Germ line restricted B chromosomes in grasshoppers

Decades ago, the presence of extra chromosomes restricted to the male germ line in several grasshopper species was interpreted as recurrent polysomy, as experimental crosses suggested that the extra chromoso- mes were not transmitted from adult male parents to their embryo offspring. Under this hypothesis, polysomy was generated de novo through a nondisjunction for some chromosomes of the standard karyotype. In the current study, I test this hypothesis by analysing 17 families of tandem repeats (TRs) in two males of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus, which displays mosaicism for this kind of extra chromosome. According to the de novo polysomy hypothesis, the extra chromosomes should show the same FISH pattern for the TRs analysed as at least one of the A chromosomes. However, three TR families displayed patterns of FISH bands on the standard and extra chromosomes that ruled out the former as a possible source for the latter. Therefore, these extra chromosomes are best interpreted as B chromosomes restricted to the germ line, presumably present in both sexes, which are inherited as such and are not recurrently generated de novo from the A chromosomes. Key words: Extra chromosomes, FISH, polysomy, tandem repeat

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and geochemical analysis dataset to delimit subsurface affected areas by livestock pig slurry ponds

The electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technique was employed with the support of geochemical analyses to delimit the affected surface area by slurry pig ponds. Data were taken in three selected slurry ponds located in Fuente Álamo municipality, Murcia region (SE Spain), to obtain electrical resistivity value-based 2D sections and 3D blocks. All ERT-based survey data were obtained in September 2020 using a SuperSting R8 resistivity meter from Advanced Geosciences Inc. and using the dipole-dipole array consisting of a total of twenty-eight electrodes. The soil samples were taken from drilling core sampling by boreholes at each slurry pond, and physical-chemical analyses of soil samples were obtained using standard laboratory testing methods. Electrical resistivity values and physical-chemical analysis data obtained from soil samples were contrasted, whose comparison showed a correlation between profiles-based electrical resistivity, laboratory-based electrical conductivity (EC) data, and nitrate (N-NO3-) content from soil samples. The statistical analysis was run by SPSS Statistics v.23 software (IBM, Neconductivity York, NY, USA) to establish the non-parametric Spearman correlation. The dataset establishes a reliable methodology and provides insight and information to delimit the affected subsurface area by pig slurry. Data contained within this publication are presented concurrently with Capa-Camacho et al. 2022 [1].This work was supported by the research grant 21583/FPI/21. Fundación Séneca. Región de Murcia (Spain), and the Sustainable Use, Management, and Reclamation of Soil and Water research group

An inverse analysis method based on deflection to curvature transformation to determine the tensile properties of UHPFRC

“The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/[http://dx.doi.org/10.1617/s11527-014-0434-0”[EN] The determination of the tensile properties of such a deflection hardening response material as UHPFRC is a serious challenge for both researchers and designers. This process involves many factors, such as specimen size, fibre orientation or test typology. The socalled inverse analysis is used to obtain the tensile constitutive properties that are consistent with the specimen response in a bending test. This work focuses on the inverse analysis process. The main aim is to develop a new back-calculation methodology, which is easy to implement, reliable, quick and is consistentwith the measurements taken from a four-point bending test. The new methodology proposed has been validated using an analytical formulation and the experimental results of others authors. This paper also includes an application example of how this methodology works.This work forms part of the ‘‘FIBAC’’ and ‘‘FISNE’’ research projects, with reference BIA2009-12722 and BIA2012-35776, respectively, supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness and the FEDER fund. Support for this project is gratefully acknowledged. We also wish to thank the Universitat Polite`cnica de Vale`ncia for its Excellence Scholarship (PAID-09-11), the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport for its FPU scholarship programme, and also Mr. Toshiyuki Kanakubo for his friendly treatment and help.López Martínez, JÁ.; Serna Ros, P.; Navarro Gregori, J.; Camacho Torregrosa, EE. (2015). An inverse analysis method based on deflection to curvature transformation to determine the tensile properties of UHPFRC. Materials and Structures. 48(11):3703-3718. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-0.14-0.434-0S37033718481

Sistema de control integrado de transporte (INTRACONS)

En el Área Metropolitana de Monterrey actualmente el 60% de los desplazamientos que se realizan diariamente es usando el transporte público, sin embargo al realizar una evaluación de la calidad el 69% de los usuarios lo califican como ineficiente, el 66% lo considera lento y el 44% afirma que en los últimos años los tiempos de traslado han venido aumentando. Por lo que es indispensable sistematizar el transporte público del Área Metropolitana de Monterrey. De esa situación nace INTRACONS1, como un sistema computacional que permite administrar las distintas rutas de transporte urbano. Para ello se eligió el lenguaje de programación PHP para el procesamiento de las distintas variables del sistema, SQL para el almacenamiento de los datos de una manera segura y eficaz, HTML y CSS para darle una interfaz de usuario agradable y sobre todo accesible a los diversos usuarios. Se utilizó Aptana como IDE para PHP, HTML y CSS y phpMyAdmin para tratar el lenguaje SQL. Gracias a estas herramientas nuestro sistema permitirá almacenar información esencial de los conductores, así como asignar una unidad según sus características, asimismo permite administrar las unidades y cambiar su estado operativo, también logra eliminar por completo los chequeos en papel de los tiempos de unidad ya que integra un mapa que almacena de una manera segura y al instante en las bases de datos en qué punto y hora pasa una unidad permitiendo a las empresas prestadoras de servicio tener un control sistematizado de sus activos

Evaluation of impact-shock on gait after the implementation of two different training programs in older adults

Gait is negatively affected with increasing age. It is widely accepted that training produces physical-functional improvements in older adults, which can be assessed with numerous physical-functional tests. However, very few studies have been carried out using accelerometry to analyse the training effect on kinetic and kinematic variables in older adults, and there is no one that investigate the effects of two different training programs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse the effects of an interval-walking program and a multicomponent program on the acceleration impacts, shock attenuation, step-length, stride frequency, and gait speed in older adults. Methods: 23 participants were divided into multicomponent training group [n = 12, 7 female, 71.58 (4.56) years] and interval-walking group [n = 11, 6 female, 69.64 (3.56) years]. We evaluated the participants using three triaxial accelerometers, placing one on the distal end of each tibia and one on the forehead. Findings: After 14 weeks' of training, the maximum acceleration values both for the head accelerometer and for the non-dominant tibia, as well as the attenuation in the same leg, increased in the multicomponent training group. The maximum acceleration values for the head and the stride frequency also increased in the intervalwalking group. Lower limb strength improved in both groups. Interpretation: Given the benefits we found for each of these programs, we encourage their consideration when planning older adults training programs and suggest that multicomponent programs should be introduced prior to the start of walking-based programs

Drivers of oak establishment in Mediterranean old fields from 25-year-old woodland islets planted to assist natural regeneration

14 p.Planted woodland islets can provide seeds for restoring forest ecosystems in Mediterranean old fields lacking seed sources, but other factors than seed arrival can also hinder the establishment of woody species. We experimentally examined factors affecting the emergence, survival, growth and recruitment of holm oak (Quercus ilex) seedlings juveniles from 25-year-old 100-m2 oak woodland islets planted in a Mediterranean old field. Wet springs and summers increased seedling emergence and survival. Distance to the islets per se did not affect seedling performance. However, emergence and survival increased in microsites close to the islets in less sun-exposed orientations of the islets and far from the islets in more sun-exposed orientations. Damage by wild boar reduced emergence, and unsheltered seedlings had 26% lower survival than sheltered ones, reflecting herbivory. Herb community biomass and light reduction by herbs increased with distance from nearest islet; the sparse herb cover around islets was due to competition from woodland islets, not to herbivory. There was a mismatch between the pattern of seedling survival and how the abundance of naturally recruited oaks varied with distance from the nearest islet; this suggests that other drivers can counteract the spatial pattern of seedling survival. We conclude that natural regeneration of Q. ilex in old fields from planted woodland islets is slow (5.7 seedlings ha?1 yr?1) due to acorn and seedling predation, and drought during spring and summer. Despite their small size, planted islets affected survival of oak juveniles depending on the orientation and distance relative to the islets.Ministerio de Ciencia y TecnologíaMinisterio de Ciencia e InnovaciónComunidad Autónoma de Madri

Percepción de riesgo ante el consumo de alcohol y tabaco en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud de Saltillo

Introduction: Public health problems caused by the consumption of psychoactive substances have reached alarming proportions and constitute an important and largely preventable health and social burden on a global scale. Objective: To identify the relationship between risk perception and alcohol and tobacco consumption in health sciences university students of a public educational institution of Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.Methodology: The study design is descriptive and correlational, with a sample of 609 students selected by stratified probabilistic sampling. A personal data card and the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco consumption, the risk perception questionnaire for the consumption of licit drugs and the test for the identification of disorders due to alcohol use were used. The present study is under the provisions of the Regulation of the General Health Law on Research for Health in Human Beings in Mexico. Results: The amount of cigarettes consumed and the age of the participants presented a statistically significant relationship (rs=0.156, p= .026) as well as the perception of risk and the amount of alcoholic beverages consumed, had a significant negative relationship (rs=-0.102, p=.026 Conclusion: The study provides accurate and timely information regarding the profile of alcohol and tobacco consumption in health science students.Introducción: Los problemas de salud pública causados por el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas han alcanzado proporciones alarmantes y constituyen a escala mundial una carga sanitaria y social importante y en gran medida prevenible. Objetivo: Identificar la relación entre la percepción de riesgo y consumo de alcohol y tabaco en estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud de una institución pública educativa de Saltillo, Coahuila, México.Metodología: El diseño del estudio es de tipo descriptivo y correlacional, con una muestra de 609 estudiantes seleccionados por el muestreo probabilístico estratificado. Se utilizó una cédula de datos personales y de prevalencia de consumo de alcohol y tabaco, el cuestionario de percepción de riesgo hacia el Consumo de Drogas Lícitas y la Prueba de Identificación de Desórdenes por Uso de Alcohol. El presente estudio se apegó a lo dispuesto en el Reglamento de la Ley General de Salud en Materia de Investigación para la Salud en Seres Humanos en México. Resultados: La cantidad de cigarrillos consumidos y la edad de los participantes presentaron una relación estadísticamente significativa (rs=0.156, p= .026) al igual que la percepción de riesgo y la cantidad de bebidas Alcohólicas consumidas, tuvo una relación significativa negativa (rs=-0.102, p=.026 Conclusión: El estudio aporta información veraz y oportuna en cuanto al perfil del consumo de alcohol y tabaco en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud

Spread of a New Parasitic B Chromosome Variant Is Facilitated by High Gene Flow

The B24 chromosome variant emerged several decades ago in a Spanish population of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans and is currently reaching adjacent populations. Here we report, for the first time, how a parasitic B chromosome (a strictly vertically transmitted parasite) expands its geographical range aided by high gene flow in the host species. For six years we analyzed B frequency in several populations to the east and west of the original population and found extensive spatial variation, but only a slight temporal trend. The highest B24 frequency was found in its original population (Torrox) and it decreased closer to both the eastern and the western populations. The analysis of Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers showed the existence of a low but significant degree of population subdivision, as well as significant isolation by distance (IBD). Pairwise Nem estimates suggested the existence of high gene flow between the four populations located in the Torrox area, with higher values towards the east. No significant barriers to gene flow were found among these four populations, and we conclude that high gene flow is facilitating B24 diffusion both eastward and westward, with minor role for B24 drive due to the arrival of drive suppressor genes which are also frequent in the donor population.This study was supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (CGL2009-11917), and was partially performed by FEDER ("Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo" - European Regional Development Fund - ERDF) funds. MIMP was supported by a fellowship (FPU) from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

Nitrogen regulation of protein–protein interactions and transcript levels of GlnK PII regulator and AmtB ammonium transporter homologs in Archaea

Gene homologs of GlnK PII regulators and AmtB-type ammonium transporters are often paired on prokaryotic genomes, suggesting these proteins share an ancient functional relationship. Here, we demonstrate for the first time in Archaea that GlnK associates with AmtB in membrane fractions after ammonium shock, thus, providing a further insight into GlnK-AmtB as an ancient nitrogen sensor pair. For this work, Haloferax mediterranei was advanced for study through the generation of a pyrE2-based counterselection system that was used for targeted gene deletion and expression of Flag-tagged proteins from their native promoters. AmtB1-Flag was detected in membrane fractions of cells grown on nitrate and was found to coimmunoprecipitate with GlnK after ammonium shock. Thus, in analogy to bacteria, the archaeal GlnK PII may block the AmtB1 ammonium transporter under nitrogen-rich conditions. In addition to this regulated protein–protein interaction, the archaeal amtB-glnK gene pairs were found to be highly regulated by nitrogen availability with transcript levels high under conditions of nitrogen limitation and low during nitrogen excess. While transcript levels of glnK-amtB are similarly regulated by nitrogen availability in bacteria, transcriptional regulators of the bacterial glnK promoter including activation by the two-component signal transduction proteins NtrC (GlnG, NRI) and NtrB (GlnL, NRII) and sigma factor σN (σ54) are not conserved in archaea suggesting a novel mechanism of transcriptional control

Predation and aridity slow down the spread of 21-year-old planted woodland islets in restored Mediterranean farmland

Las figuras y material suplementario que contiene el documento se localizan al final del mismo.Planted woodland islets act as sources of seed that may accelerate woodland development in extensive agricultural landscapes. We assessed a 1-ha plot that was planted with 16 100-m2 islets of holm oak Quercus ilex subsp. ballota seedlings near Toledo (Spain) in 1993. In spring 2014 we measured (1) acorn predation and (2) seedling emergence from seeded acorns at different distances from and orientations around the islets with half of the acorns protected to prevent predation, (3) survival of emerged seedlings, and (4) natural tree establishment outside of the planted islets. Most (96.9 %) unprotected acorns were removed or predated. Seedling emergence from protected acorns ranged from 42.9 % on the northern side of the islets to 13.2 % on the southern side, suggesting a less stressful microclimate on the northern side. Survival of naturally established seedlings was 28.6 % by the end of first summer; seedling mortality was chiefly due to drought (45.0 %) and herbivory (35.0 %). Density of emerged seedlings, surviving seedlings after first dry season, and established oaks >1-year old was similar at different distances from the islets. Over the 21 year time period, 58 new oak individuals >1-year old have established (an average of 3.3 established individuals per ha per year) at an average distance of 6.3 ± 5.4 m away from the closest islet. We conclude that initial oak regeneration triggered by small planted islets in Mediterranean abandoned farmland is slowed down by high acorn predation, seedling herbivory, and stressful microclimatic conditions. Regardless, these islets are a viable tool for regeneration of Mediterranean oak woodland.Projects from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (CGL2010-18312 and CGL2014-53308-P) and the Government of Madrid (S2013/MAE-2719, REMEDINAL-3) are currently providing financial support for this body of research. We are indebted to Aurora Mesa and Paula Meli for their help for acorn seeding and to Laura Ferna´ndez and Luis Cayuela for their input with some statistical analyses. The subject editor and two anonymous reviewers provided valuable comments on a former version of this manuscript