Effect of different micro-algae mixtures and rations in hatchery broodstock conditioning of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Reproduction of the blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in wild populations follows seasonal changes of environmental factors such as food availability.The aim of this experiment was to analyse the effects of three conditioning diets on the maturation and development of M. galloprovincialis. We experimented three different algae-based treatments: two Non-Tetraselmis (NT) groups and one Tetraselmis (TS) group. Those in the NT groups received a mixture of Isochrysis galbana (clon T-Iso) and Chaetoceros sp. (1:1, based on cell volume). Those in the TS group received Isochrysis sp. (T-Iso), Chaetoceros sp., and Tetraselmis suecica (1:1:1, based on cell volume). Mussels in the NT-1, NT-2 and TS groups received, respectively, 1%, 2% and 2% of the mussels dry weight (MDW) based in algae dry weight (ADW) a day. After 2 months of conditioning, significant changes between wild mussels and the NT-1 group were not detected either in condition index (CI) value or in gonad stadia percentages. On the opposite, after conditioning CI values of mussels having received 2 % ration were higher than those of wild populations and NT-1 group, and ripe female percentage was higher in the TS group than in the NT-2 group. As a conclusion, this study demonstrates that for M. galloprovincialis conditioning, 1% of the MDW in ADW is not enough, and that a varied diet is more suitable.This work was supported by Interreg Project 0251_ECOAQUA_5_E, financed by the EDRF (European Regional Development Fund). www.juntadeandalucia.es/agriculturaypesca/ifapa/ecoaqua.La reproducci&oacute;n del mejill&oacute;n Mytilus galloprovincialis en las poblaciones naturales sigue los cambios estacionales de factores ambientales como la disponibilidad de comida. El objetivo de este experimento fue analizar los efectos de tres dietas de acondicionamiento en la maduraci&oacute;n y el desarrollo de M. galloprovincialis. Para ello, se experimentaron tres tratamientos diferentes a base de microalgas: dos grupos sin la microalga Tetraselmis suecica (NT) y un tercero con esta microalga (TS). Los mejillones de los grupos NT recibieron una mezcla de Isochrysis galbana (clon T-Iso) y Chaetoceros sp. (1:1, basado en el volumen celular). Los del grupo de TS recibido I. galbana (clon T-Iso), Chaetoceros sp., y T. suecica (1:1:1, basado en el volumen celular). Los ejemplares de los grupos NT-1, NT-2 y TS recibieron, respectivamente, 1%, 2% y 2% del peso seco de la masa corporal (PSM) basado en el peso seco del fitoplancton (PSF) al d&iacute;a. Despu&eacute;s de 2 meses de acondicionamiento no se detectaron diferencias significativas en el valor del &iacute;ndice de condici&oacute;n (IC) ni en los porcentajes de estadios de madurez gonadal entre los mejillones del medio natural y el grupo NT-1. Sin embargo, despu&eacute;s del acondicionamiento valores del IC de los mejillones que recibieron el 2% de raci&oacute;n fueron superiores a los de las poblaciones del medio natural y el grupo NT-1. Adem&aacute;s, el porcentaje de hembras maduras fue mayor en el grupo TS que en el grupo NT-2. Como conclusi&oacute;n, este estudio demuestra que para el acondicionamiento de M. galloprovincialis un 1% de la PSM en PSF no es suficiente, y que una dieta variada es m&aacute;s adecuada.Este trabajo fue apoyado por el proyecto Interreg 0251_ECOAQUA_5_E , financiado por el FEDER (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional). www.juntadeandalucia.es / agriculturaypesca / IFAPA / ecoaqua. &nbsp;</p

A Spectacular VHE Gamma-Ray Outburst from PKS 2155-304 in 2006

Since 2002 the VHE (>100 GeV) gamma-ray flux of the high-frequency peaked BL Lac PKS 2155-304 has been monitored with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS). An extreme gamma-ray outburst was detected in the early hours of July 28, 2006 (MJD 53944). The average flux above 200 GeV observed during this outburst is ~7 times the flux observed from the Crab Nebula above the same threshold. Peak fluxes are measured with one-minute time scale resolution at more than twice this average value. Variability is seen up to ~600 s in the Fourier power spectrum, and well-resolved bursts varying on time scales of ~200 seconds are observed. There are no strong indications for spectral variability within the data. Assuming the emission region has a size comparable to the Schwarzschild radius of a ~10^9 solar mass black hole, Doppler factors greater than 100 are required to accommodate the observed variability time scales.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; To appear in the Proceedings of the 30th ICRC (Merida, Mexico

Evaluation of the quality of life and associated factors of a group of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis in the northern region of Portugal: a cross-sectional pilot study

Introduction: Children/adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) have psychological and physical difficulties that have a severe impact on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Aim: To evaluate the impact of CF on HRQoL in a pediatric age sample by identifying major determinants and comparing the HRQoL reports of children and their parents. Methods: A sample of 27 children/adolescents was included in a cross-sectional observational study. Inclusion criteria were age between 4 and 18 years, diagnosis of CF, and the attendance of a caregiver in patients younger than 14 years. A questionnaire was applied to assess sociodemographic data and nutritional status. HRQoL was evaluated using the Portuguese revised version of the CF questionnaire (CFQ-R). Spearman correlations were calculated to analyze the agreement between children's and parents' reports. Spearman correlations and Mann–Whitney U tests were performed to identify associations between HRQoL domains and determinants. Results: The scores of CFQ-R domains were high, with the lowest median value being 66.67. It was found positive moderate associations between children's and parents' reports in 3 domains (P < .05): eating disturbances, body image, and respiratory symptoms. The median scores were similar in the eating disturbances (approximately 80.00) and in the respiratory symptoms (83.33). However, there is a consistent difference of 14.07 in the body image domain. Current age, physical activity, and iron were positively associated with HRQoL, whereas age at diagnosis was negatively associated. Conclusion: These findings reinforce the importance to evaluate HRQoL during childhood and adolescence and to invest in this public health theme

Aspetos bioecológicos de flebotomíneos (Diptera, Psychodidae), vetores de Leishmania sp., capturados no Velho e no Novo Mundo: Alentejo, Portugal e Volta Redonda, Brasil, 2016-2017

Aspectos bioecológicos de flebotomíneos no Novo e Velho mundo: Brasil e POrtuga

Galanin and neuropeptide Y interactions linked to neuronal precursor cells of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus. Role in depression and cognitive impairment.

Galanin (GAL) interacts with Neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors (NPYY1R) in several regions of the central nervous system associated with mood and motivation, through GAL receptor 2 and NPYY1 receptor 1 (GALR2/NPYY1R) heterodimers. The current work is to evaluate GALR2 and NPYY1R interactions concerning newborn cell proliferation in the ventral and dorsal hippocampal Dentate Gyrus. Rats (n = 6-8 per group) were randomly assigned to the groups. Each group received i.c.v. injections of artificial Cerebro Spinal Fluid (aCSF), GAL or NPYY1R agonist [Leu31,Pro34]NPY alone or in combination and 24 h later rats were subjected to a 5-min swimming session (test). A different set of rats received ip injections of BrdU 50mg/Kg at 2 and 4 hours after icv injections. 24 hours later brains collected for immunostaining to evaluate cell proliferation. We observed that the icv injection of GAL and NPYY1R agonist significantly enhanced the decrease in the immobility and the increase in the swimming behavior compared with the NPYY1R agonist alone. Furthermore, GALR2 is involved in this GALR/NPYY1R interaction, since the presence of the GALR2 antagonist M871 counteracted all the parameters. In parallel, coadministration of GAL and NPYY1R agonist increased BrdU-labeled cells located in the SGZ compared with aCSF, GAL and the NPYY1R group. Similar results were observed in dorsal hippocampus. Our results may provide the basis for the development of heterobivalent agonist pharmacophores, targeting GALR2/NPYY1R heteromers, especially in the neuronal precursor cells of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus for the novel treatment of depression or cognitive impairments. Study supported by Proyecto UMA18- FEDERJA-100, Proyecto Puente-Universidad de Málaga, proyecto jóvenes investigadores UMA to MNP.Study supported by Proyecto UMA18- FEDERJA-100, Proyecto Puente-Universidad de Málaga, proyecto jóvenes investigadores UMA to MNP.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Newborn Urinary Metabolic Signatures of Prematurity and Other Disorders: A Case Control Study

This work assesses the urinary metabolite signature of prematurity in newborns by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, while establishing the role of possible confounders and signature specificity, through comparison to other disorders. Gender and delivery mode are shown to impact importantly on newborn urine composition, their analysis pointing out at specific metabolite variations requiring consideration in unmatched subject groups. Premature newborns are, however, characterized by a stronger signature of varying metabolites, suggestive of disturbances in nucleotide metabolism, lung surfactants biosynthesis and renal function, along with enhancement of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, fatty acids oxidation, and oxidative stress. Comparison with other abnormal conditions (respiratory depression episode, large for gestational age, malformations, jaundice and premature rupture of membranes) reveals that such signature seems to be largely specific of preterm newborns, showing that NMR metabolomics can retrieve particular disorder effects, as well as general stress effects. These results provide valuable novel information on the metabolic impact of prematurity, contributing to the better understanding of its effects on the newborn's state of health.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Newborn Urinary Metabolic Signatures of Prematurity and Other Disorders: A Case Control Study

This work assesses the urinary metabolite signature of prematurity in newborns by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, while establishing the role of possible confounders and signature specificity, through comparison to other disorders. Gender and delivery mode are shown to impact importantly on newborn urine composition, their analysis pointing out at specific metabolite variations requiring consideration in unmatched subject groups. Premature newborns are, however, characterized by a stronger signature of varying metabolites, suggestive of disturbances in nucleotide metabolism, lung surfactants biosynthesis and renal function, along with enhancement of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, fatty acids oxidation, and oxidative stress. Comparison with other abnormal conditions (respiratory depression episode, large for gestational age, malformations, jaundice and premature rupture of membranes) reveals that such signature seems to be largely specific of preterm newborns, showing that NMR metabolomics can retrieve particular disorder effects, as well as general stress effects. These results provide valuable novel information on the metabolic impact of prematurity, contributing to the better understanding of its effects on the newborn's state of health.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Male Warrior Hypothesis: Testosterone-related Cooperation and Aggression in the Context of Intergroup Conflict

Indexación ScopusThe Male Warrior Hypothesis (MWH) establishes that men’s psychology has been shaped by inter-group competition to acquire and protect reproductive resources. In this context, sex-specific selective pressures would have favored cooperation with the members of one’s group in combination with hostility towards outsiders. We investigate the role of developmental testosterone, as measured indirectly through static markers of prenatal testosterone (2D:4D digit ratio) and pubertal testosterone (body musculature and facial masculinity), on both cooperation and aggressive behavior in the context of intergroup conflict among men. Supporting the MWH, our results show that the intergroup conflict scenario promotes cooperation within group members and aggression toward outgroup members. Regarding the hormonal underpinnings of this phenomenon, we find that body musculature is positively associated with aggression and cooperation, but only for cooperation when context (inter-group competition) is taken into account. Finally, we did not find evidence that the formidability of the group affected individual rates of aggression or cooperation, controlling for individual characteristics. © 2020, The Author(s).https://www-nature-com.recursosbiblioteca.unab.cl/articles/s41598-019-57259-

Criatividade, psicologia da cor e prova de avaliação do pensamento divergente

O pensamento divergente pode estar relacionado com o nível de criatividade, bem como com a Psicologia da Cor. Aplicou-se a Prova de Avaliação do Pensamento Divergente (PAPD) a 23 homens e 28 mulheres com idades, profissões e habilitações académicas diferentes para verificarmos, através da aplicação das 3 questões da prova, se diferiam na quantidade e qualidade de pensamentos que tinham e nos relatavam. Os resultados obtidos por homens e mulheres foram comparados. Os homens obtiveram resultados significativamente melhores que as mulheres quando submetidos à PAPD, quando tendo em conta a pontuação total (p=.007). No entanto, quando considerados individualmente cada um dos critérios, que revimos e avaliamos, para cotar a prova, essa diferença apenas foi significativa em dois dos critérios.Divergent thinking could possibly be related to levels of creativity as well as to the perception of color. The Evaluation Test of Divergent Thinking aims to come to allow the study of these correlations. We apply the Evaluation Test of Divergent Thinking to a group of 23 men and 28 women with different ages and different professions and academic qualifications to see, through the three questions in the evaluation test, if they differ in the quantity and quality of thoughts they had and reported to us. Results obtained by men and women were compared. Men obtain significantly better results than women when submitted to the EPDT, when considering the total/ final score (p=.007). When considering individually all the criteria that we reviewed and evaluate to quote the test, that difference only has been significant at two of these criteria points.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Progress in Monte Carlo design and optimization of the Cherenkov Telescope Array

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) will be an instrument covering a wide energy range in very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays. CTA will include several types of telescopes, in order to optimize the performance over the whole energy range. Both large-scale Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of CTA super-sets (including many different possible CTA layouts as sub-sets) and smaller-scale simulations dedicated to individual aspects were carried out and are on-going. We summarize results of the prior round of large-scale simulations, show where the design has now evolved beyond the conservative assumptions of the prior round and present first results from the on-going new round of MC simulations.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures. In Proceedings of the 33rd International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2013), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). All CTA contributions at arXiv:1307.223