Mediterranean pine forest decline: A matter of root-associated microbiota and climate change.

Forest ecosystems worldwide currently face worrying episodes of forest decline, which have boosted weakening and mortality of the trees. In the Mediterranean region, especially in the southeast Iberian Peninsula, Pinus sylvestris forests are severely affected by this phenomenon, and it has been commonly attributed to drought events. Remarkably, the role of root microbiota on pine decline has been overlooked and remains unclear. We therefore used metabarcoding to identify the belowground microbial communities of decline-affected and unaffected pine trees. Taxonomic composition of bacterial and fungal rhizosphere communities, and fungal populations dwelling in root endosphere showed different profiles depending on the health status of the trees. The root endosphere of asymptomatic trees was as strongly dominated by 'Candidatus Phytoplasma pini' as the root of decline-affected pines, accounting for >99 % of the total bacterial sequences in some samples. Notwithstanding, the titer of this phytopathogen was four-fold higher in symptomatic trees than in symptomless ones. Furthermore, the microbiota inhabiting the root endosphere of decline-affected trees assembled into a less complex and more modularized network. Thus, the observed changes in the microbial communities could be a cause or a consequence of forest decline phenomenon. Moreover, 'Ca. Phytoplasma pini' is positively correlated to Pinus sylvestris decline events, either as the primary cause of pine decline or as an opportunistic pathogen exacerbating the process once the tree has been weaken by other factors.

Personal Projects Analysis as an idiographic approach in psychotherapy: an exploratory study.

Client feedback research is a new but encouraging area that recognizes the importance of engaging patients in offered treatments and the relevance of the relationship between therapist and client. This study aimed to explore clients' experiences of goal-oriented work using Personal Projects Analysis (PPA). PPA was applied to 5 participants of a psychodrama group after their consent and in agreement with the ethics and deontology research university committee. Their progress was evaluated with Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE-OM; 4 moments) and subjective well-being measures. Findings show how personal projects may be informative about clients' difficulties and change processes. All outcomes on CORE-OM went below clinical cut-off points, and all these changes are reliable and clinically significant. PPA offers a consistent way to implement the goals approach in a psychotherapeutic context successfully. Nevertheless, some adjustments need to be implemented in the goal-oriented work using PPA.

Portuguese Version of the Ageing Attitudes Questionnaire (AAQ): Validation of the Psychometric Properties.

The Ageing Attitudes Questionnaire-AAQ was validated for the Portuguese population to understand the importance of attitudes towards old age and their impact on the subjective well-being of older adults. A sample of 400 subjects (from 18 to 93 years) answered a socio-demographic questionnaire, and the AAQ, composed of three subscales (psychosocial losses, physical change, and psychological growth). The CFA confirmed the tri-factorial structure with very good adjustment of the model to the data, with the Cronbach alpha of the total scale scoring 0.84 and ranging from 0.65 to 0.77 for each factor. A total of nine items were omitted for poor factor loadings (<0.50), namely in factor 1 items 9-17-20, in factor 2 items 7 and 24 and, finally, in factor 3 we omitted items 4-18-19-21. Notwithstanding, three items below the criteria were maintained, as they conceptually fit into the factor. Of the final 15 AAQ items, 5 belong to the Psychosocial Loss Factor, 6 to Physical Change Factor, and 4 to Psychosocial Growth Factor. This tree factor model explained 50.1% of the total variance. In conclusion, this study supports that AAQ has acceptable validity, confirming the composite reliability and the discriminant validity, but not the convergent validity. Through multi-group analysis, the invariance of the scale was confirmed. This validation is of pivotal importance once it allows measuring attitudes towards ageing in the Portuguese population, thus facilitating the prevention of ageism and the promotion of well-being across the lifespan.

Psychometric Properties of the Spontaneity Assessment Inventory-Revised (SAI-R): The 3-Factor Hypothesis.

Spontaneity and its connections to mental health and wellbeing are a central issue in both theory and practice of psychodrama, and the specialized literature sometimes even associates the presence of pathology to a lack of spontaneity. This paper describes spontaneity in Moreno's theory, its assessment, its association with other measures and concepts, and scientific advances in the field. Specifically, we present results obtained with the English and Portuguese-language versions concerning its assessment. The main purpose of this work was to study the spontaneity measure (SAI-R) in a 3 first-order factors version for a Portuguese sample of 439 subjects, divided into two independent samples. The mean age of participants was 25.6 years (SD = 10.2), and ages ranged between 18 and 64 years. Data was collected through an online platform of a Portuguese market research company. The results revealed that the 3-factor model has acceptable validity for items 1 ("Creative") and 7 ("Euphoric"), confirming the composite reliability, the convergent validity, but not the discriminant validity. Through multi-group analysis, the model proved to be stable. Notwithstanding the need for complementary studies, including clinical samples, the SAI-R is a short and valid instrument in clinical and non-clinical contexts when evaluating spontaneity.

Positive Development Based on the Teaching of Personal and Social Responsibility: An Intervention Program With Institutionalized Youngsters.

From the standpoint of the school settings, sport participation constitutes a key strategy concerning the manifestation of positive behaviors that result from the development of personal and social responsibility. Based on the TPSR model, the goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of an intervention geared toward teaching life skills through sport to youngsters who had been committed. The participants were evaluated before and after the intervention. After the initial evaluation, they were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group took part in the community football program, while the control group attended physical education classes not based on the TPSR model. The experimental model consisted of 3 weekly sessions over the course of 6 weeks, which totaled 18 sessions. This investigation supplied empirical evidence concerning the potential of community sport programs in the teaching and development of life skills deemed necessary for an adequate reintegration of such at-risk youngsters. The model was shown to be valid both in stimulating changes of attitudes and in promoting the adherence to socially positive behaviors. The effectiveness of the model, as well as its unique approach, make its application attractive to both the youngsters and the professionals. This program facilitates the training of youngsters to act, in the sense of promoting both their autonomy and the acquisition of a system of ethics and moral values within a culture of responsibility for how decisions affect the individual and the community. Finally, this intervention generated empirical support in favor of the argument that sport constitutes a unique opportunity within the educational process to establish values, beliefs, attitudes, and practical habits pertaining relationships and cooperation that generate social responsibility in individuals.

OSIP1 is a self-assembling DUF3129 protein required to protect fungal cells from toxins and stressors.

Secreted proteins are key players in fungal physiology and cell protection against external stressing agents and antifungals. Oak stress-induced protein 1 (OSIP1) is a fungal-specific protein with unknown function. By using Podospora anserina and Phanerochaete chrysosporium as models, we combined both in vivo functional approaches and biophysical characterization of OSIP1 recombinant protein. The P. anserina OSIP1Δ mutant showed an increased sensitivity to the antifungal caspofungin compared to the wild type. This correlated with the production of a weakened extracellular exopolysaccharide/protein matrix (ECM). Since the recombinant OSIP1 from P. chrysosporium self-assembled as fibers and was capable of gelation, it is likely that OSIP1 is linked to ECM formation that acts as a physical barrier preventing drug toxicity. Moreover, compared to the wild type, the OSIP1Δ mutant was more sensitive to oak extractives including chaotropic phenols and benzenes. It exhibited a strongly modified secretome pattern and an increased production of proteins associated to the cell-wall integrity signalling pathway, when grown on oak sawdust. This demonstrates that OSIP1 has also an important role in fungal resistance to extractive-induced stress.

Análise das qualidades psicométricas da versão portuguesa do Inventário de Avaliação da Espontaneidade (SAI-R) / Analysis of the psychometric qualities of the portuguese version of the Spontaneity Assessment Inventory (SAI-R) / Análisis de las cualidades psicométricas de la versión portuguesa del Inventario de Evaluación de la Espontaneidad (SAI-R)

A espontaneidade e as suas ligações à saúde mental e ao bem-estar são uma componente central quer na teoria quer na prática do psicodrama, e a literatura especializada associa a presença de patologia à falta de espontaneidade. Neste artigo, elencam-se alguns dos resultados obtidos em estudos em língua inglesa do SAI-R e apresentam-se os estudos da sua validação para a população portuguesa. Na validação do SAI-R para o contexto português, foi confirmada a estrutura fatorial com 719 sujeitos, distribuídos em duas amostras independentes. Os participantes tinham idades entre os 18 e os 69 anos. Por fim, foram testadas a fiabilidade compósita e a validade convergente, bem como a validade do tipo critério em duas amostras independentes (n 1ªamostra =348 e n 2ªamostra =371). Apesar de serem necessários mais estudos com populações clínicas, o SAI-R apresenta-se como um instrumento curto e válido para aplicar em contextos clínicos e não clínicos quando se pretende avaliar a espontaneidade (AU).

Spontaneity and its connections to mental health and wellbeing are a central theme in both the theory and practice of psychodrama, and the specialized literature sometimes even associates the presence of pathology with a lack of spontaneity. In this article, we list some of the results obtained in studies with the English-language version of the spontaneity scale and present its validation studies for the Portuguese population. We verified a factorial structure with 719 subjects, divided into two independent samples in the validation of the SAI-R for the Portuguese context. Participants had an age range of 18 to 69 years old. Furthermore, composite reliability, convergent validity, and cross validity were tested in two other independent samples (n sample1 =348 and n sample2 =371). Although further studies with clinical samples are needed, the SAI-R presents itself as a short and valid instrument to apply in clinical and non-clinical settings when assessing spontaneity (AU).

La espontaneidad y sus vínculos con la salud mental y el bienestar son una componente central tanto en la teoría como en la práctica del psicodrama, y la literatura especializada asocia la presencia de patología con la falta de espontaneidad. En este artículo se enumeran resultados obtenidos con la versión inglesa del SAI-R y se presentan estudios para su aplicación en la población portuguesa. En la validación del SAI-R para el contexto portugués, se confirmó la estructura factorial con 719 sujetos, distribuidos en dos muestras independientes. Los participantes tenían entre 18 y 69 años. Finalmente, se probaron la confiabilidad compuesta y la validez convergente, así como la validez cruzada en las dos muestras independientes (n muestra 1 = 348 y n muestra2 = 371). Aunque son necesarios más estudios con poblaciones clínicas, el SAI-R se presenta como un instrumento breve y válido para ser aplicado en contextos clínicos y no clínicos en la evaluación de la espontaneidad (AU).

Characterization of the Belowground Microbial Community in a Poplar-Phytoremediation Strategy of a Multi-Contaminated Soil.

Due to their widespread use in industrial applications in recent decades, Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals (HMs) are the most common soil contaminants worldwide, posing a risk for both ecosystems and human health. In this study, a poplar-assisted bioremediation strategy has been applied for more than 4 years to a historically contaminated area (PCBs and HMs) in Southern Italy using the Monviso poplar clone. This clone was effective in promoting a decrease in all contaminants and an increase in soil quality in terms of organic carbon and microbial abundance. Moreover, a significant shift in the structure and predicted function of the belowground microbial community was also observed when analyzing both DNA and cDNA sequencing data. In fact, an increase in bacterial genera belonging to Proteobacteria able to degrade PCBs and resist HMs was observed. Moreover, the functional profiling of the microbial community predicted by PICRUSt2 made it possible to identify several genes associated with PCB transformation (e.g., bphAa, bphAb, bphB, bphC), response to HM oxidative stress (e.g., catalase, superoxide reductase, peroxidase) and HM uptake and expulsion (e.g., ABC transporters). This work demonstrated the effectiveness of the poplar clone Monviso in stimulating the natural belowground microbial community to remove contaminants and improve the overall soil quality. It is a practical example of a nature based solution involving synergic interactions between plants and the belowground microbial community.

Oak extractive-induced stress reveals the involvement of new enzymes in the early detoxification response of Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Extensive evidence showed that the efficiency of fungal wood degradation is closely dependent on their ability to cope with the myriad of putative toxic compounds called extractives released during this process. By analysing global gene expression of Phanerochaete chrysosporium after short oak extractive treatment (1, 3 and 6 h), we show that the early molecular response of the fungus concerns first mitochondrial stress rescue followed by the oxidation and finally conjugation of the compounds. During these early responses, the lignolytic degradative system is not induced, rather some small secreted proteins could play an important role in cell protection or signaling. By focusing on the functional characterization of an hitherto uncharacterized glutathione transferase, we show that this enzyme interacts with wood molecules suggesting that it could be involved in the detoxification of some of them, or act as a scavenger to prevent their cytosolic toxicity and favour their transport.

Studying the Efficacy of Psychodrama With the Hermeneutic Single Case Efficacy Design: Results From a Longitudinal Study.

Throughout the last decades, scientific and therapeutic communities have made common efforts to collect reliable information concerning the efficacy of psychotherapies. One of these initiatives has, recently, involved the psychodrama community and its desire to achieve progress in the validation of this therapy. Based on Robert Elliott's Hermeneutic Single Case Efficacy Design, we followed five participants (three women, two men, aged 27-48 years) of a psychodrama group over the course of their therapeutic process, which ranged from 24 months to 5 years. For the single case study, we selected the participant who had the longest data collecting record, including one follow-up. Participants generally reported improvement in their personal therapeutic goals, decrease in symptoms and life problems, and some showed a marked increase in spontaneity levels. In the single case, these results are confirmed, and following decision criteria it is possible to assert that the participant improved in all the variables assessed and that therapy is the main cause of these changes. Furthermore, the participant frequently rated psychodrama sessions as being helpful and stated they had a transformational impact on his life. This research contributes toward validating psychodrama as an efficient therapeutic method, hopefully stimulating practitioners to integrate therapy and research-which, for years, were considered independent and incompatible-and to facilitate their use in a complementary way.

Remediation of a soil chronically contaminated with hydrocarbons through persulfate oxidation and bioremediation.

The impact of remediation combining chemical oxidation followed by biological treatment on soil matrix and microbial community was studied, of a chronically hydrocarbon contaminated soil sourced from a landfarming treatment. Oxidation by ammonium persulfate produced a significant elimination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and an increase in PAH bioavailability. Organic-matter oxidation mobilized nutrients from the soil matrix. The bacterial populations were affected negatively, with a marked diminution in the diversity indices. In this combined treatment with oxidation and bioremediation working in tandem, the aliphatic-hydrocarbon fractions were largely eliminated along with additional PAHs. The chemical and spectroscopic analyses indicated a change in soil nutrients. In spite of the high residual-sulfate concentration, a rapid recovery of the cultivable bacterial population and the establishment of a diverse and equitable microbial community were obtained. Pyrosequencing analysis demonstrated a marked succession throughout this twofold intervention in accordance with the chemical and biologic shifts observed. These remediation steps produced different effects on the soil physiology. Spectroscopic analysis became a useful tool for following and comparing those treatments, which involved acute changes in a matrix of such chronically hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. The combined treatment increased the elimination efficiency of both the aliphatic hydrocarbons and the PAHs at the expense of the mobilized organic matter, thus sustaining the recovery of the resilient populations throughout the treatment. The high-throughput-DNA-sequencing techniques enabled the identification of the predominant populations that were associated with the changes observed during the treatments.

Incontinencia urinaria 6 meses tras parto. Factores de riesgo asociados / Urinary incontinence since 6 months after delivery. Associated risk factors

