Browsing by Author "Silva, Catarina"
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- Ervilia castanea (Mollusca, Bivalvia) populations adversely affected at CO2 seeps in the North AtlanticPublication . Martins, Marta; Carreiro-Silva, Marina; Martins, Gustavo M.; Barcelos e Ramos, Joana; Viveiros, Fátima; Couto, Ruben P.; Parra, Hugo; Monteiro, João; Gallo, Francesca; Silva, Catarina; Teodosio, MA; Guilini, Katja; Hall-Spencer, Jason M.; Leitão, Francisco; Chicharo, Luis; Range, PedroSites with naturally high CO2 conditions provide unique opportunities to forecast the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems to ocean acidification, by studying the biological responses and potential adaptations to this increased environmental variability. In this study, we investigated the bivalve Ervilia castanea in coastal sandy sediments at reference sites and at volcanic CO2 seeps off the Azores, where the pH of bottom waters ranged from average oceanic levels of 8.2, along gradients, down to 6.81, in carbonated seawater at the seeps. The bivalve population structure changed markedly at the seeps. Large individuals became less abundant as seawater CO2 levels rose and were completely absent from the most acidified sites. In contrast, small bivalves were most abundant at the CO2 seeps. We propose that larvae can settle and initially live in high abundances under elevated CO2 levels, but that high rates of post-settlement dispersal and/or mortality occur. Ervilia castanea were susceptible to elevated CO2 levels and these effects were consistently associated to lower food supplies. This raises concerns about the effects of ocean acidification on the brood stock of this species and other bivalve molluscs of similar life history traits.
- Exploring the potential of wine industry by-products as source of additives to improve the quality of aquafeedPublication . Camara, Jose S.; Lourenco, Silvia; Silva, Catarina; Lopes, André; Andrade, Carlos; Perestrelo, RosaThe recent growing concern driven by consumer interest in the safety and quality of seafood, has boosted the search for healthy and functional aquafeeds. The current study represents the first approach to assess the potential of volatile composition of the wine industry by products (e.g., grape pomace, grape stems, lees), as additives for improving the quality of fish feeds in terms of organoleptic characteristics (e.g., aroma and flavor) and health benefits. Headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) was used to establish the volatile profile of wine industry by-products. A total of 153 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which belong to different chemical families, comprising 36 esters, 31 carbonyl compound, 20 alcohols, 18 terpenoids, 17 acids, 11 furanic compounds, four volatile phenols, two lactones, and 14 miscellaneous, were identified. Esters and terpenoids showed a positive contribution to the aquafeeds aroma with fruity, sweet, green, fresh, and berry notes, whereas some acids (e.g., hexanoic acid) and terpenoids (e.g., limonene) could be used as antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiproliferative agents. Our findings confirmed the potential of wine industry by-products as a rich source of essential compounds to enhance the quality of aquafeeds towards the valorization of winery waste based on the concept of circular economy. Further investigation on the extraction, isolation and purification of VOCs from a natural bio-source will guarantee the safety of the aquafeed and compliance with the requirements of the animal feed industry.
- Literacy: exploring working memory systemsPublication . Silva, Catarina; Faísca, Luís; Ingvar, Martin; Petersson, Karl Magnus; Reis, AlexandraPrevious research showed an important association between reading and writing skills (literacy) and the phonological loop. However, the effects of literacy on other working memory components remain unclear. In this study, we investigated performance of illiterate subjects and their matched literate controls on verbal and nonverbal working memory tasks. Results revealed that the phonological loop is significantly influenced by literacy, while the visuospatial sketchpad appears to be less affected or not at all. Results also suggest that the central executive might be influenced by literacy, possibly as an expression of cognitive reserve.