Un modelo de potencialidad climática para la trufa negra (Tuber melanosporum) en Teruel (España)

Black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) is an edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom whose cultivation is an economically-viable alternative in rural areas affected by depopulation. In the province of Teruel (Spain), truffle plantations occupy nowadays more than 4,500 ha, but no land use planning guidelines have been available. Species distribution models are tools that allow managers, farmers and foresters to plan ahead and make decisions with a scientific basis. The territory climatically suitable for T. melanosporum in Teruel has been predicted using a method based on the ecology field theory, previously tested in the development of distribution models for forest species. A dataset of 924 locations where black truffle has been collected in the Catalano-Aragonesa ecoregion and eight climatic parameters deeply influencing the presence and fructification of the black truffle have been considered and their corresponding habitats have been built. The distribution model, corrected under lithological criteria, has identified more than 8,000 km² as suitable for black truffle fructification in Teruel, almost 55% of the province, belonging 3,000 of them to the optimal class. This land is mainly distributed over the regions of Gúdar-Javalambre, Comunidad de Teruel and Maestrazgo. A further correction based on land-use criteria has identified more than 4,000 km² as suitable for truffle plantations, being 1,150 of them optimal. The model here presented will help to a proper planning for truffle cultivation in the province of Teruel.La trufa negra (Tuber melanosporum) es un hongo ectomicorrícico comestible cuyo cultivo supone en la actualidad una alternativa económica viable para zonas rurales afectadas gravemente por la despoblación. En la provincia de Teruel (España) hay más de 4.500 ha de plantaciones truferas, instaladas sin ningún proceso de planificación orientado a alcanzar un territorio rural ordenado. Los modelos territoriales de potencialidad o aptitud para las especies son herramientas que permiten a los gestores, agricultores y selvicultores desarrollar dicha planificación y tomar decisiones fundamentadas en un conocimiento científico lo más riguroso posible. Utilizando un método basado en la teoría de campos aplicada a la ecología, habitual para elaborar las áreas potenciales de especies forestales vegetales, se ha determinado el territorio climáticamente apto para T. melanosporum en la provincia Teruel. Para construir este modelo se han utilizado 924 localizaciones de la ecorregión Catalano-Aragonesa. Elaborando ocho parámetros climáticos trascendentes para la fructificación de la trufa negra, se han construido sus correspondientes hábitats. El modelo de potencialidad climática elaborado, completado con una corrección litológica, ha permitido identificar algo más de 8.000 km2 como aptos para la recolección de la trufa negra en Teruel, casi el 55% de la provincia, de los cuales 3.000 corresponden a la clase óptima y están distribuidos por las comarcas de Gúdar-Javalambre, Comunidad de Teruel y Maestrazgo. La adaptación del modelo ha permitido identificar más de 4.000 km2 como aptos para la instalación de plantaciones truferas, 1.150 de los cuales tienen potencialidad óptima. El modelo generado en el presente trabajo permitirá la adecuada planificación territorial de la truficultura en la provincia de Teruel

N-Methylation of Amines with Methanol Catalyzed by Iridium(I) Complexes Bearing an N, O-Functionalized NHC Ligand

A set of neutral IrBr(L-2)-(kappa C-(t)BuImCH(2)PyCH(2)OMe)] and cationic Ir(L-2)-(kappa C, N-tBuImCH(2)PyCH(2)OMe)]PF6 (L-2 = cod, (CO)(2)) Ir(I) compounds featuring a flexible lutidine-derived polydentate ligand having NHC and - OMe as donor functions have been evaluated as catalyst precursors for the N-methylation of aniline using methanol both as a reducing agent and a C1 source. The carbonyl complexes are somewhat more active than the related diene compounds with the neutral compound IrBr(CO)(2)(kappa C-(t)BuImCH(2)PyCH(2)OMe)] being the more active. A range of aromatic primary amines, including heterocyclic amines, have been selectively transformed into the corresponding N-methylamino derivatives using this catalyst at a low catalyst loading (0.1 mol %) and substoichiometric amounts of Cs2CO3 (half equiv) as a base, in methanol at 423 K. For aliphatic primary amines, selective N, N-dimethylation was achieved under the same catalytic conditions. The unselective deprotonation of the methylene linkers in IrBr(CO)(2)(kappa C-(t)BuImCH(2)PyCH(2)OMe)] affords two isomeric neutral complexes featuring a coordinated dearomatized pyridine core, which were converted into Ir(OMe)(CO)(2)(kappa C-(t)BuImCH(2)PyCH(2)OMe)] upon addition of methanol. This compound undergoes thermal activation of a C-H bond of the tert-butyl group to give the cyclometalated iridium(I) complex Ir(CO)(2){kappa C-2, C-(-CH2Me2C-ImCH(2)PyCH(2)OMe)}] featuring a bidentate C, C-coordinated NHC ligand. Mechanistic investigations support a borrowing hydrogen mechanism proceeding through iridium(I) intermediates with the methoxo complex as the catalytic active species and the cyclometalated complex as the catalyst resting state. Deuterium labeling experiments have demonstrated that both species are in equilibrium under catalytic conditions, which is consistent with the exhibited catalytic activity of the cyclometalated complex

Reversible opening of the triangular structure of a sulfido-bridged ZrRh2 early-late heterobimetallic complex induced by Bis-(diphenylphosphino)methane

Reaction of the early - late heterobimetallic complexes [Cp tt 2Zr(μ3-S)2{M(CO)} 2(μ-dppm)] (M = Rh, Ir) with dppm (bis-(diphenylphosphino)methane) yields the compounds [Cptt 2Zr(μ-S)2M(μ- CO)2(μ-dppm)M(η2-dppm)] (M = Rh (3), Ir (4)). The molecular structure of 3 shows a bent trimetallic ZrRhRh chain with tetrahedral, trigonal-bipyramidal, and square-pyramidal geometries, respectively. This trinuclear compound exhibits a mixed-valence Rh(II) - Rh(0) metal - metal bonded unit that results from the unusual chelating coordination of the metalloligand [Cptt 2Zr(S)2]2- and is further stabilized by the presence of two unsymmetrical bridging carbonyl ligands, which interact with the unsaturated Rh(II) metal. The formation of 3 is reversible, and the equilibrium 1 + dppm ⇄ 3 has been observed in solution (K ≈ 16 at 22 °C in C6D6). The opening of the triangular core in the heterotrimetallic compound [Cptt 2Zr(μ 3-S)2-{Rh(CO)}{Ir(CO)}(μ-dppm)] (5) is not selective and gives the compounds [Cptt 2Zr(μ-S) 2Rh(μ-CO)2(μ-dppm)Ir(η2-dppm)] (6) and [Cptt 2Zr(μ-S)2Ir(μ-CO) 2(μ-dppm)Rh(η2-dppm)] (7) in a 3:1 molar ratio.The generous financial support from Dirección General de Enseñanza Superior e Investigación (DGES) (Project BQU2003-05412-C02-01) is gratefully acknowledged.Peer Reviewe

Síntesis de ectomicorrizas entre Cistus sp. y las especies del complejo Boletus edulis

En los jarales resultantes de la reiteración de incendios forestales en el oeste de Castilla y León (León, Salamanca y Zamora) es habitual la presencia de fructificaciones de Boletus edulis Bull. La recolección de estos hongos micorrícicos comestibles en los jarales dominados exclusivamente por Cistus ladanifer, supone una oportunidad económica alternativa a los usos tradicionales para zonas con bajos ingresos procedentes del monte. El objetivo de éste trabajo es la obtención de ectomicorrizas de las especies del complejo B. edulis con Cistus sp. bajo condiciones controladas, y las descripciones anatómicas detalladas de las mismas. La identificación de los aislados fúngicos de Boletus aereus Bull., B. edulis, B. reticulatus Schaeff. y B. pinophilus Pilát & Dermek fue confirmada por métodos moleculares. Se han obtenido ectomicorrizas de Boletus aereus, B. edulis y B. reticulatus con Cistus albidus L. y C. ladanifer en condiciones de síntesis en cultivo puro, en un substrato de turbavermiculita estéril y solución nutritiva. Las ectomicorrizas formadas se describieron siguiendo los caracteres anatómicos y morfológicos habituales. Las tres ectomicorrizas son muy similares, de color blanco, con ramificación monopodial-pinnada, manto formado por tres capas plectenquimatosas y con rizomorfos de tipo boletoide

Mindfulness-based programmes for mental health promotion in adults in nonclinical settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background: There is an urgent need for mental health promotion in nonclinical settings. Mindfulness–based programmes (MBPs) are being widely implemented to reduce stress, but a comprehensive evidence synthesis is lacking. We reviewed trials to assess whether MBPs promote mental health relative to no intervention or comparator interventions. Methods and findings: Following a detailed preregistered protocol (PROSPERO CRD42018105213) developed with public and professional stakeholders, 13 databases were searched to August 2020 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining in–person, expert–defined MBPs in nonclinical settings. Two researchers independently selected, extracted, and appraised trials using the Cochrane Risk–of–Bias Tool 2.0. Primary outcomes were psychometrically validated anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and mental well–being questionnaires at 1 to 6 months after programme completion. Multiple testing was performed using p < 0.0125 (Bonferroni) for statistical significance. Secondary outcomes, meta–regression and sensitivity analyses were prespecified. Pairwise random–effects multivariate meta–analyses and prediction intervals (PIs) were calculated. A total of 11,605 participants in 136 trials were included (29 countries, 77% women, age range 18 to 73 years). Compared with no intervention, in most but not all scenarios MBPs improved average anxiety (8 trials; standardised mean difference (SMD) = −0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.80 to −0.33; p–value < 0.001; 95% PI −1.19 to 0.06), depression (14 trials; SMD = −0.53; 95% CI −0.72 to −0.34; p–value < 0.001; 95% PI −1.14 to 0.07), distress (27 trials; SMD = −0.45; 95% CI −0.58 to −0.31; p–value < 0.001; 95% PI −1.04 to 0.14), and well–being (9 trials; SMD = 0.33; 95% CI 0.11 to 0.54; p–value = 0.003; 95% PI −0.29 to 0.94). Compared with nonspecific active control conditions, in most but not all scenarios MBPs improved average depression (6 trials; SMD = −0.46; 95% CI −0.81 to −0.10; p–value = 0.012, 95% PI −1.57 to 0.66), with no statistically significant evidence for improving anxiety or distress and no reliable data on well–being. Compared with specific active control conditions, there is no statistically significant evidence of MBPs’ superiority. Only effects on distress remained when higher–risk trials were excluded. USA–based trials reported smaller effects. MBPs targeted at higher–risk populations had larger effects than universal MBPs. The main limitation of this review is that confidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach is moderate to very low, mainly due to inconsistency and high risk of bias in many trials. Conclusions: Compared with taking no action, MBPs of the included studies promote mental health in nonclinical settings, but given the heterogeneity between studies, the findings do not support generalisation of MBP effects across every setting. MBPs may have specific effects on some common mental health symptoms. Other preventative interventions may be equally effective. Implementation of MBPs in nonclinical settings should be partnered with thorough research to confirm findings and learn which settings are most likely to benefit

Technological diversification within UK’s small serial innovators

This paper investigates the determinants of technological diversification among UK’s small serial innovators (SSIs). Using a longitudinal study of 339 UK-based small businesses accounting for almost 7000 patents between 1990 and 2006, this study constitutes the first empirical examination of technological diversification among SMEs in the literature. Results demonstrate that technological diversification is not solely a large firm activity, challenging the dominant view that innovative SMEs are extremely focused and specialised players with little technological diversification. Our findings suggest a nonlinear (i.e. inverse-U-shaped) relationship between the level of technological opportunities in the environment and the SSIs’ degree of technological diversification. This points to a trade-off between processes of exploration and exploitation across increasingly volatile technology regimes. The paper also demonstrates that small firms with impactful innovations focus their innovative activity around similar technological capabilities while firms that have introduced platform technologies in the past are more likely to engage in technological diversification

The COMT Val158 Met polymorphism as an associated risk factor for Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment in APOE 4 carriers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study is to examine the influence of the <it>catechol-O-methyltranferase (COMT) </it>gene (polymorphism Val158 Met) as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment of amnesic type (MCI), and its synergistic effect with the <it>apolipoprotein E gene (APOE)</it>.</p> <p>A total of 223 MCI patients, 345 AD and 253 healthy controls were analyzed. Clinical criteria and neuropsychological tests were used to establish diagnostic groups.</p> <p>The DNA Bank of the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU) (Spain) determined <it>COMT </it>Val158 Met and <it>APOE </it>genotypes using real time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLPs), respectively. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine the risk of AD and MCI.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neither <it>COMT </it>alleles nor genotypes were independent risk factors for AD or MCI. The high activity genotypes (GG and AG) showed a synergistic effect with <it>APOE ε4 </it>allele, increasing the risk of AD (OR = 5.96, 95%CI 2.74-12.94, p < 0.001 and OR = 6.71, 95%CI 3.36-13.41, p < 0.001 respectivily). In AD patients this effect was greater in women.</p> <p>In MCI patients such as synergistic effect was only found between AG and <it>APOE ε4 </it>allele (OR = 3.21 95%CI 1.56-6.63, p = 0.02) and was greater in men (OR = 5.88 95%CI 1.69-20.42, p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>COMT </it>(Val158 Met) polymorphism is not an independent risk factor for AD or MCI, but shows a synergistic effect with <it>APOE ε4 </it>allele that proves greater in women with AD.</p

A prospective cohort study of long-term cognitive changes in older Medicare beneficiaries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Promoting cognitive health and preventing its decline are longstanding public health goals, but long-term changes in cognitive function are not well-documented. Therefore, we first examined long-term changes in cognitive function among older Medicare beneficiaries in the Survey on Assets and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old (AHEAD), and then we identified the risk factors associated with those changes in cognitive function.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospective, population-based cohort using baseline (1993-1994) interview data linked to 1993-2007 Medicare claims to examine cognitive function at the final follow-up interview which occurred between 1995-1996 and 2006-2007. Besides traditional risk factors (i.e., aging, age, race, and education) and adjustment for baseline cognitive function, we considered the reason for censoring (entrance into managed care or death), and post-baseline continuity of care and major health shocks (hospital episodes). Residual change score multiple linear regression analysis was used to predict cognitive function at the final follow-up using data from telephone interviews among 3,021 to 4,251 (sample size varied by cognitive outcome) baseline community-dwelling self-respondents that were ≥ 70 years old, not in managed Medicare, and had at least one follow-up interview as self-respondents. Cognitive function was assessed using the 7-item Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-7; general mental status), and the 10-item immediate and delayed (episodic memory) word recall tests.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean changes in the number of correct responses on the TICS-7, and 10-item immediate and delayed word recall tests were -0.33, -0.75, and -0.78, with 43.6%, 54.9%, and 52.3% declining and 25.4%, 20.8%, and 22.9% unchanged. The main and most consistent risks for declining cognitive function were the baseline values of cognitive function (reflecting substantial regression to the mean), aging (a strong linear pattern of increased decline associated with greater aging, but with diminishing marginal returns), older age at baseline, dying before the end of the study period, lower education, and minority status.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In addition to aging, age, minority status, and low education, substantial and differential risks for cognitive change were associated with sooner vs. later subsequent death that help to clarify the terminal drop hypothesis. No readily modifiable protective factors were identified.</p