Nonempirical cluster-model study of the chemisorption of atomic hydrogen on the (111) surface of diamondlike crystals

The interaction of atomic hydrogen with C4H9, Si4H9, and Ge4H9 model clusters has been studied using all-electron and pseudopotential ab initio Hartree-Fock computations with basis sets of increasing flexibility. The results show that the effect of polarization functions is important in order to reproduce the experimental findings, but their inclusion only for the atoms directly involved in the chemisorption bond is usually sufficient. For the systems H-C4H9 and H-Si4H9 all-electron and pseudopotential results are in excellent agreement when basis sets of comparable quality are used. Besides, semiempirical modified-neglect-of-differential-overlap computations provide quite reliable results both for diamond and silicon and have been used to investigate larger model clusters. The results confirm the local nature of chemisorption and further justify the use of minimal X4H9 model clusters.

The structure of Mediterranean rocky reef ecosystems across environmental and human gradients, and conservation implications

Historical exploitation of the Mediterranean Sea and the absence of rigorous baselines makes it difficult to evaluate the current health of the marine ecosystems and the efficacy of conservation actions at the ecosystem level. Here we establish the first current baseline and gradient of ecosystem structure of nearshore rocky reefs at the Mediterranean scale. We conducted underwater surveys in 14 marine protected areas and 18 open access sites across the Mediterranean, and across a 31-fold range of fish biomass (from 3.8 to 118 g m22). Our data showed remarkable variation in the structure of rocky reef ecosystems. Multivariate analysis showed three alternative community states: (1) large fish biomass and reefs dominated by non-canopy algae, (2) lower fish biomass but abundant native algal canopies and suspension feeders, and (3) low fish biomass and extensive barrens, with areas covered by turf algae. Our results suggest that the healthiest shallow rocky reef ecosystems in the Mediterranean have both large fish and algal biomass. Protection level and primary production were the only variables significantly correlated to community biomass structure. Fish biomass was significantly larger in well-enforced no-take marine reserves, but there were no significant differences between multi-use marine protected areas (which allow some fishing) and open access areas at the regional scale. The gradients reported here represent a trajectory of degradation that can be used to assess the health of any similar habitat in the Mediterranean, and to evaluate the efficacy of marine protected areas.

[Voyage en Italie : 1824-1830]. , [Petit temple circulaire] Ext. d'un manuscrit de la Bibliothèque Barberine. Rome : [vue perspective] : [dessin] / [Henri Labrouste]

Référence bibliographique : Weigert, 570

[Voyage en Italie : 1824-1830]. , [Vue d'un petit temple circulaire, avec une figure en pleurs, intitulé] Luctus Funebris. In aedibus barberinis : [vue perspective] : [dessin] / [Henri Labrouste]

Référence bibliographique : Weigert, 571

[Voyage en Italie : 1824-1830]. , Fragmens de la Mosaïque de Palestrina [au palais Barberini] : [six motifs] : [dessin] / h. L. [Henri Labrouste]

Référence bibliographique : Weigert, 568

Viral genotype-specific role of PNPLA3, PPARG, MTTP, and IL28B in hepatitis C virus-associated steatosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Steatosis is a prominent feature of hepatitis C, especially in patients infected with genotype 3. The analysis of genetic polymorphisms influencing steatosis in chronic hepatitis C has been limited by the studies' small sample size, and important single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), such as those in the patatin-like phospholipase family 3 protein (PNPLA3), were never evaluated. METHODS: We analyzed the role of SNPs, from 19 systematically selected candidate genes, on steatosis in 626 Caucasian hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients. SNPs were extracted from a genome-wide association-generated dataset. Associations of alleles with the presence and/or different severity of steatosis were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression, accounting for all relevant covariates. RESULTS: The risk of steatosis was increased by carriage of I148M in PNPLA3, but only in patients with HCV genotypes non-3 (odds ratio [OR]=1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.6-2.3, p<0.001) and similar, albeit weaker associations were found for SNPs in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARG) and interleukin-28B (IL28B). Carriage of a SNP in the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) increased the risk of steatosis, but only in patients with HCV genotype 3 (rs1800803, OR=3.4, 95% CI=2.4-4.9, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The rs738409 SNP in PNPLA3 is associated with an increased risk of steatosis in patients infected with HCV genotypes non-3. Host genes affect steatosis depending on the infecting HCV genotype, suggesting their interaction with viral factors.

