DNA polymerases for whole genome amplification: considerations and future directions

In the same way that specialized DNA polymerases (DNAPs) replicate cellular and viral genomes, only a handful of dedicated proteins from various natural origins as well as engineered versions are appropriate for competent exponential amplification of whole genomes and metagenomes (WGA). Different applications have led to the development of diverse protocols, based on various DNAPs. Isothermal WGA is currently widely used due to the high performance of Φ29 DNA polymerase, but PCR-based methods are also available and can provide competent amplification of certain samples. Replication fidelity and processivity must be considered when selecting a suitable enzyme for WGA. However, other properties, such as thermostability, capacity to couple replication, and double helix unwinding, or the ability to maintain DNA replication opposite to damaged bases, are also very relevant for some applications. In this review, we provide an overview of the different properties of DNAPs widely used in WGA and discuss their limitations and future research directionsThis research was funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and ERDF A way of making Europe, grant PID2021-123403NB-I00 to M.R.-

Design of an analog/digital truly random number generator

An analog-digital system is presented for the generation of truly random (aperiodic) digital sequences. This model is based on a very simple piecewise-linear discrete map which is suitable for implementation using monolithic analog sampled-data techniques. Simulation results are given illustrating the optimum choice of the model parameters. Circuit implementations are reported for the discrete map using both switched-capacitor (SC) and switched-current (SI) techniques. The layout of a SI prototype in a 3-μm n-well double-polysilicon double-metal technology is included

Estado actual de las investigaciones en antropología dental en Colombia (1945-2001)

Resulta de especial interés el conocimiento del desarrollo histórico de la antropología dental en Colombia, ya que nos permite obtener referentes sobre el estado actual de la disciplina y hacernos una idea de los alcances y contribuciones que puedan otorgarnos los análisis de los restos dentales en la recreación de las dinámicas poblacionales actuales y del pasado prehispánico Colombiano. El propósito principal de este texto es examinar el desarrollo y los alcances de esta disciplina en la praxis antropológica ayudando a construir un referente histórico un poco mas claro de su puesto e importancia como subdisciplina bioantropológica, además de las perspectivas de investigación que podemos tener en el uso de los dientes como herramientas en la recreación de nuestro pasado. Este texto pretende ser una pequeña contribución al conocimiento histórico, teórico y aplicado de la antropología en Colombia.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentin

Estado actual de las investigaciones en antropología dental en Colombia (1945-2001)

Resulta de especial interés el conocimiento del desarrollo histórico de la antropología dental en Colombia, ya que nos permite obtener referentes sobre el estado actual de la disciplina y hacernos una idea de los alcances y contribuciones que puedan otorgarnos los análisis de los restos dentales en la recreación de las dinámicas poblacionales actuales y del pasado prehispánico Colombiano. El propósito principal de este texto es examinar el desarrollo y los alcances de esta disciplina en la praxis antropológica ayudando a construir un referente histórico un poco mas claro de su puesto e importancia como subdisciplina bioantropológica, además de las perspectivas de investigación que podemos tener en el uso de los dientes como herramientas en la recreación de nuestro pasado. Este texto pretende ser una pequeña contribución al conocimiento histórico, teórico y aplicado de la antropología en Colombia.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentin

Composition operators on the algebra of Dirichlet series

The algebra of Dirichlet series $\mathcal{A}(\mathcal{C}_{+})$ consists on those Dirichlet series convergent in the right half-plane $\mathcal{C}_{+}$ and which are also uniformly continuous there. This algebra was recently introduced by Aron, Bayart, Gauthier, Maestre, and Nestoridis. We describe the symbols $\Phi:\mathcal{C}_{+}\to\mathcal{C}_{+}$ giving rise to bounded composition operators $\mathit{C}_{\Phi}$ in $\mathcal{A}(\mathcal{C}_{+})$ and denote this class by $\mathcal{G}_{\mathcal{A}}$. We also characterise when the operator $\mathit{C}_{\Phi}$ is compact in $\mathcal{A}(\mathit{C}_{+})$. As a byproduct, we show that the weak compactness is equivalent to the compactness for $\mathit{C}_{\Phi}$. Next, the closure under the local uniform convergence of several classes of symbols of composition operators in Banach spaces of Dirichlet series is discussed. We also establish a one-to-one correspondence between continuous semigroups of analytic functions $\{\Phi_{t}\}$ in the class $\mathcal{G}_{\mathcal{A}}$ and strongly continuous semigroups of composition operators $\{T_{t}\}$, $T_{t}f=f\circ\Phi_{t}$, $f\in\mathcal{A}(\mathcal{C}_{+})$. We conclude providing examples showing the differences between the symbols of bounded composition operators in $\mathcal{A}(\mathcal{C}_{+})$ and the Hardy spaces of Dirichlet series $\mathcal{H}^{p}$ and $\mathcal{H}^{\infty}$

On the uniform convergence of continuous semigroups

Let $\Omega$ be a region in the complex plane $\mathbb C$ and let $\{\Phi_t \}_{t\ge 0}$ be a continuous semigroup of functions on $\Omega$; that is, $\Phi_t\colon \Omega\to\Omega$ is holomorphic for every $t\ge 0$, $\Phi_0(z)=z$, for every $z\in\Omega$, $\Phi_t\circ\Phi_s=\Phi_{s+t}$, for every $s$, $t\ge 0$, and \begin{equation*}\label{eso} \Phi_t(z)\to z\,,\quad\hbox{ as $t$ goes to $0^+$,} \end{equation*} uniformly on compact subsets of $\Omega$. Despite this definition only requires the uniform convergence on compact subsets, P. Gumenyuk proved in 2014 that, when $\Omega$ is the unit disc, the convergence is uniform on the whole $\mathbb D$. When $\Omega$ is a half-plane, it is not difficult to show that the result is no longer true. In this paper, we enhance Gumenyuk's result by proving that for every continuous semigroup $\{\Phi_t \}_{t\ge 0}$ on $\mathbb D$ we have $$\sup_{z\in\mathbb D} |\Phi_t(z)-z|= O(\sqrt t), \quad t\to 0^+.$$ In addition, we provide an example showing that $O(\sqrt t)$ is the best possible rate of uniform convergence valid for all semigroups on $\mathbb D$. When $\Omega$ is a half-plane we prove that there is uniform convergence to the identity under certain boundedness conditions on the infinitesimal generator of the semigroup. These boundedness conditions are fulfilled when the semigroup $\{\Phi_t \}_{t\ge 0}$ is included in the Gordon-Hedenmalm class (the one which produces bounded composition operators on Hardy spaces of Dirichlet series). An important ingredient in the proofs of these results is the use of harmonic measures, which we have done through a classic result of M. Lavrentiev.Comment: 22 pages, 1 figur

Bilingual Counseling Competencies: A Call to the Counseling Profession

The Latine population in the United States is increasing, leading to a higher need for bilingual counseling services. Therefore, counselor educators and supervisors must ensure bilingual counselors receive proper ethnocultural and linguistic competence training. This article aims to highlight the significance of bilingual counseling competencies in counselor education, emphasize the importance of linguistic training in cultural competence training, and propose a set of linguistic and ethnocultural competencies to help establish a proficient bilingual counselor. Additionally, future recommendations are discussed

Engineered viral DNA polymerase with enhanced DNA amplification capacity: a proof-of-concept of isothermal amplification of damaged DNA

© The Author(s) 2020.The development of whole genome amplification (WGA) and related methods, coupled with the dramatic growth of sequencing capacities, has changed the paradigm of genomic and genetic analyses. This has led to a continual requirement of improved DNA amplification protocols and the elaboration of new tailored methods. As key elements in WGA, identification and engineering of novel, faithful and processive DNA polymerases is a driving force in the field. We have engineered the B-family DNA polymerase of virus Bam35 with a C-terminal fusion of DNA-binding motifs. The new protein, named B35-HhH, shows faithful DNA replication in the presence of magnesium or an optimised combination of magnesium and manganese divalent cofactors, which enhances the replication of damaged DNA substrates. Overall, the newly generated variant displays improved amplification performance, sensitivity, translesion synthesis and resistance to salt, which are of great interest for several applications of isothermal DNA amplification. Further, rolling-circle amplification of abasic site-containing minicircles provides a proof-of-concept for using B35-HhH for processive amplification of damaged DNA samples.This work was funded by grants from Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities [PGC2018-093726-B-100 AEI/FEDER UE to M.S. and PGC2018-093723-A-100 to M.R.R.] and a ComFuturo Grant from Fundación General CSIC [NewPols4Biotech to M.R-R.]. C.D. O. and A. L. were holders of a PhD fellowship [FPU16/02665 and FPU15/05797, respectively] from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. An institutional grant from Fundación Ramón Areces and Banco Santander to the Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa is also acknowledged. Tis paper is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Margarita Salas, an irreplaceable researcher and mentor

Odontoglifia de la población prehispánica de "La Escopeta", Cali, departamento del Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Este articulo presenta los resultados del estudio odontoglífico realizado en los restos dentales de la población prehispánica de "La Escopeta" ubicado en el barrio Ciudad Jardín de la Ciudad de Cali en el departamento del Valle del Cauca, Colombia,. Dicha población presenta una filiación cultural cerámica denominada Bolo Quebrada-Seca . Anteriormente no se habían realizado estudios en poblaciones prehispánicas de dicha tradición cultural que tuvieran como objetivo la caracterización del componente fenetico utilizando la morfología dental. En este articulo enfatizamos en la descripción de las características intra e intertuberculares presentados en la serie dental "La Escopeta" con el fin de contribuir a la construcción de un banco de datos que permitan futuras comparaciones ínter poblacionales tendientes a descifrar problemáticas ligadas a la etnogénesis de las poblaciones prehispánicas del Sur Occidente Colombiano.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentina (AABRA