Microwear and isotopic analyses on cave bear remains from Toll Cave reveal both short-term and longterm dietary habits

Dietary habits of the extinct Ursus spelaeus have always been a controversial topic in paleontologicalvstudies. In this work, we investigate carbon and nitrogen values in the bone collagen and dental microwear of U. spelaeus specimens recovered in Level 4 from Toll Cave (Moià, Catalonia, NE Iberian Peninsula). These remains have been dated to > 49,000 14C BP. The ability of both proxies to provide data on the diet of U. spelaeus at different times in the life-history (isotopes: average diet of life; microwear: last days/weeks before death), allows us to generate high-resolution and complementary data. Our results show lower values (δ13C & δ15N) in cave bears than in strict herbivores (i.e. Cervus elaphus) recovered from the same level of Toll Cave. On the other hand, 12 lower molars (m1) were analysed through low-magnification microwear technique. The cave bears from Toll Cave show a microwear pattern like that of extant bears with omnivorous and carnivorous diets. These data are discussed in the framework of all available data in Europe and add new information about the plasticity of the dietary habits of this species at the southern latitudes of Europe during Late Pleistocene periods

Arquitectura de almacenamiento masivo de datos en la infraestructura Grid usando el middlewareglite

En la actualidad, el incremento de las investigaciones en las universidades consumen altos recursos de procesamiento y almacenamiento, generando la necesidad de tener una infraestructura de supercomputación. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo dar una solución a los problemas de almacenamiento que surgen en los diferentes grupos de investigación de una universidad, tal como la Universidad Industrial de Santander (Colombia) entidad que financia este proyecto. Implementando una infraestructura de almacenamiento masivo usando un sistema de archivos compatible con el middleware de EGEE (The Enabling Gridsfor E-science), aprovechando el uso del espacio de disco libre en nodos de trabajo, ofreciendo así una solución a un bajo costo. Además, se presenta la implementación de un clúster con los servicios fundamentales para Grid y así poder integrarlo a la infraestructura intercontinental de EELA-2 (E-science Grid facility for Europe and Latin America), estableciendo una plataforma distribuida de procesamiento y almacenamiento, para el uso de la comunidad científica de una universidad

Phenolic Compounds in Organic and Aqueous Extracts from Acacia farnesiana Pods Analyzed by ULPS-ESI-Q-oa/TOF-MS. In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Anti-Inflammatory Response in CD-1 Mice

Abstract: Background: Acaciafarnesiana (AF) pods have been traditionally used to treat dyspepsia, diarrhea and topically for dermal inflammation. Main objectives: (1) investigate the antioxidant activity and protection against oxidative-induced damage of six extracts from AF pods and (2) their capacitytocurbtheinflammationprocessaswellastodown-regulatethepro-inflammatorymediators. Methods: Five organic extracts (chloroformic, hexanic, ketonic, methanolic, methanolic:aqueous and one aqueous extract) were obtained and analyzed by UPLC-ESI-Q-oa/TOF-MS. Antioxidant activity (DPPH•, ORAC and FRAP assays) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay) were performed. Assessmentofanti-inflammatorypropertieswasmadebytheearedemainducedmodelinCD-1mice andMPOactivityassay. Likewise,histologicalanalysis,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α,COXmeasurements plus nitrite and immunohistochemistry analysis were carried out. Results: Methyl gallate, gallic acid,galloyl glucose isomer 1, galloyl glucose isomer 2, galloyl glucose isomer 3, digalloyl glucose isomer 1, digalloyl glucose isomer 2, digalloyl glucose isomer 3, digalloyl glucose isomer 4, hydroxytyrosol acetate, quinic acid, and caffeoylmalic acid were identified. Both organic and aqueous extracts displayed antioxidant activity. All extracts exhibited a positive effect on the interleukins, COX and immunohistochemistry assays. Conclusion: All AF pod extracts can be effective as antioxidant and topical anti-inflammatory agents. Keywords: Acacia farnesiana pods; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; bioactive compounds; polyphenol

Multiproxy approach to reconstruct fossil primate feeding behavior: Case study for macaque from the Plio-Pleistocene site Guefaït-4.2 (eastern Morocco)

The genus Macaca belongs to Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys), Cercopithecinae, Papionini. The presence of Macaca in North Africa is well known from the Late Miocene to the Late Pleistocene. However, the diet of fossil Macaca has been poorly described in the literature. In this study, we investigated the feeding habits of Macaca cf. sylvanus (n = 4) from the Plio-Pleistocene site Guefaït-4.2 in eastern Morocco through multiproxy analysis combining analyses of stable carbon and oxygen isotopes from tooth enamel, buccal microtexture, and low-magnification occlusal dental microwear. For both microwear analyses, we compared the macaques with a new reference collection of extant members of Cercopithecoidea. Our occlusal microwear results show for the fossil macaque a pattern similar to the extant Cercocebus atys and Lophocebus albigena, African forest-dwelling species that are characterized by a durophagous diet based mainly on hard fruit and seed intake. Buccal microtexture results also suggest the consumption of some grasses and the exploitation of more open habitats, similar to that observed in Theropithecus gelada. The δ13C of M. cf. sylvanus indicates a C3 based-diet without the presence of C4 plants typical of the savanna grassland in eastern Africa during this period. The high δ18O values of M. cf. sylvanus, compared with the contemporary ungulates recovered from Guefaït-4.2, could be associated with the consumption of a different resource by the primate such as leaves or fresh fruits from the upper part of trees. The complementarity of these methods allows for a dietary reconstruction covering a large part of the individual’s life.This work has been funded by Palarq Foundation, Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport (Ref: 42-T002018N0000042853 and 170-T002019N0000038589), Direction of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture and Communication, Morocco), Faculty of Sciences (Mohamed 1r University of Oujda, Morocco), INSAP (Institut National des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine), Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Ref: CGL2016-80975-P, CGL2016-80000-P, PGC2018-095489-B-I00, and PID2021- 122355NB-C33), Research Groups Support of the Generalitat de Catalunya (2017 SGR 836, 2017 SGR 1040, 2017 SGR 102, and 2017 SGR 859) and PDC2021-121613-I00 and PID2020-112963GB-I00 by ERDF A way of making Europe, by the European Union. RS-R, MC, AR-H, and CT research was funded by CERCA Programme Generalitat de Catalunya. IR-P is beneficiary of predoctoral fellowship (2020-FI-B-00731) funded by AGAUR and the Fons Social Europeu (FSE). AA and is beneficiary of a fellowship from the Erasmus Mundus Program to do the Master in Quaternary and Prehistory at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Tarragona, Spain). CT was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the “Ramón y Cajal” program (RYC2020-029404-I). The Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA) has received financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the “María de Maeztu” program for Units of Excellence (CEX2019-000945-M), including the postdoctoral fellowships of AR-H.With funding from the Spanish government through the "Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence" accreditation CEX2019-000945-M.Peer reviewe

Gestión del conocimiento. Perspectiva multidisciplinaria. Volumen 17

El libro “Gestión del Conocimiento. Perspectiva Multidisciplinaria”, Volumen 17 de la Colección Unión Global, es resultado de investigaciones. Los capítulos del libro, son resultados de investigaciones desarrolladas por sus autores. El libro es una publicación internacional, seriada, continua, arbitrada, de acceso abierto a todas las áreas del conocimiento, orientada a contribuir con procesos de gestión del conocimiento científico, tecnológico y humanístico. Con esta colección, se aspira contribuir con el cultivo, la comprensión, la recopilación y la apropiación social del conocimiento en cuanto a patrimonio intangible de la humanidad, con el propósito de hacer aportes con la transformación de las relaciones socioculturales que sustentan la construcción social de los saberes y su reconocimiento como bien público

Considerações sobre o conceito do Vazio na produção artística dos artistas Waltercio Caldas e Gordon Matta-Clark

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo trazer à tona uma reflexão sobre o conceito do vazio e algumas de suas diversas manifestações na arte contemporânea, tomando como base obras dos artistas Waltercio Caldas (Rio de Janeiro, 1946 -) e Gordon Matta-Clark (Nova Iorque, 1943 – 1978). Ambos problematizam os conceitos de espaço, vacuidade e plenitude, e utilizam práticas e estratégias de produção da obra nas quais se manifesta o sentido multimídia da arte contemporânea ao vincular os trabalhos deles com outras disciplinas como o design, a fotografia ou a arquitetura. O processo construtivo do trabalho, tanto de Caldas quanto de Matta-Clark, reflete possibilidades de que a partir do encontro com o espectador abrir-se o momento em que o vazio consegue sua potência poética.This thesis aims to bring up a reflection upon the concept of The Void in some of its diverse manifestations in contemporary art, on the basis of the artwork of Waltercio Caldas (Rio de Janeiro, 1946 -) and Gordon Matta-Clark (New York, 1943 – 1978). In both cases there is a discussion on the concepts of Space, Emptiness and Fullness, there is also the use of practices and strategies in the production of their artworks in which become apparent the multimedia nature of contemporary art by linking the work of art with other disciplines as design, photography or architecture.CAPE

