Parvipalpus onubensis, a new species (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidea) from the Atlantic coast of Southern Spain*

Parvipalpus onubensis n. sp. is described based on the specimens collected from sediments on the coast of Huelva (Southwest Spain). The new species is compared with the other species in the genus:Parvipalpus capillaceus (Chevreux, 1887), P. linea Mayer, 1890 and P. major Carausu, 1941. Parvipalpus onubensis differs from the remaining species of Parvipalpus by the simultaneous combination of the following characters: small size (body length up to 2.8 mm), rostrum present, body completely smooth, flagellum of antenna 1 with 5 articles in males and 3 in females, mandibular palp 2-articulate, incisor and lacinia mobilis 4-toothed and penes well developed

Human pressures on two estuaries of the Iberian Peninsula are reflected in food web structure

As a result of the increased urban and agricultural development in coastal environments, estuaries are among the most modified and threatened aquatic ecosystems. This study used stable isotopes to examine the effects of human impacts by contrasting the food web structures of two Iberian estuaries exposed to different degrees of human pressure. More complex feeding pathways were found in the more altered estuary (Guadalquivir). Greater spread among species along the carbon axis suggests that the primary consumers exploit organic matter with various origins, whereas different nitrogen signals of the secondary consumers suggest that they feed on different suites of prey. In contrast, the similar isotopic signals of secondary consumers in the relatively little influenced estuary (Guadiana) suggests similarity in diet composition and feeding on the same organic matter sources. Understanding trophic interactions in estuaries is vital for defining proper management and conservation, and the preliminary data provided here are one step in this direction

The abundances and distributions of molluscs in the southern Iberian Peninsula: A comparison of marine and terrestrial systems

Molluscs are the second most diverse of all animal phyla, and occur in many habitat types. They are, therefore, a particularly good phylum with which to compare and contrast differences between ecosystems. Mollusc data from a number of sites along the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula are analysed to study patterns of diversity and distribution using a range of multivariate techniques. Within each site, data are presented from three locations -fully terrestrial, rocky intertidal and soft bottom benthic (10 m and 20 m depths)- all in close proximity. The species are then classified in relation to morphology and size, and analysed at supraspecific levels to elucidate underlying patterns. The observed patterns are briefly discussed, with particular reference to the differential scope and importance of controlling factors in each ecosystem, such as dispersal processes. The results from the systems are compared and discussed in the context of ecological and evolutionary constraints in MolluscaLos moluscos constituyen el segundo filo animal más diverso y se encuentran en muchos tipos de hábitat, por lo que son idóneos para establecer comparaciones entre distintos ecosistemas. Se han analizado los datos de los moluscos obtenidos en una serie de emplazamientos que cubrían el sur de la península Ibérica para determinar, empleando distintas técnicas multivariantes, los patrones de diversidad y distribución de estos organismos. Los datos se tomaron de ejemplares capturados en lugares del medio terrestre próximos a la línea de costa, de la franja intermareal rocosa y de sedimentos de fondos marinos situados a 10 y 20 m de profundidad. Las especies fueron clasificadas atendiendo a la morfología y el tamaño, y se analizaron a nivel supraespecífico para elucidar los patrones generales, que se discuten aquí, brevemente, con especial énfasis en las diferencias según la importancia de los factores que controlan cada ecosistema, como, por ejemplo, los procesos de dispersión. Los resultados de los distintos sistemas se comparan y discuten en el contexto de las tendencias ecológicas y evolutivas de los molusco

Experiències senzilles de física recreativa: flascó de Mariotte, refracció de la llum i tira d’alumini ondulant

En aquest treball presentem una sèrie d’experiments senzills i estimulants de física que resulten útils per a reforçar els coneixements propis d’aquesta matèria, consolidar conceptes físics, captar l’atenció dels estudiants i fomentar-ne l’interès per la matèria de física. En aquesta ocasió hem dissenyat i dut a terme experiències de diversos camps de la Física, com ara fluids (flascó de Mariotte), òptica (refracció de la llum) i magnetisme (tira d’alumini ondulant a causa d’un camp magnètic). Amb aquest tipus d’experiments simples volem augmentar la motivació dels estudiants cap a la matèria de física, ja que l’objectiu d’aquestes experiències és tractar d’entendre el fenomen que s’està observant, en comptes d’obtenir i tractar dades. Aquests experiments estan adreçats als estudiants dels primers cursos dels graus de ciències i de les diverses enginyeries. Aquesta manera d’introduir conceptes de física mitjançant experiments sorprenents fa que l’aprenentatge resulte més significatiu, i constitueixen una eina pedagògica de gran ajuda en el procés d’ensenyament-aprenentatge de la física

Metodología cartográfica submarina orientada a la gestión y conservación del medio litoral: mapa de las comunidades bentónicas del frente litoral norte del estrecho de Gibraltar

La cartografía de las comunidades bentónicas es esencial, actualmente, para promover actuaciones eficientes de uso, gestión y conservación de las zonas litorales, especialmente en el ámbito de grandes espacios litorales protegidos. En cada uno de éstos, la cartografía resulta determinante para la elaboración de un mapa de zonificación de usos, condicionado, en gran medida, por los distintos valores ecológicos que puedan asignarse a las diferentes comunidades bentónicas establecidas y a sus distribuciones geográficas locales. La metodología utilizada en la elaboración del mapa de las comunidades bentónicas del estrecho de Gibraltar (en el intervalo batimétrico 0-30 m y de 40 km de extensión litoral aproximada), dada la complejidad que reviste este tipo de objetivos, supone una aproximación a la cartografía de la biota sésil sumergida, en tramos litorales amplios contenidos en áreas protegidas. Se han combinado, mediante superposición de información, datos físicos de batimetría y tipos de fondo, obtenidos mediante técnicas acústicas y convenientemente cartografiados, con datos biológicos de las comunidades bentónicas, obtenidos en campaña intensiva de buceo científico (con la toma de imágenes en sustrato duro, para su ulterior análisis) y mediante dragado (con registros de granulometría y fauna endobentónica en sustrato blando). La información ha sido georreferenciada adecuadamente para su introducción, como capas independientes, en un sistema de información geográfica (SIG).The cartography of benthic communities is, today, essential to promoting adequate strategies for the use, management and conservation of littoral areas, especially if they are large protected zones. In each zone, cartography is necessary to elaborate a management zoning map, depending on the ecological value of the different benthic communities established and on the local geographical distribution. The methodology used in the elaboration of a map including the benthic communities of the Straits of Gibraltar (0-30 m depth; 40 km of littoral extension), in spite of the complexity of these kinds of objectives, represents an approach to the cartography of the submarine sessile biota of large littoral zones of protected ar- eas. The present study combines physical data (bathymetry and type of substrate), collected using acoustic techniques, and biological data (benthic communities), collected during an intensive sampling programme using scuba (hard bottom: image analysis) and dredging (soft bottom: granulometry and benthic fauna). The information has been geoindexed to be inserted, as different layers, into a Geographic Information System (GIS)

Experiències senzilles de física recreativa: Conservació del moment lineal, efecte Coandă i emissió atòmica

La realització pràctica d’experiments és fonamental en qualsevol disciplina científica. Per això, en aquest treball exposem una sèrie d’experiències de física senzilles i sorprenents que ens permetran reforçar diversos conceptes físics d’una manera amena, utilitzant materials molt assequibles i barats. Amb la realització d’aquests experiments volem estimular la curiositat de l’alumnat i el plaer per la investigació i el descobriment de nous fenòmens físics. Aquestes experiències estan adreçades tant a estudiants d’educació secundària i batxillerat com a alumnes dels primers cursos d’universitat. Hem dissenyat i dut a terme experiències de diversos camps de la física, entre els quals hi ha algunes pràctiques per a posar de manifest la conservació del moment lineal, o l’efecte Coandă en fluids en moviment, i també experiments de física atòmica relacionats amb l’emissió atòmica en l’espectre visible, que posen de manifest la quantització de l’energia dels nivells atòmics. Amb aquestes experiències volem motivar els alumnes en l’estudi i l’interès per la física des d’una perspectiva diferent de l’habitual

Study the Effect of Relative Energy Deficiency on Physiological and Physical Variables in Professional Women Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Energy deficits are often observed in athletes, especially in female athletes, due to the high expenditure of sport and strict diets. Low energy availability can cause serious health problems and affect sport performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different personalized dietary plans on physiological and physical factors related to energy deficit syndrome in female professional handball players. Twenty-one professional female handball players, aged 22 ± 4 years, 172.0 ± 5.4 cm and 68.4 ± 6.7 kg, divided into three groups (FD: free diet; MD: Mediterranean diet; and AD: high antioxidant diet), participated in this 12-week randomized controlled trial. Energy expenditure through indirect calorimetry, energy availability, 7 day dietary intake analysis, blood pressure, cholesterol, menstrual function, body composition by both anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance, and strength performance were assessed. All participants showed low energy availability (< 30 kcal/lean mass per day); despite this, all had eumenorrhea. Significant improvements were found after the intervention in all components of body composition (p <0.05). In the remaining variables, despite slight improvements, none were significant neither over time nor between the different groups. Low energy availability has been observed in all professional female handball players, which may lead to serious consequences. A longer period of intervention is required to assess the differences between diets and improvements in other parameters.The author L.M-A. has received funding from the Ministry of Universities for University Teacher Training (FPU20/02136)

BLENDLEDMER II: Una experiencia innovadora de blended learning en Derecho Mercantil

Depto. de Derecho Mercantil, Financiero y TributarioFac. de DerechoFALSEsubmitte

Biomarkers of Venous Thromboembolism Recurrence after Discontinuation of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Treatment for Cancer-Associated Thrombosis (HISPALIS-Study)

The most appropriate duration of anticoagulant treatment for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CAT) remains unclear. We have conducted a prospective multicenter study in CAT patients with more than 6 months of anticoagulant treatment to predict the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence after anticoagulation discontinuation. Blood samples were obtained when patients stopped the anticoagulation, at 21 days and at 90 days. In each sample we assessed different coagulation-related biomarkers: D-dimer (DD), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), P-selectin (PS), phospholipids, soluble tissue factor, factor VIII and the thrombin generation test. It was evaluated 325 CAT patients and 166 patients were included in the study, mean age 64 ± 17 years. VTE recurrence until 6 months after stopping anticoagulation treatment was 9.87% [95% confidence interval (CI): 6–15]. The biomarkers sub-distribution hazard ratios were 6.32 for ratio DD basal/DD 21 days > 2 (95% CI: 1.82–21.90), 6.36 for hs-CRP > 4.5 (95% CI: 1.73–23.40) and 5.58 for PS > 40 (95% CI: 1.46–21.30) after 21 days of stopping anticoagulation. This is the first study that has identified the DD ratio, hs-CRP and PS as potential biomarkers of VTE recurrence in cancer patients after the discontinuation of anticoagulation treatment. A risk-adapted strategy may allow the identification of the optimal time to withdraw the anticoagulation in each CAT patientmThis research was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III, grant number (PI15/01085; PI18/01640, PI20/00075), Sociedad Española de Trombosis y Hemostasia; Fundación Respira, grant number (140/2013), Fundación Neumosur, grant number (5/2013) and the LEO Pharma Research Foundation. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga