Resource utilization and trophic position of nematodes and harpacticoid copepods in and adjacent to Zostera noltii beds

This study examines the resource use and trophic position of nematodes and harpacticoid copepods at the genus/species level in an estuarine food web in Zostera noltii beds and in adjacent bare sediments using the natural abundance of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. Microphytobenthos and/or epiphytes are among the main resources of most taxa, but seagrass detritus and sediment particulate organic matter contribute as well to meiobenthos nutrition, which are also available in deeper sediment layers and in unvegetated patches close to seagrass beds. A predominant dependence on chemoautotrophic bacteria was demonstrated for the nematode genus Terschellingia and the copepod family Cletodidae. A predatory feeding mode is illustrated for Paracomesoma and other Comesomatidae, which were previously considered first-level consumers (deposit feeders) according to their buccal morphology. The considerable variation found in both resource use and trophic level among nematode genera from the same feeding type, and even among congeneric nematode species, shows that the interpretation of nematode feeding ecology based purely on mouth morphology should be avoided

Graphene setting the stage: tracking DNA hybridization with nanoscale resolution

In this study we use nanophotonic effects of graphene to study DNA hybridization: the z−4 nanoscale distance-dependence of the fluorescence lifetime for fluorophores located in the vicinity of graphene is for the first time used to track a DNA hybridization reaction with nanoscale resolution in real time. First, a nanostaircase with ≈2 nm steps from 0 to a total height of 48 nm is used as a nanoruler to confirm the distance dependence law. We find that the axial sensitivity is suited to determine the nanoscale surface roughness of these samples. The proof-of-concept DNA experiments in aqueous medium involve the hybridization of fluorescently labelled DNA beacons attached to CVD grown graphene with complementary (target) DNA added in solution. We track the conformational changes of the beacons statistically by determining the fluorescence lifetimes of the labelling dye and converting them into nanoscale distances from the graphene. In this way, we are able to monitor the vertical displacement of the label during DNA-beacon unfolding with an axial resolution reaching down to 1 nm. The measured distance increase during the DNA hybridization reaction of about 10 nm matches the length of the target DNA strand. Furthermore, the width of the fluorescence lifetime distributions could be used to estimate the molecular tilt angle of the hybridized ds-DNA configuration. The achieved nanoscale sensitivity opens innovation opportunities in material engineering, genetics, biochemistry and medicine.INL received support for this project from the CCDR-N via the project 'Nanotechnology based functional solutions' (Grant No. NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000019) and from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) via the project 'ON4SupremeSens' PTDC/NAN-OPT/29417/2017. Edite Figueiras received a Marie Curie fellowship via the EU-EC COFUND program 'NanoTRAINforGrowth' (Grant No. 600375). U Minho research was partially supported by the FCT in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013

Exploiting the reciprocal channel for discrete jamming to secure wireless communications against multiple-antenna eavesdropper

The purpose of this paper is to advance the current state of physical layer security through the design and analysis of a discrete jamming scheme that exploits the reciprocal characteristic of the wireless channel with the aim to create equivocation to a passive multiple-antenna eavesdropper. Closed form solutions of the secrecy capacity for different configurations of the jamming component were obtained and successfully compare with the simulation results. Furthermore, the secrecy level provided by the developed scheme is analyzed taking into account the number of bits extracted from the channel. The asymptotic study of the proposed secrecy technique allowed to conclude that in the high-power regime, full secrecy is obtained even considering that the eavesdropper is equipped with an unlimited number of antennas.publishe

Spectral-temporal luminescence properties of Colloidal CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots in relevant polymer matrices for integration in low turn-on voltage AC-driven LEDs

This work employs spectral and spectral-temporal Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy techniques to study the radiative mechanisms in colloidal CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dot (QD) thin films without and with 1% PMMA polymer matrix embedding (QDPMMA). The observed bimodal transient-spectral PL distributions reveal bandgap transitions and radiative recombinations after interdot electron transfer. The PMMA polymer embedding protects the QDs during the plasma-sputtering of inorganic layers electroluminescent (EL) devices, with minimal impact on the charge transfer properties. Further, a novel TiO2-based, all-electron bandgap, AC-driven QLED architecture is fabricated, yielding a surprisingly low turn-on voltage, with PL-identical and narrow-band EL emission. The symmetric TiO2 bilayer architecture is a promising test platform for alternative optical active materials.European Commission, Seventh Framework Programme (600375); European Commission, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (828841); European Regional Development Fund, INTERREG V-A España-Portugal (POCTEP) 2014-2020 (0181_NANOEATERS_1_EP); CCDR-N (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000019); Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (UIDB/04650/2020)

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH SOIL PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS DURING THE FALLOW PERIOD AFTER SUGARBEET AND LEADING INTO TOMATO CULTIVATION

The main objective of this research was the study of the soil nematode community, and in particular plant parasitic nematodes (PPN), from a field located in Portugal’s southern region, used for sugarbeet production. The study was performed from February to July 2003, covering part of the fallow period previous to tomato cultivation, the alternative crop in the rotation. The end of the fallow period in March and the soil preparation period in May were marked by a significant reduction in the numbers of PPN, whereas their numbers increased on the following tomato crop. The genus Helicotylenchus stood out as the most representative group, forming 90% of all PPN counted each month. The genus Heterodera was relatively abundant in the months following the previous sugarbeet crop, and numbers of the genus Meloidogyne increased during the tomato crop. The correlations between these group and environmental parameters show that, apart from the direct influence of the host, pH, organic matter, temperature and soil moisture significantly influenced nematode abundance and community composition

Occurrence of marine litter along abyssal areas of the Gloria Fracture Zone (NE Atlantic).

Marine litter pollution is a recognized form of anthropogenic disturbance that affects widely the marine environment, particularly near the continental margins, although also present at abyssal and bathyal depths. This study reports the occurrence of marine litter distribution and abundance in four abyssal basins along the Gloria fracture zone in the NE Atlantic. Litter items occurrences were analysed using TV-CTD video surveys carried out during the multidisciplinary activities of the R/V Meteor M162 cruise. The surveys reached depths between 3500-4500m and covered 16 km of seafloor, between the Terceira ridge and the Madeira-Tore Rise. Litter items were annotated and categorized by type (i.e., plastic, fishing gear, metal, glass, other unknown items). Results revealed that litter was exclusively found on soft sediment habitats across all areas, i.e. depositional areas, with the overwhelming dominance of plastics items (71%), such as plastic containers, cups and bag fragments. Although less common (6-8%), metal, glass and lost fishing gear were also observed. Litter density was on average 9 times higher in the easternmost area near the Madeira-Tore ridge, when compared to the other areas. Higher litter densities are likely explained due to the proximity to the Madeira-Tore seamount complex targeted by the fishing industry and nearimportant corridors of marine traffic between various Atlantic and Mediterranean locations

Trnsys simulation results of an existing monitored small scale CHCP system and mathematical model adaptations of the air-cooled ammonia chiller and CHP prototypes

This work is a TRNSYS simulation of solar thermal system working together with an existing small sized CHCP (Combinet Heat Cooling and Power) demonstration project, included in the workpackage 5 (simulation) of the PolySMART project. The first objective of this work is to fine tune simulation parameters of the simulation Units (or Types), based on monitoring data collected during the first semester of 2010. The second objective is to further develop the mathematical models of type 107 (Hot Water-Fired Single-Effect Absorption Chiller) and type 120 (HYDROGEMS: Diesel Engine Generator System (DEGS) - Version 1.1). This will tackle the remaining differences between the real and simulated systems. These differences are due to the fact that both the CHP and the Ammonia-Water Air Cooled Chiller are prototypes. The third objective is to simulate the performance of different thermal collectors, some of which are also prototypes, and choose a proper solution for future experiments. The forth objective is to compare local weather data sets, collected on site since 2007, with proven standard data sets. Further work may be developed regarding the fan coils used to carry in/out heat

Monitoring Results of a Small Scale CHCP System

A small scale trigeneration system for combined heat, cold and power production was developed and installed at the Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P. campus in Lisbon, Portugal. This system is one of the twelve experimental trigeneration systems being developed and tested across Europe within the PolySMART project. The CHCP system main constituents are a purpose made CHP prototype with an estimated 27kW maximum heat capacity and 9,6kW maximum electrical capacity and a TDC prototype with 8kW cooling power. The hydraulic scheme is presented and briefly analyzed. The data obtained during the monitoring of the system during heat and cold seasons is presented and analyzed for the global system. Main components behavior is analyzed with regard of their real performance when installed on a CHCP system

Megafauna communities from abyssal sites along the Gloria Fracture Zone (NE Atlantic)

Fracture zones are areas of poorly known abyssal landscapes and benthic faunal communities. During the R/V Meteor M162 cruise several imagery surveys were performed using a TV-CTD guided camera system along four main areas of the Gloria fault system, between the Terceira ridge and the Madeira Tore Rise. Based on these records, we were able to characterize - for the first time - the megafaunal composition, their abundance and diversity along the sub-basin of the Gloria fault at depths between 3500 and 4500m. Quantitative annotations of the observed fauna, as well as evidence of animal traces on the seafloor were explored in relation to topography, substrate type, and geochemical data acquired during surveys. Preliminary observations revealed a total of 121 morphospecies, of which Holothuroidea is the most diverse group, with 12 morphospecies. Deepest transects carried out along the main trace of Gloria Fault system showed the highest similarity among dives, predominantly characterised by soft sediment areas with Elpidiidae holothurians frequently observed. In contrast, the survey carried out at the Terceira ridge showed more diverse communities, which is likely due to a larger variability in substrate and topography. Specifically, soft-sediment sections showed a higher proportion of holothurians, ophiuroids and acorn worms, while unique Anthozoan and Porifera morphospecies were observed in areas with presence of hard substrates. The findings of this study provide unique knowledge of abyssal fauna associated with the Gloria Fault System, including areas inside of national jurisdiction and of relevance for management and conservation actions