Microbial Community Composition during a Bloom of Purple Bacteria in Intertidal Sediments in Vigo (Northwest Spain)

In summer 2019, a large, bright pink microbial mat was visible on top of macroalgal deposits in muddy sediments of an urban beach (Playa do Adro, Vigo). In order to characterize the dominant organisms in these colored mats, results from microscopic observations, photosynthetic pigments, and molecular analysis were gathered. Light microscopy examination revealed pinkish microbial aggregates with minor contributions of larger protists and cyanobacteria. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pigment analysis documented the dominance of bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids whose spectra were compatible with those described in photosynthetic purple bacteria. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing confirmed that the vast majority of reads belonged to Proteobacteria (73.5%), and among them, nearly 88% of those reads belonged to purple sulfur bacteria (Gammaproteobacteria). A single family, Chromatiaceae, constituted the bulk of this assemblage, including the genera Thiohalocapsa (32%), Marichromatium (12.5%), Phaeochromatium (5%), and Halocromatium (2%) as main contributors. Nonetheless, a considerable number of sequences could not be assigned to a particular genus, stressing the large biological diversity in these microbial mats and the potential presence of novel taxa of purple sulfur bacteria.En prens

A photometric monitoring of bright high-amplitude delta Scuti stars. II. Period updates for seven stars

We present new photometric data for seven high-amplitude delta Scuti stars. The observations were acquired between 1996 and 2002, mostly in the Johnson photometric system. For one star (GW UMa), our observations are the first since the discovery of its pulsational nature from the Hipparcos data.The primary goal of this project was to update our knowledge on the period variations of the target stars. For this, we have collected all available photometric observations from the literature and constructed decades-long O-C diagrams of the stars. This traditional method is useful because of the single-periodic nature of the light variations. Text-book examples of slow period evolution (XX Cyg, DY Her, DY Peg) and cyclic period changes due to light-time effect (LITE) in a binary system (SZ Lyn) are updated with the new observations. For YZ Boo, we find a period decrease instead of increase. The previously suggested LITE-solution of BE Lyn (Kiss & Szatmary 1995) is not supported with the new O-C diagram. Instead of that, we suspect the presence of transient light curve shape variations mimicking small period changes.Comment: 11 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Adaptación y validación de la CBAS para la observación de climas motivacionales

El objetivo principal del estudio fue adaptar y validar el Coaching Behavior Assessment System (CBAS; Smith, Smoll y Hunt, 1977) para evaluar el clima motivacional que transmite el entrenador. La muestra empleada estuvo compuesta por un único monitor de actividad física dirigida, que trabajaba en el Servicio de Deportes de una universidad pública, tenía 27años y dos años de experiencia. En primer lugar, se realizó un análisis del contenido de la CBAS por expertos, que propusieron la inclusión de nuevos ítems. En segundo lugar, se llevó a cabo el proceso de entrenamiento de cuatro observadores para evaluar con la adaptación creada de la CBAS. A continuación, los cuatro investigadores realizaron seis observaciones sistemáticas al mismo monitor durante diferentes sesiones elegidas al azar y se calculóel índice de concordancia. Los resultados del análisis de la fiabilidad entre los observadores mostraron valores superiores al 90 %, llegando a alcanzar en la última observación el 98,9 %. Se discuten los resultados en base a la importancia de tener una herramienta que nos facilite evaluar el clima motivacional que genera un entrenador a través de la observación sistemática

Effect of full helmet systems on human head responses under blast loading

This paper focuses on helmet design for head protection under blast threats. It is presented a numerical investigation of the head response accruing to blast loads on helmet protective systems. Various combinations of the helmet, visor and mandible guard were numerically analyzed for a given mass of TNT at a distance to the target representing an anti-vehicle buried mine threat. Limited published articles on the subject are available in the scientific literature. In this paper, a 3D head helmet numerical model for blast analyses is developed in the finite element code ABAQUS/Explicit. The results showed that individual protective systems are not effective enough to mitigate the damage caused by blast loading. The complete protective equipment reduces the pressures on the brain by up to 5 times and ensures that no fracture in the skull appears. This numerical study aims to provide helmet manufacturers and users with some insight in what possible brain injuries are to be expected in various blast scenarios so as to help in better diagnosis of unsuspected brain injury.The Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain and FEDER program under the Project RTC-2015-3887-8 for the financial support of the work

Intense green-yellow electroluminescence from Tb+-implanted silicon-rich silicon nitride/oxide light emitting devices

