New Lizards from the Volcanic Patagonian Plateau of Argentina

The authors studied the herpetological fauna of Somuncura and Lago Buenos Aires formations. A new genus, Vilcunia, with one species V. silvanae, is described. Other lizards belonging to the genus Liolaemus are described under the names Liolaemus archeforus, Liolaemus ruizleali and Liolaemus elongatus petrophilus.Material digitalizado en SEDICI gracias a la colaboración del Dr. Jorge Williams (FCNM-UNLP).Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

New Lizards from the Volcanic Patagonian Plateau of Argentina

The authors studied the herpetological fauna of Somuncura and Lago Buenos Aires formations. A new genus, Vilcunia, with one species V. silvanae, is described. Other lizards belonging to the genus Liolaemus are described under the names Liolaemus archeforus, Liolaemus ruizleali and Liolaemus elongatus petrophilus.Material digitalizado en SEDICI gracias a la colaboración del Dr. Jorge Williams (FCNM-UNLP).Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Early Cortical Changes in Gamma Oscillations in Alzheimer’s Disease

The entorhinal cortices in the temporal lobe of the brain are key structures relaying memory related information between the neocortex and the hippocampus. The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) routes spatial information, whereas the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) routes predominantly olfactory information to the hippocampus. Gamma oscillations are known to coordinate information transfer between brain regions by precisely timing population activity of neuronal ensembles. Here, we studied the organization of in vitro gamma oscillations in the MEC and LEC of the transgenic (tg) amyloid precursor protein (APP)-presenilin 1 (PS1) mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) at 4–5 months of age. In vitro gamma oscillations using the kainate model peaked between 30–50 Hz and therefore we analyzed the oscillatory properties in the 20–60 Hz range. Our results indicate that the LEC shows clear alterations in frequency and power of gamma oscillations at an early stage of AD as compared to the MEC. The gamma-frequency oscillation slows down in the LEC and also the gamma power in dorsal LEC is decreased as early as 4–5 months in the tg APP-PS1 mice. The results of this study suggest that the timing of olfactory inputs from LEC to the hippocampus might be affected at an early stage of AD, resulting in a possible erroneous integration of the information carried by the two input pathways to the hippocampal subfields.Peer Reviewe

Magnetic resonance and conductivity study of a gelatin-based polymer gel electrolyte

This work reports results from proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and complex impedance spectroscopy of gelatin-based polymer gel electrolytes containing chloridric acid, cross-linked with formaldehyde and plasticized with glycerol. Ionic conductivity of 4 × 10-5 S/cm were obtained at room temperature for samples prepared with 0.1 M of HCl. Proton (1H) lineshapes and spin-lattice relaxation times were measured as a function of temperature. Activation energies extracted from the 1H NMR relaxation data are in the range of 23-25 kJ/mol. The EPR spectra, which were carried out in samples doped with copper perchlorate, were interpreted with the aid of an axial spin Hamiltonian and indicate the presence of two different Cu2+ species in axially distorted sites. Copper complexation with both hydrogen and nitrogen was verified by electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) techniques.CAPESCNPqFAPES

Structural ordering in 'Cd IND.x"Pb IND.1-x"F IND.2' alloys: a combined molecular dynamics and solid state NMR study

Molecular dynamics MD simulations of binary CdxPb1-xF2 alloys have been carried out, using a two-body Buckingham interaction potential, leading to a correct description of structural properties as a function of composition and pointing towards an understanding of the eutectic phenomenon. The simulation data can be analyzed in terms of five local fluorine environments Q(n ) ( 4 >= n >= 0) , where n is the number of Pb nearest-neighbor environments. The results suggest a highly nonstatistical population distribution, suggesting an intrinsic phase segregation tendency in the undercooled melt, during the cooling process. This prediction has been tested experimentally for six representative compositions (0.2 <= x <= 0.7) on the basis of high-resolution 19F solid state NMR data, revealing important similarities between theory and experiment. While the NMR data confirm that the population distribution is, indeed, nonstatistical for all compositions, the results are only found to be consistent with an intrinsic segregation tendency of PbF2-rich domains. This tendency manifests itself in substatistical populations of Q(3) units, resulting in referred Q(2) and Q(4) formations.CNPqFAPESPFAPEMIGPRONEX/FAPESP/CNPq (03/09859-2

