Optimal Design and Planning of Biodiesel Supply Chain with Land Competition

Fil: Andersen, Federico. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (PLAPIQUI). CONICET; Argentina.Fil: Iturmendi, Facundo. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (PLAPIQUI). CONICET; Argentina.Fil: Espinosa, Susana N. Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María. Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Ambiental; Argentina.Fil: Díaz, María S. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (PLAPIQUI). CONICET; Argentina.In this work we propose an MILP multiperiod formulation for the optimal design and planning of the Argentinean biodiesel supply chain, considering land competition and alternative raw materials. The country is divided into twenty three regions, each one including existing crops, oil and biodiesel plants and potential ones. The model includes intermediate and final products, i.e., seed, flour, pellets and expellers, oil, pure and blending biodiesel and glycerol. Crop fields, storage and production plants, as well as distribution centers for internal and external markets are also represented. We consider the possibility of sowing energetic crops, such as Jatropha curcas, in marginal areas. The time horizon is of seven years, divided into 84 periods. The mathematical model has been implemented in GAMS providing a powerful decision-making tool that can be applied to other regions or countries by adjusting specific data.En este trabajo, proponemos una formulación de múltiples períodos MILP para el diseño y la planificación óptimos de la cadena de suministro de biodiésel argentino, considerando la competencia de la tierra y las materias primas alternativas. El país está dividido en veintitrés regiones, cada una incluyendo cultivos existentes, plantas de aceite y biodiesel y potenciales. El modelo incluye productos intermedios y finales, es decir, semillas, harina, pellets y expulsores, aceite, biodiesel puro y de mezcla y glicerol. También están representados los campos de cultivo, las plantas de almacenamiento y producción, así como los centros de distribución para los mercados internos y externos. Consideramos la posibilidad de sembrar cultivos energéticos, como Jatropha curcas, en áreas marginales. El horizonte temporal es de siete años, dividido en 84 períodos. El modelo matemático se ha implementado en GAMS proporcionando una poderosa herramienta de toma de decisiones que se puede aplicar a otras regiones o países mediante el ajuste de datos específicos

Diseño de una batería de tanques de almacenamiento de combustible : Análisis térmico

El diseño de una batería de tanques de almacenamiento de combustible contempla diferentes aspectos que hacen a la eficiencia de la planta, tales como minimizar costos y facilitar su operación, y otros aspectos asociados a la seguridad de la misma que intentan minimizar riesgos potenciales. Esto es, si accidentalmente se iniciara un incendio en uno de los tanques, las distancias mínimas reglamentarias entre tanques pretenden minimizar la posibilidad de eventos en cadena que pudieran afectar a toda la planta. En este trabajo se computan niveles de radiación incidente y distribución de temperatura en tanques adyacentes al tanque bajo fuego considerando distintos diámetros y diferentes distancias entre ellos. Esta distribución es utilizada posteriormente para determinar la deformación estructural ocasionada en cada caso, a efectos de evaluar la posibilidad de un efecto dominó por colapso de tanques vecinos a la llama. Las temperaturas máximas alcanzadas y las deformaciones provocadas en el material son estimadas por elementos finitos utilizando un análisis secuencial implementado en un código de propósitos generales. Los resultados indican que en una planta diseñada con separacionesde un diámetro entre tanques de gasolina, el incendio de uno de los tanques conduce a temperaturas máximas del orden de 400°C en los tanques vecinos. Sin embargo, las temperaturas pueden ser hasta 200°C superiores si las distancias se reducen a las mínimas reglamentarias, ocasionando deformaciones que comprometen aún más su integridad estructural y aumentan el riesgo potencial de extensión del incendio a toda la planta.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV no.37Facultad de Ingenierí

Comportamiento poscrítico de tanques de almacenamiento de combustible sometidos a la acción de viento y fuego

Un escenario de incendio en una batería de tanques de almacenamiento de combustible presenta muchas variables involucradas que interaccionan entre sí y modifican la distribución de temperaturas que actúan sobre un tanque en particular. Los tanques adyacentes a otro en situación de incendio son susceptibles de daño estructural que puede contribuir al desarrollo de un efecto dominó involucrando a otros tanques en el incendio. En trabajos anteriores se analizó la existencia de viento actuando simultáneamente con fuego en un tanque, esta acción produce una inclinación de la llama y una modificación de la distribución de temperaturas sobre el tanque en estudio. Este trabajo plantea un análisis estructural de un tanque metálico considerando simultáneamente la acción del viento sobre la estructura y la distribución de temperaturas obtenida por transferencia de calor desde la llama inclinada por el viento. El tanque en estudio se modela por elementos finitos mediante un código de propósitos generales (ABAQUS) y se realiza un análisis no lineal geométrico con imperfecciones geométricas para evaluar el comportamiento poscrítico. El viento actuando sobre el tanque genera una deformada que actúa como una imperfección geométrica sobre la estructura perfecta que afecta el comportamiento poscrítico. Se consideran como imperfecciones geométricas las formas de modo asociadas a la carga térmica y viento, y además la deformada por acción del viento. En el análisis se incluye la variación de las propiedades mecánicas del acero con la temperatura. Para esta simulación de fuego estudiada, el comportamiento inestable se produce a temperaturas del orden de la mitad de las correspondientes al estado estacionario.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV no.38Facultad de Ingenierí

The Tree Biodiversity Network (BIOTREE-NET): prospects for biodiversity research and conservation in the Neotropics

Biodiversity research and conservation efforts in the tropics are hindered by the lack of knowledge of the assemblages found there, with many species undescribed or poorly known. Our initiative, the Tree Biodiversity Network (BIOTREE-NET), aims to address this problem by assembling georeferenced data from a wide range of sources, making these data easily accessible and easily queried, and promoting data sharing. The database (GIVD ID NA-00-002) currently comprises ca. 50,000 tree records of ca. 5,000 species (230 in the IUCN Red List) from \u3e2,000 forest plots in 11 countries. The focus is on trees because of their pivotal role in tropical forest ecosystems (which contain most of the world\u27s biodiversity) in terms of ecosystem function, carbon storage and effects on other species. BIOTREE-NET currently focuses on southern Mexico and Central America, but we aim to expand coverage to other parts of tropical America. The database is relational, comprising 12 linked data tables. We summarise its structure and contents. Key tables contain data on forest plots (including size, location and date(s) sampled), individual trees (including diameter, when available, and both recorded and standardised species name), species (including biological traits of each species) and the researchers who collected the data. Many types of queries are facilitated and species distribution modelling is enabled. Examining the data in BIOTREE-NET to date, we found an uneven distribution of data in space and across biomes, reflecting the general state of knowledge of the tropics. More than 90% of the data were collected since 1990 and plot size varies widely, but with most less than one hectare in size. A wide range of minimum sizes is used to define a \u27tree\u27. The database helps to identify gaps that need filling by further data collection and collation. The data can be publicly accessed through a web application at http://portal.biotreenet.com. Researchers are invited and encouraged to contribute data to BIOTREE-NET

Amplified Genes May Be Overexpressed, Unchanged, or Downregulated in Cervical Cancer Cell Lines

Several copy number-altered regions (CNAs) have been identified in the genome of cervical cancer, notably, amplifications of 3q and 5p. However, the contribution of copy-number alterations to cervical carcinogenesis is unresolved because genome-wide there exists a lack of correlation between copy-number alterations and gene expression. In this study, we investigated whether CNAs in the cell lines CaLo, CaSki, HeLa, and SiHa were associated with changes in gene expression. On average, 19.2% of the cell-line genomes had CNAs. However, only 2.4% comprised minimal recurrent regions (MRRs) common to all the cell lines. Whereas 3q had limited common gains (13%), 5p was entirely duplicated recurrently. Genome-wide, only 15.6% of genes located in CNAs changed gene expression; in contrast, the rate in MRRs was up to 3 times this. Chr 5p was confirmed entirely amplified by FISH; however, maximum 33.5% of the explored genes in 5p were deregulated. In 3q, this rate was 13.4%. Even in 3q26, which had 5 MRRs and 38.7% recurrently gained SNPs, the rate was only 15.1%. Interestingly, up to 19% of deregulated genes in 5p and 73% in 3q26 were downregulated, suggesting additional factors were involved in gene repression. The deregulated genes in 3q and 5p occurred in clusters, suggesting local chromatin factors may also influence gene expression. In regions amplified discontinuously, downregulated genes increased steadily as the number of amplified SNPs increased (p<0.01, Spearman's correlation). Therefore, partial gene amplification may function in silencing gene expression. Additional genes in 1q, 3q and 5p could be involved in cervical carcinogenesis, specifically in apoptosis. These include PARP1 in 1q, TNFSF10 and ECT2 in 3q and CLPTM1L, AHRR, PDCD6, and DAP in 5p. Overall, gene expression and copy-number profiles reveal factors other than gene dosage, like epigenetic or chromatin domains, may influence gene expression within the entirely amplified genome segments

The LifeCycle Project-EU Child Cohort Network : a federated analysis infrastructure and harmonized data of more than 250,000 children and parents

Early life is an important window of opportunity to improve health across the full lifecycle. An accumulating body of evidence suggests that exposure to adverse stressors during early life leads to developmental adaptations, which subsequently affect disease risk in later life. Also, geographical, socio-economic, and ethnic differences are related to health inequalities from early life onwards. To address these important public health challenges, many European pregnancy and childhood cohorts have been established over the last 30 years. The enormous wealth of data of these cohorts has led to important new biological insights and important impact for health from early life onwards. The impact of these cohorts and their data could be further increased by combining data from different cohorts. Combining data will lead to the possibility of identifying smaller effect estimates, and the opportunity to better identify risk groups and risk factors leading to disease across the lifecycle across countries. Also, it enables research on better causal understanding and modelling of life course health trajectories. The EU Child Cohort Network, established by the Horizon2020-funded LifeCycle Project, brings together nineteen pregnancy and childhood cohorts, together including more than 250,000 children and their parents. A large set of variables has been harmonised and standardized across these cohorts. The harmonized data are kept within each institution and can be accessed by external researchers through a shared federated data analysis platform using the R-based platform DataSHIELD, which takes relevant national and international data regulations into account. The EU Child Cohort Network has an open character. All protocols for data harmonization and setting up the data analysis platform are available online. The EU Child Cohort Network creates great opportunities for researchers to use data from different cohorts, during and beyond the LifeCycle Project duration. It also provides a novel model for collaborative research in large research infrastructures with individual-level data. The LifeCycle Project will translate results from research using the EU Child Cohort Network into recommendations for targeted prevention strategies to improve health trajectories for current and future generations by optimizing their earliest phases of life.Peer reviewe

Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-α than with anti-IFN-ω auto-Abs in children

We found that 19 (10.4%) of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia had autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs (IFN-alpha 2 in 10 patients: IFN-alpha 2 only in three, IFN-alpha 2 plus IFN-omega in five, and IFN-alpha 2, IFN-omega plus IFN-beta in two; IFN-omega only in nine patients). Seven children (3.8%) had Abs neutralizing at least 10 ng/ml of one IFN, whereas the other 12 (6.6%) had Abs neutralizing only 100 pg/ml. The auto-Abs neutralized both unglycosylated and glycosylated IFNs. We also detected auto-Abs neutralizing 100 pg/ml IFN-alpha 2 in 4 of 2,267 uninfected children (0.2%) and auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-omega in 45 children (2%). The odds ratios (ORs) for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia were, therefore, higher for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 only (OR [95% CI] = 67.6 [5.7-9,196.6]) than for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-. only (OR [95% CI] = 2.6 [1.2-5.3]). ORs were also higher for auto-Abs neutralizing high concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 12.9 [4.6-35.9]) than for those neutralizing low concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 5.5 [3.1-9.6]) of IFN-omega and/or IFN-alpha 2

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

La Red Internacional de Inventarios Forestales (BIOTREE-NET) en Mesoamérica: avances, retos y perspectivas futuras

Conservation efforts in Neotropical regions are often hindered by lack of data, since for many species there is a vacuum of information, and many species have not even been described yet. The International Network of Forest Inventory Plots (BIOTREE-NET) gathers and facilitates access to tree data from forest inventory plots in Mesoamerica, while encouraging data exchange between researchers, managers and conservationists. The information is organised and standardised into a single database that includes spatially explicit data. This article describes the scope and objectives of the network, its progress, and the challenges and future perspectives. The database includes above 50000 tree records of over 5000 species from more than 2000 plots distributed from southern Mexico through to Panama. Information is heterogeneous, both in nature and shape, as well as in the geographical coverage of inventory plots. The database has a relational structure, with 12 inter-connected tables that include information about plots, species names, dbh, and functional attributes of trees. A new system that corrects typographical errors and achieves taxonomic and nomenclatural standardization was developed using The Plant List (http://theplantlist.org/) as reference. Species distribution models have been computed for around 1700 species using different methods, and they will be publicly accessible through the web site in the future (http://portal.biotreenet.com). Although BIOTREE-NET has contributed to the development of improved species distribution models, its main potential lies, in our opinion, in studies at the community level. Finally, we emphasise the need to expand the network and encourage researchers willing to share data and to join the network and contribute to the generation of further knowledge about forest biodiversity in Neotropical regions

Global urban environmental change drives adaptation in white clover

Urbanization transforms environments in ways that alter biological evolution. We examined whether urban environmental change drives parallel evolution by sampling 110,019 white clover plants from 6169 populations in 160 cities globally. Plants were assayed for a Mendelian antiherbivore defense that also affects tolerance to abiotic stressors. Urban-rural gradients were associated with the evolution of clines in defense in 47% of cities throughout the world. Variation in the strength of clines was explained by environmental changes in drought stress and vegetation cover that varied among cities. Sequencing 2074 genomes from 26 cities revealed that the evolution of urban-rural clines was best explained by adaptive evolution, but the degree of parallel adaptation varied among cities. Our results demonstrate that urbanization leads to adaptation at a global scale