bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Software for Teaching Emotions to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Lozano-Martínez Josefina , Ballesta-Pagán Francisco Javier , Alcaraz-García Salvador
Published: February 2011

This paper reports the results of a research project in which educational software was used to teach social and emotional skills to primary and secondary school students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The participants with difficulties in recognizing emotional states were nine male and female students aged between 8 and 18, with a mental age range of between 5 and 7 years. A single group design with pre-test/post-test was used. The students were assessed before teaching in relation to their levels of social and emotional skills. This assessment was intended to set the starting level of the teaching process for each student. The educational intervention consisted of two 45-minute weekly sessions for 20 weeks over two academic years (2006/2008). Following the intervention, each student was again assessed. Results indicate that the pupils improved their performance in tasks that evaluate the ability to recognize and understand emotional expressions. These results confirmed that the use of educational software for teaching social and emotional skills helps students with ASD to improve their ability to perform tasks aimed at the understanding of emotional skills. In addition, the participants improved their social skills significantly, a fact that was noticed by both teachers and families.

En este artículo se presentan los resultados de una investigación en la que se ha utilizado un software educativo para apoyar el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje de competencias emocionales y sociales en alumnado con trastornos del espectro autista (TEA) escolarizado en educación primaria y secundaria. Los participantes, con dificultades en el reconocimiento de estados emocionales, han sido nueve alumnos de edades comprendidas entre los 8 y 18 años, de ambos sexos y con un rango de índice de edad mental entre 5 y 7 años de edad. Para ello, se utilizó un diseño de grupo único con pretest-postest. Así, antes del proceso de enseñanza, el alumnado fue evaluado con relación a sus niveles de competencia emocional y social, con la finalidad de establecer, también, el nivel de inicio del proceso de enseñanza para cada uno de ellos. El proceso de enseñanza se desarrolló a lo largo de dos sesiones semanales de 45 minutos, cada una, en un intervalo de dos cursos académicos (2006/08). Tras el proceso de intervención educativa, los alumnos fueron nuevamente evaluados. Los resultados obtenidos confirman que la utilización del software educativo en la enseñanza de competencias emocionales y sociales ayuda a los alumnos a mejorar su capacidad para superar tareas encaminadas a la comprensión de competencias emocionales. Además, los participantes mejoraron sus competencias sociales ya que docentes y familiares apreciaron progresos significativos en esta área.
Report about the Media Literacy Situation in the Basque School Community
Authors: Ramírez-de-la-Piscina-Martínez Txema , Basteretxea-Polo Jose Inazio , Jiménez-Iglesias Estefanía
Published: February 2011

This article gathers together the results of a quantitative and qualitative piece of research conducted between 2007 and 2010 by the HGH «Hedabideak, Gizartea eta Hezkuntza» (Media, Society and Education) research team at the University of the Basque Country. The main aim of the research was to examine the situation of Media Literacy in the Basque Country’s school community. One of the newest aspects of this research was the study of the school community as a whole, at a specific moment and in a specific field; in other words, the students, teachers and parents of the same community. The results of the quantitative study have been taken from a survey done among 598 young people between 14 and 18 years old enrolled in Secondary or Further Education, or in Vocational Training courses. The qualitative study took into account the information extracted from ten focus groups and six in-depth interviews. Young people between the ages of 14 and 18, parents between 40 and 55, and eight experts of different ages took part in the discussions. Through the in-depth interviews the research team observed the opinions of eight educators who teach Education in Media. According to the results, the education system should include media education among its priorities.

El presente artículo recoge los principales resultados de una investigación cuantitativa y cualitativa llevada a cabo durante el período 2007-10 por el equipo de investigación HGH (Medios de Difusión, Sociedad y Educación) de la Universidad del País Vasco. El principal objetivo de la misma ha sido analizar el estado de la alfabetización audiovisual (Media Literacy) en el entorno de la comunidad escolar del País Vasco. Una de las principales novedades del presente trabajo radica en que se ha analizado el conjunto de la comunidad escolar en un momento y entorno concreto; es decir, teniendo en cuenta la opinión tanto de alumnado, como de profesorado y padres. Los resultados de la investigación cuantitativa se han extraído de una encuesta realizada a 598 jóvenes vascos de entre 14 y 18 años escolarizados tanto en institutos de Secundaria y Bachillerato como en centros de Formación Profesional. La investigación cualitativa se ha fundamentado en la información recogida a través de diez grupos de discusión y seis entrevistas en profundidad. En los grupos han participado jóvenes de la misma edad (entre 14 y 18 años) por una parte y padres y madres de entre 40 y 55 años por otro. En las entrevistas en profundidad, se ha testado la opinión de ocho profesores que imparten docencia en materias relacionadas con la educación en comunicación (educomunicación). A tenor de los resultados, el sistema educativo debería introducir la educomunicación entre sus prioridades.
Digital Competence and Literacy: Developing New Narrative Formats. The «Dragon Age: Origins» Videogame
Authors: López-Valero Amando , Encabo-Fernández Eduardo , Jerez-Martínez Isabel
Published: February 2011

