bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Once upon a dish: engineering multicellular systems
Authors: Haase Kristina , Freedman Benjamin S.
Published: May 2020

In February 2020, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) joined forces to unite researchers from all over the globe to discuss emerging topics in ‘Engineering Multicellular Systems’. As we review here, key themes that arose throughout the meeting included the ethics of organoids in developmental biology, bottom-up versus top-down models, tissue organizing principles, and the future of improving these systems to better mimic the natural world.
Fish embryo vulnerability to combined acidification and warming coincides with low capacity for homeostatic regulation
Authors: Dahlke Flemming , Lucassen Magnus , Bickmeyer Ulf , Wohlrab Sylke , Puvanendran Velmurugu , Mortensen Atle , Chierici Melissa , Pörtner Hans-Otto , Storch Daniela
Published: May 2020

The vulnerability of fish embryos and larvae to environmental factors is often attributed to a lack of adult-like organ systems (gills) and thus insufficient homeostatic capacity. However, experimental data supporting this hypothesis are scarce. Here, by using Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) as a model, the relationship between embryo vulnerability (to projected ocean acidification and warming) and homeostatic capacity was explored through parallel analyses of stage-specific mortality and in vitro activity and expression of major ion pumps (ATP-Synthase, Na+/K+-ATPase, H+-ATPase) and co-transporters (NBC1, NKCC1). Immunolocalization of these transporters was used to study ionocyte morphology in newly-hatched larvae. Treatment-related embryo mortality until hatch (+20% due to acidification and warming) occurred primarily during an early period (gastrulation) characterized by extremely low ion transport capacities. Thereafter, embryo mortality decreased in parallel with an exponential increase in activity and expression of all investigated ion transporters. Significant changes in transporter activity and expression in response to acidification (+15% activity) and warming (-30% expression) indicate some potential for short-term acclimatization, although likely associated with energetic trade-offs. Interestingly, whole-larvae enzyme capacities (supported by abundant epidermal ionocytes) reached levels similar to those previously measured in gill tissue of adult cod, suggesting that early-life stages without functional gills are better equipped in terms of ion homeostasis than previously thought. This study implies that the gastrulation period represents a critical transition from inherited (maternal) defenses to active homeostatic regulation, which facilitates enhanced resilience of later stages to environmental factors.
Insect wing damage: causes, consequences and compensatory mechanisms
Authors: Rajabi Hamed , Dirks Jan-Henning , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: May 2020

The evolution of wings has played a key role in the success of insect species, allowing them to diversify to fill many niches. Insect wings are complex multifunctional structures, which not only have to withstand aerodynamic forces but also need to resist excessive stresses caused by accidental collisions. This Commentary provides a summary of the literature on damage-reducing morphological adaptations in wings, covering natural causes of wing collisions, their impact on the structural integrity of wings and associated consequences for both insect flight performance and life expectancy. Data from the literature and our own observations suggest that insects have evolved strategies that (i) reduce the likelihood of wing damage and (ii) allow them to cope with damage when it occurs: damage-related fractures are minimized because wings evolved to be damage tolerant and, in the case of wing damage, insects compensate for the reduced aerodynamic efficiency with dedicated changes in flight kinematics.
Floral vibrations by buzz-pollinating bees achieve higher frequency, velocity and acceleration than flight and defence vibrations
Authors: Pritchard David J. , Vallejo-Marín Mario
Published: May 2020

Vibrations play an important role in insect behaviour. In bees, vibrations are used in a variety of contexts including communication, as a warning signal to deter predators and during pollen foraging. However, little is known about how the biomechanical properties of bee vibrations vary across multiple behaviours within a species. In this study, we compared the properties of vibrations produced by Bombus terrestris audax (Hymenoptera: Apidae) workers in three contexts: during flight, during defensive buzzing, and in floral vibrations produced during pollen foraging on two buzz-pollinated plants (Solanum, Solanaceae). Using laser vibrometry, we were able to obtain contactless measures of both the frequency and amplitude of the thoracic vibrations of bees across the three behaviours. Despite all three types of vibrations being produced by the same power flight muscles, we found clear differences in the mechanical properties of the vibrations produced in different contexts. Both floral and defensive buzzes had higher frequency and amplitude velocity, acceleration, and displacement than the vibrations produced during flight. Floral vibrations had the highest frequency, amplitude velocity and acceleration of all the behaviours studied. Vibration amplitude, and in particular acceleration, of floral vibrations has been suggested as the key property for removing pollen from buzz-pollinated anthers. By increasing frequency and amplitude velocity and acceleration of their vibrations during vibratory pollen collection, foraging bees may be able to maximise pollen removal from flowers, although their foraging decisions are likely to be influenced by the presumably high cost of producing floral vibrations.
Absolute ethanol intake predicts ethanol preference inDrosophila
Authors: Park Scarlet J. , Ja William W.
Published: May 2020

