Evolutionary vaccination dilemma in complex networks

In this work we analyze the evolution of voluntary vaccination in networked populations by entangling the spreading dynamics of an influenza-like disease with an evolutionary framework taking place at the end of each influenza season so that individuals take or do not take the vaccine upon their previous experience. Our framework thus puts in competition two well-known dynamical properties of scale-free networks: the fast propagation of diseases and the promotion of cooperative behaviors. Our results show that when vaccine is perfect, scale-free networks enhance the vaccination behavior with respect to random graphs with homogeneous connectivity patterns. However, when imperfection appears we find a crossover effect so that the number of infected (vaccinated) individuals increases (decreases) with respect to homogeneous networks, thus showing the competition between the aforementioned properties of scale-free graphs

High prevalence of secondary resistance mutations in Venezuelan HIV-1 isolates.

The genetic variability was studied in HIV-1 from Venezuelan patients with and without treatment, in order to evaluate the presence of polymorphisms and drug resistance mutations. Proviral DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells or viral RNA from plasma was extracted from the blood of 30 patients. Two regions from the polymerase gene, protease (Pr) and reverse transcriptase (RT) and one genomic fragment from the envelope (Env) gene were amplified and sequenced. All HIV-1 samples analyzed were classified as subtype B, without evidence of recombination. Although no primary protease mutations were detected, a high frequency of secondary mutations (86%, 19/22), associated to restoration of viral replicative fitness, was observed in strains circulating both in treated and non-treated patients. Resistance mutations to nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTI) and non-nucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTI) were detected in 35% (6/17) and 12% (2/17) of the viruses circulating in treated patients, respectively. Resistance mutations were also present in the virus infecting one antiretroviral naive individual (7.7%), suggesting that local screening for resistant mutation in naive patient might be important to minimize therapy failure. Future studies are warranted to assess the role of secondary mutation in the success of viral infection

Ancient Genomic Regulatory Blocks Are a Source for Regulatory Gene Deserts in Vertebrates after Whole-Genome Duplications

We investigated how the two rounds of whole genome duplication that occurred at the base of the vertebrate lineage have impacted ancient microsyntenic associations involving developmental regulators (known as genomic regulatory blocks, GRBs). We showed that the majority of GRBs identified in the last common ancestor of chordates have been maintained as a single copy in humans. We found evidence that dismantling of the duplicated GRB copies occurred early in vertebrate evolution often through the differential retention of the regulatory gene but loss of the bystander gene's exonic sequences. Despite the large evolutionary scale, the presence of duplicated highly conserved non-coding regions provided unambiguous proof for this scenario for multiple ancient GRBs. Remarkably, the dismantling of ancient GRB duplicates has contributed to the creation of large gene deserts associated with regulatory genes in vertebrates, providing a potentially widespread mechanism for the origin of these enigmatic genomic traits

El aprendizaje significativo de la Medicina Interna a través de la evaluación por competencias clínicas. Investigación - Acción.

RESUMEN Después de identificar los problemas en la evaluación de estudiantes de pregrado y postgrado de Medicina Interna de la Universidad Industrial de Santander, se implementó una propuesta de evaluación por competencias, que apoyara el aprendizaje significativo de la Medicina Interna. Se propuso determinar las competencias clínicas y los indicadores de las mismas; conocer las concepciones previas de los estudiantes; desarrollar estrategias didácticas que permitieran la construcción de significados conceptuales, procedimentales y actitudinales; y, evaluar los niveles alcanzados de estas competencias clínicas. La población que participó en este proyecto la conformaron estudiantes de pregrado y postgrado, que rotaron durante el 2003 por el departamento de Medicina Interna. El proyecto permitió seleccionar las competencias y los indicadores de logro de las mismas; conocer las concepciones previas con que llegaban los estudiantes a las distintas rotaciones; producir conocimiento sobre las competencias que los estudiantes de pre y postgrado, han construido; e implementar nuevas estrategias didácticas y metacognitivas, para apoyar el aprendizaje significativo en las áreas clínicas. A partir del análisis de la información aportada, fue posible detectar algunas debilidades y reflexionar sobre cómo mejorar el quehacer docente y los programas académicos, para conseguir los mejores resultados posibles en los semestres subsiguientes; vigorizar la evaluación formativa; generar aportes a los procesos curriculares de formación en medicina basados en competencias; aportar a la construcción de una comunidad académica en reflexión permanente sobre su acción docente y posicionar el tema de la educación médica en la región y el país. Palabras Claves: Evaluación, competencias clínicas, educación ABSTRACT Identifying the problems in the evaluation of students of Internal Medicine of the University Industrial of Santander, a proposal of evaluation by competences was implemented, that supported the significant learning of the Internal Medicine. It was proposed to determine the clinical competences and the indicators of the same; to know the prior conceptions of the students; to develop didactic strategies that permit the construction of conceptual meanings, and attitudinal; and, to evaluate the levels reached of these clinical competences. The population that participated in this project was conformed for students that rotated during the 2003, for the department. The project permitted to select the competences and the indicators of achievement of the same; to know the prior conceptions with which arrived the students to the different rotations; to produce knowledge on the competences that the students, they have built; and to implement new didactic strategies to support the significant learning in the clinical areas. From the analysis of the information contributed, was possible to detect some weaknesses and to reflect on how improve the educational task and the academic programs, to obtain the better possible results in the subsequent semesters; to energize the formative evaluation; to generate contribute to the curriculum processes of formation in medicine based on competences; to contribute to the construction of an academic community in permanent reflection on its educational action and to position the medical education in the region and the country. Key Words: Evaluation, clinical competences, educatio

El aprendizaje significativo de la Medicina Interna a través de la evaluación por competencias clínicas. Investigación - Acción.

RESUMEN Después de identificar los problemas en la evaluación de estudiantes de pregrado y postgrado de Medicina Interna de la Universidad Industrial de Santander, se implementó una propuesta de evaluación por competencias, que apoyara el aprendizaje significativo de la Medicina Interna. Se propuso determinar las competencias clínicas y los indicadores de las mismas; conocer las concepciones previas de los estudiantes; desarrollar estrategias didácticas que permitieran la construcción de significados conceptuales, procedimentales y actitudinales; y, evaluar los niveles alcanzados de estas competencias clínicas. La población que participó en este proyecto la conformaron estudiantes de pregrado y postgrado, que rotaron durante el 2003 por el departamento de Medicina Interna. El proyecto permitió seleccionar las competencias y los indicadores de logro de las mismas; conocer las concepciones previas con que llegaban los estudiantes a las distintas rotaciones; producir conocimiento sobre las competencias que los estudiantes de pre y postgrado, han construido; e implementar nuevas estrategias didácticas y metacognitivas, para apoyar el aprendizaje significativo en las áreas clínicas. A partir del análisis de la información aportada, fue posible detectar algunas debilidades y reflexionar sobre cómo mejorar el quehacer docente y los programas académicos, para conseguir los mejores resultados posibles en los semestres subsiguientes; vigorizar la evaluación formativa; generar aportes a los procesos curriculares de formación en medicina basados en competencias; aportar a la construcción de una comunidad académica en reflexión permanente sobre su acción docente y posicionar el tema de la educación médica en la región y el país. Palabras Claves: Evaluación, competencias clínicas, educación ABSTRACT Identifying the problems in the evaluation of students of Internal Medicine of the University Industrial of Santander, a proposal of evaluation by competences was implemented, that supported the significant learning of the Internal Medicine. It was proposed to determine the clinical competences and the indicators of the same; to know the prior conceptions of the students; to develop didactic strategies that permit the construction of conceptual meanings, and attitudinal; and, to evaluate the levels reached of these clinical competences. The population that participated in this project was conformed for students that rotated during the 2003, for the department. The project permitted to select the competences and the indicators of achievement of the same; to know the prior conceptions with which arrived the students to the different rotations; to produce knowledge on the competences that the students, they have built; and to implement new didactic strategies to support the significant learning in the clinical areas. From the analysis of the information contributed, was possible to detect some weaknesses and to reflect on how improve the educational task and the academic programs, to obtain the better possible results in the subsequent semesters; to energize the formative evaluation; to generate contribute to the curriculum processes of formation in medicine based on competences; to contribute to the construction of an academic community in permanent reflection on its educational action and to position the medical education in the region and the country. Key Words: Evaluation, clinical competences, educatio

Monitoring and current research of groundwater resources and recharge in the Doñana Natural area (SE Spain)

30 p. Incluye versión abreviada en castellanoThis chapter presents the monitoring and research of groundwater resources and natural recharge in the Doñana Natural Area. The subchapter “Monitoring networks for Groundwater Resources and Recent Management Issues of the Doñana” deals with the history and current state of the official monitoring networks for piezometry and hydrochemistry. In the second subchapter “Application of Models in Recent Management and Forecasting of Resources” the current research and the model based water management issues are presented. The third subchapter “Main Knowledge existing on Groundwater Natural Chemical Composition and Contaminant Processes in the Eolian Mantle Aquifer Sector of the Doñana (SW Spain)” provides an overview of hydrochemical research carried out in the eolian part of the aquifer. Subchapter 4 “Active Monitoring Network for Recharge Measurements in the Doñana National Park” presents the current monitoring network for groundwater recharge.Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, EspañaUniversidad Politécnica de Cartagena, EspañaUniversidad Politécnica de Cataluña, EspañaReal Academia de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, EspañaInstituto Andaluz de Investigación y Formación Agraria y Pesquera, EspañaUniversidad de Córdoba, Españ

