Long- term effects of fire and three fire-fighting chemicals on a soil-plant system.

The impacts of fire and fire-fighting chemicals (FFC) on soil properties and the soil-plant system were evaluated five years after treatment application. Unburnt soils (US) were compared with burnt soils treated with water alone (BS) or with foaming agent (BS+Fo), Firesorb polymer (BS+Fi), or ammonium polyphosphate (BS+Ap). Soils (0-2 cm depth) and foliar material (Ulex micranthus, Pterospartum tridentatum, Erica umbellata and Pinus pinaster) were analysed for total-C, total-N, δ 15N, nutrients (soil-available; plant-total), pH and inorganic-N (soils) and vegetation cover and height. No long-term effects of FFC on soil properties were found except for pH (BS+Fo > BS+Ap), inorganic-N and P (BS+Ap > other treatments). BS+Ap plants usually showed higher values of δ 15N, N, P and Na, but less K. Soil coverage by Pterospartum and Ulex was higher in BS+Ap than in other treatments, while the opposite was observed for Erica; shrubs were always taller in BS+Ap. After 3 years of growth, the size of pine seedlings followed the order BS+Ap > US > other treatments. Foliar N and P, scrub regeneration and growth of pines showed the long-term fertilizing effect of ammonium polyphosphate, although the second highest pine mortality was found in the BS+Ap treatment. The foaming agent did not affect vegetation cover, and Firesorb had no noticeable effect on shrubs but the highest pine mortality.Peer reviewe

Actividad eléctrica muscular en la marcha a distintas velocidades y en la carrera

En este estudio se analiza la actividad electromiográfica de los principales músculos de la extremidad inferior derecha: Glúteos Mayor y Medio, Recto Anterior y Vasto Interno del Cuádriceps, Isquiotibioperoneos, Gemelos y Tibial Anterior, al caminar en un tapiz rodante a distintas velocidades y en una carrera suave. Para dividir el ciclo de la marcha y la carrera en fases se utilizó un sistema de análisis tridimensional con dos cámaras de vídeo. La señal electromiográfica de cada una de estas fases se integró y se expresó en porcentaje de la actividad máxima isométrica de su músculo correspondiente. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la participación muscular en la marcha lenta y normal es muy similar, sin embargo, en la marcha rápida aparecen aumentos importantes conservando el mismo patrón de actuación. En la carrera, no sólo existen actividades del triple de las halladas en la marcha a velocidad cómoda, sino que se modifica el patrón de actuación, presentando todos los músculos sus picos de actividad durante la fase de apoyo, momento en el que el centro de gravedad se lleva hacia delante sobre el miembro inferior

Actividad eléctrica muscular en la marcha a distintas velocidades y en la carrera

En este estudio se analiza la actividad electromiográfica de los principales músculos de la extremidad inferior derecha: Glúteos Mayor y Medio, Recto Anterior y Vasto Interno del Cuádriceps, Isquiotibioperoneos, Gemelos y Tibial Anterior, al caminar en un tapiz rodante a distintas velocidades y en una carrera suave. Para dividir el ciclo de la marcha y la carrera en fases se utilizó un sistema de análisis tridimensional con dos cámaras de vídeo. La señal electromiográfica de cada una de estas fases se integró y se expresó en porcentaje de la actividad máxima isométrica de su músculo correspondiente. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la participación muscular en la marcha lenta y normal es muy similar, sin embargo, en la marcha rápida aparecen aumentos importantes conservando el mismo patrón de actuación. En la carrera, no sólo existen actividades del triple de las halladas en la marcha a velocidad cómoda, sino que se modifica el patrón de actuación, presentando todos los músculos sus picos de actividad durante la fase de apoyo, momento en el que el centro de gravedad se lleva hacia delante sobre el miembro inferior

Embryonic Organ Transplantation: The New Era of Xenotransplantation

Here, we review the recent advances towards the use of organs from embryonic donors, antecedent investigations, and the latest work from our own laboratory exploring the utility for transplantation of embryonic kidney as an organ replacement therapy. In addition, we have recently reported, for the first time, that it is possible to create a long-term biobank of kidney precursors as an unlimited source of organs for xenotransplantation, facilitating inventory control and the distribution of organs

Chern-Simons formulation of three-dimensional gravity with torsion and nonmetricity

We consider various models of three-dimensional gravity with torsion or nonmetricity (metric affine gravity), and show that they can be written as Chern-Simons theories with suitable gauge groups. Using the groups ISO(2,1), SL(2,C) or SL(2,R) x SL(2,R), and the fact that they admit two independent coupling constants, we obtain the Mielke-Baekler model for zero, positive or negative effective cosmological constant respectively. Choosing SO(3,2) as gauge group, one gets a generalization of conformal gravity that has zero torsion and only the trace part of the nonmetricity. This characterizes a Weyl structure. Finally, we present a new topological model of metric affine gravity in three dimensions arising from an SL(4,R) Chern-Simons theory.Comment: 24 pages, uses JHEP3.cls. Published versio

Discovery of magnetic fields in central stars of planetary nebulae

For the first time we have directly detected magnetic fields in central stars of planetary nebulae by means of spectro-polarimetry with FORS1 at the VLT. In all four objects of our sample we found kilogauss magnetic fields, in NGC1360 and LSS1362 with very high significance, while in EGB5 and Abell36 the existence of a magnetic field is probable but with less certainty. This discovery supports the hypothesis that the non-spherical symmetry of most planetary nebulae is caused by magnetic fields in AGB stars. Our high discovery rate demands mechanisms to prevent full conservation of magnetic flux during the transition to white dwarfs.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, Accepted for Publication by Astronomy & Astrophysics See also press release by A&A on their homepage www.edpsiences.or

New groups of planetary nebulae with peculiar dust chemistry towards the Galactic bulge

We investigate Galactic bulge planetary nebulae without emission-line central stars for which peculiar infrared spectra have been obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope, including the simultaneous signs of oxygen and carbon based dust. Three separate sub-groups can be defined characterized by the different chemical composition of the dust and the presence of crystalline and amorphous silicates. We find that the classification based on the dust properties is reflected in the more general properties of these planetary nebulae. However, some observed properties are difficult to relate to the common view of planetary nebulae. In particular, it is challenging to interpret the peculiar gas chemical composition of many analyzed objects in the standard picture of the evolution of planetary nebulae progenitors. We confirm that the dual-dust chemistry phenomenon is not limited to planetary nebulae with emission-line central stars.Comment: 17 pages, 13 figure

Chemical abundances in bright giants of the globular cluster M62 (NGC 6266)

With the exception of Terzan 5, all the Galactic globular clusters that possess significant metallicity spreads, such as omega Cen and M22, are preferentially the more luminous clusters with extended horizontal branches. Here we present radial velocities and chemical abundances for seven bright giants in the globular cluster M62, a previously little-studied cluster. With M_V = -9.18, M62 is the ninth most luminous Galactic globular cluster and has an extended horizontal branch. Within our sample, we find (i) no evidence for a dispersion in metallicity, [Fe/H], beyond the measurement uncertainties, (ii) star-to-star abundance variations for C, O, Na and Al with the usual correlations between these elements as seen in other globular clusters, and (iii) a global enrichment for the elements Zr, Ba and La at the level [X/Fe] = +0.4 dex. For elements heavier than La, the abundance ratios are consistent with the scaled-solar $r$-process distribution. Below La, the abundances are anomalous when compared to the scaled-solar s-process or r-process distributions. For these elements, the abundance signature in M62 is in agreement with predictions of the s-process from fast-rotating massive stars, although the high [Rb/Y] ratio we measure may be a challenge to this scenario.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Campylobacter epidemiology from breeders to their progeny in Eastern Spain

[EN] While horizontal transmission is a route clearly linked to the spread of Campylobacter at the farm level, few studies support the transmission of Campylobacter spp. from breeder flocks to their offspring. Thus, the present study was carried out to investigate the possibility of vertical transmission. Breeders were monitored from the time of housing day-old chicks, then throughout the laying period (0 to 60 wk) and throughout their progeny (broiler fattening, 1 to 42 d) until slaughter. All samples were analyzed according with official method ISO 10272:2006. Results revealed that on breeder farms, Campylobacter isolation started from wk 16 and reached its peak at wk 26, with 57.0% and 93.2% of positive birds, respectively. After this point, the rate of positive birds decreased slightly to 86.0% at 60 wk. However, in broiler production all day-old chicks were found negative for Campylobacter spp, and the bacteria was first isolated at d 14 of age (5.0%), with a significant increase in detection during the fattening period with 62% of Campylobacter positive animals at the end of the production cycle. Moreover, non-positive sample was determined from environmental sources. These results could be explained because Campylobacter may be in a low concentration or in a non-culturable form, as there were several studies that successfully detected Campylobacter DNA, but failed to culture. This form can survive in the environment and infect successive flocks; consequently, further studies are needed to develop more modern, practical, cost-effective and suitable techniques for routine diagnosis.We thank the ASAV (Valencian Poultry Association) and the Santander bank for the financial support of the project and the staff of the CECAV (Center for Poultry and Animal Feed Quality of the Valencian Region) for their assistance. Sofia Ingresa was supported by a research grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education (programme FPU13/03306). English text version was revised by N. Macowan English Language Service.Ingresa-Capaccioni, S.; Jiménez Trigos, ME.; Marco Jiménez, F.; Català, P.; Vega García, S.; Marin Orenga, C. (2016). Campylobacter epidemiology from breeders to their progeny in Eastern Spain. Poultry Science. 95(3):676-683. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pev338S67668395

Impact of caries and dental fluorosis on oral health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in schoolchildren receiving water naturally fluoridated at above-optimal levels

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of caries and fluorosis on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among schoolchildren living in areas with high concentrations of fluoride in water. Methods Five hundred and twenty-four schoolchildren (8–12 year olds) residing in rural communities in central Mexico were examined for oral hygiene, caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System, ICDAS II), and fluorosis (Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index, TFI). OHRQoL was evaluated with the Child Perceptions Questionnaire for two age groups (CPQ8–10 and CPQ11–14). Generalized structural equation models were constructed for data analysis. Results Overall prevalence of caries was 88.5% and fluorosis 46.9%. In the group of 8–10 year olds, 48% of the children had advanced carious lesions in primary or permanent teeth (ICDAS ≥4), 22.6% had moderate/severe fluorosis, and 59.9% of children had an impact on OHRQoL. Schoolchildren with ICDAS ≥4 were more likely [OR = 1.75, (95% CI 1.34–2.28)] to suffer a negative impact on OHRQoL. In the group of 11–12 year olds, 19.9% of children had advanced carious lesions and 23.2% showed moderate/severe fluorosis; 67.3% of children reported had an impact on OHRQoL. Children 11–12 year olds with fluorosis (TFI ≥4) [OR = 2.39 (95% CI 2.12–2.69)], caries (ICDAS ≥4) [OR = 2.18 (95% CI 2.13–2.24)], and low brushing frequency [OR = 2.04 (95% CI 1.21–3.44)] were more likely to have deterioration on OHRQoL. Conclusion A negative impact on OHRQoL was observed in children with caries and fluorosis