bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Map of LTP-Related Synaptic Changes in Dorsal Hippocampus Following Unsupervised Learning
Authors: Cox Conor D. , Rex Christopher S. , Palmer Linda C. , Babayan Alex H. , Pham Danielle T. , Corwin Samantha D. , Trieu Brian H. , Gall Christine M. , Lynch Gary
Published: February 2014

Recent work showed that unsupervised learning of a complex environment activates synaptic proteins essential for the stabilization of long-term potentiation (LTP). The present study used automated methods to construct maps of excitatory synapses associated with high concentrations of one of these LTP-related proteins [CaMKII phosphorylated at T286/287, (pCaMKII)]. Labeling patterns across 42 sampling zones covering entire cross sections through rostral hippocampus were assessed for two groups of rats that explored a novel two-room arena for 30 min, with or without a response contingency involving mildly aversive cues. The number of pCaMKII-immunopositive (+) synapses was highly correlated between the two groups for the 21 sampling zones covering the dentate gyrus, CA3c/hilus, and apical dendrites of field CA1, but not for the remainder of the cross section. The distribution of pCaMKII+ synapses in the large uncorrelated segment differed markedly between the groups. Subtracting home-cage values removed high scores (i.e., sampling zones with a high percentage of pCaMKII+ contacts) in the negative contingency group, but not in the free-exploration animals. Three sites in the latter had values that were markedly elevated above other fields. These mapping results suggest that encoding of a form of memory that is dependent upon rostral hippocampus reliably occurs at high levels in discrete anatomical zones, and that this regionally differentiated response is blocked when animals are inhibited from freely exploring the environment by the introduction of a mildly aversive stimulus.
Local Regulation of Neurofilament Transport by Myelinating Cells
Authors: Monsma Paula C. , Li Yinyun , Fenn J. Daniel , Jung Peter , Brown Anthony
Published: February 2014

Axons in the vertebrate nervous system only expand beyond ∼1 μm in diameter if they become myelinated. This expansion is due in large part to the accumulation of space-filling cytoskeletal polymers called neurofilaments, which are cargoes of axonal transport. One possible mechanism for this accumulation is a decrease in the rate of neurofilament transport. To test this hypothesis, we used a fluorescence photoactivation pulse-escape technique to compare the kinetics of neurofilament transport in contiguous myelinated and unmyelinated segments of axons in long-term myelinating cocultures established from the dorsal root ganglia of embryonic rats. The myelinated segments contained more neurofilaments and had a larger cross-sectional area than the contiguous unmyelinated segments, and this correlated with a local slowing of neurofilament transport. By computational modeling of the pulse-escape kinetics, we found that this slowing of neurofilament transport could be explained by an increase in the proportion of the time that the neurofilaments spent pausing and that this increase in pausing was sufficient to explain the observed neurofilament accumulation. Thus we propose that myelinating cells can regulate the neurofilament content and morphology of axons locally by modulating the kinetics of neurofilament transport.
Importance of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) in Scaffolds for Guided Bone Regeneration: A Focused Review
Authors: Castillo-Dalí Gabriel , Velázquez-Cayón Rocío , Serrera-Figallo M. Angeles , Rodríguez-González-Elipe Agustín , Gutierrez-Pérez José-Luis , Torres-Lagares Daniel
Published: February 2014

Total or partial tissue damage and loss of function in an organ are two of the most serious and costly issues in human health. Initially, these problems were approached through organ and allogenic tissue transplantation, but this option is limited by the scarce availability of donors. In this manner, new bone for restoring or replacing lost and damaged bone tissue is an important health and socioeconomic necessity. Tissue engineering has been used as a strategy during the 21st century for mitigating this need through the development of guided bone regeneration scaffold and composites. In this manner, compared with other traditional methods, bone tissue engineering offers a new and interesting approach to bone repair. The poly-α-hydroxy acids, which include the copolymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid, have been used commonly in the fabrication of these scaffolds. The objective of our article was to review the characteristics and functions of scaffold with biomedical applications, with special interest in scaffold construction using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymers, in order to update the current methods used for fabrication and to improve the quality of these scaffolds, integrating this information into the context of advancements made in tissue engineering based on these structures. In the future, research into bone regeneration should be oriented toward a fruitful exchange between disciplines involved in tissue engineering, which is coming very close to filling the gaps in our ability to provide implants and restoration of functionality in bone tissue. Overcoming this challenge will provide benefits to a major portion of the population and facilitate substantial improvements to quality of life.
As diversas aproximações à terapêutica de grupo
Authors: Zimmermann David
Published: February 2014

Nesta revisão é salientado o desenvolvimento e a importância atual da psicoterapia de grupo. O autor, baseado em sua experiência em psicoterapia analítica de grupo, faz um estudo crítico dos principais métodos empregados, passando em revista as contribuições mais representativas dos métodos repressivo, didático, psicodramático e psicanalítico. Divide êste último em duas orientações fundamentais: uma em que as interpretações do psicoterapeuta visam os pacientes do grupo e a outra que focaliza primordialmente o grupo como um todo, como uma unidade dinâmica. A grande maioria dos autores menciona resultados terapêuticos favoráveis, pelo menos modificações ou desaparecimento de sintomas, mas não há ainda afirmações concludentes de modificações profundas e duradouras na personalidade dos pacientes. Quanto ao modo como atua o tratamento, nos métodos repressivo e didático, verifica-se facilmente como não são levados em conta os conflitos inconscientes, o que significa que não são tocadas as verdadeiras origens dos sintomas neuróticos. A ação terapêutica do método psicodramático, pelo menos nos têrmos em que se encontra atualmente conceituada, é difícil de ser apreciada devidamente, merecendo, entretanto, uma revisão à luz da experiência psicanalítica. No método psicanalítico, o instrumento técnico pelo qual se tenta obter as modificações desejadas, como na análise individual, são as interpretações transferenciais. Cita-se os inconvenientes da orientação em que as interpretações focalizam predominantemente os pacientes no grupo e conclui-se ser a orientação que visa o grupo como um todo a única que se apresenta adequada ao manejo técnico das situações clínicas e oferece mais possibilidades terapêuticas afetivas. Sugere-se ainda o motivo do terapeuta interpretar aos indivíduos do grupo: trata-se de uma defesa contra-transferencial contra as ansiedades despertadas pela ação envolvente do grupo.
Correlação entre produção de feijão e atributos físicos de um Latossolo em Mato Grosso do Sul
Authors: Montanari Rafael , Pellin Douglas Martins Pereira , Silva Júnior Carlos Antonio da , Carvalho Morel de Passos e , Gioia Máila Terra , Dalchiavon Flávio Carlos , Paz González Antonio
Published: February 2014

No Brasil, a cultura do feijoeiro é uma das mais representativas explorações agrícolas, não só pela área de cultivo, como também pelo valor econômico de sua produção. No ano agrícola de 2006/07, no município de Selvíria (MS), foi analisada a produtividade de grãos do feijoeiro, em função de alguns atributos físicos de um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, em sistema de cultivo mínimo e irrigado com pivô central. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar, dentre os atributos físicos do solo, sob cultivo mínimo, aqueles que melhor expliquem, pela correlação de Pearson e espacialmente, a variabilidade da produtividade de grãos de feijão. Para tanto, foi instalada uma malha geoestatística, para a coleta de dados do solo e da planta, com 117 pontos amostrais, numa área de 2025 m² e declive homogêneo de 0,055 m m-1, 5%. Os resultados mostraram que houve baixa produtividade de grãos do feijoeiro, ocorrida provavelmente por causa de uma menor densidade de plantas que esse sistema proporcionou. Dessa forma, para o sistema de cultivo mínimo do solo, a produtividade de feijão pôde ser explicada, em função da porosidade total e da densidade do solo.
Dinámica microbial del suelo asociada a diferentes estrategias de manejo de Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands en aguacate
Authors: Ramírez Gil Joaquín Guillermo , Castañeda Sánchez Dario Antonio , Morales Osorio Juan Gonzalo
Published: February 2014

La marchitez del aguacate es la enfermedad más limitante de este cultivo, cuyo agente causal más relevante es el oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. Es por esto que se han desarrollado diferentes estrategias para su manejo integrado, pero aún prevalece el uso de productos químicos, como única medida de manejo, generando impactos negativos en el ambiente y la salud. Uno de los efectos perjudiciales que se ocasiona es la alteración de las poblaciones microbianas en el suelo. Este trabajo estuvo encaminado a conocer la dinámica microbiana del suelo, bajo diferentes estrategias de manejo de esta enfermedad, para lo cual se midió su dinamismo mediante unidades formadoras de colonias (UFC), para hongos, bacterias y actinomicetos, a partir de muestras de suelo y rizósfera de la raíz, bajo incubación en condiciones de anaerobiosis y aerobiosis, además se midió la actividad microbiana total, en condiciones de laboratorio, como complemento se cuantificaron microorganismos como: Trichiderma spp, bacterias formadoras de endosporas (BAFE), celulolíticos, proteolíticos, amilolíticos, solubilizadores de fosfato, fijadores asimbióticos de nitrógeno y promotores del crecimiento, como Pseudomonas spp., fluorescentes. Los resultados encontrados en esta investigación, sugieren que el uso individual y combinado de mantillo orgánico, material compostado de estiércol bovino, enmienda mineral y cascarilla de arroz y la propuesta de integración; incrementan significativamente la población y actividad microbiana aerobia, en la cual se identificaron microorganismos antagonistas como, Trichiderma spp., celulolíticos, Pseudomonas spp. fluorescentes y BAFE.
Detection of virulence-associated genes in Salmonella Enteritidis isolates from chicken in South of Brazil
Authors: Borges Karen A. , Furian Thales Q. , Borsoi Anderlise , Moraes Hamilton L.S. , Salle Carlos T.P. , Nascimento Vladimir P.
Published: February 2014

Salmonella spp. are considered the main agents of foodborne disease and Salmonella Enteritidis is one of the most frequently isolated serovars worldwide. The virulence of Salmonella spp. and their interaction with the host are complex processes involving virulence factors to overcome host defenses. The purpose of this study was to detect virulence genes in S. Enteritidis isolates from poultry in the South of Brazil. PCR-based assays were developed in order to detect nine genes (lpfA, agfA, sefA, invA, hilA, avrA, sopE, sivH and spvC) associated with the virulence in eighty-four isolates of S. Enteritidis isolated from poultry. The invA, hilA, sivH, sefA and avrA genes were present in 100% of the isolates; lpfA and sopE were present in 99%; agfA was present in 96%; and the spvC gene was present in 92%. It was possible to characterize the isolates with four different genetic profiles (P1, P2, P3 and P4), as it follows: P1, positive for all genes; P2, negative only for spvC; P3, negative for agfA; and P4, negative for lpfA, spvC and sopE. The most prevalent profile was P1, which was present in 88% of the isolates. Although all isolates belong to the same serovar, it was possible to observe variations in the presence of these virulence-associated genes between different isolates. The characterization of the mechanisms of virulence circulating in the population of Salmonella Enteritidis is important for a better understanding of its biology and pathogenicity. The frequency of these genes and the establishment of genetic profiles can be used to determine patterns of virulence. These patterns, associated with in vivo studies, may help develop tools to predict the ability of virulence of different strains.
Aspectos epidemiológicos da Doença de Chagas canina no semiárido paraibano
Authors: Mendes Rodrigo S. , Santana Vanessa L. , Jansen Ana M. , Xavier Samantha Cristina C. , Vidal Ivana F. , Rotondano Tereza E.F. , Souza Almir P.
Published: February 2014

Com o objetivo de determinar os aspectos epidemiológicos que envolvem a doença de Chagas (DC) canina e identificar os principais fatores de risco da enfermidade no semiárido paraibano, foi conduzido um estudo na zona rural de Patos, onde a área foi dividida em três estratos amostrais (Norte, Sul e Oeste) e, em cada estrato foram amostradas aleatoriamente 294 casas, e dessas todos os cães domiciliados representaram as unidades elementares do estudo. Em cada unidade domiciliar foi aplicado um questionário epidemiológico para se obter informações sobre indicadores que favorecem a disseminação da doença no segmento peridomiciliar. O diagnóstico sorológico para DC em cães foi baseado em três métodos (RIFI, ELISA e HAI), sendo consideradas positivas aquelas amostras que apresentassem pelo menos dois testes reagentes e ausência de reatividade cruzada. Para zona rural do município, a prevalência de cães sororreagentes para T. cruzi por estrato amostral foram: Norte 6,05%, Sul 3,59% e Oeste 2,97%, correspondendo a uma prevalência em sua totalidade de 4,08%. Os fatores de riscos (odds ratio, OR) evidenciados em análise multifatorial foram: tipo de parede (OR=2,59 [1,24-5,4]), presença de armazém (OR=1,89 [1,31-3,0]), presença de galinheiros (OR=8,31 [1,29-61,7]), contato com animais (OR=9,11 [1,12-73,9]), contato com aves (OR=9,7 [1,81-52,83]), triatomíneos capturados (OR=16,58 [3,43-80,23]) e antropismo (OR=4,35 [1,36-14,0]. Diante dos resultados foi possível se obter informações inerentes à situação epidemiológica da Doença de Chagas ressaltando características biogeográficas da zona rural do semiárido paraibano, elevando a espécie canina e os fatores de risco evidenciados, em destaque ao contato com aves e ecótopos artificiais, operacionalizando indicadores a serem assistidos e considerados na cadeia de transmissão da doença na região.
Metabolic evaluation of Crioulo horses participating in competitions of 750 km
Authors: Amaral Lorena Alvariza , Marchiori Millie , Martins Charles Ferreira , Correa Marcio Nunes , Nogueira Carlos Eduardo Wayne
Published: February 2014

The Crioulo breed of horses performs in one of the most physically demanding equestrian competitions, the Marcha de Resistência, which is a contest in which the horses run 750 km in 15 days. The study's aim was to characterize the metabolic responses during this period. We evaluated eleven Crioulo horses in the competition, specifically, two males and nine females. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before the contest and on the 4th, 9th, 11th, 14th and 15th days of competition. We evaluated CK, AST, LDH, glucose, lactate, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, total calcium, ionized calcium, total protein, hematocrit and the white blood cell count. At the end of the competition, the mean values of serum AST were 1151±358 IU/ L the mean LDH values were 7418±1695 IU/L and CK was 13,867±3998UI /L. There was a significant increase in urea, creatinine and lactate (p<0.0001). A decrease in the mean values of chloride, sodium, potassium, and total and ionized calcium was observed (p≤0.0002). An evaluation of the total leukocytes and segmented neutrophils (p≤0.0002) revealed their increased values, and decreased values were observed for hematocrit, plasma protein and total lymphocytes (p≤0.0003). The values of glucose, on average, remained constant. Based on these data, we conclude that the Marcha de Resistência competition necessitated a high muscular demand and the depletion of energy and electrolytes, suggesting an inflammatory process in the animals evaluated.
O tempo de trabalho: uma chave analítica
Authors: Amorim Henrique
Published: February 2014

O tempo de trabalho é uma noção central para a análise marxista da sociedade capitalista. De Karl Marx aos nossos dias, a discussão sobre a redução do tempo de trabalho ganhou várias interpretações. Entre elas está aquela que aponta para a progressiva redução do tempo de trabalho. Progressiva, nesse caso, não é entendida com base em sua própria contradição, isto é, como uma necessidade do capital para sua valorização, mas sim como um processo de redução crescente do tempo do trabalho que no limite colocaria a relação de capital em xeque. A partir dessa interpretação, a tendência de redução do tempo de trabalho anunciaria à extinção das relações de produção capitalistas. Estaríamos, com isso, diante de uma perspectiva que se fundamenta em um automatismo social e, portanto, que pressupõe o fim do capitalismo de maneira determinista. Retomando as implicações mais centrais que a reestruturação produtiva, chamada de toyotista, proporcionou, sobretudo aquelas relativas à substituição massiva de trabalhadores por tecnologia informacionais e microeletrônicas, temos como objetivo desse artigo revisitar a noção de tempo de trabalho, tentando, com isso, demonstrar a fragilidade das teses que pressupõe um esgotamento estrutural da sociedade capitalista como fruto de um automatismo do movimento interno de reprodução do capital. Concluímos que estas teses, na prática, mistificam o papel central da luta de classes, primeiro, como elemento determinante do processo de constituição das forças produtivas capitalistas e, segundo, para a superação da subalternidade do trabalho em relação ao capital.
As centrais sindicais e o fenômeno do transformismo no governo Lula
Authors: Soares José de Lima
Published: February 2014

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar as cinco principais centrais sindicais brasileiras, no contexto do fenômeno do transformismo e das políticas de reestruturação produtiva e de precarização do trabalho levadas a cabo no governo Lula. Além disso, pretende-se analisar as propostas de ação sindical defendidas pelas centrais no sentido de fazer frente ao quadro de mudanças em curso, mudanças essas que têm incidido diretamente tanto no plano da materialidade como na subjetividade das classes trabalhadoras. Assim, algumas indagações nos parecem pertinentes: o que tem levado as centrais sindicais a optarem por uma política de parceria e aproximação com o governo, em detrimento de uma linha mais conflitiva? O fenômeno da aproximação das centrais sindicais seria responsável pela acomodação política diante da ofensiva das empresas no tocante à reestruturação produtiva, à flexibilização e à precarização do trabalho? Dito de outra maneira, as centrais sindicais não estariam operantes frente à ofensividade do capital sobre o trabalho?
Duas formas de fazer justiça: a atuação em uma Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito (CPI) como mediadora de um acordo do paz no sertão pernambucano
Authors: Doula Sheila Maria , Dupin Leonardo Vilaça
Published: February 2014

O tema deste trabalho delimita-se na figura do mediador como parte das brigas de famílias no meio rural brasileiro. Especificamente analisa-se uma Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito (CPI) que se prestou ao papel de mediadora na construção de um acordo de paz no sertão pernambucano. Busca-se aqui, a partir de análise documental e pesquisa de campo, evidenciar que o episódio, que se arrastou por meses em complexas negociações e composições provisórias, permite duas formas de fazer justiça: a aplicação da lei e a desmoralização do oponente.
As fronteiras da nação e das raças em São Tomé e Príncipe: São-tomenses, Europeus e Angolas nos primeiros decênios de Novecentos
Authors: Nascimento Augusto
Published: February 2014

Como noutras potências coloniais, na passagem de Oitocentos para Novecentos o pensamento colonialista em Portugal evoluiu no sentido do nacionalismo imperial, em parte devido à rivalidade internacional em torno do continente africano. Devido à pressão internacional sobre as suas práticas coloniais, as autoridades portuguesas tentaram traduzir em dominação efetiva a (alegada) posse das colônias. A intensa polémica do cacau escravo teve consequências nas roças de São Tomé e Príncipe. A implantação da República em 1910 ampliou o debate político. As noções de nação, civilização e raça foram manipuladas para assinalar as posições e as trajetórias sociais possíveis, quer a são-tomenses, quer aos serviçais importados das outras colónias. Neste texto analisar-se-á a posição dos ilhéus face aos colonos e aos serviçais, num contexto em que a liberdade política coexistiu com a crescente agressividade colonial, mormente no sentido da definição explícita das fronteiras raciais dentro da nação colonial.
As controvertidas minas de São Paulo (1550-1650)
Authors: Vilardaga José Carlos
Published: February 2014

Célebres descobridores de minas de ouro nas Minas Gerais e nas de Goiás - entre fins do século XVII e o século XVIII -, os moradores da Capitania de São Vicente, especialmente os da vila de São Paulo, tiveram ações nebulosas quanto às supostas riquezas minerais de seu próprio solo. A existência de minas na capitania nos séculos XVI e XVII sempre foi um assunto controvertido, tanto em seu tempo, quanto para a historiografia. Superestimadas por alguns ou menosprezadas por outros, as verdadeiras dimensões dessa riqueza se perderam no emaranhado de interesses que a envolvia. Aqui, pretendemos apresentar alguns indícios desta riqueza mineral, bem como parte dos interesses ambíguos em relação às minas de São Paulo nesse tempo, em especial quando da presença na vila do governador geral do Brasil, D. Francisco de Souza.
Criação de vilas em Minas Gerais no início do regime monárquico: a região Norte
Authors: Chaves Edneila Rodrigues
Published: February 2014

