Vibrational and thermal studies of essential oils derived from Cistus ladanifer and Erica arborea shrubs

Essential oils from the two most representative shrub species from the Iberian Peninsula (namely Cistus ladanifer L. and Erica arborea L.) have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermoanalytical techniques (TG/DTG and DSC). Vibrational spectra have been compared with those of components of the plants, and with those of oils, gums and resins from other species. The different content in terpenoids of C. ladanifer oil (mainly mono-and sesquiterpenoids) and E. arborea oil (mainly triterpenoids) is reflected in the ATR-FTIR by the position of the bands at around 2873 cm-1, 1730 cm-1 and 1678 cm-1. As regards their thermal behavior, C. ladanifer-derived oil evinced higher thermal stability than that of obtained from E. arborea: The pyrolysis of the former was sensitized at 210°C, whereas for the later it occurred at 143°C. These temperatures are high enough to state that thermolabile constituents such as terpenoids are conserved in the hydrodistillation and that this extraction process ensures the recovery of the main constituents of both essential oils

Observational Δν\Delta\nu-ρˉ\bar\rho relation for δ\delta Sct stars using eclipsing binaries and space photometry

Delta Scuti ($\delta$ Sct) stars are intermediate-mass pulsators, whose intrinsic oscillations have been studied for decades. However, modelling their pulsations remains a real theoretical challenge, thereby even hampering the precise determination of global stellar parameters. In this work, we used space photometry observations of eclipsing binaries with a $\delta$ Sct component to obtain reliable physical parameters and oscillation frequencies. Using that information, we derived an observational scaling relation between the stellar mean density and a frequency pattern in the oscillation spectrum. This pattern is analogous to the solar-like large separation but in the low order regime. We also show that this relation is independent of the rotation rate. These findings open the possibility of accurately characterizing this type of pulsator and validate the frequency pattern as a new observable for $\delta$ Sct stars.Comment: 11 pages, including 2 pages of appendix, 2 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ

Mediterranean shrublands as carbon sinks for climate change mitigation: new root-to-shoot ratios

Shrublands play an important role in the reduction of atmospheric CO2 and contribute to the mitigation of the effects of climate change, due to their ability to act as carbon sinks and the large expanses of land involved. Two of the most representative shrub species in the Iberian Peninsula, Cistus ladanifer L. and Erica arborea L., were studied in terms of biomass distribution and carbon and nitrogen contents in the different fractions. With a view to fast and cost-effective estimation of radical biomass, a new procedure for easy root-to-shoot calculation based on vibrational data was proposed, resulting in an excellent agreement with the values obtained from conventional direct belowground and aerial biomass measurements: 0.23 for C. ladanifer and 0.54 for E. arborea. Carbon sequestration, estimated at 45 and 73 t CO2 eq·ha-1 for C. ladanifer and E. arborea, respectively, was subsequently determined. Since these values are substantially higher than those of other shrubs, these two key species can be deemed particularly promising for ecological restoration and carbon offsetting

Asteroseismology with the WIRE satellite. I. Combining Ground- and Space-based Photometry of the Delta Scuti Star Epsilon Cephei

We have analysed ground-based multi-colour Stromgren photometry and single-filter photometry from the star tracker on the WIRE satellite of the delta scuti star Epsilon Cephei. The ground-based data set consists of 16 nights of data collected over 164 days, while the satellite data are nearly continuous coverage of the star during 14 days. The spectral window and noise level of the satellite data are superior to the ground-based data and this data set is used to locate the frequencies. However, we can use the ground-based data to improve the accuracy of the frequencies due to the much longer time baseline. We detect 26 oscillation frequencies in the WIRE data set, but only some of these can be seen clearly in the ground-based data. We have used the multi-colour ground-based photometry to determine amplitude and phase differences in the Stromgren b-y colour and the y filter in an attempt to identify the radial degree of the oscillation frequencies. We conclude that the accuracies of the amplitudes and phases are not sufficient to constrain theoretical models of Epsilon Cephei. We find no evidence for rotational splitting or the large separation among the frequencies detected in the WIRE data set. To be able to identify oscillation frequencies in delta scuti stars with the method we have applied, it is crucial to obtain more complete coverage from multi-site campaigns with a long time baseline and in multiple filters. This is important when planning photometric and spectroscopic ground-based support for future satellite missions like COROT and KEPLER.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, 4 tables. Fig. 4 reduced in quality. Accepted by A&

Proposal for the creation of a national strategy for precision medicine in cancer: a position statement of SEOM, SEAP, and SEFH

Precision medicine is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person. Precision medicine is transforming clinical and biomedical research, as well as health care itself from a conceptual, as well as a methodological viewpoint, providing extraordinary opportunities to improve public health and lower the costs of the healthcare system. However, the implementation of precision medicine poses ethical-legal, regulatory, organizational, and knowledge-related challenges. Without a national strategy, precision medicine, which will be implemented one way or another, could take place without the appropriate planning that can guarantee technical quality, equal access of all citizens to the best practices, violating the rights of patients and professionals, and jeopardizing the solvency of the healthcare system. With this paper from the Spanish Societies of Medical Oncology, Pathology, and Hospital Pharmacy, we highlight the need to institute a consensual national strategy for the development of precision medicine in our country, review the national and international context, comment on the opportunities and challenges for implementing precision medicine, and outline the objectives of a national strategy on precision medicine in cancer

Seismology of beta Cephei stars: differentially-rotating models for interpreting the oscillation spectrum of nu-Eridani

A method for the asteroseismic analysis of beta Cephei stars is presented and applied to the star nu Eridani. The method is based on the analysis of rotational splittings, and their asymmetries using differentially-rotating asteroseismic models. Models with masses around 7.13 M_sun, and ages around 14.9 Myr, were found to fit better 10 of the 14 observed frequencies, which were identified as the fundamental radial mode and the three L=1 triplets g, p, and p. The splittings and aymmetries found for these modes recover those provided in the literature, except for p. For this last mode, all its non-axysimmetric components are predicted by the models. Moreover, opposite signs of the observed and predicted splitting asymmetries are found. If identification is confirmed, this can be a very interesting source of information about the internal rotation profile, in particular in the outer regions of the star. In general, the seismic models which include a description for shellular rotation yield slightly better results as compared with those given by uniformly-rotating models. Furthermore, we show that asymmetries are quite dependent on the overshooting of the convective core, which make the present technique suitable for testing the theories describing the angular momentum redistribution and chemical mixing due to rotationally-induced turbulence.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, 8 tables. ApJ (in press

Impact of Nutritional Stress on Honeybee Gut Microbiota, Immunity, and Nosema ceranae Infection

Honeybees are important pollinators, having an essential role in the ecology of natural and agricultural environments. Honeybee colony losses episodes reported worldwide and have been associated with different pests and pathogens, pesticide exposure, and nutritional stress. This nutritional stress is related to the increase in monoculture areas which leads to a reduction of pollen availability and diversity. In this study, we examined whether nutritional stress affects honeybee gut microbiota, bee immunity, and infection by Nosema ceranae, under laboratory conditions. Consumption of Eucalyptus grandis pollen was used as a nutritionally poor-quality diet to study nutritional stress, in contraposition to the consumption of polyfloral pollen. Honeybees feed with Eucalyptus grandis pollen showed a lower abundance of Lactobacillus mellifer and Lactobacillus apis (Firm-4 and Firm-5, respectively) and Bifidobacterium spp. and a higher abundance of Bartonella apis, than honeybees fed with polyfloral pollen. Besides the impact of nutritional stress on honeybee microbiota, it also decreased the expression levels of vitellogenin and genes associated to immunity (glucose oxidase, hymenoptaecin and lysozyme). Finally, Eucalyptus grandis pollen favored the multiplication of Nosema ceranae. These results show that nutritional stress impacts the honeybee gut microbiota, having consequences on honeybee immunity and pathogen development. Those results may be useful to understand the influence of modern agriculture on honeybee health.Fil: Castelli, L.. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas "Clemente Estable"; UruguayFil: Branchiccela, B.. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas "Clemente Estable"; UruguayFil: Garrido, Paula Melisa. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Invernizzi, Ciro. No especifíca;Fil: Porrini, Martín Pablo. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Romero, H.. No especifíca;Fil: Santos, E.. No especifíca;Fil: Zunino, P.. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas "Clemente Estable"; UruguayFil: Antúnez, Karina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas "Clemente Estable"; Urugua

Aplicación de los clorofluorocarbonos y el hexafluoruro de azufre como trazadores hidrogeológicos en los acuíferos carbonatados del Parque Natural del Barranco del Río Dulce (Guadalajara)

Based on information from boreholes and springs of the aquifers associated with the Jurassic and Cretaceous carbonate materials near the Natural Park of the Barranco del Río Dulce (PNBRD) a conceptual groundwater flow model has been established whose dynamics was validated with the interpretation of the contents of CFC and SF6, never before used in Spain for these purposes. At all points there is a fraction of pre-1950 water that is greater in the recharge areas of the Jurassic units, where the interpretation of the data via the exponential model reflects ages up to 100 years. The interpretation of the contents of CFCs from binary mixture model reflects ages greater than 17 years for the young fraction that may correspond with water that flow through the spaces of intermediate size between the rock matrix and karst conduits. Although not belonging to the same aquifer unit, the points with the highest proportion of water “post-1950” are located in the river valleys of the Cretaceous units. The results are consistent with the existence of generally poor hydraulic gradients, because of the high apparent ages obtained, the existence of multiple inlets and at least a double porosity. In the Cretaceous aquifers there are karst conduits that raise the flow of springs quickly after rainfall and whose influence is not reflected in the samples. CFCs can be useful to indicate the existence of phenomena of current urban pollution. Age values derived from SF6 concentrations are lower than those derived from CFCs, probable due to contribution of this gas from the rock invalidating its use as tracer. The future use of CFCs is compromised by the decreasing tendency of its concentration in the atmosphere, although the comparison of CFC-113 with SF6 of no geological origin, will maintain its utility.A partir de la información procedente de los puntos de agua de los acuíferos asociados a los materiales carbonatados jurásicos y cretácicos próximos al Parque Natural del Barranco del Río Dulce (PNBRD) y de su estructura geológica, se ha establecido un modelo conceptual de flujo subterráneo cuya dinámica fue validada con la interpretación de los contenidos en CFCs y SF6, nunca antes utilizados en España con estos propósitos, de algunas muestras situadas en distintas posiciones. En todos los puntos se reconoce la existencia de una fracción de agua infiltrada antes de 1950 que es mayor en las zonas de recarga de los acuíferos de edad Jurásico donde a través del modelo exponencial se llega a edades aparentes de hasta 100 años. La interpretación de los contenidos en CFCs de todas las muestras a partir del modelo de mezcla binaria, refleja edades superiores a los 17 años para la fracción joven que puede corresponder con aquella que circula por los canales de tamaño intermedio entre la matriz rocosa y los conductos kársticos mayores. Aun no perteneciendo a la misma unidad acuífera, los puntos con mayor proporción de aguas “post-1950” se sitúan en los valles fluviales de los macizos cretácicos. Los resultados son coherentes con sistemas acuíferos de escaso gradiente general, por lo elevado de las edades aparentes obtenidas, la existencia de múltiples entradas de agua y de al menos una doble porosidad, elementos establecidos en el modelo conceptual. En los acuíferos de edad Cretácico existen conductos kársticos que elevan el caudal de los manantiales de forma rápida tras las precipitaciones y cuya influencia no se refleja en las muestras estudiadas. Los CFCs pueden ser útiles para indicar la existencia de fenómenos de contaminación urbana actual. Los valores de edad derivados de las concentraciones de SF6 son inferiores a los deducidos con los CFCs por un probable aporte de este gas del sustrato invalidando su uso como trazador. El futuro del uso de los CFCs se encuentra comprometido por la tendencia decreciente de su concentración en la atmósfera, aunque la comparación del CFC-12 con el SF6, allí donde este gas no sufra incorporaciones de origen geológico, mantendrá su utilidad