Floristic study in a pine-silver fir forest of the European Intensive Monitoring Plots of Forest Ecosystems

Continuando con el estudio de la vegetación de algunas parcelas de la Red Europea para el Seguimiento Intensivo y Continuo de los Ecosistemas Forestales se presentan los resultados obtenidos en la parcela 24Ps, un pinar-abetal situado a 1.300 m de altitud en Biescas (Huesca, España). Tras el estudio durante un año de esta parcela de 50 × 50 m, y de 4 unidades de muestreo de 10 × 10 m escogidas en la zona “buffer” que rodea la parcela, consideramos que la vegetación, que presenta características de abetal y de pinar musgoso, parece evolucionar hacia un abetal. La elevada riqueza florística de la parcela 24Ps, 114 taxones -entre los que predominan los hemicriptófitos y europeos-, se debe a la existencia de diferentes zonas en la misma: el interior del bosque, de influencia oceánica; la zona baja de la parcela, llana y con especies de herbazales o prados frescos; y la ladera O, más mediterránea, con especies de pastos secos y pedregosos, de quejigal, carrascal o diversos claros forestales.Continuing with the study of ground vegetation in some plots of the Pan-European Intensive Monitoring Programme of Forest Ecosystems, in this paper we present the results obtained in the 24Ps plot, located in a pine-silver fir forest at 1,300 m.a.s.l. in Biescas (Huesca, Spain). After the study during a year in this 50 × 50 m plot, and in four 10 × 10 m plots selected in the “buffer” area around the main plot, we consider that vegetation, with characteristics from silver fir and humid Scotch pine forest, seems to progress to a silver fir forest. The high floristic richness of 24Ps plot is due to the existence of different zones: within the forest, which shows oceanic influence; the lowest, flat part of the plot, including species from mild meadows; and the western slope, more Mediterranean in character, and with species from dry, rocky pastures, from Quercus cerrioides or Q. ilex rotundifolia forests, or typical of clearings

Optimal start in dialysis shows increased survival in patients with chronic kidney disease

Objective To compare the survival among patients with chronic kidney disease who had optimal starts of renal replacement therapy, dialysis or hemodialysis, with patients who had suboptimal starts. Methods A retrospective cohort consisting of >18 year-old patients who started renal replacement therapy, using peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, in any public hospital or associated center of the Andalusian Public Health System, between the 1st of January of 2006 and the 15th of March of 2017. The optimal start was defined when all the following criteria were met: a planned dialysis start, a minimum of six-month follow-up by a nephrologist, and a first dialysis method coinciding with the one registered at 90 days. The information was obtained from the registry of the Information System of the Transplant Autonomic Coordination of Andalusia. Results A total of 10,692 patients were studied. 4,377 (40.9%) of these patients died. A total of 4,937 patients (46.17%) achieved optimal starts of renal replacement therapy and showed higher survival rates (HR 0.669; 95% CI 0.628–0.712) in the multivariate analysis of Cox regression model

Complex evolutionary history of the Mexican stoneroller Campostoma ornatum Girard, 1856 (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies of the phylogeography of Mexican species are steadily revealing genetic patterns shared by different species, which will help to unravel the complex biogeographic history of the region. <it>Campostoma ornatum </it>is a freshwater fish endemic to montane and semiarid regions in northwest Mexico and southern Arizona. Its wide range of distribution and the previously observed morphological differentiation between populations in different watersheds make this species a useful model to investigate the biogeographic role of the Sierra Madre Occidental and to disentangle the actions of Pliocene tecto-volcanic processes <it>vs </it>Quaternary climatic change. Our phylogeographic study was based on DNA sequences from one mitochondrial gene (<it>cytb</it>, 1110 bp, n = 285) and two nuclear gene regions (S7 and RAG1, 1822 bp in total, n = 56 and 43, respectively) obtained from 18 to 29 localities, in addition to a morphological survey covering the entire distribution area. Such a dataset allowed us to assess whether any of the populations/lineages sampled deserve to be categorised as an evolutionarily significant unit.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found two morphologically and genetically well-differentiated groups within <it>C. ornatum</it>. One is located in the northern river drainages (Yaqui, Mayo, Fuerte, Sonora, Casas Grandes, Santa Clara and Conchos) and another one is found in the southern drainages (Nazas, Aguanaval and Piaxtla). The split between these two lineages took place about 3.9 Mya (CI = 2.1-5.9). Within the northern lineage, there was strong and significant inter-basin genetic differentiation and also several secondary dispersal episodes whit gene homogenization between drainages. Interestingly, three divergent mitochondrial lineages were found in sympatry in two northern localities from the Yaqui river basin.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicate that there was isolation between the northern and southern phylogroups since the Pliocene, which was related to the formation of the ancient Nazas River paleosystem, where the southern group originated. Within groups, a complex reticulate biogeographic history for <it>C. ornatum </it>populations emerges, following the taxon pulse theory and mainly related with Pliocene tecto-volcanic processes. In the northern group, several events of vicariance promoted by river or drainage isolation episodes were found, but within both groups, the phylogeographic patterns suggest the occurrence of several events of river capture and fauna interchange. The Yaqui River supports the most diverse populations of <it>C. ornatum</it>, with several events of dispersal and isolation within the basin. Based on our genetic results, we defined three ESUs within <it>C. ornatum </it>as a first attempt to promote the conservation of the evolutionary processes determining the genetic diversity of this species. They will likely be revealed as a valuable tool for freshwater conservation policies in northwest Mexico, where many environmental problems concerning the use of water have rapidly arisen in recent decades.</p

Clinical guide of the Spanish Society of Nephrology on the prevention and treatment of peritoneal infection in peritoneal dialysis

[Resumen] Las infecciones peritoneales siguen constituyendo una complicación muy relevante de la diálisis peritoneal, por su incidencia todavía elevada y por sus importantes consecuencias clínicas, en términos de mortalidad, fracaso de la técnica y costes para el sistema sanitario. Las prácticas de prevención y tratamiento de esta complicación muestran una notable heterogeneidad derivada, entre otros factores, de la complejidad del problema y de la escasez de evidencia clínica que permitan responder de manera clara a muchas de las dudas planteadas. El propósito de este documento es proporcionar una revisión completa y actualizada de los métodos de diagnóstico, prevención y tratamiento de estas infecciones. El documento se ha elaborado tomando como referencia de partida la guía más reciente de la Sociedad Internacional de Diálisis Peritoneal (2016). Mientras que para el capítulo diagnóstico se ha adoptado una estructura más narrativa, el análisis de las medidas de prevención y tratamiento ha seguido una metodología sistemática (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation [GRADE]), que especifica el nivel de evidencia y la fuerza de las sugerencias y recomendaciones propuestas, y facilita actualizaciones futuras de la guía. La gran extensión y numerosas recomendaciones o sugerencias emanadas de la revisión ponen de manifiesto la complejidad y gran número de facetas a tener en cuenta para un adecuado abordaje de esta importante complicación de la diálisis peritoneal.[Abstract] Peritoneal infections still represent a most feared complication of chronic peritoneal dialysis, due to their high incidence and relevant clinical consequences, including direct mortality, technique failure and a significant burden for the health system. The practices for prevention and treatment of this complication show a remarkable heterogeneity emerging, among other factors, from the complexity of the problem and from a paucity of quality evidence which could permit to respond clearly to many of the raised questions. The purpose of this document is to provide a complete and updated review of the main methods of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of these infections. The document has been elaborated taking as a reference the most recent guidelines of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (2016). The diagnostic considerations are presented in a narrative style while, for prevention and therapy, we have used a systematic methodology (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation [GRADE]), which specifies the level of evidence and the strength of the proposed suggestions and recommendations and facilitates future updates of the document. The length of the document and the many suggestions and recommendations coming out of the review underline the large number and the complexity of the factors to be taken into consideration for an adequate approach to this complication of peritoneal dialysis

Atlas de las praderas marinas de España

Knowledge of the distribution and extent of seagrass habitats is currently the basis of management and conservation policies of the coastal zones in most European countries. This basic information is being requested through European directives for the establishment of monitoring programmes and the implementation of specific actions to preserve the marine environment. In addition, this information is crucial for the quantification of the ecological importance usually attributed to seagrass habitats due to, for instance, their involvement in biogeochemical cycles, marine biodiversity and quality of coastal waters or global carbon budgets. The seagrass atlas of Spain represents a huge collective effort performed by 84 authors across 30 Spanish institutions largely involved in the scientific research, management and conservation of seagrass habitats during the last three decades. They have contributed to the availability of the most precise and realistic seagrass maps for each region of the Spanish coast which have been integrated in a GIS to obtain the distribution and area of each seagrass species. Most of this information has independently originated at a regional level by regional governments, universities and public research organisations, which explain the elevated heterogeneity in criteria, scales, methods and objectives of the available information. On this basis, seagrass habitats in Spain occupy a total surface of 1,541,63 km2, 89% of which is concentrated in the Mediterranean regions; the rest is present in sheltered estuarine areas of the Atlantic peninsular regions and in the open coastal waters of the Canary Islands, which represents 50% of the Atlantic meadows. Of this surface, 71.5% corresponds to Posidonia oceanica, 19.5% to Cymodocea nodosa, 3.1% to Zostera noltii (=Nanozostera noltii), 0.3% to Zostera marina and 1.2% to Halophila decipiens. Species distribution maps are presented (including Ruppia spp.), together with maps of the main impacts and pressures that has affected or threatened their conservation status, as well as the management tools established for their protection and conservation. Despite this considerable effort, and the fact that Spain has mapped wide shelf areas, the information available is still incomplete and with weak precision in many regions, which will require an investment of major effort in the near future to complete the whole picture and respond to demands of EU directives

Análisis de los textos expositivos de estudiantes de español como lengua extranjera y estudiantes nativos

Treball de fi de grau en Llengües AplicadesLa clasificación de las producciones textuales en diferentes géneros discursivos es parte esencial de la comunicación. El lingüista ruso, Mijaíl Bajtín (1952-53), afirmaba que la diversidad y la riqueza de los géneros discursivos son inmensas, ya que van relacionados con la actividad humana. De esta manera, en la obra de J.R. Martin (1992) llamada English Text: System and Structure, se comenta que la lingüística funcional fija la atención en encontrar dentro de nuestro propio lenguaje elementos útiles para entender cómo se pueden usar, qué puede influir o interactuar en el entorno de diferentes contextos comunicativos. En este estudio se pretende analizar unos ejemplos de textos expositivos como son las cartas de presentación, basándose en las producciones mediante un corpus textual de unos sujetos nativos y no nativos de español (nivel B2 según el MCER). La idea principal del trabajo es saber qué estructuras emplean los dos perfiles de sujetos. Para determinar estas clasificaciones, se ha elaborado un etiquetaje propio con las características prototípicas de las cartas de presentación con la ayuda de una herramienta llamada AntConc (Anthony, L., 2016) para analizar los textos. Estas etiquetas se han clasificado según si son obligatorias y no obligatorias. Los resultados del estudio muestran la coincidencia en muchos casos del uso de etiquetas entre sujetos nativos y no nativos. Además, mediante los criterios y objetivos descritos en organismos como el Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (2006) y el Marco Común Europeo de Referencia (2002), se ha podido comprobar el nivel de los estudiantes no nativos con la ayuda de las muestras reales elaboradas.La classificació de les produccions textuals en diferents gèneres discursius és una part essencial de la comunicació. El lingüista rus, Mijaíl Bajtín (1952-53), afirmava que la diversitat i la riquesa dels gèneres discursius són immenses, ja que van relacionats amb l’activitat humana. Així doncs, a l’obra de J.R. Martin (1992) anomenada English Text: System and Structure, es comenta que la lingüística funcional fixa l’atenció en trobar en el nostre propi llenguatge elements útils per entendre com es poden utilitzar, què pot influir o interactuar en l’entorn de diferents contextos comunicatius. En aquest estudi es pretén analitzar uns exemples de textos expositius com són les cartes de presentació, basant-se en les produccions mitjançant un corpus textual d’uns subjectes nadius i no nadius d’espanyol (nivell B2, segons el MCER). La idea principal del treball és saber quines estructures fan servir els dos perfils de subjectes. Per determinar aquestes classificacions s’ha elaborat un etiquetatge propi amb les característiques prototípiques de les cartes de presentación amb l’ajuda d’una eina anomenada AntConc (Anthony, L., 2016) per analizar els textos. Aquestes etiquetes s’han classificat segons si són obligatòries i no obligatòries. Els resultats de l’estudi mostren la coincidència en molts casos de l’ús d’etiquetes entre subjectes nadius i no nadius. A més a més, mitjançant els criteris i objectius descrits en organismes com el Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (2006) y el Marco Común Europeo de Referencia (2002), s’ha pogut comprovar el nivell dels estudiantes no nadius amb l’ajuda de les mostres reals elaborades.The classification of textual productions in different discourse genres is an essential part of communication. The Russian linguist, Mijaíl Bajtín (1952-53), claimed that diversity and wealth of discourse genres are immense because they are related to human activity. Thus, in the work of J.R. Martin (1992) called English Text: System and Structure, it is discussed that functional linguistic fixes their attention to find out in our own language useful elements in order to understand how they can be used, what it can influence or interact in the environment of different communicative contexts. This study aims to analyze some examples of expository texts as cover letters are, on the basis of the compositions through a textual corpus of some native subjects and non-native subjects of Spanish (level B2 according to CEFR). In order to determine these classifications, it has been made an own labelled with prototypical features of covers letters with the help of a tool called AntConc (Anthony, L., 2016) to analyze the texts . These labels have been classified depending on they are compulsory or not compulsory. The results of this study show the coincidence in many cases the use of these labels between native subjects and non-native subjects. Furthermore, according to the guidelines and objectives described in organization as Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (2006) and Common European Framwork References for Languages (2002), it could be verified the level of no-native students with the aid of real samples produced

Data from: A new mountain lizard from Montes de León (NW Iberian Peninsula): Iberolacerta monticola astur ssp. nov. (Squamata: Lacertidae)

Iberolacerta populations from the Northern Montes de León (NML) were studied by means of external morphology (scalation and biometry), osteology and genetics (mtDNA and microsatellites), searching for their homogeneity (“intrazonal analysis”) and, once verified, comparing them with Iberolacerta monticola s. str. (from Central Cantabrian Mountains) and I. galani (from Southern Montes de León) (“extrazonal analysis”) from neighboring areas

Biomechanical Stability of Three Intraocular Lenses With Different Haptic Designs: In Silico and In Vivo Evaluation

Purpose: To assess the biomechanical stability of three different marketed intraocular lenses (IOLs) with different haptic designs (four-loop IOL [Micro F FineVision model] and double C-loop IOL [POD F and POD FT models], all manufactured by PhysIOL), in silico (computer simulation) and in vivo (in the context of lens surgery). Methods: An in silico simulation investigation was performed using finite element modeling (FEM) software to reproduce the compression test defined by the International Organization for Standardization and in vivo implantation in patients in the context of lens surgery was evaluated 1 day and 3 months postoperatively. IOL decentration and rotation were tested. In addition, the stress and strains were analyzed with the finite element method. Results: In the in silico evaluation, the compression force for the POD F IOL was slightly lower than for the POD FT IOL and Micro F IOL for all compression diameters. The axial displacement was maximum for the POD FT IOL and the tilt, rotation, and lateral decentration were substantially lower than the acceptable tolerance limits established in ISO 11979-2. In the in vivo evaluation, a total of 45 eyes from 45 patients were selected, 15 eyes for each IOL model under assessment. Statistically significant differences were found between the Micro F and POD F IOLs for lateral decentration in the x-direction (in absolute value) at 3 months postoperatively (P = .03). Conclusions: Although statistically significant differences have been found when comparing the displacement, tilt, and rotation between the different lenses, these differences cannot be considered clinically relevant, which would suggest that all three IOL models yield excellent stability in those terms. FEM appears to be a powerful tool for numerical studies of the biomechanical properties of IOLs. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(9):617-624.]Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de EspañaFondos FEDERDepto. de Optometría y VisiónFac. de Óptica y OptometríaTRUEpu

Data from: Causes and evolutionary consequences of population subdivision of an Iberian mountain lizard, Iberolacerta monticola

Aim: The study of the factors that influence population connectivity and spatial distribution of genetic variation is crucial for understanding speciation and for predicting the effects of landscape modification and habitat fragmentation, which are considered severe threats to global biodiversity. This dual perspective is obtained from analyses of subalpine mountain species, whose present distribution may have been shaped both by cyclical climate changes over ice ages and anthropogenic perturbations of their habitats. Here, we examine the phylogeography, population structure and genetic diversity of the lacertid lizard Iberolacerta monticola, an endemism considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in several populations. Location: Northwestern quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula. Methods: We analyzed the mtDNA variation at the control region (454 bp) and the cytochrome b (598 bp) loci, as well as at 10 nuclear microsatellite loci from 17 populations throughout the distribution range of the species. Results: According to nuclear markers, most sampling sites are defined as distinct, genetically differentiated populations, and many of them show traces of recent bottlenecks. Mitochondrial data identify a relatively old, geographically restricted lineage, and four to six younger geographically vicariant sister clades, whose origin may be traced back to the mid-Pleistocene revolution, with several subclades possibly associated to the mid-Bruhnes transition. Geographic range fragmentation of one of these clades, which includes lowland sites, is very recent, and most likely due to the accelerated loss of Atlantic forests by human intervention. Main Conclusions: Altogether, the data fit a “refugia within refugia” model, some lack of pattern uniformity notwithstanding, and suggest that these mountains might be the cradles of new species of Iberolacerta. However, the changes operated during the Holocene severely compromise the long-term survival of those genetic lineages more exposed to the anthropogenic perturbations of their habitats

final_cytb_DL

Mitochondrial input data (cytb and Control Region) for Metapig