Effect of fruit-to-leaf area ratio on fruit quality and vegetative growth of 'bing' sweet cherry trees at optimal leaf area index

Fruit yield and quality determine grower income from commercial sweet cherry orchards. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Fruit Number to Leaf Area Ratio (FNLAR, fruit m-2 LA) on Mean Fruit Weight (MFW), firmness (F), soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and SSC:TA ratio of `Bing¿ sweet cherries trees of near-optimal leaf area index (LAI). The effect of FNLAR on Mean Shoot Growth (MSG) and trunk cross-sectional area increment (TCSAI) also was analysed to determine possible competition between reproductive and vegetative growth. Regression analysis was used with FNLAR as the independent variable. While SSC:TA, MSG and TCSAI were not significantly correlated to FNLAR (P>0.05), MFW, TA and SSC decreased linearly with increasing FNLAR (

Ultraflexible and robust graphene supercapacitors printed on textiles for wearable electronics applications

Printed graphene supercapacitors have the potential to empower tomorrow’s wearable electronics. We report a solid-state flexible supercapacitor device printed on textiles using graphene oxide ink and a screen-printing technique. After printing, graphene oxide was reduced in situ via a rapid electrochemical method avoiding the use of any reducing reagents that may damage the textile substrates. The printed electrodes exhibited excellent mechanical stability due to the strong interaction between the ink and textile substrate. The unique hierarchical porous structure of the electrodes facilitated ionic diffusion and maximised the surface area available for the electrolyte/ active material interface. The obtained device showed outstanding cyclic stability over 10 000 cycles and maintained excellent mechanical flexibility, which is necessary for wearable applications. The simple printing technique is readily scalable and avoids the problems associated with fabricating supercapacitor devices made of conductive yarn, as previously reported in the literature

Topographical cues regulate the crosstalk between MSCs and macrophages

Implantation of scaffolds may elicit a host foreign body response triggered by monocyte/macrophage lineage cells. Growing evidence suggests that topographical cues of scaffolds play an important role in MSC functionality. In this work, we examined whether surface topographical features can regulate paracrine interactions that MSCs establish with macrophages. Three-dimensional (3D) topography sensing drives MSCs into a spatial arrangement that stimulates the production of the anti-inflammatory proteins PGE(2) and TSG-6. Compared to two-dimensional (2D) settings, 3D arrangement of MSCs co-cultured with macrophages leads to an important decrease in the secretion of soluble factors related with inflammation and chemotaxis including IL-6 and MCP-1. Attenuation of MCP-1 secretion in 3D co-cultures correlates with a decrease in the accumulation of its mRNA levels in MSCs and macrophages. Using neutralizing antibodies, we identified that the interplay between PGE2, IL-6, TSG-6 and MCP-1 in the co-cultures is strongly influenced by the micro-architecture that supports MSCs. Local inflammatory milieu provided by 3D-arranged MSCs in co-cultures induces a decrease in monocyte migration as compared to-monolayer tells. This effect is partially mediated by reduced levels of IL-6 and MCP-1, proteins that up-regulate each other's secretion. Our findings highlight the importance of topographical cues in the soluble factor-guided communication between MSCs and macrophages

Synthesis and stability of Pt3Co and Pt0.7≤X≤1Co films voltammetrically activated in acidic medium for methanol fuel cell application

Pt-Co thin films have been prepared by means of electrodeposition method, due to the interest of this alloy as catalyst in acid fuel cells. As the stability of the catalyst is fundamental to consider its applicability, the behavior of the films as a function of the composition during voltammetry activation in acidic medium has been studied. The Pt3Co films show high stability, maintaining their morphology, X-ray diffraction profile, composition and high surface area, and show good catalytic behaviour for methanol electro-oxidation in acidic medium. However, the Pt0.7≤x≤1Co films present low stability and evolve during the test to flatter films of lower effective area and Pt3Co stoichiometry, by losing cobalt. Only Pt-Co electrodeposited films of defined compositions show the enough stability and properties to be used as good materials for electro-oxidation processes in acidic media

