A dynamic snapshot of bud dormancy in peach

[EN] The general aim of this thesis is to study the dormancy process from a molecular point of view identifying mechanisms and targeting genes that control it. In order to do that we have focused on the study of three genes that are differentially expressed during reproductive bud development within the conceptual framework of the three major processes that converge spatially and temporally in a reproductive bud: dormancy, stress tolerance and flower development. The first gene is down-regulated in dormancy release flower buds and encodes a STRESS ASSOCIATED PROTEIN (PpSAP1) that contains Zn-finger domains A20 and AN1. SAP proteins have been related to stress tolerance response in both plants and animals and in fact, we have shown that drought stress induces its expression in buds, resembling other SAP genes in plants. Moreover, the constitutive expression of PpSAP1 in plum increases its tolerance to water stress by increasing water retention. Likewise, transgenic plum plants show leaf alterations related to reduced cell size concomitant with the down-regulation of genes involved in cell growth. All these studies suggest a dual role of PpSAP1 in stress tolerance response and cell growth during peach dormancy. The second gene is PpeS6PDH, coding for an enzyme with sorbitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. PpeS6PDH is differentially regulated during bud development, highly expressed in dormant buds consistently with sorbitol accumulation. Concomitantly with PpeS6PDH down-regulation in dormancy-released flower buds, chromatin around the translation start site of the gene shows changes in the methylation state of specific residues of histone H3 (H3K4 and H3K27). These data suggest the transcriptional regulation of PpeS6PDH expression by chromatin modification mechanisms. Moreover, abiotic stresses affect PpeS6PDH expression. Low temperature treatments induce gene expression in buds and leaves, whereas desiccation up-regulates PpeS6PDH in buds and represses the gene in leaves. These data suggest the participation of PpeS6PDH in tolerance against cold and water deficit stresses in buds. Finally, the third gene is PpeDAM6, one of the major regulators of bud dormancy in peach. PpeDAM6 is sharply down-regulated during bud development concomitantly with dormancy release events. This repression is in part due to the direct binding of PpeBPC1, a BASIC PENTACYSTEINE PROTEIN, to the GAGA motifs present in an intronic regulatory region of PpeDAM6 gene that becomes enriched in H3K27me3 chromatin modification after dormancy release. In addition, the ectopic expression of PpeDAM6 in Arabidopsis shows abnormal flower phenotypes resembling 35S::SVP plants. On the other hand, overexpression in plum causes stunted growth in the transgenic lines due to an altered hormonal homeostasis. The changes in hormone content are mediated by the modulation of genes involved in jasmonic acid, cytokinins and gibberellic acid metabolism and signalling pathways. These results suggest that PpeDAM6 works as a master growth repressor maintaining dormancy, stress tolerance response and flowering inhibition by mainly modulating hormone homeostasis. Therefore, this thesis provides a dynamic snapshot of different molecular mechanism that take place inside the bud. The studied genes have a crucial role regulating dormancy processes, stress tolerance response and flowering pathways and all of them are potential candidate genes for breeding new plants more adapted to the climate change.[ES] El objetivo general de esta tesis es el estudio de la latencia desde un punto de vista molecular, identificando mecanismos y genes diana que la controlen. Para ello, nos hemos centrado en el estudio de tres genes que se expresan de manera diferencial durante el desarrollo de una yema reproductiva en melocotón, bajo el marco conceptual de los tres procesos que convergen espacialmente y temporalmente en una yema reproductiva: latencia, tolerancia a estrés y desarrollo floral. El primer gen que se estudió codificó para una STRESS ASSOCIATED PROTEIN (PpSAP1) con dos dominios tipo Zn-finger, A20 y AN1 que disminuye su expresión durante la latencia. Las proteínas tipo SAP se han relacionado con resistencias a distintos tipos de estrés tanto en plantas como en animales. De hecho, se ha visto que PpSAP1 aumentó su expresión en yemas de melocotón bajo condiciones de estrés por sequía, de forma similar a como lo hacen otras SAP en distintas plantas. Además, la expresión ectópica de PpSAP1 en ciruelos transgénicos ha permitido aumentar la tolerancia a estrés hídrico en estas líneas al incrementar la cantidad de agua retenida. Asimismo, estas plantas transgénicas también mostraron alteraciones en el tamaño de las hojas, provocadas principalmente por una menor área celular de las células que formaban parte de ellas y relacionadas con una represión de distintos genes implicados en crecimiento celular. Todo ello sugiere que PpSAP1 probablemente tenga una doble función relacionada tanto con resistencia a estrés como con crecimiento celular durante la latencia de melocotonero. El segundo gen de estudio fue PpeS6PDH, el cual codifica para una enzima con actividad sorbitol-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa. PpeS6PDH está diferencialmente regulado durante el desarrollo de la yema, aumentando su expresión en yemas latentes de manera consistente a la acumulación de sorbitol. Simultáneamente a la disminución de PpeS6pDH en las yemas no latentes, alrededor del sitio de inicio de la traducción del gen se mostraron cambios a nivel de cromatina en el estado de metilación de los residuos específicos de la histona H3 (H3K4 y H3K27). Estos datos apuntan a la existencia de una regulación transcripcional de PpeS6PDH a nivel de modificaciones de la cromatina. Además, también se ha visto que distintos tipos de estrés abiótico afectan a la expresión de PpeS6PDH. Tratamientos con bajas temperaturas inducieron su expresión tanto en yemas como en hojas, mientras que la desecación aumentó la expresión en yemas pero no en hojas. Estos estudios sugieren que la función de PpeS6PDH durante la latencia de melocotonero es dar tolerancia a estrés por frío y sequía. Finalmente, el tercer gen de estudio fue PpeDAM6, uno de los mayores reguladores de la latencia en yemas de melocotonero. PpeDAM6 está fuertemente reprimido durante el desarrollo de la yema con una relación directa con los eventos de salida de latencia. Esta represión se debe en parte a la unión directa de PpeBPC1, una BASIC PENTACYSTEINE PROTEIN, a dos motivos GAGA presentes en la región intrónica reguladora de PpeDAM6. Justamente esta región se encuentra modificada a nivel de cromatina con un enriquecimiento en H3K27me3 después de la salida de latencia. Además, la expresión ectópica de PpeDAM6 en Arabidopsis mostró fenotipos de floración anormal parecidos a los producidos en plantas 35S::SVP. Por otro lado, la sobreexpresión en ciruelos provocó retrasos en el crecimiento de las líneas transgénicas, debido a una alteración en los niveles hormonales. Así mismo, se determinó que estos cambios en la homeostasis hormonal estaban producidos por la regulación diferencial de genes involucrados en las rutas del ácido jasmónico, las citoquininas y del ácido giberélico en las plantas transgénicas. Estos resultados sugieren que PpeDAM6 actúa como un represor máster del crecimiento, manteniendo la latencia, la respuesta de tolerancia a estrés y la inhibición floral a través de la regulación del equilibrio hormonal. Con todo ello, esta tesis proporciona una instantánea dinámica de los diferentes mecanismos moleculares que tienen lugar dentro de la yema. Los genes estudiados tienen una función crucial regulando tanto el proceso de latencia como la respuesta de tolerancia a estrés y las rutas de floración, y todos ellos son potenciales candidatos para mejorar nuevas plantas más adaptadas al cambio climático.[CA] L'objectiu general d'aquesta tesi és l'estudi de la latència des d'un punt de vista molecular, identificant mecanismes i gens diana que la controlen. Per això, ens hem centrat en l'estudi de tres gens que s'expressen d'una manera diferencial durant el desenvolupament d'una gemma reproductiva en el préssec, sota el marc conceptual dels tres processos que convergeixen espacialment i temporalment en una gemma reproductiva: latència, tolerància a estrés i desenvolupament floral. El primer gen d'estudi codifica per a una STRESS ASSOCIATED PROTEIN (PpSAP1) amb dos dominis tipus Zn-finger, A20 i AN1, i disminueix la seua expressió durant la latència. Les proteïnes tipus SAP s'han relacionat amb resistències a diferents tipus d'estrés tant en plantes com en animals. De fet, s'ha vist que PpSAP1 va augmentar la seua expressió en gemmes de préssec sota condiciones d'estrés per sequia, de manera similar a com ho fan altres SAPs en diferents plantes. A més, l'expressió ectòpica de PpSAP1 en pruneres transgèniques ha permés augmentar la tolerància a estrés en aquestes línies en incrementar la quantitat d'aigua retinguda. Així mateix, aquestes plantes trnasgèniques també mostraren alteracions en la mida de les fulles, causades principalmente per una menor àrea cel¿lular de les cèl¿lules que formen part d'elles i relacionades amb una repressió de diferents gens implicats en el creixement cel¿lular. Tot aço, suggereix que PpSAP1 probablement tinga una doble funció relacionada tant amb resistència a estrés com amb creixement cel¿lular durant la latència del préssec. El segon gen d'estudi va ser una PpeS6PDH, la qual codificava per a un enzim amb activitat sorbitol-6-fosfato dehidrogenasa. PpeS6PDH està diferencialment regulada durant el desenvolupament de la gemma, augmentant la seua expressió en gemmes latents de manera consistent a l'acumulació de sorbitol. Simultàniament a la disminució de PpeS6PDH en les gemmes no latents, al voltant del lloc d'iniciació de la traducció del gen es van mostrar canvis a nivell de cromatina en l'estat de metilació dels residus específics de la històna H3 (H3K4 i H3K27). Aquestes dades assenyalen l'existència d'una regulació transcripcional de PpeS6PDH a nivell de modificacions de la cromatina. A més, també s'ha vist que diferents tipus d'estrés abiòtic afecten a l'expressió de PpeS6PDH. Tractaments amb baixes temperatures van induir la seua expressió tant en gemmes com en fulles, mentres que la desecació va augmentar l'expressió en gemmes però no en fulles. Aquests estudis suggereixen que la funció de PpeS6PDH durant la latència del préssec és donar tolerància a estrés per fred i sequia. Finalment, el tercer gen d'estudi va ser PpeDAM6, un dels majors reguladors de la latència en gemmes de préssec. PpeDAM6 està fortament représ durant el desenvolupament de la gemma amb una relació directa amb els events d'eixida de la latència. Aquesta repressió és deguda en part a la unió directa de PpeBPC1, una BASIC PENTACUSTEINE PROTEIN, a dos motius GAGA presents en la regió intrònica reguladora de PpeDAM6. Justament aquesta regió es troba modificada a nivell de cromatina amb un enriquiment en H3K27me3 després de l'eixida de latència. A més, l'expressió ectòpica de PpeDAM6 en Arabidopsis va mostrar fenotips de floració anormal semblants als produïts en plantes 35S::SVP. Per un altra banda, la sobreexpressió en pruneres va provocar retards en el creixement de les línies transgèniques a causa d'una alteració en els nivells hormonals. Aixi mateix, es va determinar que aquests canvis en l'homeostasi hormonal estaven produïts per la regulació diferencial de gens involucrats en les rutes d'àcid jasmònic, citoquinines i àcid gibberèl·lic en les plantes transgèniques. Aquests resultats suggereixen que PpeDAM6 actua com un repressor master del creixement, mantenint la latència, la resposta de tolerància a estrés i la inhibició floral a través de la regulació de l’equilibri hormonal. Com a conclusió, aquesta tesi proporciona una instantània dinàmica dels diferents mecanismes moleculars que tenen lloc dins de la gemma. Els gens estudiats tenen una funció fonamental, regulant tant el mateix procés de la latència com la resposta de tolerància a estrés i les rutes de floració i tots ells són potencials candidats per a millorar noves plantes més adaptades al canvi climàtic.Lloret Compañ, A. (2020). A dynamic snapshot of bud dormancy in peach [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/153795TESI

