Modeling of renewable energy production from the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater with ruminal liquor in microbial fuel cells

The present study aims to optimize the application of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) in the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater and the production of electricity. The methodology included the response surface analysis (RSA) to evaluate the effect of three factors: the standard reduction potential, SRP (copper, zinc, and graphite; electrode surface area (ESA), and the doses of ruminal liquor (DOSE). The power density (PD) and the removal of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) were determined as the main response variables. The results indicated that the generation of electrical energy depended significantly on the SRP applied, highlighting the copper-graphite arrangement that generated a maximum PD (0.5685 W/m3) and the graphite-graphite that produced the highest removal of COD (81.33%). Consequently, the RSA produced significant predictive models for the generation of PD (R2 = 0.9485, p = 0.029) and removal of COD (R2 = 0.9888, p = 0.002). MFC is presented as a technology intended to be part of the diversification of renewable energy sources and at the same time recover water resources sustainably.Campus San Juan de Luriganch

Análisis multifactorial de las tasas de preñez en programas de transferencia de embriones en Colombia

Objetivo. Analizar varias características del embrión transferible, así cómo algunas características de las receptoras sobre las tasas de preñez. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron ciento setenta y cuatro transferencias en dos haciendas en Colombia. Las variables analizadas en las receptoras fueron los niveles de progesterona sérica, tamaño del cuerpo lúteo y el grupo genético. Las variables analizadas en los embriones fueron estadío de desarrollo, calidad y transferencia en fresco o congelado. Resultados. Ninguna de las variables individualmente predicen la tasa de preñez, sin embargo, existe la probabilidad de un mejor resultado cuando se usa un embrión excelente congelado (OD=5.100), bueno fresco (OD= 4.180) y si la receptora es ¾ Angus (OD=2.945). Conclusiones. La tasa de preñez sigue siendo un evento regulado de manera multifactorial y ninguno de los parámetros evaluados individualmente son responsables del éxito reproductivo

Kinetic study and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling of the Co(II) and Mn(II) bioadsorption using the Rhodococcus opacus strain

Microbial biomass is considered a renewable and environmentally friendly resource. Thus, the research conducted a kinetic study and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling of the cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) bioadsorption process using the Rhodococcus opacus (RO) strain as a biosorbent. The inactive biomass subjected to 0.1 M NaOH pretreatment was brought into contact with synthetic solutions of Co and Mn. The experimental data for the Co(II) and Mn(II) bioadsorption process were fit to the Langmuir model with kads of 0.65 and 0.11 L.mg-1, respectively. A better statistical fit was also obtained for the pseudo-second order kinetic model (R2Co(II) = 0.994 and R2Mn(II) = 0.995), with 72.3% Co(II) and 80% Mn(II) removals during the first 10 min. In addition, a higher affinity of RO for the Co(II) ion was observed, with maximum uptake values of 13.42 mg.g-1; however, a higher adsorption rate was observed for Mn(II) ion (k = 0.21 g.mg-1.min-1 at 318 K). The bioadsorption process was spontaneous and dependent on temperature, being endothermic and irreversible for the Co(II) ion (∆H = 2951.91 J.mol-1) and exothermic and reversible for the Mn(II) ion (∆H = -2974.8 J.mol-1). The kinetic and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling allowed to identify the main mechanisms involved in the biosorption process of both metals.Campus San Juan de Luriganch

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

Análisis de interacciones de actores de la red de gestión del conocimiento en malaria de Colombia

Introduction: Malaria is a disease with a high impact on the Colombian population, which must be approached from the point of view of teamwork of institutions for the exchange of knowledge. Objective: The objective of this article is to present an analysis of the interactions of the network of knowledge management, research and innovation in Malaria in Colombia. Materials and methods: An analysis of social networks was applied that allowed identifying the proximity between actors and the degree of knowledge between them, indicators of density, diameter, average distance and degree centrality were observed. The documentary corpus for the study consisted of 193 technical documents published between 2016-2021, which were analyzed using text mining using the R programming language. The network was categorized based on five variables: comprehensive patient care, diagnosis, epidemiology and health information analysis systems, public policy and prevention and promotion. Results: The analysis of interactions did not allow the network to be made up of 99 actors, of which 97 (98%) showed more interest in the production of knowledge in epidemiology and health information analysis systems, followed by the care category. Integral to patients with 79 (80%). 54% of the actors carried out studies on the prevention and promotion of malaria, this being the category with the least approach. Conclusions: In general, this study contributes to the strengthening of key strategies in the dissemination of knowledge about malaria in Colombia.Introducción. La malaria es una enfermedad de alto impacto en la población colombiana, que debe ser abordada desde el punto de vista del trabajo en equipo de instituciones para el intercambio de conocimiento. Objetivo. Analizar las interacciones de la red de gestión del conocimiento, investigación e innovación en malaria de Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se aplicó un análisis de redes sociales que permitió identificar la proximidad entre actores y el grado de conocimiento entre ellos, se observaron indicadores de densidad, diámetro, distancia media y centralidad de grado. El corpus documental para el estudio estuvo constituido por 193 documentos técnicos publicados entre 2016-2021, los cuales fueron analizados empleando técnicas de procesamiento de texto mediante el lenguaje de programación R. La categorización de la red se realizó a partir de cinco variables: atención integral a pacientes, diagnóstico, epidemiología y sistemas de análisis de información en salud, política pública y prevención y promoción. Resultados. El análisis de interacciones indicó que la red la conformaban 99 actores, de los cuales 97 (98%), mostraron más interés en la producción de conocimiento en epidemiología y sistemas de análisis de información en salud, seguido de la categoría de atención integral a pacientes con 79 (80%). El 54% de los actores llevó a cabo estudios en prevención y promoción de la malaria, siendo esta la categoría de menor abordaje. Conclusiones. Este estudio contribuye al fortalecimiento de estrategias clave en la divulgación del conocimiento sobre malaria en Colombia