Early stages of the roman occupation of Lagos, Portugal, from a Julian-Claudian ceramic context

En los últimos años, como resultado de la progresiva renovación y rehabilitación urbana de la ciudad de Lagos, se han realizado en el centro histórico un importante número de intervenciones arqueológicas de urgencia. Las noticias de nuevos hallazgos se han sucedido en el tiempo destacando para el período romano, las relacionadas con la presencia de varias fábricas de preparados piscícolas en la ribera de la ciudad, especialmente concentradas a lo largo de la calle 25 de Abril y la calle Silva Lopes. A pesar de las continuas informaciones que estas intervenciones han proporcionado todavía quedan por aclarar varias cuestiones relacionadas con las dimensiones de la zona fabril y sus ritmos productivos, especialmente las relacionadas con su fecha de inicio. Una reciente intervención en los nos. 72-78 de la calle 25 de Abril, nos ha permitido gracias a un excepcional contexto cerrado de mediados del s. I, profundizar y esclarecer dichas cuestiones. Además, el conjunto cerámico del pozo se postula como un auténtico “contexto de referencia” para el comercio en la región durante los cuartos centrales del s. I d.C.In recent years, as a result of the ongoing urban development at Lagos, a significant number of rescue excavations have been carried out in the historic centre. New discoveries dating back to Roman times have been made in connection with fish salting factories on the city shores, mainly concentrated along 25 de Abril street and Silva Lopes street. Some historical and archaeological questions related to the dimensions of this industrial area, its productive rhythms and, especially, the starting date of salt fishing activities are still elusive. However, at least the last issue can be partially clarified thanks to the archaeological excavation at number 72-78 of 25 de Abril street, which has provided an exceptional ceramic context from a well dated period back in the middle of the 1st century. In addition to that, this ceramic set can be regarded as an authentic “reference context” for trade in the region during the central years of the 1st century A.D

Linked Data Methodologies for Managing Information about Television Content

OntoTV is a television information management system designed for improving the quality and quantity of the information available in the current television platforms. In order to achieve this objective, OntoTV (1) collects the information offered by the broadcasters, (2) integrates it into a ontology-based data structure, (3) extracts extra data from alternative television sources, and (4) makes possible for the user to perform queries over the stored information. This document shows the way Linked Data methodologies have been applied in OntoTV system, and the improvements in the data consumption and publication processes that have been obtained as result. On the one hand, the possibility of accessing to information available in the Web of Data has made possible to offer more complete descriptions about the programs, as well as more detailed guides than those obtained by using classic collection methods. On the other hand, as the information of the television programs and channels is published according to the Linked Data philosophy, it becomes available not only for OntoTV clients, but also for other agents able to access Linked Data resources, who could offer the viewer more fresh and innovative features

Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 cells display impaired metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction that are reversed by metformin

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1; MIM #160900) is an autosomal dominant disorder, clinically characterized by progressive muscular weakness and multisystem degeneration. The broad phenotypes observed in patients with DM1 resemble the appearance of a multisystem accelerated aging process. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenotypes remain largely unknown. In this study, we characterized the impact of metabolism and mitochondria on fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from patients with DM1 and healthy individuals. Our results revealed a decrease in oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) activity, oxygen consumption rate (OCR), ATP production, energy metabolism, and mitochondria! dynamics in DM1 fibroblasts, as well as increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). PBMCs of DM1 patients also displayed reduced mitochondria! dynamics and energy metabolism. Moreover, treatment with metformin reversed the metabolic and mitochondria! defects as well as additional accelerated aging phenotypes, such as impaired proliferation, in DM1-derived fibroblasts. Our results identify impaired cell metabolism and mitochondria! dysfunction as important drivers of DM1 pathophysiology and, therefore, reveal the efficacy of metformin treatment in a pre-clinical setting.This work was supported by grants from the Instituto Salud Carlos III and FEDER funds (CP16/00039, PI16/01580, PI17/01841) and Health department from Basque Country (2017 and 2018-2017222021)

Reassessing palaeoenvironmental conditions during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in the Cantabrian region (Southwestern Europe)