Impact of Pyrotechnics over the Architectonic Heritage

[EN] The use of pyrotechnics near to the historical heritage such as walls, facades, church, or fortifications of a city is nowadays a topic of discussion. There is not a clear legislation about the use of pyrotechnics near to these buildings and how they can be affected by the expansive wave generated by the use of harquebusiers, fireworks, and cannons during the simulation of a battle. For this reason, this paper presents some practical tests that measure the vibroacoustic effect when these types of pyrotechnics are used near to the architectonical heritage. In order to collect these data, we have used several sound level meters and accelerometers placed on two different scenarios. The first one was placed near to the beach and the other one was placed in a building of a narrow alley. The tests were carried out during the festival of Moors and Christians of Villajoyosa (Spain) which is a famous festival. Along these tests, we reproduce the worse cases that may affect the building, using harquebusiers shots, fireworks, and cannons shots. Results show that the house placed near to the beach does not suffer important vibroacoustic impacts. However, the old building placed in the alley is very affected.Lloret, AT.; Sendra, S.; Lloret, J.; Cereceda, ML.; Alba Fernández, J. (2017). Impact of Pyrotechnics over the Architectonic Heritage. Journal of Sensors. 2017:1-11. doi:10.1155/2017/7214975S111201

Modulation of Dormancy and Growth Responses in Reproductive Buds of Temperate Trees

During autumn perennial trees cease growth and form structures called buds in order to protect meristems from the unfavorable environmental conditions, including low temperature and desiccation. In addition to increased tolerance to these abiotic stresses, reproductive buds modulate developmental programs leading to dormancy induction to avoid premature growth resumption, and flowering pathways. Stress tolerance, dormancy, and flowering processes are thus physically and temporarily restricted to a bud, and consequently forced to interact at the regulatory level. We review recent genomic, genetic, and molecular contributions to the knowledge of these three processes in trees, highlighting the role of epigenetic modifications, phytohormones, and common regulatory factors. Finally, we emphasize the utility of transcriptomic approaches for the identification of key structural and regulatory genes involved in bud processes, illustrated with our own experience using peach as a model

Does surgency moderate the relationship betweenparenting and children's aggression in middlechildhood?

Parenting and child temperament have both been linked to aggression among children. This study explores the moderating effects of children's surgency and sex and paternal/maternal parenting practices on aggressive behaviour in middle childhood. We analyse whether the moderating effects observed fit a Diathesis-Stress, Differential Susceptibility or Vantage Sensitivity model. Participants were 203 school children aged 7–8 years (M = 92.42 months, SD = 3.52) from southern Spain. Maternal inconsistency and coercion and paternal hostility and indulgence, had a direct effect on children's aggressive behaviour. The effects of maternal hostility and anticipatory problem solving on children's aggression were moderated by surgency (Diathesis-Stress), as was the effect of paternal coercion on aggression (Vantage Sensitivity). Children's sex was not found to moderate any effect. It therefore seems that not all children are equally sensitive to the influence of parenting on their aggression levels, and that this influence depends on their temperament

Diamond for Electronics: Materials, Processing and Devices

Progress in power electronic devices is currently accepted through the use of wide bandgap materials (WBG). Among them, diamond is the material with the most promising characteristics in terms of breakdown voltage, on-resistance, thermal conductance, or carrier mobility. However, it is also the one with the greatest difficulties in carrying out the device technology as a result of its very high mechanical hardness and smaller size of substrates. As a result, diamond is still not considered a reference material for power electronic devices despite its superior Baliga's figure of merit with respect to other WBG materials. This review paper will give a brief overview of some scientific and technological aspects related to the current state of the main diamond technology aspects. It will report the recent key issues related to crystal growth, characterization techniques, and, in particular, the importance of surface states aspects, fabrication processes, and device fabrication. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of diamond devices with respect to other WBG materials are also discussed.The authors thank the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) of the Spanish Government for funding under Grant Nos. TEC2017-86347-C2-1-R, ESP2017-91820, PID2020-117201RB-C21, and PID2019-110219RB-100 and the Junta de Andalucia (Andalusian Government, Spain) for funding through Nos. P20_00946, FEDER-UCA18- 106470 and FEDER-UCA18-107851 projects

Parental Corporal Punishment and Peer Victimization in Middle Childhood: A Sex-Moderated Mediation Model of Aggression

There is a peak in peer victimization during middle childhood, with multiple negative consequences. Parental use of corporal punishment and child aggression are the most widely studied predictors of this phenomenon. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether parental use of corporal punishment affects peer victimization through child aggression. This mediation model was explored for both mothers and fathers and for both physical and relational forms of aggression and peer victimization. Furthermore, we also analyzed whether the mediation models were moderated by the sex of the child. Participants were 234 third graders (46% girls). Child aggression and victimization were measured by peers using the Mini Direct Indirect Aggression Inventory. Independent measures of mother's and father's use of corporal punishment were obtained from a PCA of items from the Parental Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ). Conditional process modeling was carried out using a macro for SPSS developed by Hayes (2013). Results indicated that aggression mediated the relation of parental corporal punishment to peer victimization. Some interesting moderating effects of sex in this mediation model were found; specifically, physical, and relational aggression mediated the relation of maternal corporal punishment to peer victimization only in boys. Few studies to date have addressed the connection between aggressive behavior and peer victimization as outcomes of corporal punishment, taking into consideration the role of parent's and child's sex, and both physical and relational forms of aggression and victimization during childhood

Fathering and children's relational aggression: Moderating effects of children's temperament and gender

In this exploratory study, we analyzed the contribution of fathering to relational aggression (RA) in middle childhood and the moderating role of children's temperament and gender. Participants (N = 234; 46% girls) were attending public elementary school (mean age = 8.15; SD = 1.23) in middle‐class neighborhoods in two Spanish cities. Fathers provided information about their parenting practices using the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire, parents gave data on their child's temperament using the Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire and children provided information about their peers’ aggressive behavior using the Mini Direct Indirect Aggression Inventory. Fathering dimensions considered were Authoritative Cold, Authoritative Warm, Physical Punishment, and Insecurity; temperament dimensions considered were negative affect (NA), effortful control (EC), activity (AC), and shyness (SH). Gender, fathering, and temperament dimensions additively accounted for a significant proportion of the variance observed in RA. Several significant interactions suggested that the effect of fathering on RA was moderated by temperament and, in some cases, by children's gender. NA increased the potential risk of Authoritative Cold fathering (CF) and, in boys only, of Insecure fathering, while EC potentiated the protective effect of Authoritative‐Warm fathering and, in boys only, buffered the risk effect of CF. SH buffered the risk effect of CF and decreased the protective effect of AuthoritativeWarm fathering on RA. Lastly, AC also buffered the risk effect of CF on RA. Results are discussed in light of the protective or the vulnerability role of temperament and in relation to models that explain sensitivity differences to environmental contexts

Dislocation generation mechanisms in heavily boron-doped diamond epilayers

Doping diamond layers for electronic applications has become straightforward during the last two decades. However, dislocation generation in diamond during the microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition growth process is still not fully understood. This is a truly relevant topic to avoid for an optimal performance of any device, but, usually, it is not considered when designing diamond structures for electronic devices. The incorporation of a dopant, here boron, into a lattice as close as that of diamond, can promote the appearance of dislocations in the epilayer. The present contribution analyzes the different processes that can take place in this epilayer and gives some rules to avoid the formation of dislocations, based on the comparison of the different dislocation generation mechanisms. Indeed, competitive mechanisms, such as doping atom proximity effect and lattice strain relaxation, are here quantified for heavily boron-doped diamond epilayers. The resulting growth condition windows for defect-free heavily doped diamond are here deduced, introducing the diamond parameters and its lattice expansion in several previously published critical thickness (h(c)) and critical doping level relationships for different doping levels and growth conditions. Experimental evidence supports the previously discussed thickness-doping-growth condition relationships. Layers with and without dislocations reveal that not only the thickness but also other key factors such as growth orientation and growth parameters are important, as dislocations are shown to be generated in epilayers with a thickness below the People and Bean critical thickness

Búsqueda de interactores para la caracterización de los genes ParPMC implicados en la resistencia a Sharka en albaricoquero

La enfermedad de la Sharka, causada por el potyvirus Plum pox virus (PPV) es el factor más limitante para el cultivo de frutales de hueso. El desarrollo de variedades resistentes se ha propuesto como la mejor solución para el control de esta enfermedad. Sin embargo, se conocen pocas fuentes de resistencia que puedan ser de utilidad para su incorporación a los programas de mejora. En el caso de albaricoque se identificaron una decena de variedades norteamericanas que muestran resistencia a PPV. Combinando datos genéticos y genómicos propusimos a los genes ParPMC1 y ParPMC2 como genes de susceptibilidad cuyo silenciamiento confiere resistencia a PPV

Aggressive Behavior in School-aged Children: Clusters based on Anger, Empathy and Testosterone and Cortisol Measures

The aim of this piece of research was to study the existence of clusters based on anger, empathy and cortisol and testosterone measures associated with aggressive behavior in school-aged children. The sample group comprised 139 eight-year-old children (80 boys and 59 girls). Aggressive behavior was measured using the Direct and Indirect Aggression Scale. Both psychological and biological variables were used to determine psychobiological profiles. The psychological variables considered were trait anger, measured using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory for Children and Adolescents, and empathy, measured using the Empathy Quotient-Child Version. Testosterone and cortisol concentrations were measured through saliva samples and analyzed using an ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). A Cluster Analysis revealed three clusters which were clearly different as regards their psychological and biological characteristics. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the cluster characterized by having higher anger levels, lower empathy levels and higher testosterone and cortisol levels was more aggressive than the other two (p < .0001, η2 = .19). The results indicate that studying psychological and biological variables together may help establish differentiated aggression patterns among children