Assessing the sustainability of yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) harvest in northeastern Argentina

Author(s):  
Bruno Camera ◽  
Christine Stüssmann ◽  
Itxaso Quintana ◽  
Tomás Waller ◽  
Mariano Barros ◽  
...  

Abstract Sustainable wildlife management is required to guarantee source species viability; however, it is practiced rarely in the tropics. The yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) has a long history of being harvested for its leather. Since 2002 its harvest has operated under a management program in northeastern Argentina, which relies on adaptive management through limiting the minimum anaconda length, number of hunters and restricting the hunting season. We investigated the effects of the anaconda harvest on its biological parameters based on 2002-2016 data. Here we show that the levels of species exploitation are sustainable. The gradual reduction in the annual hunting effort, due to a decrease in number of hunters and hunting season duration, reduced the total number of anacondas harvested. Conversely, captures per unit effort increased across the study time-period. There was no variation in the mean length of anacondas harvested, or in largest anaconda sizes. Though more females than males were caught, the sex ratio did not vary significantly. We also found that a decrease in mean temperature positively influenced anaconda harvest and the captures of giant individuals. Because sustainable use is a powerful tool for conservation, those discoveries are highly applicable to other species and regions.

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 1061-1078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean M. Davis ◽  
Karen H. Rosenlof

Abstract Poleward migration of the latitudinal edge of the tropics of 0.25°–3.0° decade−1 has been reported in several recent studies based on satellite and radiosonde data and reanalysis output covering the past ~30 yr. The goal of this paper is to identify the extent to which this large range of trends can be explained by the use of different data sources, time periods, and edge definitions, as well as how the widening varies as a function of hemisphere and season. Toward this end, a suite of tropical edge latitude diagnostics based on tropopause height, winds, precipitation–evaporation, and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) are analyzed using several reanalyses and satellite datasets. These diagnostics include both previously used definitions and new definitions designed for more robust detection. The wide range of widening trends is shown to be primarily due to the use of different datasets and edge definitions and only secondarily due to varying start–end dates. This study also shows that the large trends (>~1° decade−1) previously reported in tropopause and OLR diagnostics are due to the use of subjective definitions based on absolute thresholds. Statistically significant Hadley cell expansion based on the mean meridional streamfunction of 1.0°–1.5° decade−1 is found in three of four reanalyses that cover the full time period (1979–2009), whereas other diagnostics yield trends of −0.5°–0.8° decade−1 that are mostly insignificant. There are indications of hemispheric and seasonal differences in the trends, but the differences are not statistically significant.


2006 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. 913-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Régis ◽  
Philippe Metellus ◽  
Motohiro Hayashi ◽  
Philippe Roussel ◽  
Anne Donnet ◽  
...  

Object Stereotactic radiosurgery is an alternative to conventional surgery for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. The authors conducted a prospective evaluation of the safety and efficacy of this method in a large series of patients. Methods A total of 100 patients presenting with trigeminal neuralgia were treated and followed up for a minimum of 12 months. The mean age was 68.2 years; 54 patients were male, and 46 were female. Seven had a history of multiple sclerosis, and 42 had already received conventional surgical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia. The intervention consisted of gamma knife surgery to the retrogasserian cisternal portion of the fifth cranial nerve. The median dose used at the maximum was 85 Gy (range 70–90 Gy). The number and intensity of pain attacks were recorded by the patient from 3 months before radiosurgery to a minimum of 12 months after treatment. Before and a minimum of 12 months after treatment, the patient completed a quality-of-life questionnaire. Neurological examination and quantitative sensory testing to evaluate sensory perception were performed by an independent neurologist over this same time period. At the last visit 83 of 100 patients were reported to be pain free. Fifty-eight of these 83 patients had stopped taking medication during the study. All quality-of-life parameters were improved (p < 0.001). Six patients reported facial paresthesia, and four patients reported hypesthesia. These symptoms were classified as mild. None of the complications reported for other techniques were observed. Conclusions Radiosurgery is a safe and effective alternative treatment for trigeminal neuralgia and is associated with a particularly low rate of hypesthesia.


1845 ◽  
Vol 135 ◽  
pp. 125-139

Professor Jameson, in his chapter on the hydrography of India, justly remarks, “Although India, like other great tracts of country, contains many springs, these have hitherto attracted but little attention. The temperature of but few of them is known; their magnitudes and geognostical situations are scarcely ever mentioned; and their chemical composition, excepting in a very few instances, has been neglected. The most important feature in the natural history of common or perennial springs , namely their temperature, is rarely noticed, although a knowledge of this fact is illus­trative, not only of the mean temperature of the climate, but also of the elevations of the land above the level of the sea; and our information in regard to their chemical nature is equally meagre". Since the publication of these remarks, much has been done by Prinsep and others in these branches of Indian hydrography, but more remains to be effected before this reproach can be wiped out. The heat of springs having a temperature little above the mean of that of the surrounding country has been rarely noticed, though I feel convinced many such exist in India. That of springs of high temperature, more attractive to the casual observer, has been more remarked. My own observations, and the few inferences I have ventured to draw from some of them, are not offered as sufficient data for the establishment of laws, but merely as a contributory mite to knowledge; in the view of courting inquiry and observation by others more competent and better situated for continued research than myself. The thermometric observations have been snatched generally on the line of march, or during hasty travel: since my return to England, through the kindness of Mr. Roberton, they have been adjusted to the indications given by the standard thermometer of the Royal Society.


2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2645-2649 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Fujisawa ◽  
R.T. Keikotlhaile ◽  
J.E. Bradby ◽  
J.S. Williams

A crystalline silicon surface, loaded by a Berkovich indenter to a constant maximum load, was unloaded using three unload functions, each consisting of five linear segments of equal time period. The first function had an exponentially decaying unload rate and was found to promote a pop-out event more readily than the second function, having a linear unload rate, or the third case with its unload rate increasing with time. Statistical analyses of experimental data suggest that the unload rate within 20%–30% of the maximum load, when the mean contact pressure in the indent volume is roughly 5 to 6 GPa, is the most dominant factor influencing the probabilistic occurrence of a pop-out event. Unload rates at higher load levels were shown to have a much less significant effect on the probability of pop-out occurrence.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Garane ◽  
Ka Lok Chan ◽  
Maria Elissavet Koukouli ◽  
Diego Loyola ◽  
Dimitris Balis

&lt;p&gt;The very important role of water vapor on the greenhouse effect makes it a species that needs to be continuously and globally monitored, as well as thoroughly studied. The TROPOMI/S5P Total Column Water Vapor (TCWV) is a new product retrieved from the blue wavelength band (435 &amp;#8211;455nm), using an algorithm that was originally developed for GOME-2. The algorithm is based on the DOAS technic and is separately presented in this session*.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The TROPOMI/S5P TCWV product is available for the time period May 2018 to August 2020, almost 2.5 years. For the validation purposes of this work, the co-located precipitable water Level 2.0 (quality-assured) measurements from the NASA AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) were used. The network uses CIMEL sunphotometers located at about 1300 stations globally to monitor precipitable water, among other products. The two datasets, satellite and ground-based, were co-located and the percentage differences of the comparisons were calculated and statistically analyzed. The correlation coefficient of the two products is found to be 0.9 and the mean bias of the relative percentage differences is of the order of 2% for the mid-latitudes and the tropics but increases close to the poles. The effect of various influence quantities, such as air mass factor, solar zenith angle, clouds and albedo are also studied.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;*see the respective abstract by Ka Lok Chan (EGU21-2673)&lt;/p&gt;


1997 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 419-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Lazcano

AbstractDifferent current ideas on the origin of life are critically examined. Comparison of the now fashionable FeS/H2S pyrite-based autotrophic theory of the origin of life with the heterotrophic viewpoint suggest that the later is still the most fertile explanation for the emergence of life. However, the theory of chemical evolution and heterotrophic origins of life requires major updating, which should include the abandonment of the idea that the appearance of life was a slow process involving billions of years. Stability of organic compounds and the genetics of bacteria suggest that the origin and early diversification of life took place in a time period of the order of 10 million years. Current evidence suggest that the abiotic synthesis of organic compounds may be a widespread phenomenon in the Galaxy and may have a deterministic nature. However, the history of the biosphere does not exhibits any obvious trend towards greater complexity or «higher» forms of life. Therefore, the role of contingency in biological evolution should not be understimated in the discussions of the possibilities of life in the Universe.


