Synthesis and characterization of VO-GaO photocatalysts and their application on the photocatalytic reduction of CO.

The photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO) to produce methanol (CHOH) is a promising strategy for producing clean energy. The catalyst, the aqueous medium, and the UV light are key parameters for the formation of the most relevant pair (e/h) and the specific selectivity towards the desired product (methanol). The use of GaO and VO in the photocatalytic reduction of CO to produce methanol has been little studied.

Palmitic and Stearic Acids Inhibit Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy (CMA) in POMC-like Neurons In Vitro.

The intake of food with high levels of saturated fatty acids (SatFAs) is associated with the development of obesity and insulin resistance. SatFAs, such as palmitic (PA) and stearic (SA) acids, have been shown to accumulate in the hypothalamus, causing several pathological consequences. Autophagy is a lysosomal-degrading pathway that can be divided into macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA).

Integrating multiple lines of evidence to assess freshwater ecosystem health in a tropical river basin.

Degradation of freshwater ecosystems by uncontrolled human activities is a growing concern in the tropics. In this regard, we aimed at testing an integrative framework based on the IFEQ index to assess freshwater ecosystem health of river basins impacted by intense livestock and agricultural activities, using the Muchacho River Basin (MRB) as a case study. The IFEQ combine multiple lines of evidence such as riverine hydromorphological analysis (LOE 1), physicochemical characterization using ions and pesticides (LOE 2), aquatic macroinvertebrate monitoring (LOE 3), and phytotoxicological essays with L.

An Integrative Approach to Assess the Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining Contamination in the Amazon.

As the number of legal and illegal gold mining sites increases in the Andes-Amazonia region, integrative methods to evaluate the effects of mining pollution on freshwater ecosystems are of paramount importance. Here, we sampled water and sediments in 11 sites potentially affected by gold mining activities in the Napo province (Ecuador). The environmental impacts were evaluated using the following lines of evidence (LOEs): water physicochemical parameters, metal exposure concentrations, macroinvertebrate community response (AAMBI), and toxicity by conducting bioassays with and .

Assessing the Quality of Amazon Aquatic Ecosystems with Multiple Lines of Evidence: The Case of the Northeast Andean Foothills of Ecuador.

We assessed the quality of Andes-Amazonia streams in Ecuador impacted by gold mining (GM), discharges from inefficient sewage network in urban areas (UA), wastes from fish farming (FF) and from non-functional landfill (LF) and other few threats (FT). We selected three lines of evidence (LOE) that were used separately and integrated into a index: water quality (WQI) and macroinvertebrate community (AAMBI) indices and phytotoxicity tests. Streams affected by UA and LF had the lowest scores to WQI and phytotoxicity, and by GM had the lowest scores to AAMBI.

Study of dynamic of chicken infectious anaemia virus infection: which sample is more reliable for viral detection?

Chicken infectious anaemia virus (CIAV) is a widely distributed immunosuppressive agent. SPF flocks and eggs used for vaccine production and diagnostics must be CIAV-free. Detection of CIAV infection in SPF flocks involves primarily serology or other invasive methods.

Ecological responses to experimental glacier-runoff reduction in alpine rivers.

Glacier retreat is a worldwide phenomenon with important consequences for the hydrological cycle and downstream ecosystem structure and functioning. To determine the effects of glacier retreat on aquatic communities, we conducted a 4-year flow manipulation in a tropical glacier-fed stream. Compared with an adjacent reference stream, meltwater flow reduction induces significant changes in benthic fauna community composition in less than 2 weeks.

Invertebrate Metacommunity Structure and Dynamics in an Andean Glacial Stream Network Facing Climate Change.

Under the ongoing climate change, understanding the mechanisms structuring the spatial distribution of aquatic species in glacial stream networks is of critical importance to predict the response of aquatic biodiversity in the face of glacier melting. In this study, we propose to use metacommunity theory as a conceptual framework to better understand how river network structure influences the spatial organization of aquatic communities in glacierized catchments. At 51 stream sites in an Andean glacierized catchment (Ecuador), we sampled benthic macroinvertebrates, measured physico-chemical and food resource conditions, and calculated geographical, altitudinal and glaciality distances among all sites.

Predicting richness effects on ecosystem function in natural communities: insights from high-elevation streams.

. Despite the increased complexity of experimental and theoretical studies on the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (B-EF) relationship, a major challenge is to demonstrate whether the observed importance of biodiversity in controlled experimental systems also persists in nature. Due to their structural simplicity and their low levels of human impacts, extreme species-poor ecosystems may provide new insights into B-EF relationships in natural systems.