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The bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan is made of glycan strands crosslinked by short peptide stems. Crosslinks are catalyzed by DD-transpeptidases (4,3-crosslinks) and LD-transpeptidases (3,3-crosslinks). However, recent research on non-model species has revealed novel crosslink types, suggesting the existence of uncharacterized enzymes. Here, we identify an LD-transpeptidase, LDTGo, that generates 1,3-crosslinks in the acetic-acid bacterium Gluconobacter oxydans. LDTGo-like proteins are found in Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria lacking LD3,3-transpeptidases. In contrast with the strict specificity of typical LD- and DD-transpeptidases, LDTGo can use non-terminal amino acid moieties for crosslinking. A high-resolution crystal structure of LDTGo reveals unique features when compared to LD3,3-transpeptidases, including a proline-rich region that appears to limit substrate access, and a cavity accommodating both glycan chain and peptide stem from donor muropeptides. Finally, we show that DD-crosslink turnover is involved in supplying the necessary substrate for LD1,3-transpeptidation. This phenomenon underscores the interplay between distinct crosslinking mechanisms in maintaining cell wall integrity in G. oxydans.

The bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan is made of glycan strands crosslinked by short peptide stems. Crosslinks are catalyzed by DD-transpeptidases (4,3-crosslinks) and LD-transpeptidases (3,3-crosslinks). However, recent research on non-model species has revealed novel crosslink types, suggesting the existence of uncharacterized enzymes. Here, we identify an LD-transpeptidase, LDTGo, that generates 1,3-crosslinks in the acetic-acid bacterium Gluconobacter oxydans. LDTGo-like proteins are found in Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria lacking LD3,3-transpeptidases. In contrast with the strict specificity of typical LD- and DD-transpeptidases, LDTGo can use non-terminal amino acid moieties for crosslinking. A high-resolution crystal structure of LDTGo reveals unique features when compared to LD3,3-transpeptidases, including a proline-rich region that appears to limit substrate access, and a cavity accommodating both glycan chain and peptide stem from donor muropeptides. Finally, we show that DD-crosslink turnover is involved in supplying the necessary substrate for LD1,3-transpeptidation. This phenomenon underscores the interplay between distinct crosslinking mechanisms in maintaining cell wall integrity in G. oxydans.

The bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan is made of glycan strands crosslinked by short peptide stems. Crosslinks are catalyzed by DD-transpeptidases (4,3-crosslinks) and LD-transpeptidases (3,3-crosslinks). However, recent research on non-model species has revealed novel crosslink types, suggesting the existence of uncharacterized enzymes. Here, we identify an LD-transpeptidase, LDTGo, that generates 1,3-crosslinks in the acetic-acid bacterium Gluconobacter oxydans. LDTGo-like proteins are found in Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria lacking LD3,3-transpeptidases. In contrast with the strict specificity of typical LD- and DD-transpeptidases, LDTGo can use non-terminal amino acid moieties for crosslinking. A high-resolution crystal structure of LDTGo reveals unique features when compared to LD3,3-transpeptidases, including a proline-rich region that appears to limit substrate access, and a cavity accommodating both glycan chain and peptide stem from donor muropeptides. Finally, we show that DD-crosslink turnover is involved in supplying the necessary substrate for LD1,3-transpeptidation. This phenomenon underscores the interplay between distinct crosslinking mechanisms in maintaining cell wall integrity in G. oxydans.

This work highlights the impact of growth temperature on electrical and optical properties of Al-doped ZnO (AZO) films deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. The ALD process and super-cycle sequence have been optimized, identifying their influence on film resistivity. By using this optimum ALD procedure, the optical and electrical properties of AZO films have been widely analyzed considering the deposition temperature. Results show promising values with film resistivity in the range of 1 m¿cm and average optical absorption below 2% for 50 nm thick AZO layers. Hall effect, X-ray diffraction and ellipsometry measurements point out that these excellent values are related to their high carrier concentration and mobility, crystalline phase and optical band gap resulting in ALD AZO films with very good properties to be applied in photovoltaic devices as transparent conductive oxide electrode, This work has been supported by the Spanish government under projects PID2019-109215RB-C41 (SCALED), PID2020-115719RB-C21 (GETPV), TED2021-131778B–C22 (TROPIC) and TED2021-129758B–C32 (TransEl) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. TROPIC and TransEl projects have also support from the European Union “NextGenerationEU”/PRTR program. This work has been developing under the FOTOCER project's guidelines, which is partially funded by CDTI and MICIN Spanish government through the European Union NextGeneration/PRTR program. G. M. acknowledges financial support of the Grant – UPC Margarita Salas 2021, of the Spanish Ministry of Universities and the European Unión – NextGenerationEU. The authors wish to express their thanks to Ivan Caño for his help about XRD measurements included in the supplementary information and carried out at the Centre de Recerca en Ciència i Enginyeria Multiescala de Barcelona (CRCEMB)., Postprint (author's final draft)

2023/2024, 1r quadrimestre

There is an urgent need to engage with deep leverage points in sustainability transformations—fundamental myths, paradigms, and systems of meaning making—to open new collective horizons for action. Art and creative practice are uniquely suited to help facilitate change in these deeper transformational leverage points. However, understandings of how creative practices contribute to sustainability transformations are lacking in practice and fragmented across theory and research. This lack of understanding shapes how creative practices are evaluated and therefore funded and supported, limiting their potential for transformative impact. This paper presents the 9 Dimensions tool, created to support reflective and evaluative dialogues about links between creative practice and sustainability transformations. It was developed in a transdisciplinary process between the potential users of this tool: researchers, creative practitioners, policy makers, and funders. It also brings disciplinary perspectives on societal change from evaluation theory, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and more in connection with each other and with sustainability transformations, opening new possibilities for research. The framework consists of three categories of change, and nine dimensions: changing meanings (embodying, learning, and imagining); changing connections (caring, organizing, and inspiring); and changing power (co-creating, empowering, and subverting). We describe how the 9 Dimensions tool was developed, and describe each dimension and the structure of the tool. We report on an application of the 9 Dimensions tool to 20 creative practice projects across the European project Creative Practices for Transformational Futures (CreaTures). We discuss user reflections on the potential and challenges of the tool, and discuss insights gained from the analysis of the 20 projects. Finally, we discuss how the 9 Dimensions can effectively act as a transdisciplinary research agenda bringing creat

Introduction: inclusive education is currently a concern for researchers, teachers, international, regional, and national organizations, although raising awareness about the need to create inclusive school and social scenarios has been a slow process; despite the enormous efforts of recognized authors, committed institutions and successful experiences, their results are not generalized, hence the motivations for carrying out this study.Objective: update theoretical conceptions about inclusive education and its impact on a contemporary inclusive educational model.Methods: a systematic review of the literature available on websites and specialized journals, as well as articles shared on academic and public social networks over the last five years, in Spanish and English, was carried out. A detailed review of authors and updating of the bibliographic references used was carried out.Results: inclusive education needs a relationship with one's own family, with a school that integrates and includes to achieve a society, a state and government that not only see its population, so it separates and differentiates them, but even though it unites them in diversity, through inclusive classrooms and a modern curriculum.Conclusions: according to the challenges imposed on education in front of the global panorama, characterized by social exclusion of various kinds, including demotivation with the curricula offered to students, educational systems face an urgency: offer quality and inclusive education, in attention to diversity., Introducción: la educación inclusiva constituye actualmente una preocupación para investigadores, docentes, organizaciones internacionales, regionales y nacionales, aunque la toma de conciencia sobre la necesidad de concretar escenarios escolares y sociales inclusivos, ha sido un proceso lento; a pesar de los ingentes esfuerzos de autores reconocidos, instituciones comprometidas y experiencias exitosas, no se generalizan sus resultados, de ahí las motivaciones para la realización de este estudio.Objetivo: actualizar concepciones teóricas sobre la educación inclusiva y su incidencia en un modelo educativo inclusivo contemporáneo.Métodos: se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura disponible en sitios web y revistas especializadas, así como artículos compartidos en redes sociales académicas y públicas durante los últimos cinco años, en español e inglés. Se realizó la revisión detallada de autores y la actualización de las referencias bibliográficas utilizadas.Resultados: la educación inclusiva necesita una relación con la propia familia, con una escuela que integre e incluya para lograr una sociedad, un estado y gobierno que no solo vean a su población por lo que les separa y diferencia, sino por lo que les une en la diversidad, mediante aulas inclusivas y un currículo moderno.Conclusiones: ante los retos que se le imponen a la educación frente al panorama mundial, caracterizado por la exclusión social de índole diversa, entre ellos, la desmotivación con los currículos que se ofrecen a los estudiantes, los sistemas educativos se enfrentan a una urgencia: ofrecer una educación de calidad e inclusiva, en atención a la diversidad.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa encodes the beta-lactamase AmpC, which promotes resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Expression of ampC is induced by anhydro-muropeptides (AMPs) released from the peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall upon beta-lactam treatment. AmpC can also be induced via genetic inactivation of PG biogenesis factors such as the endopeptidase DacB that cleaves PG crosslinks. Mutants in dacB occur in beta-lactam-resistant clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, but it has remained unclear why DacB inactivation promotes ampC induction. Similarly, the inactivation of lytic transglycosylase (LT) enzymes such as SltB1 that cut PG glycans has also been associated with ampC induction and beta-lactam resistance. Given that LT enzymes are capable of producing AMP products that serve as ampC inducers, this latter observation has been especially difficult to explain. Here, we show that ampC induction in sltB1 or dacB mutants requires another LT enzyme called MltG. In Escherichia coli, MltG has been implicated in the degradation of nascent PG strands produced upon beta-lactam treatment. Accordingly, in P. aeruginosa sltB1 and dacB mutants, we detected the MltG-dependent production of pentapeptide-containing AMP products that are signatures of nascent PG degradation. Our results therefore support a model in which SltB1 and DacB use their PG-cleaving activity to open space in the PG matrix for the insertion of new material. Thus, their inactivation mimics low-level beta-lactam treatment by reducing the efficiency of new PG insertion into the wall, causing the degradation of some nascent PG material by MltG to produce the ampC-inducing signal. IMPORTANCE: Inducible beta-lactamases like the ampC system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a common determinant of beta-lactam resistance among gram-negative bacteria. The regulation of ampC is elegantly tuned to detect defects in cell wall synthesis caused by beta-lactam drugs. Studies of mutations causing ampC induction in the absence of drug

The function of many bacterial processes depends on the formation of functional membrane microdomains (FMMs), which resemble the lipid rafts of eukaryotic cells. However, the mechanism and the biological function of these membrane microdomains remain unclear. Here, we show that FMMs in the pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are dedicated to confining and stabilizing proteins unfolded due to cellular stress. The FMM scaffold protein flotillin forms a clamp-shaped oligomer that holds unfolded proteins, stabilizing them and favoring their correct folding. This process does not impose a direct energy cost on the cell and is crucial to survival of ATP-depleted bacteria, and thus to pathogenesis. Consequently, FMM disassembling causes the accumulation of unfolded proteins, which compromise MRSA viability during infection and cause penicillin re-sensitization due to PBP2a unfolding. Thus, our results indicate that FMMs mediate ATP-independent stabilization of unfolded proteins, which is essential for bacterial viability during infection.

To withstand their internal turgor pressure and external threats, most bacteria have a protective peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall. The growth of this PG polymer relies on autolysins, enzymes that create space within the structure. Despite extensive research, the regulatory mechanisms governing these PG-degrading enzymes remain poorly understood. Here, we unveil a novel and widespread control mechanism of lytic transglycosylases (LTs), a type of autolysin responsible for breaking down PG glycan chains. Specifically, we show that LD-crosslinks within the PG sacculus act as an inhibitor of LT activity. Moreover, we demonstrate that this regulation controls the release of immunogenic PG fragments and provides resistance against predatory LTs of both bacterial and viral origin. Our findings address a critical gap in understanding the physiological role of the LD-crosslinking mode in PG homeostasis, highlighting how bacteria can enhance their resilience against environmental threats, including phage attacks, through a single structural PG modification.

Conjugative type 4 secretion systems (T4SSs) are the main driver for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in bacteria. To deliver the DNA substrate to recipient cells, it must cross the cell envelopes of both donor and recipient bacteria. In the T4SS from the enterococcal conjugative plasmid pCF10, PrgK is known to be the active cell wall degrading enzyme. It has three predicted extracellular hydrolase domains: metallo-peptidase (LytM), soluble lytic transglycosylase (SLT), and cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolases/peptidases (CHAP). Here, we report the structure of the LytM domain and show that its active site is degenerate and lacks the active site metal. Furthermore, we show that only the predicted SLT domain is functional in vitro and that it unexpectedly has a muramidase instead of a lytic transglycosylase activity. While we did not observe any peptidoglycan hydrolytic activity for the LytM or CHAP domain, we found that these domains downregulated the SLT muramidase activity. The CHAP domain was also found to be involved in PrgK dimer formation. Furthermore, we show that PrgK interacts with PrgL, which likely targets PrgK to the rest of the T4SS. The presented data provides important information for understanding the function of Gram-positive T4SSs. IMPORTANCE: Antibiotic resistance is a large threat to human health and is getting more prevalent. One of the major contributors to the spread of antibiotic resistance among different bacteria is type 4 secretion systems (T4SS). However, mainly T4SSs from Gram-negative bacteria have been studied in detail. T4SSs from Gram-positive bacteria, which stand for more than half of all hospital-acquired infections, are much less understood. The significance of our research is in identifying the function and regulation of a cell wall hydrolase, a key component of the pCF10 T4SS from Enterococcus faecalis. This system is one of the best-studied Gram-positive T4SSs, and this added knowledge a

Pseudomonas aeruginosa encodes the beta-lactamase AmpC, which promotes resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Expression of ampC is induced by anhydro-muropeptides (AMPs) released from the peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall upon beta-lactam treatment. AmpC can also be induced via genetic inactivation of PG biogenesis factors such as the endopeptidase DacB that cleaves PG crosslinks. Mutants in dacB occur in beta-lactam-resistant clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, but it has remained unclear why DacB inactivation promotes ampC induction. Similarly, the inactivation of lytic transglycosylase (LT) enzymes such as SltB1 that cut PG glycans has also been associated with ampC induction and beta-lactam resistance. Given that LT enzymes are capable of producing AMP products that serve as ampC inducers, this latter observation has been especially difficult to explain. Here, we show that ampC induction in sltB1 or dacB mutants requires another LT enzyme called MltG. In Escherichia coli, MltG has been implicated in the degradation of nascent PG strands produced upon beta-lactam treatment. Accordingly, in P. aeruginosa sltB1 and dacB mutants, we detected the MltG-dependent production of pentapeptide-containing AMP products that are signatures of nascent PG degradation. Our results therefore support a model in which SltB1 and DacB use their PG-cleaving activity to open space in the PG matrix for the insertion of new material. Thus, their inactivation mimics low-level beta-lactam treatment by reducing the efficiency of new PG insertion into the wall, causing the degradation of some nascent PG material by MltG to produce the ampC-inducing signal. IMPORTANCE: Inducible beta-lactamases like the ampC system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a common determinant of beta-lactam resistance among gram-negative bacteria. The regulation of ampC is elegantly tuned to detect defects in cell wall synthesis caused by beta-lactam drugs. Studies of mutations causing ampC induction in the absence of drug

There is an urgent need to engage with deep leverage points in sustainability transformations-fundamental myths, paradigms, and systems of meaning making-to open new collective horizons for action. Art and creative practice are uniquely suited to help facilitate change in these deeper transformational leverage points. However, understandings of how creative practices contribute to sustainability transformations are lacking in practice and fragmented across theory and research. This lack of understanding shapes how creative practices are evaluated and therefore funded and supported, limiting their potential for transformative impact. This paper presents the 9 Dimensions tool, created to support reflective and evaluative dialogues about links between creative practice and sustainability transformations. It was developed in a transdisciplinary process between the potential users of this tool: researchers, creative practitioners, policy makers, and funders. It also brings disciplinary perspectives on societal change from evaluation theory, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and more in connection with each other and with sustainability transformations, opening new possibilities for research. The framework consists of three categories of change, and nine dimensions: changing meanings (embodying, learning, and imagining); changing connections (caring, organizing, and inspiring); and changing power (co-creating, empowering, and subverting). We describe how the 9 Dimensions tool was developed, and describe each dimension and the structure of the tool. We report on an application of the 9 Dimensions tool to 20 creative practice projects across the European project Creative Practices for Transformational Futures (CreaTures). We discuss user reflections on the potential and challenges of the tool, and discuss insights gained from the analysis of the 20 projects. Finally, we discuss how the 9 Dimensions can effectively act as a transdisciplinary research agenda bringing creat

