Rhodoliths and rhodolith beds

Rhodolith (maërl) beds, communities dominated by free living coralline algae, are a common feature of subtidal environments worldwide. Well preserved as fossils, they have long been recognized as important carbonate producers and paleoenvironmental indicators. Coralline algae produce growth bands with a morphology and chemistry that record environmental variation. Rhodoliths are hard but often fragile, and growth rates are only on the order of mm/yr. The hard, complex structure of living beds provides habitats for numerous associated species not found on otherwise entirely sedimentary bottoms. Beds are degraded locally by dredging and other anthropogenic disturbances, and recovery is slow. They will likely suffer severe impacts worldwide from the increasing acidity of the ocean. Investigations of rhodolith beds with scuba have enabled precise stratified sampling that has shown the importance of individual rhodoliths as hot spots of diversity. Observations, collections, and experiments by divers have revolutionized taxonomic studies by allowing comprehensive, detailed collection and by showing the large effects of the environment on rhodolith morphology. Facilitated by in situ collection and calibrations, corallines are now contributing to paleoclimatic reconstructions over a broad range of temporal and spatial scales. Beds are particularly abundant in the mesophotic zone of the Brazilian shelf where technical diving has revealed new associations and species. This paper reviews selected past and present research on rhodoliths and rhodolith beds that has been greatly facilitated by the use of scuba

Cost-effectiveness of breast cancer control strategies in Central America: The cases of Costa Rica and Mexico

__Abstract__ This paper reports the most cost-effective policy options to support and improve breast cancer control in Costa Rica and Mexico. Total costs and effects of breast cancer interventions were estimated using the health care perspective and WHO-CHOICE methodology. Effects were measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. Costs were assessed in 2009 United States Dollars (US$). To the extent available, analyses were based on locally obtained data. In Costa Rica, the current strategy of treating breast cancer in stages I to IV at a 80$4,739 per DALY averted. At a coverage level of 95%, biennial clinical breast examination (CBE) screening could improve Costa Rica's population health twofold, and can still be considered very cost-effective (ICER US$5,964/DALY). For Mexico, our results indicate that at 95$5,021/DALY). If more resources are available in Mexico, biennial mammography screening for women 50-70 yrs (ICER US$12,718/DALY), adding trastuzumab (ICER US$13,994/DALY) or screening women 40-70 yrs biennially plus trastuzumab (ICER US$17,115/DALY) are less cost-effective options. We recommend both Costa Rica and Mexico to engage in MAR, CBE or mammography screening programs, depending on their budget. The results of this study should be interpreted with caution however, as the evidence on the intervention effectiveness is uncertain. Also, these programs require several organizational, budgetary and human resources, and the accessibility of breast cancer diagnostic, referral, treatment and palliative care facilities should be improved simultaneously. A gradual implementation of early detection programs should give the respective Ministries of Health the time to negotiate the required budget, train the required human resources and understand possible socioeconomic barriers

Evaluation of Cavitation Erosion Behavior of Commercial Steel Grades Used in the Design of Fluid Machinery

The erosion response under cavitation of different steel grades was assessed by studying the erosion rate, the volume removal, the roughness evolution, and the accumulated strain energy. A 20 kHz ltrasonic transducer with a probe diameter of 5 mm and peak-to-peak amplitude of 50 lm was deployed in distilled water to induce damage on the surface of commercial chromium and carbon steel samples. After a relatively short incubation period, cavitation induced the formation of pits, cracks, and craters whose features strongly depended on the hardness and composition of the tested steel. AISI 52100 chromium steel showed the best performance and is, therefore, a promising design candidate for replacing the existing fluid machinery materials that operate within potential cavitating environments

Transiting exoplanets from the CoRoT space mission VIII. CoRoT-7b: the first Super-Earth with measured radius

We report the discovery of very shallow (DF/F = 3.4 10-4), periodic dips in the light curve of an active V = 11.7 G9V star observed by the CoRoT satellite, which we interpret as due to the presence of a transiting companion. We describe the 3-colour CoRoT data and complementary ground-based observations that support the planetary nature of the companion. Methods. We use CoRoT color information, good angular resolution ground-based photometric observations in- and out- of transit, adaptive optics imaging, near-infrared spectroscopy and preliminary results from Radial Velocity measurements, to test the diluted eclipsing binary scenarios. The parameters of the host star are derived from optical spectra, which were then combined with the CoRoT light curve to derive parameters of the companion. We examine carefully all conceivable cases of false positives, and all tests performed support the planetary hypothesis. Blends with separation larger than 0.40 arcsec or triple systems are almost excluded with a 8 10-4 risk left. We conclude that, as far as we have been exhaustive, we have discovered a planetary companion, named CoRoT-7b, for which we derive a period of 0.853 59 +/- 3 10-5 day and a radius of Rp = 1.68 +/- 0.09 REarth. Analysis of preliminary radial velocity data yields an upper limit of 21 MEarth for the companion mass, supporting the finding. CoRoT-7b is very likely the first Super-Earth with a measured radius.Comment: Accepted in Astronomy and Astrophysics; typos and language corrections; version sent to the printer w few upgrade

A randomized controlled trial of nonoperative treatment versus open reduction and internal fixation for stable, displaced, partial articular fractures of the radial head: The RAMBO trial

Background: The choice between operative or nonoperative treatment is questioned for partial articular fractures of the radial head that have at least 2 millimeters of articular step-off on at least one radiograph (defined as displaced), but less than 2 millimeter of gap between the fragments (defined as stable) and that are not associated with an elbow dislocation, interosseous ligament injury, or other fractures. These kinds of fractures are often classified as Mason type-2 fractures. Retrospective comparative studies suggest that operative treatment might be better than nonoperative treatment, but the long-term results of nonoperative treatment are very good. Most experts agree that problems like reduced range of motion, painful crepitation, nonunion or bony ankylosis are infrequent with both nonoperative and operative treatment of an isolated displaced partial articular fracture of the radial head, but determining which patients will have problems is difficult. A prospective, randomized comparison would help minimize bias and determine the balance between operative and nonoperative risks and benefits. Methods/Design. The RAMBO trial (Radial Head - Amsterdam - Amphia - Boston - Others) is an international prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. The primary objective of this study is to compare patient related outcome defined by the 'Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score' twelve months after injury between operative and nonoperative treated patients. Adult patients with partial articular fractures of the radial head that comprise at least 1/3rd of the articular surface, have ≥ 2 millimeters of articular step-off but less than 2 millimeter of gap between the fragments will be enrolled. Secondary outcome measures will be the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI), the Oxford Elbow Score (OES), pain intensity through the 'Numeric Rating Scale', range of motion (flexion arc and rotational arc), radiographic appearance of the fracture (heterotopic ossification, radiocapitellar and ulnohumeral arthrosis, fracture healing, and signs of implant loosening or breakage) and adverse events (infection, nerve injury, secondary interventions) after one year. Discussion. The successful completion of this trial will provide evidence on the best treatment for stable, displaced, partial articular fractures of the radial head. Trial registration. The trial is registered at the Dutch Trial Register: NTR3413

Both the Caspase CSP-1 and a Caspase-Independent Pathway Promote Programmed Cell Death in Parallel to the Canonical Pathway for Apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Caspases are cysteine proteases that can drive apoptosis in metazoans and have critical functions in the elimination of cells during development, the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, and responses to cellular damage. Although a growing body of research suggests that programmed cell death can occur in the absence of caspases, mammalian studies of caspase-independent apoptosis are confounded by the existence of at least seven caspase homologs that can function redundantly to promote cell death. Caspase-independent programmed cell death is also thought to occur in the invertebrate nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The C. elegans genome contains four caspase genes (ced-3, csp-1, csp-2, and csp-3), of which only ced-3 has been demonstrated to promote apoptosis. Here, we show that CSP-1 is a pro-apoptotic caspase that promotes programmed cell death in a subset of cells fated to die during C. elegans embryogenesis. csp-1 is expressed robustly in late pachytene nuclei of the germline and is required maternally for its role in embryonic programmed cell deaths. Unlike CED-3, CSP-1 is not regulated by the APAF-1 homolog CED-4 or the BCL-2 homolog CED-9, revealing that csp-1 functions independently of the canonical genetic pathway for apoptosis. Previously we demonstrated that embryos lacking all four caspases can eliminate cells through an extrusion mechanism and that these cells are apoptotic. Extruded cells differ from cells that normally undergo programmed cell death not only by being extruded but also by not being engulfed by neighboring cells. In this study, we identify in csp-3; csp-1; csp-2 ced-3 quadruple mutants apoptotic cell corpses that fully resemble wild-type cell corpses: these caspase-deficient cell corpses are morphologically apoptotic, are not extruded, and are internalized by engulfing cells. We conclude that both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways promote apoptotic programmed cell death and the phagocytosis of cell corpses in parallel to the canonical apoptosis pathway involving CED-3 activation.Howard Hughes Medical InstituteDamon Runyon Cancer Research FoundationCharles A. King Trus

International collaboration and partnership: A pilot program developing roles of advanced practice nurses in Israel

Session presented on Monday, July 25, 2016: Purpose: Advanced practice nursing (APN), in particular nurse practitioners (NPs), have well-established roles in many countries, especially the US and Canada. They have become integral members of the health care team (Pulchini, Jelic, Gul, & Loke, 2010). Nurse practitioner education programs moved into university settings in the early 1990?s and NPs eaRN academic graduate degrees and clinical NP licenses. The concept of nurse practitioners health care systems in the Middle East, and in particular, Israel has been explored but remains in an early stage (Kleinpell, Scanlon, Hibbert, Ganz, East, Fraser, Wong & Beauchesne, 2014). Although the Israeli Ministry of Health have endorsed the concept of approving NP practice, implementation has been lengthy. In addition, current NP training has been modeled after the older US NP certificate programs rather than university based graduate level programs. The only NPs who have been integrated into the Israeli healthcare system to date are part of a pilot program in geriatrics and palliative care, with approximately 20 NPs respectively (Kleinpell et al., 2014). Similar to other countries, Israel has identified a significant primary care physician shortage and the need for advanced practice nurses. There currently are no nurse practitioner education programs in the country. The Evelyn Gruss Lipper Charitable Foundation has funded full scholarships and expenses for 20 Israeli Registered Nurses to complete the online Family Nurse Practitioner Master of Science in Nursing Program offered through the Simmons College School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Scholarship Program The purpose of this presentation is to share the partnership creation processes, to identify cultural differences, needs, and barriers; develop common language and goals for the partnership; identify stakeholders, institutional supports and barriers to recruitment, international academic validation and acceptance, and enrollment. Methods: After a year of unsuccessful negotiations with the Israeli Ministry, the donor and Simmons identified an Israeli physician who served as a consultant within the Israeli medical system to assist with introductions and interpretations. Together we identified an Israeli HMO-the Meudedet-that was already considering APRN development with a goal to employ APRNs as nurse practitioners. Therefore the partnership ultimately was based on this shared goal and perspective. This consultant became the cultural mediator between the two groups until a formal partnership was formed. He also linked the medical and nursing leadership to nurses within the Meuhedet, a crucial part of the program success. We developed a template based on the processes currently successfully used in the pre- existing pilot program in geriatrics. Using the concepts of building successful international collaborations (Vosit-Steller, Morse, & Mitrea, 2011), whereby the building blocks include setting a common goal, identifying cultural differences in learning styles, developing an effective communication strategy, establishing a collaborative plan for action, and allowing for iterative feedback, the Simmons-Meuhedet team built its partnership to support the Lipper Scholarship Program and to ultimately advance nursing and healthcare in Israel. As per the wishes of the donor, the Israeli students study side by side with US based online students in more than 43 states. This was a challenge, as distance learning in Israel was not well accepted. The Simmons Program incorporates both synchronous and asynchronous components in every class. The literature reports many benefits of on-line education, specifically using virtual classrooms where the education/teacher is in visual contact with the students, and the students are in visual contact with each other, there are many other benefits, especially for international programs (Gemmel, Harrison, Clegg, & Reed, 2015). In global collaborations such as ours, in a virtual classroom, students learn about each other, which in tuRNnhances cultural understanding of each other\u27s differences and ultimately improves cultural working skills between students (Martin, Parker\u27 & Deale, 2012). Internationalization of higher education has been found to be beneficial for the host culture and the guest culture, by enhancing discussions, enriching shared experiences, and developing shared perspectives of health. These are not found by just reading about different cultures. Voist-Steller et al. have demonstrated that direct immersion into each other\u27s world was a more effective way to develop collaborative partnerships (Vosit-Steller, Morse, & Mitrea, 2011). The literature reports many benefits of on-line education, especially to working mothers, including: not driving to the university, being able to take classes after the children are sleeping, and being home more (de Souza Alves, Bohomol, & Kowal Olm Cunha, 2015); all of which dovetail with Israeli family life style. For all of the benefits, there were many challenges. First of all there was a general mistrust of systems that had to be overcome. Additionally, recruitment presented several issues not previously experienced by Simmons. Several Israel students misunderstood application, admission, and grading processes. This necessitated increased personal support and assistance by all team members and an Israeli-based cultural mediator. Simmons hired an American educated FNP who lives in Israel as the director of clinical education who will not only serve as this cultural mediator but also will advise students, train preceptors, place students clinically in the Meuhedet, and shepherd the students throughout their program. Results: Simmons College introduced the idea to a group of corporate administrators at the HMO resulting in an educational partnership aimed as well at NP implementation. There were issues of cultural competence, such as finding a common language and setting common goals, determining a timeline to meet the needs of both organizations, and identifying the stakeholders. The students report a high level of satisfaction with the education platform, the learning experiences, and are working on collaborative partnerships in the health care system HMO. Conclusion: We are completing the first year\u27s implementation of an international education partnership project joining a US University Advanced Practice Nursing (APN/NP) program with an Israeli health providers\u27 organization (HMO) in Israel where the APN role is not yet well accepted. Upon graduation, the Meuhedet will hire all twenty FNP graduates who will in turn read through example the transformation of primary care in Israel Building international collaborations though challenging is possible by setting mutual goals and following templates for success. Referencesde Souza Alves, V. L., Bohomol, E., & Kowal Olm Cunha, I. C. (2015). Graduate distance education in nursing: assessment under students\u27 perspective. Acta Paulista De Enfermagem, 28(2), 139-145 7p. doi:10.1590/1982-0194201500024 Gemmell, I., Harrison, R., Clegg, J., & Reed, K. (2015). internationalisation in Online Distance learning Postgraduate Education: A Case Study on Student Views on learning Alongside Students from Other Countries. Innovations In Education And Teaching international, 52(2), 137-147. Kleinpell R, Scanlon A, Hibbert D, Ganz F, East L, Fraser D, Wong FKY, Beauchesne M. (2014) : Addressing Issues Impacting Advanced Nursing Practice Worldwide. Online JouRN of Issues in Nursing 19. doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol19No02Man05 Martin, F., Parker, M. A., & Deale, D. F. (2012). Examining interactivity in synchronous virtual classrooms. The international Review of Research in Open and Distributed learning, 13(3), 228-261. Pulcini J, Jelic M, Gul R, Loke AY (2010): An international survey on advanced practice nursing education, practice, and regulation. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 42:31-39. doi: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2009.01322.x Vosit-Steller, J., Morse, A. B., & Mitrea, N. (2011). Evolution of an international Collaboration: A Unique Experience Across Borders. Clinical JouRN Of Oncology Nursing, 15(5), 564-566 3p. doi:10.1188/11.CJON.564-56

Genetic Determinants of Phosphate Response in Drosophila

Phosphate is required for many important cellular processes and having too little phosphate or too much can cause disease and reduce life span in humans. However, the mechanisms underlying homeostatic control of extracellular phosphate levels and cellular effects of phosphate are poorly understood. Here, we establish Drosophila melanogaster as a model system for the study of phosphate effects. We found that Drosophila larval development depends on the availability of phosphate in the medium. Conversely, life span is reduced when adult flies are cultured on high phosphate medium or when hemolymph phosphate is increased in flies with impaired Malpighian tubules. In addition, RNAi-mediated inhibition of MAPK-signaling by knockdown of Ras85D, phl/D-Raf or Dsor1/MEK affects larval development, adult life span and hemolymph phosphate, suggesting that some in vivo effects involve activation of this signaling pathway by phosphate. To identify novel genetic determinants of phosphate responses, we used Drosophila hemocyte-like cultured cells (S2R+) to perform a genome-wide RNAi screen using MAPK activation as the readout. We identified a number of candidate genes potentially important for the cellular response to phosphate. Evaluation of 51 genes in live flies revealed some that affect larval development, adult life span and hemolymph phosphate levels

Transiting exoplanets from the CoRoT space mission. VIII. CoRoT-7b: the first super-Earth with measured radius

Copyright © The European Southern Observatory (ESO)Aims. We report the discovery of very shallow (ΔF/F ≈ 3.4×10−4), periodic dips in the light curve of an active V = 11.7 G9V star observed by the CoRoT satellite, which we interpret as caused by a transiting companion. We describe the 3-colour CoRoT data and complementary ground-based observations that support the planetary nature of the companion. Methods. We used CoRoT colours information, good angular resolution ground-based photometric observations in- and out- of transit, adaptive optics imaging, near-infrared spectroscopy, and preliminary results from radial velocity measurements, to test the diluted eclipsing binary scenarios. The parameters of the host star were derived from optical spectra, which were then combined with the CoRoT light curve to derive parameters of the companion. Results. We examined all conceivable cases of false positives carefully, and all the tests support the planetary hypothesis. Blends with separation >0.40'' or triple systems are almost excluded with a 8 × 10−4 risk left. We conclude that, inasmuch we have been exhaustive, we have discovered a planetary companion, named CoRoT-7b, for which we derive a period of 0.853 59 ± 3 × 10−5 day and a radius of Rp = 1.68 ± 0.09 REarth. Analysis of preliminary radial velocity data yields an upper limit of 21 MEarth for the companion mass, supporting the finding. Conclusions. CoRoT-7b is very likely the first Super-Earth with a measured radius. This object illustrates what will probably become a common situation with missions such as Kepler, namely the need to establish the planetary origin of transits in the absence of a firm radial velocity detection and mass measurement. The composition of CoRoT-7b remains loosely constrained without a precise mass. A very high surface temperature on its irradiated face, ≈1800–2600 K at the substellar point, and a very low one, ≈50 K, on its dark face assuming no atmosphere, have been derived