Do animal-plant interactions influence the spatial distribution of Aristotelia chilensis shrubs in temperate forests of southern South America?

Seed dispersal constrains the environmental heterogeneity to which a plant species is exposed through its life. Behavior of seed dispersers and seed predators could be influenced by food availability and vegetation cover. Consequently, recruitment probabilities are heterogeneous in space and time, and “regeneration windows” may appear. Aristotelia chilensis is the most abundant fleshy-fruited shrub in the temperate forest of southern South America (TFSA). TFSA exhibits an environmental patchiness that could influence fruit abundance and animal behavior. Our objective was to determine the regeneration windows of A. chilensis, and to detect how forest structure and animal behavior could affect the spatial distribution of this species. We characterized forest structure in two plots that included mature forest, young forest, and open areas. We assessed the spatio-temporal distribution of A. chilensis fruits and studied fruit removal by animals. Also, we experimentally evaluated germination and post-dispersal seed predation. We developed a conceptual model to relate A. chilensis recruitment with forest successional stages. The fruiting individuals of this shrub were mostly located in fire-opened areas or forest gaps, and the seed rain generated by the migratory bird Elaenia albiceps was denser in these areas. In contrast, seed predation by rodents was higher in closed, young forest areas. A. chilensis recruitment follows a nucleation dynamic around fruiting females. Concerning forest succession, A. chilensis recruitment was higher near re-sprouting females in open areas, and lowest in young forests, where fruiting process was hindered by light constraints. When forests mature, new nucleation processes start around females surviving in gaps. We conclude that areas opened by disturbances provide a regeneration window for A. chilensis shrubs.Fil: Bravo, Susana Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónicas; ArgentinaFil: Cueto, Victor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónicas; ArgentinaFil: Amico, Guillermo Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentin

Depression and Oral FTC/TDF Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men (MSM/TGW).

We conducted a longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of depressive symptomology in iPrEx, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of daily, oral FTC/TDF HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in men and transgender women who have sex with men. Depression-related adverse events (AEs) were the most frequently reported severe or life-threatening AEs and were not associated with being randomized to the FTC/TDF arm (152 vs. 144 respectively OR 0.66 95 % CI 0.35-1.25). Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) and a four questions suicidal ideation scale scores did not differ by arm. Participants reporting forced sex at anal sexual debut had higher CES-D scores (coeff: 3.23; 95 % CI 1.24-5.23) and were more likely to have suicidal ideation (OR 2.2; 95 % CI 1.09-4.26). CES-D scores were higher among people reporting non-condom receptive anal intercourse (ncRAI) (OR 1.46; 95 % CI 1.09-1.94). We recommend continuing PrEP during periods of depression in conjunction with provision of mental health services

BIM for sustainable management in existing hospitals

The main objective of this communication is to determine the characteristics and requirements of the BIM model, in particular in relation to the BPS energy analysis, to be used as a project tool that supports sustainable management in existing hospital establishments. With this objective, BIM architectural models and environmental simulations of representative buildings in Chile and Spain were carried out to review and propose attributes of sustainable models that allow a better adaptation to growth and flexibility from the early stages of design and restructuring. This study associates low energy consumption strategies for hospital establishments. The study is aimed at the integral management of both the operation of the building and all the services involved in its use and explotation. This will allow to discuss the paradigm changes regarding the training of the architect and the specialists involved in the design, construction and operation of more sustainable projects.Metodología para la valoración de los requisitos de confort, condiciones ambientales y funcionalidad espacial de los hospitales y su entorno. Adecuación de propuestas a nuevos conceptos hospitalarios. Ref.: BIA2016-78893-C3-1-R (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad

Pharmacokinetics of oxycodone/naloxone and its metabolites in patients with end-stage renal disease during and between haemodialysis sessions

The pharmacokinetics of oxycodone in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring haemodialysis are largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of oxycodone/naloxone prolonged release and their metabolites in patients with ESRD during and between haemodialysis sessions.; Single doses of oxycodone/naloxone (5/2.5 or 10/5 mg) were administered in nine patients with ESRD using a cross-over design on the day of dialysis and on a day between dialysis sessions. Plasma, dialysate and urine concentrations of oxycodone, naloxone and their metabolites were determined up to 48 h post-dosing using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system.; Haemodialysis performed 6-10 h after dosing removed ∼10% of the administered dose of oxycodone predominantly as unconjugated oxycodone and noroxycodone or conjugated oxymorphone and noroxymorphone. The haemodialysis clearance of oxycodone based on its recovery in dialysate was (mean ± SD) 8.4 ± 2.1 L/h. The geometric mean (coefficient of variation) plasma elimination half-life of oxycodone during the 4-h haemodialysis period was 3.9 h (39%) which was significantly shorter than the 5.7 h (22%) without haemodialysis. Plasma levels of the active metabolite oxymorphone in its unconjugated form were very low.; Oxycodone is removed during haemodialysis. The pharmacokinetics including the relatively short half-life of oxycodone in patients with ESRD with or without haemodialysis and the absence of unconjugated active metabolites indicate that oxycodone can be used at usual doses in patients requiring dialysis

Joint Observation of the Galactic Center with MAGIC and CTA-LST-1

MAGIC is a system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs), designed to detect very-high-energy gamma rays, and is operating in stereoscopic mode since 2009 at the Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos in La Palma, Spain. In 2018, the prototype IACT of the Large-Sized Telescope (LST-1) for the Cherenkov Telescope Array, a next-generation ground-based gamma-ray observatory, was inaugurated at the same site, at a distance of approximately 100 meters from the MAGIC telescopes. Using joint observations between MAGIC and LST-1, we developed a dedicated analysis pipeline and established the threefold telescope system via software, achieving the highest sensitivity in the northern hemisphere. Based on this enhanced performance, MAGIC and LST-1 have been jointly and regularly observing the Galactic Center, a region of paramount importance and complexity for IACTs. In particular, the gamma-ray emission from the dynamical center of the Milky Way is under debate. Although previous measurements suggested that a supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* plays a primary role, its radiation mechanism remains unclear, mainly due to limited angular resolution and sensitivity. The enhanced sensitivity in our novel approach is thus expected to provide new insights into the question. We here present the current status of the data analysis for the Galactic Center joint MAGIC and LST-1 observations

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Identification of genetic variants associated with Huntington's disease progression: a genome-wide association study

Background Huntington's disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, HTT. Age at onset has been used as a quantitative phenotype in genetic analysis looking for Huntington's disease modifiers, but is hard to define and not always available. Therefore, we aimed to generate a novel measure of disease progression and to identify genetic markers associated with this progression measure. Methods We generated a progression score on the basis of principal component analysis of prospectively acquired longitudinal changes in motor, cognitive, and imaging measures in the 218 indivduals in the TRACK-HD cohort of Huntington's disease gene mutation carriers (data collected 2008–11). We generated a parallel progression score using data from 1773 previously genotyped participants from the European Huntington's Disease Network REGISTRY study of Huntington's disease mutation carriers (data collected 2003–13). We did a genome-wide association analyses in terms of progression for 216 TRACK-HD participants and 1773 REGISTRY participants, then a meta-analysis of these results was undertaken. Findings Longitudinal motor, cognitive, and imaging scores were correlated with each other in TRACK-HD participants, justifying use of a single, cross-domain measure of disease progression in both studies. The TRACK-HD and REGISTRY progression measures were correlated with each other (r=0·674), and with age at onset (TRACK-HD, r=0·315; REGISTRY, r=0·234). The meta-analysis of progression in TRACK-HD and REGISTRY gave a genome-wide significant signal (p=1·12 × 10−10) on chromosome 5 spanning three genes: MSH3, DHFR, and MTRNR2L2. The genes in this locus were associated with progression in TRACK-HD (MSH3 p=2·94 × 10−8 DHFR p=8·37 × 10−7 MTRNR2L2 p=2·15 × 10−9) and to a lesser extent in REGISTRY (MSH3 p=9·36 × 10−4 DHFR p=8·45 × 10−4 MTRNR2L2 p=1·20 × 10−3). The lead single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TRACK-HD (rs557874766) was genome-wide significant in the meta-analysis (p=1·58 × 10−8), and encodes an aminoacid change (Pro67Ala) in MSH3. In TRACK-HD, each copy of the minor allele at this SNP was associated with a 0·4 units per year (95% CI 0·16–0·66) reduction in the rate of change of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Motor Score, and a reduction of 0·12 units per year (95% CI 0·06–0·18) in the rate of change of UHDRS Total Functional Capacity score. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age of onset. Interpretation The multidomain progression measure in TRACK-HD was associated with a functional variant that was genome-wide significant in our meta-analysis. The association in only 216 participants implies that the progression measure is a sensitive reflection of disease burden, that the effect size at this locus is large, or both. Knockout of Msh3 reduces somatic expansion in Huntington's disease mouse models, suggesting this mechanism as an area for future therapeutic investigation

