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• Arabidopsis BRI1-like receptors (BRLs) are localized in plant vascular tissues. • BRLs are conserved across plant species. • Structural studies propose similar activation mechanisms for BRI1 and BRLs. • BRLs receptor-specific roles are determined by its specific localization in the plant. • BRLs work in vascular development and the finely tuning plant responses to stress. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are essential hormones for plant growth and development that are perceived at the plasma membrane by a group of Leucine-Rich Repeat Receptor-Like Kinases (LRR–RLKs) of the BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) family. The BRI1 receptor was first discovered by genetic screenings based on the dwarfism of BR-deficient plants. There are three BRI1 homologs, named BRI1-like 1, 2 and 3 (BRLs), yet only BRL1 and BRL3 behave as functional BR receptors. Whereas the BRI1 pathway operates in the majority of cells to promote growth, BRL receptor signaling operates under specific spatiotemporal constraints. Despite a wealth of information on the BRI1 pathway, data on specific BRL pathways and their biological relevance is just starting to emerge. Here, we systematically compare BRLs with BRI1 to identify any differences that could account for specific receptor functions. Understanding how vascular and cell-specific BRL receptors orchestrate plant development and adaptation to the environment will help shed light on membrane signaling and cell communication in plants, while opening up novel possibilities to improve stress adaptation without penalizing growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites that are associated with a wide range of vertebrate hosts, among them also reptiles and amphibians. They have dynamic ecological interactions with multiple microorganisms, ranging from endosymbionts to pathogens, such as the members of the genus Rickettsia. The aim of this work was to detect Rickettsia in ticks from amphibians and reptiles from southern Mexico by the amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic reconstruction of the gltA and ompA genes, and also to compile all the published records worldwide of Rickettsia associated with ticks attached to reptiles and amphibians, in order to elucidate the host-parasite relationships, and to identify the geographical distribution of each bacterial species. We record for the first time the presence of Rickettsia sp. strain Colombianensi and Rickettsia amblyommatis in ticks from several reptiles and amphibians collected in three new localities from the states of Guerrero and Veracruz, Mexico. Additionally, we here report 23 Rickettsia taxa associated with 18 tick species attached to 42 host taxa of amphibians and reptiles in 36 countries. Our findings increase the inventory of rickettsia reported in Mexico and summarizes the knowledge of these bacteria associated with ticks of this particular group of vertebrate host worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract El Rincón is a highly productive area in the inner-shelf of the Argentine Sea, southern Buenos Aires Province (39°S–62.5°W; 41.5°S–60°W), regarded as the habitat for commercially valuable fish species and important for local artisanal fisheries. The aims of this work were to characterize for the first time the in situ absorption coefficient of phytoplankton (a ph (λ)) in relation to phytoplankton composition and chlorophyll- a (Chl- a) concentration, and to evaluate the satellite retrieval of a ph (443) using two atmospheric correction algorithms and three bio-optical semi-analytical algorithms in order to define which is more suitable for the study area. A total of 28 oceanographic cruises were performed between November 2013 and March 2017 and the sampling included physical variables (temperature, salinity, suspended particulate matter, SPM), Chl- a , phytoplankton absorption and composition. The phytoplankton community was mainly dominated by chain-forming diatoms from the microplankton size class (40–80%), while a single coccolithophore, Gephyrocapsa oceanica (cell diameter <10 µm) was a key component (up to 40%) of the nanoplankon. In situ Chl- a (mean 1.8 mg m−3) and a ph (443) (mean 0.052 m−1) generally covariated with no clear seasonality. Their correlation was rather low (R2 = 0.52) and with high scattering, in agreement with the high interannual variability of phytoplankton composition. Further, the relative low mean specific absorption coefficient of phytoplankton (a ph * (443), 0.032 m2 (mg Chl- a)−1) and (a ph * (676), 0.014 m2 (mg Chl- a)−1) denoted the presence of big cells and pigment packaging effect. Aside from the optical complexity of these waters, reasonable results were found using the Quasi Analytical Algorithm in retrieving a ph coefficient (R2 = 0.55, Bias = 19%) and switching the atmospheric correction algorithm depending on the distance to the coast, the depth and turbidity. The results found in this paper present for the first time the phytoplankton composition and absorption of algal