bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Humanimalités
Authors: Tremblay Jacynthe
Published: August 2017

Les recherches scientifiques de l’époque de Nishida Kitarō (1870-1945) ont clairement établi que l’émergence de l’être humain, comparée à l’animal, n’est pas une différence de nature mais de degré, et que toutes les fonctions cognitives ont une assise biologique déterminée. S’appuyant sur ces recherches innovatrices, Nishida s’efforça de mettre à jour les continuités et les discontinuités dans la transition de l’animal à l’être humain. En particulier, il mit l’accent sur l’aspect conscient de l’animal, ainsi que sur l’aspect corporel de l’humain. À cet égard, il fut un pionnier dans le développement d’une question très importante, à savoir celle de l’animalité de l’être humain. Ce faisant, il montra que le centre de gravité de l’existence humaine n’est pas la raison mais le corps. Ainsi considérées, les réflexions de Nishida concernant l’animal peuvent aider à effacer les différences radicales établies dans l’histoire de la philosophie et de la religion entre la partie spirituelle de l’être humain et sa partie animale, et par extension, l’ensemble du règne animal. Elles conduisent à aborder de manière positive ce que l’humain partage avec le monde animal, à savoir son propre corps et sa propre animalité.
La fonction politique d’Actes 15,23-29
Authors: Hurley Robert
Published: August 2017

Utilisé comme test décisif pour la fiabilité historique de Luc, le décret apostolique d’Ac 15,23-29 impose quatre interdictions aux chrétiens non juifs. Bien que normalement considéré comme la raison d’être de la Conférence apostolique, la dispute à Antioche sur la commensalité entre Juifs et Gentils (Ga 2) s’avère postérieure au décret et révèle un conflit interprétatif concernant les implications du Décret (Böttrich). Dans un monde où rituel, politique et éthique sont inextricablement liés, le refus de participer aux rituels païens signifie aussi un éloignement des valeurs et structures oppressives de la méritocratie romaine. Ac 15 décrit la manière dont les chrétiens doivent résoudre des litiges (ethniques), une démarche qui contraste symboliquement avec la militaro-politique de Rome. Si Luc peut éluder certains détails historiques, il établit clairement une opposition entre la politique impériale et les valeurs égalitaire et pacifiste de la jeune ἐκκλησία chrétienne. Sur cette question centrale, lui et Paul parlent d’une seule voix.
Une rhétorique de réconciliation
Authors: Nguyen Chi Ai
Published: August 2017

Suite à la demande de la réforme faite par Vatican II, un nouveau Rituel intitulé « Ordo Paenitentiae » fut publié en 1974. Bien qu’il ait réouvert une fenêtre sur une pratique de l’Église antique, longue de huit siècles, en mettant en oeuvre la célébration communautaire du sacrement de réconciliation avec confession et absolution collectives, ce Rituel romain se tenait encore entre deux théologies, à savoir la théologie de la réconciliation et celle de la pénitence. Plusieurs pays n’ont fait que le traduire, mais les pays francophones ont voulu adapter ce texte en ajoutant certains éléments propres. Dans notre article, en suivant le cadre théorique que propose J.W. O’Malley, nous examinons les notes doctrinales et pastorales de ce Rituel en sa version française, que nous comparons avec la version latine pour repérer les changements au niveau de la forme littéraire, par rapport, par exemple, au concile de Trente. Nous considérons que le Rituel francophone, en se situant dans le mouvement innové par Vatican II, a privilégié la théologie de la réconciliation qui insiste sur la démarche communautaire de ceux qui désirent recevoir le sacrement du pardon.
High-intensity training enhances executive function in children in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Moreau David , Kirk Ian J , Waldie Karen E
Published: August 2017

Background:

Exercise-induced cognitive improvements have traditionally been observed following aerobic exercise interventions; that is, sustained sessions of moderate intensity. Here, we tested the effect of a 6 week high-intensity training (HIT) regimen on measures of cognitive control and working memory in a multicenter, randomized (1:1 allocation), placebo-controlled trial.

Methods:

318 children aged 7-13 years were randomly assigned to a HIT or an active control group matched for enjoyment and motivation. In the primary analysis, we compared improvements on six cognitive tasks representing two cognitive constructs (N = 305). Secondary outcomes included genetic data and physiological measurements.

Results:

The 6-week HIT regimen resulted in improvements on measures of cognitive control [BFM = 3.38, g = 0.31 (0.09, 0.54)] and working memory [BFM = 5233.68, g = 0.54 (0.31, 0.77)], moderated by BDNF genotype, with met66 carriers showing larger gains post-exercise than val66 homozygotes.

Conclusions:

This study suggests a promising alternative to enhance cognition, via short and potent exercise regimens.

Funding:

Funded by Centre for Brain Research.

