Cuantificación de la respiración edáfica como medida de la actividad microbiana en suelos de la microcuenca del rio Chimborazo.

El Objetivo de este estudio fue cuantificar la respiración edáfica (Rs) como medida de la actividad microbiana en suelos de la Microcuenca del Río Chimborazo (MRCH). Para ello primeramente se identificó los 4 usos de suelo de estudio (páramo, pastizales plantaciones forestales y cultivo) en la MCRCH. Estos se estimaron utilizando una imagen satelital “LANDSAT 8” de 2017 y herramientas cartográficas como Earth Explorer (USGS 2017) y arcGIS para el procesamiento de imágenes. Se evaluó para cada uso la Rs mediante el método Anderson (1982) y cada ensayo se realizó por triplicado, asimismo se analizó pH, conductividad, % de humedad, materia orgánica y nitrógeno de cada muestra. Como resultado se identificaron los usos de estudio en la MRCH, páramo con 4309,9 ha, 167,6 ha de plantaciones forestales, 2158 ha de pastizales y cultivos con 2384,5ha. El suelo de páramo presentó valores máximos de respiración edáfica como medida indirecta de la actividad microbiana de (1,0193 C-CO2 mg/g suelo), seguido por suelo de pastizales (0,5925 C-CO2 mg/g), cultivo (0,2654 C-CO2 mg/g suelo) y plantaciones (0,1142 C-CO2 mg/g suelo). Se concluye que no existe una diferencia significativa de la Rs con respecto a los usos de suelo, sin embargo, se pudo determinar que en usos de suelo como páramo existe una diferencia significativa de la Rs a 3600 m s.n.m. en el que se obtuvo el valor máximo de Rs. Se determinó que, de los factores abióticos estudiados la materia orgánica presento correlación significativa con la Rs en suelos de cultivo (sig. 0,03), siendo este el factor de mayor influencia en la Rs puesto que los otros factores abióticos presentan correlaciones moderadas con la respiración.The objective of this study was to quantify edaphic respiration (Rs) as a measure of microbial activity in soils of the Chimborazo River Micro-Basin (CHRM). To do this, the four land study uses (paramo, pastures, forest plantations, and cultivation) were first identified in the CHRM. These were estimated using a "LANDSAT 8" satellite image of 2017 and mapping tools such as Earth Explorer (USGS 2017) and ArcGIS for image processing. The Rs were evaluated for each use by means of the Anderson method (1982) and each test was carried out in triplicate, as well as pH, conductivity, percentage of humidity, organic matter and nitrogen of each sample were analyzed. As a result, study uses were identified in the CHRM, with 4309.9 ha; 167.6 ha of forest plantations; 2158 ha of pastures and crops with 2384.5 ha. Paramo soil showed maximum values of edaphic respiration as an indirect measure of the microbial activity of (1.0193 C-CO2 mg / g soil) followed by grassland soil (0.5925 C-CO2 mg / g), culture (26, 54 C-CO2 mg / g soil) and plantations (0,1142 C-CO2 mg / g soil). It is concluded that there is no significant difference of the Rs with respect to land uses, however, it could be determined that in land uses as páramo there is a significant difference of the Rs at 3600 m above sea level where the maximum value of Rs was obtained. It was determined that of the abiotic factors studied the organic matter presented significant correlation with the Rs in cultivation soils (sig 0.03), this being the factor of greatest influence in the Rs since the other abiotic factors have moderate correlations with the breathing

S3Mining: A model-driven engineering approach for supporting novice data miners in selecting suitable classifiers

Data mining has proven to be very useful in order to extract information from data in many different contexts. However, due to the complexity of data mining techniques, it is required the know-how of an expert in this field to select and use them. Actually, adequately applying data mining is out of the reach of novice users which have expertise in their area of work, but lack skills to employ these techniques. In this paper, we use both model-driven engineering and scientific workflow standards and tools in order to develop named S3Mining framework, which supports novice users in the process of selecting the data mining classification algorithm that better fits with their data and goal. To this aim, this selection process uses the past experiences of expert data miners with the application of classification techniques over their own datasets. The contributions of our S3Mining framework are as follows: (i) an approach to create a knowledge base which stores the past experiences of experts users, (ii) a process that provides the expert users with utilities for the construction of classifiers? recommenders based on the existing knowledge base, (iii) a system that allows novice data miners to use these recommenders for discovering the classifiers that better fit for solving their problem at hand, and (iv) a public implementation of the framework?s workflows. Finally, an experimental evaluation has been conducted to shown the feasibility of our framework

Removal of neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin from water by ozone-based oxidation: Kinetics and transformation products

In this paper, reaction kinetics, degradation mechanisms and associated toxicity have been assessed in detail concerning the abatement of neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin (CLO) by ozone-based oxidation in water. The second-order rate constants for the reaction of CLO with molecular ozone (O3) and hydroxyl radical (radical dotOH) were determined by the direct and competition kinetics (with UV/H2O2 system as the radical source) methods, respectively, and estimated to be 103 M−1 s−1 and 3.7·109 M−1 s−1. This suggested a (potential) higher contribution of the indirect mechanism rather than the direct degradative pathway in the CLO ozonation process. Additionally, CLO oxidation was studied through an O3 and O3/H2O2 system for three complex real water matrices with distinct characteristics. DOC content was found to be the main parameter responsible for making difficult the achievement of high CLO degradations, whereas carbonate alkalinity did not exert a great impact on the process efficiency. Results indicated that typical ozone doses (up to 1 mg O3/mg DOC) were not enough for the complete removal of this micropollutant, ranging only from 50 to 80%. The study concerning the transformation products (TPs), performed by means of high-resolution mass spectrometry, allowed to suggest potential degradation routes based on the five major CLO-TPs identified. It was inferred that radical dotOH was involved in the formation of all TPs, whereas O3 was only involved in the formation of two of them. A preliminary toxicity assessment concerning CLO and its TPs during ozonation was conducted at three different trophic levels via the ECOSAR software. Results showed that none of the compounds was classified as very toxic for aquatic organisms, and all TPs exhibited minor toxicity than the parent compound. Changes in molecular structure, such as chlorothiazole ring breakdown, could be the main reason for this considerable decrease in toxicity. Overall, the present study demonstrates that ozonation can be considered a suitable technology alternative for CLO (and associated toxicity) abatement from aqueous matrices

Un marco para democratizar la minería de datos: propuesta inicial y retos

Movimientos como el de datos abiertos posibilitan que cada vez haya una mayor disponibilidad de datos accesibles para su reutilización. A pesar de que el número de herramientas analíticas que están a nuestra disposición crece cada día, lamentablemente ninguna permite realizar un proceso de extracción de conocimiento directo a usuarios con poca o nula experiencia en el uso de la estadística y de algoritmos de minería de datos. En este artículo se presenta una aproximación a un marco KaaS (Knowledge as a Service) que posibilite a usuarios no expertos la extracción de conocimiento a partir de un conjunto de datos. Se muestra que la propuesta es viable y se plantean los retos aún abiertos

Probing the quantum-gravity realm with slow atoms

For the study of Planck-scale modifications of the energy-momentum dispersion relation, which had been previously focused on the implications for ultrarelativistic (ultrafast) particles, we consider the possible role of experiments involving nonrelativistic particles, and particularly atoms. We extend a recent result establishing that measurements of "atom-recoil frequency" can provide insight that is valuable for some theoretical models. And from a broader perspective we analyze the complementarity of the nonrelativistic and the ultrarelativistic regimes in this research area.Comment: LaTex, 13 page

ELECTRONIC TRAFFIC SIGNS: THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN HYBRID AND FULL MATRIX E-SIGNS

[EN] Road signs constitute a complex and growing communication system where different elements (pictograms, shapes, texts, etc.) are combined following different strategies. In this paper we have confronted drivers with a number of messages (congestion or road works, before, between, after location/s) developed as an adaptation of Advance Location Signs (class G, 1c in the 1968 Convention) to electronic displays. We manipulate two main factors a) the reading strategy (top-down vs. bottom-up) and the type of matrix display (hybrid, dissociating pictogram and text, vs. full matrix), in a repeated measures experimental design. The time taken to answer and the response given (correct, incorrect) was measured for each of the 24 message-blocks. Results show that the organization of the elements displayed is a key determinant for driver comprehension. Further thoughts on the need to understand the interplay between the formats adopted by static vs electronic message signs are provided.Lucas-Alba, A.; Hernando Mazón, A.; Blanch Micó, MT.; Gutiérrez Pérez, D.; Echeverría Villaspí, J.; Landa Tejero-Garcés, N. (2016). ELECTRONIC TRAFFIC SIGNS: THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN HYBRID AND FULL MATRIX E-SIGNS. En XII Congreso de ingeniería del transporte. 7, 8 y 9 de Junio, Valencia (España). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 2038-2045. https://doi.org/10.4995/CIT2016.2015.3327OCS2038204

In vivo expansion of a CD9+ decidual-like NK cell subset following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT) is a treatment option for hematological disorders and pediatric solid tumors. After an autoHSCT, natural killer (NK) cells are the first lymphocyte subset returning to normal levels. To uncover global changes during NK cell reconstitution after autoHSCT, we performed RNA-sequencing on NK cells before and after autoHSCT. Results showed profound changes in the gene expression profile of NK cells immediately after autoHSCT. Several biological processes including cell cycle, DNA replication and the mevalonate pathway were enriched. Significantly, we observed that following autoHSCT, NK cells acquired a decidual-like gene expression profile, including the expression of CD9. By using multiparametric flow cytometry, we confirmed the expansion of NK cells expressing CD9 immediately after autoHSCT, which exhibited higher granzyme B and perforin expression levels than CD9- NK cells. These results provide insights into the physiopathology of NK cells during their reconstitution after autoHSCT.Supported by the following grants: AECC-Spanish Association Against Cancer (PROYE16074- BORR) and Health Department, Basque Government (2021333006). GA-P is the recipient of a predoctoral contract funded by AECC-Spanish Association Against Cancer (PRDVZ21440ASTA). DP-A is a recipient of a fellowship from the AECC-Spanish Association Against Cancer (PPLAB212164POLA), AA-I and GA-P are recipient of a fellowship from the Jesús de Gangoiti Barrera Foundation (FJGB20/007, FJGB21/001 and FJBG21/005). IT is recipient of a predoctoral contract funded by the Department of Education, Basque Government (PRE_2021_2_0215). OZ is the recipient of a postdoctoral contract funded by ‘‘Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Contratos Sara Borrell 2017 (CD17/00128)’’ and the European Social Fund (ESF)-The ESF invests in your future. FB is an Ikerbasque Research Professor, Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science.S

In vivo expansion of a CD9+ decidual-like NK cell subset following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT) is a treatment option for hematological disorders and pediatric solid tumors. After an autoHSCT, natural killer (NK) cells are the first lymphocyte subset returning to normal levels. To uncover global changes during NK cell reconstitution after autoHSCT, we performed RNA-sequencing on NK cells before and after autoHSCT. Results showed profound changes in gene expression profile of NK cells immediately after autoHSCT. Several biological processes including cell cycle, DNA replication and the mevalonate pathway were enriched. Significantly, we observed that following autoHSCT, NK cells acquired a decidual-like gene expression profile, including the expression of CD9. By using multiparametric flow cytometry, we confirmed the expansion of NK cells expressing CD9 immediately after autoHSCT, which exhibited higher granzyme B and perforin expression levels than CD9- NK cells. These results provide insights on the physiopathology of NK cells during their reconstitution after autoHSCT.Supported by the following grants: AECC-Spanish Association Against Cancer (PROYE16074BORR) and Health Department, Basque Government (2021333006). GAP is recipient of a predoctoral contract funded by AECC-Spanish Association Against Cancer (PRDVZ21440ASTA). DP-A is a recipient of a fellowship from the AECC422 Spanish Association Against Cancer (PPLAB212164POLA), AA-I and GA-P are recipient of a fellowship from the Jesús de Gangoiti Barrera Foundation (FJGB20/007,FJGB21/001 and FJBG21/005). IT is recipient of a predoctoral contract funded by the Department of Education, Basque Government (PRE_2021_2_0215). OZ is recipient of a postdoctoral contract funded by “Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Contratos Sara Borrell 2017 (CD17/00128)” and the European Social Fund (ESF)-The ESF invests in your future. FB is an Ikerbasque Research Professor, Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science

Healthcare workers hospitalized due to COVID-19 have no higher risk of death than general population. Data from the Spanish SEMI-COVID-19 Registry

Aim To determine whether healthcare workers (HCW) hospitalized in Spain due to COVID-19 have a worse prognosis than non-healthcare workers (NHCW). Methods Observational cohort study based on the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, a nationwide registry that collects sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data on patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Spain. Patients aged 20-65 years were selected. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with mortality. Results As of 22 May 2020, 4393 patients were included, of whom 419 (9.5%) were HCW. Median (interquartile range) age of HCW was 52 (15) years and 62.4% were women. Prevalence of comorbidities and severe radiological findings upon admission were less frequent in HCW. There were no difference in need of respiratory support and admission to intensive care unit, but occurrence of sepsis and in-hospital mortality was lower in HCW (1.7% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.024 and 0.7% vs. 4.8%; p<0.001 respectively). Age, male sex and comorbidity, were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality and healthcare working with lower mortality (OR 0.211, 95%CI 0.067-0.667, p = 0.008). 30-days survival was higher in HCW (0.968 vs. 0.851 p<0.001). Conclusions Hospitalized COVID-19 HCW had fewer comorbidities and a better prognosis than NHCW. Our results suggest that professional exposure to COVID-19 in HCW does not carry more clinical severity nor mortality