Interstitial water chemistry at DSDP Leg 82 Holes

Interstitial waters were collected at only two sites during Leg 82, Sites 558 and 563. Only very small changes in dissolved calcium and magnesium occur, presumably resulting from reactions in the underlying basement basalts. Dissolved strontium profiles indicate maxima, which can be understood in terms of carbonate recrystallization processes. Data on Sr/Ca in carbonates cannot be used to estimate the extent of recrystallization that has occurred in these sediments.

Isotopic and trace element composition of basalts from DSDP Leg 82 Holes

Sr and Nd isotopic composition of 23 basalts from Sites 556-559 and 561-564. are reported. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios in fresh glasses and leached whole rocks range from 0.7025 to 0.7034 and are negatively correlated with the initial 143Nd/ 144Nd compositions, which range from 0.51315 to 0.51289. The Sr and Nd isotopic compositions (in glasses or leached samples) lie within the fields of mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) and ocean island basalts (OIB) from the Azores on the Nd-Sr mantle array/fan plot. In general, there is a correlation between the trace element characteristics and the 143Nd/144Nd composition (i.e., samples with Hf/Ta>7 and (Ce/Sm)N<1 [normal-MORB] have initial 143Nd/144Nd>0.51307, whereas samples with Hf/Ta<7 and (Ce/Sm)N>1 (enriched-MORB) have initial 143Nd/144Nd compositions <0.51300). A significant deviation from this general rule is found in Hole 558, where the N-MORB can have, within experimental limits, identical isotopic compositions to those found in associated E-MORB. The plume-depleted asthenosphere mixing hypothesis of Schilling (1975), White and Schilling (1978) and Schilling et al. (1977) provides a framework within which the present data can be evaluated. Given the distribution and possible origins of the chemical and isotopic heterogeneity observed in Leg 82 basalts, and some other basalts in the area, it would appear that the Schilling et al. model is not entirely satisfactory. In particular, it can be shown that trace element data may incorrectly estimate the plume component and more localized mantle heterogeneity (both chemical and isotopic) may be important.

Geochemistry at DSDP Leg 82 Holes

The nine holes (556-564) drilled during DSDP Leg 82 in a region west and southwest of the Azores Platform (Fig. 1) exhibit a wide variety of chemical compositions that indicate a complex petrogenetic history involving crystal fractionation, magma mixing, complex melting, and mantle heterogeneity. The major element chemistry of each hole except Hole 557 is typical of mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs), whereas the trace element and rare earth element (REE) abundances and ratios are more variable, and show that both depleted Type I and enriched Type II basalts have been erupted in the region. Hole 556 (30-34 Ma), located near a flow line through the Azores Triple Junction, contains typically depleted basalts, whereas Hole 557 (18 Ma), located near the same flow line but closer to the Azores Platform, is a highly enriched FeTi basalt, indicating that the Azores hot-spot anomaly has existed in its present configuration for at least 18 Ma, but less than 30-34 Ma. Hole 558 (34-37 Ma), located near a flow line through the FAMOUS and Leg 37 sites, includes both Type I and II basalts. Although the differences in Zr/Nb and light REE/heavy REE ratios imply different mantle sources, the (La/Ce)ch (>1) and Nd isotopic ratios are almost the same, suggesting that the complex melting and pervasive, small-scale mantle heterogeneity may account for the variations in trace element and REE ratios observed in Hole 558 (and FAMOUS sites). Farther south, Hole 559 (34-37 Ma), contains enriched Type II basalts, whereas Hole 561 (14-17 Ma), located further east near the same flow line, contains Type I and II basalts. In this case, the (La/Ce)ch and Nd isotopic ratios are different, indicating two distinct mantle sources. Again, the existence along the same flow line of two holes exhibiting such different chemistry suggests that mantle heterogeneity may exist on a more pervasive and transient smaller scale. (Hole 560 was not sampled for this study because the single basalt clast recovered was used for shipboard analysis.) All of the remaining three holes (562, 563, 564), located along a flow line about 100 km south of the Hayes Fracture Zone (33°N), contain only depleted Type I basalts. The contrast in chemical compositions suggests that the Hayes Fracture Zone may act as a "domain" boundary between an area of fairly homogeneous, depleted Type I basalts to the south (Holes 562-564) and a region of complex, highly variable basalts to the north near the Azores hot-spot anomaly (Holes 556-561).

The effect of social support derived from World of Warcraft on negative psychological symptoms

Previous research examining players of Massively-Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) suggests that players form meaningful relationships with each other. Other research indicates that people may derive social support from online sources and this social support has been associated with greater wellbeing. This study used an online survey of players (N = 206) of the MMOG “World of Warcraft” (WoW) to examine if social support can be derived from MMOGs, and to examine its relationship with negative psychological symptoms. Players of WoW were found to derive social support from playing and a positive relationship was found between game engagement and levels of in-game social support. Higher levels of in-game social support were associated with fewer negative psychological symptoms, although this effect was not maintained after accounting for social support derived from the offline sources. Additionally, a small subsample of players (N = 21) were identified that played for between 44 and 82 hours per week (M = 63.33). These players had significantly lower levels of offline social support and higher levels of negative symptoms compared to the rest of the sample. This study provides evidence that social support can be derived from MMOGs and the associated potential to promote well being, but also highlights the potential harm from spending excessive hours playing.

Mechanical Behavior of Articular Cartilage After Osteochondral Autograft Transfer in an Ovine Model

BACKGROUND: Grafting of autologous hyaline cartilage and bone for articular cartilage repair is a well-accepted technique. Although encouraging midterm clinical results have been reported, no information on the mechanical competence of the transplanted joint surface is available. HYPOTHESIS: The mechanical competence of osteochondral autografts is maintained after transplantation. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Osteochondral defects were filled with autografts (7.45 mm in diameter) in one femoral condyle in 12 mature sheep. The ipsilateral femoral condyle served as the donor site, and the resulting defect (8.3 mm in diameter) was left empty. The repair response was examined after 3 and 6 months with mechanical and histologic assessment and histomorphometric techniques. RESULTS: Good surface congruity and plug placement was achieved. The Young modulus of the grafted cartilage significantly dropped to 57.5% of healthy tissue after 3 months (P < .05) but then recovered to 82.2% after 6 months. The aggregate and dynamic moduli behaved similarly. The graft edges showed fibrillation and, in some cases (4 of 6), hypercellularity and chondrocyte clustering. Subchondral bone sclerosis was observed in 8 of 12 cases, and the amount of mineralized bone in the graft area increased from 40% to 61%. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanical quality of transplanted cartilage varies considerably over a short period of time, potentially reflecting both degenerative and regenerative processes, while histologically signs of both cartilage and bone degeneration occur. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both the mechanically degenerative and restorative processes illustrate the complex progression of regeneration after osteochondral transplantation. The histologic evidence raises doubts as to the long-term durability of the osteochondral repair.

Thermodynamics of ligand (substrate end product) binding to endoxylanase from Chainia sp. (NCL-82-5-1): isothermal calorimetry and fluorescence titration studies

The binding of xylo-oligosaccharides to Chainia endoxylanase resulted in a decrease in fluorescence intensity of the enzyme with the formation of 1:1 complex. Equilibrium and thermodynamic parameters of ligand binding were determined by fluorescence titrations and titration calorimetry. The affinity of xylanase for the oligosaccharides increases in the order X-2 < X-3 < X-4 less than or equal to X-5. Contributions from the enthalpy towards the free energy change decreased with increasing chain length from X-2 to X-4, whereas an increase in entropy was observed, the change in enthalpy and entropy of binding being compensatory. The entropically driven binding process suggested that hydrophobic interactions as well as hydrogen bonds play a predominant role in ligand binding.

Anomalous Raman scattering from phonons and electrons of superconducting FeSe0.82

We report interesting anomalies in the temperature dependent Raman spectra of FeSe0.82 measured from 3 K to 300 K in the spectral range from 60 to 1800 cm(-1) and determine their origin using complementary first-principles density functional calculations. A phonon mode near 100 cm-1 exhibits a sharp increase by similar to 5% in the frequency below a temperature T-s (similar to 100 K) attributed to strong spin-phonon coupling and onset of short-range antiferromagnetic order. In addition, two high frequency modes are observed at 1350 cm-1 and 1600 cm-1, attributed to electronic Raman scattering from (x(2)-y(2)) to xz/yz d-orbitals of Fe. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influencia de la fertilización nitrogenada y densidad de siembra en el rendimiento agronómico e industrial de tomate (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) variedades UC-82 y topacio en el Valle de Sébaco, Matagalpa

