Macroecological patterns in flower colour are shaped by both biotic and abiotic factors

There is a wealth of research on the way interactions with pollinators shape flower traits. However, we have much more to learn about influences of the abiotic environment on flower colour. We combine quantitative flower colour data for 339 species from a broad spatial range covering tropical, temperate, arid, montane and coastal environments from 9.25ºS to 43.75ºS with 11 environmental variables to test hypotheses about how macroecological patterns in flower colouration relate to biotic and abiotic conditions. Both biotic community and abiotic conditions are important in explaining variation of flower colour traits on a broad scale. The diversity of pollinating insects and the plant community have the highest predictive power for flower colouration, followed by mean annual precipitation and solar radiation. On average, flower colours are more chromatic where there are fewer pollinators, solar radiation is high, precipitation and net primary production are low, and growing seasons are short, providing support for the hypothesis that higher chromatic contrast of flower colours may be related to stressful conditions. To fully understand the ecology and evolution of flower colour, we should incorporate the broad selective context that plants experience into research, rather than focusing primarily on effects of plant–pollinator interactions

Contextual aspects in the development of professional knowledge of teachers: Study of cases

Sintetizamos avances de una investigación en curso, cuyo objetivo apunta al análisis de la dimensión tecnológica en el conocimiento profesional del profesorado de bachillerato. El estudio integra el Programa de Investigación: Conocimiento y Formación Docente (CyFoD), radicado en una universidad pública de la región nordeste de Argentina. En esta ocasión, analizamos lineamientos de políticas educativas que aparecieron en la última década con el propósito de reorganizar la enseñanza secundaria y mejorar sus condiciones pedagógicas y tecnológicas. La estrategia metodológica es el estudio de caso. Su armado se realiza a partir de triangular entrevistas semiestructuradas, observación no participante de clases y análisis documental; su validación surge de procesos recursivos mediante construcciones narrativas. Aunque nunca antes se hizo un uso tan extensivo, variado e impuesto de las TIC, la frontera entre su uso e integración curricular devela una aguda tensión, su debate cobra un nuevo impulso y trasciende la coyuntura pandémica.We synthesize advances of an ongoing investigation, whose objective points to the analysis of the technological dimension in the professional knowledge of high school teachers. The study is part of the Research Program: Knowledge and Teacher Training (CyFoD), based in a public university in the northeast region of Argentina. On this occasion, we analyze educational policy guidelines that appeared in the last decade with the purpose of reorganizing secondary education and improving its pedagogical and technological conditions. The methodological strategy is the case study. Its assembly is carried out from semi-structured triangular interviews, non-participant observation of classes and documentary analysis; its validation arises from recursive processes through narrative constructions. Although never before has such an extensive, varied and imposed use of ICT been made, the border between its use and curricular integration reveals an acute tension, its debate gains new momentum and transcends the pandemic situation.Fil: Flores, Fernando Agustin Santiago. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Humanidades. Instituto de Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Chan- Te- Nez, Alejandro Fabián. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Humanidades. Instituto de Ciencias de la Educación; Argentin

A produção de materiais didáticos a partir de perspectivas convergentes: Design Gráfico e TPCK

