Sequential P3 effects in a Posner’s spatial cueing paradigm: Trial-by-trial learning of the predictive value of the cue

The neurocognitive consequences of correct or incorrect spatial prediction in a sequential S1–S2 paradigm were assessed. Sequential dependence on previous trial outcome (valid or invalid) was assessed by late Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) and behavioural responses. Two different experiments were performed, situating the target in the vertical (Experiment 1) or in the horizontal (Experiment 2) meridian. RTs and late positivities (P3a and P3b) were recorded. ERPs showed that posterior positivity (probably a P3b) was greater in invalid–valid trials than in valid–valid trials but lower than in valid– invalid trials. However, at the frontal electrodes, late positivity (probably a P3a) only appeared in valid–invalid trials, indicating that invalid trials are analyzed as novel-like stimuli. The P3b results suggest trial-by-trial learning of the predictive value of the cue, which needs to be updated as indicated by the pattern of P3b amplitudes: valid–invalid > invalid–valid > valid–valid.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España)Junta de Andalucí

Estudio de la accesibilidad y diseño universal del Corregimiento de Calidonia.

A partir del 2006, en la República de Panamá, las personas con discapacidad comenzaron a tener una voz en donde hablar de accesibilidad es hablar de igualdad de oportunidades. Por eso esta tesis trata del "Estudio de la Accesibilidad y Diseño Universal en el Corregimiento de Calidonia", para conocer las carencias del entorno urbano cuya situación provoca exclusión social, generando como consecuencia una disminución paulatina en la calidad de vida de las personas que sobrellevan algún tipo de discapacidad y sus familiares. La intención principal de este estudio es ofrecer una estrategia viable para ser aplicada tanto en el Corregimiento de Calidonia, como a nivel nacional

Reducing the energy demand in irrigation water supply systems. Experiences from southern Europe

In recent years, many modernization processes have been undertaken in irrigation districts with a view to improving water use efficiency. In southern Spain, many irrigation districts have either been modernized or are currently being upgraded. However, as part of the modernization process some unexpected side effects have been observed. This paper analyzes the relative advantages and limitations of modernization based on field data collected in a typical Andalusian irrigation district. Although the amount of water diverted for irrigation to farms has been considerably reduced, consumptive use has increased. The costs for operation and system maintenance have dramatically risen (400%), as the energy for pumping water is much higher now compared to the gravity fed systems used previously. Then a regional analysis of the relationship between energy requirements and irrigation water applied in ten irrigation districts, in Southern Spain, has been carried out. Results show that 1000 kWh ha–1 is the energy required to apply an average depth of 2590 m3 ha-1. Finally, energy saving options are identified and discussed

Manejo estomatológico del paciente con liquen erosivo

El liquen plano oral es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica de etiología desconocida, con fisiopatología de tipo autoinmune mediada por linfocitos T. La influencia psicosomática puede desencadenar la enfermedad y las recidivas. Sus manifestaciones bucales comprenden diferentes formas clínicas, diferenciadas en típicas y atípicas. Entre las formas denominadas atípicas, se encuentra el liquen erosivo que se acompaña de sensación de ardor y dolor manifestada por el paciente. Si no se detecta de manera precoz, puede malignizar. Se presenta a la consulta una paciente de 59 años de edad que refirió asistir por dolor bucal al hablar o comer. Se evidenció en la mucosa yugal del lado izquierdo una lesión erosiva extensa. El estudio clínico e histopatológico a través de biopsia constató la presencia de liquen erosivo. Se recomendó que el tratamiento fuese multidisciplinario en conjunto con el dermatólogo, médico clínico y psicoanalista, obteniéndose resultados satisfactorios a pocos días de comenzado el tratamiento. Los profesionales de la salud somos responsables de informar y acompañar al paciente acerca del diagnóstico, etiopatogenia, tratamiento y evolución de esta enfermedad. Al considerarse una patología de origen autoinmune, es de vital importancia tranquilizar al paciente y recomendar un tratamiento multidisciplinario que le permitirá disminuir el riesgo de malignización y mejorar su calidad de vida

Development of preparatory activity indexed by the contingent negative variation in children

Objectives The present study investigated the effect of age on task-specific preparatory activation induced by a spatial cue using the central cue Posner’s paradigm. The behavioral responses and the contingent negative variation (CNV) generated between S1 (the warning stimulus) and S2 (the imperative stimulus) were compared between 16 healthy children (8–13 years old) and 17 healthy young adults (18–23 years old). Methods The EEG was recorded from 20 scalp sites of the International 10–20 system. The complete trial period included a central directional cue that was on for 300 m s and an attentive waiting period lasting 1360 m s. Finally, a peripheral target appeared, subtending a visual angle of 4.56° and situated 2.28° eccentrically in the horizontal meridian. The early and late components of the CNV appearing in the period between cue and target were analyzed. Results The CNV of children showed no contralateral cortical activation related to motor preparation. However, the young adults showed contralateral activation to the cue over motor areas. Both children and young adults showed cortical activation in posterior sensory areas, displaying a pattern of activation contralateral to the cue. Also, a positive parietal component appeared in children during the CNV period. Conclusions These results suggest that the motor preparation system in children is less mature than the sensory preparatory system. The children may have used strategies and brain areas different from those of the young adults to prepare for stimuli and responses

Middleware to Operate Smart Photovoltaic Irrigation Systems in Real Time

Climate change, water scarcity and higher energy requirements and electric tariff compromises the continuity of the irrigated agriculture. Precision agriculture (PA) or renewable energy sources which are based on communication and information technologies and a large amount of data are key to ensuring this economic activity and guaranteeing food security at the global level. Several works which are based on the use of PA and renewable energy sources have been developed in order to optimize different variables of irrigated agriculture such as irrigation scheduling. However, the large amount of technologies and sensors that these models need to be implemented are still far from being easily accessible and usable by farmers. In this way, a middleware called Real time Smart Solar Irrigation Manager (RESSIM) has been developed in this work and implemented in MATLABTM with the aim to provide to farmers a user-friendly tool for the daily making decision process of irrigation scheduling using a smart photovoltaic irrigation management module. RESSIM middleware was successfully tested in a real field during a full irrigation season of olive trees using a real smart photovoltaic irrigation system

Cis- and trans-regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in the ASJ sensory neuron of Caenorhabditis elegans

© 2015 by the Genetics Society of America. The identity of a given cell type is determined by the expression of a set of genes sharing common cis-regulatory motifs and being regulated by shared transcription factors. Here, we identify cis and trans regulatory elements that drive gene expression in the bilateral sensory neuron ASJ, located in the head of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. For this purpose, we have dissected the promoters of the only two genes so far reported to be exclusively expressed in ASJ, trx-1 and ssu-1. We hereby identify the ASJ motif, a functional cis-regulatory bipartite promoter region composed of two individual 6 bp elements separated by a 3 bp linker. The first element is a 6 bp CG-rich sequence that presumably binds the Sp family member zinc-finger transcription factor SPTF-1. Interestingly, within the C. elegans nervous system SPTF-1 is also found to be expressed only in ASJ neurons where it regulates expression of other genes in these neurons and ASJ cell fate. The second element of the bipartite motif is a 6 bp AT-rich sequence that is predicted to potentially bind a transcription factor of the homeobox family. Together, our findings identify a specific promoter signature and SPTF-1 as a transcription factor that functions as a terminal selector gene to regulate gene expression in C. elegans ASJ sensory neurons.Some C. elegans strains were provided by the CGC, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (P40 OD010440), and by the Japanese National Bioresource Project, which is funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology. We thank Nuria Flames for advice and support and María Jesús Rodríguez-Palero and Francisco José Naranjo-Galindo for excellent technical assistance. This work was financed by grants to A.M.-V. from the Junta de Andalucía (Projects P07-CVI-02697 and P08-CVI-03629). Work in the laboratory of P.S. was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council and the Torsten Söderberg Foundation. E.K. was supported by a grant from the European Union FP6 Marie Curie Research Training Network “EUrythron” MRTN-CT-2004-005499.Peer Reviewe

Identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolated from opossum (Didelphis virginiana) lymph nodes and characterisation of lesions

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of NTM in the lymph nodes of opossums (D. virginiana) and to characterise the microscopic changes in affected tissue. Retropharyngeal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes were collected postmortem from 18 opossums in the state of Colima, Mexico in 2013. The lymph nodes were also cultured for mycobacterial organisms and processed for histopathological examination. Bacteriological cultures yielded 5/18X100 (28%) isolates of NTM, which were subsequently identified as M. terrae, M. szulgai, M. gastri and M. asiaticum. Microscopic examination of the affected nodes revealed a necrotic granulomatous lymphadenitis (3/60%) composed of histiocytes, epithelioid cells and giant cells with intralesional alcoholresistant acid bacteria. An association between the sex of the opossum and the presence of NTM was observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of NTM isolation in opossums with granulomatous lymphadenitis in Mexico

Erradicación de Helicobacter pylori con terapia triple estándar de primera lí­nea

La infección por Helicobacter pylori se considera una de las infecciones bacterianas crónicas más prevalentes en humanos, se estima que cerca del 50% de la población mundial está infectada. Los objetivos de esta investigación fueron identificar la tasa de erradicación de H. pylori con terapia triple estándar e identificar posibles caracterí­sticas asociadas a su erradicación. Se estudió a 119 pacientes seleccionados en forma consecutiva, con diagnóstico de infección por H. pylori. Se realizó endoscopia diagnóstica y toma de biopsia gástrica. Se dio tratamiento de erradicación con terapia triple estándar con lansoprazol 30 miligramos por ví­a oral dos veces al dí­a, amoxicilina 1 gramo por ví­a oral dos veces al dí­a y claritromicina 500 miligramos por ví­a oral dos veces al dí­a durante 10 dí­as, seguido de 30 dí­as de tratamiento con lansoprazol. Seis semanas después de completado el tratamiento se realizó antí­geno de H. pylori en heces para determinar si hubo erradicación. La edad promedio de los participantes fue de 49 años, el 81.5% eran mujeres, 85.7% provení­an de áreas urbanas, el sí­ntoma más común fue dispepsia en 86.6%. En el examen post tratamiento el 89.9% (IC 95%, 83% - 94.7%)  presentó antí­geno en heces negativo. No se encontraron posibles asociaciones entre las caracterí­sticas de los pacientes con la respuesta al tratamiento. En conclusión, la tasa de erradicación para H. pylori con terapia triple de primera lí­nea fue del 89.9%

Mindfulness-based program for anxiety and depression treatment in healthcare professionals: A pilot randomized controlled trial

In primary health care, the work environment can cause high levels of anxiety and depression, triggering relevant expert and individual change. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs reduce signs of anxiety and depression. The purpose of this sub-analysis of the total project, was to equate the effectiveness of the standard MBSR curriculum with the abbreviated version in minimizing anxiety and depression. This randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled 112 mentors and resident specialists from Family and Community Medicine and Nurses (FCMN), distributed across six teaching units (TU) of the Spanish National Health System (SNHS). Experimental group participants received a MBRS training (abbreviated/standard). Depression and anxiety levels were measured with the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS) at three different time periods during the analysis: before (pre-test) and after (post-test) participation, as well as 3 months after the completion of intervention. Taking into account the pre-test scores as the covariate, an adjusted analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed significant depletion in anxiety and depression in general (F (2.91) = 4.488; p = 0.014; ¿2 = 0.090) and depression in particular (F (2, 91) = 6.653; p = 0.002; ¿2 = 0.128 at the post-test visit, maintaining their effects for 3 months (F (2.79) = 3.031; p = 0.050; ¿2 = 0.071—F (2.79) = 2.874; p = 0.049; ¿2 = 0.068, respectively), which is associated with the use of a standard training program. The abbreviated training program did not have a significant effect on the level of anxiety and depression. The standard MBSR training program had a positive effect on anxiety and depression and promotes long-lasting effects in tutors and resident practitioners. New research is needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of abbreviated versions of training programs. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland