135 research outputs found
Taxonomy, zoogeography, and conservation of the herpetofauna of Nicaragua
Central America is one of the world’s most herpetological diverse areas in relation to its size. Nicaragua is the largest country in this region and separates Nuclear from Lower Central America. It is one of the least herpetological explored countries in Central America and few studies dealing with the herpetofauna of a potion or the entire country have been published. I here update the checklist of the Nicaraguan herpetofauna, present taxonomic revisions of some difficult species complexes, compare the similarities of the composition of the herpetofaunal communities in the major forest formations present in the country within a zoogeographical context, and identify those species with a greater vulnerability risk in Nicaragua. Taxonomy The herpetofauna of Nicaragua currently consists of 244 species representing 134 genera and 42 families with 78 amphibian species representing 35 genera and 15 families, and 166 reptile species representing 99 genera and 27 families, which includes six marine species. Sixteen species (12 amphibians and four reptiles) are endemic to the country. Of the 12 endemic amphibian species, three are here described. In addition, five genera (Anotheca, Cerrophidion, Duellmanohyla, Isthmohyla, and Rhinobothryum) and two species (Rhadinea godmani and Urotheca decipiens) are known to occur both north and south of Nicaragua although there are no voucher specimens of these taxa to confirm their presence in country. I complete a bibliographic research updating the nomenclature changes and provide a brief herpetological history of Nicaragua, a recompilation of all species described upon Nicaraguan material and their current synonymy, the first time each species was recorded from the country, and a list of all recognized subspecies occurring in Nicaragua. I discuss the taxonomic uncertainties among the Nicaraguan populations of amphibians and reptiles and take further detailed taxonomic revisions on selected Nicaraguan species groups from the genera Anolis, Bolitoglossa, and Craugastor along their known distributional range. I describe five new species of herpetofauna (three of which are based on Nicaraguan material), redescribe five species of Anolis (three of which occur in Nicaragua), and provide voucher specimens of five other species for the first time in Nicaragua. In detail: • I studied the pholidosis, morphometrics as well as hemipenis and dewlap morphology in Anolis wermuthi, an anole endemic to the highlands of northern Nicaragua. I examine patterns of geographic variation using discriminant function analysis and discuss the characters that vary both individually and among populations. The results indicate that A. wermuthi is a single species with several disjunct, slightly divergent populations. I provide a standardized description, illustrations of the everted hemipenis of an adult topotype, the male and female dewlap, and a distribution map. I also provide brief descriptions of the localities where this species occurs and some ecological notes. • I studied the pholidosis, morphometrics as well as hemipenis morphology in the Central American anole species Anolis humilis, A. quaggulus, and A. uniformis. The three taxa are distinct in hemipenis morphology. However, very little differentiation in pholidotic and morphometric characters is documented. I document interspecific variation in several characters but with overlap of the documented ranges. A discriminant function analysis based on five pholidotic characters yielded a scatter diagram that showed large overlap between the clusters of the three taxa. I provide head scalation illustrations, an identification key, a distribution map, and standardized descriptions of the commonly distributed in Nicaragua A. quaggulus as well as of the other two species. • I describe two new species of anoles (genus Anolis) from Panama formerly referred to as Anolis limifrons. The two new species, Anolis apletophallus and Anolis cryptolimifrons, differ from A. limifrons by having a large bilobed hemipenis (small and unilobed in A. limifrons). The new species differ from each other in male dewlap size and coloration. I provide illustrations of the head scalation, everted hemipenis, and dewlap, an identification key, a distribution map, and standardized descriptions of the commonly distributed in Nicaragua A. limifrons and the two new species described herein. • I describe two new species of salamanders of