Clinical trial number:

NCT03255499.
BLADE-ON-PETIOLE proteins act in an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex to regulate PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 abundance
Authors: Zhang Bo , Holmlund Mattias , Lorrain Severine , Norberg Mikael , Bakó László , Fankhauser Christian , Nilsson Ove
Published: August 2017

Both light and temperature have dramatic effects on plant development. Phytochrome photoreceptors regulate plant responses to the environment in large part by controlling the abundance of PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR (PIF) transcription factors. However, the molecular determinants of this essential signaling mechanism still remain largely unknown. Here, we present evidence that the BLADE-ON-PETIOLE (BOP) genes, which have previously been shown to control leaf and flower development in Arabidopsis, are involved in controlling the abundance of PIF4. Genetic analysis shows that BOP2 promotes photo-morphogenesis and modulates thermomorphogenesis by suppressing PIF4 activity, through a reduction in PIF4 protein level. In red-light-grown seedlings PIF4 ubiquitination was reduced in the bop2 mutant. Moreover, we found that BOP proteins physically interact with both PIF4 and CULLIN3A and that a CULLIN3-BOP2 complex ubiquitinates PIF4 in vitro. This shows that BOP proteins act as substrate adaptors in a CUL3BOP1/BOP2 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, targeting PIF4 proteins for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation.
Regulation of life span by the gut microbiota in the short-lived African turquoise killifish
Authors: Smith Patrick , Willemsen David , Popkes Miriam , Metge Franziska , Gandiwa Edson , Reichard Martin , Valenzano Dario Riccardo
Published: August 2017

Gut bacteria occupy the interface between the organism and the external environment, contributing to homeostasis and disease. Yet, the causal role of the gut microbiota during host aging is largely unexplored. Here, using the African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri), a naturally short-lived vertebrate, we show that the gut microbiota plays a key role in modulating vertebrate life span. Recolonizing the gut of middle-age individuals with bacteria from young donors resulted in life span extension and delayed behavioral decline. This intervention prevented the decrease in microbial diversity associated with host aging and maintained a young-like gut bacterial community, characterized by overrepresentation of the key genera Exiguobacterium, Planococcus, Propionigenium and Psychrobacter. Our findings demonstrate that the natural microbial gut community of young individuals can causally induce long-lasting beneficial systemic effects that lead to life span extension in a vertebrate model.
Dynamics and consequences of spliceosome E complex formation
Authors: Larson Joshua Donald , Hoskins Aaron A
Published: August 2017

The spliceosome must identify the correct splice sites (SS) and branchsite (BS) used during splicing. E complex is the earliest spliceosome precursor in which the 5' SS and BS are defined. Definition occurs by U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) binding the 5' SS and recognition of the BS by the E complex protein (ECP) branchpoint bridging protein (BBP). We have used single molecule fluorescence to study Saccharomyces cerevisiae U1 and BBP interactions with RNAs. E complex is dynamic and permits frequent redefinition of the 5' SS and BS. BBP influences U1 binding at the 5' SS by promoting long-lived complex formation. ECPs facilitate U1 association with RNAs with weak 5' SS and prevent U1 accumulation on RNAs containing hyperstabilized 5' SS. The data reveal a mechanism for how U1 binds the 5' SS and suggest that E complex harnesses this mechanism to stimulate recruitment and retention of U1 on introns.
Loss of the melanocortin-4 receptor in mice causes dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Litt Michael J , Okoye G Donald , Lark Daniel , Cakir Isin , Moore Christy , Barber Mary C , Atkinson James , Fessel Josh , Moslehi Javid , Cone Roger D
Published: August 2017

Haploinsufficiency of the melanocortin-4 receptor, the most common monogenetic obesity syndrome in humans, is associated with a reduction in autonomic tone, bradycardia, and incidence of obesity-associated hypertension. Thus, it has been assumed that melanocortin obesity syndrome may be protective with respect to obesity-associated cardiovascular disease. We show here that absence of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) in mice causes dilated cardiomyopathy, characterized by reduced contractility and increased left ventricular diameter. This cardiomyopathy is independent of obesity as weight matched diet induced obese mice do not display systolic dysfunction. Mc4r cardiomyopathy is characterized by ultrastructural changes in mitochondrial morphology and cardiomyocyte disorganization. Remarkably, testing of myocardial tissue from Mc4r−/− mice exhibited increased ADP stimulated respiratory capacity. However, this increase in respiration correlates with increased reactive oxygen species production – a canonical mediator of tissue damage. Together this study identifies MC4R deletion as a novel and potentially clinically important cause of heart failure.
A common directional tuning mechanism of Drosophila motion-sensing neurons in the ON and in the OFF pathway
Authors: Haag Juergen , Mishra Abhishek , Borst Alexander
Published: August 2017

In the fruit fly optic lobe, T4 and T5 cells represent the first direction-selective neurons, with T4 cells responding selectively to moving brightness increments (ON) and T5 cells to brightness decrements (OFF). Both T4 and T5 cells comprise four subtypes with directional tuning to one of the four cardinal directions. We had previously found that upward-sensitive T4 cells implement both preferred direction enhancement and null direction suppression (Haag et al., 2016). Here, we asked whether this mechanism generalizes to OFF-selective T5 cells and to all four subtypes of both cell classes. We found that all four subtypes of both T4 and T5 cells implement both mechanisms, that is preferred direction enhancement and null direction inhibition, on opposing sides of their receptive fields. This gives rise to the high degree of direction selectivity observed in both T4 and T5 cells within each subpopulation.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the grooved carpet shell,Ruditapes decussatus(Bivalvia, Veneridae)
Authors: Ghiselli Fabrizio , Milani Liliana , Iannello Mariangela , Procopio Emanuele , Chang Peter L. , Nuzhdin Sergey V. , Passamonti Marco
Published: August 2017

Despite the large number of animal complete mitochondrial genomes currently available in public databases, knowledge about mitochondrial genomics in invertebrates is uneven. This paper reports, for the first time, the complete mitochondrial genome of the grooved carpet shell,Ruditapes decussatus, also known as the European clam.Ruditapes decussatusis morphologically and ecologically similar to the Manila clamRuditapes philippinarum, which has been recently introduced for aquaculture in the very same habitats ofRuditapes decussatus, and that is replacing the native species. Currently the production of the European clam is almost insignificant, nonetheless it is considered a high value product, and therefore it is an economically important species, especially in Portugal, Spain and Italy. In this work we: (i) assembledRuditapes decussatusmitochondrial genome from RNA-Seq data, and validated it by Sanger sequencing; (ii) analyzed and characterized theRuditapes decussatusmitochondrial genome, comparing its features with those of other venerid bivalves; (iii) assessed mitochondrial sequence polymorphism (SP) and copy number variation (CNV) of tandem repeats across 26 samples. Despite using high-throughput approaches we did not find evidence for the presence of two sex-linked mitochondrial genomes, typical of the doubly uniparental inheritance of mitochondria, a phenomenon known in ∼100 bivalve species. According to our analyses,Ruditapes decussatusis more genetically similar to species of the Genus Paphia than to the congenericRuditapes philippinarum, a finding that bolsters the already-proposed need of a taxonomic revision. We also found a quite low genetic variability across the examined samples, with few SPs and little variability of the sequences flanking the control region (Largest Unassigned Regions (LURs). Strikingly, although we found low nucleotide variability along the entire mitochondrial genome, we observed high levels of length polymorphism in the LUR due to CNV of tandem repeats, and even a LUR length heteroplasmy in two samples. It is not clear if the lack of genetic variability in the mitochondrial genome ofRuditapes decussatusis a cause or an effect of the ongoing replacement ofRuditapes decussatuswith the invasiveRuditapes philippinarum, and more analyses, especially on nuclear sequences, are required to assess this point.
Distribution and abundance of Syngnathus louisianae and Syngnathus scovelli (Syngnathidae) in Tamiahua lagoon, Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Díaz-Ruíz S , Aguirre-León A , Pérez-Soli O
Published: August 2017

A total of 190 pipefishes of the species Syngnathus louisianae and Syngnathus scovelli were collected in Tamiahua Lagoon, Veracruz (Mexico), between 1994 and 1995. Seasonal variations in abundance (0.0009–0.0045 ind/m2), biomass (0.0005–0.0090 g/m2) and average weight (0.31–1.98 g/ind) of both species are related to the population structure throughout the life histories and the seasonal environmental changes in the system. The biomass of S. louisianae peaked during the rainy season (0.0045 ind/m2, 0.0090 g/m2) and that of S. scovelli during the nortes season (0.0035 ind/m2, 0.0011 g/m2). Juveniles (35–120 mm TL) and adults (85–250 mm TL) of both species are found in seagrass habitats with salinities of 18.5–21.4‰. Both species have separate refuge, growth and feeding areas, which allows a better partitioning of space and food resources within the ecosystem. This can modify the spatial and temporal distribution and abundance patterns according to the life cycle.
Tidal currents in the Gulf of California: intercomparisons among two- and three-dimensional models with observations
Authors: Marinone SG
Published: August 2017

Two three-dimensional and one two-dimensional models are used to simulate the tides (heights and currents) in the Gulf of California. One of the three-dimensional models uses sigma coordinates and the other uses fixed vertical levels. The results of the models are compared to observations by means of harmonic constants. It is found that tidal heights are better modelled with a simple two-dimensional model, while tidal currents are better modelled with the three-dimensional model with fixed vertical levels.
Effect of salinity on the larviculture of yellowleg shrimp Farfantepenaeus californiensis (Holmes, 1900) at low temperatures
Authors: Porchas-Cornejo MA , Martínez-Córdova LR , Naranjo-Páramo J , Magallón-Barajas F , Portillo-Clark G , Unzueta-Bustamante ML
Published: August 2017

Growth and survival of larval yellowleg shrimp, Farfantepenaeus californiensis, were evaluated at salinities of 30, 33, 36 and 38 ppt and temperature of 25.0 ± 0.5ºC, in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. No significant differences in growth were observed among treatments. Survival was similar at salinities of 30, 33 and 36 ppt. A lower survival was observed at 38 ppt. No significant differences were observed in the time to reach larval substages at different salinities.
Influence of anthropogenic activity on the vertical distribution of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in interstitial water and coastal marine sediments (Cádiz bay, SW Spain)
Authors: Ponce R , Forja JM , Gómez-Parra A
Published: August 2017

The vertical profiles of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu were determined for sediment and interstitial water from three stations in Cádiz Bay. The concentrations of the different metals measured in the surface sediments depend on the distance from the waste water discharge points existing in this zone and on their nature (urban or industrial). The highest levels of Pb and Cd (70 and 0.31 µg g–1, respectively) were found near urban effluents, and the highest levels of Zn and Cu (230 and 106 µg g–1, respectively) near industries related to the construction of ships. The vertical profiles of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in both sediment and interstitial water show an important increase in concentrations in the surface layers and are relatively constant from 20 cm. The interstitial water concentrations are lower than the sediment concentrations, ranging from 13 to 57 µg L–1 for Zn, from 3 to 11 µg L–1 for Pb, from 9 to 320 µg L–1 for Cu and from 0.07 to 2.4 µg L–1 for Cd. The values obtained for the geoaccumulation index reported by Müller (1979) classify the study area as intermediate, between an uncontaminated and moderately contaminated ecosystem. The surface enrichment factor values calculated for the four metals from the different stations suggest a unique origin of metal contamination in this zone.
Abundance of coccoid cyanobacteria, hydrographic parameters and the possible underestimation of in situ chlorophyll a in the northern gulf of California and the Mexican California Current
Authors: Díaz C , Maske H
Published: August 2017

The abundance of coccoid cyanobacteria was counted within the euphotic zone at a station in Delfín Basin, in the northern Gulf of California, and at a station in the California Current, off Todos Santos Bay, during 1993. The abundance of cyanobacteria at both stations was between 107 and 108 cells L–1. Comparison with other concomitantly sampled parameters, i.e., irradiance, temperature, nutrients and chlorophyll a, showed no significant correlation with the cyanobacterial abundance. The contribution of cyanobacteria to the total in situ chlorophyll a concentration was calculated using the cyanobacterial abundance, an average published value of 1.0fgChl a cell–1 and a reduced pigment extraction efficiency in cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria contributed, in half of the cases, more than 10% and more than 4% of the total chlorophyll in Delfín Basin and the California Current, respectively. Again, this relative contribution was not related to the other concomitantly measured in situ parameters. In Synechococcus (WH-7803) cultures, the cellular chlorophyll a concentration was measured after extraction by soaking the samples in different solvents: 90% acetone and dimethylsulfoxide/acetone/water (DMSO/acetone). The cellular chlorophyll of WH-7803 extracted with DMSO/acetone was a factor of 1.9 times higher than the cellular chlorophyll concentration extracted with 90% acetone without sonication. Assuming that only the cyanobacteria would yield higher chlorophyll concentrations with DMSO/acetone extraction, then the chlorophyll a concentrations measured with 90% acetone extraction without sonication underestimated, in half of the cases, the real concentrations of in situ chlorophyll a by more than 5% in the northern Gulf of California and more than 2% in the California Current.
Effect of flow speed and food concentration on the growth of juvenile scallops nodipecten subnodosus
Authors: García-Esquivel Z , Páres-Sierra G , García-Pámanes L
Published: August 2017

An enclosed system with recirculating seawater was used to evaluate the effect of flow speed (0, 5, 10 and 15 cm/s) and direction (free organisms or horizontal with inhalant opening towards and against the flow or vertical towards the flow) on the growth of juvenile scallops Nodipecten subnodosus (5.5 to 7.7 mm). Growth rates were also measured at three different food concentrations (33, 66 and 100 cells/∞L) of Isochrysis galbana (clone T-ISO). The highest specific and absolute growth rates (SGR and AGR) were observed in free scallops and in scallops oriented horizontally towards the current (SGR = 2.5 %/d; AGR = 190 to 200 ∞m/d) at flow speeds between 5 and 10 cm/s. The next fastest growing organisms were those oriented vertically towards the flow and horizontally against it (SGR = 1.7 to 2.3 %/d; AGR = 129 to 169 ∞m/d). Free juveniles exposed to the highest speed (15 cm/s) were dragged by the current. Both scallop height and tissue dry weight increased in a hyperbolic relationship with increasing food concentrations. After 15 days, the highest values of shell height (7.5 mm) and tissue dry weight (3.5 mg) were observed with the two lowest food concentrations (33 and 66 cells/∞L). In conclusion, N.subnodosus juveniles can be successfully cultivated in the laboratory at flow speeds between 5 and 10cm/s and with a food concentration of 33 cells/∞L.
Influence of the density of Caulerpa prolifera (Chlorophyta) on the composition of the macrofauna in a meadow in Algeciras Bay (Southern Spain)
Authors: Sánchez-Moyano JE , García-Adiego EM , Estacio FJ , García-Gómez JC
Published: August 2017

The coverage and biomass fluctuations of Caulerpa prolifera (Chlorophyta) were used to assess the influence of the alga on the composition of its associated animal community, on a small spatial scale. Bymeans of ordination analysis, based on species abundance, a series of groups, related to the different algal density recorded, were obtained: those stations with highest algal biomass (stations 1, 2 and 8) and the remaining stations (medium and low biomass). According to a canonical correspondence analysis, total algal biomass, coverage and percentage of organic matter explained the differences in the composition of the macrobenthic communities. The response of some species to the spatial distribution of the alga are also discussed. In conclusion, the patchiness of Caulerpa beds cause a high degree of heterogeneity in a spatially reduced system, suggesting the importance of these sites for the biodiversity in coastal ecosystems.
Recruitment in situ and fertility of nuclear phases of Gelidium robustum (Rhodophyta)
Authors: Pacheco-Ruíz I , Zertuche-González JA , Bustos-Barrera M , Arroyo-Ortega E
Published: August 2017

