Using a food web model to predict the effects of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) accidental spills on deep-sea hydrothermal vents from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) region.

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents host unique ecosystems but face risks of incidents with Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) along busy shipping lanes such as the transatlantic route. We developed an Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) model of the Menez Gwen (MG) vent field (MG-EwE) (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) to simulate ecosystem effects of potential accidental spills of four different HNS, using a semi-Lagrangian Dispersion Model (sLDM) coupled with the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) calibrated for the study area. Food web modelling revealed a simplified trophic structure with low energy efficiency. The MG ecosystem was vulnerable to disruptions caused by all tested HNS, yet it revealed some long-term resilience. Understanding these impacts is vital for enhancing Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plans (SPCC) in remote marine areas and developing tools to assess stressors effects on these invaluable habitats.

Comparative analysis of diagnostic methods and risk factors for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in brazilian cats.

This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the risk factors of infection by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in Brazilian cats with cough and/or radiographic changes, using as diagnostic tools the Baermann method (BM), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of feces, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and cytology. Forty-three cats that were presented with cough or lung radiographic abnormalities compatible with bronchoalveolar disease were included in the study. After clinical evaluation, feces samples were collected to investigate lungworm parasitism through BM and PCR. BALF was performed to provide samples for cytology, bacteriology, and fungal culture. Stool PCR was considered the gold standard for diagnosis tests, and the other methods were evaluated by their agreement. PCR presented 74% (32/43) of positivity for A. abstrusus, while in the BM, 41% (18/43) were positive. BM showed sensitivity of 56.25% and specificity of 100% when compared with PCR. No larva was found in the cytological evaluation of 21 BALF samples. Lungworm is an important cause of bronchopulmonary disease in domestic cats in Brazil and should be included as a differential diagnosis when a cat is presented with cough or radiographic abnormalities. BM is a sensitive, non-invasive, and cheap technique to diagnose the disease, but it is not as sensitive as PCR.

Multi-experiment assessment of soil nitrous oxide emissions in sugarcane.

Soil nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes comprise a significant part of the greenhouse gas emissions of agricultural products but are spatially and temporally variable, due to complex interactions between climate, soil and management variables. This study aimed to identify the main factors that affect N2O emissions under sugarcane, using a multi-site database from field experiments. Greenhouse gas fluxes, soil, climate, and management data were obtained from 13 field trials spanning the 2011-2017 period. We conducted exploratory, descriptive and inferential data analyses in experiments with varying fertiliser and stillage (vinasse) type and rate, and crop residue rates. The most relevant period of high N2O fluxes was the first 46 days after fertiliser application. The results indicate a strong positive correlation of cumulative N2O with nitrogen (N) fertiliser rate, soil fungi community (18S rRNA gene), soil ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-); and a moderate negative correlation with amoA genes of ammonia-oxidising archaea (AOA) and soil organic matter content. The regression analysis revealed that easily routinely measured climate and management-related variables explained over 50% of the variation in cumulative N2O emissions, and that additional soil chemical and physical parameters improved the regression fit with an R2 = 0.65. Cross-wavelet analysis indicated significant correlations of N2O fluxes with rainfall and air temperature up to 64 days, associated with temporal lags of 2 to 4 days in some experiments, and presenting a good environmental control over fluxes in general. The nitrogen fertiliser mean emission factors ranged from 0.03 to 1.17% of N applied, with urea and ammonium nitrate plus vinasse producing high emissions, while ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate without vinasse, calcium nitrate, and mitigation alternatives (nitrification inhibitors and timing of vinasse application) producing low N2O-EFs. Measurements from multiple sites spanning several cropping seasons were useful for exploring the influence of environmental and management-related variables on soil N2O emissions in sugarcane production, providing support for global warming mitigation strategies, nitrogen management policies, and increased agricultural input efficiency. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10705-023-10321-w.

Brassavola tuberculata Hook.: in vitro growth and ex vitro establishment as a function of the micropropagation system and sucrose.

This study examines the in vitro growth and ex vitro establishment of Brassavola tuberculata in relation to the micropropagation system and sucrose concentration employed in the in vitro culture. A completely randomized experimental design was utilized, employing a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement. The experimental period began with seedlings cultivated in vitro for 180 days, which were subsequently transferred to Murashige and Skoog culture media containing sucrose concentrations of 0, 15, 30, 45, or 60 g L-1. The cultures were subjected to two micropropagation systems: conventional and gas exchange. After 90 days of in vitro cultivation, the plants were evaluated, transplanted into a substrate, and placed in a screened nursery for ex vitro cultivation. After 300 days of ex vitro cultivation, the survival and initial characteristics of the plants were assessed. The micropropagation system allowing gas exchange and sucrose concentrations up to 30 g L-1 enhanced the shoot and root growth of in vitro propagated plants. No noticeable anatomical differences were observed after 90 days of in vitro culture among the different sucrose concentrations and micropropagation systems used. In the ex vitro establishment, irrespective of sucrose concentration, the micropropagation system facilitating gas exchange positively influenced all evaluated characteristics.

Current advances in microbiome sciences within the US Department of Defense: part 2 - enabling technologies and environmental microbiomes.

Microbiomes involve complex microbial communities wherein the micro-organisms interact with one another as well as their associated hosts or environmental niches. Much of the characterisation of these communities and the associations have been achieved through 'omics' technologies, such as metagenomics, metaproteomics and metametabolomics, and model systems. Recent research in host-associated microbiomes has been aimed at understanding the role microbes may play in host fitness or conversely how host activities/conditions may perturb the microbial community, which can further affect host health. These studies have led to the investigation of detection, intervention or modulation methods, which may serve to provide benefits to the host and advance our understanding of microbiome associations. With the clear implications on human health and disease, the US Department of Defense (DoD) has made microbiome research a priority, with the founding of the Tri-Service Microbiome Consortium (TSMC) to enhance collaboration, coordination,and communication of microbiome research among DoD organisations and partners in academia and industry. DoD microbiome research focuses mainly on the following themes: (1) human health and performance, (2) environmental microbiomes and (3) enabling technologies. This review provides an update of current DoD microbiome research efforts centred on enabling technologies and environmental microbiomes and highlights innovative research being done in academia and industry that can be leveraged by the DoD. These topics were also communicated and further discussed in the Fifth Annual TSMC Symposium. This paper forms part of the special issue of BMJ Military Health dedicated to personalised digital technology for mental health in the Armed Forces.

Current advances in microbiome sciences within the US Department of Defense-part 1: microbiomes for human health and performance.

Microbiomes involve complex microbial communities where the microorganisms interact with one another as well as their associated hosts or environmental niches. The characterisation of these communities and associations have largely been achieved through 'omics' technologies, such as metagenomics, metaproteomics and metametabolomics, and model systems. Recent research in host-associated microbiomes have been aimed at understanding the roles microbes may play in host fitness or conversely how host activities/conditions may perturb the microbial community, which can further affect host health. These studies have led to the investigation of detection, intervention or modulation methods, which may serve to provide benefits to the host and advance our understanding of microbiome associations. With the clear implications on human health and disease, the US Department of Defense (DoD) has made microbiome research a priority, with the founding of the Tri-Service Microbiome Consortium (TSMC) to enhance collaboration, coordination and communication of microbiome research among DoD organisations and partners in academia and industry. DoD microbiome research focuses mainly on the following themes: (1) Human health and performance; (2) Environmental microbiomes; and (3) Enabling technologies. This review provides an update of current DoD microbiome research efforts centred on human health and performance and highlights innovative research being done in academia and industry that can be leveraged by the DoD. These topics were also communicated and further discussed during the fifth Annual TSMC Symposium. This paper forms part of the special issue of BMJ Military Health dedicated to Personalised Digital Technology for Mental Health in the Armed Forces.

Pressure-dependence Raman spectroscopy and the lattice dynamic calculations of Bi2(MoO4)3 crystal.

This work reports a pressure-dependent Raman spectroscopic study and the theoretical lattice dynamics calculations of a Bi2(MoO4)3 crystal. The lattice dynamics calculations were performed, based on a rigid ion model, to understand the vibrational properties of the Bi2(MoO4)3 system and to assign the experimental Raman modes under ambient conditions. The calculated vibrational properties were helpful to support pressure-dependent Raman results, including eventual structural changes induced by pressure changes. Raman spectra were measured in the spectral region between 20 and 1000 cm-1 and the evolution of the pressures values was recorded in the range of 0.1-14.7 GPa. Pressure-dependent Raman spectra showed changes observed at 2.6, 4.9 and 9.2 GPa, these changes being associated with structural phase transformations. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were performed to infer the critical pressure of phase transformations undergone by the Bi2(MoO4)3 crystal.

Two novel endophytic Tolypocladium species identified from native pines in south Florida.

This study investigated the incidence and diversity of Tolypocladium within trunks of south Florida slash pines (Pinus densa). Thirty-five isolates were recovered from trunk tissue including living phloem, cambium, and sapwood. Two novel species of Tolypocladium (T. subtropicale and T. trecense) are described here based on morphological and molecular analysis of concatenated LSU, ITS, tef-1, tub, and RPB1 sequences. Our findings expand our understanding of the distribution, diversity, and ecology of this genus and confirm that it is widely spread as an endophyte across ecosystems and hosts. Strains collected in this survey will be used in future bioassays to determine their potential ecological roles as mycoparasites or entomopathogens. Citation: Soares JM, Karlsen-Ayala E, Salvador-Montoya CA, Gazis R (2023). Two novel endophytic Tolypocladium species identified from native pines in south Florida. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 11: 51-61. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2023.11.04.

Assessing the impacts of citizen-led policies on emissions, air quality and health.

Air pollution is a global challenge, and especially urban areas are particularly affected by acute episodes. Traditional approaches used to mitigate air pollution primarily consider the technical aspects of the problem but not the role of citizen behaviour and day-to-day practices. ClairCity, a Horizon 2020 funded project, created an impact assessment framework considering the role of citizen behaviour to create future scenarios, aiming to improve urban environments and the wellbeing and health of its inhabitants. This framework was applied to six pilot cases: Bristol, Amsterdam, Ljubljana, Sosnowiec, Aveiro Region and Liguria Region, considering three-time horizons: 2025, 2035 and 2050. The scenarios approach includes the Business As Usual (BAU) scenario and a Final Unified Policy Scenarios (FUPS) established by citizens, decision-makers, local planners and stakeholders based on data collected through a citizen and stakeholder co-creation process. Therefore, this paper aims to present the ClairCity outcomes, analysing the quantified impacts of selected measures in terms of emissions, air quality, population exposure, and health. Each case study has established a particular set of measures with different levels of ambition, therefore different levels of success were achieved towards the control and mitigation of their specific air pollution problems. The transport sector was the most addressed by the measures showing substantial improvements for NO2, already with the BAU scenarios, and overall, even better results when applying the citizen-led FUPS scenarios. In some cases, due to a lack of ambition for the residential and commercial sector, the results were not sufficient to fulfil the WHO guidelines. Overall, it was found in all cities that the co-created scenarios would lead to environmental improvements in terms of air quality and citizens' health compared to the baseline year of 2015. However, in some cases, the health impacts were lower than air quality due to the implementation of the measures not affecting the most densely populated areas. Benefits from the FUPS comparing to the BAU scenario were found to be highest in Amsterdam and Bristol, with further NO2 and PM10 emission reductions around 10%-16% by 2025 and 19%-28% by 2050, compared to BAU.

Correlation between the SARC-F Score and Hydration Status in Older Gastrointestinal Cancer Outpatients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the association between the extracellular water/total body weight ratio (ECW/TBW) and SARC-F scores among elderly gastrointestinal cancer patients. MEASUREMENTS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 57 older male patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Muscle function was assessed using the SARC-F questionnaire. Total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) were determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and fluid retention was assessed as the ratio of ECW to TBW (ECW/TBW). Pearson´s correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between the SARC-F score and ECW/TBW, TBW and water intake. Results were considered significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 57 older patients evaluated (65 ± 7 y), 13 ± 8% presented severe weight loss in the last 6 months. The median SARC-F score was 1.0 (0-10), and only four patients had SARC-F ≥4, which indicates the risk of sarcopenia. There was a positive correlation between the SARC-F score and ECW/TBW (r = 0.26, p = 0.02). However, no correlation was found between daily water intake or TBW and the SARC-F score. CONCLUSION: In older gastrointestinal cancer outpatients, we found a positive, albeit low, correlation between the SARC-F score and the ECW/TBW ratio. This outcome indicates the likelihood of muscle function loss due to accumulation of extracellular fluid.

Magnetic nanoparticles hyperthermia in a non-adiabatic and radiating process.

We investigate the magnetic nanoparticles hyperthermia in a non-adiabatic and radiating process through the calorimetric method. Specifically, we propose a theoretical approach to magnetic hyperthermia from a thermodynamic point of view. To test the robustness of the approach, we perform hyperthermia experiments and analyse the thermal behavior of magnetite and magnesium ferrite magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in water submitted to an alternating magnetic field. From our findings, besides estimating the specific loss power value from a non-adiabatic and radiating process, thus enhancing the accuracy in the determination of this quantity, we provide physical meaning to a parameter found in literature that still remained not fully understood, the effective thermal conductance, and bring to light how it can be obtained from experiment. In addition, we show our approach brings a correction to the estimated experimental results for specific loss power and effective thermal conductance, thus demonstrating the importance of the heat loss rate due to the thermal radiation in magnetic hyperthermia.

The role of feedback projections in feature tuning and neuronal excitability in the early primate visual system.

A general assumption in visual neuroscience is that basic receptive field properties such as orientation and direction selectivity are constructed within intrinsic neuronal circuits and feedforward projections. In addition, it is assumed that general neuronal excitability and responsiveness in early visual areas is to a great extent independent of feedback input originating in areas higher in the stream. Here, we review the contribution of feedback projections from MT, V4 and pulvinar to the receptive field properties of V2 neurons in the anesthetized and paralyzed monkey. Importantly, our results contradict both of these assumptions. We separately inactivated each of these three brain regions using GABA pressure injections, while simultaneously recording V2 single unit activity before and hours after inactivation. Recordings and GABA injections were carried out in topographically corresponding regions of the visual field. We outline the changes in V2 activity, responsiveness and receptive field properties for early, mid and late post-injection phases. Immediately after injection, V2 activity is globally suppressed. Subsequently, there is an increase in stimulus-driven relative to spontaneous neuronal activity, which improves the signal-to-noise coding for the oriented moving bars. Notably, V2 tuning properties change substantially relative to its pre-injection selectivity profile. The resulting increase or decrease in selectivity could not be readily predicted based on the selectivity profile of the inactivated site. Finally, V2 activity rebounds before returning to it pre-injection profile Our results show that feedback projections profoundly impact neuronal circuits in early visual areas, and may have been heretofore largely underestimated in their physiological role.

Spleen and lung virome analysis of South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) collected on the southern Brazilian coast.

South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) are believed to reach the coast of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) through sea currents. They live in colonies and are frequently found resting on the beach. However, it is also common to find dead pinnipeds on beaches, sharing the environment with humans, domestic animals and other wild species on the coast and facilitating the transmission of pathogens. In the present study, a metagenomic approach was applied to evaluate the viral diversity in organs of fur seals found deceased along the coast of the state of RS, southern Brazil. The lungs and spleens of 29 animals were collected, macerated individually, pooled separately (one pool for lungs and another for spleens) and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequences more closely related to members of the Anelloviridae and Circoviridae families were detected. Nine putative new species of anellovirus and one putative new genus, named Nitorquevirus, were described. Additionally, the circovirus sequences found in the lungs of A. australis have a common ancestor with PCV3, a proposed swine pathogen. Our study expanded the knowledge about viral communities in pinnipeds and could be useful for monitoring new viruses and potential viral sharing among wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.

Raman spectrum of layered tilkerodeite (Pd2HgSe3) topological insulator: the palladium analogue of jacutingaite (Pt2HgSe3).

The layered mineral tilkerodeite (Pd2HgSe3), the palladium analogue of jacutingaite (Pt2HgSe3), is a promising quantum spin hall insulator for low-power nanospintronics. In this context, a fast and reliable assessment of its structure is key for exploring fundamental properties and architecture of new Pd2HgSe3-based devices. Here, we investigate the first-order Raman spectrum in high-quality, single-crystal bulk tilkerodeite, and analyze the wavenumber relation to its isostructural jacutingaite analogue. By using polarized Raman spectroscopy, symmetry analysis, and first-principles calculations, we assigned all the Raman-active phonons in tilkerodeite, unveiling their wavenumbers, atomic displacement patterns, and symmetries. Our calculations used several exchange-correlation functionals within the density functional perturbation theory framework, reproducing both structure and Raman-active phonon wavenumbers in excellent agreement with experiments. Also, it was found that the influence of the spin-orbit coupling can be neglected in the study of these properties. Finally, we compared the wavenumber and atomic displacement patterns of corresponding Raman-active modes in tilkerodeite and jacutingaite, and found that the effect of the Pd and Pt masses can be neglected on reasoning their wavenumber differences. From this analysis, tilkerodeite is found to be mechanically weaker than jacutingaite against the atomic displacement patterns of these modes. Our findings advance the understanding of the structural properties of a recently discovered layered topological insulator, fundamental to further exploring its electronic, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties, and for device fabrication.

Microbiological, immunological, and histological changes in the gut of Salmonella Enteritidis-challenged rats fed goat cheese containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus EM1107.

Cheeses are able to serve as suitable matrices for supplying probiotics to consumers, enabling appropriate conditions for bacteria to survive gastric transit and reach the gut, where they are assumed to promote beneficial processes. The present study aimed to evaluate the microbiological, immunological, and histological changes in the gut of Salmonella Enteritidis-challenged rats fed goat cheese supplemented with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus EM1107. Thirty male albino Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 5 experimental groups with 6 animals each: negative (NC) and positive (PtC) control groups, control goat cheese (CCh), goat cheese added with L. rhamnosus EM1107 (LrCh), and L. rhamnosus EM1107 only (EM1107). All animals, except NC group were challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis (109 cfu in 1 mL of saline through oral gavage). Microbial composition was assessed with high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing by means of Illumina MiSeq (Illumina, San Diego, CA). Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) from the animal cecum tissue was determined by real-time PCR and interleukins (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-10, and IFN-γ) by means of ELISA. Myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels were determined biochemically. The administration of the L. rhamnosus EM1107 probiotic strain, either as a pure culture or added to a cheese matrix, was able to reduce Salmonella colonization in the intestinal lumen and lessen tissue damage compared with rats from PtC group. In addition, the use of cheese for the probiotic strain delivery (LrCh) was associated with a marked shift in the gut microbiota composition toward the increase of beneficial organisms such as Blautia and Lactobacillus and a reduction in NF-κB expression. These findings support our hypothesis that cheeses might be explored as functional matrices for the efficacious delivery of probiotic strains to consumers.

Effect of innovative technology using staves and micro-oxygenation on the odorant and sensory profile of aged wine spirit.

The aged wine spirit is a beverage with great aromatic complexity. Their volatile compounds with odorant power coming from the distillate and from the wood used in its ageing, and the interactions that take place in the process, enhanced by oxygen, all contribute to this complexity. Due to time and cost inherent of ageing wine spirits in wooden barrels, research has sought to develop more sustainable alternatives to do it. In this context, the present study compares, the effect of traditional (wooden barrel) and alternative system (stainless steel tank with dipped staves and micro-oxygenation), on the odorant and sensory profile of a wine spirit, using Limousin oak and chestnut wood, after 12 months of ageing. The results suggest that the ageing process is accelerated by the alternative ageing technology and the chestnut wood, and the corresponding wine spirits presented characteristics of greater sensory evolution and strong wood compounds extraction.

Virome of crab-eating (Cerdocyon thous) and pampas foxes (Lycalopex gymnocercus) from southern Brazil and Uruguay.

Crab-eating (Cerdocyon thous) and Pampas foxes (Lycalopex gymnocercus) are wild canids distributed in South America. Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and wild canids may share viral pathogens, including rabies virus (RABV), canine distemper virus (CDV), and canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2). To characterize the virome of these wild canid species, the present work evaluated the spleen and mesenteric lymph node virome of 17 crab-eating and five Pampas foxes using high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Organ samples were pooled and sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Additional PCR analyses were performed to identify the frequencies and host origin for each virus detected by HTS. Sequences more closely related to the Paramyxoviridae, Parvoviridae and Anelloviridae families were detected, as well as circular Rep-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA viruses. CDV was found only in crab-eating foxes, whereas CPV-2 was found in both canid species; both viruses were closely related to sequences reported in domestic dogs from southern Brazil. Moreover, the present work reported the detection of canine bocavirus (CBoV) strains that were genetically divergent from CBoV-1 and 2 lineages. Finally, we also characterized CRESS DNA viruses and anelloviruses with marked diversity. The results of this study contribute to the body of knowledge regarding wild canid viruses that can potentially be shared with domestic canids or other species.

Dispersion tailoring in wedge microcavities for Kerr comb generation.

The shaping of group velocity dispersion in microresonators is an important component in the generation of wideband optical frequency combs. Small resonators-with tight bending radii-offer the large free-spectral range desirable for wide comb formation. However, the tighter bending usually limits comb formation as it enhances normal group velocity dispersion. We experimentally demonstrate that engineering the sidewall angle of a small-radius (∼100µm), 3-µm-thick silica wedge microdisk enables dispersion tuning in both normal and anomalous regimes, without significantly affecting the free spectral range. A microdisk with a wedge angle of 55° (anomalous dispersion) is used to demonstrate a 300 nm bandwidth Kerr optical frequency comb.