Role of masonry fabric subsurface moisture on biocolonisation. A case study

High moisture is one of the main factors favouring the growth of algae and other organisms on stone surfaces. However, little is known about the specific effects of subsurface moisture on this process. Some regions will be exposed to longer periods of humidity and rainfall as a result of climate change. Understanding the role and internal dynamics of moisture in stone is therefore essential to enable development of mechanisms for controlling biological colonisation and thus preventing biodeterioration. The present case study is a preliminary investigation of the role of subsurface moisture in the biocolonisation process and was conducted on the walls of the Guard House of Stirling Castle. Moisture was measured at depth (up to 3, 11 and 30 cm) in both interior and exterior walls of the building with a portable device based on non-destructive microwave technology. Data were analysed in relation to the orientation of the walls, type of stone and biocolonisation. The subsurface moisture between 3 and 11 cm was found to play an important role in supporting colonising organisms on the building by modulating bioreceptivityThis study was partly financed through project CGL2016-79778-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) and Xunta de Galicia (ED431 2018/32). E. Fuentes was financially supported by a PhD Fellowship-Contract MICINN-FPI (BES-2017-079927)S

Mechanical Identities of RNA and DNA Double Helices Unveiled at the Single-Molecule Level

[EN] Double-stranded (ds) RNA is the genetic material of a variety of viruses and has been recently recognized as a relevant molecule in cells for its regulatory role. Despite that the elastic response of dsDNA has been thoroughly characterized in recent years in single-molecule stretching experiments, an equivalent study with dsRNA is still lacking. Here, we have engineered long dsRNA molecules for their individual characterization contrasting information with dsDNA molecules of the same sequence. It is known that dsRNA is an A-form molecule unlike dsDNA, which exhibits B-form in physiological conditions. These structural types are distinguished at the single-molecule level with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and are the basis to understand their different elastic response. Force¿extension curves of dsRNA with optical and magnetic tweezers manifest two main regimes of elasticity, an entropic regime whose end is marked by the A-form contour- length and an intrinsic regime that ends in a low-cooperative overstretching transition in which the molecule extends to 1.7 times its A-form contour-length. DsRNA does not switch between the A and B conformations in the presence of force. Finally, dsRNA presents both a lower stretch modulus and overstretching transition force than dsDNA, whereas the electrostatic and intrinsic contributions to the persistence length are larger.This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (BFU2011-29038 and BFU2010-15703) and the Comunidad de Madrid (S2009/MAT/1507). IRA.-G. acknowledges a Ramon y Cajal contract from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RYC-2007-01765). Work in the F.M.-H. laboratory was supported by a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (no. 206117) and a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (FIS2011-24638). We thank M. S. Dillingham for kindly providing the pSP73-JY0 plasmid, M. Menendez for access to a spectropolarimeter, A. Monserrate for polylysine-AFM control experiments, and B. Ibarra for fruitful discussions.Herrero-Galán, E.; Fuentes-Perez. M.E.; Carrasco, C.; Valpuesta, J.; Carrascosa, J.; Moreno-Herrero, F.; Arias-Gonzalez, JR. (2013). Mechanical Identities of RNA and DNA Double Helices Unveiled at the Single-Molecule Level. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 135(1):122-131. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja3054755S122131135

Compuestos orgánicos volátiles de especies aromáticas como promotores de crecimiento del tomate saladette (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.)

Objetive: The present study analysed the effects of the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of the foliage and flowers of Ocimum basilicum, Tagetes erecta and Origanum majorana on the growth of the Saladette tomato. Design/Method/Approach: The aromatic species in their phase of development and flowering were transplanted between grooves of tomato plants. The treatments (Association of aromatic species 1, 2 and 3 in development + tomato plant, association of aromatic species 1, 2 and 3 in flowering + tomato plant and tomato plant without association) were randomized under a completely randomized experimental design, with arrangements in blocks. The indicators of the phenology and growth of tomato plants were measured. The information was analyzed according to the ANOVA (0.05) and based on the calculated F. Next, the Tukey method (0.5) was applied. Results: The results show that the association of aromatic species offers a positive effect on the growth of tomato plants and the flowering stage showed clear results. The Tagetes erecta species produced a highly significant difference with respect to the control and Ocimum basilicum (Tukey 0.05), this showed that Marigold improves the height, diameter of the stem and the biomass of the vegetable. In addition, the Volatile Organic Compounds of T. erecta caused early flowering in the tomato (5 days). Research Limitations/ Implications:  The plantation interspersed between aromatic species and vegetables generated costs, this can be a limiting factor in the transfer of technology. Findings/Conclusions: The Volatile Organic Compounds of the aromatic species participate as plant breeders and controlling tomato stress. Thus, the primary crop or the vegetable associated with Tagetes erecta and Origanum majorana favors the height, the diameter of the stem, the biomass and presents an early flowering (5 days) obtaining an early harvest.  Objetivo: Analizar los efectos de los Compuesto Orgánicos Volátiles (COVs) del follaje y de las flores de Ocimum basilicum, Tagetes erecta y Origanum majorana, en el crecimiento del tomate Saladette. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Las especies aromáticas en su fase de desarrollo y floración se trasplantaron entre los surcos de las plantas de tomate; los tratamientos (Asociación de especies aromáticas  1, 2 y 3 en desarrollo + planta de tomate; asociación de especies aromáticas 1, 2 y 3 en floración + planta de tomate y planta tomate sin asociación) fueron aleatorizadas bajo un diseño experimental completamente al azar, con arreglos en bloques. Los indicadores de la fenología y crecimiento de las plantas de tomate fueron medidos; la información se analizó de acuerdo al ANOVA (0.05) y con base a la F calcula, se procedió con la prueba posteriori por el método de Tukey (0.05). Resultados: Los resultados demuestran que la asociación de especies aromáticas ofrece un efecto positivo en el crecimiento de las plantas de tomate; expresándose más notorios en etapa de floración de las especies aromáticas. La especie Tagetes erecta produjo una diferencia altamente significativa con respecto al testigo y Ocimum basilicum (Tukey 0.05), esto demostró que el Cempasúchil mejora la altura, diámetro del tallo y la biomasa de la hortaliza. Además, los Compuestos Orgánicos Volátiles de T. erecta causaron floración temprana en el tomate (5 días). Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: La plantación intercalada entre especies aromáticas y hortalizas generó costos, ésto puede ser un factor limitante en la transferencia de tecnología. Hallazgos/conclusiones: Los compuestos orgánicos volátiles de las especies aromáticas participan como fitomejoradores y controlan el estrés del tomate. Así, el cultivo primario o la hortaliza asociado con Tagetes erecta y Origanum majorana favorece la altura, el diámetro del tallo, la biomasa y presenta una floración temprana (5 días) obteniendo una cosecha anticipada. &nbsp

Effect of model root exudate on denitrifier community dynamics and activity at different water-filled pore space levels in a fertilised soil

Although a “rhizosphere effect” on denitrification rates has been established, a clear understanding of the effects of exudate addition on denitrifier community dynamics remains elusive. A microcosm experiment was designed to explore the interaction between exudate addition and soil moisture on community dynamics and denitrification rates. Artificial root exudate at 5 different carbon concentrations was added daily to soil microcosms at contrasting target WFPS (50, 70 and 90%). After a 7-day period, total denitrification and N2O emission rates were measured and community dynamics assessed using molecular methods. The response of denitrifier genes to exudate addition was different, with nirS and nosZ-I showing a stronger effect than nirK and nosZ-II. Distinct community structures were observed for nirS and nosZ-I at 90% target WFPS when compared to 50% and 70%. NirS denitrifier population size showed a ca. 5-fold increase in gene copy number at 90% WFPS when exudate was added at the highest C input. Significant total denitrification and N2O emission rates were observed only at 90% WFPS, which increased with C input. Our study improves the understanding of the complex interaction between microbial communities, the abiotic environment and process rates which can inform management practices aimed at increasing complete denitrification and controlling greenhouse gas production from agriculture

In vitro and in vivo leishmanicidal studies of Peperomia galioides (Piperaceae)

Petroleum ether and methylene chloride extracts of #Peperomia galioides and three phenylated diphenols, grifolic acid, grifolin and piperogalin exhibited in vitro antileishmanial activity. During the course of infection of BALB/c mice with #Leishmania amazonensis, the treatments with each of these compounds did not influence the progression of the disease. (Résumé d'auteur

Reconocimiento de diásporas de Malveae (Malvaceae) en muestras de suelos de zonas serranas (Sierras Chicas, Córdoba, Argentina) afectadas por incendios

En el marco de un estudio de regeneración post-incendio de la vegetación autóctona en campos de sierra ubicados en proximidades de Falda del Carmen (Sierras Chicas, Córdoba, Argentina), se ha analizado el banco de semillas aéreo para facilitar la identificación de las especies presentes en las muestras de suelo. Entre las familias con mayor diversidad y abundancia en la zona evaluada, las Malvaceae se encuentran representadas por 14 especies pertenecientes a los géneros: Abutilon Mill., Gaya Kunth., Krapovickasia Fryxell, Malvastrum A. Gray, Pavonia Cav., Pseudabutilon R. E. Fr., Sida L. y Sphaeralcea A. St.-Hil.. Se presentan dos claves dicotómicas para diferenciar las especies utilizando caracteres morfológicos de las diásporas, mericarpos y semillas respectivamente, acompañadas por las descripciones y las ilustraciones de las estructuras consideradas. Se tienen en cuenta aspectos morfológicos de los mericarpos (forma, tamaño, superficie de las caras dorsal y laterales, dehiscencia, aristas, pubescencia, divisiones internas, número de semillas por mericarpo) y de las semillas (forma, tamaño, superficie, pubescencia, hilo)

Metal-THINGS: On the Metallicity and Ionization of ULX Sources in NGC 925

Galaxie

The geology and geophysics of Kuiper Belt object (486958) Arrokoth

The Cold Classical Kuiper Belt, a class of small bodies in undisturbed orbits beyond Neptune, are primitive objects preserving information about Solar System formation. The New Horizons spacecraft flew past one of these objects, the 36 km long contact binary (486958) Arrokoth (2014 MU69), in January 2019. Images from the flyby show that Arrokoth has no detectable rings, and no satellites (larger than 180 meters diameter) within a radius of 8000 km, and has a lightly-cratered smooth surface with complex geological features, unlike those on previously visited Solar System bodies. The density of impact craters indicates the surface dates from the formation of the Solar System. The two lobes of the contact binary have closely aligned poles and equators, constraining their accretion mechanism

Diet quality index as a predictor of treatment efficacy in overweight and obese adolescents: The EVASYON study

Background & aim: A diet quality index (DQI) is a tool that provides an overall score of an individual''s dietary intake when assessing compliance with food-based dietary guidelines. A number of DQIs have emerged, albeit their associations with health-related outcomes are debated. The aim of the present study was to assess whether adherence to dietary intervention, and the overall quality of the diet, can predict body composition changes. Methods: To this purpose, overweight/obese adolescents (n = 117, aged: 13–16 years; 51 males, 66 females) were recruited into a multi-component (diet, physical activity and psychological support) family-based group treatment programme. We measured the adolescents’ compliance and body composition at baseline and after 2 months (intensive phase) and 13 months (extensive phase) of follow-up. Also, at baseline, after 6 months, and at the end of follow-up we calculated the DQI. Results: Global compliance with the dietary intervention was 37.4% during the intensive phase, and 14.3% during the extensive phase. Physical activity compliance was 94.1% at 2-months and 34.7% at 13months and psychological support compliance were growing over the intervention period (10.3% intensive phase and 45.3% during extensive phase). Adolescents complying with the meal frequency criteria at the end of the extensive phase had greater reductions in FMI z-scores than those did not complying (Cohen''s d = 0.53). A statistically significant association was observed with the diet quality index. DQI-A variation explained 98.1% of BMI z-score changes and 95.1% of FMI changes. Conclusions: We conclude that assessment of changes in diet quality could be a useful tool in predicting body composition changes in obese adolescents involved in a diet and physical activity intervention programme backed-up by psychological and family support