Abstract Pterosaur remains are rare from the lowermost Cretaceous, hampering our understanding of the taxonomic and morphological diversities of pterosaurs during this period. The Lower Cretaceous Tugulu Group in Wuerho, China is renowned for hosting the Wuerho Pterosaurian Fauna (WPF), which has so far yielded numerous fossil remains of two dsungaripterid pterosaurs, Dsungaripterus weii and Noripterus complicidens. Here we report a partial ornithocheiromorph humerus from the WPF, representing a deeply divergent clade from Dsungaripteridae. The scarcity of ornithocheiromorphs from the WPF might be interpreted by niche partitioning with dsungaripterids. Meanwhile, we also report a U-Pb zircon age of 134.27 ± 0.36 Ma dated by LA-ICP-MS for the tuffaceous layer at the uppermost part of the Shengjinkou Formation, confirming the Valanginian age of the WPF presented by a previous study. The Wuerho region is one of the few localities producing abundant pterosaur fossils and the only one with an earliest Cretaceous age. The new finding here also suggests that Ornithocheiromorpha had rapidly diversified and achieved a global distribution during the earliest Cretaceous, presumably through a series of modifications on the locomotor apparatus including the warped deltopectoral crest of the humerus, which might substantially improve their flight efficiency.

Abstract A “comb-dentition”, characterized by long, needle-like, and closely-spaced teeth, is found in the ctenochasmatid pterosaurs as an adaptation for filter-feeding. However, little is known about their tooth replacement pattern, hindering our understanding of the development of the filter-feeding apparatus of the clade. Here, we describe the tooth replacement of the pterosaur Forfexopterus from the Jehol Biota based on high-resolution X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) reconstruction. As in the ornithocheirid Coloborhynchus, the tooth germs are relatively medially positioned along the middle line; the replacement teeth erupt at the posteromedial side of the functional tooth; no more than one replacement tooth present in each alveolus. The replacement teeth are less than half of the length of the full-grown tooth, and alternatively positioned along the tooth row. The alternatively-positioned young and mature functional teeth are dominant and abrased, maintaining the active tooth-tooth occlusion of the filter-feeding apparatus. Reconstruction of Zahnreihen shows an average Z-spacing of 2.02, comparable to that of the simple alternate replacement (Z-spacing = 2) between odd- and even-numbered tooth positions in reptiles. Based on comparisons with Balaenognathus, Ctenochasma, and Pterodaustro, the tooth replacement pattern appears to be varied in ctenochasmatids, and needs to be further studied in the future.

Abstract Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have been identified as biomarkers for several diseases, including cancer. The increase in the expression of these enzymes has been related to greater tumor aggressiveness. MMP-26 is expressed constitutively in the endometrium and some cancer cells of epithelial origin. However, there is a lack of studies on its expression on prostatic carcinoma. In this study, the evaluation of MMP-26 reactivity by immunohistochemistry (IHC) was carried out in 150 paraffinized samples representative of benign and malignant prostatic lesions. 70 of the 150 samples showed IHC immunopositivity, being more prevalent in carcinoma cases (44 out of 70 cases) with moderate and strong intensity. The expression and intensity of the MMP-26 reaction showed a significant association with total PSA values. As expected, serum PSA levels were higher in cases of carcinoma than in prostatic hyperplasia or atrophy. Studies have demonstrated the potential of MMP-26 as a tumor marker, and our results have shown that its immunoexpression was useful to differentiate a group of benign and malignant samples in prostate tumors. This characteristic can assist in the predictive assessment and, consequently, in the development of new strategies for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of prostate cancer.

