Biodiversity analysis of natural arthropods enemies in vineyard agroecosystems in La Rioja, Spain

L. Jiménez-García,Y.G. García-Martínez,V. Marco-Mancebón,I. Pérez-Moreno,D. Jiménez-García 한국응용곤충학회 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.22 No.1

Major knowledge gaps exist regarding effects of landscape-level agroecosystem composition on the presence of natural enemies of agricultural pests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of landscape mosaic characteristics on the diversity of predators and parasitoids of a viticultural landscape in La Rioja, Spain. Five habitats were evaluated: Mediterranean forest, Mediterranean scrub, olive groves, natural grassland, and vineyards. In all, we collected 28,640 arthropods, representing 10 orders: Araneae, Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Mantodea, Neuroptera, Solifugae, and Thysanoptera. The grassland habitat presented the highest arthropod abundances. Carabid beetles showed preferences for Mediterranean forest and scrub, whereas reduviid bugs showed preferences for natural grassland. Landscape heterogeneity and connectivity with natural elements in the study area turn out to be effective in conservation of diversity of natural enemies of viticulture.

Preparation of Hybrid Devices Containing Nylon/M(II)Pc-TTF (M=Cu, Zn) Films with Potential Optical and Electrical Applications

María Elena Sánchez-Vergara,Diana Monserrat López-Romero,Pablo Vidal-García,Christian Jiménez-Jarquín,Aline Hernandez-García,Omar Jiménez-Sandoval 대한금속·재료학회 2017 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.13 No.3

Hybrid devices consisting of metallophthalocyanines, MPcs(M=Zn, Cu), doped with a Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivativeand dispersed in nylon 11 have been prepared by using a thermalevaporation technique. The effects of thermal relaxation on thestructure and morphology of the samples were studied by FT-IRspectroscopy, SEM and X-ray diffraction. The thermalrelaxation in nylon 11 produced a crystalline arrangement in theα- and β-form MPc molecules. Changes in conductivity of thedevices suggest the formation of alternative paths for carrierconduction. It was found that the temperature-dependent electriccurrent in Zn devices showed a semiconductor behavior. Finally,the optical direct and indirect band gap of these hybrid deviceswas evaluated from optical absorption measurements. The bandgap values were found to decrease from 3.7 to 1.38 eV (for theZnPc device), and from 1.9 to 1.1 eV (for the CuPc device), withthe addition of TTF in the polymeric matrix.

Work Ability Index: Psychometric Testing in Aeronautical Industry Workers

González-Domínguez María Eugenia,Fernández-García Elena,Paloma-Castro Olga,González-López Regina María,Rivas Pérez María Paz,López-Molina Luis,García-Jiménez Jesús,Romero-Sánchez José Manuel 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2024 Safety and health at work Vol.15 No.1

Background The Work Ability Index (WAI) is an instrument that measures work ability. The wide dispersion of the WAI internationally has led to its adaptation for use in different countries. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the WAI. Methods A methodological design was used over an opportunistic sample of 233 workers in the aeronautical industry in Spain. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency. Factorial validity, known groups, and convergent validity were tested. Results The Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation indicated an adequate internal consistency. The confirmatory factor analysis, performed to evaluate the factorial validity, found adequate fit indices for a two-factor solution with a high correlation between the factors. Factor 1, “Subjectively estimated work ability and resources”, was composed of 3 subscales and factor 2, “Ill-health-related”, of 2 subscales. Subscales 4 and 6 had loading in both factors. Workers under 45 years of age obtained higher significant scores than older ones. Convergent validity was also evidenced since WAI was highly correlated with self-assessment of health status. Conclusions The Spanish version of the WAI has shown evidence of reliability and validity in this study, supporting its use in individual and collective health surveillance by occupational health professionals. The factorial solution that was found has previously been reported in another international context. However, further research is needed to resolve the discrepancies detected in the role of some subscales between other national and international studies. Background The Work Ability Index (WAI) is an instrument that measures work ability. The wide dispersion of the WAI internationally has led to its adaptation for use in different countries. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the WAI. Methods A methodological design was used over an opportunistic sample of 233 workers in the aeronautical industry in Spain. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency. Factorial validity, known groups, and convergent validity were tested. Results The Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation indicated an adequate internal consistency. The confirmatory factor analysis, performed to evaluate the factorial validity, found adequate fit indices for a two-factor solution with a high correlation between the factors. Factor 1, “Subjectively estimated work ability and resources”, was composed of 3 subscales and factor 2, “Ill-health-related”, of 2 subscales. Subscales 4 and 6 had loading in both factors. Workers under 45 years of age obtained higher significant scores than older ones. Convergent validity was also evidenced since WAI was highly correlated with self-assessment of health status. Conclusions The Spanish version of the WAI has shown evidence of reliability and validity in this study, supporting its use in individual and collective health surveillance by occupational health professionals. The factorial solution that was found has previously been reported in another international context. However, further research is needed to resolve the discrepancies detected in the role of some subscales between other national and international studies.

Red alga <i>Grateloupia imbricata</i> (Halymeniaceae), a species introduced into the Canary Islands

Garcí,a-Jimé,nez, Pilar,Geraldino, Paul John L.,Boo, Sung Ming,Robaina, Rafael R. Blackwell Publishing Asia 2008 Phycological research Vol.56 No.3

<P>SUMMARY</P><P>Specimens of <I>Grateloupia</I> from Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands were used to molecularly ascertain which of the species has been used in physiological and bio-technological experiments. The <I>rbc</I>L sequence analysis revealed that four out of five analyzed specimens (i.e. those commonly collected for physiological research) formed a monophyletic clade with <I>G. imbricata</I> from Korea, Japan, and China, and were quite different from any other species of the genus. Another sample, which was associated with cage nets used for fish aquaculture, was grouped with <I>G. lanceolata</I> from Japan, though it appears too early as yet to identify it as such. This is, thus, proof of a new introduction of a marine macroalga, since <I>G. imbricata</I> is an Asian species, native to Japan and Korea, in the Canary Islands. The role of international shipping in the introduction of the species is discussed.</P>

Heart Rate Variability and Psychometric Analysis in Patients with Hyperactive Heart Fire Syndrome

Oliverio Medina Martínez,Ruben Fossion,Yolanda García Piceno,Rosa E. Lopez-Gomez,Emma López-Espinosa,Ismael Jiménez-Estrada,Salvador Quiroz-González 사단법인약침학회 2021 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.14 No.4

Background: Hyperactive heart fire syndrome is characterized by anxiety, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, tongue ulcers, heat in the hands, and palpitations. However, syndrome differentiation is often subjective due to a lack of objective, quantifiable variables. Objectives: To identify changes in heart rate variability (HRV) and psychometric analysis in patients with hyperactive heart fire syndrome. Methods: Healthy controls (n = 33) were compared to patients with hyperactive heart fire syndrome (n = 48) from the Integrative University Clinic of the State University of Ecatepec Valley (CIU-UNEVE). Physiological outcome measures included heart rate (HR), the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal heartbeat intervals (SDNN), low (LF) and high frequency (HF) power, and the LF/HF ratio. Psychometric outcome measures included the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). Results: Compared to controls, hyperactive heart fire patients had higher HR (9.6 ± 2.62%), LF (22 ± 4.21%) and LF/HF ratio (23 ± 3.14%), and lower SDNN (21 ± 2.33%) and HF (18 ± 4.61%). Patients showed increased anxiety, both with somatic (33 ± 11.2%) and psychic symptoms (39 ± 10.5%) with more difficulty falling asleep (47 ± 9.9%) and diurnal impact of sleep (31 ± 9.6%). Conclusion: Hyperactive heart fire patients may have a sympathovagal imbalance due to a reduced parasympathetic tone and/or adominant sympathetic tone, which may be at the origin of the observed symptoms of insomnia and anxiety.

