Pattern of Neurogenesis and Identification of Neuronal Progenitor Subtypes during Pallial Development in Xenopus laevis

The complexity of the pallium during evolution has increased dramatically in many different respects. The highest level of complexity is found in mammals, where most of the pallium (cortex) shows a layered organization and neurons are generated during development following an inside-out order, a sequence not observed in other amniotes (birds and reptiles). Species-differences may be related to major neurogenetic events, from the neural progenitors that divide and produce all pallial cells. In mammals, two main types of precursors have been described, primary precursor cells in the ventricular zone (vz; also called radial glial cells or apical progenitors) and secondary precursor cells (called basal or intermediate progenitors) separated from the ventricle surface. Previous studies suggested that pallial neurogenetic cells, and especially the intermediate progenitors, evolved independently in mammalian and sauropsid lineages. In the present study, we examined pallial neurogenesis in the amphibian Xenopus laevis, a representative species of the only group of tetrapods that are anamniotes. The pattern of pallial proliferation during embryonic and larval development was studied, together with a multiple immunohistochemical analysis of putative progenitor cells. We found that there are two phases of progenitor divisions in the developing pallium that, following the radial unit concept from the ventricle to the mantle, finally result in an outside-in order of mature neurons, what seems to be the primitive condition of vertebrates. Gene expressions of key transcription factors that characterize radial glial cells in the vz were demonstrated in Xenopus. In addition, although mitotic cells were corroborated outside the vz, the expression pattern of markers for intermediate progenitors differed from mammals

Il significato urbanistico de la legislacione del suolo: verso un nuovo modello urbano ed una nuova visione della planificazione

Este articulo realiza un recorrido por la evolución de la legislación urbanística española, fundamentalmente en lo relacionado con el planeamiento general, haciendo referencia a la evolución de la conurbación madrileña como caso paradigmático de la evolución del modelo urbano español. El modelo madrileño es fruto de un urbanismo que en una primera fase se concibió al servicio del despliegue del sistema industrial, para acabar en su fase más reciente al servicio de la economía monetaria. En ambos casos el modelo ha sido el de un desarrollo urbano ilimitado e indefinido, incompatible con la conservación del capital natural, y ha se generado gracias a un aparato disciplinar, legislativo e instrumental, al servicio de las demandas del paradigma de este crecimiento, mientras que los problemas sociales y ambientales que produce sólo son considerados como “externalidales” y únicamente son tenidos en cuenta cuando ponen en peligro la pervivencia del propio modelo. Es importante reiterar la diferencia existente el urbanismo entendido como práctica social o disciplina científica del urbanismo institucional y la legislación que lo sustenta, que en el caso español plantea una serie de peculiaridades propias que se han ido acomodando a la coyuntura política y económica del país y fundamentalmente a las necesidades del modelo de desarrollo y donde las corrientes de desregularización económica han ido adquiriendo un mayor protagonismo

La variedad urbana: la necesidad de una aproximación desde la complejidad en los nuevos modelos de intervención en la ciudad y el territorio

La idea principal de este artículo es realizar una reflexión sobre el concepto de variedad urbana entendida como una cualidad intrínseca de la ciudad, relacionada directamente con la calidad de vida e imprescindible para plantear modelos alternativos de intervención en la ciudad y el territorio así como procesos de regeneración y rehabilitación integral. Se trata de una condición necesaria aunque no suficiente de la calidad de vida urbana. El proceso de desarrollo económico ha venido ejerciendo una influencia perversa en la ciudad y en el planeamiento de las nuevas áreas urbanas, al provocar la división de la ciudad en piezas homogéneas, separadas social, funcional y espacialmente; y, promover, al mismo tiempo, la expansión urbana y la degradación de las áreas centrales de la ciudad, incluidas las grandes periferias surgidas en el último tercio del siglo XX. La ausencia de variedad se puede considerar un síntoma de la vulnerabilidad urbana. Por esta razón, es necesario transcender del concepto limitado y reducido de variedad urbana, al que habitualmente se recurre, más relacionado con la idea de mezcla de actividades y usos, o bien, con el sumatorio de diversidades parciales (similar al utilizado en Ecología) hacia un enfoque más complejo y global

Single-step fabrication process of 1-D photonic crystals coupled to nanocolumnar TiO2 layers to improve DSC efficiency

