Incremental-Decremental Technique for Delineating Tunnels and Pockets in 3D Digital Images

In this paper, we combine two complementary techniques for computing homol- ogy: Incremental Algorithm for computing AT-models (which consist of an algebraic set of data that provide, in particular, homological information of the given object) is suitable for homology computation in cases in which new cells are added to the existing complex, whereas Decremental Algorithm for computing AT-models is more appropriated in the case that some cells are removed from the complex. Using these algorithms, we are able to de- scribe tunnels and pockets of a 3D digital image (given as a sequence of 2D digital images) in terms of sets of equivalent 1-cycles.Junta de Andalucía FQM-296Junta de Andalucía TIC-02268Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia MTM2006-0372

Enfoque de las estrategias de reproducción social: Un estudio de caso de las mujeres jornaleras en Zacatecas

Ante la necesidad de satisfacer y/o complementar el ingreso económico para cubrir las necesidades básicas de las unidades domésticas, la mujer trata de buscar formas para cambiar la condición de vida de su familia integrándose al mercado laboral (subempleo) y en la medida en que ésta se incorpora vendrá con ello una serie de alteraciones en función del papel que desempeña la mujer dentro la unidad doméstica y la sociedad. Uno de los cambios que más están incidiendo en la nueva dinámica de vida de las familias rurales, es la cada vez mayor incorporación de las mujeres al ámbito laboral, y los nuevos roles que desempeñan los integrantes de las familiar rurales. En este trabajo presentamos el concepto de estrategia de reproducción social como una alternativa metodológica, destacando sus virtudes y limitaciones, para estudiar y comprender los cambios que se experimentan al interior de las familias rurales ante la cada vez mayor incorporación de las mujeres al ámbito laboral en condición de jornaleras agrícolas, así como presentar un estudio de caso en una comunidad rural del estado de Zacatecas, México. Para ello hemos organizado el documento de la siguiente manera: en primer lugar discutimos algunos de los principales cambios de roles de las mujeres al interior de las familias rurales, enseguida documentamos el concepto de estrategias de reproducción en el ámbito latinoamericano, posteriormente incluimos las críticas del enfoque, sus limitaciones y sus alcances, continuamos con un análisis sobre los alcances de la herramienta analítica de las estrategias de reproducción, finalmente presentamos su aplicación a un estudio de caso realizado a las mujeres jornaleras de una comunidad del estado de Zacatecas

Allele specific expression analysis identifies regulatory variation associated with stress-related genes in the Mexican highland maize landrace Palomero Toluqueño.

BackgroundGene regulatory variation has been proposed to play an important role in the adaptation of plants to environmental stress. In the central highlands of Mexico, farmer selection has generated a unique group of maize landraces adapted to the challenges of the highland niche. In this study, gene expression in Mexican highland maize and a reference maize breeding line were compared to identify evidence of regulatory variation in stress-related genes. It was hypothesised that local adaptation in Mexican highland maize would be associated with a transcriptional signature observable even under benign conditions.MethodsAllele specific expression analysis was performed using the seedling-leaf transcriptome of an F1 individual generated from the cross between the highland adapted Mexican landrace Palomero Toluqueño and the reference line B73, grown under benign conditions. Results were compared with a published dataset describing the transcriptional response of B73 seedlings to cold, heat, salt and UV treatments.ResultsA total of 2,386 genes were identified to show allele specific expression. Of these, 277 showed an expression difference between Palomero Toluqueño and B73 alleles under benign conditions that anticipated the response of B73 cold, heat, salt and/or UV treatments, and, as such, were considered to display a prior stress response. Prior stress response candidates included genes associated with plant hormone signaling and a number of transcription factors. Construction of a gene co-expression network revealed further signaling and stress-related genes to be among the potential targets of the transcription factors candidates.DiscussionPrior activation of responses may represent the best strategy when stresses are severe but predictable. Expression differences observed here between Palomero Toluqueño and B73 alleles indicate the presence of cis-acting regulatory variation linked to stress-related genes in Palomero Toluqueño. Considered alongside gene annotation and population data, allele specific expression analysis of plants grown under benign conditions provides an attractive strategy to identify functional variation potentially linked to local adaptation

A configurational study of helium clusters doped with He∗− and He2 ∗−

9 pags.; 10 figs.; 4 tabs.Helium clusters doped with electronically excited atomic and molecular helium anions He∗− and He∗− 2 at T = 0.4 K are studied by means of path integral Monte Carlo calculations. Geometry and energetics of the systems with up to 32 solvating He atoms are characterised. The interactions between the anions and the neutral He atoms have been described by fitting previously reported ab initio points to analytical expressions. The HeN–He∗− clusters with N > 6 display a structure defined by a bipyramid which completely solvates the atomic anion, whereas the rest of surrounding He atoms form a dimple around that initial cage. On the contrary, the structures observed for the HeN–He∗−2 clusters clearly show the dopant located outside the helium droplet, thereby confirming the heliophobic character of He∗− 2. C 2015 AIP Publishing LLCThis work has been supported by MICINN Grant No. FIS2011-29596-C02-01. R.R.-C. acknowledges funding from Grant No. JAE-Pre-2010-01277. F.A.G. acknowledges several helpful discussions with A. Mauracher and thanks him for providing us with the original computed ab initio points for the He–dopant interactionsPeer Reviewe

Persistence Partial Matchings Induced by Morphisms between Persistence Modules

The notion of persistence partial matching, as a generalization of partial matchings between persistence modules, is introduced. We study how to obtain a persistence partial matching $\mathcal{G}_f$, and a partial matching $\mathcal{M}_f$, induced by a morphism $f$ between persistence modules, both being linear with respect to direct sums of morphisms. Some of their properties are also provided, including their stability after a perturbation of the morphism $f$, and their relationship with other induced partial matchings already defined in TDA

Cardiovascular disease versus periodontal disease: chronic systemic infection as a link

Objective : Analysis of the alleged connection between the periodontal and cardiovascular disease, with reference to periodontal pathogens as a risk factor for heart disease. Researching method : A research was carried out at Medline/Pubmed. Included criteria and researching strategy. The articles selection has been made taking into account key-terms appearing either in the title or in the summary. Experimental studies in animals, clinical prospective studies performed with a minimum sample size (>30) and studies written in English have been included. The rejected criteria were the following: clinical retrospective studies and/or studies carried out with a low sample size (n<30). Results : Within systemic diseases related to periodontal ones, the alleged link between periodontal and heart and circulatory disease has been one of the most investigated in recent times. Different authors consider the existence of a link between the diseases as such, inappropriate and implausible since both the diseases have risk factors in common (age, gender, smoking, diet, oral hygiene and diabetes). However, speculations about the origin of the diseases were raised when it was demonstrated that some bacteria species, bacteria proteins and lipopolysaccharide are present at the plaques of atherosclerosis that obstruct the coronary arteries. The mechanisms of this connection have been analyzed following an actualized review. Conclusion : Most of the experimental and clinical studies ensure that a positive association between periodontal disease and heart disease has been found, once the con-founder factors have been eliminate

Is the Mediterranean Sean Outflow conditioning cold water corals in the North Atlantic?

posterWithin the context of the UE project ATLAS, in September - October 2016 on board RV Sarmiento de Gamboa, the MEDWAVES (MEDiterranean out flow WAter and Vulnerable EcosystemS) targeted areas under the potential influence of the MOW (Mediterranean Water Outflow) within the Mediterranean and Atlantic realms. These include seamounts where cold-water corals (CWC) have been reported, they may act as essential “stepping stones” connecting fauna of seamounts in the Mediterranean with those of seamounts in the continental shelf of Portugal, the Azores and the Mid‐ Atlantic Ridge. During MEDWAVES sampling was conducted through several seamounts: Formigas (Azores), Ormonde & Gazul (North Atlantic) and Seco de los Olivos (Alboran Sea). High quality CO2 measurements were conducted in the 500 meters above the bottom in order to characterize the water masses and detect the MOW spreading. MOW is warm and salty, but also high in alkalinity and pH. Is MOW conditioning CWC

Semi-infinite boundary conditions for the simulation of interfaces: The Ar/CO2(s) model revisited

We propose a method to account for the long tail corrections of dispersive forces in inhomogeneous systems. This method deals separately with the two interfaces that are usually present in a simulation setup, effectively establishing semi-infinite boundary conditions that are appropriate for the study of the interface between two infinite bulk phases. Using the wandering interface method, we calculate surface free energies of vapor–liquid, wall–liquid, and wall–vapor interfaces for a model of Lennard– Jones argon adsorbed on solid carbon dioxide. The results are employed as input to Young’s equation, and the wetting temperature located. This estimate is compared with predictions from the method of effective interface potentials and good agreement is found. Our results show that truncating Ar–Ar interactions at two and a half molecular diameters results in a dramatic decrease of the wetting temperature of about 40%.We would like to thank Marcus Müller for suggesting us to describe the cutoff dependence of wetting properties by means of the sharp-kink approximation (cf., Sec. V). We also benefitted from helpful discussions with P. Bryk, A. Archer, and E. de Miguel. Generous financial support of Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia through Project Nos. FIS2010- 22047-C05-05 and FIS2010-14866; Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid through Project No. MODELICO-P2009/ESP- 1691; and Junta de Andalucía through Project No. P07- FQM02884 is gratefully acknowledged

PLK1 regulates centrosome migration and spindle dynamics in male mouse meiosis

Cell division requires the regulation of karyokinesis and cytokinesis, which includes an essential role of the achromatic spindle. Although the functions of centrosomes are well characterised in somatic cells, their role during vertebrate spermatogenesis remains elusive. We have studied the dynamics of the meiotic centrosomes in male mouse during both meiotic divisions. Results show that meiotic centrosomes duplicate twice: first duplication occurs in the leptotene/zygotene transition, while the second occurs in interkinesis. The maturation of duplicated centrosomes during the early stages of prophase I and II are followed by their separation and migration to opposite poles to form bipolar spindles I and II. The study of the genetic mouse model Plk1(Δ/Δ) indicates a central role of Polo-like kinase 1 in pericentriolar matrix assembly, in centrosome maturation and migration, and in the formation of the bipolar spindles during spermatogenesis. In addition, in vitro inhibition of Polo-like kinase 1 and Aurora A in organotypic cultures of seminiferous tubules points out to a prominent role of both kinases in the regulation of the formation of meiotic bipolar spindlesThis work was supported by funding from Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de España (MINECO) (Spain) [grant number BFU2014-53681-P and MEIONET (BFU2015-71786-REDT) to J. A. S. and grant number RTI2018-095582-B-I00 to M. M.]