Potential and analysis of an osmotic power plant in the Magdalena River using experimental field-data

Producción CientíficaThe Magdalena River mouth in Colombia is studied as a candidate site for a renewable power plant via osmotic energy technology, using pressure retarded osmosis. This power generation plant would operate through the controlled mix of two flows with different salinities (river water and seawater in this case study). A preliminary design of a pressure retarded osmosis power plant is proposed here by means of experimental data acquisition on-site at the river mouth. The obtained net power production is shown to reach 6 MW, with adequate membrane power densities above 5 W/m2. These promising results consider energetic losses involved in the process, which have been further analysed to propose improvement targets in pretreatment processes and membrane permeability.Spanish Ministry of Economy through the project DPI2014-54530-R and the predoctoral grant BES-2015-073871, by the Junta de Castilla y León and European Regional Development Fund, UIC 233, and by the Banco Santander Iberoamérica Research Grants program. Field data acquisition was funded by COLCIENCIAS -Department of Science, Technology and Innovation of Colombia- by the project: 121571451074, resolution 881 – 2015

Predictive value of CDKN2A/p16INK4a expression in the malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis

[Abstract] Background: Management of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) is still challenging. Despite the diagnostic ascertainment by bioptic examination, this method is poorly informative of the prognosis and subsequent malignant transformation. Prognosis is based on histological findings by grading of dysplasia. Immunohistochemical expression of p16INK4a has been investigated in different studies, with controversial results. In this scenario, we systematically revised the current evidence about p16INK4a immunohistochemical expression and the risk of malignization of OPMDs. Material and methods: After a proper set of keywords combination, 5 databases were accessed and screened to select eligible studies. The protocol was previously registered on PROSPERO (Protocol ID: CRD42022355931). Data were obtained directly from the primary studies as a measure to determine the relationship between CDKN2A/P16INK4a expression and the malignant transformation of OPMDs. Heterogeneity and publication bias were investigated by different tools, such as Cochran’s Q test, Galbraith plot and Egger and Begg Mazumdar’s rank tests. Results: Meta-analysis revealed a twofold increased risk to malignant development (RR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.36–2.96 - I2 = 0%). Subgroup analysis did not highlight any relevant heterogeneity. Galbraith plot showed that no individual study could be considered as an important outlier. Conclusion: Pooled analysis showed that p16INK4a assessment may arise adjunct tool to dysplasia grading, leading to an optimized determination of the potential progression to cancer of OPMDs. The p16INK4a overexpression analysis by immunohistochemistry techniques has a multitude of virtues that may facilitate its incorporation in the day-to-day prognostic study of OPMDs

Predictive value of CDKN2A/p16INK4a expression in the malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Management of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) is still challenging. Despite the diagnostic ascertainment by bioptic examination, this method is poorly informative of the prognosis and subsequent malignant transformation. Prognosis is based on histological findings by grading of dysplasia. Immunohistochemical expression of p16INK4a has been investigated in different studies, with controversial results. In this scenario, we systematically revised the current evidence about p16INK4a immunohistochemical expression and the risk of malignization of OPMDs. Material and methods After a proper set of keywords combination, 5 databases were accessed and screened to select eligible studies. The protocol was previously registered on PROSPERO (Protocol ID: CRD42022355931). Data were obtained directly from the primary studies as a measure to determine the relationship between CDKN2A/P16INK4a expression and the malignant transformation of OPMDs. Heterogeneity and publication bias were investigated by different tools, such as Cochran's Q test, Galbraith plot and Egger and Begg Mazumdar’s rank tests. Results Meta-analysis revealed a twofold increased risk to malignant development (RR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.36–2.96 - I2 = 0%). Subgroup analysis did not highlight any relevant heterogeneity. Galbraith plot showed that no individual study could be considered as an important outlier. Conclusion Pooled analysis showed that p16INK4a assessment may arise adjunct tool to dysplasia grading, leading to an optimized determination of the potential progression to cancer of OPMDs. The p16INK4a overexpression analysis by immunohistochemistry techniques has a multitude of virtues that may facilitate its incorporation in the day-to-day prognostic study of OPMDsS