Concentration of glutathione and expression of glutathione peroxidases 1 and 4 in fresh sperm provide a forecast of the outcome of cryopreservation of human spermatozoa

Oxidative stress imbalance potentially leads to damage of the structure of the cell and macromolecules such as plasma membrane components, proteins, and DNA. The plasma membrane of the sperm cell, which has high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, renders it particularly sensitive to free radical–mediated attacks. The freezing and subsequent thawing of sperm is a physically stressful process carried out during routine procedures in assisted reproduction techniques, which results in a highly variable and unpredictable reduction in the number of motile sperm cells. Subsequently, oxidative status can positively or negatively affect the motility, viability, and fertilizing capacity of thawed sperm. These effects are counteracted by various oxidative defense enzymes and anti-oxidants such as glutathione peroxidase isoforms GPx1 and GPx4, glutathione reductase (GR), and cellular glutathione (reduced) (GSH). In this way, oxidative status could represent a predictive marker of sperm quality following the freeze-thaw process. This study was based on 56 human sperm samples. We observed direct positive and negative relationships between the postthaw motile sperm recovery rate and GPx1 and GPx4 expression and activity, on the one hand, and GSH concentrations, on the other. No correlation was found between this recovery rate and GR or basic semen parameters. Predictive values clearly demonstrate that, among the molecules analyzed, the most accurate diagnoses result when analyses are conducted for GPx1 and GPx1 messenger RNA expression, GPx1 and GPx4 enzymatic activity, and GSH concentration. In conclusion, a reserve of glutathione, together with GPx expression, is necessary to eliminate free radicals using GSH or a like structural protein and seems to be essential for a good postthaw recovery. These molecules can be employed as indicators of postthaw sperm quality.Meseguer Anastasio, Manuel Francisco, [email protected] ; Simon Valles, Carlos Antonio, [email protected] ; Remohi Gimenez, Jose Alejandro, [email protected]

Groundwater arsenic content in Raigón aquifer system (San José, Uruguay)

As a Medical Geology research issue, an environmental arsenic risk assessment study in the most important sedimentary aquifer in southern Uruguay is presented. The Raigón Aquifer System is the most exploited in Uruguay. It has a surface extent of about 1,800 square kilometres and 10,000 inhabitants in San Jose Department, where it was studied. Agriculture and cattle breeding are the main economic activities and this aquifer is the basic support. The groundwater sampling was done on 37 water samples of PRENADER (Natural Resources Management and Irrigation Development Program) wells. Outcropping sediments of Raigón Formation and the overlying Libertad Formation were also sampled in the Kiyú region. The analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed 80% samples with arsenic levels exceeding the 10 μg/l of WHO as limit for waters, and 11% exceeds the 20 μg/l limit of uruguayan regulation. The median, maximum and minimum water arsenic concentrations determined have been 14.24, 24.19 and 1.44 μg/l, respectively. On the other hand, nine sediment samples of Raigón and Libertad Formations in Kiyú region were analysed and yielded median, maximum and minimum arsenic concentrations of 5.03, 9.82 and 1.18 ppm, respectively. This issue leads to the supposition that the population, as well as industrial and agricultural activities, are consuming water with arsenic concentrations over the national and international maximum recommended limit.Como una aproximación a la Geología Médica en Uruguay se presentan los resultados de un estudio sobre el estado del Sistema Acuífero Raigón en relación a la presencia de arsénico, en el entendido que es el acuífero más explotado en el país. En particular, el área cubierta por este trabajo es de unos 1800 km2 en un territorio con una población de unos 10,000 habitantes en el departamento de San José. La colecta de aguas del acuífero se realizó en perforaciones de la base de datos de PRENADER (Proyecto de Manejo de Recursos Naturales y Desarrollo del Riego) obteniéndose 37 muestras, y sobre 9 muestras de sedimentos tanto de la Formación Raigón como la suprayacente Libertad en afloramientos de la región de Kiyú. Los análisis fueron realizados mediante ICP-MS. Un 80% de las muestras de aguas analizadas mostraron contenidos mayores a los límites de la OMS (10 μg/l) y un 11% de las muestras superaron el límite de la OSE (20 μg/l). El valor medio, máximo y mínimo determinado en el caso del agua subterránea fue de 14.24, 24.19 and 1.44 μg/l, respectivamente. Por otro lado, las nueve muestras de sedimentos analizados mostraron concentraciones media, máxima y mínima de arsénico de 5.03, 9.82 and 1.18 ppm, respectivamente, descartándose en principio un origen geogénico.Cooperation between the University of the Republic (Uruguay) and CSIC from Spain (Ref. 2005UY0001). DINACYT-Uruguay, Project of the Technological Development Program PDT # 45/14 which included the doctoral thesis work of MSc. Rosario Guerequiz. CYTED Iberoarsen Network and the International Medical Geology Association contributed with scientific and technical support to improve the knowledge on environmental arsenic and health impacts, with a multidisciplinary approach in Uruguay. This work was performed under the Research Consolidated Groups SGR-2005-795 PEGEFA (Petrology and Geochemistry Basic and Applied) and SGR-2005-00589 (Mineral Resources), funded by AGAUR-DURSI, Generalitat de Catalunya.Peer reviewe

Recurrent NOMO1 gene deletion is a potential clinical marker in early-onset colorectal cancer and is involved in the regulation of cell migration

The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC; age younger than 50 years) has been progressively increasing over the last decades globally, with causes unexplained. A distinct molecular feature of EOCRC is that compared with cases of late-onset colorectal cancer, in EOCRC cases, there is a higher incidence of Nodal Modulator 1 (NOMO1) somatic deletions. However, the mechanisms of NOMO1 in early-onset colorectal carcinogenesis are currently unknown. In this study, we show that in 30% of EOCRCs with heterozygous deletion of NOMO1, there were pathogenic mutations in this gene, suggesting that NOMO1 can be inactivated by deletion or mutation in EOCRC. To study the role of NOMO1 in EOCRC, CRISPR/cas9 technology was employed to generate NOMO1 knockout HCT-116 (EOCRC) and HS-5 (bone marrow) cell lines. NOMO1 loss in these cell lines did not perturb Nodal pathway signaling nor cell proliferation. Expression microarrays, RNA sequencing, and protein expression analysis by LC–IMS/MS showed that NOMO1 inactivation deregulates other signaling pathways independent of the Nodal pathway, such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cell migration. Significantly, NOMO1 loss increased the migration capacity of CRC cells. Additionally, a gut-specific conditional NOMO1 KO mouse model revealed no subsequent tumor development in mice. Overall, these findings suggest that NOMO1 could play a secondary role in early-onset colorectal carcinogenesis because its loss increases the migration capacity of CRC cells. Therefore, further study is warranted to explore other signalling pathways deregulated by NOMO1 loss that may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease.This study was supported by the health research program of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, PI20/01569 and PI20/0974), co-funded by FEDER funds, and Mutua Madrileña Foundation (FMM20/001). A.M.-M was supported by a predoctoral research grant from the Dr. Moraza Fundation (FMoraza18/001). P.G.V and N.G.-U were supported by a predoctoral research grant from the Consejería de Educación—Junta de Castilla y León. A.N.H. was supported by the National Institutes of Health K12 HD043483 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Influence of the balanced scorecard on the science and innovation performance of Latin American universities

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Knowledge Management Research & Practice on 2019, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14778238.2019.1569488[EN] Pressure on the education system to meet society's needs has led some universities to adopt organisational performance measurement systems as strategic control tools. One of the most commonly used systems in business is the balanced scorecard (BSC). For Latin American universities, the urgent task of increasing the quantity and quality of research and innovation has led these universities to update their essential processes. A suitable control system is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of these new policies. Based on strategic management theory, this study focuses on the implementation of a BSC method in Latin American public universities. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of BSC implementation on universities? research and innovation performance. The results reveal similar patterns of indicators to measure performance in public universities. Furthermore, these indicators develop favourably following implementation of the BSC.Peris-Ortiz, M.; García-Hurtado, D.; Devece Carañana, CA. (2019). Influence of the balanced scorecard on the science and innovation performance of Latin American universities. Knowledge Management Research & Practice. 17(4):373-383. https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2019.1569488S373383174Agostino, D., & Arnaboldi, M. (2012). Design issues in Balanced Scorecards: The «what» and «how» of control. European Management Journal, 30(4), 327-339. doi:10.1016/j.emj.2012.02.001Al-Ashaab, A., Flores, M., Doultsinou, A., & Magyar, A. (2011). A balanced scorecard for measuring the impact of industry–university collaboration. Production Planning & Control, 22(5-6), 554-570. doi:10.1080/09537287.2010.536626Ankrah, S., & AL-Tabbaa, O. (2015). Universities–industry collaboration: A systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 31(3), 387-408. doi:10.1016/j.scaman.2015.02.003Broadbent, J., & Laughlin, R. (2009). Performance management systems: A conceptual model. Management Accounting Research, 20(4), 283-295. doi:10.1016/j.mar.2009.07.004Chen, S., Yang, C., & Shiau, J. (2006). The application of balanced scorecard in the performance evaluation of higher education. The TQM Magazine, 18(2), 190-205. doi:10.1108/09544780610647892Ferreira, A., & Otley, D. (2009). The design and use of performance management systems: An extended framework for analysis. Management Accounting Research, 20(4), 263-282. doi:10.1016/j.mar.2009.07.003Franceschini, F., & Turina, E. (2011). Quality improvement and redesign of performance measurement systems: an application to the academic field. Quality & Quantity, 47(1), 465-483. doi:10.1007/s11135-011-9530-1Gibbert, M., Ruigrok, W., & Wicki, B. (2008). What passes as a rigorous case study? Strategic Management Journal, 29(13), 1465-1474. doi:10.1002/smj.722Ittner, C. D., Larcker, D. F., & Randall, T. (2003). Performance implications of strategic performance measurement in financial services firms. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 28(7-8), 715-741. doi:10.1016/s0361-3682(03)00033-3Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (2001). Transforming the Balanced Scorecard from Performance Measurement to Strategic Management: Part II. Accounting Horizons, 15(2), 147-160. doi:10.2308/acch.2001.15.2.147Khalid, S., Knouzi, N., Tanane, O., & Talbi, M. (2014). Balanced Scoreboard, the Performance Tool in Higher Education: Establishment of Performance Indicators. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 4552-4558. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.984Kraus, K., & Lind, J. (2010). The impact of the corporate balanced scorecard on corporate control—A research note. Management Accounting Research, 21(4), 265-277. doi:10.1016/j.mar.2010.08.001Langfield-Smith, K. (1997). 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Interaction between acrylic substrates and RAD16-I peptide in its self-assembling

[EN] Self-assembling peptides (SAP) are widely used as scaffolds themselves, and recently as fillers of microporous scaffolds, where the former provides a cell-friendly nanoenvironment and the latter improves its mechanical properties. The characterization of the interaction between these short peptides and the scaffold material is crucial to assess the potential of such a combined system. In this work, the interaction between poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) and 90/10 ethyl acrylate-acrylic acid copolymer P(EAcoAAc) with the SAP RAD16-I has been followed using a bidimensional simplified model. By means of the techniques of choice (congo red staining, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements) the interaction and self-assembly of the peptide has proven to be very sensitive to the wettability and electro-negativity of the polymeric substrate.The authors acknowledge funding through the European Commission FP7 project RECATABI (NMP3-SL-2009-229239), and from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion through projects MAT2011-28791-C03-02 and -03. This work was also supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion through M. Arnal-Pastor FPU 2009-1870 grant. The authors acknowledge the assistance and advice of Electron Microscopy Service of the UPV.Arnal Pastor, MP.; González-Mora, D.; García-Torres, F.; Monleón Pradas, M.; Vallés Lluch, A. (2016). Interaction between acrylic substrates and RAD16-I peptide in its self-assembling. 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