Vitrectomy with complete posterior hyaloid removal for ischemic central retinal vein occlusion: Series of cases

BACKGROUND: Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is a common retinal vascular disorder with potentially complications: (1) persistent macular edema and (2) neovascular glaucoma. No safe treatment exists that promotes the return of lost vision. Eyes with CRVO may be predisposed to vitreous degeneration. It has been suggested that if the vitreous remains attached to the macula owing to a firm vitreomacular adhesion, the resultant vitreous traction can cause inflammation with retinal capillary dilation, leakage and subsequent edema6. The roll of vitrectomy in ischemic CRVO surgical procedures has not been evaluated. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a non comparative, prospective, longitudinal, experimental and descriptive series of cases. Ten eyes with ischemic CRVO. Vitrectomy with complete posterior hyaloid removal was performed. VA, rubeosis, intraocular pressure (IOP), and macular edema were evaluated clinically. Multifocal ERG (m-ERG), fluorescein angiography (FAG) and optic coherence tomography (OCT) were performed. Follow-up was at least 6 months. Moderate improvement of visual acuity was observed in 60% eyes and stabilized in 40%. IOP changed from 15.7 ± 3.05 mmHg to 14.9 ± 2.69 mmHg post-operative and macular edema from 976 ± 196 μm to 640 ± 191 μm to six month. The P1 wave amplitude changed from 25.46 ± 12.4 mV to 20.54 ± 11.2 mV. CONCLUSION: A solo PPV with posterior hyaloid removal may help to improve anatomic and functional retina conditions in some cases. These results should be considered when analyzing other surgical maneuvers

NEXTGENDEM: información genética, geoespacial y supercomputación para mejorar la gestión de especies y espacios en Macaronesia

Project NEXTGENDEM (MAC2/4.6d/236, https://lupus.itccanarias.org/nextgendem/es/) complements multiple research disciplines to provide verified and validated scientific data that help managers make more informed conservation decisions. As a result of the mobilization and enrichment of the sample and data banks of the Jardín Botánico Canario “Viera y Clavijo” -UA CSIC and the Instituto Nacional de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Agrário de Cabo Verde, tools will be developed for the estimation of phylogenetic diversity of the terrestrial endemic flora of these islands, the approximation to the molecular taxonomic identification of samples, phylogenetic reconstruction, and territorial analysis merging biotic and abiotic variables. Our main objective is to organise, analyse and apply the most relevant scientific knowledge to guide in situ and ex situ actions to improve the conservation status of the flora of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) and Santiago (Cape Verde), although we plan to incorporate other Macaronesian territories in future projectsEl proyecto NEXTGENDEM (MAC2/4.6d/236, https://lupus.itccanarias.org/nextgendem/es/) complementa múltiples disciplinas de investigación para proporcionar datos científicos contrastados y validados que faciliten a los gestores la toma de decisiones de conservación más informadas. A consecuencia de la movilización y el enriquecimiento de los bancos de muestras y datos del Jardín Botánico Canario ¿Viera y Clavijo¿ ¿ UA CSIC y del Instituto Nacional de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Agrário de Cabo Verde, se pondrán a punto herramientas para la estimación de la diversidad filogenética de la flora terrestre insular, la aproximación a la identificación taxonómica molecular de muestras, la reconstrucción de filogenias, y el análisis territorial integrado con variables bióticas y abióticas. Nuestro objetivo principal es organizar, analizar y aplicar el conocimiento científico más relevante para guiar actuaciones in situ y ex situ que mejoren el estado de conservación de las floras de Gran Canaria (Islas Canarias) y Santiago (Cabo Verde), aunque prevemos incorporar otros territorios macaronésicos en futuros proyecto

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs High-resolution optical and near-infrared spectroscopy of 324 survey stars

The CARMENES radial velocity (RV) survey is observing 324 M dwarfs to search for any orbiting planets. In this paper, we present the survey sample by publishing one CARMENES spectrum for each M dwarf. These spectra cover the wavelength range 520–1710 nm at a resolution of at least R >80 000, and we measure its RV, Hα emission, and projected rotation velocity. We present an atlas of high-resolution M-dwarf spectra and compare the spectra to atmospheric models. To quantify the RV precision that can be achieved in low-mass stars over the CARMENES wavelength range, we analyze our empirical information on the RV precision from more than 6500 observations. We compare our high-resolution M-dwarf spectra to atmospheric models where we determine the spectroscopic RV information content, Q, and signal-to-noise ratio. We find that for all M-type dwarfs, the highest RV precision can be reached in the wavelength range 700–900 nm. Observations at longer wavelengths are equally precise only at the very latest spectral types (M8 and M9). We demonstrate that in this spectroscopic range, the large amount of absorption features compensates for the intrinsic faintness of an M7 star. To reach an RV precision of 1 m s−1 in very low mass M dwarfs at longer wavelengths likely requires the use of a 10 m class telescope. For spectral types M6 and earlier, the combination of a red visual and a near-infrared spectrograph is ideal to search for low-mass planets and to distinguish between planets and stellar variability. At a 4 m class telescope, an instrument like CARMENES has the potential to push the RV precision well below the typical jitter level of 3–4 m s−1

