Catches in ghost-fishing octopus and fish traps in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean (Algarve, Portugal)

Ghost fishing is the term used to describe the continued capture of fish and other living organisms after a fisherman has lost all control over the gear. Traps may be lost for a variety of reasons including theft, vandalism, abandonment, interactions with other gear, fouling on the bottom (i.e., traps and ropes are caught on rocky substrate), bad weather, and human error (Laist, 1995). Annual trap loss can be as high as 20% to 50% of fished traps in some fisheries (Al-Masroori et al., 2004). Because lost traps can continue to fish for long periods, albeit with decreasing efficiency over time (e.g., Smolowitz, 1978; Breen, 1987, 1990; Guillory, 1993), ghost fishing is a concern in fisheries worldwide

Atividade proteolítica salivar de triatomíneos vetores da Doença de Chagas

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Ceilândia, 2017.Os triatomíneos hematófagos, vetores da Doença de Chagas, são insetos cujo crescimento, mudas e reprodução são regulados pelo repasto sanguíneo. Alguns RNAs mensageiros de proteases foram descritos em sialotranscriptomas de triatomíneos hematófagos, sugerindo que essas proteínas sejam expressas na saliva desses animais. O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar e caracterizar atividades proteolíticas na saliva de Rhodnius prolixus e R. neglectus em diferentes dias pós-repasto sanguíneo (dprs). Os triatomíneos foram mantidos em colônia no Biotério do IB, UnB. Cinco, 12 e 20 dprs, as glândulas salivares foram dissecadas para a obtenção da saliva. O perfil proteico foi analisado por eletroforese em SDS-PAGE; a atividade gelatinolítica por zimografia em gel; e a atividade proteolítica sobre o substrato fluorogênico Z-Phe-Arg-AMC em solução, na ausência ou presença de inibidores de proteases. O perfil proteico das salivas nos diferentes períodos após o repasto sanguíneo é semelhante. As proteínas salivares que apresentaram atividade proteolítica no ensaio zimográfico possuem massas moleculares entre 20 e 70 kDa. As salivas apresentaram atividade enzimática sobre o peptídeo fluorogênico Z-Phe-Arg-AMC, inibidas apenas nas amostras de 20 dias após o repasto sanguíneo por fenantrolina (R. prolixus, 48,86%; e R. neglectus, 38,43% de inibição). Esses resultados sugerem a presença, principalmente, de metaloproteases na saliva de R. prolixus e R. neglectus. No entanto, uma investigação mais profunda é necessária e poderá ajudar a elucidar o papel dessas proteases salivares no processamento de peptídeos bioativos presentes na saliva e/ou no hospedeiro vertebrado e suas implicações para o repasto sanguíneo e a transmissão do T. cruzi.Hematophagous triatomines, vectors of Chagas Disease, are insects which growth, molts and reproduction are regulated by blood meal. Some protease mRNAs have been described in sialotranscriptomes of hematophagous triatomines, suggesting these proteins are expressed in their saliva. This study aimed to identify and to characterize proteolytic activities in Rhodnius prolixus and R. neglectus saliva in different days after the blood meal has been taken (dabm). The triatomines were reared in the Insectarium of the Biological Sciences Institute, UnB. Five, 12 and 20 dabm, salivary glands were dissected to obtain saliva. Protein profile was analyzed by electrophoresis in SDS-PAGE; gelatinolytic activity by gel-zymography; and proteolytic activity on fluorogenic substrate Z-Phe-Arg-AMC in solution, in protease inhibitors absence or presence. Saliva protein profile in different dabm is similar. Saliva proteins that showed proteolytic activity in gel-zymography have molecular masses ranging from 20-70 kDa. Salivas showed enzymatic activity in fluorogenic peptide Z-Phe-Arg-AMC, inhibited only in 20 dabm by phenanthroline (R. prolixus, 48.86 %; R. neglectus, 38.43 % of inhibition). These results suggest expression, mainly, of metalloproteases in R. prolixus and R. neglectus saliva. However, a deep investigation is necessary and may help to elucidate the salivary proteases roles in the generation of bioactive peptides in saliva and/or in the vertebrate host and their implications to blood meal and T. cruzi transmission

Land use changes in the Douro Valley and carbon emissions

Deforestation for economic development and urbanisation or urban sprawl as a result of human population growth is a common feature of land-use change and is an important source of increased atmospheric CO2. At the global level, carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels are two to three times higher than carbon sequestration by land systems, mainly forests and woody vegetation. The work presented herein focuses on the identification of carbon balance shifts due to land use changes in a group of municipalities located in the Douro River Valley in northern Portugal, where the dominance of vineyards and forestry uses over urban occupation is the norm. However, when urban sprawl occurs through the replacement of forested areas by urban uses, the ability to sequester carbon dioxide is reduced while its production rates increase. A thorough study (Lourenço et al., 2008) of land uses evolution between 1990 and 2000 shows that urban uses have been growing near Vila Real as well as vineyard plantations. Forest fires and a complex topography are major causes for the growth of abandonment, which make these areas more prone to erosion and desertification.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology in the scope of the research project PTDC/ECM/73069/200

