Evidence for the role of Mycobacteriumtuberculosis RecG helicase in DNA repair and recombination

In order to survive and replicate in a variety of stressful conditions during its life cycle, Mycobacteriumtuberculosis must possess mechanisms to safeguard the integrity of the genome. Although DNA repair and recombination related genes are thought to play key roles in the repair of damaged DNA in all organisms, so far only a few of them have been functionally characterized in the tubercle bacillus. In this study, we show that M.tuberculosis RecG (MtRecG) expression was induced in response to different genotoxic agents. Strikingly, expression of MtRecG in Escherichiacoli recG mutant strain provided protection against mitomycin C, methyl methane sulfonate and UV induced cell death. Purified MtRecG exhibited higher binding affinity for the Holliday junction (HJ) compared with a number of canonical recombinational DNA repair intermediates. Notably, although MtRecG binds at the core of the mobile and immobile HJs, and with higher binding affinity for the immobile HJ, branch migration was evident only in the case of the mobile HJ. Furthermore, immobile HJs stimulate MtRecG ATPase activity less efficiently than mobile HJs. In addition to HJ substrates, MtRecG exhibited binding affinity for a variety of branched DNA structures including three-way junctions, replication forks, flap structures, forked duplex and a D-loop structure, but demonstrated strong unwinding activity on replication fork and flap DNA structures. Together, these results support that MtRecG plays an important role in processes related to DNA metabolism under normal as well as stress conditions.

Hydrolysis of aromatic beta-glucosides by non-pathogenic bacteria confers a chemical weapon against predators

Bacteria present in natural environments such as soil have evolved multiple strategies to escape predation. We report that natural isolates of Enterobacteriaceae that actively hydrolyze plant-derived aromatic beta-glucosides such as salicin, arbutin and esculin, are able to avoid predation by the bacteriovorous amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum and nematodes of multiple genera belonging to the family Rhabditidae. This advantage can be observed under laboratory culture conditions as well as in the soil environment. The aglycone moiety released by the hydrolysis of beta-glucosides is toxic to predators and acts via the dopaminergic receptor Dop-1 in the case of Caenorhabditis elegans. While soil isolates of nematodes belonging to the family Rhabditidae are repelled by the aglycone, laboratory strains and natural isolates of Caenorhabditis sp. are attracted to the compound, mediated by receptors that are independent of Dop-1, leading to their death. The b-glucosides-positive (Bgl(+)) bacteria that are otherwise non-pathogenic can obtain additional nutrients from the dead predators, thereby switching their role from prey to predator. This study also offers an evolutionary explanation for the retention by bacteria of `cryptic' or `silent' genetic systems such as the bgl operon.

Ages and relative sizes of pre-2004 tsunamis in the Bay of Bengal inferred from geologic evidence in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Geologic evidence along the northern part of the 2004 Aceh-Andaman rupture suggests that this region generated as many as five tsunamis in the prior 2000years. We identify this evidence by drawing analogy with geologic records of land-level change and the tsunami in 2004 from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (A&N). These analogs include subsided mangrove swamps, uplifted coral terraces, liquefaction, and organic soils coated by sand and coral rubble. The pre-2004 evidence varies in potency, and materials dated provide limiting ages on inferred tsunamis. The earliest tsunamis occurred between the second and sixth centuries A.D., evidenced by coral debris of the southern Car Nicobar Island. A subsequent tsunami, probably in the range A.D. 770-1040, is inferred from deposits both in A&N and on the Indian subcontinent. It is the strongest candidate for a 2004-caliber earthquake in the past 2000years. A&N also contain tsunami deposits from A.D. 1250 to 1450 that probably match those previously reported from Sumatra and Thailand, and which likely date to the 1390s or 1450s if correlated with well-dated coral uplift offshore Sumatra. Thus, age data from A&N suggest that within the uncertainties in estimating relative sizes of paleo-earthquakes and tsunamis, the 1000year interval can be divided in half by the earthquake or earthquakes of A.D. 1250-1450 of magnitude >8.0 and consequent tsunamis. Unlike the transoceanic tsunamis generated by full or partial rupture of the subduction interface, the A&N geology further provides evidence for the smaller-sized historical tsunamis of 1762 and 1881, which may have been damaging locally.

