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Ecosystems are subjected to increasing exposure to multiple anthropogenic drivers. This has led to the development of national and international accounting systems describing the condition of ecosystems, often based on few, highly aggregated indicators. Such accounting systems would benefit from a stronger theoretical and empirical underpinning of ecosystem dynamics. Operational tools for ecosystem management require understanding of natural ecosystem dynamics, consideration of uncertainty at all levels, means for quantifying driver-response relationships behind observed and anticipated future trajectories of change, and an efficient and transparent synthesis to inform knowledge-driven decision processes. There is hence a gap between highly aggregated indicator-based accounting tools and the need for explicit understanding and assessment of the links between multiple drivers and ecosystem condition as a foundation for informed and adaptive ecosystem management. We describe here an approach termed PAEC (Panel-based Assessment of Ecosystem Condition) for combining quantitative and qualitative elements of evidence and uncertainties into an integrated assessment of ecosystem condition at spatial scales relevant to management and monitoring. The PAEC protocol is founded on explicit predictions, termed phenomena, of how components of ecosystem structure and functions are changing as a result of acting drivers. The protocol tests these predictions with observations and combines these tests to assess the change in the condition of the ecosystem as a whole. PAEC includes explicit, quantitative or qualitative, assessments of uncertainty at different levels and integrates these in the final assessment. As proofs-of-concept we summarize the application of the PAEC protocol to a marine and a terrestrial ecosystem in Norway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antenatal inflammation in the form of chorioamnionitis (fetal membranes; HCA) and funisitis (umbilical vessels; FUN) is a major risk factor for preterm birth. Exposure to HCA + FUN affects infants by releasing mediators that may suppress respiratory drive. While the association between clinical chorioamnionitis (CCA) and (depressed) spontaneous breathing has been described, we have investigated the association between breathing and HCA + FUN. Infants born < 30 weeks' gestation with available placental pathology assessments were included. Infants were compared at multiple levels: infants with vs without HCA + FUN (comparison 1) and infants with subclinical HCA + FUN vs infants without any chorioamnionitis (comparison 2). The primary outcome was breathing effort, defined as minute volume (MV) of spontaneous breathing in the first 5 min after birth. We also assessed tidal volume (Vt), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2) and oxygen requirement (FiO2). Regression analyses were performed to control for confounding factors. One hundred eighty-six infants were included (n = 75 infants with HCA + FUN vs. n = 111 infants without HCA + FUN). Comparison 1: Infants with HCA + FUN had lower gestational ages 26+5 (25+0–28+1; median (IQR) and lower birthweights (mean ± SD; 943 ± 264) compared to infants without HCA + FUN (28+4 (27+0–29+1) weeks, p < 0.001 and 1023 ± 270 g, p = 0.049). Comparison 2: Subclinical HCA + FUN was diagnosed in 46/75 HCA + FUN infants. Infants with subclinical HCA + FUN had lower gestational ages (26+6 (25+1–28+3) vs. 28+4 (27+2–29+1) weeks, p < 0.001) without significant differences for birthweights (987 ± 248 vs. 1027 ± 267 g, p = 0.389) compared to infants without any chorioamnionitis (n = 102 infants). After adjustment, HCA + FUN was associated with lower MV (p = 0.025), but subclinical HCA + FUN was not (p = 0.226). HCA + FUN and subclinical HCA + FUN were associated with lower Vt (p = 0.003; p = 0.014), SpO2 at 5 min (p = 0.021; 0.036) and SpO2/FiO2 ratio (p = 0.028; p = 0.040). Conclusion: HCA + FUN and subclinical HCA + FUN are associated with reduced oxygenation and parameters that reflect breathing effort in premature infants at birth. What is Known: • Acute antenatal inflammation, in the form of chorioamnionitis (fetal membranes) and funisitis (umbilical vessels), affects a large proportion of premature infants. • Clinical chorioamnionitis is associated with reduced breathing effort and oxygenation in premature infants at birth. What is New: • Histological and subclinical chorioamnionitis and funisitis are associated with reduced breathing effort parameters and oxygenation in premature infants at birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: When resecting endometriomas with the stripping technique, in the majority of cases, a thin line of adjacent ovarian cortex is attached to the endometrioma. In this study, we performed histological analysis to determine (antral) follicle density in the ovarian cortex tissue attached to stripped endometriomas and assessed patient- and surgical characteristics that could affect this. Methods: Histological slides of previously removed endometriomas were assessed. Follicles in the attached ovarian tissue were classified according to maturation, and follicular density was determined. Immunofluorescent staining of antral follicles in a subset of endometriomas was also performed. Results: In 90 out of 96 included endometriomas (93.7%), ovarian tissue attached to the cyst wall was observed. One thousand nine hundred forty-four follicles at different maturation stages were identified (3 follicles/mm3). Follicle density was negatively associated with age (p < 0.001). Antral follicles (< 7-mm diameter) were present in the ovarian tissue attached to 35 endometriomas (36.5%) derived from younger patients compared to endometriomas where none were detected (30 versus 35 years, p = 0.003). Antral follicle density was 1 follicle/mm3. Based on immunofluorescence, healthy antral follicles were identified in two out of four examined endometriomas. Conclusions: Ovarian tissue attached to stripped endometriomas holds potential as a non-invasive source for antral follicles. In theory, application of IVM could be an interesting alternative FP option in young patients with endometriomas who undergo cystectomy in order to transform the surgical collateral damage to a potential oocyte source. Our results encourage future research with fresh tissue to further assess the quality and potential of these follicles. Trial registration: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: B21.055 (METC LDD), date of registration 12–08-2021, retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to develop an actinide-specific monolithic support in capillary designed to immobilize precise Pu:Am ratios and its coupling to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for immobilized metal affinity chromatography applications. This format offers many advantages, such as reducing the sample amount and waste production, which are of prime importance when dealing with highly active radioelements. Four organic phosphorylated-based monoliths were synthesized in situ through UV photo-polymerization in capillary and characterized. The capillary coupling to ICP-MS was set up in conventional laboratory using Th and Sm as chemical analogues of Pu and Am. A dedicated method was developed to quantify online Th and Sm amounts immobilized on the monolithic capillaries, allowing to select the best monolith candidate poly(BMEP-co-EDMA)adp. By precisely adjusting the elemental composition in the loading solutions and applying the developed quantification method, the controlled immobilization of several Th:Sm molar ratios onto the monolith was successful. Finally, the capillary ICP-MS coupling was transposed in a glove box and by applying the strategy developed to design the monolithic support using Th and Sm, the immobilization of a 10.5 ± 0.2 (RSD = 2.3%, n = 3) Pu:Am molar ratio reflecting Pu ageing over 48 years was achieved in a controlled manner on poly(BMEP-co-EDMA)adp. Hence, the new affinity capillary monolithic support was validated, with only hundred nanograms or less of engaged radioelements and can be further exploited to precisely determine differential interactions of Pu and Am with targeted biomolecules in order to better anticipate the effect of Am on Pu biodistribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by the trend toward sustainable foods, insoluble fiber particles from by-products have attracted interest as Pickering stabilizers. In this work, the relationship between particle/structural properties and emulsion-stabilizing properties of ultrasonic autoclaving alkaline-treated insoluble soybean fiber (ISF) from okara as a novel stabilizer and the stability of ISF-stabilized emulsions under different environmental conditions were investigated. The results showed that when the contact angle of ISF was close to 90° and the structural looseness of ISF and the interaction between ISF were at moderate levels, the ISF-stabilized emulsions exhibited relatively high stability against creaming and ISF particle deposition. The ISF-stabilized oil droplets existed in well-dispersed and aggregated forms, and the latter was formed by the simultaneous adsorption of a large number of oil droplets onto the multi-branched clustered ISF. After heating at 85 °C for 30 min or treatment with 100 mM NaCl or pH 5, the emulsions maintained good anti-creaming stability and long-term storage stability. Analysis of the microstructure, elastic modulus G', and ζ-potential of the emulsions indicated that the aforementioned stable oil droplet aggregates and the gel-like network structure played a major role in the stabilization of the emulsions, while the electrostatic repulsion played a minor role. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of ISF from okara in food emulsion formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Treatment of hyperthyroidism caused by autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) with 131I often leads to undesirable hypothyroidism. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as a promising alternative. This retrospective analysis aimed to examine the efficacy of, and postprocedural hypothyroidism after, RFA for AFTN. Methods: Patients with hyperthyroidism caused by AFTN and treated with RFA were included if follow-up of at least 1 year was available. Cure was defined as thyroid medication–free biochemical euthyroidism. To predict cure, patient and treatment factors were analysed. A distinction was made between solitary toxic adenoma (STA) and toxic multinodular goitre (TMG). Results: Forty-eight patients (36 STA, 12 TMG) were included. One year post-RFA cure rate was 72% in STA versus 25% in TMG (p = 0.004). One patient developed hypothyroidism. In 11 patients that remained hyperthyroid, a second RFA was successful in 83% of STA and 40% of TMG patients. At last available follow-up, this amounted to a total cure rate of 81% in STA and 33% in TMG (p = 0.002). In STA, cured patients had a higher baseline TSH and a lower FT3 than non-cured patients (p = 0.026 and 0.031). Cure was observed in 91% of patients when > 2.1 kJ/mL was delivered during RFA, compared to 44% when less energy was administered. Conclusion: The efficacy of RFA was nearly 3 times higher in STA patients compared to TMG. Severity of hyperthyroidism and kJ/mL delivered during RFA predicts cure. Direct comparison to the current standard of care is needed to implement RFA in treatment of hyperthyroidism caused by AFTN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic climate change is predicted to severely impact the global hydrological cycle1, particularly in tropical regions where agriculture-based economies depend on monsoon rainfall2. In the Horn of Africa, more frequent drought conditions in recent decades3,4 contrast with climate models projecting precipitation to increase with rising temperature5. Here we use organic geochemical climate-proxy data from the sediment record of Lake Chala (Kenya and Tanzania) to probe the stability of the link between hydroclimate and temperature over approximately the past 75,000 years, hence encompassing a sufficiently wide range of temperatures to test the ‘dry gets drier, wet gets wetter’ paradigm6 of anthropogenic climate change in the time domain. We show that the positive relationship between effective moisture and temperature in easternmost Africa during the cooler last glacial period shifted to negative around the onset of the Holocene 11,700 years ago, when the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration exceeded 250 parts per million and mean annual temperature approached modern-day values. Thus, at that time, the budget between monsoonal precipitation and continental evaporation7 crossed a tipping point such that the positive influence of temperature on evaporation became greater than its positive influence on precipitation. Our results imply that under continued anthropogenic warming, the Horn of Africa will probably experience further drying, and they highlight the need for improved simulation of both dynamic and thermodynamic processes in the tropical hydrological cycle.Climate-proxy data indicate that during the last glacial period in the Horn of Africa higher temperatures were associated with greater moisture availability, whereas during the current interglacial period, as well as historically, higher temperatures have been associated with increased drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, diatoms have been recognized as powerful bio-indicators of modern water quality. They have also been utilized in the design of transfer functions, which can be applied to diatom assemblages in lake sediment cores to infer aspects of past lake hydrochemistry and estimate variables that can be incorporated into paleohydrology models. The Ounianga lakes, in the heart of the Chadian Sahara, possess unique and well-preserved sediment records that extend back beyond the middle Holocene. Today, the lakes display a range of hydrochemical conditions, from fresh to hypersaline. Mainly fed by fossil groundwater that originates in the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, measured conductivity across these lakes varies from 217 to 352,000 µS cm−1, values that are influenced by factors such as hydrology, local geomorphology (e.g., depth and area), and aquatic vegetation. Although these lakes have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2012, they have never been studied in detail because they are located on the fringes of the Chadian Sahara. The distribution of diatom taxa in the lakes today is closely linked to water-column physical and chemical conditions, especially conductivity. Whereas each lake has particular features that influence its diatom flora, diatoms across a conductivity gradient enabled identification of three distinct waterbody types, freshwater lakes, meso-saline to hyper-saline lakes, and freshwater springs. Relationships between diatom species distributions and environmental variables were examined using multivariate analysis, which revealed that conductivity is the variable that explains most of the variance in the diatom flora. We used modern diatom assemblages from the lakes to develop a predictive model (transfer function) for conductivity, using the weighted averaging method. Our conductivity prediction model is strong, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.89 between estimated and measured values, and a value of 0.78 using jackknife estimates of prediction. This study better constrained conductivity optima and tolerance values for diatom species found in the Ounianga lakes, thereby enabling development of a model that will yield better inferences for past conductivity, using diatoms from lake sediment records in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) capsules, constructed by LbL (layer-by-layer)-adsorbing polymers on sacrificial templates, have become important carriers due to multifunctionality of materials adsorbed on their surface or encapsulated into their interior. They have been also been used broadly used as analytical tools. Chronologically and traditionally, chemical analytics has been developed first, which has long been synonymous with all analytics. But it is not the only development. To the best of our knowledge, a summary of all advances including their classification is not available to date. Here, we classify analytics, sensorics, and biosensorics functionalities implemented with polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules and coated particles according to the respective stimuli and application areas. In this classification, three distinct categories are identified: (I) chemical analytics (pH; K+, Na+, and Pb2+ ion; oxygen; and hydrogen peroxide sensors and chemical sensing with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)); (II) physical sensorics (temperature, mechanical properties and forces, and osmotic pressure); and (III) biosensorics and bioanalytics (fluorescence, glucose, urea, and protease biosensing and theranostics). In addition to this classification, we discuss also principles of detection using the above-mentioned stimuli. These application areas are expected to grow further, but the classification provided here should help (a) to realize the wealth of already available analytical and bioanalytical tools developed with capsules using inputs of chemical, physical, and biological stimuli and (b) to position future developments in their respective fields according to employed stimuli and application areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tolerance for acute ammonia exposure, defined to exist between NOEC (no observed effect concentration) and LOEC (lowest observed effect concentration), was validated in seven exposure experiments with Atlantic cod larvae from 15 to 63 days post-hatch, corresponding to larval sizes of 0.2 to 4.9 mg dry weight, respectively. LOEC was found in the range of 0.019–0.082 mg L−1 NH3-N, with corresponding NOECs of 0.013–0.045 mg L−1 NH3-N. Cod larvae of 1.0 and 1.7 mg dry weight (33 and 42 days after hatching) were found to be most sensitive and had the highest mortality to acute ammonia exposure, indicating ontogenetic changes in ammonia tolerance. The results suggest that specific care needs to be taken in designing and monitoring rearing systems, particularly recirculation systems, for toxic ammonia levels regarding larval rearing of Atlantic cod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continental rift systems are often characterized by geothermal activity and associated discharge of hot groundwater, which can substantially impact the water, solute and sediment budgets of rift-valley lakes. Hot-spring inflow can result in complex lake hydro- and geochemistry, but also buffers against the desiccation of closed-basin lakes in dry climate regimes. Consequently, hydrothermally fed lakes can potentially provide continuous sedimentary records from regions where other types of paleoenvironmental archives are lacking. This is illustrated by Nasikie Engida, a shallow hypersaline and alkaline (soda) lake in the semiarid Rift Valley of southern Kenya. Here, inflow of hot-spring water has maintained a shallow but permanent water body and continuous deposition of sediments through past climate episodes when many other lakes in the eastern (Gregory) branch of the East African Rift System stood dry. We present the first data on late-Holocene sedimentation in this