Documenting Decadal Spatial Changes in Seagrass and Acropora palmata Cover by Aerial Photography Analysis in Vieques, Puerto Rico: 1937-2000

Aerial photographs from 1937–2000 of Bahía Salina del Sur on vieques, Puerto Rico were analyzed to detect and describe spatial changes in the areal cover of sea-grass beds in Bahía Salina del Sur. The images were pre-processed to minimize noise and unsupervised classification was used to detect areas colonized by seagrass. The number of individual seagrass patches, direction, and characteristic of growth were quantified and described. Seagrass coverage increased by 85.8% over the 64-yr period and this increase was best described by a 2nd order polynomial function (r2 = 0.91). Between 1937 and 2000, the spatial expression of the seagrass patchiness went through discrete episodes characterized by expansion in the number and spatial extent of small patches followed by an increase in patch size and agglomeration of small patches to form large homogeneous areas. Patch growth was limited only by proximity to boundaries (i.e., coastline and reef structures) and a fluctuating physical environment. This study suggests that the overall increase in seagrass cover was linked to the synergy of hurricane impacts, decrease in grazers, and the protective geomorphology of Bahía Salina del Sur. Decreases in areal cover only occurred in concert with known anthropogenic impacts

Production of Aspergillus niger GH1 tannase using solid-state fermentation

The production of tannase by Aspergillus niger GH1 in solid-state fermentation (SSF) was evaluated. Several concentrations of tannic acid (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 g/L) were tested in a model culture system. Column reactors were packed with polyurethane foam impregnated with liquid medium and inoculated with fungal spores. Tannase production was kinetically monitored by 48 h. Tannic acid uptake was spectrophotometrically measured and extracellular and intracellular tannase activities were assayed by HPLC-chromatography. Tannase activity increased with increasing concentration of tannic acid. Maximum extracellular and intracellular tannase activities (11.35 and 6.95 U/mL respectively) were recorded with 100 g/L of tannic acid. The substrate uptake was 100% at concentrations of 12.5, 25 and 50 g/L, while 74.4% was consumed in the presence of 100 g/L of tannic acid after 48 h of culture. These results suggest that high concentrations of tannins can be removed by SSF and tannase production can be reached in high levels.The present work was performed as part of a cooperative agreement between the Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila (UAdeC, Mexico) and the Universidade do Minho (UM, Portugal) within a specific international exchange program (VALNATURA project, alfa network from European Union) undertaken at the Biological Engineering Department (UM, Portugal) M A Cruz-Hernandez thanks to Concejo nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACYT) the fellowship to study the doctoral program at the Department of Biotechnology (UAdeC

An ethical matrix for the reintroduction of trafficked primates:a platyrrhine case study

The illegal primate trade is one of the major drivers of the decline of nonhuman primate populations and a threat to their wellbeing. Thousands of trafficked primates enter rescue centers every year, and their destiny (release back into the wild, long-term captivity, or euthanasia) involves controversial decisions and complex ethical considerations. To navigate these issues, we developed an ethical matrix, an ethical framework previously used to address conservation-related issues. We gathered information from studies on the reintroduction of trafficked platyrrhines in Latin America from 1990 to 2022 to develop the matrix. We found 22 studies performed in eight Latin American countries, which included howler monkeys, spider monkeys, woolly monkeys, capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, marmosets, and tamarins. We found that the reintroduction of trafficked platyrrhines may yield positive results for the welfare of individuals and for the conservation of their taxa and some of the potential negative effects, such as spillover of infectious agents to free-ranging populations or to human populations, or competition for resources between reintroduced monkeys and resident conspecifics have not yet been documented in the scientific literature, although this does not mean that they do not occur. We conclude that the ethical matrix is a useful method to consider the interests of all potential stakeholders and that the reintroduction of trafficked primates may be a viable management option if the individual welfare of the animals is considered, programs comply with the IUCN and government guidelines, and the objective and justification of the reintroduction are clear

Preliminary culture conditions for Aspergillus niger GH1 tannase production in submerged culture

Nowadays, tannase is produce by submerged culture (SmC) being the enzyme obtained in an intracellular form resulting, as a consequence, in high production costs. To demonstrate that fungal tannase excretion is strongly influenced by the culture conditions, tannase production by Aspergillus niger GH1 on SmC using different bioreactors was evaluated. Two sets of experiments were conducted using in a first step a 1.5 L bioreactor and in a second step 100 mL erlenmeyer flasks. Modifications to culture conditions previously reported allowed to obtain positive results for tannase production in SmC, being the selected conditions: initial pH 5, temperature 35°C, initial substrate concentration 25g/L and agitation 200 rpm.A cultura submersa (SmC) é o processo empregado para produzir comercialmente a enzima tanasa, porém neste sistema da cultura, a tanasa é expressada principalmente de maneira intracelular o que representa custos de produção elevados. Para demonstrar que a excreção da tanasa do fungo está fortemente influenciada pelas condições da cultura, a produção da enzima tanase por Aspergillus niger GH1 em SmC foi avaliada. Dois conjuntos de experiências foram conduzidos usando em uma etapa um fermentador de 1.5 L e em uma segunda etapa matrazes (erlenmeyers) de 100 mL. As modificações às condições da cultura previamente descritas permitiram a obtenção de resultados positivos para a produção do tannase neste modo de produção, tendo sido definidas as seguintes condições de cultura: pH inicial 5, concentração inicial de substrato 25g/L, temperatura 35°C e agitação 200 rpm

Tensegrity, Experimentation in the Removal of Compression Stability Elements

Tensegrity strives to create an impossible floating structure. To achieve this mark, cables are used to suspend the pavilion mid-air which creates an axial stress governed system. Within this axial force design constraint, a 3D space truss becomes the form. This structure pays homage to famous structural designers of the past such as Santiago Calatrava and Kenneth Snelson. Similar to these artists, tensile elements are at the forefront of the design. To accomodate the user, we have provided a sitting space nestled in the center of system. This is intended for visitors first to be puzzled by the seemingly discontinuous load path, then for them to learn and understand this large-scale tensegrity experiment