Methodological context of all samples from the Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013)

The Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013) sampled the world oceans on board a 36 m long schooner, collecting environmental data and organisms from viruses to planktonic metazoans for later analyses using modern sequencing and state-of-the-art imaging technologies. Tara Oceans Data are particularly suited to study the genetic, morphological and functional diversity of plankton. The present data set is a registry of all samples collected during the Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013). The registry provides details about the sampling location and methodology of each sample. Uniform resource locators (URLs) offer direct links to additional contextual environmental data published at PANGAEA, and to the corresponding nucleotides data published at the European Nucleotides Archive (EBI-ENA).

Registry of all campaigns (from port to port) from the Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013)

The Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013) sampled the world oceans on board a 36 m long schooner, collecting environmental data and organisms from viruses to planktonic metazoans for later analyses using modern sequencing and state-of-the-art imaging technologies. Tara Oceans Data are particularly suited to study the genetic, morphological and functional diversity of plankton. The present data set is a registry of all campaigns (from port to port) conducted during the Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013). The registry provides details about the scientific interest of each campaign, including direct links (URLs) to the corresponding (1) campaign report, (2) samples collected during the campaign, (3) environmental data published at PANGAEA, and (4) nucleotides data published at the European Nucleotides Archive (EBI-ENA).

Registry of all events from the Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013)

The Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013) sampled the world oceans on board a 36 m long schooner, collecting environmental data and organisms from viruses to planktonic metazoans for later analyses using modern sequencing and state-of-the-art imaging technologies. Tara Oceans Data are particularly suited to study the genetic, morphological and functional diversity of plankton. The present data set is a registry of all events conducted during the Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013). The registry provides details about the sampling date, time, location and methodology of each event. Uniform resource locators (URLs) offer direct links to the corresponding (1) event logsheet filled on board, (2) environmental data published at PANGAEA, (3) list of samples prepared on board from each event, and (4) nucleotides data published at the European Nucleotides Archive (EBI-ENA).

(Table 2) Age determination of Aegean Sea sediments

The modern Aegean Sea is an important source of deep water for the eastern Mediterranean. Its contribution to deep water ventilation is known to fluctuate in response to climatic variation on a decadal timescale. This study uses marine micropalaeontological and stable isotope data to investigate longer-term variability during the late glacial and Holocene, in particular that associated with the deposition of the early Holocene dysoxic/anoxic sapropel S1. Concentrating on the onset of sapropel-forming conditions, we identify the start of 'seasonal' stratification and highlight a lag in d18O response of the planktonic foraminifer N. pachyderma to termination T1b as identified in the d18O record of G. ruber. By use of a simple model we determine that this offset cannot be a function of bioturbation effects. The lag is of the order of 1 kyr and suggests that isolation of intermediate/deep water preceded the start of sapropel formation by up to 1.5 kyr. Using this discovery, we propose an explanation for the major unresolved problem in sapropel studies, namely, the source of nutrient supply required for export productivity to reach levels needed for sustained sapropel deposition. We suggest that nutrients had been accumulating in a stagnant basin for 1-1.5 kyr and that these accumulated resources were utilized during the deposition of S1. In addition, we provide a first quantitative estimate of the diffusive (1/e) mixing timescale for the eastern Mediterranean in its "stratified" sapropel mode, which is of the order of 450 years.

Dysregulation of placental cystathionine-β-synthase promotes fetal growth restriction

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is characterized by the birth weight and body mass below the tenth percentile for gestational age. FGR is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality and babies born with FGR are prone to develop cardiovascular diseases later in life. The underlying pathology of FGR is inadequate placental transfer of nutrients from mother to fetus, which can be caused by placental insufficiency. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous messenger is produced endogenously by cystathionine-lyase (Cth), cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST), which are present in human placenta. Recently, we demonstrated that the dysregulation of H2S/Cth pathway is associated with preeclampsia and blockade of CSE activity induces preeclampsia-like condition in pregnant mice. We hypothesized that defect in H2S pathways promote FGR and H2S donor restores fetal growth in mice where CBS or CSE activity has been compromised. Western blotting and qPCR revealed that placental CBS expressions were significantly reduced in women with FGR. ELISA analysis showed reduced placental growth factor production (PlGF) from first trimester (8–12 weeks gestation) human placental explants following inhibition of CBS activity by aminooxyacetic acid (AOA). Administration of AOA to pregnant mice had no effects on blood pressure, but caused fetal growth restriction. This was associated with reduced PlGF production. Histological analysis revealed a reduction in the placental junction zone, within which trophoblast giant cells and glycogen cells were less prominent in CBS inhibitor treated mice. These results imply that placental CBS is required for placental development and that dysregulation of CBS activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of FGR but not preeclampsia.

Text-messaging as a Tool for Medication Adherence and Behavior Change in Disease Management among Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Background: Evidence-based medication and lifestyle modification are important for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease but are underutilized. Mobile health strategies could address this gap but existing evidence is mixed. Therefore, we piloted a pre-post study to assess the impact of patient-directed text messages as a means of improving medication adherence and modifying major health risk behaviors among coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in Hainan, China.

Methods: 92 CVD patients were surveyed between June and August 2015 (before the intervention) and then between October and December 2015 (after 12 week intervention) about (a) medication use (b) smoking status,(c) fruit and vegetable consumption, and (d) physical activity uptake. Acceptability of text-messaging intervention was assessed at follow-up. Descriptive statistics, along with paired comparisons between the pre and post outcomes were conducted using both parametric (t-test) and non-parametric (Wilcoxon signed rank test) methods.

Results: The number of respondents at follow-up was 82 (89% retention rate). Significant improvements were observed for medication adherence (P<0.001) and for the number of cigarettes smoked per day (P=.022). However there was no change in the number of smokers who quitted smoking at follow-up. There were insignificant changes for physical activity (P=0.91) and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Biomass of large protists from the Infrakingdom Rhizaria in the global ocean

The present data set is a worldwide compilation from 11 oceanographic expeditions during which an underwater vision profiler (UVP) was deployed in situ to determine the vertical distribution (biomass) of 4 taxonomic groups of plankton larger than 600 µm, belonging to the Infrakingdom Rhizaria, including Collodaria, Acantharia, Phaeodaria and other Rhizaria. Vertical distributions are binned in four layers: 0-100, 0-200, 100-500 and 0-500 m.

Can a Common Currency Foster a Shared Social Identity across Different Nations? The Case of the Euro

Fostering the emergence of a "European identity" was one of the declared goals of the euro adoption. Now, years after the physical introduction of the common currency, we assess whether there has been an effect on a shared European identity. We use two different datasets in order to assess the impact of the euro adoption on the fostering of a self-declared "European Identity". We find that the effect of the euro is statistically insignificant although it is precisely estimated. This result holds important implications for European policy makers. It also sheds new light on the formation of social identities.

Terapia de aceptación y compromiso en un caso de tras¬torno mixto de ansiedad y depresión en una paciente con cáncer

This paper introduces the case of a woman with breast cancer who had developed a mixed depressive-anxiety disorder with avoidance behaviors. The patient presented depressive symptoms like listlessness, insomnia, weeping, food disorders and hopelessness though. Also, she exhibited physiological arousal and restlessness feelings. Additionally, the patient had an avoidance patron behavior in relation with all stimulus she believed could hurt her. Based on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) the intervention planted the following objectives: the patient will learn to accept her illness and the emotional distress that she was experiencing, also, the patient will recover the other areas of her life that she had abandoned. The treatment was developed in 14 sessions. The therapist used these techniques: creative hopelessness, disabling verbal functions, values clarification and loss of control over private events. In the results, it was observed a positive change in the behavior of the patient as well as a decrease in emotional distress that was his reason for initial consultation

Rightful Resistance in the Colombian conflict. A theoretical reflection based on a Peace Community

This article considers the opportunities of civilians to peacefully resist violent conflicts or civil wars. The argument developed here is based on a field-based research on the peace community San José de Apartadó in Colombia. The analytical and theoretical framework, which delimits the use of the term ‘resistance’ in this article, builds on the conceptual considerations of Hollander and Einwohner (2004) and on the theoretical concept of ‘rightful resistance’ developed by O’Brien (1996). Beginning with a conflict-analytical classification of the case study, we will describe the long-term socio-historical processes and the organizational experiences of the civilian population, which favoured the emergence of this resistance initiative. The analytical approach to the dimensions and aims of the resistance of this peace community leads to the differentiation of O`Brian’s concept of ‘rightful resistance’.

Fronteras en construcción: Diferenciación social y desterritorialización en el Sur ibérico (siglos IX-VI a.C.)

Durante las tres últimas décadas, numerosos/as arqueólogos/as han discutido extensamente sobre el ritual funerario original de las poblaciones del sur ibérico entre los siglos ix y vi a.c., esto es, cremación o inhumación. Este debate está además conectado con la existencia o no de complejidad social antes de la llegada fenicia, con la aparición de una élite “orientalizada” y con la adopción de nuevos objetos y prácticas por las poblaciones locales. En este artículo hago uso del concepto deleuziano de “desterritorialización” y lo asocio con el de “frontera” desarrollado por anzaldúa para interpretar la sociedad del sur ibérico. Para ello, analizo la evidencia funeraria indígena y cuestiono la división estricta entre cremación e inhumación en la región; así como examino la profundidad y significado de los cambios funerarios en las comunidades locales.

