3D MODELLING OF THE NEGRO TOWER FOR ITS COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS AND A CONSERVATION PROPOSAL

Abstract. The Negro Tower, in El Algar, Cartagena (Region of Murcia, Spain), is a building which dates to 1585. It is a tower built in a rural environment, inland from the coast, to alert and protect the population from pirate attacks. It was part of the network of watchtowers and defense posts along the coast of Murcia built between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The tower is protected as a historical monument, but its state of conservation is very poor. For this reason, a comprehensive study has been carried out to ensure its correct restoration and future conservation. Historical and constructive analysis has allowed us to discover the social, cultural and architectural characteristics of the tower. Digital photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning compatible with classic topography have been used for the graphic survey of the tower. All this information has permitted the elaboration of thorough three-dimensional modelling and the proposal of a volumetric recomposition of the tower. The presentation will set out the working methodology followed as well as the important results achieved. This research work aims to contribute to the recognition and correct conservation of the Tower. The graphic survey and the three-dimensional model obtained will allow the recovery of the tower and its integration into the natural environment

Identification and functional analysis of novel phosphorylation sites in the RNA surveillance protein Upf1.

One third of inherited genetic diseases are caused by mRNAs harboring premature termination codons as a result of nonsense mutations. These aberrant mRNAs are degraded by the Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay (NMD) pathway. A central component of the NMD pathway is Upf1, an RNA-dependent ATPase and helicase. Upf1 is a known phosphorylated protein, but only portions of this large protein have been examined for phosphorylation sites and the functional relevance of its phosphorylation has not been elucidated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using tandem mass spectrometry analyses, we report the identification of 11 putative phosphorylated sites in S. cerevisiae Upf1. Five of these phosphorylated residues are located within the ATPase and helicase domains and are conserved in higher eukaryotes, suggesting a biological significance for their phosphorylation. Indeed, functional analysis demonstrated that a small carboxy-terminal motif harboring at least three phosphorylated amino acids is important for three Upf1 functions: ATPase activity, NMD activity and the ability to promote translation termination efficiency. We provide evidence that two tyrosines within this phospho-motif (Y-738 and Y-742) act redundantly to promote ATP hydrolysis, NMD efficiency and translation termination fidelity

tempo and mode of allopatric divergence in the weakly electric fish Sternopygus dariensis in the Isthmus of Panama

Spatial isolation is one of the main drivers of allopatric speciation, but the extent to which spatiallysegregated populations accumulate genetic differences relevant to speciation is not always clear. We used data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and whole mitochondrial genomes (i.e., mitogenomes) to explore genetic variation among allopatric populations of the weakly electric fish Sternopygus dariensis across the Isthmus of Panama. We found strong genetic divergence between eastern and western populations of S. dariensis. Over 77% of the UCE loci examined were differentially fixed between populations, and these loci appear to be distributed across the species’ genome. Population divergence occurred within the last 1.1 million years, perhaps due to global glaciation oscillations during the Pleistocene. Our results are consistent with a pattern of genetic differentiation under strict geographic isolation, and suggest the presence of incipient allopatric species within S. dariensis. Genetic divergence in S. dariensis likely occurred in situ, long after the closure of the Isthmus of Panama. Our study highlights the contribution of spatial isolation and vicariance to promoting rapid diversification in Neotropical freshwater fishes. The study of spatially-segregated populations within the Isthmus of Panama could reveal how genetic differences accumulate as allopatric speciation proceeds.Spatial isolation is one of the main drivers of allopatric speciation, but the extent to which spatiallysegregated populations accumulate genetic differences relevant to speciation is not always clear. We used data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and whole mitochondrial genomes (i.e., mitogenomes) to explore genetic variation among allopatric populations of the weakly electric fish Sternopygus dariensis across the Isthmus of Panama. We found strong genetic divergence between eastern and western populations of S. dariensis. Over 77% of the UCE loci examined were differentially fixed between populations, and these loci appear to be distributed across the species’ genome. Population divergence occurred within the last 1.1 million years, perhaps due to global glaciation oscillations during the Pleistocene. Our results are consistent with a pattern of genetic differentiation under strict geographic isolation, and suggest the presence of incipient allopatric species within S. dariensis. Genetic divergence in S. dariensis likely occurred in situ, long after the closure of the Isthmus of Panama. Our study highlights the contribution of spatial isolation and vicariance to promoting rapid diversification in Neotropical freshwater fishes. The study of spatially-segregated populations within the Isthmus of Panama could reveal how genetic differences accumulate as allopatric speciation proceeds

Comparison of the effect of repeated-sprint training combined with two different methods of strengt training on young soccer players

Comparison of the effect of repeated-sprint training combined with two different methods of strength training on young soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 29(3): 744–751, 2015—The aim of this study was to assess the effect of combining repeated-sprint training with 2 different methods of muscle strength training on physical performance variables in young players. Twenty-one soccer players with mean (±SD) age of 18.1 (±0.8) years, weight 69.9 (±6.5) kg, and height 177.1 (±5.7) cm, and competing in U-19 category, were randomly assigned to 2 experimental groups: squat group (SG: n = 10) and take-off group (TG: n = 11). Intervention in both groups consisted of the combination of a weekly session of repeated-sprint training (the same for both groups), with 2 weekly sessions of strength training (different for each group), for 8 weeks in the final period of the season. The strength sessions for the SG consisted of conducting a series of full squats executed at maximum velocity in the concentric phase. Intervention in the TG was the performance of 2 specific strength exercises (take-offs and change of direction), with measurements taken before and after consideration of the following variables: repeated-sprint ability (RSA), yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIRT1), countermovement jump (CMJ), and average velocity in full squat progressive loads test. The SG improved CMJ height in 5.28% (p <= 0.05) and FS37.5-47.5-67.5 (p <= 0.05), whereas the TG improved FS17.5-27.5-37.5-47.5-67.5 (p <= 0.05). There were no significant changes in the values of RSA or YYIRT1 in either group. The results seem to show that the combination of a weekly session of repeated-sprint training with 2 weekly sessions of strength training could be an insufficient stimulus to improve RSA in the final period of the season.Actividad Física y Deport

The Gould's Belt Very Large Array Survey II: The Serpens region

We present deep ($\sim 17~\mu$Jy) radio continuum observations of the Serpens molecular cloud, the Serpens south cluster, and the W40 region obtained using the Very Large Array in its A configuration. We detect a total of 146 sources, 29 of which are young stellar objects (YSOs), 2 are BV stars and 5 more are associated with phenomena related to YSOs. Based on their radio variability and spectral index, we propose that about 16 of the remaining 110 unclassified sources are also YSOs. For approximately 65% of the known YSOs detected here as radio sources, the emission is most likely non-thermal, and related to stellar coronal activity. As also recently observed in Ophiuchus, our sample of YSOs with X-ray counterparts lies below the fiducial G\"udel & Benz relation. Finally, we analyze the proper motions of 9 sources in the W40 region. This allows us to better constrain the membership of the radio sources in the region.Comment: Accepted in The Astrophysical Journa

Serum levels of caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 and mortality are associated in severe septic patients: Pilot study

Objective: Apoptosis is increased in sepsis. Cytokeratin 18 (CK-18), a protein of the intermediate filament group present in most epithelial and parenchymal cells, is cleaved by the action of caspases and released into the blood as caspase-cleaved CK (CCCK)-18 during apoptosis. Circulating levels of CCCK-18 have scarcely been explored in septic patients. In one study with 101 severe septic patients, the authors reported higher serum CCCK-18 levels in non-survivors than in survivors; however, the sample size was too small to demonstrate an association between serum CCCK-18 levels and early mortality and whether they could be used as a biomarker to predict outcomes in septic patients. Thus, these were the objectives of this study with a large series of patients. Methods: We performed a prospective, multicenter, observational study in six Spanish Intensive Care Units with 224 severe septic patients. Blood samples were collected at the time that severe sepsis was diagnosed to determine serum levels of CCCK-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. The end point was 30-day mortality. Results: Non-surviving patients (n = 80) showed higher serum CCCK-18 levels (P391 u/L were associated with 30-day survival (Odds ratio = 2.687; 95% confidence interval = 1.449-4.983; P = 0.002), controlling for SOFA score, serum lactic acid levels and age. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the risk of death in septic patients with serum CCCK-18 levels >391 u/L was higher than in patients with lower values (Hazard Ratio = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.96-4.84; P<0.001). Serum CCCK-18 levels were positively associated with serum levels of IL-6 and lactic acid, and with SOFA and APACHE scores. Conclusions: The major novel finding of our study, the largest cohort of septic patients providing data on circulating CCCK-18 levels, was that serum CCCK-18 levels are associated with mortality in severe septic patients

Palaeoceanographic changes in the late Pliocene promoted rapid diversification in pelagic seabirds

Aim: Palaeoceanographic changes can act as drivers of diversification and speciation, even in highly mobile marine organisms. Shearwaters are a group of globally distributed and highly mobile pelagic seabirds. Despite a recent well-resolved phylogeny, shearwaters have controversial species limits, and show periods of both slow and rapid diversification. Here, we explore the role of palaeoceanographic changes on shearwaters' diversification and speciation. We investigate shearwater biogeography and the evolution of a key phenotypic trait, body size, and we assess the validity of their current taxonomy

From hyperextended rift to convergent margin types: mapping the outer limit of the extended Continental Shelf of Spain in the Galicia area according UNCLOS Art. 76

European Geosciences Union General Assembly (2017. Viena)Spain presented on 11 May 2009 a partial submission for delimiting the extended Continental Shelf in respect to the area of Galicia to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS). The Galicia margin represents an example of the transition between two different types of continental margins (CM): a western hyperpextended margin and a northern convergent margin in the Bay of Biscay. The western Galicia Margin (wGM 41º to 43º N) corresponds to a hyper-extended rifted margin as result of the poly-phase development of the Iberian-Newfoundland conjugate margin during the Mesozoic. Otherwise, the north Galicia Margin (nGM) is the western end of the Cenozoic subduction of the Bay of Biscay along the north Iberian Margin (NIM) linked to the Pyrenean-Mediterranean collisional belt.Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, EspañaCentro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, EspañaInstituto Hidrográfico de la Marina, Españ

Ordenamiento de 13 forrajes según su producción acumulada de gas in vitro con heces bovinas depuestas como inóculo

With the aim of showing the usefulness of in vitro cumulative gas production using voided feces as inoculum to assist the nutritive valuation of forages for ruminants 13 samples, 10 of legumes were studied. The cumulative volumes of gas at different times were determined and the data fitted to a biphasic model that consider V=0 during the lag phase and V= B*(1-EXP(-C*(t-L))) the rest of the time. The forages were ordered according to the potential of gas to be produced (B) which was the greatest for G. sepium, a shrubby legume of good nutritive value, and lowest for sugar cane bagasse (highly lignified fiber of low digestibility) and for Ch. lineada (legume of high content of polyphenols). The use of clusters groups the forages in three different sets: i) high potential and average growth rate of production legumes; ii) all the gramineous, and the legumes with relatively lower specific growth rate and average production of gas, and; iii) the two acacias, with low potential but high growth rate of production.Con el fin de mostrar la utilidad del procedimiento de producción de gas in vitro con heces depuestas como inóculo para apoyar la valoración nutritiva de forrajes para rumiantes se estudiaron 13 muestras, 10 de ellas de leguminosas. Se determinó la producción acumulada de gas a diferentes horas y los datos se ajustaron al modelo bifásico que considera V=0 en la fase lag y V= B*(1-EXP(-C*(t-L))) a partir de la misma. Los forrajes se ordenaron por el valor del potencial de producción de gas (B) que resultó como mayor para la G. sepium, una leguminosa arbustiva de buen valor nutritivo y como peor para el bagazo (fibra lignificada de baja digestibilidad) y para Ch. lineada (leguminosa de elevado contenido de polifenoles). El uso de conglomerados agrupa los forrajes en tres conjuntos diferentes: i) leguminosas de alto potencial y velocidades medias de producción de gases; ii) todas las gramíneas, y las leguminosas con relativamente más bajas velocidades específicas y producción de gas media, y; iii) las dos acacias, con bajo potencial pero altas velocidades de producción