Multiferroic behavior in the new double-perovskite Lu2_2MnCoO6_6

We present a new member of the multiferroic oxides, Lu$_2$MnCoO$_6$, which we have investigated using X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, specific heat, magnetization, electric polarization, and dielectric constant measurements. This material possesses an electric polarization strongly coupled to a net magnetization below 35 K, despite the antiferromagnetic ordering of the $S = 3/2$ Mn$^{4+}$ and Co$^{2+}$ spins in an $\uparrow \uparrow \downarrow \downarrow$ configuration along the c-direction. We discuss the magnetic order in terms of a condensation of domain boundaries between $\uparrow \uparrow$ and $\downarrow \downarrow$ ferromagnetic domains, with each domain boundary producing a net electric polarization due to spatial inversion symmetry breaking. In an applied magnetic field the domain boundaries slide, controlling the size of the net magnetization, electric polarization, and magnetoelectric coupling

Effect of wheel track on the density and composition of weeds in a maize crop

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar si la compactación producida por la rodada del tractor durante las operaciones de siembra influye en la composición y densidad de malas hierbas en cultivo de maíz. Para ello se llevó a cabo el conteo e identificación de las especies presentes en 160 unidades muestrales localizadas en la interlínea de cultivo, de las cuales la mitad estaba afectada por la rodada del tractor y la otra mitad no. El contraste de medias entre los datos con rodada y sin rodada para la riqueza de especies, densidad total y densidad por especies se realizó mediante el test de Mann-Whitney. Los resultados han puesto de manifiesto que las especies principales, a excepción de “Cyperus rotundus”, fueron significativamente más abundantes en las interlíneas con rodada. En relación a la comunidad arvense, ésta fue igualmente más diversa y abundante en las interlíneas con rodada.The aim of this study was to analyze whether the compaction caused by the tractor during sowing operations affects the composition and density of the weed flora in maize crops. For that, 160 sample units were taken in the crop interline, where half of them were affected by the tractor tread and the other half not. In each sampling unit we carried out the count and identification of weed species. The Mann-Whitney test was performed to contrast differences in species richness, total and individual species densities between tractor-tread and not tractor-tread data. The results revealed that the main species, except for “Cyperus rotundus” were significantly more abundant in the interline with tractor tread. In relation to the weed community, it was also more diverse and abundant in the interline with tractor tread

Accompanying weeds of a poplar energy crop under different management strategies

Se han evaluado los efectos de distintas estrategias de manejo sobre las poblaciones de malas hierbas y la productividad (i.e. biomasa) de un cultivo energético de chopo en la zona centro de España. Para ello, se han realizado dos estudios: 1) análisis durante el primer año de cultivo, el más sensible a la competencia con arvenses, repetido tres veces; y 2) valoración al cabo de los tres años de duración del turno de corte. Los resultados han puesto de manifiesto una evolución de la flora arvense con el tiempo, encontrando cambios significativos según la estrategia de manejo. Al finalizar el turno de tres años, las estrategias más productivas fueron la cubierta vegetal sembrada con “Lolium multiflorum” y la basada en herbicidas, coincidiendo con una menor competencia de malas hierbas respecto a la estrategia estándar basada en labores.We have evaluated the effects of different management strategies on weed populations and productivity (i.e. biomass) of a poplar energy crop in central Spain. To do this, two studies have been performed: 1) analysis performed during the first year of production, the most sensitive to competition with weeds, repeated three times; and 2) an assessment after the three-year harvest cycle. The results have revealed a weed flora evolution over time, finding significant changes as a function of management strategies. At the end of the three-year harvest cycle, the most productive strategies were cover crop sown with “Lolium multiflorum” and that based on herbicides, coinciding with less competition with weeds compared to the standard strategy based on tillage

Xylotrechus arvicola (Olivier) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), a new impacting pest on Spanish vineyards

Research NoteInfestation caused by Xylotrechus arvicola (Olivier) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) is becoming a new sanitary problem in some Spanish vine-producing areas. Symptoms caused by the pest, the identification of 7 associated wood fungal species living in galleries excavated by larvae, some data about the evolution of the infestation during 8 years in the same plot and the different levels of susceptibility exhibited by three grape varieties are presented in this paper

The predicted relative risk of premature ovarian failure for three radiotherapy modalities in a girl receiving craniospinal irradiation

In girls and young women, irradiation of the ovaries can reduce the number of viable ovarian primordial follicles, which may lead to premature ovarian failure (POF) and subsequently to sterility. One strategy to minimize this late effect is to reduce the radiation dose to the ovaries. A primary means of reducing dose is to choose a radiotherapy technique that avoids irradiating nearby normal tissue; however, the relative risk of POF (RRPOF) due to the various therapeutic options has not been assessed. This study compared the predicted RRPOF after craniospinal proton radiotherapy, conventional photon radiotherapy (CRT) and intensity-modulated photon radiotherapy (IMRT). We calculated the equivalent dose delivered to the ovaries of an 11-year-old girl from therapeutic and stray radiation. We then predicted the percentage of ovarian primordial follicles killed by radiation and used this as a measure of the RRPOF; we also calculated the ratio of the relative risk of POF (RRRPOF) among the three radiotherapies. Proton radiotherapy had a lower RRPOF than either of the other two types. We also tested the sensitivity of the RRRPOF between photon and proton therapies to the anatomic position of the ovaries, i.e., proximity to the treatment field (2 ≤ RRRPOF ≤ 10). We found that CRT and IMRT have higher risks of POF than passive-scattering proton radiotherapy (PRT) does, regardless of uncertainties in the ovarian location. Overall, PRT represents a lower RRPOF over the two other modalities. © 2013 Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine

Sarcomas primarios de hueso: estudio por citometría estática mediante análisis digital de imagen

Se presenta un estudio morfométrico y densitométrico mediante análisis digital de imagen de una serie de 50 tumores óseos malignos (32 osteosarcomas, 12 condrosarcomas y 6 histiocitomas fibrosos malignos de hueso), con el fin de evaluar la utilidad de la técnica para establecer el grado y el pronóstico de estas neoplasias. Las variables morfométricas y la disposición de la cromatina guardan una estrecha relación con el grado histológico (Spearman; p < 0,05) y muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los tumores considerados de alto y bajo grado en base a su presentación y evolución clínica. La ploidía estimada por densitometría óptica se comporta como un factor pronóstico independiente en el análisis multivariante de la serie de tumores de alto grado (COX; p < 0,001). La citometría estática, aunque más lenta e imprecisa que la citometría de flujo en la determinación de los picos de ploidía, permite analizar el modelo de cromatina y contribuye objetivamente al establecimiento del grado biológico de los tumores óseos.A densitometry and morphometric assessment by static image cytometry of 50 malignant bone tumors (32 osteosarcomas, 12 chondrosarcomas, and 6 malignant fibrous histiocytomas of bone) was performed in order to assess the validity of the technic in the pathobiological and prognostic evaluation of these neoplasms. A strong correlation between the morphometric features, cromatine distribution and histologic grade was found (Spearman; p < 0.05). These parameters are also statistically different for hight and low grade tumors in clinical staging. The stimation of DNA ploidy by optic densitometry is a significant prognostic factor in the multivariant analysis for the high grade tumors (COX; p < 0.001). Although Flow cytometry is a better procedure to evaluate DNA ploidy peaks, our study reveals static image cytometry as a useful technic for determine the cromatine model and objective assessment of the biological grade of bone neoplasms

El uso de levaduras inactivas puede preservar el aroma de vinos jóvenes

Publicado en Tecnovino: el portal para el profesional de la industria vitivinícola.Investigadores de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), en colaboración con el Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL- CSIC), demuestran que el empleo de preparados de levaduras inactivas ricas en glutatión puede preservar el aroma de los vinos jóvenes.Peer Reviewe

Root-to-Shoot Hormonal Communication in Contrasting Rootstocks Suggests an Important Role for the Ethylene Precursor Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic Acid in Mediating Plant Growth under Low-Potassium Nutrition in Tomato

Selection and breeding of rootstocks that can tolerate low K supply may increase crop productivity in low fertility soils and reduce fertilizer application. However, the underlying physiological traits are still largely unknown. In this study, 16 contrasting recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between domestic and wild tomato species (Solanum lycopersicum × Solanum pimpinellifolium) have been used to analyse traits related to the rootstock-mediated induction of low (L, low shoot fresh weight) or high (H, high shoot fresh weight) vigor to a commercial F1 hybrid grown under control (6 mM, c) and low-K (1 mM, k). Based on hormonal and ionomic composition in the root xylem sap and the leaf nutritional status after long-term (7 weeks) exposure low-K supply, a model can be proposed to explain the rootstocks effects on shoot performance with the ethylene precursor aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) playing a pivotal negative role. The concentration of this hormone was higher in the low-vigor Lc and Lk rootstocks under both conditions, increased in the sensitive HcLk plants under low-K while it was reduced in the high-vigor Hk ones. Low ACC levels would promote the transport of K vs. Na in the vigorous Hk grafted plants. Along with K, Ca, and S, micronutrient uptake and transport were also activated in the tolerant Hk combinations under low-K. Additionally, an interconversion of trans-zeatin into trans-zeatin riboside would contribute to decrease ACC in the tolerant LcHk plants. The high vigor induced by the Hk plants can also be explained by an interaction of ACC with other hormones (cytokinins and salicylic, abscisic and jasmonic acids). Therefore, Hk rootstocks convert an elite tomato F1 cultivar into a (micro) nutrient-efficient phenotype, improving growth under reduced K fertilization.This research has received funding from the Spanish MINECO-FEDER (project AGL2014-59728-R) and from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 289365 (project ROOTOPOWER).USD 2,116.5 APC fee funded by the EC FP7 Post-Grant Open Access PilotPeer reviewe

Herramienta de seguimiento funcional y superación de interfase durante la reeducación del futbolista lesionado

Conscious about the importance of a sure injured footballer ́s returnto play, and knowing the complex process of decision relative to theideal moment for the return in group training, we present a tool ofwork and register that while permitting control us the follow-up andthe evolution of our sportsman, complement to the objectives tests remainders carried out (conditional, functional, psychological, ...)collaborating in the determination of the suitable moment of return.Conscientes de la importancia de una vuelta segura del futbolista lesionado, y sabedores del complejo proceso de toma de decisión respecto al momento de la vuelta al entrenamiento grupal, presentamos una herramienta de trabajo y registro que a la vez que nos permita controlar el seguimiento y la evolución de nuestro deportista, complemente al resto de pruebas objetivas realizadas (condicionales, funcionales, psicológicas, ...) colaborando en la determinación del momento idóneo de retorno