Development of tantalum phenoxy-imine compounds for selective ethylene oligomerization

The development of catalysts that selectively oligomerize light olefins for uses in polymers and fuels remains of interest to the petrochemical and materials industry. For this purpose, two tantalum compounds, (FI)TaMe2Cl2 and (FI)TaMe4, implementing a previously reported phenoxy-imine (FI) ligand framework, have been synthesized and characterized with NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. When tested for ethylene oligomerization catalysis, (FI)TaMe2Cl2 was found to dimerize ethylene when activated with Et2Zn or EtMgCl, and (FI)TaMe4 dimerized ethylene when activated with B(C6F5)3, both at room temperature.

Rentabilidad de los sectores culturales

[ES] La industria cultural es un tema delicado y que genera cierta discordia en España. Desde la aparición de la crisis económica, las estadísticas muestran la continua caída de las cifras culturales y mientras la clase política promete, las masas que constituyen el sector cultural se manifiestan enfurecidas. En 2012, este sector representaba el 3,2% del PIB (mayor que el sector energético, con un 2,7% y con un nivel similar al del sector agrario, con un 3,4%) y empleaba a más de 500.000 personas de alta cualificación. Si mezclamos en el mismo bol la crisis económica, la piratería y la nueva fiscalidad (13 puntos más en la subida del IVA en los ámbitos culturales), no es difícil ver cómo y porqué se ha desplomado la industria cultural española (Zarzalejos, 2012). Son muchos los escépticos de la industrialización de los sectores culturales, pero no se dan cuenta de que ya ha pasado. La industria cultural y del diseño, además de producción y marketing, se compone de creatividad, innovación, ideas, sueños y arte. Además, hoy en día, el avance tecnológico nos brinda nuevas formas de trasmitir arte y cultura. La cultura, en todas sus formas, es imprescindible. El objetivo final de este trabajo es evaluar la rentabilidad de los sectores culturales tanto en España como en Euskadi.

New data on Myxobolus longisporus (Myxozoa : Myxobolidae), a gill infecting parasite of carp, Cyprinus carpio haematopterus, from Chinese lakes

The original description of Myxobolus longisporus Nie et Li, 1992, the species infecting gills of Cyprinus carpio haematopterus L., is supplemented with new data on the spore morphology and pathogenicity. Spores are elongate pyriform with pointed anterior end, 15.7 (15.5-16.5) mum long, 6.7 (6-8) mum wide and 5.5 mum thick. Sutural ridge is straight and narrow. Mucus envelope is lacking. Two equal-sized elongate pyriform polar capsules are 8.5 mum long and 2.5 mum wide with convergent long axes. Polar filament coiled perpendicularly to the long axis of the capsule makes 9 (8-10) turns. Posterior end of polar capsules exceeds mid-spore by 15-20%. Cyst-like plasmodia are localised in the gill secondary lamellae. The infection is described in adult big host specimens. Gross lesions manifested as dark red colouration of gill tissues were restricted to the ventral part of the first gill arches. Remarkable site specificity (apical part of secondary lamellae) was observed in the course of development of microscopic lesions. M. longisporus is characterised also on the molecular level using sequences of SSU rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis based on these sequences has allowed clearer phylogenetic relationships to be established with other species of the genus Myxobolus sequenced to date.

Myxobolus lentisuturalis sp n. (Myxozoa : Myxobolidae), a new muscle-infecting species from the Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio from China

A new highly pathogenic muscle-infecting species of the genus Myxobolus Butschli, 1882 is described from the Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) using spore morphology and SSU rDNA sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses elucidated relationship of the newly described Myxobolus lentisuturalis to other Myxobolus species and supported its position of an independent species.

固斑蝰蛇毒C-型凝集素样蛋白Dabocetin及L-氨基酸氧化酶DRS-LAO的研究

本论文研究了从圆斑蛙蛇泰国亚种（Daboia russellii siamensis）蛇毒中纯化的C一型凝集素样蛋白Dabocetin和L一氨基酸氧化酶DRS一AO的理化性质、生物学活性和分子克隆。Dabocetin是分子量约为28扔。的异二聚体蛋白，它由分子量约为15.0kDa和14．5kDa的两个同源亚基以和p共价结合形成。N－末端氨基酸序列比较显示，Dabocetin与目前已知的蛇毒c一型凝集素样蛋白有很高的同源性。即使在终浓度达50．0。叫而时，Dabocetin也不能直接诱导血小板聚集。此外，在终浓度为40.00μg/ml时，Dabocetin几乎不能抑制由AdP，TMVA和stejnulxin诱导的血小板聚集。但是，Dabocetin呈剂量依赖地抑制瑞斯托霉素诱导的血小板凝集，其半数抑制率ICS。值为10.80ug/ml。流式细胞仪分析表明，Dabocetin显著抑制单克隆抗体522与GPIba的结合，提示Dabocetin很可能是一个GPIb结合蛋白。从圆斑蛙蛇的毒腺中克隆到了7个编码不同蛇毒C一型凝集素样蛋白亚基的七DNA（命名为DRs一1至DRs一7）。其中，DRsLS编码Dabocetin的a亚基，DRS一6编码Dabocetin的p亚基。DRs一1和DRS一2很可能是圆斑蛙蛇毒腺中表达的X因子激活剂的两条轻链LCZ和LCI的山NA。DRS一3，DRS毛4和DRSL7可能是圆斑蛙蛇毒腺中表达的C一型凝集素样蛋白p亚基的。NA。DRsLAO是一个新的L一氨基酸氧化酶，比活力为1．98U加噶。十二烷基磺酸钠一聚丙烯酞氨凝胶电泳（SDs-PAGE）分析显示，该酶在还原和非还原条件下均呈现一条蛋白带，表观分子量约为58kDa。N-末端氨基酸序列比较显示，DRS一AO与目前已知的蛇毒L一氨基酸氧化酶有很高的同源性。该酶的最适底物为L一亮氨酸，最适pH为8．8。DRs一Ao呈剂量依赖地抑制扔P和仆IvA诱导的血小板聚集，其半数抑制率ICS。值分别为32.8μg/ml和32.3μg/ml。DRS-LAO对金黄色葡萄球菌（灯Cc25923）和耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌有较强的抗菌作用。DRs一AO对金黄色葡萄球菌必Tcc25923）的最低抑菌浓度卿C）和最低杀菌浓度耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌的孤CS。和呱Cg。值分别为18．。林留时和36.0μg/ml；DRSLAo对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌的MBC50和MBCg。值分别为36.0μg/ml和72.0μg/ml。通过对DRS一AO的分子克隆，得到了编码DRS-AO的部分cDNA序列。

Muestras de productos y propuesta de productos de joyería para la Cancillería Colombiana.

19 hojas : ilustraciones, fotografías.

The broad-scale distribution and abundance of Scyphomedusae in Irish waters

Scyphomedusae are receiving increasing recognition as key components of marine ecosystems. However, information on their distribution and abundance beyond coastal waters is generally lacking. Organising access to such data is critical to effectively transpose findings from laboratory, mesocosm and small scale studies to the scale of ecological processes. These data are also required to identify the risks of detrimental impacts of jellyfish blooms on human activities. In Ireland, such risks raise concerns among the public, but foremost amongst the professionals of the aquaculture and fishing sectors. The present work looked at the opportunity to get access to new information on the distribution of jellyfish around Ireland mostly by using existing infrastructures and programmes. The analysis of bycatch data collected during the Irish groundfish surveys provided new insights into the distribution of Pelagia noctiluca over an area >160 000 km2, a scale never reached before in a region of the Northeast Atlantic (140 sampling stations). Similarly, 4 years of data collected during the Irish Sea juvenile gadoid fish survey provided the first spatially, explicit, information on the abundance of Aurelia aurita and Cyanea spp. (Cyanea capillata and Cyanea lamarckii) throughout the Irish Sea (> 200 sampling events). In addition, the use of ships of opportunity allowed repeated samplings (N = 37) of an >100 km long transect between Dublin (Ireland) and Holyhead (Wales, UK), therefore providing two years of seasonal monitoring of the occurrence of scyphomedusae in that region. Finally, in order to inform the movements of C. capillata in an area where many negative interactions with bathers occur, the horizontal and vertical movements of 5 individual C. capillata were investigated through acoustic tracking.

Channel Catchments Cluster. Recent developments in tools and techniques for water quality management in the France (Channel) England region

The Channel Catchments Cluster (3C) aims to capitalise on outputs from some of the recent projects funded through the INTERREG IVa France (Channel) England programme. The river catchment basins draining into the Channel region drain an area of 137,000km2 and support a human population of over 19M. Throughout history, these catchments, rivers and estuaries have been centres of habitation, developed through commerce and industry, providing transport links to hinterland areas. These catchments also provide drinking water and food through provision of agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture. In addition, many parts of the region are also economically important now for the tourism and leisure industries. Consequently, there is a need to manage the balance of these many and varied human activities within the catchments, rivers, estuaries and marine areas to ensure that they are maintained or restored to good environmental condition . This document highlights some of the recent work carried out by projects within the INTERREG IVa programme that provide tools and techniques to assist in the achievement of these goals.

Determination of relevant Indicators for Environmental monitoring: A Strategy for Europe (DIESE) Final Scientific Report

The DIESE program (Determination of relevant Indicators for Environmental monitoring: A Strategy for Europe) brought together seven French and British research teams, a private company and the agencies responsible for the management of water bodies of the two countries (ONEMA and the Environmental Agency) in a joint effort to document the ecotoxicological effects related to the presence of chemicals in the environment. To contribute to a better understanding and management of the environment, the program has expanded its efforts to (1) use existing knowledge, or new information acquired during the research program, to identify important biological problems affecting the wildlife, (2) increase our understanding of toxicological mechanisms involved and thus be able to identify the causes of the identified dysfunctions and (3) to hone our expertise and vigilance system in order to better monitor changes in the environment and make appropriate diagnoses.

La influencia de las nuevas tecnologías en los hábitos de lectura: análisis de las noticias de "El País", "El Mundo" y "ABC" (2011)

En este texto se explica el cambio de hábitos que ha supuesto la lectura en formato digital. Se indican los factores que determinan la selección un formato u otro, al igual que la situación en la que se encuentra la lectura digital en España. Para ello, se analizan las noticias sobre este tema encontradas en los periódicos: ABC, El País y El Mundo durante el año 2011 -período relevante para la lectura digital- y se comparan con los resultados de las encuestas de AIMC, FGEE, etc., con el fin de sacar conclusiones certeras.

Small RNA-mediated chromatin silencing directed to the 3' region of the Arabidopsis gene encoding the developmental regulator, FLC.

Small RNA-mediated chromatin silencing is well characterized for repeated sequences and transposons, but its role in regulating single-copy endogenous genes is unclear. We have identified two small RNAs (30 and 24 nucleotides) corresponding to the reverse strand 3' to the canonical poly(A) site of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), an Arabidopsis gene encoding a repressor of flowering. Genome searches suggest that these RNAs originate from the FLC locus in a genomic region lacking repeats. The 24-nt small RNA, which is most abundant in developing fruits, is absent in mutants defective in RNA polymerase IVa, RNA-DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASE 2, and DICER-LIKE 3, components required for RNAi-mediated chromatin silencing. The corresponding genomic region shows histone 3 lysine 9 dimethylation, which was reduced in a dcl2,3,4 triple mutant. Investigations into the origins of the small RNAs revealed a polymerase IVa-dependent spliced, antisense transcript covering the 3' FLC region. Mutation of this genomic region by T-DNA insertion led to FLC misexpression and delayed flowering, suggesting that RNAi-mediated chromatin modification is an important component of endogenous pathways that function to suppress FLC expression.

Volumetric Carbon Content Calculations: A Geostatistical and Compositional Approach

This study applies spatial statistical techniques including cokriging to integrate airborne geophysical (radiometric) data with ground-based measurements of peat depth and soil organic carbon (SOC) to monitor change in peat cover for carbon stock calculations. The research is part of the EU funded Tellus Border project and is supported by the INTERREG IVA development programme of the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The premise is that saturated peat attenuates the radiometric signal from underlying soils and rocks. Contemporaneous ground-based measurements were collected to corroborate mapped estimates and develop a statistical model for volumetric carbon content (VCC) to 0.5 metres. Field measurements included ground penetrating radar, gamma ray spectrometry and a soil sampling methodology which measured bulk density and soil moisture to determine VCC. One aim of the study was to explore whether airborne radiometric survey data can be used to establish VCC across a region. To account for the footprint of airborne radiometric data, five cores were obtained at each soil sampling location: one at the centre of the ground radiometric equivalent sample location and one at each of the four corners 20 metres apart. This soil sampling strategy replicated the methodology deployed for the Tellus Border geochemistry survey. Two key issues will be discussed from this work. The first addresses the integration of different sampling supports for airborne and ground measured data and the second discusses the compositional nature of the VOC data.

Development of polymeric materials to inhibit bacterial quorum sensing

Bacterial infections are an increasing problem for human health. In fact, an increasing number of infections are caused by bacteria that are resistant to most antibiotics and their combinations. Therefore, the scientific community is currently searching for new solutions to fight bacteria and infectious diseases, without promoting antimicrobial resistance. One of the most promising strategies is the disruption or attenuation of bacterial Quorum Sensing (QS), a refined system that bacteria use to communicate. In a QS event, bacteria produce and release specific small chemicals, signal molecules - autoinducers (AIs) - into the environment. At the same time that bacterial population grows, the concentration of AIs in the bacterial environment increases. When a threshold concentration of AIs is reached, bacterial cells respond to it by altering their gene expression profile. AIs regulate gene expression as a function of cell population density. Phenotypes mediated by QS (QSphenotypes) include virulence factors, toxin production, antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. In this work, two polymeric materials (linear polymers and molecularly imprinted nanoparticles) were developed and their ability to attenuate QS was evaluated. Both types of polymers should to be able to adsorb bacterial signal molecules, limiting their availability in the extracellular environment, with expected disruption of QS. Linear polymers were composed by one of two monomers (itaconic acid and methacrylic acid), which are known to possess strong interactions with the bacterial signal molecules. Molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MIP NPs) are particles with recognition capabilities for the analyte of interest. This ability is attained by including the target analyte at the synthesis stage. Vibrio fischeri and Aeromonas hydrophila were used as model species for the study. Both the linear polymers and MIP NPs, tested free in solutions and coated to surfaces, showed ability to disrupt QS by decreasing bioluminescence of V. fischeri and biofilm formation of A. hydrophila. No significant effect on bacterial growth was detected. The cytotoxicity of the two types of polymers to a fibroblast-like cell line (Vero cells) was also tested in order to evaluate their safety. The results showed that both the linear polymers and MIP NPs were not cytotoxic in the testing conditions. In conclusion, the results reported in this thesis, show that the polymers developed are a promising strategy to disrupt QS and reduce bacterial infection and resistance. In addition, due to their low toxicity, solubility and easy integration by surface coating, the polymers have potential for applications in scenarios where bacterial infection is a problem: medicine, pharmaceutical, food industry and in agriculture or aquaculture.

A alfabetização de adultos na região do Algarve e o uso de tecnologias: do desejável ao possível

Nos últimos tempos têm sido desenvolvidas iniciativas notáveis para a implementação das TIC nos vários graus de ensino, inclusivamente no 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico. No entanto, existe a ideia de que os docentes no Ensino do 1.º Ciclo a Adultos (alfabetização) não utilizam as TIC. As potencialidades das TIC são valiosas e podem ser eficazes na erradicação do analfabetismo e no combate à iliteracia. A Alfabetização de Adultos na Região do Algarve e o uso de tecnologias: do desejável ao possível é um Estudo de Caso em que, utilizando uma metodologia mista, se pretende perceber se as TIC estão a ser aplicadas nos cursos de alfabetização de adultos na região do Algarve e, em caso afirmativo, conhecer as tecnologias aplicadas bem como o modo em que estão a ser utilizadas. No enquadramento teórico foram analisados conceitos relevantes para o estudo, tais como a Educação e Formação de Adultos e as Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação. O estudo decorreu na região do Algarve, em vinte e duas escolas que possuem cursos de alfabetização, e os dados foram recolhidos junto de trinta docentes questionados, dos quais seis foram entrevistados. Os resultados alcançados permitem concluir que as TIC são utilizadas nos cursos de alfabetização de adultos, no processo de ensino e de aprendizagem da leitura e da escrita como estratégia pedagógica.