Recent discovery of an argyrolagid (Mammalia, Metatheria) for the Marplatan stage (middle Pliocene-early Pleistocene) of northwestern Argentina

We present the first remains of an argyrolagid from the Uquía Formation (middle Pliocene-early Pleistocene; Marplatan) recovered at San Roque, Humahuaca, Jujuy Province, Argentina. The material is part of a microvertebrate fossil assemblage generated by trophic activity of predator birds that also includes amphibians, lizards, birds, rodents and didelphids. The remains represent three individuals and include fragments of maxilla and dentaries, and postcranial fragmentary bones (humeri, astragali, calcanei, and ungueal phalanges). The upper teeth show a simplified occlusal morphology, typical of this family. The most conspicuous features of lower teeth are: the presence of procumbent incisors, a mesiolabial expansion defining a shallow groove on m1, deep lingual groove absent on m1 and m2 but present on m3 and m4, m4 reduced with a deep labial groove and a shallow distal concavity. The morphology of lower molars (particularly, on m4 the deep labial groove and the distal shallow concavity) allows us to refer the material to Microtragulus bolivianus Hoffstetter and Villarroel. This species differs from other species of Microtragulus by: the absence of lingual groove on m1, labial groove of mesial lobe on m2, and lingual groove on m2, and the presence of larger m4 with a labial groove (M. reigi Simpson); its larger size, the deepest labial groove, and the presence of lingual groove on m3 and labial groove on m4 (M. catamarcensis [Kraglievich]); and by the absence of lingual groove on m1 and the presence of deeper labial grooves (M. rusconii Goin, Montalvo and Visconti). Rodents recorded in this assemblage (Microcavia, octodontids) are nowadays typical dwellers of dry and open areas, suggesting similar paleoenvironmental conditions for these levels of the Uquía Formation. The presence of Microtragulus bolivianus in western Bolivia and northwestern Argentina suggests that a continuous area of xeric conditions was already established in this region by the end of the Pliocene.Sesiones libresFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Preliminary field screening of maize landrace germplasm from northeastern Mexico under high temperatures

Northeastern Mexico has a wide variety of maize landraces that have not been characterized, and landraces vari¬eties may be a good source of new allelic diversity for useful traits. This study evaluated 28 accessions from Tam¬aulipas, in Northeast Mexico, chosen by phenology and for agronomic characteristics to represent the diversity of germplasm in the collection and agro-ecosystems of this area. They were evaluated under high temperature in the field as a basis for an efficient use of this maize germplasm in a breeding program; in particular we investigated changes in agronomic characteristics affected by high temperatures in all growing seasons. Results indicated that in late planting dates air temperatures become excessively high during the flowering period and growing season; in these conditions a loss in grain yield can be sustained. In this study, the loss initially manifests itself as a reduc¬tion in grain yield (> 32%) because of fewer grains per ear (>26%). Landrace maize accessions C-3030, C-3049, C-3015, Pob. I, Pob. II, ZEM-148 and C-4050 were identified with high relative yield and yield components traits under high temperature conditions. These accessions have greater agronomic stability, and also are potential donors of genes to improve maize tolerance to high temperature

Effects of herbaceous covers and mineral fertilizers on the nutrient stocks and fluxes in a Mediterranean olive grove

Altres ajuts: acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICThe preservation of nutrient capital, soil fertility, and carbon (C) sequestration capacity in Mediterranean olive groves requires evaluation of agricultural practices beyond short-term productivity. We aim to contribute with a mechanistic understanding on the effects that the preservation of herbaceous cover and the use of chemical fertilizers have on the performance of olive trees and on the biogeochemical cycles of the agroecosystem. We compared nutrient fluxes and aboveground leafy stocks in an olive grove that had been organically managed for more than 60 years, in a treatment in which the annual spontaneous herbaceous cover was maintained (H), and after two years of shift to conventional management treatments in which the growth of herbaceous vegetation was avoided by the use of herbicides (NH), and where exclusion of the herbaceous cover is also combined with the supply of mineral fertilizers (NHF). Maintenance of herbaceous vegetation in H contributed to the retention of a high aboveground capital of C and nutrients, particularly nitrogen, (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) that were about 2.9, 3.9 and 7.4 times greater than in NH, respectively. The permanence of herbaceous cover stimulated olive tree leaf litter decomposition rates by about 86 % and increased nutrient release. However, the H treatment led to a 37 % decrease in olive yield and lowered olive foliar N and P content as negative short-term effects. The addition of fertilizers (N, P, K, and Mg) in mineral and solid form in NHF resulted inefficient to improve olive tree nutritional status and olive production, and decelerated olive tree litter decomposition rates by 21 % and nutrient release. The nutrient retention in organic forms in the fast-growing species of herbaceous covers and the progressive nutrient release as litter decomposes may contribute to regulate and better adapt nutrient availability to the nutrient requirements of olive trees

Collaborative working: understanding mobile applications requirements

1 archivo PDF (4 páginas)The Rational Unified Process (RUP) as well as the related work embrace the importance of collaborative working teams during software development; but, user-interface designers and system analysts work in parallel or in sequential mode. However, this kind of relationship may not be effective, resulting on functional software but not meeting usability issues. Our proposal is that in order to understand mobile applications requirements work should be made collaboratively between analysts and user-interface designers through sharing artifacts like use-case scenarios, sketching and mock-up. In this paper, we propose a collaborative work framework to meet mobile applications requirements. Also, we show preliminary results of a case study to assess this approach. Results suggest that the collaborative team got a common understanding about system limits and functional and usability requirements.Universidad Autónoma Metropolitan

Freshwater Crustaceans Decadpos: An Important Resource of Guatemala

Guatemala is a mega diversity country because it has several ecosystems and the physiography has a high diversity. However, the local population uses this biodiversity as a natural resource of food mainly. The country had three main drainage slopes for their rivers and aquatic reservoirs with several basins (the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Sea). In these slopes, crayfish, freshwater prawns, and crabs compose the aquatic biological resources. Several fieldtrips were performed around these slopes in order to identify the species which were used as natural aquatic resources and verify if the diversity supports the food needs of the local population. Our findings were that the country has at least four crayfish species of genus Procambarus spp., those living in the high and middle altitude areas. Five freshwater prawn species with abbreviated larval development of genus Macrobrachium, that is, Macrobrachium cemai were also found. The bigger species of Macrobrachium was also identified on the three slopes as Macrobrachium americanum, Macrobrachium tenellum, Macrobrachium occidentale, and Macrobrachium digueti on the Pacific slope, while on the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, Macrobrachium carcinus, Macrobrachium acanthurus, Macrobrachium heterochirus, Macrobrachium olfersii, and Macrobrachium hobbsi were recorded, and therefore, the nonnative species Macrobrachium rosenbergii; with respect to other shrimps, Palaemon pandaliformis, Palaemonetes octaviae, and atyids as Atya scabra and Potimirim glabra were found. According to the freshwater crabs, the Pseudothelphusidae family is the best to represent in comparison with Trichodactylidae where only one population was recorded. Also, we register the uses of these species around the main markets in the country and we found two main ways: the first one is for the bigger species of freshwater prawns and crabs that are offered very expensive in kilogram and are almost offered in restaurants as exclusive dishes. The second one is more for the local consumption, and many families of fishery species that include crayfishes, freshwater prawns with abbreviated larval development, and smaller crabs, and so on, are sometimes found in the markets, with the prices being cheaper and can be bought only by the local people. Our findings show that Guatemala has an enormous potential in the crustaceans decapods for use as natural aquatic resources as protein sources at low cost, especially for the families with low economical level

Freshwater Prawns (Palaemonidae: Macrobrachium) with Abbreviated Larval Development in Rivers of Mexico: Uses, Management, and Conservation Opportunities

The Macrobrachium genus in Mexico is represented by two big groups: the first one, where the larval stages are extended, and the second one, has an abbreviated larval development. There are three main slopes in Mexico or exorheic basins and several endorheic basins such as lakes and inner lagoons. The species with extended larval stage are M. carcinus, M. heterochirus, M. acanthurus, M. olfersii, M. hobbsi, and M. faustinum in the Atlantic and Caribbean slope, while in the Pacific slope, these species are M. americanum, M. occidentale, M. digueti, M. michoacanus, M. acanthochirus, and M. tenellum. These species have important fishery activities on different basins because they live from oasis in desert to main rivers in the bigger basins. However, there are some rivers that have an extended region on their upstream such as Usumacinta, Grijalva, Papaloapan, and Coatzacoalcos basins that in general are considered as hydrological regions. Just in these extended regions, there are more caves in freshwater, springs, and primary or secondary streams, which are covered by short area rivers, and in these places, there are the following species: M. totonacum, M. tuxtlaense, M. oaxacae, M. cosolapaense, M. oaxacae, M. jacatepecense, M. mazatecum, and M. vicconi, while in the cave are M. villalobosi, M. acherontium, and M. sbordonii. However, for these species, the uses are more for the local groups mainly indigenous cultures such as Mayan, Lacandon, Zapotecs and Mixtecs, and others, and their commercial use is only in the local region depending on where these species are distributed

A fossil lizard (Iguanoidea) from the upper Pliocene of northwestern Argentina

The Uquia Formation (middle Pliocene-lower Pleistocene) crops out in Quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy Province, northwestern Argentina) and contains an important record of fossil vertebrates that documents the event known as the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI). We present a new fossil lizard from San Roque locality, near Humahuaca town, recovered in levels referred to late Pliocene. The material consists of one premaxilla, one maxilla, and several dentaries bearing teeth belonging to at least three individuals. The remains were part of a microvertebrate fossil assemblage that also includes amphibians, birds, rodents, and marsupials. Corrosion signals on the enamel of rodent teeth indicate that this assemblage was formed by the trophic activities of predatory birds. The phylogenetic analysis performed with 396 morphological characters places this new lizard as the sister taxon of a clade composed by Liolaemidae, Leiocephalidae, and Tropiduridae. Its uncertain position and substantial morphological differences justify its placement in a new genus. The results of this analysis support the monophyletic status of Iguanoidea and support other groups within Iguania. This is the first record of a Squamata for the Uquia Formation levels, which mainly contain medium to large sized mammals. The presence of extant rodent genera in the assemblage indicates arid paleoenvironmental conditions, similar to that currently found in the area.Sesiones libresFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Evolución al alta de pacientes con Infecciones Nosocomiales de Terapia Intensiva

Introducción: El 5 al 30 % de pacientes infectados en terapia intensiva se complican, fallecen en sala o reingresan. Objetivos: Determinar mortalidad, complicaciones, riesgo de mortalidad en este grupo de pacientes al alta hospitalaria. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo y de casos y controles, entre Julio 1999 - Diciembre 2004. Incluidos pacientes con infecciones nosocomiales, trasladados a salas de internación. Análisis de casos y controles para factores de riesgo de mortalidad. Resultados en porcentajes y medias con OR y DE, p < 0,05 significativa. Resultados: Evaluados 71 pacientes, presentando 110 infecciones. Complicaciones en sala (41) en 37 pacientes (52,1%), antes del 5º día 43,9%. Complicaciones infecciosas 24 (58,5%): neumonías 29 %, infecciones urinarias 29%. Complicaciones no infecciosas 17 (42%): respiratorias 32,3%, cardiovasculares 23,5%. Reingresaron 10 pacientes (14,1%). De 61 pacientes no reingresados, fallecieron 8 (13,1%), antes del 4º día 37,5%. Las causas más frecuente de muerte (n=8) fueron infecciones (75%). El factor de riesgo para mortalidad: ≥ 65 años, OR 8,12(1,28-65,21); p =0,009. Conclusiones: Complicaciones en pacientes con infecciones nosocomiales de terapia intensiva transferidos a salas de internación son frecuentes, precoces y predominantemente infecciosas. Mortalidad y reingresos bajos. Edad avanzada es factor de riesgo relacionado con la mortalidad

