Connecting distinct realms along multiple dimensions: A meta-ecosystem resilience perspective

Resilience research is central to confront the sustainability challenges to ecosystems and human societies in a rapidly changing world. Given that social-ecological problems span the entire Earth system, there is a critical need for resilience models that account for the connectivity across intricately linked ecosystems (i.e., freshwater, marine, terrestrial, atmosphere). We present a resilience perspective of meta-ecosystems that are connected through the flow of biota, matter and energy within and across aquatic and terrestrial realms, and the atmosphere. We demonstrate ecological resilience sensu Holling using aquatic-terrestrial linkages and riparian ecosystems more generally. A discussion of applications in riparian ecology and meta-ecosystem research (e.g., resilience quantification, panarchy, meta-ecosystem boundary delineations, spatial regime migration, including early warning indications) concludes the paper. Understanding meta-ecosystem resilience may have potential to support decision making for natural resource management (scenario planning, risk and vulnerability assessments)

Is a neutral expression also a neutral stimulus?: a study with functional magnetic resonance

Although neutral faces do not initially convey an explicit emotional message, it has been found that individuals tend to assign them an affective content. Moreover, previous research has shown that affective judgments are mediated by the task they have to perform. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging in 21 healthy participants, we focus this study on the cerebral activity patterns triggered by neutral and emotional faces in two different tasks (social or gender judgments). Results obtained, using conjunction analyses, indicated that viewing both emotional and neutral faces evokes activity in several similar brain areas indicating a common neural substrate. Moreover, neutral faces specifically elicit activation of cerebellum, frontal and temporal areas, while emotional faces involve the cuneus, anterior cingulated gyrus, medial orbitofrontal cortex, posterior superior temporal gyrus, precentral/postcentral gyrus and insula. The task selected was also found to influence brain activity, in that the social task recruited frontal areas while the gender task involved the posterior cingulated, inferior parietal lobule and middle temporal gyrus to a greater extent. Specifically, in the social task viewing neutral faces was associated with longer reaction times and increased activity of left dorsolateral frontal cortex compared with viewing facial expressions of emotions. In contrast, in the same task emotional expressions distinctively activated the left amygdale. The results are discussed taking into consideration the fact that, like other facial expressions, neutral expressions are usually assigned some emotional significance. However, neutral faces evoke a greater activation of circuits probably involved in more elaborate cognitive processing.This research was supported by a grant from Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, Spain (MICINN-PSI-2009-09067)

Climate-induced plasticity in leaf traits of riparian plants

[EN] Aim Leaf litter inputs from riparian vegetation and its decomposition play a key role in energy and nutrient transfer in many stream ecosystems. Instream leaf litter decomposition is driven by both leaf traits and environmental conditions. Therefore, understanding and predicting leaf trait variation under current environmental changes and their putative interactive effects on stream food webs is a critical challenge. Most studies have focussed on the assumed higher interspecific leaf trait variability, with little research addressing an intraspecific perspective. Location Andalusia, Spain. Methods We assessed the relative effects of climate and soil conditions on the plasticity of leaf traits of four common woody riparian species in permanent low-order Mediterranean streams across a wide aridity gradient. We used a space-for-time substitution approach to predict leaf trait changes and consequences for stream food webs in a future climate change scenario. Results Overall, we found that aridity had a major influence on leaf trait plasticity but with opposite patterns depending on plant functional type, although soil was the strongest predictor in some cases. Results indicated that leaf quality-linked to palatability and decomposability-of Alnus glutinosa, Salix atrocinerea and Rubus ulmifolius (deciduous/semi-deciduous) will decrease with forecasted aridification, whereas the palatability of the evergreen Nerium oleander will increase. We observed higher trait plasticity than interspecific variation for leaf P, Ca and Mg concentrations and C:P ratio. Main conclusions Our findings suggest a decrease of intraspecific leaf quality in riparian deciduous species with global warming in a relatively short term. In a longer term, this may merge with the forecasted dieback of deciduous species in riparian corridors of temperate climate zones. These changes have the potential to significantly impair ecosystem functioning of Mediterranean mountain streams currently under deciduous gallery forests.This study was funded by grants to JJC from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, project RIBARID (CGL2012-39635; MICINN; EU FEDER), and from the 2014-2020 FEDER Operative Program Andalusia, project RIOVEGEST (FEDER-UAL18-RNM-B006-B). JRR was supported by a FPU grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (ref. FPU16/03734). We thank Associate Editor Sabine Rumpf and 2 anonymous referees for feedback that significantly improved this manuscript

Elevated temperature may reduce functional but not taxonomic diversity of fungal assemblages on decomposing leaf litter in streams

First published: 15 October 2021Mounting evidence points to a linkage between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (B-EF). Global drivers, such as warming and nutrient enrichment, can alter species richness and composition of aquatic fungal assemblages associated with leaf-litter decomposition, a key ecosystem process in headwater streams. However, effects of biodiversity changes on ecosystem functions might be countered by the presumed high functional redundancy of fungal species. Here, we examined how environmental variables and leaf-litter traits (based on leaf chemistry) affect taxonomic and functional alpha- and beta-diversity of fungal decomposers. We analysed taxonomic diversity (DNA-fingerprinting profiles) and functional diversity (community-level physiological profiles) of fungal communities in four leaf-litter species from four subregions differing in stream-water characteristics and riparian vegetation. We hypothesized that increasing stream-water temperature and nutrients would alter taxonomic diversity more than functional diversity due to the functional redundancy among aquatic fungi. Contrary to our expectations, fungal taxonomic diversity varied little with stream-water characteristics across subregions, and instead taxon replacement occurred. Overall taxonomic beta-diversity was fourfold higher than functional diversity, suggesting a high degree of functional redundancy among aquatic fungi. Elevated temperature appeared to boost assemblage uniqueness by increasing beta-diversity while the increase in nutrient concentrations appeared to homogenize fungal assemblages. Functional richness showed a negative relationship with temperature. Nonetheless, a positive relationship between leaf-litter decomposition and functional richness suggests higher carbon use efficiency of fungal communities in cold waters.Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, Grant/Award Number: EST16/00771 and FPU13/01021; Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Grant/Award Number: CGL2012-39635; 2014-2020 FEDER Operative Program Andalusia, Grant/Award Number: FEDER-UAL18-RNM-B006-B; Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology; COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizacao (POCI), Grant/Award Number: PTDC/ CTA-AMB/31245/201

Clinical and molecular study of the extracellular matrix protein 1 gene in a spanish family with lipoid proteinosis

[Background] Lipoid proteinosis (LP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a hoarse voice, variable scarring, and infiltration of the skin and mucosa. This disease is associated with mutations of the gene encoding extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1). [Case Report]This was a clinical and molecular study of a new case of LP with a severe phenotype. A 35-year-old female born to nonconsanguineous parents developed dermatological and extracutaneous symptoms in her 9th month of life. The neurological abnormalities of the disease began to appear at the age of 19 years. Computed tomography revealed cranial calcifications. [Conclusions]The diagnosis of LP was confirmed by histopathological findings and direct sequencing of ECM1. A new homozygous nonsense mutation was identified in exon 7 of ECM1, c.1076G>A (p.Trp359*). This mutation was not detected in 106 chromosomes of healthy individuals with a similar demographic origin. Microsatellite markers around ECM1 were used to construct the haplotype in both the parents and the patient. Reports on genotype-phenotype correlations in LP point to a milder phenotype in carriers of missense mutations in the Ecm1a isoform, whereas mutations in the Ecm1b isoform are thought to be associated with more severe phenotypes. The present findings in a Spanish patient carrying a truncating mutation in exon 7 revealed complete dermatological and neurological manifestations. © 2014 Korean Neurological Association.The authors thank the patient and her family for their participation, and the financial support of grants from MICINN (no. SAF2007-60508) and Consejería de Ciencia Junta de Andalucía (no. CVI02790).Peer Reviewe

Oral Calcidiol Is More Effective Than Cholecalciferol Supplementation to Reach Adequate 25(OH)D Levels in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases Chronically Treated with Low Doses of Glucocorticoids: A "Real-Life" Study

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the cornerstone of the therapy in many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, it is well known that their use is a double edged sword, as their beneficial effects are associated almost universally with unwanted effects, as, for example glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). Over the last years, several clinical practice guidelines emphasize the need of preventing bone mass loss and reduce the incidence of fractures associated with GC use. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation, as adjunctive therapy, are included in all the practice guidelines. However, no standard vitamin D dose has been established. Several studies with postmenopausal women show that maintaining the levels above 30-33 ng/mL help improve the response to bisphosphonates. It is unknown if the response is the same in GIO, but in the clinical practice the levels are maintained at around the same values. In this study we demonstrate that patients with autoimmune diseases, undergoing glucocorticoid therapy, often present suboptimal 25(OH)D levels. Patients with higher body mass index and those receiving higher doses of glucocorticoids are at increased risk of having lower levels of 25(OH)D. In these patients, calcidiol supplementations are more effective than cholecalciferol to reach adequate 25(OH)D levels

Prevalencia de barreras para la prÁctica de actividad fÍsica en estudiantes universitarios

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of barriers and their association with Colombia college students engaging in PA. Methods: A total of 5,663 students (3,348 male) from three cities in Colombia. In fall 2013, students voluntarily completed a demographic questionnaire, Barriers to Being Active Quiz. Logistic regression analysis of each barrier (adjusted for confusion variables: gender, age and BMI) was used for verifying such association. Results: The most prevalent barriers in overweight individuals were “fear of injury” (87.0%), “lack of skill” (79.8%) and “lack of resources” (64.3%). The group of females revealed a protective association regarding “lack of time” (OR=0.53: 0.47-0.60 95%CI), “social influence” (OR=0.67: 0.60-0.75 95%CI), “lack of energy” (OR=0.54: 0.49-0.61 95%CI), “lack of willpower” (OR=0.57: 0.51- 0.64 95%CI), “lack of skill” (OR=0.76: 0.66-0.87 95%CI) and “lack of resources” (OR=0.79: 0.71-0.89 95%CI). Such observation also appeared in the 20- to 23-yearold age group concerning “social influence” (OR=0.83: 0.74-0.94 95%CI) and in those aged over 23-years-old (OR=0.86: 0.74-0.99 95%CI) regarding “lack of energy”. Conclusion: A significant prevalence was found regarding self-perception of barriers leading to students ceasing to engage in PA. © 2015, Grupo Aula Medica S.A. All rights reserved

Hacia una reforma municipal genuina

El gobierno local es cada vez más importante en un entorno cultural de globalización. Ahí está la responsabilidad de gestar las bases de un desarrollo sustentable, de promover la igualdad de oportunidades y de educar al ciudadano en las responsabilidades políticas y cívicas congruentes con los nuevos retos. Este trabajo reúne la discusión y reflexiones de investigadores, funcionarios municipales y estatales, analistas y otros interesados en los gobiernos locales que intentan identificar los cambios administrativos, políticos, sociales y jurídicos para una reforma de los gobiernos locales capaz de resolver los problemas actuales de los municipios y conducir al desarrollo sustentable.ITESO, A.C

Realidad virtual para enseñar reanimación cardiopulmonar en el Grado de Educación Primaria. Estudio comparativo

The importance of the present study comes from the methodological possibilities derived for a complex and fundamental area within health sciences, such as basic life support in general, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in particular. The objective of the present study is to analyze the effect of an serious game (SG), through the use of Virtual Reality (VR) goggles, on university students. This is a comparative study with a pre-post evaluation, with students enrolled in the Primary Education Degree, which analyzes the effect of an education game (with VR goggles) on CPR training. Among the results, we highlight that the mean quality of the chest compressions obtained previous results of 30% (SD 28), while the latter result was 47% (SD 27) [differences in means of 17% (95% CI 7-26), p<0.001]. Likewise, the training through VR decreased the performance times of each of the skills evaluated from the chain of survival, except for the start of the chest compressions. In conclusion, we underline that the SG analyzed, through VR goggles, improved the performance of the CPR maneuvers. In addition, the educational use of VR made it possible for university students enrolled in the Primary Education Degree to obtain not only better theoretical-conceptual results, but also allowed them to acquire competencies and skills related to CPR.La relevancia de la presente investigación reside en las posibilidades metodológicas que se derivan para un ámbito tan complejo y fundamental dentro de las ciencias de la salud, como es el soporte vital básico, en general, y la reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) en particular. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar el efecto que un juego formativo (JF), a través de gafas de Realidad Virtual (RV), tiene en alumnos universitarios. Se trata de un estudio comparativo con evaluación pre-post, con alumnos del Grado en Educación Primaria, donde se analiza el efecto de un JF (a través de gafas de RV) en la formación en RCP. Entre los resultados destacamos que, la calidad media de las compresiones torácicas obtuvo unos resultados previos del 30 % (DE 28) y la posterior fue del 47% (DE 27) [diferencia de medias 17% (IC95% 7-26), p<0,001]. Así mismo, la formación mediante RV ha conseguido disminuir los tiempos de actuación para cada una de las habilidades evaluadas de la cadena de supervivencia, a excepción del inicio de las compresiones torácicas. Como conclusión destacamos que, el JF analizado, al que accedieron a través de gafas de RV, consiguió mejorar la realización de las maniobras de RCP. Además, el uso educativo de RV, ha conseguido que los estudiantes universitarios del Grado de Educación Primaria obtengan, no solo unos mejores resultados teórico-conceptuales, sino también, una adquisición de competencias y habilidades relacionadas con la RCP

Genotype, environment and their interaction on olive

Resumen del trabajo presentado en la 6th International Conference on the Olive Tree and Olive Products, celebrada en Sevilla (España) del 15 al 19 de octubre de 2018.The wide olive genetic patrimony has revealed high variability for most of the agronomic and oil quality traits of interest in olive growing. Few studies, however, have addressed the interaction of this variability with the environment, a subject of particular interest considering the natural high instability of the Mediterranean climate and the challenge of the predicted climate change. The current work presents results on the interaction between genotype and environment from multi-environment trials of olive cultivars and breeding selections, planted in different edaphoclimatic conditions of Andalusia, Southern Peninsular Spain and Canary Islands. For most of the agronomic and oil quality characters evaluated (flowering phenology, flower quality, pattern of oil accumulation, fatty acid composition and phenol content and composition), significant genotype and environment effects have been observed. For example, olive cultivars grown in Tenerife under much milder winter temperatures than in the Iberian Peninsula showed substantially earlierflowering and oil accumulation. Only in the case of flowering phenology was no significant genotype effect found. Furthermore, a strong genotype x environment effect was highly consistent in all characters considered. Regarding resistance to disease, such as Verticillium wilt, the variability of results from both natural and artificial inoculations also tends to indicate a considerable environmental effect and the need for careful testing of disease evolution. All this information strongly suggests the necessity of comparative trials of olive cultivars for both adequate choice of cultivar and final selection in breeding programs