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Reseña de: González García, Francisco y Ortega del Cerro, Pablo (eds.), Los hogares de los mares. La familia en la España marítima, siglos XVI-XIX, Gijón, Ediciones Trea y Ediciones de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 2024, 354 págs. ISBN: 978-84-19823-71-7.

Recently, based on light microscopy images, the tubercle structure on the seed surface of 100 Silene species was quantitatively described, including tubercle width, height, and curvature associated with general morphometric data. Curvature measures the rate of change of the tangent vector in a curve and can be calculated by the following methods described for Arabidopsis roots. Here, we apply curvature measurements to the SEM images of 40 Silene species from Türkiye, demonstrating that a quantitative analysis of tubercles can be made based on SEM images with similar results to optical photographs. The association of morphometric tubercle data allows for classification into six groups, five of them corresponding to described shapes: rugose (two groups), echinate, mammillate, and papillose, and a sixth group of tubercles plane on top. The curvature values vary between 20 and 200 mm−1 and differ among the morphological tubercle types described. The correlation of curvature values with other general measurements and morphological seed characteristics is investigated. Tubercle quantification not only is a useful tool for Silene taxonomy, but also provides the basis for the analysis of the genetic control and developmental effects on tubercle structure and shape in the seed surface.

The Vitis IMIDRA collection contains 3699 entries, representing a significant percentage of the variation in traditional and commercial Vitis cultivars used in Spain. The classification and identification of new entries are currently conducted based on ampelography and molecular methods. Here, we propose a new method of classification of the cultivars based on seed morphology and its application to a total of 224 varieties from the collection. Based on seed shape, fourteen groups have been defined according to the similarity of the seeds, with geometric figures used as models. The new models are Cariñena Blanca, Chardonnay, Parraleta, and Parduca, defining new groups to be added to the ten groups previously described. The study results in 14 groups comprising the Spanish cultivar’s seed shape and morphological variation. Seed morphology can help to identify varieties cultivated in the past through archaeological finds.

Introducción: el Análisis de la Situación de Salud es un instrumento científico metodológico que tiene como propósito identificar características sociopsicológicas, económicas, históricas, geográficas, culturales y ambientales que inciden en el proceso salud-enfermedad de un área de salud. Objetivo: describir el análisis de la situación de salud del consultorio médico # 12 perteneciente al Policlínico “Docente de Playa” en el periodo de enero a abril de 2023. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en el Consultorio Médico de la Familia # 12 del Policlínico “Docente de Playa”, en el período de enero- abril de 2023. El universo quedó constituido por 1257 habitantes, se trabajó con una muestra de 320. La información se recolectó utilizando como fuentes la observación, entrevistas, consultas a las fichas familiares y visitas al consultorio. Los resultados se expresaron en tablas y gráficos para su mejor comprensión. Resultados: predominó el sexo femenino (57,5 %) así como el grupo etario de 65 años y más (21,25 %). El grupo dispensarial III fue superior con un 41,87 %. Prevalecieron las enfermedades crónicas hipertensión arterial (20,93 %) y asma bronquial (14,06 %), así como los factores de riesgo tabaquismo y sedentarismo con 36,95 % y 11,83 % respectivamente. Conclusiones: la realización adecuada del análisis de la situación de salud facilita la identificación y la toma de conducta sobre los principales problemas de salud de la población. Esto repercute de forma efectiva en la sociedad, contribuyendo al fortalecimiento de los programas e indicadores de salud.

The Cucurbitaceae is a monophyletic family with close to 1000 species of climbers, including important agronomic species and varieties characterized by tendrils and pepo fruits. The seed’s morphology is varied, and the development and structure of the seed coat have been described in detail on some species. Overall description of the seed shape is based on terms comparing it with geometric figures, but quantitative methods are lacking in the literature. Here we apply a general morphological analysis to seeds of representative genera of the Cucurbitaceae, followed by curvature analysis in the poles and symmetry analysis. These methods are useful for the quantitative description of seed shape and the comparison between species and varieties. Differences between species were found for most morphological measurements, as well as for symmetry and curvature values. The comparison between three species of Cucumis (Cucumis sativus, C. myriocarpus and C. melo) and two varieties of C. melo reveals differences between species and varieties both in curvature and symmetry. The results obtained from both methods, curvature and symmetry analysis, form similar groupings in a cluster analysis. The methods described here were applied for the identification of agronomic varieties and the quantitative description of seed shape in taxonomy.

