Alterations and Contaminations in Ceramics Deposited in Underwater Environments: An Experimental Approach

Ancient ceramics recovered after a long burial period have probably undergone several alterations and contaminations, introducing a chemical variability, affecting the ceramic’s natural variability. That is, the chemical and the mineralogical compositions of the ceramic pastes after their deposition will not be the same as they originally were. Therefore, it is known that the alteration and contamination processes, and the discrimination of some elements, should be considered when studying the ceramics to avoid incorrect interpretations about their provenance, technology and the use of the artefact, as well as its proper preservation. In the present work, the authors performed an experimental approach in order to study the alterations and contaminations that occurred in 60 ceramic cylinders buried in two different underwater environments. Once the pieces were taken out from the water environments, they were characterized by a multi-analytical approach. For this purpose, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM–EDS) and Raman spectroscopy were used. Newly formed minerals of different forms have been identified, with different crystallization grades. Some examples are the needles, flakes, sponges and long and short prisms composed of several elements such as Ca, F, S and O.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the European Regional Development Fund (MINECO/AEI/ERDF, UE), grant number CERANOR-2 (HAR2017-84219-P)

Deciphering the light signal transduction mechanism in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii have been recognized by the WHO and the CDC as critical human pathogens. These microorganisms belong to the ESKAPE group, so named since they are capable of "escaping" antibiotic treatments. The infections caused by these pathogens result in a dramatic increase in the costs of medical care. Previous results from our laboratory have shown that these microorganisms can sense and respond to light. In S. aureus, light has been shown to modulate important pathogenicity determinants such as alpha toxin-dependent hemolysis, as well as virulence in an epithelial infection model, which could have implications in human infections. Light also regulates persistence, metabolism, and the ability to kill competitors such as C. albicans, in this microorganism. To our knowledge, the ability of S. aureus to sense and respond to light constitutes a newly described physiological trait. These pathogens could sense light to synchronize their behavior with the circadian rhythm of their hosts, likely as a strategy to optimize infection development. Identification of the photoreceptors involved in light sensing in S. aureus would provide important insights into the light signal transduction cascade. Despite no traditional photoreceptors were found encoded in its genome, we identified the presence of three putative proteins containing GAF domains. GAF domains have been shown to be part of phytochromes and cyanobacteriochromes along with other domains such as PHY and PAS. While in two of them the GAF domain encompasses the full-length protein sequence, suggesting a new photoreceptor architecture, the last one harbors a GAF N-terminal domain associated with a C-terminal histidine kinase. The genomic environment of each putative photoreceptor was determined, and genes such as LuxR, involved in a quorum-sensing regulation; and DegU, identified as a response regulator of bacterial motility, virulence and biofilm formation, were found in their close proximity. Recent results from our group show that motility in S. aureus is not only modulated by blue light, but also by red and green lights. This is compatible with multiple GAF photoreceptors as they exist in two thermally stable states interconvertible by light, absorbing in different regions of the spectrum. Moreover, the presence of three cysteine residues were observed, residue shown to be essential for binding of the bilin chromophore. In this sense, it is interesting to note that S. aureus produces Staphylobilin as a product of heme metabolism. In addition, we amplified the DNA fragments encoding these putative photoreceptors from S. aureus USA300 strain, and subcloned them into the expression vector pET-TEV, to corroborate that they are active photoreceptors upon light absorption. Finally, proteomic results are discussed which suggest new pathways modulated by light in S. aureus such as cell wall synthesis and recycling.Fil: Arana, N. A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos; ArgentinaFil: Müller, G. L.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos; ArgentinaFil: Mussi, María Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos; ArgentinaLVII SAIB Meeting; XVI SAMIGE MeetingArgentinaSociedad Argentina De Investigación Bioquímica Y Biología MolecularSociedad Argentina de Microbiología Genera

Motivational versus volitional mediation of passivity in institutionalized older people.

Sin resume

Waves in nonlinear discrete systems

Depto. de Análisis Matemático y Matemática AplicadaFac. de Ciencias MatemáticasFALSEunpu

Parallel active link suspension: a quarter car experimental study

In this paper, a novel electro-mechanical active suspension for cars, the Parallel Active Link Suspension (PALS), is proposed and then experimentally studied. PALS involves the introduction of a rotary-actuator-driven rocker-pushrod mechanism in parallel with the conventional passive suspension assembly, to exert an additional controlled force between the chassis and the wheel. The PALS geometric arrangement is designed and optimized to maximize the rocker torque propagation onto the tire load increment. A quarter car test rig with double wishbone suspension is utilized for the PALS physical implementation. Based on a linear equivalent model of the PALS quarter car, a conservative and an aggressive robust H∞ control schemes are synthesized separately to improve the ride comfort and the road holding, with different levels of control effort allowed in each of the control schemes. Simulations with a theoretical nonlinear model of the PALS quarter car are performed to evaluate the potential in suspension performance enhancement and power demand in the rocker actuator. Experiments with a harmonic road, a smoothed bump and hole, and swept frequency are conducted with the quarter car test rig to validate the practical feasibility of the novel PALS, the ride comfort enhancement, as well as the accuracy of the theoretical model and of a further nonlinear model in which practical features existing in the test rig are identified and included

Dose-response of two Jack O’Lantern pumpkin cultivars to fomesafen applied preemergence

Three dose-response trials were performed in 2020 and 2021 to determine the tolerance of two Jack O’Lantern pumpkin cultivars to fomesafen applied preemergence at two Indiana locations: the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC) and the Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center (PPAC). The experiment was a split-plot arrangement in which the main plot was the fomesafen rate of application (0, 280, 560, 840, and 1,220 g ai ha–1), and the subplot was the pumpkin cultivar (‘Bayhorse Gold’ and ‘Carbonado Gold’). As the fomesafen rate increased from 280 to 1,120 g ha–1, the predicted pumpkin emergence decreased from 85% to 25% of the nontreated control at SWPAC-2020, but only from 99% to 74% at both locations in 2021. The severe impact on emergence at SWPAC-2020 was attributed to rainfall. Visible injury included bleaching and chlorosis due to the herbicide splashing from the soil surface onto the leaves and included stunting, but injury was transient. As the fomesafen rate increased from 280 to 1,120 g ha–1, the predicted marketable orange pumpkin yield decreased from 95% to 24% of the nontreated control at SWPAC-2020 and 98% to 74% at PPAC-2021. Similarly, the predicted marketable orange pumpkin fruit number decreased from 94% to 21% at SWPAC-2020 and 98% to 74% at PPAC-2021. Fomesafen rate did not affect marketable orange pumpkin yield and fruit number at SWPAC-2021 and marketable orange pumpkin fruit weight at any location-year. Overall, the fomesafen rate of 280 g ha–1 was safe for use preemergence in the pumpkin cultivars ‘Bayhorse Gold’ and ‘Carbonado Gold’ within one day after planting, but there is a risk of increased crop injury with increasing rainfall

Dose-response of plasticulture summer squash and triploid watermelon to fomesafen applied pre-transplanting

Dose-response trials to determine the tolerance of summer squash and watermelon to fomesafen applied (over the top of black polyethylene mulch and respective row middles) pre-transplanting were performed between 2020 and 2021 at three Indiana locations: the Meigs Horticulture Research Farm (MEIGS), the Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center (PPAC), and the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC). Summer squash trials were performed at the MEIGS and PPAC locations, and watermelon trials were performed at the MEIGS and SWPAC locations. The experiments for both summer squash and watermelon had a split-plot arrangement in which the main plot was herbicide rate, and the subplot was cultivar. Summer squash injury included necrotic leaf margin, chlorosis, brown and white spots, and stunting. Fomesafen rates from 262 to 1,048 g ai ha−1 in 2020 at both locations, and from 280 to 1,120 g ai ha−1 in 2021 at MEIGS did not affect summer squash yield. However, in 2021 at PPAC, fomesafen applied at rates from 280 to 1,120 g ha−1 delayed summer squash harvest and decreased marketable yield from 95% to 61% compared with the nontreated control. Watermelon injury included bronzing and stunting. Fomesafen rates from 210 to 840 g ai ha−1 did not affect marketable watermelon yield or fruit number. Crop safety was attributed to rain, which washed off most of the herbicide from the polyethylene mulch before plants were transplanted or little to no rain after transplant. Injury was observed only when there was no rain before transplant followed by excessive rain shortly after transplant. Overall, the 1× rate used for each trial was safe for use 1 d before transplanting summer squash and 6 to 7 d before transplanting watermelon

Interference of morningglories (Ipomoea spp.) with ‘Fascination’ triploid watermelon

Morningglories (Ipomoea spp.) are among the most troublesome weeds in cucurbits in the United States; however, little is known about Ipomoea spp. interference with horticultural crops. Two additive design field studies were conducted in 2020 at two locations in Indiana to investigate the interference of ivyleaf morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea Jacq.), entireleaf morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea Jacq. var. integriuscula A. Gray.), and pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L.) with triploid watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai]. Immediately after watermelon was transplanted, Ipomoea spp. seedlings were transplanted into the watermelon planting holes at densities of 0 (weed-free control), 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 plants 27 m−2. Fruit was harvested once a week for 4 wk, and each fruit was classified as marketable (≥4 kg) or non-marketable (\u3c4 kg). At 1 wk after the final harvest, aboveground biomass samples were collected from 1 m2 per plot and oven-dried to obtain watermelon and Ipomoea spp. dry weight. Seed capsules and the number of seeds in 15 capsules were counted from the biomass sample to estimate seed production. Ipomoea spp. densities increasing from 3 to 24 plants 27 m−2 increased marketable watermelon yield loss from 58% to 99%, reduced marketable watermelon fruit number 49% to 98%, reduced individual watermelon fruit weight 17% to 45%, and reduced watermelon aboveground biomass 83% to 94%. Ipomoea spp. seed production ranged from 549 to 7,746 seeds m−2, greatly increasing the weed seedbank. Ipomoea spp. hindered harvest due to their vines wrapping around watermelon fruits. The most likely reason for watermelon yield loss was interference with light and consequently less dry matter being partitioned into fruit development due to less photosynthesis. Yield loss was attributed to fewer fruits and the weight of each fruit

Tácticas de incidencia de colectivos de familiares de personas desaparecidas en Jalisco (2011-2018). Repertorios y efectividad

A partir del año 2013 en Jalisco comenzaron a surgir respuestas desde la sociedad civil ante el incremento del delito de la desaparición. Los familiares de personas desaparecidas se organizaron en colectivos buscando respuestas efectivas por parte de las autoridades responsables de localizar a sus seres queridos. Entre sus objetivos han estado: visibilizar el grave problema al que se enfrentan, crear espacios formales de interlocución con las autoridades y lograr cambios institucionales para detener el aumento de cifras de personas desaparecidas sin localizar. Estos colectivos utilizaron diferentes formas de acción o tácticas para tener incidencia ante determinadas situaciones que se fueron presentando, hasta lograr la creación de la Fiscalía Especial en Personas Desaparecidas de Jalisco. Aquí se propone un análisis de las diferentes tácticas y los impactos que generaron con cada una de ellas, reconociendo la labor de los actores que participaron en el periodo analizado de 2011 al 2018.ITESO, A. C