Increasing oil accumulation in olive mesocarp: Cloning and characterization of phospholipid: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) genes from olive fruit

Motivation: To identify, characterize and study the regulation of genes and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerols, in order to increase oil accumulation in olive mesocarp. In particular, to investigate the contribution of phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) genes (Dahlqvist et al., 2000).   Methods: Isolation of full-length cDNA clones by PCR, sequencing of amplified fragments, and sequence analysis using bioinformatic tools. Gene expression analysis using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Functional expression in a mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sandager et al., 2002), using a yeast vector containing an inducible GAL1 promoter. Results: A cDNA sequence, designated OepPDAT2, encoding phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) has been isolated from olive. Gene expression analysis has been performed in Picual and Arbequina cultivars using different olive tissues and in olive mesocarp under different abiotic stresses such as draught, low and high temperature, darkness and wounding. Overexpression in yeast is being carried out in a quadruple mutant of S. cerevisiae that cannot synthesize triacylglycerols to confirm gene identity. Conclusions: Sequence analysis suggests that the OepPDAT2 gene encodes a PDAT enzyme. Gene expression analysis in olive seed and mesocarp tissues indicates that OePDAT2 participates in triacylglycerol synthesis during development and ripening of olive fruit, and it is transcriptionally regulated by different environmental factor

Determinants of major choice and academic expectations: Testing a prediction model across gender

With this study, we aim to test the predictive relationships between determinants of major choice (DMC) and academic expectations (AEs) and analyse gender differences, using six items of the Determinants of Major Choice Scale and the Academic Perceptions Questionnaire to assess AEs. A convenience sample of Portuguese (n = 839) and Spanish (n = 1001) first-year students (age-range = 17-23 years), most composed by women (56.9%, n = 1047), was selected from two public universities. The invariance of the multivariate regression model with latent variables of the effect of DMC on AEs, with intrinsic determinants (IDs; e.g., personal characteristics) and mediating agents (MAs; e.g., parents) as AE’s predictors, was tested across gender in LISREL. The invariance test of the multivariate regression model across gender was well fitted to data and revealed an equivalence of slopes between women and men, which allows a unique interpretation of the model’s predictive relationships for both genders. We also found statistically significant predictive relationships of IDs on six factors AEs and MAs on five factors AEs. The results showed, at a theoretical level, relationships with the self-determination theory. At a practical level, they pointed out the importance of IDs and MAs to conceive AEs intervention programs in Higher Education institutions

Redes neuronales artificiales en el control de procesos por variables: aplicación en la fabricación de tableros de partículas

Artificial neural networks are an efficient tool for modelling production control processes using data from the actual production as well as simulated or design of experiments data. In this study two artificial neural networks were combined with the control process charts and it was checked whether the data obtained by the networks were valid for variable process control in particleboard manufacture. The networks made it possible to obtain the mean and standard deviation of the internal bond strength of the particleboard within acceptable margins using known data of thickness, density, moisture content, swelling and absorption. The networks obtained met the acceptance criteria for test values from non-standard test methods, as well as the criteria for using these values in statistical process control.Las redes neuronales artificiales son una herramienta eficaz para el modelado de los procesos de control de producción, tanto partiendo de datos de la propia producción como de datos simulados o procedentes de diseños de experimentos. En este estudio se han combinado dos redes neuronales artificiales con los gráficos de control de procesos y se ha comprobado si los datos obtenidos con ellas eran válidos para el control de producción por variables en la fabricación de tableros de partículas. Las redes han permitido obtener valores de la media y la desviación típica de la cohesión interna del tablero de partículas dentro de unos márgenes aceptables a partir de datos conocidos de espesor, densidad, contenido de humedad, hinchazón y absorción. Las redes obtenidas han cumplido con los requisitos de aceptación de valores de ensayo por métodos alternativos al normalizado y con los requisitos impuestos para su utilización en el control estadístico de procesos

The magnetocaloric effect in soft magnetic amorphous alloys

The influence of different compositional modifications on the magnetic entropy change and refrigerant capacity of Finemet, Nanoperm, HiTperm, and bulk amorphous alloys is presented. For all the studied alloys, the field dependence of the magnetic entropy change exhibits a quadratic dependence in the paramagnetic regime, a linear dependence in the ferromagnetic temperature range, and a potential law with a field exponent 0.75 at the Curie temperature. This exponent can be explained using the critical exponents of the Curie transition. It is shown that for alloys of similar compositional series, the magnetic entropy change follows a master curve behaviorSpanish Government and EU-Feder, MAT 2004-04618PAI of Junta de Andaluci

SIA's asymmetric rules approximation to hierarchical clustering in Learning Analytics: mathematical issues

Bichsel, proposes an analytics maturity model used to evaluate the progress in the use of academic and learning analytics. In the progress, there are positive results but, most institutions are below 80% level. Most institutions also scored low for data analytics tools, reporting, and expertise"]. In addition, a task with the methods of Data Mining and Learning Analytics is analyze them (precision, accuracy, sensitivity, coherence, fitness measures, cosine, confidence, lift, similarity weights) for optimize and adapt them]. Learning Analytics was and continues to be an emerging technology. The time to adoption Horizon is one year or less but, how many institutions, teachers, learners and data analytics tools, are ready? Statistical Implicative Analysis (SIA) was created for Regis Gras , 45 years ago, SIA is a statistical theory which provides a group of data analytics tools to extract knowledge. The approach is performed starting from the generation of asymmetric rules similar to dendrograms used in the hierarchical clusters. But, the asymmetric rules can be used like a hierarchical clusters? The principal aim of this paper is to give mathematical issues of asymmetric rules to hierarchical clustering in Learning Analytics

La enfermedad crónica infantil. Repercusiones emocionales en el paciente y en la familia.