Este estudio permite aproximarnos a la incidencia de incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo a los 6 meses postparto en nuestro medio, lo que puede ser útil para proponer una actuación tanto a nivel de atención primaria como hospitalaria para poder disminuir el impacto que los posibles factores de riesgo ejercen, como por ejemplo un buen programa de entrenamiento de la musculatura pélvica con ejercicios de Kegel podría reducir la aparición de esta patología, de esta forma, se podría minimizar la morbilidad que sufren estas pacientes. Handa y cols. (21) concluyó que las pacientes que presentaban incontinencia urinaria o anal presentaban un moderado o alto impacto negativo en su vida diaria tras encuestar a 759 pacientes. Para finalizar, se concluye que existen diferentes evidencias en cuanto a los factores de riesgo asociados a la aparición de incontinencia urinaria postparto. El tipo de parto no tiene relación estadísticamente significativa con la aparición de esta sintomatología. No obstante, al existir literatura a favor y en contra de esta hipótesis se precisan más estudios que permiten concluir que vía del parto es la menos favorable para presentar incontinencia urinaria. Los autores, admiten que se podrían inferir más datos si se aumenta el número de pacientes evaluadas (AU)

This study allows us to approach the incidence of stress urinary incontinence at 6 months postpartum in our setting, which may be useful to propose a performance at both primary and hospital care levels, in order to reduce the impact that possible risk factors exert, such as for example, a good pelvic muscle training program with Kegel exercises could reduce the onset of this pathology, thus minimizing the morbidity of these patients. Handa et al. (21) concluded that patients with urinary incontinence or anal had a moderate or high negative impact in their daily lives after surveying 759 patients. Finally, we conclude that there is different evidence regarding the risk factors associated with the occurrence of postpartum urinary incontinence. The type of delivery has no statistically significant relationship with the appearance of this symptomatology. However, because there is literature for and against this hypothesis, more studies are needed to conclude that the way of delivery is the least favorable for presenting urinary incontinence. The authors admit that more data could be evidenced by increasing the number of patients evaluated (AU)

NEO-FFI: Psychometric properties of a short personality inventory in Portuguese context / NEO-FFI: Propriedades psicométricas de um inventário reduzido de personalidade no contexto português

The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the Portuguese adaptation of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and to compare the obtained structure to the original North American version. The methods of analysis used for cross-validation of the factorial structure were the Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) and the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). PAF reproduced the original structure of NEO-FFI and CFA revealed a satisfactory fit of single-factor models for the five dimensions. The reliability analysis showed high values of internal consistency which are congruent with previous international adaptations of the NEO-FFI. Multidimensional analysis showed significant main effects of gender and academic qualifications on personality using age as covariant. The findings suggest that the Portuguese version of the NEO-FFI is a reliable instrument to measure the five dimensions of personality. (AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as propriedades psicométricas (validade e fidelidade) da adaptação portuguesa do NEO-FFI e comparar a estrutura obtida com a versão original americana. Como métodos para a validação cruzada da estrutura fatorial foram usados a Análise Fatorial de Eixos Principais (PAF) e uma Análise Fatorial Confirmatória (CFA). A PAF reproduziu a estrutura original do NEO-FFI e a CFA revelou modelos uni-factoriais de ajustamento satisfatório para cada uma das cinco dimensões. A análise de fidelidade revelou elevados valores de consistência interna, congruentes com as adaptações prévias internacionais do NEO-FFI. A análise multidimensional revelou efeitos principais significativos do género e das qualificações académicas na personalidade, usando a idade como co-variante. Os resultados sugerem que a versão portuguesa do NEO-FFI é um instrumento fiável para medir as cinco dimensões da personalidade. (AU)

Functional diversification within bacterial lineages promotes wide functional overlapping between taxonomic groups in a Mediterranean forest soil.

We investigated the relationship between taxonomy and functioning of soil bacterial communities in soils from a Mediterranean holm oak forest using a high-throughput DNA pyrosequencing technique. We used nonparametric tests (Mann-Whitney U-test) to evaluate the sensitivity of each single bacterial genus within the community to the fluctuations of plant physiological and environmental abiotic variables, as well as to fluctuations in soil microbial respiration. Within-lineage (phylum/class) functional similarities were evaluated by the distribution of the Mann-Whitney U-test standardized coefficients (z) obtained for all genera within a given lineage. We further defined different ecological niches and within-lineage degree of functional diversification based on multivariate analyses (principal component analyses, PCA). Our results indicate that strong within-lineage functional diversification causes extensive functional overlapping between lineages, which hinders the translation of taxonomic diversity into a meaningful functional classification of bacteria. Our results further suggest a widespread colonization of possible ecological niches as taxonomic diversity increases. While no strong functional differentiation could be drawn from the analyses at the phylum/class level, our results suggest a strong ecological niche differentiation of bacteria based mainly on the distinct response of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to fluctuations in soil moisture.

