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Abstract Background Recursive models are a category of structural equation models that propose a causal relationship between traits. These models are more parameterized than multiple trait models, and they require imposing restrictions on the parameter space to ensure statistical identification. Nevertheless, in certain situations, the likelihood of recursive models and multiple trait models are equivalent. Consequently, the estimates of variance components derived from the multiple trait mixed model can be converted into estimates under several recursive models through LDL′ or block-LDL′ transformations. Results The procedure was employed on a dataset comprising five traits (birth weight—BW, weight at 90 days—W90, weight at 210 days—W210, cold carcass weight—CCW and conformation—CON) from the Pirenaica beef cattle breed. These phenotypic records were unequally distributed among 149,029 individuals and had a high percentage of missing data. The pedigree used consisted of 343,753 individuals. A Bayesian approach involving a multiple-trait mixed model was applied using a Gibbs sampler. The variance components obtained at each iteration of the Gibbs sampler were subsequently used to estimate the variance components within three distinct recursive models. Conclusions The LDL′ or block-LDL′ transformations applied to the variance component estimates achieved from a multiple trait mixed model enabled inference across multiple sets of recursive models, with the sole prerequisite of being likelihood equivalent. Furthermore, the aforementioned transformations simplify the handling of missing data when conducting inference within the realm of recursive models.

Este trabajo analiza la labor de las formaciones políticas PSOE, Más Madrid y Podemos en la red social Telegram durante la campaña de las elecciones autonómicas en la Comunidad de Madrid del martes 4 mayo de 2021. La investigación analiza todos los mensajes publicados en un total de cinco canales (los tres partidos más los canales de los candidatos Mónica García y Pablo Iglesias) para conocer los principales datos cuantitativos acerca del uso de la plataforma: suscriptores, mensajes, uso de enlaces, imágenes, vídeos o emojis. El análisis ha permitido, desde una perspectiva cualitativa, conocer el empleo que hacen los partidos políticos dentro de su estrategia de comunicación política: uso de Telegram, segmentación y adaptación de los mensajes empleados, tono y discurso. Durante el presente análisis se ha trabajado para conocer los usos empleados en esta red social, la estrategia desplegada por cada formación durante las dos semanas de la campaña electoral y los mensajes con los que trataron de cautivar a los votantes.

Abstract Background The rabbit cecum hosts and interacts with a complex microbial ecosystem that contributes to the variation of traits of economic interest. Although the influence of host genetics on microbial diversity and specific microbial taxa has been studied in several species (e.g., humans, pigs, or cattle), it has not been investigated in rabbits. Using a Bayes factor approach, the aim of this study was to dissect the effects of host genetics, litter and cage on 984 microbial traits that are representative of the rabbit microbiota. Results Analysis of 16S rDNA sequences of cecal microbiota from 425 rabbits resulted in the relative abundances of 29 genera, 951 operational taxonomic units (OTU), and four microbial alpha-diversity indices. Each of these microbial traits was adjusted with mixed linear and zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) models, which all included additive genetic, litter and cage effects, and body weight at weaning and batch as systematic factors. The marginal posterior distributions of the model parameters were estimated using MCMC Bayesian procedures. The deviance information criterion (DIC) was used for model comparison regarding the statistical distribution of the data (normal or ZIP), and the Bayes factor was computed as a measure of the strength of evidence in favor of the host genetics, litter, and cage effects on microbial traits. According to DIC, all microbial traits were better adjusted with the linear model except for the OTU present in less than 10% of the animals, and for 25 of the 43 OTU with a frequency between 10 and 25%. On a global scale, the Bayes factor revealed substantial evidence in favor of the genetic control of the number of observed OTU and Shannon indices. At the taxon-specific level, significant proportions of the OTU and relative abundances of genera were influenced by additive genetic, litter, and cage effects. Several members of the genera Bacteroides and Parabacteroides were strongly influenced by the host genetics and nursing environment, whereas the family S24-7 and the genus Ruminococcus were strongly influenced by cage effects. Conclusions This study demonstrates that host genetics shapes the overall rabbit cecal microbial diversity and that a significant proportion of the taxa is influenced either by host genetics or environmental factors, such as litter and/or cage.

In contrast with the perspective of local safety audits for women, which aim to promote the democratic use of public space in the context of inclusive urbanism or pro-social design, defensive urbanism is a term that has been related to situational prevention in order to bar or restrict the use of public space by several stigmatised groups. This trend can be understood in terms of the broken windows theory and zero tolerance approaches in criminology as well as of social exclusion in globalised cities. This paper will tackle the origin and development of the concept of defensive urbanism, as a kind of local governance related to broader trends in securatisation, as well as its visible ramifications in some administrative regulations in some Basque municipalities. En contraste con las perspectivas de las auditorias locales de seguridad con perspectiva de género, que se dirigen a promover el uso democrático del espacio público bajo el término de urbanismo “inclusivo” o diseño pro-social, el urbanismo defensivo es un término que se relaciona con la prevención situacional para poder evitar o restringir la utilización del espacio público a varios colectivos estigmatizados en los municipios. Esta tendencia puede entenderse dentro de la aplicación de la teoría de las ventanas rotas y las políticas de tolerancia cero en Criminología, así como las prácticas de exclusión social en las ciudades de las sociedades globalizadas. Este artículo trata sobre el origen y desarrollo del concepto de urbanismo defensivo, como manifestación de un tipo de gobernanza local dentro de tendencias más amplias, así como de sus ramificaciones visibles en algunas ordenanzas de ciudades vascas. Available from: https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1138

En este artículo se ofrece una aproximación a una propuesta de clasificación teórica de los géneros teatrales del siglo XVIII, partiendo del propio hecho teatral y la configuración escénica de las obras complejas frente a las sencillas como condicionante de la escritura de piezas según rasgos poéticos estandarizados. Se revisa el estado de la cuestión para, a continuación, exponer una nueva clasificación a partir de dos criterios relacionados: la extensión de la pieza y su escenografía. Se ofrece así una nueva propuesta teórica para el estudio de la literatura dramática de finales de esta centuria desde sus rasgos de representación, en lugar de sus constituyentes temáticos.

Mountainous territories have undergone significant transformations, as a result of the changing human land-occupation and interaction with their environment. This research in the surrounding area of Sobrepuerto (Aragonese Central Pyrenees, Spain), investigates the role of infrastructure in the reactivation of depopulated spaces, identifying different land-occupation processes which enable to discern these environments. The study is conducted through the comparative spatial analysis of the use of the land, and the realisation of semi-structured interviews. The obtained results provide novel insights into the factors which facilitate the development of these practices, and the conditions which allow to intervene in depopulated spaces.

TEIJEIRO FUENTES, M. Á. y ROSO DÍAZ, J. (Eds.) (2019). España y Portugal en la encrucijada del teatro del siglo XVI. Estudios dedicados al profesor Miguel Ángel Pérez Priego. Sevilla: Renacimiento; Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Extremadura, 2019. 404 pp., ISBN 978-84-17950-17-0 (Renacimiento); 978-84-9127-049-2 (Universidad de Extremadura).

Abstract Background Inbreeding is caused by mating between related individuals and is associated with reduced fitness and performance (inbreeding depression). Several studies have detected heterogeneity in inbreeding depression among founder individuals. Recently, a procedure was developed to predict hidden inbreeding depression load that is associated with founders using the Mendelian sampling of non-founders. The objectives of this study were to: (1) analyse the population structure and general inbreeding, and (2) test this recent approach for predicting hidden inbreeding depression load for four morphological traits and two morphology defects in the Pura Raza Española (PRE) horse breed. Results The regression coefficients that were calculated between trait performances and inbreeding coefficients demonstrated the existence of inbreeding depression. In total, 58,772,533 partial inbreeding coefficients (F ij) were estimated for the whole PRE population (328,706 horses). We selected the descendants of horses with a F ij ≥ 6.25% that contributed to at least four offspring and for which morphological traits were measured for the subsequent analysis of inbreeding depression load (639 horses). A pedigree was generated with the last five generations (5026 animals) used as the reference population (average inbreeding coefficient of 8.39% and average relatedness coefficient of 10.76%). Heritability estimates ranged from 0.08 (cresty neck) to 0.80 (height at withers), whereas inbreeding depression load ratios ranged from 0.01 (knock knee) to 0.40 (length of shoulder), for an inbreeding coefficient of 10%. Most of the correlations between additive and inbreeding depression load genetic values and correlations between inbreeding depression load genetic values for the different traits were positive or near 0. Conclusions Although the average inbreeding depression loads presented negative values, a certain percentage of the animals showed neutral or even positive values. Thus, high levels of inbreeding do not always lead to a decrease in mean phenotypic value or an increase in morphological defects. Hence, individual inbreeding depression loads could be used as a tool to select the most appropriate breeding animals. The possibility of selecting horses that have a high genetic value and are more resistant to the deleterious effects of inbreeding should help improve selection outcomes.

Departing from the parallelism between large-scale human rights violations and the complex notion of ecocide, some conceptual remarks will be drawn within the realm of green victimology and restorative justice. By questioning the frameworks of victimhood and the irreversibility of ecocide, some conclusions about the meaning of informal practices of memorialization in mass victimization can be discussed. To illustrate these ideas, the Prestige case in Spain will be briefly presented as a case study. Partiendo del paralelismo entre las violaciones de derechos humanos a gran escala y la compleja noción de ecocidio, se realizarán algunas consideraciones conceptuales dentro del campo de la victimología verde y la justicia restaurativa. Al cuestionar los marcos de la victimidad y de la irreversibilidad del ecocidio, se debatirán algunas conclusiones sobre el significado de ciertas prácticas informales de memorialización en procesos de victimización en masa. Para ilustrar estas ideas se recurrirá de forma sucinta, como caso de estudio, a las consecuencias del Prestige en España. Available from: https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1044

Over the last century, Europe and the world have witnessed two world wars, civil wars, terrorist attacks, and abuse of power both by dictatorial regimes and in various institutional settings, all leading to serious violations of human rights. Today we continue to see the effects of such violations affecting large numbers of people. This special issue of Oñati Socio-Legal Series is about commemorative practices and their role in post-conflict societies regarding processes of social reconstruction and transitional justice. It also considers current alternatives and complementary systems of justice, like restorative justice and transformative justice to face mass-victimisation. Through practices of memorialization victimhood is defined, constructed, acknowledged or neglected. Their materialisation is often a result of negotiated outcomes involving a number of actors, legislation and institutions. By presenting case studies, the authors hope to enhance practices of memorialization and to critically contribute to the transitional or transformative justice agenda.Durante el siglo pasado, Europa y el mundo entero han sido testigos de dos guerras mundiales, así como guerras civiles, ataques terroristas y abusos de poder por parte de regímenes dictatoriales y varias instancias institucionales, todo lo cual ha conducido a graves violaciones de derechos humanos. Hoy día, aún vemos los efectos de dichas violaciones que afectan a un gran número de personas. Este número especial de Oñati Socio-Legal Series trata sobre prácticas de conmemoración y el papel que desempeñan en sociedades posconflicto en relación con procesos de reconstrucción social y justicia transicional. También toma en consideración alternativas actuales y sistemas complementarios de justicia, como la justicia restaurativa y la justicia transformativa, para enfrentarse a la victimización masiva. A través de prácticas de memorialización, se define, construye, reconoce u obvia la condición de víctima. Su materialización es a menudo consecuencia de resultados negociados que implican a una serie de actores, legislaciones e instituciones. A través de estudios de caso, los y las autores/as esperamos realzar las prácticas de memorialización y contribuir de forma crítica a los planes de justicia transicional o transformativa. Available from: https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1121

Este trabajo recoge los resultados de un experimento de neurociencia aplicada a la comunicación política, disciplina también conocida como Neuropoliting. En concreto, se analizó la actividad electrodérmica de un grupo de 14 personas de forma simultánea mientras presenciaban discursos políticos de alrededor de 3 minutos de cuatro políticos mexicanos (Gerardo Fernández Noroña, Pedro Ferriz de Con, Margarita Varela y Graco Ramírez). Los resultados ponen de manifiesto diferentes estructuras de discurso entre los políticos mencionados que tuvieron resultados distintos en términos atencionales y emocionales, lo que indica diferentes modelos o estilos discursivos. También se pudo relacionar incrementos de atención y emoción, resultando por tanto más importante la generación de emoción en tramos atencionalmente elevados. Finalmente, se elaboró un ranking oratorio, destacando Graco Ramírez y Margarita Varela.

Esta investigación presenta los resultados del análisis de una entrevista focal a periodistas y una encuesta a estudiantes del Occidente de Honduras para conocer cómo se comportan estos cuando consumen información sobre violencia de género desde sus dispositivos móviles, y su contribución o no a la propagación de noticias falsas de esta temática. En un país con una de las tasas más altas de muertes por violencia de género del mundo, los resultados señalan una cierta cautela de los jóvenes a la hora de contribuir a viralizar contenidos dudosos, y una marcada preocupación de los periodistas sobre el tratamiento de la violencia de género en los medios.

Abstract Background Inbreeding is caused by mating between related individuals and its most common consequence is inbreeding depression. Several studies have detected heterogeneity in inbreeding depression among founder individuals, and recently a procedure for predicting hidden inbreeding depression loads associated with founders and the Mendelian sampling of non-founders has been developed. The objectives of our study were to expand this model to predict the inbreeding loads for all individuals in the pedigree and to estimate the covariance between the inbreeding loads and the additive genetic effects for the trait of interest. We tested the proposed approach with simulated data and with two datasets of records on weaning weight from the Spanish Pirenaica and Rubia Gallega beef cattle breeds. Results The posterior estimates of the variance components with the simulated datasets did not differ significantly from the simulation parameters. In addition, the correlation between the predicted and simulated inbreeding loads were always positive and ranged from 0.27 to 0.82. The beef cattle datasets comprised 35,126 and 75,194 records on weights between 170 and 250 days of age, and pedigrees of 308,836 and 384,434 individual-sire-dam entries for the Pirenaica and Rubia Gallega breeds, respectively. The posterior mean estimates of the variance of inbreeding depression loads were 29,967.8 and 28,222.4 for the Pirenaica and Rubia Gallega breeds, respectively. They were larger than those of the additive variance (695.0 and 439.8 for Pirenaica and Rubia Gallega, respectively), because they should be understood as the variance of the inbreeding depression achieved by a fully inbred (100%) descendant. Therefore, the inbreeding loads have to be rescaled for smaller inbreeding coefficients. In addition, a strong negative correlation (− 0.43 ± 0.10) between additive effects and inbreeding loads was detected in the Pirenaica, but not in the Rubia Gallega breed. Conclusions The results of the simulation study confirmed the ability of the proposed procedure to predict inbreeding depression loads for all individuals in the populations. Furthermore, the results obtained from the two real datasets confirmed the variability in the inbreeding depression loads in both breeds and suggested a negative correlation of the inbreeding loads with the additive genetic effects in the Pirenaica breed.

La formación académica de la población condiciona la situación social, política y económica de un país. Por este motivo, los bajos rendimientos académicos de los varones hacen sonar todas las alarmas. Diversos estudiosos han abordado esta problemática. No obstante, su persistencia hacen necesaria la continua investigación para lograr solucionarla. El presente trabajo aborda este tema, planteando posibles soluciones. La metodología elegida para este cometido es descriptivo-explicativa, dado que permite resumir la precaria situación académica de los varones y, al mismo tiempo, profundizar en las causas de tales desigualdades, finalizando con propuestas tangibles para revertir esta tendencia. Se han encontrado cuatro principales causas responsables de entorpecer el éxito académico masculino. Las dos primeras están relacionadas con la falta de sensibilidad que los sistemas educativos manifiestan con las singularidades biológicas de ambos sexos. Estas disparidades afectan directamente el aprendizaje en el aula, dificultando el seguimiento de la instrucción por la totalidad del alumnado al no adaptarse a las necesidades individuales. Por otra parte, así como los animales poseen la mayoría de conocimientos para sobrevivir en sus genes, los humanos deben aprender casi todo a través de la imitación, de la reflexión y del estudio. Las dos últimas causas de los bajos rendimientos masculinos son la ausencia de la figura del padre en familias monoparentales o desestructuradas, con gravísimas consecuencias para los hijos varones, y la carencia de referentes masculinos en la escuela, lo que dejan a demasiados alumnos varones en un estado de gran vulnerabilidad, al no poder aprender imitando o al tener que buscar tales referentes en lugares poco idóneos. Por este motivo, el sistema educativo actual expulsa a un elevado número de individuos, haciendo necesaria una reevaluación del mismo que solucione las problemáticas aquí descritas.

En este artículo se ahonda en el proceso de modernización de la comedia heroica dieciochesca en los años 80-90 del siglo XVIII, una dinámica ya estudiada por la crítica, a partir de un condicionante hasta ahora poco tratado: la renovación de los argumentos históricos que tradicionalmente se escenificaban en los coliseos. Para ello, se comentan dos casos concretos: las comedias La afrenta del Cid vengada y La conquista de Madrid escritas por Manuel Fermín de Laviano. En primer lugar, se contextualizan ambas piezas en la tradición de reescrituras teatrales de las leyendas del Cid y Fernán González, de la que forman parte. A continuación, se indica cómo sus argumentos (extraídos de fuentes de los siglos XVI y XVII) introducen novedades en el tratamiento dramático que ambas historias habían desarrollado hasta entonces. Por último, se apunta la hipótesis de que estas comedias pueden ser ejemplo de una tendencia más extendida en dramaturgos coetáneos a Laviano, que recurren a argumentos legendarios poco representados hasta entonces para renovar la escena madrileña sin comprometer la tradición heroica.

En este artículo proponemos un estudio acerca de un conjunto de coplas reproducidas originalmente en una serie perdida de pinturas arlantinas sobre el conde Fernán González. Se transcribe el contenido de estas coplas, atendiendo a los testimonios conservados sobre su existencia. Se relaciona el contenido de las mismas con el estado de configuración de la leyenda en los siglos XV y XVI. Finalmente, se reflexiona sobre el concepto de “tradición” y su configuración en múltiples canales de transmisión –literaria, artística, historiográfica, etc.–, aplicado a la pervivencia de esta leyenda castellana en diferentes formatos.

Abstract Background The quantitative genetics theory argues that inbreeding depression and heterosis are founded on the existence of directional dominance. However, most procedures for genomic selection that have included dominance effects assumed prior symmetrical distributions. To address this, two alternatives can be considered: (1) assume the mean of dominance effects different from zero, and (2) use skewed distributions for the regularization of dominance effects. The aim of this study was to compare these approaches using two pig datasets and to confirm the presence of directional dominance. Results Four alternative models were implemented in two datasets of pig litter size that consisted of 13,449 and 11,581 records from 3631 and 2612 sows genotyped with the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip. The models evaluated included (1) a model that does not consider directional dominance (Model SN), (2) a model with a covariate b for the average individual homozygosity (Model SC), (3) a model with a parameter λ that reflects asymmetry in the context of skewed Gaussian distributions (Model AN), and (4) a model that includes both b and λ (Model Full). The results of the analysis showed that posterior probabilities of a negative b or a positive λ under Models SC and AN were higher than 0.99, which indicate positive directional dominance. This was confirmed with the predictions of inbreeding depression under Models Full, SC and AN, that were higher than in the SN Model. In spite of differences in posterior estimates of variance components between models, comparison of models based on LogCPO and DIC indicated that Model SC provided the best fit for the two datasets analyzed. Conclusions Our results confirmed the presence of positive directional dominance for pig litter size and suggested that it should be taken into account when dominance effects are included in genomic evaluation procedures. The consequences of ignoring directional dominance may affect predictions of breeding values and can lead to biased prediction of inbreeding depression and performance of potential mates. A model that assumes Gaussian dominance effects that are centered on a non-zero mean is recommended, at least for datasets with similar features to those analyzed here.

