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- Identification and validation of microsatellite markers in strawberry tree (Arbutusunedo L.)Publication . Fazenda, Pedro; Pereira, Ricardo; Fonseca, Maria; Carlier, Jorge; Leitão, JoséStrawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.), an evergreen shrub/small tree of the family Ericaceae, is a main constituent of the Mediterranean basin flora; although it is also found in southwestern Prance, Macaronesia, and Ireland. The small fruits are edible but mostly used for preparation of preserves and jams, and for liquors such as the Portuguese traditional "aguardente de medronho". Traditionally cultivated by small farmers, often in consociation with Quercus sp., strawberry tree is presently emerging as a new important fruit crop cultivated in large orchards by modern export-oriented enterprises. This change of paradigm requires a growing role of plant breeding, upstream of the production process. Genomic tools for this species are mostly limited to the chloroplast genome sequence and to genomic data described in this work. In order to identify strawberry tree microsatellite (SSR) loci we performed partial genome next-generation sequencing using the Ion Torrent technology. The sequenced similar to 24.6M nucleotides resulted in the identification of 1185 microsatellite markers mostly constituted by dinucleotide motifs. The relative amount of microsatellite dinucleotide motifs (AG/CT - 71.7%, AC/GT - 20.5%, AT/AT - 2.9%, and CG/CG - 0.3%) is similar to the one observed in other Ericaceae species. Among a tested sample of 40 SSR primer pairs, 20 amplified well-defined PCR products, 12 (30%) were validated as polymorphic. Used in our collaborative project for molecular identification of selected and improved clones, the identified SSR loci constitute a strong tool for a large panoply of applied and fundamental studies of this emerging fruit crop.
- NILM techniques for intelligent home energy management and ambient assisted living: a reviewPublication . Ruano, Antonio; Hernandez, Alvaro; Ureña, Jesus; Ruano, Maria; Garcia, JuanThe ongoing deployment of smart meters and different commercial devices has made electricity disaggregation feasible in buildings and households, based on a single measure of the current and, sometimes, of the voltage. Energy disaggregation is intended to separate the total power consumption into specific appliance loads, which can be achieved by applying Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring (NILM) techniques with a minimum invasion of privacy. NILM techniques are becoming more and more widespread in recent years, as a consequence of the interest companies and consumers have in efficient energy consumption and management. This work presents a detailed review of NILM methods, focusing particularly on recent proposals and their applications, particularly in the areas of Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) and Ambient Assisted Living (AAL), where the ability to determine the on/off status of certain devices can provide key information for making further decisions. As well as complementing previous reviews on the NILM field and providing a discussion of the applications of NILM in HEMS and AAL, this paper provides guidelines for future research in these topics.
- Increased intestinal carbonate precipitate abundance in the sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) in response to ocean acidificationPublication . Gregorio, Silvia; Ruiz-Jarabo, Ignacio; Carvalho, Edison S. M.; Fuentes, JuanMarine fish contribute to the carbon cycle by producing mineralized intestinal precipitates generated as by-products of their osmoregulation. Here we aimed at characterizing the control of epithelial bicarbonate secretion and intestinal precipitate presence in the gilthead sea bream in response to predicted near future increases of environmental CO2. Our results demonstrate that hypercapnia (950 and 1800 μatm CO2) elicits higher intestine epithelial HCO3- secretion ex vivo and a subsequent parallel increase of intestinal precipitate presence in vivo when compared to present values (440 μatm CO2). Intestinal gene expression analysis in response to environmental hypercapnia revealed the up-regulation of transporters involved in the intestinal bicarbonate secretion cascade such as the basolateral sodium bicarbonate co-transporter slc4a4, and the apical anion transporters slc26a3 and slc26a6 of sea bream. In addition, other genes involved in intestinal ion uptake linked to water absorption such as the apical nkcc2 and aquaporin 1b expression, indicating that hypercapnia influences different levels of intestinal physiology. Taken together the current results are consistent with an intestinal physiological response leading to higher bicarbonate secretion in the intestine of the sea bream paralleled by increased luminal carbonate precipitate abundance and the main related transporters in response to ocean acidification.
- Relationship between substrate, physico-chemical parameters and foraminiferal tests in the Doñana National Park, a Biosphere Reserve in SW SpainPublication . Guerra, Liliana; C. Veiga-Pires, C.; González Regalado, María Luz; Abad, Manuel; Toscano, Antonio; Muñoz, Juan Manuel; Ruiz, Francisco; Rodríguez Vidal, Joaquín; Cáceres, Luis Miguel; Izquierdo, Tatiana; Carretero, María Isabel; Pozo, Manuel; Monge, Guadalupe; Tosquella, Josep; Prudencio, María Isabel; Dias, María Isabel; Marques, Rosa; Gómez, Paula; Romero, VerónicaA multidisciplinar analysis of sediments collected in diferent environments of the Doñana National Park (Guadalquivir estuary, SW Spain) provides an overview of the textural, mineralogical and physico-chemical parameters that control the distribution of benthic foraminiferal tests in this Biosphere Reserve. These microorganisms are absent in the fne quartzitic sands that constitute the substrate of temporary ponds with brief hydroperiods located in the dune systems and spits, as well as in other ponds with low conductivities or hypersaline conditions located in the inner marshlands or near the Guadalquivir river banks. Dead benthic foraminifera are mainly found on phyllosilicate-rich, silty-clayey substrates. The taphonomic analysis of the main species (Ammonia tepida, Haynesina germanica, Trochammina infata, Entzia macrescens) points to its deposit in situ. Cluster analysis permits to delimitate six foraminiferal assemblages. Cluster II (A. tepida+H. germanica) is the dominant assemblage in the central ponds and the margins of the main channels, while cluster IV (T. infata+E. macrescens) is restricted to some ponds located on the high marsh and cluster VI (Ammonia beccarii+Quinqueloculina spp.) is abundant on external beaches. Tidal fuxes cause the transport of these last marine benthic species and some plaktonic forms both to the inner areas of the estuary and to these beaches.
- Digital marketing actions that achieve a better attraction and loyalty of users: an analytical studyPublication . Ramos, Celia; Matos, Nelson; López García, Juan José; Lizcano, DavidCurrently, the digital economy contributes decisively to an increase in competitiveness, especially as a digital transformation involves migrating to new technological models where digital marketing is a key part of growth and user loyalty strategies. Internet and Digital Marketing have become important factors in campaigns, which attract and retain Internet users. This study aims to identify the main ways in which users can be gained and retained by using Digital Marketing. The Delphi method with in-depth interviews was the methodology used in this study. The results of the research show the most important actions for achieving user recruitment and loyalty with Digital Marketing from the opinions of consulted experts. The limitations of this study are those related to the number of experts included in the study, and the number of research papers consulted in the literature review. The literature review and the results of this research are used to propose new solid research with a consolidated critical methodology. This research deals with a new approach that will optimize web technologies for the evolution of user trends, and therefore, will be of academic and professional use for marketing managers and web solution developers. The conclusions of the investigation show the key factors, discarding others that do not affect the optimization of conversions in B2C businesses such as the duration of the session and the rebound percentage. Likewise, the results of the research identify the specific actions that must be carried out to attract and retain users in B2C companies that use the Digital Marketing ecosystem on the Internet. The requirements for companies that wish to implement a model to optimize conversions using the current digital economy are also shown.
- Biogeographical patterns of endolithic infestation in an invasive and an indigenous intertidal marine ecosystem engineerPublication . Ndhlovu, Aldwin; McQuaid, Christopher D.; Nicastro, Katy; Marquet, Nathalie; Gektidis, Marcos; Monaco, Cristián J.; Zardi, GerardoBy altering the phenotypic properties of their hosts, endolithic parasites can modulate the engineering processes of marine ecosystem engineers. Here, we assessed the biogeographical patterns of species assemblages, prevalence and impact of endolithic parasitism in two mussel species that act as important ecosystem engineers in the southern African intertidal habitat, Perna perna and Mytilus galloprovincialis. We conducted large-scale surveys across three biogeographic regions along the South African coast: the subtropical east coast, dominated by the indigenous mussel, P. perna, the warm temperate south coast, where this species coexists with the invasive Mediterranean mussel, M. galloprovincialis, and the cool temperate west coast dominated by M. galloprovincialis. Infestation increased with mussel size, and in the case of M. galloprovincialis we found a significantly higher infestation in the cool temperate bioregion than the warm temperate region. For P. perna, the prevalence of infestation was higher on the warm temperate than the subtropical region, though the difference was marginally non-significant. On the south coast, there was no significant difference in infestation prevalence between species. Endolith-induced mortality rates through shell collapse mirrored the patterns for prevalence. For P. perna, endolith species assemblages revealed clear grouping by bioregions. Our findings indicate that biogeography affects cyanobacteria species composition, but differences between biogeographic regions in their effects are driven by environmental conditions.
- Surface-ocean dynamics during eccentricity minima: a comparison between interglacial Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 1 and MIS 11 on the Iberian MarginPublication . Palumbo, Eliana; Voelker, Antje; Flores, Jose Abel; Amore, Ornella F.Understanding interglacial climate variability is a key issue in the scientific community. Here we compared records from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 to those from MIS 1 (Holocene) as they are perceived to be possible analogs. Our study on the Iberian Margin, a key area to investigate surface dynamics in the Atlantic Ocean, incorporates coccolithophore assemblage and alkenone data of core MD03-2699 and their statistical analyses. Evaluating similarities between MIS 11 and MIS 1 depends on the way the two MIS are being aligned, i.e. at the deglaciation or based on the precession signal. During the deglaciation of either MIS 12 or MIS 2, the Iberian Margin was affected by abrupt decreases in SST and in coccolithophores' paleoproductivity caused by the arrival of subpolar surface waters. Just prior to the decline, in both the intervals, the Portugal Current affected the studied site, although a possible difference in upwelling strength is here suggested and related to more intense westerlies during the last glacial than the late MIS 12. Similar surface-ocean dynamics occurred at the onset of both MIS 11 and MIS 1 as indicated by the prevalence of the Iberian Poleward Current and sometimes the Azores Current, although the subtropical waters were more oligotrophic during the MIS 2 deglaciation than the MIS 12 one. Synchronizing our records according to the precession cycles aligns the early-to-mid Holocene with the second, warmer phase of MIS 11c. During both these intervals, the western Iberian Margin was mainly affected by the Iberian Poleward Current that transported more temperate-warm, mesotrophic surface waters during MIS 11c than during the early-to-mid Holocene. During the early to mid-Holocene the Iberian Margin endured incursions of colder surface waters that did not occur during MIS 11c allowing us to hypothesize that the studied site experienced, from a paleoceanographic point of view, a more stable period during MIS 11c than the early Holocene. Finally, spectral analysis suggests the role of full, half and fourth precession components in driving surface-ocean variability during MIS 11 and during the last 24 kyr BP.
- O que é um bom médico?Publication . Ponte, JoséDesde a entrada numa faculdade, formar um especialista em medicina leva normalmente entre 10 e 12 anos, dependendo da especialidade. Seis anos para o curso básico, e entre quatro a seis anos para o internato médico. Sabe-se que é difícil definir objetivamente o que é ‘qualidade’ num médico recém-formado ou num especialista que terminou o seu internato, mas é largamente aceite, infelizmente, que as notas obtidas nos exames reflectem a qualidade. O consenso atual, adotado por instituições reguladoras da educação médica em vários países1–3 define, por ordem de importância, três vertentes fundamentais (outcomes) da educação médica, aplicáveis a qualquer nível da formação: valores e comportamento profissionais, competências clínicas práticas, incluindo comunicação, e conhecimentos teóricos.
- Fine‐scale genetic structure and flowering output of the seagrass Enhalus acoroides undergoing disturbancePublication . Yu, Shuo; Wu, Yunchao; Serrao, Ester A.; Zhang, Jingping; Jiang, Zhijian; Huang, Chi; Cui, Lijun; Thorhaug, Anitra; Huang, XiaopingSeagrass are under great stress in the tropical coast of Asia, where Enhalus acoroides is frequently the dominant species with a large food web. Here, we investigate the question of the fine-scale genetic structure of this ecologically important foundation species, subject to severe anthropogenic disturbance in China. The genetic structure will illuminate potential mechanisms for population dynamics and sustainability, which are critical for preservation of biodiversity and for decision-making in management and restoration. We evaluated the fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) and flowering output of E. acoroides, and indirectly estimated the relative importance of sexual versus asexual reproduction for population persistence using spatial autocorrelation analysis. Results reveal high clonal diversity for this species, as predicted from its high sexual reproduction output. The stronger Sp statistic at the ramet-level compared with genet-level indicates that clonality increases the SGS pattern for E. acoroides. Significant SGS at the genet-level may be explained by the aggregated dispersal of seed/pollen cohorts. The estimated gene dispersal variance suggests that dispersal mediated by sexual reproduction is more important than clonal growth in this study area. The ongoing anthropogenic disturbance will negatively affect the mating pattern and the SGS patterns in the future due to massive death of shoots, and less frequency of sexual reproduction.
- Editorial: active ageing, social inclusion and wellbeing: benefits of learning in later lifePublication . Schmidt-Hertha, Bernhard; Formosa, Marvin; Almeida, António Fragoso deThe education of older adults has been considered the fastest growing branch of adult education in post-industrial countries and one of the most crucial challenges facing current adult European education (Formosa, 2000). Early research on the learning preferences, motivations and trends of older persons – as well as the impact of learning on the quality of life of older learners – can be traced to the 1950s (Havighurst, 1953), even before the field of educational gerontology was formally established in the 1975 by David Peterson (1976). In recent years, an unprecedented level of influence of the concept of lifelong learning on policies on active ageing have led to a ‘renaissance’ moment in the practice and research of older adult learning (Glendenning 1992; Findsen & Formosa, 2016). Whilst at the turn of the millennium, one found only a handful of book publications in the field of older adult learning, and the few published articles were often in specialised and off the radar journals, in a space of less than two decades the situation is markedly different. Nowadays, as societies are experiencing, or anticipating, unprecedented number of older persons, the field of late-life learning is firmly established in both adult education and gerontology graduate programmes, as well as mainstream adult education and gerontology journals. Indeed, the field of older adult learning boasts an exciting and innovative field of practice, led by experts who group themselves under the mantles of adult educators, educational gerontologists, geragogists or gerontagogists (Kern, 2014). Learning in later life has entrenched itself as an integral part of adult education research, focusing on the diverse provision of late-life learning, the motivations and interests of older learners; wide-participation and emancipatory policies for older adult learning; and the benefits of learning for learners, providers, and society in general.
- Swimming abilities of temperate pelagic fish larvae prove that they may control their dispersion in coastal areasPublication . Baptista, Vânia; Morais, Pedro; Cruz, Joana; Castanho, Sara; Ribeiro, L.; Pousão-Ferreira, P.; Leitão, Francisco Miguel de Sousa; Wolanski, E.; Teodosio, Maria AlexandraThe Sense Acuity and Behavioral (SAAB) Hypothesis proposes that the swimming capabilities and sensorial acuity of temperate fish larvae allows them to find and swim towards coastal nursery areas, which are crucial for their recruitment. To gather further evidence to support this theory, it is necessary to understand how horizontal swimming capability varies along fish larvae ontogeny. Therefore, we studied the swimming capability of white seabream Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758) larvae along ontogeny, and their relationship with physiological condition. Thus, critical swimming speed (U-crit) and the distance swam (km) during endurance tests were determined for fish larvae from 15 to 55 days post-hatching (DPH), and their physiological condition (RNA, DNA and protein contents) was assessed. The critical swimming speed of white seabream larvae increased along ontogeny from 1.1 cm s(-1) (15 DPH) to 23 cm s(-1) (50 and 55 DPH), and the distance swam by larvae in the endurance experiments increased from 0.01 km (15 DPH) to 86.5 km (45 DPH). This finding supports one of the premises of the SAAB hypothesis, which proposes that fish larvae can influence their transport and distribution in coastal areas due to their swimming capabilities. The relationship between larvae's physiological condition and swimming capabilities were not evident in this study. Overall, this study provides critical information for understanding the link between population dynamics and connectivity with the management and conservation of fish stocks.
- Relatório setor agricultura: vulnerabilidades atuais e futurasPublication . Santos, Helena; Nunes, João Pedro; Morais, Inês; Dias, LuísO clima é um fator determinante para a agricultura. O crescimento, desenvolvimento e produtividade das plantas depende da disponibilidade de água, da radiação solar e é fortemente influenciada pela temperatura, entre outros fatores. Assim, é de esperar que as alterações climáticas venham a ter consequências muito significativas neste setor. Para Portugal, os cenários de evolução climática até ao final do século XXI apontam para condições progressivamente mais desfavoráveis para as atividades agrícolas e florestais, consequência da redução da precipitação, do aumento da temperatura média, do aumento da frequência e intensidade dos eventos climáticos extremos e do aumento da suscetibilidade à desertificação (EAAFAC, 2013). Os efeitos das alterações nas últimas décadas são já sentidos no Mediterrâneo, e em particular no Algarve, sendo observado entre 1980 e 2010 um aumento de 0,37°C na temperatura média, uma diminuição da amplitude térmica, uma diminuição da precipitação na primavera, entre outros (EAAFAC, 2013). Os efeitos destas alterações traduzem-se ainda numa redução da disponibilidade de água no solo, na redução da fertilidade e no aumento dos fenómenos de erosão do solo (Adams et al., 1998), causando impactos na agricultura e alterações nos ciclos e nas populações de insetos e microrganismos, podendo causar ainda problemas graves de pragas e doenças nas culturas (Lindner et al., 2008). Como consequência destes fatores, estudos desenvolvidos a nível da União Europeia projetam uma redução significativa da produtividade agrícola para a região mediterrânica (Kovats et al., 2014).
- Parques verdes na cidade de Belo Horizonte: atributos e pesos na perspectiva da ambiênciaPublication . Carvalho, Ítalo Brener; Gosling, Marlusa De SevilhaWhen evaluating environments for leisure and sports practices it is commonly established that each attribute would have the same weight in the user's evaluation. But in these assessments the weights of attributes cited by users of urban green parks through the perspective of ambience are not the same. A data collection was carried out from December 2017 to March 2018, through semi-structured interviews with 77 users from 17 parks in the city of Belo Horizonte MG. The analysis of the data was performed through the thematic grouping of the categories and the most frequent attributes reported by the interviewees. The data matrix is part of an ongoing study that aimed to evaluate the quality of green parks from the perspective of the user. Through the methodology of the Constellation of Attributes (software developed in academic scope, of free use, destined to researches and studies of the spaces) this work points out the technique that uses the psychology of the surroundings and in the perceptions that condition reactions to the space that surrounds us. Attributes such as (1) Conservation and Cleanliness; (2) Toilets; (3) Trash and Trash and (4) Drinkers have a greater psychological weight in the perception of users, while attributes such as (1) Contemplation; (2) Disease Risk; (3) Takeoff and Transport have a much lower psychological weight in the evaluation. The results indicate that, according to users, although they recognize and are satisfied with the environment.
- Mobile five senses augmented reality system: technology acceptance studyPublication . Rodrigues, João; Ramos, Celia; Pereira, Joao A. R.; Sardo, Joao D. P.; Cardoso, PedroThe application of the most recent technologies is fundamental to add value to tourism experiences, as well as in other economic sectors. Mobile Five Senses Augmented Reality (M5SAR) system is a mobile guide instrument for cultural, historical, and museum events. In order to realize the proclaimed five senses, the system has two main modules: a (i) mobile application which deals mainly with the senses of sight and hearing, using for that the mobile device camera to recognize and track on-the-fly (museum's) objects and give related information about them; and a (ii) portable device capable of enhancing the augmented reality (AR) experience to the full five senses through the stimulus of touch, taste, and smell, by associating itself to the users' smartphone or tablet. This paper briefly presents the system's architecture but, the main focus is on the analysis of the users' acceptance for this technology, namely the AR (software) application, and its integration with the (hardware) device to achieve the five senses AR. Results show that social influence, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions are the key constructs that drive the users to accept and M5SAR's technology.
- Dissimilarity between living and dead benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the Aveiro Continental Shelf (Portugal)Publication . Alves Martins, Maria Virgínia; Hohenegger, Johann; Frontalini, Fabrizio; Dias, João Manuel Alveirinho; Geraldes, Mauro Cesar; Rocha, FernandoThis study compares living (LA) and dead (DA) benthic foraminiferal assemblages and identifies different factors that possibly cause differences in the distribution of both assemblages in the Aveiro Continental Shelf (Portugal). A total of 44 sediment samples was collected during summers of 1994 and 1995 along transects (east-west direction) and between 10 and 200 m water depth. Complex statistical analyses allow us to compare the abundance and composition of the LAs and DAs in function of depth, grain-size and total organic matter in all studied stations even in those where the numbers of individuals were rare in one or both assemblages. The highest densities and diversities of the LAs are found in the middle continental shelf on gravel deposits (coarse and very coarse sands) mostly due to the substrate stability, reduced deposition of fine sedimentary particles, availability of organic matter with high quality related to oceanic primary productivity likely induced by upwelling events, and oxygenated porewaters conditions. The DAs have, in general, higher densities and diversities than the LAs. In the outer continental shelf, the dissimilarity between both assemblages is higher due to the accumulation of tests, low dilution by sedimentary particles and scarcity of living foraminifera. Based on the comparison of LAs and DAs and considering the characteristics of the study area and the species ecology, it has been possible to understand the cause of temporal deviation between the LAs and DAs of benthic foraminifera. This deviation is much more pronounced in the inner shelf where the energy of the waves and the currents induce very dynamic sedimentary processes preventing the development of large LAs and the preservation of DAs. Some deviation also occurs in the middle shelf due to the seasonal loss of empty tests. The most well-preserved time-averaged DAs were found in the outer continental shelf.
- The theoretical framework and scientific interest for communication competences of teachersPublication . Maritza, Penaranda; Niurka, Selpa; Arturo, FalconThere are a number of various approaches to human development but teachers also have the option of choosing wisely by solving problems from the past in order to get ready for the future, keeping in mind the openness to change. However, here lies the biggest obstacle - the proactive-reactive way of thinking.
- Updates on habitat use and migrations patterns for shortfin mako in the Atlantic using satellite telemetryPublication . Casaca Santos, Catarina; Domingo, Andrés; Carlson, John; Natanson, Lisa; Travassos, Paulo; Macias, David; Cortés, Enric; Miller, Philip; Hazin, Fábio H. V.; Mas, Federico; Ortiz de Urbina, Josetxu; Coelho, RuiThis paper provides an update of the study on habitat use for shortfin mako, developed within the ICCAT Shark Research and Data Collection Program (SRDCP). A total of 43 tags (29 miniPATs and 14 sPATs) have been deployed by observers on Portuguese, Uruguayan, Brazilian, Spanish and US vessels in the temperate NE and NW, Equatorial and SW Atlantic. Data from 41 tags/specimens are available, and a total of 1656 tracking days have been recorded. Results showed shortfin mako moved in multiple directions, travelling considerable distances. Shortfin mako sharks spent most of their time above the thermocline (0-90 m), between 18 and 22 °C. The main plan for the next phase of the project is to continue the tag deployment during 2019 in several regions of the Atlantic.
- The global integrated world ocean assessment: linking observations to science and policy across multiple scalesPublication . Evans, Karen; Chiba, Sanae; Bebianno, Maria João; Garcia-Soto, Carlos; Ojaveer, Henn; Park, Chul; Ruwa, Renison; Simcock, Alan J.; Vu, C. T.; Zielinski, TymonIn 2004, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly approved a Regular Process to report on the environmental, economic and social aspects of the world's ocean. The Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects produced the first global integrated assessment of the marine environment in December 2016 (known as the first World Ocean Assessment). The second assessment, to be delivered in December 2020, will build on the baselines included in the first assessment, with a focus on establishing trends in the marine environment with relevance to global reporting needs such as those associated with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Central to the assessment process and its outputs are two components. First, is the utilization of ocean observation and monitoring outputs and research to temporally assess physical, chemical, biological, social, economic and cultural components of coastal and marine environments to establish their current state, impacts currently affecting coastal and marine environments, responses to those impacts and associated ongoing trends. Second, is the knowledge brokering of ocean observations and associated research to provide key information that can be utilized and applied to address management and policy needs at local, regional and global scales. Through identifying both knowledge gaps and capacity needs, the assessment process also provides direction to policy makers for the future development and deployment of sustained observation systems that are required for enhancing knowledge and supporting national aspirations associated with the sustainable development of coastal and marine ecosystems. Input from the ocean observation community, managers and policy makers is critical for ensuring that the vital information required for supporting the science policy interface objectives of the Regular Process is included in the assessment. This community white paper discusses developments in linking ocean observations and science with policy achieved as part of the assessment process, and those required for providing strategic linkages into the future.
- Euphorbia-derived natural products with potential for use in health maintenancePublication . Salehi, B.; Iriti, M.; Vitalini, S.; Antolak, H.; Pawlikowska, E.; Kręgiel, D.; Sharifi-Rad, J.; Oyeleye, S.; Ademiluyi, A.; Czopek, K.; Staniak, M.; Custódio, Luísa; Coy-Barrera, E.; Segura-Carretero, A.; Cádiz-Gurrea, M.; Capasso, R.; Cho, W.; Seca, A.Euphorbia genus (Euphorbiaceae family), which is the third largest genus of angiosperm plants comprising ca. 2000 recognized species, is used all over the world in traditional medicine, especially in the traditional Chinese medicine. Members of this taxa are promptly recognizable by their specialized inflorescences and latex. In this review, an overview of Euphorbia-derived natural products such as essential oils, extracts, and pure compounds, active in a broad range of biological activities, and with potential usages in health maintenance, is described. The chemical composition of essential oils from Euphorbia species revealed the presence of more than 80 phytochemicals, mainly oxygenated sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons, while Euphorbia extracts contain secondary metabolites such as sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sterols, flavonoids, and other polyphenols. The extracts and secondary metabolites from Euphorbia plants may act as active principles of medicines for the treatment of many human ailments, mainly inflammation, cancer, and microbial infections. Besides, Euphorbia-derived products have great potential as a source of bioactive extracts and pure compounds, which can be used to promote longevity with more health.
- Environmental representativity in marine protected area networks over large and partly unexplored seascapesPublication . Stratoudakis, Yorgos; Hilário, Ana; Ribeiro, Cláudia; Abecasis, David; Gonçalves, Emanuel J.; Andrade, Francisco; Carreira, Gilberto P.; Gonçalves, Jorge Manuel Santos; Freitas, Luis; Pinheiro, Luis Menezes; Batista, Marisa I.; Henriques, Miguel; Oliveira, Paulo B.; Oliveira, Paulo; Afonso, Pedro; Arriegas, Pedro Ivo; Henriques, SofiaConverting assemblages of marine protected areas (MPAs) into functional MPA networks requires political will, multidisciplinary information, coordinated action and time. We developed a new framework to assist planning environmental representativity in a network across the marine space of Portugal, responding to a political commitment to protect 14% of its area by 2020. An aggregate conservation value was estimated for each of the 27 habitats identified, from intertidal waters to the deep sea. This value was based on expert-judgment scoring for environmental properties and features relevant for conservation, chosen to reflect the strategic objectives of the network, thus providing an objective link between conservation commitments and habitat representativity in space. Additionally, habitats' vulnerability to existing anthropogenic pressures and sensitivity to climate change were also scored. The area coverage of each habitat in Portugal and within existing MPAs (regionally and nationally) was assigned to a scale of five orders of magnitude (from < 0.01% to >10%) to assess rarity and existing representation. Aggregate conservation value per habitat was negatively correlated with area coverage, positively correlated with vulnerability and was not correlated with sensitivity. The proposed framework offers a multi-dimensional support tool for MPA network development, in particular regarding the prioritization of new habitats to protect, when the goal is to achieve specific targets while ensuring representativity across large areas and complex habitat mosaics. It requires less information and computation effort in comparison to more quantitative approaches, while still providing an objective instrument to scrutinize progress on the implementation of politically set conservation targets.