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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]

There is an increasing recognition that the influence of extreme climate events ( ECE) can be more significant in structuring ecosystem dynamics than the gradual effects of climate change. Still, our understanding of the effects of climate extremes on ecosystem services such as marine fisheries lags behind those of effects of gradual change. The significance of ECEs depends on the severity of the disturbance event and the resilience of a fish community. South Florida experienced an extreme cold spell in 2010 that provided the opportunity to study recreational fisheries resilience to ECEs. Our main goal was to examine how recreational fishing catch structures responded to the cold spell, and illustrate any spatial-specific recovery trajectory dynamics after extreme ecological responses. To address this, we implemented multivariate and nonlinear statistics on fishing guide reports for 20 recreational species. A significant shift in the catch structure occurred after the event, suggesting a high sensitivity of fish populations and fisheries in the region to ECEs. All fishing regions considered were affected, but the trajectory of the response and recovery varied across study areas. While some fish species experienced an expected decline (due to mortality), other species manifested an increase in catch. Of the main seven species considered in nonlinear models, three experienced a decline (bonefish, snook, goliath grouper), two experienced an increase (red drum, gray snapper), and the two had various weak trends (tarpon, spotted seatrout). Three years after the event, the catch structure has not returned to the original state, indicating a possible state shift, whose stability needs to be determined in future tracking of affected populations. Future work should also address the extent to which harvest may interfere with resilience to ECEs. Our work highlights the need to account for rare environmental forcing induced by ECEs to ensure the ecological and economical sustainability of key services such as recreational fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural and anthropogenic disturbances have led to rapid declines in the amount and quality of available habitat in many ecosystems. Many studies have focused on how habitat loss has affected the composition and configuration of habitats, but there have been fewer studies that investigate how this loss affects ecosystem function. We investigated how a large-scale seagrass die-off altered the distribution of energetic resources of three seagrass-associated consumers with varied resource use patterns. Using long-term benthic habitat monitoring data and resource use data from Bayesian stable isotope mixing models, we generated energetic resource landscapes (E-scapes) annually between 2007 and 2019. E-scapes link the resources being used by a consumer to the habitats that produce those resources to calculate a habitat resource index as a measurement of energetic quality of the landscape. Overall, our results revealed that following the die-off there was a reduction in trophic function across all species in areas affected by the die-off event, but the response was species-specific and dependent on resource use and recovery patterns. This study highlights how habitat loss can lead to changes in ecosystem function. Incorporating changes in ecosystem function into models of habitat loss could improve understanding of how species will respond to future change., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

A new multifunctional Schiff base probe AnQn containing dual fluorophores (anthracene-quinoline) has been synthesised via a facile one-pot reaction. This probe demonstrated the ability to selectively discriminate group IIIA metal ions (Al3+ and Ga3+) via a dual-mode fluorescent turn-on response. Upon excitation at the same wavelength (λex 320 nm), AnQn displayed two distinct emission bands for Al3+ (λem = 410 nm) and Ga3+ (λem = 487 nm) in acetonitrile solutions. The detection limits calculated for Al3+ and Ga3+ were found to be as low as 9.2 nM and 230 nM, respectively. A 1 : 1 complexation between AnQn and Al3+/Ga3+ has been established using Job's plot, FT-IR, ESI-MS, 1H NMR and DFT analyses. The practical applicability of the probe was assessed through logic gate analysis, low-cost paper strip experiments and real water sample analysis. Intriguingly, AnQn exhibited an aggregation-induced-emission (AIE) behaviour in a semi-aqueous (CH3CN : H2O) medium, resulting in the formation of highly fluorescent green aggregates, which could be clearly evidenced by SEM images and time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) analyses. Interestingly, the resultant AnQn aggregates were further utilized as a viable fluorescent platform to selectively recognize heavy Pd2+ ions as well as highly explosive picric acid with excellent limit of detection. [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]

Tropical rainforests and related biomes are found in Asia, Australia, Africa, Central and South America, Mexico, and many Pacific Islands. These biomes encompass less than 20% of Earth's terrestrial area, may contain about 50% of the planet's biodiversity, and are endangered regions vulnerable to deforestation. Tropical rainforests have a great diversity of substrates that can be colonized by yeasts. These unicellular fungi contribute to the recycling of organic matter, may serve as a food source for other organisms, or have ecological interactions that benefit or harm plants, animals, and other fungi. In this review, we summarize the most important studies of yeast biodiversity carried out in these biomes, as well as new data, and discuss the ecology of yeast genera frequently isolated from tropical forests and the potential of these microorganisms as a source of bioinnovation. We show that tropical forest biomes represent a tremendous source of new yeast species. Although many studies, most using culture-dependent methods, have already been carried out in Central America, South America, and Asia, the tropical forest biomes of Africa and Australasia remain an underexplored source of novel yeasts. We hope that this review will encourage new researchers to study yeasts in unexplored tropical forest habitats., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Copyright of Historia: Questoes & Debates is the property of Universidade Federal do Parana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciência em Extensão is the property of Revista Ciencia em Extensao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Developing and investigating advanced multifunctional materials with magnetic properties as candidates for assembling spin qubits for quantum computing is imperative. A new polytopic ligand based on oxamate and aniline was used to promote the synthesis of three neutral homometallic lanthanide-coordinated polymers. New complexes with the formula {Ln(phox)3(DMSO)2(H2O)}n, where Ln = Eu3+ (1), Gd3+ (2), and Tb3+ (3) [phox = N-(phenyl)oxamate and DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide], were synthesized and well characterized by spectroscopic methods as well as X-ray crystallographic analysis. All crystalline structures comprise neutral zigzag chains. The lanthanide ions are linked by three phox ligands, in which two oxygen atoms from two different ligands are responsible for connecting the trivalent lanthanide ions, and one phox ligand completes the coordination sphere in a bis-bidentate mode, together with two DMSO molecules and one water coordination molecule. The coordination sphere of lanthanide ions consisted of spherical capped square antiprism (CSAPR-9) symmetry. The magnetic properties of 1–3 were investigated in the 2–300 K temperature range. The dynamic (ac) magnetic properties of 2 reveal a frequency dependence involving the phonon bottleneck mechanism below 33 K under nonzero applied dc magnetic fields, resulting in an example of a field-induced single-molecule magnet. Solid-state photophysical measurements for Eu3+ (1) and Tb3+ (3) complexes indicate that the N-(phenyl)oxamate ligands are very efficient in sensitizing the lanthanide(III) ions in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited an emission in the red and green regions, respectively. Experimental results and theoretical calculations using the Sparkle/RM1 method support a quantum efficiency of ∼72% for 1, suggesting its potential as a candidate for light conversion molecular devices (LCMDs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watermelon rind accounts for approximately one-third of the overall fruit mass. It is usually discarded due to its low commercial value. However, it is reported to contain valuable nutrients and is an effective source of pectin that can act as a potential prebiotic. This study aimed to study the effects of watermelon rind powder (WRP) on the growth of probiotic bacteria in yoghurt and its chemical characteristics. Watermelon rind was dried by using a dehydrator and ground into powder form before being incorporated into fresh yoghurt at 2% and 4% w/v. A sample with 0% w/v WRP was prepared as control. The effect of WRP on the growth of probiotic bacteria was determined by MRS plate count. Chemical analyses including titratable acidity, pH and Brix were conducted during the fermentation process. The results showed that the increase in WRP percentage resulted in a significant increase in bacterial growth with 7.20 ± 0.22 log CFU/mL for the control sample as compared to 8.42 ± 0.23 log CFU/mL for sample with 4% WRP after 30 hr of incubation. The fermentation time was also improved with the presence of WRP with a 0.22 h-1 increase in growth rate observed for the sample with 4% WRP as compared to the control sample. Furthermore, samples containing 4% WRP showed the highest increment in titratable acidity (12.47) and the highest percentage in Brix value reduction (51.04%) during the fermentation period as compared to the control sample. Biochemical analysis showed negative values for oxidase and catalase test while positive values were obtained for gram-staining indicating the presence of Lactic acid bacteria from the gram-positive group. This study demonstrates the high potential of WRP in promoting bacterial growth for yoghurt production which is beneficial to the food industry other than promoting the ongoing effort of food waste reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The most common heat treatment in the poultry feed production industry is pelleting. The purpose of pelleting is to condense smaller feed particles into larger particles in order to increase economic profit by increasing feed consumption and as a result growth performance. From the point of view of feed processing science, as the particle size decreases, the efficiency of mixing and homogenisation of feed improves, and as a result, the efficiency and quality of produced pellets increases. From the point of view of nutrition science, the smaller the feed particles, the greater their contact surface and due to the