bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemotherapeutic efficacies of a clofazimine and diminazene aceturate combination against piroplasm parasites and their AT-rich DNA-binding activity on Babesia bovis
Authors: Tuvshintulga Bumduuren , AbouLaila Mahmoud , Sivakumar Thillaiampalam , Tayebwa Dickson Stuart , Gantuya Sambuu , Naranbaatar Khandsuren , Ishiyama Aki , Iwatsuki Masato , Otoguro Kazuhiko , Ōmura Satoshi , Terkawi Mohamad Alaa , Guswanto Azirwan , Rizk Mohamed Abdo , Yokoyama Naoaki , Igarashi Ikuo
Published: October 2017

Recently, we reported that clofazimine (CF) has an anti-piroplasm activity, but it could not completely eliminate parasites in the host. The currently available anti-piroplasm drug, diminazene aceturate (DA), has sometimes been reported to have toxic side effects. In the present study, we evaluated the combination treatment with CF and DA against piroplasms both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, mRNA level and DNA amounts were analyzed in CF‒ and DA‒treated Babesia bovis by a qPCR. The CF–DA combination had additive effects on Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, and B. caballi and synergistic effects on Theileria equi. The CF–DA combination chemotherapies against B. microti in mice were more potent than their monotherapies. In the CF‒ and DA‒treated B. bovis, CF dose-dependently down-regulated mRNA level and DNA amounts of extranuclear genes (AT-rich featured), whereas DA down-regulated only DNA amounts of extranuclear genes, but those of nuclear genes were slightly down- or up-regulated by CF and DA. In conclusion, the CF–DA combination has a higher efficiency against piroplasms than CF or DA monotherapies. CF and DA might have an AT-rich DNA-binding activity. All results suggest that the CF–DA combination chemotherapy will be a better choice to treat piroplasmosis instead of DA monotherapy.
Mantle hydration along outer-rise faults inferred from serpentinite permeability
Authors: Hatakeyama Kohei , Katayama Ikuo , Hirauchi Ken-ichi , Michibayashi Katsuyoshi
Published: October 2017

Recent geophysical surveys indicate that hydration (serpentinization) of oceanic mantle is related to outer-rise faulting prior to subduction. The serpentinization of oceanic mantle influences the generation of intermediate-depth earthquakes and subduction water flux, thereby promoting arc volcanism. Since the chemical reactions that produce serpentinite are geologically rapid at low temperatures, the flux of water delivery to the reaction front appears to control the lateral extent of serpentinization. In this study, we measured the permeability of low-temperature serpentinites composed of lizardite and chrysotile, and calculated the lateral extent of serpentinization along an outer-rise fault based on Darcy’s law. The experimental results indicate that serpentinization extends to a region several hundred meters wide in the direction normal to the outer-rise fault in the uppermost oceanic mantle. We calculated the global water flux carried by serpentinized oceanic mantle ranging from 1.7 × 1011 to 2.4 × 1012 kg/year, which is comparable or even higher than the water flux of hydrated oceanic crust.
Survival Motor Neuron Protein is Released from Cells in Exosomes: A Potential Biomarker for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Nash Leslie A. , McFall Emily R. , Perozzo Amanda M. , Turner Maddison , Poulin Kathy L. , De Repentigny Yves , Burns Joseph K. , McMillan Hugh J. , Warman Chardon Jodi , Burger Dylan , Kothary Rashmi , Parks Robin J.
Published: October 2017

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by homozygous mutation of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Disease severity inversely correlates to the amount of SMN protein produced from the homologous SMN2 gene. We show that SMN protein is naturally released in exosomes from all cell types examined. Fibroblasts from patients or a mouse model of SMA released exosomes containing reduced levels of SMN protein relative to normal controls. Cells overexpressing SMN protein released exosomes with dramatically elevated levels of SMN protein. We observed enhanced quantities of exosomes in the medium from SMN-depleted cells, and in serum from a mouse model of SMA and a patient with Type 3 SMA, suggesting that SMN-depletion causes a deregulation of exosome release or uptake. The quantity of SMN protein contained in the serum-derived exosomes correlated with the genotype of the animal, with progressively less protein in carrier and affected animals compared to wildtype mice. SMN protein was easily detectable in exosomes isolated from human serum, with a reduction in the amount of SMN protein in exosomes from a patient with Type 3 SMA compared to a normal control. Our results suggest that exosome-derived SMN protein may serve as an effective biomarker for SMA.
Host factors that modify Plasmodium falciparum adhesion to endothelial receptors
Authors: Mahamar Almahamoudou , Attaher Oumar , Swihart Bruce , Barry Amadou , Diarra Bacary S. , Kanoute Moussa B. , Cisse Kadidia B. , Dembele Adama B. , Keita Sekouba , Gamain Benoît , Gaoussou Santara , Issiaka Djibrilla , Dicko Alassane , Duffy Patrick E. , Fried Michal
Published: October 2017

P. falciparum virulence is related to adhesion and sequestration of infected erythrocytes (IE) in deep vascular beds, but the endothelial receptors involved in severe malaria remain unclear. In the largest ever study of clinical isolates, we surveyed adhesion of freshly collected IE from children under 5 years of age in Mali to identify novel vascular receptors, and examined the effects of host age, hemoglobin type, blood group and severe malaria on levels of IE adhesion to a panel of endothelial receptors. Several novel molecules, including integrin α3β1, VE-cadherin, ICAM-2, junctional adhesion molecule-B (JAM-B), laminin, and cellular fibronectin, supported binding of IE from children. Severe malaria was not significantly associated with levels of IE adhesion to any of the 19 receptors. Hemoglobin AC, which reduces severe malaria risk, reduced IE binding to the receptors CD36 and integrin α5β1, while hemoglobin AS did not modify IE adhesion to any receptors. Blood groups A, AB and B significantly reduced IE binding to ICAM-1. Severe malaria risk varies with age, but age significantly impacted the level of IE binding to only a few receptors: IE binding to JAM-B decreased with age, while binding to CD36 and integrin α5β1 significantly increased with age.
Identification of 14-dehydroergosterol as a novel anti-inflammatory compound inducing tolerogenic dendritic cells
Authors: Ano Yasuhisa , Ikado Kumiko , Shindo Kazutoshi , Koizumi Hideki , Fujiwara Daisuke
Published: October 2017

Tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) have the ability to induce regulatory T cells and play an important role in preventing chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. We have identified a novel compound, 14-dehydroergosterol, from Koji, a Japanese traditional food material fermented with fungi. 14-dehydroergosterol is an ergosterol analogue with a conjugated double bond, but the activity of 14-dehydroergosterol is much higher than that of ergosterol. 14-dehydroergosterol induces the conversion of murine bone marrow (BM)-derived DCs and differentiated DCs into tolerogenic DCs, in which the production of IL-12 is suppressed and that of IL-10 is increased. In a co-culture experiment, DCs treated with 14-dehydroergosterol induced the conversion of naïve CD4-positive T cells into regulatory T cells. In a murine model of multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalopathy, 14-dehydroergosterol suppressed the clinical score and inflammatory responses of myeloid DCs and T cells to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. 14-dehydroergosterol-treated human DCs induced from PBMCs also showed a tolerogenic phenotype. This is the first report to identify a novel compound, 14-dehydroergosterol, that induces DCs to convert to a tolerogenic type. 14-dehydroergosterol is contained in various fermented foods based on Koji, so 14-dehydroergosterol might be a helpful aid to prevent chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
On the relevance of the alpha frequency oscillation’s small-world network architecture for cognitive flexibility
Authors: Wolff Nicole , Zink Nicolas , Stock Ann-Kathrin , Beste Christian
Published: October 2017

Cognitive flexibility is a major requirement for successful behavior. nNeural oscillations in the alpha frequency band were repeatedly associated with cognitive flexibility in task-switching paradigms. Alpha frequencies are modulated by working memory load and are used to process information during task switching, however we do not know how this oscillatory network communication is modulated. In order to understand the mechanisms that drive cognitive flexibility, ERPs, oscillatory power and how the communication within these networks is organized are of importance. The EEG data show that during phases reflecting preparatory processes to pre-activate task sets, alpha oscillatory power but not the small world properties of the alpha network architecture was modulated. During the switching only the N2 ERP component showed clear modulations. After the response, alpha oscillatory power reinstates and therefore seems to be important to deactivate or maintain the previous task set. For these reactive control processes the network architecture in terms of small-world properties is modulated. Effects of memory load on small-world aspects were seen in repetition trials, where small-world properties were higher when memory processes were relevant. These results suggest that the alpha oscillatory network becomes more small-world-like when reactive control processes during task switching are less complex.
Conformational stabilization as a strategy to prevent nucleophosmin mislocalization in leukemia
Authors: Urbaneja María A. , Skjærven Lars , Aubi Oscar , Underhaug Jarl , López David J. , Arregi Igor , Alonso-Mariño Marián , Cuevas Andoni , Rodríguez José A. , Martinez Aurora , Bañuelos Sonia
Published: October 2017

Nucleophosmin (NPM) is a nucleolar protein involved in ribosome assembly and cell homeostasis. Mutations in the C-terminal domain of NPM that impair native folding and localization are associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We have performed a high-throughput screening searching for compounds that stabilize the C-terminal domain. We identified three hit compounds which show the ability to increase the thermal stability of both the C-terminal domain as well as full-length NPM. The best hit also seemed to favor folding of an AML-like mutant. Computational pocket identification and molecular docking support a stabilization mechanism based on binding of the phenyl/benzene group of the compounds to a particular hydrophobic pocket and additional polar interactions with solvent-accessible residues. Since these results indicate a chaperoning potential of our candidate hits, we tested their effect on the subcellular localization of AML-like mutants. Two compounds partially alleviated the aggregation and restored nucleolar localization of misfolded mutants. The identified hits appear promising as pharmacological chaperones aimed at therapies for AML based on conformational stabilization of NPM.
N-Heterocyclic carbene-induced transmethylation in tungsten imido alkylidene bistriflates: unexpected formation of an N-heterocyclic olefin complex
Authors: Imbrich Dominik A. , Frey Wolfgang , Buchmeiser Michael R.
Published: October 2017

The reaction of [W(N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)(CHCMe2Ph)(CF3SO3)2(DME)] (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) with the N-heterocyclic carbene 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolidin-2-ylidene leads to DME activation and to the formation of an N-heterocyclic olefin complex.
Depolymerization of poly(bisphenol A carbonate) under mild conditions by solvent-free alcoholysis catalyzed by 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene as a recyclable organocatalyst: a route to chemical recycling of waste polycarbonate
Authors: Quaranta Eugenio , Sgherza Damiano , Tartaro Giuseppe
Published: October 2017

DBU promotes quantitative PC alcoholysis selectively under mild solventless conditions: the process is relevant to the valorization of the waste polymer.
Conversion of levulinic acid and alkyl levulinates into biofuels and high-value chemicals
Authors: Yan Long , Yao Qian , Fu Yao
Published: October 2017

This article presents a comprehensive review of the catalytic hydrogenation of levulinic acid and alkyl levulinates into their derived biofuels and high-value chemicals, and includes the synthesis of levulinic acid and alkyl levulinates from biomass derivates.
Automated microfluidic platform for systematic studies of colloidal perovskite nanocrystals: towards continuous nano-manufacturing
Authors: Epps Robert W. , Felton Kobi C. , Coley Connor W. , Abolhasani Milad
Published: October 2017

An automated microfluidic platform enables systematic high-throughput studies of mixing enhancement on the emission band-gap of in-flow synthesized perovskite quantum dots, resulting in kinetically tunable nanocrystals.
Synthesis, photophysical and biological properties of a new oxazolone fluorescent probe for bioimaging: an experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Krawczyk Przemysław , Jędrzejewska Beata , Cysewski Piotr , Janek Tomasz
Published: October 2017

The PB3–concanavalin A conjugate can be employed to image carbohydrates in living cells, indicating that this probe has great potential for biological applications.
Mononuclear Pd(ii) and Pt(ii) complexes with an α-N-heterocyclic thiosemicarbazone: cytotoxicity, solution behaviour and interaction versus proven models from biological media
Authors: Matesanz Ana I. , Jimenez-Faraco Eva , Ruiz María C. , Balsa Lucia M. , Navarro-Ranninger Carmen , León Ignacio E. , Quiroga Adoracion G.
Published: October 2017

Pd(ii) and P(ii) thiosemicarbazone complexes with high selectivity towards cancer cells and a novel biological interaction profile.
Red-blood-cell-like (NH4)[Fe2(OH)(PO4)2]·2H2O particles: fabrication and application in high-performance LiFePO4 cathode materials
Authors: Wu Kaipeng , Du Ke , Hu Guorong
Published: October 2017

Red-blood-cell-like (NH4)[Fe2(OH)(PO4)2]·2H2O, synthesized by a facile sonochemical method, has been used as a valuable precursor to fabricate high performance LiFePO4/C.
Recent progress of metal halide perovskite photodetectors
Authors: Dong Yuhui , Zou Yousheng , Song Jizhong , Song Xiufeng , Zeng Haibo
Published: October 2017

The metal halide perovskites have attracted unprecedented attention in the field of photodetectors. The recent progress of perovskite photodetectors for different spectral regions and applications are reviewed. The enhancement strategies of device performance are discussed as well. In addition, summary and outlook are given to boost the development of perovskite PDs.
FFR-gesteuerte Revaskularisation – wann indiziert, wann überflüssig?
Authors: Reuter Hannes , Baldus Stephan
Published: October 2017

An invasive measurement of the fractional flow reserve (FFR) allows the valuation of the individual risk for ischemic events in patients with coronary artery disease. Therefore, FFR has become a valuable tool to guide coronary revascularisations. The cut-off value ≤ 0.80 has been validated in many different subsets of patients. However, FFR values describe a risk continuum with an inverse correlation between FFR value and the risk of events. So FFR should always be interpreted regarding the patient’s clinical context, especially in patients with a high risk for rapid disease progression. As such, patients with diabetes mellitus and deferred revascularisation based on FFR > 0.80 had worse clinical outcomes compared to patients without diabetes. In addition, FFR shows methodical deficiencies concerning the quantification of serial stenoses as well as the valuation of residual ischemia of the culprit vessel early after myocardial infarction. This article highlights both the strengths and the pitfalls in the use and interpretation of FFR.
Brain and Spinal Cord MRI in Multiple Sclerosis: an Update
Authors: Wattjes Mike , Raab Peter
Published: October 2017