material characteristics and the derived implication on the performance of bio-optical algorithms in the optically complex waters of El Rincon. Highlights • El Rincon waters are turbid and mixed, dominated by chain-forming diatoms. • The light absorption coefficient by phytoplankton coefficient is low for a given chlorophyll- a. • The traditional bio-optical algorithms (GIOP and GSM) overestimate in situ data. • The Quasi Analytical Algorithm estimates are reasonable for the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal degenerative disease. Mutations in EYS have been associated with autosomal recessive RP. The human iPS cell line, CABi002-A, derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a patient carrying a heterozygous double mutation in EYS gene was generated by non-integrative reprogramming technology, using hOCT3/4, hSOX2, hc-MYC and hKLF4 reprogramming factors. Pluripotency and differentiation capacity were assessed by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. This iPSC line can be further differentiated towards the affected cells to understand the pathophysiology of the disease and test new therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae and blue mussels are known to accumulate undesirable substances from the environment, including arsenic (As). Microalgae can biotransform inorganic As (iAs) to organoarsenic species, which can be transferred to blue mussels. Knowledge on As uptake, biotransformation, and trophic transfer is important with regards to feed and food safety since As species have varying toxicities. In the current work, experiments were conducted in two parts: (1) exposure of the microalgae Diacronema lutheri to 5 and 10 μg/L As(V) in seawater for 4 days, and (2) dietary As exposure where blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) were fed with D. lutheri exposed to 5 and 10 μg/L As(V), or by aquatic exposure to 5 μg/L As(V) in seawater, for a total of 25 days. The results showed that D. lutheri can take up As from seawater and transform it to methylated As species and arsenosugars (AsSug). However, exposure to 10 μg/L As(V) resulted in accumulation of iAs in D. lutheri and lower production of methylated As species, which may suggest that detoxification mechanisms were overwhelmed. Blue mussels exposed to As via the diet and seawater showed no accumulation of As. Use of linear mixed models revealed that the blue mussels were gradually losing As instead, which may be due to As concentration differences in the mussels' natural environment and the experimental setup. Both D. lutheri and blue mussels contained notable proportions of simple methylated As species and AsSug. Arsenobetaine (AB) was not detected in D. lutheri but present in minor fraction in mussels. The findings suggest that low-trophic marine organisms mainly contain methylated As species and AsSug. The use of low-trophic marine organisms as feed ingredients requires further studies since AsSug are regarded as potentially toxic, which may introduce new risks to feed and food safety. [Display omitted] • D. lutheri can take up As(V) from seawater and transform it to organic As species. • Exposure to 10 μg/L As(V) resulted in accumulation of inorganic As (iAs) in D. lutheri. • Diet- and water-borne As exposure of blue mussels did not lead to As accumulation. • Low-trophic marine organisms contain simple methylated As species and arsenosugars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) can accumulate undesirable substances, including the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) cadmium (Cd), mercury, (Hg), lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and As species. In this study, the levels of PTEs and As species were determined in samples of blue mussels to assess the influence of environmental and biological factors, and evaluate the potential risk associated with blue mussels in terms of food and feed safety. Blue mussels were collected monthly from one location in Western Norway from February 2018 to December 2018, and from April 2019 to April 2020. Samples were analyzed for PTEs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to ICP-MS. Temperature, salinity and fluorescence (chlorophyll a) were monitored in the seawater column by STD/CTD, to assess the potential influence of these environmental factors on the PTE levels in the mussels. The results showed seasonal variations in the PTEs, with somewhat higher concentrations in spring and winter months. Unusually high levels of total As (101.2 mg kg-1 dw) and inorganic As (53.6 mg kg-1 dw) were observed for some of the time points. The organic As species arsenobetaine was generally the major As species (17–82% of total As) in the mussels, but also simple methylated As species and arsenosugars were detected. Principal components analysis (PCA) did not show a consistent relationship between the environmental factors and the PTE concentrations, showing contrary results for some elements for the periods studied. The condition index (CI) could explain variations in element concentration with significant correlations for Cd (r = −0.67, p = 0.009) and Pb (r = −0.62, p = 0.02 in 2019/20 and r = −0.52, p = 0.02 in 2018), whereas the correlation between As and CI was not significant (r = 0.12 in 2018, and r = −0.06 in 2019/20). Higher concentrations of iAs and arsenosugars coincided with increased signals of chlorophyll a, suggesting that phytoplankton blooms could be a source of As in the blue mussels. To our knowledge, this is the first study of As species in blue mussels collected over a time period of two years, providing an insight into the natural variations of these chemical forms in mussels. In terms of mussel as food and future feed material, concentrations of Cd, Hg and Pb were below the maximum levels (MLs) established in the EU food and feed legislation. However, levels of As and iAs in mussels at some time points exceeded the MLs for As in the feed legislation, and the margin of exposure (MOE) was low if these mussels were for human consumption, highlighting the importance of determining the chemical forms of As in feed and food. [Display omitted] • The condition index of mussels was linked to Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations. • High levels of As and inorganic As measured in mussels at certain time point. • Arsenobetaine is generally the major As species in Mytilus edulis. • No consistent relationship observed between PTEs and environmental factors. • Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations in mussels were below the maximum levels for food and feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) generate neurons and glia throughout life. MicroRNAs are important post-transcriptional regulators frequently acting in a context-dependent manner. Here, microRNA profiling defines cohorts of miRNAs in quiescent and activated NSCs, with miR-17∼92 highly upregulated in activated NSCs and transit amplifying cells (TACs) versus quiescent NSCs. Conditional miR-17∼92 deletion in the adult V-SVZ results in stage-specific effects. In NSCs, it reduces proliferation in vitro and in vivo, whereas in TACs, it selectively shifts neurogenic OLIG2- DLX2+ toward oligodendrogenic OLIG2+ DLX2- TACs, due to de-repression of an oligodendrogenic program, leading to increased oligodendrogenesis in vivo. This differential regulation of TAC subpopulations highlights the importance of TAC heterogeneity. Finally, in the NSC lineage for intraventricular oligodendrocyte progenitors, miR-17∼92 deletion decreases proliferation and maturation. Together, these findings reveal multiple stage-specific functions of the miR-17∼92 cluster within different adult V-SVZ lineages. [Display omitted] • Quiescent and activated adult neural stem cells express distinct sets of miRNAs • miR-17∼92 is upregulated upon stem cell activation in the adult V-SVZ • miR-17∼92 affects proliferation, maturation, and fate in a lineage-dependent manner • miR-17∼92 deletion impacts transit amplifying cell heterogeneity Favaloro et al. show that adult ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) quiescent and activated neural stem cells exhibit different microRNA profiles. Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, they demonstrate that miR-17∼92 regulates neural stem cell proliferation, modulates transit amplifying cell heterogeneity by repressing an oligodendrogenic program, and affects intraventricular oligodendrocyte progenitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common cause of inherited blindness in adults. Mutations in the PRPF31 gene produce autosomal dominant RP (adRP). To date there are no effective treatments for this disease. The purpose of this study was to design an efficient non-viral vector for human PRPF31 gene delivery as an approach to treat this form of adRP. Span based nanoparticles were developed to mediate gene transfer in the subretinal space of a mouse model of adRP carrying a point mutation (A216P) in the Prpf31 gene. Funduscopic examination, electroretinogram, optomotor test and optical coherence tomography were conducted to further in vivo evaluate the safety and efficacy of the nanosystems developed. Span-polyarginine (SP-PA) nanoparticles were able to efficiently transfect the GFP and PRPF31 plasmid in mice retinas. Statistically significant improvement in visual acuity and retinal thickness were found in Prpf31 A216P/+ mice treated with the SP-PA- PRPF31 nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein caps that protect chromosome ends assuring cell division. Single-cell telomere quantification in animals established a critical role for telomerase in stem cells, yet, in plants, telomere-length quantification has been reported only at the organ level. Here, a quantitative analysis of telomere length of single cells in Arabidopsis root apex uncovered a heterogeneous telomere-length distribution of different cell lineages showing the longest telomeres at the stem cells. The defects in meristem and stem cell renewal observed in tert mutants demonstrate that telomere lengthening by TERT sets a replicative limit in the root meristem. Conversely, the long telomeres of the columella cells and the premature stem cell differentiation plt1,2 mutants suggest that differentiation can prevent telomere erosion. Overall, our results indicate that telomere dynamics are coupled to meristem activity and continuous growth, disclosing a critical association between telomere length, stem cell function, and the extended lifespan of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Seeds were highly viable and successfully germinated after a short after-ripening. [•] Seeds seem to develop a secondary dormancy in the field. [•] Seedling mortality, caused by summer drought, was remarkably high. [•] The seed germination and seedling establishment were higher in the stream than in the bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: http://DIYbio.org (Do It Yourself Biology) is an online site and a digital brand subscribed to local groups of amateur biologists worldwide. Despite of making up a rather heterogeneous public, DIYbio groups are organized around a concern to make biology accessible, easy and enjoyable. DIYbio combines an open source ethos, with a DIY will to do things and the joy to mess with biological matter. As biohacking is about de-composing and re-composing things, DIYbio takes on a particular approach to the making of the new and to the making of futures that this paper explores. Inspired by Heidegger's notion of the thing, I suggest that differing from institutionalized forms of biology, DIYbio produces things rather than techno-objects. I go into this point by first situating DIYbio in relation to synthetic biology and other instutionalised forms of biology. To explore how DIYbio takes on a particular approach to the making of the new, I look at a number of things that DIYbio groups have projected, designed and realized. I suggest that DIYbio combines a sort of individual craftiness and self-determination to do things with a praxis in which things are always in the making, waiting for the next realization. DIYbio take on an approach to the making of things and futures that is immediate and mundane. Yet, as an emerging public, DIYbio relies on an ambiguous relation to institutionalized science, and might be turned into a transfer of materialities and temporalities from public domains to science. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To determine, for five health problems, whether preference for a male or female general practitioner (GP) is related to patient gender, GP gender and/or patient expectations of GP behaviour. Methods: Cross-sectional study in 14 health centres in Spain, administering a questionnaire to 360 patients. Outcome variables were: preference for male GP, female GP or no preference in consultations for five hypothetical health problems. Results: Mean age was 47.3±16.5 years, 51% were female. Preference was more frequently expressed by females. Odds ratios (ORs) for a woman preferring a female to male GP ranged from 3 to 508, according to the hypothetical problem, and ORs for a patient with female GP preferring a female GP ranged from 2.8 to 9.1. Patient gender and GP gender had no interactive effect on preferences. Expectations of GP behaviour were related to preferences, except for chest pain. Higher expectations of communication or technical care were associated with greater preference for female or male GP, respectively. Conclusions: Patient gender and current GP gender are related to preferences in five hypothetical clinical situations and expectations of GP behaviour to preferences in four of them. Practice implications: Educational strategies are needed to adjust clinical encounters to patients’ preferences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Many researchers have explored the relationship between recurrent neural networks and finite state machines. Finite state machines constitute the best characterized computational model, whereas artificial neural networks have become a very successful tool for modeling and problem solving. In the few last years, the neurally inspired lateral inhibition in accumulative computation (LIAC) method and its application to the motion detection task have been introduced. The article shows how to implement the tasks directly related to LIAC in motion detection by means of a formal model described as finite state machines. This paper introduces two steps towards that direction: (a) A simplification of the general LIAC method is performed by formally transforming it into a finite state machine. (b) A hardware implementation of such a designed LIAC module, as well as an LIAC module, has been tested on several video sequences, providing promising performance results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper addresses the dynamics of real processes of inclusive environmental governance by looking at the decision-maker/expert/lay person interplay. Specifically, we present a comparative ethnographic study that leads to a critical examination of Marteen Hajer’s concept of technological citizenship and its role in normative models of so-called inclusive environmental governance. First, we present the Bionatur project of MST (Movimento