Reply to `Comment on ``Helmholtz Theorem and the V-Gauge in the Problem of Superluminal and Instantaneous Signals in Classical Electrodynamics" by A. Chubykalo Et Al' by J. A. Heras [FOUND. Phys. Lett. vol. 19(6) p. 579 (2006)]

This is the reply to `COMMENT ON ``HELMHOLTZ THEOREM AND THE V-GAUGE IN THE PROBLEM OF SUPERLUMINAL AND INSTANTANEOUS SIGNALS IN CLASSICAL ELECTRODYNAMICS" BY A. CHUBYKALO ET AL' BY J. A. HERAS [FOUND. PHYS. LETT. vol. 19(6) p. 579 (2006)]Comment: 5 pages, submitted to Foundations of Physic

Determining the activity of Pu-241 by liquid scintillation counting

Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) is one of the most widely used methods for determining the activity of 241Pu. One of the main challenges of this counting method is the efficiency calibration of the system for the low beta energies of 241Pu (Emax = 20.8 keV). In this paper we compare the two most frequently used methods, the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing (CNET) method and the experimental quench correction curve method. Both methods proved to be reliable, and agree within their uncertainties, for the expected quenching conditions of the sources

Development of in vitro systems to study IFN signalling in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Type I interferon (IFN I) triggers specific signalling pathways leading to the activation of the innate immune defence of vertebrates against viral infections. In contrats, type II IFN (IFN II) is generally accepted to be part of the adaptive response. Among IFN I-stimulated genes, those coding the Mx proteins play a main role due to the direct antiviral activity of these proteins. The study of Mx genes in gilthead seabream, one of the most important species in the Mediterranean aquaculture, is especially interesting, as this species displays a high natural resistance to viral diseases, and behaves as asymptomatic carrier and/or reservoir of several viruses, such as viral nervous necrosis virus (VNNV), infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV), which are pathogenic to other fish species. Three Mx genes (Mx1, Mx2, and Mx3) have been identified in S. aurata, showing the three proteins a wide spectrum of antiviral activity. The structure of the three promoters (pMx1, pMx2 and pMx3) has been disclosed, and their response to IFN I, IPNV and VHSV indicated a clear induction of the three promoters, with some differences in the kinetics and magnitude of the response. Several studies evidenced the important role of Mx transcription regulation on virus-host interaction: i) Mx promoters can respond to both IFN I and IFN II, thus Mx might be the link between innate and adaptive immunity; ii) Mx activation is blocked by several viruses, thus Mx transcription is the target of their IFN I antagonistic activity; and iii) A fish cell line modified with the promoter of a fish Mx gene was used to measure viraemia in serum with high sensitivity. Therefore, assessing the regulatory mechanisms controlling the transcription of fish Mx genes could significantly contribute to both, understanding virus-host interactions, and designing strategies to control viral infections. In our case, this approach can also give light to understand the successful antiviral strategies developed by gilthead seabream in nature. Thus, the purpose of the present work was to develop three stable transgenic cell lines expressing the firefly luciferase gene under the control of the gilthead seabream Mx promoters. These in vitro systems were established and their response to poly I:C, and to two viral infections was characterized. In the case of IPNV, a clear antagonistic activity was observed for pMx2, as the activity of the promoter was 78.53% lower, however, this effect was not observed for pMx1 and pMx3. When cells were infected with VHSV, no changes in the promoters’ activity were detected, thus indicating that seabream Mx promoters are not targeted by VHSV antagonistic activity. These results confirm the specificity of the interactions between each virus/promoter combination, and support the use of the three cell lines developed as useful tools to characterize virus-host interactions in this species. Further studies aimed at the identification of the molecular mechanisms behind our observations will allow us to get more insight into this complex system.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Sucesión ecológica de un bosque nativo intervenido en la ecorregión Espinal

La sucesión ecológica es un término holístico integrado por numerosas disciplinas que hace referencia a la evolución natural interna de un ecosistema en el tiempo. Su estudio es complejo porque escapa temporalmente al ser humano. En el proyecto se abordaron diferentes temáticas con un objetivo común: explicar procesos o fenómenos que altere, perturbe o modifique la dirección natural de los ecosistemas boscosos nativos. Se utilizaron diversas metodologías a campo y en gabinete para abordar estos temas. Como resultado, se estableció una revisión sobre el concepto, y se analizó cuáles fueron los cambios en la estructura vegetal y el suelo luego de intervenir mecánicamente un bosque nativo degradado típico de Entre Ríos. Se realizó un método de clasificación basado en el entrenamiento de redes neuronales que determina cuál es el estado sucesional vegetal basado en la presencia y ausencia de especies. Se modelaron los cambios de las precipitaciones de una región encontrándose anomalías climáticas como consecuencia del cambio climático global, siendo motivo a partir de ello, el stock de carbono almacenado en bosques nativos protegidos. La distribución potencial de un mamífero tope de la cadena trófica fue asociada a los bosques estables. El proyecto fue relevante para el estudio de la sucesión ecológica en Entre Ríos, contribuyendo nuevas evidencias sobre cómo se produce, cómo es afectado y de qué manera se restablece luego de un disturbio. ARK/CAICYT: http://id.caicyt.gov.ar/ark:/s22504559/44lkcqt1f  

African mountain thistles: generic delimitation problems analyzed with NGS

Póster presentado en el III Simposio Anual de Botánica Española celebrado en el Institut Botànic de Barcelona, 25-26 de noviembre de 202

