Morphological Segregation in the Surroundings of Cosmic Voids

We explore the morphology of galaxies living in the proximity of cosmic voids, using a sample of voids identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7. At all stellar masses, void galaxies exhibit morphologies of a later type than galaxies in a control sample, which represent galaxies in an average density environment. We interpret this trend as a pure environmental effect, independent of the mass bias, due to a slower galaxy build-up in the rarefied regions of voids. We confirm previous findings about a clear segregation in galaxy morphology, with galaxies of a later type being found at smaller void-centric distances with respect to the early-type galaxies. We also show, for the first time, that the radius of the void has an impact on the evolutionary history of the galaxies that live within it or in its surroundings. In fact, an enhanced fraction of late-type galaxies is found in the proximity of voids larger than the median void radius. Likewise, an excess of early-type galaxies is observed within or around voids of a smaller size. A significant difference in galaxy properties in voids of different sizes is observed up to 2 Rvoid, which we define as the region of influence of voids. The significance of this difference is greater than 3sigma for all the volume-complete samples considered here. The fraction of star-forming galaxies shows the same behavior as the late-type galaxies, but no significant difference in stellar mass is observed in the proximity of voids of different sizes.Comment: Published in ApJ

Organ-specific features of natural killer cells.

Natural killer (NK) cells can be swiftly mobilized by danger signals and are among the earliest arrivals at target organs of disease. However, the role of NK cells in mounting inflammatory responses is often complex and sometimes paradoxical. Here, we examine the divergent phenotypic and functional features of NK cells, as deduced largely from experimental mouse models of pathophysiological responses in the liver, mucosal tissues, uterus, pancreas, joints and brain. Moreover, we discuss how organ-specific factors, the local microenvironment and unique cellular interactions may influence the organ-specific properties of NK cells

The perils and merits (or the Good, the Bad and the Ugly) of DNA barcoding of sponges – a controversial discussion

DNA barcodes are defined as signature sequences used to identify unknown specimens. They have been proposed as a means to quickly solve the taxonomical impediment, through an organised and highly structured effort, using the same part of the mitochondrial sub-unit I of the Cytochrome c oxidase gene to identify all species of the planet. There has been much debate about the uses and misuses of DNA for taxonomy, and the radical proposition of DNA barcodes has heated the debate. In this paper we present two contrasting views of how DNA barcodes may or may not help sponge taxonomy

Turismo gastronómico y vino: análisis de la oferta gastronómica y hospedaje en Montilla y Moriles

El turismo es uno de las acciones más enriquecedoras, motivadoras y positivas que realiza el ser humano, y aún más si se enlaza con la gastronomía y el vino. El turismo gastronómico ofrece productos autóctonos, cocina del lugar, hospitalidad, costumbres, festivales, etc., Así pues, el turismo gastronómico se ha convertido en un turismo emergente pero ya consolidado, que satisface en un mayor grado las necesidades que se le plantean hoy en día al consumidor turístico. Esta nueva modalidad de turismo aparece como alternativa al que tradicionalmente se realizaba. Es una de las más demandadas por la sociedad, dando lugar a una gran oportunidad de crecimiento económico en las zonas rurales que gozan de producción vinícola y rica gastronomía. Las Denominaciones de Origen, las bodegas, las materias primas autóctonas forman parte del territorio de una región y conforman un atractivo para el turista. El desarrollo de rutas de vino, actividades implícitas como catas, gastronomía, estancias y experiencias turísticas relacionadas con estas visitas proporciona una fuente de ingresos adicional para el destino, a la vez que suponen una mayor difusión de los municipios y de los territorios. El objetivo de este trabajo se basa en el análisis de la oferta tanto de restauración como de hospedaje existente a lo largo de los municipios de Montilla y Moriles. Del análisis realizado se desprende que el desarrollo del turismo basado en la visita a Montilla y Moriles, vía denominaciones de origen, ruta del vino dependerá en buena medida de la interrelación de los servicios de restauración y hospedaje, las administraciones públicas y entes locales y la comercialización en general de la visita establecida, siendo estos factores tras el análisis realizado, reflejo del alto grado potencial y crecimiento turístico que tiene la región

Diversidad alfa y beta de los artrópodos en diferentes ambientes del Parque Nacional Los Cardones, Salta (Argentina).

Alpha and beta arthropods diversity from the different environments of Parque Nacional Los Cardones, Salta, Argentina. The essential role of the National Parks is to protect nature, in order to prevent the deterioration and loss of the ecosystem under protection. Very few records about the diversity of arthropods are known from Los Cardones National Park, where three eco-regions are protected: Puna and Monte eco-regions and the High Andean Grassland of the Yungas. Here, we aimed to compare the alpha and beta diversity of arthro- pods in these eco-regions, and to prove if sites from the same ecoregion, show greater similarity between them in their assemblages, than with sites of the other eco-regions. We also identified arthropod orders with higher species richness, and indicated the families that contribute the most to the registered beta diversity. Three sam- pling sites were established on each eco-region and the arthropods were sampled using pitfall traps and suction samples. We evaluated the obtained inventory through nonparametric estimators of species richness, and com- pared diversity among eco-regions through ?diversity profiles? and ?effective number of species?. Beta diversity was assessed by different methods such as the Morisita Index, nonmetric multidimentional scaling analysis, a multiple permutation procedure, and a Similarity Percentage analysis. We recorded 469 spp/morphospecies and recognized three arthropod orders (spiders, dipterans and hymenopterans) that are diverse and abundant in the Park. Besides, the diversity in Los Cardones National Park was found to be high, but it was observed higher in the High Andean Grassland of the Yungas, and lower in the Puna. The inventory obtained was good, reached up to the 81% of the species richness estimated by nonparametric estimators. Each eco-region of the park showed a very particular arthropod community that was tested by a multi-response permutation procedure. The species turnover between eco-regions was high, so that the different environments of the protected area are contributing to the maintenance of the regional diversity of arthropods in the park. The assemblages of arthropods belonging to the same eco-region sites showed greater similarity among themselves than with those of more distant sites. This represents the first attempt for biodiversity studies in these areas, but more evaluations are required to detail on the possible climate change and human impacts in the ecosystem. Rev. Biol. Trop. 61 (4): 1785-1798. Epub 2013 December 01. Key words: arthropods, alpha diversity, beta diversitFil: Cava, María Belé. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina; Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina;Fil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina;Fil: Echeverría, Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina