Development of an Analytic Nodal Diffusion Solver in Multigroups for 3D Reactor Cores with Rectangular or Hexagonal Assemblies.

More accurate modelling of physical phenomena involved in present and future nuclear reactors requires a multi-scale and multi-physics approach. This challenge can be accomplished by the coupling of best-estimate core-physics, thermal-hydraulics and multi-physics solvers. In order to make viable that coupling, the current trends in reactor simulations are along the development of a new generation of tools based on user-friendly, modular, easily linkable, faster and more accurate codes to be integrated in common platforms. These premises are in the origin of the NURESIM Integrated Project within the 6th European Framework Program, which is envisaged to provide the initial step towards a Common European Standard Software Platform for nuclear reactors simulations. In the frame of this project and to reach the above-mentioned goals, a 3-D multigroup nodal solver for neutron diffusion calculations called ANDES (Analytic Nodal Diffusion Equation Solver) has been developed and tested in-depth in this Thesis. ANDES solves the steady-state and time-dependent neutron diffusion equation in threedimensions and any number of energy groups, utilizing the Analytic Coarse-Mesh Finite-Difference (ACMFD) scheme to yield the nodal coupling equations. It can be applied to both Cartesian and triangular-Z geometries, so that simulations of LWR as well as VVER, HTR and fast reactors can be performed. The solver has been implemented in a fully encapsulated way, enabling it as a module to be readily integrated in other codes and platforms. In fact, it can be used either as a stand-alone nodal code or as a solver to accelerate the convergence of whole core pin-by-pin code systems. Verification of performance has shown that ANDES is a code with high order definition for whole core realistic nodal simulations. In this paper, the methodology developed and involved in ANDES is presented

Optimization of non-denaturing protein extraction conditions for plant PPR proteins

[EN] Pentatricopeptide repeat proteins are one of the major protein families in flowering plants, containing around 450 members. They participate in RNA editing and are related to plant growth, development and reproduction, as well as to responses to ABA and abiotic stresses. Their characteristics have been described in silico; however, relatively little is known about their biochemical properties. Different types of PPR proteins, with different tasks in RNA editing, have been suggested to interact in an editosome to complete RNA editing. Other non-PPR editing factors, such as the multiple organellar RNA editing factors and the organelle RNA recognition motif-containing protein family, for example, have also been described in plants. However, while evidence on protein interactions between non-PPR RNA editing proteins is accumulating, very few PPR protein interactions have been reported; possibly due to their high instability. In this manuscript, we aimed to optimize the conditions for non denaturing protein extraction of PPR proteins allowing in vivo protein analyses, such as interaction assays by co-immunoprecipitation. The unusually high protein degradation rate, the aggregation properties and the high pl, as well as the ATP-dependence of some PPR proteins, are key aspects to be considered when extracting PPR proteins in a non-denatured state. During extraction of PPR proteins, the use of proteasome and phosphatase inhibitors is critical. The use of the ATP-cofactor reduces considerably the degradation of PPR proteins. A short centrifugation step to discard cell debris is essential to avoid PPR precipitation; while in some cases, addition of a reductant is needed, probably caused by the pl/pH context. This work provides an easy and rapid optimized non-denaturing total protein extraction protocol from plant tissue, suitable for polypeptides of the PPR family.This work was supported by Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) (project G.0C84.14N). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.r D.V.D.S. gratefully acknowledges Ghent University and the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for financial support (project G.0084.14N). N.A.-C. and D.V.D.S. acknowledge Maria Helena S. Goldman for the N. benthamiana seeds, helpful suggestions regarding experimental design and data interpretation, and critical reading of the manuscript.Andrés-Colás, N.; Van Der Straeten, D. (2017). Optimization of non-denaturing protein extraction conditions for plant PPR proteins. PLoS ONE. 12(11):1-15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187753S1151211Barkan, A., & Small, I. (2014). Pentatricopeptide Repeat Proteins in Plants. Annual Review of Plant Biology, 65(1), 415-442. doi:10.1146/annurev-arplant-050213-040159Saha, D., Prasad, A. M., & Srinivasan, R. (2007). Pentatricopeptide repeat proteins and their emerging roles in plants. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 45(8), 521-534. doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2007.03.026SCHMITZLINNEWEBER, C., & SMALL, I. (2008). Pentatricopeptide repeat proteins: a socket set for organelle gene expression. Trends in Plant Science, 13(12), 663-670. doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2008.10.001De Longevialle, A. F., Meyer, E. H., Andrés, C., Taylor, N. L., Lurin, C., Millar, A. H., & Small, I. D. (2007). The Pentatricopeptide Repeat Gene OTP43 Is Required for trans-Splicing of the Mitochondrial nad1 Intron 1 in Arabidopsis thaliana. The Plant Cell, 19(10), 3256-3265. doi:10.1105/tpc.107.054841Liu, Y., He, J., Chen, Z., Ren, X., Hong, X., & Gong, Z. (2010). ABA overly-sensitive 5 (ABO5), encoding a pentatricopeptide repeat protein required for cis-splicing of mitochondrial nad2 intron 3, is involved in the abscisic acid response in Arabidopsis. The Plant Journal, 63(5), 749-765. doi:10.1111/j.1365-313x.2010.04280.xSung, T.-Y., Tseng, C.-C., & Hsieh, M.-H. (2010). The SLO1 PPR protein is required for RNA editing at multiple sites with similar upstream sequences in Arabidopsis mitochondria. The Plant Journal, 63(3), 499-511. doi:10.1111/j.1365-313x.2010.04258.xZhu, Q., Dugardeyn, J., Zhang, C., Takenaka, M., Kühn, K., Craddock, C., … Van Der Straeten, D. (2012). SLO2, a mitochondrial pentatricopeptide repeat protein affecting several RNA editing sites, is required for energy metabolism. The Plant Journal, 71(5), 836-849. doi:10.1111/j.1365-313x.2012.05036.xZhu, Q., Dugardeyn, J., Zhang, C., Mühlenbock, P., Eastmond, P. J., Valcke, R., … Van Der Straeten, D. (2014). The Arabidopsis thaliana RNA Editing Factor SLO2, which Affects the Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain, Participates in Multiple Stress and Hormone Responses. Molecular Plant, 7(2), 290-310. doi:10.1093/mp/sst102Colcombet, J., Lopez-Obando, M., Heurtevin, L., Bernard, C., Martin, K., Berthomé, R., & Lurin, C. (2013). Systematic study of subcellular localization of Arabidopsis PPR proteins confirms a massive targeting to organelles. RNA Biology, 10(9), 1557-1575. doi:10.4161/rna.26128Ichinose, M., & Sugita, M. (2016). RNA Editing and Its Molecular Mechanism in Plant Organelles. Genes, 8(1), 5. doi:10.3390/genes8010005Sun, T., Bentolila, S., & Hanson, M. R. (2016). The Unexpected Diversity of Plant Organelle RNA Editosomes. Trends in Plant Science, 21(11), 962-973. doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2016.07.005Yagi, Y., Tachikawa, M., Noguchi, H., Satoh, S., Obokata, J., & Nakamura, T. (2013). Pentatricopeptide repeat proteins involved in plant organellar RNA editing. RNA Biology, 10(9), 1419-1425. doi:10.4161/rna.24908Lurin, C., Andrés, C., Aubourg, S., Bellaoui, M., Bitton, F., Bruyère, C., … Small, I. (2004). Genome-Wide Analysis of Arabidopsis Pentatricopeptide Repeat Proteins Reveals Their Essential Role in Organelle Biogenesis. The Plant Cell, 16(8), 2089-2103. doi:10.1105/tpc.104.022236Bentolila, S., Heller, W. P., Sun, T., Babina, A. M., Friso, G., van Wijk, K. J., & Hanson, M. R. (2012). RIP1, a member of an Arabidopsis protein family, interacts with the protein RARE1 and broadly affects RNA editing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(22), E1453-E1461. doi:10.1073/pnas.1121465109Glass, F., Härtel, B., Zehrmann, A., Verbitskiy, D., & Takenaka, M. (2015). MEF13 Requires MORF3 and MORF8 for RNA Editing at Eight Targets in Mitochondrial mRNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana. Molecular Plant, 8(10), 1466-1477. doi:10.1016/j.molp.2015.05.008Härtel, B., Zehrmann, A., Verbitskiy, D., van der Merwe, J. A., Brennicke, A., & Takenaka, M. (2013). MEF10 is required for RNA editing at nad2-842 in mitochondria of Arabidopsis thaliana and interacts with MORF8. Plant Molecular Biology, 81(4-5), 337-346. doi:10.1007/s11103-012-0003-2Hu, J., Wang, K., Huang, W., Liu, G., Gao, Y., Wang, J., … Zhu, Y. (2012). The Rice Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein RF5 Restores Fertility in Hong-Lian Cytoplasmic Male-Sterile Lines via a Complex with the Glycine-Rich Protein GRP162. The Plant Cell, 24(1), 109-122. doi:10.1105/tpc.111.093211Sun, T., Germain, A., Giloteaux, L., Hammani, K., Barkan, A., Hanson, M. R., & Bentolila, S. (2013). An RNA recognition motif-containing protein is required for plastid RNA editing in Arabidopsis and maize. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(12), E1169-E1178. doi:10.1073/pnas.1220162110Sun, T., Shi, X., Friso, G., Van Wijk, K., Bentolila, S., & Hanson, M. R. (2015). A Zinc Finger Motif-Containing Protein Is Essential for Chloroplast RNA Editing. PLOS Genetics, 11(3), e1005028. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1005028Takenaka, M., Zehrmann, A., Verbitskiy, D., Kugelmann, M., Hartel, B., & Brennicke, A. (2012). Multiple organellar RNA editing factor (MORF) family proteins are required for RNA editing in mitochondria and plastids of plants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(13), 5104-5109. doi:10.1073/pnas.1202452109Boussardon, C., Salone, V., Avon, A., Berthomé, R., Hammani, K., Okuda, K., … Lurin, C. (2012). Two Interacting Proteins Are Necessary for the Editing of the NdhD-1 Site in Arabidopsis Plastids. The Plant Cell, 24(9), 3684-3694. doi:10.1105/tpc.112.099507Coquille, S., Filipovska, A., Chia, T., Rajappa, L., Lingford, J. P., Razif, M. F. M., … Rackham, O. (2014). An artificial PPR scaffold for programmable RNA recognition. Nature Communications, 5(1). doi:10.1038/ncomms6729Uyttewaal, M., Arnal, N., Quadrado, M., Martin-Canadell, A., Vrielynck, N., Hiard, S., … Mireau, H. (2008). Characterization of Raphanus sativus Pentatricopeptide Repeat Proteins Encoded by the Fertility Restorer Locus for Ogura Cytoplasmic Male Sterility. The Plant Cell, 20(12), 3331-3345. doi:10.1105/tpc.107.057208Kobayashi, T., Yagi, Y., & Nakamura, T. (2016). Development of Genome Engineering Tools from Plant-Specific PPR Proteins Using Animal Cultured Cells. Chromosome and Genomic Engineering in Plants, 147-155. doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-4931-1_11Kun, W., Feng, G., Renshan, Z., Shaoqing, L., & Yingguo, Z. (2010). Expression, Purification, and Secondary Structure Prediction of Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein RF1A from Rice. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 29(3), 739-744. doi:10.1007/s11105-010-0260-7Yin, P., Li, Q., Yan, C., Liu, Y., Liu, J., Yu, F., … Yan, N. (2013). Structural basis for the modular recognition of single-stranded RNA by PPR proteins. Nature, 504(7478), 168-171. doi:10.1038/nature12651Law, Y.-S., Zhang, R., Guan, X., Cheng, S., Sun, F., Duncan, O., … Lim, B. L. (2015). Phosphorylation and Dephosphorylation of the Presequence of Precursor MULTIPLE ORGANELLAR RNA EDITING FACTOR3 during Import into Mitochondria from Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology, 169(2), 1344-1355. doi:10.1104/pp.15.01115Hershko, A., & Ciechanover, A. (1998). THE UBIQUITIN SYSTEM. Annual Review of Biochemistry, 67(1), 425-479. doi:10.1146/annurev.biochem.67.1.425Hegeman, C. E., Hayes, M. L., & Hanson, M. R. (2005). Substrate and cofactor requirements for RNA editing of chloroplast transcripts in Arabidopsis in vitro. The Plant Journal, 42(1), 124-132. doi:10.1111/j.1365-313x.2005.02360.xHooper, C. M., Castleden, I. R., Tanz, S. K., Aryamanesh, N., & Millar, A. H. (2016). SUBA4: the interactive data analysis centre for Arabidopsis subcellular protein locations. Nucleic Acids Research, 45(D1), D1064-D1074. doi:10.1093/nar/gkw1041Jaedicke, K., Lichtenthäler, A. L., Meyberg, R., Zeidler, M., & Hughes, J. (2012). A phytochrome–phototropin light signaling complex at the plasma membrane. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(30), 12231-12236. doi:10.1073/pnas.1120203109Singh, R., Lee, M.-O., Lee, J.-E., Choi, J., Park, J. H., Kim, E. H., … Jwa, N.-S. (2012). Rice Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Interactome Analysis Using the Yeast Two-Hybrid System. Plant Physiology, 160(1), 477-487. doi:10.1104/pp.112.200071Irigoyen, M. L., Iniesto, E., Rodriguez, L., Puga, M. I., Yanagawa, Y., Pick, E., … Rubio, V. (2014). Targeted Degradation of Abscisic Acid Receptors Is Mediated by the Ubiquitin Ligase Substrate Adaptor DDA1 in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell, 26(2), 712-728. doi:10.1105/tpc.113.122234Magori, S., & Citovsky, V. (2011). Agrobacterium Counteracts Host-Induced Degradation of Its Effector F-Box Protein. Science Signaling, 4(195), ra69-ra69. doi:10.1126/scisignal.2002124Zhou, X., Graumann, K., Evans, D. E., & Meier, I. (2012). Novel plant SUN–KASH bridges are involved in RanGAP anchoring and nuclear shape determination. Journal of Cell Biology, 196(2), 203-211. doi:10.1083/jcb.201108098Bracha‐Drori, K., Shichrur, K., Katz, A., Oliva, M., Angelovici, R., Yalovsky, S., & Ohad, N. (2004). Detection of protein–protein interactions in plants using bimolecular fluorescence complementation. The Plant Journal, 40(3), 419-427. doi:10.1111/j.1365-313x.2004.02206.xKrasileva, K. V., Dahlbeck, D., & Staskawicz, B. J. (2010). Activation of an Arabidopsis Resistance Protein Is Specified by the in Planta Association of Its Leucine-Rich Repeat Domain with the Cognate Oomycete Effector. The Plant Cell, 22(7), 2444-2458. doi:10.1105/tpc.110.075358Klenova, E. (2002). Immunoprecipitation techniques for the analysis of transcription factor complexes. Methods, 26(3), 254-259. doi:10.1016/s1046-2023(02)00029-4Manavski, N., Guyon, V., Meurer, J., Wienand, U., & Brettschneider, R. (2012). An Essential Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein Facilitates 5′ Maturation and Translation Initiation of rps3 mRNA in Maize Mitochondria. The Plant Cell, 24(7), 3087-3105. doi:10.1105/tpc.112.099051Andrés-Colás, N., Zhu, Q., Takenaka, M., De Rybel, B., Weijers, D., & Van Der Straeten, D. (2017). Multiple PPR protein interactions are involved in the RNA editing system in Arabidopsis mitochondria and plastids. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(33), 8883-8888. doi:10.1073/pnas.1705815114Karimi, M., Inzé, D., & Depicker, A. (2002). GATEWAY™ vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation. Trends in Plant Science, 7(5), 193-195. doi:10.1016/s1360-1385(02)02251-3NAKAGAWA, T., SUZUKI, T., MURATA, S., NAKAMURA, S., HINO, T., MAEO, K., … ISHIGURO, S. (2007). Improved Gateway Binary Vectors: High-Performance Vectors for Creation of Fusion Constructs in Transgenic Analysis of Plants. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 71(8), 2095-2100. doi:10.1271/bbb.70216Voinnet, O., Rivas, S., Mestre, P., & Baulcombe, D. (2003). Retracted: An enhanced transient expression system in plants based on suppression of gene silencing by the p19 protein of tomato bushy stunt virus. The Plant Journal, 33(5), 949-956. doi:10.1046/j.1365-313x.2003.01676.xPukac, L. A., Carter, J. E., Morrison, K. S., & Karnovsky, M. J. (1997). Enhancement of Diaminobenzidine Colorimetric Signal in Immunoblotting. BioTechniques, 23(3), 385-388. doi:10.2144/97233bm0

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of Pd and Ir complexes based on new lutidine-derived NHC/phosphine mixed pincer ligands

Coordination studies of new lutidine-derived hybrid NHC/phosphine ligands (CNP) to Pd and Ir have been performed. Treatment of the square-planar [Pd(CNP)Cl](AgCl2) complex 2a with KHMDS produces the selective deprotonation at the CH2P arm of the pincer to yield the pyridine-dearomatised complex 3a. A series of cationic [Ir(CNP)(cod)]+ complexes 4 has been prepared by reaction of the imidazolium salts 1 with Ir(acac)(cod). These derivatives exhibit in the solid state, and in solution, a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure in which the CNP ligands adopt an unusual C(axial)–N(equatorial)–P(equatorial) coordination mode. Reactions of complexes 4 with CO and H2 yield the carbonyl species 5a(Cl) and 6a(Cl), and the dihydrido derivatives 7, respectively. Furthermore, upon reaction of complex 4b(Br) with base, selective deprotonation at the methylene CH2P arms is observed. The, thus formed, deprotonated Ir complex 8b reacts with H2 in a ligand-assisted process leading to the trihydrido complex 9b, which can also be obtained by reaction of 7b(Cl) with H2 in the presence of KOtBu. Finally, the catalytic activity of Ir–CNP complexes in the hydrogenation of ketones has been briefly assessed.CTQ2013-45011-P, CTQ2016-80814-R and CTQ2014 -51912-RE

Taphonomy applied to human remains

La tafonomía ha sido ampliamente utilizada en el análisis de restos arqueofaunísticos pero su aplicación en restos humanos hallados en yacimientos arqueológicos es relativamente reciente. En este trabajo se analizará la historia de la tafonomía, así como su importancia en el estudio y análisis de restos humanos en contextos arqueológicos. También se analizarán las principales modificaciones que pueden sufrir los restos desde su muerte, poniendo énfasis en qué morfología presentan estas y cómo alteran los huesos, ya sean antrópicas o no antrópicas. En el caso de las primeras, además se comentarán las posibles implicaciones que pueda tener la aparición de estas marcas.Taphonomy has been widely used by other disciplines for the analysis of faunal remains, but its application in human remains found in archaeological sites is relatively recent. In this essay the history of the discipline will be analyzed, as well as its importance in the study and analysis of human remains in archaeological contexts. The principal modifications that the human remains may undergo after death will also be analyzed, focusing on the morphology they present and how they alter the bones, whether they be anthropical or not. In the case of the former, the possible implications that the appearance of this marks can have will also be remarked.Grado en Histori

Symbol and myth in the French symbolist movement: Henri de Régnier

El presente trabajo aborda la importancia del símbolo en el movimiento simbolista francés. El símbolo es el elemento sobre el que se asienta la estética del simbolista. Los poetas simbolistas se servirán asimismo del mito considerado en cuanto símbolo para plasmar sus grandes preocupaciones e ilustrar su pensamiento idealista. Para mostrar la relación fundamental que une ambos elementos, nos centraremos en cuatro de los mitos más relevantes de la fin de siècle: Narciso, Psique, Orfeo y Pigmalión mediante ejemplos extraídos de la obra de Henri de Régnier. Estos mitos revelan una de las grandes inquietudes del periodo finisecular: la dicotomía yo/otro.The present work addresses the importance of symbol in the French symbolist movement. Symbol is the element on where the symbolic aesthetics is based. The symbolist poets will also use the myth, which is considerated like a symbol to embody their intense worries and to illustrate this idealistic thinking. To show the fundamental relation, which joins both elements, we will focus on four of the most important myths of the fin-de-siècle: Narcissus, Psyque, Orpheus and Pygmalion by means of examples torn from Henri de Régnier’s work. These myths reveal one of the great interests of the fin-de-siècle period: the self/other dichotomy

Caracterización de transportadores de cobre de Arabidopsis thaliana: efectos de la alteración de su expresión en plantas transgénicas.

RESUMEN Con la finalidad de diseñar nuevas estrategias biotecnológicas relacionadas con la contaminación por cobre (Cu), los esfuerzos de esta Tesis se centraron en tres objetivos: 1. Identificación de la respuesta molecular a diferentes niveles de Cu en el medio en Arabidopsis thaliana mediante análisis global de los cambios de expresión génica entre exceso y déficit de Cu. Determinamos que el medio estándar de crecimiento en placa ½ MS es deficitario en Cu para las plántulas (~ 4 g/g P.S.), mientras que el mismo medio suplementado con Cu 10 M provoca una elevada concentración endógena del metal próxima al exceso (~ 30 g/g P.S.). Las respuestas moleculares observadas mediante micromatrices a estos niveles de Cu en el medio se dividen en tres categorías: - Respuesta al estrés y alteración del metabolismo, incluyendo la respuesta al estrés hídrico y salino, la división celular y la modificación de DNA en exceso de Cu, así como la respuesta al estrés por patógenos, expansión celular y metabolismo del azufre en déficit del metal. El ritmo circadiano también se encuentra alterado por los niveles de Cu. En estas respuestas están implicados factores de regulación por déficit de Cu como las SPLs y los miRNAs. - Prioridad en el uso del Cu para proteínas esenciales, como la plastocianina, y sustitución de proteínas con función equivalente que utilizan otros metales en sus centros activos, como la Cu/ZnSOD y la FeSOD cloroplásticas. En este sentido, CSD2 y FSD1 son buenos indicadores de niveles elevados y deficitarios de Cu, respectivamente, dentro de la célula. - Regulación de los niveles intracelulares de Cu mediante alteración de los mecanismos de incorporación del metal en la célula, como los transportadores de Cu de alta afinidad COPT, y de destoxificación del metal, como la familia de ATPasas tipo P transportadoras de Cu. 2. Caracterización de transportadores de Cu de familias génicas que responden a los diferentes niveles de Cu en Arabidopsis thaliana. - HMA5, ATPasa tipo P transportadora de Cu. HMA5 se expresa principalmente en raíces y su expresión se induce en plántula entera específicamente por Cu. Mutantes por pérdida de función hma5 son hipersensibles específicamente al Cu y acumulan más Cu en las raíces que las plantas silvestres en exceso de Cu. - COPT3, transportador de Cu de alta afinidad. COPT3 se expresa principalmente en flores y semillas. COPT3 se localiza intracelularmente, probablemente en algún compartimento de la ruta de secreción. La sobrexpresión de COPT3 en plantas transgénicas provoca retraso en el desarrollo de la planta, cotiledones en forma caída y estambres más cortos que los de plantas silvestres. Estas plantas sobrexpresoras muestran hipersensibilidad al Cu, acumulan más Cu en las semillas y, en exceso de Cu, acumulan más Cu que las plantas silvestres en plántula entera. 3. Obtención de plantas transgénicas de Arabidopsis thaliana con posibles aplicaciones biotecnológicas en procesos de fitorremediación, mediante el estudio del transportador de Cu de alta afinidad COPT1. La expresión de COPT1 en plántula entera se reprime específicamente por Cu. COPT1 se localiza en la membrana plasmática. La sobrexpresión de COPT1 en plantas transgénicas provoca reducción del tamaño global de la planta, cotiledones en forma de remo, curvatura cóncava de las hojas, pétalos y estambres protegidos por los sépalos y escasa fertilidad. Estas plantas sobrexpresoras son hipersensibles específicamente al Cu y acumulan más Cu respecto a las plantas silvestres. La sobrexpresión simultánea de COPT1 y TcMT3 podría ser una estrategia candidata en procesos de fitorremediación de suelos contaminados por Cu. Estas plantas reúnen dos características fundamentales para este tipo de aplicaciones biotecnológicas: acumulación y tolerancia al Cu. __________________________________________________________________________________________________With the aim of designing new biotechnological strategies related to copper (Cu), the objectives of this Thesis were: 1. Identification of the Arabidopsis molecular responses to Cu status in the medium by microarray global analysis of gene expression. The internal Cu content in seedlings grown in the ½ MS medium is below the sufficiency levels, whereas the same medium supplemented with Cu 10 M provoke a high endogenous metal concentration close to excess. The responses observed are divided in three categories: - Metabolic changes and stress responses. Circadian rythm is also alterated. Transcription factors and miRNAs are implicated. - Prioritizing the use of Cu for essential proteins and substitution of counterpart proteins with different metals at their active sites. CSD2 and FSD1 expression is a good marker of Cu levels in Arabidopsis. - Regulation of intracellular Cu levels by modification of expression of metal homeostasis components, such as the COPT and HMA families of transporters. 2. Characterization of Cu transporters from gene families that respond to Cu in Arabidopsis. - HMA5, Cu transporting P-type ATPase. HMA5 is mainly expressed in roots and specifically induced by Cu. The hma5 knockout mutants are specifically Cu hypersensitive and accumulate Cu in roots under Cu excess. - COPT3, high affinity Cu transporter. COPT3 is mainly expressed in flowers and seeds. COPT3 is intracellulary located, probably at some secretory pathway compartment. COPT3 overexpression provokes a delay in plant development, phenotypically characteristic cotyledons and short stamens. These overexpressing plants are Cu hypersensitive, accumulate Cu in seeds and, under Cu excess, accumulate Cu in the whole seedling. 3. Obtaining Arabidopsis transgenic plants with possible biotechnological applications, by overexpressing the high affinity Cu transporter COPT1. COPT1 expression is specifically repressed by Cu. COPT1 is located at the plasma membrane. COPT1 overexpression provokes biomass reduction, phenotypically characteristic cotyledons, concave leaves, petals and stamens protected by sepals and low fertility. These overexpressing plants are specifically Cu hypersensitive and accumulate Cu. Simultaneous overexpression of COPT1 and TcMT3 could be a candidate strategy for phytoremediation of Cu contaminated soils. These plants possess two fundamental characteristics for this biotechological application: Cu accumulation and tolerance

Connecting Social Enterprises and Sustainable Consumption: Systematic Review, Bibliometric Analysis, and Conceptual Framework

[Abstract]: The purpose of this study is to explore the meeting point between social enterprises (SEs) and sustainable consumption, given the proven potential of these hybrid organizations in the achievement of sustainable development. Paradoxically, scholarly attention has been scarce to this field of research, particularly from the perspectives of SE products and (potential) customers. Aiming to shed some light, a systematic literature review was conducted, resulting in 24 scientific publications descriptively and thematically explored based on a bibliometric analysis. The findings show that the link between SEs and sustainable consumption is very recent and that empirical articles using quantitative methodologies prevail focused on the analysis of capabilities and performances of SEs aiming to positively influence customers’ response. Nevertheless, the attention to the identification of product attributes and the individual determinants effective enough to press the buy button is still limited. In response to this shortcoming, the originality of this study consists of assembling the findings in this regard into an integrated conceptual framework that paves the way for future analysis in this field of studyMICINN National Project CO-CRESEO ; PID2019-109580RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/ 50110001103

Breve recorrido histórico de la formación profesional en la ciudad de Lorca [Texto impreso]: escuela elemental de trabajo y formación profesional

Bibliografía: p. [157

Transient analysis in the 3D nodal kinetics and thermal-hydraulics ANDES/COBRA coupled system

Neutron kinetics has been implemented in the 3D nodal solver ANDES, which has been coupled to the core thermal-hydraulics (TH) code COBRA-III for core transient analysis. The purpose of this work is, first, to discuss and test the ability of the kinetics solver ANDES to model transients; and second, by means of a systematic analysis, including alternate kinetics schemes, time step size, nodal size, neutron energy groups and spectrum, to serve as a basis for the development of more accurate and efficient neutronics/thermal-hydraulics tools for general transient simulations. The PWR MOX/UO2 transient benchmark provided by the OECD/NEA and US NRC was selected for these goals. The obtained ANDES/COBRA-III results were consistent with other solutions to the benchmark; the differences in the TH feedback led to slight differences in the core power evolution, whereas very good agreements were found in the other requested parameters. The performed systematic analysis highlighted the optimum kinetics iterative scheme, and showed that neutronics spatial discretization effects have stronger influence than time discretization effects, in the semi-implicit scheme adopted, on the numerical solution. On the other hand, the number of energy groups has an important influence on the transient evolution, whereas the assumption of using the prompt neutron spectrum for delayed neutrons is acceptable as it leads to small relative errors