A phylogeny of the only ground-dwelling radiation of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata, Gekkonidae): diversification of Geckoella across peninsular India and Sri Lanka

The subgenus Geckoella, the only ground-dwelling radiation within Cyrtodactylus, closely overlaps in distribution with brookii group Hemidactylus in peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Both groups have Oligocene origins, the latter with over thrice as many described species. The striking difference in species richness led us to believe that Geckoella diversity is underestimated, and we sampled for Geckoella across peninsular India. A multi-locus phylogeny reveals Geckoella diversity is hugely underestimated, with at least seven undescribed species, doubling previously known richness. Strikingly, the new species correspond to cryptic lineages within described Indian species (complexes); a number of these endemic lineages from the hills of peninsular India outside the Western Ghats, highlighting the undocumented diversity of the Indian dry zone. The Geckoella phylogeny demonstrates deep splits between the Indian species and Sri Lankan G. triedrus, and between Indian dry and wet zone clades, dating back to the late Oligocene. Geckoella and brookii group Hemidactylus show contrasting diversification patterns. Geckoella shows signals of niche conservatism and appears to have retained its ancestral forest habitat. The late Miocene burst in speciation in Geckoella may be linked to the expansion of rain forests during the mid-Miocene climatic optimum and subsequent fragmentation with increasing late Miocene aridification. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Plasmodium berghei glycine cleavage system T-protein is non-essential for parasite survival in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts

T-protein, an aminomethyltransferase, represents one of the four components of glycine cleavage system (GCS) and catalyzes the transfer of methylene group from H-protein intermediate to tetrahydrofolate (THF) forming N-5, N-10-methylene THF (CH2-THF) with the release of ammonia. The malaria parasite genome encodes T-, H- and L-proteins, but not P-protein which is a glycine decarboxylase generating the aminomethylene group. A putative GCS has been considered to be functional in the parasite mitochondrion despite the absence of a detectable P-protein homologue. In the present study, the mitochondrial localization of T-protein in the malaria parasite was confirmed by immunofluorescence and its essentiality in the entire parasite life cycle was studied by targeting the T-protein locus in Plasmodium berghei (Pb). PbT knock out parasites did not show any growth defect in asexual, sexual and liver stages indicating that the T-protein is dispensable for parasite survival in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. The absence of P-protein homologue and the non-essentiality of T protein suggest the possible redundancy of GCS activity in the malaria parasite. Nevertheless, the H- and L-proteins of GCS could be essential for malaria parasite because of their involvement in alpha-lcetoacid dehydrogenase reactions. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental studies on the influence of intermediate principal stress and inclination on the mechanical behaviour of angular sands

A comprehensive experimental study has been made on angular sand to investigate various aspects of mechanical behavior. A hollow cylinder torsion testing apparatus is used in this program to apply a range of stress conditions on this angular quartzitic fine sand under monotonic drained shear. The effect of the magnitude and inclination of the principal stresses on an element of sand is studied through these experiments. This magnitude and inclination of the principal stresses are presented as an ``ensemble measure of fabric in sands''. This ensemble measure of fabric in the sands evolves through the shearing process, and reaches the final state, which indeed has a unique fabric. The sand shows significant variation in strength with changing inclination of the principal stresses. The locus of the final stress state in principal stress space is also mapped from these series of experiments. Additional aspects of non-coaxiality, a benchmarking exercise with a few constitutive models is presented here. This experimental approach albeit indirect shows that a unique state which is dependent on the fabric, density and confining stress exists. This suite of experiments provides a well-controlled data set for a clear understanding on the mechanical behavior of sands.

Genetic analysis of Indian tasar silkmoth (Antheraea mylitta) populations

Indian tasar silkmoth, Antheraea mylitta is an economically important wild silkmoth species distributed across India. A number of morphologically and ethologically well-defined ecotypes are known for this species that differ in their primary food plant specificity. Most of these ecotypes do not interbreed in nature, but are able to produce offspring under captive conditions. Microsatellite markers were developed for A. mylitta, and out of these, ten well-behaved microsatellite loci were used to analyze the population structure of different ecoraces. A total of 154 individual moths belonging to eight different ecoraces, were screened at each locus. Hierarchical analysis of population structure using Analysis of MOlecular VAriance (AMOVA) revealed significant structuring (F-ST = 0.154) and considerable inbreeding (F-IS = 0.505). A significant isolation by distance was also observed. The number of possible population clusters was investigated using distance method, Bayesian algorithm and self organization maps (SOM). The first two methods revealed two distinct clusters, whereas the SOM showed the different ecoraces not to be clearly differentiated. These results suggest that although there is a large degree of phenotypic variation among the different ecoraces of A. mylitta, genetically they are not very different, and the phenotypic differences may largely be a result of their respective ecology.

Influence of recombination on acquisition and reversion of immune escape and compensatory mutations in HIV-1

Following transmission, HIV-1 adapts in the new host by acquiring mutations that allow it to escape from the host immune response at multiple epitopes. It also reverts mutations associated with epitopes targeted in the transmitting host but not in the new host. Moreover, escape mutations are often associated with additional compensatory mutations that partially recover fitness costs. It is unclear whether recombination expedites this process of multi-locus adaptation. To elucidate the role of recombination, we constructed a detailed population dynamics model that integrates viral dynamics, host immune response at multiple epitopes through cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and viral evolution driven by mutation, recombination, and selection. Using this model, we compute the expected waiting time until the emergence of the strain that has gained escape and compensatory mutations against the new host's immune response, and reverted these mutations at epitopes no longer targeted. We find that depending on the underlying fitness landscape, shaped by both costs and benefits of mutations, adaptation proceeds via distinct dominant pathways with different effects of recombination, in particular distinguishing escape and reversion. When adaptation at a single epitope is involved, recombination can substantially accelerate immune escape but minimally affects reversion. When multiple epitopes are involved, recombination can accelerate or inhibit adaptation depending on the fitness landscape. Specifically, recombination tends to delay adaptation when a purely uphill fitness landscape is accessible at each epitope, and accelerate it when a fitness valley is associated with each epitope. Our study points to the importance of recombination in shaping the adaptation of HIV-1 following its transmission to new hosts, a process central to T cell-based vaccine strategies. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license.

Las escenas espejo en el teatro isabelino : el jard��n de Isabel en ���La tragedia espa��ola��� de Thomas Kyd

Resumen: Este trabajo busca demostrar c��mo la escena de ���El Jard��n de Isabel��� (acto IV, escena ii) en la obra La tragedia espa��ola de Thomas Kyd es un ejemplo de una escena espejo. Inicialmente se observa c��mo esta escena est�� laxamente conectada con el resto de la obra y la misma no sufrir��a un cambio significativo de ser la escena eliminada; la caracter��stica de ���prescindible��� de ��sta, es propia de una escena espejo. La escena del Jard��n de Isabel es luego estudiada en profundidad para dejar en evidencia c��mo resume la obra y la simboliza. El personaje de Isabel es examinado en detalle, siguiendo una sensibilidad pict��rica y, a trav��s de una interpretaci��n tem��tica y simb��lica, Isabel es presentada como Piedad, Testigo de Justicia Divina y Venganza. Finalmente el espacio es tambi��n analizado como locus amoenus al ser inicialmente un lugar de encuentro de los enamorados y locus eremus luego de la maldici��n de Isabel. Luego del estudio de estos aspectos de esta escena espejo, se pone en evidencia c��mo la misma ���refleja��� los temas centrales de la obra: la verdad se revela con el tiempo, hay que ser paciente y esperar la justicia divina y, por ��ltimo, la venganza s��lo condena al vengador.

Co-ordination of pathogenicity island expression by the BipA GTPase in enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC).

BipA is a novel member of the ribosome binding GTPase superfamily and is widely distributed in bacteria and plants. We report here that it regulates -multiple cell surface- and virulence-associated -components in the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strain E2348/69. The regulated components include bacterial flagella, the espC pathogenicity island and a type III secretion system specified by the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). BipA positively regulated the espC and LEE gene clusters through transcriptional control of the LEE-encoded regulator, Ler. Additionally, it affected the pattern of proteolysis of intimin, a key LEE-encoded adhesin specified by the LEE. BipA control of the LEE operated independently of the previously characterized regulators Per, integration host factor and H-NS. In contrast, it negatively regulated the flagella-mediated motility of EPEC and in a Ler-independent manner. Our results indicate that the BipA GTPase functions high up in diverse regulatory cascades to co-ordinate the expression of key pathogenicity islands and other virulence-associated factors in E. coli.

