Surface diatom community composition and species-specific contribution to carbon biomass, live and empty cell abundances over the Kerguelen region in the Southern Ocean (KEOPS 2 program)

In the naturally iron-fertilized surface waters of the northern Kerguelen Plateau region, the early spring diatom community composition and contribution to plankton carbon biomass were investigated and compared with the High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) surrounding waters (October-November 2011, KEOPS 2). The large iron-induced blooms were dominated by small diatom species belonging to the genera Chaetoceros (Hyalochaete) and Thalassiosira, which rapidly responded to the onset of favorable light-conditions in the meander of the Polar Front. In comparison, the iron-limited HNLC area was typically characterized by autotrophic nanoeukaryote-dominated communities and by larger and more heavily silicified diatom species (e.g. Fragilariopsis spp.). Our results support the hypothesis that diatoms are valuable vectors of carbon export to depth in naturally iron-fertilized systems of the Southern Ocean. Comparison with the diatom assemblage composition of a sediment trap deployed in the iron-fertilized area suggests that the dominant Chaetoceros (Hyalochaete) cells were less efficiently exported than the less abundant yet heavily silicified cells of Thalassionema nitzschioides and Fragilariopsis kerguelensis. Our observations emphasize the strong influence of species-specific diatom cell properties combined with trophic interactions on matter export efficiency, and illustrate the tight link between the specific composition of phytoplankton communities and the biogeochemical properties characterizing the study area.

Knowledge Management and Leadership in the Higher Education: A First Approach

Today, it is more and more important to develop competences in the learning process of the university students (that is to say, to acquire knowledge but also skills, abilities, attitudes and values). This is because professional practice requires that the future graduates design and market products, defend the interests of their clients, be introduced in the Administration or, even, in the Politics. Universities must form professionals that become social and opinion leaders, consultants, advisory, entrepreneurs and, in short, people with capacity to solve problems. This paper offers a tool to evaluate the application for the professor of different styles of management in the process of the student���s learning. Its main contribution consists on advancing toward the setting in practice of a model that overcomes the limitations of the traditional practices based on the masterful class, and that it has been applied in Portugal and Spain.

Effect of endurance, speed and strength training on skin temperature measured by infrared thermography = Efecto del entrenamiento de resistencia, velocidad y fuerza en la temperatura de la piel a trav��s de la termograf��a infrarroja

La termograf��a infrarroja (TI) es una t��cnica no invasiva y de bajo coste que permite, con el simple acto de tomar una fotograf��a, el registro sin contacto de la energ��a que irradia el cuerpo humano (Akimov & Son���kin, 2011, Merla et al., 2005, Ng et al., 2009, Costello et al., 2012, Hildebrandt et al., 2010). Esta t��cnica comenz�� a utilizarse en el ��mbito m��dico en los a��os 60, pero debido a los malos resultados como herramienta diagn��stica y la falta de protocolos estandarizados (Head & Elliot, 2002), ��sta se dej�� de utilizar en detrimento de otras t��cnicas m��s precisas a nivel diagn��stico. No obstante, las mejoras tecnol��gicas de la TI en los ��ltimos a��os han hecho posible un resurgimiento de la misma (Jiang et al., 2005, Vainer et al., 2005, Cheng et al., 2009, Spalding et al., 2011, Skala et al., 2012), abriendo el camino a nuevas aplicaciones no s��lo centradas en el uso diagn��stico. Entre las nuevas aplicaciones, destacamos las que se desarrollan en el ��mbito de la actividad f��sica y el deporte, donde recientemente se ha demostrado que los nuevos avances con im��genes de alta resoluci��n pueden proporcionar informaci��n muy interesante sobre el complejo sistema de termorregulaci��n humana (Hildebrandt et al., 2010). Entre las nuevas aplicaciones destacan: la cuantificaci��n de la asimilaci��n de la carga de trabajo f��sico (��oh & ��irok, 2007), la valoraci��n de la condici��n f��sica (Chudecka et al., 2010, 2012, Akimov et al., 2009, 2011, Merla et al., 2010), la prevenci��n y seguimiento de lesiones (Hildebrandt et al., 2010, 2012, Bad��a et al., 2012, G��mez Carmona, 2012) e incluso la detecci��n de agujetas (Al-Nakhli et al., 2012). Bajo estas circunstancias, se acusa cada vez m��s la necesidad de ampliar el conocimiento sobre los factores que influyen en la aplicaci��n de la TI en los seres humanos, as�� como la descripci��n de la respuesta de la temperatura de la piel (TP) en condiciones normales, y bajo la influencia de los diferentes tipos de ejercicio. Por consiguiente, este estudio presenta en una primera parte una revisi��n bibliogr��fica sobre los factores que afectan al uso de la TI en los seres humanos y una propuesta de clasificaci��n de los mismos. Hemos analizado la fiabilidad del software Termotracker, as�� como su reproducibilidad de la temperatura de la piel en sujetos j��venes, sanos y con normopeso. Finalmente, se analiz�� la respuesta t��rmica de la piel antes de un entrenamiento de resistencia, velocidad y fuerza, inmediatamente despu��s y durante un per��odo de recuperaci��n de 8 horas. En cuanto a la revisi��n bibliogr��fica, hemos propuesto una clasificaci��n para organizar los factores en tres grupos principales: los factores ambientales, individuales y t��cnicos. El an��lisis y descripci��n de estas influencias deben representar la base de nuevas investigaciones con el fin de utilizar la TI en las mejores condiciones. En cuanto a la reproducibilidad, los resultados mostraron valores excelentes para im��genes consecutivas, aunque la reproducibilidad de la TP disminuy�� ligeramente con im��genes separadas por 24 horas, sobre todo en las zonas con valores m��s fr��os (es decir, zonas distales y articulaciones). Las asimetr��as t��rmicas (que normalmente se utilizan para seguir la evoluci��n de zonas sobrecargadas o lesionadas) tambi��n mostraron excelentes resultados pero, en este caso, con mejores valores para las articulaciones y el zonas centrales (es decir, rodillas, tobillos, dorsales y pectorales) que las Zonas de Inter��s (ZDI) con valores medios m��s calientes (como los muslos e isquiotibiales). Los resultados de fiabilidad del software Termotracker fueron excelentes en todas las condiciones y par��metros. En el caso del estudio sobre los efectos de los entrenamientos de la velocidad resistencia y fuerza en la TP, los resultados muestran respuestas espec��ficas seg��n el tipo de entrenamiento, zona de inter��s, el momento de la evaluaci��n y la funci��n de las zonas analizadas. Los resultados mostraron que la mayor��a de las ZDI musculares se mantuvieron significativamente m��s calientes 8 horas despu��s del entrenamiento, lo que indica que el efecto del ejercicio sobre la TP perdura por lo menos 8 horas en la mayor��a de zonas analizadas. La TI podr��a ser ��til para cuantificar la asimilaci��n y recuperaci��n f��sica despu��s de una carga f��sica de trabajo. Estos resultados podr��an ser muy ��tiles para entender mejor el complejo sistema de termorregulaci��n humano, y por lo tanto, para utilizar la TI de una manera m��s objetiva, precisa y profesional con visos a mejorar las nuevas aplicaciones termogr��ficas en el sector de la actividad f��sica y el deporte Infrared Thermography (IRT) is a safe, non-invasive and low-cost technique that allows the rapid and non-contact recording of the irradiated energy released from the body (Akimov & Son���kin, 2011; Merla et al., 2005; Ng et al., 2009; Costello et al., 2012; Hildebrandt et al., 2010). It has been used since the early 1960���s, but due to poor results as diagnostic tool and a lack of methodological standards and quality assurance (Head et al., 2002), it was rejected from the medical field. Nevertheless, the technological improvements of IRT in the last years have made possible a resurgence of this technique (Jiang et al., 2005; Vainer et al., 2005; Cheng et al., 2009; Spalding et al., 2011; Skala et al., 2012), paving the way to new applications not only focused on the diagnose usages. Among the new applications, we highlighted those in physical activity and sport fields, where it has been recently proven that a high resolution thermal images can provide us with interesting information about the complex thermoregulation system of the body (Hildebrandt et al., 2010), information than can be used as: training workload quantification (��oh & ��irok, 2007), fitness and performance conditions (Chudecka et al., 2010, 2012; Akimov et al., 2009, 2011; Merla et al., 2010; Arfaoui et al., 2012), prevention and monitoring of injuries (Hildebrandt et al., 2010, 2012; Bad��a et al., 2012, G��mez Carmona, 2012) and even detection of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness ��� DOMS- (Al-Nakhli et al., 2012). Under this context, there is a relevant necessity to broaden the knowledge about factors influencing the application of IRT on humans, and to better explore and describe the thermal response of Skin Temperature (Tsk) in normal conditions, and under the influence of different types of exercise. Consequently, this study presents a literature review about factors affecting the application of IRT on human beings and a classification proposal about them. We analysed the reliability of the software Termotracker��, and also its reproducibility of Tsk on young, healthy and normal weight subjects. Finally, we examined the Tsk thermal response before an endurance, speed and strength training, immediately after and during an 8-hour recovery period. Concerning the literature review, we proposed a classification to organise the factors into three main groups: environmental, individual and technical factors. Thus, better exploring and describing these influence factors should represent the basis of further investigations in order to use IRT in the best and optimal conditions to improve its accuracy and results. Regarding the reproducibility results, the outcomes showed excellent values for consecutive images, but the reproducibility of Tsk slightly decreased with time, above all in the colder Regions of Interest (ROI) (i.e. distal and joint areas). The side-to-side differences (��T) (normally used to follow the evolution of some injured or overloaded ROI) also showed highly accurate results, but in this case with better values for joints and central ROI (i.e. Knee, Ankles, Dorsal and Pectoral) than the hottest muscle ROI (as Thigh or Hamstrings). The reliability results of the IRT software Termotracker�� were excellent in all conditions and parameters. In the part of the study about the effects on Tsk of aerobic, speed and strength training, the results of Tsk demonstrated specific responses depending on the type of training, ROI, moment of the assessment and the function of the considered ROI. The results showed that most of muscular ROI maintained warmer significant Tsk 8 hours after the training, indicating that the effect of exercise on Tsk last at least 8 hours in most of ROI, as well as IRT could help to quantify the recovery status of the athlete as workload assimilation indicator. Those results could be very useful to better understand the complex skin thermoregulation behaviour, and therefore, to use IRT in a more objective, accurate and professional way to improve the new IRT applications for the physical activity and sport sector.

