NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute (EAPSI) for FY 2013 in Japan

这一行动资助耶鲁大学的Rachel racicot于2013年夏天在日本东京和筑波的国立自然与科学博物馆/筑波科学中心开展了一个地球科学研究项目。该项目的标题是“从揭示内耳形态的高分辨率CT扫描中阐明江豚和海豚回声定位的进化。”主持会议的科学家是Naoki Kohno博士。活着的海豚和鲸鱼(鲸目动物)利用回声定位作为避开捕食者和寻找猎物的一种手段；这涉及一套独特的解剖学特征，允许从耳朵、头骨和软组织结构的部分发射和接收声音。江豚及其近亲如何进化回声定位是一个重要的研究领域，对于制定更有效的保护策略至关重要。特别是，这些动物的内耳在空间感和声音接收方面都发挥着关键作用。这个项目通过从一些最早的飞燕类化石的计算机断层扫描(CT)中数字提取内耳迷路，并将它们与现存物种进行比较，来研究江豚及其近亲回声定位的进化。记录从早期分化的江豚到现存物种内耳的形态变化，为它们如何感知周围的三维世界提供了一种感觉。该项目CT扫描了来自日本博物馆藏品的化石和最新材料，并使用最先进的软件数字重建了它们内耳的形态。内耳的形态有助于重建现代海豚和江豚群体之间的进化关系，这迫切需要更多的形态证据。EAPSI奖学金的更广泛影响包括为研究员提供美国以外的第一手研究经验；介绍各自所在地的科学、科学政策和科学基础设施；以及了解社会、文化和语言。这些活动符合NSF的目标，即在其科学家、工程师和教育工作者的职业生涯早期为国际合作进行教育，从而确保拥有一支具有全球意识的美国科学队伍。此外，该研究员使用的分析使用了尖端的CT扫描和软件，以进行准确的测量和统计分析。这些CT数据在地球和自然科学中代表着一种日益重要的资源；三维分析允许对内部特征进行非破坏性的数字检查(否则无法获得)，并且是未来的研究人员、博物馆和普通公众通过www.digimform.org等网站获得的永久数字记录。该项目将提交给同行评审的科学期刊，如《脊椎动物古生物学杂志》、《生态与进化趋势》和《古生物学研究》。海洋哺乳动物的魅力为公众宣传提供了难得的机会，包括讲座和编写教育材料。日本的这项研究将加强耶鲁大学本科生在CT扫描使用和解释方面的持续指导。这位研究员还将与日本科学女性协会分享她的经历。

This action funds Rachel Racicot of Yale University to conduct a research project in Geosciences during the summer of 2013 at The National Museum of Nature and Science/Tsukuba Science Center in Tokyo and Tsukuba, Japan. The project title is "Evolution of Echolocation in Porpoises and Dolphins Elucidated from High-Resolution CT Scans Revealing Inner Ear Morphology." The host scientist is Dr. Naoki Kohno.Living dolphins and whales (cetaceans) employ echolocation as a means of avoiding predators and finding prey; this involves a unique suite of anatomical features that allows the emission and reception of sound from parts of the ear, skull, and soft tissue structures. How porpoises and their relatives evolved echolocation is an important area of research crucial to developing more effective conservation strategies. In particular, the inner ears of these animals perform a pivotal role in both sense of space and sound reception. This project examines the evolution of echolocation in porpoises and their relatives by digitally extracting the inner ear labyrinths from computed tomographic (CT) scans of some of the earliest fossil delphinoids, and comparing them with extant species. Documenting the changing morphology of inner ears from early-diverging porpoises to extant species provides a sense for how they perceive the three-dimensional world around them. This project CT scans Fossils and recent material from museum collections in Japan and the morphology of their inner ears is digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art software. The morphology of inner ears helps reconstruct the evolutionary relationships between modern groups of dolphins and porpoises, for which additional morphological evidence is sorely needed. Broader impacts of an EAPSI fellowship include providing the Fellow a first-hand research experience outside the U.S.; an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and an orientation to the society, culture and language. These activities meet the NSF goal to educate for international collaborations early in the career of its scientists, engineers, and educators, thus ensuring a globally aware U.S. scientific workforce. Furthermore, the analyses used by the Fellow employ cutting-edge CT scans and software for accurate measurement and statistical analyses. These CT data represent an increasingly important resource in the earth and natural sciences; three-dimensional analyses allow for non-destructive digital examination of internal features (which are otherwise impossible to obtain), and are permanent digital records available to future researchers, museums, and the general public via websites such as www.digimorph.org. This project will be submitted to peer-reviewed scientific journals such as the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, and Paleontological Research. The charismatic nature of marine mammals affords exceptional opportunities for public outreach, including lectures and development of educational materials. Ongoing mentorship of undergraduates at Yale in the use and interpretation of CT scans will be enhanced by this research in Japan. The Fellow will also share her experiences with the Japanese Society for Women in Science.