228 research outputs found
Chondrilla caribensis Rutzler, Duran & Piantoni 2007
No full text<i>Chondrilla caribensis</i> Rützler, Duran & Piantoni, 2007 <p>(Figure 2 f)</p> <p> Synonymy and references. <i>Chondrilla caribensis</i> Rützler, Duran & Piantoni (2007): 100, tab. 3, figs. 4–7; <i>Chondrilla nucula</i> (Schmidt, 1862): Macintyre <i>et al.</i> (1982): 134.</p> <p> <b>Material.</b> USNM 1191346, Carrie Bow Cay, under concrete dock, 0.5–1; K. Ruetzler, col. 12 May 1978. USNM 32862 Columbus Cay cave, Belize, 18–21 m; I. G. Macintyre & G. Hendler, col. 26 Apr 1979. USNM 1191347, Carrie Bow reef flat, inside dead conch shells, 1 m; K. Ruetzler and C. Piantoni col. 23 Feb 2006.</p> <p> <b>External morphology.</b> Lobed cushions, about 1 cm thick, covering up to 85 cm 2 of substrate. Smooth and slippery-feeling surface, with small (1–2 mm) oscula elevated on lobes; cartilaginous consistency (a common name is chicken-liver sponge). Color olive, light brown to white, depending on habitat illumination which controls density of symbiotic cyanobacteria.</p> <p> <b>Skeleton structure.</b> Astrose spicules dispersed throughout the body but concentrated near the outer surface and along the canals of the aquiferous system.</p> <p> <b>Spicules.</b> These are spherasters and spheroxyasters, measuring 20–36 (<i>29</i>) Μm in total diameter, about two thirds taken up by the solid center; there are about 25 rays on average.</p> <p> <b>Ecology.</b> Occurs in a wide range of habitats, from full light exposure on subtidal mangrove roots to dark caves, at least to 30 m depth.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Tropical and subtropical western Atlantic, from Bermuda to Brazil.</p> <p> <b>Comments.</b> This symbiotic species is tolerant of the full range of ambient light conditions but loses all pigmentation, including symbiotic cyanobacteria, when growing in the dark.</p>Published as part of <i>Rützler, Klaus, Piantoni, Carla, Van, Rob W. M. & Díaz, Cristina, 2014, Diversity of sponges (Porifera) from cryptic habitats on the Belize barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay, pp. 1-129 in Zootaxa 3805 (1)</i> on page 53, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3805.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/249983">http://zenodo.org/record/249983</a>
Prosuberites carriebowensis Rützler, Piantoni, Van & Díaz, 2014, new species
No full textProsuberites carriebowensis new species (Figures 3 d, 23) Material. Holotype: USNM 1228972, Curlew Bank forereef cave, 20 m; C. Piantoni col. 28 Jun 2007. Paratypes: USNM 1228973, Curlew Bank forereef cave, 20 m; C. Piantoni col. 29 Jun 2007. USNM 1228974, Curlew Bank, forereef slope, 50-150 cm inside framework cave, ceiling, 20 m; C. Piantoni and M. Parrish, col. 22 Aug 2012. USNM 1228975, Curlew Bank, forereef cave, 20 m; C. Piantoni and M. Parrish col. 23 Aug 2012. USNM 1228976, Curlew Bank, forereef cave, 20 m; C. Piantoni and M. Parrish col. 23 Aug 2012. Diagnosis. Prosuberites, thinly encrusting but with warty surface structure caused by folds of the basal spongin layer. Tylostyles of great size range (230– 1520 x 9–30 Μm), separable in two shapes, that is, short and stout, with neck almost as thick as the head, and long and slim, with head well offset from the neck. Color bright orange, overlaid with a whitish ectosomal membrane containing crystalline inclusions. External morphology. Thin crusts, to 5 mm thick, extending 4–60 cm 2 or more. Surface slightly rugose and warty, bristly from protruding spicules. Oscula irregularly dispersed, slightly elevated, 1–4 mm diameter. Pores in small groups (cribiporal), each about 0.2 mm when open. Live color orange, overlaid by a whitish, very thin ectosomal membrane that blends in with the orange base color as soon as the sponge is touched or removed from the water. Skeleton structure. Tylostyles, single and in bunches, stand erect, embedded with their heads in the basal spongin plate. Folds in the spongin causes elevations of spicule tracts and bumps on the sponge surface. All sizes of tylostyles are mixed together, without specific localizations. Spicules. Tylostyles are straight or gently curved, and can be separated into two types, even though they overlap in dimensions (measurements of holotype). The more common type I is relatively thick and stout, the shaft widest at the neck, right below the spherical head, and tapering gradually to a sharp point: 240–840 x 15–30 (568 x 23) Μm; type II is long and thin, with the small head more clearly set off, the shaft very gently tapering to a point: 230– 1550 x 9–25 (963 x 15) Μm. In a few of either type of tylostyle, heads can be subterminal, although this condition is rare. Ecology. A reef species incrusting coral rock and cave walls and ceilings, 7– 35 m. Oftentimes found overgrown by other crustose sponges, such as Desmacella polysigmata and Monanchora arbuscula. Distribution. So far only known from the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef of Belize. Etymology. Named after the type locality, Carrie Bow Cay, Belize. Comments. This species shows similarities in color and ecology with Prosuberites psammophilus (Pulitzer- Finali, 1986: 89, figs. 17, 18) from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and with P. laughlini (Diaz, Alvarez & van Soest, 1987: 33, fig. 2; as Eurypon) from Venezuela and The Netherlands Antilles. However, the former species is distinguished by its incorporation of large quantities of sand and much thinner tylostyles with well set-off heads, the latter by visible subsurface canals that radiate toward the oscula and tylostyles with poorly developed heads, approaching the shape of styles. Neither species seems to have the bumpy surface or the whitish ectosomal membrane with pore sieves. We examined a peel of the ectosomal membrane by compound light microscope, using both transmitted and polarized ligh, and found that the reflective white appearance is caused by calcareous crystals, unlike any particles seen in nearby reef sediments. Our colleague Jeffrey Post (Department of Mineralogy, National Museum of Natural History) confirmed this observation by analytical SEM (personal communication) and showed that the euhedral calcium carbonate crystals (assumed to be aragonite) are accompanied by smaller crystals of calcium sulfate (perhaps gypsum). We suspect that these crystals are the product of endosymbiotic calcifying bacteria, similar to those discovered in species of Hemimycale (Uriz et al., 2012), along with artifacts from histological fixation (M. J. Uriz, Centre d’Estudis Avançat, Spain, personal communication). We hope to clarify this process using new material.Published as part of Rützler, Klaus, Piantoni, Carla, Van, Rob W. M. & Díaz, Cristina, 2014, Diversity of sponges (Porifera) from cryptic habitats on the Belize barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay, pp. 1-129 in Zootaxa 3805 (1) on pages 41-44, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3805.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/24998
Tetralophophora mesoamericana Rützler, Piantoni, Van & Díaz, 2014, new species
No full text<i>Tetralophophora mesoamericana</i> new species <p>(Figures 3 a, 7, 8)</p> <p> <b>Material.</b> Holotype: USNM 1228906, Curlew Bank forereef cave, 18 m; C. Piantoni and M. Parrish, col. 25 Aug 2012.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> Encrusting to cushion-shaped, yellow-ochre plakinid with small but numerous aquiferous openings evenly distributed over the surface, and with tetralophose calthrops (51 µm mean diameter) scattered across the ectosome and choanosome.</p> <p> <b>External morphology.</b> The holotype is encrusting another sponge (<i>Agelas schmidti</i>), 1–6 mm thick, and covering about 15 cm 2 of surface area. The surface is smooth but sprinkled by circular oscular and ostial openings, 0.2–0.5 µm in diameter. Consistency is firm but compressible, color yellowish ochre.</p> <p> <b>Skeleton structure and histology.</b> Spicules are densely and about evenly distributed throughout the ectosome and choanosome. Embryos are common and in various stages of development, averaging 250 µm in diameter. Diplodal choanocyte chambers are abundant and measure 25–38 µm in cross sections.</p> <p> <b>Spicules.</b> All are tetralophose calthrops with diameters of 33–61 (<i>51</i>) µm. Typical rays (including distal spines) measure 18– 33 x 4–8 (<i>28 x 6</i>) µm. Most rays have 2–5 apical spines, which may have points adorned by two or three spines, some have one or two spines halfway along their length, a few are furcated half way, then ending in spined points.</p> <p> <b>Ecology.</b> Discovered in a forereef cave in 18 m; overgrowing coral rock and a specimen of another sponge, <i>Agelas schmidti.</i></p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Belize.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> Named for the location of its discovery, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.</p> <p> <b>Comments.</b> We introduce a new genus with hesitation but the latest review of the family (Muricy and Díaz, 2002) does not provide for a suitable allocation among established taxa. According to this review, the genus <i>Placinolopha</i> Topsent is closely related to our <i>Tetralophophora</i> by sharing the tetralophose calthrops, but it also includes diactinolophose and triactinolophose and, in some species, non-lophose spicules. Presence of diplodal choanocyte chambers and absence of candelabras make it impossible to include our species in the current definitions of <i>Plakina</i> or <i>Corticium.</i></p>Published as part of <i>Rützler, Klaus, Piantoni, Carla, Van, Rob W. M. & Díaz, Cristina, 2014, Diversity of sponges (Porifera) from cryptic habitats on the Belize barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay, pp. 1-129 in Zootaxa 3805 (1)</i> on page 17, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3805.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/249983">http://zenodo.org/record/249983</a>
Rhaphidhistia belizensis Rützler, Piantoni, Van & Díaz, 2014, new species
No full text<i>Rhaphidhistia belizensis</i> new species <p>(Figures 3 g, 29)</p> <p> <b>Material.</b> Holotype: USNM 1228992, Carrie Bow Cay forereef slope, coral rock underside, 30 m; K. Ruetzler col. 26 Apr 1974.</p> <p>Paratypes: USNM 1228993, 1228994, Curlew Cay, frame-work cave in forereef wall (1.5 m from entrance), 20 m; C. Piantoni and M. Parrish col. 22 Aug 2012. USNM 1228995, Curlew Cay, frame-work cave in forereef wall (1.5 m from entrance), 20 m; C. Piantoni and M. Parrish col. 23 Aug 2012.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> Thinly encrusting, orange-colored <i>Rhaphidhistia</i> with large oxeas (247–860 x 5–18 µm) and three size classes of spirasters (28– 48 x 8–15 µm; 23– 35 x 4–6; 7– 18 x 3–9 µm) spread densely throughout the body. Largest spirasters with straight shaft and regularly spaced spiral spination by equal-sized rays (spinispires); smallest are microspined.</p> <p> <b>External morphology.</b> Very thin (0.5–2 mm) crusts mirroring the structure of the coral substratum, covering 2–50 cm 2. Groups of tiny pores but no obvious distinctions of oscula or ostia. Surface smooth, consistency firm, color vivid orange to light orange red.</p> <p> <b>Skeleton structure.</b> Oxeas without much orientation (criss-cross), a few in the choanosome in ill-defined tracts, some in the ectosome parallel to the surface. Spirasters occur in abundance throughout the tissue.</p> <p> <b>Spicules.</b> Oxeas, straight or slightly bent, thickest in the center of the shaft, gradually tapering to sharp points; a few show styloid or strongylote modifications: 247–860 x 5–18 (<i>535 x 12</i>) Μm; spirasters I, straight shafts (averaging 30 % of total spicule width) surrounded by a regular spiral of equal-sized rays: 28– 48 x 8–15 (<i>39 x 12</i>) Μm; spirasters II, short and thin and less regular in spination than spirasters I: 23– 35 x 4–6 (29 x 5) µm; spirasters III, microspined or rugose: 7– 18 x 3–9 (<i>12 x 6</i>) Μm.</p> <p> <b>Ecology.</b> Under forereef coral rock and in caves, 20– 30 m.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Belize (Caribbean).</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> Named after Belize, the Caribbean nation where it was first discovered.</p> <p> <b>Comments.</b> Morphological properties of our species agree well with the redescription of the type species of <i>Rhaphidhistia,</i> <i>R. spectabilis</i> Carter, 1879 (Hooper & van Soest, 2002, fig. 3A–C), particularly the thinly encrusting habit, disorganized arrangement of oxeas, abundance of spirasters throughout, and mostly straight and very regular spirasters (spinispirae). The main differences are the fewer twists of spines (up to six versus up to ten) and the second, smaller size class of spirasters in our material, and of course the geographical separation Belize versus Mauritius.</p> <p> In course of writing this chapter, colleagues from Colombia introduced a new species of <i>Rhaphidhistia, R. guajiraensis,</i> discovered in 50 m on a soft bottom off Dibulla, Colombian Caribbean (Díaz & Zea, 2013). This species is similar to ours but is thickly encrusting, as well as incorporating and agglutinating substratum particles (color in life is not known), and, like the type species (<i>R. spectabilis</i>), it lacks a small class of microspined spirasters (as was confirmed by S. Zea, personal communication).</p>Published as part of <i>Rützler, Klaus, Piantoni, Carla, Van, Rob W. M. & Díaz, Cristina, 2014, Diversity of sponges (Porifera) from cryptic habitats on the Belize barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay, pp. 1-129 in Zootaxa 3805 (1)</i> on pages 51-53, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3805.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/249983">http://zenodo.org/record/249983</a>
Chondrilla caribensis Rutzler, Duran & Piantoni 2007
No full text<i>Chondrilla caribensis</i> f. <i>caribensis</i> Rützler, Duran & Piantoni, 2007 <p> <i>Chondrilla caribensis</i> f. <i>caribensis</i> Ŗtzler, Duran & Piantoni, 2007: 100, fig. 4A, Table 3.</p> <p> The forma was described by Ŗtzler <i>et al.</i> from Carrie Bow Key, Belize, 16.83°N 88.1033°W, depth 0.5 m. By using the term ‘forma’ Ŗtzler <i>et al.</i> treated several of the specimens assigned to the species <i>Chondrilla caribensis</i> Ŗtzler, Duran & Piantoni, 2007 (holotype USNM 1082998 and paratype USNM 1082000) as members of an infrasubspecific taxon forma <i>caribensis</i>, which is not available under regulation of the Code (ICZN art. 45.6.3). Their identity remains <i>Chondrilla caribensis</i> Ŗtzler <i>et al.</i> 2012.</p>Published as part of <i>Van Soest, Rob W. M., 2024, Correcting sponge names: nomenclatural update of lower taxa level Porifera, pp. 1-122 in Zootaxa 5398 (1)</i> on page 12, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5398.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10494167">http://zenodo.org/record/10494167</a>
Timea diplasterina Rützler, Piantoni, Van & Díaz, 2014, new species
No full text<i>Timea diplasterina</i> new species <p>(Figures 3 e, 25)</p> <p> <b>Material.</b> Holotype: USNM 1228986, Carrie Bow Cay back reef, near crest, underside of <i>Acropora palmata</i> coral rubble, 0.3 m; K. Ruetzler coll. 23 Apr 1974.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Timea</i> with two size classes each of tylostyles and spheroxyasters, with diplasters of one size class added to the microsclere complement.</p> <p> <b>External morphology.</b> The holotype was originally a thin (0.2–3 mm), lumpy crust covering about 30 cm 2 of the rock surface. There were a few small (> 1 mm), irregularly dispersed openings (oscula). Surface rough to the touch (from protruding spicule brushes), consistency firm, live color ranging from drab to dull orange brown.</p> <p> <b>Skeleton structure.</b> Spicule bundles (bouquets) rising from the base to and beyond the surface, points directed outward. Microscleres, all types mixed, occur throughout the tissue but are densest near the base and in the ectosome.</p> <p> <b>Spicules.</b> Tylostyles straight or slightly bent, with spherical head that may be subterminal, slightly bent sideways, or show an extra swelling at the base, with pointed ends often dull or rounded; two size categories, I: 325–700 x 14–23 (<i>555 x 17</i>) Μm; II: 129–350 x 5–13 (<i>272 x 10</i>) µm. Spheroxyasters (center diameters: 37–42 % of total diameters), also in two size classes, the larger one (I) has smooth rays which, however, may be branched near the points: 38–59 (<i>48</i>) µm; spheroxyasters II have microspined rays: 8–30 (<i>17</i>) µm; diplasters, with smooth rays, some appearing like transition stages to spirasters:13–27 (<i>20</i>) µm.</p> <p> <b>Ecology.</b> Found only once, cryptic under coral rock, 0.3 m.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Belize.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> Named for the addition of diplasters to the euasters typical of the genus.</p> <p> <b>Comments.</b> This species is quite similar in microsclere composition to <i>Timea bioxyasterina</i> Mothes, Santos and Campos (Mothes <i>et al.,</i> 2004: 3, fig. 3; larger oxyasters with smooth rays, smaller ones with microspined rays) except that euasters are spheroxyasters (with centers>1/3 of total diameter) instead of oxyasters (center <1/3 diameter) and that there is the addition of diplasters. Discovery of a species of <i>Timea</i> with diplasters and transitional spirasters among its microscleres demonstrates the closeness of the family Timeidae to Spirastrellidae (see discussions in Rützler (2002)).</p>Published as part of <i>Rützler, Klaus, Piantoni, Carla, Van, Rob W. M. & Díaz, Cristina, 2014, Diversity of sponges (Porifera) from cryptic habitats on the Belize barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay, pp. 1-129 in Zootaxa 3805 (1)</i> on pages 45-48, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3805.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/249983">http://zenodo.org/record/249983</a>
Life for industrial sites End of Life
No full textIn the last decade, the decline in industrial settlements has emerged as an increasingly relevant and complex phenomenon, unveiling the limitations of the management models that are traditionally applied to these situations. This crucial problem is here addressed by adopting a conceptual framework, built to exploit a systemic perspective that moves from the recognition of the centrality of the company that used to inhabit the site. Specifically, operational guidelines are proposed and tested through their application to the case of enel’s power plant in Porto Tolle, being part of the Futur-e project. The results show how the conceptual model enables the identification of site-specific guidelines for the End Of Life (eol) strategy definition, and for the generation of opportunities for the entire area. If more traditional approaches were used, these opportunities would have remained undiscovered
Analisi qualitativa e quantitativa del mercato delle agenzie di rating ed esame di Cerved Rating Agency s.p.a. (Prima parte)
No full textNel corso del XX secolo, l’industria del rating si è affermata come parte integrante del sistema finanziario internazionale, conseguendo progressivamente maggiori responsabilità ed influenza sul destino di investitori istituzionali e non; imprese industriali, finanziarie e commerciali, pubbliche e private; Stati sovrani. In particolare nasce come fenomeno statunitense e rimane tale fino agli anni ’80 quando si estende ad altri Paesi industrializzati quale risultato dello sviluppo e dell’internazionalizzazione dei mercati finanziari nazionali oltre che sulla spinta di esigenze di natura regolamentare interna ai singoli stati, ma anche in relazione alla necessità di standard comuni di valutazione della qualità del credito che la reputazione delle tre sorelle (Moody's, S&P e Fitch) è riuscita ad imprimere a livello internazionale.
L’articolo fornisce un’analisi e una panoramica qualitativa e quantitativa del settore delle agenzie di rating soffermando l’attenzione sulla situazione statunitense, dove si osserva come le barriere all’ingresso e le conseguenti struttura oligopolistica e concentrazione nel settore delle agenzie di rating non abbiano subito notevoli variazioni, con ricadute negative in termini di aumento della numerosità e della competizione tra player nel mercato e della competitività del settore a vantaggio di investitori ed emittenti.
Molta strada deve ancora essere percorsa per ottenere un’impostazione regolamentare comune per migliorare integrità, trasparenza, responsabilità, correttezza gestionale e indipendenza delle attività di credit rating, contribuendo alla qualità dei rating emessi e al buon funzionamento del relativo mercato, realizzando nel contempo un grado elevato di protezione di consumatori e investitori, un appropriato supporto finanziario ai prenditori di fondi e un’adeguata e duratura stabilità finanziaria internazionale
Serum levels of granzyme B decrease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis responding to abatacept.
No full textAbstract
OBJECTIVES:
A possible role of granzyme B (GZMB) in the pathogenesis of joint erosions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been suggested. Since CD28neg T-cells may be an important source of GZMB, and we have previously shown that co-stimulation blockade by abatacept can prevent the generation of the CD28neg T-cell populations, we evaluated the effect of abatacept therapy on GZMB serum levels in patients with RA.
METHODS:
The serum levels of GZMB were evaluated by an indirect solid-phase enzyme immunoassay before the start of treatment with abatacept (T0) in 53 patients with RA and after 6 months of therapy (T6) in 25 patients.
RESULTS:
At T0, GZMB serum levels were correlated with disease activity measured by DAS28-CRP (p=0.0022) and percentages of circulating CD4+CD28neg and CD8+CD28neg T-cells (p=0.007; p=0.031). The levels of GZMB in 18 patients with a moderate or good EULAR clinical response to ABA significantly decreased from T0 to T6 (p=0.023), whereas no variation was observed in 7 non responders. The variation of GZMB levels was directly correlated with that of DAS28-PCR (p=0.040), but not with those of circulating CD28-neg T-cell subsets.
CONCLUSIONS:
Costimulation blockade by ABA can decrease the serum levels of GZMB in RA patients responding to the treatment, suggesting that this might be one of the mechanism by which abatacept can prevent radiographic erosions. However, the lack of correlation of such decrease with the numbers of circulating CD28-neg T cells suggests that these cells probably are not the main source of serum GZMB
Chondrilla caribensis Rutzler, Duran & Piantoni 2007
No full text<i>Chondrilla caribensis</i> f. <i>hermatypica</i> Rützler, Duran & Piantoni, 2007 <p> <i>Chondrilla caribensis</i> f. <i>hermatypica</i> Ŗtzler, Duran & Piantoni, 2007: 100, figs. 4B–D, Table 3.</p> <p> The forma was described by Ŗtzler <i>et al.</i> from Carrie Bow Key, Belize, 16.8017°N 88.05°W, depth 1- 3 m. By using the term ‘forma’ Ŗtzler <i>et al.</i> treated several of the specimens assigned to the species <i>Chondrilla caribensis</i> (paratype USNM 1082300 and paratype USNM 1083001) as members of an infrasubspecific taxon, which is not available under regulation of the Code (ICZN art. 45.6.3). Their identity remains <i>Chondrilla caribensis</i>.</p>Published as part of <i>Van Soest, Rob W. M., 2024, Correcting sponge names: nomenclatural update of lower taxa level Porifera, pp. 1-122 in Zootaxa 5398 (1)</i> on page 12, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5398.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10494167">http://zenodo.org/record/10494167</a>
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