bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trade and the transmission of Roman values to Cyprus, as evidenced by the amphorae
Authors: Kaldeli Anthi
Published: October 2016

Dans l’Empire romain le commerce, qui permettait la mise en oeuvre d’une stratégie politique d’exploitation économique des territoires, avait acquis un caractère pan-méditerranéen, facilité par une monnaie et un marché communs : il favorisait ainsi les interactions régionales, l’unité socio-culturelle et l’expansion économique de l’Empire. Le commerce à longue distance se développait dans un esprit de compétition, créant une identité commune entre les acteurs. Au-delà du débat sur la «romanisation » de l’Empire, on constate que certaines valeurs définies par le pouvoir central ont été transmises dans des sociétés aux profils socio-culturels différents : il convient de définir le niveau de transformation introduit dans ces sociétés par les échanges commerciaux, ainsi que l’impulsion économique et l’intégration politique qu’ils ont entraînées dans les provinces. Du point de vue archéologique, les amphores, principal conteneur commercial, constituent le meilleur témoignage pour étudier le processus d’intégration et la croissance économique aux deux premiers siècles ap. J.-C. : l’exemple de Chypre est significatif de l’interaction entre les acteurs de l’échange, et de la transmission des valeurs en Méditerranée orientale. Le phénomène de l’imitation est également mis en évidence, dans le contexte général du système socio-politique de l’Empire.
Effect of Gelatin on Osteogenic Cell Sheet Formation Using Canine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Kim Ah Young , Kim Yongsun , Lee Seung Hoon , Yoon Yongseok , Kim Wan-Hee , Kweon Oh-Kyeong
Published: October 2016

Osteogenically differentiated cell sheet techniques using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are available to stimulate bone regeneration. The advantage of the cell sheet technique is delivering live cells effectively into the focal region. We developed a novel osteogenic cell sheet technique by adding gelatin to osteogenic cell medium. Gelatin-induced osteogenic cell sheets (GCSs) were compared to conventional osteogenic cell sheets (OCSs). Undifferentiated MSCs (UCs) were used as a control. The morphology of these cell sheets was evaluated microscopically and histologically. The time-dependent cell proliferation rate was estimated by DNA quantification. The expression of osteogenic gene markers and the number of calcium depositions were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Alizarin red S (ARS) staining, respectively. GCSs were thicker and stronger than OCSs. GCSs showed a significantly higher cell proliferation rate compared to OCSs ( p < 0.05). GCSs exhibited significantly higher upregulation of BMP-7 mRNA compared to OCSs ( p < 0.05). Both GCSs and OCSs showed negative ARS reactivity on day 10, but only GCSs showed positive ARS reactivity on day 21. With this technique, we observed active cell proliferation with abundant ECM and upregulation of osteogenic bone markers, and our results suggest that GCSs could be promising for therapeutic applications in bone regeneration.
Safety of Intra-Arterial Injection with Tumor-Activated T Cells to the Rabbit Brain Evaluated by MRI and SPECT/CT
Authors: Lundberg Johan , Jussing Emma , Liu Zhenjiang , Meng Qingda , Rao Martin , Samén Erik , Grankvist Rikard , Damberg Peter , Dodoo Ernest , Maeurer Markus , Holmin Staffan
Published: October 2016

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most severe form of malignant gliomas. The prognosis is poor with current combinations of pharmaceutical, radiotherapy, and surgical therapy. A continuous search for new treatments has therefore been ongoing for many years. Therapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is a clinically promising strategy to treat various cancers, including GBM. An endovascular intraarterial injection of TILs as a method of delivery may, instead of intravenous infusion, result in better retention of effector cells within the tumor. Prior to clinical trials of intra-arterial injections with any cells, preclinical safety data with special emphasis on embolic–ischemic events are necessary to obtain. We used native rabbits as a model for intra-arterial injections with routine clinical catheter material and a clinical angiography suite. We selectively infused a total dose of 20 million activated T cells at a cell concentration of 4,000 cells/ml over 8 min of injection time. The rabbits were evaluated for ischemic lesions by 9.4 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ( n = 6), and for tracking of injected cells, single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) was used ( n = 2). In this study, we show that we can selectively infuse activated T cells to a CNS volume of 3.5 cm3 (estimated from the volumetric MRI) without catastrophic embolic– ischemic adverse events. We had one adverse event with a limited basal ganglia infarction, probably due to catheter-induced mechanical occlusion of one of the lateral lenticulostriatal arteries. The cells pass through the native brain without leaving SPECT signals. The cells then, over the first hours, end up in the liver to a large extent and to a lesser degree by the spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. Virtually no uptake could be detected in the lungs. This indicates a difference in biodistribution as opposed to other cell types when infused intravenously.
ROTATION IN THE PLEIADES WITH K2. II. MULTIPERIOD STARS
Authors: Rebull L. M. , Stauffer J. R. , Bouvier J. , Cody A. M. , Hillenbrand L. A. , Soderblom D. R. , Valenti J. , Barrado D. , Bouy H. , Ciardi D. , Pinsonneault M. , Stassun K. , Micela G. , Aigrain S. , Vrba F. , Somers G. , Gillen E. , Cameron A. Collier
Published: October 2016