We present selected results of a recently developed study, carried out within the framework of a research program on knowledge and teacher training, in a public university in the northeast of Argentina (NEA Geographic region); This time we examine the configuration of the content technological didactic knowledge (CDTC) of an experienced teacher in the area of ​​Educational Technology of an academic unit, when teaching how to produce ICT-mediated didactic materials. The TPCK model and conceptual contributions from the Graphic Design area on visual communication are used as a reference for analysis. The methodological strategy is the single case study with a holistic approach. The narrative construction of the case is supported by the triangulation of different sources and data collection instruments. The results reveal that the perspective of graphic design substantially improves the quality of the didactic material, although its functionality in the pedagogical proposal is subject to the resulting framework of all the components of the TPCK model.Presentamos resultados seleccionados de un estudio desarrollado recientemente, realizado en el marco de un programa de investigación sobre conocimiento y formación docente, en una universidad pública del nordeste argentino (región geográfica NEA); en esta ocasión examinamos la configuración del conocimiento didáctico tecnológico del contenido (CDTC) de una docente experimentada del área de Tecnología educativa de una unidad académica, al enseñar a producir materiales didácticos mediados por TIC. Se utiliza como referencia de análisis el modelo TPCK y aportes conceptuales del área del Diseño Gráfico sobre comunicación visual. La estrategia metodológica es el estudio de caso único de enfoque holístico. La construcción narrativa del caso se apoya en la triangulación de distintas fuentes e instrumentos de recolección de datos. Los resultados revelan que la perspectiva del diseño gráfico mejora sustancialmente la calidad del material didáctico aunque su funcionalidad en la propuesta pedagógica queda supeditada al entramado resultante de todos los componentes del modelo TPCK.Apresentamos resultados selecionados de um estudo recentemente desenvolvido, realizada no âmbito de um programa de pesquisa sobre formação e conhecimento docente, em uma universidade pública do nordeste argentino (região geográfica NEA); na ocasião, examinamos a configuração do conteúdo tecnológico didático conhecimento (CDTC) de um professor experiente na área de tecnologia educacional uma unidade acadêmica, ao ensinar como produzir materiais didáticos mediados por TIC. O modelo TPCK e as contribuições conceituais da área de Design Gráfico sobre comunicação visual são usados ​​como referência para análise. A estratégia metodológica é o estudo de caso único com abordagem holística. A construção narrativa do caso é sustentada pela triangulação de diferentes fontes e instrumentos de coleta de dados. Os resultados revelam que a perspectiva do design gráfico melhora substancialmente a qualidade do material didático, embora sua funcionalidade na proposta pedagógica esteja sujeita ao enquadramento resultante de todos os componentes do modelo TPCK

A produção de materiais didáticos a partir de perspectivas convergentes: Design Gráfico e TPCK

We present selected results of a recently developed study, carried out within the framework of a research program on knowledge and teacher training, in a public university in the northeast of Argentina (NEA Geographic region); This time we examine the configuration of the content technological didactic knowledge (CDTC) of an experienced teacher in the area of ​​Educational Technology of an academic unit, when teaching how to produce ICT-mediated didactic materials. The TPCK model and conceptual contributions from the Graphic Design area on visual communication are used as a reference for analysis. The methodological strategy is the single case study with a holistic approach. The narrative construction of the case is supported by the triangulation of different sources and data collection instruments. The results reveal that the perspective of graphic design substantially improves the quality of the didactic material, although its functionality in the pedagogical proposal is subject to the resulting framework of all the components of the TPCK model.Presentamos resultados seleccionados de un estudio desarrollado recientemente, realizado en el marco de un programa de investigación sobre conocimiento y formación docente, en una universidad pública del nordeste argentino (región geográfica NEA); en esta ocasión examinamos la configuración del conocimiento didáctico tecnológico del contenido (CDTC) de una docente experimentada del área de Tecnología educativa de una unidad académica, al enseñar a producir materiales didácticos mediados por TIC. Se utiliza como referencia de análisis el modelo TPCK y aportes conceptuales del área del Diseño Gráfico sobre comunicación visual. La estrategia metodológica es el estudio de caso único de enfoque holístico. La construcción narrativa del caso se apoya en la triangulación de distintas fuentes e instrumentos de recolección de datos. Los resultados revelan que la perspectiva del diseño gráfico mejora sustancialmente la calidad del material didáctico aunque su funcionalidad en la propuesta pedagógica queda supeditada al entramado resultante de todos los componentes del modelo TPCK.Apresentamos resultados selecionados de um estudo recentemente desenvolvido, realizada no âmbito de um programa de pesquisa sobre formação e conhecimento docente, em uma universidade pública do nordeste argentino (região geográfica NEA); na ocasião, examinamos a configuração do conteúdo tecnológico didático conhecimento (CDTC) de um professor experiente na área de tecnologia educacional uma unidade acadêmica, ao ensinar como produzir materiais didáticos mediados por TIC. O modelo TPCK e as contribuições conceituais da área de Design Gráfico sobre comunicação visual são usados ​​como referência para análise. A estratégia metodológica é o estudo de caso único com abordagem holística. A construção narrativa do caso é sustentada pela triangulação de diferentes fontes e instrumentos de coleta de dados. Os resultados revelam que a perspectiva do design gráfico melhora substancialmente a qualidade do material didático, embora sua funcionalidade na proposta pedagógica esteja sujeita ao enquadramento resultante de todos os componentes do modelo TPCK

Implementation of immunohistochemistry on frozen ear notch tissue samples in diagnosis of bovine viral diarrhea virus in persistently infected cattle

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bovine viral diarrhea is a contagious disease of domestic and wild ruminants and one of the most economically important diseases in cattle. Bovine viral diarrhea virus belongs to the genus <it>Pestivirus</it>, within the family <it>Flaviviridae</it>. The identification and elimination of the persistently infected animals from herds is the initial step in the control and eradication programs. It is therefore necessary to have reliable methods for diagnosis of bovine viral diarrhea virus. One of those methods is immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue is a routine technique in diagnosis of persistently infected cattle from ear notch tissue samples. However, such technique is inappropriate due to complicated tissue fixation process and it requires more days for preparation. On the contrary, immunohistochemistry on frozen tissue was usually applied on organs from dead animals. In this paper, for the first time, the imunohistochemistry on frozen ear notch tissue samples was described.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Seventeen ear notch tissue samples were obtained during the period 2008-2009 from persistently infected cattle. Samples were fixed in liquid nitrogen and stored on -20°C until testing. Ear notch tissue samples from all persistently infected cattle showed positive results with good section quality and possibility to determinate type of infected cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although the number of samples was limited, this study indicated that immunohistochemistry on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue can be successfully replaced with immunohistochemistry on frozen ear notch tissue samples in diagnosis of persistently infected cattle.</p

B-cell regeneration profile and minimal residual disease status in bone marrow of treated multiple myeloma patients

© 2021 by the authors.B-cell regeneration during therapy has been considered as a strong prognostic factor in multiple myeloma (MM). However, the effects of therapy and hemodilution in bone marrow (BM) B-cell recovery have not been systematically evaluated during follow-up. MM (n = 177) and adult (≥50y) healthy donor (HD; n = 14) BM samples were studied by next-generation flow (NGF) to simultaneously assess measurable residual disease (MRD) and residual normal B-cell populations. BM hemodilution was detected in 41 out of 177 (23%) patient samples, leading to lower total B-cell, B-cell precursor (BCP) and normal plasma cell (nPC) counts. Among MM BM, decreased percentages (vs. HD) of BCP, transitional/naïve B-cell (TBC/NBC) and nPC populations were observed at diagnosis. BM BCP increased after induction therapy, whereas TBC/NBC counts remained abnormally low. At day+100 postautologous stem cell transplantation, a greater increase in BCP with recovered TBC/NBC cell numbers but persistently low memory B-cell and nPC counts were found. At the end of therapy, complete response (CR) BM samples showed higher CD19− nPC counts vs. non-CR specimens. MRD positivity was associated with higher BCP and nPC percentages. Hemodilution showed a negative impact on BM B-cell distribution. Different BM B-cell regeneration profiles are present in MM at diagnosis and after therapy with no significant association with patient outcome.This work has been supported by the International Myeloma Foundation-Black Swan Research Initiative, the EuroFlow Consortium (grant LSHB-CT-2006-018708); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBER-ONC; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Madrid, Spain and FONDOS FEDER), numbers: CB16/12/00400, CB16/12/00233, CB16/12/00369, CB16/12/00489 and CB16/12/00480; grant from Bilateral Cooperation Program between Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-CAPES (Brasília/Brazil) and Dirección General de Políticas Universitárias (DGPU)-Ministério de Educación, Cultura y Deportes (Madrid/Spain) number DGPU 311/15; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro of Brazil (FAPERJ) numbers: E26/110.105/2014 and E26/102.191/2013; grant from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico of Brazil (CNPQ), number: 400194/2014-7. R.M.d.P. was supported by a grant from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES/DGPU), number: 000281/2016-06 and CAPES/PROEX 641/2018, Brazil; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro of Brazil (FAPERJ) number: E01/200/537/2018

Topological spin memory of antiferromagnetically coupled skyrmion pairs in Co/Gd/Pt multilayers

Antiferromagnetically (AFM) coupled skyrmions offer potential advantages for spintronic devices, including reduced dipolar fields that may enable smaller skyrmion sizes and a reduction of the skyrmion Hall effect. However, the topological stability of AFM-coupled skyrmions subjected to dramatic spin deformation through low-temperature cycling has not been investigated. Here we report the discovery of a topological spin memory effect for AFM-coupled skyrmion pairs in [Co/Gd/Pt]10 multilayered films. Photoemission electron microscopy imaging shows that bubble skyrmions in the multilayer that are stable at room temperature evolve into complex in-plane spin textures as the temperature is lowered and reform completely when the sample is warmed back up. Simulations demonstrate that Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions play a key role in this spin memory effect, and furthermore reveal that the topological charge is preserved throughout the dramatic spin texture rearrangement and recovery. These results highlight a key aspect of topological protection—the preservation of the topological properties under continuous deformation—and also provide a promising avenue for information encryption and recovery

Impact of pre-analytical and analytical variables associated with sample preparation on flow cytometric stainings obtained with EuroFlow panels

Objective interpretation of FC results may still be hampered by limited technical standardization. The EuroFlow consortium conducted a series of experiments to determine the impact of different variables on the relative distribution and the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of markers stained on different cell populations, from both healthy donors and patients’ samples with distinct hematological malignancies. The use of different anticoagulants; the time interval between sample collection, preparation, and acquisition; pH of washing buffers; and the use of cell surface membrane-only (SM) vs. cell surface plus intracytoplasmic (SM+CY) staining protocols, were evaluated. Our results showed that only monocytes were represented at higher percentages in EDTA- vs. heparin-anticoagulated samples. Application of SM or SM+CY protocols resulted in slight differences in the percentage of neutrophils and debris determined only with particular antibody combinations. In turn, storage of samples for 24 h at RT was associated with greater percentage of debris and cell doublets when the plasma cell disorder panel was used. Furthermore, 24 h storage of stained cells at RT was selectively detrimental for MFI levels of CD19 and CD45 on mature B- and T-cells (but not on leukemic blasts, clonal B- and plasma cells, neutrophils, and NK cells). The obtained results showed that the variables evaluated might need to be tailored for sample and cell type(s) as well as to the specific markers compared; however, defining of well-balanced boundaries for storage time, staining-to-acquisition delay, and pH of washing buffer would be a valid recommendation for most applications and circumstances described herein.This research was funded by the EuroFlow Consortium which received support from the FP6-2004-LIFESCIHEALTH-5 program of the European Commission (grant LSHB-CT-2006-018708) as Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP). The EuroFlow Consortium is part of the European Scientific Foundation for Hemato-Oncology (ESLHO), a Scientific Working Group (SWG) of the European Hematology Association (EHA); the grant of the Polish National Center for Research and Development (no. STRATEGMED3/304586/5/NCBR/2017 Person ALL); and internal grant of the Medical University of Silesia (no. PCN-1-050/K/0/K); the grant of CIBER-ONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Madrid, Spain and FONDOS FEDER (no. CB16/12/00400)

Identification of simple sequence repeat markers for sweetpotato weevil resistance

The development of sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] germplasm with resistance to sweetpotato weevil (SPW) requires an understanding of the biochemical and genetic mechanisms of resistance to optimize crop resistance. The African sweetpotato landrace, ‘New Kawogo’, was reported to be moderately resistant to two species of SPW, Cylas puncticollis and Cylas brunneus. Resistance has been associated with the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids esters (HCAs), but the underlying genetic basis remains unknown. To determine the genetic basis of this resistance, a bi-parental sweetpotato population from a cross between the moderately resistant, white-fleshed ‘New Kawogo’ and the highly susceptible, orange-fleshed North American variety ‘Beauregard’ was evaluated for SPW resistance and genotyped with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to identify weevil resistance loci. SPW resistance was measured on the basis of field storage root SPW damage severity and total HCA ester concentrations. Moderate broad sense heritability (H2 = 0.49) was observed for weevil resistance in the population. Mean genotype SPW severity scores ranged from 1.0 to 9.0 and 25 progeny exhibited transgressive segregation for SPW resistance. Mean genotype total HCA ester concentrations were significantly different (P < 0.0001). A weak but significant correlation (r = 0.103, P = 0.015) was observed between total HCA ester concentration and SPW severity. A total of five and seven SSR markers were associated with field SPW severity and total HCA ester concentration, respectively. Markers IBS11, IbE5 and IbJ544b showed significant association with both field and HCA-based resistance, representing potential markers for the development of SPW resistant sweetpotato cultivars