IntroductionPlants undergo various natural changes that dramatically modify their genomes. One is polyploidization and the second is hybridization. Both are regarded as key factors in plant evolution and result in phenotypic differences in different plant organs. In Silene, we can find both examples in nature, and this genus has a seed shape diversity that has long been recognized as a valuable source of information for infrageneric classification.MethodsMorphometric analysis is a statistical study of shape and size and their covariations with other variables. Traditionally, seed shape description was limited to an approximate comparison with geometric figures (rounded, globular, reniform, or heart-shaped). Seed shape quantification has been based on direct measurements, such as area, perimeter, length, and width, narrowing statistical analysis. We used seed images and processed them to obtain silhouettes. We performed geometric morphometric analyses, such as similarity to geometric models and elliptic Fourier analysis, to study the hybrid offspring of S. latifolia and S. dioica.ResultsWe generated synthetic tetraploids of Silene latifolia and performed controlled crosses between diploid S. latifolia and Silene dioica to analyze seed morphology. After imaging capture and post-processing, statistical analysis revealed differences in seed size, but not in shape, between S. latifolia diploids and tetraploids, as well as some differences in shape among the parentals and hybrids. A detailed inspection using fluorescence microscopy allowed for the identification of shape differences in the cells of the seed coat. In the case of hybrids, differences were found in circularity and solidity. Overal seed shape is maternally regulated for both species, whereas cell shape cannot be associated with any of the sexes.DiscussionOur results provide additional tools useful for the combination of morphology with genetics, ecology or taxonomy. Seed shape is a robust indicator that can be used as a complementary tool for the genetic and phylogenetic analyses of Silene hybrid populations.

Introducción: El ECOE es una herramienta de evaluación de competencias clínicas prácticas en Fisioterapia, hasta ahora no empleada para examinar las habilidades de los especialistas en Terapia Manual Ortopédica. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la competencia a través de las calificaciones, la satisfacción y el desempeño percibido de los estudiantes del Máster de Terapia Manual Ortopédica en el Tratamiento del Dolor de la Universidad Europea de Canarias. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en una muestra de estudiantes de posgrado (n=21, M=10, V=11, 24,61 años) entre el 1 de febrero y el 31 de julio de 2023 en el Hospital Simulado de la Universidad Europea de Canarias (Tenerife, España). Resultados: Las calificaciones obtenidas por los participantes fueron mayoritariamente altas (media = 8,54 /10, DT= 0.612), aunque en Anatomía e interpretación de pruebas complementarias registraron los resultados más bajos. El 95,1% (n=20) expresó una alta satisfacción con el ECOE. Respecto a la interpretación de pruebas complementarias, un 19,1% (n=4) consideró su desempeño como deficiente y un 4,8% (n=1) muy deficiente. Conclusión: En síntesis, a pesar de las calificaciones más bajas en ciertas áreas, los resultados de la evaluación de competencias clínicas prácticas a través del ECOE son positivos. Además, se observa un elevado grado de satisfacción y percepción positiva del desempeño por parte del especialista.

Seed morphological description is traditionally based on adjectives, which originated from the comparison with other shapes, including geometric figures. Nevertheless, descriptions based on this feature are not quantitative and measurements giving the percentage of similarity of seeds with reference figures are not available in the literature. Lateral views of Silene seeds resemble the cardioid and cardioid-derived figures. Dorsal views, nonetheless, resemble ellipses and derivatives, allowing seed shape quantification by comparison with defined geometric figures. In this work, we apply already-described models as well as new models to the morphological analysis of 51 Silene species. Our data revealed the existence of a link between lateral and dorsal models. Lateral models closed in the hilum region (models LM2 and LM4) were associated with those convex models of the dorsal seed views (DM1-DM4, DM10). Lateral models more open around the hilum region adjusted to seeds characterized as dorso canaliculata type better, i.e., to those geometric models with partial concavities in their dorsal views. The relationship between lateral and dorsal models, as well as between the models to their utility in taxonomy, is discussed.

The seeds of many species in the order Caryophyllales exhibit surface protuberances called tubercles. While tubercle shape and distribution have often been proposed as taxonomic criteria, paradoxically, their description has primarily relied on adjectives, with quantitative data on tubercle width, height, and other measurements lacking in the literature. Recently, a quantitative analysis of seed surface tubercles based on tubercle width, height, and curvature values (maximum and average curvature, and maximum to average curvature ratio) was proposed and applied to individual populations of a total of 31 species, with 12 belonging to Silene subg. Behenantha and 19 to S. subg. Silene. Tubercles were classified into two categories: echinate and rugose. Echinate tubercles exhibited higher values of height and curvature, and lower width, and were more prevalent in species of S. subg. Behenantha, while the rugose type was more abundant in S. subg. Silene. This work explored infraspecific differences in tubercle size and shape. For this, measurements of tubercle width, height and curvature were applied to 31 populations of eight species of Silene. Significant differences between populations were observed for most of the species examined. A particular tubercle type, previously described as umbonate or mammillate, was identified in S. nocturna seeds, characterized by high curvature values.

