Intraspecific Variation in Pinus Pinaster PSII Photochemical Efficiency in Response to Winter Stress and Freezing Temperatures

As part of a program to select maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) genotypes for resistance to low winter temperatures, we examined variation in photosystem II activity by chlorophyll fluorescence. Populations and families within populations from contrasting climates were tested during two consecutive winters through two progeny trials, one located at a continental and xeric site and one at a mesic site with Atlantic influence. We also obtained the LT50, or the temperature that causes 50% damage, by controlled freezing and the subsequent analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence in needles and stems that were collected from populations at the continental trial site

Brain functional abnormality in schizo-affective disorder: an fMRI study.

Background.Schizo-affective disorder has not been studied to any significant extent using functional imaging. The aim of this study was to examine patterns of brain activation and deactivation in patients meeting strict diagnostic criteria for the disorder. METHOD: Thirty-two patients meeting research diagnostic criteria (RDC) for schizo-affective disorder (16 schizomanic and 16 schizodepressive) and 32 matched healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during performance of the n-back task. Linear models were used to obtain maps of activations and deactivations in the groups. RESULTS: Controls showed activation in a network of frontal and other areas and also deactivation in the medial frontal cortex, the precuneus and the parietal cortex. Schizo-affective patients activated significantly less in prefrontal, parietal and temporal regions than the controls, and also showed failure of deactivation in the medial frontal cortex. When task performance was controlled for, the reduced activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the failure of deactivation of the medial frontal cortex remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Schizo-affective disorder shows a similar pattern of reduced frontal activation to schizophrenia. The disorder is also characterized by failure of deactivation suggestive of default mode network dysfunction

Inhibition of ATPase from chloroplasts by a hydroxamic acid from Gramineae.

Abstract-DIMBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-l,4-benzoxazin-3-one), a hydroxamic acid from the Gramineae involved in the resistance of cereals to aphids, inhibits energy transfer reactions. In this paper the effect of DIMBOA on the ATPase activity of chloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF,) was studied. A rapid inactivation of the enzyme was observed which increased with the concentration of DIMBOA. This inactivation was reversed by dilution and by filtration of the inhibitor. The inactivation was partially prevented by pre-treatment of the enzyme with iodoacetamide. A slower simultaneous inactivation was observed which followed pseudo-first order kinetics. It is suggested that part of the rapid inhibition of CF, ATPase caused by DIMBOA is due to its reaction with sulthydryl groups on the enzyme. These reactions of DIMBOA may explain some of the inhibitory properties of DIMBOA on a wide range of organisms

Valoración de los niveles de condición física de escolares de 11-12 años, mediante la aplicación de la Batería ALPHAFITNES

The state of health in the schoolchildren shows a high rate of sedentary lifestyle and therefore it is necessary to know the state of health of schoolchildren and use the concepts in a correct way in order to be able to apply a precise intervention. The aim of this study is the health status in schoolchildren aged 11 to 12 years using the ALPHA-Fitness battery. The sample consists of 79 subjects, 38 boys and 41 girls. The results show how the levels of fitness related to health are low or very low of those established for the age of 13 years. An interventional work based on the improvement of the physical condition is necessary and more in the girls than in the boys.El estado de salud en la población escolar muestra un elevado índice de sedentarismo y por ello es necesario conocer el estado de salud de los escolares para así poder realizar una adecuada intervención orientada a la actividad física saludable. El objetivo de este estudio es el conocer los niveles de condición física como referencia para orientarnos en el estado de salud de los escolares de 11 a 12 años a través de la aplicación de la Batería ALPHA-Fitness. La muestra consta de N= 79, (38 niños; 41 niñas). Los resultados muestran cómo los niveles de condición física relacionada con la salud están entre los valores muy bajos y bajos de los establecidos por los referentes de la propia batería.  Resulta necesario un trabajo de intervención basado en la mejora de la Condición Física y más en las niñas que en los niños

Interactions of Bacillus Mojavensis and Fusarium Verticillioides With a Benzoxazolinone (Boa) and Its Transformation Product, Apo

En:Journal of Chemical Ecology (2007, vol. 33, n. 10, p. 1885-1897)The benzoxazolinones, specifically benzoxazolin-2(3H)-one (BOA), are important transformation products of the benzoxazinones that can serve as allelochemicals providing resistance to maize from pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and insects. However, maize pathogens such as Fusarium verticillioides are capable of detoxifying the benzoxazolinones to 2-aminophenol (AP), which is converted to the less toxic N-(2-hydroxyphenyl) malonamic acid (HPMA) and 2-acetamidophenol (HPAA). As biocontrol strategies that utilize a species of endophytic bacterium, Bacillus mojavensis, are considered efficacious as a control of this Fusarium species, the in vitro transformation and effects of BOA on growth of this bacterium was examined relative to its interaction with strains of F. verticillioides. The results showed that a red pigment was produced and accumulated only on BOA-amended media when wild type and the progeny of genetic crosses of F. verticillioides are cultured in the presence of the bacterium. The pigment was identified as 2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one (APO), which is a stable product. The results indicate that the bacterium interacts with the fungus preventing the usual transformation of AP to the nontoxic HPMA, resulting in the accumulation of higher amounts of APO than when the fungus is cultured alone. APO is highly toxic to F. verticillioides and other organisms. Thus, an enhanced biocontrol is suggested by this in vitro study. =580 $aEn:Journal of Chemical Ecolog

Activity coefficients at infinite dilution of volatile compounds in water: effect of temperature and salt concentration

Activity coefficients at infinite dilution in water have been determined for some aroma compounds detected in brown crab liquid effluent produced during boiling (1-octen-3-ol, 1-penten-3-ol, 3-methylbutanal, hexanal, benzaldehyde, 2,3-pentadione, and ethyl acetate) by using the headspace gas chromatography technique (HSGC). Experimental data have been obtained over the temperature range of (40 to 50) °C. In this work, activity coefficients at infinite dilution for different kinds of systems have been considered: one component solute + water and multicomponent solute + water. No significant differences were observed between activity coefficients obtained in these two kinds of systems. Additionally the effect of salt concentration at 40 °C has been studied by varying the salt concentration from (0 to 1.71) mol·kg−1. Experimental data were fitted as a function of salt concentration by using the Setschenow equation, obtaining the salting-out coefficient.MICINN through CTQ2008-04999-PP

The Rise and Fall of "Respectable" Spanish Liberalism, 1808-1923: An Explanatory Framework

The article focuses on the reasons behind both the consolidation of what I have termed “respectable” liberalism between the 1830s and the 1840s and its subsequent decline and fall between 1900 and 1923. In understanding both processes I study the links established between “respectable” liberals and propertied elites, the monarchy, and the Church. In the first phase these links served to consolidate the liberal polity. However, they also meant that many tenets of liberal ideology were compromised. Free elections were undermined by the operation of caciquismo, monarchs established a powerful position, and despite the Church hierarchy working with liberalism, the doctrine espoused by much of the Church was still shaped by the Counter-Reformation. Hence, “respectable” liberalism failed to achieve a popular social base. And the liberal order was increasingly denigrated as part of the corrupt “oligarchy” that ruled Spain. Worse still, between 1916 and 1923 the Church, monarch, and the propertied elite increasingly abandoned the liberal Monarchist Restoration. Hence when General Primo de Rivera launched his coup the rug was pulled from under the liberals’ feet and there was no one to cushion the fall

Bycatch of franciscana dolphins Pontoporia blainvillei and the dynamic of artisanal fisheries in the species' southernmost area of distribution

Na Argentina, a toninha é um dos cetáceos mais vulneráveis devido às capturas por rede de pesca artesanal. O presente estudo teve como objetivo estimar as capturas acidentais no sul da província de Buenos Aires, através de entrevistas aos capitães de barcos de pesca artesanal, entre os anos 2006-2009. As capturas foram reportadas para redes de emalhe e de camarão; com as mais altas frequências entre outubro e fevereiro, a 5 km da costa e 10-20 m de profundidade. A mortalidade acidental média anual estimada foi de 107 golfinhos (IC 95% = 87-129), 92 em redes de emalhe (IC 95% = 73-112) e 15 em redes de camarão (IC 95% = 8-25), com uma captura de 0,029 golfinhos/km de rede de emalhe (IC 95% = 0,023-0,036) e 0,024/rede de camarão (IC 95% = 0,012-0,035). As flutuações anuais responderam principalmente às diferenças nos dias de pesca. Considerando o último levantamento estimativo feito para o norte costeiro da província, estima-se uma mortalidade entre 360-539 golfinhos/ano em toda a província de Buenos Aires. Esses valores correspondem de 2,5-3,7% da abundância populacional da Argentina; o que traria como consequência um declínio populacional da espécie, tornando-se fundamental encontrar alternativas de pesca para a área.In Argentina, the franciscana dolphin is one of the most vulnerable cetaceans regularly entangled in coastal artisanal fishery nets. The aim of this paper is to estimate the species' incidental mortality on the Southern coast of Buenos Aires province through interviews with the captains of artisanal fishing vessels, in the period 2006-2009. Franciscana bycatch was reported for gillnets and shrimper gear all year round but it occurred more frequently between October and February, at 5 km offshore and 10-20 m depth. The estimated mean annual incidental mortality was 107 dolphins (CI 95% = 87-129), 92 caught in gillnets (CI 95% = 73-112) and 15 in shrimpers' gear (CI 95% = 8-25) with a capture per unit effort of 0.029 dolphins per km of gillnet (CI 95% = 0.023-0.036) and 0.022 per shrimpe r's net (CI 95% = 0.012-0.035). Annual fluctuations were due to differences in the number of gillnetting fishing days. If mortality estimates for the Northern coast are also taken into account, values attain a maximum of 360-539 dolphins bycaught in the entire Buenos Aires province, representing 2.5-3.7% of the species' abundance in Argentina. This will inevitably lead to the decline of franciscana dolphin populations in the near future unless alternative fishing grounds are identified and alternative gearadopted