A new species of Mysidopsis (Crustacea, Mysida, Mysidae) from coastal waters of Catalonia (north–western Mediterranean)

A new species of the genus Mysidopsis (Crustacea, Mysida, Mysidae, Leptomysinae) is described based on specimens sampled with a suprabenthic sled in the littoral located near the coastal city of Mataró (north–western Mediterranean). The new species lives in the soft–bottom suprabenthic habitat near a Posidonia oceanica meadow, at depths between 17 and 21 m. The main distinguishing features of Mysidopsis iluroensis n. sp. are the small body size, a prominent rostrum, the absence of carapace dorsal nodules, and the armature of the antennule, telson and uropod. The morphology of the new species is compared with other species of Mysidopsis in the Mediterranean Se

Biology of the suprabenthic mysid Schistomysis assimilis (Sars, 1877) on Creixell beach, Tarragona (northwestern Mediterranean)

The suprabenthic mysid Schistomysis assimilis (Sars, 1877) was sampled monthly during 1991- 1992 in the surf zone of Creixell beach (Tarragona, Spain, northwestern Mediterranean) in order to describe its life history and estimate its secondary production. In the unstable coastal soft-bottom environment studied, this resident mysid is one of the suprabenthic community's dominant species. Demographic analysis suggests that it is a trivoltine species with a potential longevity of less than one year. According to the size frequency method, its annual production was estimated at 103.55 mg/5 m², with a P/B̅ ratio of 9,12.El misidáceo suprabentónico Schistomysis assimilis (Sars, 1877) ha sido muestreado mensualmente durante 1991 y 1992 en la zona de rompientes de la playa de Creixell (Tarragona, España) (Mediterráneo noroccidental) con el fin de describir su ciclo de vida y estimar su producción secundaria. Este misidáceo residente es uno de los principales componentes de la comunidad suprabentónica previamente reconocida en los fondos de esta playa. El análisis demográfico de la población sugiere que es una especie trivoltina con una longevidad potencial de menos de un año. Utilizando el método de Hynes, la producción anual estimada es de 103,55 mg/5 m² con una tasa P/B̅ de 9,12.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

Temporal changes in the structure of the suprabenthic community from Hendaya beach (southern Bay of Biscay): A comparison with a northwestern Mediterranean beach community

In 1991-1992, the suprabenthic communities from Hendaya and Creixell beaches (southeastern bay of Biscay and northwestern Mediterranean, respectively) were monthly sampled in order to analyse and compare their qualitative and quantitative structural evolution during an annual cycle. The suprabenthos of Hendaya and Creixell beaches shows a similarity rate of 33.3 % for genera and 11.8 % at the species level, mainly amphipods and mysids. The presence of vicariant especies, especially of the genera Schistomysis, Cumposis and Eurydice indicates a certain degree of biogeographical isolation between the suprabenthos of dissipative type beaches from southeastern Bay of Biscay to northwestern Mediterranean.Las comunidades suprabentónicas de las playas de Hendaya y Creixell (sudeste del golfo de Vizcaya y noroeste del Mediterráneo, respectivamente) han sido mensualmente muestreadas con el objetivo de analizar y comparar su evolución estructural (cualitativa y cuantitativa) durante el ciclo anual 1991-1992. En el suprabentos de las playas de Hendaya y Creixell se han detectado un 33,3 % de géneros y un 11,8 % de especies comunes, principalmente, anfípodos y misidáceos. La presencia de especies vicariantes de los géneros Schistomysis, Cumposis y Eurydice, cuyas respectivas poblaciones son abundantes en ambas playas, revela cierto grado de aislamiento biogeográfico que puede ser, hasta cierto punto, extrapolable al suprabentos de las playas de tipo disipativo localizadas entre la zona sur del golfo de Vizcaya y el noroeste del Mediterráneo.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

An Interactive Tool for Automatic Predimensioning and Numerical Modeling of Arch Dams

The construction of double-curvature arch dams is an attractive solution from an economic viewpoint due to the reduced volume of concrete necessary for their construction as compared to conventional gravity dams. Due to their complex geometry, many criteria have arisen for their design. However, the most widespread methods are based on recommendations of traditional technical documents without taking into account the possibilities of computer-aided design. In this paper, an innovative software tool to design FEM models of double-curvature arch dams is presented. Several capabilities are allowed: simplified geometry creation (interesting for academic purposes), preliminary geometrical design, high-detailed model construction, and stochastic calculation performance (introducing uncertainty associated with material properties and other parameters). This paper specially focuses on geometrical issues describing the functionalities of the tool and the fundamentals of the design procedure with regard to the following aspects: topography, reference cylinder, excavation depth, crown cantilever thickness and curvature, horizontal arch curvature, excavation and concrete mass volume, and additional elements such as joints or spillways. Examples of application on two Spanish dams are presented and the results obtained analyzed

Assessing landscape management challenges of the Pyrenees-Mont Perdu property after two decades on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1997-2018)

Se realiza un análisis sobre los retos de gestión paisajística que presenta actualmente el Bien transfronterizo Pirineos-Monte Perdido, inscrito en la Lista del Patrimonio Mundial de UNESCO desde 1997. Para ello se analizan los informes de seguimiento sobre el estado de conservación del Bien que ha elaborado periódicamente el Centro del Patrimonio Mundial, así como las decisiones aprobadas por el Comité del Patrimonio Mundial referidas a las medidas a adoptar para corregir los problemas detectados. El análisis bibliográfico, cartográfico y estadístico completa el procedimiento metodológico empleado. Se identifican dos retos principales. El primero radica en aumentar la coordinación entre España y Francia, que se concrete en la aprobación de un Plan de Gestión del Bien. El segundo consiste en establecer medidas eficaces para mantener la actividad pastoril trashumante y el paisaje cultural asociado, como atributo fundamental del Valor Universal Excepcional del Bien. Debido a la complejidad de este propósito, se identifican los principales obstáculos sociales, económicos y administrativos a superar. Se concluye que para favorecer el pastoreo y conservar el paisaje cultural del Bien resulta imprescindible adoptar una visión territorial de conjunto, plasmada en una política integral e intersectorial al efecto y dotada de medios económicos y técnicos adecuados.An analysis is made of the current landscape management challenges facing the Pyrenees-Mont Perdu transboundary property, registered on the World Heritage List since 1997. For this purpose, the follow-up reports on the state of conservation of the property that the World Heritage Centre has periodically prepared are analysed, as well as the decisions approved by the World Heritage Committee regarding measures to correct problems. The bibliographic, cartographic, and statistical analysis completes the methodological procedure used. Two particularly outstanding challenges are identified. The first is to increase coordination between Spain and France following the approval of a management plan for the property. The second challenge is to establish effective measures to maintain seasonal movement of herds, and the associated cultural landscape, as a fundamental attribute of the outstanding universal value of the property. Due to the complexity of this purpose, the social, economic, and administrative obstacles to be overcome are analysed. The conclusion is that to promote pastoral activity and preserve the cultural landscape of the property, it is essential to develop an overall territorial approach, translated into a comprehensive and cross-sectoral policy with adequate economic and technical resources.El presente artículo se enmarca en el Proyecto de Investigación “Paisajes culturales de la Lista del Patrimonio Mundial. Claves para la identificación y criterios para la gestión de paisajes agroganaderos, mineros e industriales de la España atlántica” (CSO2015-65787-C6-3-P, MINECO/FEDER, UE)

The Expression of Fibroblast Activation Protein in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinomas Is Associated with Synchronous Lymph Node Metastases

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is a heterogeneous and complex disease that frequently develops distant metastases. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a serine peptidase the expression of which in cancer-associated fibroblasts has been associated with higher risk of metastases and poor survival. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of FAP in metastatic CCRCC (mCCRCC). A series of 59 mCCRCC retrospectively collected was included in the study. Metastases developed either synchronous (n = 14) or metachronous to renal disease (n = 45). Tumor specimens were obtained from both primary lesion (n = 59) and metastases (n = 54) and FAP expression was immunohistochemically analyzed. FAP expression in fibroblasts from primary tumors correlated with FAP expression in the corresponding metastatic lesions. Also, primary and metastatic FAP expression was correlated with large tumor diameter (>7cm), high grade (G3/4), high stage (pT3/4), tumor necrosis and sarcomatoid transformation. The expression of FAP in primary tumors and in their metastases was associated both with synchronous metastases and also with metastases to the lymph nodes. FAP expression in the primary tumor was correlated with worse 10-year overall survival. Immunohistochemical detection of FAP in the stromal tumor fibroblasts could be a biomarker of early lymph node metastatic status and therefore could account for the poor prognosis of FAP positive CCRCC.This work was partially funded by Grant SAF2013-48812-R from Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Spain), IT 8-11/13 from de Basque Government and EHUA14/25 from de University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). The current work has been developed as PhD project of PE and MB, who are recipients of a Predoctoral Fellowship from the Basque Government (Exp no PRE_2013_1_762 and PRE_2015_2_0148). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Analytical validation of an automated assay for the measurement of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and its isoenzymes in saliva and a pilot evaluation of their changes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Objectives The aim of the present study was to validate a commercially available automated assay for the measurement of total adenosine deaminase (tADA) and its isoenzymes (ADA1 and ADA2) in saliva in a fast and accurate way, and evaluate the possible changes of these analytes in individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods The validation, in addition to the evaluation of precision and accuracy, included the analysis of the effects of the main procedures that are currently being used for SARS-CoV-2 inactivation in saliva and a pilot study to evaluate the possible changes in salivary tADA and isoenzymes in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Results The automated assay proved to be accurate and precise, with intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation below 8.2%, linearity under dilution linear regression with R2 close to 1, and recovery percentage between 80 and 120% in all cases. This assay was affected when the sample is treated with heat or SDS for virus inactivation but tolerated Triton X-100 and NP-40. Individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection (n=71) and who recovered from infection (n=11) had higher mean values of activity of tADA and its isoenzymes than healthy individuals (n=35). Conclusions tADA and its isoenzymes ADA1 and ADA2 can be measured accurately and precisely in saliva samples in a rapid, economical, and reproducible way and can be analyzed after chemical inactivation with Triton X-100 and NP-40. Besides, the changes observed in tADA and isoenzymes in individuals with COVID-19 open the possibility of their potential use as non-invasive biomarkers in this disease