of anthropogenic noise.

Underwater noise pollution in China's Yangtze River critically endangers Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis).

Underwater sound plays an important role in some critical life functions of many aquatic animals. Underwater noise pollution has received relatively more attention in ocean systems. However, little attention has been paid to freshwater systems, such as the Yangtze River which is the habitat of critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis). In 2012, the underwater noise levels in 25 sites along the middle and lower sections of the Yangtze River were measured. The root mean square sound pressure level (SPL) and unweighted sound exposure level (SEL) at each site ranged between 105 ± 2.4 (median ± quartile deviation) and 150 ± 5.5 dB. Obvious spatial and temporal variations in the SPL were detected among the 25 sites. The SPL and SEL in the middle section of the Yangtze River were smaller (approximately 15 dB) and fluctuated more compared to those in the lower section. The power spectrum in the mainstem was site specific. However, all the spectra levels were higher than the audiogram of Yangtze finless porpoises. Majority of the sites had an averaged cumulative unweighted SEL (72%) and cumulative weighted SEL (68%) that surpassed the underwater acoustic thresholds for onset of hearing temporal threshold shifts for finless porpoise. Porpoise bio-sonars were detected in 89% of sonar monitoring sites indicating that noise pollution in the Yangtze River greatly threatened porpoise survival. In 8% of the sites, the averaged cumulative weighted SEL exceeded that of underwater acoustic thresholds causing non-recoverable permanent threshold shifts of finless porpoises auditory system whereas it was less than 1 dB below the underwater acoustic thresholds in other 8% of the sites. These sites urgently needed noise mitigation and management strategies. These results will facilitate the evaluation of the impacts of anthropogenic noise pollution on local finless porpoises and give further guidelines on its effective conservation.

Hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography vs. magnetic resonance-hysterosalpingography for diagnosing fallopian tubal patency: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography (HyCoSy) and magnetic resonance-hysterosalpingography (MR-HSG) in the diagnosis of fallopian tubal patency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for records up to November 30, 2019. Studies involved in the diagnostic detection of HyCoSy or MR-HSG for fallopian tubal patency using conventional HSG or laparoscopy as the reference test were included. Data was analyzed by meta-analysis. We compared sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (PLR and NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) plots of both HyCoSy and MR-HSG. Quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. RESULTS: The analysis included 24 articles involving 1340 patients. HyCoSy was studied in 17 studies, and MR-HSG was studied in seven studies. For HyCoSy in diagnosis of fallopian tubal patency, pooled sensitivity was 89 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 87 %-91 %), and specificity was 93 % (95 % CI, 91 %-94 %). For MR-HSG in diagnosis of fallopian tubal patency, pooled sensitivity was 100 % (95 % CI, 98 %-100 %), and specificity was 82 % (95 % CI, 74 %-89 %). The sROC showed similar diagnostic accuracy for MR-HSG and HyCoSy. 3D/4D HyCoSy with ultrasound microbubbles had equal sensitivity (95 % vs. 100 %, P = 0.186) and significantly higher specificity (94 % vs. 82 %, P = 0.005) compared with MR-HSG. CONCLUSIONS: HyCoSy and MR-HSG showed similar overall diagnostic performance for diagnosing fallopian tubal patency. 3D/4D HyCoSy with ultrasound microbubbles could significantly improve the diagnostic specificity of HyCoSy.

[Simulation and uncertainty analysis of natural regeneration for pine-oak forests.] / æ¾æ Žæž—å¤©ç„¶æ›´æ–°æ¨¡æ‹Ÿä¸Žä¸ç¡®å®šæ€§åˆ†æž.

The complexity and uncertainty of forest regeneration is crucial for predicting forest ecosystem dynamics. A natural regeneration model of pine-oak forests in Qinling Mountains was constructed with competition, climate and topography factors using Bayesian statistics and global sensitivity analysis (GSA). The alternative models were based on Poisson, negative binomial (NB), zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP), and zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) models. According to the uncertainty of model parameter transfer, the analysis results were quantified, and the dominant factors of small probability events affecting forest regeneration were explained. The results showed that the ZINB model was the best one in the simulation of Pinus tabuliformis and Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata. Stand basal area, light interception, slope location and minimum temperature during growing season were the most critical factors affecting natural regeneration of P. tabuliformis, while stand basal area, cosine of aspect interacted with the natural logarithm of elevation, annual mean temperature, and precipitation of the warmest quarter were the most critical factors for Q. aliena var. acuteserrata. The contributions of various factors to the predictive uncertainty were: competition factor (25%) < climate factor (29%) < topography factor (46%) for the simulation of P. tabuliformis regeneration, and climate factor (12%) < competition factor (24%) < topography factor (64%) for the simulation of Q. aliena var. acuteserrata regeneration. The natural regeneration quantity of P. tabuliformis was positively correlated with mean annual temperature and minimum precipitation during growing season, and negatively correlated with the mean temperature in the driest quarter. The natural regeneration quantity of Q. aliena var. acuteserrata was positively correlated with mean annual temperature, minimum precipitation during growing season, precipitation of the warmest quarter, and negatively correlated with mean temperature of the driest quarter. The ZINB model based on Bayesian methods could effectively quantify the major factors driving forest regeneration and interpret the uncertainty propagated from parameters, which was useful for predicting forest regeneration.

[Case-control studies on modified anterolateral approach with modified postmedial approach for the treatment of trimalleolar fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical effect of modified anterolateral approach combined with modified posteromedial approach and conventional posterolateral approach combined with medial-aided in treating trimalleolar fractures. METHODS: From January 2015 to August 2017, 108 patients with trimalleolar fractures were enrolled and randomly divided into modified approaches (experimental group) and conventional approaches(control group). There were 53 patients in experimental group including 31 males and 22 females aged from 18 to 67 years old with an average of(40.2±16.4) years old; 19 patients on the left side and 34 patients on the right side; 39 patients were supination external rotation and 14 patients were pronation-external rotation; preoperative waiting time ranged from 6 to 14 d with an average of(9.6±3.1) d; performed operation through modified anterolateral approach combined with modified posteromedial approach. There were 55 patients in control group, including 34 males and 21 females aged from 19 to 69 years old with an average of (42.1±15.3) years old; 18 patients on the left side and 37 patients on the right side; 42 patients were supination external rotation and 13 patients were pronation-external rotation; preoperative waiting time ranged from 7 to 16 d with an average of (10.3±3.4) d; performed operation through conventional posterolateral approach combined with medial-aided. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, cases of incision complications and excellent-good reduction, fracture healing time, cases of nerve injury and muscular flexor contracture, cases of incision complications between two groups were compared; AOFAS score were used to evaluate clinical efficacy at 1 year after operation. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 12 to 24 months with an average of (16.4 ±7.5) months. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume and incision complication in experimental group were (95.3±22.6) min, (114.7±68.7) ml, (127.5±87.8) ml and 1 case, respectively; while in control group were (112.5±53.8) min, (155.2±79.6) ml, (178.4±73.8) ml and 3 cases respectively; the data in experimental group were better than that of control group. In experimental group, 36 cases got excellent results, 14 good and 3 poor on the quality of reduction, while 30 patients got excellent results, 15 good and 10 poor in control group; the experimental group was better than control group. Fracture healing time in experimental group were(5.5±1.6) months, 2 patients occurred incision complications, while(6.7±2.1) months, 12 patients in control group; the experiment group were better than control group. Postoperative AOFAS score at 12 months in experimental group was 92.9±18.4, and better than control group 80.3±38.3; 32 patients got excellent results, 17 good, 3 moderate and 1 poor in experimental group; 25 patients got excellent results, 18 good, 8 moderate and 4 poor in control group; there was statistical difference between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both of modified anterolateral approach combined with modified posteromedial approach and conventional posterolateral approach combined with medial-aided in treating trimalleolar fractures could receive good clinical effect. While compared with conventional posterolateral approach combined with medial-aided, modified anterolateral approach combined with modified posteromedial approach is more fit for blood supply of local soft tissue, and has advantages of less trauma, safety operation and clearly exposure.

Soundscape of an Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) hotspot before windfarm construction in the Pearl River Estuary, China: Do dolphin engage in noise avoidance and passive eavesdropping behavior?

Soundscapes are vital to acoustically specialized animals. Using passive acoustic monitoring data, the temporal and spectral variations in the soundscape of a Chinese white dolphin hotspot were analyzed. By cluster analysis, the 1/3 octave band power spectrum can be grouped into three bands with median overall contribution rates of 35.24, 14.14 and 30.61%. Significant diel and tidal soundscape variations were observed with a generalized linear model. Temporal patterns and frequency ranges of middle frequency band sound matched well with those of fish vocalization, indicating that fish might serve as a signal source. Dolphin sounds were mainly detected in periods involving low levels of ambient sound and without fish vocalization, which could reflect noise avoidance and passive eavesdropping behaviors engaged in by the predator. Pre-construction data can be used to assess the effects of offshore windfarms on acoustic environments and aquatic animals by comparing them with the soundscape of postconstruction and/or postmitigation.

Chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging for distinguishing minimal-fat renal angiomyolipoma from renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the performance of chemical shift signal intensity index (CS-SII) values for distinguishing minimal-fat renal angiomyolipoma (mfAML) from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to assess RCC subtype characterisation. METHODS: We identified eligible studies on CS magnetic resonance imaging (CS-MRI) of focal renal lesions via PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. CS-SII values were extracted by lesion type and evaluated using linear mixed model-based meta-regression. RCC subtypes were analysed. Two-sided p value <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. RESULTS: Eleven articles involving 850 patients were included. Minimal-fat AML had significantly higher CS-SII value than RCC (p < 0.05); there were no significant differences between mfAML and clear cell RCC (cc-RCC) (p = 0.112). Clear cell RCC had a significantly higher CS-SII value than papillary RCC (p-RCC) (p < 0.001) and chromophobe RCC (ch-RCC) (p = 0.045). The methodological quality was relatively high, and Begg's test data points indicated no obvious publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: The CS-SII value for differentiating mfAML from cc-RCC remains unproven, but is a promising method for differentiating cc-RCC from p-RCC and ch-RCC. KEY POINTS: • RCC CS-SII values are significantly lower than those of mfAML overall. • CS-SII values cannot aid differentiation between mfAML and cc-RCC. • CS-SII values might help characterise RCC subtypes.

Diversity of fish sound types in the Pearl River Estuary, China.

BACKGROUND: Repetitive species-specific sound enables the identification of the presence and behavior of soniferous species by acoustic means. Passive acoustic monitoring has been widely applied to monitor the spatial and temporal occurrence and behavior of calling species. METHODS: Underwater biological sounds in the Pearl River Estuary, China, were collected using passive acoustic monitoring, with special attention paid to fish sounds. A total of 1,408 suspected fish calls comprising 18,942 pulses were qualitatively analyzed using a customized acoustic analysis routine. RESULTS: We identified a diversity of 66 types of fish sounds. In addition to single pulse, the sounds tended to have a pulse train structure. The pulses were characterized by an approximate 8 ms duration, with a peak frequency from 500 to 2,600 Hz and a majority of the energy below 4,000 Hz. The median inter-pulsepeak interval (IPPI) of most call types was 9 or 10 ms. Most call types with median IPPIs of 9 ms and 10 ms were observed at times that were exclusive from each other, suggesting that they might be produced by different species. According to the literature, the two section signal types of 1 + 1 and 1 + N10 might belong to big-snout croaker (Johnius macrorhynus), and 1 + N19 might be produced by Belanger's croaker (J. belangerii). DISCUSSION: Categorization of the baseline ambient biological sound is an important first step in mapping the spatial and temporal patterns of soniferous fishes. The next step is the identification of the species producing each sound. The distribution pattern of soniferous fishes will be helpful for the protection and management of local fishery resources and in marine environmental impact assessment. Since the local vulnerable Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) mainly preys on soniferous fishes, the fine-scale distribution pattern of soniferous fishes can aid in the conservation of this species. Additionally, prey and predator relationships can be observed when a database of species-identified sounds is completed.

Adsorption and Photodesorption of CO from Charged Point Defects on TiO2(110).

The adsorption and photochemistry of CO on rutile TiO2(110) are studied with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), temperature-programmed desorption, and angle-resolved photon-stimulated desorption (PSD) at low temperatures. Site occupancies, when weighted by the concentration of each kind of adsorption site on the reduced surface, show that the adsorption probability is the highest for the bridging oxygen vacancies (VO). The probability distribution for the different adsorption sites corresponds to very small differences in CO adsorption energies (<0.02 eV). UV irradiation stimulates diffusion and desorption of CO at low temperature. CO photodesorbs primarily from the vacancies with a bimodal angular distribution, indicating some scattering from the surface, which also leads to photostimulated diffusion. Hydroxylation of VO's does not significantly change the CO PSD yield or the angular distribution, which suggests that photodesorption can be initiated by recombination of photogenerated holes with excess electrons localized near the charged point defect (either VO or bridging hydroxyl).