Bolitoglossa from southern Nicaragua. Bolitoglossa indio is known from Río Indio in the lowlands of the Río San Juan area and Bolitoglossa insularis from the premontane slopes of Volcán Maderas on Ometepe Island. The two new species are of unknown affinities but both differ from their congeners in coloration. Bolitoglossa indio is most similar to B. mexicana and B. odonnelli from which differ by having both broad dorsolateral pale brown stripes not clearly delimited in outline. Bolitoglossa insularis is most similar to B. mombachoensis and B. striatula from which differ by the absence of dark or light defined stripes on dorsum and venter. • I describe a new species of frog of the genus Craugastor from Río San Juan, Nicaragua. The new species, Craugastor chingopetaca, is assigned to the fitzingeri group and differs from most Central American species of that group by the absence of a midgular pale stripe. Within the fitzingeri group it is most similar to C. crassidigitus and C. talamancae from which it differs in several morphological characteristics such as more extensive webbing, retuse disk covers on some digits, and relative toe length. • I provide voucher specimens of Cochranella spinosa, Kinosternon angustipons, Mesaspis moreletii, Cnemidophorus lemniscatus and Adelphicos quadrivirgatum for the first time in Nicaragua. I include descriptions, illustrations, and brief ecological notes for the five new country records. Zoogeography Based on the concept of ecological formations proposed by HOLDRIDGE (1967), nine forest formations are found in Nicaragua. Of the total number of terrestrial species of herpetofauna found in Nicaragua, 131 species (55.0%) occur in Lowland Wet Forest, 21 of which (8.8%) are restricted to this forest formation, 168 species (70.6%) occur in Lowland Moist Forest, 15 of which (6.3%) are restricted to this forest formation, 84 species (35.3%) occur in Lowland Dry Forest, four of which (1.7%) are restricted to this forest formation, 47 species (19.7%) occur in Lowland Arid Forest, with no species restricted to this forest formation, 59 species (24.8%) occur in Premontane Wet Forest, three of which (1.3%) are restricted to this forest formation, 116 species (48.7%) occur in Premontane Moist Forest, 10 of which (4.2%) are restricted to this forest formation, 51 (21.4%) species occur in Premontane Dry Forest, with no species restricted to this forest formation, 13 species (5.5%) occur in Lower Montane Wet Forest, two of which (0.8%) are restricted to this forest formation, and 50 species (21.0%) occur Lower Montane Moist Forest, seven of which (2.9%) are restricted to this forest formation. The Coefficient of Biogeographic Resemblance algorithm show a distinct composition of the herpetofauna from the isolated highlands of northeastern Nicaragua, which is characterized by a high proportion of endemic species. Two other clusters are evident when analyzing the herpetofaunal similarities among Nicaragua, the Pacific versant and the central mountains and the Atlantic lowlands. In addition, the Pacific lowlands are characterized by a relatively homogeneous composition of the herpetofauna. In contrast, many species have their northern limit of distribution in the Atlantic lowlands with the ranges of most of these species ending in southern Nicaragua. The central mountains constitute the southern limit of distribution of several highland species. In general, there is a greater contribution of reptile than amphibian species to the total herpetofauna present in each forest formation. This unbalance is slightly higher in the dry than in the moist parts of the country. The similarities in the composition of the reptiles between the different forests formations seem to be relatively distinct on an elevation factor, whereas in amphibians similarities might be better explained in correlation with humidity. The total amount of amphibian and reptile species in Nicaragua has a Middle American Element dominance and varies between amphibians and reptiles, with and a greater South American Element influence in anurans and a greater Old Northern Element influence in reptiles. In general, there is a greater percentage of species with a South American Element in extreme southeastern Nicaragua with a decreasing tendency towards northern Nicaragua. Taking in account the geography and geologic history of Nicaragua as well as the known Central American dispersal routes, I identify species of probable occurrence in Nicaragua as well as those places with a greater potential to hold