Riparian vegetation subsidize sea lamprey ammocoetes in a nursery area

Fluxes of organic matter (OM) from terrestrial ecosystems subsidize stream food webs, which support the production of ecologically and economically important species such as the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus. Debris have been previously observed in the gut contents of sea lamprey ammocoetes, but their origin and/or the nutritional sources assimilated are still poorly known. We used carbon (δ13C: 13C/12C) and nitrogen (δ15N: 15N/14N) stable isotopes to identify the main OM sources supporting the production of ammocoetes in a tributary of the Minho River (NW-Iberian Peninsula). Ammocoetes δ13C and C:N values increased with length. Smaller individuals likely assimilated more 13C- depleted sources such as fresh or decaying plant material. The increase in the C:N values with length suggests that ammocoetes accumulate lipids to support their metamorphosis and recruitment into an adult animal. Ammocoetes smaller than 30 mm presented an unusual variability for both δ15N and δ13C values, with values varying between 3.2‰ and 17.8‰ for δ15N and between − 38‰ and − 25.5‰ for δ13C in the same sampling site. This suggests that factors such as organic pollution inputs or time to the first feeding may have contributed to the observed variability. Detritus from the adjacent riparian vegetation was identified as the main food source assimilated by sea lamprey ammocoetes. The stable isotope mixing model (95% CI) indicates that the relative contribution of decaying riparian plants detritus varied between 38–59% and 55–73% at the end of the summer decreasing towards the end of the winter (2–34%). The relative contribution of other terrestrial-derived OM (i.e. fresh riparian detritus and particulate OM with terrestrial origin) was only relevant (> 40%) at the end of the winter. This study shows that there is a strong connectivity between the stream food web and the adjacent riparian ecosystem, and that protection of both riparian and catchment forest cover are essential to preserve terrestrial-aquatic linkages which can support the development of sea lamprey ammocoetes.We would like to thank the staff at Aquamuseu do Rio Minho for their collaboration during the fieldwork, to Rodrigo Lopez for providing the map of the study area, and to Dr. Mark Kennard, Dr Stuart Findlay and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. This work was partially supported by the Strategic Funding UID/Multi/04423/2019 through national funds provided by FundacAo para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in the framework of the programme PT 2020. All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed

Chirped polymer optical fiber Bragg grating sensors

We report chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBGs) photo-inscribed in undoped PMMA polymer optical fibre (POF) for the first time. The chirped polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (CPOFBGs) were inscribed using an UV KrF excimer laser operating at 248 nm. The rectangular gauss laser beam was expanded to 25 mm in horizontal direction along the fiber core by a cylindrical lens, giving a total of 25 mm grating length. A 25 mm long chirped phase mask chosen for 1550 nm grating inscription was used. The laser frequency was 1 Hz with an energy of 5 mJ per exposure, exposing few pulses for each grating inscription. The reflection amplitude spectrum evolution of a CPOFBG is investigated as a function of the applied strain and temperature. Also, some results regarding to group delay are collected and discussed. These results pave the way to further developments in different fields, where POFs could present some advantages preferably replacing their silica counterparts

First record of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in Brazil

The genus Mytilus comprises a large number of bivalve mollusk species distributed throughout the world and many of these species are considered invasive. In South America, many introductions of species of this genus have already taken place, including reports of hybridization between them. Now, the occurrence of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is reported for the first time from the Brazilian coast. Several specimens of this mytilid were found in a shellfish growing areas in Florianópolis and Palhoça, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Morphological analysis of the shells and molecular analysis through sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) confirmed the taxonomic identification. The species is known for its great invasive potential and can become a major environmental problem for seafood business and coastal communities, as it can compete and even hybridize with local species

Characterization of a spirit beverage produced with strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) fruit and aged with oak wood at laboratorial scale

Arbutus unedo spirit is a valuable product in Mediterranean countries. This spirit is usually marketed in Portugal without wood ageing. This work aims to characterize the ageing effect on the Arbutus unedo spirit, for three and six months with oak wood (Quercus robur L.) submitted to different toasting levels, based on its chemical composition and its sensory properties. For this purpose, several parameters were analysed: acidity, pH, dry extract, and volatile compounds (methanol, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate and fusel alcohols). The volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS and quantified by GC-FID. Sensory analysis was performed by a trained panel, who have profiled this beverage, as well as the changes acquired during ageing. Spectroscopic techniques, namely FTIR–ATR, were applied to discriminate the different beverages produced. The results highlighted an increase in Arbutus unedo spirit’s quality with the wood contact, mainly based on the sensory attributes. Additionally, they showed that the best beverages were produced using oak wood with medium toasting levels during three months of ageinginfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phase-shifted Bragg grating inscription in PMMA microstructured POF using 248 nm UV radiation

In this work we experimentally validate and characterize the first phase-shifted polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (PS-POFBGs) produced using a single pulse from a 248 nm krypton fluoride laser. A single-mode poly (methyl methacrylate) optical fiber with a core doped with benzyl dimethyl ketal for photosensitivity improvement was used. A uniform phase mask customized for 850 nm grating inscription was used to inscribe these Bragg structures. The phase shift defect was created directly during the grating inscription process by placing a narrow blocking aperture in the center of the UV beam. The produced high-quality Bragg grating structures, presenting a double dips, reject 16.3 dB (97.6% reflectivity) and 13.2 dB (95.2% reflectivity) of the transmitted power, being therefore appropriate for sensing or other photonic applications. Its transmission spectrum possesses two sharp transmission notches, allowing a significant increase in measurement resolution compared to direct interrogation of a single grating. The reflection and transmission spectra when multiple phase shifts are introduced in the FBG structure are also shown. The PS-POFBG's strain, temperature, pressure, and humidity characteristics have been experimentally analyzed in detail to assess their potential usage as sensors

Polymer optical fiber Bragg grating inscription with a single Nd:YAG laser pulse

© 2018 Optical Society of America. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibited"[EN] We experimentally demonstrate the first polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings inscribed with only one Nd: YAG laser (266 nm) pulse. The gratings have been inscribed in a single-mode poly (methyl methacrylate) optical fiber, with a core doped with benzyl dimethyl ketal for photosensitivity enhancement. One laser pulse with a duration of 8 ns and energy of 72 mu J is adequate to introduce a refractive index change of 0.5 x 10(-4) in the fiber core. The stability of the gratings has been confirmed and the strain and temperature sensitivity measurements demonstrate their tunable properties. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement.FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme, National Funds through FCT Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the projects UID/CTM/50025/2013 and UID/EEA/50008/2013. C. Marques acknowledges the financial support from FCT through the fellowship SFRH/BPD/109458/2015.Pereira, L.; Min, R.; Hu, X.; Caucheteur, C.; Bang, O.; Ortega Tamarit, B.; Marques, C.... (2018). Polymer optical fiber Bragg grating inscription with a single Nd:YAG laser pulse. Optics Express. 26(14):18096-18104. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.26.018096S18096181042614Hill, K. O., Fujii, Y., Johnson, D. C., & Kawasaki, B. S. (1978). Photosensitivity in optical fiber waveguides: Application to reflection filter fabrication. Applied Physics Letters, 32(10), 647-649. doi:10.1063/1.89881Meltz, G., Morey, W. W., & Glenn, W. H. (1989). Formation of Bragg gratings in optical fibers by a transverse holographic method. Optics Letters, 14(15), 823. doi:10.1364/ol.14.000823Hill, K. O., Malo, B., Bilodeau, F., Johnson, D. C., & Albert, J. (1993). Bragg gratings fabricated in monomode photosensitive optical fiber by UV exposure through a phase mask. Applied Physics Letters, 62(10), 1035-1037. doi:10.1063/1.108786Qiu, Y., Sheng, Y., & Beaulieu, C. (1999). Optimal phase mask for fiber Bragg grating fabrication. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 17(11), 2366-2370. doi:10.1109/50.803032Peters, K. (2010). Polymer optical fiber sensors—a review. Smart Materials and Structures, 20(1), 013002. doi:10.1088/0964-1726/20/1/013002Abang, A., & Webb, D. J. (2013). Influence of mounting on the hysteresis of polymer fiber Bragg grating strain sensors. Optics Letters, 38(9), 1376. doi:10.1364/ol.38.001376Pospori, A., Marques, C. A. F., Sáez-Rodríguez, D., Nielsen, K., Bang, O., & Webb, D. J. (2017). Thermal and chemical treatment of polymer optical fiber Bragg grating sensors for enhanced mechanical sensitivity. Optical Fiber Technology, 36, 68-74. doi:10.1016/j.yofte.2017.02.006Chen, X., Zhang, C., Webb, D. J., Kalli, K., & Peng, G.-D. (2010). Highly Sensitive Bend Sensor Based on Bragg Grating in Eccentric Core Polymer Fiber. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 22(11), 850-852. doi:10.1109/lpt.2010.2046482Prado, A. R., Leal-Junior, A. G., Marques, C., Leite, S., de Sena, G. L., Machado, L. C., … Pontes, M. J. (2017). Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) recycling for the production of optical fiber sensor systems. Optics Express, 25(24), 30051. doi:10.1364/oe.25.030051Marques, C. A. F., Peng, G.-D., & Webb, D. J. (2015). Highly sensitive liquid level monitoring system utilizing polymer fiber Bragg gratings. Optics Express, 23(5), 6058. doi:10.1364/oe.23.006058Webb, D. J. (2015). Fibre Bragg grating sensors in polymer optical fibres. Measurement Science and Technology, 26(9), 092004. doi:10.1088/0957-0233/26/9/092004Emiliyanov, G., Høiby, P., Pedersen, L., & Bang, O. (2013). Selective Serial Multi-Antibody Biosensing with TOPAS Microstructured Polymer Optical Fibers. Sensors, 13(3), 3242-3251. doi:10.3390/s130303242Peng, G. D., Xiong, Z., & Chu, P. L. (1999). Photosensitivity and Gratings in Dye-Doped Polymer Optical Fibers. Optical Fiber Technology, 5(2), 242-251. doi:10.1006/ofte.1998.0298Xiong, Z., Peng, G. D., Wu, B., & Chu, P. L. (1999). Highly tunable Bragg gratings in single-mode polymer optical fibers. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 11(3), 352-354. doi:10.1109/68.748232G. D. Peng, P. L. Chu. (2000). Polymer Optical Fiber Photosensitivities and Highly Tunable Fiber Gratings. Fiber and Integrated Optics, 19(4), 277-293. doi:10.1080/014680300300001662Oliveira, R., Bilro, L., & Nogueira, R. (2015). Bragg gratings in a few mode microstructured polymer optical fiber in less than 30 seconds. Optics Express, 23(8), 10181. doi:10.1364/oe.23.010181Marques, C. A. F., Antunes, P., Mergo, P., Webb, D. J., & Andre, P. (2017). Chirped Bragg Gratings in PMMA Step-Index Polymer Optical Fiber. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 29(6), 500-503. doi:10.1109/lpt.2017.2662219Pospori, A., Marques, C. A. F., Bang, O., Webb, D. J., & André, P. (2017). Polymer optical fiber Bragg grating inscription with a single UV laser pulse. Optics Express, 25(8), 9028. doi:10.1364/oe.25.009028Ahmed, R. M. (2009). Optical Study on Poly(methyl methacrylate)/Poly(vinyl acetate) Blends. International Journal of Photoenergy, 2009, 1-7. doi:10.1155/2009/150389Marques, C. A. F., Min, R., Junior, A. L., Antunes, P., Fasano, A., Woyessa, G., … Bang, O. (2018). Fast and stable gratings inscription in POFs made of different materials with pulsed 248 nm KrF laser. Optics Express, 26(2), 2013. doi:10.1364/oe.26.002013Wochnowski, C., Shams Eldin, M. A., & Metev, S. (2005). UV-laser-assisted degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate). Polymer Degradation and Stability, 89(2), 252-264. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2004.11.024Sáez-Rodríguez, D., Nielsen, K., Bang, O., & Webb, D. J. (2014). Photosensitivity mechanism of undoped poly(methyl methacrylate) under UV radiation at 325  nm and its spatial resolution limit. Optics Letters, 39(12), 3421. doi:10.1364/ol.39.003421Marques, C. A. F., Bilro, L. B., Alberto, N. J., Webb, D. J., & Nogueira, R. N. (2013). Narrow bandwidth Bragg gratings imprinted in polymer optical fibers for different spectral windows. Optics Communications, 307, 57-61. doi:10.1016/j.optcom.2013.05.059Bundalo, I.-L., Nielsen, K., Markos, C., & Bang, O. (2014). Bragg grating writing in PMMA microstructured polymer optical fibers in less than 7 minutes. Optics Express, 22(5), 5270. doi:10.1364/oe.22.005270Pereira, L. M., Pospori, A., Antunes, P., Domingues, M. F., Marques, S., Bang, O., … Marques, C. A. F. (2017). Phase-Shifted Bragg Grating Inscription in PMMA Microstructured POF Using 248-nm UV Radiation. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 35(23), 5176-5184. doi:10.1109/jlt.2017.2771436Min, R., Ortega, B., & Marques, C. (2018). Fabrication of tunable chirped mPOF Bragg gratings using a uniform phase mask. Optics Express, 26(4), 4411. doi:10.1364/oe.26.004411Luo, Y., Zhang, Q., Liu, H., & Peng, G.-D. (2010). Gratings fabrication in benzildimethylketal doped photosensitive polymer optical fibers using 355 nm nanosecond pulsed laser. Optics Letters, 35(5), 751. doi:10.1364/ol.35.000751Kameyama, A. (2014). A Simplified Fabrication Technique for Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating for The Simultaneous Measurement of Refractive Index and Temperature of Liquids. Journal of Laser Micro/Nanoengineering, 9(3), 230-233. doi:10.2961/jlmn.2014.03.0009Hu, X., Woyessa, G., Kinet, D., Janting, J., Nielsen, K., Bang, O., & Caucheteur, C. (2017). BDK-doped core microstructured PMMA optical fiber for effective Bragg grating photo-inscription. Optics Letters, 42(11), 2209. doi:10.1364/ol.42.002209Stefani, A., Nielsen, K., Rasmussen, H. K., & Bang, O. (2012). Cleaving of TOPAS and PMMA microstructured polymer optical fibers: Core-shift and statistical quality optimization. Optics Communications, 285(7), 1825-1833. doi:10.1016/j.optcom.2011.12.033Yuan, W., Stefani, A., Bache, M., Jacobsen, T., Rose, B., Herholdt-Rasmussen, N., … Bang, O. (2011). Improved thermal and strain performance of annealed polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings. Optics Communications, 284(1), 176-182. doi:10.1016/j.optcom.2010.08.069Woyessa, G., Nielsen, K., Stefani, A., Markos, C., & Bang, O. (2016). Temperature insensitive hysteresis free highly sensitive polymer optical fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor. Optics Express, 24(2), 1206. doi:10.1364/oe.24.001206Marques, C., Pospori, A., Demirci, G., Çetinkaya, O., Gawdzik, B., Antunes, P., … Webb, D. (2017). Fast Bragg Grating Inscription in PMMA Polymer Optical Fibres: Impact of Thermal Pre-Treatment of Preforms. Sensors, 17(4), 891. doi:10.3390/s17040891Yuan, W., Stefani, A., & Bang, O. (2012). Tunable Polymer Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) Inscription: Fabrication of Dual-FBG Temperature Compensated Polymer Optical Fiber Strain Sensors. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 24(5), 401-403. doi:10.1109/lpt.2011.217992

