Abstract
The establishment of multiple zones offering different protection levels within a Marine Protected Area (MPA) can minimize social conflicts while maintaining associated biodiversity benefits ...such as fish population replenishment. Parrotfishes are among one of the most ecologically important reef fishes; yet extremely overexploited worldwide. In this context, well-designed priority management areas allowing no fishing activity (no-take zones) could help recover fish species, such as parrotfishes, through a MPA zoning process. Here, we tested this hypothesis by identifying the spatial configuration of zones that maximize the recovery of endangered parrotfish species (
Scarus trispinosus; Scarus zelindae
;
Sparisoma amplum
;
Sparisoma axillare
;
Sparisoma frondosum
) at the largest MPA in Brazil protecting nearshore coral reefs (MPA Costa dos Corais). We used parrotfish distribution data to produce species distribution models (SDMs) and combined them with conservation planning tools to delineate priority zones following a systematic approach. Then, we contrasted priority zones against non-systematic, newly designed no-take zones based on managers’ and stakeholders’ perspectives. After mapping the predicted abundance of each species within both zones based upon field surveys, we found that priority zones were more effective than non-systematic ones for the protection of two out of the five species:
Scarus trispinosus
and
Sparisoma amplum
. Thus, we considered that designing systematic zones was particularly relevant for increased protection of the two parrotfish species facing the largest decline. The prioritization analyses also showed that priority areas for parrotfish conservation following a systematic approach were mostly located surrounding and within no-take zones delineated by local stakeholders. The spatial overlap between systematic and non-systematic zones was of 38%. Hence, our study reinforces the importance of considering scientific information and methods (e.g., spatial distribution data and prioritization analyses) as a complementary strategy along with local stakeholders’ knowledge, for delineating and refining management zones within MPAs.
This paper describes the development of a general-purpose geospatial model for assessing the economic viability of hydrogen production from offshore wind power. A key feature of the model is that it ...uses the offshore project's location characteristics (distance to port, water depth, distance to gas grid injection point). Learning rates are used to predict the cost of the wind farm's components and electrolyser stack replacement. The notional wind farm used in the paper has a capacity of 510 MW. The model is implemented in a geographic information system which is used to create maps of levelised cost of hydrogen from offshore wind in Irish waters. LCOH values in 2030 spatially vary by over 50% depending on location. The geographically distributed LCOH results are summarised in a multivariate production function which is a simple and rapid tool for generating preliminary LCOH estimates based on simple site input variables.
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•A geospatial model for estimating levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH) production from offshore wind energy is described.•The model is easy to use and versatile as the inputs are project variables such as water depth and wind statistics.•LCOH from offshore wind is mapped for Ireland's offshore waters, and the results show significant spatial variability.•A simple production function for rapid estimation of LCOH from a small number project variables is also presented.
In 2020, multiple lionfish (Pterois spp.) records along the equatorial Southwestern (SW) Atlantic revealed a new expansion of these potentially damaging invasive populations, which could impact over ...3500 km of Brazilian coastline over the next few years, as well as unique ecosystems and marine protected areas in its path. To assess the taxonomic status, invasion route, and correlation with other centres of distribution, we investigated the genetic diversity patterns of lionfish caught in 2022 at the Amazonia, Northeastern Brazil, and Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atoll ecoregions, using two molecular markers, the mitochondrial COI and the nuclear S7 RP1. The data indicate that all studied lionfish belong to what is generally accepted as P. volitans, and share the same genetic signature as lionfish present in the Caribbean Sea. The shared haplotypes and alleles indicate that the SW Atlantic invasion derives from an active movement of adult individuals from the Caribbean Sea into the Brazilian coast. The Amazon mesophotic reefs likely served as a stepping-stone to overcome the biogeographical barrier represented by the Amazon-Orinoco River plume. New alleles found for S7 RP1 suggest the onset of local genetic diversification, heightening the environmental risks as this bioinvasion heads towards other South Atlantic ecoregions.
