The water-power nexus of the Iberian Peninsula power system. WATERFLEX project

Water availability influences power generation and its costs. Policies aimed at keeping the water stress index of thermal power plants within acceptable limits are needed. This report provides a model-based analysis of the water-power nexus in the Iberian PeninsulaLa disponibilidad de agua influye en la generación de energía y sus costos. Se necesitan políticas dirigidas a mantener el índice de estrés hídrico de las centrales térmicas dentro de límites aceptables. Este informe proporciona un análisis basado en modelos del nexo entre el agua y la energía en la Península Ibéric

Nuclear Import and Export Signals of Human Cohesins SA1/STAG1 and SA2/STAG2 Expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Background: Human SA/STAG proteins, homologues of the yeast Irr1/Scc3 cohesin, are the least studied constituents of the sister chromatid cohesion complex crucial for proper chromosome segregation. The two SA paralogues, SA1 and SA2, show some specificity towards the chromosome region they stabilize, and SA2, but not SA1, has been shown to participate in transcriptional regulation as well. The molecular basis of this functional divergence is unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings: In silico analysis indicates numerous putative nuclear localization (NLS) and export (NES) signals in the SA proteins, suggesting the possibility of their nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. We studied the functionality of those putative signals by expressing fluorescently tagged SA1 and SA2 in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Only the Nterminal NLS turned out to be functional in SA1. In contrast, the SA2 protein has at least two functional NLS and also two functional NES. Depending on the balance between these opposing signals, SA2 resides in the nucleus or is distributed throughout the cell. Validation of the above conclusions in HeLa cells confirmed that the same N-terminal NLS of SA1 is functional in those cells. In contrast, in SA2 the principal NLS functioning in HeLa cells is different from that identified in yeast and is localized to the C-terminus. Conclusions/Significance: This is the first demonstration of the possibility of non-nuclear localization of an SA protein. The reported difference in the organization between the two SA homologues may also be relevant to their partially divergent functions. The mechanisms determining subcellular localization of cohesins are only partially conserved between yeast and human cells

Position Paper on Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus and Sustainable development Goals (SDGs)

The EU and the international community is realising that the Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystem components are interlinked and require a joint planning in order to meet the daunting global challenges related to Water, Energy and Food security and maintaining the ecosystem health and in this way, reach the SDGs. If not dealt with, the world will not be able to meet the demand for water, energy and food in a not too far future and, in any case, in a not sustainable way. The strain on the ecosystems resulting from unsustainable single-sector planning will lead to increasing poverty, inequality and instability. The Nexus approach is fully aligned with and supportive of the EU Consensus on Development. Key elements of the Consensus will require collaborative efforts across sectors in ways that can be supported/implemented by a Nexus approach. In this way, transparent and accountable decision-making, involving the civil society is key and common to the European Consensus on Development and the Nexus approach. The Nexus approach will support the implementation of the SDG in particular SDG 2 (Food), SDG 6 (Water) and SDG 7 (Energy), but most SDGs have elements that link to food, water and energy in one or other way, and will benefit from a Nexus approach. The SDGs are designed to be cross-cutting and be implemented together, which is also reflected in a WEFE Nexus approach. A Nexus approach offers a sustainable way of addressing the effects of Climate Change and increase resilience. The WEFE Nexus has in it the main drivers of climate change (water, energy and food security) and the main affected sectors (water and the environment). Decisions around policy, infrastructure, … developed based on the WEFE Nexus assessments will be suitable as elements of climate change mitigation and adaptation. In fact, it is difficult to imagine solutions to the climate change issue that are not built on a form of Nexus approach. The Nexus approach is being implemented around the world, as examples in the literature demonstrate. These examples together with more examples from EU and member state development cooperation will help build experience that can be consolidated and become an important contribution to a Toolkit for WEFE Nexus Implementation. From the expert discussions, it appears that because of the novelty of the approach, a Toolkit will be an important element in getting the Nexus approach widely used. This should build on experiences from practical examples of NEXUS projects or similar inter-sectorial collaboration projects; and, there are already policy, regulation and practical experience to allow institutions and countries to start applying the Nexus concept.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

Retinoic Acid Receptor Controls Development of Striatonigral Projection Neurons through FGF-Dependent and Meis1-Dependent Mechanisms

International audienc

Selective functionalization of calix[6]arenes at the upper rim

Methylation of partially O-benzylated p-tert-butylcalix[6]arenes followed by hydrogenolysis constitutes an efficient method for the preparation of partially O-alkylated Calix[6]arenes in gram amounts, without adhering to column chromatography separations. Selective de-tert-butylation followed by halogenation, or ipso-nitration of these precursors affords Calix[6]arenes containing bromo- or nitrosubstituents, respectively, at precise positions of the upper rim.\u

Oportunidades y desafíos en el desarrollo profesional de docentes con TIC en una escuela rural en España: una mirada a la Escuela Nueva