A Salmonella Typhimurium-Typhi genomic chimera: a model to study Vi polysaccharide capsule function in vivo.

The Vi capsular polysaccharide is a virulence-associated factor expressed by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi but absent from virtually all other Salmonella serotypes. In order to study this determinant in vivo, we characterised a Vi-positive S. Typhimurium (C5.507 Vi(+)), harbouring the Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-7, which encodes the Vi locus. S. Typhimurium C5.507 Vi(+) colonised and persisted in mice at similar levels compared to the parent strain, S. Typhimurium C5. However, the innate immune response to infection with C5.507 Vi(+) and SGB1, an isogenic derivative not expressing Vi, differed markedly. Infection with C5.507 Vi(+) resulted in a significant reduction in cellular trafficking of innate immune cells, including PMN and NK cells, compared to SGB1 Vi(-) infected animals. C5.507 Vi(+) infection stimulated reduced numbers of TNF-��, MIP-2 and perforin producing cells compared to SGB1 Vi(-). The modulating effect associated with Vi was not observed in MyD88(-/-) and was reduced in TLR4(-/-) mice. The presence of the Vi capsule also correlated with induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in vivo, a factor that impacted on chemotaxis and the activation of immune cells in vitro.

Caracterizaci��n molecular de 105 accesiones de cacao(Theobroma Cacao L.) utilizando 10 marcadores moleculares tipo SSR en INTA-CNIAB, Nicaragua, 2011

Se realiz�� la caracterizaci��n molecular de 105 accesiones de Cacao que contemplan 79 colectas nacionales, 21 h��bridos de referencia y 5 materiales criollo referencia , congregados en 8 grupos de acuerdo a su ubicaci��n geogr��fica al momento de la colecta; utilizando 10 marcadores moleculares tipo SSR con el fin de conocer la divers idad gen��tica de Cacao colectado en finca de productores nicarag��enses . Se utiliz�� el m��todo de extracci��n de ADN C TAB - Buffer, Amplificaci��n de fragmentos de ADN mediante la t��cnica PCR , visualizaci��n de fragmentos de ADN en c��mara electroforesis. Se identificaron 183 alelos en las 105 ac cesiones con una media de 18.3, los rangos de Heterosigocidad observada y esperada resultaron mayores para MTcCIR12 con 0.437 y 0.81 respectivamente ; el CIP y el ��ndice de Shannon proporcionaron los mayores valores para MTcCIR12 con 0.96 y 1.94 respectivamente . La media general del CIP e ��ndice de Shannon para todos los locus es de 0.87 y 1.37 respectivamente; e l an��lisis molecular de varianza revel�� que las diferencias gen��ticas dentro de los grupos (85%) es mayor que las diferencias entre grupos (15%) ; se realiz�� el dendograma basado en las distancia de Nei���s donde revela diferencias m ��nimas entre los grupos , la mayor relaci��n gen��tica son entre los grupos RSJ y Carazo ; en cambio para el grupo Carazo e Hibrido referencia se encontraron las mayores diferencias. E n el PCA se encontr�� materiales colectados que resultaron gen��ticamente pare cidos a los criollo s referencias, es el caso de RSJ 0211, RSJ 0 311, RSJ 0511, Bomat0510, Ji0210 ; los materiales Ji - Cu�� 0104 y RSJ0411 est��n estrechamente relacionado . Se demostr�� que existe una alta diversidad gen��tica y que existen materiales promisorios para posteriores estudios de mejora gen��tica

Espacio y desplazamiento en el viaje de Santa Oria

Resumen: Nos proponemos describir y analizar la peregrinaci��n como modelo del viaje ficcional medieval, seg��n lo adopta Gonzalo de Berceo en su Vida de Santa Oria, a partir de la distinci��n aristot��lica entre locus (est��tico) y spatium (din��mico), y a la luz del contraste arquet��pico formal y funcional de trayecto vs. meta.

Transferrina y su posible relaci��n con producci��n de gonadotrofina corionica equina

La gonadotrofina corionica equina (eGC) es una hormona glicoproteica producida por las c��lulas del trofoblasto fetal que invaden el endometrio uterino. La elevada actividad de esta hormona en la estimulaci��n del desarrollo folicular y su alta persistencia in vivo permite que sea usada como agente estimulante en especies heter��logas. El objetivo del presente estudio consisti�� en evaluar la posible asociaci��n entre un marcador gen��tico y el nivel de eGC. Como marcador gen��tico se seleccion�� a la transferrina, ya que por su funci��n biol��gica est�� relacionada con el estado general del animal y del endometrio en particular. El plantel en estudio estaba compuesto por caballos mestizos, destinados a la producci��n de la hormona. Los mismos fueron seleccionados para realizarse cruzamientos dirigidos teniendo en cuenta el genotipo para el locus de las transferrinas, permitiendo conocer el alelo obligado en la cr��a (dado por herencia paterna). El nivel de hormona producido se calcul�� mediante el m��todo de enzimoinmunoensayo (EIE). Mientras que para la determinaci��n de los alelos de transferrina se emple�� la t��cnica de electroforesis en geles de poliacrilamida seg��n el m��todo PAGE . Una vez obtenida la informaci��n de las variantes que presentaban los individuos para el locus de transferrina, se analiz�� la posible asociaci��n entre los marcadores gen��ticos y la producci��n de eGC, mediante el m��todo de ANOVA multifactorial. A partir de los resultados obtenidos, pudieron elaborarse las siguientes conclusiones: 1) La transferrina evidenci�� diferencias significativas tanto a nivel fenot��pico, como en la presencia/ausencia de los alelos F1 y H. La presencia del alelo F1 se encontr�� asociado con una mayor producci��n de eGC. Por el contrario la presencia del alelo H est�� relacionada con un menor nivel de producci��n de la hormona. 2) En las yeguas homocigotas para transferrina, se encontr�� una disminuci��n de la producci��n de eGC, conforme avanzaba la edad del animal analizado. Este hecho no se observ�� en las yeguas heterocigotas para el mismo locus. 3) Los fenotipos homocigotas para el alelo F2 presentaron una menor producci��n de la hormona que los individuos que portaban ese mismo alelo en combinaci��n con D, H o R. A pesar del desarrollo conceptual y metodol��gico de la mejora gen��tica animal, la selecci��n asistida por marcadores es un ��rea poco transitada en la actualidad. Por lo tanto, aunque preliminar resulta un aporte original, teniendo en cuenta el escaso desarrollo de este tipo de trabajos en equinos y m��s espec��ficamente en el ��mbito de la producci��n.

Revista de Psicolog��a, Vol. 10, N�� 20, 2014

Contenido: Depresi��n y calcificaci��n en la ra��z a��rtica y arterias coronarias / Mariana Su��rez Bagnasco ; Miguel Cerd�� ; Guillermo Ganum -- Tiempo de lectura y formaci��n de representaciones ortogr��ficas en espa��ol / Marina Ferroni ; Beatriz Diuk ; Milagros Mena -- Creencias de control con respecto a la salud del feto : estructura factorial y fiabilidad de una adaptaci��n al castellano de la Escala Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC) / Mariana Beatriz L��pez -- Satisfacci��n laboral y s��ndrome de Burnout en docentes de nivel primario / Mar��a Soledad Menghi ; Laura Beatriz Oros -- Estrategias de afrontamiento en estudiantes de Psicolog��a / Estefan��a Sicre ; Leandro Casari -- Aportes te��ricos de la psicolog��a cognitiva para la construcci��n de una nueva econom��a cient��fica / Mauricio Cervigni ; Jorge Vivas -- Recensi��n bibliogr��fica