A criação de vilas em Minas Gerais no início do regime monárquico atendeu a demanda antiga por divisão administrativa do território. Demonstra-se Minas Gerais regionalizada, destacando a criação de vilas na região Norte. As petições para esse fim eram comuns a outras províncias do Brasil e tinham fundamentação semelhante. Mas, a Assembleia Geral somente tratou do assunto a partir de 1831 em consonância com a questão fiscal, de interesse do governo central e das províncias que se impôs na agenda política a partir de então.
História e memória em Goiás no século XIX: uma consciência da mágoa e da esperança
Authors: Sandes Noé Freire , Arrais Cristiano Alencar
Published: February 2014

Este artigo propõe identificar um modelo explicativo para a escrita da história de Goiás no século XIX. Este modelo implicava numa relação ambîgua em relação ao passado, revelando uma consciência histórica marcada pelo reforço do vínculo com a nação, pela negativação do período colonial e pela adoção de um critério moral para julgar o passado. Ao dialogar intensamente com a memória regional quase ao ponto de fundir-se com ela, a escrita da história de Goiás conclamava o Estado a participar da construção, não da Nação, já esboçada nos escritos do Instituto Histórico e Geográfico Brasileiro (IHGB), mas da região, na esperança de reconstruir os seus vínculos identitários.
Mãe paralítica no teatro das oligarquias?: o papel da Bahia na Primeira República para além do café-com-leite
Authors: Negro Antonio Luigi , Brito Jonas
Published: February 2014

Apesar de ter cabido à Bahia a segunda maior bancada do congresso republicano (menor apenas que a mineira, igual à dos paulistas; maior, portanto, que a dos gaúchos), a relevância de seu papel na Primeira República é comparada com sua situação privilegiada no império ou, além disto, é confrontada com o excepcionalismo dos paulistas: fazendeiros capitalistas, burgueses e industriais. A Bahia foi contudo um estado que, monarquista até a medula da escravatura, influiu os governos republicanos. Em 1908, na Exposição Nacional, suas elites conseguiram representar este papel com desenvoltura e eficácia.
As meditações americanas de Keyserling: um cosmopolitismo nas incertezas do tempo
Authors: Faria Daniel
Published: February 2014

Hoje esquecida, a obra de Keyserling teve grande sucesso nas décadas de 1920 e 1930, com êxito editorial e repercussão entre intelectuais ao redor do mundo. No Brasil, visitado pelo conde em 1929, Keyserling foi citado em textos de Oswald e Mário de Andrade, comentários de Alceu Amoroso Lima e Lindolfo Collor, entre outros. Mário de Andrade chegou a dizer que a obra de Keyserling era a chave para a interpretação de Macunaíma.. O tema de sua obra era a decadência ocidental frente à pluralidade dos tempos históricos nas civilizações do mundo. O oriente lento, o progresso europeu e o primitivismo americano formariam uma harmonia mundial das temporalidades. Neste artigo nos deteremos nas reflexões de Keyserling e seus interlocutores, tendo em vista a questão dos mal-entendidos subjacentes a um projeto de paz mundial, baseado numa interpretação exotizante acerca das diferenças culturais, especialmente as relacionadas a uma suposta identidade sul-americana.
Modelling of flow, transport and disinfection kinetics in contact tanks
Authors: Angeloudis Athanasios , Stoesser Thorsten , Kim Dongjin , Falconer Roger Alexander
Published: February 2014

Results of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of flow, transport processes and pathogen inactivation in contact tanks are presented. The three-dimensional numerical simulations are first validated using data from a previously completed laboratory experiment and velocity and conservative tracer transport data are available for comparison. The good agreement between CFD and experimental data confirms that the model reproduces accurately hydrodynamics and tracer transport processes. The analysis of the results reveals that the flow in the tank features extensive three-dimensionality, which is attributed to the current inlet configuration. Pathogen inactivation simulations show that complex flow in the tank affects the disinfection performance negatively. The potential for tank optimisation is examined by way of additional simulations featuring varying inlet designs, where it is shown that optimisation of inlet condition enhances the performance of the tank in terms of pathogen inactivation level for the same disinfectant dosage or the possibility of disinfectant dosage reduction towards reduced disinfection by-product production.
Flow, recruitment limitation, and the maintenance of diversity in marine benthic communities
Authors: Palardy James E. , Witman Jon D.
Published: February 2014

Many terrestrial and marine systems are open to immigration. As such, the delivery of reproductive propagules should play a substantial role in determining local diversity in many systems. Here we present the results of a two‐year experimental manipulation of subtidal flow regimes and show that flow has a strong positive effect on the assembly and maintenance of epifaunal invertebrate diversity by reducing recruitment limitation in two biogeographic regions. At two sites each in Alaska and Maine, USA, we experimentally manipulated flow speeds and measured the diversity of communities assembling through time and on recruitment panels scraped clean regularly. At all sites, the species richness of established communities, and the richness of recruitment into established communities and onto empty plates was >25% higher in enhanced flow than in control flow treatments. These effects were consistent for two years, and community diversity remained higher despite 30% higher species loss in enhanced flow treatments. Because communities remained open to immigration throughout the experiment, the data suggest that the diversity of epifaunal communities is strongly limited by recruitment and that supply‐side effects on diversity in natural communities are strong.

