Universality of power-law exponents by means of maximum-likelihood estimation

Power-law-type distributions are extensively found when studying the behavior of many complex systems. However, due to limitations in data acquisition, empirical datasets often only cover a narrow range of observation, making it difficult to establish power-law behavior unambiguously. In this work we present a statistical procedure to merge different datasets, with two different aims. First, we obtain a broader fitting range for the statistics of different experiments or observations of the same system. Second, we establish whether two or more different systems may belong to the same universality class. By means of maximum likelihood estimation, this methodology provides rigorous statistical information to discern whether power-law exponents characterizing different datasets can be considered equal among them or not. This procedure is applied to the Gutenberg-Richter law for earthquakes and for synthetic earthquakes (acoustic emission events) generated in the laboratory: labquakes. Different earthquake catalogs have been merged finding a Gutenberg-Richter law holding for more than eight orders of magnitude in seismic moment. The value of the exponent of the energy distribution of labquakes depends on the material used in the compression experiments. By means of the procedure proposed in this manuscript, we find that the Gutenberg-Richter law for earthquakes and charcoal labquakes can be characterized by the same power-law exponent, whereas Vycor labquakes exhibit a significantly different exponent

The role of weeds in the Integrated Pest Management of the white-spotted stinkbug of rice, "Eysarcoris ventralis"

“Eysarcoris ventralis” (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) es la principal plaga del cultivo del arroz en la provincia de Sevilla. Se presenta su dinámica poblacional en la zona y los huéspedes alternativos. “Polypogon monspeliensis” es el huésped fundamental de febrero a julio. El cultivo del arroz sólo se ve atacado por la 5ª y última generación. Ante la ausencia de sustancias activas registradas para su control en Sevilla, se plantea el manejo de la vegetación espontánea huésped como la herramienta más eficaz para reducir las poblaciones y evitar daños al cultivo.“Eysarcoris ventralis” (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) is the main rice pest in Seville province. Its seasonal development in the area and alternative hosts are presented. “Polypogon monspeliensis” is the main host from February to July. It is only the fifth and last generation that feeds on rice plants. Due to the absence of registered active substances for its control in Sevilla, it is proposed to manage weed host plants as the most effective tool to reduce populations and avoid damage

Using synchronization to improve earthquake forecasting in a cellular automaton model

A new forecasting strategy for stochastic systems is introduced. It is inspired by the concept of anticipated synchronization between pairs of chaotic oscillators, recently developed in the area of Dynamical Systems, and by the earthquake forecasting algorithms in which different pattern recognition functions are used for identifying seismic premonitory phenomena. In the new strategy, copies (clones) of the original system (the master) are defined, and they are driven using rules that tend to synchronize them with the master dynamics. The observation of definite patterns in the state of the clones is the signal for connecting an alarm in the original system that efficiently marks the impending occurrence of a catastrophic event. The power of this method is quantitatively illustrated by forecasting the occurrence of characteristic earthquakes in the so-called Minimalist Model.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Primer Reporte de leucismo en Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) (Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae) en el Caribe colombiano.

Leucism is a hypo-pigmentation of the tegument in which the individual has irregular patches or even the entire body depigmented, but maintains the normal coloration of the eyes and claws, which can be mistakenly described as partial albinism (Roncancio & Ramírez- Chaves 2008, Marín-Vásquez et al. 2010, Tabea-Treitler et al. 2013 & Velandia-Perilla et al. 2013).El leucismo es una hipo-pigmentación del tegumento en el que el individuo presenta parches irregulares o incluso la totalidad del cuerpo despigmentado, pero mantiene la coloración normal de los ojos y garras, lo cual puede ser descrito erróneamente como albinismo parcial (Roncancio & Ramírez-Chaves 2008, Marín-Vásquez et al. 2010, Tabea-Treitler et al. 2013 & Velandia-Perilla et al. 2013).&nbsp

New emerging targets in cancer immunotherapy: CD137/4-1BB costimulatory axis

CD137 (4-1BB) is a surface glycoprotein that belongs to the tumour necrosis factor receptor family (TNFRSF9). Its expression is induced on activation on a number of leucocyte types. Interestingly, for cancer immunotherapy, CD137 becomes expressed on primed T and natural killer (NK) cells, which on ligation provides powerful costimulatory signals. Perturbation of CD137 by CD137L or agonist monoclonal antibodies on activated CD8 T cells protects such antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes from apoptosis, enhances effector functionalities and favours persistence and memory differentiation. As a consequence, agonist antibodies exert potent antitumour effects in mouse models and the CD137 signalling domain is critical in chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) of CAR T cells approved to be used in the clinic. New formats of CD137 agonist moieties are being clinically developed, seeking potent costimulation targeted to the tumour microenvironment to avoid liver inflammation side effects, that have thus far limited and delayed clinical development

Aplicación de un programa de rehabilitación de los procesos atencionales en el tratamiento de alucinaciones auditivas

Ponència de la VI Reunión Científica sobre Atención (RECA 6), celebrada a Barcelona, 200

Clinical Impact of the Polypill for Cardiovascular Prevention in Latin America: A Consensus Statement of the Inter-American Society of Cardiology.

The burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is increasing, particularly in low-middle-income countries such as most of Latin America. This region presents specific socioeconomic characteristics, generating a high incidence of CVD despite efforts to control the problem. A consensus statement has been developed by Inter-American Society of Cardiology with the aim of answering some important questions related to CVD in this region and the role of the polypill in cardiovascular (CV) prevention as an intervention to address these issues. A multidisciplinary team composed of Latin American experts in the prevention of CVD was convened by the Inter-American Society of Cardiology and participated in the process and the formulation of statements. To characterize the prevailing situation in Latin American countries, we describe the most significant CV risk factors in the region. The barriers that impair the use of CV essential medications are also reviewed. The role of therapeutic adherence in CV prevention and how the polypill emerges as an effective strategy for optimizing adherence, accessibility, and affordability in the treatment of CVDs are discussed in detail. Clinical scenarios in which the polypill could represent an effective intervention in primary and secondary CV prevention are described. This initiative is expected to help professionals involved in the management of CVD and public health policymakers develop optimal strategies for the management of CVDs

Vasoactive intestinal peptide axis is dysfunctional in patients with Graves’ disease

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide with potent immunoregulatory properties. Reduced serum VIP levels and alterations in VIP receptors/signaling on immune cells have been associated with different inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. However, its role in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) remains unknown. This study examined the interrelationship between VIP system, autoimmune background and thyroid hormones in peripheral immune cells in patients with AITD. Only Graves’ disease (GD) patients showed significantly lower serum VIP levels when compared to healthy subjects and to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients. Serum VIP levels were lower at the onset of GD, showing a significant negative correlation with thyroid hormone levels. The expression of VIP receptors, VPAC1 and VPAC2, was significantly upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from GD patients. There was an impairment of VIP signalling in these patients, probably attributable to a dysfunction of VPAC1 with preservation of VPAC2. The correlation between VPAC1 and thyroid hormone receptor expression in PBMC from healthy subjects was lost in GD patients. In summary, the VIP system is altered in peripheral immune cells of GD patients and this finding is associated with different thyroid hormone receptor patterns, showing a dynamic inter-regulation and a prominent role of VIP in this setting.This work has been supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain, cofinanced by FEDER, European Union: RETICS program, Red de Investigación en Inflamación y Enfermedades Reumáticas (RD16/0012/0008, PI17/00027, PI16-02091, PIE13-0004) and from Consejería de Educación, Juventud y Deporte, Comunidad de Madrid: B2017/BMD372

Assessing the influence of isotopic composition of water on that of clay minerals during chemical treatments.

The isotopic composition of hydrogen in authigenic minerals is a useful tool to reconstruct past paleo-environments. Clay minerals are an important component of authigenic minerals in soils and sediments but they usually occur with other compounds that must be eliminated before the analysis, such as organic matter and carbonates. Thus, various “pre-treatments” are used, generally involving dilute HCl and H2O2 solutions in water. In this work, the influence of the isotopic composition of the water used in these pre-treatment solutions is assessed, using ten different samples of clay minerals. The isotopic composition of hydrogen was measured in each sample after HCl pre-treatment alone, H2O2 pre-treatment alone and both HCl and H2O2 pre-treatments in sequence, using two types of water in the pre-treatment solutions: one 2H-enriched and one 2H-depleted. The results indicate some influence of the isotopic composition of the water on the clay minerals after pre-treatment. In general, the samples showed significant alteration by HCl pre-treatment and negligible alteration by H2O2 pre-treatment. A pure kaolinite reference material did not show any change by chemical pre-treatment while a smectite reference material did show significant effects. Other samples (Ethiopian lacustrine sediment samples and Spanish cave sediments) showed important differences, which also depend on clay mineralogy. Thus, mineralogy seems to be the main cause of the variability in the alteration, especially the quantity of smectite. In addition, this result challenges the utility of clay minerals for isotope studies in acid conditions, such as in acidic soils, to reconstruct past environments and, therefore, climate changes.This study was developed during a stay supported by predoctoral mobility grant from the Spanish MINECO. Financial support for this work was obtained from MINECO Grant CGL2015-65387-C3-3-P. I. Campaña was the beneficiary of a predoctoral FPI Grant from the Spanish MINECO. We thank Jessica Wilson at the University of South Florida School of Geosciences who supported the isotopic analysis. J.G. Wynn was supported by an NSF IR/D program. Special thanks to the local resident of Burgos that help us remove the car from a mud puddle. // Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Acció dels andrògens en el testicle: un paper per a la meiosi

La funció que duen a terme els andrògens en l'espermatogènesi és, encara en certa mesura, enigmàtica: mentre que llur implicació és absolutament vital en la iniciació i en el manteniment del procés espermatogènic normal, la seva funció específica encara no està definida de manera precisa. Els andrògens, com les altres hormones esteroïdals, actuen a través del seu corresponent receptor anomenat receptor d'andrògens (AR). Fins avui, no hi ha gaire evidència que recolzi l'existència de diverses isoformes de l'AR com en el cas del sistema estrògensreceptor d'estrògens. Per tant, la pregunta de com els andrògens duen a terme la seva acció en l'espermatogènesi s'ha d'abordar definint dos processos: en primer lloc, s'han d'identifi- car amb total certesa els tipus cell. ulars testiculars capaços de respondre directament a l'estimulació androgènica. De manera específica, la qüestió per resoldre és quins són els tipus cellulars que expressen l'AR en el testicle. En segon lloc, sabent també que el complex del lligand unit a l'AR actua com a factor de transcripció, caldrà determinar quins són els gens que estaran activats o reprimits en les cèll. ules que tenen AR en resposta a l'estimulació androgènica. Fins que aquestes dues preguntes no estiguin contestades amb tota certesa, el mecanisme pel qual els andrògens regulen l'espermatogènesi serà, en el millor dels casos, especulatiu. En aquesta revisió presentem evidència que els andrògens actuen únicament a les cèll. ules somàtiques del testicle, com són les cèll. ules de Sertoli, les de Leydig, les mioides peritubulars i les cèll. ules del múscul llis que envolten els vasos sanguinis. A més a més, també discutim la possibilitat que els andrògens siguin indispensables per a l'inici de la meiosi, encara que continua essent desconegut el mecanisme pel qual els andrògens actuen en aquest procés.The role that androgens play in spermatogenesis still remains enigmatic: whereas their involvement is absolutely vital to the initiation and maintenance of the normal spermatogenic process, their specific role is yet to be defined. Androgens, like other steroid hormones, act via their corresponding receptor termed the androgen receptor (AR). To date, there is little evidence to support the notion that there are multiple forms of AR as is the case for the estrogen-estrogen receptor system. Thus, the question of how androgens manifest their action on spermatogenesis becomes one of defining two processes: First, the cell types within the testis that are capable of responding directly to androgen stimulation must be identified with absolute certainty. Specifically, this question can be stated as what cell types in the testis express AR. Second, given that the ligand-bound AR serves as a transcription factor, the question then becomes what are the genes turned on or off in AR positive cells in response to androgen stimulation? Until these two questions are unequivocally answered, the mechanism of how androgens regulate spermatogenesis will remain speculative at best. In this review we present evidence that androgens act solely at the level of the somatic cells of the testis, including Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, peritubular myoid cells and smooth muscle cells surrounding blood vessels. In addition, we discuss the likely possibility that androgens are indispensable for the onset of meiosis, albeit how they accomplish this remains a mystery