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Identifying the relative importance of various nursery areas is critical for understanding the ecological roles of diverse juvenile habitats, as well as for the sustainable management of fisheries and coastal resources. Recent field collections suggest that a portion of the bonefish (Albula vulpes) population in South Florida may be using nearshore estuarine habitats as nurseries. Nearshore marine habitats are traditionally considered nursery habitat for bonefish. However, the prevalence of their reliance on lower salinity areas is not known. To address this, we used otolith microchemistry using laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry to examine variation in Strontium (Sr), a marker for salinity, and determine the connectivity between estuarine and marine habitats across the life of bonefish. Sr profiles from otoliths obtained in locations within South Florida (SFL, N = 40) and Southwest Cuba (SCB, N = 10) were compared using a juvenile-migration index (JMI), and change point models to assess the generality of a shift in salinity and thus habitats across life histories. Adult stages of bonefish otoliths collected in SFL and SCB locations showed Sr concentrations connected to marine, high-salinity environments. The JMI showed that a vast majority of individuals (68.4% and 70% in South Florida and Cuba, respectively) moved from low- to high-salinity environments between juvenile and adult stages. The change point models showed that these shifts to high salinity environments occurred suddenly (in 85% of those showing a low to high salinity change), and early in life (after 2 years in South Florida and after 4 years in Cuba) suggesting an ontogenetic habitat change. This study provided evidence that bonefish use low-salinity estuarine environments as juvenile habitats, perhaps more commonly than marine habitats. The reliance on low-salinity environments suggests the potential vulnerability of bonefish nearshore nursery habitats to disturbances associated with coastal freshwater discharges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local ecological knowledge (LEK) can be a valuable approach to fill in knowledge gaps in data-limited systems. Recent research has aimed to make LEK more quantitative-a key step to better integration of LEK into fisheries science and management. Here, we used LEK to a) quantify changes in bonefishing quality over time in South Florida as perceived by members of the flats fishery, and b) demonstrate the applicability of a life history calendar approach to LEK quantitative data collection. In an online survey, we asked anglers and guides to quantitatively evaluate changes in the quality of bonefishing, as a function of bonefish number and size, over the past 40 years in Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, and the Florida Keys. Results showed a perceived 56% decrease in bonefish number, and a 45% decline in bonefish size since 1975. Respondents reported a decline in bonefish numbers that preceded the decline in size, with numbers starting to decline over 1985-1995, and size by 2005. In terms of the pattern of decline, bonefish number showed a heterogeneous pattern, with a slower rate of decline in 1985-2005 and an accelerated rate over 2005-2010, whereas the size decline was homogenous over 2000-2015. Overall, the study provides additional resolution, spatial coverage, and support to the pattern of bonefish population decline in the region, illustrating the utility of quantitative approaches to LEK data collection, and highlighting the value of integrating multiple knowledge sources to fully characterize ecological patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial data are key to fishery management; however, most often the spatial distribution of marine populations and fishing dynamics are poorly documented, especially for recreational fish species. The combination of fisheries-dependent data (FDD) obtained from logbooks, and local ecological knowledge (LEK) gathered from key stakeholders could be a powerful approach to inform data gaps in data-limited fisheries. In this study, we used both FDD from guides' catch reports and LEK using an online survey and key-informant interviews to reconstruct the spatial changes in bonefish (Albula vulpes) catch and fishing effort throughout South Florida over the past 35-40 years, and better understand the extent and spatial patterns of the bonefish decline described in previous studies. Although anglers perceived a decline of bonefish numbers across all fishing areas (26 to 53% drop across Biscayne Bay, the Florida Keys, and Florida Bay), the start of the bonefish decline in Florida Bay resulted in the highest drop in bonefish number (53%); thus, indicating both regional and localized decline events affecting bonefish abundance. Within Florida Bay, LEK and FDD concurred with an initial drop in bonefish at Inner Bay, followed by a greater magnitude of decline at Outer Bay. Metrics of effort derived from the survey and interviews depicted a shrinkage and aggregation in the spatial distribution of fishing and a shift of fishing activities toward the Lower Keys. In sum, the spatiotemporal patterns of catch and effort obtained from LEK and FDD allowed us to understand where, when and how this data-limited species declined in South Florida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an effective method to improve the performance of biomass fuels. In this work, the reusable maize stalk (MS) hydrochars were prepared at different carbonization conditions, and the effects of carbonization parameters on physicochemical properties, recovery rate, coalification mechanism and combustion behavior of MS hydrochars were investigated. The results show that with the increase of temperature and time, the particle size, O/C and H/C ratios, flammability index and comprehensive combustion characteristic index of MS hydrochars decrease gradually, while the calorific value, ignition temperature (Ti), and burnout temperature (Tf) increase gradually. The combustibility and combustion reactivity of MS hydrochars are significantly better than anthracite. Under the optimal carbonization conditions (260 ºC, 40 min, solid–liquid ratio of 2%), MS hydrochar has a high carbon content and calorific value, and the carbon content and calorific value of MS are 66.85 and 22.36 MJ·kg−1, respectively. HTC technology can effectively transform MS biomass into high energy density solid fuel, which provides a theoretical basis for expanding the application field of hydrochars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability of livelihoods and food security by small-scale colonists in the Amazon have been associated with the dynamics of land use and land cover as well as the ability of combining distinct sources of income and welfare. However, few studies have discussed theoretically how these changes co-evolve, over distinct stages of frontier development and for the same colonist cohort, with the composition and size of farm households. This paper, based on the revision of the extant literature, proposes a Demo-livelihoods theoretical framework that combines and synthetizes three theoretical approaches — the household and land use life cycle approach, the livelihoods and capabilities approach, and the revisited theory of multiphasic responses. The objective is to provide theoretical groundings for empirical studies that unveil how microdemographics (individual and farm household) cohort dynamics in frontier settings such as the Amazon mediate livelihoods (including land use) strategies over distinct development stages. It shows how demographic factors may be significant to define livelihoods at earlier frontier stages and release explanatory power at later stages, when market integration increases and households increasingly adopt diversified livelihoods. Furthermore, demographic dynamics at each frontier stage may be associated with distinct livelihood strategies, including mobility, land use, and deforestation, and thus define the extent and nature of settler´s welfare and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometritis in dairy cows is a major economic problem worldwide; without advances in lifestyle management and drug treatment, it causes high morbidity and death. Micro ribonucleic acid (miRNAs) these days is seen as an important part of gene control networks. It is a class of small nucleotides 20–25, single-stranded RNA molecules. In endometritis, the inflammatory response caused by the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) alters the expression of miRNA which can regulate the innate immune system. This manuscript reviews (1) the interaction of miRNAs with the signaling of NF-κB and dysregulation of miRNAs and NF-κB activity in endometritis and (2) the activity of miR-let-7c, miR-148a, and miR-488 in NF-κB activation and their effect on endometritis. Cows with reduced immunity are more vulnerable to transition diseases, such as endometritis. During post-partum, cows undergo stress, metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalance, negative energy balance, and changes in diet. One of the many categories of regulatory molecules, which explain its natural function and pathological impact on NF-κB dysregulation, is important to inform the complexity of the immune system and to develop treatments for endometritis. It shows that miRNAs could have multiple applications in veterinary medicine. Nevertheless, a comprehensive study of is essential which should be aimed at exploring the role of microRNA at physiological level and its effect due to dysfunction and dysregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HYA) on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-induced mouse endometrial inflammation and to explore its molecular mechanism. We established a mouse endometritis model by intrauterine injection of S. aureus and intrauterine injection of HYA for treatment. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot were used to detect protein expression in uterine tissue, and qPCR was used to measure mRNA expression. HYA could significantly weak uterine pathological changes caused by S. aureus and reduce MPO activity, CD45, CD3, and ED-1 protein expression in uterine tissues of S. aureus-infected mice. Similarly, HYA also significantly decreased S. aureus induced the increase in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in uterine tissue. In vivo, we found that knockdown of TLR2 was very important could significantly reduce S. aureus induced the elevated expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in mEECs. Importantly, in terine tissues of S. aureus-infected mice, HYA significantly decreased the ratio of p-p65/p65, p-IKBα/IKBα, p-p38/p38, p-Erk/Erk, and p-JNK/JNK expression. HYA displays anti-inflammatory effects on S. aureus mouse endometrial inflammation, and this effect might be related to HYA which could block TLR2-mediated NF-kB and MAPK pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of particulate matter less than 10 µm (PM10) were conducted from January to December in 2015 in the Ciuc basin, Eastern Carpathians, Romania. Daily concentrations of PM10 ranged from 10.90 to 167.70 µg/m3, with an annual mean concentration of 46.31 µg/m3, which is higher than the European Union limit of 40 µg/m3. Samples were analyzed for a total of 21 elements. O, C and Si were the most abundant elements accounting for about 85% of the PM10 mass. Source identification showed that the elemental composition of PM10 is represented by post volcanic activity, crustal origin, and anthropogenic sources, caused by the resuspension of crustal material, sea salt and soil dust. The average PM10 composition was 72.10% soil, 20.92% smoke K, 13.84% salt, 1.53% sulfate and 1.02% organic matter. The back-trajectory analysis showed that the majority of PM10 pollution comes from the West, Southwest and South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical Resistance Spot Welding (ERSW), an ideal sheet metal welding process for automotive applications due to the excellent reproducibility and weld integrity of the process. Dual-phase steels, the next-generation advanced high strength steel is utilized in white body applications. This paper discusses the effect of current on mechanical properties and microstructural features of the weld nugget. Macrostructure reveals the optimal welding current as 5.5 kA for decent nugget formation with maximum penetration and less heat-affected zone. The nugget microstructure consists of lath and needle-like martensite structure in the iron matrix. The shear fracture test revealed nugget pull-out failure at the periphery. The results concluded the role of current in the penetration and nugget formation along with the softening effect, which corresponds to the nugget failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale soil maps produced by research institutes for land management (GIPROZEM) are the main source of soil information on arable land in Russia. These maps date back to the 1960s–1990s. During the time that has passed since the last round of soil surveys, the development of precision farming has greatly increased the requirements for the accuracy of the maps. At present, archival soil maps require correction (verification, updating, detailing, and unification). It is suggested that the maps of stable intrafield heterogeneity (SIFH) of soil fertility based on the analysis of big remote sensing data can find application in modern agriculture. Such maps are created within the framework of the general concept of big data analysis, including big geodata and big agricultural data as its components. Comparative analysis of archival soil maps and the SIFH map for the territory of southern Russia attests to the great potential of SIFH maps for soil mapping. Missing soil polygons have been detected, the location of existing soil polygons has been refined, new soil units not marked on archival soil maps have been identified, and a plan for additional soil surveys within the framework of the data-driven geography concept has been worked out. The accuracy of the soil map has been improved to be applicable to state-of-the-art farming systems, including precision farming. A new source of information on the spatial heterogeneity of the soil cover and its fertility has appeared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal, structural, alternating-current (AC) conductivity (σAC), and dielectric properties of ethyl-2-amino-6-ethyl-5-oxo-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-3-carboxylate (HPQC) thin films have been studied. Thermogravimetry analysis and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed the thermal stability of HPQC over a wide temperature range. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis were carried out on HPQC in powder form and as-deposited thin film. The crystal system and space group type were determined for HPQC in powder form. The AC conductivity and dielectric properties were determined in the frequency range from 0.5 kHz to 5 MHz and temperature range from 296 K to 443 K. The AC electrical conduction of HPQC thin film was found to be governed by the small-polaron tunneling mechanism. The polaron hopping energy (WH), tunneling distance (R), and density of states (N) near the Fermi level were determined as functions of temperature and frequency. The dielectric properties of HPQC thin film were studied by analysis of Nyquist diagrams, the dissipation factor (tan δ), and real (ε′) and imaginary (ε″) parts of the dielectric constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllanthus reticulatus, a natural sensitizer has been extracted from Karunelli fruit for the fabrication of TiO based DSSCs. The extracted dye shows the visible light optical absorption at a wavelength of around 520 nm. The presence of anthocyanin in the dye extract has been identified by the functional molecular groups such as intermolecular -OH bond, conjugate C=O stretching vibrations using FTIR. A commercial P25 TiO anatase powder has been employed for the fabrication of photoanode on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate using Doctor-blade technique. The Platinum (Pt) counter electrode has been prepared using electron beam evaporation technique with a thickness of ~200 nm. To measure the photoconversion efficiency of the stacked DSSCs, the electrodes are assembled into a cell module and illuminated by a light source simulating AM 1.5 with a light intensity of 100 mW/cm. The freshly prepared sensitizer ( P. reticulatus pH ~5.5) exhibits the photo-conversion efficiency of 0.19%, while decreasing the pH of the sensitizer (pH ~1.0) enhances the photoconversion efficiency to six times (0.69%) higher than that of fresh one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct solutions to the Einstein equations for asymptotically locally Anti-de Sitter spacetimes with four, five, and six dimensional Reissner-Nordström boundary metrics. These spacetimes are gravitational duals to 'jammed' CFTs on those backgrounds at infinite N and strong coupling. For these spacetimes, we calculate the boundary stress tensor as well as compute entanglement entropies for ball shaped regions as functions of the boundary black hole temperature T . From this, we see how the CFT prevents heat flow from the black hole to the vacuum at spatial infinity. We also compute entanglement entropies for a three dimensional boundary black hole using the AdS C-metric. We compare our results to previous work done in similar spacetimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that investigates the microbial communities present in pollen of wind-pollinated plants stems that contain allergens in Russia.