The function of many bacterial processes depends on the formation of functional membrane microdomains (FMMs), which resemble the lipid rafts of eukaryotic cells. However, the mechanism and the biological function of these membrane microdomains remain unclear. Here, we show that FMMs in the pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are dedicated to confining and stabilizing proteins unfolded due to cellular stress. The FMM scaffold protein flotillin forms a clamp-shaped oligomer that holds unfolded proteins, stabilizing them and favoring their correct folding. This process does not impose a direct energy cost on the cell and is crucial to survival of ATP-depleted bacteria, and thus to pathogenesis. Consequently, FMM disassembling causes the accumulation of unfolded proteins, which compromise MRSA viability during infection and cause penicillin re-sensitization due to PBP2a unfolding. Thus, our results indicate that FMMs mediate ATP-independent stabilization of unfolded proteins, which is essential for bacterial viability during infection.

To withstand their internal turgor pressure and external threats, most bacteria have a protective peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall. The growth of this PG polymer relies on autolysins, enzymes that create space within the structure. Despite extensive research, the regulatory mechanisms governing these PG-degrading enzymes remain poorly understood. Here, we unveil a novel and widespread control mechanism of lytic transglycosylases (LTs), a type of autolysin responsible for breaking down PG glycan chains. Specifically, we show that LD-crosslinks within the PG sacculus act as an inhibitor of LT activity. Moreover, we demonstrate that this regulation controls the release of immunogenic PG fragments and provides resistance against predatory LTs of both bacterial and viral origin. Our findings address a critical gap in understanding the physiological role of the LD-crosslinking mode in PG homeostasis, highlighting how bacteria can enhance their resilience against environmental threats, including phage attacks, through a single structural PG modification.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa encodes the beta-lactamase AmpC, which promotes resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Expression of ampC is induced by anhydro-muropeptides (AMPs) released from the peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall upon beta-lactam treatment. AmpC can also be induced via genetic inactivation of PG biogenesis factors such as the endopeptidase DacB that cleaves PG crosslinks. Mutants in dacB occur in beta-lactam-resistant clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, but it has remained unclear why DacB inactivation promotes ampC induction. Similarly, the inactivation of lytic transglycosylase (LT) enzymes such as SltB1 that cut PG glycans has also been associated with ampC induction and beta-lactam resistance. Given that LT enzymes are capable of producing AMP products that serve as ampC inducers, this latter observation has been especially difficult to explain. Here, we show that ampC induction in sltB1 or dacB mutants requires another LT enzyme called MltG. In Escherichia coli, MltG has been implicated in the degradation of nascent PG strands produced upon beta-lactam treatment. Accordingly, in P. aeruginosa sltB1 and dacB mutants, we detected the MltG-dependent production of pentapeptide-containing AMP products that are signatures of nascent PG degradation. Our results therefore support a model in which SltB1 and DacB use their PG-cleaving activity to open space in the PG matrix for the insertion of new material. Thus, their inactivation mimics low-level beta-lactam treatment by reducing the efficiency of new PG insertion into the wall, causing the degradation of some nascent PG material by MltG to produce the ampC-inducing signal. IMPORTANCE: Inducible beta-lactamases like the ampC system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a common determinant of beta-lactam resistance among gram-negative bacteria. The regulation of ampC is elegantly tuned to detect defects in cell wall synthesis caused by beta-lactam drugs. Studies of mutations causing ampC induction in the absence of drug

Conjugative type 4 secretion systems (T4SSs) are the main driver for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in bacteria. To deliver the DNA substrate to recipient cells, it must cross the cell envelopes of both donor and recipient bacteria. In the T4SS from the enterococcal conjugative plasmid pCF10, PrgK is known to be the active cell wall degrading enzyme. It has three predicted extracellular hydrolase domains: metallo-peptidase (LytM), soluble lytic transglycosylase (SLT), and cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolases/peptidases (CHAP). Here, we report the structure of the LytM domain and show that its active site is degenerate and lacks the active site metal. Furthermore, we show that only the predicted SLT domain is functional in vitro and that it unexpectedly has a muramidase instead of a lytic transglycosylase activity. While we did not observe any peptidoglycan hydrolytic activity for the LytM or CHAP domain, we found that these domains downregulated the SLT muramidase activity. The CHAP domain was also found to be involved in PrgK dimer formation. Furthermore, we show that PrgK interacts with PrgL, which likely targets PrgK to the rest of the T4SS. The presented data provides important information for understanding the function of Gram-positive T4SSs. IMPORTANCE: Antibiotic resistance is a large threat to human health and is getting more prevalent. One of the major contributors to the spread of antibiotic resistance among different bacteria is type 4 secretion systems (T4SS). However, mainly T4SSs from Gram-negative bacteria have been studied in detail. T4SSs from Gram-positive bacteria, which stand for more than half of all hospital-acquired infections, are much less understood. The significance of our research is in identifying the function and regulation of a cell wall hydrolase, a key component of the pCF10 T4SS from Enterococcus faecalis. This system is one of the best-studied Gram-positive T4SSs, and this added knowledge a

There is an urgent need to engage with deep leverage points in sustainability transformations-fundamental myths, paradigms, and systems of meaning making-to open new collective horizons for action. Art and creative practice are uniquely suited to help facilitate change in these deeper transformational leverage points. However, understandings of how creative practices contribute to sustainability transformations are lacking in practice and fragmented across theory and research. This lack of understanding shapes how creative practices are evaluated and therefore funded and supported, limiting their potential for transformative impact. This paper presents the 9 Dimensions tool, created to support reflective and evaluative dialogues about links between creative practice and sustainability transformations. It was developed in a transdisciplinary process between the potential users of this tool: researchers, creative practitioners, policy makers, and funders. It also brings disciplinary perspectives on societal change from evaluation theory, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and more in connection with each other and with sustainability transformations, opening new possibilities for research. The framework consists of three categories of change, and nine dimensions: changing meanings (embodying, learning, and imagining); changing connections (caring, organizing, and inspiring); and changing power (co-creating, empowering, and subverting). We describe how the 9 Dimensions tool was developed, and describe each dimension and the structure of the tool. We report on an application of the 9 Dimensions tool to 20 creative practice projects across the European project Creative Practices for Transformational Futures (CreaTures). We discuss user reflections on the potential and challenges of the tool, and discuss insights gained from the analysis of the 20 projects. Finally, we discuss how the 9 Dimensions can effectively act as a transdisciplinary research agenda bringing creat

The function of many bacterial processes depends on the formation of functional membrane microdomains (FMMs), which resemble the lipid rafts of eukaryotic cells. However, the mechanism and the biological function of these membrane microdomains remain unclear. Here, we show that FMMs in the pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are dedicated to confining and stabilizing proteins unfolded due to cellular stress. The FMM scaffold protein flotillin forms a clamp-shaped oligomer that holds unfolded proteins, stabilizing them and favoring their correct folding. This process does not impose a direct energy cost on the cell and is crucial to survival of ATP-depleted bacteria, and thus to pathogenesis. Consequently, FMM disassembling causes the accumulation of unfolded proteins, which compromise MRSA viability during infection and cause penicillin re-sensitization due to PBP2a unfolding. Thus, our results indicate that FMMs mediate ATP-independent stabilization of unfolded proteins, which is essential for bacterial viability during infection.

The bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan is made of glycan strands crosslinked by short peptide stems. Crosslinks are catalyzed by DD-transpeptidases (4,3-crosslinks) and LD-transpeptidases (3,3-crosslinks). However, recent research on non-model species has revealed novel crosslink types, suggesting the existence of uncharacterized enzymes. Here, we identify an LD-transpeptidase, LDTGo, that generates 1,3-crosslinks in the acetic-acid bacterium Gluconobacter oxydans. LDTGo-like proteins are found in Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria lacking LD3,3-transpeptidases. In contrast with the strict specificity of typical LD- and DD-transpeptidases, LDTGo can use non-terminal amino acid moieties for crosslinking. A high-resolution crystal structure of LDTGo reveals unique features when compared to LD3,3-transpeptidases, including a proline-rich region that appears to limit substrate access, and a cavity accommodating both glycan chain and peptide stem from donor muropeptides. Finally, we show that DD-crosslink turnover is involved in supplying the necessary substrate for LD1,3-transpeptidation. This phenomenon underscores the interplay between distinct crosslinking mechanisms in maintaining cell wall integrity in G. oxydans.

The bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan is made of glycan strands crosslinked by short peptide stems. Crosslinks are catalyzed by DD-transpeptidases (4,3-crosslinks) and LD-transpeptidases (3,3-crosslinks). However, recent research on non-model species has revealed novel crosslink types, suggesting the existence of uncharacterized enzymes. Here, we identify an LD-transpeptidase, LDTGo, that generates 1,3-crosslinks in the acetic-acid bacterium Gluconobacter oxydans. LDTGo-like proteins are found in Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria lacking LD3,3-transpeptidases. In contrast with the strict specificity of typical LD- and DD-transpeptidases, LDTGo can use non-terminal amino acid moieties for crosslinking. A high-resolution crystal structure of LDTGo reveals unique features when compared to LD3,3-transpeptidases, including a proline-rich region that appears to limit substrate access, and a cavity accommodating both glycan chain and peptide stem from donor muropeptides. Finally, we show that DD-crosslink turnover is involved in supplying the necessary substrate for LD1,3-transpeptidation. This phenomenon underscores the interplay between distinct crosslinking mechanisms in maintaining cell wall integrity in G. oxydans.

Experimental results from a 65 nm CMOS commercial technology SRAM test chip reveal a linear correlation between a new electrical parameter -- the word-line voltage margin (VWLVM) -- and the measured circuit alpha-SER. Additional experiments show that no other memory cell electrical robustness-related parameters exhibit such correlation. The technique proposed is based on correlating the VWLVM to the SER measured on a small number of circuit samples to determine the correlation parameters. Then, the remaining non-irradiated circuits SER is determined from electrical measurements (VWLVM) without the need of additional radiation experiments. This method represents a significant improvement in time and cost, while simplifying the SER-determination methods since most of the circuits do not require irradiation. The technique involves a minor memory design modification that does not degrade circuit performance, while circuit area increase is negligible., Comment: 6 pages, 10 figures

The major goal of animal production is to obtain abundant and healthy meat for consumers. Maternal food restriction (MFR) is often applied in farms to reduce production costs. However, the suitability of MFR in livestock animals is questionable, as this management may compromise maternal fitness due to a severe negative energetic balance and can induce Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and prenatal programming in the offspring. Here, we sought to determine, using pregnant rabbits, the consequences of MFR on maternal endocrine and metabolic status and conceptus development. Pregnant dams were distributed into three groups: CONTROL (ad libitum feeding throughout the entire pregnancy; mean pregnancy length being around 31 days), UNDERFED (50% MFR during the entire pregnancy) and EARLY-UNDERFED (50% MFR only during the preimplantation period, Days 0-7). Maternal leptin concentrations and glycemic and lipid profiles were determined throughout pregnancy, whilst conceptus development was assessed ex-vivo at Day 28. Placental parameters were determined by macroscopic and histological evaluations and apoptotic assessments (TUNEL and Caspase-3). The main results of the study showed that, despite MFR altered maternal plasma lipid concentration (P<0.05), there were no effects on maternal bodyweight, plasma leptin concentration or glycemic profile. Fetal crown-rump lengths were reduced in both undernourished groups (P<0.001), but a significant reduction in fetal weight was only observed in the UNDERFED group (P<0.001). Growth in both undernourished groups was asymmetrical, with reduced liver weight (P<0.001) and significantly increased brain: fetal weight-ratio (P<0.001) and brain: liver weight-ratio (P<0.001) when compared to the CONTROL group. A significant reduction in placental weight was only observed in the UNDERFED group (P<0.001), despite both undernourished groups showing higher apoptotic rates at decidua and labyrinth zone (P<0.05) than the CONTROL group. Thus, th, Depto. de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Fac. de Veterinaria, TRUE, pub

1. El día 11 de mayo de 2023 tuvo lugar en el Salón de Actos del CCHS un evento convocado por Isabel Díaz, Vicepresidenta Adjunta de Internacionalización y Cooperación del CSIC. El acto tenía un doble objetivo: (a) informar a todos los investigadores y técnicos de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales del CSIC sobre DARIAH y CLARIN, las dos grandes infraestructuras europeas en HHDD y CCSS en las que próximamente se integrará España, y (b) ofrecer un escaparate de algunos de los proyectos en Humanidades Digitales y Ciencias Sociales que actualmente se están desarrollando en el CSIC. EL acto fue coordinado por Daniel Riaño Rufilanchas (científico titular del ILC) y estuvo presidido por Marina Villegas (directora del CCHS), 2. Después de un largo periodo de preparación, a mediados de 2023 finalmente se habían perfilado suficientemente los instrumentos legales que permiten la integración de nuestro país en estas dos ERICs, de las que de forma casi inexplicable estábamos ausentes. CLARIN (Common Language Resources and Technology Infrastructure) comenzó a funcionar con 9 países miembros en 2012 y en 2016 recibió el status de landmark en el European Research Infrastructures Roadmap. Se describe como una infraestructura digital que ofrece datos, herramientas y servicios para sostener la investigación basada en recursos lingüísticos. De forma semejante DARIAH (Digital Research Infrastructure for the Arts and Humanities) entró en el ESFRI Roadmap en 2006 y se estableció como ERIC 2014. En 2016 obtuvo también el estatus de Landmark y fue oficialmente ungido como pan-European hub of scientific excellence. De forma genérica DARIAH describe su misión como la de impulsar y dar apoyo a la investigación y la enseñanza dirigida a las artes y las Humanidades (en un sentido extenso) basada en recursos digitales. Orgánicamente se describe DARIAH como una red de personas, expertizaje, información, conocimiento, contenido, métodos, herramientas y tecnologías de sus países miembros. Isabel Díaz comentó los retos y oportunidades que suponía para el CSIC su participación destacada en ambas infraeestructuras, y la necesidad de conseguir la implicación activa de un número suficiente de investigadores y técnicos. Daniel Riaño resumió algunas de las características de la organización y funcionamiento de ambos ERICS, y qué forma iba tomando la participación de los nodos españoles en ella. En la primera parte del acto participó igualmente Emilio Cano, investigador del CENIM y coordinador Nacional de E-RIHS, quien explicó su experiencia en la incorporación de España a tal infraestructura., 3. En la segunda parte del acto se llevó a cabo la presentación, por parte de 35 investigadores de casi todos los institutos del CSIC dedicados a las HHDD y las CCSS, de unos 50 proyectos actualmente en curso o recién finalizados dentro de estas especialidades que dedican una especial atención a las herramientas o los desarrollos digitales. Fueron presentaciones de solo cinco minutos cada una, la mayoría de carácter presencial, en las que con un estilo directo y dinámico los investigadores y técnicos ofrecieron un resumen de su proyecto y los recursos tecnológicos implicados en ellos. Sin llegar a ser un panel exhaustivo de todos los proyectos en marcha con tales características en todos los centros e institutos del CSIC, se trata de un impresionante escaparate de la actividad que nuestra institución viene llevando a cabo para la aplicación de las más recientes técnicas, recursos, estándares y procedimientos tecnológicos a la investigación en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales.

