A Milestone-Driven Approach for Lab Assignments Evaluation in Information Security

In this paper we describe a methodology for designing and evaluating lab assignments based on the fulfilment of milestones. The approach relies on the integration of ICTs with an automatic, milestone-based evaluation. The final goal of this methodology is to diminish educators’ workload on lab assignments, so they can focus on the development of the assigned tasks, and to enhance students’ experience by providing direct and real-time feedback on their progress. This approach encourages autonomous learning on the students and optimizes the time invested by the educators during the lab assignments. In order to validate our proposal we have applied this methodology in several courses related to Information Security. The results of this experience show that the methodology improves students’ performance, while facilitating the work of the educator.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Proteomic analysis revealed that the oomyceticide phosphite exhibits multi-modal action in an oomycete pathosystem

Phytopathogenic oomycetes constitute some of the most devastating plant pathogens and cause significant crop and horticultural yield and economic losses. The phytopathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi causes dieback disease in native vegetation and several crops. The most commonly used chemical to control P. cinnamomi is the oomyceticide phosphite. Despite its widespread use, the mode of action of phosphite is not well understood and it is unclear whether it targets the pathogen, the host, or both. Resistance to phosphite is emerging in P. cinnamomi isolates and other oomycete phytopathogens. The mode of action of phosphite on phosphite-sensitive and resistant isolates of the pathogen and through a model host was investigated using label-free quantitative proteomics. In vitro treatment of sensitive P. cinnamomi isolates with phosphite hinders growth by interfering with metabolism, signalling and gene expression; traits that are not observed in the resistant isolate. When the model host Lupinus angustifolius was treated with phosphite, proteins associated with photosynthesis, carbon fixation and lipid metabolism in the host were enriched. Increased production of defence-related proteins was also observed in the plant. We hypothesise the multi-modal action of phosphite and present two models constructed using comparative proteomics that demonstrate mechanisms of pathogen and host responses to phosphite. Significance: Phytophthora cinnamomi is a significant phytopathogenic oomycete that causes root rot (dieback) in a number of horticultural crops and a vast range of native vegetation. Historically, areas infected with phosphite have been treated with the oomyceticide phosphite despite its unknown mode of action. Additionally, overuse of phosphite has driven the emergence of phosphite-resistant isolates of the pathogen. We conducted a comparative proteomic study of a sensitive and resistant isolate of P. cinnamomi in response to treatment with phosphite, and the response of a model host, Lupinus angustifolius, to phosphite and its implications on infection. The present study has allowed for a deeper understanding of the bimodal action of phosphite, suggested potential biochemical factors contributing to chemical resistance in P. cinnamomi, and unveiled possible drivers of phosphite-induced host plant immunity to the pathogen

Analysis of mutations in West Australian populations of Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei CYP51 conferring resistance to DMI fungicides

BACKGROUND Powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh) is a constant threat to barley production but is generally well controlled through combinations of host genetics and fungicides. An epidemic of barley powdery mildew was observed from 2007 to 2013 in the West Australian grain belt. RESULTS We collected isolates across Australia, examined their sensitivity to demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides and sequenced the Cyp51B target gene. Five amino acid substitutions were found, of which four were novel. The most resistant haplotypes increased in prevalence from 0% in 2009 to 16% in 2010 and 90% in 2011. Yeast strains expressing the Bgh Cyp51 haplotypes replicated the altered sensitivity to various DMIs and these results were complemented by in silico protein docking studies. CONCLUSIONS The planting of very susceptible cultivars and the use of a single fungicide mode of action was followed by the emergence of a major epidemic of barley powdery mildew. Widespread use of DMI fungicides led to the selection of Bgh isolates carrying both the Y137F and S524T mutations, which, as in Zymoseptoria tritici, account for resistance factors varying from 3.4 for propiconazole to 18 for tebuconazole, the major azoles used at that time in WA. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry

Spanish Dentists’ Awareness, Knowledge, and Practice Regarding COVID-19: A Multiple Regression Analysis

The authors thank the Spanish Society of Epidemiology and Oral Public Health (SESPO) for expert supervision of the questionnaire; the Spanish General Council of Dentists (GCD) and the Spanish societies of dental hygienists for their rapid dissemination of the survey to their members.Introduction: During the first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Spain had the highest mortality rate and the second-highest infection rate in the world. Objective: To analyze the occupational situation of dentists, hygienists, and dental auxiliary staff during the peak of the pandemic, after the state of alarm was declared in Spain, and when the state of alarm was declared. In addition, a possible relationship between the geographical distribution of infected people and the availability of individual protection systems was investigated. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was answered by 6470 dentists and dental staff via WhatsApp and social media. Results: A total of 1 in 4 dental professionals ceased working completely. Of those that kept working, 25.28% of dentists and 19.61% of hygienist-auxiliary were equipped with filtering face piece (FFP) 2 masks (P < .05), and 61.8% complied with the official protection recommendations set by the General Council of Dentists of Spain. Nearly 59.4% of respondents had symptoms, but only 1.5% of dentists were tested, with 14% of dentists in isolation at the time of response. Overall, it is suggested that 10% of dental professionals may have been in direct contact with the coronavirus. Conclusions: Direct contact of Spanish dental health professionals with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2 (SARS CoV-2) has been high during the most active phase of the pandemic. Dental professionals did not have personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to care for patients, a situation that justified the reduction in scheduled dental care and only emergencies being treated. The Spanish geographical regions with the highest number of contagions had the least amount of individual protective resources (FFP2 and FFP3masks)

Beach Leveling Using a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS): Problems and Solutions

The size and great dynamism of coastal systems require faster and more automated mapping methods like the use of a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This method allows for shorter intervals between surveys. The main problem for surveying using low-altitude digital photogrammetry in beach areas is their visual homogeneity. Obviously, the fewer the homologous points defined by the program, the lower the accuracy. Moreover, some factors influence the error performed in photogrammetric techniques, such as flight height, flight time, percentage of frame overlap (side and forward), and the number of ground control points (GCPs). A total of 72 different cases were conducted varying these factors, and the results were analyzed. Among the conclusions, it should be highlighted that the error for noon flights is almost double that for the early morning flights. Secondly, there is no appreciable difference regarding the side overlap. But, on the other side, RMSE increased to three times (from 0.05 to 0.15 m) when forward overlap decreased from 85% to 70%. Moreover, relative accuracy is 0.05% of the flying height which means a significant increase in error (66%) between flights performed at 60 and 100 m height). Furthermore, the median of the error for noon flights (0.12 m) is almost double that for the early morning flights (0.07 m) because of the higher percentage of grids with data for early flights. Therefore, beach levelings must never be performed at noon when carried out by RPAS. Eventually, a new parameter has been considered: the relationship between the number of GCPs and the surface to be monitored. A minimum value of 7 GCP/Ha should be taken into account when designing a beach leveling campaign using RPAS.Fundacion Campus Tecnologico de Algeciras; Coastal Engineering Research group (University of Cadiz

Produzione, mercato e consumi della cerasicoltura spagnola

La crisi di sovrapproduzione di alcune specie tradizionali sta favorendo la crescita del ciliegio, che mostra un costante incremento delle superfici, favorito dal rinnovamento varietale, dall’aumento dei consumi, dal miglioramento delle tecnologie di produzione e dalla precocità di maturazione. Tutti fattori che garantiscono alla Spagna elevata competitività nelle esportazioni verso i Paesi dell’Ue.Colaboración en el blog: Rivista di frutticoltura e di ortofloricoltura. Disponible: http://www.rivistafrutticoltura.it

Bycatch of the European purse-seine tuna fishery in the Atlantic Ocean for the period 2010-2016

This paper presents an update for the period 2010-2016 of the bycatch estimations for the European tuna purse seine fishery operating in the Atlantic Ocean. Bycatch data were collected by observers onboard. Observer coverage increased progressively from 15 trips in 2010, to 114 and 107 trips in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Bycatch data, as collected by the observers, were stratified by quarter and fishing mode (free school and floating object sets). The ratio of total to observed catches of the target species (skipjack, bigeye and yellowfin tunas) in each stratum was then used as raising factor. The average of the annual total bycatch estimated for the studied period was 9,515 t. Tunas (neritic tunas and small size tunas) represent the major part of the bycatch, followed by fin fish, sharks, billfishes, rays and turtles.En prens

Immunogenicity of variable regions of hepatitis C virus proteins: selection and modification of peptide epitopes to assess hepatitis C virus genotypes by ELISA

The immunogenicity of variable regions of hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins was studied by ELISA by using 543 synthetic peptides from 120 variable regions and 90 sera from HCV-infected patients. Some regions from certain genotypes were less immunogenic, or even non-immunogenic, compared with their equivalents in other genotypes. However, the mean recognition of all peptides from genotypes 1a, 1b and 3 by sera infected with genotypes 1a, 1b and 3, respectively, showed no significant differences, suggesting a similar overall immunogenicity of variable regions from these genotypes. Proteins NS4a, NS4b and NS5a were found to be the most immunogenic. Recognition of individual peptides by the sera of infected patients showed that the humoral response against HCV is patient-dependent. The work shows that 15-mer peptides may encompass several B-cell epitopes. These epitopes may lie in slightly different positions in different genotypes. Thirty-one percent of the 543 peptides were recognized by some of the 35 healthy donors. This may be a reflection of the large number of antigens to which they had been exposed, but it may also reflect a strategy of HCV to respond to immune pressure. After selection and modification, a set of 40 peptides was used to assess genotypes 1a, 1b, 1, 2 and 3 in the sera of HCV-infected patients, with sensitivities of 34.1, 48.5, 68.8, 58.3 and 48.9% and specificities of 100, 99.1, 97.1, 99.5 and 99%, respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity for the assessment of genotypes 1, 2 and 3 were 64 and 98%, respectively

Connecting nutritional deprivation and pubertal inhibition via GRK2-mediated repression of kisspeptin actions in GnRH neurons

Background: Perturbations in the timing of puberty, with potential adverse consequences in later health, are increasingly common. The underlying neurohormonal mechanisms are unfolded, but nutritional alterations are key contributors. Efforts to unveil the basis of normal puberty and its metabolic control have focused on mechanisms controlling expression of Kiss1, the gene encoding the puberty-activating neuropeptide, kisspeptin. However, other regulatory phenomena remain ill-defined. Here, we address the putative role of the G protein-coupled-receptor kinase-2, GRK2, in GnRH neurons, as modulator of pubertal timing via repression of the actions of kisspeptin, in normal maturation and conditions of nutritional deficiency. Methods: Hypothalamic RNA and protein expression analyses were conducted in maturing female rats. Pharmacological studies involved central administration of GRK2 inhibitor, βARK1-I, and assessment of gonadotropin responses to kisspeptin or phenotypic and hormonal markers of puberty, under normal nutrition or early subnutrition in female rats. In addition, a mouse line with selective ablation of GRK2 in GnRH neurons, aka G-GRKO, was generated, in which hormonal responses to kisspeptin and puberty onset were monitored, in normal conditions and after nutritional deprivation. Results: Hypothalamic GRK2 expression increased along postnatal maturation in female rats, especially in the preoptic area, where most GnRH neurons reside, but decreased during the juvenile-to-pubertal transition. Blockade of GRK2 activity enhanced Ca responses to kisspeptin in vitro, while central inhibition of GRK2 in vivo augmented gonadotropin responses to kisspeptin and advanced puberty onset. Postnatal undernutrition increased hypothalamic GRK2 expression and delayed puberty onset, the latter being partially reversed by central GRK2 inhibition. Conditional ablation of GRK2 in GnRH neurons enhanced gonadotropin responses to kisspeptin, accelerated puberty onset, and increased LH pulse frequency, while partially prevented the negative impact of subnutrition on pubertal timing and LH pulsatility in mice. Conclusions: Our data disclose a novel pathway whereby GRK2 negatively regulates kisspeptin actions in GnRH neurons, as major regulatory mechanism for tuning pubertal timing in nutritionally-compromised conditions.This work was supported by grants BFU2017-83934-P, PID2020-118660GB-I00 (to MTS) and SAF2017-84125-R (to FM), Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Spain; co-funded with EU funds from FEDER Program; Project PIE-00005 (to MTS) and CB16/11/00278 (to FM) - Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Sanidad, Spain; Project P12-FQM-01943 (to MTS) and Project PI-0370-2016 (to MSA- Junta de Andalucía, Spain); and Project REP-655232 (ReprObesity; to MTS – European Union). CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición and CIBER Enfermedades Cardiovasculares are initiatives of Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spai

Diagnosis of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury: State of the art and perspectives

Producción CientíficaDiagnosis of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI), a syndrome of sudden renal dysfunction occurring in the immediate post-operative period, is still sub-optimal. Standard CSA-AKI diagnosis is performed according to the international criteria for AKI diagnosis, afflicted with insufficient sensitivity, specificity, and prognostic capacity. In this article, we describe the limitations of current diagnostic procedures and of the so-called injury biomarkers and analyze new strategies under development for a conceptually enhanced diagnosis of CSA-AKI. Specifically, early pathophysiological diagnosis and patient stratification based on the underlying mechanisms of disease are presented as ongoing developments. This new approach should be underpinned by process-specific biomarkers including, but not limited to, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to other functions of renal excretion causing GFR-independent hydro-electrolytic and acid-based disorders. In addition, biomarker-based strategies for the assessment of AKI evolution and prognosis are also discussed. Finally, special focus is devoted to the novel concept of pre-emptive diagnosis of acquired risk of AKI, a premorbid condition of renal frailty providing interesting prophylactic opportunities to prevent disease through diagnosis-guided personalized patient handling. Indeed, a new strategy of risk assessment complementing the traditional scores based on the computing of risk factors is advanced. The new strategy pinpoints the assessment of the status of the primary mechanisms of renal function regulation on which the impact of risk factors converges, namely renal hemodynamics and tubular competence, to generate a composite and personalized estimation of individual risk.Instituto de Salud Carlos III y Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) - (grant PI18/00996, PI21/01226), Unión Europea, Red de Investigación Renal (Enfermedad Renal) - (grant RICORS2040)Unión Europea–NextGenerationEU, Mecanismo para la Recuperación y la Resiliencia (MRR) - (grant RD21/0005/0004)Junta de Castilla y León (Consejería de Educación) y Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) - (grant IES160P20