Large scale numerical investigation of excited states in poly(phenylene)

A density matrix renormalisation group scheme is developed, allowing for the first time essentially exact numerical solutions for the important excited states of a realistic semi-empirical model for oligo-phenylenes. By monitoring the evolution of the energies with chain length and comparing them to the experimental absorption peaks of oligomers and thin films, we assign the four characteristic absorption peaks of phenyl-based polymers. We also determine the position and nature of the nonlinear optical states in this model.Comment: RevTeX, 10 pages, 4 eps figures included using eps

Differential induction of the gilthead seabream Mx1, Mx2 and Mx3 promoters by IPNV and VHSV

Type I interferon (IFN I) system triggers specific signalling pathways leading to the activation of the innate immune defence of vertebrates against viral infections. The complex expression regulation of Interferon Stimulated Genes (ISGs) is responsible for the control of the IFN I response. Hence, one of the key issues in understanding virus-host interactions relies on the knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms governing ISGs expression. Among ISGs, the Mx proteins play a main role due to their direct antiviral activity. The study of Mx genes in the farmed fish gilthead seabream is especially interesting, since this species displays an unusually high natural resistance to viral diseases, and behaves as an asymptomatic carrier and/or reservoir of several viruses, such as infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV), pathogenic to other fish species. Three independent Mx genes (Mx1, Mx2, and Mx3) have been identified in this species, showing the three proteins a wide spectrum of antiviral activity. The structure of the three promoters (pMx1, pMx2 and pMx3) has been disclosed, and their response to poly I:C characterized in RTG-2 cells, where a clear induction of the three promoters, although with some differences in the kinetics and magnitude of the response, was observed. To further analyse these promoters, the response of pMx1, pMx2 and pMx3 to two viral infections has been evaluated in the present study. For that purpose, RTG-2 cells were transiently transfected with plasmids containing each promoter driving the luciferase gene, and subsequently inoculated with either IPNV or VHSV. Although the three promoters were induced by IPNV and VHSV, several differences were recorded. In general, the response was stronger in cells inoculated with VHSV compared to IPNV-inoculated cells, and the fold induction was higher for pMx2. These results highlight the specific regulation that controls the activity of each promoter, and support the idea that a complex interaction between host cells, specific Mx promoters, and viruses, is the responsible of the final outcome of a viral infection, in terms of Mx induction. The authors want to thank Dr. C. P. Dopazo (University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain) for supplying the VHSV isolate used in this work.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

A core outcome set for studies of gestational diabetes mellitus prevention and treatment

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this systematic review was to develop core outcome sets (COSs) for trials evaluating interventions for the prevention or treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: We identified previously reported outcomes through a systematic review of the literature. These outcomes were presented to key stakeholders (including patient representatives, researchers and clinicians) for prioritisation using a three-round, e-Delphi study. A priori consensus criteria informed which outcomes were brought forward for discussion at a face-to-face consensus meeting where the COS was finalised. RESULTS: Our review identified 74 GDM prevention and 116 GDM treatment outcomes, which were presented to stakeholders in round 1 of the e-Delphi study. Round 1 was completed by 173 stakeholders, 70% (121/173) of whom went on to complete round 2; 84% (102/121) of round 2 responders completed round 3. Twenty-two GDM prevention outcomes and 30 GDM treatment outcomes were discussed at the consensus meeting. Owing to significant overlap between included prevention and treatment outcomes, consensus meeting stakeholders agreed to develop a single prevention/treatment COS. Fourteen outcomes were included in the final COS. These consisted of six maternal outcomes (GDM diagnosis, adherence to the intervention, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, requirement and type of pharmacological therapy for hyperglycaemia, gestational weight gain and mode of birth) and eight neonatal outcomes (birthweight, large for gestational age, small for gestational age, gestational age at birth, preterm birth, neonatal hypoglycaemia, neonatal death and stillbirth). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: This COS will enable future GDM prevention and treatment trials to measure similar outcomes that matter to stakeholders and facilitate comparison and combination of these studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered prospectively with the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) database: http://www.comet-initiative.org/studies/details/686/

Examining the validity of the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire (AEQ) within a Portuguese sport setting

Sport psychology literature suggests that understanding engagement levels is pivotal to promote positive sporting experiences among athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire among Portuguese sport athletes. Two distinct samples of Portuguese athletes from different competitive levels were collected, and the results of a confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a good fit of the model to the data. A review of the psychometric properties indicated that all factors showed good composite reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. In addition, a multi-groups analysis showed the invariance of the model in two independent samples providing evidence of cross validity. Implications of these results for scholars and coaches are discussed and guidelines for future studies are suggested

The Spanish Infrared Camera onboard the EUSO-BALLOON (CNES) flight on August 24, 2014

The EUSO-Balloon (CNES) campaign was held during Summer 2014 with a launch on August 24. In the gondola, next to the Photo Detector Module (PDM), a completely isolated Infrared camera was allocated. Also, a helicopter which shooted flashers flew below the balloon. We have retrieved the Cloud Top Height (CTH) with the IR camera, and also the optical depth of the nonclear atmosphere have been inferred with two approaches: The first one is with the comparison of the brightness temperature of the cloud and the real temperature obtained after the pertinent corrections. The second one is by measuring the detected signal from the helicopter flashers by the IR Camera, considering the energy of the flashers and the location of the helicopter