This paper deals with the Spanish provisions in criminal law requesting apology by offenders in organized crime, including terrorism. In order to grant parole, apology is required, among other possible means provided by law, to accredit the abandonment of the ends and means of the terrorist activity. Those legal provisions will be contrasted with the experience and narratives of victims and offenders in cases of terrorism. Final conclusions will be derived in relation to the possibility of restorative apologies in these contexts.Este artículo aborda las provisiones españolas en materia de derecho penal que solicitan la petición de perdón de los delincuentes del crimen organizado, incluyendo el terrorismo. Entre otras medidas posibles que plantea la ley, para obtener la libertad condicional se requiere una disculpa, para acreditar el abandono de los fines y los medios de la actividad terrorista. Estas provisiones legales se contrastarán con la experiencia y las narraciones de víctimas y delincuentes en casos de terrorismo. Se ofrecen conclusiones finales en relación con la posibilidad de disculpas restaurativas en estos contextos.DOWNLOAD THIS PAPER FROM SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3002481

The Strategy for Sustainable Integrated Urban Development has become the base document that guides urban regeneration in Spain. In order to clarify the consequences that the European policies for integrated planning and urban regeneration entail the functioning of cities, this article analyzes them from its Anglo-Saxon origin to the intervention tools defined. Moreover, Zaragoza document elaboration case is studied. Findings give evidence that the European Union policies and state transposition of the Directives determine the field of power’s constituent rules which is focused to nullify the urban conflict in terms of consensus technique and real estate promotion.

The United States education system, K-12 produced impressive results for most of the 20th century. We trace its origins back to the end of the 19th century, when the America’s social and economical needs and its circumstances were very different from the ones today. Nowadays, American society is far more complex and demands highly qualified citizens, a requirement which inevitably starts with high quality early childhood education, as we will illustrate below. Therefore, experts are currently requesting all public administrations and private sector to take further steps to ensure high quality preschool education for everyone in order to improve Americans’ skills and the United States’ economy, as well as to overcome the existing inequalities.

This issue is focused on the application of restorative justice to terrorist victimisations. Both concepts (restorative justice and terrorist victimisations) are controversial ones in social science and society. We decided to approach them from a concrete programme on restorative encounters developed in the Basque Country in 2011 and 2012. This programme targeted ex-members of ETA, and direct and indirect victims. Este número se centra en la aplicación de la justicia restaurativa a las victimizaciones terroristas. Ambos conceptos (el de justicia restaurativa y el de victimizaciones terroristas) resultan controvertidos en las ciencias sociales y en la sociedad. Decidimos acercarnos a ellos desde un programa concreto de encuentros restaurativos, desarrollado en el País Vasco en los años 2011 y 2012. Este programa estaba dirigido a ex miembros de ETA y a algunas víctimas directas e indirectas.

The starting point of this paper is the 2012 Spanish Interior Ministry Plan for terrorism and other organised crimes regarding reparative programs. Comparative experiences of restorative justice in grave victimisations will be considered to point out their global growth and their positive impact for many victims in terms of recovery and minimisation of secondary victimisation. Secondary victimisation seems one of the major concerns of the 2012 EU Directive on the rights of victims in relation to restorative justice. This might not to be justified in the light of research results and, at the theoretical level, of given international specific standards that function as safeguards for victims, offenders and communities. Those safeguards will be confronted to the weight of public opinion, media and political interests. Diverse political interests are particularly present in most serious victimisations within the so-called punitiveness climate, but also within victims’ interests related to memory for irreparable harms. El punto de partida de este texto es el Plan del Ministerio del Interior español de 2012 relativo a los programas reparadores destinados a condenados por terrorismo y delincuencia organizada. Se consideran experiencias comparadas de justicia restaurativa en victimizaciones graves para señalar su expansión global y su impacto positivo para muchas víctimas en términos de recuperación y minimización de la victimización secundaria. La victimización secundaria parece ser una de las principales preocupaciones de la Directiva de la Unión Europea de 2012 sobre derechos de las víctimas, en relación con la justicia restaurativa. No obstante, esta preocupación no parece justificarse a la luz de los resultados de la investigación empírica y los estándares internacionales en la materia que funcionan como garantías para todos los agentes en juego, no obstante el peso de la opinión pública, los medios de comunicación y los intereses políticos. Las demandas de las víctimas de memoria, ante daños irreparables, se producen en un clima de punitivismo.

