91 research outputs found
Blue Carbon release by bottom trawling in the Malaga Bay. (SW Mediterranean)
Poster PresentationThe capture and store a of carbon in coastal and marine ecosystem is referred to as blue
carbon storage. Conservation, maintenance and estimation of carbon storage in marine
ecosystem is a key issue for climate change scenarios. While conservation of blue carbon
ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses, have been accorded
worldwide, little information about carbon release from marine ecosystem due to
human activity is available. While the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC
considers world-wide estimation of carbon sequestration to the seafloor by the
biological pump, little is known on the carbon release from the seafloor by sediment
disturbing activities, such as bottom trawling. Due to its importance as nursery area,
Malaga Bay (Southern Spain) has been proposed by the FAO as an Essential Fish Habitat
(GFCM, 2019) suggesting reduction of fishing pressure. Apart of the protection of
important nursery area, the reduction of bottom trawling reduces carbon release from
the seafloor by sediment disturbance. This reduction of CO2 emission could be
considered in the blue carbon market. For this reason, we show a first estimate of CO2
release of bottom trawler >15m in Malaga, and discuss the results in the framework of
local Marine Spatial Planning approaches.Universidad de MĂĄlaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional AndalucĂa Tech
Local MSP approach towards sustainable development of Malaga Bay (SW-Mediterranean)
ContribuciĂłn PosterOne of the main objectives of sustainable fishing development is the sustainable biological,
economic and environmental exploitation of living resources (CFP, 2013). For this reason, the
breeding areas of target species are of special importance. The Bay of Malaga (southern Spain)
has been identified as a breeding ground for several target species (Baro et al., 2015; Muñoz et
al., 2018), however, the cumulative risk analysis suggests the need to reduce fishing trawling by
a factor of 30-60 times (Muñoz et al., 2018) to achieve a habitat recovery time sweep index (SPR)
less than or equal to 1, and thus guarantee habitat recovery. Based on information from Baro et
al. (2015) and Muñoz et al. (2018) the Bay of Malaga has been proposed by the FAO as an
Essential Fish Habitat due to (i) its importance for breeding and (ii) the need to reduce the high
pressure of fishing in the area to maintain ecosystem services, such as the support service
(providing living spaces for plants or animals and conserving a diversity of them, that constitute
the basis of all ecosystems and their services) and the provisioning service (Muñoz et al., 2018;
GFCM, 2019). In order to achieve sustainable exploitation of living resources, a conflict analysis
among the uses of the sea space was carried out and alternative blue economy approaches
applied to the Bay of Malaga are suggestedUniversidad de MĂĄlaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional AndalucĂa Tech
Site formation and chronology of the new Paleolithic site Sima de Las Palomas de Teba, southern Spain
The newly identiïŹed Paleolithic site Sima de Las Palomas de Teba hosts an almost seven -m-thick sediment proïŹle investigated here to elucidate the rock shelter's chronostratigraphy and formation processes. At its base, the sediment sequence contains rich archeological deposits recording intensive occupation by Neanderthals. Luminescence provides a terminus ante quem of 39.4 ± 2.6 ka or 44.9 ± 4.1 ka (OSL) and 51.4 ± 8.4 ka (TL). This occupation ended with a rockfall event followed by accumulation of archeologically sterile sediments. These were covered by sediments containing few Middle Paleolithic artifacts, which either indicate ephemeral occupation by Neanderthals or reworking as suggested by micromorphological features. Above this unit, scattered lithic artifacts of undiagnostic character may represent undeïŹned Paleolithic occupations. Sediment burialagesbetweenabout23.0±1.5ka(OSL)and40.5±3.4ka(pIRIR)provideanUpperPaleolithicchronology for sediments deposited above the rockfall. Finally, a dung-bearing Holocene layer in the upper most part of the sequence contains a fragment of a human mandible dated to 4032 ± 39 14C yr BP. Overall, the sequence represents an important new site for studying the end of Neanderthal occupation in southern Spain
Keratinocyte-derived S100A9 modulates neutrophil infiltration and affects psoriasis-like skin and joint disease
[Objectives]: S100A9, an alarmin that can form calprotectin (CP) heterodimers with S100A8, is mainly produced by keratinocytes and innate immune cells. The contribution of keratinocyte-derived S100A9 to psoriasis (Ps) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) was evaluated using mouse models, and the potential usefulness of S100A9 as a Ps/PsA biomarker was assessed in patient samples.
[Methods]: Conditional S100A9 mice were crossed with DKO* mice, an established psoriasis-like mouse model based on inducible epidermal deletion of c-Jun and JunB to achieve additional epidermal deletion of S100A9 (TKO* mice). Psoriatic skin and joint disease were evaluated in DKO* and TKO* by histology, microCT, RNA and proteomic analyses. Furthermore, S100A9 expression was analysed in skin, serum and synovial fluid samples of patients with Ps and PsA.
