Decreasing mercury concentrations in beaks of the giant warty squid Moroteuthopsis longimana in the Scotia Sea (Southern Ocean) since the 1970s.

The giant warty squid Moroteuthopsis longimana is an important prey of top predators in the Southern Ocean. It is therefore a major link in the pathway of contaminants like mercury (Hg) to higher levels in food webs. In this study, we evaluated changes in Hg concentrations in beaks of adult M.

Rooting for resilience: transcriptomic, epigenomic and physiologic responses of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) to experimental drought.

Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying tree responses to drought is critical for preserving forest biodiversity, as current global climate change is challenging the ability of drought-sensitive trees to cope with water shortage. In this study, we investigate how silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) responds to experimental drought stress, more specifically, atmospheric drought caused by high vapor pressure deficit (VPD), by analyzing the gene expression and DNA methylation profiles of different organs alongside physiological variables under well-watered, drought and recovery conditions.

Spatial and interspecific differences of trace element concentrations in the feathers of pelagic and coastal seabirds from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Western Mediterranean Sea.

Coastal ecosystems face increasing contamination threats due to urbanisation and consequent human pressure worldwide. This study assessed exposure to 15 trace elements (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Ti, V, Zn) across the Northeast Atlantic and the western Mediterranean in pelagic shearwaters (Calonectris borealis and C. diomedea) and coastal gulls (Ichthyaetus audouinii and Larus michahellis).

The role of seabird foraging strategies on the uptake of mercury: A case study using gulls and shearwaters from the Portuguese coast.

Mercury (Hg) is a non-essential element that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in food webs through site-specific biogeochemical processes. Seabirds are valuable bioindicators of Hg contamination, yet certain regions, like the Portuguese coast, remain underrepresented. This study measured Hg concentrations in the blood of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis), Audouin's gulls (Ichthyaetus audouinii), and Cory's shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) breeding along the Portuguese coastline.

Calonectris shearwaters reveal a gradient of mercury contamination along the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters of the Iberian Peninsula.

This study examines blood mercury (Hg) concentrations in Calonectris spp. shearwaters from three colonies along the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters of the Iberian Peninsula (southwestern Europe), investigating their relationship with foraging ecology through GPS tracking and stable isotopes (δN and δC) data during the breeding season. Hg levels exhibited a spatial gradient, increasing from the Atlantic Ocean (1.

Squid beaks as a proxy for mercury concentrations in muscle of the giant warty squid Moroteuthopsis longimana.

Cephalopods play a major role in marine food webs as both predators and prey. Although most of the Hg in cephalopods is present in the muscle, most studies on its accumulation by predators are based on concentrations in beaks. Here, using upper and lower beaks and buccal masses of Moroteuthopsis longimana, we evaluated the relationship between Hg concentrations in different cephalopod tissues.

A family of Cd(II) coordination polymers constructed from 6-aminopicolinate and bipyridyl co-linkers: study of their growth in paper and photoluminescence sensing of Fe and Zn ions.

In this work, we report on five novel coordination polymers (CPs) based on the linkage of the [Cd(6apic)] building block [where 6apic = 6-aminopicolinate] by different bipyridine-type organic spacers, forming different coordination compounds with the following formulae: [Cd(μ-6apic)] (1), {[Cd(6apic)(μ-bipy)]·HO} (2), {[Cd(6apic)(μ-bpe)]·2HO} (3), [Cd(6apic)(μ-6apic)(μ-bpa)] (4) and {[Cd(6apic)(μ-tmbp)]·7HO} (5) [where bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine, bpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene, bpa = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpa) and tmbp = 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane]. Most of the synthesized compounds form infinite metal-organic rods through the linkage of the building block by the bipyridine-type linker, except in the case of compound 4 whose assembly forms a densely packed 3D architecture. All compounds were fully characterized and their photoluminescence properties were studied experimentally and computationally through density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Cerium(III) and 5-methylisophthalate-based MOFs with slow relaxation of magnetization and photoluminescence emission.

Two novel Ce(III) metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with formulas [Ce(5Meip)(H-5Meip)]GR-MOF-17 and [CeCl(5Meip)(DMF)]GR-MOF-18 (5Meip = 5-methylisophthalate, DMF = ,-dimethylformamide) have been synthesized, forming 3-dimensional frameworks. Magnetic measurements show that both compounds present field-induced slow magnetic relaxation under a small applied dc field. For GR-MOF-17, the temperature dependence of relaxation times is best described by a Raman mechanism, whereas for GR-MOF-18, relaxation occurs through a combination of Raman and local-mode pathways.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Performance of a New Heterobimetallic Y/Tb Metal-Organic Framework with High Catalytic Activity.

A three-dimensional heterobimetallic porous structure with the formula {[YTbL(OH)(HO) (DMF)] ·1.5HO·DMF} (L = 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoate) () has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), electrophoretic mobility, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The structure presents two metal environments: a bioaugmented isosceles wedge (mm2) MO and a tricapped trigonal prism (-6m2) MNO.

Multifunctional Amino Acid Derivative Coordination Compounds: Novel Contrast Agent and Luminescence Materials.

In this work a family of multidimensional (2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl) amino acid coordination compounds have been synthesized and thoroughly characterized. For this purpose, glycine, valine, phenylalanine and tyrosine have been selected as starting amino acids and Mn, Zn and Cd as metallic nodes. From one side, for Mn based dimer magnetic resonance imaging studies have been conducted, prompted by the number and disposition of the coordinated water molecules and taking into consideration the promising future of manganese-based coordination compounds as bio-compatible substitutes to conventional Gd based contrast agents.

From field-induced to zero-field SMMs associated with open/closed structures of bis(ZnDy) tetranuclear complexes: a combined magnetic, theoretical and optical study.

We have prepared a bis(compartmental) Mannich base ligand HL (1,4,8,11-tetraaza-1,4,8,11-tetrakis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)cyclotetradecane) specifically designed to obtain bis(TMLn) tetranuclear complexes (TM = transition metal). In this regard, we have succeeded in obtaining three new complexes of the formula [Zn(μ-L)(μ-OAc)Dy(NO)]·[Zn(μ-L)(μ-OAc)Dy(NO)(OAc)]·4CHCl·2MeOH (1) and [TM(μ-HL)(μ-succinate)Ln(NO)] (NO)·2HO·6MeOH (TM = Zn, Ln = Dy (2); TM = Co, Ln = Dy (3)). Compound 1 contains two different bis(ZnDy) tetranuclear molecules that cocrystallize in the structure, in which acetato bridging ligands connect the Zn and Dy ions within each ZnDy subunit.

Nickel, copper, and zinc dinuclear helicates: how do bulky groups influence their architecture?

The ligand design factors that may influence the isolation of metallosupramolecular helicates or mesocates still deserve to be investigated. In this sense, dinuclear nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) compounds were obtained by electrochemical synthesis using a family of five Schiff base ligands, HL ( = 1-5), derived from bisphenylmethane and functionalized with bulky -butyl groups in the periphery and ethyl groups in the spacer. Six of the new complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography, thus demonstrating that the helicate structure is predominant in the solid state.

Zero-Field SMM Behavior Triggered by Magnetic Exchange Interactions and a Collinear Arrangement of Local Anisotropy Axes in a Linear Co Complex.

A new linear trinuclear Co(II) complex with a formula of [{Co(μ-L)}Co] has been prepared by self-assembly of Co(II) ions and the NO-tripodal Schiff base ligand HL, which is obtained from the condensation of 1,1,1-tris(aminomethyl)ethane and salicylaldehyde. Single X-ray diffraction shows that this compound is centrosymmetric with triple-phenolate bridging groups connecting neighboring Co(II) ions, leading to a paddle-wheel-like structure with a pseudo- axis lying in the Co-Co-Co direction. The Co(II) ions at both ends of the Co(II) molecule exhibit distorted trigonal prismatic CoNO geometry, whereas the Co(II) at the middle presents an elongated trigonal antiprismatic CoO geometry.

Formation of Irida-β-ketoimines and PCN-Ir(III) Complexes by Reacting Irida-β-diketones with Aliphatic Diamines: Catalytic Activity in Hydrogen Release by Methanolysis of HN-BH.

Aliphatic diamines [(HN(CH)NHR) () = 2: R = H (), R = CH (), R = CH (), = 3, R = H () or -2-(aminomethyl)piperidine ()] react with [IrH(Cl){(PPh(-CHCO))H}] in THF to afford ketoimine complexes [IrH(Cl){(PPh(-CHCO))(PPh(-CHCN(CH)NHR))H}] (-) or [IrH(Cl){(PPh(-CHCO))(PPh(-CHCNCH(CHNH)))H}] (), containing a bridging N-H···O hydrogen bond and a dangling amine. Complex consists of an almost equimolar mixture of two diastereomers. In protic solvents, the dangling amine in complexes displaces chloride to afford cationic acyl-iminium compounds, [IrH(PPh(-CHCO))(PPh(-CHCNH(CH)NHR))]X (-, X = Cl) or [IrH(PPh(-CHCO))(PPh(-CHCNHCH(CHNH)))]Cl () and (-, X = ClO), with new hemilabile terdentate PCN ligands adopting a facial disposition.

transcriptome sequencing and gene co-expression reveal a genomic basis for drought sensitivity and evidence of a rapid local adaptation on Atlas cedar ().

Introduction: Understanding the adaptive capacity to current climate change of drought-sensitive tree species is mandatory, given their limited prospect of migration and adaptation as long-lived, sessile organisms. Knowledge about the molecular and eco-physiological mechanisms that control drought resilience is thus key, since water shortage appears as one of the main abiotic factors threatening forests ecosystems. However, our current background is scarce, especially in conifers, due to their huge and complex genomes.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation and Modulated Photoluminescent Emission of Coordination Polymer Based on 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzoate Zn and Co Metal Ions.

As a starting point, a new 3D porous framework with the {[CoL]·0.5DMF·HO} chemical formula (where L = 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoate) is described. Its performance as a single molecule magnet was explored.

Easy Handling and Cost-Efficient Processing of a Tb-MOF: The Emissive Capacity of the Membrane-Immobilized Material, Water Vapour Adsorption and Proton Conductivity.

The development of convenient, non-complicated, and cost-efficient processing techniques for packing low-density MOF powders for industry implementation is essential nowadays. To increase MOFs' availability in industrial settings, we propose the synthesis of a novel 3D Tb-MOF () and a simple and non-expensive method for its immobilization in the form of pellets and membranes in polymethacrylate (PMMA) and polysulphone (PSF). The photoluminescent properties of the processed materials were investigated.

Influence of Tartrate Ligand Coordination over Luminescence Properties of Chiral Lanthanide-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks.

The present work reports on a detailed discussion about the synthesis, characterization, and luminescence properties of three pairs of enantiopure 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with general formula {[Ln(L/D-tart)(HO)]·3HO} (, where Ln = Sm(III), Eu(III) or Gd(III), and L/D-tart = L- or D-tartrate), and ten pairs of enantiopure 2D coordination polymers (CPs) with general formula [Ln(L/D-Htart)(OH)(HO)] (, where Ln = Y(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), Ho(III), Er(III), Tm(III) or Yb(III), and L/D-Htart = hydrogen L- or D-tartrate) based on single-crystal X-ray structures. Enantiopure nature of the samples has been further corroborated by Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) as well as by circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Solid-state emission spectra of Eu(III), Tb(III), and Dy(III)-based compounds confirm the occurrence of ligand-to-metal charge transfers in view of the characteristic emissions for these lanthanide ions, and emission decay curves were also recorded to estimate the emission lifetimes for the reported compounds.

Adsorptive Capacity, Inhibitory Activity and Processing Techniques for a Copper-MOF Based on the 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoate Ligand.

Due to the fast, emerging development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the need for novel, efficient routes to battle these pathogens is crucial; in this scenario, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for combating them effectively. Herein, a novel Cu-MOF-namely -that displays the formula [CuL(DMF)] (DMF = ,-dimethylformamide) is described, synthesized by the combination of copper(II) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (HL)-both having well-known antibacterial properties. The resulting three-dimensional structure motivated us to study the antibacterial activity, adsorptive capacity and processability of the MOF in the form of pellets and membranes as a proof-of-concept to evaluate its future application in devices.

Two Synthetic Approaches to Coinage Metal(I) Mesocates: Electrochemical versus Chemical Synthesis.

We report two different approaches to isolate neutral and cationic mesocate-type metallosupramolecular architectures derived from coinage monovalent ions. For this purpose, we use a thiocarbohydrazone ligand, HL (), conveniently tuned with bulky phosphine groups to stabilize the M ions and prevent ligand crossing to achieve the selective formation of mesocates. The neutral complexes [Cu(HL)] (), [Ag(HL)] (), and [Au(HL)] () were prepared by an electrochemical method, while the cationic complexes [Cu(HL)](PF) (), [Cu(HL)](BF) (), [Ag(HL)](PF) (), [Ag(HL)](NO) (), and [Au(HL)]Cl () were obtained by using a metal salt as the precursor.

Magneto-thermal properties and slow magnetic relaxation in Mn(II)Ln(III) complexes: influence of magnetic coupling on the magneto-caloric effect.

A family of Mn(II)Ln(III) dinuclear and tetranuclear complexes (Ln = Gd and Dy) has been prepared from the compartmental ligands ,'-dimethyl-,'-bis(2-hydroxy-3-formyl-5-bromobenzyl)ethylenediamine (HL) and ,',''-trimethyl-,''-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)diethylenetriamine (HL). The Mn(II)Gd(III) complexes exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions between Mn(II) and Gd(III) ions in most cases, which are supported by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Experimental magneto-structural correlations carried out for the reported complexes and other related complexes found in bibliography show that the highest ferromagnetic coupling constants are observed in di-μ-phenoxido bridged complexes, which is due to the planarity of the Mn-(μ-O)-Gd bridging fragment and to the high Mn-O-Gd angles.

Hydrolysis of a carbamate triggered by coordination of metal ions.

The mechanism of carbamate activation promoted by different metal ions has been explored in this work. The reaction of the carbamate ligand HL with chloride metal salts (M = Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd) leads to the coordination of the metal ions to the ligand, causing hydrolysis of the systems. This self-immolation process results in mononuclear dihydrazone complexes, carbon dioxide and the release of alcohol species from the pendant groups of the carbamate ligand.

Multifunctional Lanthanide-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived from 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzoate: Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior, Luminescent Properties for Thermometry, and CO Adsorptive Capacity.

Herein, we describe and study a new family of isostructural multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with the formula {[LnL(OH)(DMF)]·5HO} (where (HL) is 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoic acid ligand) for magnetism and photoluminescence. Interestingly, three of the materials (Dy-, Er-, and Yb-based MOFs) present single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior derived from the magnetic anisotropy of the lanthanide ions as a consequence of the adequate electronic distribution of the coordination environment. Additionally, photoluminescence properties of the ligand in combination with Eu and Tb counterparts were studied, including the heterometallic Eu-Tb mixed MOF that shows potential as ratiometric luminescent thermometers.