Das relações entre espontaneidade, saúde e doença / About the relationships between spontaneity, health and illness

Após enquadramento do termo "espontaneidade", é explorada a definição dada a este por J. L. Moreno. Segue-se uma apresentação do "Spontaneity Assessment Inventory" (SAI) e sua versão revista (SAI-R), desenvolvidos por David Kipper e colaboradores, bem como de alguns dos resultados obtidos em estudos que correlacionaram os resultados nestes inventários com diversos outros construtos ligados à saúde e aos diversos tipos de sintomatologias e sofrimentos de ordem psíquica e física. Por fim, o autor apresenta um conjunto de investigações levadas a cabo por colaboradores, correlacionando os resultados obtidos com a versão portuguesa do SAI-R e diversas outras variáveis associadas ao bem-estar, à autoestima, às variáveis de personalidade, à presença de doenças ou indicadores do foro psicossomático, como psoríase e lúpus, e à impulsividade.(AU)

After placing the term "spontaneity" into a conceptual framework, J. L. Moreno’s definition of this term is explored. Following this, I introduce the Spontaneity Assessment Inventory (SAI) and its revised version (SAI-R) as developed by David Kipper and his colleagues, as well as the outcome of some studies that correlate the results of this Inventory with other variables related to health and different forms of psychological and physical symptoms and issues. Finally, the author presents the outcome of various studies, correlating the results of the Portuguese version of SAI-R with other variables such as well-being, self-esteem, aspects of personality, the presence of illnesses or psycho-somatic type indicators, such as psoriasis and lupus, as well as impulsivity.(AU)

Das relações entre espontaneidade, saúde e doença / About the relationships between spontaneity, health and illness

Após enquadramento do termo "espontaneidade", é explorada a definição dada a este por J. L. Moreno. Segue-se uma apresentação do "Spontaneity Assessment Inventory" (SAI) e sua versão revista (SAI-R), desenvolvidos por David Kipper e colaboradores, bem como de alguns dos resultados obtidos em estudos que correlacionaram os resultados nestes inventários com diversos outros construtos ligados à saúde e aos diversos tipos de sintomatologias e sofrimentos de ordem psíquica e física. Por fim, o autor apresenta um conjunto de investigações levadas a cabo por colaboradores, correlacionando os resultados obtidos com a versão portuguesa do SAI-R e diversas outras variáveis associadas ao bem-estar, à autoestima, às variáveis de personalidade, à presença de doenças ou indicadores do foro psicossomático, como psoríase e lúpus, e à impulsividade.

After placing the term "spontaneity" into a conceptual framework, J. L. Moreno’s definition of this term is explored. Following this, I introduce the Spontaneity Assessment Inventory (SAI) and its revised version (SAI-R) as developed by David Kipper and his colleagues, as well as the outcome of some studies that correlate the results of this Inventory with other variables related to health and different forms of psychological and physical symptoms and issues. Finally, the author presents the outcome of various studies, correlating the results of the Portuguese version of SAI-R with other variables such as well-being, self-esteem, aspects of personality, the presence of illnesses or psycho-somatic type indicators, such as psoriasis and lupus, as well as impulsivity.

Pro-oxidant natural products as anticancer agents.

Cancer cells produce high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that lead to a state of increased basal oxidative stress. Since this state of oxidative stress makes cancer cells vulnerable to agents that further augment ROS levels, the use of pro-oxidant agents is emerging as an exciting strategy to selectively target tumor cells. Natural products have provided a significant contribution to the development of several drugs currently used in cancer chemotherapy. Although many natural products are known to affect the redox state of the cell, most studies on these compounds have focused on their antioxidant activity instead of on their pro-oxidant properties. This article provides an overview of natural products with pro-oxidant and anticancer activities, with special focus on plant secondary metabolites, and discusses their possible use as cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Changes in soil bacterial community triggered by drought-induced gap succession preceded changes in soil C stocks and quality.

The aim of this study was to understand how drought-induced tree mortality and subsequent secondary succession would affect soil bacterial taxonomic composition as well as soil organic matter (SOM) quantity and quality in a mixed Mediterranean forest where the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) population, affected by climatic drought-induced die-off, is being replaced by Holm-oaks (HO; Quercus ilex). We apply a high throughput DNA pyrosequencing technique and (13)C solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CP-MAS (13)C NMR) to soils within areas of influence (defined as an surface with 2-m radius around the trunk) of different trees: healthy and affected (defoliated) pines, pines that died a decade ago and healthy HOs. Soil respiration was also measured in the same spots during a spring campaign using a static close-chamber method (soda lime). A decade after death, and before aerial colonization by the more competitive HOs have even taken place, we could not find changes in soil C pools (quantity and/or quality) associated with tree mortality and secondary succession. Unlike C pools, bacterial diversity and community structure were strongly determined by tree mortality. Convergence between the most abundant taxa of soil bacterial communities under dead pines and colonizer trees (HOs) further suggests that physical gap colonization was occurring below-ground before above-ground colonization was taken place. Significantly higher soil respiration rates under dead trees, together with higher bacterial diversity and anomalously high representation of bacteria commonly associated with copiotrophic environments (r-strategic bacteria) further gives indications of how drought-induced tree mortality and secondary succession were influencing the structure of microbial communities and the metabolic activity of soils.

Can differences in the ability to recognize words cease to have an effect under certain reading conditions?

In this study, we aimed to ascertain whether it is possible to create reading contexts that eliminate the impact of word recognition on reading comprehension and permit pupils with reading disabilities (RD) to attain a level of comprehension similar to that of their peers without RD. Specifically, the study compared a traditional reading situation with one of reading with aids (joint reading). In both situations, pupils' comprehension level was assessed by means of a summary and a series of inferential questions, and we controlled the effect on comprehension of word recognition, previous knowledge, rhetorical competence, and working memory. The results showed that the aids provided during reading do not eliminate the effect of word recognition, but they do permit readers with RD to attain a comprehension level similar to that of their peers.

Competencia retórica. Una propuesta para interpretar las dificultades de comprensión / Rhetoric Competence. A proposal to interpret comprehension difficulties

Este trabajo mide el impacto de la Competencia Retórica -la capacidad para operar con los mecanismos que proporcionan coherencia al texto- en la comprensión lectora. Concretamente, se considera la habilidad para operar con dos mecanismos textuales diferentes: las conectivas lógicas y los dispositivos anafóricos. Con ello se ofrece una interpretación comunicativa amplia de las dificultades de comprensión que experimentan muchos lectores: la dificultad para interpretar las intenciones e ideas de un emisor apoyándose en las señales que su mensaje encierra, señales que se hacen más complejas en el tránsito de lo oral a lo escrito, siendo pues aquí donde la competencia retórica cobra un papel mayor. Los resultados confirman la importancia de la competencia retórica en el proceso de comprensión y su peso específico frente a otras variables: conocimientos previos, reconocimiento de palabras y memoria de trabajo. Faltaría determinar la dirección de su relación con la comprensión. (AU)

This work assesses the impact that Rhetoric Competence- the ability to operate with the mechanisms that provide coherence to a text- has on text comprehension. Specifically, we take into account the ability to operate with two different text mechanisms: logical connectives and anaphoric devices. This way, we try to provide a broad communicative interpretation to the comprehension problems felt by many readers: the difficulty to interpret the purpose and ideas of an author or speaker from the signals used in his / her message, signals that become more complex when we shift from oral to written communication. In this last kind of communication, rhetoric competence comes to play a more important role. Results confirm the importance of rhetoric competence in the comprehension process and its specific weight in relation to other variables: previous knowledge, word recognition and working-memory. The direction of the relation between rhetoric competence and comprehension is yet to be determined (AU)