Comparing TOPEX TEC measurements with IRI predictions

TEC values obtained from TOPEX satellite were compared with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) 2001 model estimates. The present work also shows results of the IRI model with the option of a new topside electron density distribution (NeQuick model). TOPEX TEC measurements, which include years of high and middle to low solar activity (2000 and 2004), were analyzed by binning the region covered by the satellite (±66°) every five degrees of modip. In general, there is good agreement between IRI predictions and Topex measurements. Cases with large disagreements are observed at low and high latitudes during high solar activity. Comparing the model predictions using the default IRI2001 model and the NeQuick topside option show that the default IRI 2001 version represents the observed data in a more realistic way, but appears to be less reliable at high and low latitudes in some cases.Fil: Migoya Orue, Yenca Olivia. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional; ArgentinaFil: S.M. Radicella. Aeronomy and Radiopropagation Laboratory; ItaliaFil: P. Coïsson. Aeronomy and Radiopropagation Laboratory; ItaliaFil: Ezquer, Rodolfo Gerardo. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Física. Laboratorio de Ionósfera; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Nava, B.. Aeronomy and Radiopropagation Laboratory; Itali

Utjecaj miješanja na fermentaciju otpada nastalog pri proizvodnji kave s pomoću Aspergillus tamarii

Solid-state fermentation of coffee pulp with Aspergillus tamarii V12307 was carried out in laboratory scale reactors (bottle and column) to evaluate the effect of four different mixing frequencies (2.0, 2.7, 4.0 and 8.0 day^–1) on fungal growth, indirectly determined by carbon dioxide formation and the production of spores and pectin methylesterase. Coffee pulp was used as the sole source of nutrients. An increase in the fraction of bonded particles was observed in the bottle reactors after 12 h of cultivation when no mixing was applied. The use of any mixing frequency reduced the fraction of bonded particles. However, there was no significant difference in pectin methylesterase production between the mixing frequencies at the end of the fermentation. Similarly, there were no significant differences in CO2 production, oxygen uptake or sporulation, demonstrating that the mycelium was not damaged by intermittent mixing. This strategy of mixing could be used in large scale reactors in order to reduce heat and mass limitations.Fermentacija otpada nastalog pri proizvodnji kave s pomoću plijesni Aspergillus tamarii V12307 provedena je u laboratorijskim reaktorima (bocama i kolonama), te je ispitan utjecaj četiriju frekvencija miješanja (2,0; 2,7; 4,0 i 8,0 dan-1) na rast plijesni, i to indirektno, tj. mjerenjem proizvodnje ugljičnog dioksida, spora i pektin metilesteraze. Otpad nastao pri proizvodnji kave upotrijebljen je kao jedini izvor hranjiva. Povećanje udjela vezanih čestica primijećeno je nakon 12 sati uzgoja u bocama bez miješanja. Miješanje je smanjilo udjel vezanih čestica, ali nije bitno utjecalo na proizvodnju pektin metilesteraze. Također nije utjecalo na proizvodnju CO2, potrošnju kisika ili sporulaciju, što znači da povremeno miješanje supstrata nije oštetilo micelij plijesni. Takvim se miješanjem mogu smanjiti ograničenja u prijenosu topline i mase u industrijskim reaktorima

Molecular diversity of the antimicrobial domain of beta-defensin 3 and homologous peptides

Human β-defensin 3 has received great interest for possible pharmaceutical applications. To characterize the biology of this antimicrobial peptide, the mouse β-defensin 14 has been selected as a prototypical model. This report provides definite evidence of true orthology between these defensins and reveals molecular diversity of a mammalian specific domain responsible for their antimicrobial activity. Specifically, this analysis demonstrates that eleven amino acid residues of the antimicrobial domain have been mutated by positive selection to confer protein niche specialization. These data support the notion that natural selection acts as evolutionary force driving the proliferation and diversification of defensins and introduce a novel strategy for the design of more effective antibiotics

Improving global influenza surveillance: trends of A(H5N1) virus in Africa and Asia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses are an important health problem in many Asian and African countries. The current increase in human cases demonstrates that influenza A(H5N1) is still a significant global pandemic threat. Many health organizations have recognized the need for new strategies to improve influenza global surveillance. Specifically, the World Health Organization through the global technical consultation for influenza surveillance have called for a detailed picture of the current limitations, especially at the nation level, to evaluate, standardize and strength reporting systems. The main goal of our study is to demonstrate the value of genetic surveillance as part of a strategic surveillance plan. As a proof of concept, we evaluated the current situation of influenza A(H5N1) in Asian and Africa.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our analysis revealed a power-law distribution in the number of sequences of A(H5N1) viruses analyzed and/or reported to influenza surveillance networks. The majority of the Asian and African countries at great risk of A(H5N1) infections have very few (approximately three orders of magnitude) sequenced A(H5N1) viruses (e.g. hemagglutinin genes). This suggests that countries under pandemic alert for avian influenza A(H5N1) have very limited participation (e.g. data generation, genetic analysis and data share) in avian influenza A(H5N1) surveillance. More important, this study demonstrates the usefulness of influenza genetic surveillance to detect emerging pandemic threat viruses.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study reveals that some countries suffering from human cases of avian influenza have limited participation (e.g. genetic surveillance or data share) with global surveillance networks. Also, we demonstrate that the implementation of genetic surveillance programs could increase and strengthen worldwide epidemic and pandemic preparedness. We hope that this work promotes new discussions between policy makers and health surveillance organizations to improve current methodologies and regulations.</p

Theoretical and experimental characterization of emission and transmission spectra of Cerenkov radiation generated by 177Lu in tissue

Cerenkov radiation (CR) is the emission of UV-vis light generated by the de-excitation of the molecules in the medium, after being polarized by an excited particle traveling faster than the speed of light. When β particles travel through tissue with energies greater than 219 keV, CR occurs. Tissues possess a spectral optical window of 600 to 1100 nm. The CR within this range can be useful for quantitative preclinical studies using optical imaging and for the in-vivo evaluation of 177Lu-radiopharmaceuticals (β-particle emitters). The objective of our research was to determine the experimental emission light spectrum of 177Lu-CR and evaluate its transmission properties in tissue as well as the feasibility to applying CR imaging in the preclinical studies of 177Lu-radiopharmaceuticals. The theoretical and experimental characterizations of the emission and transmission spectra of 177Lu-CR in tissue, in the vis-NIR region (350 to 900 nm), were performed using Monte Carlo simulation and UV-vis spectroscopy. Mice 177Lu-CR images were acquired using a charge-coupled detector camera and were quantitatively analyzed. The results demonstrated good agreement between the theoretical and the experimental 177Lu-CR emission spectra. Preclinical CR imaging demonstrated that the biokinetics of 177Lu-radiopharmaceuticals in the main organs of mice can be acquiredThis study was supported by the Mexican National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) through the CATEDRAS-CONACYT-ININ-337 and CONACYT-SEP-CB- 2016-286753 projects. It was carried out as part of the activities of the “Laboratorio Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo de Radiofármacos, CONACyT (LANIDER-CONACYT)” and the Red-Biofotónica, CONACYT. The financial support of the SIEA-UAEMex through the Grant No 4348/2017/CI is also acknowledged

Special 3D electric resistivity tomography (ERT) array applied to detect buried fractures on urban areas: San Antonio Tecómitl, Milpa Alta, México

AbstractGeophysical techniques can be employed to understand the physical characteristics of the subsurface in highly populated areas, where urban settlements present structural problems. An interesting example is presented in this investigation, where three-dimensional Electric Resistivity Tomography (ERT-3D) is applied employing alternative arrays that allow investigating the subsoil beneath the affected constructions.A small neighborhood comprised by a block of houses within the town of San Antonio Tecómitl is studied. The area is found towards the outskirts of the Chichinautzin range, in the southern limit of the Mexican Basin. This settlement suffers of strong damage in their structures due to fractures and subsidence within the subsoil. ERT-3D was carried out to characterize the subsoil beneath this urban complex. A special resistivity array (‘horse-shoe’ geometry) employing a combination of ‘L’, equatorial-dipole and minimum-coupling methods was carried out to fully ‘illuminate’ the subsoil beneath the block of houses. Computed resistivity models depicted a high resistivity pattern that coincides with the affected houses. Such pattern seems to extend beyond the limits of the surveyed areas, and is probably part of a more complex fracture system. It is very likely that fractures have been produced due to the poorly consolidated soil, which is part of a transition zone; the intense water extraction, that form ‘voids’ in the subsoil causing subsidence effects and finally the existence of regional faults to greater extent that might control these shallow features

Avian influenza: genetic evolution under vaccination pressure

Antigenic drift of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) has been observed in chickens after extended vaccination program, similar to those observed with human influenza viruses. To evaluate the evolutionary properties of endemic AIV under high vaccination pressure (around 2 billion doses used in the last 12 years), we performed a pilot phylogenic analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of AIVs isolated from 1994 to 2006. This study demonstrates that Mexican low pathogenicity (LP) H5N2-AIVs are constantly undergoing genetic drifts. Recent AIV isolates (2002–2006) show significant molecular drifts when compared with the H5N2 vaccine-strain or other field isolates (1994–2000). This study also demonstrates that molecular drifts in the HA gene lineages follow a yearly trend, suggesting gradually cumulative sequence mutations. These findings might explain the increasing incidence of LP H5N2 AIV isolated from commercial avian farms. These findings support recent concerns about the challenge of AIV antigenic drift and influenza epidemics

Impact of antigenic and genetic drift on the serologic surveillance of H5N2 avian influenza viruses

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Serologic surveillance of Avian Influenza (AI) viruses is carried out by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using reference reagents. This method is recommended by animal health organizations as a standard test to detect antigenic differences (subtypes) between circulating influenza virus, vaccine- and/or reference- strains. However, significant discrepancies between reference antisera and field isolates have been observed during serosurveillance of influenza A viruses in pig and poultry farms. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of influenza virus genetic and antigenic drift on serologic testing using standard HI assays and reference reagents. Low pathogenic AI H5N2 viruses isolated in Mexico between 1994 and 2008 were used for phylogenetic analysis of AI hemagglutinin genes and for serologic testing using antisera produced with year-specific AI virus isolates.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phylogenetic analysis revealed significant divergence between early LPAI H5N2 viruses (1994 - 1998) and more recent virus field isolates (2002 - 2008). Results of the HI test were markedly influenced by the selection of the AI H5N2 virus (year of isolation) used as reference antigen for the assay. These analyses indicate that LPAI H5N2 viruses in Mexico are constantly undergoing genetic drift and that serosurveillance of AI viruses is significantly influenced by the antigen or antisera used for the HI test.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Reference viral antigens and/or antisera need to be replaced constantly during surveillance of AI viruses to keep pace with the AI antigenic drift. This strategy should improve the estimation of antigenic differences between circulating AI viruses and the selection of suitable vaccine strains.</p

Towards context-aware environments: A framework for labeling context-awareness

El artículo presenta un marco de trabajo con el que se puede obtener y almacenar consciencia del contexto. Esta consciencia se genera a través de las actividades cotidianas que realizan las personas en sus propios contextos. La información se almacena en diversas etiquetas embebidas en elementos cotidianos. Estos elementos se encuentran dispersos y forman parte del propio entorno. Además, se han adaptado las capacidades de las tecnologías sensoriales, incluyendo las comunicaciones de campo cercano (NFC), con la que se puede proporcionar una entrada simple al sistema, como la identificación.The article presents a framework with which context awareness can be obtained and stored. This awareness is generated through the daily activities that people carry out in their own contexts. The information is stored in various labels embedded in everyday items. These elements are scattered and are part of the environment itself. In addition, the capabilities of sensory technologies have been adapted, including near field communications (NFC), with which simple input to the system, such as identification, can be provided

Anisometric Microstructures to Determine Minimal Critical Physical Cues Required for Neurite Alignment

In nerve regeneration, scaffolds play an important role in providing an artificial extracellular matrix with architectural, mechanical, and biochemical cues to bridge the site of injury. Directed nerve growth is a crucial aspect of nerve repair, often introduced by engineered scaffolds imparting linear tracks. The influence of physical cues, determined by well-defined architectures, has been mainly studied for implantable scaffolds and is usually limited to continuous guiding features. In this report, the potential of short anisometric microelements in inducing aligned neurite extension, their dimensions, and the role of vertical and horizontal distances between them, is investigated. This provides crucial information to create efficient injectable 3D materials with discontinuous, in situ magnetically oriented microstructures, like the Anisogel. By designing and fabricating periodic, anisometric, discreet guidance cues in a high-throughput 2D in vitro platform using two-photon lithography techniques, the authors are able to decipher the minimal guidance cues required for directed nerve growth along the major axis of the microelements. These features determine whether axons grow unidirectionally or cross paths via the open spaces between the elements, which is vital for the design of injectable Anisogels for enhanced nerve repair. © 2021 The Authors. Advanced Healthcare Materials published by Wiley-VCH Gmb