Exploration of Solar Cosmic Ray Sources by Means of Particle Energy Spectra

Through the analysis of the energy spectrum of 12 ground level enhancements (GLE) of solar protons, a contribution in the understanding of the generation process of flare particles is attempted. Theoretical spectra of protons are derived by considering either they do not lose energy within the acceleration volume or that they are decelerated during the acceleration process. By comparing the theoretical source spectra with the experimental spectra, it is claimed that the generation process of solar particles develops under three main temperature regimes: the efficiency of particles acceleration is relatively high in cold-regimens decreasing while increasing the temperature of the medium. It is shown that in some events energy losses are able to modulate the acceleration spectrum within the source during the short time scale of the phenomenon, whereas in other events energy losses are completely negligible during the acceleration. It is argued that acceleration takes place in closed magnetic field lines and predicted the expansion and compression of the source material in association with the generation process of particles. This study allows us to estimate the range of variation from event to event of several parameters of the source and the acceleration process itself

Enhancement of fructosyltransferase and fructooligosaccharides production by A. oryzae DIA-MF in Solid-State Fermentation using aguamiel as culture medium

The aim of this work was to improve the production of fructosyltransferase (FTase) by Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) using aguamiel (agave sap) as culture medium and Aspergillus oryzae DIA-MF as producer strain. SSF was carried out evaluating the following parameters: inoculum rate, incubation temperature, initial pH and packing density to determine the most significant factors through Box-Hunter and Hunter design. The significant factors were then further optimized using a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. The maximum FTase activity (1347 U/L) was obtained at 32 °C, using packing density of 0.7 g/cm3. Inoculum rate and initial pH had no significant influence on the response. FOS synthesis applying the enzyme produced by A. oryzae DIA-MF was also studied using aguamiel as substrate.Authors thank National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) of Mexico by the financial support through the project No. CB-2011-C01-167764. Author D. B. Muñiz-Márquez also thank CONACYT for the financial support during her postgraduate program (Doctorate) in Food Science and Technology offered by the University Autonomous of Coahuila, Mexico

Spatiotemporal evolution of U and Th isotopes in a mine effluent highly polluted by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)

The spatiotemporal evolution of both U and Th isotopes in a mine effluent highly polluted by acid mine drainage (AMD) was evaluated. The acidic tributary, which born from the outflows of an abandoned sulfide mine, flows into the Odiel River. AMD comprises an important source of natural radionuclides, presenting concentrations of 238U and 232Th, two and four orders of magnitude higher, respectively, than the background values of surface continental waters. These natural radionuclides behave conservatively along the mine effluent (pH < 2.5) throughout the hydrological year. Under AMD conditions uranium is in the hexavalent state U(VI) and the main dissolved species are uranyl sulfate complexes. The polluted tributary has a significant impact on the Odiel River acidifying its waters during the low flow season and increasing up to one order of magnitude the activity concentrations of U and Th isotopes. U presented a conservative behavior in the Odiel River during the low flow season (pH ≈ 3), however it is removed from the liquid phase in the wet season (pH ≈ 6), probably due its coprecipitation/adsorption onto Al-phases. Th shows a high sensitivity to small increases of pH, and it is strongly coprecipitated/adsorbed with or onto Fe-oxyhydroxydizes in the river.This research was funded by the University of Huelva and the Operative FEDER Program-Andalucía 2014–2020 (UHU-1255876, UHU-202020); The European Regional Development Fund through the Agencia Estatal de Investigaci´on (research grant PID2020–116461RBC21 and 116461RA-C22), and the Andalusian government (I+D+i- JAPAIDI-Retos project PY20_00096). Jos´e Luis Guerrero thank the Spanish Ministry of Universities for the Margarita Salas research grant. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva / CBUA

Environmental Factors Involved in the High Incidence of Bladder Cancer in an Industrialized Area in North-Eastern Spain

Neoplasias de la vejiga; Contaminantes atmosféricos; Exposición ambientalUrinary bladder neoplasms; Air pollutants; Environmental exposureCàncer de bufeta; Contaminants atmosfèrics; Exposició ambientalBackground: Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common of those affecting the urinary tract, and a significant proportion of the cases are attributable to tobacco use as well as occupational and environmental factors. Objective: The aim of this study is to estimate the current incidence of BC in an industrialized area in northeastern Spain and to analyze its time trends over three decades from an ecological perspective. Methods: Patients diagnosed with histologically confirmed primary BC, during 2018-2019, in an area in northeastern Spain (430,883 inhabitants) were included. Crude and age-standardized incidence rates were estimated per 100,000 person-years based on the number of individuals getting their first diagnosis. An exploratory time trend analysis was carried out to describe the evolution in tobacco use and occupational or environmental risk factors and the incidence of BC in the same area from the 1990s. Results: 295 patients were included (age 72.5 ± 10.3 years; 89.8% men). The crude rate was 62.6 (95% CI: 51.9-73.2) for men and 6.8 (95% CI: 3.4-10.3) for women. The annual rate adjusted to the European Standard Population was 85.3 (95% CI:75.0-95.5) for men and 7.0 (95% CI:4.5-9.5) for women. From 1994 to 2018, the prevalence of smokers decreased in men (42.3% to 30.9%) as well as in the active population working in the industry (44.36% to 22.59%). Nevertheless, the car fleet, especially diesel, has increased considerably. The annual mean concentrations of air (PM10, PM2.5, O3, and NO2) and water (nitrates, arsenic, trihalomethanes) pollutants were within the regulatory limit values, but not the maximum levels. Conclusions: The incidence of BC is one of the highest in men but not in women, despite the decrease in tobacco use and industrial activity (perhaps related to high latency after carcinogen exposure cessation) and despite the control of environmental pollution (the maximum regulatory limit probably needs to be lowered). Finally, a similar exposure to the carcinogen would result in a gender-specific differential incidence

Light-activated electroforming in ITO/ZnO/p-Si resistive switching devices

We report on light-activated electroforming of ZnO/p-Si heterojunction memristors with transparent indium tin oxide as the top electrode. Light-generated electron-hole pairs in the p-type substrate are separated by the external electric field and electrons are injected into the active ZnO layer. The additional application of voltage pulses allows achieving different resistance states that end up in the realization of the low resistance state (LRS). This process requires much less voltage compared to dark conditions, thus avoiding undesired current overshoots and achieving a self-compliant device. The transport mechanisms governing each resistance state are studied and discussed. An evolution from an electrode-limited to a space charge-limited transport is observed along the electroforming process before reaching the LRS, which is ascribed to the progressive formation of conductive paths that consequently induce the growth of conductive nanofilaments through the ZnO layer. This work was financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Project Nos. TEC2012-38540-C02-01 and TEC2016-76849-C2-1-R). O.B. also acknowledges the subprogram "Ayudas para Contratos Predoctorales para la Formación de-Doctores" from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for economical support. J.L.F. acknowledges the subprogram "Ayudas para la Formación de Profesorado Universitario" (No. FPU16/06257) from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports for economical support. X.P., C.L., and C.G. are grateful to C. Frilay for his expertise in the maintenance of the sputtering setup used for the growth of the ZnO films

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) production by fungal submerged culture using aguamiel as a low-cost by-product

Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2018.12.020.Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are important ingredients in the functional food industry because they have different biological properties such as decrease level of triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids and stimulate growth of probiotics for enhancement of microflora in large intestine. However, current strategies for the FOS production through simple and economical bioprocess has been necessary. The aim of this work was evaluated the capacity of three fungal strains (Aspergillus niger GH1, Aspergillus niger PSH and Aspergillus oryzae DIA-MF) to produce fructooligosaccharides (FOS) using aguamiel from Agave salmiana as an economical substrate. In addition, Czapek Dox medium supplemented with sucrose as carbon source was used as a control medium for the FOS production. A. oryzae DIA-MF was a fungi producer of FOS using aguamiel or Czapek Dox medium as substrate at 24?h of fermentation. However, the yield of FOS was increased two folds (20.30?g/L), with a productivity of 0.84?g FOS/l.h when aguamiel was used as substrate. On the other hand, A. niger GH1 and A. niger PSH showing only hydrolytic activity on sucrose under the studied conditions. In conclusion, this study shown excellent compatibility of A. oryzae DIA-MF using aguamiel as an economical substrate for the FOS production under a simple bioprocess.Authors thank all technical support and comments made by Dra. Adriana C. Flores-Gallegos and Dra. Abril Flores-Maltos. Authors thank National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) of Mexico by the financial support through the project No. CB-2011-C01-167764. Author D. B. Muñiz-Márquez also thank CONACYT for the financial support during her postgraduate program (Doctorate) in Food Science and Technology offered by the University Autonomous of Coahuila, Mexico.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Guía para la Realización de un Proyecto Fin de Carrera en Informática

El Proyecto Fin de Carrera (PFC) en la titulación de Ingeniería en Informática supone la última oportunidad para actualizar al alumno en sus conocimientos antes de que se enfrente con el mundo laboral. Sin embargo, a veces se plantea dicho trabajo como un proceso de especialización que, aunque puede tener justificación en determinados casos, pensamos que no debe ser el enfoque general. Propugnamos la elaboración del PFC basado en una metodología de desarrollo, a ser posible con carácter de equipo y mediante simulación de situaciones reales. En su desarrollo, la participación de cada alumno debe abordar múltiples aspectos, desde la planificación y análisis del mismo, su diseño y construcción, así como la instalación, seguimiento y evaluación del producto. Para que se puedan desarrollar todos estos aspectos es necesaria una orientación clarificadora por parte del profesor. Esta ponencia muestra la metodología general de desarrollo del PFC que utilizamos un grupo de profesores en las Ingenierías en Informática de la Universidad de Extremadura. El debate de estos principios prácticos y metodológicos creemos que constituye una mejora en la calidad de la dirección del PFC por parte del profesor y proporciona una herramienta de ayuda inestimable para el alumno.Trabajo parcialmente financiado por el Proyecto IPR00A057: Junta de Extremadura (Consejería de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología) y Fondo Social Europeo

Successive fermentation of aguamiel and molasses by Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to obtain high purity fructooligosaccharides

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are usually synthesized with pure enzymes using highly concentrated sucrose solutions. In this work, low-cost aguamiel and molasses were explored as sucrose alternatives to produce FOS, via whole-cell fermentation, with an Aspergillus oryzae DIA-MF strain. FOS production process was optimized through a central composite experimental design, with two independent variables: initial sucrose concentration in a medium composed of aguamiel and molasses (AgMe), and inoculum concentration. The optimized process—165 g/L initial sucrose in AgMe (adjusted with concentrated molasses) and 1 × 107 spores/mL inoculum concentration—resulted in an FOS production of 119 ± 12 g/L and a yield of 0.64 ± 0.05 g FOS/g GFi. Among the FOSs produced were kestose, nystose, 1-fructofuranosyl-nystose, and potentially a novel trisaccharide produced by this strain. To reduce the content of mono- and disaccharides in the mixture, run a successive fermentation was run with two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Fermentations run with S. cerevisiae S227 improved FOS purity in the mixture from 39 ± 3% to 61.0 ± 0.6% (w/w) after 16 h of fermentation. This study showed that agro-industrial wastes such as molasses with aguamiel are excellent alternatives as substrate sources for the production of prebiotic FOS, resulting in a lower-cost process.Orlando de la Rosa acknowledges the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT-Mexico) for the financial support given through the PBM (Program Becas Mixtas) (CVU 860996) and the APC was funded by Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila (Mexico). The study was also supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and the Project ColOsH PTDC/BTM-SAL/30071/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030071).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antioxidant responses related to temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma

Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; Universidad de Málaga CBUA.Glioblastoma remains one of the most challenging and devastating cancers, with only a very small proportion of patients achieving 5-year survival. The current standard of care consists of surgery, followed by radiation therapy with concurrent and maintenance chemotherapy with the alkylating agent temozolomide. To date, this drug is the only one that provides a significant survival benefit, albeit modest, as patients end up acquiring resistance to this drug. As a result, tumor progression and recurrence inevitably occur, leading to death. Several factors have been proposed to explain this resistance, including an upregulated antioxidant system to keep the elevated intracellular ROS levels, a hallmark of cancer cells, under control. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of chemoresistance -including the important role of glioblastoma stem cells-with emphasis on antioxidant defenses and how agents that impair redox balance (i.e.: sulfasalazine, erastin, CB-839, withaferin, resveratrol, curcumin, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine) might be advantageous in combined therapies against this type of cancer.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Spanish Dentists’ Awareness, Knowledge, and Practice Regarding COVID-19: A Multiple Regression Analysis

The authors thank the Spanish Society of Epidemiology and Oral Public Health (SESPO) for expert supervision of the questionnaire; the Spanish General Council of Dentists (GCD) and the Spanish societies of dental hygienists for their rapid dissemination of the survey to their members.Introduction: During the first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Spain had the highest mortality rate and the second-highest infection rate in the world. Objective: To analyze the occupational situation of dentists, hygienists, and dental auxiliary staff during the peak of the pandemic, after the state of alarm was declared in Spain, and when the state of alarm was declared. In addition, a possible relationship between the geographical distribution of infected people and the availability of individual protection systems was investigated. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was answered by 6470 dentists and dental staff via WhatsApp and social media. Results: A total of 1 in 4 dental professionals ceased working completely. Of those that kept working, 25.28% of dentists and 19.61% of hygienist-auxiliary were equipped with filtering face piece (FFP) 2 masks (P < .05), and 61.8% complied with the official protection recommendations set by the General Council of Dentists of Spain. Nearly 59.4% of respondents had symptoms, but only 1.5% of dentists were tested, with 14% of dentists in isolation at the time of response. Overall, it is suggested that 10% of dental professionals may have been in direct contact with the coronavirus. Conclusions: Direct contact of Spanish dental health professionals with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2 (SARS CoV-2) has been high during the most active phase of the pandemic. Dental professionals did not have personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to care for patients, a situation that justified the reduction in scheduled dental care and only emergencies being treated. The Spanish geographical regions with the highest number of contagions had the least amount of individual protective resources (FFP2 and FFP3masks)