Taxonomy of some Galeommatoidea (Mollusca, Bivalvia) associated with deep-sea echinoids: A reassessment of the bivalve genera Axinodon Verrill & Bush, 1898 and Kelliola Dall, 1899 with descriptions of new genera Syssitomya gen. nov. and Ptilomyax gen. nov.

The type species of Axinodon ellipticus Verrill & Bush, 1898 and Kellia symmetros Jeffreys, 1876 are re-described. It is concluded that the two species are not conspecific and that K. symmetros cannot be placed in the genus Axinodon. The family affinity of Axinodon is not resolved, although it is probable that this genus belongs to the Thyasiridae. Kellia symmetros is the type species of Kelliola and is placed in the Montacutidae. Kelliola symmetros is most probably associated with the echinoid Aeropsis rostrata and is not the species previously recorded from North Atlantic Pourtalesia echinoids under the name of Axinodon symmetros. This commensal associated with the North Atlantic Pourtalesia is here described as new and placed in the new genus as Syssitomya pourtalesiana gen. nov. sp. nov., Syssitomya gen. nov. differs from all other genera in the Montacutidae by having laminar gill filaments modified for harbouring symbiotic bacteria and it is thus assumed to be chemosymbiotic. A montacutid associated with the hadal Pourtalesia heptneri is described as Ptilomyax hadalis gen. nov. sp. nov

Automatic presentations for semigroups

Special Issue: 2nd International Conference on Language and Automata Theory and Applications (LATA 2008)This paper applies the concept of FA-presentable structures to semigroups. We give a complete classification of the finitely generated FA-presentable cancellative semigroups: namely, a finitely generated cancellative semigroup is FA-presentable if and only if it is a subsemigroup of a virtually abelian group. We prove that all finitely generated commutative semigroups are FA-presentable. We give a complete list of FA-presentable one-relation semigroups and compare the classes of FA-presentable semigroups and automatic semigroups. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PostprintPeer reviewe

A combined HST/CFH12k/XMM survey of X-ray luminous clusters of galaxies at z~0.2

We describe a project to study a sample of X-ray luminous clusters of galaxies at redshift z~0.2 at several scales (with HST/WFPC2 and CFHT/CFH12k) and wavebands (optical and X-ray). The main aims of the project are (i) to determine the mass profiles of the clusters on scales ranging from ~10 kpc/h to >1.5 Mpc/h using weak and strong lensing, thereby testing theoretical predictions of a ``universal mass profile'', and (ii) to calibrate the M_tot - T_X relation in view of future application in the study of the evolution of the cluster mass function at higher redshift.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Proceedings of the XXth Moriond Astrophysics Meeting ``Cosmological Physics with Gravitational Lensing'', J.-P. Kneib, Y. Mellier, M. Moniez and J. Tran Thanh Van eds., 200

High-Frequency Electron-Spin-Resonance Study of the Octanuclear Ferric Wheel CsFe8_8

High-frequency ($f$ = 190 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) at magnetic fields up to 12 T as well as Q-band ($f$ = 34.1 GHz) EPR were performed on single crystals of the molecular wheel CsFe$_8$. In this molecule, eight Fe(III) ions, which are coupled by nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic (AF) Heisenberg exchange interactions, form a nearly perfect ring. The angle-dependent EPR data allow for the accurate determination of the spin Hamiltonian parameters of the lowest spin multiplets with $S \leq$ 4. Furthermore, the data can well be reproduced by a dimer model with a uniaxial anisotropy term, with only two free parameters $J$ and $D$. A fit to the dimer model yields $J$ = -15(2) cm$^{-1}$ and $D$ = -0.3940(8) cm$^{-1}$. A rhombic anisotropy term is found to be negligibly small, $E$ = 0.000(2) cm$^{-1}$. The results are in excellent agreement with previous inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and high-field torque measurements. They confirm that the CsFe$_8$ molecule is an excellent experimental model of an AF Heisenberg ring. These findings are also important within the scope of further investigations on this molecule such as the exploration of recently observed magnetoelastic instabilities.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Inorganic Chemistr

Seeing is Believing: The Benefits of Peer Observation

Peer observation of teaching is seen as a supportive and developmental process for improving the quality of teaching in universities. Evidence is emerging that the process of observing is just as if not more valuable than being observed and given feedback. In this study lecturers completing a Foundations program in university learning and teaching were interviewed about their experience of participating in a reciprocal peer observation exercise. The benefits for observers include learning about a new strategy and enhancing their confidence to try this strategy in their own teaching. Receiving feedback was also perceived to be useful but not more beneficial than watching a peer teach. We discuss implications of our results for units and institutions planning to implement peer observation as part of a strategic approach to improve the quality of learning and teaching

A new genus and two new species of Thyasiridae associated with methane seeps off Svalbard, Arctic Ocean

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Marine Biology Research on May 16th 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17451000.2016.1272699 Bivalves have been found in unique benthic assemblages associated with active methane seeps and mounds along the western and southern margins of the Svalbard shelf (75–79°N) at 350–380 m depth. Among the samples collected were a number of shells of Thyasiridae that are distinct from any species previously described. Here we describe one new genus Rhacothyas gen. nov. and two new species Thyasira capitanea sp. nov. and Rhacothyas kolgae sp. nov., including their distinguishing characteristics and the environmental setting where they were found. Thyasira capitanea sp. nov. is large compared with many other thyasirids, has an equilateral shell and demarcated zones on the median and anterior areas along with a distinct posterior sulcus. Rhacothyas kolgae sp. nov. is unique among other thyasirid genera and species regarding its characteristic outline, sunken lunule, lack of submarginal sulcus and wrinkled surface. Furthermore, we discuss their present occurrence in the context of the glaciomarine history of the Svalbard margin. We posit that these new species, after the deglaciation of the Barents Sea Ice Sheet, may have originated from other chemosynthetic or reducing environments along the Atlantic shelf margin or the southern Barents Sea shelf by following the net transport of the North Atlantic Current rather than having evolved in situ

Ready for a paradigm shift? Part 2: Introducing qualitative research methodologies and methods

This paper explores a number of commonly used methodologies and methods in qualitative research, namely grounded theory, case study, phenomenology, ethnography and narrative research. For each methodology a brief history of its development and variants is given, followed by typical methods of data collection and analysis. Examples of manual therapy qualitative research studies are highlighted for each methodology. Data collection methods are then discussed and include individual interviews, focus groups, observation and documentary analysis. A frequently used method of data analysis, thematic analysis, is briefly explained. Finally, the strategies to enhance the quality of qualitative research is explored and compared to those of quantitative research. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd

Systematics, functional morphology and distribution of a bivalve (Apachecorbula muriatica gen. et sp. nov.) from the rim of the ‘Valdivia Deep’ brine pool in the Red Sea

The deep brine pools of the Red Sea comprise extreme, inhospitable habitats yet house microbial communities that potentially may fuel adjacent fauna. We here describe a novel bivalve from a deep-sea (1525 m) brine pool in the Red Sea, where conditions of high salinity, lowered pH, partial anoxia and high temperatures are prevalent. Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) footage showed that the bivalves were present in a narrow (20 cm) band along the rim of the brine pool, suggesting that it is not only tolerant of such extreme conditions but is also limited to them. The bivalve is a member of the Corbulidae and named Apachecorbula muriatica gen. et sp. nov. The shell is atypical of the family in being modioliform and thin. The semi-infaunal habit is seen in ROV images and reflected in the anatomy by the lack of siphons. The ctenidia are large and typical of a suspension feeding bivalve, but the absence of guard cilia and the greatly reduced labial palps suggest that it is non-selective as a response to low food availability. It is proposed that the low body mass observed is a consequence of the extreme habitat and low food availability. It is postulated that the observed morphology of Apachecorbula is a result of paedomorphosis driven by the effects of the extreme environment on growth but is in part mitigated by the absence of high predation pressures.We are grateful to all help from the other Leg 4 Red Sea Expedition 2013 KAUST participants; Ioannis Georgakakis, Thor A. Klevjer, Perdana Karim Prihartato, Anders Rostad and Ingrid Solberg. Leonidas Manousakis and Manolis Kalergis from Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) assisted in ROV operations. The captain and crew of RV 'Aegaeo' provided support during the entire cruise. Ohoud Mohammed Eid Alharbi assisted with the electron microscopy. The Red Sea Expedition 2013 was sponsored by KAUST. We also thank Ronald Janssen of the Senckenberg Institution for the loan of comparative material from the RV Meteor expeditions

The effect of exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) on outdoor running performance

This study examined the effect of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) elicited by a bout of plyometrics on outdoor running performance. Seventeen males (mean ± SD: age 37 ± 8 years, height 180 ± 5.3 cm, body mass 75.4 ± 7.5 kg) were recruited from running and triathlon clubs within Cheshire. They were randomly assigned to the treatment (n = 8) or control group (n = 9) with the study adopting a randomized, controlled, repeated measures design. Before and 48 hours after treatment the subjects underwent testing on EIMD markers (muscle thigh circumference, muscle function and muscle soreness) and ran a 5 km outdoor time-trial. During the time-trial speed, heart rate and RPE were measured at each kilometre along with blood lactate at the finish. On completion of the 5 km run the treatment group completed a bout of 10 x 10 drop jumps from a 35 cm bench to elicit EIMD. Multiple independent t-tests along with multiple two-way and three-way ANOVAs were used for analysis. Muscle soreness significantly increased within the treatment group after EIMD (p0.05). During the time-trial RPE, heart rate, average running speed and blood lactate did not significantly change in the treatment group (p>0.05). Although average running speed did not significantly change, a decrease was observed with a significantly slower time-trial completion times between the two groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, EIMD significantly affects endurance performance among well-trained athletes through an altered perception of effort