High optical power density of 0.5 mW/cm2, external quantum efficiency of 0.1%, and population inversion of 7% are reported from Tb+-implanted silicon-rich silicon nitride/oxide light emitting devices. Electrical and electroluminescence mechanisms in these devices were investigated. The excitation cross section for the 543 nm Tb3+ emission was estimated under electrical pumping, resulting in a value of 8.2 × 10−14 cm2, which is one order of magnitude larger than one reported for Tb3+:SiO2 light emitting devices. These results demonstrate the potentiality of Tb+-implanted silicon nitride material for the development of integrated light sources compatible with Si technology

Análisis numérico del efecto de la protección de mandíbula y visor en un casco de combate ante cargas explosivas

En este trabajo, utilizando un código comercial de elementos finitos, se ha realizado un análisis numérico de la influencia de los distintos elementos que conforman una protección personal de la cabeza (casco de combate) ante una amenaza explosiva. El estudio, que incluye la modelización completa del casco y un modelo real de cabeza, permite determinar distintos valores de daño a partir de la presión intracraneal y posible fractura craneal producidos por la onda de choque. Los resultados obtenidos permiten constatar que el desarrollo de la protección personal de la cabeza cumple con su principal requisito de minimizar el efecto de las presiones y fractura en el cráneo. Sin embargo, debido a su configuración modular, las distintas configuraciones pueden ocasionar daños cerebrales y fractura craneal en el usuario.Los autores quieren agradecer la financiación recibida del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad a través del Proyecto RTC-2015-3887-8 en el Programa Estatal de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad, en el marco del Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2013-2016, así como la financiación parcial recibida a mediante el Proyecto DPI-2011-23191

Melatonin as a Coadjuvant in the Treatment of Patients with Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic widespread pain syndrome that is accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, lack of concentration, and neurocognitive impairment. As the currently available drugs are not completely successful against these symptoms and frequently have several side effects, many scientists have taken on the task of looking for nonpharmacological remedies. Many of the FMS-related symptoms have been suggested to be associated with an altered pattern of endogenous melatonin. Melatonin is involved in the regulation of several physiological processes, including circadian rhythms, pain, mood, and oxidative as well as immunomodulatory balance. Preliminary clinical studies have propounded that the administration of different doses of melatonin to patients with FMS can reduce pain levels and ameliorate mood and sleep disturbances. Moreover, the total antioxidant capacity, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and urinary cortisol levels, and other biological parameters improve after the ingestion of melatonin. Recent investigations have proposed a pathophysiological relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and FMS by looking at certain proteins involved in mitochondrial homeostasis according to the etiopathogenesis of this syndrome. These improvements exert positive effects on the quality of life of FMS patients, suggesting that the use of melatonin as a coadjuvant may be a successful strategy for the management of this syndrome

The multimode pulsation of the delta Scuti star V784 Cassiopeae

We present an analysis of new Johnson and Stromgren photometric and medium-resolution spectroscopic observations of the delta Scuti type variable star V784 Cassiopeae. The data were obtained in three consecutive years between 1999 and 2001. The period analysis of the light curve resulted in the detection of four frequencies ranging from 9.15 c/d to 15.90 c/d, while there is a suggestion for more, unresolved frequency components, too. The mean Stromgren indices and Hipparcos parallax were combined to calculate the following physical parameters: =7100+-100 K, log g=3.8+-0.1, M_bol=1.50+-0.15 mag. The position of the star in the HR diagram was used to derive evolutionary mass and age yielding to a consistent picture of an evolved delta Scuti star with a mixture of radial plus non-radial modes.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in A&

A Jerte Valley Cherry-Based Product as a Supply of Tryptophan

L-Tryptophan (tryptophan) is an essential amino acid in humans. It has important roles as a precursor of different bioactive compounds. Based on previous studies in which tryptophan has been shown to be present in fresh cherries, the aim of the present work was to analyze the tryptophan content of a Jerte Valley cherry-based product. A previously optimized method of analysis of tryptophan was used, ie, high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC/FL). As expected, HPLC/FL technique permitted to detect and quantify the tryptophan content in a different matrix rather than fresh cherries. In fact, the Jerte Valley cherry-based product contained 69.54 ± 10.64 ppm of tryptophan, thereby showing that this product is a good source of tryptophan. In summary, it has been proven that the Jerte Valley cherry-based product is rich in tryptophan and may be indicated as a supply of this essential amino acid as well as having potential health benefits for conditions where tryptophan is necessary