The Habitat Types of Freshwater Prawns (Palaemonidae: <em>Macrobrachium</em>) with Abbreviated Larval Development in Mesoamerica (Mexico, Guatemala and Belize)

The freshwater prawns of genus Macrobrachium with abbreviated larval development have been reported from a diversity of freshwater habitats (caves, springs and primary streams from so-long basins). Here we analysed 360 sites around the Mesoamerican region (Mexico, Guatemala and Belize). At each site, we measured temperature, salinity oxygen dissolved, pH, altitude and water flow velocity values. We documented the riparian vegetation and occurrence and abundance of Macrobrachium populations. All these values were analysed by multi-dimensional scaling and principal components analysis in order to identify key features of the environmental data that determine the habitat types and habitat diversity. The results show that there are Macrobrachium populations in 70 sites inhabiting two main habitats: Lotic and Lentic; and each one have fours subhabitat types. All are defined by altitude range and water velocity that involve the temperature and oxygen variables. In some specific areas, the karstic values on salinity and pH defined some groups. Within the lentic habitats, we identified the following subhabitats: (1) temperate streams, (2) neutral streams, (3) high dissolved oxygen, (4) multifactorial; and for lotic habitats, we identified: (5) water high carbonate, (6) moderate dissolved oxygen, (7) low dissolved oxygen, and (8) high altitude streams. All these subhabitats are located on the drainage basin to the Atlantic Sea, including places from 50 to 850 meters above sea levels and have specifically ranges from temperature, water velocity, pH and salinity for some cases. Also, the geological analysis from the basins where the Macrobrachium inhabit is located showed that the geological faults align with these habitat subdivisions. In this chapter, we discuss the environmental heterogeneity, morphological plasticity and their relationship to physiographic regions across the species ranges

The SNP at −592 of human IL-10 gene is associated with serum IL-10 levels and increased risk for human papillomavirus cervical lesion development

BACKGROUND: Women with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) persistence are characterized by high levels of IL-10 at cervix. We have determined whether polymorphisms of IL-10 gene promoter might be associated with increased risk of squamous intraepithelial cervical lesions (SICL) and whether exist significative differences of IL-10 mRNA expression at cervix and systemic and serum IL-10 protein between SICL cases and non-Cervical Lesions (NCL). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from SICL (n = 204) and NCL (n = 166) were used to detect IL-10 promoter polymorphisms at loci -592A/C (rs1800872), -819C/T (rs1800871), -1082A/G (rs1800896), -1352A/G (rs1800893), by allelic discrimination and to evaluate serum IL-10 protein. Cervical epithelial scrapings from NCL and biopsies from SICLs were used for HPV-typing and to evaluate IL-10 mRNA expression level. The systemic and local IL-10 mRNA expression levels were measured by real time-PCR. Genotypic and allelic frequencies of the selected polymorphisms were analyzed by logistic regression, adjusting by age and HPV-genotype, to determine the association with SICL. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between genotype frequencies at loci −819, -1082, and −1352. Individuals carrying at least one copy of risk allele A of polymorphism −592 had a two-fold increased risk of developing SICL [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 2.02 (95% CI, 1.26-3.25), p = 0.003], compared to NCL. The IL-10 mRNA expression and serum IL-10 protein, were significantly higher in SICL cases (p < 0.01), being higher in patients carrying the risk allele A. CONCLUSIONS: The −592 polymorphism is associated with increased risk of SICL and can serve as a marker of genetic susceptibility to SICL among Mexican women. According to IL-10 levels found in SICL, IL-10 can be relevant factor for viral persistence and progression disease