Comparative Pollination Biology of Sympatric and Allopatric Andean \u3ci\u3eIochroma\u3c/i\u3e (Solanaceae)

Field studies were conducted for 15 species of Iochroma Benth, and the nested genus Acnistus Schott to quantify the diversity of pollination systems and to assess the potential contribution of pollinator behavior to the persistence of closely related species in sympatry. We combined measures of pollinator visitation and pollen deposition to estimate the importance of major groups of pollinators for each species, and we calculated proportional similarity in the pollinator assemblage among species. We found that 12 species of Iochroma, encompassing a range of flower colors and sizes, were principally pollinated by hummingbirds and, in many cases, by the same hummingbird species. The remaining species were either pollinated by a mix of hummingbirds and insects (two species) or exclusively by insects (two species). Based on proportional similarity values, the overlap in pollinator assemblages was found to be higher for sympatric species than for allopatric ones, reflecting sharing of local pollinator fauna. However, observations of individual pollinator fidelity, perhaps related to territorial interactions among hummingbirds, suggested that pollinators may still contribute to the reproductive isolation of sympatric congeners. Nonetheless, because interspecific pollen flow does occur, the maintenance of species boundaries in sympatry probably requires postmating reproductive isolating mechanisms

Specificity in S-Nitrosylation: a short-range mechanism for NO signaling?

Significance: Nitric oxide (NO) classical and less classical signaling mechanisms (through interaction with soluble guanylate cyclase and cytochrome c oxidase, respectively) operate through direct binding of NO to protein metal centers, and rely on diffusibility of the NO molecule. S-Nitrosylation, a covalent post-translational modification of protein cysteines, has emerged as a paradigm of nonclassical NO signaling. Recent Advances: Several nonenzymatic mechanisms for S-nitrosylation formation and destruction have been described. Enzymatic mechanisms for transnitrosylation and denitrosylation have been also studied as regulators of the modification of specific subsets of proteins. The advancement of modification-specific proteomic methodologies has allowed progress in the study of diverse S-nitrosoproteomes, raising clues and questions about the parameters for determining the protein specificity of the modification. Critical Issues: We propose that S-nitrosylation is mainly a short-range mechanism of NO signaling, exerted in a relatively limited range of action around the NO sources, and tightly related to the very controlled regulation of subcellular localization of nitric oxide synthases. We review the nonenzymatic and enzymatic mechanisms that support this concept, as well as physiological examples of mammalian systems that illustrate well the precise compartmentalization of S-nitrosylation. Future Directions: Individual and proteomic studies of protein S-nitrosylation-based signaling should take into account the subcellular localization in order to gain further insight into the functional role of this modification in (patho)physiological settings. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 19, 1220-1235.Spanish Government [CSD2007-00020, CP07/00143, PS09/00101, SAF2009-7520, PI10/02136]; Spanish-Portuguese Integrated Action Grant [PRI-AIBPT-2011-1015/E-10/12]; Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) [PTDC/SAU-NEU/102612/2008, PTDC/SAU-NMC/112183/2009, PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2011]; COST action [BM1005]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Correlation between local structure and magnetic behavior in co-sputtered Tb_xFe_(73)Ga_(27-x) (7 ≤ x ≤11) thin films

We report on the evolution of the microstructure of Tb-Fe-Ga films deposited by co-sputtering from Tb_(33)Fe_(67) and Fe_(72)Ga_(28) targets. The sputtering power was fixed (90 W) in the Fe_(72)Ga_(28) whereas it was increased from 50 to 90 W in the Tb_(33)Fe_(67) target resulting on Tb_xFe_(73)Ga_(27-x) layers with 7 ≤ x ≤ 11. The local structure was determined by means of x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at Fe-K, Ga-K and Tb-L_(3) edges. The increase of Tb in the alloy promotes the phase segregation that produces a larger amount of the TbFe_2 structural phase. The structural results have been correlated with the magnetic characterization that shows the enhancement of the out-of-plane component of the magnetization

miR-217 is an oncogene that enhances the germinal center reaction.

microRNAs are a class of regulators of gene expression that have been shown critical for a great number of biological processes; however, little is known of their role in germinal center (GC) B cells. Although the GC reaction is crucial to ensure a competent immune response, GC B cells are also the origin of most human lymphomas, presumably due to bystander effects of the immunoglobulin gene remodeling that takes place at these sites. Here we report that miR-217 is specifically upregulated in GC B cells. Gain- and loss-of-function mouse models reveal that miR-217 is a positive modulator of the GC response that increases the generation of class-switched antibodies and the frequency of somatic hypermutation. We find that miR-217 down-regulates the expression of a DNA damage response and repair gene network and in turn stabilizes Bcl-6 expression in GC B cells. Importantly, miR-217 overexpression also promotes mature B-cell lymphomagenesis; this is physiologically relevant as we find that miR-217 is overexpressed in aggressive human B-cell lymphomas. Therefore, miR-217 provides a novel molecular link between the normal GC response and B-cell transformation.S

First principles study of the origin and nature of ferromagnetism in (Ga,Mn)As

The properties of diluted Ga$_{1-x}$Mn$_x$As are calculated for a wide range of Mn concentrations within the local spin density approximation of density functional theory. M\"ulliken population analyses and orbital-resolved densities of states show that the configuration of Mn in GaAs is compatible with either 3d$^5$ or 3d$^6$, however the occupation is not integer due to the large $p$-$d$ hybridization between the Mn $d$ states and the valence band of GaAs. The spin splitting of the conduction band of GaAs has a mean field-like linear variation with the Mn concentration and indicates ferromagnetic coupling with the Mn ions. In contrast the valence band is antiferromagnetically coupled with the Mn impurities and the spin splitting is not linearly dependent on the Mn concentration. This suggests that the mean field approximation breaks down in the case of Mn-doped GaAs and corrections due to multiple scattering must be considered. We calculate these corrections within a simple free electron model and find good agreement with our {\it ab initio} results if a large exchange constant ($N\beta=-4.5$eV) is assumed.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figure

Segundo Congreso Salesiano de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad

La segunda edición del Congreso Salesiano de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad, CITIS, realizado el 2 y 3 de diciembre de 2015 y organizado por la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (sede Guayaquil), ofreció un espacio idóneo para la presentación, difusión e intercambio de importantes investigaciones (nacionales e internacionales) a los docentes investigadores y a la comunidad universitaria en general. Los trabajos recogidos en estas Memorias Académicas pertenecen a diferentes líneas de investigación del área de la Ingeniería: Telecomunicaciones, Automatización y Control, Procesos Industriales, Sistemas Eléctricos de Potencia, Telemática e Informática Aplicada, áreas de interés en esta segunda edición del CITIS. Cabe destacar que se evidencia la preocupación por la dimensión humana y social mediante el desarrollo responsable de la ciencia y la tecnología. La realización de este Congreso ha puesto en evidencia la importancia y pertinencia de la actividad investigativa que se genera en las universidades (en proyectos desarrollados por los docentes investigadores e, incluso, por los estudiantes de grado y posgrado), así como los altos niveles de compromiso académico y social

Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory factors on admission associated with COVID19 mortality in hospitalized patients: A retrospective observational study

Background To identify and quantify associations between baseline characteristics on hospital admission and mortality in patients with COVID-19 at a tertiary hospital in Spain. Methods and findings This retrospective case series included 238 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at Hospital Universitario Clı´nico San Cecilio (Granada, Spain) who were discharged or who died. Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain information on sex, age, personal antecedents, clinical features, findings on physical examination, and laboratory results for each patient. Associations between mortality and baseline characteristics were estimated as hazard ratios (HR) calculated with Cox regression models. Series mortality was 25.6%. Among patients with dependence for basic activities of daily living, 78.7% died, and among patients residing in retirement homes, 80.8% died. The variables most clearly associated with a greater hazard of death were age (3% HR increase per 1-year increase in age; 95%CI 1–6), diabetes mellitus (HR 2.42, 95%CI 1.43–4.09), SatO2/ FiO2 ratio (43% HR reduction per 1-point increase; 95%CI 23–57), SOFA score (19% HR increase per 1-point increase, 95%CI 5–34) and CURB-65 score (76% HR increase per 1- point increase, 95%CI 23–143). Conclusions The patients residing in retirement homes showed great vulnerability. The main baseline factors that were independently associated with mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were older age, diabetes mellitus, low SatO2/FiO2 ratio, and high SOFA and CURB-65 scores.Fondos Estructurales de la Union Europea (FEDER)Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES), University of Granad

Real Wage Responsiveness to Unemployment in Spain: Asymmetries Along the Business Cycle

We estimate real wage cyclicality in the period compressed between 1987 and 2013 using a large administrative dataset of workers in Spain. Real wages are weakly procyclical in Spain and focusing on differences in different phases of the business cycle, we find that differences across expansions and recessions are significant, with an even lower real wage cyclicality in recessions. Furthermore, higher levels of unemployment do not translate into additional real wages adjustments when the economy is contracting, while lower levels of unemployment during expansions have incremental effects on wage elasticity. This general result holds after accounting for differences in tenure, type of contract and age categories. Nevertheless, wages of newly-hired workers are the most sensitive to the business cycle and exhibit the lowest asymmetric pattern between expansions and recessions. At the other end, wages of workers with more than six years of tenure can be characterized as the most protected against economic downturns. The same is true for fixed-term vs. permanent workers, as well as for young vs. older workers

Land- and water-based exercise intervention in women with fibromyalgia: the al-andalus physical activity randomised controlled trial

Background The al-Andalus physical activity intervention study is a randomised control trial to investigate the effectiveness of a land- and water-based exercise intervention for reducing the overall impact of fibromyalgia (primary outcome), and for improving tenderness and pain-related measures, body composition, functional capacity, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, fatigue, sleep quality, health-related quality of life, and cognitive function (secondary outcomes) in women with fibromyalgia. Methods/Design One hundred eighty women with fibromyalgia (age range: 35-65 years) will be recruited from local associations of fibromyalgia patients in Andalucía (Southern Spain). Patients will be randomly assigned to a usual care (control) group (n = 60), a water-based exercise intervention group (n = 60) or a land-based exercise intervention group (n = 60). Participants in the usual care group will receive general physical activity guidelines and participants allocated in the intervention groups will attend three non-consecutive training sessions (60 min each) per week during 24 weeks. Both exercise interventions will consist of aerobic, muscular strength and flexibility exercises. We will also study the effect of a detraining period (i.e., 12 weeks with no exercise intervention) on the studied variables. Discussion Our study attempts to reduce the impact of fibromyalgia and improve patients' health status by implementing two types of exercise interventions. Results from this study will help to assess the efficacy of exercise interventions for the treatment of fibromyalgia. If the interventions would be effective, this study will provide low-cost and feasible alternatives for health professionals in the management of fibromyalgia. Results from the al-Andalus physical activity intervention will help to better understand the potential of regular physical activity for improving the well-being of women with fibromyalgia.This study was supported by the Consejeria de Turismo, Comercio y Deporte (CTCD-201000019242-TRA), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (I + D + I DEP2010-15639, grants: BES-2009-013442, BES-2011-047133, RYC-2010-05957, RYC-2011-09011), the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation (20090635), the Spanish Ministry of Education (AP-2009-3173), Granada Research of Excelence Initiative on Biohealth (GREIB), Campus BioTic, University of Granada, Spain and European University of Madrid. Escuela de Estudios Universitarios Real Madrid. 2010/04RM

Velocity-imaging the rapidly precessing planetary disc around the white dwarf HE 1349–2305 using Doppler tomography

The presence of planetary material in white dwarf atmospheres, thought to be accreted from a dusty debris disc produced via the tidal disruption of a planetesimal, is common. Approximately five per cent of these discs host a co-orbital gaseous component detectable via emission from atomic transitions – usually the 8600 Å Ca ii triplet. These emission profiles can be highly variable in both morphology and strength. Furthermore, the morphological variations in a few systems have been shown to be periodic, likely produced by an apsidally precessing asymmetric disc. Of the known gaseous debris discs, that around HE 1349–2305 has the most rapidly evolving emission line morphology, and we present updated spectroscopy of the Ca ii triplet of this system. The additional observations show that the emission line morphologies vary periodically and consistently, and we constrain the period to two aliases of 459 ± 3 d and 502 ± 3 d. We produce images of the Ca ii triplet emission from the disc in velocity space using Doppler tomography – only the second such imaging of a white dwarf debris disc. We suggest that the asymmetric nature of these velocity images is generated by gas moving on eccentric orbits with radially-dependent excitation conditions via photo-ionisation from the white dwarf. We also obtained short-cadence (≃ 4 min) spectroscopy to search for variability on the time-scale of the disc’s orbital period (≃ hours) due to the presence of a planetesimal, and rule out variability at a level of ≃ 1.4 per cent