The positive effect of flow on diversity through a decrease in recruitment limitation was robust across scale, biogeographic region, and flow velocities and was consistent in magnitude in communities and on recruitment plates. Consequently, the data strongly suggest that the positive effects of flow on epifaunal diversity are persistent, can operate without diversity‐enhancing positive feedback mechanisms, and are driven by increases in propagule delivery. Thus flow plays a large role in establishing and maintaining epifaunal diversity by mediating the delivery of propagules necessary to colonize a patch or to replace species within communities. Although our data do not preclude effects of interspecific interactions, they strongly suggest that flow plays a large and essentially untested role in determining the diversity of benthic marine communities, and they imply that flow is a key mechanism driving recruitment limitation in diverse aquatic systems.
Testing the competition–colonization trade‐off with a 32‐year study of a saxicolous lichen community
Authors: Pastore A. I. , Prather C. M. , Gornish E. S. , Ryan W. H. , Ellis R. D. , Miller T. E.
Published: February 2014

Competition–colonization trade‐offs are theorized to be a mechanism of coexistence in communities structured by environmental fluctuations. But many studies that have tested for the trade‐off have failed to detect it, likely because a spatiotemporally structured environment and many species assemblages are needed to adequately test for a competition–colonization trade‐off. Here, we present a unique 32‐year study of rock‐dwelling lichens in New Mexico, USA, in which photographs were used to quantify lichen life history traits and interactions through time. These data allowed us to determine whether there were any trade‐offs between traits associated with colonization and competition, as well as the relationship between diversity and disturbance in the community. We did not find evidence for a trade‐off between competitive ability and colonization rate or any related life history traits. Interestingly, we did find a peak in all measures of species diversity at intermediate levels of disturbance, consistent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis pattern. We suggest that the coexistence of the dominant species in this system is regulated by differences in persistence and growth rate mediating overgrowth competition rather than a competition–colonization trade‐off.
Genetic variation within a dominant shrub structures green and brown community assemblages
Authors: Crutsinger Gregory M. , Rodriguez-Cabal Mariano A. , Roddy Adam B. , Peay Kabir G. , Bastow Justin L. , Kidder Allison G. , Dawson Todd E. , Fine Paul V. A. , Rudgers Jennifer A.
Published: February 2014

Two rising challenges in ecology are understanding the linkages between above‐ and belowground components of terrestrial ecosystems and connecting genes to their ecological consequences. Here, we blend these emerging perspectives using a long‐term common‐garden experiment in a coastal dune ecosystem, whose dominant shrub species, Baccharis pilularis, exists as erect or prostrate architectural morphotypes. We explored variation in green (foliage‐based) and brown (detritus‐based) community assemblages, local ecosystem processes, and understory microclimate between the two morphs. Prostrate morphs supported more individuals, species, and different compositions of foliage arthropods, litter microarthropods, and soil bacteria than erect morphs. The magnitude of community compositional differences was maintained from crown to litter to soil. Despite showing strikingly similar responses, green and brown assemblages were associated with different underlying mechanisms. Differences in estimated shrub biomass best explained variation in the green assemblage, while understory abiotic conditions accounted for variation in the brown assemblage. Prostrate morphs produced more biomass and litter, which corresponded with their strong lateral growth in a windy environment. Compared to erect morphs, the denser canopy and thicker litter layer of prostrate morphs helped create more humid understory conditions. As a result, decomposition rates were higher under prostrate shrubs, despite prostrate litter being of poorer quality. Together, our results support the hypothesis that intraspecific genetic variation in primary producers is a key mediator of above‐ and belowground linkages, and that integrating the two perspectives can lead to new insights into how terrestrial communities are linked with ecosystem pools and processes.
Lack of energetic equivalence in forest soil invertebrates
Authors: Ehnes Roswitha B. , Pollierer Melanie M. , Erdmann Georgia , Klarner Bernhard , Eitzinger Bernhard , Digel Christoph , Ott David , Maraun Mark , Scheu Stefan , Brose Ulrich
Published: February 2014

Ecological communities consist of small abundant and large non‐abundant species. The energetic equivalence rule is an often‐observed pattern that could be explained by equal energy usage among abundant small organisms and non‐abundant large organisms. To generate this pattern, metabolism (as an indicator of individual energy use) and abundance have to scale inversely with body mass, and cancel each other out. In contrast, the pattern referred to as biomass equivalence states that the biomass of all species in an area should be constant across the body‐mass range. In this study, we investigated forest soil communities with respect to metabolism, abundance, population energy use, and biomass. We focused on four land‐use types in three different landscape blocks (Biodiversity Exploratories). The soil samples contained 870 species across 12 phylogenetic groups. Our results indicated positive sublinear metabolic scaling and negative sublinear abundance scaling with species body mass. The relationships varied mainly due to differences among phylogenetic groups or feeding types, and only marginally due to land‐use type. However, these scaling relationships were not exactly inverse to each other, resulting in increasing population energy use and biomass with increasing body mass for most combinations of phylogenetic group or feeding type with land‐use type. Thus, our results are mostly inconsistent with the classic perception of energetic equivalence, and reject the biomass equivalence hypothesis while documenting a specific and nonrandom pattern of how abundance, energy use, and biomass are distributed across size classes. However, these patterns are consistent with two alternative predictions: the resource‐thinning hypothesis, which states that abundance decreases with trophic level, and the allometric degree hypothesis, which states that population energy use should increase with population average body mass, due to correlations with the number of links of consumers and resources. Overall, our results suggest that a synthesis of food web structures with metabolic theory may be most promising for predicting natural patterns of abundance, biomass, and energy use.
A multi‐isotope (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N) approach to establishing migratory connectivity of Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Authors: García-Pérez Belén , Hobson Keith A.
Published: February 2014

