Sipuncula de la región magallánica comparada con zonas adyacentes de la Antártida

The Magellan sipunculan fauna includes 4 families, 7 genera and 16 species. A comparison between this fauna and that from adjacent regions of Antarctica has been made. A total of 8 species and 3 genera are shared by the compared areas. Univariate analyses show no significant statistical differences among the investigated faunas, whereas a multivariate analysis corroborates that the effects of the Antarctic Convergence are stronger at the level of genera than species. Only 3 genera were able to cross over this zoogeographical boundary. However, these 3 genera succeeded in the new biotopes of Antarctica, since a total of 16 species have been recorded, compared with the 8 species only found in the Magellan region.La fauna magallánica de sipuncúlidos presenta 4 familias, 7 géneros y 16 especies. Se lleva a cabo una comparación entre esta fauna y la procedente de zonas adyacentes de la Antártida. Un total de 8 especies y 3 géneros están presentes en ambas zonas. Los resultados del análisis univariante indican la ausencia de diferencias estadísticas significativas entre las faunas investigadas, mientras que el análisis multivariante revela que los efectos de la Convergencia Antártica son más importantes a nivel de género que de especie. Sin embargo, estos géneros tuvieron cierto éxito en la colonización progresiva de los nuevos biotopos antárticos, dado que se han encontrado un total de 16 especies frente a las 8 exclusivas del área magallánica

Characteristics of Effective GSS Facilitators

As businesses increase their use of groups to solve problems, the importance of strong group facilitation skills has increased. This paper investigates the characteristics of high-performing group facilitators versus low-performing group facilitators. The characteristics investigated represent two broad areas of interest: general facilitator background and skills possessed by the facilitator. The facilitator background factors that proved to be good predictors of high performance included: overall experience and number of computer-supported meeting facilitated. The skills possessed by high performers included: plans and designs meetings, demonstrates flexibility, and listens to, clarifies, and integrates information. The analysis provides a rule for accurately predicting whether a facilitator is a high-performer or a low-performer more than 77% of the time

IN PURSUIT OF MODERATION: NINE COMMON ERRORS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS

One result of the increasing sophistication and complexity of MIS theory and research is the number of studies hypothesizing and testing for moderation effects. A review of the MIS and broader management literatures suggests researchers investigating moderated relationships often commit one or more errors falling into three broad categories: inappropriate use or interpretation of statistics, misalignment of research design with phenomena of interest, and measurement or scaling issues. Examples of nine common errors are presented. Commission of these errors is expected to yield literatures characterized by mixed results at best, and thoroughly erroneous results at worse. Procedures representing examples of best practice and reporting guidelines are provided to help MIS investigators avoid or minimize these errors.YesThis is a Sherpa RoMEO yellow journal.MIS Quarterly gives permission to authors to have their published articles included on an institutional repository subject to an embargo of five years from publication date. MIS Quarterly retains copyright of the articles, and the repository may not sell access to the work

Macrozoobenthic changes on rocky shores of the Bight of Bilbao: 14 years of monitoring biological recovery

Benthic communities on rocky shores from the Bight of Bilbao, known as the Abra de Bilbao (northern Spain) and the adjacent coast have been studied during 14 years (1984-1998) within the framework of an environmental monitoring programme for both subtidal and intertidal zones. The study area is now experiencing a process of generalised environmental improvement in its water quality, as a result of the region's industrial recession and the implementation of a comprehensive renovation sewage system, which is still in progress. Biological recovery has been analysed with uni- and multivariate techniques, which make it possible to differentiate several recovery stages, grouped according to the littoral zone sampled. A total of 12 taxa have been selected as characteristics of different environmental situations in space and time, the most sensitive of which are Sagartiidae, Mytilidae, Patellidae and Chthamalidae. The need to use alternative analyses in long term studies of hard bot- tom macrozoobenthos is highlighted. A three-phase conceptual model based on own results and previous works is proposed, which describes the current situation, as well as the recorded or expected changes. The model comprises two parts: a) one for the subtidal and lower intertidal levels, where biotic strategies related to the inverse patterns of fauna and flora dominance are emphasised; b) another for the upper intertidal level, where the appearance and development of a barnacle belt play a crucial role. The model is intended to serve as an environmental tool able to detect changes in the recovery process of the Bight of Bilbao and similar bays elsewhere.Se han estudiado las comunidades bénticas de sustrato rocoso del abra de Bilbao y su costa adyacente durante 14 años (1984-1998), dentro de un programa de seguimiento biológico de los medios submareal e intermareal. El área de estudio se encuentra en un proceso de mejora de la calidad ambiental de sus aguas como consecuencia de la recesión industrial y del Plan Integral de Saneamiento, actualmente en desarrollo. Se ha constatado la recuperación biológica por medio de técnicas univariantes y multivariantes, proponiéndose una serie de etapas en dicha recuperación, diferentes según el nivel litoral. Se ha seleccionado un total de doce taxones como los máximos responsables de discriminar situaciones en el espacio y en el tiempo, entre los que destacan por su mayor sensibilidad: Sagartiidae, Mytilidae, Patellidae y Chthamalidae. Se demuestra, asimismo, la necesidad de utilizar diferentes tipos de análisis en los estudios a largo plazo del macrozoobentos de sustrato rocoso. Con base en estos resultados y en trabajos previos, se articula un modelo conceptual en tres fases, describiendo la situación actual del bentos y los cambios registrados o previsibles. El modelo consta de dos partes: a) el correspondiente a los niveles submareal e intermareal inferior, donde se enfatizan las estrategias relacionadas con los patrones inversos de dominancia de la fauna y la flora; b) el concerniente al nivel intermareal superior, donde desempeñan un papel fundamental la aparición y el desarrollo del cinturón de cirrípedos. De este modo, se pretende dotar a los planes de seguimiento ambiental, tanto del abra de Bilbao como de otras áreas similares, de una herramienta para la detección de cambios en sus planes de recuperación.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

