Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence in a Group of Young Puerto Ricans

In this paper we aim to describe the beliefs and attitudes young people in Puerto Rico have toward intimate partner violence (IPV). Although Puerto Rico has a high rate of IPV, little empirical research has been conducted about the beliefs and attitudes people have regarding this issue. We conducted 20 in-depth qualitative interviews with young men and women. Data was analyzed using the qualitative content analysis approach. Participants expressed that men are more violent than women because of testosterone, machismo, and alcohol and other drug use. Both male and female participants stated that they believe they have the same rights to make decisions. Participants did not express directly stereotypical attitudes and beliefs that justify IPV. However, there remains a desire in some participants to have control over where their partner is and what he or she is doing. Preventive interventions are urgently needed to promote healthier relationships among young people

Morphological dimorphism varies across the endemic Xantus’ hummingbird (Hylocharis xantusii) genetic populations in the Baja California Peninsula

Morphological dimorphism traits play an important role in our understanding of species evolution. In birds, sexual dimorphism occurs in a number of characteristics, such as body and shape size, wing and bill morphology. Hylocharis xantusii is the only hummingbird species endemic to the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico that has adapted to xeric conditions, associated to oases regions, and displays a sexual dimorphism on color pattern. We quantified morphological variation between males and females to determine whether morphological traits have a significant contribution to sexual dimorphism, and we analyzed if differences in morphological patterns among genetic populations of Xantus’ hummingbird existed. A morphological dimorphism was found in four of six traits analyzed, males were bigger in size (total length) with larger wings (wing chord and tail length) and wider bills (bill width). Differences in morphological traits of genetic populations were found. Individuals of southern population were in average smaller than central and northern populations while individuals from central populations had larger bills and wing chords. Northern populations had longer tails and wider bills. The results indicated that populations and sex are independent to morphological differences in Xantus’ hummingbird. The best fitted GLM shows that the altitude and oasis location related to the genetic population correctly explains the differences in tail, wing chord and bill width traits of hummingbirds along the Baja California Peninsula. We suggest that local conditions related to environmental heterogeneity and oases distribution are promoting levels of morphological differentiation. Genetic populations were already known to be result of their evolutionary history, of the phylogeographic pattern. Sexual dimorphism on morphological traits observed in H. xantusii is related in first place to ecological differences among oases, and second, related to mating and social behavior.El dimorfismo morfológico juega un importante papel en el entendimiento de la evolución de las especies. En aves, el dimorfismo sexual ocurre en un número de características, como el tamaño y forma del cuerpo, y la morfología de las alas y pico. Hylocharis xantusii es la única especie de colibrí endémica de la Península de Baja California, México, que se ha adaptado a condiciones xéricas y que además exhibe un marcado dimorfismo sexual en su patrón de coloración. En este estudio se cuantificó la variación morfológica entre machos y hembras para analizar si los rasgos morfológicos tienen una contribución significativa al dimorfismo sexual; además se determinó si existen diferencias en el patrón morfológico entre las poblaciones de la especie. Se observó dimorfismo sexual en cuatro de los seis rasgos analizados en este trabajo; los machos fueron más grandes en tamaño (largo total), con alas más largas (cuerda alar y largo de cola) y pico más ancho. Se observaron diferencias morfológicas entre las poblaciones genéticas de H. xantusii; los colibríes de la población sur fueron en promedio más pequeños que los de las poblaciones centrales y norteñas, mientras que los individuos de la población central tuvieron picos más largos, así como cuerdas alares más largas. Las poblaciones del norte tuvieron colas más largas y picos más anchos. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que las poblaciones y el sexo influyen independientemente en las diferencias morfológicas del colibrí de Xantus. El mejor modelo GLM obtenido muestra que la altitud y la localidad de los oasis relacionada a la población genética, explican significativamente las diferencias en la longitud de la cola y cuerda alar así como del ancho del pico de los colibrís a lo largo de la península de Baja California. Se sugiere que las condiciones locales  relacionadas con la heterogeneidad ambiental y la distribución de los oasis están promoviendo niveles de diferenciación morfológica. Las poblaciones genéticas por otro lado, se sabía previamente eran resultado de su historia evolutiva, de su patrón filogeográfico. El dimorfismo sexual en los rasgos morfológicos de H. xantusii podría estar relacionado en primer lugar, a las diferencias ecológicas entre los oasis, y segundo, relacionado con el apareamiento y comportamiento social

Clasificación y análisis sinóptico de los ciclones subtropicales en el Atlántico nordeste

Ponencia presentada en: IX Congreso de la Asociación Española de Climatología celebrado en Almería entre el 28 y el 30 de octubre de 2014.[ES]Este trabajo analiza sinópticamente, con una base climatológica, los ciclones subtropicales (STCs) que se desarrollan en la cuenca este del Atlántico Norte, con el objetivo de complementar otros estudios sobre éstos en el Atlántico Norte, y además, mejorar su predicción. Mediante la aplicación de una serie de criterios procedentes de dos bases de datos se han identificado 15 casos de STC durante el periodo de 1979-2011.[EN]This survey analyzes subtropical cyclones (STCs) formed within the North Atlantic eastern basin from a synoptic point of view, on a climatological basis, with the main aims of complementing other studies of these storms in the North Atlantic, and aiding the forecasting community. 15 cases of STCs were identified during the period of 1979-2011 by applying a set of criteria from two databases.Este trabajo ha sido realizado gracias al proyecto CGL2011-25327 (MINECO)

¿Cómo detectar un ciclón subtropical?

Ponencia presentada en: XXXIII Jornadas Científicas de la AME y el XIV Encuentro Hispano Luso de Meteorología celebrado en Oviedo, del 7 al 9 de abril de 2014.Este trabajo ha sido realizado gracias al proyecto de investigación CGL2011-25327 (MINECO)

Detección de un ciclón subtropical

En este trabajo se analiza el ciclo de vida de lo que debería haber sido una típica borrasca de invierno que suele afectar a la cuenca atlántica nororiental. Sin embargo, dicha baja comenzó a adquirir características tropicales, lo que le lleva a ser identificada como ciclón subtropical. Con esta descripción se detalla una metodología para identificar este tipo de fenómenos. En ella se utilizan una serie de herramientas y campos meteorológicos que demuestran ser útiles para realzar las características de los ciclones subtropicales. Estos fenómenos han cobrado importancia durante los últimos años y han centrado la atención de la comunidad científica por llevar asociados fenómenos meteorológicos extremos de gran impacto en la sociedad y por su potencial para convertirse en tormentas tropicales o huracanes. Uno de los problemas a los que se enfrenta un meteorólogo o predictor operativo en nuestra cuenca, es el de diferenciar este tipo de ciclones con los ciclones extratropicales o típicas borrascas de invierno.Este trabajo ha sido realizado gracias al proyecto de investigación CGL2011-25327 del MINECO

Non-Invasive Forehead Segmentation in Thermographic Imaging

The temperature of the forehead is known to be highly correlated with the internal body temperature. This area is widely used in thermal comfort systems, lie-detection systems, etc. However, there is a lack of tools to achieve the segmentation of the forehead using thermographic images and non-intrusive methods. In fact, this is usually segmented manually. This work proposes a simple and novel method to segment the forehead region and to extract the average temperature from this area solving this lack of non-user interaction tools. Our method is invariant to the position of the face, and other different morphologies even with the presence of external objects. The results provide an accuracy of 90% compared to the manual segmentation using the coefficient of Jaccard as a metric of similitude. Moreover, due to the simplicity of the proposed method, it can work with real-time constraints at 83 frames per second in embedded systems with low computational resources. Finally, a new dataset of thermal face images is presented, which includes some features which are difficult to find in other sets, such as glasses, beards, moustaches, breathing masks, and different neck rotations and flexions

Oil, poverty and environment in Angola

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Histogenesis and cell differentiation in the retina of Thunnus thynnus: a morphological and immunohistochemical study

This study examines the anatomical development of the visual system of Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, during the first 15 days of life at histological level, with emphasis in the immunohistochemical characterization of different cell types. As an altricial fish species, the retina was not developed at hatching. The appearance of eye pigmentation and the transformation of the retina from an undifferentiated neuroblastic layer into a laminated structure occurred during the first two days of life. At 16 days after hatching (DAH), the ganglion cells were arranged in a single row in the central region of the retina and the outer segments of the photoreceptors were morphologically developed. Furthermore, at this age, all the retinal cell types were immunohistochemically characterized. The presence of ganglion cell axons was confirmed with the TUJ1 antibody and the existence of functional synapses in the plexiform layers with antibodies against SV2. Cone opsins were immunostained with antibodies against visinin and CERN-922 immunoreactive rods were also identified. Different subpopulations of amacrine cells were immunostained with antibodies against αTH and PV. Highly GS-immunoreactive Müller cells were also detected at this age. These observations suggested that the T. thynnus retina was fully functional at the end of the second week of life. Basic studies on early morphology of the visual system and larval behaviour are necessary to support applied research on larval rearing. Furthermore, they may have implications for understanding larval ecology in the wild.Versión del edito

COMPARACIÓN DE ESTRATEGIAS TERAPÉUTICAS PARA EL CONTROL DE LA TENSIÓN ARTERIAL Y LA ANGINA DE PECHO EN PACIENTES CON HIPERTENSIÓN ARTERIAL Y CARDIOPATÍA ISQUÉMICA CRÓNICA EN LA PROVINCIA DE VILLA CLARA. APÉNDICE DEL ESTUDIO INVEST / Comparison of therapeutic strategies for the control of blood pressure and angina in patients with hypertension and chronic ischemic heart disease in the province of Villa Clara. Appendix of INVEST study

Background and Objectives: The treatment of hypertension and its complications are a worldwide problem. In our country nearly 25 % of the population over 15 years old is hypertensive, and this figure nearly doubles in those over 60. This research aims to compare two treatment strategies for controlling hypertension in outpatients with chronic coronary ischemic syndrome. Method: A total of 150 patients was included, 73 were randomized to receive calcium antagonist and non-calcium antagonist respectively, as 4 patients were subsequently excluded. Each was asked to sign consent, underwent clinical examination and a 12-lead, conventional electrocardiogram. Blood pressure and episodes of angina were evaluated at 6 months and one year. All variables were entered into a database and statistical analysis was performed using Student's t and Chi square. Results: The mean age was 61,5 years. Women and white skin color were predominant. At 12 months of treatment, blood pressure normalized in more than 80 % of patients without significant differences between the two treatment strategies. Over 75 % of patients in both groups controlled the angina episodes and more than 85 % said the quality of life was good. Conclusions: Control of blood pressure and angina was achieved and there were no significant differences between the two treatment strategies

Geomorphological record of extreme wave events during Roman times in the Guadalquivir estuary (gulf of cadiz, SW Spain): An archaeological and paleogeographical approach

Analysis of the geological record has made it possible to delimit for theGuadalquivir estuary the traces of extreme wave events (EWEs) during the Roman period in the Iberian Peninsula (218 BCE to 476 CE). The largest event occurred in the 2nd-3rd century CE. It generated clearly visible erosive effects in the coastal barriers, including washover fans and erosional scarps. In the inner estuary, however, the effects were minor: crevasse splays that broke levees and cheniers, as well as a residual sedimentary lag. The significant development of the spits protected the inner estuary from the marine incursion, which only caused a water level rise with low-regime waves. Correlation of the geomorphological and sedimentary marks left by this event with the archaeological and geological evidence of other events recognized elsewhere in the Gulf of Cadiz effectively argues for a tsunami as to the nature of the 2nd-3rd century CE event. Yet this and the other identified EWEs in the Guadalquivir estuary during the pre-Roman and the Roman period all fit a model of paleogeographic evolution dominated by processes of coastal progradation and estuarine infilling. Radiocarbon dating, geomorphological analysis, and historical references fail to warrant the so-called '218-209 BCE' Atlantic tsunami, as hypothesized in the received scientific literature. In pre-Roman and Roman times, human occupation at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River was strongly influenced by various geodynamic processes, the location of the settlements being contingent upon dependable, fast communication with the sea and, above all, upon adequate protection from EWEs, on the leeward side of spits. Progressive progradation of these coastal barriers combined with the gradual infilling of the estuary to make navigation to open sea increasingly difficult and, eventually, to result in the abandonment of settlements