Combining surface exposure dating and burial dating from paired cosmogenic depth profiles. Example of El Límite alluvial fan in Huércal-Overa basin (SE Iberia)

Cosmogenic nuclide depth-profiles are used to calculate the age of landforms, the rates at which erosion has affected them since their formation and, in case of deposits, the paleo-erosion rate in the source area. However, two difficulties are typically encountered: 1) old deposits or strongly affected by cosmogenic nuclide inheritance often appear to be saturated, and 2) a full propagation of uncertainties often yields poorly constrained ages. Here we show how to combine surface-exposure-dating and burial-dating techniques in the same profile to get more accurate age results and to constrain the extent of pre-depositional burial periods. A 10Be-26Al depth-profile measured in an alluvial fan of SE Iberia is presented as a natural example

Plan S y ecosistema de revistas españolas de ciencias sociales hacia el acceso abierto: amenazas y oportunidades

El Plan S promueve que todos los artículos derivados de investigaciones financiadas por las agencias que lo suscriben sean puestos en acceso abierto de forma inmediata, ya sea en revistas o en repositorios que cumplan con determinadas condiciones, a partir de enero de 2021. Ha sido promovido por Science Europe, una agrupación de agencias de financiación pública de la investigación a través de la cOAlition S, y ha publicado dos versiones que han generado un intenso debate académico en todo el mundo. Aunque ninguna agencia de investigación pública o privada del estado español se ha comprometido de momento a apoyar el Plan S, es interesante valorar como dicho Plan puede afectar al ecosistema de revistas científicas españolas. Se presentan los resultados del análisis de las revistas españolas de ciencias sociales que figuran en el SCImago Journal Rank y el cumplimiento que tienen de los requisitos que la cOAlition S ha descrito para que las revistas sean consideradas de acceso abierto de calidad. Dichos requisitos están relacionados con la apertura de los contenidos, el modelo de pago, aspectos técnicos y los derechos de autor. Se concluye que, aunque la mayor parte de las revistas cumplen los requisitos relativos a los contenidos abiertos, les quedan como retos los aspectos técnicos de máxima interoperabilidad y reutilización. Se recomienda a las revistas que tomen el Plan S como oportunidad y aprovechen para llevar a cabo una transformación digital plena

Shifts in the protist community associated with an anticyclonic gyre in the Alboran Sea (Mediterranean Sea)

The diversity of protists was researched in the Alboran Sea (SW Mediterranean Sea) by means of high-throughput sequencing technologies based on the amplification of the V9 region of 18S rRNA. Samples were collected at different depths in seven stations following an environmental gradient from a coastal upwelling zone to the core of an oligotrophic anticyclonic gyre (AG). Sampling was performed during summer, when the water column was stratified. The superphyla Alveolata, Stramenopila and Rhizaria accounted for 84% of the total operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The most diverse groups were Dinophyceae (21% of OTUs), Marine Alveolates-II (MALV-II; 20%), Ciliophora (9%) and MALV-I (6%). In terms of read abundance, the predominant groups were Dinophyceae (29%), Bacillariophyta (14%), MALV-II (11%) and Ciliophora (11%). Samples were clustered into three groups according to the sampling depth and position. The shallow community in coastal stations presented distinguishable patterns of diatoms and ciliates compared with AG stations. These results indicate that there was a strong horizontal coupling between phytoplankton and ciliate communities. Abundance of Radiolaria and Syndiniales increased with depth. Our analyses demonstrate that the stratification disruption produced by the AG caused shifts in the trophic ecology of the plankton assemblages inducing a transition from bottom-up to top-down control.Versión del editor3,40

Late-onset thymidine kinase 2 deficiency: a review of 18 cases

Background: TK2 gene encodes for mitochondrial thymidine kinase, which phosphorylates the pyrimidine nucleosides thymidine and deoxycytidine. Recessive mutations in the TK2 gene are responsible for the ‘myopathic form’ of the mitochondrial depletion/multiple deletions syndrome, with a wide spectrum of severity. Methods: We describe 18 patients with mitochondrial myopathy due to mutations in the TK2 gene with absence of clinical symptoms until the age of 12. Results: The mean age of onset was 31 years. The first symptom was muscle limb weakness in 10/18, eyelid ptosis in 6/18, and respiratory insufficiency in 2/18. All patients developed variable muscle weakness during the evolution of the disease. Half of patients presented difficulty in swallowing. All patients showed evidence of respiratory muscle weakness, with need for non-invasive Mechanical Ventilation in 12/18. Four patients had deceased, all of them due to respiratory insufficiency. We identified common radiological features in muscle magnetic resonance, where the most severely affected muscles were the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus and sartorius. On muscle biopsies typical signs of mitochondrial dysfunction were associated with dystrophic changes. All mutations identified were previously reported, being the most frequent the in-frame deletion p.Lys202del. All cases showed multiple mtDNA deletions but mtDNA depletion was present only in two patients. Conclusions: The late-onset is the less frequent form of presentation of the TK2 deficiency and its natural history is not well known. Patients with late onset TK2 deficiency have a consistent and recognizable clinical phenotype and a poor prognosis, due to the high risk of early and progressive respiratory insufficiency

Role of small-sized phytoplankton in triggering an ecosystem disruptive algal bloom in a Mediterranean hypersaline coastal lagoon

Preprint2,35

Ciencia abierta en España 2023: informe de situación y análisis de la percepción

Proyecto RTI2018-094360-B-I00Durante el período 2019-2022, en el marco del proyecto Ciencia abierta en España (RTI2018-094360-B-I00), nuestro grupo de investigación ha analizado la percepción de la ciencia abierta y de sus elementos componentes (acceso abierto, datos abiertos, revisión abierta, modelos de evaluación) por parte de los agentes implicados en el sistema de investigación (autores, editores de revistas, vicerrectores y profesionales de bibliotecas). En primer lugar, llevamos a cabo una aproximación cualitativa a la percepción de las barreras y los elementos favorecedores de la ciencia abierta mediante un conjunto de entrevistas y un grupo de discusión a dichos agentes (González- Teruel, A. et al. 2022). En total se realizaron 23 entrevistas: editores de revistas científicas universitarias (9 entrevistas), investigadores (9), vicerrectores (3), y responsables de agencias de evaluación (2) y un focus group en el cual participaron ocho profesionales de bibliotecas universitariasA partir de aquí, realizamos una aproximación cualitativa y cuantitativa mediante encuestas aplicadas a estos mismos agentes y centradas en su percepción sobre la situación respecto del acceso abierto, los datos abiertos, la revisión abierta, los modelos de evaluación y la ciencia abierta en general. Se han publicado los resultados referentes a los vicerrectores (Abad-García, et al., 2022), los editores de revistas científicas (Melero et al., 2023), el personal de bibliotecas (Santos-Hermosa y Boté-Vericad, 2023) y está pendiente de publicación el estudio con las opiniones de los autores (Ollé et al., 2023).El objetivo general de este informe consiste en describir el grado de desarrollo de la ciencia abierta en España en 2023 y también la percepción de los principales agentes implicados (investigadores, editores de revistas científicas, vicerrectores, directores de agencias de evaluación, profesionales de bibliotecas) sobre las barreras y los elementos favorecedores de la ciencia abierta en general y de sus principales componentes (acceso abierto, datos abiertos, revisión abierta, evaluación de la ciencia), en particular.El documento se estructura en tres grandes apartados, que se refieren a los principales componentes de la ciencia abierta: acceso abierto, datos de investigación y evaluación de la ciencia. Para cada uno de ellos, se lleva a cabo un repaso de los aspectos legales y las políticas de promoción, una descripción de los avances en lo que respecta a contenidos (publicaciones, repositorios, etc.) y se acompaña de un análisis de la percepción de los investigadores, editores, bibliotecarios y vicerrectores respecto de las barreras y elementos favorecedores para impulsar la apertura de las publicaciones, de los datos abiertos y de nuevos modelos de evaluación científica. Finalmente se incluye un apartado dedicado a la percepción de la ciencia abierta en general

Prospective associations between a priori dietary patterns adherence and kidney function in an elderly Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk.

PURPOSE: To assess the association between three different a priori dietary patterns adherence (17-item energy reduced-Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), Trichopoulou-MedDiet and Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH)), as well as the Protein Diet Score and kidney function decline after one year of follow-up in elderly individuals with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 5675 participants (55-75 years) from the PREDIMED-Plus study. At baseline and at one year, we evaluated the creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and food-frequency questionnaires-derived dietary scores. Associations between four categories (decrease/maintenance and tertiles of increase) of each dietary pattern and changes in eGFR (ml/min/1.73m2) or ≥ 10% eGFR decline were assessed by fitting multivariable linear or logistic regression models, as appropriate. RESULTS: Participants in the highest tertile of increase in 17-item erMedDiet Score showed higher upward changes in eGFR (β: 1.87 ml/min/1.73m2; 95% CI: 1.00-2.73) and had lower odds of ≥ 10% eGFR decline (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.47-0.82) compared to individuals in the decrease/maintenance category, while Trichopoulou-MedDiet and DASH Scores were not associated with any renal outcomes. Those in the highest tertile of increase in Protein Diet Score had greater downward changes in eGFR (β: - 0.87 ml/min/1.73m2; 95% CI: - 1.73 to - 0.01) and 32% higher odds of eGFR decline (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.00-1.75). CONCLUSIONS: Among elderly individuals with overweight/obesity and MetS, only higher upward change in the 17-item erMedDiet score adherence was associated with better kidney function after one year. However, increasing Protein Diet Score appeared to have an adverse impact on kidney health. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN89898870 (Data of registration: 2014)