Plants of Gelidium robustum release spores all year long. However, recruitment is only observed in situ in summer. We demonstrate a significant difference in the survival of carpospores vs tetraspores with time (season); recruitment was detected in situ only at certain times of the year. The effect of irradiance and temperature on the survival of G. robustum carpospores and tetraspores was evaluated and the results were related to recruitment experiments in situ. The results show that carpospore and tetraspore survival is different in the seasons of the year. Spring and summer presented the greatest survival (9% and 17%) and winter and autumn the lowest (1% and 4%). The variation in the survival of the spores in time agreed with that found in the recruitment, since the first recruits of 5 mm in length were detected in July (early summer).
Degree of trace metal pyritization in sediments from the Pacific coast of baja california, mexico
Authors: Nava-López C , Huerta-Díaz MA
Published: August 2017

We analyzed sediments from a core collected on the Pacific coast of Baja California, ~45 km off the city of Tijuana and at 1257 m water depth (32º29.5′N, 117º28.3′W), for trace metal content in two operationally-defined fractions, HCl and pyrite. Our results indicate a transference of Cu > Ni > Zn >> Hg and Ag from the HCl to the pyrite fraction. Sediments have degrees of pyritization (DOP) that averaged 7.2 ± 4.9%, with a maximum value of 18.5%. Average degrees of trace metal pyritization (DTMP) ranged from 6.2 ± 2.1% to 83 ± 18% for Mn and Hg, respectively, although maximum values for some metals were close to 100%. This transference is apparently a function of the solubility products of metal sulfides and the relative abundances of metals in the HCl fraction, as suggested by the significant correlation (p < 0.001) observed between these two parameters and the DTMP of a number of trace metals. A similar correlation was obtained from published data of two cores collected in the Gulf of Mexico.
Seasonal and inter-annual variations of PCB and DDT contents in the oyster Crassostrea angulata from the Sado Estuary (Portugal)
Authors: Ferreira AM , Vale C
Published: August 2017

Concentrations of 16 PCB congeners, pp'-DDT and its metabolites (DDE and DDD) and lipid content were determined in Crassostrea angulata. The oysters were collected monthly from a natural ground of the upper Sado Estuary, from November 1987 to November 1988, and between January and December 1990. The same compounds were also analysed in suspended particulate matter samples collected at the same site with the same periodicity. In 1987/88, the suspended particulate matter contained uniformly low levels of pp'-DDT and its metabolites (1–5 ng g–1), except in the winter runoff period when DDT compounds reached 48 ng g–1. The river flows remained low throughout 1990 and no seasonal variation of DDT contents was found in the suspended particulate matter. Concentrations of PCBs as the sum of congeners remained within the narrow interval of 5–12 ng g–1 in the two years. The seasonal profiles of DDT and PCB compounds in oysters were characterized by the presence of a spring peak associated with the sexual cycle, and another maximum in winter. The winter peak in 1987/88 results from the input of particles enriched in DDT and the downward displacement of the maximum turbidity zone, whereas the 1990 peak was related to nutritional alterations. These results show that the accumulation pattern of organochlorines in oysters varied seasonally and inter-annually according to the timing of environmental and biological factors.
Spatio-temporal changes in the trophic structure of Rocky intertidal mollusc assemblages on a Tropical shore
Authors: Olabarria C , Carballo JL , Vega C
Published: August 2017

Patterns of the distribution and temporal variation of trophic groups within a benthic mollusk asemblage of a tropical shore (eastern tropical Pacific) were analysed in this study. Four intertidal rocky sites with different wave exposure were studied. A three-factor analysis of variance (fixed factors: trophic groups and level of exposure; random factor: site) and the Student-Newman-Keuls a posteriori test (P =0.05) were applied to the biomass of trophic groups in order to know the variation among different sites. Carnivores, herbivores and suspension-feeders varied significantly among sites within each exposure level. Suspension-feeders were more abundant at exposed sites, while herbivores dominated in sheltered places. Biomass of herbivores was not correlated to macroalgal biomass. Total biomass was highest at exposed sites, increasing in winter and decreasing in summer. An ordination analysis carried out with the non-metric multidimensional scaling programme (MDS) revealed two trophic groups: groupA included samples from exposed sites (E1, E2) and group B included samples from sheltered sites (E3, E4). Graphic methods (ABC curves) detected changes along temporal and spatial scales, and these could be related to a high proportion of small species. Factors such as exposure level and type of substrate may control the distribution of different trophic groups.
Seasonal variation of the macrofauna from three seagrass meadows of Cymodocea nodosa off Gran Canaria (central-eastern Atlantic ocean)
Authors: Tuya F , Pérez J , Medina L , Luque A
Published: August 2017

Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Polychaeta and Crustacea are the four main taxonomic groups of macrofauna associated with three seagrass meadows of Cymodocea nodosa at Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain); eight taxa were found. The density and Shannon-Weaver index (H') indicated a clear unimodal behaviour, with maxima in spring and summer, and minima in winter, whereas the evenness index (J') indicated stability throughout the year. This can be attributed to seasonal migrations of a reproductive or nutritional nature in spring and summer of certain taxa. A correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between the seasonal cycles of the macrofaunal density and the plant biomass for the meadows studied.
A critical evaluation of the use of cluster analysis to identify contaminated sediments in the ría de vigo (nw spain)
Authors: Rubio B , Nombela MA , Villas F
Published: August 2017

The indiscriminate use of cluster analysis to distinguish contaminated and non-contaminated sediments has led us to make a comparative evaluation of different cluster analysis procedures as applied to heavy metal concentrations in subtidal sediments from the Ría de Vigo, NW Spain. The use of different cluster algorithms and other transformations from the same departing set of data lead to the formation of different clusters with a clear inconclusive result about the contamination status of the sediments. The results show that this approach is better suited to identifying groups of samples differing in sedimentological characteristics, such as grain size, rather than in the degree of contamination. Our main aim is to call attention to these aspects in cluster analysis and to suggest that researchers should be rigorous with this kind of analysis. Finally, the use of discriminant analysis allows us to find a discriminant function that separates the samples into two clearly differentiated groups, which should not be treated jointly.
Dominance of high‐energy (>150 keV) heavy ion intensities in Earth's middle to outer magnetosphere
Authors: Cohen Ian J. , Mitchell Donald G. , Kistler Lynn M. , Mauk Barry H. , Anderson Brian J. , Westlake Joseph H. , Ohtani Shinichi , Hamilton Douglas C. , Turner Drew L. , Blake J. Bernard , Fennell Joseph F. , Jaynes Allison N. , Leonard Trevor W. , Gerrard Andrew J. , Lanzerotti Louis J. , Allen Robert C. , Burch James L.
Published: August 2017

Previous observations have driven the prevailing assumption in the field that energetic ions measured by an instrument using a bare solid state detector (SSD) are predominantly protons. However, new near‐equatorial energetic particle observations obtained between 7 and 12 RE during Phase 1 of the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission challenge the validity of this assumption. In particular, measurements by the Energetic Ion Spectrometer (EIS) instruments have revealed that the intensities of heavy ion species (specifically oxygen and helium) dominate those of protons at energies
150–220 keV in the middle to outer (>7 RE) magnetosphere. Given that relative composition measurements can drift as sensors degrade in gain, quality cross‐calibration agreement between EIS observations and those from the SSD‐based Fly's Eye Energetic Particle Spectrometer (FEEPS) sensors provides critical support to the veracity of the measurement. Similar observations from the Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment (RBSPICE) instruments aboard the Van Allen Probes spacecraft extend the ion composition measurements into the middle magnetosphere and reveal a strongly proton‐dominated environment at
but decreasing proton intensities at
. It is concluded that the intensity dominance of the heavy ions at higher energies (>150 keV) arises from the existence of significant populations of multiply‐charged heavy ions, presumably of solar wind origin.
Process‐based TRIPLEX‐GHG model for simulating N2O emissions from global forests and grasslands: Model development and evaluation
Authors: Zhang Kerou , Peng Changhui , Wang Meng , Zhou Xiaolu , Li Mingxu , Wang Kefeng , Ding Juhua , Zhu Qiuan
Published: August 2017

The development of the new process‐based TRIPLEX‐GHG model derives from the Integrated Biosphere Simulator (IBIS), which couples nitrification and denitrification processes to quantify nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from natural forests and grasslands. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the nitrification rate coefficient (COENR) is the most sensitive parameter to simulate N2O emissions. Accordingly, we calibrated this parameter using data from 29 global forest sites (across different latitudes) and grassland sites. The average nitrification rate coefficient gradually increases in the order of tropical forest to grassland to temperate forest to boreal forest, and giving means of 0.009, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.09, respectively. This study validated the mean value for each ecosystem at 52 sites globally. Calibration results both indicate the good performance of the model and its suitability in capturing seasonal variation and magnitude of N2O flux; however, it is limited in modeling N2O uptake and increments during periods of snowmelt. Additionally, validation results indicate that simulated and observed annual or seasonal N2O fluxes are highly correlated (R2 = 0.75; P < 0.01). Consequently, our results suggest that the model is suitable in simulating N2O emissions from different forest and grassland land types under varying environmental conditions on a global scale.
Pre‐admonition Suggestion in Live Showups: When Witnesses Learn that the Cops Caught ‘the’ Guy
Authors: Eisen Mitchell L. , Skerrit‐Perta Amaia , Jones Jennifer M. , Owen Jade , Cedré Gabriela C.
Published: August 2017

Participants (N = 189) witnessed the theft of a computer and were immersed into what they were led to believe was an actual police investigation that culminated in a live showup. After the crime, an officer responded to the scene to take witness statements. Minutes after his arrival, the officer received a radio dispatch that could be heard clearly by the witnesses. The dispatch either stated that the Sherriff had ‘…caught the guy…’ or ‘…detained a suspect who matched the thief's description…’ and instructed the officer to bring the witnesses to identify the suspect. The witnesses then met with two deputies who conducted a live showup with an innocent suspect or the actual culprit. Choosers were more confident than rejecters across all conditions. Also, overhearing the suggestion that the sheriff had caught the guy significantly increased false identifications, and boosted witness confidence in these errors, but did not affect accurate suspect identifications.Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the Relations between Cattell–Horn–Carroll (CHC) Cognitive Abilities and Mathematics Achievement
Authors: Cormier Damien C. , Bulut Okan , McGrew Kevin S. , Singh Deepak
Published: August 2017

