A novel μCT analysis reveals different responses of bioerosion and secondary accretion to environmental variability

Corals build reefs through accretion of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) skeletons, but net reef growth also depends on bioerosion by grazers and borers and on secondary calcification by crustose coralline algae and other calcifying invertebrates. However, traditional field methods for quantifying secondary accretion and bioerosion confound both processes, do not measure them on the same time-scale, or are restricted to 2D methods. In a prior study, we compared multiple environmental drivers of net erosion using pre- and post-deployment micro-computed tomography scans (μCT; calculated as the % change in volume of experimental CaCO3 blocks) and found a shift from net accretion to net erosion with increasing ocean acidity. Here, we present a novel μCT method and detail a procedure that aligns and digitally subtracts pre- and post-deployment μCT scans and measures the simultaneous response of secondary accretion and bioerosion on blocks exposed to the same environmental variation over the same time-scale. We tested our method on a dataset from a prior study and show that it can be used to uncover information previously unattainable using traditional methods. We demonstrated that secondary accretion and bioerosion are driven by different environmental parameters, bioerosion is more sensitive to ocean acidity than secondary accretion, and net erosion is driven more by changes in bioerosion than secondary accretion

IPCC reasons for concern regarding climate change risks

The reasons for concern framework communicates scientific understanding about risks in relation to varying levels of climate change. The framework, now a cornerstone of the IPCC assessments, aggregates global risks into five categories as a function of global mean temperature change. We review the framework's conceptual basis and the risk judgments made in the most recent IPCC report, confirming those judgments in most cases in the light of more recent literature and identifying their limitations. We point to extensions of the framework that offer complementary climate change metrics to global mean temperature change and better account for possible changes in social and ecological system vulnerability. Further research should systematically evaluate risks under alternative scenarios of future climatic and societal conditions

Aromatase inhibitor-associated bone and musculoskeletal effects: new evidence defining etiology and strategies for management

Aromatase inhibitors are widely used as adjuvant therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. While the agents are associated with slightly improved survival outcomes when compared to tamoxifen alone, bone and musculoskeletal side effects are substantial and often lead to discontinuation of therapy. Ideally, the symptoms should be prevented or adequately treated. This review will focus on bone and musculoskeletal side effects of aromatase inhibitors, including osteoporosis, fractures, and arthralgias. Recent advances have been made in identifying potential mechanisms underlying these effects. Adequate management of symptoms may enhance patient adherence to therapy, thereby improving breast cancer-related outcomes

Pesquisa-ação educativa no Facebook®: aliando lazer e aprendizado

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar o percurso da educação dialógica sobre lazer e saúde mental desenvolvida em mídia virtual. Método Pesquisa-ação pautada no referencial teórico-metodológico Freireano, desenvolvida com 11 acadêmicos de enfermagem de uma universidade pública do estado do Paraná-BR, durante sete dias do mês de junho/2015, por meio de grupo fechado na mídia virtual Facebook®, cujos diálogos foram denominados “Círculos de Cultura Virtuais”, precedidos de questionários auto aplicados que versavam sobre a relação entre lazer e saúde mental. Os dados foram analisados de forma interpretativa, por meio de codificações e decodificações propostas por Freire. Resultados Os acadêmicos relacionam o lazer às atividades prazerosas e à qualidade de vida; contudo, não é praticado de forma ampliada e crítica na sua vida pessoal e no processo de formação. Conclusões Os círculos de cultura virtuais permitiram diálogos emancipatórios e desvelamento crítico sobre a temática, com possíveis repercussões para suas vivências pessoais e profissionais