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Assessing Dental Health

The present study investigated the distribution profile of dental caries and its association with areas of social deprivation at the individual and contextual level. The cluster sample consisted of 1,002 12-year-old schoolchildren from Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. The DMFT Index was used for dental caries and the Care Index was used to determine access to dental services. On the individual level, variables were associated with a better oral status. On the contextual level, areas were not associated with oral status. However, maps enabled determining that the central districts have better social and oral conditions than the deprived outlying districts

Hanseniase neural primaria: revisao sistematica

The authors proposed a systematic review on the current concepts of primary neural leprosy by consulting the following online databases: MEDLINE, Lilacs/SciELO, and Embase. Selected studies were classified based on the degree of recommendation and levels of scientific evidence according to the “Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine”. The following aspects were reviewed: cutaneous clinical and laboratorial investigations, i.e. skin clinical exam, smears, and biopsy, and Mitsuda's reaction; neurological investigation (anamnesis, electromyography and nerve biopsy); serological investigation and molecular testing, i.e. serological testing for the detection of the phenolic glycolipid 1 (PGL-I) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and treatment (classification criteria for the definition of specific treatment, steroid treatment, and cure criteria).Os autores propuseram-se a realizar uma revisão sistemática em conceitos atuais sobre a hanseníase neural primária, consultando as seguintes bases bibliográficas on-line: MEDLINE, Lilacs/SciELO e Embase. Os estudos selecionados foram classificados conforme o grau de recomendação e o nível de evidência científica de acordo com o “Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine”. Os seguintes temas foram revisados: investigações clínica e laboratorial cutâneas, ou seja, exame, esfregaço e biópsia de pele e reação de Mitsuda; investigação neurológica (anamnese, eletroneuromiografia e biópsia de nervo); investigação sorológica e testes moleculares, ou seja, testes sorológicos para detecção de um glicolipídio fenólico e reação de cadeia de polimerase (PCR) e tratamento (critérios de classificação para definição de tratamento específico, tratamento com esteroides e critérios de cura).Secretaria de Estado de Saude Instituto Lauro de Souza LimaUniversidade de São Paulo (USP) School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto Department of NeurosciencesUSP Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryFundacao Oswaldo CruzUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of DermatologySecretaria de Estado de Saude Instituto de SaudeConselho Federal de Medicina Associacao Medica Brasileira Projeto DiretrizesUNIFESP, Department of DermatologySciEL

A tutorial

PM003/2016. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)The capabilities of bioanalytical mass spectrometry to (i) detect and differentiate viruses at the peptide level whilst maintaining high sample throughput and (ii) to provide diagnosis and prognosis for infected patients are presented as a tutorial in this work to aid analytical chemists and physicians to gain insights into the possibilities offered by current high-resolution mass spectrometry technology and bioinformatics. From (i) sampling to sample treatment; (ii) Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization- to Electrospray Ionization -based mass spectrometry; and (iii) from clustering to peptide sequencing; a detailed step-by-step guide is provided and exemplified using SARS-CoV-2 Spike Y839 variant and the variant of concern SARS-CoV-2 Alpha (B.1.1.7 lineage), Influenza B, and Influenza A subtypes AH1N1pdm09 and AH3N2.publishersversionpublishe

Randomized double-blind clinical trial of a new human epoetin versus a commercially available formula for anemia control in patients on hemodialysis

OBJECTIVES: Anemia is a common complication among chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis, occurring mostly due to erythropoietin deficiency. This randomized noninferiority trial sought to compare the efficacy and safety of a new epoetin formulation developed by Bio-Manguinhos, a biologics manufacturer affiliated with the Brazilian government, with those of a commercially available product currently used in Brazil (a biosimilar epoetin formulation). METHODS: The sample size needed to enable demonstration of noninferiority with a statistical power of 85% for a between-group difference in hemoglobin levels of no more than 1.5 g/dL was calculated. In total, 74 patients were randomly assigned to receive the epoetin formulation from Bio-Manguinhos (n = 36) or the biosimilar epoetin formulation (n = 38) in a double-blind fashion. The inclusion criteria were current epoetin therapy and stable hemoglobin levels for at least 3 months prior to the study. The primary and secondary outcomes were mean monthly hemoglobin levels and safety, respectively. The dose was calculated according to international criteria and adjusted monthly in both groups according to hemoglobin levels and at the assistant physicians' discretion. Iron storage was estimated at baseline and once monthly. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01184495. RESULTS: The study was conducted for 6 months after randomization. The mean baseline hemoglobin levels were 10.9±1.2 and 10.96±1.2 g/dL (p = 0.89) in the Bio-Manguinhos epoetin and biosimilar epoetin groups, respectively. During the study period, there was no significant change in hemoglobin levels in either group (p = 0.055, ANOVA). The epoetin from Bio-Manguinhos was slightly superior in the last 3 months of follow-up. The adverse event profiles of the two formulations were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: The epoetin formulations tested in this study are equivalent in efficacy and safety