Imageability ratings across languages

Imageability is a psycholinguistic variable that indicates how well a word gives rise to a mental image or sensory experience. Imageability ratings are used extensively in psycholinguistic, neuropsychological, and aphasiological studies. However, little formal knowledge exists about whether and how these ratings are associated between and within languages. Fifteen imageability databases were cross-correlated using nonparametric statistics. Some of these corresponded to unpublished data collected within a European research network-the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (COST IS1208). All but four of the correlations were significant. The average strength of the correlations (rho = .68) and the variance explained (R (2) = 46%) were moderate. This implies that factors other than imageability may explain 54% of the results. Imageability ratings often correlate across languages. Different possibly interacting factors may explain the moderate strength and variance explained in the correlations: (1) linguistic and cultural factors; (2) intrinsic differences between the databases; (3) range effects; (4) small numbers of words in each database, equivalent words, and participants; and (5) mean age of the participants. The results suggest that imageability ratings may be used cross-linguistically. However, further understanding of the factors explaining the variance in the correlations will be needed before research and practical recommendations can be made

ACTIVIDAD DE LA LACTICO DEHIDROGENASA (LDH) EN EMERITA ANALOGA (STIMPSON 1857) CRUSTACEA, HIPPIDAE LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY (LDH) IN EMERITA ANALOGA (STIMPSON 1857) CRUSTACEA, HIPPIDAE

Emerita analoga (Stimpson 1857) habita en la zona infralitoral de playas arenosas, desarrollando intensa movilidad en la zona de barrido y embate de las olas. Su habilidad motriz, reflejada en una constante actividad muscular explosiva, sugiere una alta actividad glicolítica (fermentativa) complementaria a la fosforilación oxidativa. En este trabajo se determinó la actividad específica aparente de la láctico dehidrogenasa (LDH EC 1.1.1.27) de E. analoga como indicador de hipoxia funcional. Además, se estudió el efecto del peso y del pH sobre la actividad LDH, así como en los valores aparentes de sus parámetros cinéticos (Vmax y Km). Los resultados indican que los organismos grandes ( a 1,5) y pequeños (< a 1,5 mm) de E. analoga, se ajustan a una curva alométrica actividad - peso positiva (p = 0,0108). El pH óptimo de la LDH es 7,8 para animales pequeños y de 5,5 en animales grandes. Esto sugiere que la acidosis metabólica podría ser regulada a escala enzimática en los animales pequeños y como tampón muscular en los grandes. Para los dos tamaños la LDH mostró una cinética Michaeliana, siendo el Vmax de los animales grandes de un orden de magnitud mayor que en los pequeños (1,043 y 0,121 mmol min-1 g wet wt-1 respectivamente). Sin embargo, se observó una mayor afinidad (menor valor de la constante de Michaelis) en los organismos pequeños que en los grandes (0,076 y 0,094 mM respectivamente). Finalmente, la pendiente positiva de la curva actividad - peso concuerda con la alometría del metabolismo anaeróbico escasamente descrito e inverso a la pendiente del aeróbico. Esto sugiere que la LDH tendría un rol importante en la movilidad de E. analoga durante su ontogenia en la zona infralitoral<br>Emerita analoga (Stimpson 1857) inhabitant sandy beaches, it develops intense activity in swatch and fetch embattle zone of the waves. Its motility reflected by a constant and burst muscular activity, suggests a high glycolitic (fermentative) activity, complementary to the oxidative phosphorilation. In this study, the apparent specific activity of the enzyme lactic dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) of E. Analoga was tested, as indicator of functional hypoxia. In addition, the effect of weight and pH on LDH activity was studied, and also the apparent values of its kinetic parameters (Vmax y Km). Our results indicated that apparent specific LDH activity in bigger (1,5 mm) and smaller (<1,5 mm in length) organisms of E. analoga, correspond to a positive allometric pattern (p = 0,0108). The optimal pH for the apparent LDH activity best activity was 7,8 in smaller animals and 5,5 in bigger ones. The results suggest that metabolic acidosis could be regulated at enzymatic level in small animals, and as a muscular buffer in the bigger ones. For the sizes ranges used, enzyme activity showed a Michaelian-Menten kinetic. Vmax value in larger animals was one order of magnitude higher than smaller ones (1,043 and 0,121 mmol min-1 g wet wt-1, respectively). However, we observed a high affinity constant in small organisms than in bigger ones (0,076 and 0,094 mM, respectively). Finally, the positive slope of the curve activity /weight is consistent with the positive allometry described for the anaerobic metabolism, scarcely present in literature. Our results suggest an important role of the LDH activity on the motility of E. analoga during its ontogenetic development in the infra-littoral zon

Characterization and salt response in recurrent halotolerant exiguobacteriumsp. SH31 isolated from sediments of salar de huasco, chilean altiplano

© 2007-2018 Frontiers Media S.A. All Rights Reserved. Poly-extremophiles microorganisms have the capacity to inhabit hostile environments and can survive several adverse conditions that include as variations in temperature, pH, and salinity, high levels UV light and atmospheric pressure, and even the presence of toxic compounds and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A halotolerant Exiguobacterium strain was isolated from Salar de Huasco (Chilean Altiplano), a well-known shallow lake area with variable salinity levels, little human intervention, and extreme environmental conditions, which makes it ideal for the study of resistant mechanisms and the evolution of adaptations. This bacterial genus has not been extensively studied, although its cosmopolitan location indicates that it has high levels of plasticity and adaptive capacity. However, to date, there are no studies regarding the tolerance and resistance to salinity and osmotic pressure. We set out to characterize the