Food and Feeding of Ocean Redfish (Sebastes mentella Travin) in the North Atlantic

The food and feeding of ocean redfish are described from stomach contents of 26381 individuals analyzed on board commercial vessels in the Irminger waters from March to November. Most of the stomachs had been everted (15488). The feeding intensity mean value throughout the period was 7.1%. The feeding intensity was higher in the months of least reproductive activity in each sex. The prey spectrum was narrow, the diversity diminishing in autumn and winter. Crustacea dominates the redfish diet in March. Other items show great seasonal variation also as with Mollusca which have an increased presence in summer. Crustacea were more abundant in the diet of smaller individuals, the variety of fishes preyed on increasing with the length. The occurrence of Myctop hidae remains constant throughout the length range although their volume increases with size. A marked presence of offal was observed associated with the period of intense commercial activity: April to June. The offal occurrence and offal volume increased with length, particularly in the individuals larger than 40 cm. The intense fishing activity was observed to have a direct influence on diet composition. The main natural prey were: Copepoda (IRI=1582.5); Eupahusiacea (IRI=1361.9); Mollusca Decapoda (IRI=736.8) and Myctophydae (IRI= 220.3). The comparison between Flemish Cap and Irminger Sea redfish diet populations in the same month show important composition differences. The condition factor by month values (Mean=1.26+-0.12) were less than those obtained in the Flemish Cap population (Mean 1.43+-0.17)

Food and Feeding of Deep-sea Redfish (Sebastes mentella Travin) in the North Atlantic

The food and feeding of deep-sea redfish (Sebastes mentella Travin) are described from stomach contents of 26 381 individuals analyzed on board commercial vessels in the Irminger Sea waters, from March to November 1996. Most of the stomachs had been everted (58.7%). The mean feeding intensity value through the period was 7.1%. The feeding intensity was higher in the months of least reproductive activity in each sex. The main natural prey were Copepoda, Euphausiacea, Mollusca, Decapoda and Myctophidae. Crustacea dominated the deep-sea redfish diet in March and were more abundant in the diet of smaller individuals; the variety of food items preyed on increased with the length. The intense commercial fishing activity in the area was observed to have a direct influence on the diet composition. Waste products from on-board processing by the fishing fleet reached higher volume values in the adult diet of deep-sea redfish. The comparison between Irminger Sea deep-sea redfish diet and Flemish Cap in the same year and month showed some composition differences

Review of Spanish Discard information of megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) in ICES Sub-areas VI , VII and Div. VIIIabd

Trawlers Spanish discards obtained on board commercial vessels in Sub-areas VI and VII in 1988, 1989, 1994, 1999-200-2004 are present to: 1. Validate the discard estimation of megrim onboard comparing length distribution of retained fish on board with landed fishes. 2. Compare estimation megrim discarded following two methodologies: primary sampling unit as hauls or as fishing trips. Examine possible modification on discards estimations in years where results obtained by different methods were relevant. 3. Analyse possible differences in discard patter along the sampled perio

Feeding chronology of American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) and yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) in the Grand Bank (NAFO Division 3N)

A total of 970 individuals of American plaice and 1999 individuals of yellowtail flounder were sampled from six hauls carry out in a period of 24 hours for studying the feeding chronology. The main prey of yellowtail flounder were gammaridae (19,5%), A. dubius (10,1%) Annelidae (6,3%), Mysidacea (6%) and Antozoa (%,6%). The predominant preys in American plaice were A. dubius (72,3%) followed by Mysidacea (8,5%) and E. Parma (6,1%). Significant differences to the average values of Fulness Index between hauls were obtained for both species. But for the Mean Weight Fulness Index values only for yellowtail flounder significant differences were noted. During a composite 24-hour day peak stomach content weight occurred at nightfall (21 h) in yellowtail flounder. In the American plaice occurred at dawn. These two species present a lesser feed intensity during the night. This feeding behaviour may be related to the different catchability by day/night

Feeding Chronology of Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea) and American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) on Grand Bank (NAFO Division 3N)

A total of 1199 individuals of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea, Storer) and 970 individuals of American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides, Fabricius) were sampled from six hauls carried out in a period of 24 hours for studying the feeding chronology of these species. The main prey of yellowtail flounder (considered as total weight percentage) were Gammaridae (19.5%), Ammodytes dubius (10.1%) Annelida (6.3%), Mysidacea (6.0%) and Anthozoa (5.6%). The predominant preys in American plaice were Ammodytes dubius (72.3%), followed by Mysidacea (8.5%) and Echinarachnius parma (6.1%). Diet composition varied with size and timetable for both species. The feeding intensity index values in yellowtail flounder were scaled over 24-hr period, and in both species these values slightly decreased during the night and at dawn, but in American plaice there was more variability in the timetable values between the size ranges. The mean weight fullness index values over the 24-hr period in yellowtail flounder were lower than in American plaice. Also, both species presented different behaviour between the size ranges. No significant differences were noted (p<0.05) in the estimated values for feed intensity throughout the 24-hr period in any of the ranges of both species studied

