Production of BTX from Ethane

This process will produce 0.5 MM tons of benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) per year from a feedstock of 0.82 MM tons of fractional-grade ethane. The conversion of ethane to BTX occurs in a steam reformer reactor operating at 1170°F, using a germanium-incorporated H-ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. After the reaction occurs, the light components are separated from the product stream using a multistage compressor and flash followed by the PRISM separation system. The light hydrocarbons (ethylene, ethane, propylene, and propane) are recycled to the reactor and the hydrogen and methane are burned. The final BTX product is separated from the heavy stream using two distillation columns, and the remaining heavy components are sold for use in gasoline. The plant will be located on the Gulf Coast due to the abundance of fracking operations in the area, allowing for easy access to ethane feedstock and gases used in the regeneration process. The process is currently unprofitable with an IRR of 2.87% and a net present value of -$166,765,000 at a discount rate of 18%. The financials for this venture are highly sensitive to the price of catalyst components and catalyst lifetime. A few major reasons that make this venture unprofitable are the high cost of catalyst, the high equipment cost, and the short catalyst lifespan. After in depth analysis of the financials, we recommend that this project only be executed if market prices for input components significantly decrease, prices for BTX significantly increase, or catalyst lifetime significantly increases

Epidemiologia de Triatominos en la Provincia de Río Negro

Chagas is an endemic epidemic disease of vector transmission in the Province of Rio Negro caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by triatomines. The Chagas control program in the province of Rio Negro certified, through serological and entomological indicators, the interruption of vector transmission throughout the province. However, in recent years, conditions have been generated that may allow the re-emergence of the disease, such as the eventual domiciliation of wild vinchucas such as T patagonico. The objective was to evaluate the epidemiological situation of the vector through studies of home and peri-home infestation by triatomines and to carry out resistance analyzes to insecticides that were applied for many years in control. As a result, 143 homes were evaluated and 66 light traps were placed. In the intra-domicile all the dwellings were negative, with 3 being positive in the peri-domicile (2.1%) with captures of T-infestans and T. patagonica. No triatomines were captured with the light traps. The captured triatomines were T. infestans and T. patagonica, which were all negative for T. cruzi. Insecticide resistance studies showed that the colonies are still susceptible to deltamethrin.colonies are still susceptible to deltamethrin.Chagas es una enfermedad endemoepidémica de transmisión vectorial en la Provincia de Rio Negro causada por Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitido por insectos vectores denominados triatominos (vinchucas). El programa de control de Chagas de la provincia de Rio Negro certifico, a través de indicadores serológicos y entomológicos, la interrupción de la transmisión vectorial en todo el territorio provincial. Sin embargo, en los últimos años se han generado condiciones que pueden posibilitar la reemergencia de la enfermedad, tal como la eventual domiciliación de vinchucas silvestres, tal el caso de Triatoma patagónica. El objetivo fue evaluar la situación epidemiológica del vector mediante estudios de infestación domiciliaria y peri domiciliaria por triatominos y efectuar análisis de resistencia al principal insecticida que fue aplicado durante muchos años en control. Como resultado se evaluaron 143 viviendas y se colocaron 66 trampas de luz. En el intradomicilio todas las viviendas resultaron negativas, resultando 3 positivas en el peri-domicilio (2.1%) con capturas de T- infestans y T. patagonica. Con las trampas de luz no se capturaron triatominos. Los insectos capturados fueron T. infestans y T. patagonica los que resultaron todos negativos a T. cruzi. Los estudios de resistencia a insecticidas mostraron que las colonias siguen siendo susceptibles a deltametrina

Mechanostability of the Single-Electron-Transfer Complexes of Anabaena Ferredoxin-NADP+ Reductase

The complexes formed between the flavoenzyme ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (FNR; NADP+=nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) and its redox protein partners, ferredoxin (Fd) and flavodoxin (Fld), have been analysed by using dynamic force spectroscopy through AFM. A strategy is developed to immobilise proteins on a substrate and AFM tip to optimise the recognition ability. The differences in the recognition efficiency regarding a random attachment procedure, together with nanomechanical results, show two binding models for these systems. The interaction of the reductase with the natural electron donor, Fd, is threefold stronger and its lifetime is longer and more specific than that with the substitute under iron-deficient conditions, Fld. The higher bond probability and two possible dissociation pathways in Fld binding to FNR are probably due to the nature of this complex, which is closer to a dynamic ensemble model. This is in contrast with the one-step dissociation kinetics that has been observed and a specific interaction described for the FNR:Fd complex

Intervenciones en SARS-CoV-2 en el marco de Una Salud: Medidas para controlar la transmisión de la enfermedad a 110 días de pandemia en la Provincia de Rio Negro

In December 2019, an outbreak of a novel zoonotic coronavirus began, called SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, which reached pandemic dimensions on March 11, 2020. By March 3, it had already entered República Argentina, while on March 9 the first case occurred in the Province of Rio Negro. In this province, 823 cases were identified with 41 deaths and 602 recovered cases by June 30, giving rise to successive intervention strategies to prevent its arrival in some places without viral circulation, to control outbreaks occurred and, when this objective was achieved, to avoid reintroduction. Among all measures, those related to non-pharmaceutical Interventions or NFI based on Primary Health Care and One Health with integrated participation among health agents of the First Level of Care, veterinary public health and medical areas of the Departments of Activities for the Area and Its Primary Health Care Centers and epidemiology services are a central, highly effective and essential strategy to cut the transmission chain and decreasethe agent’s reproductive capacity (R0) to a value <1. The activities carried out from the appearance of cases were described in the towns of El Bolsón, San Carlos de Bariloche, General Roca and Choele Choel in the Province of Rio Negro during 110 days of the pandemic.En el mes de Diciembre de 2019, comenzó un brote de un novel coronavirus de origen zoonótico, denominado SARS-CoV-2 o COVID-19, que alcanzó dimensiones de pandemia el 11 de marzo de 2020. Ya el 3 de marzo de 2020, había ingresado a la República Argentina, mientras que el 9 de marzo se produjo el primer caso en la Provincia de Rio Negro. En esta provincia, al 30 de junio se identifican 823 casos con 41 defunciones y 602 casos recuperados, dando lugar a sucesivas estrategias de intervención para evitar su llegada a algunas localidades sin circulación viral, controlar los brotes ocurridos y, cuando este objetivo es logrado, evitar la reintroducción. Entre todas las medidas, las vinculadas a Intervenciones no farmacéuticas o INF basadas en Atención Primaria de la Salud y Una Salud con participación integrada  entre agentes sanitarios del Primer Nivel de Atención, salud pública veterinaria y áreas médicas de los Departamentos de Actividades para el Área y sus Centros de Atención Primaria de la Salud y servicios de epidemiologia, son una estrategia central, altamente efectiva e imprescindible para cortar la cadena de transmisión y disminuir la capacidad reproductiva del agente (R0) a un valor < a 1. Se describen las actividades desarrolladas a partir de la aparición de casos en las localidades de El Bolsón, San Carlos de Bariloche, General Roca y Choele Choel en la Provincia de Rio Negro, República Argentina, durante 110 días de pandemia

The role of species charisma in biological invasions

Commonly used in the literature to refer to the "attractiveness", "appeal", or "beauty" of a species, charisma can be defined as a set of characteristics - and the perception thereof - that affect people's attitudes and behaviors toward a species. It is a highly relevant concept for invasion science, with implications across all stages of the invasion process. However, the concept of invasive alien species (IAS) charisma has not yet been systematically investigated. We discuss this concept in detail, provide a set of recommendations for further research, and highlight management implications. We review how charisma affects the processes associated with biological invasions andIASmanagement, including species introductions and spread, media portrayals, public perceptions of species management, research attention, and active public involvement in research and management. Explicit consideration ofIAScharisma is critical for understanding the factors that shape people's attitudes toward particular species, planning management measures and strategies, and implementing a combination of education programs, awareness raising, and public involvement campaigns.Peer reviewe

Cystic echinococcosis in dogs and children in the province of Río Negro, Argentina

