An important goal of evolutionary and conservation biology is the identification of units below the species level, such as Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs), providing objectively delimited ...units for species conservation and management. In this study we tested the hypothesis that Cuvier’s dwarf caiman (
Paleosuchus palpebrosus
)—a species broadly distributed across several biomes and watersheds of South America—is comprised of different ESUs. We analyzed mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences of 206 individuals and 532 unlinked ddRAD loci of 20 individuals chosen from amongst the mitochondrial haplogroups. Analysis of the cytochrome b sequences revealed four mitochondrial clusters, while STRUCTURE analysis of ddRAD loci detected three genomic clusters with different levels of mixture between them. Using the Adaptive Evolutionary Conservation (AEC) framework we identified three ESUs: “Amazon”, “Madeira-Bolivia” and “Pantanal”; one of them composed of two different Management Units (MUs), “Madeira” and “Bolivia”. In general, based on the comparisons with other crocodilian species, genetic diversity of each lineage was moderate however, the Madeira MU showed fivefold lower genetic diversity than other geographic groups. Considering the particularities of each
Paleosuchus palpebrosus
conservation unit, we recommend that the conservation status of each is evaluated separately. Tropical biodiversity is largely underestimated and in this context the broadly distributed species are the most likely candidates to harbor distinct evolutionary lineages. Thus, we suggest that conservation research should not neglect species that are generally considered of Least Concern by IUCN due to the taxon’s broad geographic distribution.
The magnetic field assisted adsorption is a non-conventional method employed in removal of water pollutants and due to the promising results found until now, we have applied this procedure with ...single and binary systems. Zeolites and carbons were employed as adsorbents materials, which were modified with calcium and iron to improve its adsorption and magnetic properties, respectively. Adsorbents were physicochemical (elemental analysis, SEM/EDX analysis, X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy) and magnetically characterized to describe their composition, textural and magnetic behavior under magnetic field exposition. Adsorption isotherms were conducted in batch systems with and without magnetic field using as contaminants Cd2+, Zn2+, Basic Blue 9, Basic Green 1, Reactive Black 5 and Reactive Red 2. The results are indicating that there are increments when was applied the magnetic field up to 114% and 55% in single solutions, and 15% and 63% in binary mixtures for heavy metals and dyes, respectively. Finally, with the purpose to elucidate the adsorption mechanism the characterization, adsorption capacities and molecular simulation were correlated to explain the phenomena involved and the role played by magnetic field in improving results.
•A novel non-conventional method has been used successfully for the removal of dyes and heavy metals in binary solutions.•The magnetic field generates a more significant effect on the adsorbate than on the adsorbent.•The magnetic field has a greater effect on the cationic species.
We investigate the relationship between active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity and host galaxy properties using a sample of massive galaxies at z ∼ 2 in the Chandra Deep Field-South (CDFS). A sample ...of 268 galaxies with M
* > 1010.5 M⊙ at 1.4 < z < 3 are selected from Hubble Space Telescope wide field camera 3 (WFC3) H-band observations in CDFS taken as part of the cosmic assembly near-infrared deep extragalactic legacy survey (CANDELS) survey. We find that a large fraction (22.0 ± 2.5 per cent) are detected in the 4 Ms Chandra/Advanced CCD Image Spectrometer observations in the field, implying a high AGN content in these massive galaxies. To investigate further the relationship between these AGN and their hosts, we create four subsamples, based on their star formation rates (star-forming versus quiescent) and galaxy size (compact versus extended), following Barro et al. and perform X-ray spectral fitting. We find a clear effect whereby the AGN in compact galaxies – be they star forming or quiescent – show significantly higher luminosities and levels of obscuration than the AGN in extended galaxies. These results provide clear evidence for two modes of black hole growth in massive galaxies at high redshift. The dominant growth mode is a luminous, obscured phase which occurs overwhelmingly in compact galaxies while another lower luminosity, unobscured phase is predominantly seen in extended galaxies. Both modes could produce AGN feedback, with violent transformative feedback in the former and a gentler ‘maintenance mode’ produced by the latter.
In this letter we estimate the contribution of the double diffractive processes for the diphoton production in
pp
collisions at the large hadron collider (LHC). The acceptance of the central and ...forward LHC detectors is taken into account and predictions for the invariant mass, rapidity and, transverse momentum distributions are presented. A comparison with the predictions for the light-by-light (LbL) scattering and exclusive diphoton production is performed. We demonstrate that the events associated to double diffractive processes can be separated and its study can be used to constrain the behavior of the diffractive parton distribution functions.
Using Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 imaging taken as part of the Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey, we examine the role that major galaxy mergers play in triggering active ...galactic nucleus (AGN) activity at z ~ 2. Employing visual classifications, we have analyzed the rest-frame optical morphologies of the AGN host galaxies and compared them to a mass-matched control sample of 216 non-active galaxies at the same redshift. Results suggest that the hosts of moderate-luminosity AGNs are no more likely to be involved in an ongoing merger or interaction relative to non-active galaxies of similar mass at z ~ 2. The high disk fraction observed among the AGN hosts also appears to be at odds with predictions that merger-driven accretion should be the dominant AGN fueling mode at z ~ 2, even at moderate X-ray luminosities.
New alternatives for the removal of transition metal ions that present an environmental risk are required. The chemical adsorption of these ions on surfaces with chemisorbent properties represents a ...promising area of research. In this work, manganite (γ-MnOOH) nanorods were synthesized, with a surface area of 20.22 m
2
g
−1
, pore size of 32.18 nm and pore volume of 0.1627 cm
3
g
−1
. After chemical and structural characterization of the manganite sample, it was evaluated as an adsorbent of Cu(
ii
) from aqueous solution. The equilibrium adsorption data were well fitted by the Langmuir isotherm, and the results indicated that the maximum adsorption capacity of Cu(
ii
) was 11.926 mg g
−1
. Cu(
ii
) ion adsorption on the manganite surface is a spontaneous and exothermic process (Δ
G
°< 0 and Δ
H
°< 0). The negative value of Δ
S
° suggests the stability of the adsorption process without structural change at the manganite-aqueous solution interface. A scheme for chemisorption of Cu(
ii
) ions on the hydroxylated surface of manganite is proposed.
Manganite (γ-MnOOH) nanorods were synthesized and Cu(
ii
) adsorption on their hydroxylated surface was a spontaneous process (Δ
G
° < 0).
Wine is a fermented product consumed in a large scale all over the world that therefore has a large impact both economic and food safety terms. The analytical control of the final product is thus of ...high importance; it is not a simple task given that the chemical composition of wine is very variable and complex. Consequently, there is always the need for some sample pre-treatment prior to analysis. Flow-based analyses are known for their efficiency in sample manipulation and can be easily coupled to other techniques, such as separation techniques, namely membrane-based or extraction procedures. This possibility is an important step when dealing with complex matrices, such as wine samples. This review presents the state of the art of the methodologies that were developed using flow-based systems coupled to separation devices applied to wine analysis, namely membrane-based, solid, and liquid phase extraction and low pressure chromatography separations.
Define the epidemiology of the four recently classified syndromes describing the biologic response to infection: systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic ...shock.
Prospective cohort study with a follow-up of 28 days or until discharge if earlier.
Three intensive care units and three general wards in a tertiary health care institution.
Patients were included if they met at least two of the criteria for SIRS: fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, or abnormal white blood cell count.
Development of any stage of the biologic response to infection: sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, end-organ dysfunction, and death.
