Scattering of a proton with the Li4 cluster: non-adiabatic molecular dynamics description based on time-dependent density-functional theory

We have employed non-adiabatic molecular dynamics based on time-dependent density-functional theory to characterize the scattering behaviour of a proton with the Li$_4$ cluster. This technique assumes a classical approximation for the nuclei, effectively coupled to the quantum electronic system. This time-dependent theoretical framework accounts, by construction, for possible charge transfer and ionization processes, as well as electronic excitations, which may play a role in the non-adiabatic regime. We have varied the incidence angles in order to analyze the possible reaction patterns. The initial proton kinetic energy of 10 eV is sufficiently high to induce non-adiabatic effects. For all the incidence angles considered the proton is scattered away, except in one interesting case in which one of the Lithium atoms captures it, forming a LiH molecule. This theoretical formalism proves to be a powerful, effective and predictive tool for the analysis of non-adiabatic processes at the nanoscale.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figure

Estudio comparativo del fraccionamiento de los carbohidratos de la miel mediante tratamiento con carbón activo y levaduras para la detección de adulteraciones

Recientemente se ha descrito la utilidad de los anhídridos de difructosa (DFAs) como buenos marcadores para la detección de adulteraciones de miel con jarabes de alto contenido en fructosa (HFCS) y de azúcar invertido (IS). Sin embargo, para la detección de estos compuestos es necesario realizar un fraccionamiento previo de los carbohidratos de estas muestras, dado que la alta concentración de monosacáridos (glucosa y fructosa) presentes en la miel dificulta el análisis de los compuestos minoritarios. Por tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo se basó en la comparación de un tratamiento con levaduras propuesto con anterioridad y un fraccionamiento con carbónactivo para eliminar la fracción de monosacáridos,concentrando así los compuestos minoritarios de la miely en concreto los DFAs presentes en muestras adulteradas.Se llevó a cabo la optimización de dichos métodos para conseguir el mayor enriquecimiento en DFAs comprobándose que ambos son útiles para la detección de adulteraciones de miel de hasta un 5% de HFCS e IS

Innovation in Early music festivals. domains, strategies and outcomes

This chapter takes an in-depth look at innovation in cultural festivals, in particular in early music festivals, which is a type of festival aimed at a generally local and minority audience. It identifies and analyses types of innovations, the strategies used by early music festivals to innovate and the results of these innovations in the framework of a collaboration with the European Early Music Network, whose members, festival directors, agreed to participate in the survey designed for this purpose. Different types of product, production and pre-production process, marketing and communication innovations are identified but also maintain traditional products and communication channels for their most loyal audience. The analysis shows that early music festivals engage in a range of innovations and employ a meaningful combination of innovation strategies with diverse stakeholders. Innovation efforts have led to several intangible and tangible improvements, including increased prestige and bigger and more diverse audiences. Although some of the innovations identified are common to other cultural festivals, many product innovations depend on musicology research; therefore, similar to other science-based sectors, relationships with researchers are very important

Chitosan application in maize (Zea mays) to counteract the effects of abiotic stress at seedling level

Worldwide, the conditions of biotic and abiotic stresses adversely affect the potential production of maize. Drought or heat facilitate the infection with fungi such as Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium moniliforme, and consequently increase the production of mycotoxins. There are several strategies for managing the problem, but in the future, people will prefer the cleaner and cheaper technology. The use of elicitors for protection of corn can be considered a cheap and clean technology. Chitosan elicitor is a linear polysaccharide produced commercially by deacetylation of chitin. It has been reported that this elicitor induce phytoalexin accumulation in plant tissue. Application of chitosan to seeds in rice significantly increased rice yield. About this, there are no reports in corn. For this reason, the aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of chitosan in maize seedlings subjected to abiotic stresses. To this end, three treatments were tested (a negative control, a positive control, and a group coated with chitosan solution) under four abiotic stresses conditions since their germination stage: drought, moisture, acid pH and alkaline pH. During five weeks, the seedlings growth was evaluated by measuring their total length, the length of leaves, stems and the thickness of these and presence of fungi. Positive effect was observed in seeds treated with chitosan or stressed with acidic pH in dimensions of seedlings and there was no fungal growth.Key words: Abiotic stress, Zea mays, chitosan, pH, drought, humidit

Rcor2 underexpression in senescent mice: a target for inflammaging?

BACKGROUND: Aging is characterized by a low-grade systemic inflammation that contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little knowledge is currently available on the molecular processes leading to chronic neuroinflammation. In this context, recent studies have described the role of chromatin regulators in inflammation and longevity including the REST corepressor (Rcor)-2 factor, which seems to be involved in an inflammatory suppressive program. METHODS: To assess the impact of Rcor2 in age-related inflammation, gene expression levels were quantified in different tissues and ages of the spontaneous senescence-accelerated P8 mouse (P8) using the SAMR1 mouse (R1) as a control. Specific siRNA transfection in P8 and R1 astrocyte cultures was used to determine Rcor2 involvement in the modulation of neuroinflammation. The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment on Rcor2 levels and neuroinflammation was analyzed both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: P8 mice presented a dramatic decrease in Rcor2 gene expression compared with R1 controls in splenocytes, an alteration also observed in the brain cortex, hippocampus and primary astrocytes of these mice. Rcor2 reduction in astrocytes was accompanied by an increased basal expression of the interleukin (Il)-6 gene. Strikingly, intraperitoneal LPS injection in R1 mice downregulated Rcor2 in the hippocampus, with a concomitant upregulation of tumor necrosis factor (Tnf-α), Il1-β and Il6 genes. A negative correlation between Rcor2 and Il6 gene expression was also verified in LPS-treated C6 glioma cells. Knock down of Rcor2 by siRNA transfection (siRcor2) in R1 astrocytes upregulated Il6 gene expression while siRcor2 further increased Il6 expression in P8 astrocytes. Moreover, LPS activation provoked a further downregulation of Rcor2 and an amplified induction of Il6 in siRcor2-tranfected astrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Data presented here show interplay between Rcor2 downregulation and increased inflammation and suggest that Rcor2 may be a key regulator of inflammagin