How much land-based greenhouse gas mitigation can be achieved without compromising food security and environmental goals?

Feeding 9-10billion people by 2050 and preventing dangerous climate change are two of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Both challenges must be met while reducing the impact of land management on ecosystem services that deliver vital goods and services, and support human health and well-being. Few studies to date have considered the interactions between these challenges. In this study we briefly outline the challenges, review the supply- and demand-side climate mitigation potential available in the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use AFOLU sector and options for delivering food security. We briefly outline some of the synergies and trade-offs afforded by mitigation practices, before presenting an assessment of the mitigation potential possible in the AFOLU sector under possible future scenarios in which demand-side measures codeliver to aid food security. We conclude that while supply-side mitigation measures, such as changes in land management, might either enhance or negatively impact food security, demand-side mitigation measures, such as reduced waste or demand for livestock products, should benefit both food security and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation. Demand-side measures offer a greater potential (1.5-15.6Gt CO2-eq. yr(-1)) in meeting both challenges than do supply-side measures (1.5-4.3Gt CO2-eq. yr(-1) at carbon prices between 20 and 100US$ tCO(2)-eq. yr(-1)), but given the enormity of challenges, all options need to be considered. Supply-side measures should be implemented immediately, focussing on those that allow the production of more agricultural product per unit of input. For demand-side measures, given the difficulties in their implementation and lag in their effectiveness, policy should be introduced quickly, and should aim to codeliver to other policy agenda, such as improving environmental quality or improving dietary health. These problems facing humanity in the 21st Century are extremely challenging, and policy that addresses multiple objectives is required now more than ever.

A Study of Speed of the Boundary Element Method as applied to the Realtime Computational Simulation of Biological Organs

In this work, possibility of simulating biological organs in realtime using the Boundary Element Method (BEM) is investigated. Biological organs are assumed to follow linear elastostatic material behavior, and constant boundary element is the element type used. First, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is used to speed up the BEM computations to achieve the realtime performance. Next, instead of the GPU, a computer cluster is used. Results indicate that BEM is fast enough to provide for realtime graphics if biological organs are assumed to follow linear elastostatic material behavior. Although the present work does not conduct any simulation using nonlinear material models, results from using the linear elastostatic material model imply that it would be difficult to obtain realtime performance if highly nonlinear material models that properly characterize biological organs are used. Although the use of BEM for the simulation of biological organs is not new, the results presented in the present study are not found elsewhere in the literature.

Magnetic skin layer of NiO(100) probed by polarization-dependent spectromicroscopy

Using polarization-dependent x-ray photoemission electron microscopy, we have investigated the surface effects on antiferromagnetic (AFM) domain formation. Depth-resolved information obtained from our study indicates the presence of strain-induced surface AFM domains on some of the cleaved NiO(100) crystals, which are unusually thinner than bulk AFM domain wall widths (similar to 150 nm). Existence of such magnetic skin layer is substantiated by exchange-coupled ferromagnetic Fe domains in Fe/NiO(100), thereby evidencing the influence of this surface AFM domains on interfacial magnetic coupling. Our observations demonstrate a depth evolution of AFM structure in presence of induced surface strain, while the surface symmetry-breaking in absence of induced strain does not modify the bulk AFM domain structure. Realization of such thin surface AFM layer will provide better microscopic understanding of the exchange bias phenomena. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

An estimate of the number of tropical tree species

The high species richness of tropical forests has long been recognized, yet there remains substantial uncertainty regarding the actual number of tropical tree species. Using a pantropical tree inventory database from closed canopy forests, consisting of 657,630 trees belonging to 11,371 species, we use a fitted value of Fisher's alpha and an approximate pantropical stem total to estimate the minimum number of tropical forest tree species to fall between similar to 40,000 and similar to 53,000, i.e., at the high end of previous estimates. Contrary to common assumption, the Indo-Pacific region was found to be as species-rich as the Neotropics, with both regions having a minimum of similar to 19,000-25,000 tree species. Continental Africa is relatively depauperate with a minimum of similar to 4,500-6,000 tree species. Very few species are shared among the African, American, and the Indo-Pacific regions. We provide a methodological framework for estimating species richness in trees that may help refine species richness estimates of tree-dependent taxa.

Bioenergy and climate change mitigation: an assessment

Bioenergy deployment offers significant potential for climate change mitigation, but also carries considerable risks. In this review, we bring together perspectives of various communities involved in the research and regulation of bioenergy deployment in the context of climate change mitigation: Land-use and energy experts, land-use and integrated assessment modelers, human geographers, ecosystem researchers, climate scientists and two different strands of life-cycle assessment experts. We summarize technological options, outline the state-of-the-art knowledge on various climate effects, provide an update on estimates of technical resource potential and comprehensively identify sustainability effects. Cellulosic feedstocks, increased end-use efficiency, improved land carbon-stock management and residue use, and, when fully developed, BECCS appear as the most promising options, depending on development costs, implementation, learning, and risk management. Combined heat and power, efficient biomass cookstoves and small-scale power generation for rural areas can help to promote energy access and sustainable development, along with reduced emissions. We estimate the sustainable technical potential as up to 100EJ: high agreement; 100-300EJ: medium agreement; above 300EJ: low agreement. Stabilization scenarios indicate that bioenergy may supply from 10 to 245EJyr(-1) to global primary energy supply by 2050. Models indicate that, if technological and governance preconditions are met, large-scale deployment (>200EJ), together with BECCS, could help to keep global warming below 2 degrees degrees of preindustrial levels; but such high deployment of land-intensive bioenergy feedstocks could also lead to detrimental climate effects, negatively impact ecosystems, biodiversity and livelihoods. The integration of bioenergy systems into agriculture and forest landscapes can improve land and water use efficiency and help address concerns about environmental impacts. We conclude that the high variability in pathways, uncertainties in technological development and ambiguity in political decision render forecasts on deployment levels and climate effects very difficult. However, uncertainty about projections should not preclude pursuing beneficial bioenergy options.

H2O-CH4 and H2S-CH4 complexes: a direct comparison through molecular beam experiments and ab initio calculations

New molecular beam scattering experiments have been performed to measure the total ( elastic plus inelastic) cross sections as a function of the velocity in collisions between water and hydrogen sulfide projectile molecules and the methane target. Measured data have been exploited to characterize the range and strength of the intermolecular interaction in such systems, which are of relevance as they drive the gas phase molecular dynamics and the clathrate formation. Complementary information has been obtained by rotational spectra, recorded for the hydrogen sulfide-methane complex, with a pulsed nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Extensive ab initio calculations have been performed to rationalize all the experimental findings. The combination of experimental and theoretical information has established the ground for the understanding of the nature of the interaction and allows for its basic components to be modelled, including charge transfer, in these weakly bound systems. The intermolecular potential for H2S-CH4 is significantly less anisotropic than for H2O-CH4, although both of them have potential minima that can be characterized as `hydrogen bonded'.

微电子与微机械系统（MEMS）中的现代光学测试技术

介绍了微电子和微电子机械系统（MEMS）中几种常用的变形和形貌测量方法以及相关的测量设备。其中相移云纹干涉技术用于微电子器件的面内位移测量，灵敏度可达到纳米量级。显微栅线投影技术用于MEMS的离面变形和形貌测量，灵敏度可达0.1微米。

Multiscale Coupling in Complex Mechanical Systems

Multiscale coupling attracts broad interests from mechanics, physics and chemistry to biology. The diversity and coupling of physics at different scales are two essential features of multiscale problems in far-from-equilibrium systems. The two features present fundamental difficulties and are great challenges to multiscale modeling and simulation. The theory of dynamical system and statistical mechanics provide fundamental tools for the multiscale coupling problems. The paper presents some closed multiscale formulations, e.g., the mapping closure approximation, multiscale large-eddy simulation and statistical mesoscopic damage mechanics, for two typical multiscale coupling problems in mechanics, that is, turbulence in fluids and failure in solids. It is pointed that developing a tractable, closed nonequilibrium statistical theory may be an effective approach to deal with the multiscale coupling problems. Some common characteristics of the statistical theory are discussed.

Análisis de riesgo de plagas de importancia fitosanitaria para Nicaragua en la importación de semilla de cebolla (Allium cepa L.) procecedente de Canadá

El presente Análisis de riesgo de Plagas (ARP) se realizó en el Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico Fitosanitario (CNDF) y Cuarentena del MAG-FOR en Managua, Nicaragua, e1 cual tuvo por objetivo evaluar el riesgo de introducción, establecimiento y dispersión de plagas de importancia fitosanitaria para Nicaragua en semilla de cebolla (Allium cepa L.) importada de Canadá, así como determinar las medidas adecuadas de protección fitosanitarias para evitar la introducción de las mismas a Nicaragua. De un listado inicial de 18 plagas, sólo 6 plagas son sujetas a evaluación y manejo del riesgo después de pasar por las tres etapas de evaluación de un ARP según la Norma Centroamericana del OIRSA, por considerarse que estas presentan capacidad biológica y de comportamiento, así como rangos óptimos de temperaturas que se asemejan a las condiciones de clima de las zonas productoras de Allium cepa L. del país. (Anexo1). El cuadro 1 contiene la lista de las plagas no sujetas a Evaluación del Riesgo Puccinia allii ( DC) Rudolphi y Urocistis Cepulae. Frost que causan la Roya y el carbón de la cebolla respectivamente son consideradas plagas específicas de los cultivos del género Allium P. allí es considerada plaga de bajo riesgo de introducción al país siendo la limitante para su establecimiento que su óptimo de temperatura ( 1 O" a 15" C), no se asemeja a las condiciones de temperatura de las zonas productoras del país( Anexo l ), mientras que U. cepulae es considerado como un hongo muy peligroso capaz de provocar pérdidas en la producción de hasta 80 por ciento tiene alta probabilidad de establecimiento v diseminación en las zonas productoras del país va que las condiciones de edafoclímaticas (16-22" C y pH 5-8) le favorecen( Anexo 1) Botryotinia squamosa. Viennot-Bourgín es un hongo que causa la pudrición blanda de la cebolla, se considera una plaga especifica de cultivos del género Allium con probabilidad alta de establecimiento v disemmac1ón en las zonas productoras de cebolla del país ya que el rango superior óptimo de temperatura (23" C) se asemeja a las condiciones de temperatura de las mismas (Anexo 11. Sclerotium cepivorum. Berkeley (1841 ). Es un hongo que causa la pudrición blanca de la cebolla y es considerado una plaga general de corto rango de hospedero quien además de atacar a cultivos del género Allium ataca también a lycopersicum esculentum (tomate) puede causar pérdidas en la producción de hasta un 70 por ciento (promedio) Y, con riesgo Alto de establecimiento en el país ya que temperaturas de 1 0"-20" C y baja humedad 40%. (pariona et. al) inclusive 30"- 5"C cuando hay humedad (Agrios 1985) y pH desde 1.4 a 8.8 le favorecen y las condiciones edafoclimáticas de las zonas productoras de cebolla del país se asemejan (Anexo ll). El nemátodo Ditylenchus dipsaci es un endoparásito destructor, y es considerado plaga general de cultivos del género Allium que ataca otros cultivos como cucurbitáceas. Zea mays (Maíz), Solanum tuberosum (Papa) y Nicotiana Tabacum (Tabaco). Es capaz de reducir la producción hasta un 75 por ciento (promedio) y la probabilidad de ingreso al país es media, a pesar de que su óptimo de temperatura (15º C) no se asemejan a la temperatura de las zonas productoras de cebolla del país. se considera de gran importancia sus características como: gran capacidad reproductiva es endoparásito y podemos encontrarlo dentro de cualquier parte de la planta inclusive dentro de la semilla. Aphelenchoides fragariae es un nematodo que tiene por hospedero secundario a Allium cepa. L puede ser capaz de ocasionar pérdidas en la producción de hasta 66.5% (promedio), es considerado plaga general de cultivos del género Allium con baja probabilidad de ingreso al país, va que su hospedero primario es la fresa y no se reportan daños en cebolla (no preferencia por Allium cepa L que es hospedero secundario) Todas estas plagas son consideradas de categoría A 1 1 para Nicaragua (no presentes en el país), lo que justifica plenamente la realización de este ARP a fin de tomar las medidas pertinentes que acompañen la importación de semilla y así evitar la introducción de nuevas plagas de difícil control.