The approach of this article is centered on the concepts of digital competence and new narrative formats. We aim to apply these dimensions to the videogame «Dragon Age Origins», winner of the 2009 videogame of the year award. Its features - plot, characters and interactivity – make it ideal reading material in other formats and are highly motivational for young people. The development of digital competence signifies new literacy, and it is necessary to find new stimulating resources that combine the fun and formative dimensions. Equally relevant are multimodal texts (Kress & Van Leeuwen, 2001), especially new narrative formats that imply social progress, as the ways of reading are different. The texts have acquired new formats with the same quality as books but they sometimes motivate users more. This is the case of «Dragon Age Origins», a dark heroic fantasy role-playing game set in a unique world containing a story to be read and experienced. Our analysis of the videogame discusses whether it should be considered a form of reading or not.

Este artículo tiene como ejes conceptuales la competencia digital, la literacidad y los nuevos formatos narrativos. El aprendizaje permanente incluye las mismas como claves de la formación de la persona y sobre todo, como elemento que va a contribuir a su inserción en una sociedad dinámica y cambiante. Tras analizar dichas dimensiones, las mismas serán reflejadas en el videojuego denominado «Dragon Age: Orígenes», galardonado con el premio juego de rol del año en el año 2009. El desarrollo de la competencia digital conlleva una nueva alfabetización y en la misma es preciso hallar recursos motivadores para que dicha adquisición sea a la vez una cuestión lúdica y formativa. Otro aspecto relevante que será tratado en el texto tiene que ver con la multimodalidad textual (Kress & Van Leeuwen, 2001), sobre todo con los nuevos formatos narrativos. Este hecho supone un importante avance social ya que las formas de lectura varían apareciendo formas distintas más motivadoras para el usuario pero no por ello poseen menor calidad. Éste es el caso de «Dragon Age: Orígenes», un juego de rol basado en la fantasía heroica ubicado en un mundo novedoso. Dicho juego se convierte en una excelente historia para ser leída y experimentada.
Learning from Television Fiction. The Reception and Socialization Effects from Watching «Loving in Troubled Times»
Authors: Chicharro-Merayo Mar
Published: February 2011

Television fiction is often understood as a cultural product whose aim is entertainment and escapism. However, its functions are not merely commercial. In fact, this article aims to improve understanding of the socializing and educational effects of television’s fictional messages. It also reflects on the active role of the audience in the process of reception, and on its capacity to define and interpret messages according to the viewer’s personal and social characteristics. This work examines the informational usefulness and significance for personal identity of a specific television genre, the telenovela, a fictional product which, despite focusing its narrative on romantic events and personal conflicts, can also provide the viewer with explanations and interpretations of society’s past and present. In particular, this analysis of the melodramatic format sets out to establish the meanings and representations in «Amar en tiempos revueltos» («Loving in Troubled Times») for its female viewers. Based on the analysis of in-depth interviews, the article will explore the female audience’s reception processes through variables such as age and education. This study concludes that the majority of female viewers use fiction in an explanatory sense, and that the telenovela is a genre in which women identify themselves individually and as a group.

La ficción televisiva suele ser entendida como producto cultural encaminado a la evasión y el entretenimiento. Sin embargo, sus funciones no son estrictamente comerciales. De hecho, el presente trabajo surge del interés por conocer los efectos socializadores y educativos de los mensajes de ficción. Del mismo modo, reflexiona sobre el papel activo de los espectadores en el proceso de recepción, sobre su capacidad para definir e interpretar los mensajes de acuerdo con sus características personales y sociales. Más concretamente, el trabajo se interesa por las utilidades informativas y significados identitarios de un género televisivo concreto: la telenovela. Si bien focaliza el grueso de sus tramas en los avatares románticos y los conflictos personales, este producto de ficción, puede además proveer al espectador de explicaciones e interpretaciones en relación con el pasado y el presente de una sociedad. Concretando nuestro análisis en un formato melodramático concreto, «Amar en tiempos revueltos», analizaremos los significados y representaciones que ofrece a sus públicos femeninos. A partir de ahí, y mediante el análisis de contenido de los discursos obtenidos a través de la técnica de la entrevista en profundidad, se explorarán los procesos de recepción de las espectadoras, en función de variables como la edad y el nivel educativo. De este modo, se concluirá señalando cómo el grueso de las espectadoras utiliza la ficción en un sentido explicativo, y se reconocen en ella personal y grupalmente.
The dominance of cyanobacteria in Mediterranean hypereutrophic lagoons: a case study of Cabras Lagoon (Sardinia, Italy)
Authors: Pulina Silvia , Padedda Bachisio Mario , Sechi Nicola , Lugliè Antonella
Published: February 2011

An intense proliferation of cyanobacteria in Cabras Lagoon was investigated over a period of two years (July 2007 to June 2009). The influence of environmental and meteorological parameters in the lagoon on temporal variations in cyanobacteria orders was assessed. For 17 months, Chroococcales was the only cyanobacterial order observed in the lagoon. Cyanobium-type cells (Reynolds functional group Z) were the most abundant phytoplankton taxon during this period. In the following months, drastic changes in the cyanobacteria assemblages occurred simultaneously with constant, intense rainfall that led to a sudden drop in the lagoon’s salinity. The succession of autumn–winter Oscillatoriales (Planktothrix sp. and Pseudanabaena catenata; Reynolds functional group S1) and late spring growth of Nostocales (Aphanizomenon gracile, Aphanizomenon aphanizomenoides, and Anabaenopsis circularis; Reynolds functional group H1) was monitored. Canonical Correspondence Analysis was carried out to quantify the influence of environmental variables, and indicated strong relationships between Chroococcales and salinity, Oscillatoriales and higher values of SRP and the DIN/SRP ratio, and Nostocales and lower nutrient concentrations, the DIN/SRP ratio and salinity.
Feeding habits of the Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea: Delphinidae), in Norte Bay, southern Brazil
Authors: Daura-Jorge Fábio G. , Wedekin Leonardo L. , Simões-Lopes Paulo C.
Published: February 2011

The stomach contents of 18 Guiana dolphins stranded or accidentally caught by fishing around Norte Bay of Santa Catarina Island between 1990 and 2006 were examined. The small population of Guiana dolphins studied showed a varied diet, and prey was caught disproportionately. The stomach contents of these dolphins consisted of 448 prey remains coming from 18 species and 10 families. Their diet primarily consisted of fish, but also shrimp and squid. The most important species were cutlass fish (Trichiurus lepturus) and white mouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), which together comprised 75% of the total biomass. Although prey size ranged widely from 1.4 to 92.8 cm, a prevalence of prey smaller than 20 cm was observed. There was a predominance of prey living in moderate or large schools. The prey also had a wide vertical distribution in the water column. Our results support the opportunistic feeding habit of the Guiana dolphin, since its diverse diet was clearly guided by the availability and accessibility of resources in its habitat.
The genus Acanthochitona (Mollusca: Polylacophora) in the Mediterranean Sea: morphological and molecular data
Authors: Bonfitto Antonio , Dell’Angelo Bruno , Evangelisti Francesca , Sabelli Bruno
Published: February 2011

This work represents an attempt to resolve the confused and contradictory taxonomy of Mediterranean chitons of the genus Acanthochitona by analysing morphological (SEM observations of aesthetes, radula and girdle) and molecular data (COI, 12S, ITS1). Both analyses support the validity of the three species, Acanthochitona fascicularis, A. crinita and A. oblonga, the latter two of which were previously considered as synonymous.
Assessment of Diplodus spp. (Sparidae) nursery grounds along the rocky shore of Marseilles (France, NW Mediterranean)
Authors: Cheminee Adrien , Francour Patrice , Harmelin-Vivien Mireille
Published: February 2011

This work aimed at performing a large scale assessment of Diplodus spp. (Sparidae) nurseries along the rocky shore of Marseilles (France, NW Mediterranean) by locating and quantifying nursery microhabitats and estimating the settlement pattern along this shore in 2004. Nursery grounds of Diplodus spp. represented only 9% of the 52 km-long rocky shore of Marseilles. Their location, shallow rocky habitats sheltered within coves, made them vulnerable to human-induced habitat transformations. D. vulgaris settled along this coast at the end of February 2004 and D. puntazzo settled a couple of months earlier. Maximum densities observed reached 215 and 67 ind./100 m for D. vulgaris and D. puntazzo respectively. The settlement rates were spatially variable. At a regional scale, lower settlement rates were observed within the south and centre zones, compared to those observed in the west, east, and the Marseilles Bay zones. Suitable nurseries along this shore seem insufficient for the replenishment of adult assemblages, which suggests that they depend on the migration of adults from other areas. Along the Marseilles rocky shore, coastal development projects leading to the destruction of habitats would represent a major threat to the Diplodus life cycle, which could be even greater than usual given the vulnerability and small size of the nurseries. These results show that it is necessary to protect these scarce local nursery habitats and manage other nearby nurseries to ensure the survival of fish at a critical life stage and the replenishment of adult assemblages.
Age and growth determination by skeletochronology in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Casale Paolo , Conte Nicoletta , Freggi Daniela , Cioni Carla , Argano Roberto
Published: February 2011

Skeletochronology was applied to humerus bones to assess the age and growth rates of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean Sea. Fifty-five dead turtles with curved carapace lengths (CCL) ranging from 24 to 86.5 cm were collected from the central Mediterranean. Sections of humeri were histologically processed to analyze annual growth marks. Two approaches were used to estimate the somatic growth in the form of a von Bertalanffy growth function. The first approach was based on calculating the total number of growth marks, which corresponds to the age of turtles at death. The second approach estimates the carapace length at old growth marks in order to provide the growth rate of each turtle. The observed individual growth rates ranged from 1.4 to 6.2 cm yr–1, and showed both elevated inter- and intra-individual variability possibly related to the environmental variability experienced by turtles during their lifetime. Both approaches gave similar results and suggest that Mediterranean loggerhead turtles take 14.9 to 28.5 years to reach a CCL of 66.5 to 84.7 cm. This size corresponds to the average size of nesting females found in the most important Mediterranean nesting sites and can be considered the approximate size at maturity.
Cardiorenal Syndrome Caused by Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Lazzeri Chiara , Valente Serafina , Tarquini Roberto , Gensini Gian Franco
Published: February 2011