Fil: Larrieu, Edmundo. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro, Viedma, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de Río Negro; Argentina.  Fil: Seleiman, Marcos. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Herrero, Eduardo. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Mujica, Guillermo. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Labanchi, Jose Luis. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Araya, Daniel. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Grizmado, Claudia. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Sepulveda, Luis. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Calabro, Arnoldo. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Talmon, Gabriel. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Crowley, Pablo. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro, Viedma, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Albarracin, Silvina. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Arezo, Marcos. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Parasitología; Argentina.Fil: Volpe, Marcela. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Avila, A. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Perez, Alicia. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Uchiumi, Leonardo. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Salvitti, Juan Carlos. Ministerio de Salud, Provincia de Río Negro; Argentina.Fil: Santillan, Graciela. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Parasitología; Argentina.Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an endemic disease in the province of Río Negro, Argentina. The control program against CE has developed monitoring surveillance systems. Currently, the coproELISA/Western blot (WB) test is used to determine transmission in livestock farms (epidemiological units or EU) from collected dry field-dispersed dog feces. The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of CE on livestock farms and its relationship with CE cases in children aged 0-14 years. Canine fecal samples were obtained from randomly selected livestock farms and processed by the coproELISA/WB test. Furthermore, new cases in children in the same age group mentioned above were identified. In 278 EU, 571 samples of canine feces were obtained. There were 37 positive samples for coproELISA/WB (6.5%) and the presence of transmission was demonstrated in 37 EU (13.3%). There were no significant differences (p=0.9) with the survey conducted in the period 2003-2004 while there were significant differences (p=0.02) with the EU survey of native populations conducted in 2009-2010. With respect to animal density in the work area, the EU yielding negative results had an average of 2 dogs (SD 2.1) per EU while in the EU having positive results the average was 3 dogs (SD 4.2), showing statistically significant differences (p=0.02). In children under 15 years of age, 12 cases were diagnosed. This study has identified, on average, that the cases of hydatid disease are closer in the positive fields than in the negative fields (p=0.00307).The coproELISA/WB test allowed to identify the dispersion of CE on livestock farms and its relationship with the occurrence of cases in children in 2009-2010

Quantitative Metabolomics Reveals an Epigenetic Blueprint for Iron Acquisition in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Bacterial pathogens are frequently distinguished by the presence of acquired genes associated with iron acquisition. The presence of specific siderophore receptor genes, however, does not reliably predict activity of the complex protein assemblies involved in synthesis and transport of these secondary metabolites. Here, we have developed a novel quantitative metabolomic approach based on stable isotope dilution to compare the complement of siderophores produced by Escherichia coli strains associated with intestinal colonization or urinary tract disease. Because uropathogenic E. coli are believed to reside in the gut microbiome prior to infection, we compared siderophore production between urinary and rectal isolates within individual patients with recurrent UTI. While all strains produced enterobactin, strong preferential expression of the siderophores yersiniabactin and salmochelin was observed among urinary strains. Conventional PCR genotyping of siderophore receptors was often insensitive to these differences. A linearized enterobactin siderophore was also identified as a product of strains with an active salmochelin gene cluster. These findings argue that qualitative and quantitative epi-genetic optimization occurs in the E. coli secondary metabolome among human uropathogens. Because the virulence-associated biosynthetic pathways are distinct from those associated with rectal colonization, these results suggest strategies for virulence-targeted therapies

Epidemiologia, vigilancia y control de Rabia transmitida por Murciélagos Insectívoros

An exhaustive bibliographic search was carried out on epidemiology,surveillance and control strategies for Rabies variant 4 transmitted byinsectivorous bats. Likewise, as a case study, a retrospective study ofinsectivorous bats captured by passive surveillance and analyzed todetermine the presence of rabies virus was carried out in the Provinceof Río Negro, Argentina. The objective was to update the informationon the epidemiology of rabies variant 4 and to analyze the effectivenessof the control measures usually recommended by health services.The review carried out shows only 5 notifications in South Americacorresponding to canines and felines between 2009 and 2019 andwith regard to people, three cases were reported: in Chile in 1963 and2013 and in Colombia in 2012. The identification of insectivorous batscarrying rabies ranges from 4% to 15%. For its part, the veterinarypublic health service of the Health Ministry of Rio Negro collectedinsectivorous bats from passive surveillance activities. The bats weresent to the Laboratory of the Luis Pasteur Institute in the city of BuenosAires for identification of rabies virus. A total of 294 insectivorous batswere analyzed in 26 locations. The proportion of the infected ones was14.6% (95% CI 9.5-17.8) although there were no cases in dogs, cats orpeople. Insectivorous bats can be a risk factor for canines, felines, andhumans, although notifications of variant 4 cases in these species areextremely low in South America, so an evaluation of the recommendedand applied control strategy seems to be required, so far, as it is not cost-effective, and involves increasing operating costs in financial andhuman resources, proposing more efficient risk control alternatives.Se efectuó una búsqueda bibliográfica exhaustiva sobre epidemiologia, vigilancia epidemiológica y estrategias de control de Rabia variante 4 transmitida por murciélagos insectívoros. Asimismo, como estudio de caso se efectuó un estudio retrospectivo de murciélagos insectívoros capturados por vigilancia pasiva y analizados para determinar presencia de virus rábico en la Provincia de Río Negro, Argentina. El objetivo fue actualizar la información sobre la epidemiologia de la rabia variante 4 y analizar la eficacia de las medidas de control habitualmente recomendadas por los servicios de salud. La revisión efectuada muestra en Sudamérica solo 5 notificaciones correspondientes a caninos y felinos entre 2009 y 2019 y en relación a las personas, se reportaron tres casos: en Chile en 1963 y 2013 y uno en Colombia en 2012. La identificación de murciélagos insectívoros portadores de rabia varia del del 4% al 15%. Por su parte, el servicio de salud pública veterinaria del Ministerio de Salud de Rio Negro  recogió murciélagos insectívoros a partir de actividades de vigilancia pasiva. Los murciélagos fueron remitidos al Laboratorio del Instituto Luis Pasteur de la ciudad de Buenos Aires para identificación de virus rábico. Se analizaron un total de 294 quirópteros insectívoros en 26 localidades. La proporción de infectados fue del 14,6% (IC95% 9,5-17,8) aunque sin casos en perros, gatos o personas. Los murciélagos insectívoros pueden ser un factor de riesgo para caninos, felinos y seres humanos, aunque las notificaciones de casos a variante 4 en estas especies es extremadamente bajo en América del Sur por lo que parece requerirse una evaluación de la estrategia de control recomendada y aplicada hasta el momento por no ser costo - efectiva, e implicar crecientes costos operativos en recursos financieros y humanos, proponiéndose alternativas más eficientes de control de riesgos

Cómo manipular nanoluz en varias frecuencias

En este estudio también han participado científicos de otros centros nacionales (DIPC, CIC nanoGUNE y la Universidad del País Vasco) e internacionales (Academia de Ciencias de China, Universidad Case Western Reserve de EE UU, Instituto Tecnológico de Austria, Centro de Materiales de París y Universidad de Tokio).Científicos de la Universidad de Oviedo y el Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología han descubierto un método para controlar la frecuencia de la luz en la nanoescala intercalando átomos de sodio en los llamados materiales de van der Waals. El avance se podría aplicar en tecnologías de la información y sensores biológicos de alta sensibilidad.Peer reviewe

Prueba de campo experimental de la vacuna EG95 contra la equinococosis quística ovina en Río Negro, Argentina: segundo estudio de impacto

La Equinococosis quística es endémica en la provincia de Río Negro, Argentina. Después de 30 años de control usando praziquantel en perros, la velocidad de transmisión a seres humanos y ovejas, se ha reducido significativamente, sin embargo persiste la transmisión. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el impacto de la introducción de la vacuna EG95 en el programa de control. La vacuna fue aplicada en una zona que comprende comunidades de pueblos originarios. Dos grupos diferentes fueron asignados a diferentes tipos de tratamiento. Un grupo de 71 productores de las regiones Blancura Centro y Lipetren, se establecieron como control sin vacunación. El grupo tratamiento comprendió 79 productores de Anecón Grande, Mamuel Choique, Nahuel Pan y Río Chico abajo en donde los corderos recibieron dos dosis con la vacuna EG95 seguido de un refuerzo cuando los animales tenían 1-1.5 años de edad. La transmisión de Echinococcus granulosus fue evaluada mediante necropsia de ovejas adultas. También se obtuvieron muestras de sangre de animales vacunados en cada uno de los años (2009/2015), incluyendo corderos que recibieron una sola dosis y borregos con dos dosis, para la determinación mediante ELISA de títulos de anticuerpos contra la proteína EG95 de E. granulosus. Un total de 21.443 dosis de vacuna EG95 se aplicaron en el período 2009-2015. Antes de la introducción de la vacuna, el 56.3% de los animales de 6 años fueron positivos a la necropsia. La prevalencia disminuyó a 21.1%, 5 años después del uso de la vacuna. El número de quistes por animal disminuyó de 1.4 a 0.3. Todos los quistes fueron pequeños (<1 cm). El número de productores con animales infectados disminuyo de 94.7% al 23.5%. La respuesta humoral a la vacunación, en condiciones de campo, ha resultado consistente con los estudios experimentales aumentando con la aplicación de la segunda dosis y alcanzando su máximo luego del refuerzo al año. La vacuna EG95 ha sido eficiente en prevenir la infección en animales de hasta 6 años de edad