Acoustic recording can be a very interesting way of monitoring cetaceans for conservation purposes. However, some sympatric species produce very similar sounds and are thus difficult to study specifically. In this work, we are interested in characterizing the narrow band high frequency (NBHF) clicks emitted by several species of odontocetes, among which all porpoises and some species of dolphins. The traditional acoustic parameters (durations, frequencies, bandwidths) of NBHF clicks show several drawbacks, such as redundancy, lack of precise definition, and poor robustness to noise. In this study, we propose a new method of characterizing NBHF clicks by fitting a Gabor wavelet to the signal and thus extracting two specific metrics, the Gabor frequency and the Gabor duration. We first assess the theoretical usefulness of this mathematical model, and then test it against traditional measurements in numerical examples with varying levels of noise. Our method is then applied to two empirical datasets recorded in South America, a place were many sympatric species are found to emit NBHF clicks. Two large sets of signals are thus analyzed and compared : one of clicks of Peale’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus australis) from Chaihuin bay, Chile, and the other of clicks of Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) from San Clemente del Tuyu, Argentina. Our metrics allow a good characterization of each species’ clicks with quick and efficient computation, with good reproducibility across different recording devices, and a clear separation of the two species. We suggest it could be applied to more datasets from different species, and possibly be used to classify NBHF of sympatric species.
The Zygophyllaceae subfamily Zygophylloideae includes seven genera and around 180 species distributed worldwide particularly in arid areas where they show adaptations to drought including C 4 and CAM photosynthesis. Phylogenetic relationships of Zygophylloideae have been analysed in several studies using Sanger sequenced markers, but none have been able to resolve all deeper relationships between genera in the subfamily. Here, we use ion semi-conductor sequencing of chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal regions to analyse these relationships and assess why they have proved so challenging to resolve. We sequenced 39 chloroplast genes and nuclear ribosomal 18S, 5.8S, and 26S genes and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) for key species of Zygophyllum sensu stricto, Roepera, Tetraena, Fagonia , Zygophyllum stapffii and monotypic Augea capensis ; and Tribulus of the subfamily Tribuloideae as outgroup. We aligned these with data from published chloroplast genomes followed by phylogenetic analyses using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian approaches, summarising phylogenetic results separately for non-coding introns and intergenic spacers, and for genes that are, or are not, involved in photosynthesis. We combined the chloroplast data with sequences of three highly variable noncoding chloroplast regions used in previous studies of greater numbers of taxa, and similarly the nuclear ribosomal data with more densely sampled ITS sequences and assessed whether adding such data resulted in improved support for consistent topologies. We used a chloroplast sequence matrix to infer a dated phylogeny. Adding data did not always improve phylogenetic resolution which was apparently impacted by non-informative variation in chloroplast photosynthesis related genes as well as by conflicting chloroplast and nuclear signals. Chloroplast genes not related to photosynthesis provide robust support for a topology that is consistent with independent data and may therefore represent a useful species tree hypothesis. The cause of the gene tree conflicts remains unclear: potential explanations include functional constraints in photosynthesis related genes and introgressive hybridization and/or incomplete lineage sorting during an ancient rapid divergence. Further testing will require a broader sampling of lineages with different photosynthetic modes and multiple informative, independent, and selectively neutral gene trees.
BACKGROUND: Older adults with cancer often struggle to achieve recommended levels of physical activity and dietary intake. Ecological momentary assessment combined with accelerometry can provide insights into the temporal dynamics of psychological and behavioral processes at the individual level, such as motivation towards health behaviors. OBJECTIVE: This N-of-1 study aims to improve physical activity and dietary intake among older patients with cancer using an mHealth behavioral intervention. METHODS: A single-subject ABA′ design will be employed among older patients with cancer (≥ 70 years). A 2-week baseline phase (A) will be followed by an 8-week intervention phase (B) and a 2-week follow-up phase (A′). Throughout all these phases, participants will complete a daily data collection protocol combining ecological momentary assessment questionnaires and an ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer worn on the waist to measure physical activity. Ecological momentary assessment questionnaires will be delivered via a digital application to collect information on dietary intake, fatigue, and motivational constructs based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. The intervention (B) will consist of an mHealth intervention based on behavior change techniques, delivered via weekly calls, personalized messages, and a digital application. Data will be analyzed using piecewise regression models. In addition, a semi-structured interview will be conducted to assess patient experience. These qualitative data will help identify contextual factors, such as treatment-related side effects or variations in health status, that may have influenced behavior change and participation in data collection. CONCLUSION: This N-of-1 study explores intra-individual behavioral dynamics using intensive longitudinal data rather than testing a strictly reversible intervention effect. The mHealth intervention is based on behavior change techniques, with adjustments tailored to participants′ progress and changing circumstances. The results will contribute to the evidence base for mHealth interventions designed to promote sustained physical activity and dietary intake among older adults with cancer.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread synthetic contaminants that can accumulate in food, such as chicken eggs. Although European Union maximum levels for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS apply to commercialised eggs, backyard chicken egg concentrations frequently exceed these limits. Consequently, in the Netherlands, the national health authority advised against consuming backyard eggs. In response, many chicken owners tested their eggs and openly shared the results through a citizen-science initiative, resulting in the first large, citizen-led PFAS dataset worldwide. The dataset comprises 801 laboratory measurements and includes information on husbandry conditions, including uncovered outdoor space, flock size, feed type and water source. We conducted an exploratory analysis to identify variables associated with variation in the egg concentrations of the EFSA-4 PFAS: PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS. Contamination was widespread, with only 36% of samples below EU maximum levels. PFOS dominated, accounting for 87% of the mean summed concentration. Repeated egg sampling revealed substantial temporal variation, indicating that concentrations are dynamic and that single measurements do not reliably reflect human exposure. Generalised additive models showed that surface area of uncovered outdoor space per hen was often the strongest predictor, with larger foraging areas being associated with higher PFAS levels. Larger flock size, higher egg production, and continuous access to food were associated with lower concentrations for three of the four PFAS. Diet and water source were not significantly associated with PFAS levels. Spatial patterns showed decreasing PFAS concentrations with distance from the coast, possibly caused by sea spray aerosol deposition, while PFOA levels were strongly related to distance from a fluorochemical plant, with the highest concentrations downwind. These results suggest that atmospheric deposition shapes PFAS spatial distribution, and uptake by free-ranging hens most likely occurs predominantly via ingestion of contaminated soil invertebrates. Future experimental studies could evaluate mitigation options targeting the soil compartment, including soil modification or limiting soil fauna access through chicken enclosure modifications.
Pesticide use has strong adverse effect on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and human health . Numerous policies have been proposed to reduce their use and associated risk but evaluations of changes in pesticide risk over time and space are still rare. Here, we evaluate temporal and spatial trends of pesticide risks in France between 2012-2022 using the Pesticide Load Index. The Pesticide Load Index assesses ecotoxicity, human health and fate risks of pesticides, and has been previously employed in Denmark and the UK. The Pesticide Load Index was evaluated accounting for 293 different active substances and 2977 commercial products (99% of sold pesticides mass). We found that pesticide risks have decreased by 29% from 2012 to 2022, mainly due to a reduction in the Ecotoxicity Load (-37.4%) linked to the ban of some of the most toxic active substances, while the Fate Load increased by 13.2% and no significant change was observed in the Human Health Load. Insecticides contributed nearly half (47.6%) of the Pesticide Load Index despite accounting for only 11.2% of the total mass of commercial pesticide products. We also found that the Pesticide Load Index and its three sub-indices were spatially correlated, with higher risks consistently observed in the North and West of France, where beet crops, vineyards, and vegetables cultivation are predominant. Our study identifies priority areas for the mitigation of pesticide risks, and provides data for public policies to further reduce the use of the most toxic pesticides, focusing not only on ecotoxicity, but also on human health risks and the environmental persistence, mobility and bioaccumulation of pesticides.