[Results]: Compared with DKO* littermates, TKO* mice displayed enhanced skin disease severity, PsA incidence and neutrophil infiltration. Altered epidermal expression of selective pro-inflammatory genes and pathways, increased epidermal phosphorylation of STAT3 and higher circulating TNFα were observed in TKO* mice. In humans, synovial S100A9 levels were higher than the respective serum levels. Importantly, patients with PsA had significantly higher serum concentrations of S100A9, CP, VEGF, IL-6 and TNFα compared with patients with only Ps, but only S100A9 and CP could efficiently discriminate healthy individuals, patients with Ps and patients with PsA.
[Conclusions]: Keratinocyte-derived S100A9 plays a regulatory role in psoriatic skin and joint disease. In humans, S100A9/CP is a promising marker that could help in identifying patients with Ps at risk of developing PsA.The Wagner laboratory at the Medical University of Vienna (MUV) is supported by an ERCâAdG 2016 CSIâFunâ741888, a H2020âMSCAâITN 2019â859860âCANCERPREV grant and the MUV. GS and AR are supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG-FOR2886 PANDORA and the CRC1181 Checkpoints for Resolution of Inflammation). Additional funding was received by the Bundesministerium fĂŒr Bildung und Forschung (BMBF; project MASCARA), the ERC-SyG 2018 (810316 4D Nanoscope), ERC-STG 2019 (853508 BARRIER BREAK) and the IMI-funded project Hippocrates. The Oxford Laboratory at the Biomolecular Research Centre at Boise State University was supported by the National Institutes of Health, NIGMS P20GM109095 and P20GM103408
Complete Genome Sequencing of <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> Strain K50 Discloses the Large Conjugative Plasmid pK50a Encoding Carbapenemase OXA-23 and Extended-Spectrum ÎČ-Lactamase GES-11
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii strains appeared as serious emerging nosocomial pathogens in clinical environments and especially in intensive care units (ICUs). A. baumannii strain K50, recovered from a hospitalized patient in Kuwait, exhibited resistance to carbapenems and additionally to ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, amikacin, and gentamicin. Genome sequencing revealed that the strain possesses two plasmids, pK50a (79.6 kb) and pK50b (9.5 kb), and a 3.75-Mb chromosome. A. baumannii K50 exhibits an average nucleotide identity (ANI) of 99.98% to the previously reported Iraqi clinical isolate AA-014, even though the latter strain lacked plasmid pK50a. Strain K50 belongs to sequence type 158 (ST158) (Pasteur scheme) and ST499 (Oxford scheme). Plasmid pK50a is a member of the Aci6 (replication group 6 [RG6]) group of Acinetobacter plasmids and carries a conjugative transfer module and two antibiotic resistance gene regions. The transposon Tn2008 carries the carbapenemase gene blaOXA-23, whereas a class 1 integron harbors the resistance genes blaGES-11, aacA4, dfrA7, qacEÎ1, and sul1, conferring resistance to all b-lactams and reduced susceptibility to carbapenems and resistance to aminoglycosides, trimethoprim, quaternary ammonium compounds, and sulfamethoxazole, respectively. The class 1 integron is flanked by MITEs (miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements) delimiting the element at its insertion site.Instituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia Molecula
Ability to remotely monitor atrial high-rate episodes using a single-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator with a floating atrial sensing dipole
Aims To allow timely initiation of anticoagulation therapy for the prevention of stroke, the European guidelines on atrial fibrillation (AF) recommend remote monitoring (RM) of device-detected atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) and progression of arrhythmia duration along pre-specified strata (6 minâŠ<1 h, 1 hâŠ<24 h, â„ 24 h). We used the MATRIX registry data to assess the capability of a single-lead implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) with atrial sensing dipole (DX ICD system) to follow this recommendation in patients with standard indication for single-chamber ICD. Methods In 1841 DX ICD patients with daily automatic RM transmissions, electrograms of first device-detected AHREs per patient in and results each duration stratum were adjudicated, and the corresponding positive predictive values (PPVs) for the detections to be true atrial arrhythmia were calculated. Moreover, the incidence and progression of new-onset AF was assessed in 1451 patients with no AF history. A total of 610 AHREs â„6 min were adjudicated. The PPV was 95.1% (271 of 285) for episodes 6minâŠ<1 h, 99.6% (253/254) for episodes 1 hâŠ<24 h, 100% (71/71) for episodes â„24 h, or 97.5% for all episodes (595/ 610). The incidence of new-onset AF was 8.2% (119/1451), and in 31.1% of them (37/119), new-onset AF progressed to a higher duration stratum. Nearly 80% of new-onset AF patients had high CHA 2DS 2-VASc stroke risk, and 70% were not on anticoagulation therapy. Age was the only significant predictor of new-onset AF. Conclusion A 99.7% detection accuracy for AHRE â„1 h in patients with DX ICD systems in combination with daily RM allows a reliable guideline-recommended screening for subclinical AF and monitoring of AF-duration progression.</p
An island view of endemic rarityâEnvironmental drivers and consequences for nature conservation
Aim: Rarityâan important measure for conservation biogeographyâcan vary over
many orders of magnitude. However, it is unclear which regional-scale
abiotic conditions
drive processes affecting rarity of endemic species on islands. To support conservation
efforts, we (1) assess the main abiotic drivers of endemic rarity, (2) determine
how well existing protected areas (PAs) coincide with hotspots of endemic rarity and
(3) introduce and evaluate a new hypervolume-based
rarity estimator.
