Diferencias sexuales en jóvenes de Gorrión común (Passer domesticus)

Es van examinar 99 pardals juvenils postmortem. Els ocells es van agrupar segons el color de la gola: ocells amb una mica de gris, i ocells amb la gola blanca sense gens de gris. Una anàlisi anatòmica va revelar que el 2% dels mascles i el 5% de les femelles juvenils s'haurien sexat erròniament si s'haguessin sexat només d'acord amb l'absència/presència de gris a la gola. Es discuteix la vàlua d'aquest i altres caràcters de coloració per a la determinació del sexe en juvenils

Nuevos datos sobre el “grillo cascabel de plata” (Orthoptera, Gryllidae), un grillo olvidado y sometido a un alto riesgo de extinción en Europa occidental

10 pages, 1 figure, 1 table.[EN] Gryllodinus kerkennensis (Finot, 1893) presents a disjunct distribution in the Southern part of the Western Palearctic from North Africa up to Central Asia inhabiting arid, semidesert or desert land mostly associated with saline soils near water sources of lagoons or river beds depressions. The species was not recorded in Western Europe (Iberian Peninsula) since 1936 and up to now it is currently excluded from all red list books for Orthopteran conservation. In this paper we report a few and localised populations of this cricket in Castilla-La Mancha inhabiting sandy shores of hiper-saline lagoons. We also provide information on its biometrics, phenology, ecology and behaviour including data of all collection specimens of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN). Because of its audible and particular song, we propose campaigns of night listening points to search for this species in other potential sites where it could be present. We believe that this species may be subject to a high risk of extinction in the Iberian Peninsula, and thus in the whole Western Europe. This is because of their restricted populations and the fragility of its specific habitat. We propose an urgent integral protection and the inclusion of the species in the lists of highly endangered invertebrate species.[ES] Gryllodinus kerkennensis (Finot, 1893) presenta una distribución disjunta a lo largo de la franja meridional y occidental del Paleártico, desde África del Norte hasta Asia Central, habitando zonas áridas, desiertos o semi-desiertos, principalmente asociado a suelos salinos próximos a masas de agua de lagunas o depresiones de cuencas fluviales. Esta especie no se registraba en Europa occidental (Península Ibérica) desde 1936 y en la actualidad está excluida de todas las listas de libros rojos para la conservación de Ortópteros. En este trabajo describimos varias poblaciones aisladas de este grillo en Castilla-La Mancha en orillas arenosas de lagunas hipersalinas. También proporcionamos información sobre su biometría, fenología, ecología y conducta incluyendo datos sobre la colección entera de especímenes depositados en el Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN). Debido a su canto audible y muy particular, proponemos campañas de puntos nocturnos de escucha para rastrear la presencia de esta especie en otros posibles lugares donde aún pudiera estar presente. Creemos que esta especie pudiera estar en alto riesgo de extinción en la Península Ibérica, y por tanto en toda Europa Occidental debido a lo localizado de sus poblaciones y a la fragilidad de su hábitat específico. Por todo ello proponemos su protección integral y urgente debiéndose incluir en las listas de especies de invertebrados altamente amenazados.This study has been funded thanks to projects: PAI-05-053 and PCI08-0130 from La Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCLM) and project CGL2005-05611-C02-02/BOS from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia.Peer reviewe

Hierarchical genetic structure shaped by topography in a narrow-endemic montane grasshopper

[Background]: Understanding the underlying processes shaping spatial patterns of genetic structure in free-ranging organisms is a central topic in evolutionary biology. Here, we aim to disentangle the relative importance of neutral (i.e. genetic drift) and local adaptation (i.e. ecological divergence) processes in the evolution of spatial genetic structure of the Morales grasshopper (Chorthippus saulcyi moralesi), a narrow-endemic taxon restricted to the Central Pyrenees. More specifically, we analysed range-wide patterns of genetic structure and tested whether they were shaped by geography (isolation-by-distance, IBD), topographic complexity and present and past habitat suitability models (isolation-byresistance, IBR), and environmental dissimilarity (isolation-by-environment, IBE).[Results]: Different clustering analyses revealed a deep genetic structure that was best explained by IBR based on topographic complexity. Our analyses did not reveal a significant role of IBE, a fact that may be due to low environmental variation among populations and/or consequence of other ecological factors not considered in this study are involved in local adaptation processes. IBR scenarios informed by current and past climate distribution models did not show either a significant impact on genetic differentiation after controlling for the effects of topographic complexity, which may indicate that they are not capturing well microhabitat structure in the present or the genetic signal left by dispersal routes defined by habitat corridors in the past.[Conclusions]: Overall, these results indicate that spatial patterns of genetic variation in our study system are primarily explained by neutral divergence and migration-drift equilibrium due to limited dispersal across abrupt reliefs, whereas environmental variation or spatial heterogeneity in habitat suitability associated with the complex topography of the region had no significant effect on genetic discontinuities after controlling for geography. Our study highlights the importance of considering a comprehensive suite of potential isolating mechanisms and analytical approaches in order to get robust inferences on the processes promoting genetic divergence of natural populations.VN was supported by a FPI pre-doctoral scholarship (BES-2012-053741) from Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. JO was supported by Severo Ochoa (SEV-2012-0262) and Ramón y Cajal (RYC-2013-12501) research fellowships. This work received financial support from research grants CGL2011-25053 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and European Social Fund), POII10-0197-0167, PEII-2014-023-P (Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha and European Social Fund) and UNCM08-1E-018 (European Regional Development Fund).We acknowledge support of the publication fee by the CSIC Open Access Publication Support Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI).Peer reviewe

Study of a MEMS fiber-optic pressure sensor based on Optical Interferometry.

The main focus of this thesis is the development of a MEMS optical pressure sensor capable of giving real-time, accurate measurements to a mid-high pressure range. Some traditional devices for acquisition of parameters such as pressure or temperature have proven to be insufficient to the demands of the markets of research and manufacturing. State-of-the-art sensing technology has led to the construction of more reliable configurations that push the limits of traditional devices. Using micro-machined components is a suitable approach for applications that show restrictions just as limited space, noise measurement or interference created by the inaccuracy of electronic components that are not suited to be in close contact with the sensing medium. A study of the current optical based technologies revealed the current use of extrinsic Fabry – Perot interferometers in the fields of medical, biotechnological and industrial applications. Each field presents a general specific limitation, given the nature of its environment. These mostly include low pressure and temperature ranges, non-protected sensors or super sensitive, expensive devices., The operation of this sensor comprises a non-emissive, optically powered device that shows precision measurements and immunity to electromagnetic interference. Tested over a mid-high pressure range that shows a 20% improvement over the devices found in literature. This sensor is the result of the coupling of a multimode silica optical fiber, a MEMS pressure sensor with a thin silicon film and a stainless steel housing for packaging. A theoretical analysis and response simulations were used previous and along the process of construction and testing of the device. This analysis was followed by an assessment on the materials that were suitable for the assembling of the device, plus the pertinent modifications for each component that allowed a proper coupling. Several tests were done previous to the final assembly of the device, where calibration, alignment and limitations of the device were studied previous to determine the sensor’s response. The experiments were done at the SimsLab of the University of Waterloo, using a pressure chamber with direct connection to the housing of the sensor to avoid pressure leaks. The sensor’s properties include a silicon thin film with a thickness of 34 micrometers, an optical fiber with a core diameter of 125 micrometers, protected by a ceramic ferrule to provide stability and rigidity to the fiber. The fiber is part of a coupler that splits the optical signal between the input and output beams. The output leg of the coupler then sends the information to an OSI (Optical Sensor Interrogator) which is a set of electronics that use a photo detector to break the light into its spectral components, analyzing fringes and converting the photons into electrons which are digitized as a function of the wavelength and read out via a USB port into a host computer. A LabView program then converts the optical response to a value in millivolts that can be directly related to the changes in pressure that are detected by the deflective silicon membrane. A complete characterization of the sensor’s response was carried out. An averaged sensitivity of 1.3768 mV / psi over a range of 0 – 100 psi was found. An accuracy of 1.25 psi per 0.1 mV was established. The Noise Equivalent Pressure measurement could to be neglected over the accuracy that is limited by the capacity of the electronics. In summary, an Optical MEMS pressure sensor was developed. This device is capable of being tested in laboratory and manufacturing-like simulated environments. The pressure measurements acquired during this project assisted the base for a future prototype to be developed in enhancing the pressure range in a harsh environment, with elevated temperature. Proof-of-concept data was gathered and analyzed so further advances can be reached on micro-fabrication and optical techniques

Is Inflammation a Mitochondrial Dysfunction-Dependent Event in Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex disorder that affects up to 5% of the general population worldwide. Both mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation have been implicated in the pathophysiology of FM. We have investigated the possible relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation in FM. We studied 30 women diagnosed with FM and 20 healthy women. Blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) from FM patients showed reduced level of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and mtDNA contents and high level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and transcript levels. A significant negative correlation between CoQ10 and TNF-alpha levels (r= -0.588; p < 0.01), and a positive correlation between ROS and TNF-alpha levels (r = 0.791; p < 0.001) were observed accompanied by a significant correlation of visual analogical scale with serum TNF-alpha and transcript levels (r = 0.4507; p < 0.05 and r = 0.7089; p < 0.001, respectively). TNF-alpha release was observed in an in vitro (BMCs) and in vivo (mice) CoQ10 deficiency model. Oral CoQ10 supplementation restored biochemical parameters and induced a significant improvement in clinical symptoms ( p < 0.001). These results lead to the hypothesis that inflammation could be a mitochondrial dysfunction-dependent event implicated in the pathophysiology of FM in several patients indicating at mitochondria as a possible new therapeutic target.Unión Europea FIS PI10/00543Servicio Andaluz de Salud Junta de Andalucía SAS 111242Junta de Andalucía CTS-572

Mitochondrial dysfunction promoted by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide as a possible link between cardiovascular disease and periodontitis

Oxidative stress is one of the factors that could explain the pathophysiological mechanism of inflammatory conditions that occur in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and periodontitis. Such inflammatory response is often evoked by specific bacteria, as the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key factor in this process. The aim of this research was to study the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from periodontitis patients and to evaluate the influence of LPS on fibroblasts to better understand the pathophysiology of periodontitis and its relationship with CVD. PBMCs from patients showed lower CoQ10 levels and citrate synthase activity, together with high levels of ROS production. LPS-treated fibroblasts provoked increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction by a decrease in mitochondrial protein expression, mitochondrial mass, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Our study supports the hypothesis that LPS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction could be at the origin of oxidative stress in periodontal patients. Abnormal PBMC performance may promote oxidative stress and alter cytokine homeostasis. In conclusion, mitochondrial dysfunction could represent a possible link to understanding the interrelationships between two prominent inflammatory diseases: periodontitis and CV

Estudio de factibilidad para la comercialización de servicios de implementación para software de libre distribución

Hoy en día el software de libre distribución está tomando mucha aceptación a nivel mundial, y los servicios asociados a este tipo de productos cada día van en aumento, en especial aquellos productos o utilitarios de oficina que son sencillos de utilizar y que no requieren de un gran esfuerzo para ponerlos en funcionamiento. Entre los paquetes de software de libre distribución también existen sistemas especializados tales como sistemas de gestión financiera, sistemas CRM (administración de las relaciones con los clientes), entre otros, sin embargo, este tipo de sistemas requieren un trabajo técnico para ponerlos en funcionamiento, que usualmente son servicios ofertados por empresas especializadas. En el Ecuador existen muchos paquetes informáticos disponibles en el mercado, pero al momento existen únicamente unas pocas empresas que ofrecen servicios de implementación sobre software de libre distribución, por lo que el objetivo de este trabajo es el de descubrir la factibilidad de la comercialización de servicios de implementación sobre software de libre distribución en la ciudad de Quito

Effect of the upper material of running shoes on muscle mechanical power transfer on lower limbs

This study focuses on determining the effects of the upper material of running shoes on the mechanical power flows of the muscles of the lower limbs during the support phase of running. Two models of running shoes¿differentiated only by the upper structure and material¿have been used, being randomly assigned to 19 participants. Five measure- ments of each participant per shoe model were obtained at 3.3 m s 1 to perform inverse dynamic analysis with the data obtained. Statistically significant differences have been found between the two models for the muscle power flow variables in the ankle, knee and hip joints, as well as at the ends of adjacent segments. The KNIT-upper model (model 2) presents higher generation (8.87 ± 7.63 W/kg; p < .001; d = -.13) and less absorption ( 5.11 W/kg; p < .001; d = 6.7) of mechanical power in the ankle compared to the MESH-upper model (model 1). The mechanical power flows in the knee and hip indicate that with model 2, greater mechanical power is generated and absorbed by the flexor and extensor muscle groups of these joints compared to model 1 (-.38 ± 2.9 W/kg vs -.22 ± 2.54 W/kg for the knee and 1.75 ± 2.91 W/kg vs 1.15 ± 2.07 W/kg for the hip, respectively). Therefore, it can be concluded that the upper material has an influence on mechanical power flow patterns. However, more studies are needed in order to ac- curately and reliably establish the impact that the upper material of the shoes has on performance and on the prevention of sports injuries