Critical Mobilities

The field of mobility studies examines social phenomena through the lens of movement. In this perspective, societies are regarded as being constantly reconfigured as they are shaped by a series of mobile entities (capital, people, information). This book engages critically with many of the claims and challenges of mobility studies by providing empirically rich reports of mobilities and their limitations. Instead of assuming a seamless world of flows, the volume foregrounds questions of power, inequality, and moorings as integral to the movement of capital, goods, images, practices, or people. It brings together the work of several internationally renowned scholars, who engage with these movements at critical sites. This is the first book to provide a critical and interdisciplinary view of mobilities covering a broad range of issues rather than a single domain. The chapters deal with current and important issues, such as organ transplants, illegal migrations, urban globalization, international policies of higher education institutions, and scientific diasporas. As a whole, the book provides new insights into how power relations shape mobilities and societies.

Reflexionem amb en Frato. Una experiència de desenvolupament de competències transversals als estudis de Mestre d'Educació Infantil

Reflexionem amb en Frato és un projecte d'innovació que s'ha portat a terme a la Facultat de Formació del Professorat de la Universitat de Barcelona, en l'assignatura de Didàctica de la llengua IIdels estudis de Mestre en l'especialitat d'Educació Infantil, durant quatre cursos lectius en horari de matí i tarda. La tasca forma part d'un projecte del grup d'innovació docent consolidat de la Universitat de Barcelona GIDC-DLL, al qual pertanyen les dues professores. La innovació té la voluntat d'iniciar la transformació de l'ensenyament i aprenentatge a la universitat en el marc de l'Espai Europeu d'Educació Superior com a context general i, més específicament, dins la matèria de Didàctica de la llengua II delsestudis de Mestre en l'especialitat d'Educació Infantil. El projecte neix arran de la publicació del llibreFrato: 40 anys amb ulls d'infant, de Francesco Tonucci, a partir del qual es planteja una seqüènciaformativa competencial per als estudiants fàcilment transferible i amb valoracions molts positives.

Impairment of the Bacterial Biofilm Stability by Triclosan

The accumulation of the widely-used antibacterial and antifungal compound triclosan (TCS) in freshwaters raises concerns about the impact of this harmful chemical on the biofilms that are the dominant life style of microorganisms in aquatic systems. However, investigations to-date rarely go beyond effects at the cellular, physiological or morphological level. The present paper focuses on bacterial biofilms addressing the possible chemical impairment of their functionality, while also examining their substratum stabilization potential as one example of an important ecosystem service. The development of a bacterial assemblage of natural composition – isolated from sediments of the Eden Estuary (Scotland, UK) – on non-cohesive glass beads (,63 mm) and exposed to a range of triclosan concentrations (control, 2 – 100 mg L21) was monitored over time by Magnetic Particle Induction (MagPI). In parallel, bacterial cell numbers, division rate, community composition (DGGE) and EPS (extracellular polymeric substances: carbohydrates and proteins) secretion were determined. While the triclosan exposure did not prevent bacterial settlement, biofilm development was increasingly inhibited by increasing TCS levels. The surface binding capacity (MagPI) of the assemblages was positively correlated to the microbial secreted EPS matrix. The EPS concentrations and composition (quantity and quality) were closely linked to bacterial growth, which was affected by enhanced TCS exposure. Furthermore, TCS induced significant changes in bacterial community composition as well as a significant decrease in bacterial diversity. The impairment of the stabilization potential of bacterial biofilm under even low, environmentally relevant TCS levels is of concern since the resistance of sediments to erosive forces has large implications for the dynamics of sediments and associated pollutant dispersal. In addition, the surface adhesive capacity of the biofilm acts as a sensitive measure of ecosystem effects

Parents - child role reversal in trilogue play: case studies of trajectories from pregnancy to toddlerhood

Role reversal, whereby a child attempts to meet her parent's adult needs for parenting, intimacy, or companionship, has been identified as a risk factor for developmental disturbances. It has been defined from diverse perspectives as a child attachment strategy, a parent - toddler relational disturbance, and a boundary disturbance between parents and child. The recently discovered infant's triangular capacity, namely the sharing of her attention and affects with both parents, allows one to analyse the infant's contribution to early family dynamics. Role reversal was detected in 4 out of 45 father - mother - infant interactions observed in trilogue play from pregnancy to toddlerhood. The developmental trajectories towards role reversal are explored by means of case analyses. Results are compared with cases of problematic triangulation encountered in the same sample. In role reversal, family interactions are rigidly organized around a "two against one" coalition, whereby the normative hierarchy between parents and child is reversed. The child's triangular capacity is overactivated, controlling the tension between her parents by provocation - animation strategies