The objective of this research is to study the use in the construction industry of recycled slag (SL) and fly ash (FA) using from 0.1 to 5% calcium sulfate (wCS¯). These wastes have been used to make ternary mixture systems and evaluated in terms of technological properties as cementitious materials for building applications. Studying their micro-structure as hydration products, setting times and mechanical properties shows a way to develop new mixtures from high proportion of waste, which are alternatives to the traditional nature ternary systems: Portland cement (PC), calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and calcium sulphate (CS¯). Based on previous work with natural products, the selected SL/FA ratios were 9 and 2.3 and the sulphate contents were 0, 1 and 5%. The water/binder ratio used for these cementitious mixes was 0.4. The specimens prepared for strength determination were prisms of 10 × 10 × 60 mm. The pastes were prepared and cured at 20 °C and 98% relative humidity for 1 day and then either stored at 20 °C at 98% humidity (dry) or immersed in distilled water (wet) for 14 and 28 days. The results showed that both FA and SL mixed with CS¯ produce ettringite after 28 days of setting, and this phase was the main crystalline hydrated product in all mixes. Calcium sulphate stimulates the hydration reactions of the mixes and the strength increases when the CS¯ content is higher due to ettringite formation, while the setting time decreases, as happened in the systems prepared with natural materials.

This study presents an alternative interpretation of language represented in Latin-Romance hybrid documents of early-thirteenth-century Castile based on analysis of local legal documents produced by Nicholaus Martini, a scribe of the city of Burgos. Most scholars have attributed hybrid practices primarily to some kind of scribal ignorance of “Latin” norms. In contrast, we highlight evidence of scribal competence by focusing on the production of a single, typical scribe, arguing that he (and peers) worked within a monolingual culture characterized by spectroglossia. The patterns of switching, mixing, and blending of registers in Nicholaus’s texts cannot be accounted for primarily as a result of incompetence. Rather, they develop as conventions in response to larger sociocultural changes (e.g., urbanization, laicization) and a number of social and cultural factors that favored representation of “Latin,” representation of “Romance,” and representation of a hybrid register. In so doing, we also argue against an overemphasis on ease of comprehension as a factor shaping the design and reception of written texts and oral performances of them. The study suggests that this type of hybrid document corresponds to a period that set the stage for subsequent development of practices and conceptions that differentiated sharply between Latin and Romance(s) as separate languages.

La fabricació de conglomerants com el ciment Portland (CP) o altres ciments com el ciment de sulfoaluminat de calci (CSA) són una font important de contaminació ambiental degut a la emissió de gasos d’efecte hivernacle durant el seu procés de fabricació. Per mitigar aquest efecte han sorgit diferents propostes més sostenibles que estan en constant estudi per tal de poder caracteritzar-les i poder-les utilitzar en obres civils, com l’ús de diferents residus com a addició al ciment. El present Treball Final de Grau té com a objectiu estudiar i conèixer les característiques mineralògiques, reològiques i mecàniques de diferents proporcions de mescles de CP i CSA amb llots de paper. S’ha realitzat una comparativa entre ciments (CP i CSA) amb els altres dissenys de mescles del ciment proposats i els llots de paper (LP). D’aquesta manera s’ha pogut veure el comportament tant mineralògic com reològic i mecànic de l’addició dels llots de paper en el CP i el CSA i en mescles ternàries dels tres components. Cada mescla s’ha analitzat en tres edats diferents per poder veure l’evolució en el temps; 3 dies, 7 dies i 28 dies. La utilització de llots de paper suposa no solament una reducció dels residus generats i promou l’economia circular sinó també una reducció de la emissió de CO2 i un estalvi energètic al reemplaçar el ciment pels llots en una quantitat no menyspreable. És important estudiar la viabilitat i l’efecte de l’addició dels llots de paper per no tenir comportaments negatius en el procés constructiu., La fabricación de conglomerantes como el cemento Portland (CP) u otros cementos como el cemento de sulfoaluminato de calcio (CSA) son una fuente importante de contaminación ambiental debido a la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero durante su proceso de fabricación. Para mitigar este efecto han surgido diferentes propuestas más sostenibles que están en constante estudio para poder caracterizarlas y utilizarlas en obras civiles, como el uso de diferentes residuos como adición al cemento. El presente Trabajo Final de Grado tiene como objetivo estudiar y conocer las características mineralógicas, reológicas y mecánicas de distintas proporciones de mezclas de CP y CSA con lodos de papel. Se ha realizado una comparativa entre cementos (CP y CSA) con los otros diseños de mezclas del cemento propuestos y los lodos de papel (LP). De esta forma se ha podido ver el comportamiento tanto mineralógico como reológico y mecánico de la adición de los lodos de papel en el CP y el CSA y en mezclas ternarias de los tres componentes. Cada mezcla se ha analizado en tres edades distintas para poder ver la evolución en el tiempo; 3 días, 7 días y 28 días. La utilización de lodos de papel supone no sólo una reducción de los residuos generados y promueve la economía circular sino también una reducción de la emisión de CO2 y un ahorro energético al reemplazar el cemento por los lodos en una cantidad no despreciable. Es importante estudiar la viabilidad y el efecto de la adición de los lodos de papel por no tener comportamientos negativos en el proceso constructivo., The manufacture of conglomerates such as Portland cement (CP) or other cements such as calcium sulphoaluminate cement (CSA) are an important source of environmental pollution due to the emission of greenhouse gases during their manufacturing process. To mitigate this effect, different more sustainable proposals have emerged that are under constant study to be able to characterize them and be able to use them in civil works, such as the use of different wastes as an addition to cement. This Final Degree Thesis aims to study and understand the mineralogical, rheological, and mechanical characteristics of different proportions of mixtures of CP and CSA with paper sludge. A comparison has been made between cements (CP and CSA) with the other proposed cement mixture designs and paper sludge (LP). In this way it has been possible to see both the mineralogical, rheological, and mechanical behaviour of the addition of paper sludge in CP and CSA and in ternary mixtures of the three components. Each mixture has been analysed at three different ages to be able to see the evolution over time: 3 days, 7 days, and 28 days. The use of paper sludge means not only a reduction in the waste generated and promotes the circular economy, but also a reduction in CO2 emissions and energy savings by replacing cement with sludge in a significant amount. It is important to study the feasibility and effect of the addition of paper sludge in order not to have negative behaviours in the construction process.

Growing urban populations, climate change, drought, and ageing infrastructures increase pressure on water delivery. This prompts the search for innovations, with incumbents increasingly attempting to enable and steer ‘experimental’ approaches. Historically, incumbents were assumed to be largely resistant to potentially disruptive innovations. However, their strategic orientations may be changing due to the urgency of sustainability challenges leading to increased experimentation. This change raises a question about how incumbents influence experiments in particular directions while neglecting or discouraging others. This research centers on the ‘La Kretz Innovation Campus’, and three experiments therein, partly established by the incumbent water utility in Los Angeles. It explores how creating an internal ‘protective space’ for experimentation generates struggles over institutional changes necessary for such experiments to thrive. Conceptualizing ‘incumbent-enabled experimentation’ as a set of practices nested within novel institutional, organizational, and political arrangements reveals the internal tensions incumbents face when seeking more sustainable directions.

Recent times have seen the rediscovery and adaptation of mission-oriented innovation policies (MIPs) for driving transformative change. While such policies seek to mobilise and align stakeholders, little is known about how missions feature in policy coordination processes. We argue that to facilitate the still troublesome operationalisation of MIPs, it is essential to understand missions as 'boundary objects' that have some shared meanings among the participants they convene, yet are open enough to be interpreted differently by distinct actors gathering in four interconnected policy arenas - i.e. a strategic, programmatic, implementation, and performance arena. By studying the European Commission's Horizon Europe missions, we unravel how missions as boundary objects enable and disable the coordination of heterogeneous communities. The resulting analytical perspective highlights three key mechanisms for coordinating mission meanings across communities and arenas: convergence-divergence, passage, and reflexive learning. We conclude with research avenues for studying missions as boundary objects for facilitating concerted action.