Sem Terra/Landless People’s Movement), the largest rural movement in Latin America. The project explicitly attempts to include lay/traditional knowledge into the processes of defining and protecting a regulatory space for “Creole seeds”. Second, we describe the formally open and inclusive environmental management of polluted sediments during harbour dredging in Norway. In both cases the actors are confronted with difficult problems bound by contradictory constraints of the institutional and cultural contexts. In complex relationships, trust, dependency, responsibility and opposition, encompass the decision-maker/expert/lay interplay. Embedded in these contexts, it is not always clear that non-experts want full autonomy and responsibility. In complex relationships, trust, dependency, responsibility and opposition, encompass the decision-maker/expert/lay person interplay. The results suggest that ideals, if instantiated, are reshaped within concrete contexts of action. Participatory ideals such as “technological citizenship”, inclusiveness, transparency and accountability need not be relativised, but they would better be expressed as regulative norms for practice rather than ideals from which an acontextual model or structure may be deduced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Stereotype threat has been invoked to explain underperformance on a variety of groups for whom the stereotypes allege inferior cognitive abilities. In math testing, stereotype threat has been used to explain sex differences in test performance. This paper describes an experimental study on a large sample (n =313), in which the role of anxiety and mental rotation on math sex-related differences under stereotype threat has been analyzed in the tradition of Aptitude–Treatment–Interaction (ATI) designs. Results show that the manipulation effects are evident only in interaction with anxiety, which suggests that the construct validity of stereotype threat is itself seriously threatened. The analogy with the validity threat known as reactivity to the experimental situation is elaborated, and a more promising approach (the study of threat-related attentional bias in anxious and non-anxious individuals) suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In a previous study of the embryonic midbrain radial glia in a lizard, we observed that these cells define boundaries and regional subdivisions in a pattern that largely supports the adult model [C. Diaz, C. Yanes, C.Mª. Trujillo, L. Puelles, Cytoarchitectonic subdivisions in the subtectal midbrain of the lizard Gallotia galloti, J. Neurocytol. 29 (2000) 569–593]. With the goal to check whether the midbrain of chick embryos has a similar pattern, we examined the radial glia distribution in this model using a lipophilic dye (DiI) injected intraventriculary. As in the lizard, chick radial glia distribution and fasciculation defines at least six regional subdivisions in the midbrain, five of which are alar and one basal. Each territory corresponds to a particular cytoarchitectonic area, recognized previously. The rostral mesencephalic limit (m/d) is underlined in the alar zone by a thick band of fasciculated radial glia intercalated between the griseum tectale and the posterior commissure. A fasciculated radial glia band also defines the caudal mesencephalic limit (m/r) across the alar and basal zones. These glial specializations, not described previously in the chick, give physical entity to the limits deduced from gene expression studies and suggested by descriptive cytoarchitectonic analysis. We conclude that the midbrain of sauropsides shares a common subdivision pattern co-defined by radial glia arrangements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this article knowledge modelling at the knowledge level for the task of moving objects detection in image sequences is introduced. Three items have been the focus of the approach: (1) the convenience of knowledge modelling of tasks and methods in terms of a library of reusable components and in advance to the phase of operationalization of the primitive inferences; (2) the potential utility of looking for inspiration in biology; (3) the convenience of using these biologically inspired problem-solving methods (PSMs) to solve motion detection tasks.After studying a summary of the methods used to solve the motion detection task, the moving targets in indefinite sequences of images detection task is approached by means of the algorithmic lateral inhibition (ALI) PSM. The task is decomposed in four subtasks: (a) thresholded segmentation; (b) motion detection; (c) silhouettes parts obtaining; and (d) moving objects silhouettes fusion. For each one of these subtasks, first, the inferential scheme is obtained and then each one of the inferences is operationalized. Finally, some experimental results are presented along with comments on the potential value of our approach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sex-related differential studies on mathematical abilities have hardly taken into account the mediator role of the verbal factor, which contrasts with the interest shown in the mediator role of visuospatial aptitude. We predicted that if sex-related differences were found, mental rotation would mediate mathematical abilities typically favoring males (geometry and verbal problems) and lexical access would mediate the one favoring females (arithmetic). Data from 455 participants with a median age of 13 were analyzed, showing that sex-related effect sizes in mathematical criteria were small, ranging from d=−.16 to .18 (corrected by attenuation), as expected for unselected samples. Lexical access scores were consistent predictors for every mathematical subdomain, and mental rotation added to the prediction only for geometry and word problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effects of prescribed fire on understory vegetation structure and bird populations of Pinus pinaster stands in northern Portugal were assessed by using a synchronic sampling approach. During the spring of 1998 and 1999, 49 plots (of which 40 had been burned from 0.5 to 5 years ago) were characterised in terms of vegetation structure, surrounding landscape composition and breeding bird populations. Linear regression analysis and ANOVA were used to evaluate the effects of prescribed fire on vegetation and birds. Herbaceous vegetation showed a modal growth with a maximum development ca. 3 years after fire. Shrub development increased linearly with time since fire. Understory vegetation structure 5 years after fire was similar to control plots. Bird abundance and richness were influenced by plot variables (increased with stand age) and landscape variables (decreased with the amount of shrublands and eucalyptus stands surrounding the plot). After controlling for the effect of these variables, time since fire affected bird abundance, particularly for shrub/ground nesters. Minimum abundance occurred in the second or third breeding season after fire, possibly due to site tenacity or increased food availability. Prescribed burns did not affect bird richness. The size of the burned plots did not affect bird abundance or richness, probably because most burns were very small. Measures to increase bird diversity in these forests include maintaining other tree species and snags, avoiding the use of eucalyptus, and keeping a 5-year interval between consecutive prescribed burns in a given stand. The average size of burns could probably be increased without detrimental effects on bird populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Vegetation structure and seed abundance were compared across three types of cereal fields (wheat, barley and oats) in Castro Verde (Portugal). Bird abundance and species richness were also compared across cereal types, during winter, breeding and post-breeding seasons. There was a gradient of increasing vegetation height and density in the sequence oats. Seed and total bird abundance decreased along the same gradient (oats>barley>wheat) during winter, but no difference was found for the breeding and post-breeding seasons. Significant differences were also obtained for skylark Alauda arvensis and fan-tailed warbler Cisticola juncidis, respectively, for winter and breeding seasons. Bird species richness was not influenced by cereal type in any season. Different cereal species provide different habitat and food resources for birds. This should be taken into account when defining agri-environmental management rules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Analyzes whether mental rotation (MR) played a role as a mediating variable for sex-related differences in Visualization (VZ). Application of two tests measuring MR and VZ, to a representative sample of 309 males and 390 females in their last year of high school; Results of the application.

• An automated logical classification method of faculty members previous research activity is validated. • Resampling methods to balance datasets and improve accuracy on models are analyzed. • Classification machine learning models gave a valuable performance in optimizing the funding assignment of research projects. In the process of funding research projects, two important factors must be studied. First, experts judges the potential value of a project. Secondly, the research ability is judged by the applicants previous research activity. The most appropriate way to assign the appropriate amount of money to project proposals is always a difficult decision. This work focuses on the second factor based on classifying the researchers previous research activity on an automated logical classification (accepted, rejected) resolving conflicts of interests between administration and applicants and helping in the decision-making process. As the class in these kinds of studies is usually unbalanced, because there are fewer accepted projects than rejected projects, how the use of an imbalanced dataset or a balanced dataset affects to the models is investigated by using several resampling methods. Later, several trees and rule-based machine learning techniques are used to create classification models. This is based on information from the faculty members information of the "Technical Particular University of Loja (UTPL)," in cases, with balanced datasets and those with unbalanced datasets. Multivariate analysis, feature selection, algorithm parameter tuning and validation methods are used to achieve robust classification models. The most accurate results are obtained with a rules-based model and use of the C5.0 algorithm. As the latter provides acceptable accuracy, close to 95 % when predicting both classes and to 99 % when predicting the accepted projects class, both the methodology and final model are validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) harbors adult neural stem cells. V-SVZ neural stem cells exhibit features of astrocytes, have a regional identity, and depending on their location in the lateral or septal wall of the lateral ventricle, generate different types of neuronal and glial progeny. We performed large-scale single-cell RNA sequencing to provide a molecular atlas of cells from the lateral and septal adult V-SVZ of male and female mice. This revealed regional and sex differences among adult V-SVZ cells. We uncovered lineage potency bias at the single-cell level among lateral and septal wall astrocytes toward neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis, respectively. Finally, we identified transcription factor co-expression modules marking key temporal steps in neurogenic and oligodendrocyte lineage progression. Our data suggest functionally important spatial diversity in neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis in the adult brain and reveal molecular correlates of adult NSC dormancy and lineage specialization. Graphical Abstract Highlights • Single-cell transcriptomics of >41,000 cells from adult V-SVZ neural stem cell niche • Regional and sex differences in lateral and septal adult V-SVZ in males and females • Identify transcription factor co-expression modules and lineage potency markers • Regional biases for neuronal and oligodendrocyte lineages in the adult V-SVZ Mizrak et al. performed large-scale, single-cell RNA sequencing of the adult ventricular-subventricular zone neural stem cell niche. They identify regional differences between the lateral wall and septal wall, as well as sex differences in cell types and signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two recent studies disclose the interaction between brassinosteroids (BRs) and cell-identity genes in establishing organ boundaries. BR signaling is downregulated by LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES (LOB), whereas active BR signaling prevents LATERAL ORGAN FUSION1 (LOF1) and CUP SHAPED COTYLEDON (CUC) expression in the growing primordia, pointing to cell-specific hormone signaling as part of the mechanisms controlling fate acquisition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Understanding how reactive oxygen species (ROS) are sensed could help engineer plants with better stress responses that are relying on the production of ROS. Here, we summarize the latest research in ROS signaling with focus on the discovery by Wu et al. of a leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase (LRR-RK) as a hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background PRKDC encodes for DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), a kinase that forms part of a complex (DNA-dependent protein kinase [DNA-PK]) crucial for DNA double-strand break repair and V(D)J recombination. In mice DNA-PK also interacts with the transcription factor autoimmune regulator (AIRE) to promote central T-cell tolerance. Objective We sought to understand the causes of an inflammatory disease with granuloma and autoimmunity associated with decreasing T- and B-cell counts over time that had been diagnosed in 2 unrelated patients. Methods Genetic, molecular, and functional analyses were performed to characterize an inflammatory disease evocative of a combined immunodeficiency. Results We identified PRKDC mutations in both patients. These patients exhibited a defect in DNA double-strand break repair and V(D)J recombination. Whole-blood mRNA analysis revealed a strong interferon signature. On activation, memory T cells displayed a skewed cytokine response typical of T H 2 and T H 1 but not T H 17. Moreover, mutated DNA-PKcs did not promote AIRE-dependent transcription of peripheral tissue antigens in vitro . The latter defect correlated in vivo with production of anti–calcium-sensing receptor autoantibodies, which are typically found in AIRE-deficient patients. In addition, 9 months after bone marrow transplantation, patient 1 had Hashimoto thyroiditis, suggesting that organ-specific autoimmunity might be linked to nonhematopoietic cells, such as AIRE-expressing thymic epithelial cells. Conclusion Deficiency of DNA-PKcs, a key AIRE partner, can present as an inflammatory disease with organ-specific autoimmunity, suggesting a role for DNA-PKcs in regulating autoimmune responses and maintaining AIRE-dependent tolerance in human subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double-row Tapered Roller Bearings are mechanical devices that have been designed to support a combination of loads that are fixed on an optimal presetting to ensure correct working conditions. The emergence of high contact stresses, fatigue spalling and pitting on the bearing railway makes it important to have a tool that enables knowing in advance whether certain presetting loads will lead to excellent working conditions or the opposite. This work proposes a methodology to classify the working condition on the basis of the values of presenting loads on four classes. To achieve this goal, a three-dimensional Finite Element (FE) model was generated. Later, a design of experiments was designed to provide the greatest amount of information by reducing the computational cost of the simulations based on FE models. Then, one of the four classes of working conditions was assigned to each of the experiments. Later, a statistical analysis and machine learning techniques were used to create classification models. Feature transformation and reduction, algorithm parameter tuning and validation methods were used to achieve robust classification models. The best results were obtained based on flexible discriminant analysis. As it provided acceptable accuracy, both the methodology and final model were validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two different types of Carbon-containing TiO 2 photocatalysts were studied in depth. A hybrid TiO 2 -C spherical material was prepared by solvothermal synthesis from furfural and titanium isopropoxide and compared to a binary TiO 2 -activated carbon composite prepared using the slurry method. A systematic study of the catalyst concentration, type of pollutant molecule, the concentration of H 2 O 2 and the type of irradiation (simulated solar irradiation and pilot-scale photoreactors) was performed. The influence of catalyst weight and H 2 O 2 concentration was verified by following the kinetics of phenol (PH), imidacloprid (IM) and dichloroacetic acid (DCA) photodegradation. It may be concluded from the results that activated carbon promotes higher efficiency in the photoactivity of TiO 2 than the hybrid TiO 2 -C photocatalyst. The basic surface chemistry and significant contribution of micropores in the binary TiO 2 -AC composite seem to be responsible for their higher TiO 2 photoactivity than the TiO 2 -C hybrid materials which are characterized by a mesopore structure and an acid surface pH. This study shows the advantage of using a solar simulator to elucidate the efficiency of carbon materials in a thorough comparison including various photocatalytic reactions with several different substrates before testing at pilot scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A responsible harvest of mesopelagic species as aquafeed ingredients has the potential to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which calls for sustainable use of marine resources. Prior to utilization, the levels of undesirable substances need to be examined, and earlier studies on mesopelagic species have reported on total arsenic (As) content. However, the total As content does not give a complete basis for risk assessment since As can occur in different chemical species with varying toxicity. In this work, As speciation was conducted in single-species samples of the five most abundant mesopelagic organisms in Norwegian fjords. In addition, As species were studied in mesopelagic mixed biomass and in the resulting oil and meal feed ingredients after lab-scale feed processing. Water-soluble As species were determined based on ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). This was supplemented by extracting arsenolipids (AsLipids) and determining total As in this fraction. The non-toxic arsenobetaine (AB) was the dominant form in mesopelagic crustaceans and fish species, accounting for approximately 70% and 50% of total As, respectively. Other water-soluble species were present in minor fractions, including carcinogenic inorganic As, which, in most samples, was below limit of quantification. The fish species had a higher proportion of AsLipids, approximately 35% of total As, compared to crustaceans which contained 20% on average. The feed processing simulation revealed generally low levels of water-soluble As species besides AB, but considerable fractions of potentially toxic AsLipids were found in the biomass, and transferred to the mesopelagic meal and oil. This study is the first to report occurrence data of at least 12 As species in mesopelagic organisms, thereby providing valuable information for future risk assessments on the feasibility of harnessing mesopelagic biomass as feed ingredients. [Display omitted] • Up to 12 arsenic species were detected in mesopelagic samples. • Arsenobetaine comprised 70% and 50% of total As in crustaceans and fish, respectively. • Mesopelagic mixed biomass comprised mainly of arsenobetaine and arsenolipids. • Arsenolipids were transferred to meal and up-concentrated in oil when processed. • Inorganic arsenic was <0.007 mg/kg ww in most samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]