Fluctuating selection and global change: a synthesis and review on disentangling the roles of climate amplitude, predictability and novelty.

A formidable challenge for global change biologists is to predict how natural populations will respond to the emergence of conditions not observed at present, termed novel climates. Popular approaches to predict population vulnerability are based on the expected degree of novelty relative to the amplitude of historical climate fluctuations experienced by a population. Here, we argue that predictions focused on amplitude may be inaccurate because they ignore the predictability of environmental fluctuations in driving patterns of evolution and responses to climate change. To address this disconnect, we review major findings of evolutionary theory demonstrating the conditions under which phenotypic plasticity is likely to evolve in natural populations, and how plasticity decreases population vulnerability to novel environments. We outline key criteria that experimental studies should aim for to effectively test theoretical predictions, while controlling for the degree of climate novelty. We show that such targeted tests of evolutionary theory are rare, with marine systems being overall underrepresented in this venture despite exhibiting unique opportunities to test theory. We conclude that with more robust experimental designs that manipulate both the amplitude and predictability of fluctuations, while controlling for the degree of novelty, we may better predict population vulnerability to climate change.

Spreading of SARS-CoV-2 in West Africa and assessment of risk factors.

Although the African continent is, for the moment, less impacted than the rest of the world, it still faces the risk of a spread of COVID-19. In this study, we have conducted a systematic review of the information available in the literature in order to provide an overview of the epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 pandemic in West Africa and of the impact of risk factors such as comorbidities, climatic conditions and demography on the pandemic. Burkina Faso is used as a case study to better describe the situation in West Africa. The epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in West Africa is marked by a continuous increase in the numbers of confirmed cases. This geographic area had on 29 July 2020, 131 049 confirmed cases by polymerase chain reaction, 88 305 recoveries and 2102 deaths. Several factors may influence the SARS-CoV-2 circulation in Africa: (i) comorbidities: diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure could lead to an increase in the number of severe cases of SARS-CoV-2; (ii) climatic factors: the high temperatures could be a factor contributing to slow the spread of the virus and (iii) demography: the West Africa population is very young and this could be a factor limiting the occurrence of severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in West Africa is relatively slow compared to European countries, vigilance must remain. Difficulties in access to diagnostic tests, lack of hospital equipment, but also the large number of people working in the informal sector (such as trading, businesses, transport and restoration) makes it difficult to apply preventive measures, namely physical distancing and containment.

Usutu virus: A new threat?

Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging arbovirus that was first isolated in South Africa in 1959. This Flavivirus is maintained in the environment through a typical enzootic cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. USUV has spread to a large part of the European continent over the two decades mainly leading to substantial avian mortalities with a significant recrudescence of bird infections recorded throughout Europe within the few last years. USUV infection in humans is considered to be most often asymptomatic or to cause mild clinical signs. Nonetheless, a few cases of neurological complications such as encephalitis or meningoencephalitis have been reported. USUV and West Nile virus (WNV) share many features, like a close phylogenetic relatedness and a similar ecology, with co-circulation frequently observed in nature. However, USUV has been much less studied and in-depth comparisons of the biology of these viruses are yet rare. In this review, we discuss the main body of knowledge regarding USUV and compare it with the literature on WNV, addressing in particular virological and clinical aspects, and pointing data gaps.

Evaluation of helper-dependent canine adenovirus vectors in a 3D human CNS model.

Gene therapy is a promising approach with enormous potential for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Viral vectors derived from canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) present attractive features for gene delivery strategies in the human brain, by preferentially transducing neurons, are capable of efficient axonal transport to afferent brain structures, have a 30-kb cloning capacity and have low innate and induced immunogenicity in preclinical tests. For clinical translation, in-depth preclinical evaluation of efficacy and safety in a human setting is primordial. Stem cell-derived human neural cells have a great potential as complementary tools by bridging the gap between animal models, which often diverge considerably from human phenotype, and clinical trials. Herein, we explore helper-dependent CAV-2 (hd-CAV-2) efficacy and safety for gene delivery in a human stem cell-derived 3D neural in vitro model. Assessment of hd-CAV-2 vector efficacy was performed at different multiplicities of infection, by evaluating transgene expression and impact on cell viability, ultrastructural cellular organization and neuronal gene expression. Under optimized conditions, hd-CAV-2 transduction led to stable long-term transgene expression with minimal toxicity. hd-CAV-2 preferentially transduced neurons, whereas human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV5) showed increased tropism toward glial cells. This work demonstrates, in a physiologically relevant 3D model, that hd-CAV-2 vectors are efficient tools for gene delivery to human neurons, with stable long-term transgene expression and minimal cytotoxicity.

Biophysical characterization of the outer membrane polysaccharide export protein and the polysaccharide co-polymerase protein from Xanthomonas campestris.

This study investigated the structural and biophysical characteristics of GumB and GumC, two Xanthomonas campestris membrane proteins that are involved in xanthan biosynthesis. Xanthan is an exopolysaccharide that is thought to be a virulence factor that contributes to bacterial in planta growth. It also is one of the most important industrial biopolymers. The first steps of xanthan biosynthesis are well understood, but the polymerization and export mechanisms remain unclear. For this reason, the key proteins must be characterized to better understand these processes. Here we characterized, by biochemical and biophysical techniques, GumB, the outer membrane polysaccharide export protein, and GumC, the polysaccharide co-polymerase protein of the xanthan biosynthesis system. Our results suggested that recombinant GumB is a tetrameric protein in solution. On the other hand, we observed that both native and recombinant GumC present oligomeric conformation consistent with dimers and higher-order oligomers. The transmembrane segments of GumC are required for GumC expression and/or stability. These initial results provide a starting point for additional studies that will clarify the roles of GumB and GumC in the xanthan polymerization and export processes and further elucidate their functions and mechanisms of action.

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of ruthenium(II) azido complexes with alkynes and nitriles.

The diazido complex [Na][Ru(N3)2{κ(3)(N,N,N)-Tpms}(PPh3)] (1) (Tpms = tris(pyrazolyl)methanesulfonate) has been synthesized, and its reactivity toward dipolarophiles has been investigated. Thus, the reaction of 1 with alkynes leads to complexes with one or two triazolate ligands depending on the alkyne and the reaction conditions. Complex 1 also reacts with nitriles. Thus, the reaction with RCN (R = Me, Ph) leads to the substitution products [Ru(N3)(NCR){κ(3)(N,N,N)-Tpms}(PPh3)]. However, when fumaronitrile is used, a complex containing a new κ(2)(N(1),N(3))-5-(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrazolate ligand is obtained as the result of two consecutive cycloaddition reactions. The mechanism for this unusual reaction has been unambiguously established through the isolation of the intermediate complex resulting from a first cycloaddition between a coordinated azide and the C═C double bond.

Surface characterization and interfacial activity of chitinase chi18-5 against chitosan in langmuir monolayers.

One of the challenges for producing active chitinase formulations relies on the gap between the laboratory tests and the biological scenarios where the enzyme will perform its function. In this work, we have employed different Langmuir monolayer arrays to evaluate the interfacial behavior of a recently purified recombinant chitinase, Chi18-5. We have demonstrated that two conformations exist for the chitinase at pH values close to its pI, showing very distinct structural properties at the air/aqueous interface. Enzyme activity was assessed by implementing different kinetic approaches and using a chitosan-1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) mixed film as organized substrate model membrane. Combining these strategies, we demonstrated that better catalytic efficiencies can be obtained for Chi18-5 at pH 5. Moreover, the chitinase activity at the air/aqueous interface can be tuned by introducing in situ pH modifications over the surrounding milieu. We also studied the changes in the topography at the mesoscale level using Brewster Angle Microscopy (BAM). We found that Chi18-5 segregated onto the chitosan domains of the membrane, showing differences in homogeneity depending on the pH imposed. Alternatively, pure Chi18-5 was tested for immobilization onto a hydrophilic activated solid support using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analyses showed successfully stabilization and preservation of molecular features attributed to the pH at which the enzyme deposition was performed.

Biaxial nematic phase in the Maier-Saupe model for a mixture of discs and cylinders.

We analyze the global phase diagram of a Maier-Saupe lattice model with the inclusion of shape-disordered degrees of freedom to mimic a mixture of oblate and prolate molecules (discs and cylinders). In the neighborhood of a Landau multicritical point, solutions of the statistical problem can be written as a Landau-de Gennes expansion for the free energy. If the shape-disordered degrees of freedom are quenched, we confirm the existence of a biaxial nematic structure. If orientational and disorder degrees of freedom are allowed to thermalize, this biaxial solution becomes thermodynamically unstable. Also, we use a two-temperature formalism to mimic the presence of two distinct relaxation times, and show that a slight departure from complete thermalization is enough to stabilize a biaxial nematic phase.

Tricritical-like behavior of the nonlinear optical refraction at the nematic-isotropic transition in the E7 thermotropic liquid crystal.

We use Z-scan technique to investigate the nonlinear optical response of the thermotropic liquid crystal E7 in the neighborhood of the nematic-isotropic phase transition. The analysis of the data for the nonlinear optical birefringence is compatible with an effective critical exponent of the order parameter, ß = 0.28 ± 0.03, which is close to the classical value, ß = 0.25 , for a tricritical point. The nonlinear optical absorption in the nematic range depends on the geometrical configuration of the nematic director with respect to the polarization beam, and vanishes in the isotropic phase.

No oceans on Titan from the absence of a near-infrared specular reflection.

With its substantial atmosphere of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and nitriles, Saturn's moon Titan is a unique planetary satellite. Photochemical processing of the gaseous constituents produces an extended haze that obscures the surface. Soon after the Voyager fly-bys in 1980 and 1981 photochemical models led to the conclusion that there should be enough liquid methane/ethane/nitrogen to cover the surface to a depth of several hundred metres. Recent Earth-based radar echoes imply that surface liquid may be present at a significant fraction of the locations sampled. Here we present ground-based observations (at near-infrared wavelengths) and calculations showing that there is no evidence thus far for surface liquid. Combined with the specular signatures from radar observations, we infer mechanisms that produce very flat solid surfaces, involving a substance that was liquid in the past but is not in liquid form at the locations we studied.

Uniaxial and biaxial structures in the elastic Maier-Saupe model.

We perform statistical mechanics calculations to analyze the global phase diagram of a fully connected version of a Maier-Saupe-Zwanzig lattice model with the inclusion of couplings to an elastic strain field. We point out the presence of uniaxial and biaxial nematic structures, depending on temperature T and on the applied stress σ. Under uniaxial extensive tension, applied stress favors uniaxial orientation, and we obtain a first-order boundary along which there is a coexistence of two uniaxial paranematic phases, and which ends at a simple critical point. Under uniaxial compressive tension, stress favors biaxial orientation; for small values of the coupling parameters, the first-order boundary ends at a tricritical point, beyond which there is a continuous transition between a paranematic and a biaxially ordered structure. For some representative choices of the model parameters, we obtain a number of analytic results, including the location of critical and tricritical points and the line of stability of the biaxial phase.

Fluctuation-dissipation theorem and the linear Glauber model.

We obtain exact expressions for the two-time autocorrelation and response functions of the -dimensional linear Glauber model. Although this linear model does not obey detailed balance in dimensions d > or = 2, we show that the usual form of the fluctuation-dissipation ratio still holds in the stationary regime. In the transient regime, we show the occurrence of aging, with a special limit of the fluctuation-dissipation ratio, x(infinity) = 1/2, for a quench at the critical point.

Factores de riesgo en embarazadas y acompañamiento gestacional / Risk factors in pregnant women and gestational accompaniment

Introducción: La maternidad es un fenómeno sociocultural complejo que trasciende los aspectos biológicos de la gestación y del parto, pues tiene además componentes psicológicos, sociales, culturales y afectivos del ser madre que se construyen en la interacción de las mujeres con otras personas para comprender los significados de la maternidad con el fin de identificar factores de riesgo de manera oportuna. Objetivo:Evaluarlos factores de riesgo en las embarazadas y el acompañamiento gestacional, para disminuir las complicaciones materno-fetales. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una investigación cuantitativa de tipo analítico de cohorte prospectiva con una población258 embarazadas que acudieron a la consulta de control prenatal en un Centro de Salud de Primer Nivel de Atención en cualquier etapa del embarazo para la recolección de la información fue a través de las encuestas y revisión de historias clínicas. El análisis estadístico de los resultados se obtuvo a través de la aplicación de métodos inferenciales chi cuadrado y descriptivos análisis de frecuencias y porcentajes. Resultados: Los factores de riesgo en las embarazadas que se han identificado son las anemias, hipertensión gestacional, infección del tracto urinario, enfermedad cardiaca y diabetes; además se visualiza que en el acompañamiento gestacional con la asistencia de la pareja a los controles prenatales presenta un chi cuadrado de 7,8425 con una significancia de 0,0494, lo que indica que, si hay asociación entre estas dos variables, que aquellas embarazadas que no tienen acompañamiento gestacional. Conclusión: El acompañamiento gestacional es importante realizarlo por parte de la pareja de la embarazada, de tal forma se fomente desde el embarazo los lazos filiales y el fortalecimiento del apoyo a la mujer embarazada en esta etapa de vulnerabilidad de la mujer. (AU)

Introduction: Motherhood is a complex sociocultural phenomenon that transcends the biological aspects of gestation and childbirth, as it also has psychological, social, cultural and affective components of being a mother that are built in the interaction of women with others to understand the meanings of motherhood in order to identify risk factors in a timely manner. Objective: Evaluate risk factors in pregnant women and gestational accompaniment, to decrease fetal maternal complications. Material and methods: Quantitative prospective cohort-type analytical research was conducted with a population of 258 pregnant women who attended the prenatal monitoring consultation at a First Level Health Center of Care at any stage of pregnancy for information collection was through surveys and review of medical records. Statistical analysis of the results was obtained through the application of chi squared inferential methods and descriptive frequency and percentage analysis. Results: Risk factors in pregnant women that have been identified are anemias, gestational hypertension, urinary tract infection, heart disease and diabetes; it is also visualized that in the gestational accompaniment with the couple's attendance at prenatal checkups presents a chi square of 7,8425with a significance of 0.0494, indicating that, if there is association between these two variables, that those pregnant women who do not have gestational accompaniment. Conclusion: Gestational accompaniment is important to carry out by the pregnant partner, in such a way that the subsidiary ties are fostered from pregnancy and the strengthening of support for the pregnant woman at this stage of vulnerability of the woman. (AU)

Actitud de las gestantes frente al Covid 19 / Attitude of pregnant women towards Covid 19 / Atitude de mulheres grávidas em relação à Covid 19

La evaluación de la actitud de las gestantes frente al Covid-19 permite identificar aquellas áreas deficitarias donde debemos actuar con la educación al paciente, por otra parte nos sirve para evaluar los conocimientos y creencias que tienen las embarazadas del SARS-CoV2, también permite saber cómo está el proceso afectivo de las gestantes, y cuáles son las acciones que toman ante la pandemia. El objetivo principal es conocer cuáles son las actitudes de las gestantes frente al Covid-19. Se implementó un cuestionario en donde hubo ítems que se puntuaron con la escala de Likert (de 1 a 5) según el grado de satisfacción, también hubo preguntas cerradas, con respuesta de SI y NO. Para el análisis de fiabilidad de datos se utilizó el programa SPSS Versión-25. La muestra la constituyeron 100 mujeres gestantes. Los resultados mostraron en las actitudes cognitivas que el 92% de las gestantes conocen las medidas de prevención del Covid-19, mientras que en actitudes afectivas mostraron que el 90% si tienen temor de que el recién nacido se contagie dentro del Hospital durante el parto o pos-parto. Finalmente, en la actitud conductual solo el 30% de las gestantes se lavan las manos al menos 20 segundos o más.(AU)

The evaluation of the attitude of pregnant women towards Covid-19 allows us to identify those deficit areas where we must act with patient education, on the other hand it helps us to evaluate the knowledge and beliefs that pregnant women have about SARS-CoV2, it also allows us to know how is the affective process of pregnant women, and what are the actions they take in the face of the pandemic. The main objective is to know what the attitudes of pregnant women are towards Covid-19, the specific ones are: To know the level of information that pregnant women have about prevention measures during this Covid-19 pandemic, Describe what is the emotional state of pregnant women during the pandemic, and Identify the prevention behaviors carried out by pregnant women during this pandemic. A questionnaire was implemented in which there were items that were scored with the Likert scale (from 1 to 5) according to the degree of satisfaction, there were also closed questions, with an answer of YES and NO. For the data reliability analysis, the SPSS Version-25 program was used. The sample was made up of 100 pregnant women. The results showed in cognitive attitudes that 92% of pregnant women know the prevention measures of Covid-19, while in affective attitudes they showed that 90% are afraid that the newborn is infected inside the Hospital during delivery or postpartum. Finally, in the behavioral attitude, only 30% of pregnant women wash their hands for at least 20 seconds or more. (AU)

A avaliação da atitude das gestantes em relação à Covid-19 nos permite identificar as áreas deficitárias onde devemos atuar com a educação do paciente, por outro lado nos ajuda a avaliar o conhecimento e as crenças que as gestantes têm sobre a SARS-CoV2. também nos permite saber como é o processo afetivo da gestante e quais são as ações que realizam diante da pandemia. O objetivo principal é saber quais são as atitudes das mulheres grávidas em relação à Covid-19. Foi aplicado um questionário onde havia itens que eram pontuados com a escala Likert (de 1 a 5) de acordo com o grau de satisfação, também havia questões fechadas, com resposta SIM e NÃO. Para análise da confiabilidade dos dados, foi utilizado o programa SPSS Versão-25. A amostra foi composta por 100 gestantes. Os resultados mostraram nas atitudes cognitivas que 92% das gestantes conhecem as medidas de prevenção do Covid-19, enquanto nas atitudes afetivas mostraram que 90% temem que o recém-nascido se infecte dentro do Hospital durante o parto ou puerpério. Por fim, na atitude comportamental, apenas 30% das gestantes lavam as mãos por pelo menos 20 segundos ou mais. (AU)

Binding of the substrate UDP-glucuronic acid induces conformational changes in the xanthan gum glucuronosyltransferase.

GumK is a membrane-associated glucuronosyltransferase of Xanthomonas campestris that is involved in xanthan gum biosynthesis. GumK belongs to the inverting GT-B superfamily and catalyzes the transfer of a glucuronic acid (GlcA) residue from uridine diphosphate (UDP)-GlcA (UDP-GlcA) to a lipid-PP-trisaccharide embedded in the membrane of the bacteria. The structure of GumK was previously described in its apo- and UDP-bound forms, with no significant conformational differences being observed. Here, we study the behavior of GumK toward its donor substrate UDP-GlcA. Turbidity measurements revealed that the interaction of GumK with UDP-GlcA produces aggregation of protein molecules under specific conditions. Moreover, limited proteolysis assays demonstrated protection of enzymatic digestion when UDP-GlcA is present, and this protection is promoted by substrate binding. Circular dichroism spectroscopy also revealed changes in the GumK tertiary structure after UDP-GlcA addition. According to the obtained emission fluorescence results, we suggest the possibility of exposure of hydrophobic residues upon UDP-GlcA binding. We present in silico-built models of GumK complexed with UDP-GlcA as well as its analogs UDP-glucose and UDP-galacturonic acid. Through molecular dynamics simulations, we also show that a relative movement between the domains appears to be specific and to be triggered by UDP-GlcA. The results presented here strongly suggest that GumK undergoes a conformational change upon donor substrate binding, likely bringing the two Rossmann fold domains closer together and triggering a change in the N-terminal domain, with consequent generation of the acceptor substrate binding site.

[Asymptomatic pharyngeal carriage of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Chilean children]. / Portación faríngea de Mycoplasma pneumoniae en niños chilenos.

PCR has become a sensitive option for the rapid detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in respiratory specimens, but little is known of the frequency of its asymptomatic carriage or persistence in the throat after Mycoplasma disease in healthy children. To investigate the frequency of asymptomatic carriage of M. pneumoniae in children, we studied by PCR throat specimens from 185 respiratory asymptomatic children aged 1-14 years, enrolled at two pediatric ambulatory health services of Santiago, Chile from September 2002 through August 2003. M. pneumoniae DNA was detected in 4 (2.16%) children. Positive specimens could represent either asymptomatic carriage or persistence of the organism from a previous disease.

Maier-Saupe model for a mixture of uniaxial and biaxial molecules.

We introduce shape variations in a liquid-crystalline system by considering an elementary Maier-Saupe lattice model for a mixture of uniaxial and biaxial molecules. Shape variables are treated in the annealed (thermalized) limit. We analyze the thermodynamic properties of this system in terms of temperature T, concentration c of intrinsically biaxial molecules, and a parameter Δ associated with the degree of biaxiality of the molecules. At the mean-field level, we use standard techniques of statistical mechanics to draw global phase diagrams, which are shown to display a rich structure, including uniaxial and biaxial nematic phases, a reentrant ordered region, and many distinct multicritical points. Also, we use the formalism to write an expansion of the free energy in order to make contact with the Landau-de Gennes theory of nematic phase transitions.

Función ventricular derecha en residentes nativos a gran altura / Right ventricular function in native residents at high altitude

Los adaptados genéticamente a la altura son los tibetanos, sherpas y etíopes; los aymaras y quechuas están aclimatados (Bolivia, Perú y norte de Chile). En Bolivia el mal crónico de montaña afecta 10% de la población masculina. El objetivo fue determinar la función ventricular derecha en residentes sanos y con mal crónico de montaña mediante ecocardiografía transtoráxica. Se utilizaron participantes sanos y con mal crónico de montaña admitidos por el IBBA, desde el año 2012 al 2013. Las variables tomadas son: demográficas, espirometria forzada, gasometría arterial en reposo e hiperoxia, ECG y ECCTT. Los controles (n 40), la edad promedio (44,13±9,69 años), predominio masculino y sobrepeso (IMC 26,27±6,68kg /m2), procedentes de La Paz 3.600 msnm (54%), Potosí 4.000 msnm (22%), El Alto 4.100 msnm (15%) y Oruro 3.800 msnm (9%), el promedio de Hematocrito 51,34±2,91%, hemoglobina 17,15±0,89gr/ dl, Espirometria forzada y Gasometría arterial en reposo e hiperoxia normales, la ECCTT muestra hipertensión pulmonar leve (35,85±3,64mmHg), aumento de grosor del VD (0,51±0,08), TAPSE (2,94±3,85mmHg) y el índice de Tei (0,44±0,22) normales. Los casos (n 40), la edad promedio (48,43±8,08 años), predominio masculino y sobrepeso (IMC 29,54±3,41kg / m2), procedente de La Paz 3.600 msnm (56%), Potosí 4.000 msnm (24%), El Alto 4.100 msnm (13%) y Oruro 3.800 msnm (7%), Hematocrito 63,08±6,2%, Hemoglobina 21,01±2,01gr/dl con eritrotrocitosis, espirometría forzada normal, gasometría arterial en reposo con hipoxemia moderada (PaO2 51,73±4,68mmHg), hipocapnia (PaCO2 27,62±2,04mmHg) y gradiente Alveolo-arterial aumentado (7,61±3,15). Gasometría arterial en hiperoxia descarta shunt (PaO2 308,9±52,58mmHg), el ECG muestra 2 de 11 criterios de crecimiento VD, la ECCTT con hipertensión pulmonar moderada (PSAP 45,22±5,69mmHg), aumento de grosor del VD (0,73±0,22), TAPSE (2,08±0,18cm), normal e índice de Tei (0,51±0,10) ligeramente aumentado. Se concluyó que la función ventricular derecha se encuentra conservada, a pesar de tener hipertensión pulmonar leve (controles) y moderada (casos), con aumento del grosor del ventrículo derecho.

Those genetically adapted to the height are the Tibetans, Sherpas, and Ethiopians; the Aymara and Quechuas are acclimatized (Bolivia, Peru, and northern Chile). In Bolivia, chronic mountain sickness affects 10% of the male population. The objective was to determine the right ventricular function in healthy residents with chronic mountain sickness using transthoracic echocardiography. Use the healthy and chronically ill mountain participants admitted by the IBBA, from 2012 to 2013. The variables taken are demographic, forced spirometry, arterial blood gas at rest and hyperoxia, ECG, and ECCTT. Controls (n 40), average age (44.13 ± 9.69 years), male predominance and overweight (BMI 26.27 ± 6.68kg / m2), frequency from La Paz 3,600 masl (54%), Potosí 4,000 masl (22%), El Alto 4,100 masl (15%) and Oruro 3,800 masl (9%), the average Hematocrit 51.34 ± 2.91%, hemoglobin 17.15 ± 0.89gr / dl, Forced spirometry y Resting arterial blood gas and normal hyperoxia, ECCTT shows mild pulmonary hypertension (35.85 ± 3.64 mmHg), increased RV thickness (0.51 ± 0.08), TAPSE (2.94 ± 3.85 mmHg ) and the Tei index (0.44 ± 0.22) normal. The cases (n 40), the average age (48.43 ± 8.08 years), male predominance and overweight (BMI 29.54 ± 3.41kg / m2), derived from La Paz 3,600 masl (56%), Potosí 4,000 masl (24%), El Alto 4,100 masl (13%) and Oruro 3,800 masl (7%), Hematocrit 63.08 ± 6.2%, Hemoglobin 21.01 ± 2.01gr / dl with erythrocytosis, normal forced spirometry , resting arterial blood gas with moderate hypoxemia (PaO2 51.73 ± 4.68mmHg), hypocapnia (PaCO2 27.62 ± 2.04mmHg) and increased Alveolo-arterial gradient (7.61 ± 3.15). Arterial blood gas in hyperoxia rules out shunt (PaO2 308.9 ± 52.58mmHg), ECG shows 2 of 11 RV growth criteria, ECCTT with moderate pulmonary hypertension (PSAP 45.22 ± 5.69mmHg), increased RV thickness (0.73 ± 0.22), TAPSE (2.08 ± 0.18cm), normal and Tei index (0.51 ± 0.10) slightly increased. It was concluded that the right ventricular function is preserved, a weight of having mild pulmonary hypertension (controls) and moderate (cases), with increased thickness of the right ventricle.

Correlated disordered interactions on Potts models.

Using a weak-disorder scheme and real-space renormalization-group techniques, we obtain analytical results for the critical behavior of various q-state Potts models with correlated disordered exchange interactions along d(1) of d spatial dimensions on hierarchical (Migdal-Kadanoff) lattices. Our results indicate qualitative differences between the cases d-d(1)=1 (for which we find non-physical random fixed points, suggesting the existence of non-perturbative fixed distributions) and d-d(1)>1 (for which we do find acceptable perturbative random fixed points), in agreement with previous numerical calculations by Andelman and Aharony [Phys. Rev. B 31, 4305 (1985)]. We also rederive a criterion for relevance of correlated disorder, which generalizes the usual Harris criterion.