A neuroimaging study of pleasant and unpleasant olfactory perceptions of virgin olive oil

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been used to collect information from neurons that receive direct input from olfactory bulbs when subjects smell virgin olive oil. The pleasant aroma of three extra virgin olive oils (var. Royal, Arbequina and Picual) and three virgin olive oils with sensory defects (rancid, fusty and winey/vinegary) were presented to 14 subjects while a fMRI scan acquired data from the brain activity. Data were subjected to a two-sample t test analysis, which allows a better interpretation of results particularly when data are studied across different subjects. Most of the activations, which were located in the frontal lobe, are related to the olfactory task regardless of the hedonic component of perception (e.g. Brodmann areas 10, 11). Comparing the samples with pleasant and unpleasant aromas, differences were found at the anterior cingu�late gyrus (Brodmann area 32), at the temporal lobe (Brodmann area 38), and inferior frontal gyrus (Brodmann area 47), while intense aromas activated Brodmann area 6. The actual perceptions described by the subjects and the concentration of the odorant compounds in the samples were considered in the interpretation of the results.Estudio mediante neuroimagen de percepciones olfativas agradables y desagradables de aceites de oliva virgen. La imagen por resonancia magnética funcional (fMRI) ha sido empleada para estudiar la información de la respuesta cerebral producida al estimular las neuronas que participan en el proceso olfatorio tras percibir el aroma del aceite de oliva virgen (AOV). Se utilizó fMRI para la adquisición de los datos de la actividad cerebral de 14 sujetos a los que se presentaron tres aceites de oliva vírgenes de aroma agradable (var. Royal, Arbequina and Picual) y tres aceites de oliva vírgenes con defectos sensoriales (rancio, atrojado, avinado/avinagrado). Los datos se sometieron a una prueba t para observar diferencias entre dos grupos, la cual permite una mejor interpretación de los resultados, particularmente cuando los datos se estudian a través de diferentes sujetos. La mayoría de las activaciones, que se localizaron en lóbulos frontales, se relacionaron con la tarea olfatoria independientemente de la componente hedónica de la percepción (por ejemplo, áreas Brodmann 10, 11). Al comparar las muestras con aromas agradables y desagradables, se encontraron diferencias significativas en el giro cingulado anterior (área Brodmann 32), el lóbulo temporal (área Brodmann 38) y el giro frontal inferior (área Brodmann 47), mientras que los aromas más intensos activaron el área Brodmann 6. En la interpretación de los resultados se tuvo en cuenta tanto la percepción descrita por los sujetos como las concentraciones de los compuestos volátiles en las muestras.Ramón y Cajal Program AGL2008-01411, AGL2011- 30371-C02-01/02

Miscellaneous properties of embeddings of line, total and middle graphs

Chartrand et al. (J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 10 (1971) 12–41) proved that the line graph of a graph G is outerplanar if and only if the total graph of G is planar. In this paper, we prove that these two conditions are equivalent to the middle graph of G been generalized outerplanar. Also, we show that a total graph is generalized outerplanar if and only if it is outerplanar. Later on, we characterize the graphs G such that Full-size image (<1 K) is planar, where Full-size image (<1 K) is a composition of the operations line, middle and total graphs. Also, we give an algorithm which decides whether or not Full-size image (<1 K) is planar in an Full-size image (<1 K) time, where n is the number of vertices of G. Finally, we give two characterizations of graphs so that their total and middle graphs admit an embedding in the projective plane. The first characterization shows the properties that a graph must verify in order to have a projective total and middle graph. The second one is in terms of forbidden subgraphs

Marco jurídico laboral de los contratos formativos: antecedentes y regulación actual

A lo largo de los últimos años, los contratos formativos se han convertido en la herramienta perfecta para combatir el desempleo juvenil en nuestro país. No son contratos ordinarios, pues conllevan un período de aprendizaje y obtención de experiencia para todos aquellos jóvenes que quieren seguir formándose y pasar a formar parte del mercado laboral español, el cual, cada vez es más competitivo y necesita de mano de obra más cualificada

Synthesis, Photochemical, and Redox Properties of Gold(I) and Gold(III) Pincer Complexes Incorporating a 2,2′:6′,2″-Terpyridine Ligand Framework

Reaction of [Au(C6F5)(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) with 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (terpy) leads to complex [Au(C6F5)(η1-terpy)] (1). The chemical oxidation of complex (1) with 2 equiv of [N(C6H4Br-4)3](PF6) or using electrosynthetic techniques affords the Au(III) complex [Au(C6F5)(η3-terpy)](PF6)2 (2). The X-ray diffraction study of complex 2 reveals that the terpyridine acts as tridentate chelate ligand, which leads to a slightly distorted square-planar geometry. Complex 1 displays fluorescence in the solid state at 77 K due to a metal (gold) to ligand (terpy) charge transfer transition, whereas complex 2 displays fluorescence in acetonitrile due to excimer or exciplex formation. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations match the experimental absorption spectra of the synthesized complexes. In order to further probe the frontier orbitals of both complexes and study their redox behavior, each compound was separately characterized using cyclic voltammetry. The bulk electrolysis of a solution of complex 1 was analyzed by spectroscopic methods confirming the electrochemical synthesis of complex 2

Quantifying change in an agrarian landscape. Application of multicriteria models in the archaeological study of Medellin (Badajoz, Spain) and its territory

Póster presentado a la Conferencia EuroGEOSS: "Advancing the Vision for GEOSS", celebrada en Madrid (España) del 25 al 27 de enero de 2012.“The evolution of an agrarian landscape: the territory of Medellin from protohistoric to medieval times” is a project funded by the Autonomous Government of Extremadura through its III Development and Research Regional Plan.Peer Reviewe

Radiografía de un castro de la Edad del Hierro: arqueología no invasiva en el asentamiento de Villasviejas del Tamuja (Botija, Cáceres)

The aim of this paper is to present the progress that has been made in the study of the hillfort of Villasviejas del Tamuja (Botija, in the province of Cáceres), based on a combination of non-destructive techniques. The possibility of cross-referencing the results obtained with different geophysical methods (magnetometry, georadar and electric tomography) raises the opportunity to formulate a reliable diagnosis on the spatial organization of this site. The most relevant results are described, and their contribution to a general interpretation of the urban structure and morphology of domestic spaces is analyzed. This information is contrasted with previously available excavation data and its framing is analysed within the existing knowledge on this type of settlements. In addition, elements of interest about the diachronic evolution of the site are added, which are relevant in relation to the hypotheses formulated about the impact of the Roman conquest. Ultimately, the potential of this type of research strategy for the study and revaluation of large and complex archaeological zones is considered.El objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar un primer avance del estudio del castro de Villasviejas del Tamuja (Botija, provincia de Cáceres) a partir de la combinación de técnicas no destructivas. La posibilidad de cruzar los resultados obtenidos con diversos métodos geofísicos (magnetometría, georradar y tomografía eléctrica) plantea la oportunidad de formular un diagnóstico fiable sobre la organización espacial de este enclave.Se describen los resultados más relevantes, y se valora su aportación para una interpretación general de la estructura urbana y la morfología de los espacios domésticos. Esta información es contrastada con los datos de excavación previamente disponibles, y se analiza su encuadre dentro del conocimiento actualmente existente sobre este tipo de asentamientos. Asimismo, se añaden elementos de interés acerca de la evolución diacrónica del sitio, que son relevantes en relación con las hipótesis formuladas acerca del impacto de la conquista romana.En última instancia se pondera el potencial de este tipo de estrategias de investigación para el estudio y revalorización de zonas arqueológicas grandes y complejas

Mammographic density and breast cancer in women from high risk families

Introduction: Mammographic density (MD) is one of the strongest determinants of sporadic breast cancer (BC). In this study, we compared MD in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and non-carriers from BRCA1/2 mutation-positive families and investigated the association between MD and BC among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers per type of mutation and tumor subtype. Methods: The study was carried out in 1039 female members of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation-positive families followed at 16 Spanish Genetic Counseling Units. Participants' density was scored retrospectively from available mammograms by a single blinded radiologist using a 5-category scale (75 %). In BC cases, we selected mammograms taken prior to diagnosis or from the contralateral breast, whereas, in non-cases, the last screening mammogram was evaluated. MD distribution in carriers and non-carriers was compared using ordinal logistic models, and the association between MD and BC in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers was studied using logistic regression. Huber-White robust estimators of variance were used to take into account correlations between family members. A similar multinomial model was used to explore this association by BC subtype. Results: We identified and scored mammograms from 341 BRCA1, 350 BRCA2 mutation carriers and 229 non-carriers. Compared to non-carriers, MD was significantly lower among BRCA2 mutation carriers (odds ratio (OR) =0.71; P-value=0.04), but not among BRCA1 carriers (OR=0.84; P-value=0.33). MD was associated with subsequent development BC (OR per category of MD=1.45; 95 % confidence interval=1.18-1.78, P-value<0.001), with no significant differences between BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers (P-value=0.48). Finally, no statistically significant differences were observed in the association of MD with specific BC subtypes. Conclusions: Our study, the largest to date on this issue, confirms that MD is an independent risk factor for all BC subtypes in either BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, and should be considered a phenotype risk marker in this context