Is It worth assessing geodiversity numerically? A comparative analysis between quantitative and qualitative approaches in Miguel Pereira Municipality, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The interest in the cartographic representation of geodiversity has grown in recent years. However, the application of geodiversity maps in nature conservation and territorial management policies is still under study, especially concerning quantitative methodologies and geodiversity indices. Aiming to contribute to this topic, a set of correlation analyses were performed between quantitative and qualitative maps, as well as correlations between these and sites of geological interest, land-use, and vegetation maps using Miguel Pereira municipality, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a study area. A geodiversity index map (quantitative approach) was used, and a geodiversity map (qualitative approach) was produced based on GIS procedures and tools through a counting technique and the association between landforms and, geology, soils, and hydrology, respectively. The geodiversity map showed a better correlation between geodiversity and the other nature and anthropic elements, while the quantitative assessment, although having a positive correlation with those elements, showed a weak or very weak correlation. The cartographic outputs in geodiversity units (qualitative approach) best supported this correlative analysis highlighting its use in land-use and nature conservation management. In contrast, the geodiversity index map showed complementary information and could be combined with the qualitative approach for more sustained results.The authors are grateful to CPRM (Servico Geologico do Brasil) and DRM-RJ (Departamento de Recursos Minerais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro) for providing data of the study area and to the Department of Geology of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) for providing financial support for the fieldwork

A discussion on the quantification and classification of geodiversity indices based on GIS methodological tests

Quantitative assessment methods are attaining special attention in geodiversity research. Procedures to map geodiversity indices have been proposed by several authors though there is no consensus on how to best apply and replicate them in diverse areas. A contribution to the quantitative mapping of geodiversity using GIS tools of quantification and classification is presented. These procedures were applied in the municipality of Miguel Pereira, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A quantification stage is supported by the multiparts technique, in which the geodiversity elements are considered without pondering their repetition, and by the singleparts technique, where the repetitions are counted. Geodiversity is then mapped and classified according to the MOV (maximum obtained value) that considers the highest score obtained by the sum of the geodiversity sub-indices and to the MPV (maximum possible value) defined by the sum of the maximum scores in each of the geodiversity sub-indices. The maps produced according to the singleparts tools reflect a higher difference between the minimum and maximum scores of geodiversity, and using the MPV more areas are classified with low geodiversity. Fieldwork surveys support the idea that combining the multiparts technique for geodiversity quantification with the MOV to its classification is more appropriate to characterize the geodiversity of the area. Nevertheless, using different methodological approaches may generate significantly different results, what must be taken into account when considering geodiversity as a support tool in land management.This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors are grateful to CPRM (Servico Geologico do Brasil) and DRMRJ (Departamento de Recursos Minerais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro) for providing data of the study area and to the Department of Geology of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) for providing financial support for the fieldwork

Genome-wide analyses reveal a highly conserved Dengue virus envelope peptide which is critical for virus viability and antigenic in humans.

Targeting regions of proteins that show a high degree of structural conservation has been proposed as a method of developing immunotherapies and vaccines that may bypass the wide genetic variability of RNA viruses. Despite several attempts, a vaccine that protects evenly against the four circulating Dengue virus (DV) serotypes remains elusive. To find critical conserved amino acids in dengue viruses, 120 complete genomes of each serotype were selected at random and used to calculate conservation scores for nucleotide and amino acid sequences. The identified peptide sequences were analysed for their structural conservation and localisation using crystallographic data. The longest, surface exposed, highly conserved peptide of Envelope protein was found to correspond to amino acid residues 250 to 270. Mutation of this peptide in DV1 was lethal, since no replication of the mutant virus was detected in human cells. Antibodies against this peptide were detected in DV naturally infected patients indicating its potential antigenicity. Hence, this study has identified a highly conserved, critical peptide in DV that is a target of antibodies in infected humans

The Non-Homologous End Joining Protein PAXX Acts to Restrict HSV-1 Infection.

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) has extensive interactions with the host DNA damage response (DDR) machinery that can be either detrimental or beneficial to the virus. Proteins in the homologous recombination pathway are known to be required for efficient replication of the viral genome, while different members of the classical non-homologous end-joining (c-NHEJ) pathway have opposing effects on HSV-1 infection. Here, we have investigated the role of the recently-discovered c-NHEJ component, PAXX (Paralogue of XRCC4 and XLF), which we found to be excluded from the nucleus during HSV-1 infection. We have established that cells lacking PAXX have an intact innate immune response to HSV-1 but show a defect in viral genome replication efficiency. Counterintuitively, PAXX-/- cells were able to produce greater numbers of infectious virions, indicating that PAXX acts to restrict HSV-1 infection in a manner that is different from other c-NHEJ factors

Methodological Proposal for the Inventory and Assessment of Geomorphosites: An Integrated Approach focused on Territorial Management and Geoconservation

Geoconservation has been growing in importance within the environmental management context. The conservation of geological heritage is being more and more recognised as an essential issue in nature conservation. Inventories of geosites are considered basic steps in geoconservation strategies and constitute a tool to support management considering the sites’ values, use potential and risks of degradation. There are dozens of proposed methods to create inventories and to perform qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the sites and there are still discussions concerning the issues of how to select and evaluate sites and provide management guidelines. Geomorphosites are geosites with geomorphological nature and it is a category that presents some peculiarities highlighted in the literature. This work aimed at proposing a method for inventorying and assessing geomorphosites designed for territorial management focused on the use potential of the sites, divided into scientific, educational and geotouristic uses, the promotion conditions and the risks of degradation. The method was applied to the southeast coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, which has a high geomorphological diversity. The result was the creation of an inventory of geomorphosites in which all sites were described and quantitatively assessed, creating a product that can be easily applied in the management of the sites. The objective of this work was to contribute to the methodological discussions and to strengthen the insertion of geoconservation on territorial management

Population sampling of the golden mussel, Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), based on artificial ceramic substrate

The ceramic substrate (21cm in length, 6cm in width and 1.3cm in depth) was tested for the Limnoperna fortunei population, sampling at two localities in the Jacuí delta (Jacuí Canal (Canal do Jacuí – CJ) and Port Docks (Cais do Porto – PO)) in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The individuals were quantified through the superimposition of a squared (1cm2) and segmented (sI, sII e sIII) sheet on the substrate. Using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitnney, the recruit and adult average densities were compared in each segment, surface (smooth and pipe-shaped) and sampling locality (α = 0.05). In CJ, the extreme and intermediate (adult) segments differed statistically (p < 0.0001), as well as the ceramic substrate surfaces (recruits) (p = 0.04). The recruit and adult densities between the CJ and PO localities also differed between themselves (p < 0.0001). The method was efficient for the invasive population sampling

Novos registros de Omalonyx matheroni (Pontiez & Michaud, 1835) (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Succineidae) para os Estados de São Paulo e Paraná, Brasil

Omalonyx matheroni é um gastrópode sucineídeo que ocorre nas macrófitas aquáticas e vegetações adjacentes de planície de inundação de rios, em lagos e açudes. Registra-se a ocorrência dessa espécie para os municípios de Ibitinga (SP) e Paranaguá (PR), estendendo sua distribuição mais ao sul da América do Sul. Até o presente momento, a espécie tinha sido registrada para Demerara (Guiana), Zanderij e Belwaarde (Suriname), Guiana Francesa, Peru, Limoncocha (Equador), Amazonas, Pará, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro e Minas Gerais (Brasil), além das ilhas de Guadalupe e Trinidade