Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Common Chaffinch (Aves: Fringilla coelebs): A Valuable Resource for Evolutionary Biology

The common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, is one of the most common, widespread, and well-studied passerines in Europe, with a broad distribution encompassing Western Europe and parts of Asia, North Africa, and the Macaronesian archipelagos. We present a high-quality genome assembly of the common chaffinch generated using Illumina shotgun sequencing in combination with Chicago and Hi-C libraries. The final genome is a 994.87-Mb chromosome-level assembly, with 98% of the sequence data located in chromosome scaffolds and a N50 statistic of 69.73 Mb. Our genome assembly shows high completeness, with a complete BUSCO score of 93.9% using the avian data set. Around 7.8% of the genome contains interspersed repetitive elements. The structural annotation yielded 17,703 genes, 86.5% of which have a functional annotation, including 7,827 complete universal single-copy orthologs out of 8,338 genes represented in the BUSCO avian data set. This new annotated genome assembly will be a valuable resource as a reference for comparative and population genomic analyses of passerine, avian, and vertebrate evolution

The first genome of the Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) provides a valuable resource for conservation genomics and sheds light on adaptation to a pelagic lifestyle

The Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) is the most threatened seabird in Europe and a member of the most speciose group of pelagic seabirds, the order Procellariiformes, which exhibit extreme adaptations to a pelagic lifestyle. The fossil record suggests that human colonisation of the Balearic Islands resulted in a sharp decrease of the Balearic shearwater population size. Currently, populations of the species continue to be decimated mainly due to predation by introduced mammals and bycatch in longline fisheries, with some studies predicting its extinction by 2070. Here, using a combination of short and long reads, we generate the first high-quality reference genome for the Balearic shearwater, with a completeness amongst the highest across available avian species. We used this reference genome to study critical aspects relevant to the conservation status of the species and to gain insights into the adaptation to a pelagic lifestyle of the order Procellariiformes. We detected relatively high levels of genome-wide heterozygosity in the Balearic shearwater despite its reduced population size. However, the reconstruction of its historical demography uncovered an abrupt population decline potentially linked to a reduction of the neritic zone during the Penultimate Glacial Period (∼194-135 ka). Comparative genomics analyses uncover a set of candidate genes that may have played an important role into the adaptation to a pelagic lifestyle of Procellariiformes, including those for the enhancement of fishing capabilities, night vision, and the development of natriuresis. The reference genome obtained will be the crucial in the future development of genetic tools in conservation efforts for this Critically Endangered species

Stand density management diagrams of Eucalyptus viminalis: predicting stem volume, biomass and canopy cover for different production purposes

Stand density management diagrams (SDMD) provide a guide for forest density management taking into account stands attributes such as trees´ diameter or volume. One of the most common species planted in Pampean plains of Argentina is Eucalyptus viminalis for multiple objectives: solid wood use or firewood in local markets, pulp for cellulose industry and to provide services for agriculture and cattle raising (windbreaks or cattle refuge). The objective of this study was to gather the available production information /inventory dataand to develop a first SDMD for estimating standing volume, biomass and canopy cover of E. viminalis as a tool for forest managers aiming at different plantation purposes. Data to develop the SDMD were obtained from 161 plots, distributed along a climate and soil gradient. We also generated two predictive equations capable of estimating dominant height from the diameter of the trees as well as canopy cover from stand basal area. As an example of application, the SDMD was used to estimate the wood production of three alternative systems: a) an unmanaged plantation (simulating a common practice in the region), b) a mixed production system such as an agroforestry system, and c) a plantation that maximizes wood biomass or volume production.Fil: Gyenge, Javier Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Agencia de Extensión Rural Balcarce; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Lupi, A.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Ferrere, P.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Milione, Germán Marcelo. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Rectorado. Instituto de Hidrología de Llanuras - Sede Azul. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Hidrología de Llanuras - Sede Azul; ArgentinaFil: Martinez Meier, Alejandro Gabriel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Caballé, G.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Dominguez Daguer, Diego Rafael. No especifíca;Fil: Fernandez, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Agencia de Extensión Rural Balcarce; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentin

Efectos de la pandemia COVID-19 en la actividad asistencial de los laboratorios clínicos españoles, evolución 2019–2021

Objetivos. Cuantificar el impacto de la pandemia en la actividad asistencial de los laboratorios clínicos españoles. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo, observacional, retrospectivo y multicéntrico. Resultados. De marzo a diciembre de 2020 hubo un descenso estadísticamente significativo en el número de solicitudes (−17.7%, p=<0,001) y análisis totales (−18,3%, p<0,001) respecto al mismo periodo de 2019. Se redujo el número de solicitudes de Atención Primaria en un 37,4% (p<0,001) y el número de mediciones de sangre oculta en heces (−45,8%), análisis cualitativo de orina (−30,1%), antígeno prostático específico (PSA) (−28,5%), tirotropina (TSH) (−27,8%), colesterol total (−27,2%) y hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c) (−24,7%), p<0,001. Se observó un aumento significativo del número de solicitudes de UCI (76,6%, p<0,001) y del número de mediciones de IL-6 (+22,350,9), dímero-D (+617,2%), troponina (+46,8%) y gasometría arterial (+35,9%), p<0,001. Durante los seis primeros meses de 2021, existieron diferencias significativas para análisis cualitativo de orina (−8,7%, p<0,001), PSA (−6,3%, p=0,009), IL-6 (+66.269,2, p<0,001), dímero-D (+603,6%, p<0,001), troponina (+28,7%, p<0,001), gasometría arterial (+26,2%, p=0,014) y ferritina (+16,0%, p=0,002). Conclusiones. Los laboratorios clínicos españoles han sufrido un cambio en el origen de sus solicitudes y en la demanda de pruebas. Se han incrementado aquellas utilizadas en la evaluación y seguimiento de los pacientes COVID-19, y han disminuido las dirigidas al control de los pacientes no-COVID y a cribados poblacionales. El análisis a más largo plazo refleja una recuperación en las pruebas dirigidas al control de las enfermedades crónicas y se mantiene el aumento del número de mediciones de los biomarcadores utilizados en el manejo de los pacientes COVID-19

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity of clinical laboratories in Spain, evolution in the 2019–2021 period

Objectives. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity of clinical laboratories in Spain. Methods. A descriptive, observational, retrospective, multicenter study. Results. Between March and December 2020, there was a statistically significant decrease in the number of test requests (−17.7%, p=<0.001) and total tests performed (−18.3%, p<0.001) with respect to the same period in 2019. A decrease was observed in the number of requests from primary care (−37.4%) (p<0.001) and in the number of foecal occult blood (−45.8%); qualitative urine (−30.1%); PSA (−28.5%); TSH (−27.8%); total cholesterol (−27.2%) and HbA1c (−24.7%) tests performed, p<0.001. A significant increase was found in the number of requests from ICUs (76.6%, p<0.001) and number of IL-6 (+22,350.9), D-dimer (+617.2%), troponin (+46.8%) and arterial blood gas (+3.9%) tests carried out, p<0.001. During the first months of 2021, there were significant changes in the number of requests for qualitative urine (−8.7%, p<0.001), PSA (−6.3%, p=0.009), IL-6 (+66,269.2, p<0.001), D-dimer (+603.6%, p<0.001), troponin (+28.7%, p<0.001), arterial blood gas (+26,2%, p=0.014) and ferritin (+16.0%, p=0.002) tests performed. Conclusions. There were changes in the origin and number of test requested to clinical laboratories in Spain. The number of requests for the evaluation and monitoring of COVID-19 patients increased, whereas requests for the control of non-COVID patients and for population screening decreased. Long-term analysis reveals that the volume of tests performed for the control of chronic diseases returned to normal over time, whereas the increase observed in the volume of tests performed for the management of COVID-19 patients is maintained

El trovador

Empresa Juan A. PamiasFunció "a beneficio con bandeja a favor de los empleados permanentes, porteros y acomodadores"Intèrpret : Montserrat CaballéMestre de cor : Riccardo Bottino ; Mestre apuntador : Àngel AngladaOrquestra del Gran Teatre del Liceu dirigida per Carlo Felice Cillari

Learning and memory disabilities in IUGR babies: Functional and molecular analysis in a rat model

Introduction: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is the failure of the fetus to achieve its inherent growth potential, and it has frequently been associated with neurodevelopmental problems in childhood. Neurological disorders are mostly associated with IUGR babies with an abnormally high cephalization index (CI) and a brain sparing effect. However, a similar correlation has never been demonstrated in an animal model. The aim of this study was to determine the correlations between CI, functional deficits in learning and memory and alterations in synaptic proteins in a rat model of IUGR. Methods: Utero-placental insufficiency was induced by meso-ovarian vessel cauterization (CMO) in pregnant rats at embryonic day 17 (E17). Learning performance in an aquatic learning test was evaluated 25 days after birth and during 10 days. Some synaptic proteins were analyzed (PSD95, Synaptophysin) by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results: Placental insufficiency in CMO pups was associated with spatial memory deficits, which are correlated with a CI above the normal range. CMO pups presented altered levels of synaptic proteins PSD95 and synaptophysin in the hippocampus. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that learning disabilities may be associated with altered development of excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Although interspecific differences in fetal response to placental insufficiency should be taken into account, the translation of these data to humans suggest that both IUGR babies and babies with a normal birth weight but with intrauterine Doppler alterations and abnormal CI should be closely followed to detect neurodevelopmental alterations during the postnatal periodEuropean Regional Development Fund BFU2014-55373-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad MAT2011-29778-C02-02Generalitat de Catalunya 2014 SGR 117

Estudi històric de la finca del carrer Manacor, 1 (Barcelona)

Sol·licitant de l'informe: Gerència de l'Arquitecte/a en Ca

Faja milonítica El Cortijo: puesta en valor de su patrimonio geominero y propuesta de un nuevo sitio de interés geológico en Tandil, Buenos Aires

El basamento del Sistema de Tandilia reúne a las rocas más antiguas de la Argentina, las cuales guardan una valiosa información de los procesos geológicos ocurridos hace aproximadamente 2.200 Ma. Entre estas rocas ígneo-metamórficas (Complejo Buenos Aires) se encuentran las que integran la Formación El Cortijo, que contrastan notoriamente con el resto por sus características mineralógicas, metamórficas y estructurales. Esta Formación está constituida por rocas típicas de una cuenca oceánica desarrollada durante el lapso Neoarqueano - Paleoproterozoico, fuertemente milonitizadas. Aflora en las cercanías de la ciudad de Tandil, a lo largo de una faja de 3 kilómetros con rumbo este-oeste (aquí denominada Faja milonítica El Cortijo), a la que se accede por la Ruta Nacional 226. Tandil es una ciudad reconocida por su origen minero, actualmente con una fuerte impronta turística y una infraestructura óptima para ofrecer diversos circuitos geomineros. Esta contribución tiene como objetivo presentar un nuevo sitio de interés geológico en Tandil, que junto con los otros circuitos geoturísticos urbanos, manifieste el valor geológico de la región. Esto conduciría a su protección y podría impulsar la creación de un futuro Parque Geológico, producto de la integración de todos los geositios conocidos además del aquí propuesto. El trabajo realizado incluyó un relevamiento del área mediante imágenes satelitales y actividades de campo que permitieron seleccionar un conjunto de canteras labradas en la faja milonítica que constituye el geositio propuesto. Este sector de la provincia de Buenos Aires reúne todos los atributos necesarios para establecer un sitio de interés geológico como el sugerido, considerando sus riquezas paisajísticas y geológicas relacionadas con la evolución geológica y tectónica del basamento de Tandilia

Don Carlos

De cada obra s'ha digitalitzat un programa sencer. De la resta s'han digitalitzat les parts que són diferents.Empresa: Juan A. PamiasIntèrpret : Montserrat CaballéMestre del cor : Riccardo BottinoOrquestra del Gran Teatre del Liceu dirigida per Anton GuadagnoÓpera de Verdi amb llibret de Méry i C. du Locl