Spilled ink blots the mind: A reply to Merrit et al. (2018) on subjectivity and bone surface modifications

Categorical variables identifying microscopic features of cut marks produce high accuracy in discrimination of bone surface modifications, but are vulnerable to variable degrees of inter-analyst subjectivity. Metric analyses of cut mark width and depth are presented by Merritt et al. (2018) as a more objective method of identifying cut marks. However, this uni(bi)variate method has shown very high rates of mark classification error when structurally similar marks are compared. Furthermore, within-sample comparison carried out via subsampling shows that different datasets of metric values, obtained with the same type of tool and raw material, are subject to such a high degree of variability that significant differences of homogeneous subsamples are repeatedly obtained, thus preventing any useful analogs to be made. Additionally, this much higher stochastic variability depends on limited knowledge of the contextual processes that intervene in cut mark metric properties, as well as on a mismatch between theoretical premises on the immanent-configurational process-trace dynamics and their confusion during experimental praxis. The selection of specific contextual variables and disregard of others, in addition to the combination of different tool types and raw materials, distorts the resulting cut mark properties. This indicates that even when attempting to use exclusively metric numeric variables, subjectivity is a conditioning factor in analyzing and interpreting cut marks

The universal variability of the stellar initial mass function probed by the TIMER survey

The debate about the universality of the stellar initial mass function (IMF) revolves around two competing lines of evidence. While measurements in the Milky Way, an archetypal spiral galaxy, seem to support an invariant IMF, the observed properties of massive early-type galaxies (ETGs) favor an IMF somehow sensitive to the local star-formation conditions. However, the fundamental methodological and physical differences between the two approaches have hampered a comprehensive understanding of IMF variations. Here, we describe an improved modeling scheme that, for the first time, allows consistent IMF measurements across stellar populations with different ages and complex star-formation histories (SFHs). Making use of the exquisite MUSE optical data from the TIMER survey and powered by the MILES stellar population models, we show the age, metallicity, [Mg/Fe], and IMF slope maps of the inner regions of NGC 3351, a spiral galaxy with a mass similar to that of the Milky Way. The measured IMF values in NGC 3351 follow the expectations from a Milky Way-like IMF, although they simultaneously show systematic and spatially coherent variations, particularly for low-mass stars. In addition, our stellar population analysis reveals the presence of metal-poor and Mg-enhanced star-forming regions that appear to be predominantly enriched by the stellar ejecta of core-collapse supernovae. Our findings therefore showcase the potential of detailed studies of young stellar populations to provide the means to better understand the early stages of galaxy evolution and, in particular, the origin of the observed IMF variations beyond and within the Milky Way

Long-term hydrological changes in northern Iberia (4.9–0.9 ky BP) from speleothem Mg/Ca ratios and cave monitoring (Ojo Guareña Karst Complex, Spain)

An absolute-dated stalagmite from Kaite Cave (Ojo Guareña Karst Complex, N Spain) provides a nearly continuous, high-resolution record of a proxy of regional precipitation patterns through the 4.9–0.9 ka BP interval. This record is based on the Mg/Ca ratio of the calcite and its variation through the stalagmite stratigraphy, which is interpreted to be primarily driven by changes in precipitation amount. The calibration of the proxy is supported by the present-day monitoring carried out in the cave for the last 10 years, which reveals a robust inverse relationship between the inter-annual/inter-decadal variability of rainfall and the Mg concentration of dripwaters and precipitating speleothems. The record of paleoprecipitation, based on 2400 Mg/Ca measurements, shows strong variability at inter-annual to inter-decadal scales, and more subtle but significant changes at secular to millennial scales. This long-term paleohydrological evolution outlines five successive intervals with consistent trends, which are bounded by abrupt shifts in the regional precipitation. These shifts took place at 4.65, 4.2, 2.6, and 1.3 ka BP. Significantly, the intervals of maximum precipitation of the whole record (around 4.9–4.65, 2.6–2.45, and 1.3–1.1 ka BP) can be related with episodes of minimum solar activity and correlated with cold climatic events elsewhere.Contribution to research projects 28 CGL2010-21499-BTE and CGL2013-43257-R of the Spanish R+D National Program 29 (MINECO) and research groups ‘‘Paleoclimatology and Global Change’’ and ‘‘Laser Induced 30 Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)’’ from the UCM (Spain).Peer reviewe

Oportunidades para la innovación y el conocimiento del futuro laboral: Grado de Terapia Ocupacional

Memoria ID-0163. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2017-2018

Transcriptional epigenetic regulation of Fkbp1/Pax9 genes is associated with impaired sensitivity to platinum treatment in ovarian cancer

Background: In an effort to contribute to overcoming the platinum resistance exhibited by most solid tumors, we performed an array of epigenetic approaches, integrating next-generation methodologies and public clinical data to identify new potential epi-biomarkers in ovarian cancer, which is considered the most devastating of gynecological malignancies. Methods: We cross-analyzed data from methylome assessments and restoration of gene expression through microarray expression in a panel of four paired cisplatin-sensitive/cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines, along with publicly available clinical data from selected individuals representing the state of chemoresistance. We validated the methylation state and expression levels of candidate genes in each cellular phenotype through Sanger sequencing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. We tested the biological role of selected targets using an ectopic expression plasmid assay in the sensitive/resistant tumor cell lines, assessing the cell viability in the transfected groups. Epigenetic features were also assessed in 189 primary samples obtained from ovarian tumors and controls. Results: We identified PAX9 and FKBP1B as potential candidate genes, which exhibited epigenetic patterns of expression regulation in the experimental approach. Re-establishment of FKBP1B expression in the resistant OVCAR3 phenotype in which this gene is hypermethylated and inhibited allowed it to achieve a degree of platinum sensitivity similar to the sensitive phenotype. The evaluation of these genes at a translational level revealed that PAX9 hypermethylation leads to a poorer prognosis in terms of overall survival. We also set a precedent for establishing a common epigenetic signature in which the validation of a single candidate, MEST, proved the accuracy of our computational pipelines. Conclusions: Epigenetic regulation of PAX9 and FKBP1B genes shows that methylation in non-promoter areas has the potential to control gene expression and thus biological consequences, such as the loss of platinum sensitivity. At the translational level, PAX9 behaves as a predictor of chemotherapy response to platinum in patients with ovarian cancer. This study revealed the importance of the transcript-specific study of each gene under potential epigenetic regulation, which would favor the identification of new markers capable of predicting each patient’s progression and therapeutic response.The study was financially supported by FIS (ISCIII) and ERDF/FSE funds (PI15/00186, PI18/0050, and ERDF/FSE, A way to make Europe). The authors gratefully acknowledge the Colombian Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation (MINCIENCIAS), Code 568-2012, for providing J.S. with partial funding for this study

La formación virtual de usuarios en la Biblioteca de la Universidad de Málaga

La Biblioteca de la Universidad de Málaga (BUMA), dentro del marco del Plan FORUS (Plan de Formación de Usuarios), realiza la formación de sus usuarios de manera virtual como una de sus acciones estratégicas. Para ello, gracias a la colaboración con la Dirección de Enseñanza Virtual y Laboratorios (DEVL), dispone de un espacio en el Campus Virtual de la propia Universidad. En esta comunicación se describen las once sesiones ofertadas durante 2006, dentro de esta iniciativa de trabajo de la BUMA, la plataforma Moodle, estructura y metodología de los cursos, resultados, asistencia, satisfacción de usuarios y planes de futuro de la formación virtual. El resultado ha sido positivo, ya que ha habido una gran aceptación y un elevado número de inscripciones, especialmente en el sector de docentes e investigadores. Esto hace que, de cara al futuro, se plantee como modalidad preferente de alfabetización informacional. Palabras clave: Alfabetización de usuarios, enseñanza virtual, bibliotecas universitarias, Moodle. ABSTRACT The Library of the University of Malaga (BUMA), carries out user education in a virtual way, within the Plan FORUS (User Education Plan), as one of its strategic actions. In order to achive this, it has its own space in the Virtual Campus of the University, thanks to the collaboration with the Direction of E-learning and Laboratories (DEVL). In this paper, the eleven virtual sessions offered during 2006, within this initiative, the Moodle platform, structure and methodology of the courses, results, attendance, user satisfaction and plans of future of the virtual user instruction are described. The result has been positive, regarding the great acceptance and the high number of registrations , especially lecturers and researchers. This causes that, it will be considered like main modality in information literacy KEYWORDS: Information Literacy ; E-learning ; Academic Libraries ; Moodl

Impacts of Bar-driven Shear and Shocks on Star Formation

Bars drive gas inflow. As the gas flows inward, shocks and shear occur along the bar dust lanes. Such shocks and shear can affect the star formation (SF) and change the gas properties. For four barred galaxies, we present Hα velocity gradient maps that highlight bar-driven shocks and shear using data from the PHANGS-MUSE and PHANGS-ALMA surveys, which allow us to study bar kinematics in unprecedented detail. Velocity gradients are enhanced along the bar dust lanes, where shocks and shear are shown to occur in numerical simulations. Velocity gradient maps also efficiently pick up H ii regions that are expanding or moving relative to the surroundings. We put pseudo-slits on the regions where velocity gradients are enhanced and find that Hα and CO velocities jump up to ∼170 km s−1, even after removing the effects of circular motions due to the galaxy rotation. Enhanced velocity gradients either coincide with the peak of CO intensity along the bar dust lanes or are slightly offset from CO intensity peaks, depending on the objects. Using the Baldwin–Philips–Terlevich BPT diagnostic, we identify the source of ionization on each spaxel and find that SF is inhibited in the high-velocity gradient regions of the bar, and the majority of those regions are classified as a low-ionization nuclear emission-line region (LINER) or composite. This implies that SF is inhibited where bar-driven shear and shocks are strong. Our results are consistent with the results from the numerical simulations that show SF is inhibited in the bar where the shear force is strong

Clocking the assembly of double-barred galaxies with the MUSE TIMER project

The formation of two stellar bars within a galaxy has proved challenging for numerical studies. It is not yet clear whether the inner bar is born via a star formation process promoted by gas inflow along the outer bar or whether it is dynamically assembled from instabilities in a small-scale stellar disc. Observational constraints to these scenarios are scarce. We present a thorough study of the stellar content of two double-barred galaxies observed by the MUSE TIMER project, NGC 1291 and NGC 5850, combined with a two-dimensional multicomponent photometric decomposition performed on the 3.6 μμm images from S^4G. Our analysis confirms the presence of σ-hollows appearing in the stellar velocity dispersion distribution at the ends of the inner bars. Both galaxies host inner discs matching in size with the inner bars, suggestive of a dynamical formation for the inner bars from small-scale discs. The analysis of the star formation histories for the structural components shaping the galaxies provides constraints on the epoch of dynamical assembly of the inner bars, which took place >6.5 Gyr ago for NGC 1291 and >4.5 Gyr ago for NGC 5850. This implies that inner bars are long-lived structures