A modern scleractinian coral with a two-component calcite–aragonite skeleton

Until now, all of the ca. 1,800 known modern scleractinian coral species were thought to produce skeletons exclusively of aragonite. Asymbiotic Paraconotrochus antarcticus living in the Southern Ocean is the first example of an extant scleractinian that forms a two-component carbonate skeleton, with an inner structure made of high-Mg calcite and an outer structure composed of aragonite. This discovery adds support to the notion that the coral skeletal formation process is strongly biologically controlled. Mitophylogenomic analysis shows that P. antarcticus represents an ancient scleractinian clade, suggesting that skeletal mineralogy/polymorph of a taxon, once established, is a trait conserved throughout the evolution of that clade.One of the most conserved traits in the evolution of biomineralizing organisms is the taxon-specific selection of skeletal minerals. All modern scleractinian corals are thought to produce skeletons exclusively of the calcium-carbonate polymorph aragonite. Despite strong fluctuations in ocean chemistry (notably the Mg/Ca ratio), this feature is believed to be conserved throughout the coral fossil record, spanning more than 240 million years. Only one example, the Cretaceous scleractinian coral Coelosmilia (ca. 70 to 65 Ma), is thought to have produced a calcitic skeleton. Here, we report that the modern asymbiotic scleractinian coral Paraconotrochus antarcticus living in the Southern Ocean forms a two-component carbonate skeleton, with an inner structure made of high-Mg calcite and an outer structure composed of aragonite. P. antarcticus and Cretaceous Coelosmilia skeletons share a unique microstructure indicating a close phylogenetic relationship, consistent with the early divergence of P. antarcticus within the Vacatina (i.e., Robusta) clade, estimated to have occurred in the Mesozoic (ca. 116 Mya). Scleractinian corals thus join the group of marine organisms capable of forming bimineralic structures, which requires a highly controlled biomineralization mechanism; this capability dates back at least 100 My. Due to its relatively prolonged isolation, the Southern Ocean stands out as a repository for extant marine organisms with ancient traits.Mitogenome sequences data have been deposited in GenBank (MT409109). All other study data are included in the article text and supporting information

Similarity in Chronotype and Preferred Time for Sex and Its Role in Relationship Quality and Sexual Satisfaction

Recently, the issue of diurnal preferences has been increasingly studied within the context of romantic relationships and sexual functioning. In the present paper we apply a dyadic design to investigate the role of romantic partners' diurnal preferences in determining a variety of relationship outcomes. A sample of 91 heterosexual couples completed a set of questionnaires measuring relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and morningness-eveningness, and answered questions regarding their actual and preferred time for sexual activity. Conducted analyses revealed that similarity in chronotype between partners and female morningness fostered relationship satisfaction in females, but not in males. Furthermore, morningness-eveningness was associated with preferred time for sex in males, but not in females, who in principle preferred evening hours. Although actual time for sex was up to the female preference, sexual satisfaction in both genders was associated with lower discrepancy in their preferred time for sex and greater frequency of intercourse. In sum, these results indicate that chronotype and time for sex are important factors affecting sexual and relationships satisfaction in heterosexual couples

TIE: an ability test of emotional intelligence.

The Test of Emotional Intelligence (TIE) is a new ability scale based on a theoretical model that defines emotional intelligence as a set of skills responsible for the processing of emotion-relevant information. Participants are provided with descriptions of emotional problems, and asked to indicate which emotion is most probable in a given situation, or to suggest the most appropriate action. Scoring is based on the judgments of experts: professional psychotherapists, trainers, and HR specialists. The validation study showed that the TIE is a reliable and valid test, suitable for both scientific research and individual assessment. Its internal consistency measures were as high as .88. In line with theoretical model of emotional intelligence, the results of the TIE shared about 10% of common variance with a general intelligence test, and were independent of major personality dimensions

Mind the balance, be contented: Balanced time perspective mediates the relationship between mindfulness and life

a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Both mindfulness and Balanced Time Perspective (BTP) are well confirmed and robust predictors of various aspects of well-being. In the present paper we argue that BTP may be considered one of the potential links between mindfulness and life satisfaction. We collected data from three samples, applying three different measures of mindfulness, as well as the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. BTP was calculated using the Deviation from a Balanced Time Perspective index. Results have shown that BTP might mediate the relationship between mindfulness and life satisfaction. This effect was replicable across all three samples and for each of the mindfulness measures, however the causal relation between these constructs must be further examined in future studies. The results shed new light on the bases of BTP as well as mindfulness

Wise Birds Follow Their Clock: The Role Of Emotional Intelligence And Morningness-Eveningness In Diurnal Regulation Of Mood

Emotional intelligence (EI) and morningness-eveningness (M-E) preference have been shown to influence mood states. The present article investigates the way in which these two constructs may interact, influencing morning and evening mood levels. A sample of 172 participants completed a multidimensional mood scale measuring energetic arousal (EA), tense arousal (TA), and hedonic tone at 7:00 and at 22:00. As expected, morning and evening types experienced higher EA at their preferred time of day; effects of M-E on other mood dimensions were weaker. EI was found to correlate with lower TA, but the association was stronger at 22:00, perhaps reflecting the role of EI in managing the social events characteristic for the evening hours. An interactive effect of EI and M-E was found for both diurnal changes and morning levels of EA. Namely, in individuals higher in EI, there appeared a more marked synchrony effect between chronotype and EA, which was absent in those low in EI; individuals higher in EI showed more pronounced diurnal changes in EA characteristic for their chronotype (i.e., higher EA at morning hours in morning chronotypes; higher EA at evening hours in evening chronotypes), while in participants low in EI, diurnal changes in EA were smaller. Moreover, the characteristic positive association between morningness and EA during morning hours was apparent only in those high in EI. These findings suggest that individual differences in circadian variation in mood reflect several factors, including an endogenous rhythm in energy, the distribution of social activities throughout the day, and the person\u27s awareness of their own energy level

Exact and close-fit statistics/indices (WLS) for TIE models.

<p>Note. N = 4642;</p><p>χ²/df–proportion of chi square to degrees of freedom <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0103484#pone.0103484-Watkins1" target="_blank">[74]</a>.</p><p>GFI–Goodness of Fit Index <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0103484#pone.0103484-Jreskog1" target="_blank">[75]</a>.</p><p>AGFI–Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0103484#pone.0103484-Jreskog1" target="_blank">[75]</a>.</p><p>RMSEA–Root Mean Square Error of Approximation <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0103484#pone.0103484-Steiger1" target="_blank">[76]</a>.</p><p>AIC–Akaike Information Criterion (χ²/+2t).</p><p>Two factors A–Factor I: Perception and Facilitation, Factor II: Understanding and Management;</p><p>Two factors B–Factor I: Perception and Understanding, Factor II: Facilitation and Management.</p

Gender differences in TIE: subscales and total score (N = 4369).

<p><i>Note.</i> Standard deviations are indicated in parentheses. d–Cohen’s effect size indicator.</p

Correlations between TIE scores and measures considered for the validity examination.

<p>*p<.05,</p><p>**p<.01.</p

TIE standarized parameter estimates (WLS) for oblique-factor (Model 4) and nested factor (Models 6 and 8) models (N = 4642).

<p>Note. ‘g’–general EI factor, P–Perception, U–Understanding, F–Facilitation, M–Management, A1–Area 1 (Experiential), A2–Area 2 (Strategic).</p