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Conservation relies on cooperation among different interest groups and appropriate use of evidence to make decisions that benefit people and biodiversity. However, misplaced conservation occurs when cooperation and evidence are impeded by polarization and misinformation. This impedance influences actions that directly harm biodiversity, alienate partners and disrupt partnerships, waste resources, misinform the public, and (or) delegitimize evidence. As a result of these actions, misplaced conservation outcomes emerge, making it more difficult to have positive outcomes for biodiversity. Here we describe cases where a failed appreciation for cooperation, evidence, or both have eroded efforts to conserve biodiversity. Generally, these case studies illustrate that averting misplaced conservation requires greater adherence to processes that elevate the role of evidence in decision-making and that place collective, long-term benefits for biodiversity over the short-term gains of individuals or groups. Efforts to integrate human dimensions, cooperation, and evidence into conservation will increase the efficacy and success of efforts to conserve global biodiversity while benefiting humanity.

The main objective of this work is to mimic and model pectoral fins based locomotion mechanisms observed in various labriform fishes like box-fish, angel fish, etc. accounting the previous problems using rigid joint connection for fins. The hydrodynamic forces acting on the pectoral fin are evaluated for a quasi-static state using blade element approach while taking into account the added mass. Implementing Newton–Euler equations, the kinematics and the dynamics of a free-swimming robot-fish are obtained. Thus, an analytical model is derived to calculate net forces and torques generated throughout the gait. Apart from a parametric study, simulations are performed to predict various output parameters like thrust, acceleration and swimming speed for some specific locomotion. For experimental validation, a rigid fish-like-body is fabricated with a pair of fins attached symmetrically on lateral sides of the body. Each fin is actuated using three servo-motors in [RyRzRy] configurations to exhibit both the rowing and flapping gaits. A micro-controller is deployed to control the actuators by generating pulse-width modulation and read inertial sensors (a gyroscope and an accelerometer mounted at the centroid of the body) using I2C protocol. In addition, a Bluetooth module is also attached to it for communicating the sensor’s readouts to a computer (running MATLAB script). To achieve some specific motions of rowing gait, the fins are actuated appropriately while the robot is freely submerged underwater and the sensor’s data are recorded in real-time for parallel observations. Based on video motion analysis and the sensed data, the values of acceleration are calculated and compared with the theoretical values predicted by the model.

Sexual segregation, the tendency to seasonally live in groups comprised of separate sexes, is widespread in sexually dimorphic polygynous ungulates. The causes for such segregation are still being studied and debated to arrive at a universal explanation. We assessed sexual segregation in the markhor, Capra falconeri—a dimorphic mountain ungulate inhabiting a seasonal temperate environment. We observed markhor herd composition, gender-specific diet, and habitat use over 3 years and multiple seasons. We tested the predictions of the Reproductive Strategy-Predation Risk Hypothesis (RSH) that focuses on offspring security, and the Forage Selection-Sexual Dimorphism Hypothesis (FSH) based on different foraging needs between the sexes due to size dimorphism. Generalized linear models were used to identify the important variables that best explained segregation in markhor. Male and female markhor showed a tendency to segregate throughout the year outside the mating season. Female markhor were confined to cliffs with relatively less forage cover, whereas males used areas with relatively better forage away from the security of cliffs. Females also occurred at lower elevations compared to males. Social segregation prevailed during pre-parturition and continued until autumn when the offspring were older, indicating a role of other factors besides predation risk. Sexual segregation in markhor was influenced by multiple mechanisms.

Abstract: A model calculation is given for the energy relaxation of a non-equilibrium distribution of hot electrons (holes) prepared in the conduction (valence) band of a polar indirect band-gap semiconductor, which has been subjected to homogeneous photoexcitation by a femtosecond laser pulse. The model assumes that the pulsed photoexcitation creates two distinct but spatially interpenetrating electron and hole non-equilibrium subsystems that initially relax non-radiatively through the electron (hole)-phonon processes towards the conduction (valence) band minimum (maximum), and finally radiatively through the phonon-assisted electron-hole recombination across the band-gap, which is a relatively slow process. This leads to an accumulation of electrons (holes) at the conduction (valence) band minimum (maximum). The resulting peaking of the carrier density and the entire evolution of the hot electron (hole) distribution has been calculated. The latter may be time resolved by a pump-probe study. The model is particularly applicable to a divided (nanometric) polar indirect band-gap semiconductor with a low carrier concentration and strong electron-phonon coupling, where the usual two-temperature model [1-4] may not be appropriate.

The energy relaxation between the hot degenerate electrons of a homogeneously photoexcited metal film and the surface phonons (phonon wave vectors in two dimensions) is considered under Debye approximation. The state of electrons and phonons is described by equilibrium Fermi and Bose functions with different temperatures. Two cases for electron scattering by the metal surface, namely specular and diffuse scattering, are considered.

A challenge in animal ecology is to link animal movement to demography. In general, reproducing and non-reproducing animals may show different movement patterns. Dramatic changes in reproductive status, such as the loss of an offspring during the course of migration, might also affect movement. Studies linking movement speed to reproductive status require individual monitoring of life-history events and hence are rare. Here, we link movement data from 98 GPS-collared female moose (Alces alces) to field observations of reproductive status and calf survival. We show that reproductive females move more quickly during migration than non-reproductive females. Further, the loss of a calf over the course of migration triggered a decrease in speed of the female. This is in contrast to what might be expected for females no longer constrained by an accompanying offspring. The observed patterns demonstrate that females of different reproductive status may have distinct movement patterns, and that the underlying motivation to move may be altered by a change in reproductive status during migration.