Multi-species occupancy modeling of natural and anthropogenic habitats by mediterranean amphibians: grim prospects for conservation in irrigated farmland

This study approaches the destruction of temporary ponds in an intensified agricultural landscape and the alternative breeding habitats for the amphibian community. We used several surveys to model the ponds survival since 1991 until 2009. Ponds inside the irrigation perimeter have a significant lower survival probability then those outside. Ponds, agricultural reservoirs, streams, irrigation channels and ditches were sampled for amphibian larvae in four different periods of a breeding season. We used a hierarchical dynamic occupation model that accounts for different detection probabilities to compare the occupation of aquatic habitats during the different periods. Ponds were the habitat with higher specific richness per site followed by streams and reservoirs. Ditches and irrigation channels, usually, only supports one species per site. All habitats, except for ponds, have high incidence of exotic predators (fish and crayfish), that explains, in part, the low specific richness of these sites. There’s no alternative habitat for the disappearing ponds. The conservation of the remaining ponds is essential for conserving the amphibian community. It should seriously be taken into consideration the construction of new clusters of ponds inside of the irrigation perimeter; Resumo: Este estudo aborda a destruição de charcos temporários numa paisagem agrícola em crescente intensificação, bem como possíveis alternativas para habitats de reprodução da comunidade de anfíbios. Cruzámos a informação de vários levantamentos para modelar a sobrevivência dos charcos de 1991 a 2009. Os charcos dentro do perímetro de rega tem a probabilidade de sobrevivência significativamente mais baixa que os charcos fora do perímetro. Foram amostrados as larvas de anfíbios em charcos temporários, charcas de rega, ribeiras, canais de rega e valas de drenagem em quatro períodos distintos de uma época de reprodução. Usámos um modelo hierárquico de ocupação dinâmica, com correcção para a detectabilidade para comparar a ocupação entre os habitats ao longo dos diferentes períodos. Os charcos temporários foram os habitats com maior riqueza específica por local, seguido pelas ribeiras e charcas de rega. Os canais e valas são habitats mais pobres, raramente suportando mais que espécie por local. A elevada incidência de predadores introduzidos (peixe e lagostins) em todos os habitats menos nos charcos pode explicar em parte a diferença de riqueza específica. Esta comunidade de anfíbios não tem uma alternativa viável para os charcos que continuam a desaparecer e a sua conservação passa pela conservação dos charcos que restam. Deverá ser considerado a hipótese da construção de novos complexos de charcos dentro do perímetro de rega

Spatial modelling of temporal dynamics in stream fish communities under anthropogenic change

Biodiversity ResearchAim: Understanding temporal changes in aquatic communities is essential to address the freshwater biodiversity crisis. In particular, it is important to understand the patterns and drivers of spatial variation in local community dynamics, generalizing temporal trends from discrete locations to entire landscapes that are the main focus of management. Here, we present a framework for producing spatially continuous views of community dynamics, focusing on stream fish affected by hydropower development. Location: River Sabor, NE Portugal. Methods: We sampled stream fish at thirty sites between 2012 and 2019. Community trajectory analysis was used to quantify the directionality and velocity of community change, and the geometric resemblance of community trajectories between sites. Geostatistical models for stream networks were used to relate metrics describing community dynamics to environmental variables, while controlling for Euclidean and hydrologic spatial dependencies, and to map spatial variation in community dynamics across the watershed. Results: Trajectories in multivariate space underlined strong temporal dynamics, with local communities deviating and returning to previous states, but without evidence for directional changes. Accordingly, directionality values were low and not consistently affected by environmental variables. The velocity of community change varied markedly across the watershed and it was strongly affected by stream order and elevation, with faster changes observed in lowland streams draining into hydroelectric reservoirs and with a high proportion of exotic species. Pairwise distances between community trajectories were strongly related to hydrologic and environmental distances between sites. Main conclusions: Local stream fish communities were in a loose equilibrium across the watershed, but they fluctuated at a faster rate closer to a hydroelectric reservoir. Integrating community trajectory analysis and geostatistical modelling provides a relatively simple framework to understand how, where and why temporal community dynamics vary across dendritic stream networks and to visualize spatial patterns of community change over time in relation to anthropogenic impactsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A systematic literature review on family business: insights from an Asian context

Purpose – Family firms have been the subject of various scientific studies. This interest derives not only from their unique characteristics in terms of their management but more specifically in terms of their succession in a dimension that does not impact on other companies in the same way. Hence, and as a complex field of research, this study seeks to map out and analyse the intellectual knowledge on research into family firms in Asian contexts. Design/methodology/approach – As regards the statistical and analytical methods, the authors made recourse to the bibliometric, co-citation and cluster analysis techniques. In order to evaluate any potential patterns among the articles, the authors analysed the ways in which the articles are jointly cited. This furthermore applied hierarchical cluster analysis to the totality of the articles subject to co-citation analysis within the scope of grouping the interrelated articles into distinct sets. In order to graphically map the bibliographic co-citation analysis, the authors deployed the network and cluster determination theories. Findings – The results enabled the identification and the classification of various theoretical perspectives on the domain of family firms into four main approaches: (1) family business behaviour; (2) family versus non-family CEOs; (3) business family performance; and (4) business family and people. Originality/value – This study identifies, explores, analyses and summarises the main themes, contributing towards deepening the literature through the means of identifying the priority areas in relation to Asian family businesses able to guarantee international standards of excellence in comparison with their respective competitors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multi-species occupancy modeling reveals methodological and environmental effects on eDNA detection of amphibians in temporary ponds

Aquatic environmental DNA is increasingly used for biodiversity monitoring, such as surveying threatened and invasive species. Mainstreaming these methods in practi- cal applications, however, still requires significant standardization and optimisation, namely regarding DNA capture methods. Here we evaluated how filter type (standard disc filters vs high-capacity capsules), number of sampling sites, volume of water fil- tered and environmental factors affected amphibian detection in Mediterranean tem - porary ponds. The study involved water filtering until clogging at one (capsules) and five (discs) sites from 16 small and shallow ponds, where three urodele and seven anu- ran species were recorded through sweep- netting and adult observations. Detection probabilities were estimated from site occupancy models based on replicate sampling and from an adaptation of time-to-detection models relating detection probability to volume of water filtered. Discs filtered relatively small volumes (15–1250 mL), with detection probabilities of the two abundant species (Pelobates cultripes, Hyla meridi- onalis) increasing rapidly with sample size and water volume, reaching almost per- fect detection (0.95) at four and seven discs, and 420 mL and 1860 mL, respectively. However, reaching high detection probabilities for rare species (Pelodytes atlanticus, Pleurodeles waltl, Triturus pygmaeus) would require larger sampling effort than that used in our study. Despite filtering much larger volumes (600–5300 mL), filtering with capsules at a single site per pond provided lower detection probabilities for abun- dant species than filtering with discs at five sites. Rarer species showed no difference between methods, which may be due to small sample sizes and reduced statistical power for species with few detections. The effect of conductivity on species detect- ability was largely negative, while the influence of water clarity varied across species, and pH had no effects. Overall, our results suggest that eDNA amphibian surveys in Mediterranean temporary ponds need to consider filter clogging, heterogeneous DNA distribution, and highly conductive watersinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Trophic niche changes associated with the eradication of invasive mammals in an insular lizard: an assessment using isotopes

Invasive species are a major threat to island biodiversity, and their eradications have substantially contributed to the conservation of island endemics. However, the consequences of eradications on the trophic ecology of native taxa are largely unexplored. Here, we used the eradication of invasive black rats Rattus rattus and European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus from the Berlenga Island, in the western coast of Portugal, as a whole-ecosystem experiment to investigate the effects of the eradication of invasive mammals on the trophic niche and body dimensions of the island-restricted Berlenga wall lizard Podarcis carbonelli berlengensis over a 2-year period. Our results suggest an expansion of the isotopic niche and an intensification of the sexual dimorphism of the lizard following mammal eradication. Additionally, we found considerable variability in isotopic niche across the island and detected evidence of sex-specific and season-modulated nutritional requirements of this threatened reptile. Our findings support that the eradication of 2 of the planets most problematic invasive vertebrates led to changes in the lizard trophic niche and sexual dimorphism in just 2 years. This suggests that the ecological pressuresfor example, prey availability and habitat structureto which lizards are exposed have substantially changed post-eradication. Our study emphasizes the scientific value of island eradications as experiments to address a wide range of ecological questions and adds to the increasing body of evidence supporting substantial conservation gains associated with these restoration interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Earthquakes in central Italy in 2016: comparison between Norcia and Amatrice

Trabalho apresentado em 16th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering (16ECEE), 18-21 june 2018, Thessaloniki, GreeceIn this paper lessons are extracted from the comparison between the very different consequences that a set of earthquakes had on the neighbouring towns of Amatrice and Norcia during the 2016 central Italy earthquake sequence. The paper initially describes the prevention programs implemented in Amatrice and Norcia starting from the reconstruction after the 1860 Norcia earthquake. The earthquake intensities in Amatrice and Norcia during the 2016 Central Italy events were considering accelerometric recordings of the Italian Strong Motion Network. In the same municipalities, the damage has been assessed through site visits and analysis of the results of the post-earthquake safety assessment performed after the events. It was found that the differences in damage were essentially due to the strengthening of most houses in Norcia done during the previous decades. This is also likely to lead to a much faster recover of the economy and livelihood in Norcia, as Amatrice needs to be entirely rebuilt.N/

TNF-alpha expression, evaluation of collagen, and TUNEL of Matricaria recutita L. extract and triamcinolone on oral ulcer in diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease associated with delayed wound healing of oral ulcers by increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and cellular apoptosis. Objective to evaluate the influence of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) and apoptosis in rats with DM treated with chamomile extract or triamcinolone. Material and Methods Wistar male rats (210.0±4.2 g) were divided into five groups: negative control group (NCG) without diabetes; positive control group (PCG) with DM (alloxan, 45 mg/kg); and groups treated with chamomile extract (normoglycemic= NCG group and diabetic= DCG group) and with triamcinolone (TG). Traumatic ulcers were performed on all animals that received topical triamcinolone, chamomile extract or saline 12/12 hours for ten days. Results On days five and ten the animals were euthanized and the ulcers were analyzed by light microscopy, TUNEL assay, and immunohistochemically (TNF-α). The NCG (p=0.0062), PCG (p=0.0285), NCG (p=0.0041), and DCG (

Does permanent atrial fibrillation modify response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure patients?