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and has been incorporated into the McDonald diagnostic criteria for MS. In particular, for the exclusion of important differential diagnosis and comorbidities, new MRI markers have been established such as the “central vein sign”. In addition to diagnostic purposes, the role of MRI in MS monitoring is becoming increasingly important, particularly for pharmacovigilance. This includes treatment efficacy monitoring, prediction of treatment response and safety monitoring. Quantitative MRI methods and ultra-high-field MRI offer the opportunity for the quantitative assessment of damage in normal-appearing brain tissue. However, the standardization of these techniques with the goal of implementation in clinical routine will be one of the major challenges in the near future.
Interface characterization of atomic layer deposited high-k on non-polar GaN
Authors: Jia Ye , Zeng Ke , Singisetti Uttam
Published: October 2017

The interface properties between dielectrics and semiconductors are crucial for electronic devices. In this work, we report the electrical characterization of the interface properties between atomic layer deposited Al2O3 and HfO2 on non-polar a-plane (112¯0) and m-plane (11¯00) GaN grown by hybrid vapor phase epitaxy. A metal oxide semiconductor capacitor (MOSCAP) structure was used to evaluate the interface properties. The impact of annealing on the interface properties was also investigated. The border trap in the oxide, characterized by the capacitance-voltage (C-V) hysteresis loop, was low. The interface state density (Dit), extracted using the ac conductance method, is in the range of 0.5 × 1012/cm2 eV to 7.5 × 1011/cm2 eV within an energy range from 0.2 eV to 0.5 eV below the conduction band minimum. The m-plane GaN MOSCAPs exhibited better interface properties than the a-plane GaN MOSCAPs after annealing. Without annealing, Al2O3 dielectrics had higher border trap density and interface state density compared to HfO2 dielectrics. However, the annealing had different impacts on Al2O3 dielectrics as compared to HfO2. Our results showed that the annealing degraded the quality of the interface in HfO2, but it improved the quality of the interface in Al2O3 devices. The annealing also reduced the positive trapped oxide charge, resulting in a shift of C-V curves towards the positive bias region.
Transferable coarse-grained model for perfluorosulfonic acid polymer membranes
Authors: Kuo An-Tsung , Okazaki Susumu , Shinoda Wataru
Published: October 2017

Perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer membranes are widely used as proton exchange membranes. Because the structure of the aqueous domain within the PFSA membrane is expected to directly influence proton conductance, many coarse-grained (CG) simulation studies have been performed to investigate the membrane morphology; these studies mostly used phenomenological models, such as dissipative particle dynamics. However, a chemically accurate CG model is required to investigate the morphology in realistic membranes and to provide a concrete molecular design. Here, we attempt to construct a predictive CG model for the structure and morphology of PFSA membranes that is compatible with the Sinoda-DeVane-Klein (SDK) CG water model [Shinoda et al., Mol. Simul. 33, 27 (2007)]. First, we extended the parameter set for the SDK CG force field to examine a hydrated PFSA membrane based on thermodynamic and structural data from experiments and all-atom (AA) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. However, a noticeable degradation of the morphology motivated us to improve the structural properties by using the iterative Boltzmann inversion (IBI) approach. Thus, we explored a possible combination of the SDK and IBI approaches to describe the nonbonded interaction. The hybrid SDK/IBI model improved the structural issues of SDK, showing a better agreement with AA-MD in the radial distribution functions. The hybrid SDK/IBI model was determined to reasonably reproduce both the thermodynamic and structural properties of the PFSA membrane for all examined water contents. In addition, the model demonstrated good transferability and has considerable potential for application to realistic long-chained PFSA membranes.
On the applicability of a wavefunction-free, energy-based procedure for generating first-order non-adiabatic couplings around conical intersections
Authors: Gonon Benjamin , Perveaux Aurelie , Gatti Fabien , Lauvergnat David , Lasorne Benjamin
Published: October 2017

The primal definition of first-order non-adiabatic couplings among electronic states relies on the knowledge of how electronic wavefunctions vary with nuclear coordinates. However, the non-adiabatic coupling between two electronic states can be obtained in the vicinity of a conical intersection from energies only, as this vector spans the branching plane along which degeneracy is lifted to first order. The gradient difference and derivative coupling are responsible of the two-dimensional cusp of a conical intersection between both potential-energy surfaces and can be identified to the non-trivial eigenvectors of the second derivative of the square energy difference, as first pointed out in Köppel and Schubert [Mol. Phys. 104(5-7), 1069 (2006)]. Such quantities can always be computed in principle for the cost of two numerical Hessians in the worst-case scenario. Analytic-derivative techniques may help in terms of accuracy and efficiency but also raise potential traps due to singularities and ill-defined derivatives at degeneracies. We compare here two approaches, one fully numerical, the other semianalytic, where analytic gradients are available but Hessians are not, and investigate their respective conditions of applicability. Benzene and 3-hydroxychromone are used as illustrative application cases. It is shown that non-adiabatic couplings can thus be estimated with decent accuracy in regions of significant size around conical intersections. This procedure is robust and could be useful in the context of on-the-fly non-adiabatic dynamics or be used for producing model representations of intersecting potential energy surfaces with complete obviation of the electronic wavefunctions.
Excitation and desorption of physisorbed H2 via theΣu2 electron scattering resonance
Authors: Andersson Stig , Svensson Krister
Published: October 2017

Our high-resolution electron energy-loss measurements concern physisorbed H2 and comprise differential cross sections for the excitation of the internal H2 modes and the H2-surface bonding mode and their combinations and extend over the electron impact energy range of the classical low-energy H2 Σu2 resonance. Comparison with corresponding data for the excitation of the internal modes of gas phase H2 reveals that strong elastic electron reflectivity from the Cu(100) substrate profoundly distorts the inelastic scattering pattern for physisorbed H2. We find that this influence can be corrected for and that the resulting peak cross sections agree with the H2 gas phase data, in accordance with theoretical predictions for the excitation of the internal H2 vibration. We have used corrected cross sections for the rotational mode spectra of physisorbed H2, HD, and D2 in a model concerning electron induced desorption via rotation-translation energy conversion. These spectra include transitions from the ground state as well as excited levels of the physisorption potential well. H2 and HD can desorb from all levels while D2, for energetic reason, can only desorb from the excited levels. This model gives a satisfactory account of the observed desorption cross sections and predicts characteristic velocity distributions of the desorbing molecules. The cross section data for H2 and HD reveals that direct bound-free transitions also contribute to the electron induced desorption.
David Parker Craig 1919–2015
Authors: Hush Noel S. , Radom Leo
Published: October 2017

David Craig was an outstanding Australian theoretical chemist whose academic life oscillated between Australia (University of Sydney and Australian National University (ANU)) and the UK (University College London). The Craig Building of the Research School of Chemistry of the ANU was named in his honour in 1995. He was President of the Australian Academy of Science from 1990 to 1994, and the Academy's David Craig Medal, which recognizes outstanding contributions to chemistry research, was inaugurated in his honour. His best-known research is in the fields of quantum theory and spectroscopy of aromatic molecules, molecular crystals, quantum electrodynamics and chirality.
Environmental rejuvenation of the Gulf by compensation and restoration
Authors: Price A. R. G. , Donlan M. C. , Sheppard C. R. C. , Munawar M.
Published: October 2017

The Gulf is considered to be a young sea in decline, with poor prognosis for continuing production of abundant natural resources. We compare and contrast ‘monetary’ and ‘environmental’ compensation as mechanisms for addressing ecosystem damage in the Gulf. The 1992 International Oil Pollution Compensation Conventions settle claims financially, but only for certain categories of oil spills. For example, aside from inherent difficulties of valuing ecosystem services and their losses, ecological damage from the time of injury to recovery (interim losses) is not compensated. Another approach involves reimbursement for environmental action/projects to restore affected resources and offset impacts until recovery. In habitat equivalency analysis, mitigation requirements are calculated from the type(s), severity, duration and extent of resource impacts. This approach was utilized to resolve several claims for damage from the 1991 Gulf War oil spill.  Various compensatory projects resulted, including direct oil spill remediation and other environmental projects such as the establishment of ≥1 protected area (x ha for y years).  Besides compensation, in this paper we advocate setting threshold levels for the protection of different coastal and marine ecosystems. This could be achieved by a proportion (c. 30%) of every major ecosystem becoming fully protected, through an expanded regional protected area network.
Selected environmental and sustainable development indicators for the Kingdom of Bahrain
Authors: Zainal Khadija , Ghanem Essam , Buhammood Salem
Published: October 2017

A selected set of indicators were highlighted based on the criteria of the UN-Commission for Sustainable Development. Data were collected from the Central Information Organisation in Bahrain and relevant ministries and twenty measurable indicators were identified. The results of this study are divided into three main groups: the first included data on indicators that meet the definition laid down by the Commission, such as: emission of CO2, arable and permanent crop land area, annual withdrawals of groundwater and mortality rate of less than five years of age. The second group needed further extraction, formatting and interpretation and these included: use of fertilizers, annual catch by major species and protected area as percentage of total area. No adequate data was available for the third group of indicators. These included: coastal water quality, change in surface water discharge, and threatened plant species as percentage of total known plant species. The indicators used were those belonging to the first two groups. It is recommended that more environmental and sustainable development indicators for Bahrain should be established through supporting databases. This duty should be assigned to a specified organization and/ or a national multiparty committee. A yearly book on the indicators should ideally be issued, revised and approved. Non-governmental agencies participation in setting up the indicators and data collecting is essential. Technological knowledge and tools such as Geographical Information System should be utilized in order to manage the environmental and sustainable development indicators.
A preliminary assessment of harmful algal blooms in Kuwait’s marine environment
Authors: Al-Yamani Faiza , Saburova Maria , Polikarpov Igor
Published: October 2017

Microalgal blooms occur in Kuwait's waters year round. Seasonal non-harmful blooms are part of the annual succession in marine ecosystems and are a typical phenomenon in Kuwait's waters as well as in the Gulf region. The ecology and taxonomy of phytoplankton in Kuwait's waters have been studied during the past few decades; however, only very limited detailed taxonomical studies have been done on marine phytoplankton as a whole, as well as on potentially harmful species. Together with the phytoplankton, benthic microalgae are important primary producers and an essential component of the intertidal zone in Kuwait's marine environment. Potentially toxic microalgae were found in the intertidal sediments of Kuwait.