One-pot intercalation strategy for the encapsulation of a CO-releasing organometallic molecule in a layered double hydroxide

The photoactivatable CO‐releasing molecule (photoCORM) [Mo(CO)3(CNCH2COOH)3] (ALF795) has been incorporated into a Zn,Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) host by a coprecipitation synthesis strategy. Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) of the resultant material Zn,Al‐ALF795 showed that the ALF795 guest molecules assembled into a monolayer to give a basal spacing of 16.0 Å. FTIR and 13C{1H} CP MAS NMR spectroscopy confirmed that the molecular structure of the tricarbonyl complex was retained upon intercalation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) and elemental analyses confirmed the phase‐purity of Zn,Al‐ALF795. The myoglobin assay was used to demonstrate that intercalated ALF795 retains the photoactive behavior of the free CORM, with a substantial fraction (42 %) of the high CO payload (2.46 mmol g–1) being released after exposure to UV light for 3 h under simulated physiological conditions. In addition, gas chromatography was used to track sequential light‐ and H2O2‐triggered decarbonylation of free and intercalated ALF795. In biological buffer solution (HEPES), less than 2 % Mo leaching from Zn,Al‐ALF795 took place after 5 h, showing the strong capacity of the LDH host to retain the unaltered complex and decarbonylation fragments.publishe

Emotional responses to motion sickness in autonomous driving

In future autonomous cars, users, free from the primary task of driving, will have time and space to engage in other activities while traveling, such as reading a book, working on a laptop or watching a movie. Although the option for these activities are one of the great advantages of autonomous cars, this will also likely increase motion sickness (MS) inside the car. MS affects numerous individuals, and it occurs when the information received through the eyes differs from what is perceived by the body and the inner ear. Plus, MS can have an impact on the emotional component of the individuals experiencing it, making the experience of traveling in autonomous cars uncomfortable and difficult. Emotional design studies focus on the emotional response of individuals to a product or service. These studies typically employ self-report scales as assessment tools, such as SAM (Self-Assessment Manikin) and PrEmo (Product Emotion Measurement instrument). We present the first study measuring emotional responses to MS using both SAM and PrEmo scales. In our study, we induced MS by asking participants to watch a highly dynamic video of a first-person car trip. We also asked subjects to answer to SAM and PrEmo before and after the visualization of the video. Our results showed a change in the answers in time, that is, before vs. after the experience of MS. MS significantly altered individuals' emotional responses, worsening their condition. These results support the need for studies that reduce MS to improve the experience and well-being of individuals in autonomous cars.Landscape, Heritage and Territory Laboratory (Lab2PT), Ref. UID/04509/2020, financed by national funds (PIDDAC) through the FCT/MCTES and the European Structural and Investment Funds in the FEDER component, through the Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme (COMPETE 2020) [Project n° 039334; Funding Reference: POCI- 01-0247-FEDER-039334]

Megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) weight-length relationships in the northern Bay of Biscay and Celtic Sea

The weight-length relationships are of a great interest in fish biology, stock assessment and fishery management, by predicting weight from length information and allowing to estimate the stock biomass. Weight-length relationships of megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis), an economically relevant flatfish species, are studied for two decades (2001 to 2019) in northern Bay of Biscay and Celtic Sea (ICES stock Div. 7.b-k, 8.abd), two important European fishing areas. More than 22000 specimens collected from commercial landings by AZTI and IEO were sampled. Total fish length, total weight and commercial gutted weight were obtained. Four five-year periods (quinquennium) (2000-04; 2005-09; 2010-14; 2015-19) were defined in the studied time-series. Both the large sample size and time-series available, as well as the collaboration between both institutions collecting complementary information from this stock, allowed obtaining robust somatic parameters and analyzing their temporal variations. A weight-length relationship model was fitted and the quinquennium and semester factors, which are of interest biologically and for assessment purposes, and their interactions were significant in the preliminary model. The weight-length relationships, both for total and gutted weight and for the combined sexes of the most recent quinquennium are presented in this work and considered the most suitable to be used in the oncoming annual assessment process of the status of this stock in northern Bay of Biscay and Celtic Sea in ICES

Cianobactérias: problemática e estratégias de gestão em sistemas dulçaquícolas com uso recreativo