Throughout evolution, the need for single-celled organisms to associate and form a single cluster of cells has had several evolutionary advantages. In complex, multicellular organisms, each tissue or ...organ has a specialty and function that make life together possible, and the organism as a whole needs to act in balance and adapt to changes in the environment. Sensory organs are essential for connecting external stimuli into a biological response, through the senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. The G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are responsible for many of these senses and therefore play a key role in the perception of the cells' external environment, enabling interaction and coordinated development between each cell of a multicellular organism. The malaria-causing protozoan parasite,
, has a complex life cycle that is extremely dependent on a finely regulated cellular signaling machinery. In this review, we summarize strong evidence and the main candidates of GPCRs in protozoan parasites. Interestingly, one of these GPCRs is a sensor for K
shift in
, PfSR25. Studying this family of proteins in
could have a significant impact, both on understanding the history of the evolution of GPCRs and on finding new targets for antimalarials.
InsP3 Signaling in Apicomplexan Parasites Garcia, Celia R S; Alves, Eduardo; Pereira, Pedro H S ...
Current topics in medicinal chemistry,
01/2017, Letnik:
17, Številka:
19
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Phosphoinositides (PIs) and their derivatives are essential cellular components that form the building blocks for cell membranes and regulate numerous cell functions. Specifically, the ability to ...generate myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) via phospholipase C (PLC) dependent hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to InsP3 and diacylglycerol (DAG) initiates intracellular calcium signaling events representing a fundamental signaling mechanism dependent on PIs. InsP3 produced by PI turnover as a second messenger causes intracellular calcium release, especially from endoplasmic reticulum, by binding to the InsP3 receptor (InsP3R). Various PIs and the enzymes, such as phosphatidylinositol synthase and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase, necessary for their turnover have been characterized in Apicomplexa, a large phylum of mostly commensal organisms that also includes several clinically relevant parasites. However, InsP3Rs have not been identified in genomes of apicomplexans, despite evidence that these parasites produce InsP3 that mediates intracellular Ca2+ signaling.
Evidence to supporting IP3-dependent signaling cascades in apicomplexans suggests that they may harbor a primitive or non-canonical InsP3R. Understanding these pathways may be informative about early branching eukaryotes, where such signaling pathways also diverge from animal systems, thus identifying potential novel and essential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Understanding how evolutionary history and the coordination between trait trade‐off axes shape the drought tolerance of trees is crucial to predict forest dynamics under climate change. Here, we ...compiled traits related to drought tolerance and the fast‐slow and stature‐recruitment trade‐off axes in 601 tropical woody species to explore their covariations and phylogenetic signals. We found that xylem resistance to embolism (P50) determines the risk of hydraulic failure, while the functional significance of leaf turgor loss point (TLP) relies on its coordination with water use strategies. P50 and TLP exhibit weak phylogenetic signals and substantial variation within genera. TLP is closely associated with the fast‐slow trait axis: slow species maintain leaf functioning under higher water stress. P50 is associated with both the fast‐slow and stature‐recruitment trait axes: slow and small species exhibit more resistant xylem. Lower leaf phosphorus concentration is associated with more resistant xylem, which suggests a (nutrient and drought) stress‐tolerance syndrome in the tropics. Overall, our results imply that (1) drought tolerance is under strong selective pressure in tropical forests, and TLP and P50 result from the repeated evolutionary adaptation of closely related taxa, and (2) drought tolerance is coordinated with the ecological strategies governing tropical forest demography. These findings provide a physiological basis to interpret the drought‐induced shift toward slow‐growing, smaller, denser‐wooded trees observed in the tropics, with implications for forest restoration programmes.
We compiled traits related to drought tolerance and the fast‐slow and stature‐recruitment trade‐off axes in 601 tropical woody species to explore their covariations and phylogenetic signals. Overall, our results imply that: (1) drought tolerance is under strong selective pressure in tropical forests, and TLP and P50 result from repeated evolutionary adaptation of closely related taxa; and (2) drought tolerance is coordinated with the ecological strategies governing tropical forest demography: slow and small species tend to be more tolerant to drought.
Graphite sheet (GS) electrodes are flexible and versatile substrates for sensing electrochemical; however, their use has been limited to incorporate (bio)chemical modifiers. Herein, we demonstrated ...that a cold (low temperature) CO
2
plasma treatment of GS electrodes provides a substantial improvement of the electrochemical activity of these electrodes due to the increased structural defects on the GS surface as revealed by Raman spectroscopy (
I
D
/
I
G
ratio), and scanning electron microscopy images. XPS analyses confirmed the formation of oxygenated functional groups at the GS surface after the plasma treatment that are intrinsically related to the substantial increase in the electron transfer coefficient (
K
0
values increased from 1.46 × 10
−6
to 2.09 × 10
−3
cm s
−1
) and with reduction of the resistance to charge transfer (from 129.8 to 0.251 kΩ). The improved electrochemical activity of CO
2
-GS electrodes was checked for the detection of emerging contaminant species, such as chloramphenicol (CHL), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and sulphanilamide (SUL) antibiotics, at around + 0.15, + 1.10 and + 0.85 V (
versus
Ag/AgCl), respectively, by square wave voltammetry. Limit of detection values in the submicromolar range were achieved for CHL (0.08 μmol L
−1
), CIP (0.01 μmol L
−1
) and SFL (0.11 μmol L
−1
), which enabled the sensor to be successfully applied to natural waters and urine samples (recovery values from 85 to 119%). The CO
2
-GS electrode is highly stable and inexpensive ($0.09 each sensor) and can be easily inserted in portable 3D printed cells for environmental on-site analyses.
Graphical Abstract
Mimesis is a relatively widespread phenomenon among reef fish, but the ontogenetic processes relevant for mimetic associations in fish are still poorly understood. In the present study, the ...allometric growth of two allopatric leaf-mimetic species of ephippid fishes, Chaetodipterus faber from the Atlantic and Platax orbicularis from the Indo-Pacific, was analyzed using ten morphological variables. The development of fins was considered owing to the importance of these structures for mimetic behaviors during early life stages. Despite the anatomical and behavioral similarities in both juvenile and adult stages, C. faber and P. orbicularis showed distinct patterns of growth. The overall shape of C. faber transforms from a rounded-shape in mimetic juveniles to a lengthened profile in adults, while in P. orbicularis, juveniles present an oblong profile including dorsal and anal fins, with relative fin size diminishing while the overall profile grows rounder in adults. Although the two species are closely-related, the present results suggest that growth patterns in C. faber and P. orbicularis are different, and are probably independent events in ephippids that have resulted from similar selective processes.
The use of agrochemicals has become a standard practice worldwide to ensure the productivity and quality of sugarcane crops. This study aimed to analyze the metabolic changes in sugarcane culms ...treated with five different nematicides. The experimental design was randomized in blocks, and agro-industrial and biometric variables were evaluated. The samples were extracted and then analyzed using LC-MS, LC-MS/MS, and LC-HRMS. The data obtained were submitted to statistical methods (PCA and PLS). Fragmentation patterns, retention time, and UV absorptions of the main features were analyzed. The plantations treated with carbosulfan (T4) obtained higher agricultural productivity and total recoverable sugar (TRS), while the use of benfuracarb (T3) was associated with lower growth and lower TRS. Statistical analysis revealed the contribution of the features at
/
353 and
/
515, assigned as chlorogenic acids, which discriminated the groups. The MS profile also supported the occurrence of flavonoids (C-glycosides and O-glycosides) in the samples.
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•Solubility parameter of the medium affects WAT, but not influence the pour point.•Many different compounds of the crude, at 1% m/v, do not affect the pour point.•Asphaltenes ...fractions (C5I or C7I), at 1% m/v, provokes a significant reduction in the pour point.•Polymer-medium interaction strongly affects its performance as pour point reducer.
High molar mass paraffins in the crude oil solidify with the reduction of temperature during offshore production, which can reduce production or even block outflow lines. Polymers can be used to inhibit the wax deposition. However, the efficiency of the additives depends on the type of oil and, because it is a complex mixture, this relationship still needs further investigation. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of different types of compounds present in petroleum on the action of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) as pour point reducers using model systems of paraffins in solvents. The study was carried out based on results of pour point, wax appearance temperature and polymer-solvent interaction. The results showed that only the asphaltenes (C5I and C7I) changed the pour point to lower values. The other compounds, such as naphthalene, naphthenic acid and adamantene, at the concentration used of 1 wt/v%, did not alter the melting point of the model systems or interfere with the additive action. On the other hand, by analyzing the influence of the solvent composition, it was observed that: (i) the wax solubility in the medium affected the WAT but did not affect the pour point (the higher the solubility of the paraffin in the medium, the lower the WAT is); and (ii) the solubility of the additive in the solvent medium did not affect the WAT but significantly affected the pour point (the higher the polymer-solvent interaction, the lower the pour point of the model-system containing the additive).
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