La OMS define la salud como el estado de completo bienestar físico, mental y social. De este modo, se pasa de entender la salud únicamente como un concepto biológico, para entenderla como una dimensión biopsicosocial (Rubio et al., 2010). En general, la enfermedad, sobre todo cuando es crónica, altera en gran medida tanto la vida del paciente, como la de todas las personas de su entorno, y hace necesaria una adaptación a la situación de todas las partes implicadas (particularmente el niño y la familia). En el siguiente trabajo se pretenden analizar las distintas estrategias de afrontamiento emocional que, según la bibliografía relevante en este tema, tanto el paciente pediátrico como su círculo social más importante adoptan ante la nueva situación.Investigación realizada gracias al Proyecto I+D con ref.: EDU2009-11950 del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.peerReviewe

Efecto de la temperatura de termotratamiento en el comportamiento eléctrico de la madera de pino radiata

Se analiza el efecto de la temperatura del termotratamiento sobre la conductividad eléctrica de la madera de pino radiata. Sobre probetas de madera de pino radiata de procedencia País Vasco (España), termotratada a 190ºC y 210ºC por el método Thermowood así como sobre piezas testigo de la misma especie, procedencia y dimensiones, acondicionadas todas ellas hasta masa constante a 20ºC/40%HR, 20ºC/65%HR y 20ºC/90%HR se evaluó la resistencia eléctrica (longitudinal y transversal) y, posteriormente, se ajustó el modelo Samuelson para modelizar en cada tipo de material la relación humedad de la madera-resistencia eléctrica. Se concluye que la temperatura empleada en el tratamiento térmico de la madera afecta no sólo a la humedad de equilibrio sino, también, a su conductividad eléctrica, siendo máximo este efecto en el tratamiento efectuado a 210ºC

La erosión en campos cultivados en Galicia (NW España)

[Resumen] En la presente comunicación se realiza un seguimiento de la erosión en parcelas cultivadas en Galicia. Para ello, en la estación experimental El Pedroso se construyeron dos parcelas, de diferente pendiente, y se sometieron a un proceso de laboreo según las formas tradicionales de cultivar. En la presente comunicación se exponen los resultados del seguimiento de la experimentación desde abril a diciembre de 1995, en donde se observa que la pendiente desempeña una función distinta de la que en un principio podría pensarse, dado que la escorrentía y carga varían de forma inversa a la pendiente.[Abstract] A very closed study of erosion is made in this paper about plough plots in Galicia. For this, in the experimental station El Pedroso were built two plots, with different slope, and were ploughed in a traditional way. In this paper we resume the results of the experiment from april to december 1995, where it is seen that slope has a different function that was thought at the beginning of the experiment, because discharge and load don't vary directly with slope

Azaindole grafted titanium dioxide for the photodegradation of pharmaceuticals under solar irradiation

The application of metal-free organic molecules grafted titanium dioxide (TiO2) as photocatalysts for the degradation of pharmaceuticals under solar light has been scarcely studied. Herein, a novel photocatalyst was synthesized anchoring a bipolar electron-donor and -acceptor molecule based on azaindole derivative (AZA4) onto TiO2 aiming to improve the photoactivity under simulated solar irradiation. The TiO2- azaindole (TiO2-AZA4) was fully characterized, confirming that AZA4 was successfully grafted onto TiO2 and improving the light absorption. The grafted TiO2 was applied in the photodegradation of acetaminophen in water, showing a significantly better photocatalytic performance compared to that of pure TiO2 under both solar and visible irradiations. AZA4 grafting leads to the TiO2 band gap narrowing and favors the charge separation, thus improving the TiO2 photoactivity. The photocatalytic performance of TiO2-AZA4 was evaluated using different conditions such as photocatalyst dose or initial pH of the solution, and the radical species involved in the process were investigated. The high activity of TiO2-AZA4 was confirmed in the photodegradation of a mixture of pharmaceuticals, namely acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and antipyrine, further demonstrating its stability and catalytic performance in a novel continuous flow test under simulated solar irradiation, thus finding a new strategy to design solar-light driven photocatalysts for the degradation of pollutants in waterAuthors acknowledge Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019- 106186RBI00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and PID2019-105479RB-I00 (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)). M. Peñas-Garzón also thanks the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (FPU16/00576 grant). J. Álvarez-Conde acknowledges financial support from the European Social fund through ‘‘Programa de empleo juvenil y la iniciativa de empleo juvenil” (PEJD-2017-PRE/IND-4536) of the Government of Madrid. Authors thank the Research Support Services of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (SIdI), Universidad de Málaga (SCAI) and Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC