Surveillance studies of Lymphocystis disease virus in farmed gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) by real-time PCR

Lymphocystis disease (LCD) is the main viral infection reported to affect cultured gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) in Southern Atlantic and Mediterranean aquaculture. Its etiological agent is the Lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV), a member of the family Iridoviridae (genus Lymphocystivirus). The only adequate measures for LCD prevention in the aquaculture systems are general prophylactic practices, such as the control of fish to be introduced in the farm facilities in order to detect carrier fish. These animals may pose a risk for the introduction of LCDV in fish farms, as direct contact between fish specimens is considered the main route of LCDV spreading. More recently, asymptomatic carrier breeders, as well as virus contaminated-live food, have been involved in LCDV transmission to fish larvae. The detection of subclinical viral infections in carrier fish requires the use of sensitive diagnostic methods. In this context, the objective of this study was to establish the applicability of a real-time PCR assay for LCDV diagnosis in surveillance studies. In addition, the assay has been evaluated with samples from a gilthead seabream hatchery, in order to prove its utility to trace the origin of LCDV in fish farms. Juvenile fish were collected at four farms with different background regarding to LCD. LCDV was detected in all farms, and 30 to 100% of fish were identified as LCDV-infected. Estimated viral load in caudal fin of asymptomatic fish was two to five orders of magnitude lower than in diseased fish. Carrier fish were also identified in the broodstock from a farm with LCD records by analysing caudal fin samples by qPCR. In this farm, the q-PCR assay developed in this study allowed the quantitative detection of LCDV in all samples collected in the hatchery, including fertilized eggs, larvae and fingerlings, and also rotifer cultures and artemia metanauplii and cysts used for larval rearing.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Revisiting the genus Photobacterium: taxonomy, ecology and pathogenesis

The genus Photobacterium, one of the eight genera included in the family Vibrionaceae, contains 27 species with valid names and it has received attention because of the bioluminescence and pathogenesis mechanisms that some of its species exhibit. However, the taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus are not completely elucidated; for example, P. logei and P. fischeri are now considered members of the genus Aliivibrio, and previously were included in the genus Vibrio. In addition, P. damselae subsp. piscicida was formed as a new combination for former Vibrio damsela and Pasteurella piscicida. Moreover, P. damselae subsp. damselae is an earlier heterotypic synonym of P. histaminum. To avoid these incovenences draft and complete genomic sequences of members of Photobacterium are increasingly becoming available and their use is now routine for many research laboratories to address diverse goals: species delineation with overall genomic indexes, phylogenetic analyses, comparative genomics, and phenotypic inference. The habitats and isolation source of the Photobacterium species include seawater, sea sediments, saline lake waters, and a variety of marine organisms with which the photobacteria establish different relationships, from symbiosis to pathogenic interactions. Several species of this genus contain bioluminescent strains in symbiosis with marine fish and cephalopods; in addition, other species enhance its growth at pressures above 1 atmosphere, by means of several high-pressure adaptation mechanisms and for this, they may be considered as piezophilic (former barophilic) bacteria. Until now, only P. jeanii, P. rosenbergii, P. sanctipauli, and the two subspecies of P. damselae have been reported as responsible agents of several pathologies on animal hosts, such as corals, sponges, fish and homeothermic animals. In this review we have revised and updated the taxonomy, ecology and pathogenicity of several members of this genus. [Int Microbiol 20(1): 1-10 (2017)]Keywords: Photobacterium · taxonomy · symbiosis · pathogenesis · virulence factor

Géneros de foraminíferos bentónicos en zonas mesofóticas superior y media del Parque Nacional Natural Corales de Profundidad y su potencial como bioindicadores de hábitats y cambios ambientales

The mesophotic coral reefs are part of the conservation object of the Corales de Profundidad Natural National Park (PNNCPR). A fundamental step for managing a protected area is the characterization of its specific richness, and benthic foraminifera is one of the essential taxonomic groups in reef environments. To our knowledge there are not  published research about this topic in the PNNCPR, so it was necessary to study the genera of benthic foraminifera of the upper and middle mesophotic zones and explore a possible relationship of its composition in relation to its geographic and bathymetric ranges, as well as environmental changes. The results allowed us to conclude that a subsample of 50 individuals with shells in good condition taken from ten samples of 50 g was enough to estimate the composition of genera present in the study zone. The found genera richness was 53, from which Amphistegina, Quinqueloculina, and Triloculina were the most frequent. There were not significant differences found between the composition of benthic foraminifera genera between the upper (34 - 60 m) and middle (61 - 90 m) depth margin. The assemblage of benthic foraminifera in the Bajo Calamarí sector differs significantly from that found in the Bajo Frijol locality. The analysis of the similarity of samples using classification and ordination allowed us the identification of three groups in relation with the sampling site, time of year, and year of collection. The group of heterotrophs foraminifera (Quinqueloculina, Triloculina, Cibicides, Discorbis, Rosalina, Poroeponides, Textularia) was the most frequent, followed by symbiont (Amphistegina) and opportunistic foraminifera (Elphidium). The results obtained allow us to suggest that mesophotic benthic foraminifera have the potential to be bioindicators for the PNNCPR monitoring program.L Los arrecifes coralinos mesofóticos hacen parte del objeto de conservación del Parque Nacional Natural Corales de Profundidad (PNNCPR). Un paso fundamental para el manejo de un área protegida es la caracterización de su riqueza específica, y uno de los grupos taxonómicos importantes en ambientes arrecifales son los foraminíferos bentónicos. Debido a que no existen investigaciones de este tipo para el PNNCPR, se consideró estudiar los géneros de foraminíferos bentónicos de las zonas mesofótica superior y media, y explorar una posible relación de dicha composición con sus ámbitos geográficos y batimétricos, así como con cambios ambientales. Los resultados permitieron concluir que una submuestra de 50 individuos con conchillas en buen estado, tomadas de diez muestras de 10 g, fue suficiente para estimar la composición de géneros presentes en la zona. La riqueza de géneros encontrada fue de 53, siendo Amphistegina, Quinqueloculina y Triloculina los que presentaron mayor frecuencia de aparición. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre el conjunto de géneros de foraminíferos bentónicos de los estratos de profundidad superior (34-60 m) y medio (61-90 m). El conjunto de foraminíferos bentónicos del sector Bajo Calamarí difiere significativamente del encontrado en la localidad de Bajo Frijol. El análisis conjunto de la similaridad de muestras mediante clasificación y ordenación permitió identificar tres grupos congruentes con el sitio de muestreo, la época del año y el año de recolecta. El grupo de foraminíferos heterótrofos (Quinqueloculina, Triloculina, Cibicides, Discorbis, Rosalina, Poroeponides y, Textularia) fue el más frecuente, seguido por el de los foraminíferos simbiontes (Amphistegina) y oportunistas (Elphidium). Los resultados obtenidos permiten sugerir que los foraminíferos bentónicos mesofóticos tienen potencial de ser bioindicadores para el programa de monitoreo del PNNCPR

