Crowdfunding the Azolla fern genome project: a grassroots approach.

Much of science progresses within the tight boundaries of what is often seen as a "black box". Though familiar to funding agencies, researchers and the academic journals they publish in, it is an entity that outsiders rarely get to peek into. Crowdfunding is a novel means that allows the public to participate in, as well as to support and witness advancements in science. Here we describe our recent crowdfunding efforts to sequence the Azolla genome, a little fern with massive green potential. Crowdfunding is a worthy platform not only for obtaining seed money for exploratory research, but also for engaging directly with the general public as a rewarding form of outreach.

An Exploration into Fern Genome Space.

Ferns are one of the few remaining major clades of land plants for which a complete genome sequence is lacking. Knowledge of genome space in ferns will enable broad-scale comparative analyses of land plant genes and genomes, provide insights into genome evolution across green plants, and shed light on genetic and genomic features that characterize ferns, such as their high chromosome numbers and large genome sizes. As part of an initial exploration into fern genome space, we used a whole genome shotgun sequencing approach to obtain low-density coverage (∼0.4X to 2X) for six fern species from the Polypodiales (Ceratopteris, Pteridium, Polypodium, Cystopteris), Cyatheales (Plagiogyria), and Gleicheniales (Dipteris). We explore these data to characterize the proportion of the nuclear genome represented by repetitive sequences (including DNA transposons, retrotransposons, ribosomal DNA, and simple repeats) and protein-coding genes, and to extract chloroplast and mitochondrial genome sequences. Such initial sweeps of fern genomes can provide information useful for selecting a promising candidate fern species for whole genome sequencing. We also describe variation of genomic traits across our sample and highlight some differences and similarities in repeat structure between ferns and seed plants.

Adiantumshastense, a new species of maidenhair fern from California.

A new species of Adiantum is described from California. This species is endemic to northern California and is currently known only from Shasta County. We describe its discovery after first being collected over a century ago and distinguish it from Adiantumjordanii and Adiantumcapillus-veneris. It is evergreen and is sometimes, but not always, associated with limestone. The range of Adiantumshastense Huiet & A.R.Sm., sp. nov., is similar to several other Shasta County endemics that occur in the mesic forests of the Eastern Klamath Range, close to Shasta Lake, on limestone and metasedimentary substrates.

Lectotipificación de la asociación Adianto-Pinguiculetum longifoliae Fern. Casas 1970

Proponernos la lectotipificación de la asociación Adianto-Pinguiculetum longifoliae Fem. Casas 1970, y sinonimizamos a ésta el sintaxon Pinguiculo long¡foliae-Adiantetum capilli-veneris Rivas Mart. & al. 1991l, nombre inválido al haber sido descrito sin designación de tipo nomenclatural.

In vitro spore germination of Polystichum drepanum, a threatened fern from Madeira Island

Polystichum drepanum (Sw) C. Presl is a threatened fern endemic to a few forest areas in the north-west of Madeira Island. The aims of this work were to establish suitable culture conditions for in vitro germination of spores, and to evaluate short-term storage conditions for P drepanum spores. The highest frequency of germination was obtained in Murishage and Skoog (MS) liquid medium, without agitation. However, gametophytes maintained in MS liquid medium did not grow and, after 4 weeks, became anoxic and died. Thus, after germination in liquid medium, gametophytes were transferred to an MS double-phase culture system for further growth. The effects of storage period, temperature, and relative humidity during storage on in vitro spore germination were studied. Spore viability was assessed after 2, 4 and 6 months, and high viability (> 94%) was observed in all the assays. However, germination capability decreased with increased storage periods. The number of sporophytes obtained also decreased with prolonged storage periods. The results indicate that spores of R drepanum stored for 4 months at 21 degrees C maintain high viability and high germination frequency. ne sporophytes obtained were acclimatised in a mixture of peat and vermiculite [2:1 (v/v)] under high relative humidity (90-95%). Seventy-five sporophytes were successfully acclimatised to ex vitro conditions and showed active growth in the glasshouse.

Biochemical and Biotechnological investigations on the water-fern Salvinia molesta Mitchell

The present work is focussed mainly on the utilization of this weed-biomass on a biochemical and biotechnological basis. Before designing scientific and systematic utilization of any given biomass, the detailed analysis of its chemical componets is essential. Hence, as the preliminary part of the experimental works, samples of Salvinia were analysed for its chemical constituents.Before designing scientific and systematic utilization of any given biomass, the detailed analysis of its chemical componets is essential .The composition of the substrate contributes much to the nutritive value of mushrooms. Hence, alterations in the nutritive value of mushrooms (in terms of total carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and minerals) in response to Salvinia as substrate were analyzed.Substrate after mushroom harvest (spent substrate) can be utilized for various purposes such as cattle feed, as a source of degradative enzymes, as a substrate for other mushrooms and as garden manure. But studies are limited with regard to the utilization of Pleurotus spent substrate as garden manure. So the value of spent substrate as an organic supplement and its multidimensional impacts on soil chemical status, soil microbial population dynamics and plant growth (Amhurium andreanum) were carried out.Major findings of this work have got much relevance in designing measures to utilize different types of plant biomass, especially aquatic weeds, with the aid of a powerful biological tool, the lignocellulolytic fungus, Pleurorus

Manuel Fern??ndez de Castro : materiales did??uticos. 'Manuel Fern??ndez de Castro : materiales did??cticos'

Con motivo de dedicarse la XVIII Selmana de les Lletres Asturianes de 1997 a la figura y a la obra de Manuel Fern??ndez de Castro se elaboraron unos materiales did??cticos destinados a los centros de ense??anza secundaria donde se imparte la optativa de lengua asturiana. Este autor del siglo XIX, traductor y poeta principalmente de textos religiosos sirve como ejemplo para valorar el trabajo del traductor como instrumento indispensable en la normalizaci??n de una lengua. Se hacen una serie de propuestas organizadas alrededor de unos centros de inter??s; las actividades se plantean desde una perspectiva interdisciplinar como v??a de integraci??n de la lengua asturiana en el curr??culo de secundaria. Los tres bloques que se trabajan son: 1-El tiempo que le toc?? vivir a Manuel Fern??ndez de Castro. 2-El ambiente literario que rodea la obra del autor. 3-La obra de Fern??ndez de Castro y la traducci??n al asturiano. Se presenta una selecci??n de textos, actividades como rellenar cuadros, esquemas, resolver pasatiempos de contenido literario, etc. Finalmente se ofrece como ejemplo de una futura serie, un material en el que unas fichas gr??ficas con un personaje central llamado Marga, sirvi??ndose en este caso de la figura de Fern??ndez de Castro y su obra en asturiano, propone actividades al alumnado del primer ciclo de Secundaria y de los cursos m??s altos de la Ense??anza Primaria.

Fern??ndez de Lizardi y la necesidad ilustrada de la educaci??n civil y pol??tica

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n

Ermitas Fern??ndez Fern??ndez : la educaci??n en las aldeas gallegas

Se presenta el perfil personal y profesional de Ermitas Fern??ndez Fern??ndez. Para ella, los entornos rurales son un medio rico y estimulante para el aprendizaje. Lleva m??s de treinta a??os dedicada a la educaci??n del medio rural gallego y a conseguir que las familias tomen conciencia del valor de su trabajo como educadoras de sus hijos. Empez?? trabajando en la escuela unitaria de Maderne, en A Fonsagrada, Lugo, donde, en contacto con maestros de Acci??n Cat??lica, pondr?? en pr??ctica modelos organizativos innovadores, convirtiendo el aula en un espacio de libertad a trav??s de la conversaci??n y el di??logo. Trabajar?? con chicos y chicas que han abandonado la escuela en las llamadas actividades de noche; con los padres, dentro del programa de Extensi??n Agraria ofreciendo actividades orientadas a mejorar su nivel cultural; y luchar?? contra la discriminaci??n y la falta de integraci??n de la mujer en estas actividades. En contacto con Antonio Gandoy, secretario de Acci??n Social de C??ritas de Galicia, se embarcar?? en el proyecto de Preescolar na Casa, y desarrollar?? un intenso trabajo de investigaci??n y expansi??n del programa en colaboraci??n con otros pa??ses como Francia e Italia.

Visi??n tecnol??gica de la did??ctica : aportaci??n de los doctores Fern??ndez Huerta y Rodr??guez Di??guez

Los doctores Fern??ndez Huertas y Rodr??guez Di??guez han constituido el eje de la did??ctica en Espa??a durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX y los primeros a??os del siglo XXI. Sus obras han constituido la base de la did??ctica y de los modelos de formaci??n del profesorado. El conocimiento de los dos maestros permite profundizar en la visi??n de la tecnolog??a de la Did??ctica. La Did??ctica, como disciplina social inmersa en la sociedad de la informaci??n, no puede renunciar a su sistematizaci??n tecnol??gica. Adem??s de tratar la Did??ctica desde un enfoque tecnol??gico, se analizan las aportaciones del modelo did??ctico establecido por Fern??ndez Huertas y Rodr??guez Di??guez.

Los maestros mexicanos en tiempos de Fern??ndez de Lizardi (1776-1827)

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n

Lope ante Fern??n Gonz??lez a la luz del arte nuevo

Se examina la leyenda ??pica de Fern??n Gonz??lez, a trav??s de la obra teatral de Lope de Vega, El conde Fern??n Gonz??lez, de 1623. Se diferencian los distintos elementos de la tragicomedia, el estilo barroco y la estructura de la obra, su versificaci??n, la presencia de los ideales de los siglos de oro, la conservaci??n de la tradici??n de los condes castellanos y las novedades introducidas en la acci??n, como el tema campesino unido al ??pico.

Melchor Fern??ndez Almagro, acad??mico de la Espa??ola

Cr??nica sobre el ingreso en la Real Academia Espa??ola del escritor y acad??mico de la Historia don Melchor Fern??ndez Almagro. Se hace un resumen de su obra.