Assistive tool for collaborative learning of conceptual structures

The final publication is available at link.springer.comThere is a demand for computational methods assisting learners to generate relevantassociations for current context. Many concepts in natural language have ambiguous meaningsimplying alternative ways to define associations for them. It is crucial to develop collaborativemethods that support free experiments with promising conceptual structures in learning.Methods for evaluating these structures in respect to the person’s needs are also required. Wepropose a new collaborative ideation scheme and based on that we have implemented anassistive tool for learning conceptual structures in a collaborative Web environment.Peer reviewe

Structural basis for CRISPR RNA-guided DNA recognition by Cascade

The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) immune system in prokaryotes uses small guide RNAs to neutralize invading viruses and plasmids. In Escherichia coli, immunity depends on a ribonucleoprotein complex called Cascade. Here we present the composition and low-resolution structure of Cascade and show how it recognizes double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) targets in a sequence-specific manner. Cascade is a 405-kDa complex comprising five functionally essential CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins (CasA1B2C6D1E1) and a 61-nucleotide CRISPR RNA (crRNA) with 5′-hydroxyl and 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate termini. The crRNA guides Cascade to dsDNA target sequences by forming base pairs with the complementary DNA strand while displacing the noncomplementary strand to form an R-loop. Cascade recognizes target DNA without consuming ATP, which suggests that continuous invader DNA surveillance takes place without energy investment. The structure of Cascade shows an unusual seahorse shape that undergoes conformational changes when it binds target DNA.

Programmable RNA Shredding by the Type III-A CRISPR-Cas System of Streptococcus thermophilus

Immunity against viruses and plasmids provided by CRISPR-Cas systems relies on a ribonucleoprotein effector complex that triggers the degradation of invasive nucleic acids (NA). Effector complexes of type I (Cascade) and II (Cas9-dual RNA) target foreign DNA. Intriguingly, the genetic evidence suggests that the type III-A Csm complex targets DNA, whereas biochemical data show that the type III-B Cmr complex cleaves RNA. Here we aimed to investigate NA specificity and mechanism of CRISPR interference for the Streptococcus thermophilus Csm (III-A) complex (StCsm). When expressed in Escherichia coli, two complexes of different stoichiometry copurified with 40 and 72 nt crRNA species, respectively. Both complexes targeted RNA and generated multiple cuts at 6 nt intervals. The Csm3 protein, present in multiple copies in both Csm complexes, acts as endoribonuclease. In the heterologous E. coli host, StCsm restricts MS2 RNA phage in a Csm3 nuclease-dependent manner. Thus, our results demonstrate that the type III-A StCsm complex guided by crRNA targets RNA and not DNA. Highlights • Streptococcus thermophilus type III-A Csm (StCsm) complex targets RNA •Multiple cuts are introduced in the target RNA at 6 nt intervals •Csm3 protein subunits are responsible for endoribonuclease activity of the complex •StCsm complex offers a programmable tool for RNA degradatio

Schools and the legacy of hybrid buildings

Learning from the past, collecting data on the Italian condition of school buildings, our R&D work aimed to question the design process of school buildings in Italy introducing an innovative model of school, which turned the conventional and isolated, mono-functional and rigid school buildings into interior urban public spaces and porous community hubs to empower the communities around them and to become manifestos of sustainability. Through some built examples of school buildings designed in Italy, the paper discusses the outputs and impact of the introduction of new design layouts, participation projects with different stakeholders and sustainability. The research has guided the introduction of the new Italian guide-lines for school building design, approved in 2013. A future perspective to be explored is the reconsideration of exporting the strategy in different contexts and to design reconsider other public infrastructures turning the mono-functional use of public buildings into hybrid and multifunctional ones