On the use of nestedness-based similarity functions (NBSF) to classify and/or order operational geographic units (OGUs)

Abstract In this paper, we want to support the idea of using a family of indices of similarity, that we call the Simpson's family indices or nestedness-based similarity functions (NBSF) for comparing operational geographic units (OGUs) (phytosociological relevés, animal traps, watersheds, administrative units, industrial areas, islands etc.). In these cases, similarity-dissimilarity depends, in addition to factors that induce replacement, also on factors that produce reduction or increment in the number of features within the same typology of OGUs (e.g., extent, reduction of fertility, anthropogenic pressure etc.). To keep into consideration this aspect, the indices are defined to be equal to 1 when the OGUs are completely nested. The results of the application to four simulated data sets prove that, when the data set does not show clear nested pattern, the use of NBSF produces results similar to the nestedness-free similarity functions, however since NBSF clearly detect nested situations, we should prefer their use in the circumstances where we think important to put in evidence nestedness. In conclusion, we support the idea of using both types of indices in order to improve the knowledge about the structure of any data set

Genetic variation and association analyses identify genes linked to fruit set-related traits in grapevine

Grapevine is one of the most valuable fruit crops in the world. Adverse environmental conditions reduce fruit quality and crop yield, so understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms determining crop yield components is essential to optimize grape production. The analysis of a diverse collection of grapevine cultivars allowed us to evaluate the relationship between fruit set-related components of yield, including the incidence of reproductive disorders such as coulure and millerandage. The collection displayed a great phenotypic variation that we surveyed in a genetics association study using 15, 309 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected in the sequence of 289 candidate genes scattered across the 19 grapevine linkage groups. After correcting statistical models for population structure and linkage disequilibrium effects, 164 SNPs from 34 of these genes were found to associate with fruit set-related traits, supporting a complex polygenic determinism. Many of them were found in the sequence of different putative MADS-box transcription factors, a gene family related with plant reproductive development control. In addition, we observed an additive effect of some of the associated SNPs on the phenotype, suggesting that advantageous alleles from different loci could be pyramided to generate superior cultivars with optimized fruit production

Antibody-based immunotoxins for colorectal cancer therapy

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are included among the treatment options for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, while these mAbs effectively target cancer cells, they may have limited clinical activity. A strategy to improve their therapeutic potential is arming them with a toxic payload. Immunotoxins (ITX) combining the cell-killing ability of a toxin with the specificity of a mAb constitute a promising strategy for CRC therapy. However, several important challenges in optimizing ITX remain, including suboptimal pharmacokinetics and especially the immunogenicity of the toxin moiety. Nonetheless, ongoing research is working to solve these limitations and expand CRC patients’ therapeutic armory. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of targets and toxins employed in the design of ITX for CRC and highlight a wide selection of ITX tested in CRC patients as well as preclinical candidates. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Lacunarity of the Spatial Distributions of Soil Types in Europe.

Lacunarity as a means of quantifying textural properties of spatial distributions suggests a classification into three main classes of the most abundant soils that cover 92% of Europe. Soils with a well-defined self-similar structure of the linear class are related to widespread spatial patterns that are nondominant but ubiquitous at continental scale. Fractal techniques have been increasingly and successfully applied to identify and describe spatial patterns in natural sciences. However, objects with the same fractal dimension can show very different optical properties because of their spatial arrangement. This work focuses primary attention on the geometrical structure of the geographical patterns of soils in Europe. We made use of the European Soil Database to estimate lacunarity indexes of the most abundant soils that cover 92% of the surface of Europe and investigated textural properties of their spatial distribution. We observed three main classes corresponding to three different patterns that displayed the graphs of lacunarity functions, that is, linear, convex, and mixed. They correspond respectively to homogeneous or self-similar, heterogeneous or clustered and those in which behavior can change at different ranges of scales. Finally, we discuss the pedological implications of that classification

Conjugation of the 9-kDa isoform of Granulysin with liposomes potentiates its cytotoxicity

Nine kDa granulysin (GRNLY) is a human cytolytic protein secreted by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and NK cells of the immune system whose demonstrated physiological function is the elimination of bacteria and parasites. In previous studies by our group, the anti-tumor capacity of recombinant granulysin was demonstrated, both in vitro and in vivo. In the present work, we developed lipid nanoparticles whose surfaces can bind recombinant granulysin through the formation of a complex of coordination between the histidine tail of the protein and Ni2+ provided by a chelating lipid in the liposome composition and termed them LUV-GRNLY, for granulysin-bound large unilamellar vesicles. The objective of this formulation is to increase the granulysin concentration at the site of contact with the target cell and to increase the cytotoxicity of the administered dose. The results obtained in this work indicate that recombinant granulysin binds to the surface of the liposome with high efficiency and that its cytotoxicity is significantly increased when it is in association with liposomes. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the main mechanism of death induced by both granulysin and LUV-GRNLY is apoptosis. Jurkat-shBak cells are resistant to GRNLY and also to LUV-GRNLY, showing that LUV-GRNLY uses the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway to induce cell death. On the other hand, we show that LUV-GRNLY induces the expression of the pro-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family Bim and especially PUMA, although it also induced the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL. In conclusion, we demonstrate that binding of GRNLY to the surfaces of liposomes clearly augments its cytotoxic potential, with cell death executed mainly by the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

Cuantificación de carga interna del entrenamiento en jugadores profesionales de fútbol sala

The objective was to know the existing differences in how the intensity of training affects professional futsal players, taking into account the position occupied on the pitch, and compare the heart rate parameters between training and competition. The investigation was carried out to the Romero Cartagena F.S. Plastics team, recording the maximum heart rate means with heart rate monitors and the collection of the Subjective Perception of Effort, through the Borg scale. The results obtained did not show significant differences with respect to the quantified load in the three positions, in addition the internal load manifested itself in a more demanding way in players who occupied the position of “Wing” and “Pivot”. The heart rate parameters recorded in training were very distant from the competition data collected by other studies and the subjective perception of effort was shown as a valid method for the quantification of the load.El objetivo era conocer las diferencias existentes de cómo afecta la intensidad del entrenamiento a jugadores profesionales de Fútbol Sala, atendiendo a la posición ocupada en el terreno de juego, y comparar los parámetros de frecuencia cardiaca entre entrenamientos y competición. La investigación se realizó al equipo Plásticos Romero Cartagena F.S., registrando las medias de frecuencia cardiaca máxima con pulsómetros y la recogida de la Percepción Subjetiva del Esfuerzo, a través de la escala de Borg. Los resultados obtenidos no mostraron diferencias significativas respecto a la carga cuantificada en las tres posiciones, además la carga interna se manifestó de forma más exigente en jugadores que ocupaban la posición de “Ala” y “Pívot”. Los parámetros de frecuencia cardiaca registrados en entrenamientos se encontraban muy distanciados de los datos de competición recogidos por otros estudios y la percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo se mostró como un método válido para la cuantificación de la carga

Physical activity and leisure habits and relation with Ruffier index in adolescents

El objetivo del estudio fue medir y correlacionar la práctica de actividad física y con el Índice de Ruffier (IR) en adolescentes. A un total de 884 alumnos (edad=16,4±0,8 años) se les midió la actividad física con la Versión modificada del Assessment of Physical Activity Level Questionnaire (APALQ) y se evaluó la capacidad de adaptación al esfuerzo mediante el Test Ruffier. La media del Índice de Ruffier fue 11,1±4,6 y el Índice de actividad física (IAF) 13,8±4,4. Las relaciones entre IAF y el IR, y entre horas de ocio sedentario e IR resultaron ser significativas aunque débiles (r=-0,31; p=0,000). En el IR los chicos presentaron valores superiores (t= -8,78; p= 0,000) a las chicas. También destinan más tiempo a la práctica de AF y estas diferencias fueron significativas en AF reglada y no reglada y en participación en competición (p=0,000), mientras que las chicas destinan más tiempo a actividades sedentarias como leer y estudiar (p=0,000). Es necesario promover la práctica de actividades físico-deportivas, especialmente entre las chicasThe aim of the study was to assess and correlate physical activity practice and fitness level in adolescents. A total of 884 students (age=16,4±0,8 years) answered the modified version of the “Assessment of Physical Activity Level Questionnaire (APALQ)” and aerobic capacity was assessed through the Ruffier Test. The mean Ruffier Index (IR) was 11,1±4,6 and the mean Physical Activity Index (IAF) was 13,8±4,4. The relationship between IAF and IR, and between sedentary activities in leisure time and IR, was significant (r=-0,31; p=0,000). although weak. Boys showed higher physical fitness values (t= -8,78; p= 0,000) and spent more time practicing physical activity. These differences were significant for both regulated and not regulated physical activity and for participation in competition (p=0.000). Girls spent more time in sedentary activities like reading and studying (p=0.000). It is necessary to promote physical activity and sport practice, especially among girls

Non SUSY Unification in Left-Right Models

We explore in a model independent way the possibility of achieving the non supersymmetric gauge coupling unification within left-right symmetric models, with the minimal particle content at the left-right mass scale which could be as low as 1 TeV in a variety of models, and with a unification scale M in the range $10^5$ GeV $< M< 10^{17.7}$ GeV.Comment: 18 pages, Latex file, uses epsf style, four figures. Submitted for publication to Phys. Rev. D on Oct. 13, 199

Motivos de la práctica del pádel en relación a la edad, el nivel de juego y el género

The aim of this study was to determine the motivations that may explain the actual increment in padel practice through different socio-demographic parameters such as sex, age or category. A total of 77 participants (43male and 34female), completed a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic information and the "Measurement Scale Motives for Physical Activity-Revised (MPAM-R)". The results point outed enjoyment (6.07) as the most valued reason for practice. Other appreciated reasons were competition (5.43), fitness / health (5.49) and sociability (5.07), being appearance the least scored (3.97). Significant differences were observed between categories (p&lt;0.05). Current data provide useful information to sports centres managers in designing action plans to improve the quality of services offered, as well as supporting the teaching and learning process in padel.El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los motivos que han provocado el actual crecimiento en la práctica del pádel en diferentes parámetros sociodemográficos como el género, la edad, el tiempo de práctica y la categoría de juego. Un total de77 participantes (43 hombres y 34 mujeres) respondió a las preguntas de un cuestionario sociodemográfico y de la “Escala de Medida de los Motivos para la Actividad Física-Revisada (MPAM-R)”. Los resultados muestran que el motivo más valorado fue el disfrute (6.07) como causa principal de la práctica del pádel. Otros motivos también valorados han sido la competencia (5.43), el fitness/salud (5.49) y la sociabilidad (5.07), mientras que el menos valorado fue la apariencia (3.97). Se encontraron diferencias significativas en los motivos de práctica en función de la categoría de juego (p&lt;0.05). Estos datos ofrecen información muy útil a la hora de diseñar planes de actuación que aumenten la calidad de servicios ofrecidos en los centros deportivos, así como para la mejora del proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje del pádel

Criterios geomorfológicos sobre actividad tectónica reciente a lo largo de la Costa Recta, Isla Decepción (Antártida Occidental)

Several active tectonic evidences are observed along Costa Recta, located eastward of Deception Island (western Antarctica): marine terraces and fluvial streams cutting a relict glacier. The height of both landforms decrease southward from Macaroni Point, appointing to a tilt movement across a fault plane. Fault planes were measured at Macaroni Point and Baily Head, with a main NNWSSE orientation, similar to the Costa Recta strike. From several scales o f measure, the orientation of the beach was established in two principal segments: N168QE, and N173QE. On the other hand, the beach and glacier dynamics and sedimentary deposits were studied. According to the morpho-tectonic analysis, we conclude that the Costa Recta beach is a retreat scarp of a submarine fault oriented NNW-SSE and located in the Bransfield Strait, although a geophysical study o f the marine bottom is needed to map the fault trace in an accurate way