A stochastic approach to the closure of accessible sets of control systems with application on homogeneous spaces

Given a control system on a compact manifold M, we study conditions for the foliation defined by the accessible sets to be dense in M. For this, we relate the control system to a stochastic differential equation and, by the support theorem, we give a characterization of the density in terms of the infinitesimal generator of the diffusion and its invariant measures.33351953

Synergies of systems biology and synthetic biology in human microbiome studies

A number of studies have shown that the microbial communities of the human body are integral for the maintenance of human health. Advances in next generation sequencing have enabled rapid and large-scale quantification of the composition of microbial communities in health and disease. Microorganisms mediate diverse host responses including metabolic pathways and immune responses. Using a system biology approach to further understand the underlying alterations of the microbiota in physiological and pathological states, can help reveal potential novel therapeutic and diagnostic interventions within the field of synthetic biology. Tools such as biosensors, memory arrays and engineered bacteria can rewire the microbiome environment. In this article, were view the computational tools used to study microbiome communities and the current limitations of these methods. We evaluate how genome-scale metabolic models can advance our understanding of the microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions. Moreover, we present how synergies between these system biology approaches and synthetic biology can be harnessed in human microbiome studies to improve future therapeutics and diagnostics and highlight important knowledge gaps for future research in these rapidly evolving fields

Diagnóstico molecular para la detección temprana de la toxoplasmosis

La mayoría de las infecciones causadas por el parásito Toxoplasma gondii son relativamente inofensivos pero en algunos casos la infección puede causar una enfermedad grave e incluso mortal. El resultado de una infección con T. gondii puede depender de varios factores, aunque sólo el estado inmune del huésped se ha demostrado que juegan un papel importante. En las últimas décadas, el diagnóstico molecular que se basa en la detección de ADN genómico del parásito, se ha utilizado con éxito en el diagnóstico de la toxoplamosis congénitas, ocular y en pacientes inmunocomprometidos a partir de muestras de sangre, líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR), líquido amniótico (LA), biopsia tejido de cerebro, humor vítreo, humor acuoso, líquido de lavado broncoalveolar (BAL). En el Laboratorio de Toxoplasmosis del Departamento de Parasitología del Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas (INEI) se ha desarrollado la técnica de PCR Cualitativa con el objetivo de detectar reactivaciones precozmente en pacientes seropositivos que reciben un trasplante alogénico de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas (TCPH).Asociación Parasitológica Argentin

Resource-aware whole-cell model of division of labour in a two-strain consortium for complex substrate degradation

Background Low-cost sustainable feedstocks are essential for commercially viable biotechnologies. These feedstocks, often derived from plant or food waste, contain a multitude of different complex biomolecules which require multiple enzymes to hydrolyse and metabolise. Current standard biotechnology uses monocultures in which a single host expresses all the proteins required for the consolidated bioprocess. However, these hosts have limited capacity for expressing proteins before growth is impacted. This limitation may be overcome by utilising division of labour (DOL) in a consortium, where each member expresses a single protein of a longer degradation pathway. Results Here, we model a two-strain consortium, with one strain expressing an endohydrolase and a second strain expressing an exohydrolase, for cooperative degradation of a complex substrate. Our results suggest that there is a balance between increasing expression to enhance degradation versus the burden that higher expression causes. Once a threshold of burden is reached, the consortium will consistently perform better than an equivalent single-cell monoculture. Conclusions We demonstrate that resource-aware whole-cell models can be used to predict the benefits and limitations of using consortia systems to overcome burden. Our model predicts the region of expression where DOL would be beneficial for growth on starch, which will assist in making informed design choices for this, and other, complex-substrate degradation pathways

Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels, A Primer

Due to the extensive amount of detailed information that has been published on composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs), this document has been written to serve as a primer for those who desire an elementary knowledge of COPVs and the factors affecting composite safety. In this application, the word "composite" simply refers to a matrix of continuous fibers contained within a resin and wrapped over a pressure barrier to form a vessel for gas or liquid containment. COPVs are currently used at NASA to contain high pressure fluids in propulsion, science experiments, and life support applications. They have a significant weight advantage over all metal vessels but require unique design, manufacturing, and test requirements. COPVs also involve a much more complex mechanical understanding due to the interplay between the composite overwrap and the inner liner. A metallic liner is typically used in a COPV as a fluid permeation barrier. The liner design concepts and requirements have been borrowed from all-metal vessels. However, application of metallic vessel design standards to a very thin liner is not straightforward. Different failure modes exist for COPVs than for all-metal vessels, and understanding of these failure modes is at a much more rudimentary level than for metal vessels

Estudio Preliminar de las Empresas Comunitarias de la Zona Bananera del Magdalena; Cuatro Casos.

Consistió la presente investigación en el análisis del programa de Empresas Comunitarias que impulsa y desarrollo el Incora en la zona bananera del Magdalena, a través del estudio específico de cuatro casos de empresas especializadas en banano, por haberse considerado como más representativas, basándose esta misma investigación en la creación del programa de Empresas comunitarias por medio de la Ley 4a. de 1.973, el Estatuto jurídico de 2.073 y el Acuerdo 11 de 1.975 que son mecanismos en los cuales está enmarcada la política del Gobierno para impulsar y desarrollar las explotaciones denominadas empresas comunitarias en Colombia. Se hizo una selección al azar de las empresas a estudiar, dándose también orientación teórica y realizando el programa de investigación. Así mismo se recopiló la información, elaborando un cuestionario para Incora y otro, para las Empresas siendo respondido por los usuarios de las mismas. Se tabularon e interpretaron los cuatro formularios de las empresas menos el de Incora por razón de que no fue respondido. Realizada esta investigación y dada la encrucijada de tipo económico y social que vive el campesino de la zona Bananera, se pone al descubierto la falsa reforma agraria del gobierno cuyo objetivo es la de distraer y frenar la lucha del campesinado por la tierra. De aquí que el campesino el proletariado consecuencia y los autores de este estudio concluimos que debe rechazar este tipo de programa de empresas comunitarias que mantiene al campesinado y al proletariado agrícola de la zona bananera y Colombia embaucado en un círculo de miseria y bajo la denominación norteamericana. Los campesinos deberán luchar por la liberación nacional y por una reforma agraria democrática en estrecha alianza con el proletariado y demás sectores explotados

Method for promoting in-situ hydrochar porosity in hydrothermal carbonization of almond shells with air activation

In this work, a new procedure for in situ hydrochar activation during hydrocarbonization of biomass (almond shell) is proposed. This approach suggests the addition of a controlled oxidizing gas stream (i.e. synthetic air) during the process for different periods of time, in order to promote the hydrochar porosity. Characterization of prepared materials revealed a noticeable development of porosity with apparent surfaces areas up to 320 m2/g. A highlighting variety of functional acid groups especially sensitive to air supply time was confirmed by surface chemistry analysis. Promising preliminary results show the effectiveness of this alternative approach synthesis strategy in converting a low value lignocellulosic biomass into porous materials with potential applications such as adsorption, electrical energy and gas storage or catalysis

Método para la detección, identificación y cuantificación de Peronospora arborescens por PCR cuantitativa en tiempo real

Método para la detección, identificación y cuantificación de Peronospora arborescens por PCR cuantitativa en tiempo real. El método para la cuantificación de Peronospora arborescens por PCR cuantitativa (qPCR) en una muestra biológica, comprende extraer el ADN contenido en dicha muestra biológica y amplificarlo mediante qPCR. De aplicación en la cuantificación de P. arborescens.Peer reviewedConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), ALCALIBER SA, Universidad de CórdobaA1 Solicitud de patentes con informe sobre el estado de la técnic

Transmission through stacked 2D periodic distributions of square conducting patches

In this paper, we study the transmissivity of electromagnetic waves through stacked two-dimensional printed periodic arrays of square conducting patches. An analytical circuit-like model is used for the analysis. The model accounts for the details of the transmission spectrum provided that the period of the unit cell of each patterned layer is well below the wavelength in the dielectric slabs separating the printed surfaces. In particular, we analyze the low-pass band and rejection band behavior of the multilayer structure, and the results are validated by comparison with a computationally intensive finite element commercial electromagnetic solver. The limiting case of an infinite periodic structure is analytically solved and the corresponding band structure is used to explain the passband/stopband behavior of finite structures. In addition, we study in depth the elementary unit cell consisting of a single dielectric slab coated by two metal patch arrays, and its resonance behavior is explained in terms of Fabry-Pérot resonances when the electrical thickness of the slab is large enough. In such case, the concept of equivalent thickness of the equivalent ideal Fabry-Pérot resonator is introduced. For electrically thinner slabs it is also shown that the analytical model is still valid, and its corresponding first transmission peak is explained in terms of a lumped-circuit LC resonance.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TEC2010-16948, CSD2008-00066Junta de Andalucía P09-TIC-459