Contribution for the vulnerability assessment of water pipe network systems

Water pipe network systems are key public utilities which require being robust, protected and preserved. Knowing their weaknesses will help these processes. The theory of vulnerability of water pipe networks can contribute in this context because it is able to map the vulnerable parts of this type of system. The meaning of vulnerability has been defined as being the disproportionateness of the failure consequences in relation to the initial damage and, in particular, its theoretical concepts. The main objectives of this paper are to briefly introduce this theory, to illustrate its application highlighting its potential. The application of the theory is presented using an example of a simple water pipe network. In a real water supply utility, where the vulnerabilities of WPN components are less evident, the identification of the most vulnerable ones may play an important contribution as support decision during WPN design period and for a sustainable infrastructure asset management. Further work is in progress to account for different type of damage and consequences and thus manage risks due to failure scenarios not identified by the classical theories

Contribution for the vulnerability assessment of water pipe network

Water pipe network systems are key public utilities which require being robust, protected and preserved. Knowing their weaknesses will help these processes. The theory of vulnerability of water pipe networks can contribute in this context because it is able to map the vulnerable parts of this type of system. The meaning of vulnerability has been defined as being the disproportionateness of the failure consequences in relation to the initial damage and, in particular, its theoretical concepts. The main objectives of this paper are to briefly introduce this theory, to illustrate its application highlighting its potential. The application of the theory is presented using an example of a simple water pipe network. In a real water supply utility, where the vulnerabilities of WPN components are less evident, the identification of the most vulnerable ones may play an important contribution as support decision during WPN design period and for a sustainable infrastructure asset management. Further work is in progress to account for different type of damage and consequences and thus manage risks due to failure scenarios not identified by the classical theories.(undefined

The African hind's (Cephalopholis taeniops, serranidae) use of artificial reefs off Sal Island (Cape Verde): a preliminary study based on acoustic telemetry

The African hind Cephalopholis taeniops (Valenciennes, 1828) is one of the most important commercial demersal species caught in the Cape Verde archipelago. The species is closely associated with hard substrate and is one of the main attractions for SCUBA divers. In January 2006 a former Soviet fishing vessel - the Kwarcit - was sunk off Santa Maria Bay (Sal Island). Young C. taeniops are commonly observed in this artificial reef (AR). In order to investigate the species' use of the AR, 4 specimens were captured and surgically implanted underwater with Vemco brand acoustic transmitters. The fish were monitored daily with an active telemetry receiver for one week after release. Simultaneously, an array of 3 passive VR2 / VR2W receivers was set for 63 days, registering data that allowed an analysis of spatial, daily and short term temporal activity patterns. The results showed site fidelity to the AR, with no migrations to the nearby natural reef. The method used allowed to register a consistent higher activity during daytime and a preference for the area opposite the dominant current

Reducción de la captura secundaria y los descartes en la pesquería costera de pequeña escala del Algarve utilizando una red de trasmallo de monofilamento equipada con una red de protección

Experimental fishing was conducted off the port of Quarteira (southern Portugal) from October 2016 to February 2017 using standard trammel nets and modified nets rigged with a guarding net. The commercial catches of trammel nets rigged with a guarding net were 46.1% and 38.0% less than those of the standard net in numbers and economic value. However, there were significantly fewer commercial discards in biomass in the modified trammel nets (68.2%) and by-catch abundance and biomass were also lower in the modified nets (41.8% and 17.3% less, respectively). For the two main fish by-catch species, the modified net caught 62.2% fewer longfin gurnards (C. obscurus) and 33.1% fewer greater weever (T. draco) than the standard nets. Timing the removal from the nets of the main by-catch and discards species revealed savings in time associated with the use of modified nets. However, net damage occurred twice as much as in the modified net, probably contributing to the reduced commercial catches. The results indicate that trammel nets with the guarding net reduce by-catch and discards and save time, but are unlikely to be adopted by fishers targeting soles due to the higher costs of the modified nets and losses in commercial catches and earnings.European Commission's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme - 634495info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antiepileptogenesis after Stroke - Trials and Tribulations: Methodological Challenges and Recruitment Results of a Phase II Study with Eslicarbazepine Acetate.

There is currently no evidence to support the use of antiseizure medications to prevent unprovoked seizures following stroke. Experimental animal models suggested a potential antiepileptogenic effect for eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL), and a Phase II, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to test this hypothesis and assess whether ESL treatment for 1 month can prevent unprovoked seizures following stroke. We outline the design and status of this antiepileptogenesis study, and discuss the challenges encountered in its execution to date. Patients at high risk of developing unprovoked seizures after acute intracerebral haemorrhage or acute ischaemic stroke were randomised to receive ESL 800 mg/day or placebo, initiated within 120 hours after primary stroke occurrence. Treatment continued until Day 30, then tapered off. Patients could receive all necessary therapies for stroke treatment according to clinical practice guidelines and standard of care, and are being followed up for 18 months. The primary efficacy endpoint is occurrence of a first unprovoked seizure within 6 months after randomisation ('failure rate'). Secondary efficacy assessments include occurrence of a first unprovoked seizure during 12 months after randomisation and during the entire study; functional outcomes (Barthel Index original 10-item version; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale); post-stroke depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9); and overall survival. Safety assessments include evaluation of treatment-emergent adverse events; laboratory parameters; vital signs; electrocardiogram; suicidal ideation and behaviour (PHQ-9 question 9). The protocol aimed to randomise approximately 200 patients (1:1), recruited from 21 sites in seven European countries and Israel. Despite the challenges encountered, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study progressed and included a remarkable number of patients, with 129 screened and 125 randomised. Recruitment was stopped after 30 months, the first patient entered in May 2019, and the study is ongoing and following up on patients according to the Clinical Trial Protocol