Permeation mechanisms of hydrogen peroxide and water through Plasma Membrane Intrinsic Protein aquaporins.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) transport by aquaporins (AQP) is a critical feature for cellular redox signaling. However, the H2O2 permeation mechanism through these channels remains poorly understood. Through functional assays, two Plasma membrane Intrinsic Protein (PIP) AQP from Medicago truncatula, MtPIP2;2 and MtPIP2;3 have been identified as pH-gated channels capable of facilitating the permeation of both water (H2O) and H2O2. Employing a combination of unbiased and enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations, we investigated the key barriers and translocation mechanisms governing H2O2 permeation through these AQP in both open and closed conformational states. Our findings reveal that both H2O and H2O2 encounter their primary permeation barrier within the selectivity filter (SF) region of MtPIP2;3. In addition to the SF barrier, a second energetic barrier at the NPA (asparagine-proline-alanine) region that is more restrictive for the passage of H2O2 than for H2O, was found. This behavior can be attributed to a dissimilar geometric arrangement and hydrogen bonding profile between both molecules in this area. Collectively, these findings suggest mechanistic heterogeneity in H2O and H2O2 permeation through PIPs.

Ballast water transport of alien phytoplankton species to the brazilian amazon coast.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of alien phytoplankton species transported through ballast water of ships that docked on the Amazon coast. Phytoplankton samples were collected from 25 ships between 2012 and 2014, revealing 215 identified species, mostly comprising oceanic planktonic marine species. However, several coastal and freshwater species not yet documented on the Maranhão coast were also observed. The identification of several coastal and freshwater species not yet recorded for Amazonian environments in the ballast water of the Ponta da Madeira Maritime Terminal (TMPM), as well as toxic microalgae genera such as the dinoflagellates Alexandrium and Gymnodinium and of some diatom species from the genus Pseudo-nitzchia, raises concerns regarding the possibility of introducing species. This indicates that ballast water can be responsible for the introduction of alien species in Amazonian aquatic environments, thereby highlighting the TMPM as a critical hotspot in the Amazonian region.

Effectiveness of an Ecological Model-Based Active Transport Education Program on Physical and Mental Health in High School Students (MOV-ES Project): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

The United Nations, through its 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, advocates for the establishment of conducive environments for physical activity, following the ecological model. In line with this initiative, active transportation emerges as an accessible, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to augmenting daily physical activity levels. This study protocol endeavors to assess the impact of an active transportation education program rooted in the ecological model on the physical and mental well-being of high school students. Drawing upon scientific insights, we hypothesize that a 16-week active transportation intervention will lead to a 3% reduction in average body fat percentage and a noteworthy enhancement in executive function (including inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and working memory), physical fitness (comprising cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength), and mental health (encompassing mood disorders and cognitive functioning). If this intervention proves effective, it could offer a viable solution for the school community, especially in reducing congestion within the school environment. The study protocol aims to evaluate the impact of an active transportation educational program based on the ecological model on the physical and mental well-being of high school students. Three high schools located in the urban area of Talca, Chile, will be randomly selected (one public, one privately subsidized, and one private non-subsidized). Each high school will be randomly assigned an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30; without intervention). The experimental groups will receive an active transportation educational intervention during their physical education classes for four months (60 to 90 min sessions, once a week), while the control group will receive no intervention. The primary outcome will provide information on body composition and executive function. Secondary outcomes will include objective physical activity level, physical fitness, mental well-being, academic achievement, health-related quality of life, perception of environmental urban features, physical activity barriers, and adherence to active transportation. It is expected that the results of the MOV-ES Project will transcend the physical health of schoolchildren and will have an impact on the school community, especially by decongesting the school environment.

Sex-specific effect of antenatal Zika virus infection on murine fetal growth, placental nutrient transporters, and nutrient sensor signaling pathways.

Maternal Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy has been associated with severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), placental damage, metabolism disturbances, and newborn neurological abnormalities. Here, we investigated the impact of maternal ZIKV infection on placental nutrient transporters and nutrient-sensitive pathways. Immunocompetent (C57BL/6) mice were injected with Low (103 PFU-ZIKVPE243) or High (5 × 107 PFU-ZIKVPE243) ZIKV titers at gestational day (GD) 12.5, and tissue was collected at GD18.5 (term). Fetal-placental growth was impaired in male fetuses, which exhibited higher placental expression of the ZIKV infective marker, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), but lower levels of phospho-eIF2α. There were no differences in fetal-placental growth in female fetuses, which exhibited no significant alterations in placental ZIKV infective markers. Furthermore, ZIKV promoted increased expression of glucose transporter type 1 (Slc2a1/Glut1) and decreased levels of glucose-6-phosphate in female placentae, with no differences in amino acid transport potential. In contrast, ZIKV did not impact glucose transporters in male placentae but downregulated sodium-coupled neutral amino acid 2 (Snat2) transporter expression. We also observed sex-dependent differences in the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) and O-GlcNAcylation in ZIKV-infected pregnancies, showing that ZIKV can disturb placental nutrient sensing. Our findings highlight molecular alterations in the placenta caused by maternal ZIKV infection, shedding light on nutrient transport, sensing, and availability. Our results also suggest that female and male placentae employ distinct coping mechanisms in response to ZIKV-induced metabolic changes, providing insights into therapeutic approaches for congenital Zika syndrome.

Real driving cycles and emissions for urban freight transport.

This paper aims to evaluate the driving style effects, through the construction of driving cycles, on the polluting gases, in the context of urban freight transportation. For this, the method used was the construction of cycles through the Vehicle Specific Power (VSP) parameter, which considers instantaneous vehicle and road parameters better to represent driving patterns and freight transportation's environmental impacts. The study was conducted in Fortaleza city, Ceará, Brazil, with a professional driver's group. The road types, land use and traffic light location were considered to analyze and discuss the results. The results show collector roads presented higher speeds than arterial roads, and the use of the land around the road also directly impacted vehicle driving patterns. Regarding CO2 emissions, higher concentrations measured were observed on the arterial roads.

Tunnel-Ventilated Sheds with Negative Pressure Reduce Thermal Stress and Improve the Meat Quality of Broilers.

This study aimed to evaluate the thermal performance and meat quality in broilers reared in positive pressure tunnel ventilation (PP) and negative pressure tunnel ventilation (NP) in production houses. 320 Cobb broilers (40 broilers per house) were used. Pectoralis major muscles from 40 broilers (10 broilers per house) were randomly selected and analysed for L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness), pH, drip loss (DL), cooking loss (CL) and shear force (SF). Air temperature and humidity of the transportation and slaughterhouse waiting room were recorded in the last week of rearing. Subsequently, the enthalpy comfort index (ECI) was calculated. Air temperature and ECI were higher (p < 0.05) in positive pressure sheds, whereas relative humidity was higher (p < 0.001) in negative pressure sheds. There was no statistically significant difference between the enthalpy comfort index during transport and lairage (p > 0.005). Meat quality defects (high L*, DL, CL, SF) were found in PP and NP. It was observed that b* was higher in PP, although pH and CL were higher in NP. Differences in pH, b* and CL indicate that broilers from PP had a higher level of heat stress. In conclusion, differences in pH, b*value and cooking loss in breast broilers indicate that birds in PP had a higher level of heat stress. Additional studies investigating pre-slaughter handling methods to minimise injuries and heat stress are recommended in order to improve animal welfare and meat quality.

Omega-3 Attenuates Disrupted Neurotransmission and Partially Protects Metabolic Dysfunction Caused by Obesity in Wistar Rats.

Omega-3 (n3) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid well known for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Obesity is linked to chronic inflammation that disrupts metabolism, the intestine physiology and the central nervous system functioning. This study aims to determine if n3 supplementation can interfere with the effects of obesity on the mitochondrial activity, intestinal barrier, and neurotransmitter levels in the brain of Wistar rats that received cafeteria diet (CAF). We examined adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, plasma, intestine, and the cerebral cortex of four groups: CT (control diet), CTn3 (control diet with n3 supplementation), CAF, and CAFn3 (CAF and n3). Diets were offered for 13 weeks, with n3 supplementation in the final 5 weeks. Adipose tissue Electron Transport Chain complexes I, II, and III showed higher activity in CAF groups, as did complexes III and IV in skeletal muscle. Acetate levels in plasma were reduced in CAF groups, and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was higher in the CAF group but reduced in CAFn3 group. Claudin-5 in the intestine was lower in CAF groups, with no n3 supplementation effect. In the cerebral cortex, dopamine levels were decreased with CAF, which was reversed by n3. DOPAC, a dopamine metabolite, also showed a supplementation effect, and HVA, a diet effect. Serotonin levels increased in the CAF group that received supplementation. Therefore, we demonstrate disturbances in mitochondria, plasma, intestine and brain of rats submitted to CAF and the potential benefit of n3 supplementation in endotoxemia and neurotransmitter levels.

Association between Active Commuting and Lifestyle Parameters with Mental Health Problems in Chilean Children and Adolescent.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association between active commuting (i.e., walking or cycling to school) with lifestyle parameters and mental health in youths. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between mental health problems and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress with lifestyle (i.e., food habits, screen time, physical activity, and sleep quality), active commuting, and gender. METHODS: A total of 511 children and adolescents (boys, n = 249; girls, n = 262) aged 10 to 17 years participated in the study. Lifestyle parameters and mental health were evaluated using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). RESULTS: Girls reported higher levels of anxiety (p = 0.001), depression (p = 0.001), and stress (p = 0.001). Mental health problems showed a positive association with gender (girls, ß = 3.06, p < 0.001) and a negative association with food habits (ß = -0.65, p = 0.019). Anxiety was positively associated with gender (ß = 7.88, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with food habits (ß = -0.23, p = 0.019). Gender (girls) and food habits were also associated with symptoms of depression (ß = 2.29, p < 0.001 and ß = -0.27, p = 0.005, respectively). Finally, active commuting was inversely associated with stress (ß = -1.24, p = 0.008), and stress was positively linked to gender (ß = 2.53, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Active commuting, lifestyle parameters, and gender were associated with mental health in children and adolescents. Moreover, girls reported higher levels of anxiety, symptoms of depression, and stress.

Non-Hermitian linear-response theory for spin diffusion in quantum systems.

Spin transport theory of non-Hermitian quantum systems, where the non-Hermiticity led to a series of exotic phenomena when the system experiences dissipation to an environment is proposed. The goal is a better understanding of the spin diffusion in the one-dimensional non-Hermitian XXZ model which allows the transport coefficients be computed analytically. Moreover, we analyzed the electric transport in the one-dimensional non-Hermitian Hubbard model which is a very important model of electrons strongly correlated, where we have investigated the effect of non-Hermitian parameters like the imaginary hopping on AC and DC conductivities of the system. We analyzed the large U limit of this model, where such non-Hermiticity contributes with a minus sign in the virtual exchange of quasiparticles and the behavior of the ground state energy and low-lying excitations is reversed.

Ion-Fluid Transport-Control Feedback along Nanopore Networks.

Biological signaling correlates with the interrelation between ion and nanofluidic transportation pathways. However, artificial embodies with reconfigurable ion-fluid transport interaction aspects remain largely elusive. Herein, we unveiled an intimate interplay between nanopore-driven advancing flow and ion carriage for the spontaneous imbibition of aqueous solutions at the nanoporous thin film level. Ionic factors dominate transport phenomena processing and integration (ions influence fluid motion, which in turn governs the self-regulated ion traveling). We show an ion-induced translation effect that finely converts a chemical input, the nature of ions, into a related fluidic output: modulation of the extent of imbibition. We further find complex imbibition dynamics induced by the ion type and population. We peculiarly pinpoint a stop-and-go effective transport process with a programmable delay time triggered by selective guest-host interactions. The ion-fluid transport interplay is captured by a simple model that considers the counterbalance between the capillary infiltration and solution concentration, owing to water loss at the nanoporous film-air interface. Our results demonstrate that nanopore networks present fresh scenarios for understanding and controlling autonomous macroscopic liquid locomotion and offer a distinctive working principle for smart ion operation.

Urban Mobility Pattern Detection: Development of a Classification Algorithm Based on Machine Learning and GPS.

This study introduces an innovative algorithm for classifying transportation modes. It categorizes modes such as walking, biking, tram, bus, taxi, and private vehicles based on data collected through sensors embedded in smartphones. The data include date, time, latitude, longitude, altitude, and speed, gathered using a mobile application specifically designed for this project. These data were collected through the smartphone's GPS to enhance the accuracy of the analysis. The stopping times of each transport mode, as well as the distance traveled and average speed, are analyzed to identify patterns and distinctive features. Conducted in Cuenca, Ecuador, the study aims to develop and validate an algorithm to enhance urban planning. It extracts significant features from mobility patterns, including speed, acceleration, and over-acceleration, and applies longitudinal dynamics to train the classification model. The classification algorithm relies on a decision tree model, achieving a high accuracy of 94.6% in validation and 94.9% in testing, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Additionally, the precision metric of 0.8938 signifies the model's ability to make correct positive predictions, with nearly 90% of positive instances correctly identified. Furthermore, the recall metric at 0.83084 highlights the model's capability to identify real positive instances within the dataset, capturing over 80% of positive instances. The calculated F1-score of 0.86117 indicates a harmonious balance between precision and recall, showcasing the models robust and well-rounded performance in classifying transport modes effectively. The study discusses the potential applications of this method in urban planning, transport management, public transport route optimization, and urban traffic monitoring. This research represents a preliminary stage in generating an origin-destination (OD) matrix to better understand how people move within the city.

Spider and Wasp Acylpolyamines: Venom Components and Versatile Pharmacological Leads, Probes, and Insecticidal Agents.

Polyamines (PAs) are polycationic biogenic amines ubiquitously present in all life forms and are involved in molecular signaling and interaction, determining cell fate (e.g., cell proliferation, dif-ferentiation, and apoptosis). The intricate balance in the PAs' levels in the tissues will determine whether beneficial or detrimental effects will affect homeostasis. It's crucial to note that endoge-nous polyamines, like spermine and spermidine, play a pivotal role in our understanding of neu-rological disorders as they interact with membrane receptors and ion channels, modulating neuro-transmission. In spiders and wasps, monoamines (histamine, dopamine, serotonin, tryptamine) and polyamines (spermine, spermidine, acyl polyamines) comprise, with peptides and other sub-stances, the low molecular weight fraction of the venom. Acylpolyamines are venom components exclusively from spiders and a species of solitary wasp, which cause inhibition chiefly of iono-tropic glutamate receptors (AMPA, NMDA, and KA iGluRs) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The first venom acylpolyamines ever discovered (argiopines, Joro and Nephila toxins, and philanthotoxins) have provided templates for the design and synthesis of numerous analogs. Thus far, analogs with high potency exert their effect at nanomolar concentrations, with high se-lectivity toward their ionotropic and ligand receptors. These potent and selective acylpolyamine analogs can serve biomedical purposes and pest control management. The structural modification of acylpolyamine with photolabile and fluorescent groups converted these venom toxins into use-ful molecular probes to discriminate iGluRs and nAchRs in cell populations. In various cases, the linear polyamines, like spermine and spermidine, constituting venom acyl polyamine backbones, have served as cargoes to deliver active molecules via a polyamine uptake system on diseased cells for targeted therapy. In this review, we examined examples of biogenic amines that play an essential role in neural homeostasis and cell signaling, contributing to human health and disease outcomes, which can be present in the venom of arachnids and hymenopterans. With an empha-sis on the spider and wasp venom acylpolyamines, we focused on the origin, structure, derivatiza-tion, and biomedical and biotechnological application of these pharmacologically attractive, chemically modular venom components.

Using the reactive/transport dispersive models to simulate a monolithic anion exchanger: Experimental parameter determination, simultaneous model evaluation, and validation.

Selecting an adequate model to represent the mass transfer mechanisms occurring in a chromatographic process is generally complicated, which is one of the reasons why monolithic chromatography is scarcely simulated. In this study, the chromatographic separation of model proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA), ß-lactoglobulin-A, and ß-lactoglobulin-B on an anion exchange monolith was simulated based on experimental parameter determination, simultaneous model testing, and validation under three statistical criteria: retention time, dispersion accuracies, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Experimental characterization of morphologic, physicochemical, and kinetic parameters was performed through volume balances, pressure drop analysis, breakthrough curve analysis, and batch adsorptions. Free Gibbs energy indicated a spontaneous adsorption process for proteins and counterions. Dimensionless numbers were estimated based on height equivalent to a theoretical plate analysis, finding that pore diffusion controlled ß-lactoglobulin separation, whereas adsorption/desorption kinetics was the dominant mechanism for BSA. The elution profiles were modeled using the transport dispersive model and the reactive dispersive model coupled with steric mass action (SMA) isotherms because these models allowed to consider most of the mass transport mechanisms that have been described. RDM-SMA presented the most accurate simulations at pH 6.0 and at low (250 mM) and high (400 mM) NaCl concentrations. This simulation will be used as reference to forecast the purification of these proteins from bovine whey waste and to extrapolate this methodology to other monolith-based separations using these three statistical criteria that have not been used previously for this purpose.

Impact of the 2022 New Mexico, US wildfires on air quality and health.

The 2022 wildfires in New Mexico, United States, were unparalleled compared to past wildfires in the state in both their scale and intensity, resulting in poor air quality and a catastrophic loss of habitat and livelihood. Among all wildfires in New Mexico in 2022, six wildfires were selected for our study based on the size of the burn area and their proximity to populated areas. These fires accounted for approximately 90 % of the total burn area in New Mexico in 2022. We used a regional chemical transport model and data-fusion technique to quantify the contribution of these six wildfires (April 6 to August 22) on particulate matter (PM2.5: diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) and ozone (O3) concentrations, as well as the associated health impacts from short-term exposure. We estimated that these six wildfires emitted 152 thousand tons of PM2.5 and 287 thousand tons of volatile organic compounds to the atmosphere. We estimated that the average daily wildfire smoke PM2.5 across New Mexico was 0.3 µg/m3, though 1 h maximum exceeded 120 µg/m3 near Santa Fe. Average wildfire smoke maximum daily average 8-h O3 (MDA8-O3) contribution was 0.2 ppb during the study period over New Mexico. However, over the state 1 h maximum smoke O3 exceeded 60 ppb in some locations near Santa Fe. Estimated all-cause excess mortality attributable to short term exposure to wildfire PM2.5 and MDA8-O3 from these six wildfires were 18 (95 % Confidence Interval (CI), 15-21) and 4 (95 % CI: 3-6) deaths. Additionally, we estimate that wildfire PM2.5 was responsible for 171 (95 %: 124-217) excess cases of asthma emergency department visits. Our findings underscore the impact of wildfires on air quality and human health risks, which are anticipated to intensify with global warming, even as local anthropogenic emissions decline.

Enhancing Bovine Embryo Development In Vitro Using Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions as Specific Carriers for Essential Lipids.

Worldwide meat consumption and production have nearly quintupled in the last 60 years. In this context, research and the application of new technologies related to animal reproduction have evolved in an accelerated way. The objective of the present study was to apply nanoemulsions (NEs) as carriers of lipids to feed bovine embryos in culture media and verify their impact on the development of embryos produced in vitro. The NEs were characterized by particle size, polydispersity, size distribution, physical stability, morphology using atomic force microscopy (AFM), surface tension, density, pH, and rheological behavior. The NEs were prepared by the emulsification/evaporation technique. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to optimize the NE fabrication parameters. The three optimized formulations used in the embryo application showed an emulsion stability index (ESI) between 0.046 and 0.086, which reflects high stability. The mean droplet diameter analyzed by laser diffraction was approximately 70-80 nm, suggesting a possible transit across the embryonic zona pellucida with pores of an average 90 nm in diameter. AFM images clearly confirm the morphology of spherical droplets with a mean droplet diameter of less than 100 nm. The optimized formulations added during the higher embryonic genome activation phase in bovine embryos enhanced early embryonic development.

Lipophorin: The Lipid Shuttle.

Insects need to transport lipids through the aqueous medium of the hemolymph to the organs in demand, after they are absorbed by the intestine or mobilized from the lipid-producing organs. Lipophorin is a lipoprotein present in insect hemolymph, and is responsible for this function. A single gene encodes an apolipoprotein that is cleaved to generate apolipophorin I and II. These are the essential protein constituents of lipophorin. In some physiological conditions, a third apolipoprotein of different origin may be present. In most insects, lipophorin transports mainly diacylglycerol and hydrocarbons, in addition to phospholipids. The fat body synthesizes and secretes lipophorin into the hemolymph, and several signals, such as nutritional, endocrine, or external agents, can regulate this process. However, the main characteristic of lipophorin is the fact that it acts as a reusable shuttle, distributing lipids between organs without being endocytosed or degraded in this process. Lipophorin interacts with tissues through specific receptors of the LDL receptor superfamily, although more recent results have shown that other proteins may also be involved. In this chapter, we describe the lipophorin structure in terms of proteins and lipids, in addition to reviewing what is known about lipoprotein synthesis and regulation. In addition, we reviewed the results investigating lipophorin's function in the movement of lipids between organs and the function of lipophorin receptors in this process.

Participación del transporte simplástico de las auxinas durante el desarrollo de las plantas / Symplastic transport participation of auxins during plant development

Resumen: La apropiada organogénesis de las plantas, durante su ciclo de vida, propicia su desarrollo y la adaptación a diferentes condiciones am bientales. Diversas fitohormonas regulan el desarrollo vegetal, pero la auxina denominada ácido indol-3-acético (AIA) es una de las más importantes. El AIA se sintetiza en la parte aérea de la planta y se moviliza a los tejidos demandantes por un transporte rápido que utiliza el floema y por el transporte polar de auxinas (TPA). Recientemente, se ha demostrado que las auxinas también se movilizan mediante el transporte simplástico (TS) a través de los plasmodesmos (PD), cuya apertura o cierre está regulada respectivamente por la degradación o la deposición de la callosa. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue profundizar en los avances sobre la participación del transporte simplástico de las auxinas durante el desarrollo vegetal, así como la degradación o deposición de la callosa, en el cierre o apertura de los PD, para regular el desarrollo de algunos órganos de Arabidopsis thaliana. La intervención de las proteínas PDLP5 es determinante para la deposición de la callosa en los PD, lo que regula la distribución de la auxina e impacta en la formación radicular, especialmente en las raíces laterales. La participación del TS es importante para desarrollar la actividad de las auxinas, lo cual favorece la formación radicular, necesaria en la mejora de absorción de nutrientes de las plantas. Este conocimiento puede ser utilizado para mejorar las plantas de interés agronómico.

Abstract: The appropriate organogenesis of plants during their life cycle promotes their development and adaptation to different environmental conditions. Various phytohormones regulate plant development but auxin, called Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA), is one of the most important. IAA is synthesized in the aerial part of plant and is mobilized to the demanding tissues by a rapid transport using the phloem and by the polar auxin transport (PAT). Recently, it has been shown that auxins also are mobilized by a symplastic transport (ST) through plasmodesmata (PD), which opening or closing is regulated by the callose degradation or deposition respectively. The objective of the present work was to deepen the analysis on the participation of symplastic transport of auxins during plant development, as well in the callose degradation or deposition, in the closing or opening of the PD, that regulates the development of some organs of Arabidopsis thaliana. The intervention of PDLP5 proteins is decisive for the callose deposition in the PD, which regulates the auxin distribution and impacts root formation, especially at the lateral roots. The participation of TS is important to develop the auxin activity, which favors root formation, necessary for the improvement plant nutrient absorption. This knowledge can be used to improve development plants of agronomic interest.

Macrolitter and microplastics along the East Pacific coasts - A homemade problem needing local solutions.

The East Pacific (EP) region, especially the central and southern EP, has been fairly less studied than other world's regions with respect to marine litter pollution. This comprehensive literature review (257 peer-reviewed publications) showed that both macrolitter (mostly plastics) and microplastics tend to accumulate on EP shorelines. Moreover, they were also reported in all the other compartments investigated: sea surface, water column, seafloor and 'others'. Mostly local, land-based sources (e.g., tourism, poor waste management) were identified across the region, especially at continental sites from low and mid latitudes. Some sea-based sources (e.g., fisheries, long-distance drifting) were also identified at high latitudes and on oceanic islands, likely enhanced by the oceanographic dynamics of the EP that affect transport of floating litter. Our results suggest that effective solutions to the problem require local and preventive strategies to significantly reduce the levels of litter along the EP coasts.

Extended states in random dimer gated graphene superlattices.

Ordered and disordered semiconductor superlattices represent structures with completely opposed properties. For instance, ordered superlattices exhibit extended Bloch-like states, while disordered superlattices present localized states. These characteristics lead to higher conductance in ordered superlattices compared to disordered ones. Surprisingly, disordered dimer superlattices, which consist of two types of quantum wells with one type always appearing in pairs, exhibit extended states. The percentage of dissimilar wells does not need to be large to have extended states. Furthermore, the conductance is intermediate between ordered and disordered superlattices. In this work, we explore disordered dimer superlattices in graphene. We calculate the transmission and transport properties using the transfer matrix method and the Landauer-Büttiker formalism, respectively. We identify and discuss the main energy regions where the conductance of random dimer superlattices in graphene is intermediate to that of ordered and disordered superlattices. We also analyze the resonant energies of the double quantum well cavity and the electronic structure of the host gated graphene superlattice (GGSL), finding that the coupling between the resonant energies and the superlattice energy minibands gives rise to the extended states in random dimer GGSLs.

Oxidative responses in small juveniles of Colossoma macropomum anesthetized and sedated with Ocimum gratissimum L. essential oil.

This study evaluated the use of essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum (EOOG) for anesthesia and in transport of Colossoma macropomum. Experiment 1, Test 1, anesthesia induction and recovery times were determined using different EOOG concentrations (0, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300 mg L-1), with two size classes: Juveniles I (0.86 g) and Juveniles II (11.46 g) (independent tests in a completely randomized design). Based on the results of Test 1, in Test 2 Juveniles II were exposed to EOOG concentrations: 0, 20, 100 mg L-1. Tissue samples were collected immediately after induction and 1 h post-recovery, to assess oxidative status variables. Experiment 2, Juveniles I (0.91 g) and Juveniles II (14.76 g) were submitted to transport in water with different concentrations of EOOG (0, 5, 10 mg L-1) (independent tests in a completely randomized design). The effects on oxidative status variables were evaluated. Concentrations between 50 and 200 mg L-1 EOOG can be indicated for Juveniles I, while concentrations between 50 and 100 mg L-1 EOOG for Juveniles II. The concentration of 100 mg L-1 EOOG was able to prevent oxidative damage in the liver. In Experiment 2, the concentrations of 5 and 10 mg L-1 EOOG added to the transport water caused sedation for both studied size classes of juveniles and did not cause oscillations in water quality variables nor any mortality. The concentration of 10 mg L-1 EOOG improved the oxidative status. It can be concluded that EOOG can be used for anesthesia and transport of C. macropomum.