We use K2 to continue the exploration of the distribution of rotation periods in Pleiades that we began in Paper I. We have discovered complicated multiperiod behavior in Pleiades stars using these K2 data, and we have grouped them into categories, which are the focal part of this paper. About 24% of the sample has multiple, real frequencies in the periodogram, sometimes manifesting as obvious beating in the LCs. Those having complex and/or structured periodogram peaks, unresolved multiple periods, and resolved close multiple periods are likely due to spot/spot group evolution and/or latitudinal differential rotation; these largely compose the slowly rotating sequence in P versus (V − K
s)0 identified in Paper I. The fast sequence in P versus (V − K
s)0 is dominated by single-period stars; these are likely to be rotating as solid bodies. Paper III continues the discussion, speculating about the origin and evolution of the period distribution in the Pleiades.
DEPENDENCE OF X-RAY BURST MODELS ON NUCLEAR REACTION RATES
Authors: Cyburt R. H. , Amthor A. M. , Heger A. , Johnson E. , Keek L. , Meisel Z. , Schatz H. , Smith K.
Published: October 2016

X-ray bursts are thermonuclear flashes on the surface of accreting neutron stars, and reliable burst models are needed to interpret observations in terms of properties of the neutron star and the binary system. We investigate the dependence of X-ray burst models on uncertainties in (p, γ), (α, γ), and (α, p) nuclear reaction rates using fully self-consistent burst models that account for the feedbacks between changes in nuclear energy generation and changes in astrophysical conditions. A two-step approach first identified sensitive nuclear reaction rates in a single-zone model with ignition conditions chosen to match calculations with a state-of-the-art 1D multi-zone model based on the Kepler stellar evolution code. All relevant reaction rates on neutron-deficient isotopes up to mass 106 were individually varied by a factor of 100 up and down. Calculations of the 84 changes in reaction rate with the highest impact were then repeated in the 1D multi-zone model. We find a number of uncertain reaction rates that affect predictions of light curves and burst ashes significantly. The results provide insights into the nuclear processes that shape observables from X-ray bursts, and guidance for future nuclear physics work to reduce nuclear uncertainties in X-ray burst models.
CO OBSERVATIONS AND INVESTIGATION OF TRIGGERED STAR FORMATION TOWARD THE N10 INFRARED BUBBLE AND SURROUNDINGS
Authors: Gama D. R. G. , Lepine J. R. D. , Mendoza E. , Wu Y. , Yuan J.
Published: October 2016

We studied the environment of the dust bubble N10 in molecular emission. Infrared bubbles, first detected by the GLIMPSE survey at 8.0 μm, are ideal regions to investigate the effect of the expansion of the H ii region on its surroundings and the eventual triggering of star formation at its borders. In this work, we present a multi-wavelength study of N10. This bubble is especially interesting because infrared studies of the young stellar content suggest a scenario of ongoing star formation, possibly triggered on the edge of the H ii region. We carried out observations of 12CO(1-0) and 13CO(1-0) emission at PMO 13.7 m toward N10. We also analyzed the IR and sub-millimeter emission on this region and compare those different tracers to obtain a detailed view of the interaction between the expanding H ii region and the molecular gas. We also estimated the parameters of the denser cold dust condensation and the ionized gas inside the shell. Bright CO emission was detected and two molecular clumps were identified from which we have derived physical parameters. We also estimate the parameters for the densest cold dust condensation and for the ionized gas inside the shell. The comparison between the dynamical age of this region and the fragmentation timescale favors the “Radiation-Driven Implosion” mechanism of star formation. N10 is a case of particular interest with gas structures in a narrow frontier between the H ii region and surrounding molecular material, and with a range of ages of YSOs situated in the region, indicating triggered star formation.
DETERMINATION OF CORONAL MASS EJECTION PHYSICAL PARAMETERS FROM A COMBINATION OF POLARIZED VISIBLE LIGHT AND UV Lyα OBSERVATIONS
Authors: Susino R. , Bemporad A.
Published: October 2016

Visible-light observations of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) performed with coronagraphs and heliospheric imagers (in primis on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory and STEREO missions) have offered the best way to study the kinematics and geometrical structure of these fundamental events so far. Nevertheless, it has been widely demonstrated that only combination of multi-wavelength data (including X-ray spectra, EUV images, EUV-UV spectra, and radio dynamic spectra) can provide complete information on the plasma temperature and density distributions, non-thermal motions, magnetic fields, and other physical parameters, for both CMEs and CME-related phenomena. In this work, we analyze three CMEs by combining simultaneous data acquired in the polarized visible light by the LASCO-C2 coronagraph and in the UV H i Lyα line (1216 Å) by the UVCS spectrometer, in order to estimate the CME plasma electron density (using the polarization-ratio technique to infer the 3D structure of the CME) and temperature (from the comparison between the expected and measured Lyα intensities) along the UVCS field of view. This analysis is primarily aimed at testing the diagnostic methods that will be applied to coronagraphic observations of CMEs delivered by the Metis instrument on board the next ESA-Solar Orbiter mission. We find that CME cores are usually associated with cooler plasma (

K), and that a significant increase of the electron temperatures is observed from the core to the front of the CME (where

K), which seems to be correlated, in all cases, with the morphological structure of the CME as derived from visible-light images.
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOST HALO AND THE SATELLITE GALAXIES OF THE MILKY WAY
Authors: Lu Yu , Benson Andrew , Mao Yao-Yuan , Tonnesen Stephanie , Peter Annika H. G. , Wetzel Andrew R. , Boylan-Kolchin Michael , Wechsler Risa H.
Published: October 2016

Many properties of the Milky Way’s (MW) dark matter halo, including its mass-assembly history, concentration, and subhalo population, remain poorly constrained. We explore the connection between these properties of the MW and its satellite galaxy population, especially the implication of the presence of the Magellanic Clouds for the properties of the MW halo. Using a suite of high-resolution N-body simulations of MW-mass halos with a fixed final

, we find that the presence of Magellanic Cloud-like satellites strongly correlates with the assembly history, concentration, and subhalo population of the host halo, such that MW-mass systems with Magellanic Clouds have lower concentration, more rapid recent accretion, and more massive subhalos than typical halos of the same mass. Using a flexible semi-analytic galaxy formation model that is tuned to reproduce the stellar mass function of the classical dwarf galaxies of the MW with Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo, we show that adopting host halos with different mass-assembly histories and concentrations can lead to different best-fit models for galaxy-formation physics, especially for the strength of feedback. These biases arise because the presence of the Magellanic Clouds boosts the overall population of high-mass subhalos, thus requiring a different stellar-mass-to-halo-mass ratio to match the data. These biases also lead to significant differences in the mass–metallicity relation, the kinematics of low-mass satellites, the number counts of small satellites associated with the Magellanic Clouds, and the stellar mass of MW itself. Observations of these galaxy properties can thus provide useful constraints on the properties of the MW halo.
DEPENDENCE OF THE Sr-TO-Ba AND Sr-TO-Eu RATIO ON THE NUCLEAR EQUATION OF STATE IN METAL-POOR HALO STARS
Authors: Famiano M. A. , Kajino T. , Aoki W. , Suda T.
Published: October 2016

A model is proposed in which the dependence on the equation of state (EOS) of the scatter of [Sr/Ba] in metal-poor stars is studied. Light r-process element enrichment in these stars has been explained via a truncated r-process, or “tr-process.” The truncation of the r-process from a generic core-collapse event followed by a collapse into an accretion-induced black hole is examined in the framework of a galactic chemical evolution model. The constraints on this model imposed by observations of extremely metal-poor stars are explained, and the upper limits in the [Sr/Ba] distributions are found to be related to the nuclear EOS in a collapse scenario. The scatter in [Sr/Ba] and [Sr/Eu] as a function of metallicity has been found to be consistent with turbulent ejection in core-collapse supernovae. Adaptations of this model are evaluated to account for the scatter in isotopic observables. This is done by assuming mixing in ejecta in a supernova event. Stiff EOS are eliminated by this model.
NEW CONSTRAINTS ON THE MOLECULAR GAS IN THE PROTOTYPICAL HyLIRGs BRI 1202–0725 AND BRI 1335–0417
Authors: Jones G. C. , Carilli C. L. , Momjian E. , Wagg J. , Riechers D. A. , Walter F. , Decarli R. , Ota K. , McMahon R.
Published: October 2016

We present Karl G Jansky Very Large Array observations of CO(

) line emission and rest-frame 250 GHz continuum emission of the Hyper-Luminous IR Galaxies (HyLIRGs) BRI 1202–0725 (z = 4.69) and BRI 1335–0417 (z = 4.41), with an angular resolution as high as 0.″15. Our low-order CO observations delineate the cool molecular gas, the fuel for star formation in the systems, in unprecedented detail. For BRI 1202–0725, line emission is seen from both extreme starburst galaxies: the quasar host and the optically obscured submm galaxy (SMG), in addition to one of the Lyα emitting galaxies in the group. Line emission from the SMG shows an east–west extension of about 0.″6. For Lyα-2, the CO emission is detected at the same velocity as [C ii] and [N ii], indicating a total gas mass ∼4.0 × 1010
M
⊙. The CO emission from BRI 1335–0417 peaks at the nominal quasar position, with a prominent northern extension (∼1″, a possible tidal feature). The gas depletion timescales are ∼107 years for the three HyLIRGs, consistent with extreme starbursts, while that of Lyα-2 may be consistent with main sequence galaxies. We interpret these sources as major star formation episodes in the formation of massive galaxies and supermassive black holes via gas-rich mergers in the early universe.
YOUNG STARS AND IONIZED NEBULAE IN M83: COMPARING CHEMICAL ABUNDANCES AT HIGH METALLICITY
Authors: Bresolin Fabio , Kudritzki Rolf-Peter , Urbaneja Miguel A. , Gieren Wolfgang , Ho I-Ting , Pietrzyński Grzegorz
Published: October 2016

We present spectra of 14 A-type supergiants in the metal-rich spiral galaxy M83. We derive stellar parameters and metallicities and measure a spectroscopic distance modulus

(4.9 ± 0.2 Mpc), in agreement with other methods. We use the stellar characteristic metallicity of M83 and other systems to discuss a version of the galaxy mass–metallicity relation that is independent of the analysis of nebular emission lines and the associated systematic uncertainties. We reproduce the radial metallicity gradient of M83, which flattens at large radii, with a chemical evolution model, constraining gas inflow and outflow processes. We carry out a comparative analysis of the metallicities we derive from the stellar spectra and published H ii region line fluxes, utilizing both the direct,

-based method and different strong-line abundance diagnostics. The direct abundances are in relatively good agreement with the stellar metallicities, once we apply a modest correction to the nebular oxygen abundance due to depletion onto dust. Popular empirically calibrated strong-line diagnostics tend to provide nebular abundances that underestimate the stellar metallicities above the solar value by ∼0.2 dex. This result could be related to difficulties in selecting calibration samples at high metallicity. The O3N2 method calibrated by Pettini and Pagel gives the best agreement with our stellar metallicities. We confirm that metal recombination lines yield nebular abundances that agree with the stellar abundances for high-metallicity systems, but find evidence that in more metal-poor environments they tend to underestimate the stellar metallicities by a significant amount, opposite to the behavior of the direct method.
THE BRIGHT END OF THE z ∼ 9 AND z ∼ 10 UV LUMINOSITY FUNCTIONS USING ALL FIVE CANDELS FIELDS∗
Authors: Bouwens R. J. , Oesch P. A. , Labbé I. , Illingworth G. D. , Fazio G. G. , Coe D. , Holwerda B. , Smit R. , Stefanon M. , Dokkum P. G. van , Trenti M. , Ashby M. L. N. , Huang J.-S. , Spitler L. , Straatman C. , Bradley L. , Magee D.
Published: October 2016

The deep, wide-area (∼800–900 arcmin2) near-infrared/WFC3/IR + Spitzer/IRAC observations over the CANDELS fields have been a remarkable resource for constraining the bright end of high-redshift UV luminosity functions. However, the lack of Hubble Space Telescope (HST) 1.05 μm observations over the CANDELS fields has made it difficult to identify z ∼ 9–10 sources robustly, since such data are needed to confirm the presence of an abrupt Lyman break at 1.2 μm. Here, we report on the successful identification of many such z ∼ 9–10 sources from a new HST program (z9-CANDELS) that targets the highest-probability z ∼ 9–10 galaxy candidates with observations at 1.05 μm, to search for a robust Lyman-break at 1.2 μm. The potential z ∼ 9–10 candidates were preselected from the full HST, Spitzer/IRAC S-CANDELS observations, and the deepest-available ground-based optical+near-infrared observations (CFHTLS-DEEP+HUGS+UltraVISTA+ZFOURGE). We identified 15 credible z ∼ 9–10 galaxies over the CANDELS fields. Nine of these galaxies lie at z ∼ 9 and five are new identifications. Our targeted follow-up strategy has proven to be very efficient in making use of scarce HST time to secure a reliable sample of z ∼ 9–10 galaxies. Through extensive simulations, we replicate the selection process for our sample (both the preselection and follow-up) and use it to improve current estimates for the volume density of bright z ∼ 9 and z ∼ 10 galaxies. The volume densities we find are 5

and

lower, respectively, than those found at z ∼ 8. When compared with the best-fit evolution (i.e.,

) in the UV luminosity densities from z ∼ 8 to z ∼ 4 integrated to

(−20 mag), these luminosity densities are

and

lower, respectively, than the extrapolated trends. Our new results are broadly consistent with the “accelerated evolution” scenario at z > 8, consistent with that seen in many models.
DAMPING OF THE MILKY WAY BAR BY MANIFOLD-DRIVEN SPIRALS
Authors: Łokas Ewa L.
Published: October 2016

We describe a new phenomenon of “bar damping” that may have played an important role in shaping the Milky Way bar and bulge as well as its spiral structure. We use a collisionless N-body simulation of a Milky Way–like galaxy initially composed of a dark matter halo and an exponential disk with a Toomre parameter slightly above unity. In this configuration, dominated by the disk in the center, a bar forms relatively quickly, after 1 Gyr of evolution. This is immediately followed by the formation of two manifold-driven spiral arms and the outflow of stars that modifies the potential in the vicinity of the bar, apparently shifting the position of the L
1/L
2 Lagrange points. This modification leads to the shortening of the bar and the creation of a next generation of manifold-driven spiral arms at a smaller radius. The process repeats itself a few times over the next 0.5 Gyr resulting in further substantial weakening and shortening of the bar. The time when the damping comes to an end coincides with the first buckling episode in the bar that rebuilds the orbital structure so that no more new spiral arms are formed. The morphology of the bar and the spiral structure at this time show remarkable similarity to the present properties of the Milky Way. Later on, the bar starts to grow rather steadily again, weakened only by subsequent buckling episodes occurring at more distant parts of the disk.
Produire un retrait de l’État acceptable
Authors: Barrault-Stella Lorenzo
Published: October 2016

Cet article étudie les politiques contemporaines de fermetures scolaires dans les mondes ruraux dans le cadre de la réforme de l’État en France. Basée sur des entretiens, des rapports, des statistiques et des observations lors d’une analyse localisée, l’enquête menée aux niveaux national et local souligne les perspectives de rationalisation budgétaire et organisationnelle au principe de la restriction du service public d’enseignement du premier degré. La restitution conjointe des oppositions politiques nationales, du travail ministériel, de l’élaboration de l’offre scolaire au sein des administrations locales et des négociations avec les syndicats enseignants et les élus locaux éclaire la manière dont ces réformes impliquant un retrait de l’État éducateur sont rendues acceptables.
A new overall approach to psychosocial risk prevention and well-being development
Authors: Ben Aissa Hazem
Published: October 2016

L’objectif de cet article de recherche est de proposer une nouvelle démarche de prévention des risques psychosociaux. En s’appuyant sur une méthodologie de recherche-intervention, cette étude présente un nouveau modèle selon trois niveaux : 1) la compréhension des relations entre la santé et le travail ; 2) le développement des leviers d’action au niveau de l’individu et de l’organisation pour réduire les risques psychosociaux ; 3) la mise en place du processus de changement. Cette étude s’appuie sur une intervention au sein d’une entreprise française du bâtiment. Elle présente les différents résultats obtenus suite à la mise en place de cette nouvelle démarche de prévention des risques psychosociaux.
Assessment of mothers’ knowledge and practice towards aflatoxin contamination in complementary foods in Ethiopia: from pre-harvest to household
Authors: Beyene A.A. , Woldegiorgis A.Z. , Adish A.A. , De Saeger S. , Tolossa A.L.
Published: October 2016

This study assessed the knowledge and practices of the mothers in Ethiopia on issues related to aflatoxin in complementary foods (CFs) using structured questionnaires. The study involved 195 mothers from Amhara, Tigray, Oromia, and Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) regions and addressed a range of issues used to prevent the risks of mould and aflatoxin contamination from farm-to-table. Of the 195 mothers who responded; 186 (95%) were ploughing their land before growing the next crop, 177 (91%) used the crop rotation schedule, 157 (81%) reported the practice of removing old seed heads and stalks used as an inoculum for aflatoxin contamination, 185 (95%) harvested the crops as soon as the crops were matured, 138 (70%) used a threshing method known as ‘trampling by hoofed animals’. After threshing, about 124 (64%) respondents had the knowledge and practice of drying cereals and legumes to decrease the moisture content, 134 (68%) used solar drying on a bare ground, 184 (94%) cleaned and disinfected the storage structures before storage. Almost all the respondents practiced the CFs processing steps properly and they used colour, type, odour, insect infestations, mouldiness and all these criteria to select the CFs ingredients. A total of 78 (40%) respondents had the practice of feeding mouldy cereals and legumes to animals, and 89 (46%) of the respondents erroneously believed that roasting can decontaminate the aflatoxin produced from mouldy cereals. As a general conclusion, the majority of the respondents are practicing good agricultural practices in the field, but they use poor storage and processing practices at homes which are susceptible to mould and aflatoxin contamination. Besides, they lack awareness about the toxic effects of aflatoxin on human health. Therefore, awareness creation about the health impacts of aflatoxin and methods of prevention need to be implemented in the study areas.
Parameter constraints of grazing response functions. Implications for phytoplankton bloom initiation
Authors: Solé Jordi , García-Ladona Emilio , Piera Jaume , Estrada Marta
Published: October 2016

Phytoplankton blooms are events of production and accumulation of phytoplankton biomass that influence ecosystem dynamics and may also have effects on socio-economic activities. Among the biological factors that affect bloom dynamics, prey selection by zooplankton may play an important role. Here we consider the initial state of development of an algal bloom and analyse how a reduced grazing pressure can allow an algal species with a lower intrinsic growth rate than a competitor to become dominant. We use a simple model with two microalgal species and one zooplankton grazer to derive general relationships between phytoplankton growth and zooplankton grazing. These relationships are applied to two common grazing response functions in order to deduce the mathematical constraints that the parameters of these functions must obey to allow the dominance of the lower growth rate competitor. To assess the usefulness of the deduced relationships in a more general framework, the results are applied in the context of a multispecies ecosystem model (ERSEM).
Microfouling communities from pelagic and benthic marine plastic debris sampled across Mediterranean coastal waters
Authors: Masó Mercedes , Fortuño José Manuel , De Juan Silvia , Demestre Montserrat
Published: October 2016

The present study used scanning electron microscopy to characterize the organisms colonizing marine plastic debris collected from pelagic and benthic habitats across Mediterranean coastal waters of Greece, Italy and Spain. A total of 42 fragments of plastic were collected during the COMSOM experimental cruise, 16 from the seafloor and 26 from surface waters. The results showed that diatoms were the most abundant organisms on both pelagic and benthic plastics. The diatom Ceratoneis closterium, frequently observed on surface plastics (73%), is a harmful microalgae associated with mucilage events in the Mediterranean. The abundance of marine plastic in coastal and oceanic waters may provide new habitats that offer an easy substrate for these invasive organisms. Furthermore, the colonization of these new environments might reduce the success of life strategies, or drive the organisms out of their essential habitat by dispersion and rafting phenomena. The results of the present work highlight the need to increase our knowledge of the consequences of colonization of plastics introduced into the marine environment, and the need to raise awareness of the potential impacts of debris accumulation on biodiversity of marine ecosystems.
From field experiments to salinity products: a tribute to the contributions of Jordi Font to the SMOS mission
Authors: Camps Adriano , Gabarró Carolina , Vall-llossera Mercè , Blanch Sebastià , Aguasca Albert , Torres Francesc , Corbella Ignasi , Duffo Nuria , Turiel Antonio , Portabella Marcos , Ballabrera-Poy Joaquim , González-Gambau Verónica , Martínez Justino , Villarino Ramón , Enrique Luís , Monerris Alessandra , Bosch Xavier , Sabia Roberto , Talone Marco , Piles Maria , Pablos Míriam , Valencia Enric
Published: October 2016

This article summarizes some of the activities in which Jordi Font, research professor and head of the Department of Physical and Technological Oceanography, Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC, Spanish National Research Council) in Barcelona, has been involved as co-Principal Investigator for Ocean Salinity of the European Space Agency Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) Earth Explorer Mission from the perspective of the Remote Sensing Lab at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. We have probably left out some of his many contributions to salinity remote sensing, but we hope that this review will give an idea of the importance of his work. We focus on the following issues: 1) the new accurate measurements of the sea water dielectric constant, 2) the WISE and EuroSTARRS field experiments that helped to define the geophysical model function relating brightness temperature to sea state, 3) the FROG 2003 field experiment that helped to understand the emission of sea foam, 4) GNSS-R techniques for improving sea surface salinity retrieval, 5) instrument characterization campaigns, and 6) the operational implementation of the Processing Centre of Levels 3 and 4 at the SMOS Barcelona Expert Centre.
2000 days of SMOS at the Barcelona Expert Centre: a tribute to the work of Jordi Font
Authors: Turiel Antonio , Piles Maria , González-Gambau Verónica , Ballabrera-Poy Joaquim , Gabarró Carolina , Martinez Justino , Olmedo Estrella , Portabella Marcos , Pérez Fernando , Solé Jordi
Published: October 2016

Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) is the first satellite mission capable of measuring sea surface salinity and soil moisture from space. Its novel instrument (the L-band radiometer MIRAS) has required the development of new algorithms to process SMOS data, a challenging task due to many processing issues and the difficulties inherent in a new technology. In the wake of SMOS, a new community of users has grown, requesting new products and applications, and extending the interest in this novel brand of satellite services. This paper reviews the role played by the Barcelona Expert Centre under the direction of Jordi Font, SMOS co-principal investigator. The main scientific activities and achievements and the future directions are discussed, highlighting the importance of the oceanographic applications of the mission.
Artificial upwelling using offshore wind energy for mariculture applications
Authors: Viúdez Álvaro , Fernández-Pedrera Balsells Marta , Rodríguez-Marroyo Rocío
Published: October 2016

Offshore wind is proposed as an energy source to upwell nutrient-rich deep water to the ocean photic layers. A spar-buoy wind turbine with a rigid tube about 300 m long is proposed as a pipe to drive deep water up to the surface. The minimum energy required to uplift the water is the potential energy difference between surface waters inside and outside the pipe, which depends on the background density profile. The corresponding surface jump or hydraulic head, h, calculated for several analytical and experimental density profiles, is of the order of 10 cm. If the complete turbine power (of the order of several MW) is used for raising the water (assuming a 100% pump efficiency), in a frictionless flow, very large water volumes, of the order of thousands of m3 s-1, will be transported to the photic layers. In a more realistic case, taking into account pipe friction in wide pipes, of the order of 10 m radius, and a power delivered to the fluid of 1 MW, the volume transport is still very large, about 500 m3 s-1. However, such a large amount of dense water could sink fast to aphotic layers due to vertical static instability (the fountain effect), ruining the enhancement of primary production. Hence, some ways to increase the turbulent entrainment and avoid the fountain effect are proposed. From the energetic viewpoint, artificial upwelling using offshore wind energy is a promising way to fertilize large open sea regions. This mariculture application is, however, severely subjected to atmosphere and ocean climatology, as well as to ecological dynamics. The general problem is multidisciplinary, and some important physical, engineering and ecological questions need to be seriously addressed to improve our confidence in the approach presented here.
Influence of light and nutrients on the vertical distribution of marine phytoplankton groups in the deep chlorophyll maximum
Authors: Latasa Mikel , Gutiérrez-Rodríguez Andrés , Cabello Ana Mª Mª , Scharek Renate
Published: October 2016

Ecological traits of phytoplankton are being incorporated into models to better understand the dynamics of marine ecosystems and to predict their response to global change. We have compared the distribution of major phytoplankton groups in two different systems: in surface waters of the NW Mediterranean during key ecological periods, and in the DCM (deep chlorophyll maximum) formed in summer in the temperate NE Atlantic. This comparison disentangled the influence of light and nutrients on the relative position of diatoms, dinoflagellates, prymnesiophytes, pelagophytes, chlorophytes, Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus in these environments. Three clusters formed according to their affinity for nutrients: diatoms, chlorophytes and dinoflagellates as the most eutrophic groups; Synechococcus, pelagophytes and prymnesiophytes as mesotrophic groups; and Prochlorococcus as an oligotrophic group. In terms of irradiance, the phytoplankton groups did not cluster clearly. Comparing the nutrient and light preferences of the groups with their distribution in the DCM, dinoflagellates and chlorophytes appear as the most stressed, i.e. their position was most distant from their optimal light and nutrient conditions. Diatoms stayed in deeper than optimal irradiance layers, probably to meet their high nutrient requirements. On the opposite side, low nutrient requirements allowed Prochlorococcus to remain in the uppermost part of the DCM layer. The slight sub-optimal position of Synechococcus and prymnesiophytes with regard to their nutrient requirements suggests that their need for high irradiance plays a significant role in their location within the DCM. Finally, pelagophytes remained in deep layers without an apparent need for the high nutrient concentrations at those depths.
Regional marine climate scenarios in the NE Atlantic sector close to the Spanish shores
Authors: Gomis Damià , Álvarez-Fanjul Enrique , Jordà Gabriel , Marcos Marta , Aznar Roland , Rodríguez-Camino Ernesto , Sánchez-Perrino Juan Carlos , Rodríguez-González José María , Martínez-Asensio Adrián , Llasses Josep , Pérez Begoña , Sotillo Marcos G.
Published: October 2016