Factors that mediate ethanol preference in Drosophila melanogaster are not well understood. A major confound has been the use of diverse methods to estimate ethanol consumption. We measured fly consumptive ethanol preference on base diets varying in nutrients, taste, and ethanol concentration. Both sexes showed ethanol preference that was abolished on high nutrient concentration diets. Additionally, manipulating total food intake without altering the nutritive value of the base diet or the ethanol concentration was sufficient to evoke or eliminate ethanol preference. Absolute ethanol intake and food volume consumed were stronger predictors of ethanol preference than caloric intake or the dietary caloric content. Our findings suggest that the effect of the base diet on ethanol preference is largely mediated by total consumption associated with the delivery medium, which ultimately determines the level of ethanol intake. We speculate that a physiologically relevant threshold for ethanol intake is essential for preferential ethanol consumption.
Motor Competence, Physical Activity, and Fitness across Early Childhood
Authors: KING-DOWLING SARA , PROUDFOOT NICOLE A. , CAIRNEY JOHN , TIMMONS BRIAN W.
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To examine if the associations between motor competence and physical activity and musculoskeletal fitness change over time, whether motor competence is associated with longitudinal trajectories of physical activity and fitness, and mediating pathways among these constructs across early childhood.

Methods

Four hundred and eighteen children 3 to 5 yr of age (210 boys; age, 4.5 ± 1.0 yr) were recruited and completed three annual assessments as part of the Health Outcomes and Physical activity in Preschoolers study. Motor competence was assessed using the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition—Short Form. Musculoskeletal fitness (short-term muscle power) was evaluated using a modified 10-s Wingate protocol on a cycle ergometer. Physical activity was measured over 7 d using accelerometers.

Results

At baseline, the cross-sectional relationship between motor competence and vigorous physical activity was not significant; however, a significant, weak positive association emerged across time. Results from longitudinal mixed-effect models found motor competence to be a significant positive predictor of musculoskeletal fitness and vigorous physical activity and to be associated with steeper increases in physical activity across time. Motor competence was independently associated with musculoskeletal fitness and physical activity during this early childhood period.

Conclusions

Motor competence is an important independent predictor of physical activity and musculoskeletal fitness levels across early childhood. Motor competence may be an important target for early interventions to improve both physical activity and fitness in the early years.
The Effect of Wheel Exercise on Functional Indices of Cachexia in Tumor-bearing Mice
Authors: VANDERVEEN BRANDON N. , FIX DENNIS K. , COUNTS BRITTANY R. , CARSON JAMES A.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Cancer-related fatigue and muscle wasting have received significant attention over the last few decades with the goal of establishing interventions that can improve cancer patient life quality and survival. Increased physical activity has shown to reduce cancer-associated fatigue and has been proposed as a promising therapeutic to attenuate cancer-induced wasting. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of how physical activity affects the compositional and functional changes that initiate muscle wasting. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of wheel exercise on body composition and functional indices of cancer cachexia before the development of significant wasting.

Methods

Thirteen-week-old male ApcMin/+
(MIN) and C57BL/6 (B6) mice were given free wheel access (W) or a locked wheel (Sed) for 5 wk.

Results

Wheel activity was reduced in the MIN compared with B6; however, wheel access increased complex II expression in isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria regardless of genotype. Wheel access had no effect on tumor burden or plasma interleukin-6 in the MIN. MIN-W increased body weight and lean mass compared with MIN-Sed, and there was a direct correlation between wheel distance and lean mass change. MIN-W increased grip strength and treadmill time to fatigue compared with MIN-Sed. Within MIN-W mice, skeletal muscle fatigability was only improved in high runners (>60 min·d−1).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that there were therapeutic benefits of increased activity related to body composition, behavior, and whole-body function that were not dependent on exercise duration; however, there was an exercise threshold needed to improve skeletal muscle fatigability in tumor-bearing mice. Interestingly, wheel access was able to improve compositional and functional outcomes without mitigating tumor number or size.
Power of Words: Influence of Preexercise Information on Hypoalgesia after Exercise—Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: VAEGTER HENRIK BJARKE , THINGGAARD PETER , MADSEN CASPER HØJ , HASENBRING MONIKA , THORLUND JONAS BLOCH
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Exercise increases pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in pain-free individuals, known as exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). Positive preexercise information can elicit higher EIH responses, but the effect of positive versus negative preexercise information on EIH is unknown. The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial was to compare EIH at the exercising thigh muscle after an isometric squat exercise between individuals receiving positive versus negative preexercise information about the effect of exercise on pain. Secondary aims were to compare EIH at nonexercising muscles between groups, and to investigate the relationship between participants’ expectations and EIH.

Methods

Eighty-three participants were randomly assigned to brief positive (n = 28), neutral (n = 28) or negative (n = 27) verbal information. The neutral information group was included in the study as a reference group. Pressure pain thresholds at the thigh and trapezius muscles were assessed before and after the intervention (i.e., preexercise information+squat exercise). Expectations of pain relief were assessed using a numerical rating scale (−10 [most negative] to 10 [most positive]).

Results

Change in quadriceps and trapezius PPT after the squat exercise showed a large difference between the positive and negative information groups (quadriceps, 102 kPa; 95% confidence interval, 55–150; effect size, 1.2; trapezius, 41 kPa; 95% confidence interval, 16–65; effect size:, 0.9). The positive information group had a 22% increase in quadriceps PPT whereas the negative information group had a 4% decrease. A positive correlation was found between expectations and increase in PPT.