A total of 62 identified taxa can be categorized as potentially harmful species in the collected samples from Kuwait's waters and intertidal flats. Among them, 43 taxa are potentially toxic to humans and marine biota, and 10 taxa are potentially harmful to fish and invertebrates. Potentially toxic species are usually recorded in low densities in Kuwait's waters. However, the presence of a significant number of potentially harmful species in its phytoplankton can be regarded as a significant finding with latent hazards for humans and marine ecosystems. Documentation of this sporadic high abundance together with significant species richness of the potentially toxic phytoplankton, requires more intensive and comprehensive studies of Kuwait's marine environment.
Elemental concentrations in Brown Seaweed,Padinasp. along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Mashitah S. M. , Shazili N. A. M. , Rashid M. K. A.
Published: October 2017

A study to illustrate the distribution of trace metals and rare earth elements (REEs) in Padina sp. as a bioindicator was done at 11 stations along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the South China Sea. The objectives of the study were to obtain baseline data for elemental concentrations (11 trace metals and 14 REEs), to evaluate the spatial variation and inter-elemental relationships, and to define the REEs pattern in seaweed. REEs were measured, as their known close relationship to the heavy metals may assist in the interpretation of metal sources and in determining whether or not there exists anthropogenic accumulation of the metals. Samples were ground to a fine powder, homogenised and quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Hg was detected by MA-2 Mercury Analyzer. Metals concentration showed significant variations in their distribution (p < 0.05) and most elements were in their same range of concentrations with the exception of Hg, Cd, Pb and Zn. The presented rank with high concentration of essential elements for metabolism, the partial exclusion of non-essential elements, and the enrichment of LREE over HREE is comparable to other literature. Mean level for metals and REEs were in low concentrations when compared to the literature. With regard to food safety, the concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb and Zn on a wet weight basis were well within permissible limits set by the Malaysian Food Act. Chondrite and NASC-normalized REEs patterns of each station were generally similar to one another which suggested that they were of similar origin. The REE patterns in Padina sp. were indicative of their provenance from granite rocks, which is dominant in the Malay Peninsula, and volcanic rocks to a lesser extent. This study demonstrated that because of the close relationship of Fe and the contaminant metal Pb with the REEs, the relatively high concentrations of these metals point to their source being the granitic rocks.
Contemporary life history characteristics of Lake Superior deepwater ciscoes
Authors: Pratt T. C. , Chong S. C.
Published: October 2017

The diversity and abundance of ciscoes has declined in the Great Lakes, with only Lake Superior retaining its original Cisco fauna; yet as a group, ciscoes remain poorly studied. We examined age and growth, sex ratios, and estimated survivorship and mortality of deepwater ciscoes (Bloater: Coregonus hoyi, Kiyi: C. kiyi, and Shortjaw Cisco: C. zenithicus) and Cisco C. artedi. All fish were captured in gill nets set >60 m in Canadian waters of Lake Superior from 2007–2009. Survivorship was higher than expected, with total annual survival rates ranging from 0.615 (Kiyi) to 0.785 (Shortjaw Cisco). This result was attributed to using otoliths to estimate ages rather than scales as done in previous investigations. Maximum ages of ciscoes exceeded 20 years with Cisco, the largest, longest-lived species, followed by Shortjaw Cisco, Bloater and Kiyi. Females dominated adult populations in all species; females were larger-at-age and had greater longevity, resulting in sex ratios skewed heavily towards females. With the exception of age and growth data, the life history characteristics that we observed were consistent with historic data from the early part of the 20th century.
Assessing the fish consumption beneficial use impairment in the Bay of Quinte
Authors: Ridal Jeffrey J. , Hickey M. Brian C. , Marty Jérôme , Bhavsar Satyendra P.
Published: October 2017

The state of contamination in Bay of Quinte fish was assessed to determine whether delisting criteria have been met, and to recommend further studies/actions to be undertaken. We examined fish contaminant data collected by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment between 1975 and 2008 for seven sites in Lake Ontario including the Bay of Quinte. Where sufficient data was available, we tested for differences in recent years by examining the post-1998 data for Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch and Brown Bullhead. Our analysis specifically focused on known contaminants of concern within the Bay of Quinte: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury (Hg), as well as Mirex which is known to originate from Lake Ontario. Insufficient data was available for the examination of total TEQs (dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs). When appropriate, we used the general linear model (GLM) to compare contaminant concentrations among sites as a function of fish length. When no significant relationship between contaminant concentration and fish length was found, mean values among sites were compared using analysis of variance. While there were no significant differences for the majority of contaminants among sites, some species and contaminant combinations at one or more of the Bay of Quinte sites had elevated fish concentrations compared to some reference sites. For instance, mercury concentrations in Yellow Perch and Brown Bullhead at Quinte sites exceeded those from some reference sites. Current consumption restrictions for Brown Bullhead and Yellow Perch are more severe in the Upper Bay of Quinte compared to the other sites, indicating impacts of local sources. As a result, the fish consumption beneficial use impairment continues to be classified as impaired for the Bay of Quinte. As many sport fish such as Walleye and Smallmouth Bass are large, long-lived and potentially wide-ranging species, it is difficult to link contaminant concentrations to local sources. To investigate the impact of sources within the Upper Bay of Quinte, comparison of contaminants in sentinel fish collected on the same scale as the source of the contamination is recommended.
Phosphorus and chlorophyll in the Bay of Quinte: A time-series/intervention analysis of 1972–2008 data
Authors: Nicholls Kenneth H.
Published: October 2017

