La alteración térmica en los sílex de los valles alcoyanos (Alicante, España). Una aproximación desde la arqueología experimental en contextos del Paleolítico Medio: El Salt

S’hi estudia l’alteració tèrmica dels sílex procedents del jaciment arqueològic del Salt (Alcoi, Alacant), amb la finalitat de contribuir a l’anàlisi de l’ús i el control de l’energia calorífica per part dels grups neandertals de la muntanya alacantina. Es recorre a l’arqueologia experimental i als estudis espacials per a indagar en el funcionament de les estructures de combustió i en l’organització de les activitats vinculades a l’ús del foc, com a factors explicatius de les ocupacions humanes en aquest assentament. Paraules clau: Sílex. Termoalteració. Paleolític mitjà. Neandertal. Estructures de combustió.In this paper we focus our attention on a study of thermic alteration of flint from the archaeological site of El Salt (Alcoy, Alicante, Spain), with the goal of contributing to the analysis of the use and control of heat energy by Neanderthal groups from the mountains of Alicante. We use experimental archaeology and spatial analysis to investigate the function of the combustion structures as well as the organization of activities related to the use of fire, which are explanatory factors of the human occupations in this site. Keywords: Flint. Thermic alteration. Middle Paleolithic. Neanderthal. Hearths.Se estudia la alteración térmica de los sílex procedentes del yacimiento arqueológico de El Salt (Alcoy, Alicante), con la finalidad de contribuir al análisis del uso y control de la energía calorífica por parte de los grupos neandertales de la montaña alicantina. Se recurre a la arqueología experimental y a los estudios espaciales para indagar en el funcionamiento de las estructuras de combustión y en la organización de las actividades vinculadas al uso del fuego, como factores explicativos de las ocupaciones humanas en este asentamiento. Palabras clave: Sílex. Termoalteración. Paleolítico Medio. Neandertal. Estructuras de combustión. S’hi estudia l’alteració tèrmica dels sílex procedents del jaciment arqueològic del Salt (Alcoi, Alacant), amb la finalitat de contribuir a l’anàlisi de l’ús i el control de l’energia calorífica per part dels grups neandertals de la muntanya alacantina. Es recorre a l’arqueologia experimental i als estudis espacials per a indagar en el funcionament de les estructures de combustió i en l’organització de les activitats vinculades a l’ús del foc, com a factors explicatius de les ocupacions humanes en aquest assentament. Paraules clau: Sílex. Termoalteració. Paleolític mitjà. Neandertal. Estructures de combustió

In vitro tau fibrillization: Mapping protein regions

AbstractWe have investigated the propensity to form fibrillar aggregates of a variety of fragments and variants of the tau protein under the influence of a tau fibrillization inducer: coenzyme Q0. To better identify fibrillization hotspots, we compare the polymerization propensity of tau fragments containing the sequence of putative hotspots with that of tau variants with that same sequence deleted. We also investigate the effects of biologically occurring modifications such as phosphorylation and deamidation. We found that residues 305 to 335 are essential for in vitro tau fibrillization. Residues 306 to 311 facilitate in vitro assembly, but are not sufficient to mimic the in vivo fibrillization of tau. Furthermore, the propensity of the 306–311 sequence to form fibrils is highly decreased by chemical modifications of tyrosine 310 that are commonly found in vivo

Recycled wastewater as a potential source of microplastics in irrigated soils from an arid-insular territory (Fuerteventura, Spain)

In this work, the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in irrigation recycled wastewaters (RWWs) and a desalinated brackish water (DBW) from the arid territory of Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain) was studied. Besides, the presence of MPs in two types of soils (sandy-loam and clay-loamy; with no mulch film or fertilization with sewage sludge applied) irrigated with both water qualities was addressed. Results showed the prevalence presence of cellulosic and polyester microfibers (between 84.4 and 100%) of blue and transparent colors (up to 55.6 and 33.3%, respectively), with an average length of 786.9 ± 812.1 μm in the water samples. DBW had the lowest MP concentration (2.0 ± 2.0 items·L−1) while RWW showed concentrations up to 40.0 ± 19.0 items·L−1. Similarities were also observed between the MPs types and sizes found in both soils top layer (0–5 cm), with an average concentration three times greater in soil irrigated with RWW than in soil under DBW irrigation (159 ± 338 vs. 46 ± 92 items·kg−1, respectively). In addition, no MPs were extracted from non-irrigated/non-cultivated soils, suggesting agricultural activities as the unique source of MPs in soils of this arid area. Results show that RWWs constitute a potential source of MPs in irrigated soils that should be considered among other pros and cons linked to the use of this water quality in agricultural arid land

Subtropical cyclone formation via warm seclusion development: the importance of surface fluxes

Subtropical cyclones (STCs) are characterized by a thermal hybrid structure with tropical and extratropical features. STCs are considered a numerical modeling challenge because of their rapid intensification. A fundamental part of their strength is derived from diabatic processes associated with convection and heat fluxes from the ocean. This study evaluates the importance of surface turbulent heat fluxes during the transition of an extratropical precursor into a STC. This cyclone evolved embedded within a strong meridional flow, having a Shapiro‐Keyser structure and undergoing a warm seclusion process. To assess the importance of those heat fluxes, two Weather Research and Forecasting simulations were defined considering the presence and absence of those fluxes. Results of both simulations reveal a warm seclusion process, which weakened in absence of the heat fluxes. During the system genesis and in absence of heat fluxes, the wind and rainfall values were increased due to the remarkably intense area of frontogenesis to the northwest. Given these results and the lack of transition in the absence of heat fluxes, the frontal nature of the system was verified. Considering the heat fluxes, the obtained potential vorticity values diminished, reducing wind shear and intensifying convection in the system, which favored its transition into an STC. This study is groundbreaking in that no STC has been linked to a warm seclusion process in the Eastern North Atlantic. Additionally, simulated wind field shows an underestimation in comparison with Atmospheric Motion Vectors, used as observational data so as to give a weight to the wind analysis.This work was partially supported by research projects PCIN-2014-013-C07-04, PCIN2016-080 (UE ERA-NET Plus NEWA Project), CGL2016-78702-C2-1-R, CGL2016-78702-C2-2-R, and CGL2016-81828-REDT and the ECMWF special projects (SPESMART and SPESVALE)

Intensive Habitat Loss in South Spain: Arborescent Scrubs with <em>Ziziphus</em> (5220*)

The habitat arborescent matorral with Ziziphus (5220*) was included in the Habitats Directive of the European Commission. These plant formations represent the maximum potential vegetation in a very restrictive arid environment, since it encompasses endemic, tropical, or Maghrebian floristic elements, and from other areas of the ancient Thetis Sea. In fact, the version of this community with Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes. [=Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell] constitutes extraordinarily singular flora formations in the Iberian southeast. These are unique communities in Europe and ecologically extremely valuable and, however, have been included among the Europe’s most endangered habitats. The vast economic development experienced in South Spain based on the remarkable transformation of traditional farming patterns into a highly profitable agriculture that uses industrial production methods and the groundwater intensively (agriculture intensification and land-use change), in addition to urbanization without sustainable land planning, determines that European G. senegalensis populations are seriously threatened by severe habitat destruction and fragmentation

A Partially Protective Vaccine for Fasciola hepatica Induced Degeneration of Adult Flukes Associated to a Severe Granulomatous Reaction in Sheep

Fasciolosis is an important economic disease of livestock. There is a global interest in the development of protective vaccines since current anthelmintic therapy is no longer sustainable. A better knowledge of the host-parasite interaction is needed for the design of effective vaccines. The present study evaluates the microscopical hepatic lesions in sheep immunized with a partially protective vaccine (VAC1), a non-protective vaccine (VAC2), and an infected control group (IC). The nature of granulomatous inflammation associated with degeneration of adult flukes found in the VAC1 group was characterized by immunohistochemistry. Hepatic lesions (fibrous perihepatitis, chronic tracts, bile duct hyperplasia, infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes and plasma cells) were significantly less severe in the VAC1 group than in the IC group. Dead adult flukes within bile ducts were observed only in the VAC1 group and were surrounded by a severe granulomatous inflammation composed by macrophages and multinucleate giant cells with a high expression of lysozyme, CD163 and S100 markers, and a low expression of CD68. Numerous CD3+ T lymphocytes and scarce infiltrate of FoxP3+ Treg and CD208+ dendritic cells were present. This is the first report describing degenerated flukes associated to a severe granulomatous inflammation in bile ducts in a F. hepatica vaccine trial

Habilitadores para aplicación de teleconsulta sobre IP Multimedia Subsystem

En el presente trabajo se presenta el diseño e implementación de un conjunto de habilitadores o servicios genéricos para aplicaciones de teleconsulta sobre redes IMS. A partir de las funcionalidades identificadas en las aplicaciones de teleconsulta se han diseñado los habilitadores a desarrollar, que son los siguientes: una sala de espera virtual, una pizarra virtual y una multiconferencia multimedia. Estos servicios utilizan a su vez otros habilitadores genéricos referidos en el estado del arte de la arquitectura IMS. Tales servicios se han integrado en una arquitectura IMS para garantizar su funcionamiento. Para evaluar el funcionamiento de los habilitadores desarrollados se ha definido e implementado el caso de uso de una aplicación de teleconsulta avanzada

Porcine Digestible Peptides (PDP) in Weanling Diets Regulates the Expression of Genes Involved in Gut Barrier Function, Immune Response and Nutrient Transport in Nursery Pigs

CRAG 10.3390/ani10122368This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of porcine digestible peptides (PDP), spray-dried plasma (SDP), or a combination of both, on growth performance and the expression of genes related to intestinal function of weaned pigs. A total of 180 piglets (trial 1) and 198 piglets (trial 2) were used to evaluate the partial substitution of soybean ingredients with 2% SDP or 2% PDP (trial 1), and with 3% SDP or the combination of 1% SDP and 2% PDP (SDP-PDP; trial 2) during the pre-starter period (0-14 days). The gene expression of 56 genes was quantified in a qPCR platform in jejunum and ileum samples obtained from piglets 14 d after weaning (trial 2). Piglets fed SDP, PDP and SDP-PDP had a higher body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (G:F) than the soybean control on day 14 (p < 0.05). In addition, the combination of SDP and PDP upregulated ten genes in jejunum samples (p < 0.05) related to intestinal function. More research is needed to confirm that gene expression upregulation by PDP in combination with SDP has an impact on intestinal function and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms

Neocortical tissue recovery in severe congenital obstructive hydrocephalus after intraventricular administration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND: In obstructive congenital hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid accumulation is associated with high intracranial pressure and the presence of periventricular edema, ischemia/hypoxia, damage of the white matter, and glial reactions in the neocortex. The viability and short time effects of a therapy based on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) have been evaluated in such pathological conditions in the hyh mouse model. METHODS: BM-MSC obtained from mice expressing fluorescent mRFP1 protein were injected into the lateral ventricle of hydrocephalic hyh mice at the moment they present a very severe form of the disease. The effect of transplantation in the neocortex was compared with hydrocephalic hyh mice injected with the vehicle and non-hydrocephalic littermates. Neural cell populations and the possibility of transdifferentiation were analyzed. The possibility of a tissue recovering was investigated using 1H High-Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H HR-MAS NMR) spectroscopy, thus allowing the detection of metabolites/osmolytes related with hydrocephalus severity and outcome in the neocortex. An in vitro assay to simulate the periventricular astrocyte reaction conditions was performed using BM-MSC under high TNFα level condition. The secretome in the culture medium was analyzed in this assay. RESULTS: Four days after transplantation, BM-MSC were found undifferentiated and scattered into the astrocyte reaction present in the damaged neocortex white matter. Tissue rejection to the integrated BM-MSC was not detected 4 days after transplantation. Hyh mice transplanted with BM-MSC showed a reduction in the apoptosis in the periventricular neocortex walls, suggesting a neuroprotector effect of the BM-MSC in these conditions. A decrease in the levels of metabolites/osmolytes in the neocortex, such as taurine and neuroexcytotoxic glutamate, also indicated a tissue recovering. Under high TNFα level condition in vitro, BM-MSC showed an upregulation of cytokine and protein secretion that may explain homing, immunomodulation, and vascular permeability, and therefore the tissue recovering. CONCLUSIONS: BM-MSC treatment in severe congenital hydrocephalus is viable and leads to the recovery of the severe neurodegenerative conditions in the neocortex. NMR spectroscopy allows to follow-up the effects of stem cell therapy in hydrocephalus.España Instituto Carlos III , PI15/00619 (to AJJ), PI19/00778 (to AJJ and PPG), PI15/00796, and PI18/01557España Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte FPU13/02906España, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad RYC-2014-16980España, FEDER Andalucía y Universidad de Málaga UMA18-FEDERJA-27