Advances in the systematics of the spider genus Troglohyphantes (Araneae, Linyphiidae)

With 128 described species and five subspecies, the spider genus Troglohyphantes (Araneae, Linyphiidae) is a remarkable example of species diversification in the subterranean environment. In this paper, we conducted a systematic revision of the Troglohyphantes species of the Italian Alps, with a special focus on the Lucifuga complex, including the description of two new species (T. lucifer sp. nov. and T. apenninicus n. sp.). In addition, we provided new diagnostic drawings of the holotype of T. henroti (Henroti complex) and established three new synonymies within the genus. The molecular analysis of the animal DNA barcode confirms the validity of this method of identification of the Alpine Troglohyphantes and provides additional support for the morphology based species complexes. Finally, we revised the known distribution range of additional Troglohyphantes species, as well as other poorly known alpine cave-dwelling spiders

Late Quaternary Sea-level History: a Speleothem Perspective

Abstract not availabl

Key non-metal ingredients for Cu-catalyzed 'Click' reactions in glycerol: nanoparticles as efficient forwarders

The effect of long‐alkyl‐chain amines in CuI‐assisted azide-alkyne cycloadditions of terminal alkynes with organic azides in glycerol and other environmentally benign solvents (water, ethanol) has been examined. The presence of these additives favors the in situ formation of CuI‐based nanoparticles and results in an increase of the catalytic reactivity. In glycerol, liquid‐phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses, enabled by the negligible vapor pressure of this solvent, proved that CuI nanoparticles are responsible for the observed catalytic activity. The wide variety of alkynes and azides of which this effect has been investigated (14 combinations) confirms the role played by these additives in Cu‐catalyzed Huisgen cycloadditions

The work of Global Digital Heritage for the massive digitization of fortifications in Spain

[EN] In the last 20 years the field of cultural heritage has experienced a revolution in terms of documentation methods. The latest technological advances in laser scanners and photogrammetry have opened the possibility of documenting in three dimensions all types of monuments and sites regardless of their size or complexity. In this revolution fortified spaces have not been an exception. Hundreds of research teams around the world have developed 3D digitization projects of castles and fortresses. However, the overall impact of these projects has been very limited, partly due to the lack of collaboration and partly due to the inability of citizens to freely access the data. Currently, the research team of the US non-profit entity Global Digital Heritage is working on the massive digitization of fortifications in Spain, regardless of their chronology or size. In this context, work has been done on digitizing the prehistoric fortified site of Motilla del Azuer in Daimiel, the Iberian oppidum of Cerro de las Cabezas in Valdepeñas, the fortified Islamic city of Calatrava La Vieja in Carrión de Calatrava, the medieval Christian castle of Calatrava La Nueva in Aldea del Rey, the medieval-Renaissance castle of Los Vélez in Mula, the watchtower of Cope in Águilas or the machine-gun bunker of the Spanish Civil War in Alhama de Murcia, to name just a few examples.López-Menchero Bendicho, VM.; Maschner, HDG.; Mcleod, JB.; Du Vernay, JP.; Hervás Herrera, MÀ. (2020). The work of Global Digital Heritage for the massive digitization of fortifications in Spain. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 333-340. https://doi.org/10.4995/FORTMED2020.2020.11415OCS33334

Upper Pleistocene deposits and karst features in the littoral landscape of Mallorca Island (Western Mediterranean): a field trip

Abstract not availabl

Steady states in a structured epidemic model with Wentzell boundary condition

We introduce a nonlinear structured population model with diffusion in the state space. Individuals are structured with respect to a continuous variable which represents a pathogen load. The class of uninfected individuals constitutes a special compartment that carries mass, hence the model is equipped with generalized Wentzell (or dynamic) boundary conditions. Our model is intended to describe the spread of infection of a vertically transmitted disease, for example Wolbachia in a mosquito population. Therefore the (infinite dimensional) nonlinearity arises in the recruitment term. First we establish global existence of solutions and the Principle of Linearised Stability for our model. Then, in our main result, we formulate simple conditions, which guarantee the existence of non-trivial steady states of the model. Our method utilizes an operator theoretic framework combined with a fixed point approach. Finally, in the last section we establish a sufficient condition for the local asymptotic stability of the positive steady state

A systematic analysis of orphan cyclins reveals CNTD2 as a new oncogenic driver in lung cancer

As lung cancer has increased to the most common cause of cancer death worldwide, prognostic biomarkers and effective targeted treatments remain lacking despite advances based on patients' stratification. Multiple core cyclins, best known as drivers of cell proliferation, are commonly deregulated in lung cancer where they may serve as oncogenes. The recent expansion of the cyclin family raises the question whether new members might play oncogenic roles as well. Here, we investigated the protein levels of eight atypical cyclins in lung cancer cell lines and formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human tumors, as well as their functional role in lung cancer cells. Of the new cyclins evaluated, CNTD2 was significantly overexpressed in lung cancer compared to adjacent normal tissue, and exhibited a predominant nuclear location. CNTD2 overexpression increased lung cancer cell viability, Ki-67 intensity and clonogenicity and promoted lung cancer cell migration. Accordingly, CNTD2 enhanced tumor growth in vivo on A549 xenograft models. Finally, the analysis of gene expression data revealed a high correlation between elevated levels of CNTD2 and decreased overall survival in lung cancer patients. Our results reveal CNTD2 as a new oncogenic driver in lung cancer, suggesting value as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in this disease

The atypical cyclin CNTD2 promotes colon cancer cell proliferation and migration

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with 8-10% of these tumours presenting a BRAF (V600E) mutation. Cyclins are known oncogenes deregulated in many cancers, but the role of the new subfamily of atypical cyclins remains elusive. Here we have performed a systematic analysis of the protein expression levels of eight atypical cyclins in human CRC tumours and several cell lines, and found that CNTD2 is significantly upregulated in CRC tissue compared to the adjacent normal one. CNTD2 overexpression in CRC cell lines increases their proliferation capacity and migration, as well as spheroid formation capacity and anchorage-independent growth. Moreover, CNTD2 increases tumour growth in vivo on xenograft models of CRC with wild-type BRAF. Accordingly, CNTD2 downregulation significantly diminished the proliferation of wild-type BRAF CRC cells, suggesting that CNTD2 may represent a new prognostic factor and a promising drug target in the management of CRC