This research has been made in Pinar del Rio botanic garden.it is l ocated at 22-26'10N 83-43'-37W.Its aim was to evaluate damages caused by Ianhurricane in the economic important forest's species. To achieve this goal an inventory was made taking into accounta cualitative scale of values. Four categories were stablished: total damage, partial damage, slight damage an d not affected. The most affectedspecie, from the total or partial point of view were Talipariti elatum, Pinus caribaea, Quercus sagreana y Caesalpinia cubensis., A pesquisa foi realizada no Jardim Botânico de Pinar del Río, localizado nas coordenadas 22026ʹ10” N 83o42ʹ37” W. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os danos causados pelo ciclone Ian a espécies florestais de importância econômica.Para o efeito foi realizado um inventário destas espécies, estabelecendo uma escala de valores qualitativos de forma a avaliar os efeitos causados pelo ciclone nos indivíduos das diferentes espécies. A escala de valores foi estabelecida com base em 4 categorias de danos: dano total, dano parcial, dano leve e nenhum dano. As espécies que sofreram maiores danos tanto do ponto de vista total quanto parcial corresponderam a: Talipariti elatum, Pinus caribaea, Quercus sagreana e Caesalpinia cubensis, La investigación se desarrolló en el Jardín Botánico de Pinar del Río, ubicado en las coordenadas 22026ʹ10” N 83o42ʹ37” O. El objetivo del mismo consistió en evaluar los daños ocasionados por el ciclón Ian en especies forestales de importancia económica. Para ello se efectuó un inventario de dichas especies, estableciéndose una escala de valores cualitativos a fin de evaluar las afectaciones provocadas por el ciclón en los individuos de las diferentes especies. La escala de valores se estableció en base a 4 categorías de daños: daño total, daño parcial, leve y sin afectación. Las especies que sufrieron mayores afectaciones tanto desde el punto de vista total como parcial correspondieron a: Talipariti elatum, Pinus caribaea, Quercus sagreana y Caesalpinia cubensis.

This research work focuses on the study and design of a new supply chain for the fast fashion industry, with the objective of minimizing waste generation. To achieve this, first of all, an exhaustive research on the fast fashion supply chain has been carried out, analyzing each of its stages. In addition, the concept of circular fashion has been studied, as well as the supply chain of this sector, with the aim of identifying how circular methodologies could be implemented in the context of fast fashion. On the other hand, a detailed study of several successful companies in both sectors has been carried out to understand their business models, strategies and to determine the key factors of each of them to achieve success in each of the two sectors. From this research, it has been possible to identify several requirements that must be present in the new supply chain, being the implementation of circular practices in fast fashion one of the most outstanding aspects. Subsequently, a QFD (Quality Function Deployment) analysis has been carried out to determine the prioritization of requirements according to their importance and impact. Finally, solutions have been proposed in order to meet the identified requirements and achieve the new supply chain in the fast fashion industry. This project seeks to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact in an industry known for its fast production and consumption cycle. It is expected that the findings and proposals presented in this work will provide a solid basis for the implementation of a more responsible and circular supply chain in the fast fashion industry.

En el complejo proceso de construcción del riesgo se entrelazan factores naturales, de diferentes características e intensidad, con factores sociales: actores sociales que inciden de diversas maneras en el escenario presente y futuro de la ciudad. Neuquén, localizada en la Patagonia norte, se caracteriza por una expansión espacialmente fragmentada, que en muchos casos no ha respetado las normas de regulación de la ocupación del suelo. De esta forma se ha avanzado sobre áreas sujetas a amenazas naturales, lo que se traduce en diversas situaciones de riesgo. El análisis y evaluación del riesgo implicó un proceso de investigación cualitativa y cuantitativa a partir de un enfoque diacrónico. La aplicación de metodologías de análisis espacial permitió identificar y evaluar las áreas en las que la población se encuentra en situaciones de riesgo. Se combinaron diferentes variables vinculadas a tipos y grados de amenazas con distintos niveles de vulnerabilidad y exposición. Los sectores más críticos se identificaron al norte del ejido. Los resultados obtenidos constituyen herramientas para apoyar la toma de decisiones y orientar políticas sociales y de ocupación del suelo por parte de los organismos de gestión, tendientes a disminuir los riesgos y minimizar los impactos en caso de desastre., In the complex risk construction process, natural factors of different characteristics and intensity are intertwined with social factors: social actors that affect the present and future scenarios of cities in various ways. Then, Neuquén, in northern Patagonia, is characterized by a spatially fragmented expansion, which in many cases has not respected the regulations governing land use. In this way, urban development has been made in areas subject to natural threats, which translates into various risk situations. Risk analysis and assessment implied a qualitative and quantitative research process based on a diachronic approach. The application of spatial analysis methodologies made it possible to identify and evaluate the areas in which the population is at risk. Different variables linked to types and degrees of threats with different levels of vulnerability and exposure were combined. The most critical sectors were identified in the northern sector of the ejido. The results obtained constitute tools to support decision-making and guide social and land occupation policies by management agencies, aimed at reducing risks and minimizing impacts in the event of a disaster.

En el complejo proceso de construcción del riesgo se entrelazan factores naturales, de diferentes características e intensidad, con factores sociales: actores sociales que inciden de diversas maneras en el escenario presente y futuro de la ciudad. Neuquén, localizada en la Patagonia norte, se caracteriza por una expansión espacialmente fragmentada, que en muchos casos no ha respetado las normas de regulación de la ocupación del suelo. De esta forma se ha avanzado sobre áreas sujetas a amenazas naturales, lo que se traduce en diversas situaciones de riesgo. El análisis y evaluación del riesgo implicó un proceso de investigación cualitativa y cuantitativa a partir de un enfoque diacrónico. La aplicación de metodologías de análisis espacial permitió identificar y evaluar las áreas en las que la población se encuentra en situaciones de riesgo. Se combinaron diferentes variables vinculadas a tipos y grados de amenazas con distintos niveles de vulnerabilidad y exposición. Los sectores más críticos se identificaron al norte del ejido. Los resultados obtenidos constituyen herramientas para apoyar la toma de decisiones y orientar políticas sociales y de ocupación del suelo por parte de los organismos de gestión, tendientes a disminuir los riesgos y minimizar los impactos en caso de desastre., In the complex risk construction process, natural factors of different characteristics and intensity are intertwined with social factors: social actors that affect the present and future scenarios of cities in various ways. Then, Neuquén, in northern Patagonia, is characterized by a spatially fragmented expansion, which in many cases has not respected the regulations governing land use. In this way, urban development has been made in areas subject to natural threats, which translates into various risk situations. Risk analysis and assessment implied a qualitative and quantitative research process based on a diachronic approach. The application of spatial analysis methodologies made it possible to identify and evaluate the areas in which the population is at risk. Different variables linked to types and degrees of threats with different levels of vulnerability and exposure were combined. The most critical sectors were identified in the northern sector of the ejido. The results obtained constitute tools to support decision-making and guide social and land occupation policies by management agencies, aimed at reducing risks and minimizing impacts in the event of a disaster.

En el complejo proceso de construcción del riesgo se entrelazan factores naturales, de diferentes características e intensidad, con factores sociales: actores sociales que inciden de diversas maneras en el escenario presente y futuro de la ciudad. Neuquén, localizada en la Patagonia norte, se caracteriza por una expansión espacialmente fragmentada, que en muchos casos no ha respetado las normas de regulación de la ocupación del suelo. De esta forma se ha avanzado sobre áreas sujetas a amenazas naturales, lo que se traduce en diversas situaciones de riesgo. El análisis y evaluación del riesgo implicó un proceso de investigación cualitativa y cuantitativa a partir de un enfoque diacrónico. La aplicación de metodologías de análisis espacial permitió identificar y evaluar las áreas en las que la población se encuentra en situaciones de riesgo. Se combinaron diferentes variables vinculadas a tipos y grados de amenazas con distintos niveles de vulnerabilidad y exposición. Los sectores más críticos se identificaron al norte del ejido. Los resultados obtenidos constituyen herramientas para apoyar la toma de decisiones y orientar políticas sociales y de ocupación del suelo por parte de los organismos de gestión, tendientes a disminuir los riesgos y minimizar los impactos en caso de desastre., In the complex risk construction process, natural factors of different characteristics and intensity are intertwined with social factors: social actors that affect the present and future scenarios of cities in various ways. Then, Neuquén, in northern Patagonia, is characterized by a spatially fragmented expansion, which in many cases has not respected the regulations governing land use. In this way, urban development has been made in areas subject to natural threats, which translates into various risk situations. Risk analysis and assessment implied a qualitative and quantitative research process based on a diachronic approach. The application of spatial analysis methodologies made it possible to identify and evaluate the areas in which the population is at risk. Different variables linked to types and degrees of threats with different levels of vulnerability and exposure were combined. The most critical sectors were identified in the northern sector of the ejido. The results obtained constitute tools to support decision-making and guide social and land occupation policies by management agencies, aimed at reducing risks and minimizing impacts in the event of a disaster.