Arquitectura de almacenamiento masivo de datos en la infraestructura Grid usando el middlewareglite

En la actualidad, el incremento de las investigaciones en las universidades consumen altos recursos de procesamiento y almacenamiento, generando la necesidad de tener una infraestructura de supercomputación. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo dar una solución a los problemas de almacenamiento que surgen en los diferentes grupos de investigación de una universidad, tal como la Universidad Industrial de Santander (Colombia) entidad que financia este proyecto. Implementando una infraestructura de almacenamiento masivo usando un sistema de archivos compatible con el middleware de EGEE (The Enabling Gridsfor E-science), aprovechando el uso del espacio de disco libre en nodos de trabajo, ofreciendo así una solución a un bajo costo. Además, se presenta la implementación de un clúster con los servicios fundamentales para Grid y así poder integrarlo a la infraestructura intercontinental de EELA-2 (E-science Grid facility for Europe and Latin America), estableciendo una plataforma distribuida de procesamiento y almacenamiento, para el uso de la comunidad científica de una universidad

Cambio en la clasificación macroscópica de la apendicitis. ¿Tiene algún impacto? Estudio retrospectivo en un Hospital Universitario Pediátrico

Antecedentes. La definición actual de apendicitis diferencia la aguda en apéndices no perforados y perforados. Esta clasificación describe los apéndices perforados como aquellos con la presencia de un orificio visible en el apéndice o la presencia de un fecalito libre en la cavidad y ha cambiado el manejo postoperatorio actual. Objetivo. Determinar si el cambio en la definición macroscópica de la apendicitis aguda tiene alguna influencia en la duración de la estancia hospitalaria y la tasa de complicaciones dado el cambio en el manejo antibiótico postoperatorio. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un rastreo de aquellos pacientes llevados a cirugía con diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda durante el primer semestre del año 2009 y el segundo semestre del año 2011 en la Fundación HOMI. Se excluyeron los pacientes llevados a laparoscopia diagnóstica por estudio del dolor abdominal, apendicectomias incidentales y los pacientes manejados en el protocolo de apendicectomía de Intervalo. Resultados. Se observó una disminución en el número de días de hospitalización/año y en el número de dosis de antibiótico/año y reducción en el número de complicaciones, lo cual demuestra que la clasificación y el protocolo de manejo actual no se correlacionan con un aumento en el número de complicaciones y se asocia con menores costos. Conclusión. El cambio en la clasificación macroscópica y el aportar la nueva definición sobre apendicitis perforada ha logrado disminuir la estancia hospitalaria y la cantidad de antibióticos utilizados sin una repercusión significativa en la tasa de complicaciones

Antioxidant Properties and Protective Effects of Some Species of the Annonaceae, Lamiaceae, and Geraniaceae Families against Neuronal Damage Induced by Excitotoxicity and Cerebral Ischemia

This study aimed to compare the antioxidant activities of extracts obtained from three plant families and evaluate their therapeutic effect on strokes. Ethanol extracts were obtained from either the leaf or the aerial parts of plants of the families Annonaceae (Annona cherimola, A. diversifolia, A. muricata, A. purpurea, and A. reticulata), Lamiaceae (Salvia amaríssima and S. polystachya), and Geraniaceae (Geranium niveum and G. mexicanum). Extracts were analyzed in terms of hydroxyl radical (OH•), peroxyl radical (ROO•), and superoxide anion (O2•−). The efficiency of the extracts to prevent neuronal death induced by excitotoxicity was tested with the tetrazolium assay, the O2•− scavenging capacity was evaluated with the dihydroethidium dye, and the protective effect of the extracts with the highest antioxidant activity was tested on a stroke experimental model. The extracts’ IC50 values (μg/mL) of scavenging varied from 98.9 to 155.04, 4.5 to 102.4, and 20.2 to 118.97 for OH•, ROO•, and O2•−, respectively. In the excitotoxicity model, Annonaceae extracts were highly cytotoxic while Lamiaceae and Geraniaceae reduced intracellular O2•− production and protect neurons against oxidative stress. Salvia polystachya reduced cerebral damage, as well as improved survival and behavior after ischemia. Our results encouraged the use of plant extracts as natural antioxidants to minimize neuronal injury following stroke