Apuntes para las clases virtuales que demanda la formación online de ingenieros y licenciados en plataformas Moodle

Con el aumento constante de la virtualidad ha continuado evolucionando el empleo de las plataformas digitales con la preocupación de una formación sólida de los ingenieros y licenciados. El estudio acerca del empleo de las Plataformas Moodle evidencia la necesidad de establecer un adecuado balance entre las actividades y los recursos, con atención al aporte de cada una. En particular se requiere del Taller o Fórum y de Archivos Multimedia para actividades demostrativas e indicar la realización de ejercicios prácticos de simulación que guíen el desarrollo de las competencias afines al perfil de formación del ingeniero o del licenciado.With the constant increase in virtuality, the use of digital platforms has continued to evolve with the concern of a solid training of engineers and graduates. The study on the use of Moodle Platforms shows the need to establish an adequate balance between activities and resources, paying attention to the contribution of each one. In particular, the Workshop or Forum and Multimedia Files are required for demonstration activities and indicate the realization of practical simulation exercises that guide the development of skills related to the training profile of the engineer or graduate

The influence of ionic composition on the electrodissolution and passivation of iron electrodes in potassium carbonate-bicarbonate solutions in the 8.4–10.5 pH range at 25°C

The influence of ionic composition on the electrodissolution and passivation of iron electrodes in potassium carbonate/bicarbonate buffers is studied over the concentration range of anions compatible with the regulating capacity of the buffer, at 25°C, by using voltammetric and rotating disc electrode techniques. Data are discussed on the basis that the interaction between Fe2+ and HCO3− ions plays an important role at the outer part of the passivating layer where the local pH resulting from the thickening of the passivating layer is determined by the coupling of different ionic equilibria.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y AplicadasFacultad de Ciencias Exacta

The influence of ionic composition on the electrodissolution and passivation of iron electrodes in potassium carbonate-bicarbonate solutions in the 8.4–10.5 pH range at 25°C

The influence of ionic composition on the electrodissolution and passivation of iron electrodes in potassium carbonate/bicarbonate buffers is studied over the concentration range of anions compatible with the regulating capacity of the buffer, at 25°C, by using voltammetric and rotating disc electrode techniques. Data are discussed on the basis that the interaction between Fe2+ and HCO3− ions plays an important role at the outer part of the passivating layer where the local pH resulting from the thickening of the passivating layer is determined by the coupling of different ionic equilibria.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y AplicadasFacultad de Ciencias Exacta

4WindGame: un juego de armado de piezas asistido con una impresora 3D

El presente trabajo detalla los avances del proyecto 4WindGame, un juego lúdico de diseño propio creado mediante el empleo de la tecnología de impresión en 3D y software de diseño libre, con el fin de ser empleado en ambientes académicos. Este permite mediante piezas geométricas aprender conceptos de matemática y geometría. Se presenta un análisis sobre el impacto de los juegos en ambientes académicos primario. Luego se describen aspectos tecnológicos y metodológicos utilizados, con referencias de diseño y recursos de implementación. Por último, se describe una comparativa del juego creado junto con los resultados y las conclusiones finales.XIII Workshop Tecnología Informática Aplicada en Educación (WTIAE).Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Design of a Trans-Horizon radio link for ultra high and super high frequencies

Cost considerations and availability of frequencies condition the feasibility of links at distances in which there is no line of sight between antennas. These trans-horizon links require precise design procedures to determine whether the intensity of the signal and its noise ratio allow reception with reasonable quality. The present work describes a procedure for radio electric link calculation to transmit voice and data signals through bandwidth at ultra high and super high frequencies.Presentado en el V Workshop Arquitectura, Redes y Sistemas Operativos (WARSO)Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

4WindGame: un juego de armado de piezas asistido con una impresora 3D

El presente trabajo detalla los avances del proyecto 4WindGame, un juego lúdico de diseño propio creado mediante el empleo de la tecnología de impresión en 3D y software de diseño libre, con el fin de ser empleado en ambientes académicos. Este permite mediante piezas geométricas aprender conceptos de matemática y geometría. Se presenta un análisis sobre el impacto de los juegos en ambientes académicos primario. Luego se describen aspectos tecnológicos y metodológicos utilizados, con referencias de diseño y recursos de implementación. Por último, se describe una comparativa del juego creado junto con los resultados y las conclusiones finales.XIII Workshop Tecnología Informática Aplicada en Educación (WTIAE).Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI