Molecular evolution of RRM-containing proteins and glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins in plants

*Abstract*

*Background:*
In angiosperms, RNA-binding proteins with an RNA recognition motif (RRM)-type RNA interaction domain play an important role in developmental and environmental responses. Despite their pivotal role, a comprehensive analysis of their number and diversity has only been performed in _Arabidopsis_ so far.

*Results:*
Here we present a detailed phylogenetic analysis of RRM-containing proteins in plants, the red algae _Cyanidioschyzon merolae_ and cyanobacteria. We identified two major events during the diversification of the RRM in plants, one at the emergence of green plants, and the other at the water-to-land transition. We focused on proteins that combine a single RRM with a glycine-rich stretch, known as glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (GRPs). We found that GRPs are present in cyanobacteria, however plant and cyanobacterial GRPs are not of monophyletic origin. We provide evidence that plant GRPs form a polyphyletic group.
 
*Conclusion:*
Our work provides insights into the origin of GRPs in plants. We determined that the RRM from plants and cyanobacteria do not have a common origin. We could also determine that the acquisition of the glycine-rich stretch has happened at least on three separate occasions during the evolution of GRPs. One event led to the emergence of cyanobacterial GRPs, while later acquisition events led to the emergence of GRPs in the green lineage. No GRPs were found in red or marine green algae. We found a subgroup of GRPs exclusive to land plants, and its appearance may be linked to challenges related to the water-to-land transition.
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Perfil Logístico de Colombia – Sector textil y confecciones

El sector textil en los últimos 10 años se ha caracterizado por pertenecer a uno de los rubros superiores frente a la economía nacional por lo cual actualmente se está enfrentando a economías emergentes como la china y a mercados como el americano con costos muchos más competentes. Este proyecto, describirá de manera específica el perfil logístico del sector textil en Colombia, el cual debido al auge que ha tenido en los últimos años es importante destacar la relevancia de la logística para llevar a cabo sus objetivos y también al ser uno de los sectores manufactureros de mayor importancia para el desarrollo económico nacional, representando una industria altamente integrada y presentar un flujo de constante de productos; se pretende identificar las oportunidades de mejora en la logística, para lograr mayor eficiencia y efectividad en el sistema de transporte de mercancías del sector. A su vez, este proyecto representará una caracterización enfocada en los países más representativos del sector en términos de exportaciones, importaciones, balanza comercial, productividad y competitividad cuya variable principal es el PIB de cada país. La investigación se complementará con un enfoque desde el punto de vista nacional teniendo en cuenta la cadena de suministro del sector.In the last 10 years the textile sector has been characterized to belong to one of the main industries in the national economy, therefore nowadays is facing strong economies like China and markets as the American with relatively more competitive costs. This project will describe in a specific way the logistic profile of the textile sector in Colombia, which has had a significant growth in the last years, it is important to highlight the roll of the logistic to accomplish their goals and also to be one of the most important manufacturing sectors to the national economic development, representing an industry highly integrated and with a continuous flow of products; it is aim to identify the opportunities to be able to improve the logistic, to get more efficiency and effectiveness in the transport system of merchandising. At the same time, this project will represent a characterization focused in the countries more representative of the sector based on GDP in terms of exportations, importations, trade balance, productivity and competitiveness. The investigation will be complemented with an emphasis from the point of national view considering the supply chain of the sector.Universidad del Rosari

the role of mutual fund charges

Mutual fund intermediaries extract valuable information from their clients about their ex-ante investment horizon. Selecting share classes with front- or back-end loads reveals an explicit capital commitment which allows portfolio managers to better anticipate and manage flows. The information embedded in the share class choice of investors helps managers deliver performance by efficiently matching their investment choices to the underlying investment horizon of the retail investor. Mutual fund managers with less capital commitment, hold shares for shorter periods of time, hold more cash, more liquid stocks, and take less advantage of stocks with slow-moving arbitrage opportunities, i.e. fire sale stocks, and R&D intense stocks.publishersversionpublishe

The cascade of fear: policy implementation and financial management reform in the European Commission

The complexity of managing European Union (EU) spending programmes is the subject of much comment but relatively little academic analysis. Using a multi-disciplinary analytical framework drawn from the management, policy and social sciences, this fieldwork-based case study examines the reform of financial management within the European Commission. In constructing an agent focussed narrative of a specific reform episode, it contributes to a growing literature on public management reform analysed from this perspective and also to the lightly developed field of EU financial managemen

Feasibility study to characterize the production of antineutrons in high energy pppp collisions through charge exchange interactions

Simulations to evaluate the feasibility of $\bar{n}$ identification and kinematic characterization via the hadronic charge exchange (CEX) interaction $n+\bar{n}\rightarrow p+\bar{p}$ are reported. The target neutrons are those composing the silicon nuclei of which inner tracking devices present in LHC experiments are made. Simulations of $pp$ collisions in PYTHIA were carried out at different energies to investigate $\bar{n}$ production and the expected $\bar{n}$ energy spectra. Then, two types of GEANT4 simulations were performed, placing an $\bar{n}$ point source at the ALICE primary vertex as a working example. In the first simulation, the $E_k$ was kept at an arbitrary (1 GeV) fix value to develop an $\bar{n}$ identification and kinematics reconstruction protocol. The second GEANT4 simulation used the resulting PYTHIA at $\sqrt{s_{pp}}=13$ TeV $\bar{n}$ energy spectra. In both simulations, the occurrence of CEX interactions was identified by the unique outgoing $\bar{p}$. The simplified simulation allowed to estimate a 0.11% CEX-interaction identification efficiency at $E_k = 1$ GeV. The $p$ CEX-partner identification is challenging because of the presence of silicon nucleus-fragmentation protons. Momentum correlations between the $\bar{n}$ and all possible $\bar{p}p$ pairs showed that $p$ CEX-partner identification and $\bar{n}$ kinematics reconstruction corresponds to minimal momentum-loss events. The use of ITS $dE/dx$ information is found to improve $\bar{n}$ identification and kinematic characterization in both simulations. The final protocol applied to the realistic simulation resulted in a $\bar{n}$ identification and kinematic reconstruction efficiency of 0.006%, based solely on $\bar{p}p$ pair observable. Thus, the expected rate of identified and kinematically reconstructed $\bar{n}$ should lie in the order of 100,000 per second, illustrating the feasibility of the method.Comment: 6 pages, 11 figure

Two-dimensional plasmons in the random impedance network model of disordered thin-film nanocomposites

Random impedance networks are widely used as a model to describe plasmon resonances in disordered metal-dielectric nanocomposites. In order to study thin films, two-dimensional networks are often used despite the fact that such networks correspond to a two-dimensional electrodynamics [J.P. Clerc et al, J. Phys. A 29, 4781 (1996)]. In the present work, we propose a model of two-dimensional systems with three-dimensional Coulomb interaction and show that this model is equivalent to a planar network with long-range capacitive connections between sites. In a case of a metal film, we get a known dispersion $\omega \propto \sqrt{k}$ of plane-wave two-dimensional plasmons. In the framework of the proposed model, we study the evolution of resonances with decreasing of metal filling factor. In the subcritical region with metal filling $p$ lower than the percolation threshold $p_c$, we observe a gap with Lifshitz tails in the spectral density of states (DOS). In the supercritical region $p>p_c$, the DOS demonstrates a crossover between plane-wave two-dimensional plasmons and resonances associated with small clusters.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, revtex; references adde

Perceptions of Connectedness: Public Access Computing and Social Inclusion in Colombia

Of all the benefits public access computers (PAC) offer users, one stands apart: stronger personal connections with friends and family. A closer look at the results of a qualitative study among users of libraries, telecenters, and cybercafés in Colombia, South America, shows that social media and personal relationships can also have an important community and sociopolitical dimension. By fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness to community and to a larger world, PAC usage often leads to feelings of empowerment and development of social capital, two intangible factors that are critical for community development. This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews in five regions of the country, to uncover the benefits of PAC for underserved communities. Its findings contribute new insight about the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on community development and social inclusion

Diseño de aplicativos de "autodiagnóstico sectoriales" como soporte del trabajo autónomo en el nuevo EEES

L'objectiu d'aquests aplicatius, centrats cadascun d'ells en diferents sectors de l'economia, és facilitar la consecució d'un dels objectius vinculats a la implantació de l'Espai Europeu d'Ensenyament Superior (EEES), on s'estableix que el procés formatiu universitari ha de basar-se a desenvolupar l'estudi continuat i autònom dels estudiants (self-regulated/managed learning). El nostre aplicatiu informàtic és un instrument mitjançant el qual l'alumne, de forma autònoma, pot autoavaluar quin és el seu nivell de coneixement dels continguts de les assignatures d'Estadística (grau d’A.D.E. de la Universitat de Barcelona) via l'anàlisi d'una empresa situada en un determinat sector econòmic. En aquest sentit, també pot entendre's com un material didàctic en la línia de l'anomenat aprenentatge basat en problemes (problem-based learning). Amb una estructura dinàmica, basada en qüestions d'opció múltiple, i incorporada com un mòdul dins de la plataforma Moodle (utilitzada per la Universitat de Barcelona), permet una execució “on-line” del seu contingut. La nostra eina és un exemple més de com l'ús de les noves tecnologies de la informació i la comunicació (TIC), pot contribuir enormement a la innovació dels processos d'ensenyament-aprenentatge en el marc universitari.The aim of these applications, each focusing on different sectors of the economy, is to facilitate the achievement of one of the objectives related to the implementation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), stating that the university educational process must be based on developing the students? continued and autonomous study (self-regulated/managed learning. Our computer-based learning is an instrument through which the student autonomously can self-assess the level of knowledge of Statistics subject content (A.D.E. degree from the University of Barcelona) through the analysis of a company located in a particular economic sector. In this sense, it can be understood as a teaching material on line based on problems (problem-based learning). With a dynamic structure, based on multiple choice questions, and incorporated as a module within the Moodle platform (used by the University of Barcelona), it allows a run on-line "of its content. Our tool is another example of how the use of new technologies of information and communication technologies (ICTs) can contribute enormously to innovation of the teaching and learning processes in the university context.El objetivo de estos aplicativos, centrados cada uno de ellos en diferentes sectores de la economía, es facilitar la consecución de uno de los objetivos vinculados a la implantación del Espacio Europeo de Enseñanza Superior (EEES), donde se establece que el proceso formativo universitario debe basarse en desarrollar el estudio continuado y autónomo de los estudiantes (self-regulated/managed learning). Nuestro aplicativo informático es un instrumento mediante el cual el alumno, de forma autónoma, puede autoevaluar cuál es su nivel de conocimiento de los contenidos de las asignaturas de Estadística (grado de A.D.E. de la Universitat de Barcelona) a través del análisis de una empresa ubicada en un determinado sector económico. En este sentido, también puede entenderse como un material didáctico en la línea del llamado aprendizaje basado en problemas (problem-based learning). Con una estructura dinámica, basada en cuestiones de opción múltiple, e incorporada como módulo dentro de la plataforma Moodle (utilizada por la Universitat de Barcelona), permite una ejecución “on-line” de su contenido. Nuestra herramienta es un ejemplo más de cómo el uso de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC), puede contribuir enormemente a la innovación de los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje en el contexto universitario

Diseño de autoestudios multimedia para competencias digitales: Caso del primer MOOC latinoamericano