We present an overview of the changes expected during the 21st century in key marine parameters (sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, sea level and waves) in the sector of the NE Atlantic Ocean close to the Spanish shores. Under the A1B scenario, open-sea surface temperatures would increase by 1°C to 1.5°C by 2050 as a consequence of global ocean warming. Near the continental margin, however, the global temperature rise would be counteracted by an enhancement of the seasonal upwelling. Sea surface salinity is likely to decrease in the future, mainly due to the advection of high-latitude fresher waters from ice melting. Mean sea level rise has been quantified as 15-20 cm by 2050, but two contributions not accounted for by our models must be added: the mass redistribution derived from changes in the large-scale circulation (which in the NE Atlantic may be as large as 15 cm in 2050 or 35 cm by 2100) and the increase in the ocean mass content due to the melting of continental ice (for which estimates are still uncertain). The meteorological tide shows very small changes, and therefore extreme sea levels would be higher in the 21st century, but mostly due to the increase in mean sea level, not to an increase in the storminess. The wave projections point towards slightly smaller significant wave heights, but the changes projected are of the same order as the natural variability.
Establishing the link between Ostreopsis cf.ovata blooms and human health impacts using ecology and epidemiology
Authors: Vila Magda , Abós-Herràndiz Rafael , Isern-Fontanet Jordi , Àlvarez Josep , Berdalet Elisa
Published: October 2016

Blooms of the benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis have been related to sporadic acute respiratory symptoms and general malaise in people exposed to marine aerosols on some Mediterranean beaches. However, the direct link between recurrent Ostreopsis blooms and health problems has not been clearly established. In order to establish and elucidate the connection, we conducted a joint ecology and epidemiology study in an Ostreopsis hot spot. Throughout the bloom, which extended from the end of June until the end of October 2013, 81% of the human cohort that we studied experienced at least one Ostreopsis-related symptom. Paradoxically, the time when the effects were greatest was during a short time window in early August. This corresponded to the transition from the exponential growth to the stationary phase of the bloom. Negligible symptoms were reported from August to mid-October, during the stationary period of the proliferation, when O. cf. ovata maintained high concentrations of epiphytic cells. No clear patterns in the landward wind component were noted during the time when health effects were greatest. Our main hypothesis is that the irritants present in the aerosol are produced during a particular physiological phase of the Ostreopsis cells during the bloom.
Variability of planktonic and epiphytic vibrios in a coastal environment affected by Ostreopsis blooms
Authors: Bellés-Garulera Judit , Vila Magda , Borrull Encarna , Riobó Pilar , Franco José M. , Montserrat Sala Maria
Published: October 2016

Vibrios include several pathogenic bacteria that occur in aquatic environments. The presence of Vibrio has been assessed in many ecosystems by culture-based techniques. However, little is known on the contribution of Vibrios in the sea, especially in areas subject to harmful algal blooms. A preliminary study in Sant Andreu de Llavaneres beach (NW Mediterranean) showed the presence of some Vibrio species during a recurrent bloom of the harmful benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata. In order to establish the importance of Vibrios in a coastal area of the NW Mediterranean and to study the association with the dinoflagellate, we conducted a sampling monitoring for one year to quantify the concentration of Vibrios both in the water (free-living and attached to particles) and in the epiphytic community of macroalgae. The aims were 1) to evaluate the relative abundance of Vibrio in the epiphytic and in the planktonic bacterial community, 2) to assess the percentage of free-living and attached Vibrios in the planktonic community, and 3) to determine whether the presence of Vibrios is associated with the blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis or with other environmental parameters. For this purpose, a CARD-FISH molecular probe was applied for the specific detection of bacteria belonging to the genus Vibrio. Cells were quantified and the abundance of both particles and bacteria attached to particles were assessed. The maximum Vibrio concentration (1.3x104 cells ml–1 and 1.4x106 cells g–1 FW, for planktonic and epiphytic samples, respectively) was detected in September. Free-living Vibrios contributed 0.38±0.24% to the total free-living planktonic community and 1.12±0.28% to the epiphytic bacterial community. However, their contribution was particularly high in the planktonic community attached to particles (17.37±20.49%). Although in the planktonic community Vibrio was found preferentially free-living (82.63±20.01%), particles are a niche for Vibrios, since in particles Vibrios may represent up to 72% of the total attached bacterial community. Abundance of planktonic Vibrio was correlated with Ostreopsis concentration and it is likely that they play a role in the wound infections suffered by beach users during the bloom.
Seasonal patterns in phytoplankton photosynthetic parameters and primary production at a coastal NW Mediterranean site
Authors: Gasol Josep M. , Cardelús Clara , G. Morán Xosé Anxelu , Balagué Vanessa , Forn Irene , Marrasé Cèlia , Massana Ramon , Pedrós-Alió Carlos , Montserrat Sala M. , Simó Rafel , Vaqué Dolors , Estrada Marta
Published: October 2016

We carried out monthly photosynthesis-irradiance (P-E) experiments with the 14C-method for 12 years (2003–2014) to determine the photosynthetic parameters and primary production of surface phytoplankton in the Blanes Bay Microbial Observatory, a coastal sampling station in the NW Mediterranean Sea. Our goal was to obtain seasonal trends and to establish the basis for detecting future changes of primary production in this oligotrophic area. The maximal photosynthetic rate PBmax ranged 30-fold (0.5-15 mg C mg Chl a–1 h–1), averaged 3.7 mg C mg Chl a–1 h–1 (±0.25 SE) and was highest in August and lowest in April and December. We only observed photoinhibition twice. The initial or light-limited slope of the P-E relationship, αB, was low, averaging 0.007 mg C mg Chl a–1 h–1 (μmol photons m–2 s–1)–1 (±0.001 SE, range 0.001-0.045) and showed the lowest values in spring (April-June). The light saturation parameter or saturation irradiance, EK, averaged 711 μmol photons m–2 s–1 (± 58.4 SE) and tended to be higher in spring and lower in winter. Phytoplankton assemblages were typically dominated by picoeukaryotes in early winter, diatoms in late autumn and late winter, dinoflagellates in spring and cyanobacteria in summer. Total particulate primary production averaged 1.45 mg C m-3 h–1 (±0.13 SE) with highest values in winter (up to 8.50 mg C m-3 h–1) and lowest values in summer (summer average, 0.30 mg C m-3 h–1), while chlorophyll-specific primary production averaged 2.49 mg C mg Chl a–1 h–1 (±0.19, SE) and peaked in summer (up to 12.0 mg C mg Chl a–1 h–1 in August). 14C-determined phytoplankton growth rates varied between ca. 0.3 d–1 in winter and 0.5 d–1 in summer and were within 60-80% of the maximal rates of growth, based on PBmax. Chlorophyll a was a good predictor of primary production only in the winter and autumn. Seasonality appeared to explain most of the variability in the studied variables, while phytoplankton composition played a minor role. Daily integrated primary production was fairly constant throughout the year: similar to previous oxygen-based estimates in winter but considerably lower than these in summer. The difference between 14C- and oxygen-based estimates of primary production could be explained by community respiration. Annually integrated primary production amounted to a rather modest 48 g C m–2 yr–1 (equivalent to 130 mg C m–2 d–1). Although no interannual patterns were detected, our work soundly establishes the seasonal trends for the coastal NW Mediterranean, therefore setting the basis for future detection of change.
Gamification Ecosystems
Authors: Štavljanin Velimir , Minović Miroslav
Published: October 2016

Gamification is hot topic today. Many organizations consider the application of gamification in their processes. Therefore, to implement gamification, it's necessary to know all elements and their relationships that comprise gamification ecosystem. The aim of this chapter is to clarify all details related to that ecosystem. At the beginning we defined gamification and similar concepts. Next, we introduced different types of gamification. One of the key parts of the chapter describes various game elements taxonomies and most used game elements or building blocks of gamification. Player as an inseparable part of that ecosystem is described through player identification, player types and player life cycle. It's clear now that there is lot of different approaches available for application of games in non-leisure context. Rather than to talk about one kind of game or game system, we decided to use term ecosystem in order to be clearer and more consistent with our approach. That is to integrate different approaches and orchestrate different tools in order to make them work together.
Long-Term Analysis of the Development of the Open ACS Community Framework
Authors: Aram Michael , Koch Stefan , Neumann Gustaf
Published: October 2016

The OpenACS community framework is a mature software toolkit for developing online community platforms. Originally invented at a university, it has prospered due to a high commercial demand and major investments, and subsequently settled as an open source project. In this chapter, the authors extend a previous analysis of the evolution of this software framework and its surrounding community. This long-term analysis of fourteen years of the project's evolution considers the commercial background of the members of the developer community (for-profit or non-profit), investigates the changing contribution and collaboration structures and the geographical distribution of the user community. The results reveal a continuous shift from new product development work by commercial developers to maintenance work by the open community and a relatively uniform and growing global distribution of users over the years.
Trying to Go Open
Authors: Imre Özgün
Published: October 2016

Theoretically, open source solutions are a good match with the resource scarce organization such as a young academic journal to make the publication process and the knowledge shared explicit to the participants in the system. This paper uses a case study approach to investigate how the decision to have such a system depends on a myriad of factors, and tracks how the editorial team decided to adopt an open source journal management system for their knowledge management issues. The study argues that these components should not be taken in isolation by showing how the previous decisions can become a hindrance as these components change over time. The results show that some factors, though initially thought to be unimportant, can become major forces as the journal matures, and a more holistic approach could help to side-step the problems faced.
Early Detection of Dementia
Authors: Xefteris Stefanos , Konstantinidis Evdokimos , Billis Antonis S. , Antoniou Panagiotis E. , Styliadis Charis , Paraskevopoulos Evangelos , Kartsidis Panagiotis Emmanouil , Frantzidιs Christos A. , Bamidis Panagiotis D.
Published: October 2016

Early detection and prediction of dementia through unobtrusive techniques or obtrusive tests is still in exploratory status and despite the increase of interest in recent years, many challenges remain open in designing methodologies that can accurately predict its onset. This chapter addresses the problem of the early detection of dementia from two points of view: Detection based on unobtrusive paradigms both in lab and home environments (behavioral monitoring, serious games, home based assisted living applications in telemedicine) and detection based on neuroimaging approaches. The chapter also provides information on setting up ecologically valid home labs for dementia related experiments. Consequently, the aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of a complete methodology of how researchers can possibly detect or predict the onset of dementia through the current state-of-the-art, underline open challenges and illustrate future work in the field.