Introduction: The benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) documented in heart failure (HF) may be influenced by atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to compare CRT response in patients in AF and in sinus rhythm (SR). Methods: We prospectively studied 101 HF patients treated by CRT. Rates of clinical, echocardiographic and functional response, baseline NYHA class and variation, left ventricular ejection fraction, volumes and mass, atrial volumes, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) duration (CPET dur), peak oxygen consumption (VO2max) and ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2 slope) were compared between AF and SR patients, before and at three and six months after implantation of a CRT device. Results: All patients achieved ≥95% biventricular pacing, and 5.7% underwent atrioventricular junction ablation. Patients were divided into AF (n=35) and SR (n=66) groups; AF patients were older, with larger atrial volumes and lower CPET dur and VO2max before CRT. The percentages of clinical and echocardiographic responders were similar in the two groups, but there were more functional responders in the AF group (71% vs. 39% in SR patients; p=0.012). In SR patients, left atrial volume and left ventricular mass were significantly reduced (p=0.015 and p=0.021, respectively), whereas in AF patients, CPET dur (p=0.003) and VO2max (p=0.001; 0.083 age-adjusted) showed larger increases. Conclusion: Clinical and echocardiographic response rates were similar in SR and AF patients, with a better functional response in AF. Improvement in left ventricular function and volumes occurred in both groups, but left ventricular mass reduction and left atrial reverse remodeling were seen exclusively in SR patients (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02413151; FCT code: PTDC/DES/120249/2010).publishersversionpublishe

Using non-structural mitigation measures to maintain business continuity : A multi-stakeholder engagement strategy

Funding Information: Acknowledgments. This work was carried out in the framework of the KnowRISK project (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements), co-financed by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (Grant agreement ECHO/SUB/2015/718655/PREV28), with partial support from Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) and Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) from Portugal; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (Italy) and the Earthquake Engineering Research Centre (EERC) from University of Iceland. The KnowRISK project gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the following public and private entities for their outstanding contribution of time and expertise, namely CP Comboios de Portugal, CTT Correios de Portugal, EDP - Energias de Portugal, EPAL - Grupo Águas de Portugal, IKEA Portugal, Infraestruturas de Portugal, Jerónimo Martins, Metropolitano de Lisboa, NOS communications and entertainment group, PT-Altice, Siemens, SONAE MC and the collaboration of the Laboratorio di Storia e Comunicazione della Scienza (DOS) of the Ferrara University. The earthquake field missions which took place during the course of KnowRISK, were also helpful and essential to the authors for the study of the causes of non-structural damage. Funding Information: This work was carried out in the framework of the KnowRISK project (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements), co-financed by the European Commission?s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (Grant agreement ECHO/SUB/2015/718655/PREV28), with partial support from Instituto Superior T?cnico (IST) and Laborat?rio Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) from Portugal; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (Italy) and the Earthquake Engineering Research Centre (EERC) from University of Iceland. The KnowRISK project gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the following public and private entities for their outstanding contribution of time and expertise, namely CP Comboios de Portugal, CTT Correios de Portugal, EDP-Energias de Portugal, EPAL-Grupo ?guas de Portugal, IKEA Portugal, Infraestruturas de Portugal, Jer?nimo Martins, Metropolitano de Lisboa, NOS communications and entertainment group, PT-Altice, Siemens, SONAE MC and the collaboration of the Laboratorio di Storia e Comunicazione della Scienza (DOS) of the Ferrara University. The earthquake field missions which took place during the course of KnowRISK, were also helpful and essential to the authors for the study of the causes of non-structural damage. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 the Author(s). All rights reserved.Encouraging property owners and individuals to adopt mitigation measures to improve the resilience of their buildings and equipments to seismic hazard has been a major challenge in many earthquake-prone countries. Few business leaders are aware of the fragility of their supply chains or other critical systems due to earthquake hazard. Bridging the gap between research production and research use is another crucial challenge for the earthquake risk research process. The KnowRISK project outcome is aimed at encouraging the proactive engagement of multi-stakeholders (community at large, schools, business community and local govern-ment groups) undertaking non-structural mitigation measures that will minimize earthquake losses to individuals and communities. Engaging stakeholders, taking into account their needs and inputs to maintain critical and urgent business activities, can contribute to the research findings and ensure that our data collection is thorough and complete. Engagement with stakeholders, during the whole process can lead to improved outcomes and for the development of viable solutions, for business and society, because of stakeholder’s role and influence within the organizations.Peer reviewe