The electronic structures of lanthanide tris(β-diketonate) complexes and their adducts, being of interest as luminophores, were studied by UV photoelectron spectroscopy of vapors and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The spectral regularities identified by the density functional theory revealed the influence of the substitution of the Me groups in the ligands by Bu, CF, and neutral ligand in the adducts on the electronic structure of the complexing agent from Pr to Lu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel ultrasensitive and rapid impedimetric biosensor with new immobilisation materials for parathyroid hormone (PTH) with the aim to determine the PTH level in serum for the diagnosis and monitoring of parathyroid diseases such as hyperparathyroidism, adenoma, and thyroid cancer. The interaction between PTH and the biosensor was investigated with an electrochemical method. The biosensor was based on the gold electrode modified by mercaptohexanol (6-MHL). Anti-parathyroid hormone (anti-PTH) was covalently immobilised onto a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) by using epiclorhidrina (EPI) with ethanolamine (EA). The EPI-EA interaction represents the first use of these for the construction of biosensors in published reports. The immobilisation of the anti-PTH was monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. After the optimisation studies of immobilisation materials such as 6-MHL, EPI, EA and glutaraldehyde, linearity, repeatability and sensitivity of biosensor were evaluated as the performance of biosensor. PTH was detected within a linear range of 0.1-0.6 pg/ml, and the detection limit was 0.1 fg/ml. The specificity of the biosensor was also investigated. Finally, the described biosensor was used to detect the PTH levels in artificial serum samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clozapine is an antipsychotic drug used for refractory schizophrenia and severe psychiatric disorders associated with several side effects. Studies on standardization of raw material and bulk products are necessary to ensure reproducibility batch to batch during all stages of the industrial pharmaceutical process. The aim of this study was to conduct studies of polymorphic characterization and compatibility study of clozapine. Different solvatomorphic forms of clozapine were obtained by recrystallization technique. Polymorphic characterization was performed using optical microscopy, SEM, intrinsic dissolution, and thermal analysis. Compatibility studies of clozapine:excipients were performed by TG and DSC techniques. The polymorphic characterization obtained by analytical and thermal techniques showed the formation of a solvatomorphic form of clozapine (clozapine monohydrate) when recrystallized in aqueous solvents and in alkaline medium. The polymorphic form (clozapine anhydrate) showed higher intrinsic dissolution rate compared to solvatomorphic form (clozapine monohydrate). All industrial batches of clozapine presented in anhydrate form. The DSC/TG data demonstrated similar melting peaks for 2 polymorphic forms, but desolvation peaks characteristic of monohydrate form was observed in clozapine monohydrate. Studies of binary mixtures showed no incompatibilities between clozapine and excipients, except for clozapine:lactose which can reduce the stability of bulk and tablets of clozapine. Tablets of clozapine presented the same thermal analysis profile of clozapine:lactose but did not contribute in decreasing shelf life of clozapine tablets before 24 months of storage. Dissolution studies of the tablets did not show variability between batches of clozapine during 24 months but presented decreasing on stability for 36 months of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three aerial photography inventories were used to examine change in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the tidal freshwater Hudson River over the interval 1997 to 2007. Overall, there was about a 30 % net decline in SAV coverage although there were also many individual areas of expansion. The invasive water chestnut ( Trapa natans) did not change appreciably in net cover over the interval, and there was replacement of SAV by water chestnut along with slightly fewer cases of SAV replacing the exotic. A fine-scale (100 m by 100 m quadrats) analysis showed that about 30 % of quadrats that supported vegetation changed by more than 10 % in plant cover and overall SAV was quite dynamic. SAV in the Hudson is limited by light which is in turn controlled by suspended sediment. SAV was rarely found at depths >1 m below low water, and interannual differences in clarity affected the ability of SAV beds to maintain locally supersaturated levels of dissolved oxygen. We found that location within the River channel (proximity to shore) influenced the magnitude and variability in change in SAV between census periods. The physical nature of the adjacent shoreline also affected the magnitude of change with greater declines in cover in areas next to hard-engineered shore types. SAV in the Hudson is highly dynamic, apparently quite resilient, and the control of light by suspended sediment rather than phytoplankton growth offers a contrast to eutrophication-influenced changes in other estuaries. Management and protection of SAV habitat must recognize the highly variable nature of plant cover and that absence in any particular year does not preclude future appearance of submerged plants at that location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analytical techniques have been used to characterize compounds from herbal medicine, its products and extracts. The objective of this study was to characterize a variety of particle sizes of Erythrina velutina Willd powder. The samples used in the study were named MUF01 (710 μm), MUF03 (180 μm) and MUF05 (75 μm). The techniques employed were scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis such as thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) together with pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS). SEM enabled us to detect the existence of divergences from the expected results from the granulometry process. Thermal analytical techniques (TG and DTA) showed the thermal decomposition profile, corresponding to physical and chemical phenomena. The chromatographic data relative to the peak area of the compounds analyzed evidenced quantitative differences in the chemical compositions of the samples MUF01, MUF03, and MUF05 at 300, 450 and 600 °C. Neophytadiene 2,6,10-trimethyl, 14 and 3-eicosyne were identified by Pyr-GC/MS at 300, 450 and 600 °C, and it classified the samples according the peak area values, which were MUF05 > MUF03 > MUF01. SEM, DTA and TG confirmed this through particle size uniformity, heat flow, and mass loss, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nutritional deficiencies, especially micronutrient deficiencies, can occur in obese individuals. Surgical treatment may aggravate or cause these deficiencies, depending on the type of procedure, food intake and the use of multivitamins, minerals or other supplements. The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutrient intake of women who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Methods: A cross-sectional, controlled study was conducted among 44 women after RYGB (operated-group, OG; mean years post-operation = 3.4) and a control group of 38 healthy women (non-operated group, NOG) matched by age and economic condition. The women reported their dietary intake using a 4-day record. The Dietary Reference Intakes was used as a reference. Results: The macronutrient contributions to dietary energy intake presented an acceptable distribution for proteins and carbohydrates. Lipid intake was high among women in the OG and the NOG (43.2 and 55.3 %, respectively). In the evaluation of micronutrients, a statistically significant difference was observed between the groups for iron, zinc and vitamins B1 and B12. Both groups were at high risk for inadequate calcium intake, and the OG was at risk for inadequate zinc, iron and vitamin B1 intake. Conclusions: The nutrient intake of women who had undergone RYGB is very similar to that of non-operated women, with the exception of a reduced intake of iron, zinc and vitamins B1 and B12, which may be due to the difficulty of consuming meat and a balanced diet. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of appropriate nutritional intervention and the regular use of multivitamin and mineral supplements for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study phases of equilibrium Hawking radiation in d-dimensional holo- graphic CFTs on spatially compact spacetimes with two black holes. In the particular phases chosen the dual (d + 1)-dimensional bulk solutions describe a variety of black fun- nels and droplets. In the former the CFT readily conducts heat between the two black holes, but it in the latter such conduction is highly suppressed. While the generic case can be understood in certain extreme limits of parameters on general grounds, we focus on CFTs on specific geometries conformally equivalent to a pair of d ≥ 4 AdSd-Schwarzschild black holes of radius R. Such cases allow perturbative analyses of non-uniform funnels associated with Gregory-Laflamme zero-modes. For d = 4 we construct a phase diagram for pure funnels and droplets by constructing the desired bulk solutions numerically. The fat non-uniform funnel is a particular interesting phase that dominates at small R (due to having lowest free energy) despite being sub-dominant in the perturbative regime. The uniform funnel dominates at large R, and droplets and thin funnels dominate at certain intermediate values. The thin funnel phase provides a mystery as it dominates over our other phases all that way to a critical Rturn beyond which it fails to exist. The free energy of the system thus appears to be discontinuous at Rturn, but such discontinuities are for- bidden by the 2nd law. A new more-dominant phase is thus required near Rturn but the nature of this phase remains unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global seagrass research efforts have focused on shallow coastal and estuarine seagrass populations where alarming declines have been recorded. Comparatively little is known about the dynamics of deep-water seagrasses despite evidence that they form extensive meadows in some parts of the world. Deep-water seagrasses are subject to similar anthropogenic threats as shallow meadows, particularly along the Great Barrier Reef lagoon where they occur close to major population centres. We examine the dynamics of a deep-water seagrass population in the GBR over an 8 year period during which time a major capital dredging project occurred. Seasonal and inter-annual changes in seagrasses were assessed as well as the impact of dredging. The seagrass population was found to occur annually, generally present between July and December each year. Extensive and persistent turbid plumes from a large dredging program over an 8 month period resulted in a failure of the seagrasses to establish in 2006, however recruitment occurred the following year and the regular annual cycle was re-established. Results show that despite considerable inter annual variability, deep-water seagrasses had a regular annual pattern of occurrence, low resistance to reduced water quality but a capacity for rapid recolonisation on the cessation of impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]