Since cardiorenal dysfunction is usually secondary to multiple factors acting in concert (and not only reduced cardiac output) in the present paper we are going to focus on the interrelationship between heart failure with normal ejection fraction and the development of cardiorenal syndrome. The coexistence of renal impairment in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (CRS type 2 and 4) is common especially in older females with hypertension and/or diabetes. It can be hypothesized that the incidence of this disease association is growing, while clinical trials enrolling these patients are still lacking. The main mechanisms thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of this condition are represented by the increase of intra-abdominal and central venous pressure and the activation of the renin-angiotensin system. Differently from CRS in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the involvement of the kidney may be under-diagnosed in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction and the optimal therapeutic strategy in this condition, though challenging, is far to be completely elucidated. Further studies are needed to assess the best therapeutic regimen in patients with renal dysfunction (and worsening) and heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.
Cell Surface Binding and Internalization of Aβ Modulated by Degree of Aggregation
Authors: Bateman David A. , Chakrabartty Avijit
Published: February 2011

The amyloid peptides, Aβ40 and Aβ42, are generated through endoproteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein. Here we have developed a model to investigate the interaction of living cells with various forms of aggregated Aβ40/42. After incubation at endosomal pH 6, we observed a variety of Aβ conformations after 3 (Aβ3), 24 (Aβ24), and 90 hours (Aβ90). Both Aβ4224 and Aβ4024 were observed to rapidly bind and internalize into differentiated PC12 cells, leading to accumulation in the lysosome. In contrast, Aβ40/4290 were both found to only weakly associate with cells, but were observed as the most aggregated using dynamic light scattering and thioflavin‐T. Internalization of Aβ40/4224 was inhibited with treatment of monodansylcadaverine, an endocytosis inhibitor. These studies indicate that the ability of Aβ40/42 to bind and internalize into living cells increases with degree of aggregation until it reaches a maximum beyond which its ability to interact with cells diminishes drastically.
Effect of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Agonist (Pioglitazone) and Methotrexate on Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis (Experimental and Clinical Study)
Authors: Shahin Dina , Toraby Ehab El , Abdel-Malek Hala , Boshra Vivian , Elsamanoudy Ayman Z. , Shaheen Dalia
Published: February 2011

Objective

To investigate the combined effect of both pioglitazone and methotrexate on disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis in a biphasic study; experimental and clinical.

Methods

Experimentally: 50 rats were divided into 5 equal groups; controls, experimental arthritis, methorexate treated (0.1 mg/Kg daily), pioglitazone-treated (10 mg/kg daily), and methotrexate and pioglitazone treated. Clinically: forty-nine diabetic rheumatoid arthritis patients were included. Patients group consisted of 28 patients and they received pioglitazone 30 mg orally beside their usual treatment. Control group consisted of 21 patients and they continued their usual treatment plus placebo. Disease activity was assessed using DAS28 score. Patients were followed up for 3 months.

Results

Pioglitazone produced a significant improvement of serum oxidative stress parameters ( P < 0.05), and inflammatory cytokines in the treated arthritic group ( P < 0.05). Clinically, the pioglitazone treated group showed significant improvement in DAS28 ( P = 0.001) and C-reactive protein ( P < 0.0001) compared to placebo group.

Conclusion

The concomitant use of the PPAR γ agonist pioglitazone and methotrexate appears to be promising therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Teriparatide: Its Use in the Treatment of Osteoporosis
Authors: Inderjeeth Charles A. , Chan Kien , Glendenning Paul
Published: February 2011

The prevalence of osteoporosis is likely to rise with the increase in life expectancy of an ageing population. Current first line therapies for the treatment of osteoporosis are predominantly anti-resorptive. Teriparatide is a first in class, anabolic agent with a unique mechanism that results in increased bone formation. Daily subcutaneous injection for 6–24 months was effective in reducing vertebral and non-vertebral fracture rates, in improving bone mineral density (BMD) and in increasing bone formation rates in postmenopausal osteoporosis, with effects persisting following treatment cessation. Similar benefits on bone mass and bone formation were seen in men with osteoporosis and glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis. Beneficial effects on bone mass have been demonstrated in treatment naive subjects treated with teriparatide alone, sequentially with anti-resorptive therapy and concomitantly with some, but not all, anti-resorptive treatments due to an early blunting of the anabolic effect. Teriparatide is generally well tolerated. However, the high treatment cost and inconvenient mode of administration has limited it's use to patients with osteoporosis who have experienced an unsatisfactory response, who are intolerant to other osteoporosis therapies, or to patients at very high risk of fracture. Teriparatide treatment is currently restricted to a total lifetime treatment dose of 18 months of daily subcutaneous therapy due to concerns from animal studies suggesting an increased risk of osteosarcoma. More safety data may permit a longer duration of treatment in the future but will necessitate prolonged human studies. Teriparatide may serve a more prominent role in the treatment of older patients who continue to fracture despite low bone turnover or sustain side effects with anti-resorptive therapy.
Decreased Zinc and Increased Copper in Individuals with Anxiety
Authors: Russo A.J.
Published: February 2011

Aim

To assess plasma zinc and copper levels in individuals with anxiety and to test the hypothesis that there is a relationship between copper and zinc concentration and improved symptoms.

Subjects and Methods

Serum from 38 individuals with anxiety and 16 neurotypical age, gender and size similar controls were tested for plasma zinc and copper concentration using inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Zinc and copper levels, pre and post therapy, were compared and assessed for perceived anxiety symptoms.

Results

In this preliminary study, individuals with anxiety had significantly higher plasma levels of Cu ( P = 0.0348), Cu/Zn ( P = 0.0493) and lower Zn ( P = 0.0294) compared to controls. Zn levels normalized (increased to the normal range) and Cu/Zn significantly decreased after zinc therapy ( P = 0.0004, P = 0.0033, respectively), but Cu did not significantly decrease (0.3577). These same patients improved significantly with respect to perceived overall symptoms after zinc and anti-oxidant therapy ( P = 0.013).

Discussion

These results suggest an association between Zn plasma levels and individuals with anxiety, demonstrate that zinc therapy is effective in increasing zinc plasma levels, and show that zinc supplementation may play a role in improved symptoms.
Soot microphysical effects on liquid clouds, a multi-model investigation
Authors: Koch D. , Balkanski Y. , Bauer S. E. , Easter R. C. , Ferrachat S. , Ghan S. J. , Hoose C. , Iversen T. , Kirkevåg A. , Kristjansson J. E. , Liu X. , Lohmann U. , Menon S. , Quaas J. , Schulz M. , Seland Ø. , Takemura T. , Yan N.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. We use global models to explore the microphysical effects of carbonaceous aerosols on liquid clouds. Although absorption of solar radiation by soot warms the atmosphere, soot may cause climate cooling due to its contribution to cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and therefore cloud brightness. Six global models conducted three soot experiments; four of the models had detailed aerosol microphysical schemes. The average cloud radiative response to biofuel soot (black and organic carbon), including both indirect and semi-direct effects, is −0.11 Wm−2, comparable in size but opposite in sign to the respective direct effect. In a more idealized fossil fuel black carbon experiment, some models calculated a positive cloud response because soot provides a deposition sink for sulfuric and nitric acids and secondary organics, decreasing nucleation and evolution of viable CCN. Biofuel soot particles were also typically assumed to be larger and more hygroscopic than for fossil fuel soot and therefore caused more negative forcing, as also found in previous studies. Diesel soot (black and organic carbon) experiments had relatively smaller cloud impacts with five of the models
Secondary organic aerosol formation from the photooxidation of isoprene, 1,3-butadiene, and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene under high NOx conditions
Authors: Sato K. , Nakao S. , Clark C. H. , Qi L. , Cocker III D. R.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from atmospheric oxidation of isoprene has been the subject of multiple studies in recent years; however, reactions of other conjugated dienes emitted from anthropogenic sources remain poorly understood. SOA formation from the photooxidation of isoprene, isoprene-1-13C, 1,3-butadiene, and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene is investigated for high NOx conditions. The SOA yield measured in the 1,3-butadiene/NOx/H2O2 irradiation system (0.089–0.178) was close to or slightly higher than that measured with isoprene under similar NOx conditions (0.077–0.103), suggesting that the photooxidation of 1,3-butadiene is a possible source of SOA in urban air. In contrast, a very small amount of SOA particles was produced in experiments with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene. Off-line liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry analysis revealed oligoesters as the major SOA products observed from all dienes investigated. The oligoesters originate from the unsaturated aldehyde gas-phase diene reaction products, which undergo oligoester formation through heterogeneous oxidation under high NOx conditions. Oligoesters produced by the dehydration reaction between nitrooxypolyol and 2-methylglyceric acid monomer or its oligomer were also discovered in these experiments with isoprene as the starting diene. These oligomers are possible sources of the 2-methyltetrols found in ambient aerosol samples collected under high NOx conditions. Furthermore, in low-temperature experiments also conducted in this study, the SOA yield measured with isoprene at 278 K was 2–3 times as high as that measured at 300 K under similar concentration conditions. Although oligomerization plays an important role in SOA formation from isoprene photooxidation, the observed temperature dependence of SOA yield is largely explained by gas/particle partitioning of semi-volatile compounds.
The impact of temperature changes on summer time ozone and its' precursors in the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Im U. , Markakis K. , Poupkou A. , Melas D. , Unal A. , Gerasopoulos E. , Daskalakis N. , Kanakidou M.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Changes in temperature due to variability in meteorology and climate change are expected to significantly impact atmospheric composition. The Mediterranean is a climate sensitive region and includes megacities like Istanbul and large urban agglomerations such as Athens. The effect of temperature changes on gaseous air pollutant levels and the atmospheric processes that are controlling them in the Eastern Mediterranean are here investigated. The WRF/CMAQ mesoscale modeling system is used, coupled with the MEGAN model for the processing of biogenic volatile organic compound emissions. A set of temperature perturbations (spanning from 1 to 5 K) is applied on a base case simulation corresponding to July 2004. The results indicate that the Eastern Mediterranean basin acts as a reservoir of pollutants and their precursor emissions from large urban agglomerations. During summer, chemistry is a major sink at these urban areas near the surface, and a minor contributor at downwind areas. On average, the atmospheric processes are more effective within the first 1000 m. The response rate of biogenic emissions to temperature changes is calculated to be 9±3% K−1. Ozone concentrations respond almost linearly to the changes in the ambient temperature with rates of 1±0.1 ppb O3 K−1 for all studied urban and receptor stations except for Istanbul, where a 0.4±0.1 ppb O3 K−1 change rate is calculated, which is almost half of the domain-averaged increase of 0.9±0.1 ppb O3 K−1. The computed changes in atmospheric processes are also linearly related with temperature changes.