¿Qué hay en un nombre? –Akko-Ptolemais–´Akka-Acre

La actual ciudad de Akko in Israel, ha tenido muchos nombres a lo largo de los siglos de su prolongado asentamiento. El nombre de Acre, con el que se le conoce en el mundo Occidental, es el residuo del nombre de San Juan de Acre que le dieron sus habitantes cruzados en el s. XII de la era Cristiana. Sin embargo, el nombre de ‘Akko y sus derivados, tienen una larga historia. Bajo tal nombre, aparece ya en las fuentes escritas de comienzos el II Milenio a.C., cuando e produjo la primera urbanización del lugar. Se mantuvo como ‘Akko, ‘Ake, etc…a lo largo de los siglos posteriors, a pesar de los inentos de varios dirigentes de cambiarelo. El asentamiento se trasladó, a causa de los cambios en la línea de costa y del río Na’aman o Belos, desde el antiguo Tel Akko a la bahía, en la que se estableció un puerto artificial,reconstruido y renovado reiteradamente durante más de 2000 años. El primer nombre conocido del sitio original del asentamiento, el tell, data de época de los cruzados. Este sufrió una alteración de su nombre, reflejo de la transformación de la historia de Akko, en la que la intervención occidental (europea9, jugó un papel decisivo.

A bimetallic catalyst on a dual component support for low temperature total methane oxidation

Palladium, platinum bimetallic catalysts supported on η-Al₂O₃, ZSM-5(23) and ZSM-5(80), with and without the addition of TiO₂, were prepared and used for low temperature total methane oxidation (TMO). The catalysts were tested under reaction temperatures of 200-500 °C with a GHSV of 100,000 mL g^-1 h^-1. It was found that all four components, palladium, platinum, an acidic support and oxygen carrier were needed to achieve a highly active and stable catalyst. The optimum support being 17.5% TiO₂ on ZSM-5(80) where the T_10% was observed at only 200 °C. On addition of platinum, longer time on stream experiments showed no decrease in the catalyst activity over 50 h at 250 °C.

Self‐cleaning perovskite type catalysts for the dry reforming of methane

Gas-to-liquid processes are generally used to convert natural gas or other gaseous hydrocarbons into liquid fuels via an intermediate syngas stream. This includes the production of liquid fuels from biomass-derived sources such as biogas. For example, the dry reforming of methane is done by reacting CH4 and CO2, the two main components of natural biogas, into more valuable products, i.e., CO and H2. Nickel containing perovskite type catalysts can promote this reaction, yielding good conversions and selectivities; however, they are prone to coke laydown under certain operating conditions. We investigated the addition of high oxygen mobility dopants such as CeO2, ZrO2, or YSZ to reduce carbon laydown, particularly using reaction conditions that normally result in rapid coking. While doping with YSZ, YDC, GDC, and SDC did not result in any improvement, we show that a Ni perovskite catalyst (Na0.5La0.5Ni0.3Al0.7O2.5) doped with 80.9 ZrO2 15.2 CeO2 gave the lowest amount of carbon formation at 800 °C and activity was maintained over the operating time.

The use of binary polymeric networks in stabilising polyethylene oxide solid dispersions

The objective of this study was to determine if a high Tg polymer (Eudragit® S100) could be used to stabilize amorphous domains of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and hence improve the stability of binary polymer systems containing celecoxib (CX). We propose a novel method of stabilizing the amorphous PEO solid dispersion through inclusion of a miscible, high Tg polymer, namely, that can form strong inter-polymer interactions. The effects of inter-polymer interactions and miscibility between PEO and Eudragit S100 are considered. Polymer blends were first manufactured via hot-melt extrusion at different PEO/S100 ratios (70/30, 50/50, and 30/70 wt/wt). Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis data suggested a good miscibility between PEO and S100 polymer blends, particularly at the 50/50 ratio. To further evaluate the system, CX/PEO/S100 ternary mixtures were extruded. Immediately after hot-melt extrusion, a single Tg that increased with increasing S100 content (anti-plasticization) was observed in all ternary systems. The absence of powder X-ray diffractometry crystalline Bragg’s peaks also suggested amorphization of CX. Upon storage (40°C/75% relative humidity), the formulation containing PEO/S100 at a ratio of 50:50 was shown to be most stable. Fourier transform infrared studies confirmed the presence of hydrogen bonding between Eudragit S100 and PEO suggesting this was the principle reason for stabilization of the amorphous CX/PEO solid dispersion system.