Nuclear astrophysics with radioactive ions at FAIR

R. Reifarth et al: ; 12 págs.; 9 figs.; Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 3.0 ; Nuclear Physics in Astrophysics VI (NPA6)The nucleosynthesis of elements beyond iron is dominated by neutron captures in the s and r processes. However, 32 stable, proton-rich isotopes cannot be formed during those processes, because they are shielded from the s-process ow and r-process -decay chains. These nuclei are attributed to the p and rp process. For all those processes, current research in nuclear astrophysics addresses the need for more precise reaction data involving radioactive isotopes. Depending on the particular reaction, direct or inverse kinematics, forward or time-reversed direction are investigated to determine or at least to constrain the desired reaction cross sections. The Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) will oer unique, unprecedented opportunities to investigate many of the important reactions. The high yield of radioactive isotopes, even far away from the valley of stability, allows the investigation of isotopes involved in processes as exotic as the r or rp processes.This project was supported by the HGF Young Investigators Project VH-NG-327, EMMI, H4F, HGS-HIRe, JINA, NAVI, DFG and ATHENA.Peer Reviewe

New Population and Phylogenetic Features of the Internal Variation within Mitochondrial DNA Macro-Haplogroup R0

BACKGROUND: R0 embraces the most common mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineage in West Eurasia, namely, haplogroup H (approximately 40%). R0 sub-lineages are badly defined in the control region and therefore, the analysis of diagnostic coding region polymorphisms is needed in order to gain resolution in population and medical studies. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We sequenced the first hypervariable segment (HVS-I) of 518 individuals from different North Iberian regions. The mtDNAs belonging to R0 (approximately 57%) were further genotyped for a set of 71 coding region SNPs characterizing major and minor branches of R0. We found that the North Iberian Peninsula shows moderate levels of population stratification; for instance, haplogroup V reaches the highest frequency in Cantabria (north-central Iberia), but lower in Galicia (northwest Iberia) and Catalonia (northeast Iberia). When compared to other European and Middle East populations, haplogroups H1, H3 and H5a show frequency peaks in the Franco-Cantabrian region, declining from West towards the East and South Europe. In addition, we have characterized, by way of complete genome sequencing, a new autochthonous clade of haplogroup H in the Basque country, named H2a5. Its coalescence age, 15.6+/-8 thousand years ago (kya), dates to the period immediately after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In contrast to other H lineages that experienced re-expansion outside the Franco-Cantabrian refuge after the LGM (e.g. H1 and H3), H2a5 most likely remained confined to this area till present days

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Analysis of the Intake Locations of Salinity Gradient Plants Using Hydrodynamic and Membrane Models

Producción CientíficaThe gain in net power produced by Salinity Gradient plants in river mouths due to the optimal location of water intakes is analysed in this paper. More precisely, this work focuses on stratified river mouths and the membrane-based technology of Pressure-Retarded Osmosis. A methodology for this analysis is proposed and then applied to a case study in Colombia. Temperature, salinity and water discharge data were gathered at the Magdalena river mouth to develop a hydrodynamic model that represents the salinity profile along the river channel. The net power production of a pressure-retarded osmosis plant is then estimated based on the power produced at membrane level, considering different locations for the saltwater and freshwater intakes. The most adequate locations for the intakes are then deduced by balancing higher power production (due to higher salinity differences between the water intakes) with lower pumping costs (due to shorter pumping distances from the intakes). For the case study analysed, a gain of 14% can be achieved by carefully selecting the water intakes.Junta de Castilla y León and EU-FEDER (projects CLU-2017-09, VA232P18 and UIC 225)Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Colombia (MINCIENCIAS, contract 145-2019)

Determinación del régimen medio de oleaje en la desembocadura del río león

The León River mouth is a major waterway in Urabá region. To optimize the activities around the mouth it is essential to understand the hydrodynamic processes taking place in the system, including waves. The average wave regime was determined from numerical simulations of different scenarios of the wind regime in the Colombia Bay. SWAN model was used to simulate the waves in the bay and SMC model was used to simulate the waves in detail around the mouth and the currents associated with breaking waves. The results show that the swell waves have little influence on the wave regime into the Colombia Bay and that the wave average regime and currents are strongly influenced by the intra-annual variability of the wind regime in the study areaLa desembocadura del río León es una importante vía fluvial en el Urabá Antioqueño. Para optimizar el desarrollo de las actividades alrededor las desembocaduras es fundamental conocer los procesos hidrodinámicos que ocurren en el sistema, entre ellos el oleaje. El régimen medio de oleaje en la zona se determinó a partir de simulaciones numéricas de escenarios que representan el régimen medio de viento en la Bahía Colombia. Se utilizó el modelo SWAN para simular el oleaje en la Bahía y el modelo SMC para simular el oleaje en detalle alrededor de la desembocadura y las corrientes asociadas a la rotura del oleaje. Los resultados muestran que el oleaje de fondo tiene poca influencia en el oleaje al interior de la Bahía Colombia y que el régimen de oleaje y corrientes se ve fuertemente influenciado por la variabilidad intra-anual del régimen de viento en la zona de estudi

Mixing mechanisms at the strongly-stratified Magdalena River's estuary and plume

International audienceThis study analyzed the hydrodynamic structure of the estuary and plume of a large, tropical, and strongly-stratified river, the Magdalena. The Magdalena River is the largest source of fresh water and sediment of the Caribbean Sea and drastically impacts the morphodynamics and ecosystems along the Colombian coast. The analyses are based on the results of a calibrated and validated numerical model. Three scenarios of low, mid, and high freshwater discharge were analyzed to consider the seasonal variability of the mixing processes. The relative importance of three mixing mechanisms in the system is investigated, and the estuary and plume are subdivided into sectors depending on the dominant hydrodynamic processes at each sector. The results show that mixing in this system is mainly controlled by turbulence at the pycnocline, especially at the lift-off point in the transition between the estuary and the plume's near-field. A hydraulic jump occurs in the transition between the near- and mid-fields of the plume, but the mixing produced here is comparatively low since the plume has been mostly diluted already in the estuary and the near-field. During low and mid discharge scenarios, saline intrusion in the river channel forms a strongly stratified estuary where bottom propagated turbulence generates instabilities producing minor mixing. Meanwhile, the saltwater is flushed out of the river during the high discharge scenario, and pycnocline instabilities produce mixing at least one order of magnitude larger than during low discharge conditions. Coriolis acceleration does not seem to be a relevant driver of the plume behavior, despite the larger extension of the plume during high discharges, given the low latitude of the system

Insecticidal Properties of <i>Ocimum basilicum</i> and <i>Cymbopogon winterianus</i> against <i>Acanthoscelides obtectus</i>, Insect Pest of the Common Bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i>, L.)

The bean weevil, Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), causes severe post-harvest losses in the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. The control of this insect is still poor and involves the use of conventional insecticides. There is an increasing demand in the search for new active substances and products for pest control towards reduction of adverse effects on human health and the environment. The protection of grains with alternative products, such as essential oils, is a possible alternative to meet the needs described above. Therefore, this investigation evaluated the applications of basil, Ocimum basilicum, and citronella, Cymbopogon winterianus, essential oils for A. obtectus control. These essential oils significantly reduced the bean weight losses and the number of beans damaged by A. obtectus at higher doses than 60 or 120 &#956;L/sample. The number of holes per bean did not differ between the doses of basil essential oil, not even at the dose of 60 &#956;L, while it was higher at 120 &#956;L, probably due to a lower capacity of movement of the insects treated with this dose and/or the oil&#8217;s direct or indirect effects on the insects. Basil and citronella oils exhibited similar patterns of insecticidal activity over the insect, both directly in adult insects or indirectly over bean seeds. These essential oils affected the development of A. obtectus since the greatest doses applied on beans decreased the emergence of the bean weevil. The results prove the insecticidal capacity of the tested essential oils and hence their potential as active substances against A. obtectus in environmentally low risk pest control strategies. Supplementary trials should be conducted under real storage conditions