undescribed endemic species. Conservation In Nicaragua, no amphibian or reptile populations are entirely free from anthropogenic impact. I determine the endangerment level of all Nicaraguan amphibian and reptile species using the IUCN categorizations and the Environmental Vulnerability Scores. Seventy-six species (31.9%) of Nicaraguan amphibians and terrestrial reptiles have high vulnerability, 118 (49.6%) medium vulnerability, and 44 (18.5%) low vulnerability. Eighteen species (7.4% of the total herpetofauna) are unknown from protected areas, including 13 high vulnerability species (three are endemic), four medium vulnerability species, and one low vulnerability species. To preserve the future of Nicaragua’s amphibians and reptiles, every species should reside in at least one protected area, the protected areas must be guarded, and monitoring programs are needed to detect changes in amphibian and reptile populations, prioritizing highly vulnerable species.Mittelamerika gehört zu den Regionen der Welt mit der relativ artenreichsten Herpetofauna. Nicaragua ist das größte Land Mittelamerikas und liegt zwischen den nördlichen und südlichen Hochlandblöcken. Es ist eines der am wenigsten herpetologisch erforschten Länder in Mittelamerika und es wurden bisher nur wenige Studien über die Herpetofauna des Landes veröffentlicht. Im Rahmen meiner Doktorarbeit komplettiere ich die herpetologische Artenliste Nicaraguas, präsentiere taxonomische Revisionen schwieriger Artkomplexe, vergleiche die Zusammensetzung verschiedener herpetologischer Artengemeinschaften aus den größeren Waldgebieten Nicaraguas und identifiziere die besonders bedrohten Arten. Taxonomie Die Herpetofauna Nicaraguas umfasst 244 Arten aus 134 Gattungen und 42 Familien, wobei 78 Arten aus 35 Gattungen und 15 Familien auf die Amphibien entfallen, und 166 Arten, inklusive sechs marine Arten, aus 99 Gattungen und 27 Familien auf die Reptilien. 16 Arten (zwölf Amphibienarten und vier Reptilarten) sind für Nicaragua endemisch. Von den zwölf endemischen Amphibienarten werden drei in dieser Arbeit beschrieben. Desweiteren gibt es sechs Gattungen (Anotheca, Cerrophidion, Duellmanohyla, Isthmohyla und Rhinobothryum) und zwei Arten (Rhadinea godmani und Urotheca decipiens), die sowohl nördlich als auch südlich von Nicaragua vorkommen, die aber bis jetzt noch nicht durch Belegexemplare auch für Nicaragua nachgewiesen werden konnten. Basierend auf einer Überprüfung der Literatur bringe ich die Nomenklatur der Arten auf den aktuellen Stand und gebe weiterhin einen Überblick über die Geschichte der herpetologischen Erforschung Nicaraguas, eine Auflistung aller Arten, die basierend auf nicaraguanischen Material beschrieben wurden sowie deren aktuelle Synonymie, das Datum des Erstnachweises jeder Art für Nicaragua sowie eine Liste aller anerkannten in Nicaragua vorkommenden Unterarten. Unklarheiten in der Taxonomie nicaraguanischer Amphibien- und Reptilienpopulationen werden diskutiert und taxonomische Revisionen ausgewählter Artengruppen der Gattungen Anolis, Bolitoglossa, and Craugastor entlang ihrer Verbreitung durchgeführt. Fünf neue Arten (drei davon basierend auf nicaraguanischen Material) werden beschrieben, fünf Anolis-Arten (drei davon aus Nicaragua) werden detailliert wiederbeschrieben, und von fünf Arten habe ich erstmals Belegexemplare aus Nicaragua gesammelt. Im einzelnen wurden folgende Punkte untersucht: • Pholidose, Morphometrie sowie Hemipenis- und Kehlfahnen-Morphologie von Anolis wermuthi, eine für das Hochland Nicaraguas endemische Anolis-Arten, wurden untersucht. Dabei wurde die geographische Variation mit Hilfe der Diskriminanzfunktionsanalyse untersucht und die Variation ausgewählter Merkmale zwischen Individuen und Populationen diskutiert. Die Untersuchungen zeigen, dass es sich bei A. wermuthi um eine einzige Art mit mehreren disjunkten, leicht divergenten Populationen handelt. Eine genaue Artbeschreibung, inklusive Abbildungen eines ausgestülpten Hemipenis eines adulten Topotypus, der männlichen und weiblichen Kehlfahne und eine Verbreitungskarte werden zusammen mit kurzen Beschreibungen der Fundorte sowie einigen ökologischen Notizen aufgeführt. • Pholidose, Morphometrie und Hemipenis-Morphologie dreier mittelamerikanischer Anolisarten (Anolis humilis, A. quaggulus, und A. uniformis) wurden untersucht, um den taxonomischen Status der nicaraguanischen Populationen zu klären. Diese drei Taxa unterscheiden sich deutlich in der Hemipenis-Morphologie, aber nur geringfügig in pholidotischen und morphometrischen Merkmalen. Bei mehreren Merkmalen wurde interspezifische Variation dokumentiert, allerdings mit großer Überlappung der Variationsbreite. Eine auf fünf pholidotischen Merkmalen beruhende Diskriminanzanalyse ergab ein Streudiagramm, welches starke Überlappungen zwischen den Clustern der drei Taxa zeigt. Ein Bestimmungsschlüssel sowie Abbildungen der Kopfbeschuppung, Verbreitungskarten und standardisierte Beschreibungen der drei Arten werden vorgelegt. • Zwei neue Anolis-Arten aus Panama, die bisher der Art A. limifrons zugeordnet waren, werden beschrieben. Die beiden neuen Arten, A. apletophallus und A. cryptolimifrons, unterscheiden sich von A. limifrons in ihren großen zweilappigen Hemipenes (klein und einlappig bei limifrons). Untereinander unterscheiden sich die beiden neuen Arten in der Größe der Kehlfahne des Männchens und der Färbung Neben einem Bestimmungsschlüssel werden Abbildung der Kopfbeschuppung, des ausgestülpten Hemipenis, der Kehlfahne, Verbreitungskarten und standardisierte Beschreibungen sowohl der beiden neuen Arten als auch A. limifrons vorgelegt. • Zwei neue Salamanderarten der Gattung Bolitoglossa aus Süd-Nicaragua werden beschrieben. Bolitoglossa indio stammt vom Rio Indio im Tiefland der Rio San Juan -Region; B. insularis kommt an den prämontanen Hängen des Maderas-Vulkans auf der Insel Ometepe vor. Die Verwandtschaftsbeziehungen der beiden neuen Arten zu den anderen Arten dieser Gattung sind unklar, sie unterscheiden sich jedoch in der Farbgebung. Bolitoglossa indio ähnelt am stärksten B. mexicana und B. odonelli, von denen sich die neue Art durch ihre verschwommenen breiten dorsolateralen braunen Streifen abgrenzen lässt. Bolitoglossa insularis zeigt die größte Ähnlichkeit zu B. mombachoensis und B. striatula, weist aber keine klaren hellen oder dunklen Streifen an Bauch und Rücken auf. • Eine neue Art der Froschgattung Craugastor vom Río San Juan in Süd-Nicaragua wird beschrieben. Craugastor chingopetaca wird der fitzingeri-Gruppe zugeordnet, unterscheidet sich von den meisten anderen Arten dieser Gruppe durch das Fehlen eines blassen Kehlstreifens. Innerhalb der fitzingeri-Gruppe ähnelt die neue Art am stärksten C. crassidigitus und C. talamancae. Eine Abgrenzung ist anhand mehrerer morphologischer Merkmale wie stärker ausgebildete Schwimmhäute, eingekerbte Fingerscheiben und die relative Zehenlänge möglich. • Erste Belegexemplare für Nicaragua von die Arten Cochranella spinosa, Kinosternon angustipons, Mesaspis moreletii, Cnemidophorus lemniscatus and Adelphicos quadrivirgatum wurden gesammelt. Beschreibung, Abbildungen und kurze ökologische Angaben werden für die fünf neuen Landesnachweise vorgelegt. Zoogeographie Basierend auf dem Konzept der Waldkategorien von HOLDRIDGE (1967) kann man in Nicaragua neun Waldtypen unterscheiden. Betrachtet man die Einteilung der terrestrischen Herpetofauna, so stellt man fest, dass 131 Arten (55,0%) im Lowland Wet Forest vorkommen, 21 dieser Arten (8,8%) kommen dabei nur in diesem Waldtyp vor; 168 Arten (70,6%) kommen im Lowland Moist Forest vor, 15 Arten (6,3%) kommen nur hier vor; 84 Arten (35,3%) kommen im Lowland Dry Forest vor, vier Arten (1,7%) sind auf diesen Lebensraum beschränkt; 47 Arten (19,7%) kommen im Lowland Arid Forest vor, wobei keine Art ausschliesslich hier vorkommt; 59 Arten (24,8%) kommen im Premontane Wet Forest vor, wobei drei (1,3%) Arten nur hier vorkommen; 116 Arten (48,7%) sind im Premontane Moist Forest verbreitet, zehn dieser Arten (4,2%) kommen nur hier vor; 51 Arten (21,4%) kommen im Premontane Dry Forest vor, wobei keine Art ausschliesslich hier vorkommt; 13 Arten (5,5%) sind im Lower Montane Wet Forest verbreitet, wobei zwei Arten (0,8%) nur hier vorkommen; und 50 Arten (21,0%) kommen im Lower Montane Moist Forest vor, mit sieben (2,9%) auf diesen Typ beschränkten Arten. Der „Coefficient of Biogeographic Resemblance“-Algorithmus belegt, dass die isolierten Hochlandgebiete im Nordosten Nicaraguas eine distinkte Zusammensetzung der Herpetofauna aufweisen, charakterisiert durch einen hohen Endemiten-Anteil. Es zeigen sich zwei weitere Cluster, zum ein der pazifische Abhang und zum anderen die zentrale Bergregion und der atlantische Abhang. Das pazifische Tiefland zeichnet sich durch eine relativ homogene Zusammensetzung der Herpetofauna aus. Im Gegensatz dazu haben viele Arten ihre nördliche Verbreitungsgrenze im atlantischen Tiefland, wobei die Areale der meisten dieser Arten im südlichen Nicaragua enden. Die zentralen Berge bilden die südliche Verbreitungsgrenze für einige Hochland-Arten. Generell ist in jeder Waldkategorie der Beitrag der Reptilien zur Diversität der Herpetofauna größer als der der Amphibien, wobei dies in den trockenen Gebieter stärker ausgeprägt ist als in den feuchten Zonen. Gemeinsamkeiten der Artenzusammensetzung der Reptilien finden sich vor allem in Gebieten gleicher Höhe, während Gemeinsamkeiten in der Artenzusammensetzung der Amphibien eher durch Niederschlag bedingt sind. Generell ist die Herpetofauna Nicaraguas von mittelamerikanischen Elementen dominiert, wobei bei den Anuren auch deutliche südamerikanische Einflüsse erkennbar sind, während die Reptilien mehr nördliche Elemente aufweisen Generell ist der Anteil der südamerikanischen Elemente im südöstlichen Nicaragua relativ hoch, nimmt jedoch nach Norden hin ab. Unter Berücksichtigung der Geographie und Geologie Nicaraguas sowie der bekannten mittelamerikanischen Ausbreitungswege, identifiziere ich Arten, die mit großen Wahrscheinlichkeit zukünftig in Nicaragua nachgewiesen werden, sowie Gebiete, die ein größeres Potential für noch unbeschriebene endemische Arten haben. Schutz In Nicaragua unterliegen alle Amphibien- und Reptilienpopulationen anthropogenen Einflüssen. Ich habe für alle Amphibien- und Reptilienarten Nicaraguas den Grad der Bedrohung mit Hilfe der IUCN-Kategorien und der Environmental Vulnerability Scores ermittelt. Sechsundsiebzig (31,9%) der nicaraguanischen Arten von Amphibien und terrestrischen Reptilien sind stark bedroht, 118 (49,6%) sind bedroht, und 44 (18,5%) sind mäßig bedroht. Achtzehn (7,4%) Arten kommen in keinem der Schutzgebiete vor, davon gehören 13 zu den stark bedrohten Arten (drei davon sind endemisch in Nicaragua), vier sind bedroht, und eine Art ist mäßig bedroht. Um den Fortbestand der Amphibien und Reptilien Nicaraguas langfristig zu gewährleisten, sollten alle Arten mindestens in einem Schutzgebiet vorkommen; die Schutzgebiete müssen zudem bewacht werden, und Monitoring-Programme sind notwendig, um eventuelle Veränderungen in den Amphibien- und Reptilienpopulationen wahrzunehmen. Der Schwerpunkt sollte hierbei auf den stark bedrohten Arten liegen
Thermophysical Investigation of Asteroid Surfaces. II. Factors Influencing Grain Size
Erratum published 2022 November 30. DOI 10.3847/PSJ/aca099Asteroid surfaces are subjected to mechanical weathering processes that result in the development and evolution of regolith. Two proposed mechanisms—impact bombardment and thermal fatigue—have been proposed as viable and dominant weathering processes. Previously, we compiled and estimated thermal inertias of several hundred asteroids (mostly in the main belt) for which we determined dependencies on temperature, diameter, and rotation period. In this work, we estimate grain sizes of asteroid regoliths from this large thermal inertia data set using thermal conductivity models. Following our previous work, we perform multivariate linear model fits to the grain size data set and quantify its dependency on diameter and rotation period. We find that the preferred model indicates that asteroid grain sizes are inversely dependent on object size forPeer reviewe
Dynamical evolution and thermal history of asteroids (3200) Phaethon and (155140) 2005 UD
The near-Earth objects (NEOs) (3200) Phaethon and (155140) 2005 UD are thought to share a common origin, with the former exhibiting dust activity at perihelion that is thought to directly supply the Geminid meteor stream. Both of these objects currently have very small perihelion distances (0.140 au and 0.163 au for Phaethon and 2005 UD, respectively), which results in them having perihelion temperatures around 1000 K. A comparison between NEO population models to discovery statistics suggests that low-perihelion objects are destroyed over time by a, possibly temperature-dependent, mechanism that is efficient at heliocentric distances less than 0.3 au. By implication, the current activity from Phaethon is linked to the destruction mechanism of NEOs close to the Sun. We model the past thermal characteristics of Phaethon and 2005 UD using a combination of a thermophysical model (TPM) and orbital integrations of each object. Temperature characteristics such as maximum daily temperature, maximum thermal gradient, and temperature at different depths are extracted from the model, which is run for a predefined set of semi-major axis and eccentricity values. Next, dynamical integrations of orbital clones of Phaethon and 2005 UD are used to estimate the past orbital elements of each object. These dynamical results are then combined with the temperature characteristics to model the past evolution of thermal characteristics such as maximum (and minimum) surface temperature and thermal gradient. The orbital histories of Phaethon and 2005 UD are characterized by cyclic changes in.., resulting in perihelia values periodically shifting between present-day values and 0.3 au. Currently, Phaethon is experiencing relatively large degrees of heating when compared to the recent 20, 000 yr. We find that the subsurface temperatures are too large over this timescale for water ice to be stable, unless actively supplied somehow. The near-surface thermal gradients strongly suggest that thermal fracturing may be very effective at breaking down and ejecting dust particles. Observations by the DESTINY+ flyby mission will provide important constraints on the mechanics of dust-loss from Phaethon and, potentially, reveal signs of activity from 2005 UD. In addition to simulating the recent dynamical evolution of these objects, we use orbital integrations that start from the Main Belt to assess their early dynamical evolution (origin and delivery mechanism). We find that dwarf planet (2) Pallas is unlikely to be the parent body for Phaethon and 2005 UD, and it is more likely that the source is in the inner part of the asteroid belt in the families of, e.g., (329) Svea or (142) Polana.Peer reviewe
Technological and non-technological trends in fashion eco-innovations
Purpose – The fashion industry is diverse and demands a high amount of resources and labor for itsoperation. It has powerful tools that can positively impact the environment and society as a whole. In this sense,it becomes necessary for fashion to adopt sustainable strategies quickly. One way would be the adoption of ecoinnovations by companies in the sector. The objective of this research is to identify the main eco-innovationinitiatives carried out by companies in the fashion sector and to verify what the trend is in the sector in relationto the types of eco-innovation, whether technological or non-technological in nature.Design/methodology/approach – To meet the objective, the sector’s sustainability reports are analyzedbased on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) initiative. The method used to treat the data is content analysis.The authors chose to use the GRI-G4 and GRI-Standards versions of the GRI structure, as they include topicsrelevant to its stakeholders. The analysis based on these criteria considers 18 reports prepared by fourcompanies (Cia Hering, Grupo Malwee, Dudalina and Lojas Renner).Findings – From the data analysis, it was noticed that eco-innovations of technological trends prevail inBrazilian fashion, in the first place, those of process (24.56%), followed by eco-innovations of product (10.53%).The pressure exerted by internal or external stakeholders will be fueled by the current scenario of sustainabledevelopment, positively influencing the adoption of eco-innovation. This characteristic can be attributed to thefashion sector, since technological eco-innovations overlap with non-technological ones in all the years thatmake up the analysis.Research limitations/implications – As limitations of this research, it is worth mentioning the availabilityof GRIs in the fashion sector. Even considering it a step forward, noting that larger companies support theadoption of these reports, it is important to highlight that only four companies make up the available database(Cia Hering, Lojas Renner, Dudalina and Malwee). From the adoption of the dissemination of sustainabilityreports by other organizations, the base could be expanded.Practical implications – From this study, practical questions emerge that can contribute to managers andcompanies in the Brazilian fashion sector. Initially, the focus on eco-innovations is predominantly related to thetechnological component, with an emphasis on process eco-innovations. In this sense, business actions seek toresolve the accusations normally attributed to the sector, such as the adoption of unsustainable practices. Forexample, in cotton production, firms use large amounts of pesticides and water, despite the sector beingaccused of not taking proper responsibility regarding sustainability related issues.Social implications – Investment in eco-innovations indicates a positive attitude and change resulting frompressure and the need to return the market to society’s demands for more sustainable production technologieswith less environmental impact.
Originality/value – The originality of the study lies in the systematization of a GRI analysis model applied tomeasure eco-innovations in fashion. Through the applied methodology, it is possible to emphasize that ecoinnovations of technological trend prevail in the industry, first in processes and then in product development
RESPONSABILIDADE SOCIAL EMPRESARIAL: CLASSIFICAÇÃO DAS INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO SUPERIOR EM REATIVAS OU ESTRATÉGICAS SOB A ÓTICA DA GOVERNANÇA CORPORATIVA
El artículo busca evaluar las estrategias de responsabilidad social empresarial (RSE) observadas en instituciones de enseñanza superior (IES) bajo la óptica de la gobernabilidad corporativa. Para cumplir el objetivo central del artículo, fue construida topología de gobernabilidad, basándose en las recomendaciones del guía de mejores prácticas del Instituto Brasileño de Gobernabilidad Corporativa. Las acciones de RSE de las IES fueron clasificadas como estratégicas o reactivas, de acuerdo con ese modelo. La metodología de investigación es la cualitativa y el análisis de los datos tiene carácter descriptivo. La colecta de datos fue realizada mediante la investigación documental y utilizó como fuente primaria de informaciones los sites de las IES y sus demostraciones financieras. En este artículo se identificó que las IES privadas se posicionan predominantemente en la estrategia de RSE reactiva, o sea, se vuelcan al cumplimiento de las disposiciones legales. Así, se identifican oportunidades de progreso de las IES para prácticas dirigidas a la RSE estratégica, principalmente las vinculadas a la ampliación de la transparencia en su relación con los stakeholders. En consecuencia de la creciente importancia de la gobernabilidad y de la ética en las empresas, el trabajo contribuye para el perfeccionamiento de la gestión de enseñanza superior en aspectos relacionados a la transparencia y gobernabilidad corporativa, además de estimular gestores de IES, mediante sugestiones prácticas, rumbo a una mayor transparencia en ese mercado.O artigo busca avaliar as estratégias de responsabilidade social empresarial (RSE) observadas em instituições de ensino superior (IES) sob a ótica da governança corporativa. Para o cumprimento do objetivo central do artigo, foi construída tipologia de governança, com base nas recomendações do guia de melhores práticas do Instituto Brasileiro de Governança Corporativa. As ações de RSE das IES foram classificadas em estratégicas ou reativas, de acordo com esse modelo. A metodologia de pesquisa é a qualitativa e a análise dos dados tem caráter descritivo. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de pesquisa documental e utilizou como fonte primária de informações os sites das IES e suas demonstrações financeiras. Neste artigo identificou-se que as IES privadas se posicionam predominantemente na estratégia de RSE reativa, ou seja, são voltadas ao cumprimento das disposições legais. Assim, identificam-se oportunidades de progresso das IES para práticas dirigidas à RSE estratégica, principalmente as ligadas à ampliação da transparência em sua relação com os stakeholders. Em decorrência da crescente importância da governança e da ética nas empresas, este trabalho contribui para o aprimoramento da gestão do ensino superior em aspectos ligados à transparência e governança corporativa, além de estimular gestores de IES, por meio de sugestões práticas, a promoverem à maior transparência nesse mercado.This article aims to assess the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies in higher education institutions (HEIs) from the corporate governance perspective. To accomplish the central purpose of the article, a governance typology was built based on Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance’s best practice guide. The CSR actions of the HEIs were classified as strategic or responsive, according to this framework. The research methodology is qualitative and the data analysis is descriptive. Data collection was conducted through desk research and were used as primary information source HEIs’s websites and their financial statements. The article identified that private HEIs are positioned predominantly in reactive CSR strategy, i.e., they are geared to compliance with legal provisions. Thus, we identify progress opportunities for HEI to practices aiming at strategic CSR, mainly related to increasing transparency in their relations with stakeholders. Due to the growing importance of governance and ethics in business, the work contributes to the improvement of higher education management in aspects relating to transparency and corporate governance, encouraging HEIs’s managers, through practical suggestions, towards greater transparency this marke
Brazilianness: a Look at the Multiple Faces of the Brazilian National Identity
Over the past few years, Brazil has been gaining visibility internationally due to its increasing role in the global context. This leads to the interest, from society and academics, to better acknowledge the elements that characterize Brazilian culture. Therefore, the objective of this research is to understand the representations of Brazil's image and the diverse meanings of the Brazilianness concept though different views. Although the discussion about Brazilianness is not new, there are many interpretations about the characteristics that comprise national identity and culture, as well as those that make it unique. This research articulates the theoretical discussion about the theme, exploring what has already been presented by other authors on diverse fields as anthropology, sociology, social sciences, management and other areas. As such, the study was developed as an essay and gathers several visions on the theme, which is its main contribution. This study allows future studies with the use of the Brazilianness concept to managers and academics
Novel selective antagonist radioligands for the pharmacological study of A2B adenosine receptors
The adenosine A2B receptor is the least well characterized of the four adenosine subtypes due to the lack of potent and selective agonists and antagonists. Despite the widespread distribution of A2B receptor mRNA, little information is available with regard to their function. The characterization of A2B receptors, through radioligand binding studies, has been performed, until now, by using low-affinity and non-selective antagonists like 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine ([3H]DPCPX),(4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo-[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)-phenol ([3H]ZM 241385) and 3-(3,4-aminobenzyl)-8-(4-oxyacetate)phenyl-1-propyl-xanthine ([125I]ABOPX). Recently, high-affinity radioligands for A2B receptors, [N-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-[4-(2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-1H-purin-8-yl)-phenoxy]acetamide ([3H]MRS 1754), N-(2-(2-Phenyl-6-[4-(2,2,3,3-tetratritrio-3-phenylpropyl)-piperazine-1-carbonyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ylamino)-ethyl)-acetamide ([3H]OSIP339391) and N-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-2-[5-(1,3-dipropyl-2,6-dioxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yloxy]-acetamide] ([3H]MRE 2029F20), have been introduced. This minireview offers an overview of these recently developed radioligands and the most important applications of drugs towards A2B receptors
Adenosine and lymphocyte regulation
Adenosine is a potent extracellular messenger that is produced in high concentrations under metabolically unfavourable conditions. Tissue hypoxia, consequent to a compromised cellular energy status, is followed by the enhanced breakdown of ATP leading to the release of adenosine. Through the interaction with A2 and A3 membrane receptors, adenosine is devoted to the restoration of tissue homeostasis, acting as a retaliatory metabolite. Several aspects of the immune response have to be taken into consideration and even though in general it is very important to dampen inflammation, in some circumstances, such as the case of cancer, it is also necessary to increase the activity of immune cells against pathogens. Therefore, adenosine receptors that are defined as ‘sensors–of metabolic changes in the local tissue environment may be very important targets for modulation of immune responses and drugs devoted to regulating the adenosinergic system are promising in different clinical situations
Bi-allelic variants in SPATA5L1 lead to intellectual disability, spastic-dystonic cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and hearing loss
Spermatogenesis-associated 5 like 1 (SPATA5L1) represents an orphan gene encoding a protein of unknown function. We report 28 bi-allelic variants in SPATA5L1 associated with sensorineural hearing loss in 47 individuals from 28 (26 unrelated) families. In addition, 25/47 affected individuals (53%) presented with microcephaly, developmental delay/intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and/or epilepsy. Modeling indicated damaging effect of variants on the protein, largely via destabilizing effects on protein domains. Brain imaging revealed diminished cerebral volume, thin corpus callosum, and periventricular leukomalacia, and quantitative volumetry demonstrated significantly diminished white matter volumes in several individuals. Immunofluorescent imaging in rat hippocampal neurons revealed localization of Spata5l1 in neuronal and glial cell nuclei and more prominent expression in neurons. In the rodent inner ear, Spata5l1 is expressed in the neurosensory hair cells and inner ear supporting cells. Transcriptomic analysis performed with fibroblasts from affected individuals was able to distinguish affected from controls by principal components. Analysis of differentially expressed genes and networks suggested a role for SPATA5L1 in cell surface adhesion receptor function, intracellular focal adhesions, and DNA replication and mitosis. Collectively, our results indicate that bi-allelic SPATA5L1 variants lead to a human disease characterized by sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) with or without a nonprogressive mixed neurodevelopmental phenotype
Immunological aspects in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) development
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is unique among B cell malignancies in that the malignant clones can be featured either somatically mutated or unmutated IGVH genes. CLL cells that express unmutated immunoglobulin variable domains likely underwent final development prior to their entry into the germinal center, whereas those that express mutated variable domains likely transited through the germinal center and then underwent final development. Regardless, the cellular origin of CLL remains unknown. The aim of this review is to summarize immunological aspects involved in this process and to provide insights about the complex biology and pathogenesis of this disease. We propose a mechanistic hypothesis to explain the origin of B-CLL clones into our current picture of normal B cell development. In particular, we suggest that unmutated CLL arises from normal B cells with self-reactivity for apoptotic bodies that have undergone receptor editing, CD5 expression, and anergic processes in the bone marrow. Similarly, mutated CLL would arise from cells that, while acquiring self-reactivity for autoantigens—including apoptotic bodies—in germinal centers, are also still subject to tolerization mechanisms, including receptor editing and anergy. We believe that CLL is a proliferation of B lymphocytes selected during clonal expansion through multiple encounters with (auto)antigens, despite the fact that they differ in their state of activation and maturation. Autoantigens and microbial pathogens activate BCR signaling and promote tolerogenic mechanisms such as receptor editing/revision, anergy, CD5+ expression, and somatic hypermutation in CLL B cells. The result of these tolerogenic mechanisms is the survival of CLL B cell clones with similar surface markers and homogeneous gene expression signatures. We suggest that both immunophenotypic surface markers and homogenous gene expression might represent the evidence of several attempts to re-educate self-reactive B cells
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