Climatic and environmental changes have been commonly proposed as driving factors behind the decline of Neanderthals in Europe. The Cantabrian region, in northern Iberia, is a key area for understanding the replacement of Neanderthals by Anatomically Modern Humans, where an early disappearance of Neanderthals in relation to other areas of Iberia has been proposed. To evaluate how climate might have influenced human behaviour during Marine Isotope Stage 3, an accurate review of palaeoecological conditions is required. For the first time, an assessment of the regional available terrestrial proxies linked to archaeo-palaeontological sites, including small vertebrate assemblages, pollen sequences, charcoal data and stable isotope studies on macromammals is undertaken in this region. In addition, records from macrofaunal assemblages and glacial records have also been considered. To standardise the information and allow inter-site comparison, data from pollen and small vertebrate sequences were transformed into quantitative climatic estimations of temperature and precipitation. Results show highly variable climatic shifts between archaeological levels, being consistent with the climatic fluctuations observed in the marine and ice core records. Small mammal assemblages reveal a mosaic landscape of open meadows followed by scattered forested areas. A progressive trend towards aridity from the end of the Mousterian to the early Aurignacian is reflected by changes in arboreal pollen, macromammal species and stable isotopes evidence on ungulates consumed by late Neanderthals and Anatomically Modern Humans in the region. This review suggests a decrease in temperatures and rainfall from 48,000 to 44,000 cal BP (after Heinrich Event 5) which coincides with the late Neanderthals in the region and followed by a populational hiatus until 43,000 cal BP. Despite the multiple intra-site environmental proxies available, this study challenges the fragmentary regional record during this key period for human evolution and reveals that further research is needed to obtain a complete regional highresolution palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic reconstruction.This research is funded by the European Research Council, under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (grant agreement No. 818299-SUBSILIENCE ERC CoG project https://www.subsilience.eu), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (NEWINDS; PID2021-125818NB-I00) and the Cantabrian Government (Proyecto Puente 2021)

Analysis of dynamic reliability surveillance: a case study

In this paper a reliability model based on artificial neural networks and the generalized renewal process is developed. The model is used for failure prediction, and is able to dynamically adapt to changes in the operating and environmental conditions of assets. The model is implemented for a thermal solar power plant, focusing on critical elements of these plants: heat transfer fluid pumps. We affirm that this type of model can be easily automated within the plant’s remote monitoring system. Using this model we can dynamically assign reference values for warnings and alarms and provide predictions of asset degradation. These in turn can be used to evaluate the associated economic risk to the system under existing operating conditions and to inform preventive maintenance activitie

Hazards of swine slurry: Heavy metals, bacteriology, and overdosing—Physicochemical models to predict the nutrient value

In this work, 124 samples of slurry from 32 commercial farms of three animal categories (lactating sows, nursery piglets, and growing pigs) were studied. The samples were collected in summer and winter over two consecutive years and analyzed for physicochemical properties, macronutrient and micronutrient, heavy metals, and major microbiological indicators. The results were found to be influenced by farm type and to deviate especially markedly in nursery piglets, probably as a consequence of differences in pig age, diet, and management. The main potential hazards of the slurries can be expected to arise from their high contents in heavy metals (Cu and Zn), especially in the nursery piglet group, and from the high proportion of samples testing positive for Salmonella spp. (66%). Linear and nonlinear predictive equations were developed for each animal category and the three as a whole. Dry matter, which was highly correlated with N, CaO, and MgO contents, proved the best predictor of fertilizer value. Using an additional predictor failed to improve the results but nonlinear and farm-specific equations did. Rapid on-site measurements can improve the accuracy of fertilizer value estimates and help optimize the use of swine slurry as a resultThis work was supported by the Xunta de Galicia (Unidad Mixta de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion sobre el Sector Cárnico) and by the pre-doctoral grant of Miguel Fernández-Labrada from “Programa de ayudas a la etapa predoctoral” of the Xunta de Galicia (Consellería de Educacion, Universidade e Formacion Profesional) (grant number ED481A-2020/130)S

Targeting Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 with Metformin

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disorder of genetic origin. Progressive muscular weakness, atrophy and myotonia are its most prominent neuromuscular features, while additional clinical manifestations in multiple organs are also common. Overall, DM1 features resemble accelerated aging. There is currently no cure or specific treatment for myotonic dystrophy patients. However, in recent years a great effort has been made to identify potential new therapeutic strategies for DM1 patients. Metformin is a biguanide antidiabetic drug, with potential to delay aging at cellular and organismal levels. In DM1, different studies revealed that metformin rescues multiple phenotypes of the disease. This review provides an overview of recent findings describing metformin as a novel therapy to combat DM1 and their link with aging.M.G.-P. and A.S.-A. are recipient of predoctoral fellowships from the University of the Basque Country (PIF 15/245) and Carlos III Institute (FI17/00250), respectively. This work is supported by grants from the Carlos III Institute and FEDER funds (PI17/01841, DTS18/00181, PI19/01355, PI21/00557), Health Department from Basque Country (2017222021, 2018222021, 2020333008) and CIBERNED funds