We report a case of right paraduodenal hernia in an adult patient and its emergency diagnosis and management in an acute clinical presentation. A twenty-eight-year-old male patient was admitted in our outside hospital's emergency room after 12 hours of evolution of diffuse abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. He referred a similar episode several months ago that ceased spontaneously. An abdominal CT scan with intravenous contrast demonstrated an encapsulated cluster of small bowel loops occupying mainly the right upper quadrant, lateral to the duodenum, suspicious for an internal hernia in the context of an intestinal malrotation. The patient underwent a laparotomy, which revealed a large sac containing dilated small bowel loops as shown by radiologic studies. The patient did well in postoperatory and was discharged home on the fourth day after the surgery. In a year follow up the patient remained asymptomatic.

The increasing demand for ocean resources exerts an increasing pressure on the use of ocean space across all European Sea Basins. This underlines issues of compatibility (or conflicts) between different maritime uses as well as between economic activities and environmental protection. The idea of multi-use (MU), as a guiding concept for efficient allocation of compatible activities in the same marine space, can increase spatial efficiency and at the same time provide socio-economic and environmental benefits. However, its transition from a concept to real-world development is facing several barriers. Based on analysis of five European sea basins done under the Horizon 2020 MUSES project (Multi-Use in European Seas), this paper aims to clarify the concept of MU by discussing: 1) the definition in the literature and practice so far, and; 2) how existing regulatory and planning regimes are supporting and challenging the development of several MUs (considered as the most promising). The analytical methodology developed for the MUSES project relied on data collected via desk research and semi structured interviews with key stakeholders (e.g. industry, regulators), over the period of seven months. The semi-quantitative analysis of data conducted, identified the commonalities and differences among countries in respect to each of the analyzed MUs. The paper points out priorities for the MU development in different sea basins and recommends initial steps to overcome existing barriers, whilst maximizing local benefits. This paper is a starting point towards a broader scientific debate on: (i) what could be the role of management policies (like for instance maritime spatial planning - MSP) in supporting and fostering MU concept development, (ii) what are technical and technological challenges for technically advanced MUs, (iii) how added values of MUs concept (e.g. benefits for local economies, positive impacts on environment) could be enhanced.

Abstract The implementation of Student t mixed models in animal breeding has been suggested as a useful statistical tool to effectively mute the impact of preferential treatment or other sources of outliers in field data. Nevertheless, these additional sources of variation are undeclared and we do not know whether a Student t mixed model is required or if a standard, and less parameterized, Gaussian mixed model would be sufficient to serve the intended purpose. Within this context, our aim was to develop the Bayes factor between two nested models that only differed in a bounded variable in order to easily compare a Student t and a Gaussian mixed model. It is important to highlight that the Student t density converges to a Gaussian process when degrees of freedom tend to infinity. The twomodels can then be viewed as nested models that differ in terms of degrees of freedom. The Bayes factor can be easily calculated from the output of a Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling of the complex model (Student t mixed model). The performance of this Bayes factor was tested under simulation and on a real dataset, using the deviation information criterion (DIC) as the standard reference criterion. The two statistical tools showed similar trends along the parameter space, although the Bayes factor appeared to be the more conservative. There was considerable evidence favoring the Student t mixed model for data sets simulated under Student t processes with limited degrees of freedom, and moderate advantages associated with using the Gaussian mixed model when working with datasets simulated with 50 or more degrees of freedom. For the analysis of real data (weight of Pietrain pigs at six months), both the Bayes factor and DIC slightly favored the Student t mixed model, with there being a reduced incidence of outlier individuals in this population.

Abstract The implementation of genetic groups in BLUP evaluations accounts for different expectations of breeding values in base animals. Notwithstanding, many feasible structures of genetic groups exist and there are no analytical tools described to compare them easily. In this sense, the recent development of a simple and stable procedure to calculate the Bayes factor between nested competing models allowed us to develop a new approach of that method focused on compared models with different structures of random genetic groups. The procedure is based on a reparameterization of the model in terms of intraclass correlation of genetic groups. The Bayes factor can be easily calculated from the output of a Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling by averaging conditional densities at the null intraclass correlation. It compares two nested models, a model with a given structure of genetic groups against a model without genetic groups. The calculation of the Bayes factor between different structures of genetic groups can be quickly and easily obtained from the Bayes factor between the nested models. We applied this approach to a weaning weight data set of the Bruna dels Pirineus beef cattle, comparing several structures of genetic groups, and the final results showed that the preferable structure was an only group for unknown dams and different groups for unknown sires for each year of calving.

Abstract Gompertz growth curves were fitted to the data of 137 rabbits from control (C) and selected (S) lines. The animals came from a synthetic rabbit line selected for an increased growth rate. The embryos from generations 3 and 4 were frozen and thawed to be contemporary of rabbits born in generation 10. Group C was the offspring of generations 3 and 4, and group S was the contemporary offspring of generation 10. The animals were weighed individually twice a week during the first four weeks of life, and once a week thereafter, until 20 weeks of age. Subsequently, the males were weighed weekly until 40 weeks of age. The random samples of the posterior distributions of the growth curve parameters were drawn by using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. As a consequence of selection, the selected animals were heavier than the C animals throughout the entire growth curve. Adult body weight, estimated as a parameter of the Gompertz curve, was 7% higher in the selected line. The other parameters of the Gompertz curve were scarcely affected by selection. When selected and control growth curves are represented in a metabolic scale, all differences disappear.

Abstract One QTL affecting backfat thickness (BF), intramuscular fat content (IMF) and eye muscle area (MA) was previously localized on porcine chromosome 6 in an F2 cross between Iberian and Landrace pigs. This work was done to study the effect of two positional candidate genes on these traits: H-FABP and LEPR genes. The QTL mapping analysis was repeated with a regression method using genotypes for seven microsatellites and two PCR-RFLPs in the H-FABP and LEPR genes. H-FABP and LEPR genes were located at 85.4 and 107 cM respectively, by linkage analysis. The effects of the candidate gene polymorphisms were analyzed in two ways. When an animal model was fitted, both genes showed significant effects on fatness traits, the H-FABP polymorphism showed significant effects on IMF and MA, and the LEPR polymorphism on BF and IMF. But when the candidate gene effect was included in a QTL regression analysis these associations were not observed, suggesting that they must not be the causal mutations responsible for the effects found. Differences in the results of both analyses showed the inadequacy of the animal model approach for the evaluation of positional candidate genes in populations with linkage disequilibrium, when the probabilities of the parental origin of the QTL alleles are not included in the model.

Abstract A fundamental issue in quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping is to determine the plausibility of the presence of a QTL at a given genome location. Bayesian analysis offers an attractive way of testing alternative models (here, QTL vs. no-QTL) via the Bayes factor. There have been several numerical approaches to computing the Bayes factor, mostly based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), but these strategies are subject to numerical or stability problems. We propose a simple and stable approach to calculating the Bayes factor between nested models. The procedure is based on a reparameterization of a variance component model in terms of intra-class correlation. The Bayes factor can then be easily calculated from the output of a MCMC scheme by averaging conditional densities at the null intra-class correlation. We studied the performance of the method using simulation. We applied this approach to QTL analysis in an outbred population. We also compared it with the Likelihood Ratio Test and we analyzed its stability. Simulation results were very similar to the simulated parameters. The posterior probability of the QTL model increases as the QTL effect does. The location of the QTL was also correctly obtained. The use of meta-analysis is suggested from the properties of the Bayes factor.

Abstract The testing of Bayesian point null hypotheses on variance component models have resulted in a tough assignment for which no clear and generally accepted method exists. In this work we present what we believe is a succeeding approach to such a task. It is based on a simple reparameterization of the model in terms of the total variance and the proportion of the additive genetic variance with respect to it, as well as on the explicit inclusion on the prior probability of a discrete component at origin. The reparameterization was used to bypass an arbitrariness related to the impropriety of uninformative priors onto unbounded variables while the discrete component was necessary to overcome the zero probability assigned to sets of null measure by the usual continuous variable models. The method was tested against computer simulations with appealing results.

Abstract The accurate estimation of the probability of identity by descent (IBD) at loci or genome positions of interest is paramount to the genetic study of quantitative and disease resistance traits. We present a Monte Carlo Markov Chain method to compute IBD probabilities between individuals conditional on DNA markers and on pedigree information. The IBDs can be obtained in a completely general pedigree at any genome position of interest, and all marker and pedigree information available is used. The method can be split into two steps at each iteration. First, phases are sampled using current genotypic configurations of relatives and second, crossover events are simulated conditional on phases. Internal track is kept of all founder origins and crossovers such that the IBD probabilities averaged over replicates are rapidly obtained. We illustrate the method with some examples. First, we show that all pedigree information should be used to obtain line origin probabilities in F2 crosses. Second, the distribution of genetic relationships between half and full sibs is analysed in both simulated data and in real data from an F2 cross in pigs.