Barley-ß-glucans reduce systemic inflammation, renal injury and aortic calcification through ADAM17 and neutral-sphingomyelinase2 inhibition

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperphosphatemia-induced inflammation aggravates vascular calcification (VC) by increasing vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) osteogenic differentiation, ADAM17-induced renal and vascular injury, and TNFα-induction of neutral-sphingomyelinase2 (nSMase2) to release pro-calcifying exosomes. This study examined anti-inflammatory β-glucans efficacy at attenuating systemic inflammation in health, and renal and vascular injury favoring VC in hyperphosphatemic CKD. In healthy adults, dietary barley β-glucans (Bβglucans) reduced leukocyte superoxide production, inflammatory ADAM17, TNFα, nSMase2, and pro-aging/pro-inflammatory STING (Stimulator of interferon genes) gene expression without decreasing circulating inflammatory cytokines, except for γ-interferon. In hyperphosphatemic rat CKD, dietary Bβglucans reduced renal and aortic ADAM17-driven inflammation attenuating CKD-progression (higher GFR and lower serum creatinine, proteinuria, kidney inflammatory infiltration and nSMase2), and TNFα-driven increases in aortic nSMase2 and calcium deposition without improving mineral homeostasis. In VSMC, Bβglucans prevented LPS- or uremic serum-induced rapid increases in ADAM17, TNFα and nSMase2, and reduced the 13-fold higher calcium deposition induced by prolonged calcifying conditions by inhibiting osteogenic differentiation and increases in nSMase2 through Dectin1-independent actions involving Bβglucans internalization. Thus, dietary Bβglucans inhibit leukocyte superoxide production and leukocyte, renal and aortic ADAM17- and nSMase2 gene expression attenuating systemic inflammation in health, and renal injury and aortic calcification despite hyperphosphatemia in CKD.A grant to A.S.D. and M.J.M. from IRBLleida and Agrotecnio Research collaborative projects from the Consell Social at Lleida University supported initial work, Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-funded by European Union (ERDF/FEDER) (FIS PI11/00259, PI14/01452, PI17/02181), Plan de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación 2013–2017 y 2018–2022 del Principado de Asturias (GRUPIN14-028, IDI-2018-000152), RedInRen from ISCIII (ISCIII-RETIC REDINREN RD16/0009). Investigator support included: NC-L by GRUPIN14-028 and IDI-2018-000152, LM-A by GRUPIN14-028, SP by FICYT; MVA and PV by Educational Grant 2 A/2015 from ERA-EDTA CKD-MBD Working Group; PV and AC by ERA-EDTA fellowships 2011 and 2012; JR-C by MINECO (“Juan de la Cierva” program, FJCI-2015-23849); A.S.D. by Asociación Investigación de Fisiología Aplicada. A.S.D. and M.J.M. are members of the Campus Iberus (Ebro Valley Campus of International Excellence)

Proyecto Utica. Excavaciones en la ciudad fenicio-púnica. Campañas de 2013 y 2014

Se presentan los resultados preliminares de las campañas de excavación de 2013 y 2014 en la antigua ciudad de Utica (Túnez), en dos áreas al norte de la ciudad, denominadas zonas I y II. En la segunda se ha localizado en los cortes 20 y 21 un edificio del siglo ix a. C. al que se vinculan hornos domésticos y un pozo cegado, con un importante conjunto de cerámicas fenicias, griegas, sardas nurágicas y locales. En la zona I se ha continuado la excavación de las áreas de los cortes 10 y 11. En el primero se han excavado varios sectores que han permitido precisar la datación de los sistemas constructivos fenicio-púnicos y romanos, localizar un área relacionada con un horno de producción y una calle romana de época imperial. En el área del corte 11 se ha podido conocer mejor la planta del edificio monumental y precisar la datación de las dos fases del edificio monumental fenicio-púnico.In the paper are presented the preliminary results of excavation seasons of 2013 and 2014 in the city of Utica (Tunisia) in two areas named zones I and II. In the last one have been localized in the sondages 20 and 21 a building of 9th century BC associated to domestic kilns and a to well filled with Phoenician, Greek, Nuraghic and local pottery. In Zone I the excavation of sondage areas 10 and 11 has continued. In the first one different sectors have been excavated allowing more precision in the date of the Phoenician, Punic and Roman building systems. A production area with a kiln and a roman imperial street have been localized too. In the area of sondage 11 the excavation conducted to a better knowledgment of the plan of a monumental Phoenician and Punic building and the datation of its two phases