Preterm birth is a global public health crisis which results in significant neonatal and maternal mortality. Yet little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms of idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth, and we have few diagnostic markers for adequate assessment of placental development and function. Previous studies of placental pathology and our transcriptomics studies suggest a role for placental maturity in idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth. It is known that placental DNA methylation changes over gestation. We hypothesized that if placental hypermaturity is present in our samples, we would observe a unique idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth DNA methylation profile potentially driving the gene expression differences we previously identified in our placental samples. Our results indicate the idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth DNA methylation pattern mimics the term birth methylation pattern suggesting hypermaturity. Only seven significant differentially methylated regions fitting the idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth specific (relative to the controls) profile were identified, indicating unusually high similarity in DNA methylation between idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth and term birth samples. We identified an additional 1,718 significantly methylated regions in our gestational age matched controls where the idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth DNA methylation pattern mimics the term birth methylation pattern, again indicating a striking level of similarity between the idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth and term birth samples. Pathway analysis of these regions revealed differences in genes within the WNT and Cadherin signaling pathways, both of which are essential in placental development and maturation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the idiopathic spontaneous preterm birth samples display a hypermature methylation signature than expected given their respective gestational age which likely impacts birth timing.

Ciutat Meridiana sempre ha estat considerat un barri marginal de Barcelona, i, amb el plànol a la mà, fa aquesta sensació de desconnexió gairebé total amb la trama urbana de la ciutat. Tot i estar a tocar de les grans infraestructures de mobilitat d’accés a la ciutat comtal, i tenir una estació de Rodalies que la connecta amb el pulmó de Barcelona, Ciutat Meridiana sembla no estar aprofitant aquestes potencials oportunitats. L’objectiu d’aquest projecte és donar valor al barri, potenciant la seva estació i la connexió de la mateixa amb l’entorn que l’envolta, generant un nou centre neuràlgic dins de Ciutat Meridiana i propagar-lo cap a l’exterior. El projecte vol ser un reclam per a empreses i societat, vol aportar un ritme i un flux de gent del qual actualment el barri no disposa., Ciutat Meridiana siempre ha sido considerado un barrio marginal de Barcelona, ​​y, con el plano en la mano, da esa sensación de desconexión casi total con la trama urbana de la ciudad. Pese a estar cerca de las grandes infraestructuras de movilidad de acceso a la ciudad condal, y tener una estación de Cercanías que la conecta con el pulmón de Barcelona, ​​Ciutat Meridiana parece no estar aprovechando estas potenciales oportunidades. El objetivo de este proyecto es dar valor al barrio, potenciando su estación y la conexión de la misma con el entorno que le rodea, generando un nuevo centro neurálgico dentro de Ciutat Meridiana y propagarlo hacia el exterior . El proyecto quiere ser un reclamo para empresas y sociedad, quiere aportar un ritmo y un flujo de gente del que actualmente el barrio no dispone., Ciutat Meridiana has always been considered a marginal neighborhood of Barcelona and feels almost completely disconnected from the city. Despite being close to the major mobility infrastructures for access to Barcelona, and having a Rodalies station that connects it to the heart of the city, ​​Ciutat Meridiana does not seem to be taking advantage of these potential opportunities. The aim of this project is to add value to the neighborhood, enhancing its station and its connection with the surrounding environment, generating a new nerve center within Ciutat Meridiana and spreading it outwards. The project wants to be a claim for companies and society, it wants to provide a rhythm and a flow of people that the neighborhood currently does not have.

2023/2024, 1r quadrimestre

Automated program repair (APR) is a research field that develops multiple techniques to fix software bugs automatically. For a long time, the proposed solutions were based on heuristics and patterns, but since the appearance of large language models (LLM) the number of Deep Learning-based solutions has steadily grown to the point where it has improved traditional techniques. This project tries to go further and improve the results given by these models. The proposed strategy is based on grouping multiple models previously trained in code-related tasks using different strategies. With this, it's possible to recycle published models (what reduces the hardware and environmental cost of training these models) and obtain a better base model. This work uses models trained and fine-tuned by previous work in four different code-related tasks: bugfixing (BF), assert generation (AG), mutant injection (MG) and code summarization (CS). Such models have been trained using different training techniques and data. For example, some of the models are pre-trained with the task of masked token prediction using a dataset composed of natural language and code source and then fine-tuning on a particular task., La reparació automàtica de programes (APR) és un camp d'investigació que desenvolupa múltiples tècniques capaces de corregir bugs en codi automàticament. Durant molt temps les solucions proposades es basaven en heurístiques i patrons, però des de l'aparició dels grans models de llenguatge (LLM) el nombre de solucions basades en Deep Learning ha crescut fins al punt de millorar les tècniques tradicionals. Aquest treball vol anar més enllà i millorar els resultats donats per aquests models. L'estratègia que suggerim es basa en agrupar múltiples models prèviament entrenats en tasques relacionades amb codi utilitzant diferents estratègies. Amb això, és possible reciclar models publicats (el que disminueix el cost de hardware d'entrenament dels models), i obtenir un model base millor. Aquest treball usa models entrenats per treballs anteriors en quatre tasques diferents relacionades amb codi: correcció d'errors (BF), generació d'assercions (AG), injecció de mutants (MG) i resum de codi (CS). Aquests models s'han entrenat fent servir diferents tècniques d'entrenament i dades. Per exemple, alguns dels models s'han preentrenat amb la tasca de predicció de tokens emmascarats usant un conjunt de dades compostes per llenguatge natural i codi font per després afinar-los en una tasca concreta.

[cat] El programa Obert és un programa inclusiu dirigit a infants i famílies de perfil variat amb necessitat de suport, ja sigui per motius de vulnerabilitat, risc d’exclusió social, conciliació de vida laboral i familiar, manca de família extensa o necessitats de suport escolar, amb una finalitat clara: donar una resposta integral a les necessitats de suport, educatives i d’oci dels infants i les seves famílies per tal de prevenir situacions de risc social. A Espiral els nostres programes i serveis parteixen de la igualtat d’oportunitats a l’hora d’accedir-hi i en l’equitat en l’assignació de suports i recursos a les famílies. I el programa Obert no n’és una excepció: qualsevol infant i família amb una connexió amb el territori poden participar en els Espais Oberts, en el servei de suport, en Obert al Barri i en Obert a l’Estiu, i rebre l’acompanyament familiar a partir de les seves necessitats, dissenyant horaris i suports a mida. Actualment, Obert és present a les barriades del Coll d’en Rabassa, es Molinar i s’Arenal de Palma i Llucmajor, amb una mitjana de 570 infants i joves atesos cada any i un equip tècnic de 18 persones durant el període lectiu, que arriben a 30 durant l’estiu., [spa] El programa Obert es un programa inclusivo dirigido a niños y familias de perfil variado con necesidad de apoyo, ya sea por motivos de vulnerabilidad, riesgo de exclusión social, conciliación de vida laboral y familiar, falta de familia extensa o necesidades de apoyo escolar, con una finalidad clara: dar una respuesta integral a las necesidades de apoyo, educativas y de ocio de los niños y sus familias para prevenir situaciones de riesgo social. En Espiral nuestros programas y servicios parten de la igualdad de oportunidades en su acceso y en la equidad en la asignación de recursos a las familias. Y el programa Obert no es una excepción: cualquier niño y familia con una conexión con el territorio pueden participar en los Espais Oberts, en el servicio de apoyo, en Obert al Barri y en Obert a l’Estiu, y recibir el acompañamiento familiar a partir de sus necesidades, diseñando horarios y apoyos a medida. Actualmente, Obert está presente en los barrios del Coll d’en Rabassa, es Molinar y S’Arenal de Palma y Llucmajor, con una media de 570 niños y jóvenes atendidos cada año y un equipo técnico de 18 personas durante el período lectivo, que llegan a los 30 durante el verano.

In recent decades, we have witnessed great advances on the Internet of Things, mobile devices, sensor-based systems, and resulting big data infrastructures, which have gradually, yet fundamentally influenced the way people interact with and in the digital and physical world. Many human activities now not only operate in geographical (physical) space but also in cyberspace. Such changes have triggered a paradigm shift in geographic information science (GIScience), as cyberspace brings new perspectives for the roles played by spatial and temporal dimensions, e.g., the dilemma of placelessness and possible timelessness. As a discipline at the brink of even bigger changes made possible by machine learning and artificial intelligence, this paper highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with geographical space in relation to cyberspace, with a particular focus on data analytics and visualization, including extended AI capabilities and virtual reality representations. Consequently, we encourage the creation of synergies between the processing and analysis of geographical and cyber data to improve sustainability and solve complex problems with geospatial applications and other digital advancements in urban and environmental sciences.

In recent decades, we have witnessed great advances on the Internet of Things, mobile devices, sensor-based systems, and resulting big data infrastructures, which have gradually, yet fundamentally influenced the way people interact with and in the digital and physical world. Many human activities now not only operate in geographical (physical) space but also in cyberspace. Such changes have triggered a paradigm shift in geographic information science (GIScience), as cyberspace brings new perspectives for the roles played by spatial and temporal dimensions, e.g., the dilemma of placelessness and possible timelessness. As a discipline at the brink of even bigger changes made possible by machine learning and artificial intelligence, this paper highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with geographical space in relation to cyberspace, with a particular focus on data analytics and visualization, including extended AI capabilities and virtual reality representations. Consequently, we encourage the creation of synergies between the processing and analysis of geographical and cyber data to improve sustainability and solve complex problems with geospatial applications and other digital advancements in urban and environmental sciences.

Recent times have seen the rediscovery and adaptation of mission-oriented innovation policies (MIPs) for driving transformative change. While such policies seek to mobilise and align stakeholders, little is known about how missions feature in policy coordination processes. We argue that to facilitate the still troublesome operationalisation of MIPs, it is essential to understand missions as 'boundary objects' that have some shared meanings among the participants they convene, yet are open enough to be interpreted differently by distinct actors gathering in four interconnected policy arenas - i.e. a strategic, programmatic, implementation, and performance arena. By studying the European Commission's Horizon Europe missions, we unravel how missions as boundary objects enable and disable the coordination of heterogeneous communities. The resulting analytical perspective highlights three key mechanisms for coordinating mission meanings across communities and arenas: convergence-divergence, passage, and reflexive learning. We conclude with research avenues for studying missions as boundary objects for facilitating concerted action.

The blue ocean of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of the European Union is the object of study of this research, from a basically policy-making approach, focused on policy design. As a starting point, it takes content from geopolitics and realism theories that analyse why the common European defence policy is so problematic. The study explains the blue ocean tool with the case study of the F-35 aircraft. Based on their understanding, the red ocean strategy is described against the blue ocean strategy, contrasting a Europe within NATO and dependent on the US against a Europe as A²E (strategic actor and strategic autonomy).Subsequently, the scheme of four actions in the construction of a common defence policy in Europe is elaborated. The blue ocean matrix is structured, where the construction of a common defence policy in Europe is analysed, presenting what should be eliminated from the defence policy, what should be reduced, what should be increased and, finally, what should be created to achieve a common security and defence policy of the European Union (EU). Then, the four organizational barriers to achieving a European Armed Forces and the three key components of the change to the European Armed Forces are considered., El océano azul de la política común de seguridad y defensa (PCSD) de la Unión Europea es el objeto de estudio de esta investigación, desde una aproximación básicamente de policy-making, centrada en el policy design. Como punto de partida, toma contenidos de la geopolítica y las teorías del realismo que analizan por qué es tan problemática la política común de defensa europea. El estudio explica la herramienta del océano azul con el caso práctico de la aeronave F-35. A partir de su comprensión, se describe la estrategia del océano rojo frente a la estrategia del océano azul, contraponiendo una Europa en el seno de la OTAN y con dependencia de EEUU ante una Europa como A²E (actor estratégico y autonomía estratégica).Posteriormente, se elabora el esquema de cuatro acciones en la construcción de una política común de defensa en Europa. Se estructura la matriz del océano azul, donde se analiza la construcción de una política común de defensa en Europa, presentando aquello que debería eliminarse de la política de defensa, lo que debería reducirse, lo que se debería incrementar y, finalmente, lo que se crearía para alcanzar una política común de seguridad y defensa de la Unión Europea (UE). Luego, se plantean las cuatro barreras organizacionales para alcanzar unas Fuerzas Armadas Europeas y los tres componentes clave del cambio a las Fuerzas Armadas Europeas.

Recent times have seen the rediscovery and adaptation of mission-oriented innovation policies (MIPs) for driving transformative change. While such policies seek to mobilise and align stakeholders, little is known about how missions feature in policy coordination processes. We argue that to facilitate the still troublesome operationalisation of MIPs, it is essential to understand missions as 'boundary objects' that have some shared meanings among the participants they convene, yet are open enough to be interpreted differently by distinct actors gathering in four interconnected policy arenas - i.e. a strategic, programmatic, implementation, and performance arena. By studying the European Commission's Horizon Europe missions, we unravel how missions as boundary objects enable and disable the coordination of heterogeneous communities. The resulting analytical perspective highlights three key mechanisms for coordinating mission meanings across communities and arenas: convergence-divergence, passage, and reflexive learning. We conclude with research avenues for studying missions as boundary objects for facilitating concerted action.

Growing urban populations, climate change, drought, and ageing infrastructures increase pressure on water delivery. This prompts the search for innovations, with incumbents increasingly attempting to enable and steer ‘experimental’ approaches. Historically, incumbents were assumed to be largely resistant to potentially disruptive innovations. However, their strategic orientations may be changing due to the urgency of sustainability challenges leading to increased experimentation. This change raises a question about how incumbents influence experiments in particular directions while neglecting or discouraging others. This research centers on the ‘La Kretz Innovation Campus’, and three experiments therein, partly established by the incumbent water utility in Los Angeles. It explores how creating an internal ‘protective space’ for experimentation generates struggles over institutional changes necessary for such experiments to thrive. Conceptualizing ‘incumbent-enabled experimentation’ as a set of practices nested within novel institutional, organizational, and political arrangements reveals the internal tensions incumbents face when seeking more sustainable directions.

En el presente proyecto se presenta el proceso de diseño, desarrollo e implementación de una aplicación de escritorio con función de repositorio de archivos con control de versiones, gestión de proyectos y conectividad a Jira, realizado en la empresa Sistel Control SL. Se parte de la migración del aplicativo web que actualmente se utiliza en la intranet de la empresa. La migración se realiza con la intención de darle una nueva funcionalidad, la conectividad a Jira, además de darle una nueva imagen y mejorar la usabilidad. La conectividad a Jira se utilizará para recoger los datos de los proyectos que se están realizando en la empresa y relacionarlos con la base de datos actual. Esto permitirá tener que crear únicamente el proyecto en Jira y ahorrar crear manualmente cada proyecto para la base de datos como anteriormente se hacía. Para empezar, se mostrará el estado actual del aplicativo web que se utiliza en la empresa, así como sus funcionalidades y en qué lenguaje estaba programado. Se explicarán los lenguajes de programación que se van a utilizar en el proyecto y por qué se han escogido, así como una breve explicación del punto de partida del proyecto que ya había empezado ligeramente la empresa. A continuación, se expondrá la realización del proyecto, donde se explicará el previo estudio necesario para entender el código desarrollado previamente por la empresa, la explicación del código en cuestión, así como las correcciones de éste y la realización de más programación para el resto de funcionalidades que también requería el aplicativo. También se explicará una parte de cómo trabaja la empresa, ya que el software se desarrolla en máquinas virtuales, algunas con conexión a internet y otras no. Para las pruebas previas a la implementación del proyecto se requerirá de la creación de una máquina virtual con conexión a internet y acceso a la base de datos actual de la empresa, ya que para el desarrollo inicial se utilizaba una copia. Para finalizar, se comentará una