New Technologies For The Documentation And Preservation Of The Maya Cultural Heritage. The Palace Of The Governor At Uxmal (Yucatán, Mexico)

[EN] One of the major challenges currently facing the architectural and archaeological heritage in subtropical World Heritage sites is its preventive conservation. Many of these sites are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of natural disasters and climate change. The risk is compounded by the fact that several of them are among the most iconic places in the world, and so they also face the threat of the excessive growth of visitors. What is more, in earlier times many were restored with unsuitable materials or using inappropriate techniques which have heightened the risk they face today. However, thanks to the new digital technologies of architectural documentation involving the use of laser scanner and photogrammetry, applied in combination with traditional systems, the current state of the buildings can be documented and evaluated thoroughly and accurately. The information obtained can help to guide the choice of the measures and actions needed to prevent, or at least minimize, future deterioration or loss. An example of a project of this kind is the documentation work we are currently carrying out at the Palace of the Governor, an exceptional 98 m long building from the Late Classic period, located in the Maya city of Uxmal (Yucatán, Mexico). The palace is situated in a prominent position on a large, elevated platform. The results of this research are the subject of this paper.This research would not have been possible without the support of: The Generalitat Valenciana (Project Mayatech-Prometeo 2016/155); The Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the funding of various coordinated research programs (reference numbers BIA2011-28311-C02, BIA2014-53887-C2 and PGC2018-098904-B-C2), as well as the support of the archaeologist José G. Huchim at Uxmal (Mexico) and Eduardo López Calzada, delegate of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia at Yucatán (Mexico). Special thanks also to the team of Project Mayatech at Uxmal: Riccardo Montuori, Rosana Martínez Vanaclocha, Sara Moreno Sánchez, Silvia Puerto Aboy, Sara Portela i Valls, Héctor Cauich Caamal, Patricia Valencia Santiago and Luis Fernando Cruz Pacheco.Muñoz Cosme, G.; Vidal Lorenzo, C. (2020). New Technologies For The Documentation And Preservation Of The Maya Cultural Heritage. The Palace Of The Governor At Uxmal (Yucatán, Mexico). International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Online). XLIV-M-1:397-403. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-M-1-2020-397-2020397403XLIV-M-

Trabajos arqueológicos en Oxkintok durante el verano de 1991.

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Use of aequorin-based indicators for monitoring Ca2+ in acidic organelles

Over the last years, there is accumulating evidence that acidic organelles can accumulate and release Ca2+ upon cell activation. Hence, reliable recording of Ca2+ dynamics in these compartments is essential for understanding the physiopathological aspects of acidic organelles. Genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) are valuable tools to monitor Ca2+ in specific locations, although their use in acidic compartments is challenging due to the pH sensitivity of most available fluorescent GECIs. By contrast, bioluminescent GECIs have a combination of features (marginal pH sensitivity, low background, no phototoxicity, no photobleaching, high dynamic range and tunable affinity) that render them advantageous to achieve an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in acidic compartments. This article reviews the use of bioluminescent aequorin-based GECIs targeted to acidic compartments. A need for more measurements in highly acidic compartments is identified

Assessment of the mobility of metals in a mining-impacted coastal area (Spain, Western Mediterranean)

A study on metal mobilisation (Zn, Pb and As) from contaminated sediments in Portman Bay (SE Spain) was carried out. Thisarea has suffered a major impact from mining activity, as millions of tons of mine tailings have been dumped into the bay over a long period, gradually filling the bay. A three-step sequential extraction procedure, modified from the BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) method, as well as selective extractions (H2O, 0.1 N HNO3, citrate–dithionite and 1 M NH4OAc after H2O2 attack) were applied to selected samples in order to evaluate the potential mobility of fixed metals. Acid volatile sulfides (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) were also determined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled to with an energy-dispersion spectrometry (SEM-EDS) were applied to the characterization of both raw samples and the residues remaining after each extraction, providing additional information about the sediment phases carrying the metals studied. Metals associated with sediments showed different behaviour depending on the mineralogical phase they were bound to. Zn was the most labile metal, while Pb and As showed a lower mobility. The fraction of metals associated with jarosites presented a high stability under different physicochemical conditions, while metals associated with mineralogical phases that are undergoing supergenic alteration processes presented a high mobility. The results obtained may be useful to assess both the short and the long-term environmental impact of such disposal activities as well as supporting decisions for a future remediation of the zone

Use of aequorin-based indicators for monitoring Ca2+ in acidic organelles

Producción CientíficaOver the last years, there is accumulating evidence that acidic organelles can accumulate and release Ca2+ upon cell activation. Hence, reliable recording of Ca2+ dynamics in these compartments is essential for understanding the physiopathological aspects of acidic organelles. Genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) are valuable tools to monitor Ca2+ in specific locations, although their use in acidic compartments is challenging due to the pH sensitivity of most available fluorescent GECIs. By contrast, bioluminescent GECIs have a combination of features (marginal pH sensitivity, low background, no phototoxicity, no photobleaching, high dynamic range and tunable affinity) that render them advantageous to achieve an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in acidic compartments. This article reviews the use of bioluminescent aequorin-based GECIs targeted to acidic compartments. A need for more measurements in highly acidic compartments is identified.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PID2020-116086RB-I00 )Junta de Castilla y León (Ref. CLU- 2019-02)Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Reino Unido (BB/T015853/1 y BB/W01551X/1

Climate, irrigation, and land cover change explain streamflow trends in countries bordering the northeast Atlantic

Attribution of trends in streamflow is complex, but essential, in identifying optimal management options for water resources. Disagreement remains on the relative role of climate change and human factors, including water abstractions and land cover change, in driving change in annual streamflow. We construct a very dense network of gauging stations (n = 1,874) from Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Portugal for the period of 1961–2012 to detect and then attribute changes in annual streamflow. Using regression‐based techniques, we show that climate (precipitation and atmospheric evaporative demand) explains many of the observed trends in northwest Europe, while for southwest Europe human disturbances better explain both temporal and spatial trends. For the latter, large increases in irrigated areas, agricultural intensification, and natural revegetation of marginal lands are inferred to be the dominant drivers of decreases in streamflow

Associations Between Methylation of Paternally Expressed Gene 3 (PEG3), Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Invasive Cervical Cancer.

Cytology-based screening for invasive cervical cancer (ICC) lacks sensitivity and specificity to discriminate between cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) likely to persist or progress from cases likely to resolve. Genome-wide approaches have been used to identify DNA methylation marks associated with CIN persistence or progression. However, associations between DNA methylation marks and CIN or ICC remain weak and inconsistent. Between 2008-2009, we conducted a hospital-based, case-control study among 213 Tanzania women with CIN 1/2/3 or ICC. We collected questionnaire data, biopsies, peripheral blood, cervical scrapes, Human papillomavirus (HPV) and HIV-1 infection status. We assessed PEG3 methylation status by bisulfite pyrosequencing. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI 95%) for associations between PEG3 methylation status and CIN or ICC. After adjusting for age, gravidity, hormonal contraceptive use and HPV infection, a 5% increase in PEG3 DNA methylation was associated with increased risk for ICC (OR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.2-2.1). HPV infection was associated with a higher risk of CIN1-3 (OR = 15.7; 95% CI 5.7-48.6) and ICC (OR = 29.5, 95% CI 6.3-38.4). Infection with high risk HPV was correlated with mean PEG3 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) methylation (r = 0.34 p<0.0001), while the correlation with low risk HPV infection was weaker (r = 0.16 p = 0.047). Although small sample size limits inference, these data support that PEG3 methylation status has potential as a molecular target for inclusion in CIN screening to improve prediction of progression. Impact statement: We present the first evidence that aberrant methylation of the PEG3 DMR is an important co-factor in the development of Invasive cervical carcinoma (ICC), especially among women infected with high risk HPV. Our results show that a five percent increase in DNA methylation of PEG3 is associated with a 1.6-fold increase ICC risk. Suggesting PEG3 methylation status may be useful as a molecular marker for CIN screening to improve prediction of cases likely to progress

Análisis de la relevancia y factibilidad de indicadores de calidad en las unidades de nutrición

Introducción: La evaluación de la calidad en las actividades sanitarias exige la elección de unos indicadores acordes con los resultados que queremos medir. De todos los posibles, debemos priorizar aquellos que nos permitan obtener la información más relevante sin sobrecargar el trabajo habitual de nuestras Unidades. Objetivo: Conocer la opinión de los socios de SENPE respecto a la relevancia y la viabilidad del uso de una selección de indicadores de calidad para su aplicación en nutrición clínica. Métodos: Encuesta remitida mediante correo electrónico a los socios de SENPE solicitando a los mismos su opinión sobre 12 indicadores de calidad, valorándose cada uno en cuanto a su relevancia y factibilidad de la aplicación en su medio. Resultados: Contestaron 40 encuestados de 40 centros diferentes de 12 comunidades autónomas. En general, los indicadores fueron considerados más relevantes que factibles. Los indicadores mejor puntuados fueron: “identificación en las bolsas de nutrición artificial”, “posición semi-incorporada del paciente con nutrición enteral por sonda nasogástrica” y “protocolos clínicos básicos”. Considerando los indicadores por grupos (de estructura, proceso o resultado) los mejor valorados fueron: “identificación del paciente en las bolsas de nutrición artificial” (estructura), “posición semi-incorporada” y “protocolos clínicos básicos” (proceso), y “cumplimiento del objetivo calórico” (resultado). Conclusión: Los resultados de la encuesta permiten seleccionar indicadores prioritarios para su aplicación en las Unidades de NutriciónIntroduction: The quality assessment in health activities requires the choice of indicators in line with the results we want to measure. Of all possible, we should prioritize those that allow us to obtain the most relevant information without overloading the regular work of our units. Objective: To determine the opinion of the members of SENPE regarding the relevance and feasibility of using a selection of quality indicators designed for use in clinical nutrition. Methods: E-mail survey sent to members of SENPE asking them their views on 12 quality indicators, evaluating each in terms of their relevance and feasibility of implementation in their environment. Results: 40 respondents answered from 40 centers in 12 different regions. In general, the indicators were considered more relevant than feasible. The indicators best rated were: “identification in artificial nutrition bags, “semi-recumbent position in patient with nasogastric tube feeding” and “basic clinical protocols”. Considering the type of indicator: “patient identification in the bags of artificial nutrition (structure),” a semi-incorporated “and” basic clinical protocols (process), and “fulfillment of the caloric goal” (result). Conclusion: The results of the survey can make a selection of indicators that could be considered for first-line introduction in a Nutrition Uni

Bypass and hyperbole in soil science:A perspective from the next generation of soil scientists

International audienceWe, the co‐authors of this letter, are an international group of soil scientists at early career stages, from PhD students to postdoctoral researchers, lecturers, and research fellows with permanent positions. Here, we present our collective musings on soil research challenges and opportunities and, in particular, the points raised by Philippe Baveye (Baveye, 2020a, 2020b) and Johan Bouma (Bouma, 2020) on bypass and hyperbole in soil science. Raising awareness about these issues is a first and necessary step. To this end, we would like to thank Philippe Baveye and Johan Bouma for initiating this debate.......

Search for the Higgs boson in events with missing transverse energy and b quark jets produced in proton-antiproton collisions at s**(1/2)=1.96 TeV

We search for the standard model Higgs boson produced in association with an electroweak vector boson in events with no identified charged leptons, large imbalance in transverse momentum, and two jets where at least one contains a secondary vertex consistent with the decay of b hadrons. We use ~1 fb-1 integrated luminosity of proton-antiproton collisions at s**(1/2)=1.96 TeV recorded by the CDF II experiment at the Tevatron. We find 268 (16) single (double) b-tagged candidate events, where 248 +/- 43 (14.4 +/- 2.7) are expected from standard model background processes. We place 95% confidence level upper limits on the Higgs boson production cross section for several Higgs boson masses ranging from 110 GeV/c2 to 140 GeV/c2. For a mass of 115 GeV/c2 the observed (expected) limit is 20.4 (14.2) times the standard model prediction.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let