Note on the observation of recruits of blue shark, Prionace glauca, in near coastal areas of Galicia (NW Spain) during the summer of 2013

This note presents a summary of several observations reported during the summer of 2013 regarding the presence of blue shark recruits in near coastal surface waters of NW Galicia, Spain. Although these observations may be considered incidental, they do, however, serve to change the general perception that this oceanic species does not reach littoral zones. Appearances of this species may be sporadic, taking place during particular years or life stages or at very specific times of the year. On the other hand, the presence of recruits in the coastal waters of Galicia during the summer –a sporadic occurrence well known by professional fishers- and the very near coastal observations reported in 2013 suggest that these areas might be a part of the nursery-recruitment grounds of blue shark in the NE Atlantic. This has been observed in other zones of the NE Atlantic where recruits or juvenile have been known to actively seek feeding grounds in areas of upwelling and high productivity during the summer period

Thermal evolution of gene expression profiles in Drosophila subobscura

BACKGROUND: Despite its pervasiveness, the genetic basis of adaptation resulting in variation directly or indirectly related to temperature (climatic) gradients is poorly understood. By using 3-fold replicated laboratory thermal stocks covering much of the physiologically tolerable temperature range for the temperate (i.e., cold tolerant) species Drosophila subobscura we have assessed whole-genome transcriptional responses after three years of thermal adaptation, when the populations had already diverged for inversion frequencies, pre-adult life history components, and morphological traits. Total mRNA from each population was compared to a reference pool mRNA in a standard, highly replicated two-colour competitive hybridization experiment using cDNA microarrays. RESULTS: A total of 306 (6.6%) cDNA clones were identified as 'differentially expressed' (following a false discovery rate correction) after contrasting the two furthest apart thermal selection regimes (i.e., 13°C vs . 22°C), also including four previously reported candidate genes for thermotolerance in Drosophila (Hsp26, Hsp68, Fst, and Treh). On the other hand, correlated patterns of gene expression were similar in cold- and warm-adapted populations. Analysis of functional categories defined by the Gene Ontology project point to an overrepresentation of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, nucleic acids metabolism and regulation of transcription among other categories. Although the location of differently expressed genes was approximately at random with respect to chromosomes, a physical mapping of 88 probes to the polytene chromosomes of D. subobscura has shown that a larger than expected number mapped inside inverted chromosomal segments. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that a sizeable number of genes appear to be involved in thermal adaptation in Drosophila, with a substantial fraction implicated in metabolism. This apparently illustrates the formidable challenge to understanding the adaptive evolution of complex trait variation. Furthermore, some clustering of genes within inverted chromosomal sections was detected. Disentangling the effects of inversions will be obviously required in any future approach if we want to identify the relevant candidate genes

Physicochemical and antimicrobial characterization of beeswax–starch food-grade nanoemulsions incorporating natural antimicrobials

Nanoemulsions are feasible delivery systems of lipophilic compounds, showing potential as edible coatings with enhanced functional properties. The aim of this work was to study the effect of emulsifier type (stearic acid (SA), Tween 80 (T80) or Tween 80/Span 60 (T80/S60)) and emulsification process (homogenization, ultrasound or microfluidization) on nanoemulsion formation based on oxidized corn starch, beeswax (BW) and natural antimicrobials (lauric arginate and natamycin). The response variables were physicochemical properties, rheological behavior, wettability and antimicrobial activity of BW–starch nanoemulsions (BW–SN). The BW–SN emulsified using T80 and microfluidized showed the lowest droplet size (77.6 ± 6.2 nm), a polydispersion index of 0.4 ± 0.0 and whiteness index (WI) of 31.8 ± 0.8. This BW–SN exhibited a more negative ζ-potential: −36 ± 4 mV, and Newtonian flow behavior, indicating great stability. BW–SN antimicrobial activity was not affected by microfluidization nor the presence of T80, showing inhibition of the deteriorative fungi R. stolonifer, C. gloeosporioides and B. cinerea, and the pathogenic bacterium S. Saintpaul. In addition, regardless of emulsifier type and emulsification process, BW–SN applied on the tomato surface exhibited low contact angles (38.5° to 48.6°), resulting in efficient wettability (−7.0 mN/m to −8.9 mN/m). These nanoemulsions may be useful to produce edible coatings to preserve fresh-produce quality and safety.We are grateful to CONACyT for PhD grant to Teresita Arredondo Ochoa, and financial support for project No. 166751. Special thanks are given to Alfonso Pérez for help on DSC analysis and Ma. Lourdes Palma Tirado for technical support on micrographs

Importancia agroecológica del coyul (Acrocomia mexicana Karw. ex Mart.)

Acrocomia mexicana Karw. ex Mart. es una especie que se extiende desde el Pacífico mexicano hasta Centro y Sudamérica. El fruto (coyul) es apreciado desde la época prehispánica, sin embargo, su consumo ha disminuido frente a otros frutos nativos y así como de los introducidos con mayor aceptación en el mercado. Se realizó un estudio en San Blas, Nayarit, México, en el que se llevó a cabo la caracterización de un agroecosistema típico donde se explotan poblaciones silvestres y cultivadas de coyul de forma tradicional y se resaltó la importancia económica, ecológica y cultural de la especie. Asimismo, se realizó la caracterización fisicoquímica del fruto; la pulpa y la semilla son fuente principalmente de grasas. De esta especie se pueden obtener subproductos tales como aceites comestibles, alimento para ganado, artesanías, entre otros; igualmente se exponen alternativas de uso llevadas a cabo por otras regiones y países que puedan conducir a conservar espacios ecológicos y culturales

Polymer films containing chemically anchored diazonium salts with long-term stability as colorimetric sensors

We have prepared polymeric films as easy-to-handle sensory materials for the colorimetric detection and quantification of phenol derivatives (phenols) in water. Phenols in water resources result from their presence in pesticides and fungicides, among other goods, and are harmful ecotoxins. Colorless polymeric films with pendant diazonium groups attached to the acrylic polymer structure were designed and prepared for use as sensory matrices to detect phenol-derived species in water. Upon dipping the sensory films into aqueous media, the material swells, and if phenols are present, they react with the diazonium groups of the polymer to render a highly colored azo group, giving rise to the recognition phenomenon. The color development can be visually followed for a qualitative determination of phenols. Additionally, quantitative analysis can be performed by two different techniques: a) by using a UV–vis spectrophotometer (limit of detection of 0.12 ppm for 2-phenylphenol) and/or b) by using a smartphone with subsequent RGB analysis (limit of detection of 30 ppb for 2-phenylphenol)Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) and the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (MAT2017-84501-R

The imprint of global climate cycles in the Fuentillejo maar-lake record during the last 50 ka cal BP (central Spain)

We have analysed the geochemical (element analysis), mineralogical and sedimentary facies to characterize the sedimentary record in Fuentillejo maar-lake in the central Spanish volcanic field of Campo de Calatrava and thus be able to reconstruct the cyclicity of the sedimentary and paleoclimatic processes involved. The upper 20 m of core FUENT-1 show variations in clastic input and water chemistry in the lake throughout the last 50 ka cal BP. Being a closed system, the water level in this maar-lake depends primarily on the balance between precipitation and evaporatio

Mujeres estudiantes de educación superior y los factores psicosociales en el marco del binomio pasividad-violencia

En el presente trabajo se muestran los resultados preliminares de una investigación que está explorando la cuestión de la violencia-pasividad en estudiantes de educación superior. Su objetivo es iniciar la construcción de indicadores sobre las características psicosociales en mujeres estudiantes que han sufrido violencia de género. El supuesto del que se parte es que hay ciertas características psico-sociales de pasividad-violencia en las estudiantes que viven o han vivido relaciones de violencia, colocándolas en lugares subjetivos emocionales que les impiden trabajar racionalmente sus relaciones interpersonales. Los resultados preliminares son de un cuestionario-escala que explora las conductas agresivas de relaciones de pareja en orden psicológico, aplicado a una muestra de 329 alumnos de educación superior en Tabasco, México. Enfatizado las acciones femeninas -en relación a las agresiones masculinas-, donde se presentan conductas simultáneas y/o opuestas que oscilan entre víctima, partícipe, resistencia, agresión, anulación