Partiendo de una mirada retrospectiva hacia la Escuela Nueva, se busca en este trabajo reflexionar acerca de las oportunidades y desafíos que las TIC plantean para el desarrollo profesional docente. Inicialmente, proporcionaremos algunos de los principales hitos históricos y repercusiones de la ILE y la Escuela Nueva en nuestro país. Posteriormente, abordaremos una experiencia de formación de profesorado en el marco de un estudio de caso llevado a cabo durante 3 años en una escuela rural con el objetivo de proporcionar algunas evidencias acerca de cómo promover la creación y compartición de diseños educativos innovadores en el uso de las TIC a través de una plataforma tecnológica consensuada y compartida por una comunidad de aprendizaje. En la última sección presentaremos algunas de las principales evidencias obtenidas tratando de establecer paralelismos con las repercusiones que la Escuela Nueva tiene para el desarrollo de competencias profesionales docentes en pleno siglo XXIBased on a retrospective look at the New School, this article attempts to reflect on the opportunities and challenges posed by ICTs for teachers� professional development. First, we will present some of the major historical milestones and effects of the Free Teaching Institution (ILE) and the New School in Spain. Then we will address a teacher training experience in the context of a case study conducted over 3 years in a rural school in order to provide some evidence on how to promote the creation and sharing of innovative educational designs using ICT through an agreed and shared technology platform for a learning community. In the last section, we will provide key evidence obtained by trying to draw similarities with the consequences that the New School has for the development of teaching skills in the 21st centur

GWAS of Post-Orthodontic Aggressive External Apical Root Resorption Identified Multiple Putative Loci at X-Y Chromosomes.

Personalized dental medicine requires from precise and customized genomic diagnostic. To conduct an association analysis over multiple putative loci and genes located at chromosomes 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, X, and Y, potentially implicated in an extreme type of external apical root resorption secondary to orthodontic forces (aEARR). A genome-wide association study of aEARR was conducted with 480 patients [ratio~1:3 case/control]. Genomic DNA was extracted and analyzed using the high-throughput Axiom platform with the GeneTitan® MC Instrument. Up to 14,377 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected at candidate regions and clinical/diagnostic data were recorded. A descriptive analysis of the data along with a backward conditional binary logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios, with 95% confidence intervals [p < 0.05]. To select the best SNP candidates, a logistic regression model was fitted assuming a log-additive genetic model using R software [p < 0.0001]. In this sample the top lead genetic variants associated with aEARR were two novel putative genes located in the X chromosome, specifically, STAG 2 gene, rs151184635 and RP1-30E17.2 gene, rs55839915. These variants were found to be associated with an increased risk of aEARR, particularly restricted to men [OR: 6.09; 95%CI: 2.6-14.23 and OR: 6.86; 95%CI: 2.65-17.81, respectively]. Marginal associations were found at previously studied variants such as SSP1: rs11730582 [OR: 0.54; 95%CI: 0.34-0.86; p = 0.008], P2RX7: rs1718119 [OR: 0.6; 95%CI: 0.36-1.01; p = 0.047], and TNFRSF11A: rs8086340 [OR: 0.6; 95%CI: 0.38-0.95; p = 0.024]), found solely in females. Multiple putative genetic variants located at chromosomes X and Y are potentially implicated in an extreme phenotype of aEARR. A gender-linked association was noted.This research was funded by the European Orthodontic Society Research Award, 2017.S

Gadd45g Is Essential for Primary Sex Determination, Male Fertility and Testis Development

<div><p>In humans and most mammals, differentiation of the embryonic gonad into ovaries or testes is controlled by the Y-linked gene <i>SRY</i>. Here we show a role for the Gadd45g protein in this primary sex differentiation. We characterized mice deficient in Gadd45a, Gadd45b and Gadd45g, as well as double-knockout mice for Gadd45ab, Gadd45ag and Gadd45bg, and found a specific role for Gadd45g in male fertility and testis development. <i>Gadd45g</i>-deficient XY mice on a mixed 129/C57BL/6 background showed varying degrees of disorders of sexual development (DSD), ranging from male infertility to an intersex phenotype or complete gonadal dysgenesis (CGD). On a pure C57BL/6 (B6) background, all Gadd45g^−/− XY mice were born as completely sex-reversed XY-females, whereas lack of Gadd45a and/or Gadd45b did not affect primary sex determination or testis development. <i>Gadd45g</i> expression was similar in female and male embryonic gonads, and peaked around the time of sex differentiation at 11.5 days post-coitum (dpc). The molecular cause of the sex reversal was the failure of Gadd45g^−/− XY gonads to achieve the SRY expression threshold necessary for testes differentiation, resulting in ovary and Müllerian duct development. These results identify <i>Gadd45g</i> as a candidate gene for male infertility and 46,XY sex reversal in humans.</p> </div