Aggregate community properties and the strength of species��� interactions

Although humanity depends on the continued, aggregate functioning of natural ecosystems, few studies have explored the impact of community structure on the stability of aggregate community properties. Here we derive the stability of the aggregate property of community biomass as a function of species��� competition coefficients for a two-species model. The model predicts that the stability of community biomass is relatively independent of the magnitude of the interaction strengths. Instead, the degree of asymmetry of the interactions appears to be key to community stability.

Measurement of community metabolism and significance in the coral reef CO2 source-sink debate

Two methods are commonly used to measure the community metabolism (primary production, respiration, and calcification) of shallow-water marine communities and infer air���sea CO2 fluxes: the pH-total alkalinity and pH-O2 techniques. The underlying assumptions of each technique are examined to assess the recent claim that the most widely used technique in coral reefs (pH-total alkalinity), may have provided spurious results in the past because of high rates of nitrification and release of phosphoric acid in the water column [Chisholm, J. R. M. & Barnes, D. J. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95, 6566���6569]. At least three lines of evidence suggest that this claim is not founded. First, the rate of nitrification required to explain the discrepancy between the two methods recently reported is not realistic as it is much higher than the rates measured in another reef system and greater than the highest rate measured in a marine environment. Second, fluxes of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphorus are not consistent with high rates of nitrification and release of phosphoric acid. Third, the consistency of the metabolic parameters obtained by using the two techniques is in good agreement in two sites recently investigated. The pH-total alkalinity technique therefore appears to be applicable in most coral reef systems. Consequently, the conclusion that most coral reef flats are sources of CO2 to the atmosphere does not need revision. Furthermore, we provide geochemical evidence that calcification in coral reefs, as well as in other calcifying ecosystems, is a long-term source of CO2 for the atmosphere.

Anomalies in coral reef community metabolism and their potential importance in the reef CO2 source-sink debate

It is not certain whether coral reefs are sources of or sinks for atmospheric CO2. Air���sea exchange of CO2 over reefs has been measured directly and inferred from changes in the seawater carbonate equilibrium. Such measurements have provided conflicting results. We provide community metabolic data that indicate that large changes in CO2 concentration can occur in coral reef waters via biogeochemical processes not directly associated with photosynthesis, respiration, calcification, and CaCO3 dissolution. These processes can significantly distort estimates of reef calcification and net productivity and obscure the contribution of coral reefs to global air���sea exchange of CO2. They may, nonetheless, explain apparent anomalies in the metabolic performance of reefs close to land and reconcile the differing experimental findings that have given rise to the CO2 debate.

An Independent Art Movement: The Independent Artist, Community Television, and the Age of Information

The history of community television shows that it has been a home to activist and non-profit organizations that have created programs focused on freedom of speech. This project proposes that community television is also a place where artists can have freedom of artistic expression. The reflective paper reviews the creation of my film designed to inform and attract artists to community television. In it I critically reflect on the artistic, technical, artistic/technical, and production changes made throughout my journey from being a visual artist to becoming a video-artist. The reflective paper, along with the film, act as a wake-up call to artists who are unaware of community television and the advantages it has to offer them.

Reflections on the institutional balance, the Community Method and the interplay between jurisdictions after Lisbon. Research Papers in Law, 04/2012

[Introduction.] Over the last two years, not only inside but also outside the framework of the EU treaties, far reaching measures have been taken at the highest political level in order to address the financial and economic crisis in Europe and in particular the sovereign debt crisis in the Euro area. This has triggered debates forecasting the ���renationalisation of European politics.��� Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council, countered the prediction that Europe is doomed because of such a renationalisation: ���If national politics have a prominent place in our Union, why would this not strengthen it?��� He took the view that not a renationalisation of European politics was at stake, but an Europeanization of national politics emphasising that post war Europe was never developed in contradiction with nation states.1 Indeed, the European project is based on a mobilisation of bundled, national forces which are of vital importance to a democratically structured and robust Union that is capable of acting in a globalised world. To that end, the Treaty of Lisbon created a legal basis. The new legal framework redefines the balance between the Union institutions and confirms the central role of the Community method in the EU legislative and judiciary process. This contribution critically discusses the development of the EU's institutional balance after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, with a particular emphasis on the use of the Community Method and the current interplay between national constitutional courts and the Court of Justice. This interplay has to date been characterised by suspicion and mistrust, rather than by a genuine dialogue between the pertinent judicial actors.