Dissecting genetic effects with imprinting

Models of genetic effects are mathematical representations of a genotype-to-phenotype (GP) map that, rather than accounting for a raw map assigning phenotypes to genotypes, rely on parameters with deliberate evolutionary meaning—additive and interaction effects. In this article, the conceptual particularities of genetic imprinting and their implications on models of genetic effects are analyzed. The molecular mechanisms by which imprinted loci affect the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes are known to be singular. Despite its epigenetic nature, the (parent-of-origin-dependent) way in which the alleles of imprinted genes are modified and segregate in each generation is precisely determined, and thus amenable to be represented through conventional models of genetic effects. The Natural and Orthogonal Interactions (NOIA) model framework is here extended to account for imprinting as a tool for a more thorough analysis of the evolutionary implications of this phenomenon. The resulting theory improves and generalizes previous proposals for modeling imprinting.The Autonomous Administration Xunta de Galicia provided funding for this research through project EM2014/024S

Apoyo a la decisión de emplazamientos óptimos de edificios. Localización de un edificio universitario mediante el proceso analítico jerárquico

Uno de los nuevos campos en el que los SIG son necesarios, es la gestión eficaz de los espacios y equipamientos urbanos, tanto desde el punto de vista medioambiental, respetando la idea de desarrollo sostenible; como del mantenimiento de sus infraestructuras, generando soluciones inmediatas a problemas urgentes. En este trabajo se plantea la utilización de una técnica de decisión multicriterio, el Proceso Analítico Jerárquico (AHP), con datos generados por un SIG para determinar sobre la base de diferentes criterios basados en distintos atributos, cual es el emplazamiento más adecuado para construir equipamientos urbanos. Se ha aplicado para determinar el emplazamiento de una biblioteca en el Campus de Montegancedo de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, donde se ubica la Facultad de Informática. El AHP, es una herramienta de base matemática que permite estructurar un problema multicriterio en forma visual y construir un modelo jerárquico que representa el problema objeto de estudio. Se pretende concluir que con la aplicación de este tipo de herramientas de decisión se logra una mayor equidad y eficiencia espacial en el resultado final de la decisión sobre el emplazamiento, al mismo tiempo que se minimizan los posibles efectos negativos sobre el medioambiente en una zona de especial protección

Complete larval development of the crab Ilia nucleus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Leucosiidae) reared under laboratory conditions

The complete larval development of the crab Ilia nucleus (Linnaeus, 1758) reared under laboratory conditions was obtained. The four zoeal stages and the megalopa are described and illustrated in detail. The larval features observed in I. nucleus fit into the characteristics of the family proposed by Rice (1980) for the zoeal stages and by Quintana (1986) for the megalopa. The morphological characters of larval stages of I. nucleus are compared with previous descriptions, and with those of other known larvae of Leucosiidae (only for subfamilies Ebaliinae and Leucosiinae). The present work supports the hypothesis that the subfamily Ebaliinae is a heterogeneous group. For the correct identification of a zoeal stage of a leucosiid crab, besides counting the number of setae on maxilliped exopods, the antennule as well as the pereiopods development should be used as additional characters

Opinion of associate professors and full professors regarding the criteria and standards for the accreditation of spanish university teachers

Este estudio descriptivo analiza la importancia que Profesores Titulares de Universidad y Catedráticos de Universidad de España otorgan a distintos indicadores de evaluación docente, examinándose además las diferencias entre ambos cuerpos docentes. Una muestra representativa de 1.294 Profesores Titulares y Catedráticos de Universidad españoles respondieron a una encuesta enviada por correo electrónico. Los resultados señalan que los indicadores más valorados tienen que ver con la investigación y muestran escasas diferencias entre ambos cuerpos docentes, lo que supone una ventaja para la fi abilidad y objetividad del proceso de acreditación y concurso de acceso a los cuerpos de funcionarios docentes universitarios en España.This descriptive study analyses and compares the importance given by Associate Professors and Full Professors of Spanish universities to different academic evaluation indicators. A representative sample consisting of 1294 Associate Professors and Full Professors from Spain answered a survey sent to them by e-mail. The results show that the most valued indicators are related to research work and reveal little difference between the criteria of the two study groups. The latter is an advantage with respect to the reliability and objectivity of the accreditation process and selection of tenured university professors in Spain.Estudio fi nanciado por la Dirección General de Universidades (Referencia: EA2006-0017)

Bringing the "self" into focus: conceptualising the role of self-experience for understanding and working with distressing voices

A primary goal of cognitive behavior therapy for psychosis (CBTp) is to reduce distress and disability, not to change the positive symptoms of psychosis, such as hearing voices. Despite demonstrated associations between beliefs about voices and distress, the effects of CBTp on reducing voice distress are disappointing. Research has begun to explore the role that the psychological construct of “self” (which includes numerous facets such as self-reflection, self-schema and self-concept) might play in causing and maintaining distress and disability in voice hearers. However, attempts to clarify and integrate these different perspectives within the voice hearing literature, or to explore their clinical implications, are still in their infancy. This paper outlines how the self has been conceptualised in the psychosis and CBT literatures, followed by a review of the evidence regarding the proposed role of this construct in the etiology of and adaptation to voice hearing experiences. We go on to discuss some of the specific intervention methods that aim to target these aspects of self-experience and end by identifying key research questions in this area. Notably, we suggest that interventions specifically targeting aspects of self-experience, including self-affection, self-reflection, self-schema and self-concept, may be sufficient to reduce distress and disruption in the context of hearing voices, a suggestion that now requires further empirical investigation