Establishing geographic links between different stages of the annual cycle of migratory species is fundamental to evaluating factors limiting their populations. Stable isotope measurements (δ13C, δ15N, and δ2H) of feathers combined with a knowledge of how these isotopes are structured spatially in foodwebs can be used to establish molt origins and migratory connectivity. Here, we investigated patterns of migratory connectivity between North American breeding grounds and South American wintering grounds of stable (n= 3) and declining (n= 9) populations of Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) in North America using a probabilistic assignment to multi‐isotope feather clusters derived for 488 winter‐grown feathers collected during the breeding season (2009 to 2012). Our study did not find evidence for differential degree of migratory connectivity between increasing/stable and declining populations of Barn Swallows but found a longitudinal structure in breeding and wintering ground origins of populations. Probable wintering areas for northern and western breeding birds corresponded with western regions of South America, while birds breeding in southern and eastern North America tended to occupy areas in north‐eastern South America. Possible factors contributing to the differential population trends between stable or increasing and declining breeding populations could be related to habitat quality of the different wintering areas, changes in climate, and the cost of long‐distance migration. The use of a multi‐isotope approach and the combination of prior information on geographic distribution of vegetation types, based on δ13C measurements, effectively constrained geographic origins of swallows and our approach can be applied to defining migratory connectivity for other species.
Sur une nouvelle espece du genre Crozonaspis (trilobite) decouverte dans l'Ordovicien de la Mayenne
Authors: Clarkson Euan N. K. , Henry Jean Louis
Published: February 2014

C. kerfornei n. sp., geographic distribution of several Ordovician genera, France
Les genres Chalmasia et Halicoryne (Algues Acetabulariacees)
Authors: Valet Gabriel , Segonzac Genevieve
Published: February 2014

Comparisons, Eocene, Miocene, and Recent forms, Czechoslovakia
Presence de Trias resedimente dans les sediments cretaces des Babor occidentaux (region de Bougie, Algerie); consequences tectoniques
Authors: Leikine Michel
Published: February 2014

Submarine slides, upper Albian and upper Cretaceous fault diapir, post-Lutetian (Eocene) decollement and imbricate structures
Le cadre structural du djebel Debar (nord du Constantinois, Algerie)
Authors: Vila Jean Marie , Magne Jean
Published: February 2014

Several overthrust nappes, Triassic-Cretaceous autochthonous series, allochthonous series (overturned Tell massif and flysch deposits)
A methodology for a quantitative interpretation of DGGE with the help of mathematical modelling: application in biohydrogen production
Authors: Tapia Estela , Donoso-Bravo Andres , Cabrol Léa , Alves Madalena , Pereira Alcina , Rapaport Alain , Ruiz-Filippi Gonzalo
Published: February 2014

Molecular biology techniques provide valuable insights in the investigation of microbial dynamics and evolution. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis is one of the most popular methods which have been used in bioprocess assessment. Most of the anaerobic digestion models consider several microbial populations as state variables. However, the difficulty of measuring individual species concentrations may cause inaccurate model predictions. The integration of microbial data and ecosystem modelling is currently a challenging issue for improved system control. A novel procedure that combines common experimental measurements, DGGE, and image analysis is presented in this study in order to provide a preliminary estimation of the actual concentration of the dominant bacterial ribotypes in a bioreactor, for further use as a variable in mathematical modelling of the bioprocess. This approach was applied during the start-up of a continuous anaerobic bioreactor for hydrogen production. The experimental concentration data were used for determining the kinetic parameters of each species, by using a multi-species chemostat-model. The model was able to reproduce the global trend of substrate and biomass concentrations during the reactor start-up, and predicted in an acceptable way the evolution of each ribotype concentration, depicting properly specific ribotype selection and extinction.
Treatment of waste activated sludge together with agro-waste by anaerobic digestion: focus on effluent quality
Authors: Cavinato C. , Da Ros C. , Pavan P. , Cecchi F. , Bolzonella D.
Published: February 2014

Waste activated sludge production and management plays an important role in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), especially from an economic point of view. One possible approach is the anaerobic co-digestion of waste activated sludge with others organic substrates in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions in order to exploit the spare volume of existing reactors, recover energy from biogas production, and obtain a fertilizer as final product. The anaerobic trials were carried out at pilot scale, applying two organic loading rates (2.8 and 4.5 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/(m3·d)) with a hydraulic retention time of 16 and 21 days. Among agro-wastes, wine lees were chosen because of their continuous availability throughout the year, and their high COD content (up to 200–300 g/l, 70% soluble, on average). The addition of wine lees to activated sludge determined a higher biogas production (best yield was 0.40 Nm3/kgCODfed) improving the energetic balance of the sludge line of the WWTP. The characterization of both substrates fed and digester effluents was carried out in terms of heavy metals; comparison with EC proposed limits showed that, due to high content of Cu in wine lees, the loading rate of this agro-waste should be limited to maintain good characteristics of final biosolids.
Assessing the treatment costs and the fertilizing value of the output products in digestate treatment systems
Authors: Golkowska K. , Vázquez-Rowe I. , Lebuf V. , Accoe F. , Koster D.
Published: February 2014

The objective of this paper was to advance towards finding sustainable solutions to deal with biogas digestate and contribute to faster development of the market for digestate treatment products. The study compares digestate treatment costs through four different treatment plants, estimates the potential fertilizing and humus value (PFHV) of the derived products and allocates the cash flows to show the possible regional benefits. The treatment costs for the pre-dried solid fraction of digestate ranged from €19 to €23/tonne output. These costs may be covered by vending treatment products at a price reaching at least 34–41% of their PFHV (ca €55/tonne). Treatment of raw digestate generates high operating costs (€216–247/tonne output), much higher than the PFHV of the products (ca €35–51/tonne). For such systems either the treatment has to be financially subsidized by the authorities or €13–32/tonne input should be covered by the substrate deliverers as a disposal fee. Nevertheless, a well-prepared investment concept in this field may allow the local binding of up to 80% of total cash flows. Finally, the current difficult market situation of the treatment products can be primarily improved by clearing their legal status at European level.
Water requirement of vegetation and infiltration method for determining the ecological water requirement of dried-up rivers
Authors: Qi Lan , Zhang Ya , Peng Jing , Qi Chaolong , Huang Jinhui , Liu Dewen
Published: February 2014

Many rivers in the region of northwest China are drying up, and the ecological environment is getting worse. Studying methods of calculating the ecological water requirement (EWR) for dried-up rivers will help to slow down the deterioration of the ecological environment and conserve biodiversity. The water requirement of vegetation and infiltration (WRVI) method is proposed in this paper. This method focuses on dried-up rivers and takes the water requirement of vegetation and river bed infiltration into consideration. This is different from the conventional methods, which only focus on the rivers that have a flow rate. Due to drying, the ecological environment is worsening year by year in the lower reaches of the Zhang River in the Haihe River Basin in northwest China. This river is used as an example to determine the EWR, and the results are compared with another method. The results show that the WRVI method can calculate the EWR more accurately by considering various factors in different years and months for dried-up rivers.
Water quality model parameter identification of an open channel in a long distance water transfer project based on finite difference, difference evolution and Monte Carlo
Authors: Shao Dongguo , Yang Haidong , Xiao Yi , Liu Biyu
Published: February 2014

A new method is proposed based on the finite difference method (FDM), differential evolution algorithm and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation to identify water quality model parameters of an open channel in a long distance water transfer project. Firstly, this parameter identification problem is considered as a Bayesian estimation problem and the forward numerical model is solved by FDM, and the posterior probability density function of the parameters is deduced. Then these parameters are estimated using a sampling method with differential evolution algorithm and MCMC simulation. Finally this proposed method is compared with FDM–MCMC by a twin experiment. The results show that the proposed method can be used to identify water quality model parameters of an open channel in a long distance water transfer project under different scenarios better with fewer iterations, higher reliability and anti-noise capability compared with FDM–MCMC. Therefore, it provides a new idea and method to solve the traceability problem in sudden water pollution accidents.
Risk assessment of sewer condition using artificial intelligence tools: application to the SANEST sewer system
Authors: Sousa V. , Matos J. P. , Almeida N. , Saldanha Matos J.
Published: February 2014

Operation, maintenance and rehabilitation comprise the main concerns of wastewater infrastructure asset management. Given the nature of the service provided by a wastewater system and the characteristics of the supporting infrastructure, technical issues are relevant to support asset management decisions. In particular, in densely urbanized areas served by large, complex and aging sewer networks, the sustainability of the infrastructures largely depends on the implementation of an efficient asset management system. The efficiency of such a system may be enhanced with technical decision support tools. This paper describes the role of artificial intelligence tools such as artificial neural networks and support vector machines for assisting the planning of operation and maintenance activities of wastewater infrastructures. A case study of the application of this type of tool to the wastewater infrastructures of Sistema de Saneamento da Costa do Estoril is presented.
Global sensitivity analysis of an in-sewer process model for the study of sulfide-induced corrosion of concrete
Authors: Donckels B. M. R. , Kroll S. , Van Dorpe M. , Weemaes M.
Published: February 2014

The presence of high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the sewer system can result in corrosion of the concrete sewer pipes. The formation and fate of hydrogen sulfide in the sewer system is governed by a complex system of biological, chemical and physical processes. Therefore, mechanistic models have been developed to describe the underlying processes. In this work, global sensitivity analysis was applied to an in-sewer process model (aqua3S) to determine the most important model input factors with regard to sulfide formation in rising mains and the concrete corrosion rate downstream of a rising main. The results of the sensitivity analysis revealed the most influential model parameters, but also the importance of the characteristics of the organic matter, the alkalinity of the concrete and the movement of the sewer gas phase.