Three independent methods of time-series analysis were applied to a 37-year record of total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a data collected at four sampling stations representing the upper, middle and lower sections of the Bay of Quinte, NE Lake Ontario, Canada. The three methods were used to build consensus around the significance of the apparent declines in total phosphorus (TP) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations following two interventions: (1) point-source phosphorus loading reductions of about 50% to the upper bay in the winter of 1977–1978 and (2) the establishment of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena spp.) in the early to mid-1990's. The methods were applied to May to October monthly means and included: (1) nonparametric tests that accounted for persistence and seasonality and determined the statistical significance of step-trends, (2) ARIMA-Intervention modelling that produced forecasts into post-intervention time periods that were compared statistically to measured data and (3) regime shift detection for identifying the significance of persistent steps after removal of the seasonal components of the data series (modelled as periodic functions). Strong gradients in total phosphorus (TP) and Chl-a concentrations between the upper and lower Bay of Quinte still existed three decades after reductions in point-source loadings of TP to the upper bay, where, during 2000–2008, May-October average TP was 3.8 times higher and Chl-a, 2.9 times higher than in the lower bay. The Remedial Action Plan May-October TP objective of 0.030 mg l-1 for the upper Bay of Quinte was not achieved consistently in recent years. Concurrence among the data analysis methods suggests that the relative decreases in the upper bay TP (31%) and Chl-a (37%) after phosphorus loading reductions were greater than in the lower bay (0% and 10%, respectively). The relative decreases in the upper bay TP (0%) and Chl-a (29%) associated with Dreissena establishment were less than those measured in the lower bay (20% and 50%, respectively).
Communicating research findings and monitoring data in support of management: A case study of the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan
Authors: Berquist Michelle K. , Campbell Linda M. , Whitelaw Graham S. , Millard E. Scott
Published: October 2017

The Bay of Quinte is a nearly enclosed bay in Lake Ontario which has been impacted by multiple industrial contaminant events and persistent eutrophication. As a result, it became one of 43 Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC) identified and supported by the International Joint Commission (IJC) for remediation. The Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan (RAP) relies on data from Project Quinte, a long-term monitoring program, to set targets, assess the status of beneficial use impairments and evaluate restoration progress. The ability of organizations to communicate relevant and timely scientific research and monitoring to decision-makers has recently emerged as an important issue in the literature. This article explores the issue of communicating research and monitoring information for the purpose of aiding decision-making through a case study of the Bay of Quinte RAP. Research included semi-structured interviews with scientists, regulators and community stakeholders involved with the Bay of Quinte RAP, observational research, document analysis and literature review. Findings indicate that multiple and diverse techniques are used to communicate research and monitoring data to decision-makers. Furthermore, our findings indicate that accurate tracking of trends, valuing high quality monitoring, promoting stakeholder cooperation, collaborating with other groups implementing RAPs and informing management and decision-making are key beneficial outcomes of shared science about the Bay of Quinte. Lessons learned emphasize the importance of administrative support and institutional memory; integration of ecosystem models; consistent long-term monitoring; and public engagement. These lessons are instructive for stakeholders conducting ecosystem restoration, planning or management, particularly those involved in any of the other RAPs ongoing on the Great Lakes.
Submerged aquatic vegetation in the Bay of Quinte: Response to decreased phosphorous loading and Zebra Mussel invasion
Authors: Leisti K. E. , Doka S. E. , Minns C. K.
Published: October 2017

Originally mesotrophic, the Bay of Quinte ecosystem has experienced eutrophication since the 1940s, which resulted in the decline of once-lush submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds in the upper bay by the mid-1960s. Since 1972, twelve SAV surveys have been conducted along ten index transects, recording:% cover, distance SAV beds extended from shore (extent), maximum depth of colonization (Zc), species composition, and, in later years, wet plant biomass. Offshore secchi depth and ϵpar, (the vertical light extinction rate (m−1) for photosynthetically active radiation), were also recorded either weekly or bi-weekly during the growing season since 1972. During this time, two major changes occurred within the bay: the reduction in point-source phosphorus (P-control) loadings in 1978 and the 1993 invasion by Dreissenid Mussel. SAV response to these changes varied temporally and spatially, with the shallow upper bay showing the greatest response, particularly after Zebra Mussels establishment. In the upper bay, mean secchi depth increased by 8% from 1.2 m prior to P-control (pre-P), to 1.3 m after P-control (post-P) and further increased by 46% to 1.9 m after Dreissena establishment (post-D). Upper bay SAV responded to these invasive species with increases in the means of three variables: Zc from 1.6 to 3.5 m, extent from 114 m to 417 m and wet biomass from 50 g m−2 to 962 g m−2. SAV in the middle and lower bays were in better condition in 1972, with pre-P cover in excess of 50% and Zc of 2.6 and 3.7 m, respectively. SAV cover did increase in the post-D (1994 to 2007) period by approximately 25% and Zc increased to 3.7 and 6.5 m, but the narrow fringing strip of shallower water along the shore in these two deeper bays limited substantial increases in bed extent. Both water clarity and basin morphometry strongly influenced SAV distribution and abundance within the Bay of Quinte.
Abundance and trophodynamics of surface microbial loop populations in the northern Red Sea
Authors: El-Serehy Hamed A. , Al-Rasheid Khaled A. , Al-Quraishi Saleh , Al-Misned Fahad , Al-Farraj Saleh
Published: October 2017

