The role of ecological constraints on expertise development

The role of ecological constraints on the acquisition of sport expertise is gaining attention in sport science, although more research is needed. In this position paper we provide an ecological explanation for expertise acquisition, as alluding to qualitative data that support the idea that unconventional, even aversive, environmental constraints may play an important role in the development of world-class athletes. We exemplify this argument by profiling the role of unconventional practice environments using association football in Brazilian society as a task vehicle. Contrary to the traditional idea that only deliberate training and development programmes can lead to the evolution of expertise, we propose how expert performance might be gained through highly unstructured activities in Brazilian football, that represent a powerful and little understood implicit environmental constraint that can lead to expertise development in sport.

Immunochip analysis identifies multiple susceptibility loci for systemic sclerosis

In this study, 1,833 systemic sclerosis (SSc) cases and 3,466 controls were genotyped with the Immunochip array. Classical alleles, amino acid residues, and SNPs across the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region were imputed and tested. These analyses resulted in a model composed of six polymorphic amino acid positions and seven SNPs that explained the observed significant associations in the region. In addition, a replication step comprising 4,017 SSc cases and 5,935 controls was carried out for several selected non-HLA variants, reaching a total of 5,850 cases and 9,401 controls of European ancestry. Following this strategy, we identified and validated three SSc risk loci, including DNASE1L3 at 3p14, the SCHIP1-IL12A locus at 3q25, and ATG5 at 6q21, as well as a suggested association of the TREH-DDX6 locus at 11q23. The associations of several previously reported SSc risk loci were validated and further refined, and the observed peak of association in PXK was related to DNASE1L3. Our study has increased the number of known genetic associations with SSc, provided further insight into the pleiotropic effects of shared autoimmune risk factors, and highlighted the power of dense mapping for detecting previously overlooked susceptibility loci.

Whole blood transcriptional profiling in ankylosing spondylitis identifies novel candidate genes that might contribute to the inflammatory and tissue-destructive disease aspects

Introduction: A number of genetic-association studies have identified genes contributing to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) susceptibility but such approaches provide little information as to the gene activity changes occurring during the disease process. Transcriptional profiling generates a 'snapshot' of the sampled cells' activity and thus can provide insights into the molecular processes driving the disease process. We undertook a whole-genome microarray approach to identify candidate genes associated with AS and validated these gene-expression changes in a larger sample cohort. Methods: A total of 18 active AS patients, classified according to the New York criteria, and 18 gender- and age-matched controls were profiled using Illumina HT-12 whole-genome expression BeadChips which carry cDNAs for 48,000 genes and transcripts. Class comparison analysis identified a number of differentially expressed candidate genes. These candidate genes were then validated in a larger cohort using qPCR-based TaqMan low density arrays (TLDAs). Results: A total of 239 probes corresponding to 221 genes were identified as being significantly different between patients and controls with a P-value <0.0005 (80% confidence level of false discovery rate). Forty-seven genes were then selected for validation studies, using the TLDAs. Thirteen of these genes were validated in the second patient cohort with 12 downregulated 1.3- to 2-fold and only 1 upregulated (1.6-fold). Among a number of identified genes with well-documented inflammatory roles we also validated genes that might be of great interest to the understanding of AS progression such as SPOCK2 (osteonectin) and EP300, which modulate cartilage and bone metabolism. Conclusions: We have validated a gene expression signature for AS from whole blood and identified strong candidate genes that may play roles in both the inflammatory and joint destruction aspects of the disease.

Association of IL23R and ERAP1 genes with ankylosing spondylitis in a Portuguese population

Objective: Association between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and two genes, ERAP1 and IL23R, has recently been reported in North American and British populations. The population attributable risk fraction for ERAP1 in this study was 25%, and for IL23R, 9%. Confirmation of these findings to ERAP1 in other ethnic groups has not yet been demonstrated. We sought to test the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes and susceptibility to AS among a Portuguese population. We also investigated the role of these genes in clinical manifestations of AS, including age of symptom onset, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity, Metrology and Functional Indices, and the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score. Methods: The study was conducted on 358 AS cases and 285 ethnically matched Portuguese healthy controls. AS was defined according to the modified New York Criteria. Genotyping of IL23R and ERAP1 allelic variants was carried out with TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. Association analysis was performed using the Cochrane-Armitage and linear regression tests of genotypes as implemented in PLINK for dichotomous and quantitative variables respectively. A meta-analysis for Portuguese and previously published Spanish IL23R data was performed using the StatsDirect® Statistical tools, by fixed and random effects models. Results: A total of 14 nsSNPs markers (8 for IL23R, 5 for ERAPl, 1 for LN-PEP) were analysed. Three markers (2 for IL23R and 1 for ERAP1) showed significant single-locus disease associations, confirming that the association of these genes with AS in the Portuguese population. The strongest associated SNP in IL23R was rs1004819 (OR=1.4, p=0.0049), and in ERAP1 was rs30187 (OR=1.26, p=0.035). The population attributable risk fractions in the Portuguese population for these SNPs are 11% and 9.7% respectively. No association was seen with any SNP in LN-PEP, which flanks ERAP1 and was associated with AS in the British population. No association was seen with clinical manifestations of AS. Conclusions: These results show that IL23R and ERAP1 genes are also associated with susceptibility to AS in the Portuguese population, and that they contribute a significant proportion of the population risk for this disease.

