Toward a common approach for assessing the conservation status of marine turtle species within the European marine strategy framework directive

[EN] Environmental policies, including the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), generally rely on the measurement of indicators to assess the good environmental status (GES) and ensure the protection of marine ecosystems. However, depending on available scientific knowledge and monitoring programs in place, quantitative GES assessments are not always feasible. This is specifically the case for marine turtle species, which are listed under the Biodiversity Descriptor of the MSFD. Relying on an expert consultation, the goal of this study was to develop indicators and a common assessment approach to be employed by European Union Member States to evaluate the status of marine turtle populations in the frame of the MSFD. A dedicated international expert group was created to explore and test potential assessment approaches, in coherence with other environmental policies (i.e. Habitats Directive, OSPAR and Barcelona Conventions). Following a series of workshops, the group provided recommendations for the GES assessment of marine turtles. In particular, indicators and assessment methods were defined, setting a solid basis for future MSFD assessments. Although knowledge gaps remain, data requirements identified in this study will guide future data collection initiatives and inform monitoring programs implemented by EU Member States. Overall this study highlights the value of international collaboration for the conservation of vulnerable species, such as marine turtles.This study was funded by the French Ministry of Environment (MTES-MNHN Conventions n degrees 2102636187 (2019) and n degrees 2102994526 (2020)). DM acknowledges support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement n degrees 794938. The work of ADM was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the "First Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant" (Project Number: 2340). FV was supported by the Investigator Programme of the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT, CEECIND/03469/2017, CEECIND/03426/2020).Girard, F.; Girard, A.; Monsinjon, J.; Arcangeli, A.; Belda, E.; Cardona, L.; Casale, P.... (2022). Toward a common approach for assessing the conservation status of marine turtle species within the European marine strategy framework directive. Frontiers in Marine Science. 9:1-22. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.790733122

Platinum Complexes with a Phosphino-Oxime/Oximate Ligand

The platinum(II) complex [PtCl2(COD)] (2; COD = 1,5- cyclooctadiene) reacted with 1 and 2 equiv. of 2-(diphenylphosphanyl) benzaldehyde oxime (1) to generate [PtCl2{¿2-(P,N)-2- Ph2PC6H4CH=NOH}] (3) and [Pt{¿2-(P,N)-2-Ph2PC6H4CH=NOH}2]- [Cl]2 (4), respectively. Deprotonation of the oxime hydroxyl group of 3 with Na2CO3 led to the selective formation of the dinuclear species (¿-O)-[PtCl{¿2-(P,N)-2-Ph2PC6H4CH=NO}]2 (5), while the related methylated derivative (¿-O)-[PtMe{¿2-(P,N)-2- Ph2PC6H4CH=NO}]2 (7) could be obtained from the direct reaction of [PtMe2(COD)] (6) with the phosphino-oxime ligand 1. In the case of 4, its treatment with Na2CO3 yielded complex [Pt({¿2-(P,N)-2-Ph2PC6H4CH=NO}2H)][Cl] (8), as a result of the deprotonation of only one of the OH groups of 4. On the other hand, contrary to what was observed with 6, no deprotonation of the oxime occurred in the reaction of [PtMe3I]4 (9) with 1, from which the mononuclear PtIV derivative fac-[PtIMe3{¿2-(P,N)- 2-Ph2PC6H4CH=NOH}] (10) was isolated. The solid-state structures of compounds 3, 4, 7 and 10 were determined by X-ray crystallography. In addition, the potential of all the synthesized complexes as catalysts for the dehydrogenative coupling of hydrosilanes with alcohols is also briefly discussed.Peer Reviewe

Physiological response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under salinity conditions

Objective: The effect of salinity by NaCl based on physiological variables of chickpea plants was evaluated with the use of native strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus cubensis and Rizoglomus irregulare during the pre-flowering phenophase. Design/methodology/approach: The research was carried out under controlled environmental conditions, using as an experimental model the chickpea variety N-29, obtained at INIFAT, Cuba. The treatments consist of the combination of three salinity levels: 25, 50 and 75 mM of NaCl and the respective control (Source of variation A) and two strains of AMFs (source of variation B) for a total of 12 treatments with six repetitions. Treatments were distributed under a completely randomized experimental design. The variables evaluated were: number of green and dry leaves, biomass by organs (leaves, stem, root), net assimilation rate (TAN), relative growth rate (TCR) and leaf area ratio (RAF). Results: Green leaves, TAN and leaf and root biomass were the variables with the highest response in the 50 mM NaCl + R. irregulare treatment, with an average increase of 15% compared to the rest of the treatments. Limitations on study/implications: There is a decrease in the variables evaluated due to the salinity effect, however, chickpea plants subjected to 50 mM NaCl inoculated with R. irregulare were less affected by saline stress. Findings/conclusions: It was also found that the R. irregulare strain contributed more than G. cubense to mitigating the adverse effects of the salinity factor.Objective. Evaluate the effect of salinity due to NaCl on physiological variables of chickpea plants using native strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus cubensis and Rhizoglomus irregulare during the pre-flowering stage. Design/methodology/approach. The research was carried out under controlled weather conditions using the chickpea variety N-29 as an experimental model. The treatments consisted on the combination of four salinity levels: 0, 25, 50 and 75 mM NaCl (variation source A) and AMF (variation source B) in three levels. In total there were 12 treatments with six repetitions, which were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design. The evaluated variables were number of green and dry leaves, dry biomass per organ (leaves, root and stem), net assimilation rate (NAR), relative growth rate (RGR) and leaf area ratio (LAR). Results. The green leaves, the NAR and the dry biomass from roots and leaves, were the variables with the greatest response in the 50 mM NaCl + R. irregulare treatment, with an average increase of 15% with respect to the rest of the treatments. Limitations/implications. A decrease on the evaluated variables was observed due to the salinity effect; however, chickpea plants subjected to NaCl 50 mM inoculated with R. irregulare were less affected by salt stress. Findings/conclusions. The R. irregulare strain was found to contribute more than the G. cubensis to the mitigation of the adverse effects from the salinity factor

Gold(I) Fluorohalides: Theory and Experiment

The anionic trifluoromethylgold(I) derivatives [CF3AuX]−, which have been prepared and isolated as their [PPh4]+ salts in good yield, undergo thermally induced difluorocarbene extrusion in the gas phase, giving rise to the mixed gold(I) fluorohalide complexes [F−Au−X]− (X=Cl, Br, I). These triatomic species have been detected by tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) experiments and their properties have been analyzed by DFT methods. The CF2 extrusion mechanism from the Au−CF3 moiety serves as a model for the CF2 insertion into the Au−F bond, since both reactivity channels are connected by the microreversibility principle

Biological Activities of Polyphenols from Grapes

The dietary consumption of grape and its products is associated with a lower incidence of degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers. Most recent interest has focused on the bioactive phenolic compounds in grape. Anthocyanins, flavanols, flavonols and resveratrol are the most important grape polyphenols because they possess many biological activities, such as antioxidant, cardioprotective, anticancer, anti-inflammation, antiaging and antimicrobial properties. This review summarizes current knowledge on the bioactivities of grape phenolics. The extraction, isolation and identification methods of polyphenols from grape as well as their bioavailability and potential toxicity also are included

HBIM and digital documentation for development reliable parametric models on complex systems

The model construction, which is not a simple skeleton of geometric shapes, as a structured system of information, is a particularly useful tool for the management of the complex systems of Cultural Heritage. These tools improve the accessibility to the complex systems, according to different interconnection channels. Cultural heritage has become an open-data access database of information ordered within a structured network of metadata.These kinds of files create a complex database. Through the digital survey, heritage became a 3D model that describes cultural systems as a union of languages, signs, and symbols. The contribution presents some methodological research experiences on monumental digital documentation carried out by DAda-LAB laboratory, of the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture of the University of Pavia, on two different museum systems: the bath of the mosque, a portion of the monumental complex of the Alhambra in Granada (Spain), and the Historical Central building of University of Pavia (Italy). From this research, two H-BIM models were obtained built on the basis of the metric data of the digital survey with the aim of investigating the different possibilities of using this type of models from the management of the assets to the use of digitized spaces

Community engagement planning, how practitioners can select methodologies fitting their projects and ensuring effectiveness

Community Engagement in planning, intended as a community shared decision making process achieved through consultation, is today required more than ever. Current laws, planning advice notes, and a multitude of handbooks and guidelines from governmental and private entities addressed to either community groups or private practices specify the importance of Community Engagement and moreover encourage its practice. Engaging the public in activities or consulting the wider community for feedback is now one of the most widespread necessities in politics and therefore, in planning. Drafts of National Plans and laws use the principles of consultation to incorporate an assessment by the whole community. While the relevance of the policy aspect of Community Engagement is increasing, its technical application remains unclear. In particular, the adaptability of Community Engagement to particular situations is difficult to define, and therefore its application is challenging for practitioners. Community Engagement for the practitioner is often time-consuming, expensive and can sometimes lead to practitioner-conditioned outputs or to an unclear vision of the community as a whole. This paper provides a structured tool for practitioners to set up Community Engagement processes in decision making for urban development and regeneration under a variety of circumstances. The tool is innovative in its systematic way of organising currently available and tested methodologies. Its structure provides support in choosing the methodologies that best fit the user and, moreover, suggests the most suitable links between them. By using the tool, practitioners can review a wide range of existent techniques in a short time, use our 'six step structure' to build effective professional products, and use our 'selection matrix' to fit professional products to specific projects based on the single practice's needs. The tool, developed in the form of a web site, includes a comprehensive overview of Community Engagement methods in order to maintain a wide range of possibilities for practitioners to self-select a methodology fitting their projects; this level of flexibility has been developed considering the effectiveness of community engagement processes as the most important feature. This work is motivated by the necessity of a well known planning firm to optimise its Community Engagement approach.Community Engagement in planning, intended as a community shared decision making process achieved through consultation, is today required more than ever. Current laws, planning advice notes, and a multitude of handbooks and guidelines from governmental and private entities addressed to either community groups or private practices specify the importance of Community Engagement and moreover encourage its practice. Engaging the public in activities or consulting the wider community for feedback is now one of the most widespread necessities in politics and therefore, in planning. Drafts of National Plans and laws use the principles of consultation to incorporate an assessment by the whole community. While the relevance of the policy aspect of Community Engagement is increasing, its technical application remains unclear. In particular, the adaptability of Community Engagement to particular situations is difficult to define, and therefore its application is challenging for practitioners. Community Engagement for the practitioner is often time-consuming, expensive and can sometimes lead to practitioner-conditioned outputs or to an unclear vision of the community as a whole. This paper provides a structured tool for practitioners to set up Community Engagement processes in decision making for urban development and regeneration under a variety of circumstances. The tool is innovative in its systematic way of organising currently available and tested methodologies. Its structure provides support in choosing the methodologies that best fit the user and, moreover, suggests the most suitable links between them. By using the tool, practitioners can review a wide range of existent techniques in a short time, use our 'six step structure' to build effective professional products, and use our 'selection matrix' to fit professional products to specific projects based on the single practice's needs. The tool, developed in the form of a web site, includes a comprehensive overview of Community Engagement methods in order to maintain a wide range of possibilities for practitioners to self-select a methodology fitting their projects; this level of flexibility has been developed considering the effectiveness of community engagement processes as the most important feature. This work is motivated by the necessity of a well known planning firm to optimise its Community Engagement approach