Pseudo-Probabilistic Design for High-Resolution Tsunami Simulations in the Southwestern Spanish Coast

The application of simulation software has proven to be a crucial tool for tsunami hazard assessment studies. Understanding the potentially devastating effects of tsunamis leads to the development of safety and resilience measures, such as the design of evacuation plans or the planning of the economic investment necessary to quickly mitigate their consequences. This article introduces a pseudo-probabilistic seismic-triggered tsunami simulation approach to investigate the potential impact of tsunamis in the southwestern coast of Spain, in the provinces of Huelva and Cádiz. Selected faults, probabilistic distributions and sampling methods are presented as well as some results for the nearly 900 Atlantic-origin tsunamis computed along the 250 km-long coast.This work has being carried out under a project funded by a public mutual agreement of understanding between the CN-IGME (CSIC) and the CCS (Law reference: BOE 103, 30/04/2019). This project is supported by an agreement of understanding between CN-IGME and UMA, creating a cooperative entity INGEA (Law reference: BOE 332, 22/12/2020). The numerical results presented in this work have been performed with the computational resources allocated by the Spanish Network for Supercomputing (RES) grants AECT-2020-3-0023 and AECT-2021-2-0018. Further support has also been received from the Spanish Government research project MEGAFLOW (RTI2018-096064-B-C21) and ChEESE project (EU Horizon 2020, grant agreement No. 823844, https://cheese-coe.eu/) due to the synergies found between the projects. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Wnt signaling alterations in the human spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases: spotlight on Fz2 and Wnt5a

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder with no cure, and elucidation of the mechanisms mediating neuronal death in this neuropathology is crucial to develop effective treatments. It has recently been demonstrated in animal models that the Wnt family of proteins is involved in this neuropathology, although its potential involvement in case of humans is almost unknown. We analyzed the expression of Wnt signaling components in healthy and ALS human spinal cords by quantitative RT-PCR, and we found that most Wnt ligands, modulators, receptors, and co-receptors were expressed in healthy controls. Moreover, we observed clear alterations in the mRNA expression of different components of this family of proteins in human spinal cord tissue from ALS cases. Specifically, we detected a significant increase in the mRNA levels of Wnt3, Wnt4, Fz2, and Fz8, together with several non-significant increases in the mRNA expression of other genes such as Wnt2b, Wnt5a, Fz3, Lrp5, and sFRP3. Based on these observations and on previous reports of studies performed in animal models, we evaluated with immunohistochemistry the protein expression patterns of Fz2 and Fz5 receptors and their main ligand Wnt5a in control samples and ALS cases. No substantial changes were observed in Fz5 protein expression pattern in ALS samples. However, we detected an increase in the amount of Fz2+ astrocytes in the borderline between gray and white matter at the ventral horn in ALS samples. Finally, Wnt5a expression was observed in neurons and astrocytes in both control and ALS samples, although Wnt5a immunolabeling in astroglial cells was significantly increased in ALS spinal cords in the same region where changes in Fz2 were observed. Altogether, these observations strongly suggest that the Wnt family of proteins, and more specifically Fz2 and Wnt5a, might be involved in human ALS pathology

Sesquiterpenyl indoles

Clasificación biosínteis y sínteis de índoles sesquiterpénicosThe natural product sesquiterpenyl indoles are structural hybrids fromfarnesyl pyrophosphate and tryptophan or its precursors, often with unusual and complex structural features,many of themwith interesting biological activities. In this review the compounds of this class known until now are classified, a biosynthetic approach of each group is proposed and a review of the synthesis or synthetic approaches is communicatedJunta de Castilla y León Fondo Social Europeo Universidad de Salamanc

In Vitro Analysis of the Antagonistic Biological and Chemical Interactions between the Endophyte Sordaria tomento-alba and the Phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea

Plant pathogenic infections causing substantial global food losses are a persistent challenge. This study investigates a potential biocontrol strategy against the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea using the endophytic fungus Sordaria tomento-alba isolated from Gliricidia sepium in Colombia. Today, synthetic fungicides dominate B. cinerea control, raising environmental and health concerns. S. tomento-alba exhibits notable in vitro effects, inhibiting B. cinerea growth by approximately 60% during co-culture and 50% in double disc co-culture. Additionally, it suppresses botryanes production and produces the compound heptacyclosordariolone, which has proven effective in inhibiting B. cinerea mycelial growth and spore germination in vitro. This biocontrol agent could be a potential eco-friendly alternative to replace synthetic fungicides. Our study provides insights into the chemical and biological mechanisms underpinning the antagonistic activity of S. tomento-alba, emphasizing the need for further research to understand its biosynthesis pathways and optimize its biocontrol potential. It also contributes molecular evidence of fungal interactions with implications for advanced forums in molecular studies in biology and chemistry, particularly in addressing plant pathogenic infections and promoting sustainable agriculture

Impact of preharvest and postharvest treatment combinations on increase of stilbene content in grape

Aims : Stilbene-enriched grape is an interesting new food product with numerous health-promoting properties, mainly due to its high added-value compound content, notably resveratrol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different elicitors, alone or in combination with ultraviolet C light (UVC) postharvest treatment, on stilbene concentration in grapes. Methods and results : Three preharvest treatments were tested, namely benzothiadiazole, (BTH), methyl jasmonate (MEJA) and chitosan (CHIT). After harvesting, these treatments were combined with UVC postharvest treatment. The stilbene extraction method was validated method. Moreover, and grape quality was evaluated. Of the preharvest treatments, only BTH significantly increased trans-resveratrol concentration in grape, but this appears to be linked to a ripening delay. When pre- and postharvest treatments were combined, only the MEJA-UVC combination was successful in reducing by three days the day of maximum induction of stilbenes (trans resveratrol and piceatannol). Conclusion: The MEJA-UVC combination reached similar grape trans-resveratrol contents than UVC alone, but additionally the time to reach maximum trans-resveratrol after the UVC treatment was reduced by three days and therefore grape quality was preserved. Significance and impact of the study: The achieved results provide a potential treatment combination that allows functional grapes to be obtained in a shorter period than with UVC light alone, making it more applicable

Drying-rewetting cycles in ordinary Portland cement mortars investigated by electrical impedance spectroscopy

[EN] Changes caused in the porous microstructure of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) mortars were studied using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and equivalent circuit (EqC). Two successive processes, at 20 ºC and 50 °C, consisting of several drying-rewetting cycles, were applied to the mortars. After each cycle, the electrical impedance and the amount of water absorbed were measured. The EIS-EqC methodology allowed to find two distributed impedance relaxations, associated to capillary and gel-C-S-H porosities, respectively. At room temperature any microstructural change was not detected. Nevertheless, at 50 °C two microstructural changes were inferred: 1) the volume of accessible porosity increased (pore coarsening) and 2) the surface of the conductive path through C-S-H gel became more conductive (surface smoothing).The authors would like to thank the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for supporting this research through the project BIA 2011-26947.Fita Fernández, IC.; Cruz González, JM.; Calvo Muñoz, C.; Soriano Martínez, L.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.; Sánchez Martín, I. (2018). Drying-rewetting cycles in ordinary Portland cement mortars investigated by electrical impedance spectroscopy. Construction and Building Materials. 187:954-963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.227S95496318

Olfactory bulb neuroproteomics reveals a chronological perturbation of survival routes and a disruption of prohibitin complex during Alzheimer’s disease progression

Olfactory dysfunction is among the earliest features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although neuropathological abnormalities have been detected in the olfactory bulb (OB), little is known about its dynamic biology. Here, OB-proteome analysis showed a stage-dependent synaptic proteostasis impairment during AD evolution. In addition to progressive modulation of tau and amyloid precursor protein (APP) interactomes, network-driven proteomics revealed an early disruption of upstream and downstream p38 MAPK pathway and a subsequent impairment of Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1)/Protein kinase C (PKC) signaling axis in the OB from AD subjects. Moreover, a mitochondrial imbalance was evidenced by a depletion of Prohibitin-2 (Phb2) levels and a specific decrease in the phosphorylated isoforms of Phb1 in intermediate and advanced AD stages. Interestingly, olfactory Phb subunits were also deregulated across different types of dementia. Phb2 showed a specific up-regulation in mixed dementia, while Phb1 isoforms were down-regulated in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). However, no differences were observed in the olfactory expression of Phb subunits in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). To sum up, our data reflect, in part, the missing links in the biochemical understanding of olfactory dysfunction in AD, unveiling Phb complex as a differential driver of neurodegeneration at olfactory level

Evaluation of clinical practice competencies in orthopedicmanual therapy students through the Objective StructuredClinical Examination (OSCE): A pilot experience at theEuropean University of the Canary Islands

El ECOE es una herramienta de evaluación de competencias clínicasprácticas que, en Fisioterapia, no ha sido empleada para examinar las habilidades de losespecialistas en Terapia Manual Ortopédica. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar lacompetencia a través de las calificaciones, la satisfacción y el desempeño percibido de losestudiantes del Máster de Terapia Manual Ortopédica en el Tratamiento del Dolor de laUniversidad Europea de Canarias. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en una muestra deestudiantes de posgrado (n=21) durante el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de febrero y el 31 dejulio de 2023 en el Hospital Simulado de la Universidad Europea de Canarias, en Tenerife(España), utilizando la metodología ECOE. Resultados: Las calificaciones obtenidas por losparticipantes fueron mayoritariamente altas (media = 8,54 /10, DT= 0,612), aunque en Anatomía einterpretación de pruebas complementarias registraron los resultados más bajos. El 95,1% (n=20)expresó una alta satisfacción con el ECOE. Respecto a la interpretación de pruebas complementarias, un 19,1% (n=4) consideró su desempeño como deficiente y un 4,8% (n=1) muy deficiente. Conclusión: En síntesis, a pesar de las calificaciones más bajas en ciertas áreas, los resultados de la evaluación de competencias clínicas prácticas a través del ECOE son positivos. Además, se observa un elevado grado de satisfacción y percepción positiva del desempeño por parte del especialista.ntroduction: The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a practicalclinical competency assessment tool that, in Physical Therapy, has not yet been used to evaluateOrthopedic Manual Therapy specialists. Objective: This study aims to evaluate competencythrough grades, satisfaction and perceived performance of students enrolled in the Master’s inOrthopaedic Manual Therapy for Pain Treatment at the European University of the CanaryIslands. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on a postgraduate student sample (n=21)between February 1 and July 31, 2023 at the Simulated Hospital of the European University of theCanary Islands (Tenerife, Spain). Results: Participants received predominantly high scores (mean= 8,54 /10, SD= 0.612), although Anatomy and interpretation of complementary test, 19.1% (n=4)perceived their performance as deficient, and 4.8% (n=1) as very deficient. Conclusions: Insummary, despite lower scores in certain areas, the results of the practical clinical competencyassessment through the OSCE are positive. Furthermore, a high degree of satisfaction and positiveperformance perception are observed among specialist

Implementation and use of green manures for weed suppression in sequential maize cropping

Correspondence should be addressed to Amílcar Servín Niz; [email protected] ground cover produced by green manures has a direct influence on weed suppression and, in addition, the biomass produced by these same plants influences crop growth. This study was carried out to compare the effect of green manure species on the incidence of weeds, in sequence, in order to evaluate the effects of the use of green manure cover on the productive characteristics of maize plants. A completely randomised experimental design was used, with 11 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments were cover crops Canavalia ensiformis (T1), Cajanus cajan (T2), Stizolobium pruriens (T3), Crotalaria juncea (T4), Phaseolus vulgaris (T5), Stizolobium trigre (T6), Stizolobium aterrimum (T7), Crotalaria retusa (T8), Crotalaria breviflora (T9), Dolichos lablab (T10), and conventional system (T11). Ninety days after sowing, the green manures were cut, and 30 days after the green manures were cut, the hybrid maize Crop Top 520 was sown. The variables evaluated in relation to the planting of green manures were the green and dry biomass of green manures, alongside the green biomass of weeds and suppression of weeds. Concerning maize plants, the variables evaluated were plant height at 60 DAS, stalk diameter at 60 DAS, number of grain rows per ear, number of grains per grain row, and yield. The averages were subsequently analyzed using Tukey’s test at 95% significance level. The use of green manure significantly reduces the green mass of weeds up to 90 days due to lack of access to light of the weeds, which reduces their appearance and growth. Stizolobium aterrimum showed the best results both as a dry mass producer and weed suppressor and also as a yield enhancer in maize crops.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Programa Nacional de Incentivo a los Investigadore