Effectiveness of improved cookstoves to reduce indoor air pollution in developing countries. The case of the cassamance natural subregion, Western Africa

The Spanish NGO "Alianza por la Solidaridad" has installed improved cookstoves in 3000 households during 2012 and 2013 to improve energy efficiency reducing fuelwood consumption and to improve in-door air quality. The type of cookstoves were Noflaye Jeeg and Noflaye Jaboot and were installed in the Cassamance Natural Subregion covering part of Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The Technical University of Madrid (UPM) has conducted a field study on a sample of these households to assess the effect of improved cookstoves on kitchen air quality. Measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particle matter (PM2.5) were taken for 24-hr period before and after the installation of improved cook-stoves. The 24-hr mean CO concentrations were lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for Guinea-Bissau but higher for Senegal and Gambia, even after the installation of improved cookstoves. As for PM2.5 concentrations, 24-hr mean were always higher than these guidelines. However, improved cookstoves produced significant reductions on 24-hr mean CO and PM2.5 concentrations in Senegal and for mean and maximum PM2.5 concentration on Gambia. Although this variability needs to be explained by further research to determine which other factors could affect indoor air pollution, the study provided a better understanding of the problem and envisaged alternatives to be implemented in fu-ture phases of the NGO project

Laboratories of commons: experimentation, recursivity and activism

El espacio público urbano, las creaciones digitales o el aire, objetos cuya propiedad se pensaba tradicionalmente desde la lógica dicotómica de lo público y lo privado han comenzado a ser considerados como un procomún. Un concepto antiguo recuperado con intensidad en la última década que hace referencia a recursos y bienes colectivos, cuyo régimen de propiedad es diferente del público y del privado y que son gestionados en común. Este artículo introduce las contribuciones que forman parte de un monográfico dedicado a los ‘Laboratorios del procomún’ donde sus autoras y autores dan cuenta de la diversidad de modalidades de este objeto en dominios sociales como el arte, el activismo, el campo y la ciudad. Nuestro objetivo es doble: contextualizar estas contribuciones e identificar algunos de los temas que las atraviesan. Ese ejercicio nos permite introducir un argumento tentativo según el cual el procomún y su investigación adoptan una excepcional configuración en España. De manera sintética: el procomún es traído a la existencia en España como un objeto epistémico, un dominio experimental que se distingue de las formulaciones que convencionalmente lo han pensado como un tipo de bien o un régimen de propiedad. Esta peculiar configuración dota al procomún y a su investigación de una condición distintiva frente a otras geografías que se evidencia en un doble desplazamiento: la emergencia de nuevos objetos que se piensan como procomunes y la ubicación de su investigación en el dominio de la producción cultural y creativa.The urban public space, digital creations or the air, all of them are objects that have been traditionally thought within the dichotomous logic of the public and private property but in the last decade they have started to be considered as common resources. Commons is an old concept that has been recovered with intensity in the last decade; it refers to collective resources and goods that are governed collectively and whose property regime is diferent from the public and private. This article introduces the contributions to a monograph devoted to the topic of ‘Laboratories of commons’. Contributors discuss the diverse modalities of commons in diferent social domains like art, activism, the rural and the urban domain. This introduction contextualizes these contributions and identifes some of the issues that cross the diferent articles. In this exercise we introduce a tentative argument according to which the commons and the commons research take an exceptional confguration in Spain. Very briefy: commons are brought into existence as an epistemic object, an experimental domain quite diferent from the conventional conceptualizations that conceive it as a property regime or a type of good. This peculiar confguration gives a distinctive condition to commons in Spain that are diferent from other geographies; this is evidenced in a double shift: the emergence of new objects that are thought as commons and the location of their research in the domain of cultural and creative production.Depto. de Antropología Social y Psicología SocialFac. de Ciencias Políticas y SociologíaTRUEpu

Light-induced capacitance tunability in ferroelectric crystals

The remote controlling of ferroic properties with light is nowadays a hot and highly appealing topic in materials science. Here, we shed light on some of the unresolved issues surrounding light–matter coupling in ferroelectrics. Our findings show that the capacitance and, consequently, its related intrinsic material property, i.e., the dielectric constant, can be reversibly adjusted through the light power control. High photodielectric performance is exhibited across a wide range of the visible light wavelength because of the wavelength-independence of the phenomenon. We have verified that this counterintuitive behavior can be strongly ascribed to the existence of “locally free charges” at domain wall.Postprint (author's final draft