Spectrum of ankylosing spondylitis in Portugal. Development of BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI and mSASSS reference centile charts

The availability of population-specific normative data regarding disease severity measures is essential for patient assessment. The goals of the current study were to characterize the pattern of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Portuguese patients and to develop reference centile charts for BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI and mSASSS, the most widely used assessment tools in AS. AS cases were recruited from hospital outpatient clinics, with AS defined according to the modified New York criteria. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. All radiographs were evaluated by two independent experienced readers. Centile charts for BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI and mSASSS were constructed for both genders, using generalized linear models and regression models with duration of disease as independent variable. A total of 369 patients (62.3% male, mean ± (SD) age 45.4 ± 13.2 years, mean ± (SD) disease duration 11.4 ± 10.5 years, 70.7% B27-positive) were included. Family history of AS in a first-degree relative was reported in 17.6% of the cases. Regarding clinical disease pattern, at the time of assessment 42.3% had axial disease, 2.4% peripheral disease, 40.9% mixed disease and 7.1% isolated enthesopatic disease. Anterior uveitis (33.6%) was the most common extra-articular manifestation. The centile charts suggest that females reported greater disease activity and more functional impairment than males but had lower BASMI and mSASSS scores. Data collected through this study provided a demographic and clinical profile of patients with AS in Portugal. The development of centile charts constitutes a useful tool to assess the change of disease pattern over time and in response to therapeutic interventions.

ANKH and susceptibility to and severity of ankylosing spondylitis

Objective. Unconfirmed reports describe association of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with several candidate genes including ANKH. Cellular export of inorganic pyrophosphate is regulated by the ANK protein, and mutant mice (ank/ank), which have a premature stop codon in the 3′ end of the ank gene, develop severe ankylosis. We tested the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in these genes and susceptibility to AS in a population of patients with AS. We investigated the role of these genes in terms of functional (BASFI) and metrological (BASMI) measures, and the association with radiological severity (mSASSS). Methods. Our study was conducted on 355 patients with AS and 95 ethnically matched healthy controls. AS was defined according to the modified New York criteria. Four SNP in ANKH (rs27356, rs26307, rs25957, and rs28006) were genotyped. Association analysis was performed using Cochrane-Armitage and linear regression tests for dichotomous and quantitative variables. Analyses of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), BASFI, and mSASSS were controlled for sex and disease duration. Results. None of the 4 markers showed significant single-locus disease associations (p > 0.05), suggesting that ANKH was not a major determinant of AS susceptibility in our population. No association was observed between these SNP and age at symptom onset, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, or mSASSS. Conclusion. These results confirm data in white Europeans that ANKH is probably not a major determinant of susceptibility to AS. ANKH polymorphisms do not markedly influence AS disease severity, as measured by BASMI and mSASSS. The Journal of Rheumatology

Unusual RNA plant virus integration in the soybean genome leads to the production of small RNAs

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is known to be a major force in genome evolution. The acquisition of genes from viruses by eukaryotic genomes is a well-studied example of HGT, including rare cases of non-retroviral RNA virus integration. The present study describes the integration of cucumber mosaic virus RNA-1 into soybean genome. After an initial metatranscriptomic analysis of small RNAs derived from soybean, the de novo assembly resulted a 3029-nt contig homologous to RNA-1. The integration of this sequence in the soybean genome was confirmed by DNA deep sequencing. The locus where the integration occurred harbors the full RNA-1 sequence followed by the partial sequence of an endogenous mRNA and another sequence of RNA-1 as an inverted repeat and allowing the formation of a hairpin structure. This region recombined into a retrotransposon located inside an exon of a soybean gene. The nucleotide similarity of the integrated sequence compared to other Cucumber mosaic virus sequences indicates that the integration event occurred recently. We described a rare event of non-retroviral RNA virus integration in soybean that leads to the production of a double-stranded RNA in a similar fashion to virus resistance RNAi plants.

Expected Performance of the ATLAS Experiment - Detector, Trigger and Physics

A detailed study is presented of the expected performance of the ATLAS detector. The reconstruction of tracks, leptons, photons, missing energy and jets is investigated, together with the performance of b-tagging and the trigger. The physics potential for a variety of interesting physics processes, within the Standard Model and beyond, is examined. The study comprises a series of notes based on simulations of the detector and physics processes, with particular emphasis given to the data expected from the first years of operation of the LHC at CERN.

Disponibilidad y composición botánica de dos cultivares (La Libertad y Mulato) de pasto Brachiaria brizantha, Hacienda Las Mercedes, UNA, Managua, Nicaragua

Con el objeto de determinar la producción de biomasa forrajera, la composición botánica, su calidad nutritiva (proteína) y analizar el uso y la proyección de uso de dos cultivares del pasto de Brachiaria hrízantha, durante el periodo lluvioso del año 2005. Se llevo a acabo el presente estudio en la finca las Mercedes propiedad de la Universidad Nacional Agraria, la cual se ubica en el Km 1O de la carretera norte. Una de las actividades productivas de la finca es la explotación lechera con un área aproximada de 30 manzanas de pasto. Se utilizó las aras de pasto Brachiaria con dos cultivares (la Libertad y Multo),donde se realizaron cortes cada 15 días, se determinó la producción de biomasa total fresca y seca, así como la producción de la fracción de la planta hoja y tallo, así mismo se determinó la relación entre estos para cada uno de los cultivares evaluados, así como entre ellos, además se realizó análisis de calidad (nitrógeno - proteína), en el laboratorio de suelo de la UNA Para la determinación de la biomas se utilizó parte del programa Rotanal, en la toma de datos de campo se empleó el método de doble muestreo, al igual que para la determinación de la composición botánica. Finalmente se realizó un análisis sobre el uso de las pastura de Brachiaria en estudio y la proyección de futuro de su uso, Se encontró que la producción de biomasa fresca y seca del Cv mulato supero a la Libertad, la producción de hojas también fue mayor en el Cv mulato y la relación hoja tallo, los contenidos de nitrógeno también resultaron ser superiores en el Cv mulato. La composición botánica fue dominada en rangos mayores de 95% por la especies de pasto en estudio, el restante por algunas especies de leguminosas como Mimosa púdica (dormilona) y de malezas como Sida Spp (escoba lisa). El análisis de uso permitió determinar que las pasto Brachiaria brizantha Cvs la Libertad y mulato han sido subutilizado, manteniéndose cargas que pueden ser duplicadas con el rendimiento que este pasto presenta en ambos cultivares, además de que la producción de estos cultivares podrían mejorar si se les proporciona un mejor manejo de fertilización.

Análisis económico de la producción de frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) bajo tres sistemas de labranza (cero, mínima y convencional) y la rotación Maíz-Frijol

Este estudio fue realizado en la estación experimental "La Compañía", ubicada en el municipio de San Marcos, departamento de Carazo (IV región de Nicaragua). Los objetivos que se evaluaron fueron: (1) determinar cuál de los tres sistemas de labranza (Cero, mínima y convencional) es económicamente más rentable dentro de cada uno de los cultivos (frijol y maíz) y épocas (primera y postrera). (2) determinar cuál de los sistemas de labranza es más rentable dado el efecto de la rotación (maíz-frijol y frijol-frijol) • El experimento fue establecido en la época de primera (mayo-junio) y la de postrera (septiembre-diciembre). El experimento se organizó en un diseño de Bloque Completo al Azar (BCA) en arreglo de parcelas divididas con tres tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Se tomaron datos sobre los costos agrícolas de cada uno de los tratamientos y sus respectivos rendimientos. Se analizaron mediante el análisis de presupuestos parciales incluyendo el análisis de retorno mínimo y sensibilidad de los precios del producto final. El análisis económico mostró que en la época de primera en el cultivo de maíz y en la época de postrera bajo cualquier de los dos cultivos la labranza mínima resultó ser el mejor sistema. Mientras tanto, en la época de primera en el cultivo de frijol el tratamiento recomendado fue la labranza cero.

