ALMA and VLA observations of recombination lines and continuum toward the Becklin-Neugebauer object in Orion

Compared to their centimeter-wavelength counterparts, millimeter recombination lines (RLs) are intrinsically brighter and are free of pressure broadening. We report observations of RLs (H30alpha at 231.9 GHz, H53alpha at 42.9 GHz) and the millimeter and centimeter continuum toward the Becklin-Neugebauer (BN) object in Orion, obtained from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Science Verification archive and the Very Large Array (VLA). The RL emission appears to be arising from the slowly-moving, dense (Ne=8.4x10^6 cm^-3) base of the ionized envelope around BN. This ionized gas has a relatively low electron temperature (Te<4900 K) and small (<<10 km s^-1) bulk motions. Comparing our continuum measurements with previous (non)detections, it is possible that BN has large flux variations in the millimeter. However, dedicated observations with a uniform setup are needed to confirm this. From the H30alpha line, the central line-of-sight LSR velocity of BN is 26.3 km s^-1.Comment: To appear in Astronomy and Astrophysics as a Letter to the editor. Corrections to mm fluxes. Discussion about flux variability shortened. Physical properties of ionized gas remain the same. Table 1 to main text rather than online only. Language edite

An In-Silico Pipeline for Rapid Screening of DNA Aptamers against Mycotoxins: The Case-Study of Fumonisin B1, Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A

Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides selected by SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment) able to discriminate target molecules with high affinity and specificity, even in the case of very closely related structures. Aptamers have been produced for several targets including small molecules like mycotoxins; however, the high affinity for their respective target molecules is a critical requirement. In the last decade, the screening through computational methods of aptamers for their affinity against specific targets has greatly increased and is becoming a commonly used procedure due to its convenience and low costs. This paper describes an in-silico approach for rapid screening of ten ssDNA aptamer sequences against fumonisin B1 (FB1, n = 3), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, n = 2) and ochratoxin A (OTA, n = 5). Theoretical results were compared with those obtained by testing the same aptamers by fluorescent microscale thermophoresis and by magnetic beads assay for their binding affinity (KD) revealing a good agreement

Avaliação da degradação de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA) em solos arenosos utilizando como oxidante persulfato de sódio ativado com Ferro.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pollutants that can cause mutagenic and carcinogenic to humans and cause environmental harm. The present study evaluated the degradation of phenanthrene and anthracene contaminants present in sandy soils using sodium persulfate activated with Fe2+ in acid medium. It was evaluated three sandy soils named A, B and C with different organic carbon tenors of 27, 16 and 31 g kg-1 respectively. After 24 hours of reaction, it was achieved a treatment efficiency of 60, 45 and 11% for the phenanthrene and 97, 96 and 81% for anthracene. There was no change in the composition of organic carbon in soil after the use of the oxidant. However there was a change in the constitution of the soil humic fractions. The use of the persulfate oxidant may be considered promising for use in soil because it does not compete with the organic carbon in the soil

Haplosporidium pinnae Detection from the Faeces of Pinna nobilis: A Quick and Noninvasive Tool to Monitor the Presence of Pathogen in Early-Stage or during Fan Mussel Mass Mortalities

Due to the increasing mass mortality of Pinna nobilis, mainly caused by the protozoan Haplosporidium pinnae along the Mediterranean Sea, it is necessary to develop rapid and effective methods to detect the pathogen. The present study describes the development and validation of a species-specific assay based on hydrolysis probe chemistry to detect H. pinnae DNA from faeces and pseudofaeces of P. nobilis. During a study campaign in the Gulf of Trieste (Italy) in the spring and summer of 2022, 18 samples (10 faeces and 8 pseudofaeces) were collected. DNA was isolated from all samples and the presence of H. pinnae was tested by amplifying a small portion of 18S rDNA using qPCR. The newly developed assay detected positive H. pinnae in the faeces of the fan mussel in the spring, while no evidence of an outbreak of H. pinnae was found in the summer. In addition, the method proved to be noninvasive and can be used to monitor suspected H. pinnae infections in the early stages when bivalves are still vital. Furthermore, fecal analysis allows the monitoring of P. nobilis without dissecting tissues. The presented assay can also be used to routinely monitor the progress of mass mortalities caused by H. pinnae and to screen for the pathogen in live fan mussels and other environmental matrices, such as water, sediment, and faeces from other species that can host the protozoan

Trimethoxylated halogenated chalcones as dual inhibitors of mao-b and bace-1 for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders

Six halogenated trimethoxy chalcone derivatives (CH1–CH6) were synthesized and spec-trally characterized. The compounds were further evaluated for their inhibitory potential against monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and β-secretase (BACE-1). Six compounds inhibited MAO-B more effectively than MAO-A, and the 2′,3′,4′-methoxy moiety in CH4–CH6 was more effective for MAO-B inhibition than the 2′,4′,6′-methoxy moiety in CH1–CH3. Compound CH5 most potently inhibited MAO-B, with an IC50 value of 0.46 µM, followed by CH4 (IC50 = 0.84 µM). In 2′,3′,4′-methoxy derivatives (CH4-CH6), the order of inhibition was –Br in CH5 &gt;-Cl in CH4 &gt;-F in CH6 at the para-position in ring B of chalcone. CH4 and CH5 were selective for MAO-B, with selectivity index (SI) values of 15.1 and 31.3, respectively, over MAO-A. CH4 and CH5 moderately inhibited BACE-1 with IC50 values of 13.6 and 19.8 µM, respectively. When CH4 and CH5 were assessed for their cell viability studies on the normal African Green Monkey kidney cell line (VERO) using MTT assays, it was noted that both compounds were found to be safe, and only a slightly toxic effect was observed in concentrations above 200 µg/mL. CH4 and CH5 decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of VERO cells treated with H2 O2, indicating both compounds retained protective effects on the cells by antioxidant activities. All compounds showed high blood brain barrier permeabilities analyzed by a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA). Molecular docking and ADME prediction of the lead compounds provided more insights into the rationale behind the binding and the CNS drug likeness. From non-test mutagenicity and cardiotoxicity studies, CH4 and CH5 were non-mutagenic and non-/weak-cardiotoxic. These results suggest that CH4 and CH5 could be considered candidates for the cure of neurological dysfunctions

An SiO Toroid and Wide-angle Outflow associated with the Massive Protostar W75N(B)-VLA2

We have carried out ALMA observations of the massive star-forming region W75N(B), which contains the massive protostars VLA1, VLA2, and VLA3. Particularly, VLA2 is an enigmatic protostar associated with a wind-driven H$_2$O maser shell, which has evolved from an almost isotropic outflow to a collimated one in just 20 years. The shell expansion seemed to be halted by an obstacle located to the northeast of VLA2. Here we present our findings from observing the 1.3 mm continuum and H$_2$CO and SiO emission lines. Within a region of $\sim 30"$ ($\sim 39,000$ au) diameter, we have detected 40 compact mm-continuum sources, three of them coinciding with VLA1, VLA2, and VLA3. While the H$_2$CO emission is mainly distributed in a fragmented structure around the three massive protostars, but without any of the main H$_2$CO clumps spatially coinciding with them, the SiO is highly concentrated on VLA2, indicating the presence of very strong shocks generated near this protostar. The SiO emission is clearly resolved into an elongated structure ($\sim 0.6"\times0.3"$; $\sim 780$ au$\times$390 au) perpendicular to the major axis of the wind-driven maser shell. The structure and kinematics of the SiO emission are consistent with a toroid and a wide-angle outflow surrounding a central mass of $\sim 10$ M$_{\odot}$, thus supporting previous theoretical predictions regarding the evolution of the outflow. Additionally, we have identified the expected location and estimated the gas density of the obstacle that is hindering the expansion of the maser shell.Comment: To be published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Sixteen pages, seven figures. Updated metadat

Tratamento de fenantreno utilizando persulfato de sódio ativado com ferro endógeno presente em solos arenosos.

A crescente preocupação com o meio ambiente vem viabilizando estudos que possibilitam a degradação de poluentes nocivos como os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA). O Processo Oxidativo Avançado (POA), técnica baseada na produção de radicais, espécies capazes de reagir com vários compostos orgânicos, vem sendo utilizada atualmente. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a viabilidade de utilização do persulfato de sódio ativado com o ferro endógeno para degradar o fenantreno. Os resultados do teor de ferro para as amostras ES1, ES2, ES3, e ES5 foram, 1452, 1290, 846 e 821 ppm respectivamente. Os resultados mostraram que a eficiência da degradação do fenantreno foi proporcional ao teor de ferro presente no solo. Em que os teores de degradação para as amostras ES1, ES2, ES3 e ES5 foram 60%, 53%, 33% e 18%, respectivamente

The Genomic and Immune Landscapes of Lethal Metastatic Breast Cancer.

The detailed molecular characterization of lethal cancers is a prerequisite to understanding resistance to therapy and escape from cancer immunoediting. We performed extensive multi-platform profiling of multi-regional metastases in autopsies from 10 patients with therapy-resistant breast cancer. The integrated genomic and immune landscapes show that metastases propagate and evolve as communities of clones, reveal their predicted neo-antigen landscapes, and show that they can accumulate HLA loss of heterozygosity (LOH). The data further identify variable tumor microenvironments and reveal, through analyses of T cell receptor repertoires, that adaptive immune responses appear to co-evolve with the metastatic genomes. These findings reveal in fine detail the landscapes of lethal metastatic breast cancer.CRUK

Modulo móvil de educación de la energía solar

El Módulo Móvil de Educación consiste en una casilla rodante totalmente equipada con elementos de aprovechamiento de la Energía Solar. La misma estará destinada a la educación, participando en exposiciones, charlas, conferencias, cursos, mesas redondas, sobre el tema difundiendo conocimientos teóricos y prácticos del aprovechamiento de la Energía Solar. El móvil estará equipado con las luces, agua caliente heladera TV color, vídeo, computadora hornos, cocina, potabilizador de agua, radio, ventiladores, etcétera, todas funcionando a Energía Solar, como demostrando, en forma práctica y didáctica, todas la formas de aprovechamiento.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES