Identification and Characterization of TALE Homeobox Genes in the Endangered Fern Vandenboschia speciosa

We report and discuss the results of a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of the expression patterns of seven three amino acid loop extension (TALE) homeobox genes (four KNOTTED-like homeobox (KNOX) and three BEL1-like homeobox (BELL) genes) identified after next generation sequencing (NGS) and assembly of the sporophyte and gametophyte transcriptomes of the endangered fern species Vandenboschia speciosa. Among the four KNOX genes, two belonged to the KNOX1 class and the other two belonged to the KNOX2 class. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences supported the typical domain structure of both types of TALE proteins, and the homology to TALE proteins of mosses, lycophytes, and seed plant species. The expression analyses demonstrate that these homeodomain proteins appear to have a key role in the establishment and development of the gametophyte and sporophyte phases of V. speciosa lifecycle, as well as in the control of the transition between both phases. Vandenboschia speciosa VsKNAT3 (a KNOX2 class protein) as well as VsBELL4 and VsBELL10 proteins have higher expression levels during the sporophyte program. On the contrary, one V. speciosa KNOX1 protein (VsKNAT6) and one KNOX2 protein (VsKNAT4) seem important during the development of the gametophyte phase. TALE homeobox genes might be among the key regulators in the gametophyte-to-sporophyte developmental transition in regular populations that show alternation of generations, since some of the genes analyzed here (VsKNAT3, VsKNAT6, VsBELL4, and VsBELL6) are upregulated in a non-alternating population in which only independent gametophytes are found (they grow by vegetative reproduction outside of the range of sporophyte distribution). Thus, these four genes might trigger the vegetative propagation of the gametophyte and the repression of the sexual development in populations composed of independent gametophytes. This study represents a comprehensive identification and characterization of TALE homeobox genes in V. speciosa, and gives novel insights about the role of these genes in fern development.This research has been financed by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and FEDER founds, grant: CGL2010-14856 (subprograma BOS).M. Bakkali wishes to thank the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad for granting him with a Ramón y Cajal Fellowship, the BFU2010-16438 grant, and an FPI studentship to R. Martín-Blázquez

Physical and chemical properties of the groundwater of the Santo Domingo-Salinas ranges, South Central Pyrenees

The Santo Domingo-Salinas ranges represent a unique Natural Area in the south-central Pyrenees, and they were declarationas a Protected Landscape in 2015. Available biological and geological knowledge is extensive but lacks of information on groundwater quality. In this work we provide new hydrogeological results and integrate them with previously available hydrogeological data. To do so, we have: (i) compiled existing hydrogeological information, (ii) exhaustively developed an inventory of water points, (iii) sampled, analyzed and interpreted the hydrochemical facies detected, and (iv) developed a preliminary conceptual model for the hydrogeological functioning of the area. These information has been integrated in an map that displays the chemical analyses of the two new campaigns (Stiff diagrams), the flow rates and the three aquifer systems defined. This new information improves and synthetizes the knowledge of the hidrogeology of the Santo Domingo-Salinas ranges Protected Landscape and it will help in its future management and planning

Occurrence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the urban aquifer of Zaragoza (Spain) and its relationship with intensive shallow geothermal energy exploitation

A steady increase in the consumption of pharmaceuticals and personal-care products worldwide is increasing their occurrence in the biosphere. The current study describes the abundance of 42 selected emerging organic contaminants (EOCs), including human and veterinary antibiotics, UV-filters and analgesics in the groundwater of the urban aquifer of Zaragoza (Spain), which is affected by intensive exploitation of shallow geothermal resources. The presence of groundwater heat pump systems in the aquifer studied offered the opportunity to study the occurrence of EOCs in relation to groundwater temperature and other physicochemical effects derived from this technology. Analysis of the data obtained allowed us to identify statistically significant relationships between the presence of EOCs and temperature, as well as other physicochemical and geochemical properties of groundwater. The results obtained suggest that temperature is a minor factor controlling the degradation of the organic compounds analysed compared to the oxygen input from groundwater heat pump systems which is possibly increasing the aerobic redox conditions, thus preventing the degradation of organic pollutants. Intensive use of shallow geothermal resources therefore seems to contribute in the prevalence of such compounds in the aquifer close to geothermal systems

Definition of the relaxation factor for the distributed management of shallow geothermal resources

A new methodology is proposed based on the thermal impact estimation using a groundwater and heat transport model which, combined with the definition of a relaxation factor, allows the approval of new exploitations in an organized and distributed way. This new methodology will make a step further into a clear legislative framework and a scientifically motivated concession protocol for new shallow geothermal exploitations. This paper presents an example of application of this methodology and the different potential advantages of its implementation are discussed. New indicators of the groundwater quality from a thermal point of view are proposedEn este trabajo se propone una metodología basada en la evaluación de impactos térmicos mediante un modelo numérico de flujo de agua subterránea y transporte de calor, que combinado con la definición de un factor de relajación permite la concesión de nuevas explotaciones de forma ordenada y distribuida en zonas urbanas. Ello contribuye hacia una normativa clara y un protocolo científicamente motivado para la concesión de derechos de explotación y así evitar la “ley del primero en llegar, primero en servirse”. A modo de demostración, se ofrece un ejemplo de la aplicación de la metodología propuesta y se discuten las posibles ventajas de su implementación así como la propuesta de nuevos indicadores para evaluar el estado de calidad del agua subterránea desde un punto de vista energétic

Substructure lensing in galaxy clusters as a constraint on low-mass sterile neutrinos in tensor-vector-scalar theory: The straight arc of Abell 2390

Certain covariant theories of the modified Newtonian dynamics paradigm seem to require an additional hot dark matter (HDM) component - in the form of either heavy ordinary neutrinos or more recently light sterile neutrinos (SNs) with a mass around 11eV - to be relieved of problems ranging from cosmological scales down to intermediate ones relevant for galaxy clusters. Here we suggest using gravitational lensing by galaxy clusters to test such a marriage of neutrino HDM and modified gravity, adopting the framework of tensor-vector-scalar theory (TeVeS). Unlike conventional cold dark matter (CDM), such HDM is subject to strong phase-space constraints, which allows one to check cluster lens models inferred within the modified framework for consistency. Since the considered HDM particles cannot collapse into arbitrarily dense clumps and only form structures well above the galactic scale, systems which indicate the need for dark substructure are of particular interest. As a first example, we study the cluster lens Abell 2390 and its impressive straight arc with the help of numerical simulations. Based on our results, we outline a general and systematic approach to model cluster lenses in TeVeS which significantly reduces the calculation complexity. We further consider a simple bimodal lens configuration, capable of producing the straight arc, to demonstrate our approach. We find that such a model is marginally consistent with the hypothesis of 11eV SNs. Future work including more detailed and realistic lens models may further constrain the necessary SN distribution and help to conclusively assess this point. Cluster lenses could therefore provide an interesting discriminator between CDM and such modified gravity scenarios supplemented by SNs or other choices of HDM.Comment: 22 pages, 14 figures, 2 tables; minor changes to match accepted versio

The propagation of a flood induced recharge through the alluvial urban aquifer of Zaragoza (Spain)

This paper studies the recharge induced by a flood event in the alluvial urban aquifer of Zaragoza from a quantitative point of view. Thanks to the implementation of a groundwater flow numerical model, the propagation of the recharge front through the alluvial aquifer has been simulated. The results obtained have shown a propagation of the recharge front through the aquifer driven by the transmissivity field and the existent river-aquifer regime prior to the flood event. In general, the recharge front has a 35-45 m·h-1 displacement in the first 20 hours. Subsequently, the front decelerates to almost zero velocity at the flood peak. Finally, it is concluded that the recharge front reaches 1,000 m in previous river effluent zones and 2,000- 2,500 m in other zonesEn este artículo se estudia desde un punto de vista cuantitativo la recarga del acuífero aluvial urbano de Zaragoza inducida por una crecida del río Ebro.Mediante la implementación de un modelo numérico de flujo se ha simulado la propagación de la crecida por el acuífero aluvial. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una dinámica de la recarga estrechamente ligada a la anisotropía de la transmisividad y las relaciones río-acuífero previas a la crecida. En general se produce un avance del frente de la recarga rápido, velocidades de 35-45 m·h-1 en las primeras 20 horas. Posteriormente, dicho frente experimenta una importante deceleración con velocidades muy bajas entorno al inicio de la curva de decrecida del río Ebro. El alcance de la recarga es de 1.000 m en zonas fuertemente efluentes previamente a la crecida y de 2.000-2.500 m en otras zona

Nested shallow geothermal systems

The long-term sustainability of shallow geothermal systems in dense urbanized areas can be potentially compromised by the existence of thermal interfaces. Thermal interferences between systems have to be avoided to prevent the loss of system performance. Nevertheless, in this work we provide evidence of a positive feedback from thermal interferences in certain controlled situations. Two real groundwater heat pump systems were investigated using real exploitation data sets to estimate the thermal energy demand bias and, by extrapolation, to assess the nature of thermal interferences between the systems. To do that, thermal interferences were modelled by means of a calibrated and validated 3D city-scale numerical model reproducing groundwater flow and heat transport. Results obtained showed a 39% (522 MWh·yr−1) energy imbalance towards cooling for one of the systems, which generated a hot thermal plume towards the downgradient and second system investigated. The nested system in the hot thermal plume only used groundwater for heating, thus establishing a positive symbiotic relationship between them. Considering the energy balance of both systems together, a reduced 9% imbalance was found, hence ensuring the long-term sustainability and renewability of the shallow geothermal resource exploited. The nested geothermal systems described illustrate the possibilities of a new management strategy in shallow geothermal energy governanc

Actualización hidrogeológica del acuífero aluvial urbano de Zaragoza e impacto en la recarga por evento de precipitación extraordinario.

El uso del acuífero de Zaragoza se ha incrementado en la última época por la introducción de sistemas de aprovechamiento del agua como intercambiadores térmicos. Los efectos que genera sobre el acuífero esta inyección, está siendo estudiada por un proyecto del IGME. Para este estudio se ha implantado una red de control piezométrico de alto detalle (frecuencia de mediciones diezminutales y bajo error). El presente trabajo se realiza con el objetivo de emplear esos datos para el estudio en detalle del acuífero, centrándose en la recarga. Existen tres formas de recarga para este acuífero: El desplazamiento lateral de agua, la infiltración por precipitación y la recarga por infiltración durante avenidas, siendo estas dos últimas objeto de estudio del presente trabajo. El estudio de la precipitación, se ha centrado en el evento extraordinario del 20 de Octubre de 2012, con una precipitación de 66 mm. El estudio de los niveles de agua muestra un efecto de recarga muy pequeño, relacionado principalmente por la capacidad de retención de agua de la zona no saturada (Mayor en meses secos como era el caso). La crecida del rio analizada es la que sufrió el Ebro en el mes de Marzo de 2011, que produjo un ascenso de la lámina de agua máximo de 2,05 metros, lo que originó una inversión en la dirección de flujo desde el rio hacia el acuífero, pasando el rio de una situación efluente a una influente; esto se explica mediante una modificación de las isopiezas. En conclusión, en la zona afectada por la crecida del rio (extensión mínima aproximada similar a la zona antigua de Zaragoza) la recarga generada por esta, excede ampliamente a la generada por la precipitación. Por lo que se concluye que en zonas cercanas al rio, la dinámica del acuífero está controlada por este. Palabras clave: Zaragoza, Acuífero, recarga, precipitación, avenida y piezometría

Sustainability indicator for the prevention of potential thermal interferences between groundwater heat pump systems in urban aquifers

The steady increase of geothermal systems using groundwater is compromising the renewability of the geothermal resources in shallow urban aquifers. To ensure sustainability, scientifically-based criteria are required to prevent potential thermal interferences between geothermal systems. In this work, a management indicator (balanced sustainability index, BSI) applicable to groundwater heat pump systems is defined to assign a quantitative value of sustainability to each system, based on their intrinsic potential to produce thermal interference. The BSI indicator relies on the net heat balance transferred to the terrain throughout the year and the maximum seasonal thermal load associated. To define this indicator, 75 heating-cooling scenarios based in 23 real systems were established to cover all possible different operational conditions. The scenarios were simulated in a standard numerical model, adopted as a reference framework, and thermal impacts were evaluated. Two polynomial regression models were used for the interpolation of thermal impacts, thus allowing the direct calculation of the sustainability indicator developed as a function of heating-cooling ratios and maximum seasonal thermal loads. The BSI indicator could provide authorities and technicians with scientifically-based criteria to establish geothermal monitoring programs, which are critical to maintain the implementation rates and renewability of these systems in the cities

The role of chemokines in cervical cancers

Both clinical-pathological and experimental studies have shown that chemokines play a key role in activating the immune checkpoint modulator in cervical cancer progression and are associated with prognosis in tumor cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, chemoresistance, and immunosuppression. Therefore, a clear understanding of chemokines and immune checkpoint modulators is essential for the treatment of this disease. This review discusses the origins and categories of chemokines and the mechanisms that are responsible for activating immune checkpoints in cervical dysplasia and cancer, chemokines as biomarkers, and therapy development that targets immune checkpoints in cervical cancer research