Space explorers need to be space farmers : what we know and what we need to know about plant growth in space

Space exploration will require life support systems, in which plants can provide nutrients, oxygen, moisture, and psychological well-being and eliminate wastes. In alien environments, plants must adapt to a different gravity force, even the zero gravity of spaceflight. Under these conditions, essential cellular and molecular features related to plant development are altered and changes in gene expression occur. In lunar gravity, the effects are comparable to microgravity, while the gravity of Mars produces milder alterations. Nevertheless, it has been possible to develop and reproduce plants in space. Current research seeks to identify signals replacing gravity for driving plant growth, such as light. Counteracting gravitational stress will help in enabling agriculture in extraterrestrial habitats

Mechanisms of disruption of meristematic competence by microgravity in Arabidopsis seedlings

16 p.-2 fig.Experiments performed in actively proliferating plant cells both in space and simulated microgravity have evidenced a common effect: cell proliferation appears enhanced whereas cell growth is depleted. Coordination of cell growth and proliferation, called meristematic competence, is a major feature of meristematic cells and its disruption may lead to important alterations in the developmental pattern of the plant. Auxin is known to be a mediator of the transduction of the gravitropic signal and a regulator of the rates of growth and proliferation in meristematic cells, as well as of their further differentiation. Therefore, gravity sensing, gravitropism, auxin levels and meristematic competence are mutually interrelated. However, our experiments in simulated microgravity, using both mechanical and magnetic levitation technologies, have revealed that this interdependence is neither strict nor univocal and may include additional factors and mechanisms. Available data indicate that altered gravity may affect cell growth and proliferation by mechanisms alternative to the transduction of the gravitropic signal perceived by columella cells in the root tip. These mechanisms would include gravity sensing independent from statolith displacement and transduction mediators other than polar auxin transport.Work performed in the authors’ laboratory was supported by grants of the Spanish National Plan for Research and Development, Ref. Nos. AYA2010-11834-E, and AYA2012-33982 and by ESA Access to GBFs contract numbers 4200022650 & 4000105761. MAV was supported by the Spanish FPI Program (Ref. BES-2010-035741) and KY by the Spanish CSIC JAE-PreDoc Program (Ref. JAEPre_2010_01894).Peer reviewe

Light and gravity signals synergize in modulating plant development

18 p.-3 fig.Tropisms are growth-mediated plant movements that help plants to respond to changes in environmental stimuli. The availability of water and light, as well as the presence of a constant gravity vector, are all environmental stimuli that plants sense and respond to via directed growth movements (tropisms). The plant response to gravity (gravitropism) and the response to unidirectional light (phototropism) have long been shown to be interconnected growth phenomena. Here, we discuss the similarities in these two processes, as well as the known molecular mechanisms behind the tropistic responses. We also highlight research done in a microgravity environment in order to decouple two tropisms through experiments carried out in the absence of a significant unilateral gravity vector. In addition, alteration of gravity, especially the microgravity environment, and light irradiation produce important effects on meristematic cells, the undifferentiated, highly proliferating, totipotent cells which sustain plant development. Microgravity produces the disruption of meristematic competence, i.e., the decoupling of cell proliferation and cell growth, affecting the regulation of the cell cycle and ribosome biogenesis. Light irradiation, especially red light, mediated by phytochromes, has an activating effect on these processes. Phytohormones, particularly auxin, also are key mediators in these alterations. Upcoming experiments on the International Space Station will clarify some of the mechanisms and molecular players of the plant responses to these environmental signals involved in tropisms and the cell cycle.Financial support was provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration through grants NNX10AM86G and NNX12AO65G to John Z. Kiss. Financial support to F. Javier Medina and Raul Herranz was provided by the Spanish “Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo Tecnológico e Innovación” Grant Ref. No. AYA2012-33982, and by European Space Agency, Program “Access to Ground Based Facilities,” Grants Ref. Nos. 4200022650 and 4000105761.Peer reviewe

Reducing Power Losses in Smart Grids with Cooperative Game Theory

In a theoretical framework of game theory, one can distinguish between the noncooperative and the cooperative game theory. While the theory of noncooperative games is about modeling competitive behavior, cooperative game theory is dedicated to the study of cooperation among a number of players. The cooperative game theory includes mostly two branches: the Nash negotiation and the coalitional game theory. In this chapter, we restrict our attention to the latter. In recent years, the concept of efficient management of electric power has become more complex as a result of the high integration of distributed energy resources in the scenarios to be considered, mainly distributed generation, energy storage distributed, and demand management. This situation has been accentuated with the appearance of new consumption elements, such as electric vehicles, which could cause a high impact on distribution gridworks if they are not managed properly. This chapter presents an innovative approach toward an efficient energy model through the application of the theory of cooperative games with transferable utility in which the management, capacity, and control of distributed energy resources are integrated to provide optimal energy solutions that allow achieving significant savings in associated costs. This chapter presents a general description of the potential of the application of the theory to address Smart Grid, providing a systematic treatment

Effect of Bisphosphonates on Root Growth and on Chlorophyll Formation in Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings

Capítulo 41.-- Open Access: License CC BY 3.0This work was supported by grants from the Spanish National Plan for Research, Development and Innovation (BFU 2008-00666/BMC, BFU 2009-08977 and AYA2009- 07952).Peer Reviewe

Gamete biology: Perspectives for Bluefin Tuna Aquaculture

Taking care of fish reproductive physiology and gamete biology allowed significant progresses in fry production control for many commercially interesting fish. Can it be a similar situation for bluefin tuna? Fish gamete production results from long processes controlled mainly by climatic conditions, mediated by neuroendocrine and endocrine factors. The possibility to monitor the development of germinal cells by successive sampling in individual fish which easily breed in captivity, has allowed learning about the sequences of gametogenesis and their control, as well as important characteristics of fish gamete biology. The female ovarian cycle involves a progressive accumulation of yolk in the oocytes (i.e., vitellogenesis), followed by cytoplasmic and nuclear events related to maturation and ovulation. The phases of vitellogenesis and maturation are of different duration in different species. In captive fish the endocrine regulation of reproduction may be disrupted by stress, thus preventing spontaneous spawning, while the application of exogenous hormones at the conclusion of gametogenesis allowed production of good quality gametes. In males, gamete production is not continuous as in mammals. Spermatozoa are produced after a cycle that includes a resting period, followed by continuous or discontinuous sequences of spermatogenesis (spermatogenesis sensu stricto, spermiogenesis and spermiation). The discontinuity of fish sperm production may induce a phenomenon of ageing along the period of spermiation, which decreases the quality of semen with time. Wild bluefin tuna breed in specific areas during a short summer spawning season. When kept in cages in the area of Cartagena (Spain), they present developed gamete stages at the same time as wild fish, but, until now, neither mating behavior nor eggs have been observed as was the case in Japan. It has not been possible to monitor individual gonad recrudescence by successive sampling, due to inability to handle the fish without causing mortality, so that the reproduction failure remains unexplained. Hormonal stimulation may be an interesting alternative but its use requires an assessment of gonadal stage to be performed properly. The high post-handling mortality of bluefin tuna in captivity is a real bottleneck for reproduction control. The improvement of handling and the use of less stress-susceptible individuals may be a major progress for bluefin tuna reproduction control. The occurrence of a second generation of juveniles in Japan, subjected to first domestication selection may provide very interesting experimental fish.EU 5FP REPRODOTT (Q5RS-2002-01355

Temporal Fluctuations in Household Water Consumption and Operating Pressure Related to the Error of Their Water Meters

[EN] The growing population is creating a rising demand for water, particularly in developing countries. As the urban population seeks to improve their standard of living, the authorities responsible for providing domestic utility services face increased pressure to provide higher-quality and secure services. To meet this challenge, the performance of all systems must be improved, and a better understanding of user behavior and water consumption patterns must be achieved. Modern routing and water quality models need accurate demand information. This research will analyze household water consumption patterns over time and their correlation with pressure levels. The results will inform a new methodology for managing and delivering services, considering the global error of gauges in the study area. The goal is to ensure sufficient and effective capacity to provide appropriate services for community development.The authors express their deep gratitude to the Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) for funding the acquisition of the equipment through the Hydraulics Laboratory of the Department of Civil Engineering. The authors also express their gratitude to Manuel Quiñones Cuenca, the professional leading the Telecommunications Prototypes Laboratory¿UTPL, who provided valuable support in the electronic configuration and calibration, as well as technical instructions for field deployment of flow and pressure sensors. Likewise, to Santiago Quiñones Cuenca for his valuable assistance in data management. Finally, authors appreciate the support of the Management Team and professionals of the Municipal Unit of Drinking Water and Sewerage of Loja (UMAPAL), Ing. Rafael E. González González, Ing. Richard Vaca Carrión, Ing. George Buele Torres, and their entire technical team, for their generous and timely collaboration that made it possible to access cadastral information, their flowmeter laboratory, and intervene in the potable water distribution networks. Also, our immense gratitude to the patience and understanding of the homeowners and property owners who granted us access to work on their internal water networksBenavides-Muñoz, HM.; Medina-Armijos, B.; González-González, R.; Martínez-Solano, FJ.; Lapo Pauta, M. (2023). Temporal Fluctuations in Household Water Consumption and Operating Pressure Related to the Error of Their Water Meters. Water. 15(10):1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15101895114151

CO2 and Rn degassing from the natural analog of Campo de Calatrava (Spain): Implications for monitoring of CO2 storage sites

Natural analogs offer a valuable opportunity to investigate the long-term impacts associated with thepotential leakage in geological storage of CO2.Degassing of CO2and radon isotopes (222Rn?220Rn) from soil, gas vents and thermal water dischargeswas investigated in the natural analog of Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Field (CCVF; Central Spain) todetermine the CO2?Rn relationships and to assess the role of CO2as carrier gas for radon. Furthermore,radon measurements to discriminate between shallow and deep gas sources were evaluated under theperspective of their applicability in monitoring programs of carbon storage projects.CO2flux as high as 5000 g m?2d?1and222Rn activities up to 430 kBq m?3were measured;220Rn activi-ties were one order of magnitude lower than those of222Rn. The222Rn/220Rn ratios were used to constrainthe source of the Campo de Calatrava soil gases since a positive correlation between radon isotopic ratiosand CO2fluxes was observed. Thus, in agreement with previous studies, our results indicate a deepmantle-related origin of CO2for both free and soil gases, suggesting that carbon dioxide is an efficientcarrier for Rn. Furthermore, it was ascertained that the increase of222Rn in the soil gases was likely pro-duced by two main processes: (i) direct transport by a carrier gas, i.e., CO2and (ii) generation at shallowlevel due to the presence of relatively high concentrations of dissolved U and Ra in the thermal aquiferof Campo de Calatrava.The diffuse CO2soil flux and radon isotopic surveys carried out in the Campo de Calatrava VolcanicFields can also be applicable to geochemical monitoring programs in CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage)areas as these parameters are useful to: (i) constrain CO2leakages once detected and (ii) monitor both theevolution of the leakages and the effectiveness of subsequent remediation activities. These measurementscan also conveniently be used to detect diffuse leakages

Las miradas de la crítica : los discursos de la cultura hoy

1 archivo PDF (373 páginas)El espectro cronológico de los trabajos aquí publicados oscila desde la época colonial hasta nuestros días, haciendo una fuerte escala en el siglo XIX. Asimismo, y yendo más allá de lo literario, los trabajos incorporan al cine, la cultura popular, la sociología, los estudios de género, la hipertextualidad cibernética, la filosofía y la historia como elemento de estudio

DOLARS, a Distributed On-Line Activity Recognition System by Means of Heterogeneous Sensors in Real-Life Deployments—A Case Study in the Smart Lab of The University of Almería

Activity Recognition (AR) is an active research topic focused on detecting human actions and behaviours in smart environments. In this work, we present the on-line activity recognition platform DOLARS (Distributed On-line Activity Recognition System) where data from heterogeneous sensors are evaluated in real time, including binary, wearable and location sensors. Different descriptors and metrics from the heterogeneous sensor data are integrated in a common feature vector whose extraction is developed by a sliding window approach under real-time conditions. DOLARS provides a distributed architecture where: (i) stages for processing data in AR are deployed in distributed nodes, (ii) temporal cache modules compute metrics which aggregate sensor data for computing feature vectors in an efficient way; (iii) publish-subscribe models are integrated both to spread data from sensors and orchestrate the nodes (communication and replication) for computing AR and (iv) machine learning algorithms are used to classify and recognize the activities. A successful case study of daily activities recognition developed in the Smart Lab of The University of Almería (UAL) is presented in this paper. Results present an encouraging performance in recognition of sequences of activities and show the need for distributed architectures to achieve real time recognition