As standardized measures of cognitive abilities and academic achievement continue to evolve, so do the relations between the constructs represented in these measures. A large, nationally representative sample of school‐aged children and youth between 6 and 19 years of age (N = 4,194) was used to systematically evaluate the relations between cognitive abilities and components of academic achievement in mathematics. The cognitive abilities of interest were those identified from the Cattell–Horn–Carroll model of intelligence. Specific areas of mathematics achievement included math calculation skills and math problem solving. Results suggest that fluid reasoning (Gf), comprehension‐knowledge (Gc), and processing speed (Gs) have the strongest and most consistent relations with mathematics achievement throughout the school years.Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementation of Treat‐to‐Target for Rheumatoid Arthritis in the US: Analysis of Baseline Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yu Zhi , Lu Bing , Agosti Jenifer , Bitton Asaf , Corrigan Cassandra , Fraenkel Liana , Harrold Leslie R. , Losina Elena , Katz Jeffrey N. , Solomon Daniel H.
Published: August 2017

Objective

A treat‐to‐target (TTT) strategy is recommended in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, health care providers’ adherence to TTT in clinical practice remains unclear. We examined adherence to TTT in RA at US rheumatology sites.

Methods

We used baseline information from the randomized controlled Treat‐to‐Target in RA: Collaboration to Improve Adoption and Adherence trial, which recruited 641 patients from 46 providers practicing at 11 US sites. We obtained data on the implementation of TTT, patient covariates, provider characteristics, and site variables. We examined the implementation of TTT using 4 cardinal features: recording a disease target, recording a disease activity measure, engaging in shared decision‐making, and changing treatment if not at disease target. These features were assessed across sites and providers. We calculated a TTT implementation score as the percentage of features noted. We examined the association between patient, provider, and site covariates and TTT implementation score using proportional odds models.

Results

The implementation of TTT at baseline was suboptimal: 64.3% of visits had none of the TTT components present, 33.1% had 1 component, 2.3% had 2 components, and 0.3% had all components. The implementation of TTT was significantly different across providers and sites (P < 0.0001 for all). In the multivariable model, we observed that more experience as a rheumatologist was associated with a higher implementation score (P = 0.01 for trend). Compared with fellows, providers with >20 years of experience in practice were more likely to have more TTT components recorded (odds ratio 7.68 [95% confidence interval 1.46–40.52]).

Conclusion

We found that adherence to a TTT strategy in RA was suboptimal, and it differed across providers and sites.
Free‐Standing and Eco‐Friendly Polyaniline Thin Films for Multifunctional Sensing of Physical and Chemical Stimuli
Authors: Wu Weiwei , Wang Bin , Segev‐Bar Meital , Dou Wei , Niu Fang , Horev Yehu David , Deng Yunfeng , Plotkin Marian , Huynh Tan‐Phat , Jeries Raneen , Zhu Han , Garaa A'laa , Badarneh Shifaa' , Chen Linfeng , Du Mingliang , Hu Wenwen , Haick Hossam
Published: August 2017

Multifunctional flexible sensors that are sensitive to different physical and chemical stimuli but remain unaffected by any mechanical deformation and/or changes still present a challenge in the implementation of flexible devices in real‐world conditions. This challenge is greatly intensified by the need for an eco‐friendly fabrication technique suitable for mass production. A new eco‐friendly and scalable fabrication approach is reported for obtaining thin and transparent multifunctional sensors with regulated electrical conductivity and tunable band‐gap. A thin (≈190 nm thickness) freestanding sensing film with up to 4 inch diameter is demonstrated. Integration of the freestanding films with different substrates, such as polyethylene terephthalate substrates, silk textile, commercial polyethylene thin film, and human skin, is also described. These multifunctional sensors can detect and distinguish between different stimuli, including pressure, temperature, and volatile organic compounds. All the sensing properties explored are stable under different bending/strain states.
Scalable Dry Printing Manufacturing to Enable Long‐Life and High Energy Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Jin , Ludwig Brandon , Liu Yangtao , Zheng Zhangfeng , Wang Fan , Tang Ming , Wang Jiajun , Wang Jun , Pan Heng , Wang Yan
Published: August 2017

Slurry casting method dominates the electrode manufacture of lithium‐ion batteries. The entire procedure is similar to the newspaper printing that includes premixing of cast materials into solvents homogeneously, and continuously transferring and drying the slurry mixture onto the current collector. As a market approaching US $80 billion by 2024, the optimization of manufacture process is crucial and attractive. However, the organic solvent remains irreplaceable in the wet method for making slurries, even though it is capital‐intensive and toxic. Here, an advanced powder printing technique is demonstrated that is completely solvent‐free and dry. Through removing the solvent and related procedures, this method is anticipated to statistically save 20% of the cost at a remarkably shortened production cycle (from hours to minutes). The dry printed electrodes outperform commercial slurry cast ones in 650 cycles (80% capacity retention in 500 cycles), and thick electrodes are successfully fabricated to increase the energy density. Furthermore, microscopy techniques are utilized to characterize the difference of electrode microstructure between dry and wet methods, and distinguish dry printing's advantages on controlling the microstructure. In summary, this study proves a practical fabrication method for lithium‐ion electrodes with lowered cost and favorable performance, and allows more advanced electrode designs potentially.
Si Doped Hafnium Oxide—A “Fragile” Ferroelectric System
Authors: Richter Claudia , Schenk Tony , Park Min Hyuk , Tscharntke Franziska A. , Grimley Everett D. , LeBeau James M. , Zhou Chuanzhen , Fancher Chris M. , Jones Jacob L. , Mikolajick Thomas , Schroeder Uwe
Published: August 2017