Efecto de cuatro biofertilizantes (EM-BOKASHI) sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo del frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Durante la época de apante de 1996, en la Cooperativa Carlos Fonseca, comarca Las Escaleras Municipio de San Ramón, Dpto. de Matagalpa, se llevó a cabo la siguiente investigación con el propósito de evaluar el efecto de cuatro biofertilizantes (EM• Bokashi), sobre el crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento del frijol común (Phoseolus vulgaris L.) variedad Honduras-46. El diseño utilizado fue un B.C.A. (Bloque Completo al Azar), con cuatro repeticiones y seis tratamientos. Los biofertilizantes (EM-Bokashi) fueron preparados mezclando diferentes residuos orgánicos tanto de origen animal como vegetal, inoculados con microorganismos efectivos (EM); utilizando una dosis de 200 g/m2 equivalente a 2000 kg/ha; mientras que en la fertilización inorgánica se utiliza NPK (12•30-10) con dosis de 5.5 g/m lineal equivalente a 136.4 kg/ha. Los resultados demuestran que los biofertilizantes 4 y 2 presentaron los valores promedios más altos en la mayoría de las variables evaluadas como diámetro de cobertura, porcentaje de emergencia, número de nódulos activos por planta, plantas cosechadas y los componentes del rendimiento. El biofertilizante 4, presentó el rendimiento más alto con 1369.1 kg/ha seguido del biofertilizante 2 con 1220 kg/ha. Así mismo al realizar el análisis económico se demostró que económicamente el biofertilizante 4 fue el mejor, presentando una tasa de retomo marginal de 2574%, superior a la tasa de retorno mínima de comparación, la cual es de 130%. Demostrando de ésta manera que si se puede producir reduciendo el uso de agroquímicos y obtener buenos rendimientos, producto de mayor calidad, sin poner en riesgo la salud humana y contaminar el medio ambiente. Además con el uso de biofertilizantes no se pretende sustituir prácticas de la agricultura sostenible, sino complementarlas con otras prácticas como: Rotación de cultivos, manejo integrado de plagas, obras de conservación de suelos y diversificación de cultivos entre otras; con el objetivo de optimizar el uso del suelo, estabilizar las áreas de producción, incrementar los rendimientos por unidad de área, reducir los costos y obtener mayores beneficios

Evaluación del comportamiento agronómico y la eficiencia de nitrógeno para doce lineas de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) en el municipio de San Ramón, Matagalpa

El presente experimento se estableció en la época de postrera comprendida de Septiembre a Diciembre del 2003 con el objetivo de evaluar el comportamiento agronómico y productivo de doce líneas de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor L Moench) y un testigo local pinolero1, bajo las condiciones edafoclimáticas del municipio de San Ramón, departamento de Matagalpa a una elevación de 650 msnm, con las coordenadas de 12º 55'24" de latitud norte y 85º 50'33" de longitud oeste, los suelos son de textura franco-arcillosa con un ph 6.63 y las temperaturas oscilaron entre 22-25.5 grados celcius El experimento se estableció utilizando un arreglo de parcelas divididas en diseño de bloques completos al azar (BCA) con cuatro repeticiones. El factor fertilización consta de la aplicación de fondo de 72.75 g de completo de formula 12-30-10 ha-1, y dos niveles de fertilización nitrogenada 37.43 y 0 kg N ha-1 con Urea 46%, fraccionada en dos aplicaciones. Las variables a evaluarse fueron altura (cm), diámetro (cm), longitud de panoja (cm), longitud deráquis (cm), nitrógeno en biomasa (%), acumulación de nitrógeno en biomasa (kg ha-1), nitrógeno en grano (%),acumulación de nitrógeno en grano(kg ha-1), relación de eficiencia (%), eficiencia fisiológica (%) y eficiencia de recuperación (%). Los datos obtenidos de las variables evaluadas fueron sometido al análisis de varianza ANDEVA y separación de medias por Tukey al 95% de confiabilidad (a = 0.05) los resultados reflejan que las variables evaluadas presentan diferencias significativas para ambos factores, (A) línea y (B) fertilizante y la únicas interacciones que se presentaron fueron diámetro del tallo a los 60 días después de la siembra, materia seca y rendimiento de grano. Recomendamos las líneas con los mayores rendimiento de grano que se presentaron con el nivel 37.43 kg N ha-1 sobre saliendo la línea JOCORO 3,451 kg ha-1 y con 0 kg N ha-1 fue ICSR_939 con 1,707 kg ha-1, para la variable de biomasa seca las líneas que sobresalieron fueron ICSVLM_93077,93065 y RCV con 7,230, 7,100 y 6,920 kg ha-1 con el nivel 37.43 kg N ha-1 y para el nivel 0 kg N ha-1 fue la línea ICSVLM_93077 con 5,370 kg ha-1. Las líneas que expresaron un mejor Uso Eficiente de Nitrógeno fueron ICSVLM_93074 con 99.1% de relación de eficiencia, ICSVLM_93074 con 85.6% de eficiencia fisiológica y la línea SOBERANO con 111.9% de eficiencia de recuperación.