Legalidad y derecho natural institucional

Resumen: En su obra The morality of law, Lon Fuller pretende indicar ocho principios de la legalidad (principles of legality) que orientan la actividad de la legislaci��n. La legalidad se presenta como un ejemplo de una concepci��n procedimental o institucional del derecho natural (procedure natural law o institutional natural law). El objeto del ���iusnaturalismo institucional��� de Fuller no es el contenido ��tico universal del derecho (derecho natural sustantivo), sino su modo formal-procedimental de existencia (derecho natural institucional). Este art��culo tiene cuatro partes. Primero, el proyecto del iusnaturalismo institucional; segundo, los ocho principios de la legalidad de Fuller se��alando su presencia tambi��n en las obras de Tom��s de Aquino, Hobbes y Von Hayek; tercero, algunos conceptos de Wittgenstein y de John Searle que iluminan el aspecto metodol��gico del iusnaturalismo institucional y cuarto, se apuntar�� que el proyecto de un iusnaturalismo institucional ya est�� presente en la reflexi��n tomista sobre el ius gentium. En la conclusi��n, se recurrir�� a las contribuciones de Jeremy Waldron para establecer el locus del iusnaturalismo institucional en el interior de la tradici��n iusnaturalista.

A lei de acesso �� informa����o e a sua influ��ncia nos processos de atendimento ��s demandas da sociedade : estudo do caso do Centro de Documenta����o e Informa����o da C��mara dos Deputados

Examina a aplica����o da Lei n�� 12.527, de 18 de novembro de 2011 ��� a Lei de Acesso �� Informa����o (LAI) ��� tendo como locus a C��mara dos Deputados e o seu ��rg��o de gest��o da informa����o, de relacionamento e de atendimento ao p��blico usu��rio, o Centro de Documenta����o e Informa����o (Cedi) e, em particular, a Coordena����o de Relacionamento, Pesquisa e Informa����o (Corpi). Analisa-se, �� luz da Ci��ncia da Informa����o, o impacto causado pela LAI no processo de provimento de informa����o e na disponibilidade da informa����o institucional para a sociedade, no contexto do amplo acesso ��s informa����es p��blicas, desej��vel na C��mara. A pesquisa, de car��ter documental, firma-se em documentos e na legisla����o produzidos na esfera da C��mara dos Deputados. Para o estudo do caso, utilizou-se entrevista com servidores da Corpi, onde se colheram impress��es sobre o impacto da LAI na din��mica do trabalho de atendimento e pesquisa, identificaram-se os principais problemas percebidos e as suas sugest��es de melhoria. Discorre-se, tamb��m, subsidiariamente, sobre a gest��o da informa����o como parte do ciclo informacional e condi����o para o acesso �� informa����o, t��pico central desta pesquisa. Aborda-se a quest��o da cidadania e do controle social, bem o direito �� informa����o e transpar��ncia governamental que subjazem �� proposta de amplo acesso �� informa����o p��blica preconizada pela LAI, em raz��o da mudan��a de paradigma e do regime de informa����o a que a LAI conduz. O estudo dos efeitos da LAI no ��mbito da C��mara teve como marco temporal o per��odo de maio a dezembro de 2012. Estima-se que os indicadores desta pesquisa possam contribuir com estudos futuros relacionados com a governan��a da informa����o na C��mara.

Depuraci��n de aguas residuales urbanas y concentraci��n de metales en fangos digeridos

[ES] La progresiva implantaci��n de plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales urbanas ha ido estableciendo una experiencia en el conocimiento de la eficacia de tratamiento de los diversos par��metros en plazos largos de funcionamiento. El an��lisis y comparaci��n de resultados y tecnolog��as debe pennitir conocer las caracter��sticas de fiabilidad en la operaci��n y el comportamiento frente a los diversos aspectos de la nonnativa legal. Adem��s, el an��lisis en diferentes ��pocas del a��o puede producir distintos resultados o conclusiones. En este trabajo se ha tomado para el an��lisis una planta de tratamiento convencional, estudiando inicialmente los porcentajes medios de eliminaci��n de diferentes par��metros, en relaci��n asimismo con las necesidades que debe satisfacer. En condiciones de alta carga org��nica, la concentraci��n de nitr��geno y alg��n t��xico especial parecen plantear las mayores dificultades. Se ha deseado focalizar la atenci��n en el proceso de concentraci��n de metales que se. produce en las plantas con tratamiento anaerob��o de fangos. Por este motivo se Uev�� a cabo un estudio de la evoluci��n de metales en la depuraci��n y la concentraci��n de fangos digeridos. El fen��meno resulta de inter��s para analizar la calidad de las aguas que se obtienen, aunque debe considerarse tambi��n la concentraci��n de metales en el destino final que se d�� a los fangos tratados.