Variable density flow in porous media

We review the state of the art in modeling of variable-density flow and transport in porous media, including conceptual models for convection systems, governing balance equations, phenomenological laws, constitutive relations for fluid density and viscosity, and numerical methods for solving the resulting nonlinear multifield problems. The discussion of numerical methods addresses strategies for solving the coupled spatio-temporal convection process, consistent velocity approximation, and error-based mesh adaptation techniques. As numerical models for those nonlinear systems must be carefully verified in appropriate tests, we discuss weaknesses and inconsistencies of current model-verification methods as well as benchmark solutions. We give examples of field-related applications to illustrate specific challenges of further research, where heterogeneities and large scales are important

Estudio en disolución de quelatos del ácido C-bencil-iminodiacético con iones metálicos divaletnes de transición y post-transición

Los estudios potenciométrico, conductimétrico y espectro fotométrico, de sistemas acuosos H2L/M(II) del ácido C-benciliminodiacético [H2L = C-Bz-IDA 0CH2N(CH2C02H2] con cationes M(II) (M = Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, Cd y Pb) revelan la formación de especies MHL, ML Y ML2-2. La comparación de las constantes estequiométricas de formación (Iog B) Y en su caso de disociación ácida (pK.) de estos complejos, calculadas para 1=0.1 M (KNO3) y t = 25.00 ± 0.05 ºC, con datos de bibliografia para que latos con ligandos relacionados, permite discutir la estructura más probable de los quelatos investigados

Disolution study of c-benzyl-iminodiacetic acid chelates with transition and post-transition divalent metalics ions

Los estudios potenciométrico, conductimétrico y espectro fotométrico, de sistemas acuosos H2L/M(II) del ácido C-benciliminodiacético [H2L = C-Bz-IDA 0CH2N(CH2C02H2] con cationes M(II) (M = Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, Cd y Pb) revelan la formación de especies MHL, ML Y ML2-2. La comparación de las constantes estequiométricas de formación (Iog B) Y en su caso de disociación ácida (pK.) de estos complejos, calculadas para 1=0.1 M (KNO3) y t = 25.00 ± 0.05 ºC, con datos de bibliografia para que latos con ligandos relacionados, permite discutir la estructura más probable de los quelatos investigados.Aqueous solution systems H2L1M(I1) of C-benzyliminodiacetic acid [H2L = C-Bz IDA: 0CH2N(CH2C02H)2] and transition or post-transition M(ll) ions (M = Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, Cd y Pb) were studied by potentiometric, conductometric and spectrophotometric (Co, Ni, Cu) methods. The dissociation constants (pK.) aml/or formation constants (Iog B) of the species MHL, ML and ML/- for 1=0.1 M (KNOl) and t=25.00 ± 0.05 oC are reported. By appropiate comparisons of these results with literature data for related chelates, most probable structures for the studied C-Bz-IDA chelates are discussed. Key words: C-bencyl-iminodiacetic acid, disolution complexes, divalents metalics ions

Complete genome sequence of Mesorhizobium ciceri strain R30, a Rhizobium used as a commercial inoculant for Chickpea in Argentina

We report the complete genome sequence of Mesorhizobium ciceri strain R30, a rhizobium strain recommended and used as a commercial inoculant for chickpea in Argentina. The genome consists of almost 7 Mb, distributed into two circular replicons: a chromosome of 6.49 Mb and a plasmid of 0.46 Mb.This work was supported by grants from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT) (PID2020-113207GBI00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033); by “ERDF: A Way of Making Europe” (P20_0047), funded by the Junta de Andalucía PAIDI/FEDER/EU; and by the Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council (BBSRC). We are grateful to Plateforme de Microbiologie Mutualisée (P2M) and the Pasteur International Bioresources network (PIBnet) and to Institut Pasteur Paris for providing the resources for Illumina sequencing. We thank O.G.C. at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics for the sequencing data and B.M.R.C. for processing (supported by Wellcome Trust Core Award grant 203141/Z/16/Z and the NIHR Oxford BRC). We are also grateful to Vincent Enouf from Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN-UMR3569 CNRS, Université de Paris, Centre National de Référence Virus des Infections Respiratoires (dont la grippe) and to F. Sgarlatta for proofreading the manuscript

Exon sequence requirements for excision in vivo of the bacterial group II intron RmInt1

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Group II intron splicing proceeds through two sequential transesterification reactions in which the 5' and 3'-exons are joined together and the lariat intron is released. The intron-encoded protein (IEP) assists the splicing of the intron <it>in vivo </it>and remains bound to the excised intron lariat RNA in a ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) that promotes intron mobility. Exon recognition occurs through base-pairing interactions between two guide sequences on the ribozyme domain dI known as EBS1 and EBS2 and two stretches of sequence known as IBS1 and IBS2 on the 5' exon, whereas the 3' exon is recognized through interaction with the sequence immediately upstream from EBS1 [(δ-δ' interaction (subgroup IIA)] or with a nucleotide [(EBS3-IBS3 interaction (subgroup IIB and IIC))] located in the coordination-loop of dI. The δ nucleotide is involved in base pairing with another intron residue (δ') in subgroup IIB introns and this interaction facilitates base pairing between the 5' exon and the intron.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, we investigated nucleotide requirements in the distal 5'- and 3' exon regions, EBS-IBS interactions and δ-δ' pairing for excision of the group IIB intron RmInt1 <it>in vivo</it>. We found that the EBS1-IBS1 interaction was required and sufficient for RmInt1 excision. In addition, we provide evidence for the occurrence of canonical δ-δ' pairing and its importance for the intron excision <it>in vivo.</it></p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The excision <it>in vivo </it>of the RmInt1 intron is a favored process, with very few constraints for sequence recognition in both the 5' and 3'-exons. Our results contribute to understand how group II introns spread in nature, and might facilitate the use of RmInt1 in gene targeting.</p

Antioxidant activity and characterization of whey protein-based beverages: Effect of shelf life and gastrointestinal transit on bioactivity

Whey proteins can exhibit antioxidant activity. The objectives of this study were to formulate model whey based beverages with well-established antioxidants (plant polyphenols, vitamins and astaxanthin) to investigate (1) the antioxidant shelf life over a 24-week period and (2) the antioxidant activity after upper gastrointestinal transit. Pilot scale processing (pasteurization, ultra-high temperature or spray drying) was used to prepare beverages which were representative of current product formats. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion of test samples was performed using the standardised INFOGEST method and antioxidant activity of samples was determined using ABTS, FRAP and ORAC. Results from the antioxidant shelf life study provided evidence that powder products functionality was preserved. Whey beverages (pasteurised or spray dried) increased or maintained antioxidant activity during gastrointestinal transit. Combination of whey with additional antioxidant ingredients increased the bioactivity of formulated products; however, this greater bioactivity was altered after gastrointestinal transit, depending on processing type and antioxidant methodology. Industrial relevance: Whey protein-based antioxidant beverages could benefit the elderly consumer to meet their increased protein requirements and boost their antioxidant status. Consumer's acceptance for whey protein-based beverages often improves with clear formulations. This work generated whey protein-based UHT beverages with greater stability and clarity than pasteurised formulations. A novel combination of plant and marine antioxidants increased antioxidant activity of whey protein-based formulations. Furthermore, to suit export markets this work generated spray dried whey protein formulations that did not alter antioxidant potentialThis work was funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, FIRM 13F354-WheyGSH and 15F604-TOMI). A. R. Corrochano was in receipt of a Teagasc Walsh Fellowship. E. Arranz also received funding from Enterprise Ireland (MF2018-0151) and the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 71365

Pathological Findings in Cetaceans Sporadically Stranded Along the Chilean Coast

Indexación: Scopus.Chile has one of the largest coastlines in the world with at least 50% of the world cetacean species occurring within its jurisdictional waters. However, little is known regarding the health status and main causes of death in cetaceans off continental Chile. In this report, we summarize the major pathological findings and most likely causes of death of 15 cetaceans stranded along the Chilean coast between 2010 and 2019. Drowning, due to fishing gear entanglement, was the most likely cause of death in 3 Burmeister’s porpoises (Phocoena spinipinnis), a Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) and a short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Additionally, the 3 Burmeister’s porpoises had mild to moderate eosinophilic and histiocytic pneumonia with pulmonary vasculitis associated with the nematode Pseudalius inflexus. A fourth Burmeister’s porpoise died of drowning after stranding alive at a sandy beach. Two fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) died most likely of trauma associated with large vessel collision. A long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) and an Orca (Orcinus orca) stranded most likely due to traumatic intra/interspecific interaction with other odontocete although for the pilot whale, osteoporosis with loss of alveolar bone and all teeth could have played a role. For a Strap-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon layardi), Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima), Southern right-whale dolphin (Lissodelphis peronii), Peale’s dolphin (Lagenorhynchus australis) and a dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), the cause of stranding could not be determined. This study shows, despite the small number of examined carcasses that in Chile, human related trauma is an important cause of single cetacean stranding events. © Copyright © 2020 Alvarado-Rybak, Toro, Abarca, Paredes, Español-Jiménez and Seguel.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00684/ful

Potent Virucidal Activity In Vitro of Photodynamic Therapy with Hypericum Extract as Photosensitizer and White Light against Human Coronavirus HCoV-229E

The emergent human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its high infectivity rate has highlighted the strong need for new virucidal treatments. In this sense, the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with white light, to take advantage of the sunlight, is a potent strategy for decreasing the virulence and pathogenicity of the virus. Here, we report the virucidal effect of PDT based on Hypericum extract (HE) in combination with white light, which exhibits an inhibitory activity of the human coronavirus HCoV-229E on hepatocarcinoma Huh-7 cells. Moreover, despite continuous exposure to white light, HE has long durability, being able to maintain the prevention of viral infection. Given its potent in vitro virucidal capacity, we propose HE in combination with white light as a promising candidate to fight against SARS-CoV-2 as a virucidal compound

Microduplications encompassing the Sonic hedgehog limb enhancer ZRS are associated with Haas-type polysyndactyly and Laurin-Sandrow syndrome

Laurin-Sandrow syndrome (LSS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by polysyndactyly of hands and/or feet, mirror image duplication of the feet, nasal defects, and loss of identity between fibula and tibia. The genetic basis of LSS is currently unknown. LSS shows phenotypic overlap with Haas-type polysyndactyly (HTS) regarding the digital phenotype. Here we report on five unrelated families with overlapping microduplications encompassing the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) limb enhancer ZPA regulatory sequence (ZRS) on chromosome 7q36. Clinically, the patients show polysyndactyly phenotypes and various types of lower limb malformations ranging from syndactyly to mirror image polydactyly with duplications of the fibulae. We show that larger duplications of the ZRS region (>80 kb) are associated with HTS, whereas smaller duplications (<80 kb) result in the LSS phenotype. On the basis of our data, the latter can be clearly distinguished from HTS by the presence of mirror image polysyndactyly of the feet with duplication of the fibula. Our results expand the clinical phenotype of the ZRS-associated syndromes and suggest that smaller duplications (<80 kb) are associated with a more severe phenotype. In addition, we show that these small microduplications within the ZRS region are the underlying genetic cause of Laurin-Sandrow syndrome