Can performance indicators and skydiving experience prognosticate competitive state anxiety in elite paratroopers?

Competition has characteristics that position sport as a fruitful field for the study of human affective processes of interest for psychology, such as anxiety, especially in disciplines such as military parachuting due to its uniqueness. This study aimed to analyse the validity of the Spanish version of the CSAI-2R inventory through a reliable model and to determine the interrelation, both among themselves and with anxiety, of certain specific technical variables related to sports performance in parachuting. The questionnaire was supplied to 42 jumpers in the Spanish National Military Championship. The results indicate that a reliable model has been established, but it is necessary to realise a multivariate relationship between components of competitive anxiety and specific variables of military skydiver's sporting experience in competition. It would be appropriate to reflect on what other psychological and technical variables may influence the sporting performance achieved, because it is a modality that has very particular conditions compared to the rest, not only because of the space, environment and form where and how the activity itself is carried out but also because of the context in which it is framed, as a result of the peculiarities that define the group to which the competitors belong

Graphics Processing Unit–Enhanced Genetic Algorithms for Solving the Temporal Dynamics of Gene Regulatory Networks

Understanding the regulation of gene expression is one of the key problems in current biology. A promising method for that purpose is the determination of the temporal dynamics between known initial and ending network states, by using simple acting rules. The huge amount of rule combinations and the nonlinear inherent nature of the problem make genetic algorithms an excellent candidate for finding optimal solutions. As this is a computationally intensive problem that needs long runtimes in conventional architectures for realistic network sizes, it is fundamental to accelerate this task. In this article, we study how to develop efficient parallel implementations of this method for the fine-grained parallel architecture of graphics processing units (GPUs) using the compute unified device architecture (CUDA) platform. An exhaustive and methodical study of various parallel genetic algorithm schemes—master-slave, island, cellular, and hybrid models, and various individual selection methods (roulette, elitist)—is carried out for this problem. Several procedures that optimize the use of the GPU’s resources are presented. We conclude that the implementation that produces better results (both from the performance and the genetic algorithm fitness perspectives) is simulating a few thousands of individuals grouped in a few islands using elitist selection. This model comprises 2 mighty factors for discovering the best solutions: finding good individuals in a short number of generations, and introducing genetic diversity via a relatively frequent and numerous migration. As a result, we have even found the optimal solution for the analyzed gene regulatory network (GRN). In addition, a comparative study of the performance obtained by the different parallel implementations on GPU versus a sequential application on CPU is carried out. In our tests, a multifold speedup was obtained for our optimized parallel implementation of the method on medium class GPU over an equivalent sequential single-core implementation running on a recent Intel i7 CPU. This work can provide useful guidance to researchers in biology, medicine, or bioinformatics in how to take advantage of the parallelization on massively parallel devices and GPUs to apply novel metaheuristic algorithms powered by nature for real-world applications (like the method to solve the temporal dynamics of GRNs)

Generation of a human iPSC line from a patient with a mitochondrial encephalopathy due to mutations in the GFM1 gene

Human iPSC line GFM1SV.25 was generated from fibroblasts of a child with a severe mitochondrial encephalopathy associated with mutations in the GFM1 gene, encoding the mitochondrial translation elongation factor G1. Reprogramming factors OCT3/4, SOX2, CMYC and KLF4 were delivered using a non integrative methodology that involves the use of Sendai virus.This work was supported by grants from the “Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en enfermedades raras” (CIBERER) (Grant 13-717/132.05 to RG), the “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” [Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria and Regional development fund (ERDF/FEDER) funds PI10/0703 and PI13/00556 to RG and PI15/00484 to MEG], “Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid” (Grant number S2010/BMD-2402 to RG); TG receives grant support from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (FPI-UAM) and FZD from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (Grant FPU13/00544). MEG is staff scientist at the “Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras” (CIBERER

Generation of a human iPSC line from a patient with Leigh syndrome caused by a mutation in the MT-ATP6 gene

Human iPSC line L749.1 was generated from fibroblasts of a patient with Leigh syndrome associated with a heteroplasmic mutation in the MT-ATP6 gene. Reprogramming factors OCT4, SOX2, CMYC and KLF4 were delivered using retroviruses.This work was supported by grants from the “Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en enfermedades raras” (CIBERER) (Grant 13-717/132.05 to RG), the “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” (FIS PI10/0703 and PI13/00556 to RG and PI15/00484 to MEG cofunded by FEDER), “Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid” (grant number S2010/BMD-2402 to R.G); T.G-M. receives grant support from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, FPI-UAM and F.Z-D. from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, grant number FPU13/00544. M.E.G. is senior staff scientist at the “Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras” (CIBERER

Generation of a human iPSC line from a patient with an optic atrophy ‘plus’ phenotype due to a mutation in the OPA1 gene

AbstractHuman iPSC line Oex2054SV.4 was generated from fibroblasts of a patient with an optic atrophy ‘plus’ phenotype associated with a heterozygous mutation in the OPA1 gene. Reprogramming factors OCT3/4, SOX2, CMYC and KLF4 were delivered using a non-integrative methodology that involves the use of Sendai virus

Influence of body composition and acceptance of physical education classes on self-esteem of children aged 14-16 years from Alicante, Spain

