The reference genome and transcriptome of the limestone langur, Trachypithecus leucocephalus, reveal expansion of genes related to alkali tolerance.

BACKGROUND: Trachypithecus leucocephalus, the white-headed langur, is a critically endangered primate that is endemic to the karst mountains in the southern Guangxi province of China. Studying the genomic and transcriptomic mechanisms underlying its local adaptation could help explain its persistence within a highly specialized ecological niche. RESULTS: In this study, we used PacBio sequencing and optical assembly and Hi-C analysis to create a high-quality de novo assembly of the T. leucocephalus genome. Annotation and functional enrichment revealed many genes involved in metabolism, transport, and homeostasis, and almost all of the positively selected genes were related to mineral ion binding. The transcriptomes of 12 tissues from three T. leucocephalus individuals showed that the great majority of genes involved in mineral absorption and calcium signaling were expressed, and their gene families were significantly expanded. For example, FTH1 primarily functions in iron storage and had 20 expanded copies. CONCLUSIONS: These results increase our understanding of the evolution of alkali tolerance and other traits necessary for the persistence of T. leucocephalus within an ecologically unique limestone karst environment.

[Screening of Molluscacidal Microorganisms against Oncomelania hupensis and Their Effect].

Fifteen soil samples were collected from Oncomelania hupensis culture pond in Miluo Schistosomiasis Control and Prevention Base, Hunan Province. Four strains of bacteria were identified to have molluscacidal effects, numbered as B8, B27, B36 and B59. Compared with the fermentation broth groups and bacteria suspension groups, the fermentation supernatant groups of the four strains showed the strongest molluscacidal effect. The fermentation supernatant of B59 strain showed the best molluscacidal effect, with snail mortalit of 73.3% and 96.7% at 48 h and 72 h of treatment, respectively. SDS-PAGE revealed no proteins in fermentation supernatant, fermentation broth and bacteria suspension of B59 strain. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequence showed that the ITS sequence of strain B59 (accession No. KP146144) was 100% homologous to that of the same fragment of Bacillus cereus (accession No. CP001746).

Feeding adaptation of François' langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) to the fragmented limestone habitats in Southwest China.

Limestone forests are an unusual habitat for primates, especially fragmented limestone habitats. However, while some research has been conducted on François' langurs (Trachypithecus francois) in these habitats, there is still a need to improve the understanding of their behavioral adaptations to the fragmented limestone habitat. We collected data on the diet of François' langurs in a fragmented limestone habitat in Encheng National Nature Reserve, southwestern Guangxi, China using instantaneous scanning sampling, and their feeding adaptations to the fragmented forest were examined. The results indicated that a total of 101 species of plants were consumed by the langurs. They also fed on two non-plant components, including cliff minerals and at least one species of insect. The langurs ate a higher number of food species in Encheng when compared with the other geographic populations, and they maintained a high level of food diversity and ate more vines. Moreover, they were highly selective in their use of vegetation in their home range, and fewer plants provided a high-quality food source. During the season when food resources were scarce, the consumption of fruits and young leaves decreased as their availability decreased. This led to the use of other food components, such as mature leaves and seeds. The findings support that François' langurs adjust their feeding behavior to cope with seasonal and micro-variations in their dietary requirements and to adapt to their particular environment.

Efficient Path Planning for a Microrobot Passing through Environments with Narrow Passages.

This paper presents an efficient path-planning algorithm for microrobots attempting to pass through environments with narrow passages. Because of the extremely small size of a microrobot, it is suitable for work in this kind of environment. The rapidly exploring random tree (RRT) algorithm, which uses random sampling points, can quickly explore an entire environment and generate a sub-optimal path for a robot to pass through it; however, the RRT algorithm, when used to plan a path for a microrobot passing through an environment with narrow passages, has the problem of being easily limited to local solutions when it confronts with a narrow passage and is unable to find the final path through it. In light of this, the objectives of the considered path planning problem involve detecting the narrow passages, leading the path toward an approaching narrow passage, passing through a narrow passage, and extending the path search more efficiently. A methodology was proposed based on the bidirectional RRT in which image processing is used to mark narrow passages and their entrances and exits so that the bidirectional RRT can be quickly guided to them and combined with the deterministic algorithm to find paths through them. We designed the methodology such that RRT generates the sampling points for path growth. The multiple importance sampling technique is incorporated with bidirectional RRT, named MIS-BiRRT, to make the path grow faster toward the target point and narrow passages while avoiding obstacles. The proposed algorithm also considers multiple candidate paths simultaneously to expand the search range and then retain the best one as a part of the planning path. After validation from simulation, the proposed algorithm was found to generate efficient path planning results for microrobots to pass through narrow passages.

Concept for Efficient Light Harvesting in Perovskite Materials via Solar Harvester with Multi-Functional Folded Electrode.

Conventional electrodes in typical photodetectors only conduct electrical signals and introduce high optical reflection, impacting the optical-to-electrical conversion efficiency. The created surface solar harvester with a multi-functional folded electrode (MFFE) realizes both a three-dimensional Schottky junction with a larger light detecting area as well as low optical reflection from 300 nm (ultra-violet light) to 1100 nm (near-infrared light) broadly without an additional anti-reflection layer. The MFFE needs silicon etching following the lithography process. The metal silver was deposited over structured silicon, completing the whole device simply. According to the experimental results, the width ratio of the bottom side to the top side in MFFE was 15.75, and it showed an optical reflection of 5-7% within the major solar spectrum of AM1.5G by the gradient refractive index effect and the multi-scattering phenomenon simultaneously. While the perovskite materials were deposited over the MFFE structure of the solar harvester, the three-dimensional electrode with lower optical reflection benefitted the perovskite solar cell with a larger detecting area and an additional anti-reflection function to absorb solar energy more efficiently. In this concept, because of the thin stacked film in the perovskite solar cell, the solar energy could be harvested by the prepared Schottky junction of the solar harvester again, except for the optical absorption of the perovskite materials. Moreover, the perovskite materials deposited over the MFFE structure could not absorb near-infrared (NIR) energies to become transparent. The NIR light could be harvested by the light detecting junction of the solar harvester to generate effective photocurrent output additionally for extending the detection capability of perovskite solar cell further. In this work, the concept of integration of a conventional perovskite solar cell with a silicon-based solar harvester having an MFFE structure was proposed and is expected to harvest broadband light energies under low optical reflection and enhance the solar energy conversion efficiency.

A multilevel-based study of school policy for tobacco control in relation to cigarette smoking among children in elementary schools: gender differences.

The aim was to comprehensively examine school-based tobacco policy status, implementation and students' perceived smoking at school in regard to gender-specific differences in smoking behavior. We conducted a multilevel-based study to assess two-level effects for smoking among 2350 grades three to six students in 26 randomly selected elementary schools in southern Taiwan. A series of multilevel models were analyzed separately for male and female students. The school-level variables appear to be related to smoking behavior in male students. Among males, the risk of ever-smoking was significantly associated with those schools without antitobacco health education activities or curricula [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 6.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.55-15.24], with a high perceived smoking rate (aOR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.41-6.72) and located in a mountainous region (aOR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.15-5.58). The risk of ever-smoking among females was significantly associated with those schools without antitobacco activities or curricula (aOR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.27-7.55). As compared with female counterparts, the specific school that the male students attended had a positive significant effect on the risk of being ever-smokers. The findings suggest that effective tobacco policy implementation should be considered in elementary schools that are currently putting children at the greatest risk for cigarette smoking, especially in regard to male students.

Variations in diet composition of sympatric Trachypithecus francoisi and Macaca assamensis in the limestone habitats of Nonggang, China.

Comparative studies of sympatric species are essential for understanding behavioral and ecological adaptation as well as the mechanisms that can reduce resource competition to allow coexistence. François' langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) and Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) are sympatric primate species found in the limestone seasonal rainforests of Nonggang Nature Reserve, southwestern Guangxi, China. To explore their different adaptation strategies, we collected data on diet using scan sampling at 15-min intervals. Our results revealed that François' langurs showed a more flexible diet composition than Assamese macaques. François' langurs increased dietary diversity and mature leaf consumption in response to seasonal scarcity of preferred young leaves and fruits, whereas Assamese macaques relied heavily on young bamboo leaves (Indocalamus calcicolus) in most months. These variations reflect the differences in digestive physiology, morphology, and the temporal and spatial distribution of food resources.

Attacks on adult females with infants by non-resident males in the François langur.

Infanticide by males is a common phenomenon in mammals, especially primates, as lactation lasts much longer than gestation in many species. Usually, infanticidal episodes occur soon after group takeovers, and are traditionally considered a male reproductive strategy (i.e., support the sexual selection hypothesis, Hrdy, 1974). To verify the validity of this conception, we observed one group of Francois' langurs in the Nonggang Nature Reserve, China, between August 2003 and July 2004. During the study period, a Francois' langur female with the youngest infant in the group was attacked three times by immigrating males, and later disappeared by the third day after the final attack. We suggest that these attacks on the female-infant dyad represent infanticide attempts by males, and may be the cause of the adult female and her infant's disappearance. Presumably, that female dispersed with her infant to avoid infanticide and was not killed. Though these observations do not completely verify the sexual selection hypothesis, they are not inconsistent with it.