A Ciência ocupa hoje um lugar de relevo no desenvolvimento das sociedades. Assim, a aquisição de competências conducentes ao desenvolvimento do pensamento científico deve ser acessível a todos os cidadãos, e não apenas aos futuros cientistas, para que todos possam ter uma participação ativa nas democracias modernas. O desenvolvimento do pensamento científico e de atitudes positivas face à Ciência dependem assim da ligação estreita entre o ensino da Ciência, as investigações científicas autênticas e/ou o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias, o que é possível através do envolvimento dos alunos na investigação de situações reais, inseridas no seu contexto geográfico, social e cultural. A revista CAPTAR, Ciência e Ambiente para Todos, acessível on-line, apresenta-se assim como uma publicação científica periódica, escrita em português, onde alunos e docentes podem ser confrontados com dados científicos atuais, assim como com os procedimentos científicos utilizados pelos investigadores para a sua obtenção. Esta publicação periódica poderá constituir ainda uma ferramenta extremamente útil aos docentes do Ensino Básico e Secundário (EBS), na promoção da discussão, em sala de aula, de casos de estudo atuais e respetivos dados gerados, uma etapa fundamental ao envolvimento dos alunos no delineamento e execução das suas próprias pesquisas, com vista à geração de novo conhecimento. O acesso frequente a artigos científicos, no seu formato tradicional, ajudará igualmente os alunos a desenvolverem a sua capacidade de argumentação e de fundamentação de conclusões, apoiando o desenvolvimento de competências específicas requeridas na disciplina científica envolvida. Em suma, esta fonte de informação permitirá aos alunos percecionarem a Ciência como um discurso com formas de linguagem e modos de aquisição de conhecimento diferentes das que utilizam no seu dia–a-dia, mas que efetivamente regulam universalmente todos os que pensaram, pensam e pensarão Ciência, o que os ajudará a desenvolver a capacidade crítica sobre a atualidade porque mais facilmente compreenderão “linguagem científica”. Pelo facto de se encontrar facilmente acessível on-line, a Revista Captar pretende ainda assumir-se como um campo de treino e aprendizagem de jovens investigadores, já que aqui os alunos do EBS, assim como os do ensino superior podem iniciar a sua atividade de comunicação em Ciência, submetendo artigos sobre os seus trabalhos de investigação na escola e passando pelo processo de revisão por pares, bem como pela tomada de consciência das responsabilidades e benefícios associados à publicação de um trabalho científico. Mais ainda, esta é uma revista de divulgação científica junto do cidadão em geral, que, se a explorar, tomará conhecimento sobre as principais áreas de investigação na área das ciências naturais e ambiente, desenvolvidas em diferentes laboratórios e instituições de ensino superior nacionais

Harmine and Piperlongumine Revert TRIB2-Mediated Drug Resistance.

Therapy resistance is responsible for most relapses in patients with cancer and is the major challenge to improving the clinical outcome. The pseudokinase Tribbles homologue 2 (TRIB2) has been characterized as an important driver of resistance to several anti-cancer drugs, including the dual ATP-competitive PI3K and mTOR inhibitor dactolisib (BEZ235). TRIB2 promotes AKT activity, leading to the inactivation of FOXO transcription factors, which are known to mediate the cell response to antitumor drugs. To characterize the downstream events of TRIB2 activity, we analyzed the gene expression profiles of isogenic cell lines with different TRIB2 statuses by RNA sequencing. Using a connectivity map-based computational approach, we identified drug-induced gene-expression profiles that invert the TRIB2-associated expression profile. In particular, the natural alkaloids harmine and piperlongumine not only produced inverse gene expression profiles but also synergistically increased BEZ235-induced cell toxicity. Importantly, both agents promote FOXO nuclear translocation without interfering with the nuclear export machinery and induce the transcription of FOXO target genes. Our results highlight the great potential of this approach for drug repurposing and suggest that harmine and piperlongumine or similar compounds might be useful in the clinic to overcome TRIB2-mediated therapy resistance in cancer patients.This work was supported by the FUNDAÇÃO PARA A CIÊNCIA E TECNOLOGIA (FCT) Research Center Grant UID/BIM/04773/2013, Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), and by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through Grant RTI2018-094629-B-I00 to WL. B.I.F. was supported by FCT-SFRH/BPD/100434/2014 and the Marie Curie Individual Fellowship project TRIBBLES (#748585). This work was also supported by two LPCC-NRS/Terry Fox grants (2016/2017; 2017/2018). S. Machado is the recipient of a ProRegeM grant PD/BD/114258/2016. I. Duarte was supported by a scholarship from FCT Grant PTDC/BEX-BID/5410/2014S