remarkable lacustrine system, typified by authigenic nahcolite [NaH(CO3)] formation during part of its recorded history. Our data include measurements of bulk-sediment and mineralogical composition, clastic-mineral grain size and magnetic susceptibility. Analytical issues related to the large amount of salts within the sediments, both as crystals and in solution in the pore water, are discussed. We also present exploratory time series of the stable-isotope composition of bulk organic matter and authigenic nahcolite. Core lithostratigraphy and preliminary radiocarbon dating indicate that Nasikie Engida has accumulated finely laminated sediments continuously since ca. 2850 cal year BP, which is remarkable given its current maximum depth of only 1.6 m. Synsedimentary nahcolite appears abruptly ~ 2260 cal year BP and since then has been deposited regularly, in the form of distinct pure layers up to several cm thick. Its formation has been enabled by high pCO2, supplied principally from geothermal sources, accumulating in a high-density brine. Although Nasikie Engida has likely been saline over the entire time span covered by the studied sediment sequence, variation in nahcolite deposition and bulk-sediment composition suggests multi-decadal to centennial oscillations in water-column stability and stream inflow driven by variation in climatic moisture balance. Further analyses of this paleoenvironmental archive may thus produce the first continuous climate-proxy record from a vast dry region of equatorial East Africa. Moreover, Nasikie Engida's extraordinary setting makes it a unique modern analogue for the interpretation of ancient nahcolite-bearing salt-lake deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the functionality of colloidal cinnamon nanoparticles in improving the antioxidant activity and suspension stability of a chocolate beverage formulated with two types of cocoa powder (natural and alkalised) was investigated. Cinnamon-loaded nanoparticles based on shellac and xanthan gum prepared using anti-solvent precipitation were incorporated in the chocolate beverage in multilevel proportions. The results showed that the addition of the nanoparticles improved the total phenolic content up to 40% and antioxidant activity up to 60% depending on the level of the nanoparticles added. Improvement of the physical stability of the chocolate beverage was observed regardless of the cocoa powder type. As the sedimentation index of the beverages made with alkalised and natural cocoa powders after 96 h was 5.7 and 85.7, respectively, the stabilisation effect of the nanoparticles seemed to be significantly influenced by the characteristics of the beverage raw material. The prevention of cocoa particle sedimentation was attributed to the colloidal network that originated from xanthan gum as shown by Cryo-SEM imaging or the increased viscosity of the mixture (i.e. from 2.4 to 27.7 mPa s at a shear rate of 50 s−1). Incorporation of the colloidal cinnamon nanoparticles had no significant effect on pH and a slight effect on the colour of the chocolate beverages. The formulated nanoparticles could be a promising complement to "ready-to-drink" products to enrich the bioactive content and prolong suspension stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of multi-disciplinary research carried out on the deposits of a residual channel (“Peerdemeers”) of the Kale/Durme River in the Moervaart depression, NW Belgium. The combination of physical, botanical, zoological and chemical analyses allowed a detailed reconstruction of the channel ecosystem and the vegetation in the surrounding landscape during the Younger Dryas and Early Holocene. A chronology for the record was provided by radiocarbon dating. Vegetation patterns were influenced by major climate changes that occurred during this period. During the early Younger Dryas, the river channel was active and vegetation was open with scattered birch copses, shrubs, grasses and herbs. The channel was cut-off in the late Younger Dryas, while some heath developed in the area. The Friesland Phase is characterised by a lithological change and increase in water level in the residual channel. Dwarf birch disappeared and boreal forests developed. The area however, remained relatively open compared to other coversand areas in NW Europe. The Rammelbeek Phase is considered as a drier, more continental climate phase in which forest expansion was temporarily interrupted and grasslands became more abundant. Also at the “Peerdemeers” site an increase in grasses is recorded. During the entire period (ca. 1,000 years) there is no hard evidence for human activity. The absence of archaeological evidence is in sharp contrast with the preceding (Allerød) and succeeding periods (Boreal). This suggests that environmental conditions during the YD and PB were probably too unfavourable for hunter-gatherers to remain in the Moervaart area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palm sugar, a natural alternative sweetener which can be made from the nectar of several species of palm tree flowers, recently gains more interest. Due to its physicochemical characteristics, utilisation of palm sugar as chocolate sweetener results in different quality attributes of chocolate. In this work, a thorough investigation about the influence of palm sugar on the rheological, microstructural and textural characteristics of chocolate was carried out through partial replacement of sucrose as chocolate sweetener. Accordingly, five sucrose-palm sugar blends with different palm sugar (PS) proportion, namely PS0, PS25, PS50, PS75, and PS100 were used as chocolate sweetener. The results showed that the Casson yield value of chocolate containing palm sugar was lower than the Casson yield value of chocolate sweetened with pure sucrose which could be attributed to the presence of agglomerates in the chocolate suspension. However, palm sugar-sweetened chocolate exhibited a higher Casson viscosity and thixotropy which could be mainly attributed to the presence of glucose and fructose and the relatively high moisture content. These factors also influenced the hardness of the chocolate to some extent. A lower melting temperature and enthalpy value of the sugar phase in chocolate were observed by DSC, whereas visualisation using SEM, polarised and normal light microscopy indicated increased agglomeration due to the presence of moisture, amorphous sugar and chemical 'impurities'. Rheological behaviour of molten chocolate, hardness and polarised-normalised light microscopy were evaluated at a constant temperature of 40, 20, and 50 °C, respectively, while the melting profile was measured from 20 to 200 °C at a rate of 5 C/min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we investigate whether the following conjecture is true or not: does the addition-free theta functions form a canonical notation system for the linear versions of Friedman's well-partial-orders with the so-called gap-condition over a finite set of n labels. Rather surprisingly, we can show this is the case for two labels, but not for more than two labels. To this end, we determine the order type of the notation systems for addition-free theta functions in terms of ordinals less than $$\varepsilon _0$$ . We further show that the maximal order type of the Friedman ordering can be obtained by a certain ordinal notation system which is based on specific binary theta functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we provide an intrinsic characterization of the famous Howard-Bachmann ordinal in terms of a natural well-partial-ordering by showing that this ordinal can be realized as a maximal order type of a class of generalized trees with respect to a homeomorphic embeddability relation. We use our calculations to draw some conclusions about some corresponding subsystems of second order arithmetic. All these subsystems deal with versions of light-face $$\varPi ^1_1$$ -comprehension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantification of intra-specific morphological variability of aquatic biota along environmental gradients can produce biological proxies that can be applied to paleoenvironmental reconstructions. This morphology-derived proxy information can be especially valuable when dealing with low-diversity fossil assemblages, i.e. in situations when paleoenvironmental inference based on species composition of the assemblage is less effective. We analyzed valve size and outline shape of the widespread and highly environmentally tolerant ostracode species Limnocythere inopinata collected in 15 lakes and ponds of Western Mongolia. We quantified shape variability among and within these living populations in relation to water chemistry and physical habitat variables. Our results indicate that: (1) a population's mean valve outline is related to habitat type, (2) surface water temperature, the alkalinity to sulphate ratio, specific conductance and total phosphorus together explain a high portion of the variance in mean valve outline between populations, and (3) a quantitative model inferring the alkalinity to sulphate ratio from mean valve outline has an R² of 0.88 and RMSEP of 0.17. These results corroborate the hypothesis that high morphological variability in this ostracode species is due to both ecophenotypic variance and high clonal diversity associated with a mixed reproductive strategy (a combination of sexual and parthenogenetically reproducing lineages), and underline the value of morphometric techniques in paleoecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic biota in Central Asia witnesses and faces a changing environment. Because ostracodes contribute to both extant and fossil lacustrine diversity, they can be used to track evolution in water quality. Living ostracode communities in a variety of aquatic habitats of western Mongolia were analyzed in relation to environmental and hydrochemical variables of those habitats, based on presence/absence data from net samples. The sampled water bodies represent broad gradients in ionic concentration and composition. Ostracode community composition of springs differed from all other sampled habitats, which was also reflected in CCA analyses. Our data indicated that the ostracode fauna of western Mongolia shows a high response to calcium content, alkalinity, salinity, temperature, nutrients, and altitude. Species composition and diversity seem to be determined by solute evolution dominated by Ca-depletion. In general, this seems to be an important regulator of lacustrine ostracode species composition in several semi-arid regions. Binary logistic regression was used to predict the occurrence of the most common species with a minimal set of environmental variables. The resulting models showed on average low performance, and mainly demonstrated the potential of such modeling to predict the distribution of typical bio-indicator species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two endothermic transitions, at 36°C and 44°C, were observed with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) upon heating dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide vesicle dispersions that were equilibrated below 15°C while in samples kept at 25°C there was only the transition at 44°C, which was shown to be the gel to liquid–crystalline transition by 1H-NMR measurements. The transition at 36°C was reversed in an exothermic transition around 13°C upon cooling. The slowness of this transition at ambient temperatures suggests that the presence of the transition at 36°C in a DSC upscan depends strongly on the sample history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the early benthic phase of the European lobster. Study of cobble fauna; Re-stocking or enhancement of Homarid populations; Description of the results of quantitative airlift suction sampling from cobble habitat in Norway, Ireland, Italy and Great Britain.

Claw size and dominance in cultivated versus wild European lobsters Homarus gammarus were compared. Normally, lobsters develop a short, high and wide crusher and a slender scissor claw. In culture, both claws often develop into scissor claws. With growth, cultivated males developed one significantly elongated scissor claw (major claw), and one normal scissor claw, compared to wild males (minor claw). The differences increased with size. The wild males had higher claw index than cultured ones, due to the crusher claw. Wild lobsters with higher claw index were dominant. Cultivated males with claw indices at least 200 mm2 higher than the opponent, won. Only scissor claws were broken in the encounters. Even if cultivated lobsters in time develop claws equal to wild lobsters, they might still be less robust. In the light of these findings, we suggest that lobsters cultivated for restocking purposes should be given access to an appropriate substrate allowing them to develop one claw into a crusher during the early benthic stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the influence of food regimes on the free amino acid pool, the rate of protein turnover, the flux of amino acids and their relation to growth of larval turbot `scophthalmus miximus' from the first feeding until metamorphosis. Methodology used to conduct study; Dietary requirements of the turbot; Examination of results.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a systemic disorder of connective tissue caused by pathogenic variants in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene. Myocardial dysfunction has been demonstrated in MFS patients and mouse models, but little is known about the intrinsic effect on the cardiomyocytes (CMs). In this study, both induced pluripotent stem cells derived from a MFS-patient and the line with the corrected FBN1 mutation were differentiated to CMs. Several functional analyses are performed on this model to study MFS related cardiomyopathy. Atomic force microscopy revealed that MFS CMs are stiffer compared to corrected CMs. The contraction amplitude of MFS CMs is decreased compared to corrected CMs. Under normal culture conditions, MFS CMs show a lower beat-to-beat variability compared to corrected CMs using multi electrode array. Isoproterenol-induced stress or cyclic strain demonstrates lack of support from the matrix in MFS CMs. This study reports the first cardiac cell culture model for MFS, revealing abnormalities in the behavior of MFS CMs that are related to matrix defects. Based on these results, we postulate that impaired support from the extracellular environment plays a key role in the improper functioning of CMs in MFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]