Upstream kinases of plant SnRKs are involved in salt stress tolerance

Sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinases (SnRKs) are important for plant growth and stress responses. This family has three clades: SnRK1, SnRK2 and SnRK3. Although plant SnRKs are thought to be activated by upstream kinases, the overall mechanism remains obscure. Geminivirus Rep-Interacting Kinase (GRIK)1 and GRIK2 phosphorylate SnRK1s, which are involved in sugar/energy sensing, and the grik1-1 grik2-1 double mutant shows growth retardation under regular growth conditions. In this study, we established another Arabidopsis mutant line harbouring a different allele of gene GRIK1 (grik1-2 grik2-1) that grows similarly to the wild-type, enabling us to evaluate the function of GRIKs under stress conditions. In the grik1-2 grik2-1 double mutant, phosphorylation of SnRK1.1 was reduced, but not eliminated, suggesting that the grik1-2 mutation is a weak allele. In addition to high sensitivity to glucose, the grik1-2 grik2-1 mutant was sensitive to high salt, indicating that GRIKs are also involved in salinity signalling pathways. Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS)2, a member of the SnRK3 subfamily, is a critical mediator of the response to salinity. GRIK1 phosphorylated SOS2 in vitro, resulting in elevated kinase activity of SOS2. The salt tolerance of sos2 was restored to normal levels by wild-type SOS2, but not by a mutated form of SOS2 lacking the T168 residue phosphorylated by GRIK1. Activation of SOS2 by GRIK1 was also demonstrated in a reconstituted system in yeast. Our results indicate that GRIKs phosphorylate and activate SnRK1 and other members of the SnRK3 family, and that they play important roles in multiple signalling pathways in vivo.España, MINECO IO2015-70946-

Tsunamis Generated by Submerged Landslides: Numerical Analysis of the Near-Field Wave Characteristics

ABSTRACT: The accurate modeling of the landslide?generated tsunami characteristics in the so-called near-field is crucial for many practical applications. In this paper, we present a new full-3-D numerical method for modeling tsunamis generated by rigid and impermeable landslides in OpenFOAM® based on the overset mesh technique. The approach has been successfully validated through the numerical reproduction of past experiments for landslide?generated tsunamis triggered by a rigid and impermeable wedge at a sloping coast. The method has been applied to perform a detailed numerical study of the near-field wave features induced by submerged landslides. A parametric analysis has been carried out to explore the importance of the landslide's initial acceleration, directly related to the landslide-triggering mechanisms, on the tsunami generation process and on the related wave properties. Near-field analysis of the numerical results confirms that the influence of the initial acceleration on the tsunami wave properties is significant, affecting wave height, wave period, and wave celerity. Furthermore, it is found that the tsunami generation mechanism experiences a saturation effect for increasing landslide's initial acceleration, confirming and extending previous studies. Moreover, the resulting extended database, composed of previous experimental data and new numerical ones, spanning a wider range of governing parameters, has been represented in the form of a “nondimensional wavemaker curve,” and a new relationship for predicting the wave properties in the near-field as a function of the Hammack number is proposed

Numerical Modelling of Landslide-Generated Tsunamis with OpenFOAM®: a New Approach

In this paper we present a new method for numerically modelling landslide-generated tsunamis in OpenFOAM® by using a new approach based on the Overset mesh technique. This technique, which is based on the use of two (or more) numerical domains, is new in the coastal engineering field and appears to be extremely powerful to model the interaction between a moving body and one or more fluids. Indeed, the accurate resolution around the moving body (i.e. body-fitted approach), guaranteed by this method, offers a great advantage to study the momentum exchange between the body and the water. Furthermore, in order to overcome a drawback of the Overset mesh implementation we modelled the solid boundaries, along which the landslide body moves, as a porous media with a very low permeability. The new approach has been preliminarily, and successfully, validated through the numerical reproduction of past experiments for landslide-generated tsunamis triggered by a solid and impermeable wedge at a sloping coast

Guía sobre las enfermedades fúngicas de la madera de la vid

Reunión Grupo de Trabajo de experimentación en viticultura y enología. 34ª Reunión: Centro de Transferencia Agroalimentaria: Gobierno de Aragón: Zaragoza: 10 y 11 de abril de 2019. ANEXOLas enfermedades fúngicas de la madera de la vid (EMV) son uno de los retos más importantes que actualmente debe afrontar la viticultura en todo el mundo para su sostenibilidad. Estas enfermedades causan daños severos en el viñedo todos los años y su incidencia está creciendo rápidamente en todos los países productores (De la Fuente et al., 2016). Las EMV están causadas por varios hongos patógenos que viven y colonizan la madera de los órganos perennes, causando necrosis y decoloración de la madera, infecciones vasculares, y descomposición esponjosa seca. Las viñas afectadas muestran, externamente, un decaimiento general y progresivo (retraso de la brotación, yemas muertas, decaimiento de la planta, parada del desarrollo, clorosis, apoplejía, etc.), generalmente asociado a unos síntomas foliares acordes a las diferentes enfermedades, que inicialmente pueden causar pérdida de productividad y eventualmente la muerte de las plantas (Gramaje et al., 2018). En España se estima una media del 3% de plantas afectadas por EMV, aunque existen plantaciones recién establecidas en las que su incidencia podría superar el 20%, generando pérdidas económicas anuales muy elevadas (De la Fuente et al., 2016). Según estimaciones recientes, el coste anual de replantar el 1% de vid del cultivar Tempranillo en La Rioja debido a las EMV asciende a 7,16 millones de euros anuales (Martínez-Diz et al., 2019). En Francia, se estima que aproximadamente un 12% de los viñedos son improductivos debido a las EMV, causando unas pérdidas anuales de 1 billón de euros (Lorch, 2014)

Efectividad del clorhidrato de zilpaterol en la finalización de corderos: Patente vs. Genérico

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of the patent vs. generic sources of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on the productive performance, carcass characteristics, primary cut yields, and meat quality of lambs finished in feedlot. Thirty (30) Dorper×Pelibuey male lambs were distributed into 10 blocks, each with three lambs of similar initial live weight which were randomly assigned to the following treatments: 1) without ZH (control), 2) with patent ZH (PZH), and 3) with generic ZH (GZH). Treatment means were compared through two orthogonal contrasts: control vs. ZH (PZH+GZH) and PZH vs. GZH. ZH did not affect (P≥0.15) the productive performance, carcass weight, backfat thickness, or fat percentages (kidney-pelvic-heart, mesenteric or omental), but increased (P≤0.05) Longissimus dorsi muscle area and yields of carcass, shoulder, leg, and plain loin. As for the meat quality, ZH did not affect (P≥0.24) pH and shear force, but reduced (P<0.05) redness, yellowness, and chroma color values at 24 h post mortem, as well as the redness value (P<0.01) at 14 days of aging. With exception of carcass yield which tended (P=0.07) to increase with PZH, all measured variables were similar (P³0.14) between PZH and GZH. It has been concluded that both types of ZH at a dose of 0.10 mg per kg of live weight promote muscular hypertrophy in finishing lambs; however, this dosage is not sufficient to result in a better productive performance or carcass weight.El objetivo del estudio fue comparar el efecto de la fuente del clorhidrato de zilpaterol (CZ;  patente vs genérico) sobre el comportamiento productivo, características de la canal, rendimientos de cortes primarios y calidad de la carne de corderos finalizados en corral. Se distribuyeron 30 corderos Dorper ×Pelibuey en 10 bloques donde cada bloque tenía tres corderos de similar peso vivo inicial, los cuales se asignaron aleatoriamente a los siguientes tratamientos: 1) sin CZ (testigo), 2) con CZ de patente (CZP), y 3) con CZ genérico (CZG). Las medias de tratamientos se compararon a través de dos contrastes ortogonales: testigo vs. CZ (CZP+CZG) y CZP vs. CZG. El CZ no afectó (P≥0.15) el comportamiento productivo, peso de la canal, espesor de grasa dorsal, ni los porcentajes de grasa (riñón-corazón-pelvis, mesentérica u omental), pero aumentó (P≤0.05) el área del músculo Longissimus dorsi y los rendimientos de canal, paleta, pierna y lomo plano. En calidad de la carne, el CZ no afectó (P≥0.24) el pH y esfuerzo al corte, pero redujo (P<0.05) los valores de color rojizo, amarillento y chroma a las 24 h post mortem, y también los valores de rojizo (P<0.01) a los 14 días de maduración. Con excepción del rendimiento en canal que tendió (P=0.07) a ser mayor con CZP, todas las variables medidas fueron similares (P³0.14) entre CZP y CZG. Se concluye que ambos tipos de CZ a una dosis de 0.10 mg/kg de peso vivo promueven hipertrofia muscular en corderos de finalización, pero no es suficiente para reflejarse en mejor comportamiento productivo y peso de la canal

Obtaining lipids and carbohydrates from microalgae via design of selective culture media

La producción sostenible de biorrefinerías a partir de microalgas presenta varias complicaciones técnicas a diferentes niveles, entre los que se encuentra la maximización de la productividad de bloques energéticos, como carbohidratos y lípidos, que sean materia prima para biodiesel y bioetanol. Una alternativa para aumentar la productividad de bloques energéticos es el uso de cultivos alternativos a los medios químicos tradicionales, los cuales se han basado en fuentes de carbono, fosforo, nitrógeno y microelementos. Este trabajo presenta el diseño de dos medios de cultivo mixotrófico con diferentes fuentes de carbono, nitrógeno y fósforo, a fin de evaluar la producción de carbohidratos y lípidos a partir de Chlorella vulgaris. Los medios de cultivo se diseñaron a diferentes concentraciones de nitrato de sodio, fosfato de potasio y acetato de sodio/carbonato de amonio como fuente de carbono. Además, se realizaron diagramas de Pareto y Superficies de Respuesta utilizando el software estadístico STATISTICA 7.0, a fin de conocer la influencia significativa de las variables de estudio sobre la producción de metabolitos. Los resultados mostraron que la concentración de los nutrientes en los cultivos mixotroficos afecta la producción de metabolitos, para el caso de la obtención de carbohidratos, el acetato, el carbonato y el fosfato ejercieron un efecto positivo en su producción. Para la producción de lípidos, cuando el medio de cultivo contenía acetato, no se presentó variable alguna que influyera significativamente, mientras que, para el cultivo con carbonato de amonio, el nitrato y las interacciones carbonato-fosfato, nitrato-fosfato ejercieron una influencia significativa en la producción de este metabolito.Sustainable production of microalgae biorefineries presents several technical bottlenecks in different levels, including maximization of productivity of energy blocks as carbohydrates and lipids, which can be used as feedstocks for biodiesel and bioethanol production. An alternative for increasing productivity of energy blocks is the use of alternative crops to traditional chemical media, which are based on carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen sources and microelements. This work presents the design of two mixotrophic crops were designed at different concentrations of carbon, nitrogen and phosphate sources with the aim of evaluating the carbohydrates and lipids production from Chlorella vulgaris. The culture media were designed at different concentrations of sodium nitrate, potassium phosphate and sodium acetate / ammonium carbonate as carbon source. In addition, Pareto charts and Response Surface were performed using the statistical software STATISTICA 7.0, in order to know the significant influence of study variables on metabolites production. Results showed that the concentration of nutrients in the mixotrophic cultures affect the production of metabolites, for the case of carbohydrates production, acetate, carbonate and phosphate had a positive effect on it. Regarding lipids production, when the culture media contained acetate, there was not any variable that influenced significantly, whereas for the cultivation with ammonium carbonate, nitrate and interactions carbonate-phosphate, nitrate-phosphate had a significant influence on production of this metabolite