Introducción: La autoestima parece ser un importante predictor de síntomas depresivos entre los jóvenes, y sobre todo en el género femenino. Algunos autores sugieren que la existencia de sobrepeso y/o obesidad en jóvenes se relaciona con una menor autoestima así como la participación deportiva se ha asociado con unos valores más altos de la misma. Objetivos: Analizar las relaciones existentes entre el índice de masa corporal, sexo, aceptación a las clases de Educación Física y autoestima en una muestra representativa de escolares de 3º y 4º de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria de la ciudad de Alicante. Métodos: El estudio se llevó a cabo sobre una muestra representativa compuesta por 1.150 alumnos escolarizados en la ciudad de Alicante. Se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos, valores de autoestima y de aceptación por las clases de educación física. Resultados: Existe una correlación positiva entre la aceptación a las clases de educación física y el autoestima (r= ,319) y una correlación negativa entre esta y el sexo de los alumnos (r= -,289), siendo el grupo femenino el que muestra unas menores puntuaciones. Existe una correlación negativa entre el autoestima y los valores de índice de masa corporal (r= -,083), y el sexo (r= -,308), siendo el grupo femenino el que muestra unos valores menores de autoestima. Conclusiones: En vista de los resultados se hace necesario planificar actuaciones encaminadas a reforzar y aumentar la autoestima durante la adolescencia, centrándose en los grupos de riesgo formados por los jóvenes con sobrepeso/obesidad y sobre por el grupo de las chicas.Introduction: Self-esteem seems to be an important predictor of depressive symptoms in adolescents, especially in females. Some authors suggest that there is a relationship between adolescents with overweight or obesity and lower self-esteem. In addition, sports participation has been associated with a higher self-esteem. Objectives: To analyses the relationships between BMI, gender, acceptance for physical education classes and self-esteem in a representative sample of 14-16 years students of the Alicante city. Methods: Research was conducted with a representative sample of 1,150 students (15.1 ± 0.8 years) of the Alicante city. Data included their socio-demographic background, anthropometric measurements, self-esteem and acceptance for physical education classes. Results: There is a positive correlation between acceptance for physical education classes and selfesteem (r= .319) and there is a negative correlation between this acceptance and gender (r= -.289), lower scores were shown in a female group. There is a negative correlation between self-esteem and BMI (r= -.083) and gender (r= -.308), lower self-esteem were shown in a female group. Results: It is necessary to plan actions aimed as reinforcing and increasing self-esteem during the adolescent period, focusing on the group of girls and the group of young adults with overweight and obesity problems and especially in the girl group

Potential use of adipose tissue stem cells in the control of aging

Cell therapy with adult stem cells is a new battle front for the control of aging. Before being used for this purpose, we need to answer several basic questions about the biochemistry and physiology of these cells. This paper presents some aspects and preliminary results obtained in our laboratory using stem cells from adipose tissue.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación BFU 2010 2088

NEXTGENDEM: información genética, geoespacial y supercomputación para mejorar la gestión de especies y espacios en Macaronesia

Project NEXTGENDEM (MAC2/4.6d/236, https://lupus.itccanarias.org/nextgendem/es/) complements multiple research disciplines to provide verified and validated scientific data that help managers make more informed conservation decisions. As a result of the mobilization and enrichment of the sample and data banks of the Jardín Botánico Canario “Viera y Clavijo” -UA CSIC and the Instituto Nacional de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Agrário de Cabo Verde, tools will be developed for the estimation of phylogenetic diversity of the terrestrial endemic flora of these islands, the approximation to the molecular taxonomic identification of samples, phylogenetic reconstruction, and territorial analysis merging biotic and abiotic variables. Our main objective is to organise, analyse and apply the most relevant scientific knowledge to guide in situ and ex situ actions to improve the conservation status of the flora of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) and Santiago (Cape Verde), although we plan to incorporate other Macaronesian territories in future projectsEl proyecto NEXTGENDEM (MAC2/4.6d/236, https://lupus.itccanarias.org/nextgendem/es/) complementa múltiples disciplinas de investigación para proporcionar datos científicos contrastados y validados que faciliten a los gestores la toma de decisiones de conservación más informadas. A consecuencia de la movilización y el enriquecimiento de los bancos de muestras y datos del Jardín Botánico Canario ¿Viera y Clavijo¿ ¿ UA CSIC y del Instituto Nacional de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Agrário de Cabo Verde, se pondrán a punto herramientas para la estimación de la diversidad filogenética de la flora terrestre insular, la aproximación a la identificación taxonómica molecular de muestras, la reconstrucción de filogenias, y el análisis territorial integrado con variables bióticas y abióticas. Nuestro objetivo principal es organizar, analizar y aplicar el conocimiento científico más relevante para guiar actuaciones in situ y ex situ que mejoren el estado de conservación de las floras de Gran Canaria (Islas Canarias) y Santiago (Cabo Verde), aunque prevemos incorporar otros territorios macaronésicos en futuros proyecto

Database of spatial distribution of non indigenous species in Spanish marine waters

Research in marine Spanish waters are focused on several actions to achieve an effectively management on protected areas, with the active participation of the stakeholders and research as basic tools for decision-making. Among these actions, there is one about the knowledge and control on NIS. One of its objectives is the creation of NIS factsheets, which are going to be added to the National Marine Biodiversity Geographical System (GIS) providing complementary information about taxonomic classification, common names, taxonomic synonyms, species illustrations, identification morphological characters, habitat in the native and introduced regions, biological and ecological traits, GenBank DNA sequences, world distribution, first record and evolution in the introduced areas, likely pathways of introduction, effects in the habitats and interaction with native species, and potential management measures to apply. The database will also provide data for (1) the European online platforms, (2) the environmental assessment for the Descriptor 2 (D2-NIS) of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), as well as (3) supporting decisions made by stakeholders. It is the result of extensive collaboration among scientist, manager’s and citizen science in the Spanish North-Atlantic, South-Atlantic, Gibraltar Strait-Alboran, Levantine-Balearic and Canary Islands marine divisions, providing an updated overview of the spatial distribution of relevant extended and invasive NIS of recent and established NIS introduced by maritime transport and aquaculture pathways, as well as on cryptogenic or native species in expansion due to the climatic water warming trend