Accounting students and communication apprehension: a study of Spanish and UK students

Accounting is about measuring and communicating. Accounting bodies and employers have expressed opinions, which have been supported by research results, advocating that greater emphasis is placed on the development of communication skills throughout the education and training of accountants. Consequently, an increasing number of accounting programmes now include communication skills as educational objectives or learning outcomes, and have integrated activities into the curriculum specifically to develop these skills. It is important to recognise that certain factors can severely restrict the development of communication skills; a major factor is communication apprehension. Research suggests that the existence of high levels of communication apprehension will make efforts to improve communication skills ineffective. Previous research findings indicate that accounting students have high levels of communication apprehension. This paper compares and contrasts the levels and profiles of communication apprehension exhibited by accounting students at the (UK University) and those at the (ESP University). The levels of communication apprehension are also compared with those of students from other disciplines at the same institutions. The results confirm the high levels of communication apprehension in European accounting students. There are notable differences between the two countries however in certain underlying factors.</p

A critical experimental study of the classical tactile threshold theory

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The tactile sense is being used in a variety of applications involving tactile human-machine interfaces. In a significant number of publications the classical threshold concept plays a central role in modelling and explaining psychophysical experimental results such as in stochastic resonance (SR) phenomena. In SR, noise enhances detection of sub-threshold stimuli and the phenomenon is explained stating that the required amplitude to exceed the sensory threshold barrier can be reached by adding noise to a sub-threshold stimulus. We designed an experiment to test the validity of the classical vibrotactile threshold. Using a second choice experiment, we show that individuals can order sensorial events below the level known as the classical threshold. If the observer's sensorial system is not activated by stimuli below the threshold, then a second choice could not be above the chance level. Nevertheless, our experimental results are above that chance level contradicting the definition of the classical tactile threshold.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We performed a three alternative forced choice detection experiment on 6 subjects asking them first and second choices. In each trial, only one of the intervals contained a stimulus and the others contained only noise. According to the classical threshold assumptions, a correct second choice response corresponds to a guess attempt with a statistical frequency of 50%. Results show an average of 67.35% (STD = 1.41%) for the second choice response that is not explained by the classical threshold definition. Additionally, for low stimulus amplitudes, second choice correct detection is above chance level for any detectability level.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Using a second choice experiment, we show that individuals can order sensorial events below the level known as a classical threshold. If the observer's sensorial system is not activated by stimuli below the threshold, then a second choice could not be above the chance level. Nevertheless, our experimental results are above that chance level. Therefore, if detection exists below the classical threshold level, then the model to explain the SR phenomenon or any other tactile perception phenomena based on the psychophysical classical threshold is not valid. We conclude that a more suitable model of the tactile sensory system is needed.</p

Are Farm-Reared Quails for Game Restocking Really Common Quails (Coturnix coturnix)?: A Genetic Approach

The common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is a popular game species for which restocking with farm-reared individuals is a common practice. In some areas, the number of released quails greatly surpasses the number of wild breeding common quail. However, common quail are difficult to raise in captivity and this casts suspicion about a possible hybrid origin of the farmed individuals from crosses with domestic Japanese quail (C. japonica). In this study we used a panel of autosomal microsatellite markers to characterize the genetic origin of quails reared for hunting purposes in game farms in Spain and of quails from an experimental game farm which was founded with hybrids that have been systematically backcrossed with wild common quails. The genotypes of these quail were compared to those of wild common quail and domestic strains of Japanese quail. Our results show that more than 85% of the game farm birds were not common quail but had domestic Japanese quail ancestry. In the experimental farm a larger proportion of individuals could not be clearly separated from pure common quails. We conclude that the majority of quail sold for restocking purposes were not common quail. Genetic monitoring of individuals raised for restocking is indispensable as the massive release of farm-reared hybrids could represent a severe threat for the long term survival of the native species

Biomimetic, Mild Chemical Synthesis of CdTe-GSH Quantum Dots with Improved Biocompatibility

Multiple applications of nanotechnology, especially those involving highly fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) or quantum dots (QDs) have stimulated the research to develop simple, rapid and environmentally friendly protocols for synthesizing NPs exhibiting novel properties and increased biocompatibility