Study of riverine deposits using electromagnetic methods at a low induction number

We conducted electromagnetic EM profiles along the Po River in Turin, Italy. The aim of this activity was to verify the applicability of low-induction-number EM multifrequency soundings carried out from a boat in riverine surveys and to determine whether this technique, which is cheaper than aircarried surveys, could be used effectively to define the typology of sediments and to estimate the stratigraphy below a riverbed. We used a GEM-2 handheld broadband EM sensor operating with six frequencies to survey the investigated area. Ground-penetrating radar GPR, a conductivity meter, and a time-domain reflectometer were used to estimate the bathymetry and to measure the EM properties of the water.A global positioning system, working in real-time kinematic mode, tracked the route of the boat with centimetric accuracy. We analyzed the induction number, the depth of investigation DOI, and the sensitivity of our experimental setup by forward modeling — varying the water depth, frequency, and bottom-sediment resistivity. The simulations optimized the choice of the frequencies that could be used reliably for the interpretation. The 3406-Hz signal had a DOI in the Po River water 27 m of 2.5 m and provided sediment resistivities higher than 100 m.We applied a bathymetric correction to the conductivity data using the water depths obtained from the GPR data.We plotted amap of the river bottom resistivity and compared this map to the results of a direct sediment sampling campaign. The resistivity values 120–240 m were compatible with the saturated gravel and pebbles in a sandy matrix, which resulted from direct sampling and with the known geology

Morc1 knockout evokes a depression-like phenotype in mice

Morc1 gene has recently been identified by a DNA methylation and genome-wide association study as a candidate gene for major depressive disorder related to early life stress in rodents, primates and humans. So far, no transgenic animal model has been established to validate these findings on a behavioral level. In the present study, we examined the effects of a Morc1 loss of function mutation in female C57BL/6N mice on behavioral correlates of mood disorders like the Forced Swim Test, the Learned Helplessness Paradigm, O-Maze and Dark-Light-Box. We could show that Morc1(-/-) mice display increased depressive-like behavior whereas no behavioral abnormalities regarding locomotor activity or anxiety-like behavior were detectable. CORT plasma levels did not differ significantly between Morc1(-/-) mice and their wildtype littermates, yet - surprisingly - total Bdnf mRNA-levels in the hippocampus were up-regulated in Morc1(-/-) animals. Although further work would be clarifying, Morc1(-/-) mice seem to be a promising epigenetically validated mouse model for depression associated with early life stress

Aspecto socio-cultural de la transferencia de tecnología de energías renovables en la comunidad terapéutica de Tekové-Rogá

La experiencia realizada en la Comunidad Terapéutica de Tekové-Rogá se encuadra en el Proyecto de Ejecución Práctica y Educación en Energías Renovables y Agua Potable, su implementación depende del Ministerio de Desarrollo Social de la Nación, la Secretaría Nacional de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (SENNAF) y la Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (UTN). El objetivo del trabajo es analizar el impacto social que este tipo de experiencias genera, para lograrlo el abordaje metodológico utilizado fue cuanti-cualitativo, en tanto se recolectaron datos estadísticos de la institución que permitieron relevar información sobre su plantel profesional, y cualitativa en tanto indagamos las percepciones que los actores de la institución tienen en relación al proyecto de ejecución en energías renovables. Las conclusiones principales dan cuenta del impacto social en tres ejes diferentes: el impacto a nivel institucional de la comunidad terapéutica, el impacto a nivel socio-cultural y el impacto a nivel académico.The experience realized in Tekové-Rogá's Therapeutic Community is fitted in the Project of Practical Execution and Education in Renewable Energies and Water, his implementation depends on the Department of Social Development of the Nation, the National Secretariat of Childhood, Adolescence and Family (SENNAF) and the Technological National University (UTN). The work analyze the social impact that this type of experiences. The principal conclusions are in three different axes: the first one is related to the impact to institutional level of the therapeutic community, the second one links itself with the impact to socio-cultural level, which can be indirect ó directly. Finally the third axis in which the social impact is identified is to academic level, in which they receive relevancy the innovation in the development of new devices, the role of the university and the impact in the professional identities involved in the project.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Natural Killer Cells from Patients with Recombinase-Activating Gene and Non-Homologous End Joining Gene Defects Comprise a Higher Frequency of CD56bright NKG2A+++ Cells, and Yet Display Increased Degranulation and Higher Perforin Content.

Mutations of the recombinase Activating Genes 1 and 2 (RAG1, RAG2) in humans are associated with a broad range of phenotypes. For patients with severe clinical presentation, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents the only curative treatment, however high rates of graft failure and incomplete immune reconstitution have been observed, especially after unconditioned haploidentical transplantation. Studies in mice have shown that Rag-/- NK cells have a mature phenotype, reduced fitness and increased cytotoxicity. We aimed to analyze NK cell phenotype and function in patients with mutations in RAG and in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) genes. Here we provide evidence that NK cells from these patients have an immature phenotype, with significant expansion of CD56bright CD16-/int CD57- cells, yet increased degranulation and high perforin content. Correlation was observed between in vitro recombinase activity of the mutant proteins, NK cell abnormalities, and in vivo clinical phenotype. Addition of serotherapy in the conditioning regimen, with the aim of depleting the autologous NK cell compartment, may be important to facilitate engraftment and immune reconstitution in patients with RAG and NHEJ defects treated by HSCT

Valuing Insect Pollination Services with Cost of Replacement

Value estimates of ecosystem goods and services are useful to justify the allocation of resources towards conservation, but inconclusive estimates risk unsustainable resource allocations. Here we present replacement costs as a more accurate value estimate of insect pollination as an ecosystem service, although this method could also be applied to other services. The importance of insect pollination to agriculture is unequivocal. However, whether this service is largely provided by wild pollinators (genuine ecosystem service) or managed pollinators (commercial service), and which of these requires immediate action amidst reports of pollinator decline, remains contested. If crop pollination is used to argue for biodiversity conservation, clear distinction should be made between values of managed- and wild pollination services. Current methods either under-estimate or over-estimate the pollination service value, and make use of criticised general insect and managed pollinator dependence factors. We apply the theoretical concept of ascribing a value to a service by calculating the cost to replace it, as a novel way of valuing wild and managed pollination services. Adjusted insect and managed pollinator dependence factors were used to estimate the cost of replacing insect- and managed pollination services for the Western Cape deciduous fruit industry of South Africa. Using pollen dusting and hand pollination as suitable replacements, we value pollination services significantly higher than current market prices for commercial pollination, although lower than traditional proportional estimates. The complexity associated with inclusive value estimation of pollination services required several defendable assumptions, but made estimates more inclusive than previous attempts. Consequently this study provides the basis for continued improvement in context specific pollination service value estimates

Human inborn errors of immunity caused by defects of receptor and proteins of cellular membrane

Inborn errors of immunity are diseases of the immune system resulting from germline mutations that alter the expression of encoded proteins or molecules. Total updated number of these distinct disorders is currently 406, with 430 different identified gene defects involved. Studies of the underlying mechanisms have contributed in better understanding the pathophysiology of the diseases, but also the complexity of the biology of the innate and adaptive immune system and its interaction with microbes. In this review we present and 24 briefly discuss Inborn Errors of Immunity caused by defects in genes encoding for receptors and protein of cellular membrane, including cytokine receptors, T cell antigen receptor (TCR) complex, cellular surface receptors or receptors signaling causing predominantly antibody deficiencies, co-stimulatory receptors and other surface molecules. These alterations impact many different biological processes of immune-system cells, including development, proliferation, activation and down-regulation of the immunological response, and result in a variety of different diseases that can present with distinct clinical features but also with overlapping signs and symptoms

Iron mobilization from crocidolite as enhancer of collagen content in rat lung fibroblasts

Asbestos exposure causes pulmonary fibrosis by mechanisms that remain uncertain. There is increasing evidence that iron from asbestos is responsible for many of its effects. In this paper, we investigated the effect of iron mobilized from crocidolite asbestos on collagen content in rat lung fibroblast cultures under serum-free conditions. Crocidolite (2, 4, 6 microg/cm2 well) increased collagen content in a dose-dependent manner (+42 +/- 8, +92 +/- 10, and +129 +/- 13% vs controls). This effect was specific for collagen, since it did not alter total protein content and was inhibited by the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO). Preincubation of crocidolite with citrate (1 mM) for 48 hr resulted in iron mobilization (51 microM) and increased collagen production (>3-fold) in treated cells. These effects occurred without the intervention of serum factors. The absence of cell damage, proliferation or lipid peroxidation leads to the supposition that iron from crocidolite per se may act as a profibrogenic agent. Although the in vivo participation of other cells and factors cannot be excluded, we conclude that iron released from crocidolite plays a role in collagen increase occurring during asbestosis

Reconstruction of post-traumatic losses of substance of the scalp Our experience

AIM: The reconstruction of post-traumatic losses of substance of the scalp is very difficult due to the unique characteristics of the scalp. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the results obtained with several techniques in order to identify the most appropriate. METHODS: We treated 19 patients, 11 men and 8 women aged between 19 and 81 years, with post-traumatic loss of substance of the scalp from January 2006 to June 2011. The chosen treatments were the direct closure and the use of local flaps, the latter combined or not with the graft of the donor area and the post-operative correction of alopecic area with tissue expansion. RESULTS: None of the patients developed severe complications and all flaps were viable. The aesthetic results were variable, between good and satisfactory according to the technique used. CONCLUSION: The local flaps represent a good choice for the treatment of post-traumatic losses of substance of the scalp, restricting the use of direct suture and the use of skin grafting only in selected cases. Tissue expansion is a good choice for the revision of alopecic and cicatricial areas