Morphology and morphometric relationships for sagitta otoliths in Lutjanus argentiventris (Pisces: Lutjanidae) and Hyporthodus acanthistius (Pisces: Serranidae) from the Colombian Pacific Ocean

Fish earstones, or otoliths, are inner ear structures that can be studied to determine a fish’s age and are a source of taxonomically informative data. In the present work, sagitta otoliths of the Yellowtail snapper (Lutjanus argentiventris) and the Red grouper (Hyporthodus acanthistius) were collected in the Colombian Pacific, and their key morphological features were studied. Otoliths of the Yellowtail snapper were distinctly concave by their distal surface, revealing features shared with species of its genus (Lutjanus). Red grouper otoliths were elliptic and compressed laterally by their proximal surface, bearing similarities to those of other Serranid species. Morphometric relationships between otolith size weight and whole fish size and weight were also studied. In Red groupers significant statistical morphometric relationships between otolith and body features were found via power regression models; successfully relating otolith length with total fish length, otolith weight with total fish length, otolith length with total fish weight, and otolith weight with total fish weight. No significant morphometric relationships were found for the Yellow snapper data. In both fish species, otolith transversal sections proved best to identify its internal features and to distinguish otolith growth rings, as a method for determining the specimen’s age

Abortive vampire bat rabies infections in Peruvian peridomestic livestock

Rabies virus infections normally cause universally lethal encephalitis across mammals. However, ‘abortive infections’ which are resolved prior to the onset of lethal disease have been described in bats and a variety of non-reservoir species. Here, we surveyed rabies virus neutralizing antibody titers in 332 unvaccinated livestock of 5 species from a vampire bat rabies endemic region of southern Peru where livestock are the main food source for bats. We detected rabies virus neutralizing antibody titers in 11, 5 and 3.6% of cows, goats and sheep respectively and seropositive animals did not die from rabies within two years after sampling. Seroprevalence was correlated with the number of local livestock rabies mortalities reported one year prior but also one year after sample collection. This suggests that serological status of livestock can indicate the past and future levels of rabies risk to non-reservoir hosts. To our knowledge, this is the first report of anti-rabies antibodies among goats and sheep, suggesting widespread abortive infections among livestock in vampire bat rabies endemic areas. Future research should resolve the within-host biology underlying clearance of rabies infections. Cost-effectiveness analyses are also needed to evaluate whether serological monitoring of livestock can be a viable complement to current monitoring of vampire bat rabies risk based on animal mortalities alone

Challenge 2: From genes & circuits to behavior

Understanding the brain from genes and circuits to behavior is a major scientific challenge. The large repertoire of cell activities supporting behavior stems from an equally diverse range of specialized cell types, from neuron to glia. To untangle mechanisms underlying brain function, elementary processes should be dissected, from the complex machinery of signaling pathways at the level of single cells and synapses, to the intricate phenomena leading to orchestrated ensemble activity and the establishment of engrams driving memory-guided behaviors. In this chapter we identify the main key tasks required to address some of the open questions in the field, and discuss on the main issues and strategies

Naturaleza electrónica espín-metálica y propiedades termofísicas del molibdato de cobalto tipo perovskita Ba2CoMoO6

Perovskite-like materials which include magnetic elements have relevance due to the technological perspectives in the spintronics industry. In this work, the magnetic, structural and electronic properties of the Ba2CoMoO6 double perovskite are investigated. Calculations are carried out through the Full-Potential Linear Augmented Plane Wave method within the framework of the Density Functional Theory with exchange and correlation effects in the Generalized Gradient and Local Density approximations, including spin polarization. From the minimization of energy as a function of volume using the Murnaghan’s state equation the equilibrium lattice parameter and cohesive properties of this compound were obtained. The study of the electronic structure was based in the analysis of the electronic density of states, and the band structure, showing that this compound evidences a conductive character for a spin channel and insulation for the other, and presents an integer value for the effective magnetic moment (3.0 μB), which allows it to be classified as a half-metallic material. The effects of pressure and temperature on thermophysical properties such as specific heat, Debye temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion and the Grüneisen parameter were calculated and analyzed from the state equation of the system. The obtained results reveal that, in the low temperature regime, the specific heat at constant volume and pressure presents an analogous behavior to each other, with a tendency to the limit of Dulong-Petit typical of the structures of cubic perovskite type, showing a value of 246.3 J/mol.K at constant volume and slightly higher values at constant pressure. The dependence of the coefficient of thermal expansion, the temperature of Debye and the Grüneisen parameter with the increase in temperature is discussed in relation to other perovskite-like materials.Los materiales de tipo perovskita que incluyen elementos magnéticos tienen relevancia debido a las perspectivas tecnológicas en la industria de la espintrónica. En este trabajo se efectúa un estudio exhaustivo de las propiedades magnéticas, estructurales y electrónicas de la perovskita doble Ba2CoMoO6. Los cálculos se realizan a través del método de ondas planas aumentadas y linealizadas dentro del marco de la teoría del funcional de la densidad con efectos de intercambio y correlación en las aproximaciones del gradiente generalizado y de densidad local, incluyendo polarización de espín. A partir de la minimización de la energía en función del volumen, utilizando la ecuación de estado de Murnaghan, se obtuvieron el parámetro de red de equilibrio y las propiedades cohesivas de este compuesto. El estudio de la estructura electrónica se basó en el análisis de la densidad electrónica de estados y la estructura de bandas, mostrando que este compuesto evidencia un carácter conductor para un canal de espín y aislante para el otro, presentando un valor entero para el momento magnético efectivo (3.0 μB), que permite clasificarlo como un material espín-metálico. Los efectos de la presión y la temperatura sobre las propiedades termofísicas, como el calor específico, la temperatura de Debye, el coeficiente de expansión térmica y el parámetro Grüneisen, se calcularon y analizaron a partir de la ecuación de estado del sistema. Los resultados obtenidos revelan que, en el régimen de baja temperatura, el calor específico a volumen y presión constantes presenta un comportamiento análogo entre sí, con una tendencia al límite de Dulong-Petit típico de las estructuras de tipo perovskita cúbica, mostrando un valor de 246.3 J/mol.K a volumen constante y valores ligeramente más altos a presión constante. La dependencia del coeficiente de expansión térmica, la temperatura de Debye y el parámetro Grüneisen con el aumento de temperatura se discute en relación con otros materiales de tipo perovskita.Fil: Deluque Toro, Crispulo Enrique. Universidad del Magdalena; ColombiaFil: Gil Rebaza, Arles Víctor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Electrotecnia. Grupo de Estudio de Materiales y Dispositivos Electrónicos; ArgentinaFil: Villa Hernández, Jorge I.. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Landinez Téllez, David A.. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Roa Rojas, Jairo. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Colombi

Naturaleza electrónica espín-metálica y propiedades termofísicas del molibdato de cobalto tipo perovskita Ba₂CoMoO₆

Perovskite-like materials which include magnetic elements have relevance due to the technological perspectives in the spintronics industry. In this work, the magnetic, structural and electronic properties of the Ba₂CoMoO₆ double perovskite are investigated. Calculations are carried out through the Full-Potential Linear Augmented Plane Wave method within the framework of the Density Functional Theory with exchange and correlation effects in the Generalized Gradient and Local Density approximations, including spin polarization. From the minimization of energy as a function of volume using Murnaghan’s state equation the equilibrium lattice parameter and cohesive properties of this compound were obtained. The study of the electronic structure was based in the analysis of the electronic density of states, and the band structure, showing that this compound evidences a conductive character for a spin channel and insulation for the other, and presents an integer value for the effective magnetic moment (3.0 μB), which allows it to be classified as a half-metallic material. The effects of pressure and temperature on thermophysical properties such as specific heat, Debye temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion and the Grüneisen parameter were calculated and analyzed from the state equation of the system. Obtained results reveal that, in the low-temperature regime, the specific heat at constant volume and pressure presents an analogous behavior to each other, with a tendency to the limit of Dulong-Petit typical of the structures of cubic perovskite-type, showing a value of 246.3 J/mol.K at constant volume and slightly higher values at constant pressure. The dependence of the thermal expansion coefficient, the temperature of Debye and the Grüneisen parameter with the increase in temperature are discussed in relation to other perovskite-like materials.Los materiales de tipo perovskita que incluyen elementos magnéticos tienen relevancia debido a las perspectivas tecnológicas en la industria de la espintrónica. En este trabajo se efectúa un estudio exhaustivo de las propiedades magnéticas, estructurales y electrónicas de la perovskita doble Ba₂CoMoO₆. Los cálculos se realizan a través del método de ondas planas aumentadas y linealizadas dentro del marco de la teoría del funcional de la densidad con efectos de intercambio y correlación en las aproximaciones del gradiente generalizado y de densidad local, incluyendo polarización de espín. A partir de la minimización de la energía en función del volumen, utilizando la ecuación de estado de Murnaghan, se obtuvieron el parámetro de red de equilibrio y las propiedades cohesivas de este compuesto. El estudio de la estructura electrónica se basó en el análisis de la densidad electrónica de estados y la estructura de bandas, mostrando que este compuesto evidencia un carácter conductor para un canal de espín y aislante para el otro, presentando un valor entero para el momento magnético efectivo (3.0 μB), que permite clasificarlo como un material espín-metálico. Los efectos de la presión y la temperatura sobre las propiedades termofísicas, como el calor específico, la temperatura de Debye, el coeficiente de expansión térmica y el parámetro Grüneisen, se calcularon y analizaron a partir de la ecuación de estado del sistema. Los resultados obtenidos revelan que, en el régimen de baja temperatura, el calor específico a volumen y presión constantes presenta un comportamiento análogo entre sí, con una tendencia al límite de Dulong-Petit típico de las estructuras de tipo perovskita cúbica, mostrando un valor de 246.3 J/mol.K a volumen constante y valores ligeramente más altos a presión constante. La dependencia del coeficiente de expansión térmica, la temperatura de Debye y el parámetro Grüneisen con el aumento de temperatura se discute en relación con otros materiales de tipo perovskita.Instituto de Física La PlataGrupo de Estudio de Materiales y Dispositivos Electrónico

Including information about co-morbidity in estimates of disease burden: results from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys

Background The methodology commonly used to estimate disease burden, featuring ratings of severity of individual conditions, has been criticized for ignoring co-morbidity. A methodology that addresses this problem is proposed and illustrated here with data from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys. Although the analysis is based on self-reports about one's own conditions in a community survey, the logic applies equally well to analysis of hypothetical vignettes describing co-morbid condition profiles. Method Face-to-face interviews in 13 countries (six developing, nine developed; n=31 067; response rate=69.6%) assessed 10 classes of chronic physical and nine of mental conditions. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess overall perceived health. Multiple regression analysis with interactions for co-morbidity was used to estimate associations of conditions with VAS. Simulation was used to estimate condition-specific effects. Results The best-fitting model included condition main effects and interactions of types by numbers of conditions. Neurological conditions, insomnia and major depression were rated most severe. Adjustment for co-morbidity reduced condition-specific estimates with substantial between-condition variation (0.24-0.70 ratios of condition-specific estimates with and without adjustment for co-morbidity). The societal-level burden rankings were quite different from the individual-level rankings, with the highest societal-level rankings associated with conditions having high prevalence rather than high individual-level severity. Conclusions Plausible estimates of disorder-specific effects on VAS can be obtained using methods that adjust for co-morbidity. These adjustments substantially influence condition-specific rating

EFSA NDA Panel (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies), 2013 . Scientific opinion on Dietary Reference Values for fluoride

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) derived Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for fluoride, which are provided as Adequate Intake (AI) from all sources, including non-dietary sources. Fluoride is not an essential nutrient. Therefore, no Average Requirement for the performance of essential physiological functions can be defined. Nevertheless, the Panel considered that the setting of an AI is appropriate because of the beneficial effects of dietary fluoride on prevention of dental caries. The AI is based on epidemiological studies (performed before the 1970s) showing an inverse relationship between the fluoride concentration of water and caries prevalence. As the basis for defining the AI, estimates of mean fluoride intakes of children via diet and drinking water with fluoride concentrations at which the caries preventive effect approached its maximum whilst the risk of dental fluorosis approached its minimum were chosen. Except for one confirmatory longitudinal study in US children, more recent studies were not taken into account as they did not provide information on total dietary fluoride intake, were potentially confounded by the use of fluoride-containing dental hygiene products, and did not permit a conclusion to be drawn on a dose-response relationship between fluoride intake and caries risk. The AI of fluoride from all sources (including non-dietary sources) is 0.05 mg/kg body weight per day for both children and adults, including pregnant and lactating women. For pregnant and lactating women, the AI is based on the body weight before pregnancy and lactation. Reliable and representative data on the total fluoride intake of the European population are not available

Minería de datos y big data: aplicaciones en riesgo crediticio, salud y análisis de mercado

Esta línea de investigación se centra en el estudio y desarrollo de Sistemas Inteligentes para la resolución de problemas de Minería de Datos y Big Data utilizando técnicas de Aprendizaje Automático. Los sistemas desarrollados se aplican particularmente al procesamiento de textos y reconocimiento de patrones en imágenes. En el área de la Minería de Datos se está trabajando, por un lado, en la generación de un modelo de fácil interpretación a partir de la extracción de reglas de clasificación que permita justificar la toma de decisiones y, por otro lado, en el desarrollo de nuevas estrategias para tratar grandes volúmenes de datos. Con respecto al área de Big Data se están realizando diversos aportes usando el framework Spark Streaming. En esta dirección, se está investigando en una técnica de clustering dinámico que se ejecuta de manera distribuida. Además se ha implementado en Spark Streaming una aplicación que calcula el índice de Hurtz de manera online, actualizándolo cada pocos segundos con el objetivo de estudiar un cierto mercado de negocios. En el área de la Minería de Textos se han desarrollado estrategias para resumir documentos a través de la extracción utilizando métricas de selección y técnicas de optimización de los párrafos más representativos. Además se han desarrollado métodos capaces de determinar la subjetividad de oraciones escritas en español.Eje temático: Bases de Datos y Minería de Datos

Search for chargino-neutralino production with mass splittings near the electroweak scale in three-lepton final states in √s=13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for supersymmetry through the pair production of electroweakinos with mass splittings near the electroweak scale and decaying via on-shell W and Z bosons is presented for a three-lepton final state. The analyzed proton-proton collision data taken at a center-of-mass energy of √s=13  TeV were collected between 2015 and 2018 by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139  fb−1. A search, emulating the recursive jigsaw reconstruction technique with easily reproducible laboratory-frame variables, is performed. The two excesses observed in the 2015–2016 data recursive jigsaw analysis in the low-mass three-lepton phase space are reproduced. Results with the full data set are in agreement with the Standard Model expectations. They are interpreted to set exclusion limits at the 95% confidence level on simplified models of chargino-neutralino pair production for masses up to 345 GeV