Author(s):  
J. Terrence Jose Jerome

Abstract Background The natural history of scaphoid nonunion is the development of degenerative arthritis. A lot of information is still unclear about this progression. The purpose of this study is to analyze patients with scaphoid nonunions who had not received any kind of treatment and to assess the functional outcome. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study that analyzed the patients with chronic scaphoid nonunions between 2009 and 2019. None of the patients received any treatment. The age at the time of injury, examination, pattern of fracture, types of scaphoid nonunion, symptoms, and duration of nonunion were noted. Diagnosis was confirmed by radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Scapholunate and radiolunate angles were recorded. Pain score, modified mayo wrist score, grip strength, range of movement, and the functional outcome of these scaphoid nonunions were analyzed. A statistical correlation between the scaphoid nonunion presentations and the functional outcome was assessed. Results The mean age of the patients was 62 years (range: 35–82 years.). There were 17 male and 3 female patients. There were 9 waist and 11 proximal pole scaphoid nonunions. The mean duration of scaphoid nonunion was 34 years (range: 10–62 years). None of the patients had avascular necrosis (AVN) of the proximal scaphoid. The age at examination, gender, side of injury, fracture pattern (waist/proximal pole), fracture displacement ≤ 1 mm or > 1 mm, nonunion duration, and radiographic arthritic parameters had no significant impact on the functional outcome. Conclusions Untreated chronic scaphoid nonunion leads to the development of degenerative arthritis over a period of years, which is still unpredictable. Most of the patients become aware of the nonunion following a precedent injury or other reasons. Most of the patients have fair/good functional outcome despite reduced range of movements and grip strength. Many do not favor surgical intervention in the course of nonunion. Chronic nonunions open a lot of unanswered questions. Clinical relevance There have been numerous studies on the treatment aspects of scaphoid nonunion, with little knowledge about certain people with nonunion who did not have any kind of treatment. The demographics, clinical findings, and radiological parameters do confirm the progression of these nonunion to arthritis, but most of them had fair-to-good outcome throughout their life. It opens our thinking about the real need of treatment in such nonunions and raises numerous questions about the disease. Level of evidence This is a Level IV study.


Author(s):  
Dan Jerker B. Svantesson

This chapter provides a brief history of Internet jurisdiction taking account of key court decisions, legislation as well as developments in the academic thinking on the topic. In doing so, it divides the history of Internet jurisdiction into four relatively distinct phases. The discussion in the chapter highlights facts such as that: (1) law has largely been reactive, responding to technological developments; (2) the level of creativity applied in the search for workable solutions was seemingly higher in the earlier stages than in more recent times; and (3) unsurprisingly, the attitudes of courts, legislators, and the academic community have varied considerably over the time period examined.


Author(s):  
Raquel Ramirez-Vazquez ◽  
Jesus Gonzalez-Rubio ◽  
Isabel Escobar ◽  
Carmen del Pilar Suarez Rodriguez ◽  
Enrique Arribas

In recent years, personal exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) has substantially increased, and most studies about RF-EMF with volunteers have been developed in Europe. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study carried out in Mexico with personal exposimeters. The main objective was to measure personal exposure to RF-EMF from Wireless Fidelity or wireless Internet connection (Wi-Fi) frequency bands in Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, to compare results with maximum levels permitted by international recommendations and to find if there are differences in the microenvironments subject to measurements. The study was conducted with 63 volunteers in different microenvironments: home, workplace, outside, schools, travel, and shopping. The mean minimum values registered were 146.5 μW/m2 in travel from the Wi-Fi 2G band and 116.8 μW/m2 at home from the Wi-Fi 5G band, and the maximum values registered were 499.7 μW/m2 and 264.9 μW/m2 at the workplace for the Wi-Fi 2G band and the Wi-Fi 5G band, respectively. In addition, by time period and type of day, minimum values were registered at nighttime, these values being 129.4 μW/m2 and 93.9 μW/m2, and maximum values were registered in the daytime, these values being 303.1 μW/m2 and 168.3 μW/m2 for the Wi-Fi 2G and Wi-Fi 5G bands, respectively. In no case, values exceeded limits established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Of the study participants (n = 63), a subgroup (n = 35) answered a survey on risk perception. According to these results, the Tamazunchale (Mexico) population is worried about this situation in comparison with several European cities; however, the risk perception changes when they are informed about the results for the study.


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