Contourite depositional system after the exit of a strait: Case study from the late Miocene South Rifian Corridor, Morocco

Idealized facies of bottom current deposits (contourites) have been established for fine-grained contourite drifts in modern deep-marine sedimentary environments. Their equivalent facies in the ancient record however are only scarcely recognized due to the weathered nature of most fine-grained deposits in outcrop. Facies related to the erosional elements (i.e. contourite channels) of contourite depositional systems have not yet been properly established and related deposits in outcrop appear non-existent. To better understand the sedimentary facies and facies sequences of contourites, the upper Miocene contourite depositional systems of the South Rifian Corridor (Morocco) is investigated. This contourite depositional system formed by the dense palaeo-Mediterranean Outflow Water. Foraminifera assemblages were used for age-constraints (7.51 to 7.35 Ma) and to determine the continental slope depositional domains. Nine sedimentary facies have been recognized based on lithology, grain-size, sedimentary structures and biogenic structures. These facies were subsequently grouped into five facies associations related to the main interpreted depositional processes (hemipelagic settling, contour currents and gravity flows). The vertical sedimentary facies succession records the tectonically induced, southward migration of the contourite depositional systems and the intermittent behaviour of the palaeo-Mediterranean Outflow Water, which is mainly driven by precession and millennial-scale climate variations. Tides substantially modulated the palaeo-Mediterranean Outflow Water on a sub-annual scale. This work shows exceptional examples of muddy and sandy contourite deposits in outcrop by which a facies distribution model from the proximal continental slope, the contourite channel to its adjacent contourite drift, is proposed. This model serves as a reference for contourite recognition both in modern environments and the ancient record. Furthermore, by establishing the hydrodynamics of overflow behaviour a framework is provided that improves process-based interpretation of deep-water bottom current deposits

Protection of Spanish Ibex (Capra pyrenaica) against Bluetongue Virus Serotypes 1 and 8 in a Subclinical Experimental Infection

Many wild ruminants such as Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) are susceptible to Bluetongue virus (BTV) infection, which causes disease mainly in domestic sheep and cattle. Outbreaks involving either BTV serotypes 1 (BTV-1) and 8 (BTV-8) are currently challenging Europe. Inclusion of wildlife vaccination among BTV control measures should be considered in certain species. In the present study, four out of fifteen seronegative Spanish ibexes were immunized with a single dose of inactivated vaccine against BTV-1, four against BTV-8 and seven ibexes were non vaccinated controls. Seven ibexes (four vaccinated and three controls) were inoculated with each BTV serotype. Antibody and IFN-gamma responses were evaluated until 28 days after inoculation (dpi). The vaccinated ibexes showed significant (P<0.05) neutralizing antibody levels after vaccination compared to non vaccinated ibexes. The non vaccinated ibexes remained seronegative until challenge and showed neutralizing antibodies from 7 dpi. BTV RNA was detected in the blood of non vaccinated ibexes from 2 to the end of the study (28 dpi) and in target tissue samples obtained at necropsy (8 and 28 dpi). BTV-1 was successfully isolated on cell culture from blood and target tissues of non vaccinated ibexes. Clinical signs were unapparent and no gross lesions were found at necropsy. Our results show for the first time that Spanish ibex is susceptible and asymptomatic to BTV infection and also that a single dose of vaccine prevents viraemia against BTV-1 and BTV-8 replication

Guidelines for delineation of lymphatic clinical target volumes for high conformal radiotherapy: head and neck region

The success of radiotherapy depends on the accurate delineation of the clinical target volume. The delineation of the lymph node regions has most impact, especially for tumors in the head and neck region. The purpose of this article was the development an atlas for the delineation of the clinical target volume for patients, who should receive radiotherapy for a tumor of the head and neck region. Literature was reviewed for localisations of the adjacent lymph node regions and their lymph drain in dependence of the tumor entity. On this basis the lymph node regions were contoured on transversal CT slices. The probability for involvement was reviewed and a recommendation for the delineation of the CTV was generated