One of the main objectives for astrobiology is to unravel and explore the habitability of environments beyond Earth, paying special attention to Mars. If the combined environmental stress factors on ...Mars are compatible with life or if they were less harsh in the past, to investigate the traces of past or present life is critical to understand its potential habitability. Essential for this research is the characterization of Mars analogue environments on Earth through the development of techniques for biomarker detection in them. Biosensing techniques based on fluorescence sandwich microarray immunoassays (FSMI) have shown to be a powerful tool to detect biosignatures and depict the microbial profiles of different environments. In this study, we described the microbial biomarker profile of five anoxic Mars analogues sites using the Life Detector Chip (LDChip), an antibody microarray for multiple microbial marker detection. Furthermore, we contributed to new targets by developing a new 26-polyclonal antibodies microarray using crude extracts from anaerobic sampling sites, halophilic microorganisms, and anaerobic isolates obtained in the framework of the European Mars Analogues for Space Exploration (MASE) project. The new subset of antibodies was characterized and implemented into a microarray platform (MASE-Chip) for microbial marker searching in salty and anaerobic environments.
The ligands 4,6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyrimidine (bpzpm), 4,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)pyrimidine (bpz*pm), 4,6-bis(4-methylpyrazol-1-yl)pyrimidine (Mebpzpm), and ...3,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)pyridazine (ppdMe) were synthesized and were made to react with Cu(I) centers in the presence of different counteranions. Different 2 × 2 metallic grids were obtained. With ligands bpzpm, bpz*pm, and Mebpzpm, a new type of grid was obtained where the facing ligands were divergent and two counteranions (BF4 - or PF6 -) were hosted in the resulting cavities and exhibit C−H···F and anion···π interactions in the solid state. The presence of methyl groups on the pyrazolyl rings induced several distortions in the structure. In complexes with the ligand ppdMe, there were found two groups of parallel ligands in the grid, and the cavities generated were smaller. The counteranions were situated outside the grid, and the facing ligands exhibited aromatic π−π stacking interactions. Anion−π interactions involving the pyridazine ring were found. The behavior in solution of the new derivatives with a special emphasis on the cation−anion interactions was studied by UV−vis and NMR spectroscopy. Diffusion NMR experiments performed for some complexes allowed us to conclude that weak cation−anion interactions exist in solution, with the counteranions undergoing fast exchange on the diffusion time scale between the free and ion-paired states.
The efficiency of acoustic communication depends on the power generated by the sound source, the quality of the environment across which signals propagate, the environmental noise and the sensitivity ...of the intended receivers.
Eupsophus calcaratus
, an anuran from the temperate austral forest, communicates by means of an advertisement call of weak intensity in a sound-attenuating environment. To estimate the range over which these frogs communicate effectively, we conducted measurements of sound level and degradation patterns of propagating advertisement calls in the field, and measurements of auditory thresholds to pure tones and to natural calls in laboratory conditions. The results show that
E.
calcaratus
produces weak advertisement calls of about 72 dB sound pressure level (SPL) at 0.25 m from the caller. The signals are affected by attenuation and degradation patterns as they propagate in their native environment, reaching average values of 61 and 51 dB SPL at 1 and 2 m from the sound source, respectively. Midbrain multi-unit recordings show a relatively low auditory sensitivity, with thresholds of about 58 dB SPL for conspecific calls, which are likely to restrict communication to distances shorter than 2 m, a remarkably short range as compared to other anurans.
•Acoustic indices have shown inconsistencies in biodiversity assessments.•The Valdivian rainforest is a biodiversity hotspot in South America.•Seven acoustic indices were evaluated as proxies of a ...biodiversity measure.•None of the indices showed a strong association with bird and anuran richness.•Two acoustic indices showed low to moderate correlation values with bird richness.
Passive acoustic monitoring is becoming an extensively used tool to evaluate the status and variation of populations of sound producing animals. The analyses of extensive acoustic recordings for identification and detection of acoustic signals of different species is highly time-consuming, either by traditional audiovisual procedures or by developing effective automated recognizers. These drawbacks in data analysis have promoted research efforts aimed to develop acoustic diversity indices, which are relatively easily obtained by means of different algorithms considering spectral and/or temporal properties of the sounds contained in the recordings. Nevertheless, studies performed in different environments and geographical areas reveal inconsistencies in the association between acoustic diversity indices and biodiversity, suggesting the need of new studies to evaluate commonly used acoustic diversity indices as proxies of the richness of sound producing animal species. The Valdivian rainforest from Chile, South America, is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot because of the high proportion of endemic species and their threatened status associated to anthropogenic activity. As it is imperative to evaluate cost-effective strategies for biodiversity monitoring, in this study we evaluated seven acoustic indices to assess their reliability as proxies of the variation in bird and anuran species richness, two important components of the biodiversity of this threatened environment. Our results indicate that most of the acoustic indices tested fail to describe satisfactorily the variation in species richness. Nevertheless, two indices, namely the Temporal Entropy and the Acoustic Evenness Index, may potentially serve as an indicator of bird richness, but future studies should fine-tune these indices to obtain a robust validation of its use within this environment. We expect that this work will contribute to the understanding of the significance and potential use of acoustic indices within this biodiversity hotspot as well as in other regions of interest for conservation.
The occurrence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in environmental microorganisms, particularly in poly-extremophilic bacteria, remain underexplored and have received limited attention. ...This study aims to investigate the prevalence of ARGs and metal resistance genes (MRGs) in shotgun metagenome sequences obtained from water and salt crust samples collected from Lake Afdera and the Assale salt plain in the Danakil Depression, northern Ethiopia. Potential ARGs were characterized by the comprehensive antibiotic research database (CARD), while MRGs were identified by using BacMetScan V.1.0. A total of 81 ARGs and 39 MRGs were identified at the sampling sites. We found a copA resistance gene for copper and the β-lactam encoding resistance genes were the most abundant the MRG and ARG in the study area. The abundance of MRGs is positively correlated with mercury (Hg) concentration, highlighting the importance of Hg in the selection of MRGs. Significant correlations also exist between heavy metals, Zn and Cd, and ARGs, which suggests that MRGs and ARGs can be co-selected in the environment contaminated by heavy metals. A network analysis revealed that MRGs formed a complex network with ARGs, primarily associated with β-lactams, aminoglycosides, and tetracyclines. This suggests potential co-selection mechanisms, posing concerns for both public health and ecological balance.
The efficiency of acoustic communication depends on the power generated by the sound source, the attributes of the environment across which signals propagate, the environmental noise and the ...sensitivity of the intended receivers. Eupsophus emiliopugini, an anuran from the temperate austral forest communicates by means of an advertisement call of moderate intensity within the range for anurans. To estimate the range over which these frogs communicate effectively, we conducted measurements of call sound levels and of auditory thresholds to pure tones and to synthetic conspecific calls. The results show that E. emiliopugini produces advertisement calls of about 84 dB SPL at 0.25 m from the caller. The signals are affected by attenuation as they propagate, reaching average values of about 47 dB SPL at 8 m from the sound source. Midbrain multi-unit recordings show quite sensitive audiograms within the anuran range, with thresholds of about 44 dB SPL for synthetic imitations of conspecific calls, which would allow communication at distances beyond 8 m. This is an extended range as compared to E. calcaratus, a related syntopic species for which a previous study has shown to be restricted to active acoustic spaces shorter than 2 m. The comparison reveals divergent strategies for related taxa communicating amid the same environment.
To face and properly mitigate coastal changes at a local level, it is necessary to recognize and characterize the specific processes affecting a coastline. Some of these processes are local (e.g., ...sediment starvation), while others are regional (e.g., relative sea-level change) or global (e.g., eustatic sea-level rise). Long tide gauge records help establish sea-level trends for a region that accounts for global (eustatic, steric) and regional (isostatic) sea-level changes. Local sea-level changes are also the product of vertical land motion (VLM), varying depending on tectonic, sedimentological, and anthropogenic factors. We investigate the role of coastal land subsidence in the present-day dynamics of an abandoned delta in the Colombian Caribbean. Satellite images and synthetic aperture radar acquisitions are used to assess decadal-scale coastline changes and subsidence rates for the period 2007–2021. We found that subsidence rates are highly variable alongshore. Local subsidence rates of up to −1.0 cm/yr correspond with an area of erosion rates of up to −15 m/yr, but coastal erosion also occurs in sectors where subsidence was not detected. The results highlight that local coastline changes are influenced by multiple, interacting drivers, including sand supply, coastline orientation and engineering structures, and that subsidence alone does not explain the high rates of coastal erosion along the study area. By the end of the century, ongoing coastal erosion rates of up to −25 m/yr, annual rates of subsidence of about −1 cm/yr, and current trends of global sea-level rise are expected to increase flooding levels and jeopardize the existence of the deltaic barrier island.
La presente investigación se elaboró con el objetivo de determinar en qué medida la gestión estratégica universitaria influye en el posicionamiento del licenciado enAdministración de la Universidad ...Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann de Tacna en el año 2018. La investigación fue básica, de carácter descriptivo-explicativo. Se trabajó con una muestra de 574 miembros de la comunidad universitaria entre docentes, administrativos y licenciados en Administración de la UNJBG; quienes a través de la aplicación del cuestionario otorgaron datos para medir las variables del presente estudio. El instrumento para medir las variables constó de 26 ítems; fue diseñado por Lozano (2013), pero adaptado para la presente investigación. Asimismo, cuenta con la validación de expertos, análisis de confiabilidad mediante el Alfa de Cronbach y análisis de correlación por ítems. Luego de la recolección y procesamiento de datos, a través del software estadístico SPSS V.22, se describieron los resultados obtenidos por cada ítem y variable correspondiente. Las hipótesis fueron aceptadas con los resultados validados a través de las pruebas paramétricas conducidas por la prueba de Kolomogorov-Smirnov. Además, la Prueba Chi cuadrado y coeficiencia de contingencia permitieron concluir que existe una influencia “alta” significativa de la gestión estratégica universitaria en el posicionamiento del licenciado en Administración de la Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann de Tacna.
Nuevas fuentes de credibilidad De Torres, Paz; Gómez-Pallete, Felipe
Revista española de la transparencia,
03/2020
10
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
La confianza que las instituciones de un país inspiran en la ciudadanía se ha visto dañada en los últimos años, dentro y fuera de España. En el diagnóstico de las causas que nos han llevado a esta ...situación se abre paso una pregunta: Las fuentes de prestigio y reputación a las que se ha recurrido hasta ahora, ¿siguen siendo las únicas posibles?
En este trabajo se ofrecen nuevas posibilidades, otras fuentes de credibilidad para recuperar el terreno perdido. Estas propuestas vienen a sumarse a los mecanismos generadores de confianza tradicionalmente utilizados y que permanecen vigentes.
Para la adopción de los planteamientos y métodos de trabajo aquí recomendados, resulta imprescindible establecer puentes poco transitados en España: la combinación de categorías -teóricas y prácticas- de las organizaciones de carácter privado con las categorías propias de las organizaciones de carácter público, tanto en su esfera política como en la administrativa.
Phonotactic female and vocal male responses of frogs to advertisement calls have been shown to encompass broader ranges than those of variation of natural mate-attracting signals. Anuran aggressive ...calls contribute to expand the range of sound features significant for communication. Evoked vocal responses (EVRs) of males of Batrachyla leptopus to synthetic advertisement calls and variants with different temporal features altered parametrically were studied to assess their correspondence with features of natural signals. Frogs responded to stimuli differing in note rate with vocal patterns that depended on the design of the synthetic sounds: lower call rates were obtained with stimuli composed of notes with linear rise-fall times deviating from the average of this parameter for natural calls. However, opposite results were obtained with stimuli composed of sinusoidally amplitude-modulated notes. Calls of longer duration resembling aggressive calls were emitted in response to low note rate sinusoidal stimuli. Stimuli with note durations above and below the natural average, stimuli having low pulse rates and a continuous tone also elicited longer calls of aggressive type. These patterns relate the vocal responses recorded to recognition of conspecific and heterospecific advertisement and aggressive calls, as well as to novel signal features.
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