Location: La Palma (Canary Islands).
Methods: We recorded all present endemic vascular plant species in 1,212 plots covering
the entire island. We calculated endemic rarity (corrected range-rarity
richness
for endemics) using a rarity estimation approach based on kernel density estimations
(hypervolume approach). We performed a sensitivity analysis based on multiple linear
regressions and relative importance estimations of environmental drivers to estimate
the performance of the hypervolume-based
rarity estimation compared to standard
methods (occurrence frequency, convex hulls, alpha hulls).
Results: Climate variables (mean annual temperature, climatic rarity, precipitation variability)
best explained archipelago endemic (AE) and single-island
endemic (SIE) rarity.
Existing PAs covered the majority of AE and SIE rarity, especially national and natural
parks as well as the Natura 2000 sites. In our study system, hypervolumes performed
better than standard measures of range size.
Main conclusion: Both AE and SIE rarity on La Palma show a clear spatial pattern, with
hotspots of endemic rarity found at high elevations and in rare climates, presumably
owing to geographical and climatic constraints and possibly anthropogenic pressure
(e.g., land use, introduced herbivores, fire). Areas of high rarity estimates coincide with
the distribution and extent of PAs on La Palma, especially since the recent addition of
the Natura 2000 sites. The hypervolume approach is a promising tool to estimate species
range sizes, and can be applied on all scales where point/plot data are available.European UnionElite Network of Bavari
COSMOS-Europe : a European network of cosmic-ray neutron soil moisture sensors
We thank TERENO (Terrestrial Environmental Observatories), funded by the Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft for the financing and maintenance of CRNS stations. We acknowledge financial support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) of the research unit FOR 2694 Cosmic Sense (grant no. 357874777) and by the German Federal Ministry of Education of the Research BioökonomieREVIER, Digitales Geosystem â Rheinisches Revier project (grant no. 031B0918A). COSMOS-UK has been supported financially by the UKâs Natural Environment Research Council (grant no. NE/R016429/1). The Olocau experimental watershed is partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the research project TETISCHANGE (grant no. RTI2018-093717-BI00). The Calderona experimental site is partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the research projects CEHYRFO-MED (grant no. CGL2017-86839- C3-2-R) and SILVADAPT.NET (grant no. RED2018-102719-T) and the LIFE project RESILIENT FORESTS (grant no. LIFE17 CCA/ES/000063). The University of Bristolâs Sheepdrove sites have been supported by the UKâs Natural Environment Research Council through a number of projects (grant nos. NE/M003086/1, NE/R004897/1, and NE/T005645/1) and by the International Atomic Energy Agency of the United Nations (grant no. CRP D12014). Acknowledgements. We thank Peter Strauss and Gerhab Rab from the Institute for Land and Water Management Research, Federal Agency for Water Management Austria, Petzenkirchen, Austria. We thank Trenton Franz from the School of Natural Resources, University of NebraskaâLincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States. We also thank Carmen Zengerle, Mandy Kasner, Felix Pohl, and Solveig Landmark, UFZ Leipzig, for supporting field calibration, lab analysis, and data processing. We furthermore thank Daniel Dolfus, Marius Schmidt, Ansgar Weuthen, and Bernd Schilling, Forschungszentrum JĂŒlich, Germany. The COSMOS-UK project team is thanked for making its data available to COSMOS-Europe. Luca Stevanato is thanked for the technical details about the Finapp sensor. The stations at Cunnersdorf, Lindenberg, and Harzgerode have been supported by Falk Böttcher, Frank Beyrich, and Petra Fude, German Weather Service (DWD). The Zerbst site has been supported by Getec Green Energy GmbH and Jörg Kachelmann (Meteologix AG). The CESBIO sites have been supported by the CNES TOSCA program. The ERA5-Land data are provided by ECMWF (Muñoz Sabater, 2021). The Jena dataset was retrieved at the site of The Jena Experiment, operated by DFG research unit FOR 1451.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
- âŠ