Photosynthetic response to a winter heatwave in leading and trailing edge populations of the intertidal red alga Corallina offi-cinalis(Rhodophyta)

Marine heatwaves(MHWs)caused by anthropogenic climate change are becoming a key driver of change at the ecosystem level.Thermal conditions experienced by marine organisms across their distribution,particularly towards the equator,are likely to approach their physiological limits,resulting in extensive mortality and subsequent changes at the population level.Populations at the margins of their species’distribution are thought to be more sensitive to climate-induced environmental pressures than central populations,but our understanding of variability in fitness-related physiological traits in trailing versus leading-edge populations is limited.In a laboratory simulation study,we tested whether two leading(Iceland)and two trailing(Spain)peripheral populations of the intertidal macroalga Corallina officinalis display different levels of maximum potential quantum efficiency(Fv/Fm)resilience to current and future winter MHWs scenarios.Our study revealed that ongoing and future local winter MHWs will not negatively affect leading-edge populations of C.officinalis,which exhibited stable photosynthetic efficiency throughout the study.Trailing edge populations showed a positive though non-significant trend in photosynthetic efficiency throughout winter MHWs exposure.Poleward and equatorward populations did not produce significantly different results,with winter MHWs having no negative affect on Fv/Fm of either population.Additionally,we found no long-term regional or population-level influence of a winter MHWs on this species’photosynthetic efficiency.Thus,we found no statistically significant difference in thermal stress responses between leading and trailing populations.Nonetheless,C.officinalis showed a trend towards higher stress responses in southern than northern populations.Because responses rest on a variety of local population traits,they are difficult to predict based solely on thermal pressures.

Rigidity Symmetry Line for Thermodynamic Fluid Equations-of-State

We report progress towards a modern scientific description of thermodynamic properties of fluids following the discovery (in 2012) of a coexisting critical density hiatus and a supercritical mesophase defined by percolation transitions. The state functions density ρ(p,T), and Gibbs energy G(p,T), of fluids, e.g. CO2, H2O and argon exhibit a symmetry characterised by the rigidity, ω = (dp/dρ)T, between gaseous and liquid states along any isotherm from critical (Tc) to Boyle (TB) temperatures, on either side of the supercritical mesophase. Here, using experimental data for fluid argon, we investigate the low-density cluster physics description of an ideal dilute gas that obeys Dalton’s partial pressure law. Cluster expansions in powers of density relate to a supercritical liquid-phase rigidity symmetry (RS) line (ω = ρrs(T) = RT) to gas phase virial coefficients. We show that it is continuous in all derivatives, linear within stable fluid phase, and relates analytically to the Boyle-work line (BW) (w = (p/ρ)T = RT), and to percolation lines of gas (PB) and liquid (PA) phases by: ρBW(T) = 2ρPA(T) = 3ρPB(T) = 3ρRS(T)/2 for T TB. These simple relationships arise, because the higher virial coefficients (bn, n ≥ 4) cancel due to clustering equilibria, or become negligible at all temperatures (0 T TB) within the gas phase. The Boyle-work line (p/ρBW)T is related exactly at lower densities as T → TB, and accurately for liquid densities, by ρBW(T) = −(b2/b3)T. The RS line, ω(T) = RT, defines a new liquid-density ground-state physical constant (ρRS(0) = (2/3)ρBW(0) for argon). Given the gas-liquid rigidity symmetry, the entire thermodynamic state functions below TB are obtainable from b2(T). A BW-line ground-state crystal density ρBW(0) can be defined by the pair potential minimum. The Ar2 pair potential, ∅ij(rij) determines b2(T) analytically for all T. This report, therefore, advances the salient objective of liquid-state theory: an argon p(ρ,T) Equation-of-state is obtained from ∅ij(rij) for all fluid states, without any adjustable parameters.

Dynamic connectedness and network in the high moments of cryptocurrency,stock,and commodity markets

This study examines the connectedness in high-order moments between cryptocurrency,major stock(U.S.,U.K.,Eurozone,and Japan),and commodity(gold and oil)markets.Using intraday data from 2020 to 2022 and the time and frequency connectedness models of Diebold and Yilmaz(Int J Forecast 28(1):57–66,2012)and Barunik and Křehlik(J Financ Econom 16(2):271–296,2018),we investigate spillovers among the markets in realized volatility,the jump component of realized volatility,realized skewness,and realized kurtosis.These higher-order moments allow us to identify the unique characteristics of financial returns,such as asymmetry and fat tails,thereby capturing various market risks such as downside risk and tail risk.Our results show that the cryptocurrency,stock,and commodity markets are highly connected in terms of volatility and in the jump component of volatility,while their connectedness in skewness and kurtosis is smaller.Moreover,jump and volatility connectedness are more persistent than that of skewness and kurtosis connectedness.Our rolling-window analysis of the connectedness models shows that connectedness varies over time across all moments,and tends to increase during periods of high uncertainty.Finally,we show the potential of gold and oil as hedging and safe-haven investments for other markets given that they are the least connected to other markets across all moments and investment horizons.Our findings provide useful information for designing effective portfolio management and cryptocurrency regulations.

Making bridges between preclinical and clinical insights into age-related cognitive decline

With people living longer,the societal impact of age-related cognitive decline is becoming more pronounced(Crimmins,2015).Thus,it is increasingly important to comprehend the cognitive shifts linked to aging-whether they are physiological or pathological.

Definition of the Portuguese frameworks with international relevance as an input for the European geological heritage characterisation

This work constitutes the first contribution for the systematisation of geological heritage knowledge in Portugal, following the international recommendations for the characterisation of geological heritage （IUGS, ProGEO）. The application of the ProGEO methodology has resulted in the creation of fourteen frameworks with international relevance, established by consensus among the Portuguese geological community. The description of each category in this paper is not exhaustive and only the most relevant scientific settings are presented. The following are the three key outcomes of this work： i） At a national level, the most important geosites are identified, indicating where geoconservation efforts should be prioritised based on scientific justification; ii） At a regional level, conditions have been developed to foster dialogue with Spanish colleagues in order to create Iberian frameworks; iii） At an international level, it is now possible to integrate Portuguese geosites into the global inventories promoted by IUGS, UNESCO, and ProGEO.

Recent perspectives into biochemistry of decavanadate

The number of papers about decavanadate has doubled in the past decade. In the present review, new insights into decavanadate biochemistry, cell biology, and antidiabetic and antitumor activities are described. Decameric vanadate species (V10) clearly differs from monomeric vanadate (V1), and affects differently calcium pumps, and structure and function of myosin and actin. Only decavanadate inhibits calcium accumulation by calcium pump ATPase, and strongly inhibits actomyosin ATPase activity (IC50 = 1.4 μmol/L, V10), whereas no such ef- fects are detected with V1 up to 150 μmol/L; prevents actin polymerization (IC50 of 68 μmol/L, whereas no effects detected with up to 2 mmol/L V1); and interacts with actin in a way that induces cysteine oxidation and vanadate reduction to vanadyl. Moreover, in vivo decavanadate toxicity studies have revealed that acute exposure to polyoxovanadate induces different changes in antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress parameters, in comparison with vanadate. In vitro studies have clearly demonstrated that mitochondrial oxygen consumption is strongly affected by decavanadate (IC50, 0.1 μmol/L); perhaps the most relevant biological effect. Finally, decavanadate (100 μmol/L) increases rat adipocyte glucose accumulation more potently than several vanadium complexes. Preliminary studies sug- gest that decavanadate does not have similar effects in human adipocytes. Although decavanadate can be a useful biochemical tool, further studies must be carried out before it can be conf irmed that decavanadate and its complexes can be used as anticancer or antidiabetic agents.

Nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and forkhead box O3a in colon cancer:Dangerous liaison

The WNT/-catenin and phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K/AKT) signaling cascades both have been implicated in the formation and progression of colorectal cancer.Oncogenic PI3K/AKT signaling suppresses the activity of forkhead box O3a(FOXO3a) transcription factor through phosphorylation leading to its nuclear exclusion.Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling by PI3K or AKT inhibitors results in the translocation of FOXO3a to the nucleus,and is considered to be a promising therapeutic strategy for many cancers including colon cancer.Now,however,a new study in Nature Medicine has revealed a nuclear interaction of-catenin with FOXO3a as a promoter of metastatic progression in colon cancer.The work has important implications for the treatment of colon cancers,suggests a companion biomarker strategy to enable a personalized medicine approach,and offers an alternative therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance to PI3K and AKT inhibitors.

Unlocking the in vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of halophyte plants from the southern Portugal

Objective:To evaluate the in vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi（T.cruzi） activity of organic extracts prepared from halophyte species collected in the southern coast of Portugal（Algarve）,and chemically characterize the most active samples.Methods:Acetone,dichloromethane and methanol extracts were prepared from 31 halophyte species and tested in vitro against trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of the Tulahuen strain of T.cruzi.The most active extract was fractionated by preparative HPLC-DAD,affording 11 fractions.The most selective fraction was fully characterized by 1H-NMR.Results:From 94 samples tested,one was active,namely the root dichloromethane extract of Juncus acutus(IC50 < 20 μg/mL).This extract was fractionated by HPLC,affording 11 fractions,one of them containing only a pure compound（juncunol）,and tested for anti-parasitic activity.Fraction 8(IC50 = 4.1 μg/mL) was the most active,and was further characterized by 1H-NMR.The major compounds were phenanthrenes,9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes and benzocoumarins.Conclusion:Our results suggest that the compounds identified in fraction 8 are likely responsible for the observed anti parasitic activity.Further research is in progress aiming to isolate and identify the specific active molecules.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first report on the in vitro anti T.cruzi activity of halophyte species.

Assessment of Stress Cognitive Control and Executive Function with Stress Control Rating Scale (ECOSTRESS) and Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA) (In Portuguese People in Situations of Unemployment and Economic Insufficiency)

This article reviews the constructs of stress, appraisal, coping, according to a transactional perspective, and executive function, and presents a stress control rating scale (ECOSTRESS), which design is founded in these constructs. This psychometric tool is useful in the assessment of cognitive control of stress, correlated with the function of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. It has been validated for its use in the assessment of Portuguese people in situations of stress related to unemployment and economic insufficiency. Also, within the context of the cognitive control of stress, it is highlighted the usefulness of low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA).

The paranthurid isopod crustacean Paranthura nigropunctata (Lucas, 1846)： first record from the Atlantic coast of Morocco

The littoral paranthurid isopod crustacean Paranthura nigropunctata （Lucas, 1846） is recorded for the first time from the littoral of El Jadida located on the Atlantic northwest coast of Morocco. Specimens were obtained from the invasive brown seaweed Sargassum muticum and the natives Bifurcaria bifurcata and Cystoseira tamariscifolia in January 2015. This new record further confirms a significant southward distribution of P. nigropunctata and contributes to the knowledge of the biogeography of this isopod. Heretofore, the species was only known from the western and eastern Mediterranean and some Atlantic coasts. The present finding is the first of the species from Moroccan Atlantic shores, and suggests that the species may also be present in other coastal localities from Morocco and Africa. Some data on morphology, ecology and spatial distribution of the species are provided.

Re-evaluation of Rostraria bierii Tokioka,1970(Annelida)from Seto,Japan as a magelonid,with a review of the Magelonidae of the western Pacific

The identity of Rostraria bierii,originally described as a larval amphinomid from Cape Setozaki,Pacific coast of Japan,is investigated.Based on the original description and illustrations,reinterpretations conclude the“larva”to represent a partial juvenile or adult magelonid specimen,broken after the first chaetiger.The original figures are compared with several known magelonid species to justify the new placement.The authors suggest the supposed amphinomid larva is a Magelonidae taxon inquirendum.The identity of the species is discussed in line with the current knowledge of the Magelonidae in the western Pacific and a key to all known species within the region is provided to aid identifications.Current gaps in our taxonomic knowledge of the Magelonidae of the western Pacific are highlighted and discussed.

Gibbs Density Surface of Water and Steam: 2nd Debate on the Absence of Van Der Waals’ “Critical Point”

A revised phase diagram for water shows three distinct fluid phases. There is no continuity of liquid and gas, and no “critical point” on Gibbs’ density surface as hypothesized by van der Waals. A supercritical colloidal mesophase bounded by percolation transition loci separates supercritical liquid water and gas-phase steam. The water phase is bounded by a percolation transition (PA) of available volume, whereas steam is bounded by the loci of a percolation transition (PB) at a density whereupon a bonded molecular cluster suddenly percolates large distances. At the respective percolation densities, there is no barrier to nucleation of water to steam (PA) or steam to water (PB). Below the critical temperature, the percolation loci become the metastable spinodals in the two-phase coexistence region. A critical divide is defined by the interception of PA and PB the p-T plane. Critical parameters are obtainable from slopes and intercepts of pressure-density supercritical isotherms within the mesophase. The supercritical mesophase is a fourth equilibrium state besides ice, water and steam. A thermodynamic state function rigidity (dp/dρ)T defines a distinction between liquid and gas, and shows a remarkable symmetry due to an equivalence in number density fluctuations, arising from available volume and molecular clusters, in liquid and gas respectively. Following an earlier debate in these pages [“Fluid phases of argon: A debate on the absence of van der Waals’ critical point” Natural Science 5 (2) 194-206 (2013)], we here report further debate on a science of criticality applied to water and steam (APPENDIX 1).

In vitro antimicrobial and synergistic effect of essential oil from the red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum (C. Agardh) Montagne with conventional antibiotics

Objective:To study the chemical profile,antimicrobial properties,and synergistic effect with known antibiotics of essential oil extracted from the marine red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum(C.Agardh)Montagne,collected in Morocco.Methods:The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.The oil was evaluated for antibacterial(Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli,Bacillus subtilis,Micrococcus luteus,Staphylococcus aureus,and Klebsiella pneumoniae),and antifungal activity(Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida krusei,and Candida parapsilosis),by the disc diffusion method.The minimum inhibitory and minimum microbicidal concentrations of the oil were determined,as well as the synergistic effects of its application combined with the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and fluconazole,by the checkerboard method.Results:Thirty molecules were identified in the essential oil,comprising 96.27%of the total oil composition.Monoterpenes such as carvacrol(36.06%)were the most abundant compounds,followed by caryophyllene(14.67%),endo-borneol(9.04%),pyroterebic acid(3.23%)and caryophyllene oxide(3.13%).The oil exhibited a moderate antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 9.0 to 15.0 mm.The minimum inhibitory concentration values varied between 0.9 and 14.7 mg/mL,and Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were the more sensitive bacteria with 0.9 and 1.9 mg/mL,respectively.The minimum microbicidal concentration values ranged from 0.4 to 14.7 mg/mL.A significant synergic action was observed when the oil was applied in combination with ciprofloxacin and fluconazole,with fractional inhibitory concentration index values ranging from 0.31 to 0.50.Synergy was found in 80%of the combinations and a 2 to 16-fold reduction of antibiotics MIC was observed.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the essential oil of Centroceras clavulatum should be further appraised for its potential use in the management of multi-drug resistant microorganisms,with the purpose to restore the activity of standard antimicrobial drugs.

Nature of the Supercritical Mesophase

It has been reported that at temperatures above the critical there is no “continuity of liquid and gas”, as originally hypothesized by van der Waals [1]. Rather, both gas and liquid phases, with characteristic properties as such, extend to supercritical temperatures [2]-[4]. Each phase is bounded by the locus of a percolation transition, i.e. a higher-order thermodynamic phase change associated with percolation of gas clusters in a large void, or liquid interstitial vacancies in a large cluster. Between these two-phase bounds, it is reported there exists a mesophase that resembles an otherwise homogeneous dispersion of gas micro-bubbles in liquid (foam) and a dispersion of liquid micro-droplets in gas (mist). Such a colloidal-like state of a pure one-component fluid represents a hitherto unchartered equilibrium state of matter besides pure solid, liquid or gas. Here we provide compelling evidence, from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, for the existence of this supercritical mesophase and its colloidal nature. We report preliminary results of computer simulations for a model fluid using a simplistic representation of atoms or molecules, i.e. a hard-core repulsion with an attraction so short that the atoms are referred to as “adhesive spheres”. Molecular clusters, and hence percolation transitions, are unambiguously defined. Graphics of color-coded clusters show colloidal characteristics of the supercritical mesophase. We append this Letter to Natural Science with a debate on the scientific merits of its content courtesy of correspondence with Nature (Appendix).

Assessment of Soil Water Content and Remote Sensing Techniques--Case Study of Kiwi Orchard （Portugal）

Soil water management plays an important role in the response of kiwi plants （Actinidia deliciosa A. Chev.）. In GuimarSes district soil moisture content is monitored in kiwifi＇uit orchard as a routine parameter. Drip irrigation system is the method used. This crop tends to have high water requirements and extends over a wide area in Portugal, requiring innovative solutions to achieve better benefits. A method that correlates soil and crop conditions with the parameters of remote sensing was established in this study. To assess the level of accuracy of soil moisture measurements from satellites, it is important to compare satellite image with ground real data （namely the frequency domain reflectometry （FDR）, Diviner 2000）. The combination of multispectral satellite images produces an image representative of vegetation vigour, density and health. In this study, Landsat satellite images （2011 and 2013） are used and vegetation indexes are calculated for different periods of time, using the software Idrisi Taiga. The information of vegetation indexes is crossed with data of soil moisture, in situ, to establish a correlation between both of them. Thus, it allows to improve the soil water content monitoring, in particular for the soil water balance optimization and its effect on kiwi biornass production.

