NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Effect of free-SH containing compounds on allyl isothiocyanate antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7

Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination is a significant meat safety issue in many countries. Allyl isothiocyanate (AIT) is a natural compound found to limit the survival of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogens in meat and meat products. In the present study, it was found that glutathione and cysteine naturally present in meat can interfere with AIT antimicrobial activity. Spectroscopy, HPLC, and LC-MS were used to confirm that glutathione was able to react with AIT and formed a conjugate with no or low bactericidal activity against the tested organisms. The same reaction also occurred at pH values of 4.9 and 5.8 at 25 and 4°C, respectively, which broadly represent storage conditions in raw beef (pH 5.8) and during fermented sausage (pH 4.9) manufacture. Reactions observed help to explain reduction in antimicrobial potency of AIT in food (meat) systems

Doubly Fed Induction Generator Low Voltage Ride Through Improvement Through Modular Multilevel Converter

This paper proposes a novel fault current suppression method for doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) low voltage ride through (LVRT) improvement employing modular multilevel converter (MMC). It is based on the inherent MMC arm impedance and the number of levels to provide transient damping of DFIG rotor and stator currents under severe grid faults, contributing effectively to maintaining the DFIG connection while ensuring controllability by avoiding the protection activation. Neither additional hardware nor control loops are necessary. DFIG dynamic equations under LVRT, including the contribution of the MMC, are presented, and a model is derived for control design. Performance assessment, including symmetrical and asymmetrical fault scenarios for MMC with 3, 21, 51, and 101 levels and comparison with existing and proposed controllers, highlighted that arm impedance and increased MMC level number contributed to DFIG stator and rotor fault current suppression, providing DFIG LVRT improvement under severe grid fault conditions