Vertebrados amenazados en las Áreas Naturales Protegidas del Pacífico colombiano

Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) are the main strategy for biodiversity conservation in Colombia and the world. One way to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of NPAs is through the species they protect, especially those species which populations are in decline (threatened). The objective of this work was to evaluate the species richness of threatened and endemic endangered vertebrates within the NPAs of the Pacific region of Colombia, as well as to describe the areas of greatest species richness in the region. Using information available from the IUCN and Birdlife-International, species richness maps were designed at the general and biotic group levels. We found that more than 80% of the threatened and endemic vertebrate species are distributed inside the NPAs of the Pacific region of Colombia. We suggest that the NPAs of the Colombian Pacific play a fundamental role in the conservation of threatened species in the region. Implications of the results obtained in terms of the international agreements to which Colombia subscribes are presented, as well as some recommendations for future related studies.Las Áreas Naturales Protegidas (ANPs) constituyen la principal estrategia para la conservación de la biodiversidad en Colombia y en el mundo. Una de las formas de evaluar la efectividad y el impacto de las ANPs es a través de las especies que protegen, especialmente de aquellas especies cuyas poblaciones están en declive (amenazadas). El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la riqueza de especies de vertebrados amenazados y endémicos amenazados dentro de las ANPs de la región Pacífico de Colombia, así como describir las zonas de mayor riqueza de especies en la región. Usando información disponibilizada por la UICN y Birdlife-International, se diseñaron mapas de riqueza de especies a nivel general y a nivel de grupo biótico. Encontramos que más del 80 % de las especies de vertebrados amenazados y endémicos amenazados se distribuyen dentro de las ANPs de la región Pacífico de Colombia. Se sugiere que las ANPs del Pacífico colombiano cumplen un rol fundamental para la conservación de especies amenazadas de la región. Se presentan implicaciones de los resultados obtenidos en términos de los acuerdos internacionales a los cuales Colombia está subscrita, así como algunas recomendaciones para futuros estudios relacionados

Males and females with first episode psychosis present distinct profiles of social cognition and metacognition

Altres ajuts: Royal Society of New Zealand - Marsden (E2987-3648) ; Obra Social La Caixa (RecerCaixa call 2013) ; Obra Social Sant Joan de Déu BML (RTI2018-100927-J-I00) ; Ministerio Regional de Salud AndaluzDeficits in social cognition and metacognition impact the course of psychosis. Sex diferences in social cognition and metacognition could explain heterogeneity in psychosis. 174 (58 females) patients with frst-episode psychosis completed a clinical, neuropsychological, social cognitive, and metacognitive assessment. Subsequent latent profle analysis split by sex yielded two clusters common to both sexes (a Homogeneous group, 53% and 79.3%, and an Indecisive group, 18.3% and 8.6% of males and females, respectively), a specifc male profle characterized by presenting jumping to conclusions (28.7%) and a specifc female profle characterized by cognitive biases (12.1%). Males and females in the homogeneous profle seem to have a more benign course of illness. Males with jumping to conclusions had more clinical symptoms and more neuropsychological defcits. Females with cognitive biases were younger and had lower self-esteem. These results suggest that males and females may beneft from specifc targeted treatment and highlights the need to consider sex when planning interventions

Persons with first episode psychosis have distinct profiles of social cognition and metacognition

Altres ajuts: Obra Social La Caixa (RecerCaixa call 2013), by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI, Spain). Junta de Andalucía: PI-0634/2011; PI-0193/2014.Subjects with first-episode psychosis experience substantial deficits in social cognition and metacognition. Although previous studies have investigated the role of profiles of individuals in social cognition and metacognition in chronic schizophrenia, profiling subjects with first-episode psychosis in both domains remains to be investigated. We used latent profile analysis to derive profiles of the abilities in 174 persons with first-episode psychosis using the Beck's Cognitive Insight Scale, the Faces Test, the Hinting Task, the Internal, Personal and Situational Attributions Questionnaire, and the Beads Task. Participants received a clinical assessment and a neuropsychological assessment. The best-fitting model was selected according to the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). We assessed the importance of the variables via a classification tree (CART). We derived three clusters with distinct profiles. The first profile (33.3%) comprised individuals with low social cognition. The second profile (60.9%) comprised individuals that had more proneness to present jumping to conclusions. The third profile (5.7%) presented a heterogeneous profile of metacognitive deficits. Persons with lower social cognition presented worse clinical and neuropsychological features than cluster 2 and cluster 3. Cluster 3 presented significantly worst functioning. Our results suggest that individuals with FEP present distinct profiles that concur with specific clinical, neuropsychological, and functional challenges. Each subgroup may benefit from different interventions