Binary systems and their nuclear explosions

Peer ReviewedPreprin

SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity are associated with genetic variants affecting gene expression in a variety of tissues

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we identify 4 genomic loci with suggestive associations for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and 19 for COVID-19 disease severity. Four of these 23 loci likely have an ethnicity-specific component. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals in 11 loci colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 20 genes in 62 tissues/cell types (range: 1:43 tissues/gene), including lung, brain, heart, muscle, and skin as well as the digestive system and immune system. We perform genetic fine mapping to compute 99% credible SNP sets, which identify 10 GWAS loci that have eight or fewer SNPs in the credible set, including three loci with one single likely causal SNP. Our study suggests that the diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 observed between individuals is associated with variants across the genome, affecting gene expression levels in a wide variety of tissue types

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

Influence of processing and particle morphology on final properties of polypropylene/talc nanocomposites

The influence of different processing operations as well as particle morphology and concentration on microstructure and final mechanical properties of polypropylene/talc nanocomposites was studied, performing not only a comparative but also a combined analysis. Two continuous manufacturing process (injection molding and blown film extrusion) and two talc particle morphologies (macro and microcrystalline) were selected. Neat polypropylene and their nanocomposites containing different talc contents (1 and 5 wt%) were previously prepared in a twin-screw extruder and then they were processed using both processing operations. For injected nanocomposites, tensile behavior was strongly dependent on talc morphology. Tensile strength as well as ductility of nanocomposites containing macrocrystalline talc were higher than the corresponding to polypropylene/microcrystalline talc ones. Meanwhile, talc morphology influenced slightly on tensile behavior of nanocomposite films. These results allow selecting the appropriate particle morphology for each processing operation in order to obtain the best mechanical properties.Fil: Castillo, Luciana Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Barbosa, Silvia Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; Argentin