El presente estudio se realizó en la Estación Experimental " Raúl González" del Valle de Sebaco en el período del 5 de junio al 16 de septiembre de 1992. Se evaluaron las variedades, UC-82 y Topacio, las densidades de siembra de 27,777 y 50,000 plantas/ha y cuatro niveles de nitrógeno, O Kg/ha, 75 Kg/ha, 150 Kg/ha y 225 Kg/ha. Se desarrolló el estudio con tres factores y se estableció un diseño de Bloques Completos al Azar, evaluándose los parámetros de crecimiento del cultivo, así como, lo relacionado al rendimiento agronómico e industrial. Los datos obtenidos se sometieron al análisis de varianza y a la prueba de SNK al 5%, Los resultados en cuanto a crecimiento y desarrollo fueron los siguientes: La mayor altura la presentó la variedad UC-82 en combinación con la densidad de 50,OOO plantas/ha y con la aplicación de 75 Kg/ha de Nitrógeno; e1 mayor número de hijos se obtuvo con la misma variedad y densidad y la aplicación de 225 Kg/ha de Nitrógeno. En cuanto a floración y fructificación los mejores resultados se alcanzaron con la variedad UC-82, la densidad de 27,111 plantas/ha y con 75 Kg/ha de Nitrógeno. Respecto al rendimiento agronómico, el mejor tratamiento fue la variedad uc-82, con la densidad de 50,000 plantas/ha y una aplicación de 75 Kg/ha de Nitrógeno. En el rendimiento industrial la variedad Topacio, con la densidad de 50,000 plantas/ha y 225 Kg/ha de Nitrógeno reporta los mejores resultados.

Utilización de "microorganismos efectivos" en el manejo de insectos-plagas del cultivo del tomate (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) variedad UC-82 en el Valle de Sébaco, Matagalpa

El trabajo se realizó de Octubre de 1996 a Marzo de 1997, en la Estación Experimental "Raúl González" del valle de Sébaco, Matagalpa. Se evaluó la utilización de "Microorganismos Efectivos" en el manejo de insectos-plagas y enfermedades en el cultivo del tomate (Lycopersicum esculentum Mili), variedad UC-82. Los tratamientos utilizados fueron: Tratamiento 1, Productos Químicos; Tratamiento 2, Neem (Azadirachta indica); Tratamiento 3, EM-5B (extracto de hierbas y microorganismos); Tratamiento 4, EM-5 (microorganismos); Tratamiento 5, Testigo absoluto (sin ningún tipo de aplicación). En la etapa de semillero los tratamientos EM-5 y EM-5B mostraron un efecto reductor sobre las poblaciones de mosca blanca (Bemisia tabaci Genn). Después del trasplante la mayor densidad de mosca blanca se observó en el tratamiento a base de productos químicos. El mayor porcentaje de poblaciones de Lyriomiza spp. lo obtuvieron los tratamientos químicos y EM-5. En cuanto al porcentaje de población de Diabrotica spp. no se presentaron diferencias significativas a lo largo del experimento. Referente al daño causado por Heliothis spp. se observó a los 77 DDT (días después del trasplante), los tratamientos en los que menos daños se presentaron fueron neem y químico. Sin embargo estos mismos tratamientos mostraron mayor incidencia de virosis a los 42 DDT, asi mismo no se observó diferencias estadísticas. La mayor altura la presentó el tratamiento EM-5B y el mayor número de hijos lo obtuvo el tratamiento químico y EM-5. También se presentaron resultados positivos entre los caracteres grosor del mesocarpio y diámetro polar y ecuatorial obteniendo los mejores resultados EM- 5 y EM-5B. En cuanto al rendimiento comercial de producción el tratamiento que dio valores más aceptables fue el de Neem con 26,974 Kg/Ha de frutos comercializables con rendimiento total 27,979 Kg/Ha; haciendo la salvedad que este tratamiento fue fertilizado con el biofertilizante EM-Bokashi

Influencia de dos cultivos antecesores y control de malezas sobre la cenosis y el crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento del tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) c.v UC-82

El ensayo se realizó a partir de Diciembre de 1989 hasta Abril de 1990, en la Cooperativa "Rubén Duarte", Managua, con el obJetivo de "Determinar la influencia de diferentes cultivos antecesores y métodos de control de malezas sobre el crecimiento. desarrollo y rendimiento en el cultivo del tomate". El experimente se estableció en un diseño de Bloques Completos al azar en parcelas divididas con cuatro repeticiones por tratamientos en estudio. Los resultados indican que la mayor abundancia total de malezas se presentó cuando el cultivo antecesor fue el fríjol, reportandose la menor abundancia total en el control mecánico. El mayor peso seco total de malezas se presentó cuando antecedió el cultivo del frijol siendo mayores en las Poáceas y Dicotiledóneas, en el control con Metribuzin fueron las Poáceas y en el control con FluazHop las Dicotiledóneas. En cuanto a la diversidad se reportó que para ambos cultivos antecesores existió alta diversidad, los métodos de control reportaron alta diversidad al comienzo del ciclo disminuyendo al final del ciclo a excepción del control con FluazHop el cual presentó igual diversidad tanto al inicio como al final del ciclo. Con respecto al comportamiento general de las variables de crecimiento y componentes del rendimiento podemos decir que fue similar, presentando llgeramente diferencias la rotación del frijol - tomate y el control mecánico con azadon.