Abstract Zooplankton plays a crucial role as the primary consumers in the Southern Ocean and its ecological processes, particularly in the Antarctic Peninsula, influenced by regional glaciological and oceanographic changes. To assess the overall composition of these communities, vertical samples were collected at various depths using a Multinet at oceanographic stations in the Antarctic Peninsula during the XXXV OPERANTAR expedition in summer 2017. Abiotic data (temperature, salinity and chlorophyll-a) were collected using a CTD and a fluoremeter. Organisms were identified to a higher level, with Chaetognatha and Euphausiacea identified to species whenever possible. Copepoda were the most abundant (73.4%), with Calanoida present in all samples and more abundant at 300m. Salpidae ranked as the second most abundant taxon (16.6%) up to 100m. Three species of Chaetognatha were identified, with Eukrohnia hamata being the most abundant, particularly at 300m. Two species of Euphausiacea were found, Euphausia superba and Thysanoesa macrura, with low abundances. Abiotic parameters showed significant relationships with the taxa. The region exhibits complex oceanography associated with zooplankton communities. The recorded data align with the zooplankton characterization of this region, uncovering a prevalence of Copepoda and surface abundant Salpidae, along with Chaetognatha (particulary E. hamata) and Euphausiacea. processes changes communities 2017 temperature, temperature (temperature chlorophylla chlorophyll chlorophyll-a fluoremeter level possible 73.4%, 734 73.4% , 73 4 (73.4%) 300m m 16.6% 166 16 6 (16.6% 100m found macrura abundances taxa particulary E 201 73.4 7 (73.4% 16.6 1 (16.6 20 73. (73.4 16. (16. 2 (73. (16 (73 (1 (7 (

Abstract Pantanal fires have a significant impact on the environment. Anthropogenic emissions of residual gases have changed the tropospheric composition in this region due to burning. This study aims to analyze the spatial patterns of atmospheric pollutants (including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and aerosol optical depth, along with fire outbreaks across the Pantanal biome from 2016 to 2021. The data collected is based on remote sensing data. The fire outbreaks peaked pollutant concentrations reached their highest between June to November, particularly during the drier months of August to October. This increase was even greater during the last three years (2019-2021), especially in 2020, when the average CO, NO2, SO2, BC, and OC concentrations increased by 29%, 31%, 50%, 52%, and 50%, respectively. The rainfall values do not justify the increase in the number of fire outbreaks between 2019 and 2021, indicating that the rise is likely due to increased burning. In 2021, the average monthly rainfall was 48% greater than that in 2016-2020 but it had the highest FRP value and the second highest fire outbreak number and pollutant concentration. The 2020 year experienced a record number of fire outbreaks and the highest levels of pollutants in the atmosphere in the region for this period. environment burning including CO , (CO) NO2 NO (NO2) BC (BC) (OC SO2 SO (SO2 depth 201 2021 November October 20192021, 20192021 (2019-2021) 29 29% 31 31% 50 50% 52 52% respectively 48 20162020 2016-202 concentration 202 period (CO (NO2 (BC (SO 20 2019202 (2019-2021 2 3 5 4 2016202 2016-20 (NO 201920 (2019-202 201620 2016-2 20192 (2019-20 20162 2016- (2019-2 (2019- (2019 (201 (20 (2 (

Abstract Night-blooming cacti, primarily pollinated by bats and hawkmoths, also attract beetles seeking food and safe shelter for mating and brooding their offspring. The influence of flower density on beetle visitation rates remains unclear, with responses varying by species and environmental factors. In the Caatinga Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest, we studied the flower occupancy distribution of two beetle species, Cyclocephala paraguayensis and Nitops aff. pilosocerei, in Pilosocereus pachycladus cacti. Our findings indicate that both beetle species act as commensals with minimal impact on effective pollination. They forage for nectar and pollen without causing damage to pistils or ovaries. N. aff. pilosocerei was more abundant than C. paraguayensis, and their distributions significantly differed, with N. aff. pilosocerei displaying a more uniform spread. Instances of both species occupying the same flower were more frequent than exclusive occupation. Nitops aff. pilosocerei abundance exhibited spatial autocorrelation. Flower height and beetle species influenced the total number of beetles within flowers. Future studies should explore the impact of cactus flower distribution on beetle abundance with other species, conduct selective pollination experiments to determine their role as pollinators, and investigate how flower-beetle interaction systems are affected by flower and individual distribution in processes like florivory and pollination. Nightblooming Night blooming cacti hawkmoths offspring unclear factors Forest aff ovaries N C differed spread occupation autocorrelation flowers pollinators flowerbeetle

Abstract In Brazil, the recurring environmental impacts due to insufficient inspection and inadequate management of potentially toxic mining tailings have raised significant concerns. The study concentrates on examining the mobility of elements in flotation (ft) and cyanidation (ct) tailings from gold mining operations, following successive extractions. The influence of extractants on the release of elements from both ft and ct samples, including As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Se, and Zn, was examined and compared to the ABNT NBR 10004:2004 standard. The samples were obtained from a gold mining company in Brazil. Sequential extraction tests for ft and ct samples were conducted to simulate weathering effects, using solutions of 0.1 mol L-1 citric acid, 0.1 mol L-1 acetic acid, 0.1 mol L-1 oxalic acid, 0.1 mol L-1 ammonium acetate, and distilled water at pH 5.5. The results revealed that the established limits for Pb and Cd under the ABNT NBR 10004:2004 standard were exceeded in a 1:1 tailing-to-extractor ratio. In ct samples, both elements surpassed the standard limits for all extractors, except for Cd when using water. In ft samples, Pb exceeded the limits with all acids, while Cd exceeded the limits only in the presence of acetic acid and ammonium acetate. Brazil concerns (ft (ct operations extractions As Cu Cr Se Zn 100042004 10004 2004 10004:200 effects 01 0 1 0. L1 L L- acetate 55 5 5.5 11 1: tailingtoextractor tailing extractor ratio extractors acids 10004200 1000 200 10004:20 5. 1000420 100 20 10004:2 100042 10 2 10004:

Abstract Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC (Myrtaceae) is a folk medicinal plant in the Brazilian Cerrado with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antiulcerogenic activities, etc., usually attributed to its phenolic compounds. Since these compounds are sensitive to heat and light, and to increase their applications, Hydroethanolic Extracts E. punicifolia (HEEP, EtOH:H2O 70% v/v) were encapsulated by freeze-drying in xanthan gum (mesh 80, HEEPX80; mesh 200, HEEPX200) in ratio 1:1(w/w). Flavonoids had the highest encapsulation efficiency in HEEPX80, with a total flavonoid content of 55.56%. The release profile at different pH levels showed that pH = 4.5, a relevant antioxidant activity for HEEPX80 and HEEPX200. Also, in HEEP-modified release, higher antioxidant activity was observed in more acidic media (pH 4.5) than in a more neutral medium (pH 7.4). From these results, we could infer that HEEP encapsulations with Xanthan gum could be a good alternative for preserving antioxidants in these extracts. Kunth (Kunth Myrtaceae (Myrtaceae antiinflammatory, antiinflammatory anti inflammatory, inflammatory anti-inflammatory antinociceptive activities etc etc. light applications E HEEP, (HEEP EtOHH2O EtOHHO EtOH H2O H O 70 v/v vv v freezedrying freeze drying 80 HEEPX 200 HEEPX200 11w/w. 11ww ww 1 w/w . w 1:1(w/w) 5556 55 56 55.56% 45 4 5 4.5 HEEPX8 Also HEEPmodified modified 7.4. 74 7.4 7 7.4) results extracts EtOHH HO 8 20 HEEPX20 11w 11w/w 1:1(w/w 555 55.56 4. 7. 2 HEEPX2 55.5 55.

Abstract Fish is an important food item in the diet of humans, whereas it is also a major source of exposure to toxic chemicals. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury (Hg) are known to have hotspots of contamination across the coast of Pernambuco, Brazil. This study investigated organochlorines and Hg in muscle samples from respectively 17 and 14 individuals of the stingray Hypanus berthalutzae – a fishing resource used to prepare a traditional dish in the local cuisine. DDTs, HCHs and mirex were not detected in the samples. Mean concentrations of PCBs, CHLs and total Hg were 0.032, 0.004 and 60 ng g-1 wet weight (ww), respectively. Ecological and biological parameters are important factors in the bioaccumulation of pollutants in fish. Although the concentrations of POPs and Hg do not present a health risk to consumers in general, they may pose a health risk to certain groups such as children and people who eat H. berthalutzae daily. This paper is relevant for the conservation of an endemic stingray species widely consumed in northeastern Brazil and classified as vulnerable in terms of risk of extinction. humans chemicals (POPs (Hg Pernambuco 1 cuisine DDTs PCBs 0032 0 032 0.032 0004 004 0.00 6 g1 g g- ww, ww , (ww) fish general H daily extinction 003 03 0.03 000 00 0.0 (ww 0.