Silicon doped hafnium oxide was the material used in the original report of ferroelectricity in hafnia in 2011. Since then, it has been subject of many further publications including the demonstration of the world's first ferroelectric field‐effect transistor in the state‐of‐the‐art 28 nm technology. Though many studies are conducted with a strong focus on application in memory devices, a comprehensive study on structural stability in these films remains to be seen. In this work, a film thickness of about 36 nm, instead of the 10 nm used in most previous studies, is utilized to carefully probe how the concentration range impacts the evolution of phases, the dopant distribution, the field cycling effects, and their interplay in the macroscopic ferroelectric response of the films. Si:HfO2 appears to be a rather fragile system: different phases seem close in energy and the system is thus rich in competing phenomena. Nonetheless, it offers ferroelectricity or field‐induced ferroelectricity for elevated annealing conditions up to 1000 °C. Similar to the measures taken for conventional ferroelectrics such as lead zirconate titanate, engineering efforts to guarantee stable interfaces and stoichiometry are mandatory to achieve stable performance in applications such as ferroelectric memories, supercapacitors, or energy harvesting devices.
Electrochemically Driven Giant Resistive Switching in Perovskite Nickelates Heterostructures
Authors: Wang Le , Zhang Qinghua , Chang Lei , You Lu , He Xu , Jin Kuijuan , Gu Lin , Guo Haizhong , Ge Chen , Feng Yaqing , Wang Junling
Published: August 2017

The rich phase diagrams and peculiar physical properties of rare earth perovskite nickelates (RNiO3) have recently attracted much attention. Their electronic structures are highly sensitive to carrier density and bandwidth due to Mott physics. Here, the electrochemically driven giant resistive switching in Pt/RNiO3/Nb‐SrTiO3 heterostructures is reported. Systematic investigation confirms that oxygen vacancies migration modifies the interfacial barrier at the RNiO3/Nb‐SrTiO3 interface and causes the resistive switching behavior. An ON/OFF ratio of about 105 at room temperature is observed, which can be modulated by controlling the oxygen vacancies during sample fabrication or by varying the rare earth element in RNiO3. The findings provide an important step forward toward the development of multifunctional electronic devices based on perovskite nickelates.
Facile fabrication of ZnO/N‐doped helical carbon nanotubes composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity toward organic pollutant degradation
Authors: Ma Shuaishuai , Li Qing , Cai Zhilan , Ye Zhaolian , Zhou Yuming
Published: August 2017

Novel ZnO/N‐doped helical carbon nanotubes (ZnO/N‐HCNTs) composites were successfully synthesized via a facile chemical precipitation approach at room temperature. The sample was well characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS). The photocatalytic activity was evaluated in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. It is found that ZnO nanoparticles were highly and uniformly anchored on the surface and inner tubes of the N‐HCNTs with size of about 5 nm, and significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activity compared to pure ZnO. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of ZnO/N‐HCNTs composites can be ascribed to the integrative synergistic effect of effective interfacial hybridization between N‐HCNTs and ZnO nanoparticles and the prolonged lifetime of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Moreover, the ZnO/N‐HCNTs could be easily recycled without any obvious decrease in photocatalytic activity and could be promote their application in the area of environmental remediation.
Novel ionic liquid supported on Fe3O4 nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of new chromenes
Authors: Safaei‐Ghomi Javad , Eshteghal Fahime , Shahbazi‐Alavi Hossein
Published: August 2017

An efficient procedure for the synthesis of new chromenes by the multicomponent reaction of aldehydes, 4‐hydroxycoumarin and 2‐hydroxynaphthalene‐1,4‐dione in the presence of an ionic liquid supported on Fe3O4 nanoparticles is described. The ionic liquid supported on Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a magnetic catalyst gives products in high yields. Significant features of this method are: short reaction times, excellent yields, green method and use of an effective catalyst that can be recovered and reused many times without loss of its catalytic activity.
Malic acid: A novel processing aid for thermoplastic starch/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) compounding and blown film extrusion
Authors: Fahrngruber Barbara , Siakkou Eleni , Wimmer Rupert , Kozich Martin , Mundigler Norbert
Published: August 2017

The processing of polysaccharide‐based polymer compounds represents a major challenge because these materials behave considerably different compared to their petro‐based counterparts. Especially in the manufacture of thermoplastic starch (TPS)–polyester films by means of blown film extrusion, an increase in the natural material proportion generally leads to processing difficulties. In addition, higher TPS contents adversely affect mechanical material characteristics. The present study focuses on the effect of malic acid (MA) on processing parameters and on the quality of TPS/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) films. The MA enantiomers d(+) and l(–) as well as the racemate were applied at various concentrations (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 wt %). Results indicate that the addition of racemic MA at concentrations of 0.2% and 0.4% significantly improved the processibility of TPS. Simultaneously, positive effects such as improved ductility and water sorption characteristics were found. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45539.