greater contact of substrates with digestive enzymes, the digestibility of nutrients ameliorates. The presence of heat, moisture and mechanical pressure during pelleting creates chemical and physical changes that may cause alterations in the feed components, growth and health of the bird. The quality of steam and the retention time in the conditioner are important indicators affecting the quality of the produced pellets. The quality of steam is related to the parameters of temperature and humidity inside the conditioner. In addition, increasing the retention time in the conditioner may enhance starch gelatinisation and protein denaturation. Various studies in the field of investigating the effects of conditioning temperature (Ctem) and time (Cti) on the pellet quality and broilers health have provided different results. Therefore, this review will discuss the studies that have been done on the effects of these factors on the pellet quality, broilers performance, gut development and health and nutrient digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward raptors were assessed from July to December 2019 through exploratory research conducted online (n = 278) and in-depth interviews (n = 18) with participants having knowledge of information technologies in urban areas of the Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Most respondents were young (ages 13–37), permanent residents of the cities of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum. We found heterogeneous attitudes toward raptors, including "scientific," "environmentalist-conservationist," "aesthetic," "dominant," and "utilitarian." Our results suggest that most participants had a relatively high level of knowledge, positive perceptions, and environmentalist-conservationist attitudes toward raptors, probably due to the nature of the convenient sampling applied. We recommend further studies on human-raptor relations in urban and rural localities of coastal Quintana Roo, including residents of Mayan origins. This information may help support strategies and programs to reduce negative perceptions and indifference toward raptors and might support their conservation in the Mexican Riviera Maya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences is the property of Arab Journal of Sciences & Research Publishing (AJSRP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The environmental risk of coastal sunscreen pollution and ocean warming to seagrass meadows seems to be greatly intensified in the Mediterranean basin, due to its semi-enclosed nature that limits water renewal and the high influx of tourists it receives every year. Both stress factors could be interacting synergistically, thus, contributing to the current decline of Posidonia oceanica meadows. Our study aimed to determine the response of P. oceanica to the combined effects of elevated seawater temperature and sunscreen addition in a short-term laboratory experiment, testing an environmentally relevant sunscreen concentration in Mallorca, Spain (20 mg L-1) and a control (0 mg L-1) with the ambient temperature in spring (15°C) and a worst-case scenario of estimated temperature increase by 2100 (ambient + 5°C). Sunscreen addition promoted net primary production rates in the seagrass under ambient temperature, possibly due to nutrient enrichment from the mixture. Alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) in young leaves was enhanced under increased temperature only. Early-warning signs of the impacts of combined elevated temperature with sunscreen exposure in P. oceanica were the drastic decrease in leaf chlorophyll concentrations and inhibition of the nitrogen fixation associated with rhizomes (more than 50%), along with greater oxidative stress biomarkers in leaves (i.e., catalase activity and polyphenols content) and APA in roots (4-fold increase). The current investigation has revealed how the negative effects of coastal sunscreen pollution in this seagrass species may be exacerbated under climate change factors, such as ocean warming, with possible implications in the nutrient cycling and photosynthetic process of the plant. Investigations focused on determining the impacts of these contaminants in P. oceanica meadows and their interaction with additional stress factors in the environment is of great relevance for the future management of this declining ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms are important members of seagrass bed ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining the health of seagrasses and the ecological functions of the ecosystem. In this study, we systematically quantified the assembly processes of microbial communities in fragmented seagrass beds and examined their correlation with environmental factors. Concurrently, we explored the relative contributions of species replacement and richness differences to the taxonomic and functional β-diversity of microbial communities, investigated the potential interrelation between these components, and assessed the explanatory power of environmental factors. The results suggest that stochastic processes dominate community assembly. Taxonomic β-diversity differences are governed by species replacement, while for functional β-diversity, the contribution of richness differences slightly outweighs that of replacement processes. A weak but significant correlation (p < 0.05) exists between the two components of bdiversity in taxonomy and functionality, with almost no observed significant correlation with environmental factors. This implies significant differences in taxonomy, but functional convergence and redundancy within microbial communities. Environmental factors are insufficient to explain the β-diversity differences. In conclusion, the assembly of microbial communities in fragmented seagrass beds is governed by stochastic processes. The patterns of taxonomic and functional β-diversity provide new insights and evidence for a better understanding of these stochastic assembly rules. This has important implications for the conservation and management of fragmented seagrass beds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Investigações em Ensino de Ciências is the property of Instituto de Fisica-UFRGS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The magnesium ion is an essential cation in the human body and participates in numerous physiological activities. A deficiency in magnesium ions is closely associated with tumor development, and supplementation with magnesium ions has been shown to partially inhibit tumor growth. However, the specific mechanisms by which magnesium ions suppress tumor proliferation remain unclear. Currently, studies have revealed that mitochondria may serve as a crucial intermediate link in the regulation of tumors by magnesium ions. Mitochondria might intervene in the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells by modulating energy metabolism and oxidative stress levels. Regrettably, there has been no comprehensive review of the role of magnesium in cancer therapy to date. Therefore, this article provides a comprehensive scrutiny of the relationship between magnesium ions and tumors, aiming to offer insights for clinical tumor treatment strategies involving magnesium ion intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise in extreme weather conditions poses a formidable menace to the ecosystem services (ES) bestowed by ecosystems upon humanity. A precise comprehension of the ramifications of extreme weather events on ES is imperative to establish a robust scientific foundation for mitigating the adverse consequences of such phenomena. Despite the extensive corpus of international studies on the impact of extreme weather events on ES, there is a lack of literature reviews and nuanced discussions regarding forthcoming research aims. Therefore, this paper selects to focus on drought, extreme precipitation, heatwaves, and extreme cold--representatives of extreme weather with substantial global ramifications and notable threats. It summarizes the effects of extreme weather events with substantial global on ES, identifies current research issues, and outlines future prospects. Research indicates that the impact of extreme weather events on ES is predominantly negative. Extreme weather affects ecological processes and human needs, subsequently influencing the supply-demand relationship and trade-offs between ES. The diversity of research methods is influenced by differences in research objectives and scales. The interaction of various extreme weather events and the complex coupling with human activities make the mechanisms of extreme weather events impact on ES more intricate. A deficiency exists in the systematic exploration of the dynamic characterization of supply-demand relationships and trade-off dynamics under the sway of extreme weather. Additionally, there is a paucity of research addressing the recovery processes and underlying mechanisms governing ecosystem services (ES) in the aftermath of extreme weather events. Additionally, there is a need for in-depth attention to the spatial scale characteristics of ES under the influence of extreme weather, which is crucial for understanding the mechanism of impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Obesidade, Nutrição e Emagrecimento is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of COMUNI@CCION - Revista de Investigación en Comunicación y Desarrollo is the property of Universidad Nacional del Altiplano and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study investigated the diversity of yeast species associated with rotting wood in Brazilian Amazonian rainforests. A total of 569 yeast strains were isolated from rotting wood samples collected in three Amazonian areas (Universidade Federal do Amazonas-Universidade Federal do Amazonas [UFAM], Piquiá, and Carú) in the municipality of Itacoatiara, Amazon state. The samples were cultured in yeast nitrogen base (YNB)-d-xylose, YNB-xylan, and sugarcane bagasse and corncob hemicellulosic hydrolysates (undiluted and diluted 1:2 and 1:5). Sugiyamaella was the most prevalent genus identified in this work, followed by Kazachstania. The most frequently isolated yeast species were Schwanniomyces polymorphus, Scheffersomyces amazonensis, and Wickerhamomyces sp., respectively. The alpha diversity analyses showed that the dryland forest of UFAM was the most diverse area, while the floodplain forest of Carú was the least. Additionally, the difference in diversity between UFAM and Carú was the highest among the comparisons. Thirty candidates for new yeast species were obtained, representing 36% of the species identified and totaling 101 isolates. Among them were species belonging to the clades Spathaspora, Scheffersomyces, and Sugiyamaella, which are recognized as genera with natural xylose-fermenting yeasts that are often studied for biotechnological and ecological purposes. The results of this work showed that rotting wood collected from the Amazonian rainforest is a tremendous source of diverse yeasts, including candidates for new species., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)