The population densities of filter feeding ciliates in the water of the three marine protectorates of Ras Mohammed, Nabq and Abu Galoum in the northern Red Sea, were calculated during the period from November 2006 to November 2007. Also, autotrophic nanoflagellates, heterotrophic nanoflagellates and heterotrophic bacteria were enumerated to gain some indication of the food resources available for ciliates. The abundance of ciliates in the three protectorates were found to follow an annual cycle with the highest ciliate numbers of 25.3 cells ml−1 observed in the spring, and the lowest numbers of 2.1 cells ml−1 in the summer. Abundances were at times 8-fold higher than those found in comparable studies on nutrient-poor pelagic systems and, astonishingly, approached those observed in coastal waters and in more productive open ocean systems. Nanoflagellates that could provide a food supply for the filter feeding ciliates were especially numerous in the spring, while the production of bacteria was presumably a more important component at the base of this food chain in the three protectorates’ water. The filtration activities of heterotrophic flagellates and filter feeding ciliates were compared with the population densities of bacteria, nanoflagellates and ciliates in spring and summer. Moreover, filtration rates from the literature were used to calculate the potential rate of capture of prey of different categories, as well as to calculate the time required for the whole water body to be filtered by heterotrophic nanoflagellates and filter feeding ciliates.
Fishing for Dagaa with 5 mm and 10 mm mesh nets: A comparison of length-frequencies and biological characteristics
Authors: Nsinda Philemon E. , Msuku Batman S. , Mrosso Hillary D.
Published: October 2017

Two mesh sizes (5 and 10 mm) usually used to harvest Rastrineobola argentea in Lake Victoria were assessed from April to September 2001 to determine their suitability. It was observed that 13.2% of fish caught in 5 mm and 11.2% caught in 10 mm for April, May, June and July were of a size below maturity (44 mm standard length, [SL]). Mean size of fish caught with the 5 mm mesh was 46.8 ± 1.2 mm and that of fish caught with the 10 mm mesh was 46.8 ± 0.5 mm (SL). Catches per unit effort (CPUE) from the two meshes were not significantly different, with Haplochromis laparogramma (50.1%) dominating the catch followed by R. argentea (48.9%). Juveniles of Nile Perch, Brycinus jacksonii, Brycinus sadleri, and Barbus spp. (0.9%) were caught in small numbers. About half of the females matured at 43.5 mm and the males at 46.6 mm SL. Fish caught with the 5 mm mesh had on average 1050 ± 400 eggs and those caught with the 10 mm mesh had 918 ± 281 eggs, but the difference was not significant. However, a significant difference was noted between non-infected fish (1050 ± 400 eggs) and fish infected by the cestode Ligula intestinalis (663 ± 316 eggs). Given the absence of differences in key parameters under investigation between the fish caught with the 5 and 10 mm mesh sizes, the two meshes can be used interchangeably.
Spatial and temporal variation in the distribution and density of pelagic fish species in Lake Victoria, East Africa
Authors: Taabu-Munyaho Anthony , Nyamweya Chrisphine S. , Sitoki Lewis , Kayanda Robert , Everson Inigo , Marteinsdóttir Gudrún
Published: October 2017

The distribution and densities of three pelagic fish taxa (Nile Perch, Lates niloticus, Rastrineobola argentea [Dagaa], and the haplochromine cichlids) in Lake Victoria were estimated through 17 lake-wide acoustic surveys conducted in two series (August 1999–August 2002 and August 2005–September 2011). Nile Perch densities were estimated through echo-counting, while Dagaa and haplochromines by echo-integration. Mixed generalized linear model estimates indicated up to 30% decline in Nile Perch densities in the deep and coastal areas and up to 65% reduction in the shallow inshore areas over the study period. There was a twofold increase in Dagaa densities and a 10% increase in haplochromines. The distribution and densities of these species were influenced by season, stratum and year of survey. In addition to fish exhibiting seasonal clustering in the upper layers of the water column, they also appeared to spread to shallow inshore waters. The Nyanza, Speke, and Emin Pasha Gulfs demonstrated diverse spatial stock oscillations in abundance, and distribution which call for a need to include area disaggregated considerations in stochastic models when predicting dynamics of fish stocks.