Seed shape descriptions of species of Vitis have traditionally been based on adjectives comparing overall shape with geometric figures, such as oval, elongated oval, and pear-shaped, corresponding to higher values of the Stummer index (lower aspect ratio) for oval, and lower values of the Stummer index for pear shape (or elongated seeds, with a higher aspect ratio). Analytical, quantitative descriptions of shape have recently been applied to diverse genera of Vitaceae and cultivated varieties of Vitis. Here, we present the application of three quantitative methods to the seed shape description of ten species of the genus Vitis and three species of related genera (Ampelopsis, Cissus and Parthenocissus). First, general seed shape was described through comparisons using geometric models. For this, the average silhouettes of representative seed populations were used as models for shape quantification. Two additional quantitative methods were based on the measurement of bilateral symmetry and curvature analysis in the apex. Quantitative methods for shape description based on similarity with the models give an accurate account of the relationships between Vitis species. The resulting dendrogram is like the dendrogram obtained from a combined analysis using the data from general measurements and curvature and symmetry analyses. The original methods presented here for seed morphology are useful for analyzing the phylogenetic relationships between species of Vitis.

Microalgae wastewater treatment systems have the potential for producing added-value products. More specifically, cyanobacteria are able to accumulate polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), which can be extracted and used for bioplastics production. Nonetheless, PHB production requires proper culture conditions and continue monitoring, challenging the state-of-the-art technologies. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of hyperspectral technologies to monitor cyanobacteria population growth and PHB production. We have established a ground-breaking measurement method able to discern spectral reflectance changes from light emitted to cyanobacteria in different phases. All in all, enabling to distinguish between cyanobacteria growth phase and PHB accumulation phase. Furthermore, first tests of classification algorithms used for machine learning and image recognition technologies had been applied to automatically recognize the different cyanobacteria species from a complex microbial community containing cyanobacteria and microalgae cultivated in pilot-scale photobioreactors (PBRs). We have defined three main indicators for monitoring PHB production: (i) cyanobacteria specific-strain density, (ii) differentiate between growth and PHB-accumulation and (iii) chlorosis progression. The results presented in this study represent an interesting alternative for traditional measurements in cyanobacteria PHB production and its application in pilot-scale PBRs. Although not directly determining the amount of PHB production, they would give insights on the undergoing processes. HIGHLIGHTS Hyperspectral technologies allow monitoring cyanobacteria population.; Spectral measurements differ between growth and PHB-accumulation phases.; Methodologies definition based on machine learning algorithms allowed on first approach to classify pilot-scale microorganisms and phases.; Image recognition algorithms permit a visual assessment of chlorosis advance.;

Silene taxonomy, traditionally based on morphological characteristics, is now driven by DNA sequence analysis. While the usefulness of both morphological and molecular methods remains undisputed, there is an interest in the identification of the morphological characteristics useful in taxonomy. A quantitative morphological analysis of seeds belonging to Silene species is presented here and is based on seed image samples for 95 populations belonging to 52 species (49 species of Silene and 3 related species). According to the silhouette of lateral views of their seed images, Silene species are classified into three groups: smooth, rugose and echinate. The measurements taken for the lateral and dorsal views of the seeds include area, circularity, roundness, aspect ratio and solidity; differences between groups are found for all characteristics. Solidity is the ratio between the area of the seed silhouette and the corresponding convex hull. It is related to seed convexity and is the measurement with the lowest coefficient of variation. In the lateral views, solidity values are conserved, while in the dorsal views, differences are found between the three groups. The group of echinate seeds has the highest values of solidity in the dorsal views, and their species belong to S. subg. Behenantha and S. subg. Lychnis. The group of smooth seeds contains mainly species corresponding to S. subg. Silene, while species of S. subg. Lychnis are absent.

Colorful traits play an important role in animal communication. Melanin‐based colorations are the most extended color traits in animals and are produced by two types of endogenous melanic pigments: eumelanins and pheomelanins, the last ones being the least studied in the context of communication. The production of pheomelanin requires a semi‐essential amino acid, cysteine, which is also used for the synthesis of an important endogenous antioxidant, glutathione. Hence, it has been proposed that the synthesis of pheomelanin and glutathione may compete for the cysteine available in the organism. In that case, pheomelanic colorations are predicted to be less intense when the individual is facing an oxidative challenge, and therefore, they would provide information on the oxidative status of the bearer. Here, we experimentally evaluated this hypothesis using male Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) as a model of study, a species with pheomelanin‐based plumage in the breast and cheeks. During feather growth, individuals were exposed to one of three possible conditions: Control (saline), an endogenous oxidative challenge (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide injections), or an exogenous oxidative challenge (paraquat injections). Contrary to predictions, we found that: (1) Birds from the three groups exhibited less intense pheomelanic colorations in feathers after the experimental manipulation, and the magnitude of this change did not differ among groups. (2) There was no effect of the experimental treatments on the proportion reduced/oxidized glutathione, an index of oxidative status. (3) Lipid peroxidation was lower after the experimental manipulation, with birds exposed to the paraquat challenge experiencing a stronger decline than other groups. (4) Cysteine and total glutathione levels decreased after the experimental manipulation, with no differences per group in the magnitude of the decline. Taken together the results do not support the hypothesis that oxidative status plays a key role at determining the variation in the intensity of pheomelanic colorations. Research Highlights: Melanin‐based colorations are the most extended color traits in animals.The physiological mechanisms that underpin the potential link between pheomelanic colored traits and individual condition remains elusive.The syntheses of pheomelanin and glutathione (endogenous antioxidant) require cysteine available in the organism.Increased demand for antioxidants was proposed to compromise the synthesis of pheomelanin.No such a compromise in pheomelanic colorations was found after two different oxidative challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed shape in Silene species is often described by means of adjectives such as reniform, globose, and orbicular, but the application of seed shape for species classification requires quantification. A method for the description and quantification of seed shape consists in the comparison with geometric models. Geometric models based on mathematical equations were applied to characterize the general morphology of the seeds in 21 species of Silene. In addition to the previously described four models (M1 is the cardioid, and M2 to M4 are figures derived from it), we present four new geometric models (model 5–8). Models 5 and 6 are open cardioids that resemble M3, quite different from the flat models, M2 and M4. Models 7 and 8 were applied to those species not covered by models 2 to 6. Morphological measures were obtained to describe and characterize the dorsal view of the seeds. The analyses done on dorsal views revealed a notable morphological diversity and four groups were identified. A correlation was found between roundness of dorsal view and the geometric models based on lateral views, such that some of the groups defined by seed roundness are also characterized by the similarity to particular models. The usefulness of new morphological tools of seed morphology to taxonomy is discussed.

In recent years, it has been verified that collective cell migration is a fundamental step in tumor spreading and metastatic processes. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time how low-intensity ultrasound produces long-term inhibition of collective migration of epithelial cancer cells in wound healing processes. In particular, we show how pancreatic tumor cells, PANC-1, grown as monolayers in vitro respond to these waves at frequencies close to 1 MHz and low intensities (

In the Caryophyllaceae, seed surfaces contain cell protrusions, of varying sizes and shapes, called tubercles. Tubercles have long been described in many species, but quantitative analyses with measurements of size and shape are lacking in the literature. Based on optical photography, the seeds of Silene were classified into four types: smooth, rugose, echinate and papillose. Seeds in each of these groups have characteristic geometrical properties: smooth seeds lack tubercles and have the highest values of circularity and solidity in their lateral views, while papillose seeds have the largest tubercles and lowest values of circularity and solidity both in lateral and dorsal views. Here, tubercle width, height and slope, maximum and mean curvature values and maximum to mean curvature ratio were obtained for representative seeds of a total of 31 species, 12 belonging to Silene subg. Behenantha and 19 to S. subg. Silene. The seeds of the rugose type had lower values of curvature. Additionally, lower values of curvature were found in species of S. subg. Silene in comparison with S. subg. Behenantha. The seeds of S. subg. Behenantha had higher values of tubercle height and slope and higher values of maximum and average curvature and maximum to mean curvature ratio.

The application of seed morphology to descriptive systematics requires methods for shape analysis and quantification. The complexity of lateral and dorsal views of seeds of Silene species is investigated here by the application of the Elliptic Fourier Transform (EFT) to representative seeds of four morphological types: smooth, rugose, echinate and papillose. The silhouettes of seed images in the lateral and dorsal views are converted to trigonometric functions, whose graphical representations reproduce them with different levels of accuracy depending on the number of harmonics. A general definition of seed shape in Silene species is obtained by equations based on 40 points and 20 harmonics, while the detailed representation of individual tubercles in each seed image requires between 100 and 200 points and 60–80 harmonics depending on their number and complexity. Smooth-type seeds are accurately represented with a low number of harmonics, while rugose, echinate and papillose seeds require a higher number. Fourier equations provide information about tubercle number and distribution and allow the analysis of curvature. Further estimation of curvature values in individual tubercles reveals differences between seeds, with higher values of curvature in S. latifolia, representative of echinate seeds, and lower in S. chlorifolia with rugose seeds.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are widely manufactured semiconductors, but their release into aquatic environments poses significant threats to ecosystems and human health. The environmental hazard associated with TiO2NPs in surface water primarily results from their photocatalytic activity, which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). Addressing this challenge is crucial for ensuring the safe utilization of TiO2NPs and preserving the environment. In this study, we developed a novel plasmonic membrane comprising titanate nanowires (TiNWs) functionalized with silica‐coated gold nanostars (AuNSts) to probe, in situ, the capture and measurement of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2NPs in complex media such as seawater. This method represents a unique and precise approach to real‐time monitoring of the presence and photocatalytic activity of TiO2NPs, thereby laying the foundation for establishing an environmental risk parameter for these particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how varying concentrations of hydroxyapatite (OHAp) and the addition of gelatin influence the ionic crosslinking time of alginate-based bioinks, as well as the shear stress experienced by neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFn) during extrusion. These factors are crucial for validating bioinks and developing viable 3D bioprinted models. Four bioink formulations were created with a 50/50 ratio of alginate to gelatin, incorporating different calcium phosphate concentrations (0%, 1%, 5%, and 10%). The bioink compositions were confirmed via Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and rheological analyses evaluated their pseudoplastic behavior, printability limits, and crosslinking times. The results indicated a notable increase in the consistency index (k) from 0.32 for the 0% OHAp formulation to 0.48 for the 10% OHAp formulation, suggesting improved viscoelastic properties. The elastic modulus recovery after crosslinking rose significantly from 245 Pa to 455 Pa. HDFn experienced a shear stress of up to 1.5436 Pa at the tip during extrusion with the HDFn-ALG5-GEL5-OHAp10 bioinks, calculated at a shear rate as low as 2 s−1. Viability assays confirmed over 70% cell viability 24 h post-extrusion and 92% viability after 7 days for the 10% OHAp formulation, highlighting the potential of hydroxyapatite-enhanced bioinks in tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article begins by showing Max Weber's interest in Du Bois's The Souls of Black Folk and comparing it with the virtual ignorance of Du Bois's work as a whole in the sociology scholarship produced in Spanish. It then describes Du Bois's conception of the thencalled "Negro problem" as a "social problem" (as Marx did with the "Jewish problem"), and is followed by an outline of Du Bois's new political philosophy, which elevated the black masses to the status of "black people" and demanded that they ought to be full equal to white people because they have a "shared political identity". The text ends by discussing the rhetoric deployed by Du Bois by appealing to black and white American patterns of thought and emotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Vitis IMIDRA collection contains 3699 entries, representing a significant percentage of the variation in traditional and commercial Vitis cultivars used in Spain. The classification and identification of new entries are currently conducted based on ampelography and molecular methods. Here, we propose a new method of classification of the cultivars based on seed morphology and its application to a total of 224 varieties from the collection. Based on seed shape, fourteen groups have been defined according to the similarity of the seeds, with geometric figures used as models. The new models are Cariñena Blanca, Chardonnay, Parraleta, and Parduca, defining new groups to be added to the ten groups previously described. The study results in 14 groups comprising the Spanish cultivar's seed shape and morphological variation. Seed morphology can help to identify varieties cultivated in the past through archaeological finds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the evolutionary architecture of female sexual traits and their potential evolvability is important to understand their possible role as postmating sexual signals. Egg colouration has been proposed to be one of these postmating sexual signals, honestly advertising female quality in birds, especially in blue-green laying species. In this study, we used an animal model in a Bayesian framework to estimate the evolvability of multiple descriptors of blue-green egg colouration and egg size in a wild long-term monitored population of spotless starlings (Sturnus unicolor). Our results show low to moderate heritability (h2 = 0.31–0.44) for 3 egg colour descriptors (blue-green chroma, chroma, and lightness) and egg size. Using the coefficient of additive genetic variance (CVA) and the evolvability (IA) as proxies of evolutionary potential of all components of this trait, we found low values of CVA for all these variables, suggesting a small evolutionary potential of these phenotypic traits, contrasting to previous results reported in another blue-green egg laying species. Our results indicate a modest raw genetic material of this trait on which sexual selection can act upon and, therefore, a small probability for these traits to respond easily to selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]