DNA Barcoding of the First Recorded American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus americanus, in Clark County, Arkansas

The American Burying Beetle (ABB), Nicrophorus americanus, is a red-listed endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). We serendipitously recorded 3 individuals of this species during a forensic study in the summer of 2013. These specimens represent the first known records for Clark County, AR and the southeastern-most record in the State since the extirpation of the species from the region in the late 1800’s. Two males and one female were collected, photographed, sexed and measured. One male specimen was deceased upon discovery. The remaining two individuals were released. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was notified of the accidental catch and death of an endangered species as required and the specimen was awarded to Ouachita Baptist University for further study. The deceased specimen was used for DNA barcode sequence analysis. A 400bp section of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene was amplified using gene specific primers and then sequenced using Sanger sequencing methods. Sequence analysis revealed the collected beetle to be 98.5% identical to the ABB voucher sequence and was 86% similar to other Nicrophorus species. Taken together the DNA sequence analysis results and taxonomic identification both support the identification of our specimen

The Effect of Photoactivated TMP on \u3cem\u3eBurkholderia cepacia\u3c/em\u3e Biofilms

Burkholderia cepacia is an opportunistic pathogen that causes infections in immunocompromised individuals such as cystic fibrosis patients. B. cepacia infections are typically characterized by the formation of complex communities of cells known as biofilms. Because B. cepacia biofilms are difficult to eradicate using antibiotics, it is important to pursue alternative treatment methods. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a type of therapy that uses light, a photosensitizer, and oxygen to elicit cell death through the production of reactive oxygen species. PDT has been shown in previous studies to be successful in killing both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, we examined the effect of a cationic porphyrin on B. cepacia biofilms by exposing static biofilms to 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methyl-pyridino)-21H,23H-porphine, tetra-p-tosylate salt (TMP) followed by irradiation. Standard plate counts of cells recovered from attached biofilms revealed a 0.7-log10 reduction (80.2%) in cell viability in the presence of 225µM of TMP and light. In addition, there was a 2.74-log(10) reduction in cell viability when biofilms were treated with TMP and ciprofloxacin in comparison to a 1.96-log(10) reduction when biofilms were treated with ciprofloxacin alone. Because surface motility is involved in biofilm formation, we also examined the effects of TMP on swarming motility in B. cepacia and P. aeruginosa. In the presence of TMP in the dark, there was a substantial increase in swarming motility of both B. cepacia and P. aeruginosa. These results suggest that photoactivated TMP not only kills biofilm-associated cells, but may promote biofilm disruption through pre-dispersion behavior in the absence of light

Gestión para mejorar la convivencia escolar en preescolar

El objetivo de esta tesis fue elaborar estrategias desde la gestión escolar dirigidas a mejorar la convivencia entre los niños de preescolar en el contexto de vida cotidiana en la escuela, con la expectativa de que esta formación vaya más allá del contexto escolar. Después de la identificación de las dificultades de la convivencia escolar de los niños, se presenta una propuesta de acciones concretas basadas en la gestión de un programa de formación en valores transversal que mejore la convivencia y promueva la construcción moral en la vida cotidiana. De igual forma, se propuso desarrollar y acompañar los procesos de capacitación y reflexión de todos los docentes de la institución que incidan directamente en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje y en la formación moral de los alumnos

Analytic and geometric properties of photoinduced effects in noncentrosymmetric crystals: photovoltaic current and optical rectification

An original dispersion relation between the stationary coherent nonlinear optical responses by current and polarisation is obtained. The dispersion relation provides a new complimentary tool that can be employed to study light-induced charge transport models and facilitate experimental data analysis. It is shown that the origin of the coherent current and the dc-polarisation induced in a noncentrosymmetric crystal under illumination is related to the theory of the Berry phase and can be represented in terms of the renormalised geometric potentials. This renormalisation originates from the extra phase difference acquired by a carrier in the light field on the quantum transition between the electronic bands. The gauge invariance of the corresponding expressions for the current and the polarisation is demonstrated.Comment: 7 page

Effects of smoking on vital capacity in healthy students

INTRODUCTION: Although the tobacco consumption has been reported to obstruct the effects of physical culture in young adults, there are few reports that include physical and laboratory evidence of this. Health education appears not to prevent impairment of the vital capacity associated with tobacco consumption. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was estimate the effect of tobacco consumption on vital capacity after four months of participation in a theoretical-practical program on movement fundamentals.METHODS: Preexperimental design of two measurements. Lung function and a physical test were performed on seventeen healthy students. Course-Navette test was carried out to estimate vital capacity (heart rate at rest, maximum heart rate, physical level, VO2 max, distance and average speed). Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was measured by Welch Allyn Schiller spirometer. The sample was divided on the consumption of cigarettes (12 consumers vs. 5 abstainers). T-tests were used to evaluate the differences between groups. RESULTS: Participants were men of 20.94 years (SD = 2.69, 18-19 years) with normal body complexion (Body mass index = 24.51 kg/m 2 (SD = 1.69). There were no baseline differences between groups regarding age or body composition (p \u3e .05). Differences in all parameters related to vital capacity were observed in the abstainers group (p \u3c .01), except for maximal heart rate and resting heart rate (p \u3e .05). The smokers group decreased their results in both tests but without significant differences. CONCLUSION: Tobacco consumption affected the vital capacity of young adults despite the participation in theoretical-practical program of fundamentals of the movement. Tobacco abstinence coupled with participation in an educational program increased vital capacity measured with a physical and a laboratory test

Fluoride in ash leachates: environmental implications at Popocatépetl volcano, central Mexico

Ash emitted by volcanic eruptions, even of moderate magnitude, may affect the environment and the health of humans and animals through different mechanisms at distances significantly larger than those indicated in the volcanic hazard maps. One such mechanism is the high capacity of ash to transport toxic volatiles like fluoride, as soluble condensates on the particles' surface. The mobilization and hazards related to volcanic fluoride are discussed based on the data obtained during the recent activity of Popocatépetl volcano in Central Mexico

La automedicación como riesgo de fracaso terapéutico contra el COVID-19

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17268/rmt.2020.v15i03.0

Gene expression and data analysis pipeline using cancer BioPortal in the classroom

At institutions with an emphasis on authentic research experiences as an integral part of the biology curriculum, COVID created a huge challenge for course instructors whose learning objectives were designed for such experiences. Moving such laboratory experiences online when remote learning became necessary has resulted in a new model for CUREs that utilizes free online databases to provide not only a novel research experience for students, but also the opportunity to engage in big data analysis. Cancer BioPortal (cBioPortal) is an open-access collective cancer research resource for storing and exploring clinical, genomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic data. cBioPortal eliminates the computational barrier of interpreting complex genomic data by providing easily understandable visualization that can be interpreted and translated into relevant biological insights. Because no prior computational knowledge is required, cBioPortal is an ideal educational tool for either in-person or distance learning environments. We developed a pedagogical approach, video tutorials, and data analysis workflows centered on using cBioPortal. Pedagogically, students develop an initial research outline that is continually updated and graded throughout the project. Progress during the project or course is assessed by a series of student presentations that are 5 to 15 minutes in length and are aimed at explaining the approach used in data acquisition, interpretation of the data, and relevance to the initial hypothesis. While cancer-specific, this analysis platform appeals to a wide range of classes and student interests. Further, the project has been successfully done both as an independent research experience and as part of a virtual class-based research project