During the study period 3708 patients were admitted to the survey units, and 2527 (68%) met the criteria for SIRS. The incidence density rates for SIRS in the surgical, medical, and cardiovascular intensive care units were 857, 804, and 542 episodes per 1000 patient-days, respectively, and 671, 495, and 320 per 1000 patient-days for the medical, cardiothoracic, and general surgery wards, respectively. Among patients with SIRS, 649 (26%) developed sepsis, 467 (18%) developed severe sepsis, and 110 (4%) developed septic shock. The median interval from SIRS to sepsis was inversely correlated with the number of SIRS criteria (two, three, or all four) that the patients met. As the population of patients progressed from SIRS to septic shock, increasing proportions had adult respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal failure, and shock. Positive blood cultures were found in 17% of patients with sepsis, in 25% with severe sepsis, and in 69% with septic shock. There were also stepwise increases in mortality rates in the hierarchy from SIRS, sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock: 7%, 16%, 20%, and 46%, respectively. Of interest, we also observed equal numbers of patients who appeared to have sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock but who had negative cultures. They had been prescribed empirical antibiotics for a median of 3 days. The cause of the systemic inflammatory response in these culture-negative populations is unknown, but they had similar morbidity and mortality rates as the respective culture-positive populations.
This prospective epidemiologic study of SIRS and related conditions provides, to our knowledge, the first evidence of a clinical progression from SIRS to sepsis to severe sepsis and septic shock.
Human T lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus associated with inflammatory diseases, including HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM), and host genetic factors may be involved in disease ...evolution. The forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3) transcription factor is linked to homeostasis of the immune system, and the presence of polymorphisms in the promoter region of the
gene should reflect its expression levels and consequent activation of regulatory T cells, which may contribute to severe inflammatory disorders, such as HAM. This study evaluated the rs2232365 polymorphism (-924 A/G) located in the promoter region of the
gene and its association with HAM. Forty DNA samples from asymptomatic carriers and 25 samples from HAM patients were used, in addition to 130 control samples. The polymorphism was genotyped by conducting real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (quantitative PCR qPCR) on extracted DNA. The proviral loads (PVLs) and CD4
and CD8
T lymphocyte counts were determined by qPCR and FACSCalibur flow cytometry, respectively. The PVLs, CD4
T lymphocyte concentrations, and tumor necrosis factor-
dosages were considered predictive factors of the clinical profiles of HTLV-1 infection, all of which had higher levels in the HAM group. Carriers of the
genotype for the polymorphism rs2232365 had high PVLs and CD4
T lymphocyte concentrations.
The design, construction and evaluation of a low-cost cyclic olefin copolymer (COC)-based continuous flow microanalyzer with optical detection to determine the titratable acidity content of wine is ...here presented. The analysis method is based on the monitoring of the blue coloration decrease of a buffered bromothymol blue (BTB) solution in the presence of the acidic compounds of wine. The microanalyzer monolithically integrates the required microfluidic motifs as well as an optical flow cell where the measurements are performed by using a miniaturized and versatile photometric detection system.
Fluid management is totally automated by the use of computer-controlled microvalves, permitting the automatic calibration of the system as well as the automatic sampling, including in-line dilution and analysis. The reduced size of the whole system along with its high simplicity and automation make it suitable for its application to the on-line monitoring of titratable acidity during wine-making processes.
With the optimal conditions, a linear range up to 0.50 g L−1 tartaric acid, a quantification limit (LOQ) of 0.01 g L−1 and a detection limit (LOD) of 0.004 g L−1 were obtained, covering the most common acidity content of musts and wines. A sampling rate up to 26 h−1 could be achieved, consuming less than 3 mL of inexpensive reagents per analysis and requiring no pretreatment of the sample. The microsystem has been successfully applied to the quantification of the titratable acidity content of several wine samples, being the results in excellent agreement with the ones obtained by the reference method.
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•Low-cost polymeric analytical microsystem.•Titratable acidity determination using optical detection.•Complete automation of the microsystem.•Working range covering the common titratable acidity content of musts and wines.•Real wine samples successfully analysed.
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