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Scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) are critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, likely due to anthropogenic activities such as intense fishing and pollution. Nowadays, plastic debris contamination is a subject of concern due to its extensive presence in the sea and the digestive tracts of many fish species. The possible effects of plastic debris as a vector of other pollutants are still unknown. We analyzed the digestive tract of 58 hammerhead sharks to investigate the correlation between plastic and other anthropogenic microparticle contamination and their feeding habits in the eastern region of the Gulf of California, revealing a debris contamination occurrence of 79.3%. Out of these, 91.4% corresponded to fibers, and the remaining 8.6% to fragments. The main component of the debris was cellulose (64.4%). According to their diet, these organisms exhibit benthopelagic habits, feeding both in the water column and on the seabed. These results indicate a high level of contamination of anthropogenic cellulosic microfibers in the area. Although cellulosic microfibers are recognized as a biomaterial, they can be harmful to marine species, posing an additional threat to this iconic shark. This changed according to the year, indicating that the anthropogenic microparticle ingestion is related to the discharges of human activities and their seasonality rather than to a selection process by the sharks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports data on the age and composition of poorly studied Cretaceous clastic rocks of the Lower Amur River area, which are part of the Zhuravlevka–Amur terrane and are attributed to the Berriasian–Valanginian Komsomolsk series. U/Pb dating of detrital zircons yielded reliable dates of 99 and 90 Ma for the Gorin and Pioneer formations, respectively. Thus, a sedimentary complex with a Late Cretaceous sedimentation age was identified for the first time in the Sikhote-Alin orogenic belt based on detrital zircon geochronology. In composition and detrital zircon age distribution pattern, the studied rocks are more similar to sediments of the upper, Hauterivian–Albian part of the Zhuravlevka–Amur terrane section rather than to those of the lower, Berriasian–Valanginian part. In rocks of the Pioneer Formation, the youngest zircon population with an age of about 90 Ma makes up more than 40% of all dated grains. The main source of detrital material of this age was probably proximal andesites hosting the Mnogovershinnoe deposit and granitoids of the Nizhneamurskii Complex. The source of detritus for sediments of the ∼99 Ma Gorin Formation was probably felsic rocks from the Albian–Cenomanian igneous province of Pacific Asia. The discrepancy between the Late Cretaceous age obtained by us and the paleontologically established Berriasian–Valanginian stratigraphic age of the formations requires additional research. New data on the Late Cretaceous age of the Zhuravlevka–Amur sediments of strike-slip marginal-continental basin requires revision of the geologic evolution of the terrane and the entire Sikhote-Alin orogenic belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparison of the 87Sr/86Sr signatures of archaeological osteological material with features of geological provinces can be applied to determine the places of birth and living of individuals. Such reconstructions were conducted for both humans and domestic animals at the Late Bronze–Early Iron Age sites of the Crimea. The Crimean Peninsula is an interesting testing polygon for such research because it is characterized by a diverse geological situation within a relatively small area. The initial data allowed us to distinguish between three groups of mobility at the Bai-Kiyat I settlement and two groups at the Dolgii Bugor site. The Bai-Kiyat I site is located on the seacoast, so the proxy line for this area will correspond to the value of the ratio of strontium isotopes in seawater (0.7092). The inhabitants of this settlement, including a child from a burial on the settlement, are characterized by this value of strontium isotopes. Other groups include nonlocal people. The data obtained indicate that the steppe zone of the Northern Black Sea region was an ecumene, within which active mobility of groups of people was registered. This mobility is associated primarily with the pastoral type of economy in the period from the Chalcolithic to the Early Iron Age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Evevpenta ore occurrence is situated in the northeastern part of the Central Kamchatka volcanic belt (Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia), and lies among andesitic volcanic complexes of the Neogene age. The ore bodies are veins, zones of quartz streaks, and hydrothermal breccias, accompanied by aureoles of argillization which transition into propylites at the periphery. The formation of noble-metal mineralization occurred through two phases: the hypogene (hydrothermal) phase and the hypergene phase. For the hypogene phase we have identified two mineral associations related to noble-metal mineralization: the Central area contains gold—telluride–quartz mineralization, while the Northern area hosts telluride–sulfide–quartz mineralization. The hypergene mineral association with native gold occurs within the Central area only. Based on data relating to the material composition of the ores we show that the Evevpenta ore occurrence is a typical member of epithermal reduction-alkaline or low sulfidation deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to detect the parasitic fauna associated with black rats (Rattus rattus) from southeastern Algeria. It showed the presence of seven species of parasitic fungi namely Penicillium sp. (Prevalence Pr=91.3%), Aspergillus niger (Pr=91.3%), Alternaria sp. (Pr=58.7%), Cladosporium sp. (Pr=87%), Microsporum sp. (Pr=19.6%), Trichophyton sp. (Pr=21.7%) and Chrysosporium sp. (Pr=10.9%), noting that saprophytic fungi were the most recorded. On the other hand, according to the richness (S), adults (S = 7) and sub-adults (S = 7) of black rats were the most infested, with leaning for males compared to females, considering all the isolated species as satellites except the Chrysosporium sp. (2.9%) which is presented as a rare species. Concerning parasitic bacteria, aged rats were the most infected followed by adults and sub-adults where total coliforms were present in all individuals of the three classes tested. However, fecal streptococci were noted with a similar infestation rate in all age groups. Unlike this, clostridium sulfite-reducer (CSR) was mostly recorded on aged rats. Concerning the endoparasites found in the intestines of black rats, the pinworms (Syphacia muris, Syphacia obvelata, and Aspiculuris tetraptera) were more abundant than the other species. Hence, the current study allowed us to demonstrate that black rats can be considered an important reservoir of several microorganisms that can hold germs and represent a threat to biomedical and veterinary public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, data on the mercury content and its forms in the ferromanganese and ferruginous formations of the Chaun Bay (East Siberian Sea) were obtained. According to the geochemical classification, the studied formations belong to diagenetic. The mercury content ranges from 8 to 26 µg/kg, which is two to five times lower than the bulk content in the Upper continental crust. The isomorphic (mineral) form of mercury is predominant in ferromanganese and ferruginous formations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous two-year studies of particle fluxes and associated environmental parameters in the axial zone of the Arctic segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at the junction of the Mohns and Knipovich ridges (Norwegian Sea) have been carried out for the first time. Sediment traps were deployed from the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in June 2019 in the northeastern part of the Mohns Ridge with revision in August 2020 and lifting in July 2021. It is shown that the sedimentation of particles in the study area was affected by the global transport of water masses in the northeasterly direction, with Atlantic waters in the subsurface layer and water masses of Arctic origin recirculating deeper in the subsurface. A weak positive temperature trend at a depth of more than 2500 m (0.02°C over two years) is detected. The bimodal vertical distribution of fluxes and changes in the composition of sinking particles corresponded to the pattern of sediment recycling in the ocean. The annual course of fluxes in the subsurface layer is determined by the activity of Si-concentrating and calcifying plankton, while the maximum bloom period is also manifested in the deep layer. At the same time, the main significant source of the flux deeper than 2000 m is the supply of lithogenic matter from the near-bottom nepheloid layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on field lithostratigraphic studies, microfaunistic and palynological analyses, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of sediments exposed in the lower part of Quaternary sections along the Zimnii coast of the White Sea, it is established for the first time that they accumulated during the Boreal transgression in the beginning of the Last Interglacial under marine and coastal marine conditions and form the Upper Pleistocene Mikulinian Horizon. This is supported by the lithology; the species composition of foraminifers, ostracods, and aquatic palynomorphs; and the OSL ages in the range of 118–104 ka. The composition of benthic microfossils indicates that the beginning of the Boreal transgression along the entire Zimnii coast was characterized by a coastal marine basin with sea-ice cover and water depths of >50 m, as well as by high sedimentation rates and stratification due to inflow of melt/river waters. The coastal marine sedimentation conditions were dominant during the regression stage along the Zimnii coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new promising type of mineral resources, such as complex ores and placers spatially and genetically related to Late Mesozoic ultramafic intrusions, has been identified within the Sikhote-Alin orogenic belt. It is exemplified by the Ariadnoe massif of ultramafic rocks, in the center of which there is a gold–titanium mineralization deposit, and at the exocontact, a gold–antimony mineralization. The main mineralogical and geochemical features of gold–copper formations in its circum-intrusive zone are determined. Special focus is given to the finds of cuproauride, which are uncommon for the study area. To reconstruct the conditions of forming these ores, the isotope composition of sulfur in sulfide minerals is studied. The obtained data indicate the significant metal-bearing potential of the ultramafic rocks in Sikhote-Alin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the first data of growth and age of Schmidt's cod Lepidion schmidti, a rare and poorly studied member of the Moridae family (Gadiformes, Teleostei). The research was focused on the Emperor Seamounts area with the aim of investigating the age, growth rates, and longevity of this species. The analysis involved examining annual growth increments on sagittal otoliths. Data were taken from longline catches in 2014 and 2016, resulting in the collection of 140 individuals and the use of 70 otoliths for age determination. The results revealed that Schmidt's cod can live for up to 49 years, with a mean age of 31.5 years in the catches. The relationship between body weight and total length was described by a power function, indicating positive allometric growth. The most suitable growth model for this species was determined to be the Von Bertalanffy growth equation. These results provide valuable insights to add to the limited knowledge of growth and age in the Moridae family and emphasize the long lifespan and slow growth of Schmidt's cod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first records of dinocysts and foraminifers in the Middle Jurassic deposits of the Russian Far East and their taxonomic affiliation are reported. The use of foraminiferal and ostracod assemblages as a tool for biostratigraphic subdivision and correlation of the Middle Jurassic sections of this region is very difficult due to the poor preservation and limited occurrence of these microfossils. Findings of the dinocysts Endoscrinium galeritum,Tubotuberella cf. apatela,Wanaea fimbriata, and Meiourogonyaulax cf. caytonensis raise the question of correcting the stratigraphic range of the lithological formations recognized in the Middle Jurassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of U–Th–Pb geochronological studies of zircons from metamorphic rocks of the Amur group of the Synchuga Block of the Jiamusi continental massif are given. It is shown that garnet–biotite–sericite schists of the Amur group have a primary sedimentary origin. The lower depositional age of the protolith can be determined by the age of the youngest zircons from a group with Neoproterozoic ages of ~832 Ma. The upper age boundary of the protolith, apparently, corresponds to the age of metamorphic zircons of ~533 Ma. Thus, the schists of the Amur group of the Synchuga Block are Neoproterozoic in age rather than Early Precambrian, as was accepted earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first data on the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins have been obtained and a molecular genetic determination of cyanotoxin producers in the plankton of some lakes in the permafrost zone in Yakutia have been performed for the first time. Most of the lakes are characterized by high concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll a and by an increased content of organic matter, which could be associated with a high anthropogenic load. Water blooms were visually observed in three of the six studied lakes during the summer period. The abundance and biomass of cyanobacteria in the lakes varied within 13.7–676.3 million cells/L and 0.6–4.8 mg/L, respectively. Eight species of potentially toxigenic cyanobacteria were found in phytoplankton using light microscopy. Regions of the mcyE gene involved in the biosynthesis of microcystin were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction method in environmental DNA isolated from planktonic samples. Cyanobacteria capable of producing neurotoxic anatoxin-a, saxitoxins, and hepatotoxic nodularins were absent in the lakes during the study period. The use of genus-specific primers to the mcyE gene enables us to find that the main producers of microcystins were represented by species of the genus Microcystis in most of the lakes and by species of Dolichospermum only in one of the lakes. Up to eight structural variants of microcystins, in general, arginine-containing isoforms MC-LR, MC-RR, MC-YR, MC-LY, MC-HIlR, [Asp3]MC-LR, [Asp3]MC-RR, and [Asp3]MC-YR, were identified in lake plankton using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The maximal concentration of microcystins in plankton (intracellular fraction 803 ng/L) was recorded in a sample from Ytyk-Kyuyol Lake. The calculated content of microcystins per unit biomass of producing cyanobacteria (toxin quota) was low (0.005–0.069 µg/mg). In order to assess the potential hazard of toxigenic species of cyanobacteria to human health, the distribution of cyanotoxins and their producers should be further studied in water bodies of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuna (genus Thunnus), particularly Pacific bluefin tuna (T. orientalis; PBT), are commercially important fish in the aquaculture industry worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate sexual dimorphism in the growth performance of aquaculture-produced PBT and develop techniques for its sex manipulation, for the first time in tuna. A comparison of the body size between sexes revealed that male-cultured PBTs were larger than females at harvest. We also confirmed that cyp19a1a (encoding a gonadal aromatase) expression increased specifically in the genotypic female PBT gonads during sex differentiation. This suggested that aromatase plays an important role in ovarian differentiation and that the suppression of aromatase activity may effectively induce masculinization in genotypic females. Therefore, we administered letrozole—an aromatase inhibitor (AI)—into sexually undifferentiated PBT through the oral route. AI administration resulted in a 100% sex reversal of genotypic females into phenotypic males at the molecular level. Our results provide the basis for future studies on the establishment of mono-sex male production technology in PBT, which would help improve the productivity of closed-cycle PBT aquaculture. Furthermore, this study offers important insights into the understanding of the sex-wise growth of tuna species in aquacultural settings, and developing sex manipulation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Baikal (LB) is the only freshwater ancient lake on Earth where animals inhabit all bathymetric zones down to the deepest sites (approximately 1640 m). However, there is very little data on the composition of their abyssal harpacticoid fauna. On the basis of the samples collected in LB in 2010–2017 at a depth of 270–1632 m, analysis of the fauna composition and species diversity of harpacticoids in the deep-water zone is presented. Studies were conducted in all parts of the lake, including areas of a hydrothermal, oil–methane seeps, and mud volcanoes. Nineteen Baikal endemic morphological species of the genera Bryocamptus, Attheyella, and Moraria (Baikalomoraria) were found. A brief description of the taxa morphology is presented. The genus Bryocamptus was the richest by species number at the studied sites, and Bryocamptus smirnovi Borutzky was the most frequent. The most diverse (8 species) was the fauna of the Saint Petersburg methane seep. Studies have shown that the taxonomic diversity of harpacticoid copepods in the deep-water zone of LB is lower than in its littoral zone. According to two non-parametric species estimators (Chao 2 and Jackknife 1), a 1.5-fold increase of species richness of harpacticoids of the LB abyssal is expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of natural archives, such as bottom sediments of lakes and seas, is promising for paleoreconstructions due to rapid environmental changes, human impacts, and insufficient instrumental measurement data. Based on the radioisotope dating using unsupported 210Pb, the modern sedimentation rates were estimated for the last 150 years in the southern part of the Tatar Strait. According to CIC and CRS models, the sedimentation rate was 0.20–0.22 сm/year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new promising source of mineral deposits is found in the southern part of the Far East of Russia: the Ti-bearing intrusions of ultramafic rocks of the Sikhote-Alin orogenic belt. The main mineralogical–geochemical features of antimonite–quartz veins are determined at the external contact of the Ariadnoe intrusion. It is shown that mantle and crustal processes were involved in the formation of Au–Ti and Au–Sb ores. The typomorphic properties of native gold in ultramafic rocks open new possibilities for re-estimation of the prospects of a mineral base of strategic metals of Primor'e. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our work aims to identify the miscellaneous radio galaxies (MRGs) using the LOFAR Two‐meter Sky Survey First Data Release (LoTSS DR1) at 144 MHz. The miscellaneous radio sources are very rare because of their peculiar morphological radio structure, which does not match with the known classes of radio sources. We find only four such MRGs by manually examining 18,500 samples. The peculiar morphology is not found in other radio frequencies 1400, 150, and 325 MHz. We estimate different physical parameters like spectral index, radio luminosity, and radio power of these sources. Among the four MRGs, J1428+4556 has the highest linear size of 3.972 Mpc and can be considered a giant radio galaxy. We also try to present the known galaxy cluster association with these MRGs. We find that the MRGs are associated with at least one galaxy cluster within 1 Mpc radius. The basic parameters such as mass, radius, and richness of the clusters are also noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses vibration communication in representatives of the genus Meromyza. The frequency range of vibration signals of Meromyza saltatrix (L., 1761) females is 229 to 650 Hz with a pulse length of 0.153 ± 0.06 s, and the frequency range of Meromyza femorata (Macquart, 1835) females signals is 183 to 368 Hz with a pulse length of 0.142 ± 0.12 s. The recorded Meromyza flies signals differ from the signals of flies from close genera and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the data processing of the Survey on extragALactic magnetiSm with SOFIA (SALSA Legacy Program). This first data release presents 33% (51.34 hr out of 155.7 hr, including overheads) of the total awarded time from 2020 January to 2021 December. Our observations were performed using the newly implemented on-the-fly mapping (OTFMAP) technique in the polarimetric mode. We present the pipeline steps to obtain homogeneously reduced high-level data products of polarimetric maps of galaxies for use in scientific analysis. Our approach has a general design and can be applied to sources smaller than the field of view of the HAWC+ array in any given band. We estimate that the OTFMAP polarimetric mode offers a reduction of observing overheads by a factor 2.34 and an improvement in sensitivity by a factor 1.80 when compared to the same on-source time polarimetric observations using the chopping and nodding mode. The OTFMAP is a significant optimization of the polarimetric mode of HAWC+, as it ultimately reduces the cost of operations of HAWC+/SOFIA by increasing the science collected per hour of observation up to an overall factor of 2.49. The OTFMAP polarimetric mode is the standard observing strategy of SALSA. The results and quantitative analysis of this first data release are presented in Papers IV and V of the series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the presence of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp., as one of the most important foodborne zoonotic pathogens, in three shellfish species: mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), oysters (Ostrea edulis) and queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis). The samples were collected from nine locations in the Istrian aquatory, Croatia. Isolation of Campylobacter was done according to standard ISO method, and species were identified using multiplex PCR. Isolates identified as C. jejuni and C. lari were genotyped using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to determine the potential source of contamination. Among 108 examined samples of bivalve molluscs, mussels dominated and were the only ones found positive for the presence of Campylobacter (25.6%). In total, 19 C. lari and 1 C. jejuni strains were isolated. C. lari isolates found in this study belong to 13 sequence types (STs), and 9 of them are newly described in this paper. Two out of the four previously described C. lari STs that were found in this study were previously found in human stool. The only C. jejuni isolate was found to be sequence type 1268, which belongs to ST-1275 clonal complex that is almost exclusively found in seabirds and can sporadically cause infection in humans. Regarding the obtained results, introducing surveillance of thermotolerant Campylobacter in shellfish in the Republic of Croatia is advised as an improvement for public health safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nerocila fluviatilisSchiœdte and Meinert 1881 (Isopoda, Cymothoidea, Cymothoidae) is reported for the first time for a new host order of host, Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836 (Actinopterygii, Mugiliformes, Mugilidae). Fish were collected in a coastal Atlantic lagoon in eastern Uruguay, Laguna de Rocha, and parasites were consistently restricted to the surface of caudal, anal, and paired fins. All stages of N. fluviatilis were found. Data on prevalence (6%), mean intensity of infestation (5.2), and size are provided for the first time for all stages of N. fluviatilis. An updated account of the geographic distribution and hosts of the isopod is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornithodoros moubata transmits African swine fever and human relapsing fever in Africa. The elimination of O. moubata populations from anthropic environments is expected to improve the prevention and control of these diseases. Tick vaccines have emerged as a sustainable method for tick control, and tick aquaporins (AQPs) are promising targets for tick vaccines due to their vital functions, immunogenicity and ease of access by neutralising host antibodies. This study aimed at the systematic identification of the AQPs expressed by O. moubata (OmAQPs) and their characterisation as vaccine targets. Therefore, AQP coding sequences were recovered from available transcriptomic datasets, followed by PCR amplification, cloning, sequence verification and the analysis of the AQP protein structure and epitope exposure. Seven OmAQPs were identified and characterised: six were aquaglyceroporins, and one was a water-specific aquaporin. All of these were expressed in the salivary glands and midgut and only three in the coxal glands. Epitope exposure analysis identified three extracellular domains in each AQP, which concentrate overlapping B and T cell epitopes, making them interesting vaccine targets. Based on these domain sequences, a set of ten antigenic peptides was designed, which showed adequate properties to be produced and tested in pilot vaccine trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zooplankton is a fundamental group in aquatic ecosystems representing the base of the food chain. It forms a link between the lower trophic levels with secondary consumers and shows marked fluctuations in populations with environmental change, especially reacting to heating and water acidification. Marine copepods account for approx. 70% of the abundance of zooplankton and are a target of monitoring activities in key areas such as the Southern Ocean. In this study, we have used FAIR-inspired legacy data (dating back to the 1980s) collected in the Ross Sea by the Italian National Antarctic Program at GBIF.org. Together with other open-access GIS data sources and tools, it allows one to generate, for the first time, three-dimensional predictive distribution maps for twenty-six copepod species. These predictive maps were obtained by applying machine learning techniques to grey literature data, which were visualized in open-source GIS platforms. In a Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) framework, we used machine learning with three types of algorithms (TreeNet, RandomForest, and Ensemble) to analyze the presence and absence of copepods in different areas and depth classes as a function of environmental descriptors obtained from the Polar Macroscope Layers present in Quantartica. The models allow, for the first time, to map-predict the food chain per depth class in quantitative terms, showing the relative index of occurrence (RIO) in 3Dimensions and identifying the presence of each copepod species analyzed in the Ross Sea, a globally-relevant wilderness area of conservation concern. Our results show marked geographical preferences that vary with species and trophic strategy. This study demonstrates that machine learning is a successful method in accurately predicting the Antarctic copepod presence, also providing useful data to orient future sampling and the management of wildlife and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the first information on the species biodiversity of larvae of trematodes in the gastropod Hydrobia acuta is provided. As result of this research, the species diversity of trematodes of the most widespread species of mollusks Hydrobia acuta in bays of Sevastopol was studied. For the first time in the water area of Sevastopol, seven species of helminths from Hydrobia were discovered: five species of cercariae (Timoniella imbutiformis, Cryptocotyle sp., Gynaecotyla adunca, Maritrema misenense, and Haplosplanchnus pachysoma) and three species of metacercariae: (Paratimonia sp., H. pachysoma, and Proctoeces maculatus). H. acuta was first registered as the first intermediate host for P. maculatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using satellite telemetry, it is reported for the first time that spotted seals (Phoca largha) inhabiting the west coast of Kamchatka (Sea of Okhotsk) during the feeding season are able to move into the Pacific Ocean and migrate along the coast far northwards. Seals from the Bering and Okhotsk seas use Kamchatka Bay on the Pacific coast of Kamchatka. These data question the existing opinion about the isolation of the spotted seal populations of these areas. Animals migrate into the Pacific Ocean through the First Kurilsky Strait, which seems to be a migratory corridor for the spotted seal during the feeding period. The water area of this strait is also used by tagged seals during local movements along the Shumshu and Paramushir islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A new monogenean, Rhamnocercoides lambayequensis n. sp. (Dactylogyridea: Diplectanidae), is described based on the specimens collected from the gills of the Pacific kingcroaker Menticirrhus elongatus (Günther 1864) (Perciformes: Sciaenidae), a demersal fish endemic to Eastern Pacific, captured off the South American Pacific coast, Lambayeque Region, Peru. Materials and Methods: Monogeneans were fixed in hot 4% formalin. Some monogeneans were transferred directly onto a slide in a drop of glycerin–ammonium picrate mixture (GAP). Others were mounted stained with Gomori's trichrome in Canada balsam. Drawings were made using of a drawing tube. Results: The new species is mainly characterized by its MCO, which is tubular and straight, with external (distally expanded and bifurcated) and internal tubes (distally uncovered by external tube). Rhamnocercoides lambayequensis n. sp. is also characterized by having the following features: a weakly sclerotized almost pyriform vagina; haptoral acicular spines with expanded distal portion and by having a small group of haptoral accessory spines associated with haptoral lobes arranged as spikes. Conclusions: This is the first data on the parasites of M. elongatus, a little known, but popular fish in local markets. The present finding brings to two, the number of known species of Rhamnocercoides Luque and Iannacone 1991, and represents the sixth described marine diplectanid species infecting sciaenid fishes from Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first isotope-geochemical study (SHRIMP-II, SIMS) of zircons from syenites of Gora Rudnaya (South Yakutia), which host the recently discovered Morozkinsky gold deposit. Gora Rudnaya is a laccolith located in the Central Aldan ore district. Vein and vein-disseminated gold mineralization occur in low-temperature acid metasomatites, beresites (Qz–Ser–Ank–Py), restricted to steeply dipping submeridional brecciation zones. According to zircon dating, the age of the ore-bearing syenite is approximately 130 Ma. The obtained age corresponds to the main magmatic stage and associated hydrothermal–metasomatic activity within the Central Aldan ore district. Two groups of zircons have been distinguished in syenites. The first group shows features of magmatic genesis. The second group reveals evidence of fluid reworking, in particular, elevated contents of U, Th, and some nonformula elements (LREE, Ca, Ti, and Sr). The presence of two zircon varieties that differ in composition and appearance but have the same age indicates that the magmatic crystallization of syenites from Gora Rudnaya and their fluid reworking occurred practically simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the structure of phytoplankton communities of the East Siberian Sea has been carried out during the 69th cruise of the research vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh within the framework of the Program "Ecosystems of the Siberian Arctic Seas". The materials were obtained from 5th to 9th September at two quasi-meridional transects from inner shelf areas adjacent to the Indigirka and Kolyma mouths towards the outer shelf. The list of dominant algae groups and species, estimates of abundance, biomass and features of the vertical distribution of phytoplankton are given for pelagic biotopes with different environmental conditions. The significant quantitative deficiency of phytoplankton in the East Siberian Sea in the summer season in comparison with the Laptev Sea is determined, which is especially pronounced in the eastern area of the basin. The algae abundance along the Indigirka transect varies in the range of 11.9 to 66.3 × 103 cell/L, and the biomass from 16.4 to 339.1 mg/m3. The corresponding values for the Kolyma transect are 7.7–90.3 × 103 cell/L and 9.4–42.1 mg/m3. The maximum values along both transects are recorded in the area of the outer border of the river plume with increasing surface salinity up to 21–25 PSU. The material obtained makes it possible to reveal significant differences in the structure of phytoplankton communities of western versus eastern areas of the East Siberian Sea, which confirms the well pronounced zonal heterogeneity of the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determines impact of familial risk factor i.e. positive family history of schizophrenia on age of onset of schizophrenia. 2. To determine impact of environmental risk factor i.e. substance misuse on age of onset of schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional analytical study, 430 patients were enrolled from Sarhad Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases Peshawar through convenience non probability sampling technique. First Data was dichotomized on the basis of positive and negative family history of schizophrenia and later on the basis of positive and negative history of substance misuse. Frequency and percentage were calculated for categorical variable while mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Independent-samples T test was used to compare means of two independent variables. Results: The mean age of onset of schizophrenia is 22.28 years with early onset in males than females. In those with familial schizophrenia, the mean ages of onset of schizophrenia in males and females are 22.35 and 22.05 years while in those with sporadic cases, the mean age of onset of schizophrenia in males and females are 21.83 and 25.43 years respectively. Moreover non-tobacco substances and cannabinoids are having statistically significant impact on age of onset of schizophrenia. Conclusion: There is significant gender difference in age at onset of schizophrenia and substance misuse. Family history of schizophrenia eliminates the gender difference in age at onset of schizophrenia. Moreover non-tobacco substances and cannabinoids misuse can cause early onset of schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first results of the study of the Re–Os isotope system of native gold from the orogenic Malo-Tarynskoe, Khangalas, and Bazovskoe deposits located in the central part of the Yana–Kolyma metallogenic belt are reported. The concentration of Re in the studied gold samples varies from 0.168 to 6.997 ppb, while the concentration of Os ranges from 0.068 to 1.443 ppb. The obtained data allowed us to calculate the isochrone age, which is consistent with the 40Ar–39Ar and K–Ar ages of sericite from these deposits within the error. The results indicate that the studied gold deposits were formed in the range of 147.8–137.1 Ma, synchronously with the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous orogenic processes in the Yana–Kolyma metallogenic belt and on the eastern margin of the Siberian Continent. The initial Os isotope ratios in the studied samples and fractions of gold from the Malo-Tarynskoe, Khangalas, and Bazovskoe deposits, (187Os/188Os)i = 0.1844–0.2475, suggest a significant role of a nonradiogenic component normally associated with mantle sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first data of a U–Pb isotopic study (LA-ICP-MS method) of zircon from leucocratic granites of the giant Tyrnyauz Mo–W deposit (North Caucasus) are presented. The emplacement of this granite separated the formation stages of Mo–W skarns and younger large stockworks with Mo-mineralization. Two types of zircons are distinguished among the grains identified. The first type is represented by rare tabular and short-prismatic crystals (xenocrysts) of an ancient zircon, with large variations of the U–Pb isotopic age (from about 300 Ma to almost 1500 Ma). The second type includes more abundant long-prismatic crystals of a young zircon; its weighted average U–Pb isotopic age (2.67 ± 0.04 Ma) corresponds to the time of leucocratic granite crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first study on the diet of the great cormorant wintering in Algeria. It is carried out in Beni Haroun, the largest dam lake in the country, in the North-East of Algeria. The trophic menu of Phalacrocorax carbo in this lake is based on four species of fish: Abramis brama, Carassius carassius, Barbus barbus, and Cyprinus carpio. However, Barbus barbus and Carassius carassius represent the two most important species in the great cormorant's diet. The total consumed biomass is 155,364.18 g, and the average biomass contained in each pellet varies between 330.7 and 2,953 g. The biomass of consumed fish varies between 36.89 g and 2,501 g. The size of the caught fish records values between 13.7 cm and 52.49 cm. The number of consumed fish per pellet varies between 1 and 9. The results show that the great cormorant of Beni-Haroun dam lake consumes between 573 g and 2,353.3 g of fish per day and between 49.8 t and 185 t tonnes each month. However, the highest value is recorded in January (between 81.5 and 300.5 t). The great cormorant of Beni-Haroun dam lake could have a significant impact on continental and recreational fishing at this site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first data of U/Pb and 40Ar/39Ar dating of volcanogenic rocks of the Pre-Dzhugdzhur volcano-tectonic trough (PDVT) of the Okhotsk–Chukotka volcanogenic belt (OChVB) confirm that the supra-subduction complexes, identical in composition and position in the geological section, were formed at different times in the main arc sector of the OChVB and adjacent flank zones. It has been established that the flank zones of the belt formed at different times as well. The main arc sector was formed with a lag of 9–11 Ma related to the Western Okhotsk flank zone and 5–8 Ma ahead related to the Eastern Chukotka flank zone. The results obtained have been analyzed along with the data on Albian magmatism of Northeastern Russia. This allowed us to suggest that the area of the future Pre-Dzhugdzhur and Ul'ya volcano-tectonic troughs was affected by active volcanism of the convergent margin regime during the Albian, when that part of the region that later became the main arc of the OChVB developed in the setting of the transformed margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Lyme borreliosis (LB) occurs throughout Europe. No clinical and seroprevalence studies for LB in Kosovo have been publicly available thus far. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate LB from a tick bite perspective in the Pristina region, Kosovo. Methods: This single-center prospective observational study enrolled consecutive adult participants (≥18 years of age) with tick bite (embedded tick in the skin), who were examined at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Pristina, between January 2015 and August 2018. At the first visit related to the index tick bite, ticks (the complete ticks or parts of the ticks) were removed from the skin, blood samples were taken for serological tests, and antibiotic treatment was started when deemed necessary. The complete, undamaged ticks removed were proceeded for entomological identification. Participants were followed up at 2 months (serological tests were repeated) and 6 months after the index event for the development of clinical manifestations of LB and/or seroconversion against Borrelia burgdorferi. Results: A total of 380 subjects were included in the study. Most cases were seen in May and June in all study years. All 117 preserved ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus. Immunoglobulin G seroprevalence among subjects during the first visit in the study was 28/380 (7.4%). Erythema migrans (EM) was clinically diagnosed in 74/380 patients (19.5%, 