Synthesis and characterization of TiO2, CeO2, and TiO2-CeO2 particles forapplication in the treatment of phenol

Y. Lara-López,G. García-Rosales,J. Jiménez-Becerril 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2019 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.20 No.1

In this work, titanium oxide particles were synthesized (TiO2) by the sol-gel technique, yielding spherical particles with anaverage diameter of 55 nm and surface area of 50.6 m2/g. The material’s major crystallographic phase is rutile. The CeO2particles synthesized in this work present a spherical morphology of 40 nm with a specific surface area of 43.6 m2/g andrepresent the cerianite crystalline phase. In addition, by means of this synthesis technique, particles composed of TiO2 andceria CeO2 that have an average diameter were not affected by the presence of CeO2. However, the specific area (81 m2/g)significantly increased. Strangely, in the composite material, the predominant phase occurred due to the presence of CeO2,which prevents the growth of rutile crystals. The phenol degradation tests showed that at an initial concentration of 30 mg/L, TiO2 degrades in approximately 20% of phenol after 120 minutes, but at an initial concentration of 50 mg/L, degrades atapproximately 15% after 180 minutes. The other synthesized materials reach degradation of only around 3% in both phenolconcentrations.

Analytical method for determining maximum shear stresses in laminated composite metal bars subjected to torsion

Mario Acosta-Flores,Marta Lilia Eraña-Díaz,Eusebio Jiménez-López,Juan Carlos García,Juan José Delfín-Vázquez,Baldomero Lucero-Velázquez 대한기계학회 2021 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.35 No.7

In this study, a novel method for determining stresses in the torsion problems of laminated composite trimetallic and bimetallic bars was developed and evaluated via experimental and numerical analyses. The objective of this method is to transform a real transversal section of a model for a laminated composite bar into a hypothetical virtual section that is homogenous and isotropic. An analogy with the transformed-section method for solving composite beams under flexion was conducted. The shear stresses (maximum on external surfaces and interfaces) in laminated composite bars were undergoing torsion. Isotropic symmetric and asymmetric laminated composite bars were examined analytically, and the results of their respective experimental and numerical tests were analyzed. The proposed method exhibits differences between 2 % and 12 % compared with the experimental results and between 2 % and 10 % compared with the results obtained using the finite element method.

The Role of Mitochondrial Dynamic Dysfunction in Age-Associated Type 2 Diabetes

Vezza Teresa,Díaz-Pozo Pedro,Canet Francisco,de Marañón Aranzazu M.,Abad-Jiménez Zaida,García-Gargallo Celia,Roldan Ildefonso,Solá Eva,Bañuls Celia,López-Domènech Sandra,Rocha Milagros,Víctor Víctor M 대한남성과학회 2022 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.40 No.3

Mitochondrial dynamics, such as fusion and fission, play a critical role in maintaining cellular metabolic homeostasis. The molecular mechanisms underlying these processes include fusion proteins (Mitofusin 1 [MFN1], Mitofusin 2 [MFN2], and optic atrophy 1 [OPA1]) and fission mediators (mitochondrial fission 1 [FIS1] and dynamin-related protein 1 [DRP1]), which interact with each other to ensure mitochondrial quality control. Interestingly, defects in these proteins can lead to the loss of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) integrity, impairment of mitochondrial function, a severe alteration of mitochondrial morphology, and eventually cell death. Emerging evidence has revealed a causal relationship between dysregulation of mitochondria dynamics and age-associated type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disease whose rates have reached an alarming epidemic-like level with the majority of cases (59%) recorded in men aged 65 and over. In this sense, fragmentation of mitochondrial networks is often associated with defects in cellular energy production and increased apoptosis, leading, in turn, to excessive reactive oxygen species release, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic alterations, which can ultimately contribute to β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. The present review discusses the processes of mitochondrial fusion and fission and their dysfunction in type 2 diabetes, with special attention given to the therapeutic potential of targeting mitochondrial dynamics in this complex metabolic disorder.