A global view on the riparian forests with Salix neotricha and Populus alba in the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain)

Forests dominated by Salix neotricha, and Populus alba found along the mesoeutrophic rivers in the Iberian Peninsula, were studied. We discuss the floristic circumscription, chorology, and community segregation based on the available releve´s of all Iberian riparian communities included in Populenion albae. Eleven formerly described communities were analyzed and due to original floristic combination, habitat features, and biogeographic scope, a new willow and poplar forest type is proposed within a well-defined biogeographical unit (Sadensean-Dividing Portuguese Subprovince): Clematido campaniflorae- Salicetum neotrichae. This syntaxon is found under a semi-hyperoceanic thermomediterranean to lower mesomediterranean, subhumid to humid bioclimate. Cluster analysis including all Iberian communities of Populenion albae shows a clear floristic segregation within the suballiance and confirms the originality of the new association. Furthermore, chemical characteristics of the water along some of the Portuguese watercourses with Populenion albae were studied and compared to the oligotrophic rivers occupied by Osmundo-Alnion communities. This study suggests that floristic separation between the communities of Populenion and Osmundo-Alnion is accompanied by a differentiation of the water trophic level

A surgical dataset from the da Vinci Research Kit for task automation and recognition

The use of datasets is getting more relevance in surgical robotics since they can be used to recognise and automate tasks. Also, this allows to use common datasets to compare different algorithms and methods. The objective of this work is to provide a complete dataset of three common training surgical tasks that surgeons perform to improve their skills. For this purpose, 12 subjects teleoperated the da Vinci Research Kit to perform these tasks. The obtained dataset includes all the kinematics and dynamics information provided by the da Vinci robot (both master and slave side) together with the associated video from the camera. All the information has been carefully timestamped and provided in a readable csv format. A MATLAB interface integrated with ROS for using and replicating the data is also provided.Comment: Submitted to The International Journal of Robotics Research (IJRR). 6 Pages. 4 Figue

Revista de Vertebrados de la Estación Biológica de Doñana

Datos sobre la fauna de anfibios del Bajo GuadalquivirDiet of the Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in the Iberian PeninsulaBiología de reproducción de una pareja de Hieraetus fasciatus en España central.Sobre la migraclon de la focha común (Fulica atra) en el Mediterráneo Occidental en base a la información de la Estación Biológica de laTour du Valat (Camargue, Francia)Problemática y medidas de conservación de la Foca fraile (Monachus monachus, Hermann 1779) en el Sahara OccidentaNuevas citas de sifonápteros parásitos de mamíferos en España.Contribución al estudio de Lacerta monticola en la Sierra de Gredos (Avila. España)A melanistic Spanish smooth snake (Coranella a. austriaca)Nueva localidad para Vipera b. berus en el. Norte de EspañaSegunda cita en España de Porphyrula alleni (Thomson, 1842)Peer reviewe

Optimising models for prediction of tropospheric scintillation on satellite links

A phenomenon that also causes impairment in the received signal strength of the RF signal in satellite links operating at frequencies above 10 GHz, especially in those systems that operate at higher frequencies with small fade margins, is the tropospheric scintillation that occurs in the lower layer of the troposphere. In order to estimate the intensity, i.e. the variance between the scintillation amplitude fluctuations, there are several models in the literature, whose accuracy depends on the locality in which the models are implemented. In this Letter, new models are developed for the prediction of tropospheric scintillation that adjusts to localities in Spain, specifically Madrid city, based on measurements of the aforementioned phenomenon reported from Spain and the bios-inspired technique Cuckoo Search (CS). The results obtained, evaluated in terms of the root mean square error, were totally satisfactory, being the most outstanding cases the improved versions of the Ortgies-T, Statistical Temperature and Humidity 2 and Statistical Temperature and Refractivity 2 models

Synthesis, reactivity, and catalytic activity of triangular ZrM2 (M = Rh, Ir) early-late heterobimetallic complexes

Reactions of the zirconium−sulfide metallocene anion [Cptt2ZrS2]2- (Cptt = η5-1,3-di-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl) with [{M(μ-Cl)(diolefin)}2 gave the d0−d8 complexes [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{M(diolefin)}2] (M = Rh, diolefin = 2,5-norbornadiene (nbd) (1), 1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod); M = Ir, diolefin = cod) with a triangular ZrM2 core capped by two symmetrical μ3-sulfido ligands. The rhodium complexes [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{Rh(diolefin)}2] (diolefin = tetrafluorobenzobarrelene (tfbb), nbd, cod) can also be prepared by the additive-deprotonation reactions of the mononuclear [Rh(acac)(diolefin)] (diolefin = nbd, tfbb) and the dinuclear [{Rh(μ-OH)(cod)}2] complexes with [Cptt2Zr(SH)2]. These compounds exist as two rotamers in solution due to a hindered rotation of the cyclopentadienyl rings and the relative disposition of the substituents of the Cptt groups in the sandwich moiety. The reaction of [Cptt2Zr(SH)2] with [Ir(acac)(cod)] gave the complex [Cptt(acac)Zr(μ3-S)2{Ir(cod)}2] (5) with release of HCptt and coordination of acetylacetonate to the zirconium center. Carbonylation of compounds 1 and 5 yielded [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{Rh(CO)2}2] (6) and [Cptt(acac)Zr(μ3-S)2{Ir(CO)2}2], respectively, while the complexes [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{M(CO)2}2] (M = Rh, Ir) resulted also from the reaction of [Cptt2Zr(SH)2] with (PPh3Bz)[MCl2(CO)2] in the presence of triethylamine. Reactions of the carbonyl complexes with 1 molar equiv of bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) gave the cisoid complexes [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{M(CO)}2(μ-dppm)] (M = Rh (9), Ir) with evolution of carbon monoxide. Monodentate phosphites, P(OMe)3 and P(OPh)3, react with 6 to give mixtures of the transoid and cisoid isomers [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{Rh(CO)(P(OR)3)}2], which also exhibit a restricted rotation of the Cptt rings. The molecular structures of complexes 6 and 9 have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Compound 6 in the presence of P-donor ligands, P(OMe)3, P(OPh)3, and PPh3, is a precursor of the catalyst for the hydroformylation of oct-1-ene under mild conditions of pressure and temperature. No Zr−Rh synergic effect is observed in this case, and the precursor breaks down after catalysis.We wish to thank Dirección General de Enseñanza Superior (DGES) and Diputación General de Aragón (DGA) for financial support (Projects PB88–0641 and P051/2000, respectively). Fellowships from the Ministerio de Educación y Cultura (M.A.F.H.-G.), Diputación General de Aragón (I.T.D.) and Programa CYTED (A.B.R.) are gratefully acknowledged.Peer Reviewe

Novel gem-dithiolato-bridged rhodium hydroformylation catalysts: Bridging the gap in dinuclear rhodium thiolate chemistry

The direct protonation of the bridging hydroxo ligands in [Rh(μ-OH)(cod)]2 by 1,1-dimercaptocyclohexane [Chxn(SH) 2] yields the gem-dithiolato-bridged compound [Rh2(μ- S2Chxn)-(cod)2] (1). The dinuclear framework in 1 is supported by a 1,1-cyclohexanedithiolato ligand exhibiting a 1:2κ2S,1:2κ2S′ coordination mode. Compound 1 is an active catalyst precursor in the presence of P-donor ligands for the hydroformylation of oct-1-ene under mild conditions of pressure and temperature (100 PSI, 353 K). The best results were obtained with phosphite ligands as modifying ligands. An aldehyde selectivity of 97 %, a regioselectivity towards the linear aldehyde of 81 %, and turnover frequencies of up to 198 h-1 were obtained with the catalytic system 1/P(OMe)3. The dinuclear compound [Rh2(μ-S 2Chxn)(CO)2(PPh3)2] (2) was isolated from the catalytic solutions resulting from the system 1/PPh3 and was characterized by spectroscopic means and by X-ray diffraction to be the frans isomer. The mixed-ligand dinuclear complexes 2 and [Rh2(μ- S2Chxn)(CO)2(PCy3)2] (3) (Cy = cyclohexyl) were independently prepared by reaction of Chxn(SH)2 with the mononuclear complexes [Rh(acac)(CO)-(PR3)] in the appropriate molar ratio.The financial support from Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (MEC/FEDER) is gratefully acknowledged (Project CTQ2006-03973/BQU and Factoría de Cristalización, CONSOLIDER INGENIO-2010). A. B. R. thanks the Programa Iberoamericano de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (CYTED, Project V.9) for a fellowship. A. J. P. thanks to Fonacit-Venezuela (S1-2002000260) for financial support.Peer Reviewe

Trophic models and short-term dynamic simulations for benthic-pelagic communities at Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve (Mexican Caribbean): a conservation case

Banco Chinchorro is the largest reef in the Mexican Caribbean. Historically, spiny lobster, queen conch and over 20 other reef species have been exploited here. Multispecies intervention management from an ecosystem perspective has been developed in this area; however, an assessment of the effects of such practices on ecosystem health is required. Five quantitative trophic models were constructed using Ecopath with Ecosim. The results show that, in terms of biomass, benthic autotrophs are the dominant group in all communities. Ecosystem Network Analysis indices showed that Cueva de Tiburones was the most mature, developed, complex and healthy subsystem, but, El Colorado and La Baliza were the subsystems most resistant to disturbances. The fisheries mainly concentrate on primary (La Baliza and Cueva de Tiburones sites) and secondary consumers (La Caldera, Chancay, and El Colorado). The greatest propagation of direct and indirect effects, estimated by Mixed Trophic Impacts and Ecosim simulations, were generated by the benthic autotrophs, small benthic epifauna, benthic-pelagic carnivorous fish and benthic carnivorous fish, among others. In contrast, the System Recovery Time showed different patterns among subsystems, indicating several compartments that reduce resilience. Considering the structure, dynamics, trophic functioning and ecosystem health of Banco Chinchorro, its ecological heterogeneity highlights the need for the design of a specific (by subsystem) management strategy, particularly because different species or functional groups present greater sensitivity to human interventions in each community

Ultrasonic evidence of an uncorrelated cluster formation temperature in manganites with first-order magnetic transition at T_C

Ultrasonic attenuation and phase velocity measurements have been carried out in the ferromagnetic perovskites La_{2/3}Ca_{1/3}MnO_3 and La_{2/3}Sr_{1/3}MnO_3. Data show that the transition at the Curie temperature, T_C, changes from first- to second-order as Sr replaces Ca in the perovskite. The compound with first-order transition shows also another transition at a temperature T* > T_C. We interpret the temperature window T_C < T < T* as a region of coexistence of a phase separated regime of metallic and insulating regions, in the line of recent theoretical proposals.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Folistatina, resistencia a la insulina y composición corporal en adultos colombianos

Introducción: La folistatina es una proteína capaz de neutralizar varias hormonas de la familia del TGF-?, tales como la activina, las proteínas morfogénicas del hueso y la miostatina. Al inactivar la activina y la folistatina reduce la secreción de FSH. La folistatina se produce además de en el ovario en muchos otros tejidos, por ello se sospecha que tiene otros efectos. En ratones, la deleción genética de la folistatina se acompaña de resistencia a la insulina (RI). Sin embargo, la asociación entre la folistatina plasmática y RI medida directamente no ha sido evaluada en humanos. Métodos: En 81 participantes entre 30 y 69 años (56% mujeres, 54% con sobrepeso, 13% con obesidad), determinamos antropometría, composición corporal, factores de riesgo cardiovascular y múltiples índices de RI: Área incremental bajo la curva de insulina, índice de sensibilidad a la insulina según Gutt, Homeostatic Model Assessment – Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) e insulinemia en ayuno. Un subgrupo de 21 participantes se sometió además a un clamp hiperinsulinémico-euglucémico. La folistatina y la miostatina se midieron en plasma de ayuno, empleando técnicas inmunométricas. Resultados: La concentración promedio de folistatina fue 2.517±830 pg/mL, sin diferencia entre sexos (p=0,55). La folistatina tuvo una tendencia a correlación positiva con el porcentaje de masa magra (r=0,19, p=0,088) y negativa con el porcentaje de grasa corporal (r= -0,19, p=0,097). La folistatina no se correlacionó con índices de RI derivados de la PTOG pero sí con la captación corporal de glucosa en el clamp (r=0,42, p=0,031). No se halló asociación entre las concentraciones de folistatina y miostatina plasmáticas. Conclusión: Los niveles de folistatina mostraron una tendencia hacia una correlación positiva con la masa muscular y negativa con adiposidad corporal. Esto concuerda con el efecto inhibitorio de la folistatina sobre la miostatina. Aunque la folistatina no correlacionó con índices indirectos de RI, sí lo hizo con la determinación directa de sensibilidad a la insulina en el clamp hiperinsulinémico-euglucémico

Morphological and molecular analysis of natural hybrids between the diploid Centaurea aspera L. and the tetraploid C. seridis L. (Compositae)

[EN] Polyploidy and hybridisation are the basis of the evolution of Centaurea (Compositae). At the El Saler dune field (eastern Spain), the diploid Centaurea aspera ssp. stenophylla and the tetraploid C. seridis ssp. maritima form a polyploid complex in which C. x subdecurrens individuals occur. This polyploid complex was analysed morphologically and genetically, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and tubulin-based polymorphism (TBP) markers. Flow cytometry showed that the hybrids are triploid, which is a rare finding in Centaurea. Morphologically, in contrast to leaf characters, flowering characters clearly discriminated the three taxa. The genetic analyses confirm that C. x subdecurrens is a result of the hybridisation between Centaurea aspera ssp. stenophylla and C. seridis ssp. maritima, and suggest that backcrossing events and gene flow are very rare or absent. Although the hybrids likely represent true F1 offspring, they displayed some genetic diversity that is probably due to the combination of alleles. Genetic diversity was higher in diploid than in tetraploid individuals. This fact, and the high degree of sterility of the triploid hybrids, may reflect a cytotype minority exclusion effect. This may cause spatial segregation, which effectively takes place in the study area. Dune disturbance may lead to an overlapping of the parents' distribution areas, facilitating hybridisation.This work is posthumously dedicated to Antonio Samo Lumbreras, to whom we are very grateful for all his help. This study was sponsored by the Valencian Government (Research Project GVPRE/2008/130) and the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Research Project Ref. 3241).Ferriol Molina, M.; Garmendia, A.; Ruiz, J.; Merle Farinós, HB.; Boira Tortajada, H. (2012). Morphological and molecular analysis of natural hybrids between the diploid Centaurea aspera L. and the tetraploid C. seridis L. (Compositae). Plant Biosystems. 146(1):86-100. https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2012.727878S86100146