95% confidence interval 15.6–23.8). Only 15 clinically diagnosed EM (in seronegative patients) were serologically confirmed with seroconversion (2 months later), 3.9% of all subjects included in the study. There were three cases with clinical manifestation between the second and third visit: EM recidivans, multiple erythema, or several nonspecific systemic symptoms. Doxycycline and amoxicillin were mainly used for the treatment of borrelial skin lesions. Conclusion: This assessment can help indicate the need for disease awareness and reinforce the importance of primary prevention measures, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of rare-earth elements (REEs) in ferromanganese deposits (FMDs) from the southeastern Laptev Sea is considered. The ore part of FMDs consisting mainly of iron hydroxides (limonite) results from the process of suboxic diagenesis enhanced by bioturbation. It is responsible in FMDs for the deficiency in Ce and some enrichment in middle REEs (MREEs). The (alumino)silicate part of FMDs is genetically related with bottom sediments, corresponds to their REE composition, and most likely controls the scandium content. Because of the high formation rate of hydroxides, the total REE content in FMDs is lower than that in bottom sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SEDIGISM (Structure, Excitation and Dynamics of the Inner Galactic Interstellar Medium) survey used the APEX telescope to map 84 deg2 of the Galactic plane between ℓ = −60° and +31° in several molecular transitions, including 13CO (2 – 1) and C18O (2 – 1), thus probing the moderately dense (∼103 cm−3) component of the interstellar medium. With an angular resolution of 30 arcsec and a typical 1 σ sensitivity of 0.8–1.0 K at 0.25 km s−1 velocity resolution, it gives access to a wide range of structures, from individual star-forming clumps to giant molecular clouds and complexes. The coverage includes a good fraction of the first and fourth Galactic quadrants, allowing us to constrain the large-scale distribution of cold molecular gas in the inner Galaxy. In this paper, we provide an updated overview of the full survey and the data reduction procedures used. We also assess the quality of these data and describe the data products that are being made publicly available as part of this First Data Release (DR1). We present integrated maps and position–velocity maps of the molecular gas and use these to investigate the correlation between the molecular gas and the large-scale structural features of the Milky Way such as the spiral arms, Galactic bar and Galactic Centre. We find that approximately 60 per cent of the molecular gas is associated with the spiral arms and these appear as strong intensity peaks in the derived Galactocentric distribution. We also find strong peaks in intensity at specific longitudes that correspond to the Galactic Centre and well-known star-forming complexes, revealing that the 13CO emission is concentrated in a small number of complexes rather than evenly distributed along spiral arms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isotope–geochemical study of zircon from leucoxene–quartz sandstone of the Yarega deposit in South Timan was conducted for the first time using the Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Microprobe II (SHRIMP), Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (SIMS) technique. Two groups of zircons were established. The first group has signs of hydrothermal processing with a high content of Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs), Y, Ca, Sr, and other nonformula elements. Zircon that had been hydrothermal altered from titanium deposits of Middle Timan (Pizhma and Ichet'yu) is characterized by similar geochemical features. The second group of zircons has signs of magmatic genesis, including enrichment in Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs), a positive Ce-anomaly, and a negative Eu-anomaly. The concordant ages of magmatic zircon grains lie in the range of 1100–2100 Ma with maxima around 1230 and 1540 Ma. The age of the magmatic zircon grains indicates the predominance of detrital material in sandstones, which was received during erosion of the ancient Mesoproterozoic basement, and excludes the participation of clastic material from the Timan–Ural folded region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat grain is a staple food that contains numerous compounds beneficial to nutrition and health. Fermentation is of importance to improving the nutritional attributes of cereal grains for human consumption. With the aim of identifying the influence of the fermentation by the traditional storage “Matmora” during 9 years, on the biochemical components of the wheat, we tried to make a comparative study between the properties of both samples of durum wheat fermented wheat “El-Hammoum”, unfermented wheat and to estimate their nutritional values and to find that the fermented durum wheat possesses antihyperglycemic activity and a less allergenic effect and which would be recommended for the people having an allergy and/or intolerance of the gluten. Fermented wheat “El-Hammoum”, an Algerian food contains a considerable amount of water, proteins, is a good source of lipids, fiber, mineral content and polyphenols, and low content of pH, test Weight, Falling Number, and gluten. Moreover, the results of the electrophoresis on SDS-PAGE gel, showed a total degradation of proteins gliadins and gluténins after sequential extraction of every protein. The decrease in gliadin, gluten protein fraction, implicated in celiac disease, would be beneficial for these patients. Also good for health; it is used as a remedy by diabetics because showed good in vitro antihyperglycemic activity; because has low contents of total sugars and starch linked to its fermentation. These findings also provide evidence that “El-Hammoum” may be useful for the treatment of complications associated with Diabetes and raise the possibility of a new application as a complementary therapy associated with hypoglycaemic drugs. In conclusion, fermentation of cereals in underground silos “Matmora” can be a way to produce food grains enriched with health promoting compounds and enhanced functional attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gold mineralization in the Central Aldan ore district is genetically related to potassic calc-alkaline and alkaline magmatism dated at 115–150 Ma. The objective of this study is to establish the age of hydrothermal processes that accompanied the formation of Au-Te mineralization at the Samolazovsky Deposit. Based on the isotope-geochemical study of zircons from quartz-feldspar metasomatic rocks of the deposit, the granitoids and charnokites of the Nimnyr Complex (1 900–1 960 Ma) at the contact with the Yukhta monzonite-syenite massif (∼127 Ma) were studied. Zircon