Abstract Morus nigra L., commonly known as black mulberry, is a significant plant species in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. It is also considered an Unconventional Food Plant with potential applications in nutrition. The diversity of bioactive compounds present accounts for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antitumor properties. Thus, this study aimed to analyze technological and scientific information on M. nigra by examining patent documents and scientific papers. The European Patent Office®, the National Institute of Industrial Property®, and Scopus® were utilized as research sources, employing the search terms “Morus nigra” for the former two and “Morus nigra” and “food” for the latter. A total of 210 documents were validated for the research. China leads in patent applications (44%), while Turkey leads in scientific publications (30%). Patents are concentrated in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and beverages, while scientific publications in the areas of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. The global blackberry trade is on the rise, attracting significant interest from multinational companies. Therefore, academic research and technological innovation must keep pace with market demand, given the promising use of black mulberry. L L. mulberry industries nutrition antioxidant antiinflammatory, antiinflammatory anti inflammatory, inflammatory anti-inflammatory analgesic properties Thus M papers Office Office® Property Property® Scopus sources food “food latter 21 44%, 44 44% , (44%) 30%. 30 30% . (30%) cosmetics pharmaceuticals beverages Sciences Biochemistry Biology rise companies Therefore demand 2 4 (44% 3 (30% (44 (30 (4 (3 (

Abstract Extremophile organisms have been largely studied in Astrobiology. Among them, two antarctic plants emerge as good candidates to become colonizers of other celestial bodies, such as Mars and the Moon. The present research aimed to evaluate survival and growing capacity of Sanionia uncinata and Colobanthus quitensis on Martian (MGS-1) and Lunar (LMS-1) regolith simulants, under terrestrial conditions. The survival responses of both species on the simulators and the original sampling site of Antarctic soil were observed during 15 days, in laboratory conditions at ‘Comandante Ferraz’ Station. Based on physiological parameters changes under the three soil conditions tested, our results suggest that Martian soil can be too harsh for plant growth, showing expressive decay, especially for C. quitensis. While lunar soil might provide more favorable conditions, with less observed changes, similarly to how they would in Antarctic soil from their natural habitat. This preliminary study provides resources and fosters knowledge about the possibility of these Antarctic species to survive in extraterrestrial environments, starting with soil parameters; and discusses the importance and use of Antarctic plants in astrobiology. Astrobiology them bodies Moon MGS1 MGS 1 (MGS-1 LMS1 LMS (LMS-1 simulants days Comandante Ferraz Station tested growth decay C habitat environments astrobiology (MGS- (LMS- (MGS (LMS

Abstract The fruit of Spondias mombin (cajazeira) is widely consumed in the northeast region of Brazil. In this work, three different extraction methods, namely ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), turbo-extraction (TE) and pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE), were evaluated in order to investigate the potential of cajazeira leaves as an alternative source of bioactive compounds. The extraction methods were compared in terms of yield, chemical composition and total phenolic content (TPC) of the extracts. The highest yields and TPC values were obtained by TE with a mixture ethanol: water (70:30%, v/v) as the solvent. PHWE has not yet been applied for the extraction of cajazeira leaves. Thus, it was evaluated as one alternative for the recovery of phenolic compounds under conditions of 80, 100 and 120 °C and 100 and 120 bar. A modeling study of PHWE kinetics was investigated at 80 °C and 200 bar. Furthermore, a biorefinery approach considering integrated processes to recover bioactive compounds was investigated and the results showed that combining processes may enhance the valorization of agricultural waste. (cajazeira Brazil work ultrasoundassisted ultrasound assisted UAE, UAE , (UAE) turboextraction turbo (TE PHWE, (PHWE) yield (TPC extracts ethanol 7030%, 7030 70 30%, 30 (70:30% v/v vv v solvent Thus 10 12 C bar 8 20 Furthermore waste (UAE (PHWE 7030% 703 7 30% 3 (70:30 1 2 (70:3 (70: (70 (7 (

Abstract With the growing digitalization and the need for customers to have more personalized services available, there is a constant need to innovate and fulfil the demands of customers. However, this burden has contributed to further worsening the schedule management for the service companies. Customers now are demanding more personalized service but without having any compromise on the quality and time of delivery. This resulted in creating the need to have a schedule-driven management plan designed. Despite this advantage, there are very limited studies available that even focus on the concept whereas not any study works towards understanding its contribution in affecting project management for service companies. To overcome this, the study aims to assess the perception of 200 employees and 10 managers for understanding a schedule management plan and its impact on project management worth. The employee’s perception evaluation via structural equation modelling revealed that there is no direct influence of schedule management on project management worth but via different factors and strategies the influence could be derived. Managers’ perceptions validated the findings and provided insight that strategies like the building of a cloud-based platform or predictive modelling should be designed for better schedule management plan development. However companies delivery scheduledriven driven advantage 20 1 employee s derived Managers cloudbased cloud based development 2