The present work proposes the use of a TiO2 electrode coupled to a one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC), all formed by the sequential deposition of nanocolumnar thin films by physical vapor oblique angle deposition (PV-OAD), to enhance the optical and electrical performance of DSCs while transparency is preserved. We demonstrate that this approach allows building an architecture combining a non-dispersive 3 µm of TiO2 electrode and 1 µm TiO2-SiO2 1DPC, both columnar, in a single-step process. The incorporation of the photonic structure is responsible for a rise of 30% in photovoltaic efficiency, as compared with a transparent cell with a single TiO2 electrode. Detailed analysis of the spectral dependence of the photocurrent demonstrates that the 1DPC improves light harvesting efficiency by both back reflection and optical cavity modes confinement within the TiO2 films, thus increasing the overall performance of the cellEuropean Union FP7/2007- 2013Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CSD2008-00023, CSD2007-00007, MAT2011-23593, MAT2013-40852-R, MAT2013-42900-PJunta de Andalucía TEP8067, FQM-6900, FQM 2265, FQM 57

Patterns of hypothalamic regionalization in amphibians and reptiles: common traits revealed by a genoarchitectonic approach

Most studies in mammals and birds have demonstrated common patterns of hypothalamic development highlighted by the combination of developmental regulatory genes (genoarchitecture), supporting the notion of the hypothalamus as a component of the secondary prosencephalon, topologically rostral to the diencephalon. In our comparative analysis we have summarized the data on the expression patterns of different transcription factors and neuroactive substances, used as anatomical markers, in the developing hypothalamus of the amphibian Xenopus laevis and the juvenile turtle Pseudemys scripta. This analysis served to highlight the organization of the hypothalamus in the anamniote/amniotic transition. We have identified supraoptoparaventricular and the suprachiasmatic regions (SCs) in the alar part of the hypothalamus, and tuberal and mammillary regions in the basal hypothalamus. Shared features in the two species are: (1) The supraoptoparaventricular region (SPV) is defined by the expression of Otp and the lack of Nkx2.1/Isl1. It is subdivided into rostral, rich in Otp and Nkx2.2, and caudal, only Otp-positive, portions. (2) The suprachiasmatic area contains catecholaminergic cell groups and lacks Otp, and can be further divided into rostral (rich in Nkx2.1 and Nkx2.2) and a caudal (rich in Isl1 and devoid of Nkx2.1) portions. (3) Expression of Nkx2.1 and Isl1 define the tuberal hypothalamus and only the rostral portion expresses Otp. (4) Its caudal boundary is evident by the lack of Isl1 in the adjacent mammillary region, which expresses Nkx2.1 and Otp. Differences in the anamnio-amniote transition were noted since in the turtle, like in other amniotes, the boundary between the alar hypothalamus and the telencephalic preoptic area shows distinct Nkx2.2 and Otp expressions but not in the amphibian (anamniote), and the alar SPV is defined by the expression of Otp/Pax6, whereas in Xenopus only Otp is expressed

Influence of temperature and time on the Eu3+ reaction with synthetic Na-Mica-n (n = 2 and 4)

Bentonite is accepted as the best clay material for the engineered barrier of Deep Geological Repositories (DGRs). The performance of clay as the main component of the engineered barrier in the DGR has been intensively studied and the structure of the selected clay mineral play a crucial role. In this sense, a new family of synthetic swelling silicates, Na-Mica-n, with tuned layer charge (n) values between 2.0 and 4.0 per unit cell has recently been synthesized and a general synthetic method has been reported. These swelling high-charge micas could be highly valuable for the decontamination of harmful cations. The ability of these micas to immobilize Eu3+ under subcritical conditions has been probed. The adsorption was in both non-specific sites (cation exchange mechanism) and specific sites (chemical reaction or surface defects adsorption). Moreover, its adsorption capacity, under the same conditions is higher than in saponite and far superior to the bentonites.Junta de Andalucía P12-FQM-567European Union 29178

The role of rehabilitation of building in the urban integration, social cohesion and environmental responsibility

In the framework ofthe National Research Plan2008-2011, our research poses estrategy for the design and evaluation of plans and programmes of urban integrated regeneration. The objective is to develop a study on the role of rehabilitation of buildings in concepts like urban integration, social cohesion and environmental responsibility. The research proposes a methodological tool for evaluating urban regeneration processes from a holistic perspective that can serve as a guide for governments and technical teams to address intervention in consolidated urban areas with physical and socio-economic problems. The development of the tool has inevitably led to delve into different areas where you can intervene but has not lost sight of the complex interplay of factors involved in the process.It is an open source tool to visualize Urban Integrated Rehabilitation processes

Uso de JUnit para evaluación en laboratorio de Estructuras de Datos

Las pruebas del software, y en especial las pruebas unitarias automatizadas, son un área relevante de las competencias de un titulado en Informática. Pero aparte de su papel en los contenidos del currículo, pueden ser una herramienta útil para la docencia. Se ha documentado en múltiples ocasiones el uso de las pruebas automatizadas para autoevaluación de los estudiantes, o para implementar sistemas de corrección automáticos o semiautomáticos; es decir, en diversas formas de trabajo autónomo. Sin embargo, la aportación de este artículo radica en documentar la aplicación de una variante, que consiste en utilizar pruebas automatizadas durante los propios exámenes prácticos, en una doble vertiente: como instrumento del profesor para hacer posible una evaluación rápida, ordenada y coherente en el momento, y simultáneamente como elemento integrante del propio ejercicio. Cabe anticipar algunos potenciales problemas del uso de esta técnica. Aquí se discuten dichos problemas y su incidencia real tras la experiencia.SUMMARY -- Software testing, and automated unit testing in particular, is a relevant topic for software engineering studies. But, in addition to their role as a part of the curricula, they are a tool that can be applied in teaching itself. The use of automated testing in teaching, be it for student self-assessment, or for implementing automatic or semiautomatic grading systems, is well documented. These approaches are largely based on self-study or autonomous work schemas. However, this paper presents an approach based on applying automated software testing during lab exams, with a double goal: on one hand, as a tool for the teacher, that makes it possible to perform a quick, orderly and consistent assessment in-place, and on the other hand, as an important component of the exam itself. Some potential problems can be identified in advance. In this paper, these problems are discussed and their real relevance in practice is evaluated

TiO2-SiO2 one-dimensional photonic crystals of controlled porosity by glancing angle physical vapour deposition

Herein we present a synthetic route to attain porous one-dimensional photonic crystals of high optical quality. The method employed, based on the alternate deposition of TiO2 and SiO2 porous layers by glancing angle physical vapour deposition, yields a highly accessible interconnected pore network throughout the entire multilayer structure. Furthermore, it allows a strict control over the average size and density of the interstitial sites, which results in the precise tuning of the refractive index of the individual layers and thus of the optical response of the ensemble. The controlled environmental response of the multilayer is confirmed by the optical monitoring of the infiltration of liquids of different refractive index.España Ministerio de Ciencia e innovación MAT2008-02166 MAT2007-65764Consolider Projects CSD2007-00007 CSD2008-00023Junta de Andalucía FQM-3579 TEP227

Datos preliminares de la validación del Cuestionario de Detección vía Web para los trastornos emocionales (DETECTA-WEB) en adolescentes españoles

El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar de forma preliminar las propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de Detección vía Web para los trastornos mentales emocionales (DETECTA-WEB) en adolescentes españoles. Para ello se reclutó una muestra formada por 167 adolescentes, con edades comprendidas entre los 14 y los 18 años. Los resultados indicaron que la escala presentó una estructura de 9 factores (para los 10 problemas incluidos), buena consistencia interna y correlaciones muy altas con las escalas equivalentes de la versión española del Revised Children for Anxiety and Depression Scale. De igual modo, tomando como punto de corte una puntuación equivalente a centil 80 o superior, el 20% de los sujetos encuestados presentaron sintomatología elevada de ansiedad/depresión. Los datos aportan apoyo inicial a la fiabilidad y validez del DETECTA-WEB para la evaluación de ansiedad y depresión en adolescentes.The purpose of this study was to examine preliminarily the psychometric properties of Web-Screening Questionnaire for emotional mental disorders (DETECTA-WEB) in Spanish adolescents. The sample consisted of 167 adolescents, aged between 14 and 18 years. The results indicated that the scale had a structure of 9 factors (for the 10 symptoms groups included), good internal consistency and very high correlations with equivalent scales from the Spanish version of the Revised Children for Anxiety and Depression Scale. Similarly, following a cut-off point of 80th percentile of above, 20% of the sample displayed elevated symptomatology of anxiety and/or depression. The data provide initial support for the reliability and validity of DETECTA-WEB to assess anxiety and depression in adolescents