Monte Bernorio (Palencia): siglo I a.C. / 1936- 1937 d.C. Arqueología de un campo de batalla

El yacimiento de Monte Bernorio es uno de los más importantes de la Edad del Hierro en el norte de la Península Ibérica. Por su estratégico emplazamiento, este oppidum tuvo un importante papel en la guerra de conquista que el Emperador Augusto desarrolló contra los territorios de Cántabros y Ástures. Dos mil años más tarde este núcleo volvió a tener una crucial importancia estratégica en los enfrentamientos de la Guerra Civil, en los que Monte Bernorio jugó un papel fundamental dentro del denominado “Frente Norte”. A través del estudio arqueológico de los restos que se han conservado de los combates se puede llegar a comprender la dureza de la guerra en esta área y las condiciones de vida de los soldados en las posiciones que se erigieron entre los restos de la Edad del Hierro.Monte Bernorio is one of the most important Iron Age sites in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Due to its strategic position, this oppidum played a relevant role in the war of conquest that Emperor Augustus carried out in the land of the Cantabrians and Asturians. Two thousand years later, this place was again of great strategic relevance during the Spanish Civil War: Monte Bernorio played a crucial role within the so-called “Northern Front”. Through the archaeological study of the Civil War remains, it is possible to understand the hardness of the combats that took place in this area, as well as the harsh conditions of life experienced by those soldiers who fought among the ruins of an Iron Age settlement

Determination of thermal transitions of gluten-free chestnut flour doughs enriched with brown seaweed powders and antioxidant properties of baked cookies

A protocol for determining the characteristic temperatures of thermomechanical transitions on gluten-free flour doughs is proposed. This protocol is based on the mathematical analysis of experimental curve of storage modulus (G0 ) vs temperature obtained by means of Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) technique. Doughs at constant consistency of chestnut flour with different levels (3, 6 and 9% flour basis, f.b.) of brown seaweed (Bifurcaria bifurcata, Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum) powders addition, 2% f.b. of guar gum and 1.8% f.b. of salt with different water absorption were used to test the proposed protocol. The ranges of temperatures corresponding to starch gelatinization (59–97 C), amylopectin crystallites melting (82–101 C), reversible dissociation of lipid-amylose complexes (107–128 C) and amylose melting (133–171 C) showed a strong dependence with water absorption of samples. Doughs with the same water absorption submitted to starch gelatinization during mixing were also analysed to corroborate the protocol suitability. Total polyphenols content and radical scavenging activity of extracts from chestnut flour-seaweed powder blends and seaweed-enriched chestnut cookies baked at 180 C were determined. Extraction assisted with ultrasounds was carried out employing acetone-water (70:30 v/v) solution as solvent during 4 min with a liquid/solid ratio of 30 w/w. Seaweed powder addition had a positive effect on antioxidant properties of doughs before baking. However, the seaweed powder addition effect on baked products (cookies) is not clear due to antioxidant activity is overlapped by Maillard's products generated during bakingThis work was supported by the Ministry of Economy and competitiveness of Spain and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of European Union by the research project (CTQ 2013–43616/P)S

Attack and destruction of the Monte Bernorio oppidvm and the establishment of a roman castellvm

El "oppidum" de Monte Bernorio resulta bien conocido como una de las ciudades fortificadas de la Edad del Hierro más importantes del cantábrico. En las campañas militares que el emperador Octavio Augusto desencadeno contra "Cántabros y Ástures" la conquista de este "oppidum" resultó esencial, como demuestran las recientes campañas de excavación arqueológicas. Se presentan en este trabajo algunas novedades relacionadas con el descubrimiento, en su "acrópolis", del "agger" de un "castellum" romano construido aprovechando en parte el dispositivo defensivo indígena. Este "castellum" tuvo varias fases de ocupación sucesivas con al menos dos reconstrucciones de las estructuras defensivas de esta fortificación.Monte Bernorio Hillfort is a very well known "oppidum" and one of the most important Iron Age sites in the North of Spain. The siege of this "oppidum" was essential during Emperor Augustus’ military campaign against Cantabrian and Asturian peoples, as shown by the latest archaeological researches in this site. In this paper we introduce new findings regarding the discovery, in the "acropolis" of the hillfort, of the "agger" of a Roman fort, built using some parts of the indigenous defenses. The roman fort has experienced different occupation periods with no less than two different phases

Ethical and Legal Challenges of the Genome Editing Techniques

Las nuevas técnicas de manipulación del ADN están revolucionando el mundo de la biomedicina, por su capacidad para “reescribir” (editar) el genoma humano de una forma relativamente sencilla y económica. Estas técnicas plantean un enorme desafío ético y jurídico, ya que dichas modificaciones podrían afectar a la línea germinal y ser transmitidas a la descendencia. La sociedad, y ahora más que nunca, debe ser la que en última instancia decida sobre las normas que deben regir los principios sobre los que pueden aplicarse estos avances científicosNew techniques of DNA manipulation are revolutionizing the world of biomedicine, for its ability to "rewrite" (edit) the human genome in a relatively simple and inexpensive way. These techniques presentmajor ethical and legal challenges, since such modifications could affect the germ line and be transmitted to offspring. Societymust ultimately decide on the rules that must govern the principles upon which these scientific advances can be applie

Competencia por el alimento entre el cormorán moñudo, el cormorán grande y la pesca artesanal: un caso de estudio

The Mediterranean shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii) and the great cormorant (P. carbo sinensis) are syntopic birds in an area encompassing Grosa Island and the Mar Menor coastal lagoon (SE Spain, western Mediterranean) during the breeding season of the former and the wintering period of the latter. Diet composition of both birds was studied through pellet analysis and otolith identification. Competition for fish resources between these two seabirds and with local artisanal fisheries was assessed. Shags preyed preferentially on small pelagic fish, and great cormorants mainly consumed demersal fish. Shag diet consisted of marine fish strictly, but great cormorant fed in all the available environments in the study area, including marine, transitional (coastal lagoon) and freshwater reservoirs. The great dissimilarity observed between shag and great cormorant diet composition showed no competition between them. The low shag population density and fishing effort in their foraging area suggested no competition with fisheries. Conversely, great cormorant population density in the study area was very high, and they foraged on fish of high commercial value. However, competition between great cormorant and artisanal fisheries only affected some of the less abundant species fished.El cormorán moñudo (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii) y el cormorán grande (P. carbo sinensis) son especies sintópicas en el entorno de Isla Grosa y la laguna costera del Mar Menor (SE de España, Mediterráneo occidental) durante la época de reproducción del primero que coincide con la invernada del segundo. Se estudia la composición de la dieta de ambas especies mediante la identificación de otolitos en sus egagrópilas, y se evalúa la competencia entre ambas especies y con la pesca artesanal local. El cormorán moñudo se alimentó mayoritariamente de pequeños peces pelágicos, y el cormorán grande consumió principalmente peces demersales. La dieta del cormorán moñudo consistió estrictamente de peces marinos, mientras que el cormorán grande capturó peces en los diferentes ambientes acuáticos de la zona de estudio, incluyendo especies marinas, de lagunas costeras e incluso de embalses de agua dulce. La gran disimilitud observada entre la composición de la dieta de ambas aves nos indica que no existe competencia por el alimento entre ellas. Asimismo, la baja densidad poblacional de cormorán moñudo y su esfuerzo pesquero en la zona de estudio tampoco demuestran competencia con la pesca artesanal local. Por el contrario, la abundancia de cormorán grande en la zona de estudio es muy alta, y se alimentaron principalmente de especies de alto valor comercial para los pescadores locales. No obstante, solo se observó competencia con la pesca artesanal local por alguna especie de pez de las menos abundantemente capturadas por los pescadores

Mértola islâmica. A madina e o arrabalde

Após o auge experimentado por Mértola na Antiguidade Tardia, corolário do seu predomínio sobre a região durante toda a Antiguidade, Mértola decaiu nos primeiros séculos de domínio islâmico. A tomada de Mértola por ‘Abd al-Rahmān III em 317 d.H./929 d.C., parece marcar a entrada num período de novo dinamismo. Do século X, contamos com diversas manifestações da revitalização da cidade que está já plenamente integrada na rede de intercâmbios do al-Ândalus. O núcleo urbano de Mértola parece crescer ao ritmo dos intercâmbios com outras regiões do Mediterrâneo. Durante o século XI, ocupa densamente o recinto fortificado da madına e estende-se fora das muralhas num arrabalde portuário, parte do qual foi escavado recentemente. Este crescimento da cidade prossegue durante o período de domínio dos Impérios Africanos tanto no arrabalde como no espaço intramuros onde, em época almóada, as ruínas da Antiguidade Tardia são arrasadas para se construir um novo bairro. Nos últimos decénios de domínio islâmico, verificamos uma concentração do espaço urbano, possivelmente por motivos defensivos. O arrabalde portuário é abandonado e verificamos uma maior densidade na ocupação da madina, claramente visível no bairro almóada da Alcáçova do Castelo, cujas casas se dividem, por vezes, em três novas habitações. Nesta comunicação abordamos, com maior incidência, as novidades que as escavações recentes da Biblioteca Municipal, do Cine-Teatro Marques Duque e da Residencial Beira Rio trouxeram para o panorama da Mértola Islâmica

High pressure effects on the activities of cathepsins B and D of mackerel and horse mackerel muscle

We determined high pressure processing (HPP) effects on the activities of cathepsins B and D in the muscles of mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus). In mackerel, the cathepsin B activity decrease reached 40% at 450 MPa while in horse mackerel, low and intermediate pressures (150 and 300 MPa) caused an activity increase (30%) but at 450 MPa a decrease of up to 60%. In both species, cathepsin D activity increased after a 300 MPa treatment (up to 2-fold for mackerel and 60% for horse mackerel) and decreased on a 450 MPa treatment. The activity increase is probably due to HPP damage of lysosome releasing enzymes into the fish muscle. Based on the HPP effects on the activities of cathepsins B and D, 450 MPa may be used to reduce the proteolytic activity of cathepsin B prior to chilled or frozen storage of these fish speciesSupported by the Xunta de Galicia, Spain Project 10TAL402001PR, 2010-2012, and FCT (Portugal), European Union, QREN, FEDER and COMPETE thorough QOPNA research unit, Project PEst-C/QUI/UI0062/2013; FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-037296. Also supported by he USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Grants No. 2011-31200-06041 and 2012-31200-06041S

Peroxidase expression in a cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae) resistant hexaploid wheat line.

The incompatible interaction between plant and pathogen is often determined by the hypersensitive reaction (HR). This response is associated with accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which results in adverse growth conditions for pathogens. Two major mechanisms involving either NADPH oxidases or peroxidases have been proposed for generation of ROS. Peroxidases (PER, EC 1.11.1.7), present in all land plants, are members of a large multigenic family with high number of isoforms involved in a broad range of physiological processes. PER genes, which are expressed in nematode feeding sites, have been identified in several plant species (Zacheo et al. 1997). A strong correlation between HR and PER activities at four and seven days post nematode infection, was detected in roots of wheat lines carrying Cre2, Cre5 (from Ae. ventricosa) or Cre7 (from Ae. triuncialis) Heterodera avenae resistance genes (Andrés et al. 2001; Montes et al. 2003, 2004). We have studied changes in root of peroxidase mRNAs levels after infection by H. avenae of a wheat/Ae. ven¬tricosa introgression line (H-93-8) carrying Cre2 (Delibes et al. 1993). We also report and classify the predicted protein sequences derived from complete peroxidase transcripts

Measurement of correlation between transmission and scattering during wound healing in hen corneas

Producción CientíficaThe aim of this work is to provide experimental data for corneal transparency and scattering to help create a more complete model of corneal transparency. The scattered light in 96 healing hen corneas was measured for three wavelengths by a scatterometer constructed in the Optics Laboratory (The University of Valladolid, Spain). With the help of mirrors and beamsplitters, the light from the three lasers is directed toward the cell containing the sample to be measured. The measured scattered light varies between six orders of magnitude. Corneal transmissivity, mean cosine of a scattering angle, and angular distribution of scattered light were all computed. The total transmitted light remained practically constant over a wide range of light values transmitted in a forward direction (direct transmissivity). The value of the mean cosine of the scattering direction is very close to the unit (g40:98), even in corneas with high opacities. The behavior of g indicates that even damaged corneas evidence extremely small scattering, compared to other biological tissues. The transmission reduction of each cornea is related to an increase in scattered light. In all cases, scattered light is concentrated at very small angles. This behavior is acceptable in corneas that are healthy or which evidence small lesions, but remains in corneas that are severely injured

Desarrollo de un robot modular para la enseñanza en el Máster en Automática y Robótica

Este trabajo presenta el diseño, construcción y programación de un robot modular para el desarrollo tanto de competencias genéricas como específicas, en las enseñanzas de electrónica, control y programación del Master de Automática y Robótica de la Escuela Politécnica Superior de la Universidad de Alicante. En este trabajo se exponen los diferentes módulos propuestos, así como los objetivos de aprendizaje para cada uno de ellos. Uno de los factores más importantes a destacar en el presente estudio es el posible desarrollo de la creatividad y el aprendizaje autónomo. Para ello, se desarrollará especialmente un módulo de comunicación por bluetooth que servirá para monitorizar, cambiar y adaptar on-line diversos parámetros de control y potencia del robot. Además, dicha herramienta se ha introducido como parte de la metodología en las asignaturas del Máster de Electromecánica y Sistemas de Control Automático. En esta memoria se mostrarán los distintos resultados obtenidos durante y en la finalización de este trabajo