An Analysis of Urban Size and Territorial Location Effects on Employment Probabilities: The Spanish Case

The probability of being employed varies depending on several factors. Many of these are related to personal characteristics such as educational level, age, gender, or number and age of children. Nevertheless, other factors may be relevant, in particular the geographical environment. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relevance of urban size and the position of each territory (in terms of its distance from large metropolises) for the probability of being employed in the Spanish economy. Following the set of economic regions suggested by Polése, Shearmur and Rubiera (2007 ), we try to explain the spatial patterns of employment distribution. Our results show some relevant differences between these alternative economic areas. We find that municipalities with similar sizes and located at a similar distance from a metropolis but belonging to different Autonomous Communities or provinces share similar employability patterns.     

Insights into the genetic diversity and evolution of Little cherry virus 1

Little cherry virus 1 (LChV‐1), a member of the recently proposed genus Velarivirus, is a sweet cherry pathogen that has been recently reported to infect other Prunus species and is associated with various plant disorders. In this work the incidence of the virus on its putative hosts and possible mechanisms driving its evolution were investigated. Due to problems encountered with LChV‐1 detection, a new nested RT‐PCR assay was developed and applied. The virus was found to be prevalent in cherry plantations in Greece and only occasionally detected in other Prunus species. Sequences corresponding to the partial RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), heat‐shock protein homologue (HSP70h) and coat protein (CP) genes were determined from Greek LChV‐1 isolates originating from different hosts; these were analysed, along with published homologous genomic regions from other isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the three genes revealed the segregation of four evolutionary distinct groups showing no host or geography‐based clustering. Mean genetic distances among the four groups were high with the CP region showing the highest divergence, although intragroup variability levels were low. Nevertheless, estimations of the mean ratio of nonsynonymous substitutions per synonymous site to synonymous substitutions per synonymous site (dN/dS) for the partial RdRp, HSP70h and CP indicated that these genomic regions are under negative selection pressure. Interestingly, a recombination event was identified at the 3′ end of RdRp on a Greek virus isolate, thus highlighting the role of this mechanism in the evolutionary history of LChV‐1.     

Elimination of Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV) from two Vitis vinifera cultivars by in vitro chemotherapy

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars ‘Agiorgitiko’ and ‘Malagouzia’, naturally infected with Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV), were subjected to in vitro chemotherapy using the antiviral inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitors tiazofurin (TR), ribavirin (RBV) and mycophenolic acid (MPA). The chemotherapy lasted 80 days and was carried out as two consecutive treatments. Severe phytotoxicity, estimated after 40 days of culture, was observed in drug-treated explants, especially when high doses of TR were used. Phytotoxicity exhibited a cultivar- and chemical compound-dependent profile. The virus eradication status of the survived plantlets was determined by nested RT-PCR using total RNA templates, after 80 days of drug treatment and one year later, after the passage of one dormancy period, in potted plants grown in a greenhouse. Data indicated that the highest GRSPaV elimination in ‘Agiorgitiko’ was obtained with 10 μg? ml^?1 TR, 30 μg ?ml^?1 RBV and 20 μg? ml^?1 MPA. The eradication rates were lower in the case of ‘Malagouzia’, where the highest ones were achieved after treatments with 15 μg ml^?1 TR and 80 μg ml^?1 MPA. This is the first report on GRSPaV elimination in grapevine following treatment with antiviral compounds, which could provide an alternative to the traditional methods of virus eradication through meristem culture and thermotherapy.     

Reliable RT-PCR detection of Apple stem pitting virus in pome fruits and its association with quince fruit deformation disease

In this study a spot nested RT-PCR assay was developed for the detection of Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV). A one step RT-PCR for the generic detection of foveaviruses using degenerate primers that target a conserved region of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene was followed by a nested PCR that amplifies a 312 bp ASPV specific product. The method is rapid, simple and displays high sensitivity and broad detection range, overcoming the virus molecular variability. The optimum sampling conditions for reliable virus detection were also investigated. ASPV was detected throughout the year in different plant tissues of affected trees, thus the method could be used for routine screening and in certification schemes of pome fruits. ASPV was detected in quince orchards in Greece in all trees that were tested, showing a fruit deformation disorder. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of amplicons generated by RT-PCR from plant tissue affected with the deformation disease indicated that the agent responsible was a variant of ASPV.     

Host‐range studies,genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of ACLSV isolates from ornamental,wild and cultivated Rosaceous species

A large‐scale survey was carried out to study the host range and genetic diversity of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) in various Rosaceae species, with a special emphasis on ornamentals and wild shrubs. Samples were tested by DAS‐ELISA using two different antisera, and RT‐PCR amplification of part of the CP gene. There was generally a poor correlation between the results obtained with the two sets of serological reagents and between serological and molecular detection assays. Using a nested RT‐PCR assay developed here, ACLSV was found to be widespread among cultivated, ornamental and wild species of the Rosaceae. The virus was detected for the first time in plum, wild cherry, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa and Prunus cerasifera in Greece. Sequences of a part of the CP encoding gene and the 3′ untranslated region from ACLSV isolates originating from various wild species and ornamentals were compared to those of isolates from cultivated hosts, showing similar divergence levels. Further phylogenetic analysis using the sequenced region indicated that the isolates from wild or ornamental hosts were not more closely related to each other than to isolates from cultivated hosts. The possible role of different factors in the spread of ACLSV on cultivated, ornamental and wild species is discussed.     

Criniviruses associated with cucurbit yellows disease in Greece and Cyprus: an ever-changing scene

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) and Beet pseudo-yellows virus (BPYV) are whitefly-transmitted criniviruses that cause foliar interveinal yellowing symptoms and result in high economic losses for cucurbit production. CYSDV and CCYV are transmitted by Bemisia tabaci, whereas BPYV is transmitted by Trialeurodes vaporariorum. During 2012–2017, an extensive survey was conducted to identify the viruses causing cucurbit yellows disease in Greece and Cyprus. The study sampled the main cucurbits and alternative hosts in these regions to determine crinivirus incidence, to identify the whitefly species present in the two countries and to characterize molecularly the virus populations. Results showed that CYSDV was the most widespread virus in Greece (49.9%), followed by CCYV (20.3%) and BPYV (18.4%). Bemisia tabaci and T. vaporariorum were identified in 54.5% and 45.6% of whitefly samples, respectively. In Cyprus, CYSDV was predominant (96.7%), followed by CCYV (19.2%), while no BPYV infection was detected. Approximately 15% of weed samples from 17 different species that belong to 12 botanical families were identified as hosts for one or more of these criniviruses. Finally, sequencing of the capsid protein gene of the crinivirus isolates revealed very low levels of genetic diversity, further supporting the genetic stability of crinivirus populations. The results of this long-lasting epidemiological study in two countries of the eastern Mediterranean revealed substantial changes in the relative incidence and distribution of cucurbit-infecting criniviruses and their whitefly vectors over the past 15 years, suggesting the need for adoption of novel management strategies.     

Elimination of a new ampelovirus (GLRaV-Pr) and Grapevine rupestris stem pitting associated virus (GRSPaV) from two Vitis vinifera cultivars combining in vitro thermotherapy with shoot tip culture

A new virus species designated as Grapevine leafroll associated virus-Pr (GLRaV-Pr), which is classified in a distinct phylogenetic group of the genus Ampelovirus (Closteroviridae), was recently characterized from Greek grapevine cultivars. Elimination studies of GLRaV-Pr were carried out in two grapevine cultivars, ‘Mantilaria’ and ‘Prevezaniko’, co-infected with Grapevine rupestris stem pitting associated virus (GRSPaV, Flexiviridae). Both viruses were detected by nested RT-PCR assays. Virus elimination was achieved by combining in vitro thermotherapy with meristem (≤0.2 mm) or shoot tip culture (≤0.5 cm). The survival and regeneration rate of meristems was very low. On the other hand, high survival rates were observed in the cultured shoot tips accompanied with high elimination rates for both viruses. Data obtained in this study indicate that virus elimination depends on the genotype of grapevine. The results confirmed that sanitation is easier for species of the Closteroviridae family than for GRSPaV, whereas it seems that eradication of GLRaV-Pr and GRSPaV is feasible even with larger plant tissue parts if combined with an appropriate thermotherapy profile in vitro.     

The percolation phase transition in sea Ice

Sea ice exhibits a marked transition in its fluid transport properties at a critical brine volume fraction pc of about 5 percent, or temperature Tc of about -5 degreesC for salinity of 5 parts per thousand. For temperatures warmer than Tc, brine carrying heat and nutrients can move through the ice, whereas for colder temperatures the ice is impermeable. This transition plays a key role in the geophysics, biology, and remote sensing of sea ice. Percolation theory can be used to understand this critical behavior of transport in sea ice. The similarity of sea ice microstructure to compressed powders is used to theoretically predict pc of about 5 percent.