Conclusions

Negative preexercise information caused hyperalgesia after the wall squat exercise, whereas positive or neutral preexercise information caused hypoalgesia. Positive preexercise information did not change the magnitude of EIH compared with neutral information.
Respiratory Muscle Fatigue Alters Cycling Performance and Locomotor Muscle Fatigue
Authors: FULTON TIMOTHY J. , BARANAUSKAS MARISSA N. , PARIS HUNTER L. , KOCEJA DAVID M. , MICKLEBOROUGH TIMOTHY D. , CHAPMAN ROBERT F.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to determine if preexisting respiratory muscle fatigue (RMF) alters motoneuronal output, locomotor muscle fatigue, and cycling performance.

Methods

Eight trained male cyclists performed 5-km cycling time trials after a resistive breathing task that induced RMF and under control conditions (CON). Motoneuronal output was estimated using vastus lateralis surface electromyography, and locomotor muscle fatigue was quantified as the change in potentiated quadriceps twitch force from preexercise to postexercise.

Results

Time to complete the time trial was 1.9% ± 0.9% longer in RMF compared with CON (P < 0.001). Estimated motoneuronal output was lower in RMF compared with CON during 1 km (45% ± 11% vs 53% ± 13%, P = 0.004) and 2 km (45% ± 14% vs 51% ± 14%, P = 0.008), but was not different thereafter. Ventilation was lower in RMF compared with CON during 1 km (114 ± 19 vs 135 ± 24 L·min−1, P = 0.003) and 2 km (136 ± 23 vs 152 ± 31 L·min−1, P = 0.009); however, ratings of dyspnea were similar. After the 5-km time trial, locomotor muscle fatigue was attenuated in RMF compared with CON (−22% ± 6%, vs −28% ± 7%, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Alterations to dyspnea for a given ventilation seem to have constrained power output during cycling exercise, thereby limiting the development of locomotor muscle fatigue. These findings indicate that the respiratory system is an integral component in a global feedback loop that regulates exercise performance and the development of locomotor muscle fatigue.
Taxonomy and distribution of diatoms on the Turkish Mediterranean Coast, Dalyan (Muğla)
Authors: KALELI MUHAMMET AYDIN , KOCIOLEK JOHN PATRICK , SOLAK CÜNEYT NADIR
Published: May 2020

Diatoms are one of the components in the littoral zone and the most productive in terms of O2 production and primary production. Despite their importance in these coastal ecosystems, the diatoms of littoral zones of Turkish coastlines have been understudied.  In this report, we document the littoral diatoms from Dalyan Iztuzu Beach at the southeast coasts of Aegean Sea. Samples were collected from 6 stations in Dalyan Beach between 2012 and 2016. We report here on the occurrence of 9 genera including, Catenula Mereschkowsky, Cymatosira Grunow, Dimeregramma Ralfs, Diplomenora Blazé, Eunotogramma Weisse, Meloneis Louvrou, Danielidis & Economou-Amilli, Neohuttonia Kuntze, Plagiogramma Greville and Tetramphora Mereschkowsky, as well as 40 taxa as newly-recorded from Turkey. The newly-recorded diatoms are characterized in terms of their morphology and illustrated with light micrographs. For each species, their habitat and geographic distribution along the coasts are discussed.
Jelly surge in the Mediterranean Sea: threat or opportunity?
Authors: GRAVILI CINZIA
Published: May 2020

The rise in water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea, and associated migrations of temperate marine biota, are occurring in the context of a global warming causing an expansion of the tropical jellyfish range, exacerbating jellyfish outbreaks linked to coastal development, nutrient loading, and overfishing. The gelatinous component of plankton is considered as ‘the dark side of ecology’ capable of appearing and disappearing at unpredictable times. In the last decade an increasingly high number of gelatinous plankton blooms are occurring and this makes us wonder if ‘a Mediterranean Sea full of jellyfish is a probable future’. The reasons for rising jellyfish blooms are, probably, manifold. Current studies are aimed to highlight how climatic change is interacting with the Mediterranean ecosystem favouring entrance, abundances and success of alien species and triggering ‘regime shifts’ such as from fish to jellyfish. Jellyfish damage the economic success of power plants, fish farms, tourism, and affect fisheries consuming larvae of commercial fish species. On the other hand, several studies were also taken into account on uses for jellyfish as biofuels and foods but more experimentation is needed to improve the first encouraging results.
Trends of white grouper landings in the Northeastern Mediterranean: reliability and potential use for monitoring
Authors: MAVRUK SINAN
Published: May 2020

As a consequence of national fishery statistics showing a sharp decline in the landings of white groupers (WG), Epinephelus aeneus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) after 2010, the decision to ban any further fishing of the species was implemented by the Turkish management authority in 2016. Stakeholders have since strongly objected to this decision claiming that the trends of landing statistics are unreliable. Here, this assertion is questioned using multiple sources of data. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) from the fishery independent bottom trawl survey (2004-2018) officially reported landing statistics (2002-2017) and the microdata set of landings (2012-2016) gathered by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK). Based on the results of this study, there was a clear parallelism amongst the data sets. Landing records and the CPUE time series revealed unimodal non-linear patterns along the time (p<0.001). Landings increased until 2010 and decreased thereon after, whereas CPUE values started to decrease after 2009. In segmented time series, there were no statistically significant differences between the direction and magnitude of slopes of landings and fishery independent data. Cross-correlations between landings and CPUE were statistically significant with one and two-year lag distances. This was because the earlier age groups were sampled with coastal bottom trawl operations. Combined with further efforts, this finding may help to develop a monitoring program for the status of white grouper populations in the northeastern Mediterranean and contribute to a better management strategy.
Development and potential application of new set of Atlantic bluefin tuna EST-SSRs in the survival success during farming cycle
Authors: RADONIĆ IVANA , TRUMBIĆ ŽELJKA , ŠEGVIĆ- BUBIĆ TANJA , GRUBIŠIĆ LEON , MLADINEO IVONA
Published: May 2020

The capture-based aquaculture of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) starts with the catch of wild individuals, a slow-operating transport to the rearing facilities, introduction to rearing cages, and adaptation to the captive environment; all bearing significant risks for the onset of stressful conditions that consequently can result in unexpected mortalities.In order to explore whether the survival success through the farming cycle might be monitored at the genetic level and linked to several immunity and stress response associated genes, we have developed a new set of 13 EST-SSRs for T. thynnus and subsequently analysed 334 samples of juvenile wild-caught tuna and captive-reared adults during two consecutive farming cycles in the Adriatic Sea.The results evidenced a low FST value (0.005) with similar allele frequencies and no major allele loss between investigated groups. Two tested approaches for the identification of loci under selection did not indicate departure from neutrality for any of the 13 EST-SSRs, suggesting that the latter could not be considered adaptive in the studied context.Our results are in agreement with other studies that attempted to detect adaptive signals in T. thynnus, stressing the problem associated with the sampling design of a species with complex migratory behavior, reproduction and particular zootechnical practices employed at the farms. Nonetheless, characteristics of 13 new polymorphic loci reported here contribute to the broadening of the existing EST-SSRs resource, being a useful asset in future genetic studies of T. thynnus.
Effect of Nutrient, Light Intensity and Temperature on the Growth Rates and Metabolism of a Stress-Resistant Bacillariophyta – Entomoneis sp. - in Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea)
Authors: ADALIOĞLU SEZGI , ÇALIŞKAN GÜLIZAR
Published: May 2020

A unicellular marine microalga, Entomoneis sp. was isolated and studied as had become the dominant species according to other bacillariophyta species in different environmental fluctuations in Izmir Bay. Because of our effort to better understand the dynamics of this microalga that facilitates unprecedented domination, we conducted on a monoculture isolation study.In this study, experiments were planned with the annual range of the Izmir Bay temperature, and the demonstrated behavior of the species in light and nutrient conditions. The stock culture medium was illuminated by approximately 50μmol photons m-2s-1 of illumination with 14/24 daylight. The temperature of the climate chamber was set on the summer (T1 (21±1oC)), spring (T2 (17±1oC)) and winter (T3 (13±1oC)) of Izmir Bay. Experiments were also applied with four different light intensities (L1 (50 μmol photons m-2s-1), L2 (25 μmol photons m-2s-1), L3 (5 μmol photons m-2s-1) and L4 (dark)). In this context, nutrient measurements were made on samples of the exponential, stationary and death phase of the culture and nutrient analyses were carried out. The results, which were designed according to ceteris paribus assumptions, were adapted to Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Consequently, considering the lifetime of the diatom at different temperature conditions, T3 was determined as an optimum temperature. Maximum growth rate and process time were observed at this temperature. This is the evidence why these diatoms are available in the winter. Once the light intensity was increased, the growth rate was increased at the T1 and T2 temperatures. However, T3 had a high growth rate in the nearly L1 light intensity. Considering the consumption and transformation of different nutrient conditions, different results for both types of microalgae were obtained.
Βenthic hydrozoan assemblages as potential indicators of environmental health in a Μediterranean Μarine protected area
Authors: YILMAZ IZZET NOYAN , MARTELL LUIS , TOPCU NUR EDA , ISINIBILIR MELEK
Published: May 2020

The comparative study of marine benthic hydrozoan assemblages can improve our understanding of environmental and ecological conditions in marine protected areas (MPAs) such as the large Mediterranean MPA of Datça-Bozburun, where important prospects for future intensive tourism development exist. The analysis of such assemblages may help managers detect changes in important parameters of ecosystem health within this MPA. In this study we compared the hydrozoan assemblages occurring on hard (rocky) and soft (Posidonia meadows) bottoms from stations belonging to three different conditions: i) small marinas (medium anthropogenic impact), ii) yacht stopovers (low impact), and iii) unspoiled sites (no impact) in the southern part of the Datça Peninsula during summer and winter 2015 and 2016. Significant differences in the structure, species composition and richness of benthic hydrozoans among the sampling sites were detected. In both seasons, hydroid assemblages in medium-impact sites significantly differed from little-impact and no-impact sites in terms of qualitative composition. Large structural species were widely represented in all hard-bottomed sampling sites, but small inconspicuous taxa with diverse life histories were much less abundant at the medium impacted sites. Species richness and diversity in Posidonia meadows was much higher in little- and no-impact sites, where highly specific hydroid epibionts were abundant.
Unexpected massive enmeshments of the Sharpchin barracudina Paralepis coregonoides Risso, 1820 in mesopelagic sediment traps in the Levantine Basin, SE Mediterranean Sea
Authors: STERN NIR , ALKALAY RONEN , LAZAR AYAH , KATZ TIMOR , WEINSTEIN YISHAI , BERMAN-FRANK ILANA , HERUT BARAK
Published: May 2020

This study reports exceptional penetrations of the Sharpchin Barracudina Paralepis coregonoides into pelagic, open-sea sediment traps in the Levant Basin of the SE Mediterranean Sea. This first substantiated record of the species at the Levant Basin has been observed in two sediment traps at 180 and 280 m depth, 50 km offshore the coast of Israel. Over one year of deployment (November 2016 till November 2017), 483 adult individuals have been repeatedly entrapped inside the automatic sediment traps that were covered with a 25 mm baffler mesh for the first half year and then replaced with a smaller 1 cm mesh for the second half. This undesirable catch of such an elusive and understudied species provided a unique opportunity to revise its distribution, abundance and genetic divergence. The continuous entrapment throughout the year of sexually mature individuals has confirmed that this species is common to the SE Mediterranean. In order to avoid unwanted entrapments that disrupt biogeochemical sediment studies, the installation of small mesh size nets on the conventional sediment trap openings must be considered in the pelagic zone of the SE Mediterranean, and probably elsewhere.
Reproductive cycle of a non-native oyster, Crassostrea gigas, in the Adriatic Sea
Authors: EZGETA BALIĆ DARIA , RADONIĆ IVANA , BOJANIĆ VAREZIĆ DUBRAVKA , ZORICA BARBARA , ARAPOV JASNA , STAGLIČIĆ NIKA , JOZIĆ SLAVEN , PEHARDA MELITA , BRISKI ELIZABETA , LIN YAPING , ŠEGVIĆ-BUBIĆ TANJA
Published: May 2020

The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was introduced for the aquaculture purposes in many different parts of the world. However, the species has never been officially introduced for commercial farming in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. Interestingly, in the 1970s, the Pacific oyster has been reported in the natural habitats of the Lim Bay, in northern Adriatic Sea. Although the species was recorded there, there is a lack of knowledge about its biology and ecology in this region, including a reproductive cycle. Information on the reproductive biology of non-indigenous species in new areas is crucial for prediction of their future survival and possible spread in invaded habitats. In this study, we provide the first data on the reproductive biology of the Pacific oyster in the Adriatic Sea, the northernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea. Quantitative and qualitative methods of gonad tissue analysis were conducted, and effects of environmental conditions on the gametogenesis were evaluated during two reproductive cycles. Our study confirmed that environmental conditions in the Lim Bay were favourable for the reproduction of the species. The Pacific oyster reproduced once per year and had a prolonged spawning period. Water temperature was the main factor affecting gonad development and oocyte size, while chlorophyll a concentration had an impact on the oocyte development in terms of their size.
One-year assessment of the two-way coupled atmosphere-ocean wave modeling system CHAOS over the Mediterranean and Black Seas
Authors: VARLAS GEORGE , SPYROU CHRISTOS , PAPADOPOULOS ANASTASIOS , KORRES GERASIMOS , KATSAFADOS PETROS
Published: May 2020

Nowadays, it has become clear that atmosphere and ocean should be simulated by integrated modeling systems resolving interconnected physical factors which determine Earth’s energy balance. Waves play a key role on the interfacial interaction between atmosphere and ocean regulating momentum, heat and moisture exchange. This study aims to evaluate the two-way coupled atmosphere-ocean wave system CHAOS (Chemical Hydrological Atmosphere Ocean wave System) over the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The evaluation is performed against in-situ and remote sensing data for the period from 1 December 2013 to 1 December 2014. CHAOS includes the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model version 3.8 as atmospheric component and the Wave model (WAM) cycle 4.5.4 as ocean wave component, coupled through the OASIS3-MCT coupler version 3.0. In order to assess the impact of the atmosphere-ocean waves coupling, two approaches of continuous model simulations are followed. In the first approach (1-way coupling mode) the ocean wave component uses the winds produced by the atmospheric component while in the second approach (2-way coupling mode) the atmospheric component additionally uses the sea state information estimated by the ocean wave component through wave-dependent Charnock parameter computations. In the 2-way coupling mode, the attenuation of the atmospheric flow has a damping effect on wind-generated waves. The simulations in 2-way coupling mode produce more realistic results yielding statistical improvements. Against buoys observations, 2-way reduces root mean square error (RMSE) per 1.2% and 6.3% for wind speed and significant wave height, respectively, while against Jason-2 satellite retrievals per 0.5% and 2.4%, respectively. Additionally, the 2-way outperforms the 1-way coupling mode under intense wind and wave conditions during this one-year period.
First records of non-indigenous species in port of Arzew (Algeria: southwestern Mediterranean)
Authors: BENSARI BILEL , BAHBAH LAMIA , LOUNAOUCI ADLANE , EDDINA FAHCI SEYF , BOUDA ABDERRAHMANE , ISLAM BACHARI NOUR EL
Published: May 2020

Maritime transport is considered to be one of the main factors to transfer non-indigenous species (NIS), through biofouling of ships’ hulls and ballast water. Therefore, ports and marinas constitute hot spots for the introduction of species carried by international shipping and therefore are important sites for initiating biological monitoring. In this study, the port of Arzew (Algeria, Southern Mediterranean) was surveyed for the presence of NIS and cryptogenic species. The fouling communities of floating submerged structures and the hull of a fishing vessel were sampled with a scraper blade. After fixing and separating, the organisms were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. The results revealed the presence of 10 NIS and cryptogenic species, including: 1 Ascidiacea, 2 Bryozoa, 3 Crustacea, 1 Mollusca 1 Porifera, and 2 Polychaeta. Five species are reported for the first time from the Algerian coast. This study contributes to the knowledge of non-native species on the Algerian coast and in the Southern Mediterranean and establishes a baseline dataset for future assessments of NIS in ports of Algeria.
Offshore recreational fisheries of large vulnerable sharks and teleost fish in the Mediterranean Sea: first information on the species caught
Authors: PANAYIOTOU NIKOLAS , BITON PORSMOGUER SEBASTIΑN , MOUTOPOULOS DIMITRIOS Κ. , LLORET JOSEP
Published: May 2020

Large-sized pelagic sharks and teleost fish are vulnerable to overexploitation by professional fisheries but little is known about the species caught by recreational fishing. This study presents for the first time in the Mediterranean an evaluation of the catch of pelagic sharks and teleost fish being caught by recreational fishermen by analyzing publicly available videos posted on social media. The analysis reveals that several vulnerable species, including the blue shark Prionace glauca, the shortfin mako Isurus oxyrinchus, the thresher shark Alopias vulpinus, the sixgill shark Hexanchus griseus, the swordfish Xiphias gladius, and the Mediterranean spearfish Tetrapturus belone are caught by offshore recreational fishermen, with the blue shark and the swordfish being the most commonly caught species. The majority of individuals caught are juveniles that are mostly released back to sea, issues that are in agreement with field studies. New measures related to handling practices are proposed to protect these species.
Effect of a lateral square-mesh panel on the catch pattern and catch efficiency in a Mediterranean bottom trawl fishery
Authors: BONANOMI SARA , BRČIĆ JURE , HERRMANN BENT , NOTTI EMILIO , COLOMBELLI ALESSANDRO , MORO FABRIZIO , PULCINELLA JACOPO , SALA ANTONELLO
Published: May 2020

The current legal codends used in Mediterranean bottom trawl fisheries are at high risk of retaining undersized individuals of several commercial fish species. This entails that codends alone are unable to provide the desired exploitation pattern. A simple technological measure that potentially can provide higher release efficiency of undersized fish are Square-Mesh Panels (SMPs). SMPs are often applied in the upper section of the trawl belly, just ahead the codend. However, recent studies in the Mediterranean have demonstrated that SMPs mounted in this position provided limited release efficiency, because very few fish came into contact with their meshes. In attempt to improve SMPs efficiency in the Mediterranean bottom trawl fisheries, we applied them on the lateral sides of the last tapered section of the trawl belly, just ahead of the codend, and fitted two guiding panels in the trawl belly to enhance fish-SMP contact. We compared the catch performance of a standard commercial trawl with a 52 mm diamond-mesh codend and of a similar trawl fitted with lateral SMPs (70 mm mesh size) in the belly using a twin trawl. The study focused on red mullet (Mullus barbatus), a commercially important species, but data for gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna and Chelidonichthys cuculus)  were also obtained and analysed. In contrast to previous research on SMPs mounted in the top panel of the trawl, in this study SMPs induced a significant effect on catch performance for red mullet, demonstrating that their lateral position involved greater fish-SMP contact. However, since the test trawl lost a significant amount of legal-sized red mullet compared with the standard trawl, the effect was not wholly positive, possibly due to an excessively large mesh size. Therefore, future studies should be encouraged to test lateral SMPs with smaller mesh sizes.
Combining selection models and population structures to inform fisheries management: a case study on hake in the Mediterranean bottom trawl fishery
Authors: MYTILINEOU CHRYSSI , HERRMANN BENT , KAVADAS STEFANOS , SMITH CHRIS J. , MEGALOFONOU PERSEFONI
Published: May 2020

The reduction of juvenile catch and discards are important targets in fisheries policy. This work examines how selection models can predict the size structure (LFD) of discards and landings considering the effects of area, time period, gear and fisher behaviour. Additional exploitation indicators related to the gear used, fisher's selection pattern, and discards were also estimated. The approach is demonstrated in a study concerning hake in the Mediterranean trawl fishery, focusing on high (HRA) and low (LRA) recruitment areas in the Saronikos Gulf (Eastern Mediterranean) during two periods (June, September) using two codends (40 mm square-40S, 50 mm diamond-50D mesh). The predicted discards LFDs revealed generally higher percentages in the HRA in June when using the 50D. The predicted landings LFDs showed higher percentages in the LRA in September for both codends, but undersized hake were always included. LFDs and exploitation indicators indicated that both codends were inappropriate for sustainable fishing of hake in the HRA, where 50D performed worse than the 40S. Fishing with both codends in the LRA in September revealed the lowest discards rates and minimum sizes of landings close to MCRS (minimum conservation reference size). These results can provide information to fisheries management aiming to protect juveniles and reduce discards through spatio-temporal fishing closures.
Occurrence of Didemnum perlucidum Monniot F., 1983 on artificial substrates along the Mediterranean coast of Israel
Authors: NOVAK LION , SHENKAR NOA
Published: May 2020

Introductions of non-indigenous ascidian species are highly common nowadays due to their ability to establish successfully on artificial substrates. Didemnid species are of particular concern because of their rapid a-sexual growth and high fecundity. The colonial ascidian Didemnum perlucidum Monniot F., 1983 was first described from Guadeloupe Island in the Caribbean, although its native range remains unknown. To date, it has been recorded from numerous sites across the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Here, having employed both classic taxonomy and genetic tools to verify its identification, we document for the first time its occurrence in the Mediterranean Sea – on two artificial substrates along the Israeli coast. The ability of D. pelucidum to establish reproductive populations despite the harsh environmental conditions of this region, with temperature fluctuations between 16-31°C and a salinity of 38-39 ppt, raises concern regarding this species’ potential for introductions at numerous sites across the Mediterranean.
First record of the mottled spinefoot Siganus fuscescens (Houttuyn, 1782) in Mediterranean waters: a Facebook based detection
Authors: AZZURO ERNESTO , TIRALONGO FRANCESCO
Published: May 2020

The occurrence of Siganus fuscescens was recorded on March 1st 2020, within the harbour of Gioia Tauro, southern Tyrrhenian Sea (38.44428 N, 15.90459 E). The capture was realized by a recreational fisher and shared through a Facebook group. Here we illustrate this new record and discussed its relevance for Mediterranean bioinvasion research.
COVID-19 testing capabilities at urgent care centers in states with greatest disease burden
Authors: Hsiang Walter , Forman Howard , Jain Siddharth , Khunte Akshay , Jin Grace , Yousman Laurie , Najem Michael , Mosier-Mills Alison , Wiznia Daniel
Published: May 2020

While rapid and accessible diagnosis is paramount to monitoring and reducing the spread of disease, COVID-19 testing capabilities across the U.S. remain constrained. For many individuals, urgent care centers (UCCs) may offer the most accessible avenue to be tested. Through a phone survey, we describe the COVID-19 testing capabilities at UCCs and provide a snapshot highlighting the limited COVID-19 testing capabilities at UCCs in states with the greatest disease burden.
Measuring the effects of exercise in neuromuscular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Stefanetti Renae J. , Blain Alasdair , Jimenez-Moreno Cecilia , Errington Linda , Ng Yi Shiau , McFarland Robert , Turnbull Doug M. , Newman Jane , Gorman Gráinne S
Published: May 2020

Background:The benefit and safety of exercise training for patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) has long been a contentious topic. This is, in part, due to recognised challenges associated with rare diseases including small and heterogenous patient populations. We performed a systematic review and meta-analyses to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of interventional exercise and establish minimal clinically important differences (MCID) in outcomes to facilitate clinical interpretation.

Methods:We searched six databases from inception to Mar 2018. Aerobic, strength, and combined (aerobic and strength) intervention were eligible. Meta-analyses compared outcomes at baseline with those after at least six weeks (before-after exercise within individuals). A further meta-analysis compared outcomes before-after exercise between groups (exercise training versus usual care). Disease heterogeneity was explored using a random effect model. This study was registered (PROSPERO, CRD42018102183). An interactive database was developed to facilitate full interrogations of data.

Results:We identified 130 articles describing 1,805 participants with 35 different forms of NMD. Of these studies, 76 were suitable for meta-analyses. Within group and between group meta-analyses detected an increase in peak aerobic capacity (p=0·04), and peak power (p=0·01). Six-minute walk test (p=0·04), sit-to-stand (STS) (repetitions) (p=0·03), STS (seconds) (p=0·04), rise from supine (p=0·008), SF-36 (p=0·0003), fatigue severity (p=<0·0001), citrate synthase (p=0·0002), central nuclei (p=0·04), type 1 (p=0·002) and type II muscle fibre area (p=0·003), were only able to detect change within group meta-analyses. SubstantialI2statistic heterogeneity was revealed for STS (seconds) (I²=58·5%; p=0·04) and citrate synthase (I²=70·90%; p=0·002), otherwise heterogeneity for all outcomes was low. No study-related serious adverse events were reported nor significant increases in creatine kinase.

Conclusions:Exercise training in patients with NMDs appears to cause no harm across a range of outcomes. With the emergence of new therapeutic strategies, defining MCID is vital in informing future clinical trial design.
Social and Monopoly Optimization in Observable Queues
Authors: Hassin Refael , Snitkovsky Ran I.
Published: May 2020

Standard economic theory suggests that monopolies result in outputs lower and prices higher than socially desirable. In service systems, customers are often reluctant to join overly crowded systems because their service valuation decreases with system congestion. Thus a high service price is associated with better service through low congestion levels, that is, low system output. But can a monopolist profit more by providing lots of customers with poor service for a very low price? In our work, we introduce a unified approach, relying on the concept of observable queues, for studying the phenomena of monopoly overpricing in service systems. We explain why, in most observable queue models, the monopolist tends to underexploit capacity by overcharging its service. Yet we discuss cases in which the monopolist may prefer to attract demand by charging less than the socially optimal price.
MULHERES SEM-TETO E A GEOGRAFIA DA FAMÍLIA: RELAÇÕES INTERDOMÉSTICAS, GÊNERO E RECIPROCIDADE
Authors: Moreira Marianna Fernandes
Published: May 2020

Desde meados do século passado, uma série de autores (especialmente da antropologia, da sociologia e da história) começou a destacar o perigo da naturalização da família nuclear, e de sua utilização como parâmetro de relações “adequadas” ou “regulares”. A geografia, apesar de não ter tomado a família como objeto de estudo, naturalizando a família nuclear, tem contribuído para a discussão sobre a casa e o lar (a “sua casa”), questionando sua compreensão como esfera privada, separada da esfera pública do trabalho, da cidadania e da política. Todos esses trabalhos problematizam a visão idealizada do lar, buscando desconstruir suas características universais. Sem embargo, o “lar ideal” se encontra intimamente ligado à compreensão igualmente restrita da família: a da família nuclear. Ao compreender que a espacialidade da família não se esgota em sua unidade residencial, mas a extrapola, podemos apreender uma geografia que integra composições cambiantes de configurações familiares, práticas espaciais de alocação de pessoas e coisas, e papéis sexuais com espacialidades distintas, marcados pelo lugar que ocupam no grupo doméstico e por relações de presença e ausência, de permanência e impermanência. No escopo deste trabalho, busco investigar a dinâmica familiar a partir das transformações dos grupos domésticos, em contextos marcados pela instabilidade da moradia, como no caso dos sem-teto. O artigo parte de alguns casos exemplares de trajetórias de vida de mulheres sem-teto para compreender como o compartilhamento, a gestão e o cuidado, que envolve pessoas, coisas e lugares, produzem afetividades, proximidades e distâncias, que compõem o processo contínuo de formação da família e do lar.
INTERFACES ENTRE ESPAÇO, GÊNERO E MARACATU-NAÇÃO
Authors: Souza Larissa Lima de
Published: May 2020

Fundamentando-se nos referenciais da Geografia Cultural Renovada, bem como considerando contribuições de outras ciências sociais, o presente trabalho se debruça sobre a dinamicidade das Nações de Maracatu. Esta investigação almeja compreender geograficamente esta manifestação cultural com fortes vínculos religiosos, desvendando suas territorialidades, seus lugares e itinerários simbólicos, modificados historicamente, assim como as interfaces entre espaço e gênero em seu interior. A Geografia pode contribuir para a interpretação das realidades espaciais de mulheres e homens que encarnam o feminino no Maracatu-Nação, seja no batuque, na corte real, na sede, no cordão de catirinas ou na comunidade em que se situam os grupos.
ESPAÇO, IDENTIDADE E MEMÓRIA: O LUGAR EM ERA UMA VEZ EU, VERÔNICA
Authors: Da Costa Maria Helena Braga Vaz
Published: May 2020

Este trabalho explora os conceitos de identidade e memória, com o objetivo de entender como o espaço urbano da cidade de Recife-PE, representado no filme pernambucano Era Uma Vez Eu, Verônica (Marcelo Gomes, 2012), se constrói como lócus da identidade e da memória dos indivíduos que vivenciam o lugar contextualizado na realidade da vida urbana contemporânea. Apresenta-se aqui uma análise do discurso fílmico baseada nas reflexões e discussões desenvolvidas por teóricos como Stuart Hall (2005) acerca das identidades pós-modernas; Joel Candau (2011) sobre a dialética entre identidade e memória e o narrar como fonte de preservação do tempo, em acordo com uma visão antropológica; Yi-Fu Tuan (1983) e Edward Relph (2012) e suas noções de lugar, e das experiências que transformam o espaço em lugar interferindo na identidade do sujeito contemporâneo.
POR UMA HISTÓRIA CULTURAL DA CARTOGRAFIA
Authors: Jacob Christian
Published: May 2020

Teoria não é um objetivo em si, mas sim um meio de enriquecer a história da cartografia conforme se estimulam novas questões e objetivos e pesquisa. Neste artigo, introduzem-se os conceitos de “mapas transparentes” (portadores de uma imagem da realidade externa do mundo) e “mapas opacos”. A noção é abordada estruturalmente (padrões de representação gráfica, desenho, geometria, texto); por meio da sociologia do mapa (criadores de mapas, instituições, o público); e mediante a observação de mapas em seus contextos culturais e históricos (uma abordagem que levanta questões acerca das fronteiras definidoras da história da cartografia e que é provavelmente uma das mais estimulantes perspectivas hoje em dia, tal como encorajada particularmente por aqueles que contribuem para o projeto “History of Cartography”).  Finalmente, atenção especial é dedicada a três importantes tópicos para a pauta de pesquisa: os vínculos entre mapas e cultura; mapas enquanto uma linguagem de comunicação e enquanto instrumentos de poder; e os vínculos entre percepção, lógica e mnemônica.