Discovery of Rubidium, Strontium, Molybdenum, and Rhodium Isotopes

Currently, thirty-one rubidium, thirty-five strontium, thirty-five molybdenum and thirty-eight rhodium isotopes have been observed and the discovery of these isotopes is discussed here. For each isotope a brief synopsis of the first refereed publication, including the production and identification method, is presented.Comment: To be published in Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Table

Effects of resocialization on post-weaning social isolation-induced abnormal aggression and social deficits in rats

As previously shown, rats isolated from weaning develop abnormal social and aggressive behavior characterized by biting attacks targeting vulnera- ble body parts of opponents, reduced attack signaling, and increased defensive behavior despite increased attack counts. Here we studied whether this form of violent aggression could be reversed by resocialization in adulthood. During the first weak of resocialization, isolation-reared rats showed multiple social deficits including increased defensiveness and decreased huddling during sleep. Deficits were markedly attenuated in the second and third weeks. Despite improved social functioning in groups, isolated rats readily showed abnormal features of aggres- sion in a resident-intruder test performed after the 3-week-long resocialization. Thus, post-weaning social isolation-induced deficits in prosocial behavior were eliminated by resocialization during adulthood, but abnormal aggression was resilient to this treatment. Findings are compared to those obtained in humans who suffered early social maltreatment, and who also show social deficits and dysfunctional aggression in adulthood

Simultaneous brewery wastewater treatment and hydrogen generation via hydrolysis using Mg waste scraps

An advanced, eco-efficient “waste plus waste to hydrogen” method was developed for hydrogen generation and the simultaneous treatment of two types of waste generated from magnesium and brewerybased industries via hydrolysis. The hydrolysis of Mg scraps was carried out using brewery wastewater and the reaction was accelerated with acetic acid (aa) at different concentrations (0, 12, 18, 24 and 30 wt% aa). The concentration of pollutants such as cyclortisiloxane-hexamethyle (C6H18O3Si3), which are persistent in conventional wastewater treatment, was successfully reduced. After the hydrolysis of the wastewater, 62.4% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction and the complete colour removal were observed. The highest hydrogen generation, about 0.99 NL/min (>60% H2 yield in 5 min), was observed in the presence of 30 wt% aa concentration in the hydrolysis reaction. This study proposes an eco-efficient hydrogen generation and waste treatment method as it simultaneously degrades pollutants and produces hydrogen utilizing Mg scrap waste and brewery wastewater without additional energy consumption

An aminostratigraphy for the British Quaternary based on Bithynia opercula

Aminostratigraphies of Quaternary non-marine deposits in Europe have been previously based on the racemization of a single amino acid in aragonitic shells from land and freshwater molluscs. The value of analysing multiple amino acids from the opercula of the freshwater gastropod Bithynia, which are composed of calcite, has been demonstrated. The protocol used for the isolation of intra-crystalline proteins from shells has been applied to these calcitic opercula, which have been shown to more closely approximate a closed system for indigenous protein residues. Original amino acids are even preserved in bithyniid opercula from the Eocene, showing persistence of indigenous organics for over 30 million years. Geochronological data from opercula are superior to those from shells in two respects: first, in showing less natural variability, and second, in the far better preservation of the intra-crystalline proteins, possibly resulting from the greater stability of calcite. These features allow greater temporal resolution and an extension of the dating range beyond the early Middle Pleistocene. Here we provide full details of the analyses for 480 samples from 100 horizons (75 sites), ranging from Late Pliocene to modern. These show that the dating technique is applicable to the entire Quaternary. Data are provided from all the stratotypes from British stages to have yielded opercula, which are shown to be clearly separable using this revised method. Further checks on the data are provided by reference to other type-sites for different stages (including some not formally defined). Additional tests are provided by sites with independent geochronology, or which can be associated with a terrace stratigraphy or biostratigraphy. This new aminostratigraphy for the non-marine Quaternary deposits of southern Britain provides a framework for understanding the regional geological and archaeological record. Comparison with reference to sites yielding independent geochronology, in combination with other lines of evidence, allows tentative correlation with the marine oxygen isotope record

Modelling the effects of salinity variation on Echinogammarus marinus Leach (Amphipoda, Gammaridae) density and biomass in the Mondego Estuary (Western Portugal)

Echinogammarus marinus (Amphipoda, Gammaridae) is the most abundant amphipod species in the intertidal rocky habitats of the Mondego estuary and it seems to constitute an important prey for upper trophic levels. The aim of the present model was to assess the impacts of salinity variations on the abundance and biomass of E. marinus. For model purposes, the size structure of the population was divided in four different groups: juveniles, young females, adult females and males, which constitute the model state variables expressed as density (number of individuals m-2). The variation of the density of each group over time depends on growth, mortality and reproduction/recruitment. Simultaneously, the model also calculates the biomass of each group, by taking into consideration the density and the average weight of each group through time. The model accounts for a dependency of population density on biomass, since the number of newly hatched juveniles depends on female cephalic length and, consequently, on female size. Population growth is estimated according to a Von Bertalanffy model, which takes into account anabolism and catabolism effects. Moreover, E. marinus growth is considered as temperature-dependent, while recruitment is considered as temperature- and salinity-dependent. Model results suggest that E. marinus density is seriously affected by low salinity (<5) and that the negatives effects increase with increasing time of exposition to low salinity. According to the model, if low salinity persists during extensive periods (autumn/winter/spring) E. marinus population will extinguishes after 3 years, under such conditions. According to simulations, if low salinity occurs for shorter periods (winter/early spring) E. marinus biomass and density remains stable for, at least, 11 years. This type of models may be important in assessing the impacts on local coastal areas caused by global effects, such as the rising of global temperature, which is expected to rise sea level and change precipitation and other local climate conditions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VBS-456285J-1/1/3254f30ef98a08ccbeb83a512e2fa76