Nonadditive genetic effects are currently ignored in national genetic evaluations of farm animals because of ignorance of thelevel of dominance variance for traits of interest and the difficult computational problems involved. Potential gains fromincluding the effects of dominance in genetic evaluations include “purification” of additive values and availability ofpredictions of specific combining abilities for each pair of prospective parents. This study focused on making evaluation withdominance effects feasible computationally and on ascertaining benefits of such an evaluation for dairy cattle, beef cattle,and swine. Using iteration on data, computing costs for evaluation with dominance effects included costs could be less thantwice expensive as with only an additive model. With Method Â, variance components could be estimated for problemsinvolving up to 10 millions equations. Dominance effects accounted for up to 10% of phenotypic variance; estimates werelarger for growth traits. As a percentage of additive variance, the estimate of dominance variance reached 78% for 21-d litterweight of swine and 47% for post weaning weight of beef cattle. When dominance effects are ignored, additive evaluationsare “contaminated”; effects are greatest for evaluations of dams in a single large family. These changes in ranking wereimportant for dairy cattle, especially for dams of full-sibs, but were less important for swine. Specific combining abilitiescannot be included in sire evaluations and need to be computed separately for each set of parents. The predictions of specificcombining abilities could be used in computerized mating programs via the Internet. Gains from including the dominanceeffect in genetic evaluations would be moderate but would outweigh expenditures to produce those evaluations.

Abstract Background Beef carcass conformation and fat cover scores are measured by subjective grading performed by trained technicians. The discrete nature of these scores is taken into account in genetic evaluations using a threshold model, which assumes an underlying continuous distribution called liability that can be modelled by different methods. Methods Five threshold models were compared in this study: three threshold linear models, one including slaughterhouse and sex effects, along with other systematic effects, with homogeneous thresholds and two extensions with heterogeneous thresholds that vary across slaughterhouses and across slaughterhouse and sex and a generalised linear model with reverse extreme value errors. For this last model, the underlying variable followed a Weibull distribution and was both a log-linear model and a grouped data model. The fifth model was an extension of grouped data models with score-dependent effects in order to allow for heterogeneous thresholds that vary across slaughterhouse and sex. Goodness-of-fit of these models was tested using the bootstrap methodology. Field data included 2,539 carcasses of the Bruna dels Pirineus beef cattle breed. Results Differences in carcass conformation and fat cover scores among slaughterhouses could not be totally captured by a systematic slaughterhouse effect, as fitted in the threshold linear model with homogeneous thresholds, and different thresholds per slaughterhouse were estimated using a slaughterhouse-specific threshold model. This model fixed most of the deficiencies when stratification by slaughterhouse was done, but it still failed to correctly fit frequencies stratified by sex, especially for fat cover, as 5 of the 8 current percentages were not included within the bootstrap interval. This indicates that scoring varied with sex and a specific sex per slaughterhouse threshold linear model should be used in order to guarantee the goodness-of-fit of the genetic evaluation model. This was also observed in grouped data models that avoided fitting deficiencies when slaughterhouse and sex effects were score-dependent. Conclusions Both threshold linear models and grouped data models can guarantee the goodness-of-fit of the genetic evaluation for carcass conformation and fat cover, but our results highlight the need for specific thresholds by sex and slaughterhouse in order to avoid fitting deficiencies.

Abstract Estimation of non-additive genetic effects in animal breeding is important because it increases the accuracy of breeding value prediction and the value of mate allocation procedures. With the advent of genomic selection these ideas should be revisited. The objective of this study was to quantify the efficiency of including dominance effects and practising mating allocation under a whole-genome evaluation scenario. Four strategies of selection, carried out during five generations, were compared by simulation techniques. In the first scenario (MS), individuals were selected based on their own phenotypic information. In the second (GSA), they were selected based on the prediction generated by the Bayes A method of whole-genome evaluation under an additive model. In the third (GSD), the model was expanded to include dominance effects. These three scenarios used random mating to construct future generations, whereas in the fourth one (GSD + MA), matings were optimized by simulated annealing. The advantage of GSD over GSA ranges from 9 to 14% of the expected response and, in addition, using mate allocation (GSD + MA) provides an additional response ranging from 6% to 22%. However, mate selection can improve the expected genetic response over random mating only in the first generation of selection. Furthermore, the efficiency of genomic selection is eroded after a few generations of selection, thus, a continued collection of phenotypic data and re-evaluation will be required.

Dans le domaine des études grecques, l’histoire universelle a fait l’objet d’un intérêt croissant ces dernières années. D’une part, la culture hellénistique qui l’a vit naître a été revendiquée et, d’autre part, les liens entre des disciplines telles que la philologie classique, les études sur l’Antiquité tardive et le début du christianisme ou les études sur le grec et le latin médiévaux ont été renforcés. L’une des conséquences les plus importantes de cette situation a été la remise en question du paradigme actuel en ce qui concerne les formes littéraires de l’histoire universelle, leur origine et leurs relations mutuelles. Partant de ces prémisses, cet article aborde brièvement les concepts de chronique et d’histoire universelle, ainsi que leur origine et leur développement dans le monde grec médiéval, pour se concentrer plus particulièrement sur la définition des genres de la chronographie et du bréviaire universel, les manifestations les plus importantes de l’histoire universelle à Byzance en raison du nombre de textes et de témoignages conservés, ainsi que de leur influence sur d’autres domaines culturels et linguistiques par le biais de traductions et d’adaptations.