Demography of the Neotropical austral migrant Elaenia albiceps chilensis (Tyrannidae) on its breeding grounds: climate and food offer effects

The White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps chilensis) is a Neotropical austral migrant that breeds in Patagonian forests and overwinter in South America tropics. We investigated White-crested Elaenia demography and the environmental conditions the specie is subjected at the northwest of Patagonia as a first attempt to elucidate its population dynamic. We studied the species abundance, individuals' body condition, survival, productivity of young and site fidelity according to changes in rainfall patterns and food supply, during three breeding seasons (2009 to 2012). We color banded 361 adult and juvenile White-crested Elaenias. During the first studied season, precipitations were remarkably above the mean and ripe fruit supply was lower than in the other seasons, whereas the abundance of arthropods remained similar along the study. The species abundance decreased 50% across the study, while adult apparent survival rate, the number of breeding females, young productivity and site fidelity were 50% lower in the first season in comparison to the following seasons. Females presented lower body condition at arrival in the first two studied periods. Site fidelity diminished after unfavorable breeding season (i.e. low young productivity and fruit supply), especially for males, although they were more faithful than females and had a slightly higher apparent survival rate. Our results suggest that White-crested Elaenia demography is affected by changes in its main food resource supply (fleshy fruits) during the breeding season, indicating that this part of the annual cycle could be fundamental for its population dynamic.Fil: Presti, Paula Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Amico, Guillermo Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Bravo, Susana Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Cueto, Víctor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentin

Accesos a GBA a largo plazo : Alternativas de abastecimiento 2033

Se presenta la metodología empleada y los principales resultados obtenidos en estudios realizados con el fin de encontrar y analizar alternativas de crecimiento de los accesos a un área de la red eléctrica de Argentina, denominada GBA (Gran Buenos Aires), con un horizonte de largo plazo (20 años). Se considera una duplicación de la carga del área en ese período. En primer lugar se estia la necesidad mínima de líneas/cables de 500 kV y 200 kV, transformadores 500/220 kV, y equipos de compensación de reactivo, para abastecer la demanda del conjunto de las zonas de GBA, en el estado final (2033). Luego se analizan alternativas de corriente alterna (CA) y continua (CC), para reducir las potencias de cortocircuito. Finalmente se arriba a alternativas de solución de corriente alterna y de corriente continua, que además de cumplir con las condiciones operativas y de cortocircuito, permiten la operación en condiciones N-1 tanto de las líneas de 500 kV que llegan al área GBA, como de los transformadores de 500/200 kV de cada zona.Instituto de Investigaciones Tecnológicas para Redes y Equipos Eléctricos (IITREE

Comparison of two progressive damage models for predicting low-velocity impact behavior of woven composites

This research focuses on comparing the two progressive damage models available in the explicit nonlinear finite element software LS-Dyna. To explore the prediction capabilities in terms of mechanical response and dominating failure modes in S2 glass woven composites, low velocity impact response at four different energies ranging from 27.9 J to 109.7 J were considered in this study. A macro-homogeneous solid element formulated finite element model was simulated to understand the response and failure mechanics in the laminate under low-velocity impact. The material modeling was carried out utilizing the MAT 55 and MAT 162 material models. An effort has been made for robust calibration of the various physical and non-physical parameters in both material cards for accurate predictions. The prediction capabilities of the models were then examined by comparing them against the experimental results, which fall within the deviation of 11%. The results show that MAT 162 yields a better resemblance with the damage morphology patterns and the delamination for the accounted impact zone, due to inclusion of strain-rate effect. Overall, this paper provides insight into the limitations and advantages of both material models, which establishes the route for the selection of the appropriate material model for simulating impact behavior in woven composites