Esta investigación analiza los elementos de diseño de ocho autoestudios multimedia (AM) que ayudaron a desarrollar dos competencias digitales de Alfabetización Informativa (AI) durante el primer seminario MOOC en Latinoamérica. El análisis se realizó desde dos perspectivas: principios de la Teoría Cognitiva del Aprendizaje Multimedia (TCAM) y la forma de incorporar los AM al seminario. Se utilizó el método cualitativo de estudio de caso. Mediante el análisis de documentos, entrevistas y observación se estudiaron dos categorías: desarrollo de competencias y elementos de los AM. Se encontraron cuatro elementos que favorecen el desarrollo de competencias, dos relacionados con la TCAM y dos con la integración de los AM al seminario: principio de coherencia, principio de personalización, conectivismo y aprendizaje activo.

Diseño de aplicativos de "autodiagnóstico sectoriales" como soporte del trabajo autónomo en el nuevo EEES

L'objectiu d'aquests aplicatius, centrats cadascun d'ells en diferents sectors de l'economia, és facilitar la consecució d'un dels objectius vinculats a la implantació de l'Espai Europeu d'Ensenyament Superior (EEES), on s'estableix que el procés formatiu universitari ha de basar-se a desenvolupar l'estudi continuat i autònom dels estudiants (self-regulated/managed learning). El nostre aplicatiu informàtic és un instrument mitjançant el qual l'alumne, de forma autònoma, pot autoavaluar quin és el seu nivell de coneixement dels continguts de les assignatures d'Estadística (grau d’A.D.E. de la Universitat de Barcelona) via l'anàlisi d'una empresa situada en un determinat sector econòmic. En aquest sentit, també pot entendre's com un material didàctic en la línia de l'anomenat aprenentatge basat en problemes (problem-based learning). Amb una estructura dinàmica, basada en qüestions d'opció múltiple, i incorporada com un mòdul dins de la plataforma Moodle (utilitzada per la Universitat de Barcelona), permet una execució “on-line” del seu contingut. La nostra eina és un exemple més de com l'ús de les noves tecnologies de la informació i la comunicació (TIC), pot contribuir enormement a la innovació dels processos d'ensenyament-aprenentatge en el marc universitari.The aim of these applications, each focusing on different sectors of the economy, is to facilitate the achievement of one of the objectives related to the implementation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), stating that the university educational process must be based on developing the students? continued and autonomous study (self-regulated/managed learning. Our computer-based learning is an instrument through which the student autonomously can self-assess the level of knowledge of Statistics subject content (A.D.E. degree from the University of Barcelona) through the analysis of a company located in a particular economic sector. In this sense, it can be understood as a teaching material on line based on problems (problem-based learning). With a dynamic structure, based on multiple choice questions, and incorporated as a module within the Moodle platform (used by the University of Barcelona), it allows a run on-line "of its content. Our tool is another example of how the use of new technologies of information and communication technologies (ICTs) can contribute enormously to innovation of the teaching and learning processes in the university context.El objetivo de estos aplicativos, centrados cada uno de ellos en diferentes sectores de la economía, es facilitar la consecución de uno de los objetivos vinculados a la implantación del Espacio Europeo de Enseñanza Superior (EEES), donde se establece que el proceso formativo universitario debe basarse en desarrollar el estudio continuado y autónomo de los estudiantes (self-regulated/managed learning). Nuestro aplicativo informático es un instrumento mediante el cual el alumno, de forma autónoma, puede autoevaluar cuál es su nivel de conocimiento de los contenidos de las asignaturas de Estadística (grado de A.D.E. de la Universitat de Barcelona) a través del análisis de una empresa ubicada en un determinado sector económico. En este sentido, también puede entenderse como un material didáctico en la línea del llamado aprendizaje basado en problemas (problem-based learning). Con una estructura dinámica, basada en cuestiones de opción múltiple, e incorporada como módulo dentro de la plataforma Moodle (utilizada por la Universitat de Barcelona), permite una ejecución “on-line” de su contenido. Nuestra herramienta es un ejemplo más de cómo el uso de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC), puede contribuir enormemente a la innovación de los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje en el contexto universitario