Genetic relationships within and among Iberian fescues (Festuca L.) based on PCR-amplified markers

The genus Festuca comprises approximately 450 species and is widely distributed around the world. The Iberian Penninsula, with more than 100 taxa colonizing very diverse habitats, is one of its main centers of diversification. This study was conducted to assess molecular genetic variation and genetic relatedness among 91 populations of 31 taxa of Iberian fescues, based on several molecular markers (random amplified polymorphic DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphisms, and trnL sequences). The analyses showed the paraphyletic origin of the broad-leaved (subgenus Festuca, sections Scariosae and Subbulbosae, and subgenus Schedonorus) and the fine-leaved fescues (subgenus Festuca, sections Aulaxyper, Eskia, and Festuca). Schedonorus showed a weak relationship with Lolium rigidum and appeared to be the most recent of the broad-leaved clade. Section Eskia was the most ancient and Festuca the most recent of the fine-leaved clade. Festuca and Aulaxyper were the most related sections, in concordance with their taxonomic affinities. All taxa grouped into their sections, except F. ampla and F. capillifolia (section Festuca), which appeared to be more closely related to Aulaxyper and to a new independent section, respectively. Most populations clustered at the species level, but some subspecies and varieties mixed their populations. This study demonstrated the value in combining different molecular markers to uncover hidden genetic relationships between populations of Festuca

RNA quantification using gold nanoprobes - application to cancer diagnostics

Molecular nanodiagnostics applied to cancer may provide rapid and sensitive detection of cancer related molecular alterations, which would enable early detection even when those alterations occur only in a small percentage of cells. The use of gold nanoparticles derivatized with thiol modified oligonucleotides (Au-nanoprobes) for the detection of specific nucleic acid targets has been gaining momentum as an alternative to more traditional methodologies. Here, we present an Au-nanoparticles based approach for the molecular recognition and quantification of the BCR-ABL fusion transcript (mRNA), which is responsible for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and to the best of our knowledge it is the first time quantification of a specific mRNA directly in cancer cells is reported. This inexpensive and very easy to perform Au-nanoprobe based method allows quantification of unamplified total human RNA and specific detection of the oncogene transcript. The sensitivity settled by the Au-nanoprobes allows differential gene expression from 10 ng/μl of total RNA and takes less than 30 min to complete after total RNA extraction, minimizing RNA degradation. Also, at later stages, accumulation of malignant mutations may lead to resistance to chemotherapy and consequently poor outcome. Such a method, allowing for fast and direct detection and quantification of the chimeric BCR-ABL mRNA, could speed up diagnostics and, if appropriate, revision of therapy. This assay may constitute a promising tool in early diagnosis of CML and could easily be extended to further target genes with proven involvement in cancer development

10th IFAC Symposium for Fault Detection, Supervision and Safety for Technical Processes

Producción CientíficaThis paper addresses the problem of leak localization in water distribution networks (WDN) using Fisher Discriminant Analysis (FDA). First, the paper introduces how FDA can be used for leak localization using the information of pressure measurements from the sensors available in the WDN. Then, the problem of sensor placement is considered when the proposed leak localization based on FDA is used. The proposed leak localization and sensor placement approaches based on FDA will be used using a well-known WDN case study.Este trabajo forma parte del proyecto de investigación: MINECO/FEDER: DPI2015-67341-C2-2-R

How old is your soul? Differences in the impact of eWOM on Generation X and millennials

Authors are grateful for the financial support received from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (ECO2015-69103-R; ECO2016-76768-R). This work was supported by the European Social Fund and the Government of Aragon (“METODO” research group S20_20R). This research benefited from the Professorship Excellence Program in accordance with the multi-year agreement signed by the Government of Madrid and the Autonomous University of Madrid (Line #3).Purpose Online reviews have received research attention in recent years, as they work as precursors of consumer behaviors. Previous studies have suggested that the influence of online reviews may vary across generations. However, the previous literature has not analyzed yet whether millennials and Generation X react differently to online reviews. This study aims to shed light on this by analyzing whether the attitudes and behavioral intentions generated by online reviews are different for these two generational cohorts. Design/methodology/approach An experimental procedure was designed to manipulate online review valence; data were collected from 351 respondents in two samples, Generation X and millennial participants. Findings Results suggested that positive online reviews generate more positive customer attitudes and booking intentions than negative online reviews. In addition, Generation X vs millennials moderates the link among online review valence, attitudes and booking intentions. The resultant behaviors from online reviews are more intense among Generation X than for millennials. Practical implications Managers should be aware of online review valence and their customers' generational cohort, that is, whether they are millennials or Generation X, as they react differently to online reviews. Originality/value This research examines the moderating role of millennials and Generation X in the relationship between online reviews, consumer attitudes and behavioral intentions. The aim is to explain how millennial and Generation X consumers react to eWOM, that is, whether generational cohort mitigates or enhances the effects of positive vs negative online reviews on consumer reactions

The endemic halophyte Sarcocornia carinata Fuente, Rufo & Sánchez-Mata (Chenopodiaceae) in relation to environmental variables: elemental composition and biominerals.

Aims We propose a thorough study of the succulent halophyte Sarcocornia carinata endemic to the saline lagoons of the center of the Iberian Peninsula. We describe its elemental composition and possible seasonal variation in relation to edaphic and climatic variables, identify biominerals and analyze the distribution of salt ions and biominerals in tissue. Methods Plants and edaphic samples were collected in the four seasons of 1 year. Soils were analyzed for their pH, EC, color, and bioavailable concentration of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO42−. Soils and plants were analyzed for their total elemental and mineralogical composition. The distribution of elements and minerals in tissues was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Results Despite the variations observed in the edaphic and climatic variables, the variables studied in the plants varied slightly throughout the year. In the plants, Mg was the element that reflected climatic changes the most, while the K and Ca concentrations did not vary. Salty precipitates and crystallizations were distributed mainly in the epidermis, water storage parenchyma, cortex, and vascular vessels. Several crystals observed were compatible with halite, gypsum, glushinskite and weddellite. Conclusions The study corroborates that inland S. carinata behaves in the same way as other littoral succulent euhalophytes and reinforces the hypothesis that the concentration of elements and quantitative abundance pattern depend largely on the main adaptation mechanisms of halophytes.pre-print374 K

Physical characterization of 2020 AV2, the first known asteroid orbiting inside Venus orbit

The first known asteroid with the orbit inside that of Venus is 2020~AV$_{2}$. This may be the largest member of a new population of small bodies with the aphelion smaller than 0.718~au, called Vatiras. The surface of 2020~AV$_{2}$ is being constantly modified by the high temperature, by the strong solar wind irradiation that characterizes the innermost region of the Solar system, and by high-energy micrometeorite impacts. The study of its physical properties represents an extreme test-case for the science of near-Earth asteroids. Here, we report spectroscopic observations of 2020~AV$_{2}$ in the 0.5-1.5~$\mu m$ wavelength interval. These were performed with the Nordic Optical Telescope and the William Herschel Telescope. Based on the obtained spectra, we classify 2020~AV$_{2}$ as a Sa-type asteroid. We estimate the diameter of this Vatira to be $1.50_{-0.65}^{+1.10}$ km by considering the average albedo of A-type and S-complex asteroids ($p_V=0.23_{-0.08}^{+0.11}$), and the absolute magnitude (H=$16.40\pm0.78$ mag). The wide spectral band around 1~$\mu m$ shows the signature of an olivine rich composition. The estimated band centre $BIC = 1.08 \pm 0.02~\mu m$ corresponds to a ferroan olivine mineralogy similar to that of brachinite meteorites.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 10 pages, 5 figures

Procedimiento de preparación y materiales conformados basados en compuestos eutécticos binarios o ternarios de circonia

Referencia OEPM: P9600891.-- Fecha de solicitud: 19/04/1996.-- Titular: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC).Procedimiento de preparación y materiales conformados basados en compuestos eutécticos binarios o ternarios de circonia. La presente invención está relacionada con la preparación de materiales con estructuras eutécticas micrométricas basados en mezclas de óxidos, conformados con dimensiones mili y submilimétricas mediante fusión zonal por láser con diferentes sistemas ópticos de focalización y control de los haces de los láseres. Su utilización es en el sector de la producción y conservación de energía, como elementos calefactores, refractarios, cátodos para plasmas de aire, electrodos, en componentes para celdas de combustión, microsensores de gas oxígeno, etc.Peer reviewe

The Anopheles gambiae transcriptome – a turning point for malaria control

Mosquitoes are important vectors of several pathogens and thereby contribute to the spread of diseases, with social, economic and public health impacts. Amongst the approximately 450 species of Anopheles, about 60 are recognized as vectors of human malaria, the most important parasitic disease. In Africa, Anopheles gambiae is the main malaria vector mosquito. Current malaria control strategies are largely focused on drugs and vector control measures such as insecticides and bed-nets. Improvement of current, and the development of new, mosquito-targeted malaria control methods rely on a better understanding of mosquito vector biology. An organism's transcriptome is a reflection of its physiological state and transcriptomic analyses of different conditions that are relevant to mosquito vector competence can therefore yield important information. Transcriptomic analyses have contributed significant information on processes such as blood-feeding parasite–vector interaction, insecticide resistance, and tissue- and stage-specific gene regulation, thereby facilitating the path towards the development of new malaria control methods. Here, we discuss the main applications of transcriptomic analyses in An. gambiae that have led to a better understanding of mosquito vector competence.publishersversionpublishe