Pleistocene Birds of Gruta Nova da Columbeira(Bombarral-Portugal):A Paleontological and Paleoenvironmental Aproach

Discovered in 1962,the Columbeira cave has a Mousterian sequence dated between 101 and 35 Ka(U-series)and between 28,900 and 18,000 BP 14C.Excavations recovered abundant lithic implements and provided rich assemblage of vertebrates,including mammals,reptiles,birds and a remain of Homo neanderthalensis.In this work,authors present the taxonomy at the level of genus and species of the bird assemblage and its possible relationship with the paleoenvironments in which they lived.Thirteen species of birds have been identified out of 283 bones.Most of these bones are very fragmented and unsuitable for identification down to species or the genus level.Nevertheless,it is possible to say that the species vary through the sequence and that the assemblage is dominated by Pyrrhocorax,Corvus,Columba Turdus and Alectoris.

Pleistocene Birds of Gruta da Furninha （Peniche-Portugal）： A Paleontological and Paleoenvironmental Aproach

The cave-site of Gruta da Furninha is a coastal karstic cavity. In the late 19th century, excavation of the sedimentary infill of the cave allowed the identification of two lithostratigraphic units： a Holocene one dominated by sands, containing human bones and a Neolithic industry; and a Late Pleistocene one, containing a diverse set of fossils set and Paleolithic artifacts. This study mainly focuses on taphonomic and palaeoenvironmental data concerning the Pleistocene bird bones that were collected from six layers （at 11 m and 6.7 m asl）. A main result of this study was the discovery of a left humerus fragment, with osteological features of the Alcidae family; from comparison with upper arms of distinct species of this family, it was concluded that this fossil belongs to Penguin impennis. The Pleistocene birds of the Furninha cave were also compared with the avifauna that currently occurs in the region of Peniche peninsula and a climate and environmental interpretation of the Pleistocene fossiliferous set is provided.

Implementation on FPGA of Neuro-Genetic PID Controllers Auto-Tuning

The present paper studies the use of genetic algorithm to optimize the tuning of the Proportional, Integral and Derivative (PID) controller. Two control criteria were considered, the integral of the time multiplied by the absolute error (ITAE), and the integral of the time multiplied by the absolute output (ITAY). The time variant plant tested is a first-order plant with time delay. We aim at a real time implementation inside a digital board, so, the previous continuous approach was discretized and tested;the corresponding control algorithm is presented in this paper. The genetic algorithms and the PID controller are executed using the soft processor NIOS II in the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The computational results show the robustness and versatility of this technology.

Stress prevention by modulation of autonomic nervous system (heart rate variability): A preliminary study using transcranial direct current stimulation

Introduction: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, technique for brain stimulation. Anodal stimulation causes neuronal depolarisation and long-term potentiation, while cathodal stimulation causes hyperpolarisation and long-term depression. Stressors are associated with an increase in sympathetic cardiac control, a decrease in parasympathetic control, or both. Associated with these reactions is a frequently reported increase in Low Frequency (LF) Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a decrease in High Frequency (HF) power, and/or an increase in the LF/HF ratio. Objectives and aims: The present work aims to explore the tDCS potential in the modulation of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), through indirect stimulation of Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC). Methods: Two subjects, a 39 year old female and a 49 year old male, gave informed consent. Saline soaked synthetic sponges involving two, thick, metalic (stainless steel) rectangles, with an area of 25 cm2 each have been used as electrodes, connected to Iomed Phoresor II Auto device. It has been delivered a 2 mA current, for 20 minutes, over the left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) (Anode). Spectrum analysis (cStress software) of HRV has been performed before and after tDCS administration. Results: The female/male subject results of LF power, HF power and LF/HF ratio, before tDCS administration, were, respectively: 50.1 nu/60 nu, 46.1 nu/21.7 nu and 1.087/2.771;and, after tDCS administration, respectively: 33.5 nu/52.7 nu, 47.6 nu/ 22.8 nu and 0.704/2.312. Conclusions: tDCS over the left DLPFC (left ACC) increased parasympathetic activity and decreased sympathetic activity, suggesting the importance of tDCS in the management of stress-related disorders.

Mental and Cardiovascular Health of Portuguese Subjects in a Situation of Economic Insufficiency

Economic insufficiency causes stress and negative affects. Poverty is self-perpetuated, also due to a particular pattern of economic behaviors induced by negative affects and stress. Often, loneliness occurs together with economic insufficiency. For this study, it has been selected a sample of convenience. A positive correlation between anxiety/depression and negative affects is presented. Dispositional optimism and social support, factors which contribute to health, serve as buffers, in negative correlation, of the negative impact of negative affects, due to financial restraint, on health. Financial management is negatively correlated with the lack of cardiovascular health, and cardiovascular dysfunction correlates positively with loneliness, in this study. Positive affects correlate positively with resilience skills, which correlate negatively with depression. Within this context, psychobiological therapeutic interventions and psychotherapy, which also target psychological dysfunction related to economic behavior of persons in a situation of poverty, would be beneficial.