University of Almería

About: University of Almería is a education organization based out in Almería, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 4674 authors who have published 10905 publications receiving 233036 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Almeria & Universidad de Almería.

The ecosystem functioning dimension in conservation: insights from remote sensing

Abstract: An important goal of conservation biology is the maintenance of ecosystem processes. Incorporating quantitative measurements of ecosystem functions into conservation practice is important given that it provides not only proxies for biodiversity patterns, but also new tools and criteria for management. In the satellite era, the translation of spectral information into ecosystem functional variables expands and complements the more traditional use of satellite imagery in conservation biology. Remote sensing scientists have generated accurate techniques to quantify ecosystem processes and properties of key importance for conservation planning such as primary production, ecosystem carbon gains, surface temperature, albedo, evapotranspiration, and precipitation use efficiency; however, these techniques are still unfamiliar to conservation biologists. In this article, we identify specific fields where a remotely-sensed characterization of ecosystem functioning may aid conservation science and practice. Such fields include the management and monitoring of species and populations of conservation concern; the assessment of ecosystem representativeness and singularity; the use of protected areas as reference sites to assess global change effects; the implementation of monitoring and warning systems to guide adaptive management; the direct evaluation of supporting ecosystem services; and the planning and monitoring of ecological restorations. The approaches presented here illustrate feasible ways to incorporate the ecosystem functioning dimension into conservation through the use of satellite-derived information.

Multifunctional Microgel Magnetic/Optical Traps for SERS Ultradetection

Abstract: We report on the fabrication of a SERS substrate comprising magnetic and silver particles encapsulated within a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) thermoresponsive microgel. This colloidal substrate has the ability to adsorb analytes from solution while it is expanded (low temperature) and reversibly generate hot spots upon collapse (high temperature or drying). Additionally, the magnetic functionality permits concentration of the composite particles into small spatial regions, which can be exploited to decrease the amount of material per analysis while improving its SERS detection limit. Proof of concept for the sequestration of uncommon molecular systems is demonstrated through the first SERS analysis of pentachlorophenol (PCP), a chlorinated ubiquitous environmental pollutant.

Functional analysis of the Arlequin mutant corroborates the essential role of the Arlequin/TAGL1 gene during reproductive development of tomato

Abstract: Reproductive development of higher plants comprises successive events of organ differentiation and growth which finally lead to the formation of a mature fruit. However, most of the genetic and molecular mechanisms which coordinate such developmental events are yet to be identified and characterized. Arlequin (Alq), a semi-dominant T-DNA tomato mutant showed developmental changes affecting flower and fruit ripening. Sepals were converted into fleshy organs which ripened as normal fruit organs and fruits displayed altered ripening features. Molecular characterization of the tagged gene demonstrated that it corresponded to the previously reported TOMATO AGAMOUS-LIKE 1 (TAGL1) gene, the tomato ortholog of SHATTERPROOF MADS-box genes of Arabidopsis thaliana, and that the Alq mutation promoted a gain-of-function phenotype caused by the ectopic expression of TAGL1. Ectopic overexpression of TAGL1 resulted in homeotic alterations affecting floral organ identity that were similar to but stronger than those observed in Alq mutant plants. Interestingly, TAGL1 RNAi plants yielded tomato fruits which were unable to ripen. They displayed a yellow-orange color and stiffness appearance which are in accordance with reduced lycopene and ethylene levels, respectively. Moreover, pericarp cells of TAGL1 RNAi fruits showed altered cellular and structural properties which correlated to both decreased expression of genes regulating cell division and lignin biosynthesis. Over-expression of TAGL1 is able to rescue the non-ripening phenotype of rin and nor mutants, which is mediated by the transcriptional activation of several ripening genes. Our results demonstrated that TAGL1 participates in the genetic control of flower and fruit development of tomato plants. Furthermore, gene silencing and over-expression experiments demonstrated that the fruit ripening process requires the regulatory activity of TAGL1. Therefore, TAGL1 could act as a linking factor connecting successive stages of reproductive development, from flower development to fruit maturation, allowing this complex process to be carried out successfully.

pH change induces shifts in the size and light absorption of dissolved organic matter

Abstract: Dissolved organic matter (DOM) influences inland water ecosystems through its light absorbing qualities. We investigated how pH affects light absorption by DOM with pH manipulation experiments and with data from two lake surveys. We hypothesized that: (1) light absorption and photobleaching of DOM would increase with increasing pH, and (2) as a result of photobleaching, molar absorption (i.e. light absorbance at 440 nm/dissolved organic carbon concentration) would decrease among lakes with increasing pH. In experiments with filtered lake water both initial light absorption and photobleaching rates increased at higher (i.e. more basic) pH along with a concomitant shift in the size of DOM toward larger colloidal materials measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atom force microscopy (AFM) revealed large colloidal to particulate-sized organic matter in alkaline relative to acidic treatments. In the lake surveys, molar absorption coefficients were negatively related to pH across gradients similar to the experiments. Our results are consistent with a conceptual model in which at low pH DOM polymers and colloids are condensed limiting exposure of chromophores to light; at higher pH, polymers and colloids are expanded exposing chromophores to light resulting in greater initial light absorption and faster photobleaching. Hence, water transparency, which is significantly controlled by DOM, is sensitive to environmental changes that influence the pH and chemical composition of inland waters.

Comparison of the efficiency of different extraction methods for the simultaneous determination of mycotoxins and pesticides in milk samples by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract: A rapid multi-analyte method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of pesticides and mycotoxins in milk by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS). A variety of methodologies has been evaluated, including solid-phase extraction (SPE), "dilute-and-shoot" (liquid-liquid extraction-based procedures), and QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe)-based methods. The optimization and development process was carried out considering that the maximum residue level for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk in the European Union (EU) is set at 0.05 μg kg(-1), which is the lowest tolerance in the target compounds. The selected method consisted of an extraction by SPE using C18 as sorbent and methanol as elution solvent. The final determination was performed by UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS. Matrix-matched standard calibration was used for quantification, obtaining recoveries in the range 60-120% with relative standard deviations <25%, at three spiking levels: 0.5, 10, and 50 μg kg(-1) (ten times lower for AFM1). Limits of quantification ranged from 0.20 to 0.67 μg kg(-1), which were always below or equal to the established tolerance levels by the EU. Finally, the selected method was applied to different types of milk.