CO2 maximum in the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ)
Authors: Paulmier A. , Ruiz-Pino D. , Garçon V.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), known as suboxic layers which are mainly localized in the Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems, have been expanding since the 20th "high CO2" century, probably due to global warming. OMZs are also known to significantly contribute to the oceanic production of N2O, a greenhouse gas (GHG) more efficient than CO2. However, the contribution of the OMZs on the oceanic sources and sinks budget of CO2, the main GHG, still remains to be established. We present here the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) structure, associated locally with the Chilean OMZ and globally with the main most intense OMZs (O2<20 μmol kg−1) in the open ocean. To achieve this, we examine simultaneous DIC and O2 data collected off Chile during 4 cruises (2000–2002) and a monthly monitoring (2000–2001) in one of the shallowest OMZs, along with international DIC and O2 databases and climatology for other OMZs. High DIC concentrations (>2225 μmol kg−1, up to 2350 μmol kg−1) have been reported over the whole OMZ thickness, allowing the definition for all studied OMZs a Carbon Maximum Zone (CMZ). Locally off Chile, the shallow cores of the OMZ and CMZ are spatially and temporally collocated at 21° S, 30° S and 36° S despite different cross-shore, long-shore and seasonal configurations. Globally, the mean state of the main OMZs also corresponds to the largest carbon reserves of the ocean in subsurface waters. The CMZs-OMZs could then induce a positive feedback for the atmosphere during upwelling activity, as potential direct local sources of CO2. The CMZ paradoxically presents a slight "carbon deficit" in its core (~10%), meaning a DIC increase from the oxygenated ocean to the OMZ lower than the corresponding O2 decrease (assuming classical C/O molar ratios). This "carbon deficit" would be related to regional thermal mechanisms affecting faster O2 than DIC (due to the carbonate buffer effect) and occurring upstream in warm waters (e.g., in the Equatorial Divergence), where the CMZ-OMZ core originates. The "carbon deficit" in the CMZ core would be mainly compensated locally at the oxycline, by a "carbon excess" induced by a specific remineralization. Indeed, a possible co-existence of bacterial heterotrophic and autotrophic processes usually occurring at different depths could stimulate an intense aerobic-anaerobic remineralization, inducing the deviation of C/O molar ratios from the canonical Redfield ratios. Further studies to confirm these results for all OMZs are required to understand the OMZ effects on both climatic feedback mechanisms and marine ecosystem perturbations.
Distribution and host diversity of Amoebophryidae parasites across oligotrophic waters of the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Siano R. , Alves-de-Souza C. , Foulon E. , Bendif El M. , Simon N. , Guillou L. , Not F.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Sequences affiliated to Syndiniales (Marine alveolate, MALV) regularly dominate 18S rDNA genetic libraries of nearly all marine ecosystems investigated so far. Among them, Amoebophryidae (MALV group II) is composed of numerous and genetically distant environmental sequences, where Amoebophrya is the only known and formally described genus. Amoebophrya species include virulent pathogens for a wide range of dinoflagellate species. Beside their regular occurrence in marine ecosystems, their quantitative distribution and the environmental factors triggering host infection have barely been studied in open oligotrophic waters. In order to understand the functional role of these parasites in natural environments, we studied the distribution and contribution to the eukaryotic community of the small free-living stage of Amoebophryidae (the dinospores) along a transect in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as their host diversity at three oligotrophic stations. Dinospores were more abundant at a coastal station (max. 1.5 × 103 cells ml−1) than in oligotrophic waters (max. 51 ± 16.3 cells ml−1), where they represented 10.3 to 34.9% of the total eukaryotic community at 40 and 30 m depth, respectively and 21.2% on average along the water column. Positive correlation was found between dinospore occurrence and higher concentration of NO3 + NO2 at the coastal station. At selected stations, out of 38 different dinoflagellates taxa identified, 15 were infected, among which a majority were not recognized as Amoebophryidae host so far. Prevalences (percentage of infected cells) generally varied between 1% and 10%, with a notable exception for Blepharocysta paulsenii for which 25% of cells were infected at the most oligotrophic station. The present study shows that dinospores are able to thrive and infect dinoflagellates both in coastal and ultra-oligotrophic open waters. Our results emphasize the role of parasitism in microbial food web dynamics and ultimately on biogeochemical cycles.
Soil carbon stock increases in the organic layer of boreal middle-aged stands
Authors: Häkkinen M. , Heikkinen J. , Mäkipää R.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Changes in the soil carbon stock can potentially have a large influence on global carbon balance between terrestrial ecosystems and atmosphere. Since carbon sequestration of forest soils is influenced by human activities, reporting of the soil carbon pool is a compulsory part of the national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories. Various soil carbon models are applied in GHG inventories, however, the verification of model-based estimates is lacking. In general, the soil carbon models predict accumulation of soil carbon in the middle-aged stands, which is in good agreement with chronosequence studies and flux measurements of eddy sites, but they have not been widely tested with repeated measurements of permanent plots. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil carbon changes in the organic layer of boreal middle-aged forest stands. Soil carbon changes on re-measured sites were analyzed by using soil survey data that was based on composite samples as a first measurement and by taking into account spatial variation on the basis of the second measurement. By utilizing earlier soil surveys, a long sampling interval, which helps detection of slow changes, could be readily available. The range of measured change in the soil organic layer varied from −260 to 1260 g m−2 over the study period of 16–19 years and 23 ± 2 g m−2 per year, on average. The increase was significant in 6 out of the 38 plots from which data were available. Although the soil carbon change was difficult to detect at the plot scale, the overall increase measured across the middle-aged stands agrees with predictions of the commonly applied soil models. Further verification of the soil models is needed with larger datasets that cover wider geographical area and represent all age classes, especially young stands with potentially large soil carbon source.
Mineralisation, leaching and stabilisation of 13C-labelled leaf and twig litter in a beech forest soil
Authors: Kammer A. , Hagedorn F.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Very few field studies have quantified the different pathways of C loss from decomposing litter even though this is essential to better understand long-term dynamics of C stocks in soils. Using 13C-labelled leaf (isotope ratio (δ13C) = −40.8‰) and twig litter (δ13C = −38.4‰), we tracked down the litter-derived C in the soil respiration, in the dissolved organic C (DOC) and in the soil organic matter of a beech forest in the Swiss Jura. After one year of decomposition, mass loss in the litter layer was almost twice as great for leaves as it was for twigs (75% vs. 40%). This difference was not the result of a slow mineralisation of the woody litter, but primarily of the only slight incorporation of twig-derived C into mineral soils. The C mineralisation rates of the twig litter were only slightly lower than those of the leaf litter (10–35%), in particular after the loss of the readily available litter fraction. However, the leaching of DOC from twigs amounted only to half of that from leaves. Tracing the litter-derived DOC showed that DOC from both litter types was mostly retained (88–96%) and stabilised in the top centimetres of the mineral soil. In the soil organic C at 0–2 cm depth, we recovered 8% of the initial leaf C, but only 4% of the twig C. Moreover, the 13C mass balance suggested that a substantial fraction of the leaf material (~30%) was transported via soil fauna to soil depths below 2 cm, while the twig litter mainly decomposed in situ on the soil surface, probably due to its rigid structure and low nutritional value. In summary, our study shows that decaying twigs are rapidly mineralised, but seem to be clearly less important for the C storage in this beech forest soils than leaf litter.
Turning sunlight into stone: the oxalate-carbonate pathway in a tropical tree ecosystem
Authors: Cailleau G. , Braissant O. , Verrecchia E. P.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. An African oxalogenic tree, the iroko tree (Milicia excelsa), has the property to enhance carbonate precipitation in tropical oxisols, where such accumulations are not expected due to the theoretical acidic conditions of these soils. This uncommon process is linked to the oxalate-carbonate pathway, which increases soil pH through oxalate oxidation. In order to investigate the oxalate-carbonate pathway in the iroko system, fluxes of matter have been identified, described, and evaluated from field to microscopic scales. In the first centimeters of the soil profile, decaying of the organic matter allows the release of whewellite crystals, mainly due to the action of termites and saprophytic fungi. Regarding the carbonate flux, another direct consequence of wood feeding is a concomitant flux of carbonate formed in wood tissues, which is not consumed by termites. Nevertheless, calcite biomineralization of the tree is not a consequence of in situ oxalate consumption, but rather related to the oxalate oxidation inside the upper part of the soil. The consequence of this oxidation is the presence of carbonate ions in the soil solution pumped through the roots, leading to preferential mineralization of the roots and the trunk base. An ideal scenario for the iroko biomineralization and soil carbonate accumulation starts with oxalatization: as the iroko tree grows, the organic matter flux to the soil constitutes the litter. Therefore, an oxalate pool is formed on the forest ground. Then, wood rotting gents (mainly termites, fungi, and bacteria) release significant amounts of oxalate crystals from decaying plant tissues. In addition some of these gents are themselves producers of oxalate (fungi). Both processes contribute to a soil pool of "available" oxalate crystals. Oxalate consumption by oxalotrophic bacteria can start. Carbonate and calcium ions present in the soil solution represent the end products of the oxalate-carbonate pathway. The solution is pumped through the roots, leading to carbonate precipitation. The main pools of carbon are clearly identified as the organic matter (the tree and its organic products), the oxalate crystals, and the various carbonate features. A functional model based on field observations and diagenetic investigations with δ13C signatures of the various compartments involved in the local carbon cycle is proposed. It suggests that the iroko ecosystem can act as a long-term carbon sink, as long as the calcium source is related to non-carbonate rocks. Consequently, this carbon sink, driven by the oxalate carbonate pathway around an iroko tree, constitutes a true carbon trapping ecosystem as define by the ecological theory.
Fire, drought and El Niño relationships on Borneo during the pre-MODIS era (1980–2000)
Authors: Wooster M. J. , Perry G. L. W. , Zoumas A.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Borneo (Indonesia) is Earth's third largest island, and the location of both extensive areas of rainforest and tropical peatlands. It is the site of both regular (seasonal) biomass burning associated with forest clearance and agricultural production preparations, and occasional, but much more severe, large fire episodes releasing enormous volumes of carbon from burning vegetation and peat. The latter's extreme magnitude is believed to be associated with the severity of El Niño related droughts. Over the last decade, data from the EOS MODIS satellite instruments have been used to study fire on Borneo, but earlier large fire events remain less well documented. Here we focus on the study of Borneo's large fire episodes in the "pre-MODIS" era, and specifically a 20 year period covering both the two strongest El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events on record (1997–1998 and 1982–1983) and an unprecedented series of more frequent, but weaker, El Niño's. For the five El Niño episodes occurring between 1980 and 2000, we develop quantitative measures of Borneo's fire activity based on active fire counts derived from NOAA AVHRR Global Area Coverage (CAC) satellite data. We use these metrics to investigate relationships between the strength and timing of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event, the associated drought, and the fire activity magnitude. Significant fires are identified across parts of South, Central, East and West Kalimantan, always occurring within two or three fire sub-seasons separated by monsoons. We find that the length, overall strength, and growth rate of individual El Niño episodes effects the extent and harshness of the drought, and the magnitude of fire activity. We confirm significant correlations between monthly ENSO index and rainfall deficit measures, and between rainfall deficit and fire. The two strongest El Niño episodes are accompanied by the most abundant fires, showing two and three times the active fire count seen in the next largest fire year. The most significant statistical association found between ENSO strength and fire activity is that between the 16-month sum of the Niño-3 anomaly and the simultaneously recorded number of active fire counts (r2
The European VLF/LF radio network to search for earthquake precursors: setting up and natural/man-made disturbances
Authors: Biagi P. F. , Maggipinto T. , Righetti F. , Loiacono D. , Schiavulli L. , Ligonzo T. , Ermini A. , Moldovan I. A. , Moldovan A. S. , Buyuksarac A. , Silva H. G. , Bezzeghoud M. , Contadakis M. E.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. In the last years disturbances in VLF/LF radio signals related to seismic activity have been presented. The radio data were collected by receivers located on the ground or on satellites. The ground-based research implies systematic data collection by a network of receivers. Since 2000 the "Pacific VLF network", conducted by Japanese researchers, has been in operation. During 2008 a radio receiver was developed by the Italian factory Elettronika (Palo del Colle, Bari). The receiver is equipment working in VLF and LF bands. It can monitor 10 frequencies distributed in these bands and, for each of them, it saves the power level. At the beginning of 2009, five receivers were made for the realization of the "European VLF/LF Network"; two were planned for Italy and one for Greece, Turkey and Romania, respectively. In 2010 the network was enlarged to include a new receiver installed in Portugal. In this work, first the receiver and its setting up in the different places are described. Then, several disturbances in the radio signals related to the transmitters, receivers, meteorological/geomagnetic conditions are presented and described.
Sensitivity of a mesoscale model to different convective parameterization schemes in a heavy rain event
Authors: Gómez I. , Pastor F. , Estrela M. J.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. The Valencia region, on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula, is propitious to heavy precipitation, especially the area encompassing the South of Valencia province and the North of the Alicante province. In October 2007 a torrential rain affected the aforementioned area, producing accumulated rainfall values greater than 400 mm in less than 24 h and flash-floods that caused extensive economic losses and human casualties. This rain event has been studied in numerical experiments using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System. The present paper deals with the effect of using the different convective parameterizations (CP) currently implemented in the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (Kuo and Kain-Fritsch) in the forecast results, in particular on precipitation forecast. Sensitivity tests have been run with and without these parameterizations activated in a series of combinations of the different grids. Results are very different depending on the model convective parameterization setting. A statistical verification has also been undertaken by calculating different skill scores for each simulation in the experiment.