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs. Two temperate Earth-mass planet candidates around Teegarden’s Star

Context.Teegarden’s Star is the brightest and one of the nearest ultra-cool dwarfs in the solar neighbourhood. For its late spectral type (M7.0 V),the star shows relatively little activity and is a prime target for near-infrared radial velocity surveys such as CARMENES.Aims.As part of the CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs, we obtained more than 200 radial-velocity measurements of Teegarden’sStar and analysed them for planetary signals.Methods.We find periodic variability in the radial velocities of Teegarden’s Star. We also studied photometric measurements to rule out stellarbrightness variations mimicking planetary signals.Results.We find evidence for two planet candidates, each with 1.1M⊕minimum mass, orbiting at periods of 4.91 and 11.4 d, respectively. Noevidence for planetary transits could be found in archival and follow-up photometry. Small photometric variability is suggestive of slow rotationand old age.Conclusions.The two planets are among the lowest-mass planets discovered so far, and they are the first Earth-mass planets around an ultra-cooldwarf for which the masses have been determined using radial velocities.We thank the referee Rodrigo Díaz for a careful review andhelpful comments. M.Z. acknowledges support from the Deutsche Forschungs-gemeinschaft under DFG RE 1664/12-1 and Research Unit FOR2544 “BluePlanets around Red Stars”, project no. RE 1664/14-1. CARMENES isan instrument for the Centro Astronómico Hispano-Alemán de Calar Alto(CAHA, Almería, Spain). CARMENES is funded by the German Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (MPG), the Spanish Consejo Superior de InvestigacionesCientíficas (CSIC), the European Union through FEDER/ERF FICTS-2011-02 funds, and the members of the CARMENES Consortium (Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, LandessternwarteKönigstuhl, Institut de Ciències de l’Espai, Institut für Astrophysik Göttingen,Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Thüringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg,Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, Hamburger Sternwarte, Centro de Astro-biología and Centro Astronómico Hispano-Alemán), with additional contribu-tions by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, the German Science Foundationthrough the Major Research Instrumentation Programme and DFG ResearchUnit FOR2544 “Blue Planets around Red Stars”, the Klaus Tschira Stiftung, thestates of Baden-Württemberg and Niedersachsen, and by the Junta de Andalucía.Based on data from the CARMENES data archive at CAB (INTA-CSIC). Thisarticle is based on observations made with the MuSCAT2 instrument, devel-oped by ABC, at Telescopio Carlos Sánchez operated on the island of Tener-ife by the IAC in the Spanish Observatorio del Teide. Data were partly col-lected with the 150-cm and 90-cm telescopes at the Sierra Nevada Observa-tory (SNO) operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC).Data were partly obtained with the MONET/South telescope of the MOnitoringNEtwork of Telescopes, funded by the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und HalbachFoundation, Essen, and operated by the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen,the McDonald Observatory of the University of Texas at Austin, and the SouthAfrican Astronomical Observatory. We acknowledge financial support from theSpanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Inno-vación y Universidades and the European FEDER/ERF funds through projectsAYA2015-69350-C3-2-P, AYA2016-79425-C3-1/2/3-P, AYA2018-84089, BES-2017-080769, BES-2017-082610, ESP2015-65712-C5-5-R, ESP2016-80435-C2-1/2-R, ESP2017-87143-R, ESP2017-87676-2-2, ESP2017-87676-C5-1/2/5-R, FPU15/01476, RYC-2012-09913, the Centre of Excellence ”Severo Ochoa”and ”María de Maeztu” awards to the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (SEV-2015-0548), Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (SEV-2017-0709), and Cen-tro de Astrobiología (MDM-2017-0737), the Generalitat de Catalunya throughCERCA programme”, the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt throughgrants 50OW0204 and 50OO1501, the European Research Council through grant694513, the Italian Ministero dell’instruzione, dell’università de della ricerca andUniversità degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata through FFABR 2017 and “Mis-sion: Sustainability 2016”, the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council through grant ST/P000592/1, the Israel Science Foundation through grant848/16, the Chilean CONICYT-FONDECYT through grant 3180405, the Mexi-can CONACYT through grant CVU 448248, the JSPS KAKENHI through grantsJP18H01265 and 18H05439, and the JST PRESTO through grant JPMJPR1775