Seasonal variations in the energy budget of Elliot's pheasant (Syrmaticus ellioti) in cage.

This study aimed to discuss the energy budget of Elliot's pheasant Syrmaticus ellioti in different seasons, with life and health, good growth and normal digestion of Elliot's pheasant as the tested objects, The energy budget of Elliot's pheasant was measured by daily collection of the trial pheasants' excrement in the biological garden of Guangxi Normal University from March 2011 to February 2012. The results showed that the gross energy consumption, metabolic energy and excrement energy varied by season, increasing as temperature decreased. There was significant difference in gross energy consumption, metabolic energy, excrement energy between adults and nonages. There was also a trend that food digestibility of pheasants increases as temperature increases. In the same season, the food digestibility of adults was better than that of nonages. Throughout spring, summer, autumn and winter, the metabolic energy of 4-year adults were 305.77±13.40 kJ/d, 263.67±11.89 kJ/d, 357.23±25.49 kJ/d and 403.12±24.91 kJ/d, respectively, and the nonages were 284.86±17.22 kJ/d, 284. 66±15.16 kJ/d, 402. 26±31.46 kJ/d and 420. 30±31.98 kJ/d, respectively. The minimum metabolic energies were 247.65±21.81 g, 265.86±26.53 g, respectively for each group, detected between 4-year adults and 1-year nonages. Further study is needed to determine whether 29.6 C is the optimal temperature for the Elliot's pheasant.

Disseminating childhood home injury risk reduction information in Pakistan: results from a community-based pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Most childhood unintentional injuries occur in the home; however, very little home injury prevention information is tailored to developing countries. Utilizing our previously developed information dissemination tools and a hazard assessment checklist tailored to a low-income neighborhood in Pakistan, we pilot tested and compared the effectiveness of two dissemination tools. METHODS: Two low-income neighborhoods were mapped, identifying families with a child aged between 12 and 59 months. In June and July 2010, all enrolled households underwent a home hazard assessment at the same time hazard reduction education was being given using an in-home tutorial or a pamphlet. A follow up assessment was conducted 4-5 months later. RESULTS: 503 households were enrolled; 256 received a tutorial and 247 a pamphlet. The two groups differed significantly (p < 0.01) in level of maternal education and relationship of the child to the primary caregiver. However, when controlling for these variables, those receiving an in-home tutorial had a higher odds of hazard reduction than the pamphlet group for uncovered vats of water (OR 2.14, 95% CI: 1.28, 3.58), an open fire within reach of the child (OR 3.55, 95% CI: 1.80, 7.00), and inappropriately labeled cooking fuel containers (OR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.07, 3.25). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot project demonstrates the potential utility of using home-visit tutorials to decrease home hazards in a low-income neighborhood in Pakistan. A longer-term randomized study is needed to assess actual effectiveness of the use of allied health workers for home-based injury education and whether this results in decreased home injuries.

Home injury risks to young children in Karachi, Pakistan: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To pilot an in-home unintentional injury hazard assessment tool and to quantify potential injury risks for young children in a low-income urban setting. METHODS: Two low-income neighbourhoods in Karachi, Pakistan, were mapped, and families with at least one child between the ages of 12 and 59 months were identified. Using existing available home injury risk information, an in-home injury risk assessment tool was drafted and tailored to the local setting. Home injury assessments were done in June-July 2010 after obtaining informed consent. RESULTS: Approximately 75.4% of mothers were educated through at least grade 12. The main risks identified were stoves within the reach of the child (n=279, 55.5%), presence of open buckets in the bathroom (n=240, 47.7%) within the reach of the child, and pedestal fans accessible to the child (n=242, 48.1%). In terms of safety equipment, a first-aid box with any basic item was present in 70% of households, but only 4.8% of households had a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first time that an in-home, all-unintentional injury risk assessment tool was tailored and applied in the context of a low-income community in Pakistan. There was a significant burden of hazards present in the homes in these communities, representing an important opportunity for injury prevention. This pilot may have future relevance to other LMICs where child injury prevention is a critical need.

Childhood unintentional injuries: need for a community-based home injury risk assessments in pakistan.

Background. A substantial proportion of the annual 875,000 childhood unintentional injury deaths occur in the home. Very few printed tools are available in South Asia for disseminating home injury prevention information. Methods. Three tools were planned: an injury hazard assessment tool appropriate for a developing country setting, an educational pamphlet highlighting strategies for reducing home injury hazards, and an in-home safety tutorial program to be delivered by a trained community health worker. Results. The three tools were successfully developed. Two intervention neighborhoods in Karachi, Pakistan, were mapped. The tools were pretested in this local setting and are now ready for pilot testing in an intervention study. Conclusion. Planning for an innovative, community-based pilot study takes considerable time and effort in a low-income setting like Pakistan. The primary outcome of the pre-testing phase of the study was the development of three important tools geared for low-income housing communities in Pakistan.

Multitarget visual tracking based effective surveillance with cooperation of multiple active cameras.

This paper presents a tracking-based surveillance system that is capable of tracking multiple moving objects, with almost real-time response, through the effective cooperation of multiple pan-tilt cameras. To construct this surveillance system, the distributed camera agent, which tracks multiple moving objects independently, is first developed. The particle filter is extended with target depth estimate to track multiple targets that may overlap with one another. A strategy to select the suboptimal camera action is then proposed for a camera mounted on a pan-tilt platform that has been assigned to track multiple targets within its limited field of view simultaneously. This strategy is based on the mutual information and the Monte Carlo method to maintain coverage of the tracked targets. Finally, for a surveillance system with a small number of active cameras to effectively monitor a wide space, this system is aimed to maximize the number of targets to be tracked. We further propose a hierarchical camera selection and task assignment strategy, known as the online position strategy, to integrate all of the distributed camera agents. The overall performance of the multicamera surveillance system has been verified with computer simulations and extensive experiments.

Metabolism and thermoregulation between Mrs Hume's Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) and Elliot's Pheasant (S. ellioti).

To understand metabolic adaptations, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of Mrs Hume's Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) and Elliot's Pheasant (Syrmaticus ellioti) were investigated. Metabolic rate (MR), body temperature (T(b) ) and thermal conductance (C) were determined in both species at a temperatrue range of 5-35 Degrees Celsius, respectively. Oxygen consumption was measured with a closed circuit respirometer. The thermal neutral zones (TNZ) were 24.5-31.6 Degrees Celsius, and 23.0-29.2 Degrees Celsius, respectively. With a temperature range of 5-35 Degrees Celsius, Mrs Hume's Pheasant and Elliot's Pheasant could maintained stable T(b) at a mean of (40.47 ± 0.64) and (40.36 ± 0.10) Degrees Celsius, respectively. Mean BMRs within TNZs were (1.36 ± 0.84) mLO2/(g.h) for Mrs Hume's Pheasant and (2.03 ± 0.12) mLO2/(g.h) for Elliot's Pheasant, which were 77% and 86% of the expected value based on their body mass, respectively. Thermal conductance of Mrs Hume's Pheasant and Elliot's Pheasant were (0.12 ± 0.01) and (0.17 ± 0.01) mLO2/(g.h.Degrees Celsius), below the lower critical temperature, respectively, which were 119% and 124% of the expected value based on their body mass, respectively. The ecophysiological characteristics of these species were low metabolic rate, high body temperature, and high thermal conductance, which allow both species to better adapt to the warmer climate environment in south China.

[Habitat selection and use of Francois's langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) in Guangxi Province, Fusui area].

To explore the influence of habitat fragmentation on the ecology of the Francois's langur (Trachypithecus francoisi), data on habitat use were collected from a group of Francois's langurs living in an isolated hill in the Fusui Rare Animal Nature Reserve, Guangxi Province, from March to December 2001. To identify the effect of human activities on vegetation, 10 vegetation quadrats were sampled in the habitat, including 5 on the slopes with more human disturbance, and 5 on the hill-tops with less human disturbance. Because of human destruction, not only the number of plant species, diversity and density, but also the densities of preferred foods for Francois's langurs were less on the slope than those on the hill-top. Analyses of habitat use indicated that the langurs showed preference for the hill-top with abundant food resources and less human disturbance, and avoided to use the slope with more human disturbance. In the rainy seasons, langurs spent significantly more time on the hill-top rather than on the cliff. Therefore, habitat selection and use of the species may be resulted from the balance of feeding benefit and human disturbance. Francois's langurs used the platforms and caves on the cliffs as sleeping sites. They reused some sleeping sites, and tend to use the same caves on consecutive nights.