U-Pb dating was performed on a SHRIMP-II ion microprobe, and rare-earth and trace elements analyses of zircon were carried out in the same craters by secondary-ion mass spectrometry on a Cameca IMS-4f ion microprobe. It is revealed that the studied zircons have heterogeneous structures: dark core and lighter rim, which differ greatly in isotope-geochemical parameters. Zircon rims are cut by a network of fractures, extending into the central part of zircon grains. The rims yield a subconcordant age of 1 937±24 Ma, with an average total REE content of 550 ppm, which corresponds to the formation age of the Nimnyr Complex. All zircon cores yield a discordant age of 83±11 Ma and are characterized by a higher total REE content (∼1 812 ppm), as well as higher contents of U and non-formula elements (Ca, Sr, and Y) with respect to rims, due to the effect of fluid on zircons. Despite the limited number of zircon grains, the additional geochronological study of zircons from syenites of the ore-bearing Ryabinovy Massif has revealed the presence of two distinct age clusters: ∼125–138 and 76–83 Ma. The older ages of zircons from syenites are typical for the Central Aldan ore district. Until now, there is still no explanation for an age range (76–83 Ma) of single zircon grains from ore-bearing syenites of the Ryabinovy Massif. The obtained data suggest that the processes of activation (the effect of fluid) within the Central Aldan ore district continued until Late Mesozoic. With regards to the equivocal geotectonic position of the Mesozoic potassic magmatism in the study area and its high metallogenic potential, there exists an absolute necessity to determine the geochronological age of the rock formations. Therefore this study presents the Late Cretaceous geochronological data for the first time which can constrain the time-frame for the formation of gold-bearing magmatic and metasomatic rocks of the Aldan ore district. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 40Ar/39Ar dating of metamorphic schists from the basement of the West Siberian Platform exposed by Lenzitskaya well no. 77 on the Taz Peninsula was performed. The samples collected at depths of 3503 and 3515 m yielded age dates of 251.6 ± 3.5 and 271.2 ± 3.5 Ma. The age of ~271 Ma reflects the age of metamorphism of schists, which was induced by a strong tectonomagmatic event, associated with the onset of emplacement of rift zones and outflow of basalts in the Permian–Triassic. The age of ~252 Ma coincides with the period of the most intense emplacement of submeridional rifts in the basement of the West Siberian Platform. This process was accompanied by extension and thinning of the Earth's crust in this region, which resulted in the exhumation of rocks from the mid-crystal level. The age boundary of ~250 Ma was established in the metamorphic and intrusive complexes of western Siberia and the Urals. This age is fixed almost everywhere and is correlated with the age of formation of the Siberian Trap Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social cognition refers to the mental operations underlying social interactions. Given the major role of social cognitive deficits in the disability associated with severe psychiatric disorders, they therefore constitute a crucial therapeutic target. However, no easily understandable and transnosographic self-assessment scale evaluating the perceived difficulties is available. This study aimed to analyze the psychometric qualities of a new self-administered questionnaire (ACSo) assessing subjective complaints in different domains of social cognition from 89 patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, bipolar disorders or autism. The results revealed satisfactory internal validity and test-retest properties allowing the computation of a total score along with four sub scores (attributional biases, social perception and knowledge, emotional perception and theory of mind). Moreover, the ACSo total score was correlated with other subjective assessments traditionally used in cognitive remediation practice but not with objective neuropsychological assessments of social cognition. In summary, the ACSo is of interest to complete the objective evaluation of social cognition processes with a subjective assessment adapted to people with serious mental illness or autism spectrum disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the first results of oxygen isotope analyses (δ18O) collected on zircons from the Talnakh economic intrusion within the Noril'sk province. Zircons from gabbro-diorite, gabbroic rocks of the layered series and plagioclase-bearing wehrlite have similar mantle-like mean δ18O values (5.39 ± 0.48‰; 5.63 ± 0.48‰ and of 5.28 ± 0.34‰, respectively), which differ from δ18O in zircons from sulfide-bearing melanocratic troctolite with taxitic texture in the lower part of the intrusion (mean δ18O = 6.50 ± 0.98‰). These new oxygen isotope data support (i) the mantle-derived origin of the primary magma(s), parental to the Talnakh intrusion, and (ii) possible involvement of a crustal component during the formation of sulfide-bearing taxitic-textured rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original materials obtained, along with the literature data (hydrochemical contrasting halos), make it possible to predict a new (Tarakon) gold ore field within the eastern part of the Argun superterrane. Commercial gold concentrations are noted in quartz metasomatic rocks after granite and limestone. The amount of ore minerals usually does not exceed 5–10%. They commonly occur in the rocks as micron and submicron particles mainly of pyrite, less often, of galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, ilmenite, hematite, magnetite, fahlore, and native high-grade gold. It is assumed that formation of the Tarakon gold ore field, as well as of most ore bodies in the region, is related to Late Mesozoic magmatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first data on five primary molybdenite sources within the gabbro-dolerite complex of Pay-Khoy (Pay-Khoy Ridge, Yugra Peninsula, Russia) are presented. The mineral is extended areally in Devonian ore-bearing gabbro-dolerites, contact rocks, and quartz veins. This paper considers the mineralogical–geochemical features of molybdenite, its occurrence, the composition of host rocks, and spectroscopic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary isotope–geochemical and geochemical characteristics (by the TerraneChrone® technique) are presented for detrital zircons dated previously (U/Pb, LA–ICP–MS dating) from Ordovician sandstones (the Ordovician-2 borehole of the Sol-Iletsk block). The characteristics of the treated zircons were compared to the corresponding parameters of the complexes constituting the possible sources provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]