Coastal plastic pollution: A global perspective.

Coastal ecosystems have ecological importance worldwide and require control and prevention measures to mitigate human pollution. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review to provide a comprehensive overview of the global issue of coastal plastic pollution. 689 articles were eligible for qualitative synthesis and 31 were considered for quantitative analysis. There was an exponential increase in articles addressing coastal plastic pollution over the past 50 years. Studies were mainly carried out on beaches, and plastic bottles were the most found item, followed by cigarette butts. Polyethylene was the predominant plastic polymer, and white microplastic fragments stood out. China published most articles on the topic and Brazil had the highest number of sites sampled. Meta-analysis had significant effect sizes based on the reported data. These findings carry significant implications for environmental policies, waste management practices, and targeted awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating plastic pollution.

Pulmonary arteries in coelacanths shed light on the vasculature evolution of air-breathing organs in vertebrates.

To date, the presence of pulmonary organs in the fossil record is extremely rare. Among extant vertebrates, lungs are described in actinopterygian polypterids and in all sarcopterygians, including coelacanths and lungfish. However, vasculature of pulmonary arteries has never been accurately identified neither in fossil nor extant coelacanths due to the paucity of fossil preservation of pulmonary organs and limitations of invasive studies in extant specimens. Here we present the first description of the pulmonary vasculature in both fossil and extant actinistian, a non-tetrapod sarcopterygian clade, contributing to a more in-depth discussion on the morphology of these structures and on the possible homology between vertebrate air-filled organs (lungs of sarcopterygians, lungs of actinopterygians, and gas bladders of actinopterygians).

Taxonomical use of scale ornamentation: Challenges by intraspecific and intra-individual variations in four adult specimens of Polypterus bichir.

Many actinopterygian fish groups, including fossil and extant polypteriforms and lepisosteiforms, fossil halecomorphs, and some basal teleosts, have stout bony scales covered by layers of ganoin-an enamel layer ornamented with minute tubercles. Ganoid scales preserve well as disarticulated remains and notably constitute most of the fossil record for polypteriform in both South America and Africa. Based on two variables (tubercle size and distance between tubercles), some authors reported that the ganoin tubercle ornamentation in these scales is constant within a species and differs between species and allows distinguishing species or at least groups of species. However, despite its promising potential for assessing polypteriform paleodiversity, this tool has remained unused, probably because the variables are not well defined, and intraspecific variation does not seem to have been considered. To address this gap, we aimed to test the intraspecific and intra-individual variation in the ornamentation of ganoid scales in the type species Polypterus bichir. We propose three different parameters to describe the tubercle ornamentation: the distance between contiguous tubercles centers, their density, and their relative spatial organization. With these parameters, we investigate the variation in ganoin ornamentation among four specimens and across different regions of the body. Our results show that the distribution of the tubercles is highly variable within a same species, regardless of the body region, and sometimes even between different sectors of a same scale. Moreover, the variation observed in P. bichir overlaps with the distribution described in the literature for several extant and fossil species. Thus far, the ornamentation of ganoid scales is not a reliable diagnostical feature for polypterids.

Intercalation of CO2 Selected by Type of Interlayer Cation in Dried Synthetic Hectorite.

Clay minerals are abundant in caprock formations for anthropogenic storage sites for CO2, and they are potential capture materials for CO2 postcombustion sequestration. We investigate the response to CO2 exposure of dried fluorohectorite clay intercalated with Li+, Na+, Cs+, Ca2+, and Ba2+. By in situ powder X-ray diffraction, we demonstrate that fluorohectorite with Na+, Cs+, Ca2+, or Ba2+ does not swell in response to CO2 and that Li-fluorohectorite does swell. A linear uptake response is observed for Li-fluorohectorite by gravimetric adsorption, and we relate the adsorption to tightly bound residual water, which exposes adsorption sites within the interlayer. The experimental results are supported by DFT calculations.

Lung evolution in vertebrates and the water-to-land transition.

A crucial evolutionary change in vertebrate history was the Palaeozoic (Devonian 419-359 million years ago) water-to-land transition, allowed by key morphological and physiological modifications including the acquisition of lungs. Nonetheless, the origin and early evolution of vertebrate lungs remain highly controversial, particularly whether the ancestral state was paired or unpaired. Due to the rarity of fossil soft tissue preservation, lung evolution can only be traced based on the extant phylogenetic bracket. Here we investigate, for the first time, lung morphology in extensive developmental series of key living lunged osteichthyans using synchrotron x-ray microtomography and histology. Our results shed light on the primitive state of vertebrate lungs as unpaired, evolving to be truly paired in the lineage towards the tetrapods. The water-to-land transition confronted profound physiological challenges and paired lungs were decisive for increasing the surface area and the pulmonary compliance and volume, especially during the air-breathing on land.

All life on Earth started out under water. However, around 400 million years ago some vertebrates, such as fish, started developing limbs and other characteristics that allowed them to explore life on land. One of the most pivotal features to evolve was the lungs, which gave vertebrates the ability to breathe above water. Most land-living vertebrates, including humans, have two lungs which sit on either side of their chest. The lungs extract oxygen from the atmosphere and transfer it to the bloodstream in exchange for carbon dioxide which then gets exhaled out in to the atmosphere. How this important organ first evolved is a hotly debated topic. This is largely because lung tissue does not preserve well in fossils, making it difficult to trace how the lungs of vertebrates changed over the course of evolution. To overcome this barrier, Cupello et al. compared the lungs of living species which are crucial to understand the early stages of the water-to-land transition. This included four species of lunged bony fish which breathe air at the water surface, and a four-legged salamander that lives on land. Cupello et al. used a range of techniques to examine how the lungs of the bony fish and salamander changed shape during development. The results suggested that the lungs of vertebrates started out as a single organ, which became truly paired later in evolution once vertebrates started developing limbs. This anatomical shift increased the surface area available for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide so that vertebrates could breathe more easily on land. These findings provide new insights in to how the lung evolved into the paired structure found in most vertebrates alive today. It likely that this transition allowed vertebrates to fully adapt to breathing above water, which may explain why this event only happened once over the course of evolution.

Fish fauna from a fragmented river in the Atlantic Forest / Fauna de peixes de um rio fragmentado na Mata Atlântica

Abstract: This study sought to identify the ichthyofauna composition of the Muzambinho River, an upland tributary of the Paraná River. We also investigate whether waterfalls in the region can serve as barriers to the dispersal of fish species. For this purpose, collections were carried out at 34 points on the Muzambinho River using different techniques. In all, 37 species were recorded, some of which were endemic, and the majority were native. Among these species, some are predominant in degraded places and can be used as bioindicators. The results also demonstrate zonation in the ichthyofauna composition in Muzambinho that segregates the fauna into three sessions separated by waterfalls: Lower Muzambinho, Upper Muzambinho, and Sao Domingos. We conclude that, for the ideal preservation of the ichthyofauna of the Muzambinho River, it is necessary to preserve its sections independently, which would guarantee the maintenance of naturally isolated strains.

Resumo: Este estudo buscou identificar a composição da ictiofauna do rio Muzambinho, um tributário de terras altas do Rio Paraná. Também buscamos investigar se as cachoeiras da região podem servir de barreiras para dispersão de espécies de peixes. Para isso, foram realizadas coletas em 34 pontos do Rio Muzambinho, com diferentes técnicas. Ao todo foram registradas 37 espécies de peixes, sendo algumas endêmicas e a maioria nativa. Dentre essas espécies algumas são predominantes em locais degradados e podem ser usadas como bioindicadores. Os resultados também demonstram que há uma zonação na composição ictiofaunística no Muzambinho que segrega a fauna em três sessões separadas por cachoeiras, Baixo Muzambinho, Alto Muzambinho e São Domingos. Concluímos que para a ideal preservação da ictiofauna do rio Muzambinho é necessária a preservação independente de suas sessões o que garantiria a manutenção de linhagens naturalmente isoladas.

Bright, noniridescent structural coloration from clay mineral nanosheet suspensions.

Structural colors originate by constructive interference following reflection and scattering of light from nanostructures with periodicity comparable to visible light wavelengths. Bright and noniridescent structural colorations are highly desirable. Here, we demonstrate that bright noniridescence structural coloration can be easily and rapidly achieved from suspended two-dimensional nanosheets of a clay mineral. We show that brightness is enormously improved by using double clay nanosheets, thus optimizing the clay refractive index that otherwise hampers structural coloration from such systems. Intralayer distances, and thus the structural colors, can be precisely and reproducibly controlled by clay concentration and ionic strength independently, and noniridescence is readily and effortlessly obtained in this system. Embedding such clay-designed nanosheets in recyclable solid matrices could provide tunable vivid coloration and mechanical strength and stability at the same time, thus opening a previously unknown venue for sustainable structural coloration.

Hesitation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine among medical students in Brazil

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to know the main determinants of hesitation to the vaccine against COVID-19 mentioned by medical students in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 250 students who answered the online questionnaire between December 18, 2020 and January 8, 2021. RESULTS: Most students (84%) mentioned the intention to take anti-COVID vaccine and 14% were hesitant. Information provided by governments (59.2%), the pharmaceutical industry (54.4%), and the press (51.6%) were the items that most generated vaccine hesitation. CONCLUSION: In the context of the COVID-19, vaccine hesitation is an additional concern because adherence to vaccination is a recurring challenge. The category of contextual influences predominated among the main determinants of anti-COVID vaccine hesitation expressed by medical students in Brazil, disfavoring vaccine adherence in this public.

Techno-economic study for a gasification plant processing residues of sewage sludge and solid recovered fuels.

The energetic valorisation of wastes through gasification is a promising solution with a better environmental impact in terms of pollutant emissions compared with incineration, landfilling, and heat and power generation from fossil fuels. However, techno-economic studies are imperative to define the viability of these technologies and to optimise heat and power consumptions and costs. This work intended to develop a techno-economic analysis for a small-scale gasification plant processing mixtures of solid recovered fuels and sewage sludge, assuming a capacity of 883 kg/h and two different sale scenarios: (A) production of electric energy, and (B) production of hydrogen. Gasification tests and mass and energy flow analyses were carried out for the economic assessment. The results showed that both scenarios presented viability for implementation. Although scenario A was more attractive in the short-term period due to the lower payback period (9 year) and higher internal rate of return (IRR, 7.5%), the other option was more favourable at the end of plant's life once the net present value was greater (1,801,700 €). Based on the results of a sensitivity analysis, a conclusion could be drawn that the economic indicators payback period and IRR were most influenced by capital expenditures applied in the plant.

Unmodified Clay Nanosheets at the Air-Water Interface.

Quasi-two-dimensional (2D) nanolayers, such as graphene oxide or clay layers, adhere to gas-liquid or liquid-liquid interfaces. Particularly, clays are of wide general interest in this context because of their extensive and crucial use as Pickering emulsion stabilizers, as well as for their ability to provide colloidosome capsules. So far, clays could only be localized at oil-water or air-saline-water interfaces in aggregated states, while our results now show that clay nanosheets without any modification can be located at air-deionized-water interfaces. The clay mineral used in the present work is synthetic fluorohectorite with a very high aspect ratio and superior quality in homogeneity and charge distribution compared to other clay minerals. This clay mineral is more suitable for achieving unmodified clay anchoring to fluid interfaces compared to other clay minerals used in previous works. In this context, we studied clay nanosheet organization at the air-water interface by combining different experimental methods: Langmuir-Blodgett trough studies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of film deposits, grazing-incidence X-ray off-specular scattering (GIXOS), and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). Clay films formed at the air-water interface could be transferred to solid substrates by the Langmuir-Schaefer method. The BAM results indicate a dynamic equilibrium between clay sheets on the interface and in the subphase. Because of this dynamic equilibrium, the Langmuir monolayer surface pressure does not change significantly when pure clay sheets are spread on the liquid surface. However, also, GIXOS results confirm that there are clay nanosheets at the air-water interface. In addition, we find that clay sheets modified by a branched polymer are much more likely to be confined to the interface.

Hesitation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine among medical students in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to know the main determinants of hesitation to the vaccine against COVID-19 mentioned by medical students in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 250 students who answered the online questionnaire between December 18, 2020 and January 8, 2021. RESULTS: Most students (84%) mentioned the intention to take anti-COVID vaccine and 14% were hesitant. Information provided by governments (59.2%), the pharmaceutical industry (54.4%), and the press (51.6%) were the items that most generated vaccine hesitation. CONCLUSION: In the context of the COVID-19, vaccine hesitation is an additional concern because adherence to vaccination is a recurring challenge. The category of contextual influences predominated among the main determinants of anti-COVID vaccine hesitation expressed by medical students in Brazil, disfavoring vaccine adherence in this public.

A revision of Laeliichthys ancestralis Santos, 1985 (Teleostei: Osteoglossomorpha) from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil: Phylogenetic relationships and biogeographical implications.

A re-description of the freshwater, Early Cretaceous osteoglossomorph Laeliichthys ancestralis Santos, 1985, from the Sanfranciscana Basin of Brazil, is provided. New anatomical details and a revised diagnosis, as well as a new phylogeny are presented. A phylogenetic analysis places this taxon within the Osteoglossomorpha most likely as a member of the Notopteroidei. Within this clade Laeliichthys is the sister-taxon of the Notopteridae. The subfamily Laeliichthyinae is elevated to family rank. The revised phylogenetic position revealed in this study has important consequences on the biogeography of Notopteroidei as it extends their distribution to western Gondwana, prior to the separation of South America and Africa, and extends the evolutionary origins of notopteroid lineages by at least ~27 Myr before their first appearance in the fossil record.

Visualizing mineralization processes and fossil anatomy using synchronous synchrotron X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction mapping.

Fossils, including those that occasionally preserve decay-prone soft tissues, are mostly made of minerals. Accessing their chemical composition provides unique insight into their past biology and/or the mechanisms by which they preserve, leading to a series of developments in chemical and elemental imaging. However, the mineral composition of fossils, particularly where soft tissues are preserved, is often only inferred indirectly from elemental data, while X-ray diffraction that specifically provides phase identification received little attention. Here, we show the use of synchrotron radiation to generate not only X-ray fluorescence elemental maps of a fossil, but also mineralogical maps in transmission geometry using a two-dimensional area detector placed behind the fossil. This innovative approach was applied to millimetre-thick cross-sections prepared through three-dimensionally preserved fossils, as well as to compressed fossils. It identifies and maps mineral phases and their distribution at the microscale over centimetre-sized areas, benefitting from the elemental information collected synchronously, and further informs on texture (preferential orientation), crystallite size and local strain. Probing such crystallographic information is instrumental in defining mineralization sequences, reconstructing the fossilization environment and constraining preservation biases. Similarly, this approach could potentially provide new knowledge on other (bio)mineralization processes in environmental sciences. We also illustrate that mineralogical contrasts between fossil tissues and/or the encasing sedimentary matrix can be used to visualize hidden anatomies in fossils.

Measurement of environmental efficiency in the countries of the European Union with the enhanced data envelopment analysis method (DEA) during the period 2005-2012.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in measuring the environmental efficiency of the different territories, countries, and/or nations. This has led to the development of different methods applied to the evaluation of environmental efficiency such as the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method. This method, supported by different studies, allows measuring relative environmental efficiency (eco-efficiency) and is consolidated as a very reliable method to measure the effectiveness of environmental policies in a specific geographical area. The objective of our study is the calculation of the environmental efficiency of the 28 member countries of the European Union (UE) through the DEA method. We will collect the data regarding the last years in which there are reliable comparative data in all. We will study in reference to them, the results of the environmental policies applied in the different countries, in order to make comparisons between countries and classify them according to their environmental efficiency. Using this, two variants of calculation within the DEA method to compare in a contrasted way the results of environmental efficiency for the 28 countries of the EU analyzed and propose possible solutions for improvement. Contributing in this work as main novelty the application of a new variant of the DEA method, which we will call improved analysis method (MAN) and that aims to agglutinate and assess more objectively, the results of the two DEA methods applied. The results show that there are 14 of the 28 countries that have a high relative environmental efficiency. However, we also find countries with very low environmental efficiency that should improve in the coming years. Coinciding precisely in this last group with countries recently admitted to the EU and where environmental policies have not yet been applied effectively and with positive results.