Estudio del efecto de diferentes densidades de siembra sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo del mani (Arachis hypogaea L.)

El presente trabajo se planificó con la finalidad de determinar el efecto de diferentes densidades de siembra (86,667 plantas/ha tratamiento A 100,000 plantas/ha tratamiento B 111,111 plantas/ha tratamiento C; 114 286 plantas/ha tratamiento D 125,000 plantas/ha tratamiento E y 133,333 plantas/ha tratamiento F) sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo del maní, bajo las condiciones ecológicas de la finca la Concepción, Nagarote León. El ensayo se estableció en la época de postrera de 1999, utilizándose un diseño de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones, encontrándose que la variable altura de planta presentó diferencias significativas a los 30, 45, 60 y 75. El diámetro del tallo y número de hojas por planta presentaron diferencias significativas a los 45, 60 y 75 días después de la siembra. De las variables evaluadas para el rendimiento y sus principales componentes solamente se encontró diferencias significativas para el número de frutos por planta, número de nódulos por planta, número de plantas por metro cuadrado y rendimiento de granel efecto de los tratamientos para las variables número de semillas por fruto y peso de mil granos resultó ser no significativo. Así mismo se observó, que de las seis densidades de siembra evaluadas, la que dio el mayor rendimiento fue la de 125,000 plantas/ha y cuando la densidad de siembra se incrementa por encima de esta el rendimiento de grano disminuye.

El derecho entre ciencia y jurisprudencia

Resumen: El autor introduce su trabajo con una serie de precisiones semánticas acerca de los conceptos principales que definen el objeto de su indagación: derecho, ciencia y jurisprudencia. Critica la noción de ciencia aplicada al derecho, y la aspiración a la certeza que ella conlleva y que pretende ser realizada por el positivismo y la ideología política de la soberanía según el modelo moderno y de la Revolución Francesa. Y pone de manifiesto las contradicciones en las que incurren las diversas corrientes positivistas. En el núcleo teórico de la investigación, contrapone convencionalismo y realismo, para pasar luego a analizar las concepciones modernas y contemporáneas de jurisprudencia y la concepción de Francesco Gentile acerca de lo que él denomina “geometría legal”. La conclusión pretende mostrar que los errores de perspectiva acerca del derecho y la jurisprudencia terminan necesariamente en la desnaturalización del derecho y, en definitiva, en la injusticia.

Efecto de secuencia de cultivos y métodos de control de malezas sobre la dinámica de las malezas y el rendimiento del frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) postrera, 1997

El presente estudio se llevó a cabo en la Finca Experimental La Compañía, en el municipio de San Marcos– Carazo, Nicaragua, durante la postrera de 1997. Los objetivos fueron determinar el efecto de rotación de cultivos y métodos de control de malezas sobre la abundancia, biomasa y cobertura de las malezas en el cultivo del frijol común, así como el efecto sobre el rendimiento del cultivo y el beneficio económico que de él se deriva. Se estableció un experimento bifactorial en diseño de parcelas divididas, con cuatro repeticiones. El factor A secuencia de cultivo como parcela principal incluye los cultivos a 1), maíz, a2), sorgo, a3), frijol y a4) maleza y el factor B controles de maleza en las sub parcelas incluye: b1) control cultural, (cobertura muerta), b2) control mecánico, (uso de machete) y b3) control químico (herbicidas post-emergentes Flauzifop-butil y fomesafen). El análisis de las variables muestra efecto de los factores en estudio y muy pocas interacciones, por tanto a lo largo del documento se reportan y discuten los resultados de los factores por separado (efectos principales). En el estudio se lograron identificar 27 especies de maleza, de las cuales 16 pertenecen a la clase dicotiledónea y 11 a la clase monocotiledónea. Los mejores rendimientos se obtuvieron con la rotación maleza–frijol. Los mejores beneficios netos se presentaron en la rotación maleza–frijol. Respecto a los controles de maleza, el control químico ejerció mejor control sobre las malezas, contrario al control mecánico y el control cultural.