New combined CFH/MCP mutations and a rare clinical course in atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare, life-threatening, chronic, genetic disease due to uncontrolled alternative pathway complement activation. In this report, we discuss the case of a heterozygous carrier of a mutation on both factor H and membrane cofactor protein, who persistently presents haemolytic anaemia without need for blood transfusions, normal platelet count, normal renal function and no signs or symptoms of organ injury due to thrombotic microangiopathy 4 years after the diagnosis of aHUS.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Perturbative tests of non-perturbative counting

We observe that a class of quarter-BPS dyons in N=4 theories with charge vector (Q, P) and with nontrivial values of the arithmetic duality invariant I := gcd (Q wedge P) are nonperturbative in one frame but perturbative in another frame. This observation suggests a test of the recently computed nonperturbative partition functions for dyons with nontrivial values of the arithmetic invariant. For all values of I, we show that the nonperturbative counting yields vanishing indexed degeneracy for this class of states everywhere in the moduli space in precise agreement with the perturbative result.Comment: 10 pages, 0 figure

Novel insights into biomass delignification with acidic deep eutectic solvents: a mechanistic study of β-O-4 ether bond cleavage and the role of the halide counterion in the catalytic performance

The development of innovative technologies for an efficient, yet eco-friendly, biomass delignification is required to achieve higher sustainability than traditional processes. In this context, the use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) for the delignification process could fulfil these requirements and stands today as a promising alternative. This work focus on understanding the fundamental chemistry behind the cleavage of B-O-4 ether bond present in 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol (PPE), a lignin model compound, with three acidic DES, including Propionic acid/Urea (PA:U), Lactic acid/Choline Chloride (LA:ChCl) and p-Toluenesulphonic acid/Choline chloride (pTSA:ChCl). The acidic nature of each DES influenced the efficiency of PPE cleavage and determined the extent of further side reactions of cleavage products. Although PA:U (2:1) demonstrated ability to dissolve lignin, it is unable to cleave B-O-4 ether linkage in PPE. On the other hand, LA:ChCl (10:1) allowed PPE cleavage, but an esterification between the PPE and lactic acid as well as oligomerization of lactic acid were detected. Among examined solvents, pTSA:ChCl (1:1) demonstrated the highest performance on the PPE cleavage, although the high acidity of this system lead to condensation of cleavage products at prolonged time. The presence of water decreases the ability of DES for the cleavage, but the extension of undesired side reactions was also reduced. Finally, the analysis of intermediates and products of the reactions allowed the identification of a chlorinated species of PPE that precedes the cleavage reaction. A kinetic study using pTSA:ChCl (1:1) and pTSA:ChBr (1:1) was performed to unveil the role of the halide counterion present in DES on the cleavage of <2=2 ether bond and a new reaction mechanism was herein proposed and supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.Altri ñ Celbi, Buckman, Crown Van Gelder, CTP, DS Smith Paper, ESKA, Essity, Holmen, ISPT, Mayr-Melnhof Eerbeek, Mets‰ Fibre, Mid Sweden University, Mondi, Omya, The Navigator Company, Sappi, Essity, Smurfit Kappa, Stora Enso, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Aveiro, University of Twente, UPM, Valmet Technologies Oy, Voith Paper, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, WEPA and Zellstoff Pols.in publicatio

Influence of recirculation rate on the performance of a combined anaerobic-aerobic reactor applied to the removal of carbon and nitrogen from poultry slaughterhouse wastewater

The objective of this study was to evaluate a combined anaerobic-aerobic upflow fixed-bed reactor with liquid phase recirculation for the removal of nitrogen and organic matter from poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. The reactor performance was evaluated with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 11 h and three different recirculation rates (R=0.5; 1 and 2). The highest nitrogen removal efficiency value was obtained with an HRT of 11 h (6.8 h in the anaerobic zone and 4.2 h in the aerobic zone) and a recirculation rate of 2. In this condition, the total nitrogen removal efficiency was 69%,  with effluent concentrations of 6 mg NH4+ L-1 and 12 mg NO3- L-1. For all tested conditions, there was good chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, with efficiency above 95%. The effect of dilution and the favoring of mass transfer caused by the increase in the recirculation rate positively influenced reactor performance.Key words: Anaerobic degradation, nitrification, denitrification, combined reactor

Avaliação nutricional de macronutrientes em pomar fertirrigado de laranja Valência utilizando o DRIS-CITROS.

O presente experimento foi conduzido em um pomar adulto de laranja Valência, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação convencional de fertilizantes e em fertirrigação com diferentes doses sobre o balanço nutricional das plantas. Realizou-se coleta de folhas em duas datas no ciclo de produção, relativos ao terceiro ano de aplicação dos tratamentos. Os resultados da análise quimica das folhas foram utilizados para a obtenção dos índices de balanço nutricional através do programa computacional DRIS-CITROS versão beta 1.1. Obsrvou-se discordância entre a avaliação por meio de faixas de suficiência e por meio do DRIS-CITROS para alguns nutrientes nas duas datas de coleta de folhas avaliadas. Na análise foliar realizada nas amostras coletadas após a colheita de frutos, os teores de Ca, Mg e S foram mais baixos com relação à realizada na amostra coletada antes da colheita

Freshwater conservation assessments in (semi-)arid regions: testing river intermittence and buffer strategies using freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) in Morocco

The IUCN Red List assessments are essentially based on population trends and range, namely Area of Occupancy (AOO) and Extent of Occupancy (EOO). Range estimations are based on fixed grids, but this is likely inappropriate for species living in river networks. Furthermore, AOO and EOO are measured using the whole hydrographic network, therefore disregarding temporary sections, which is particularly problematic in arid and semi-arid regions. Here we mapped the permanent hydrographic network of Morocco using satellite imagery, complemented with field surveys to collect samples for molecular analyses of the five freshwater mussel species present and assess their distribution. The phylogeographic patterns are described for each species and used to identify priority areas and evolutionary significant units for conservation. Permanent hydrographic river sections represent only 18.3% of the whole hydrographic network. A north-to-south gradient of genetic diversity, species richness and distribution range was found, being coherent with water availability and river intermittence. Isolated evolutionary units were detected in southern basins that should also receive particular attention in conservation planning. We propose the mean river width multiplied by the extent of the river network as the best and the most adequate way to estimate both EOO and AOO. Given the worldwide degradation of freshwater systems and biodiversity, an accurate (re)assessment of species conservation status supported with maps of intermittent water bodies will be essential for prioritizing and guiding conservation actions and management plans, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.This work was partially supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under grant SFRH/BD/115728/2016 (MLL) and grant SFRH/BD/137935/2018 (AGS). This research was developed under ConBiomics: the missing approach for the Conservation of freshwater Bivalves Project N° NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030286, co-financed by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by FCT through national funds. This study was additionally conducted within the scope of project “Biodiversity and conservation of the critically endangered freshwater mussels in Morocco: ecogeographic, genetic and physiological information”, funded by Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (Reference 15256799) and project “Breeding the most endangered bivalve on Earth: Margaritifera marocana”, funded by IUCN SOS save our species fund (Reference 2015B-015). Official capture and sampling licenses were issued by the Université Cadi Ayyad (Faculté des Sciences, Semlalia, Marrakech, Maroc)

Índices de crescimento em capim-paraíso sob diferentes idades durante três ciclos de crescimento no litoral cearense.

Resumo: As forrageiras apresentam variação ao longo do seu crescimento, em razão de variação na idade fisiológica e das condições de meio e manejo. Objetivou-se avaliar os índices de crescimento em capim-paraíso em diferentes idades de crescimento (14; 21; 28; 35; 42; 49; 56; 63 e 70 dias) e durante três ciclos (chuvoso, seco 1 e seco 2), num delineamento inteiramente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo e duas repetições. Avaliaram-se a taxa de crescimento relativo (TCR), a razão de área foliar (RAF), a razão de peso foliar (RPF) e a área foliar específica (AFE). A interação entre idades de crescimento e ciclos foi significativa para todas as variáveis analisadas, exceto para a AFE. A TCR decresceu com as idades em ambos os ciclos, exceto no ciclo seco 2, com média de 0,0512 g?g-1?dia-1. A RAF e a RPF decresceram com o avanço nas idades. A AFE respondeu positivamente às idades. As idades de crescimento influenciam a dinâmica dos componentes morfofisiológicos do capim-paraíso. [Growth index in paraiso grass under different ages during three growth cycles in coastal Ceara]. Abstract: The forage plants show variation along their growth due to changes in physiological age, environment and management conditions. One aimed to analyze the growth index of paraiso grass, in different growth ages (14; 21; 28; 35; 42; 49; 56; 63 e 70 days) and cycles (rainy, dry 1 and dry 2). A completely randomized design in a split-plot layout with repeated measures and two replicates was adopetd. The relative growth rate (RGR), the leaf area ratio (LAR), the leaf weight ratio (LWR) and the specific leaf area (SLA) were evaluated. An interaction between growth ages and cycles was observed for all variable analyzed, except for SLA. The RGR showed a linear decreased effect in the cycles, except in dry 2 cycles, with an average of 0,0512 g?g-1?day-1. The LAR and LWR decreased along the ages. The SLA presented positive linear effect. The different growth ages influenced the morphofisiological components in paraiso grass

A Molybdenum(VI) Complex of 5-(2-pyridyl-1-oxide)tetrazole: synthesis, structure, and transformation into a MoO3-Based hybrid catalyst for the epoxidation of Bio-Olefins

The discovery of heterogeneous catalysts synthesized in easy, sustainable ways for the valorization of olefins derived from renewable biomass is attractive from environmental, sustainability, and economic viewpoints. Here, an organic–inorganic hybrid catalyst formulated as [MoO3 (Hpto)]·H2O (2), where Hpto = 5-(2-pyridyl-1-oxide)tetrazole, was prepared by a hydrolysis– condensation reaction of the complex [MoO2Cl2 (Hpto)]·THF (1). The characterization of 1 and 2 by FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies, as well as 13C solid-state NMR, suggests that the bidentate N,O-coordination of Hpto in 1 (forming a six-membered chelate ring, confirmed by X-ray crystallography) is maintained in 2, with the ligand coordinated to a molybdenum oxide substructure. Catalytic studies suggested that 2 is a rare case of a molybdenum oxide/organic hybrid that acts as a stable solid catalyst for olefin epoxidation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The catalyst was effective for converting biobased olefins, namely fatty acid methyl esters (methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, methyl linolenate, and methyl ricinoleate) and the terpene limonene, leading predominantly to the corresponding epoxide products with yields in the range of 85–100% after 24 h at 70 ◦C. The versatility of catalyst 2 was shown by its effectiveness for the oxidation of sulfides into sulfoxides and sulfones, at 35 ◦C (quantitative yield of sulfoxide plus sulfone, at 24 h; sulfone yields in the range of 77–86%). To the best of our knowledge, 2 is the first molybdenum catalyst reported for methyl linolenate epoxidation, and the first of the family [MoO3 (L)x] studied for methyl ricinoleate epoxidation.LA/P/0006/2020; POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030075; ALG-01-0145-FEDER-022121; grant ref. 2021.06403.BD; grant ref. 2021.04756.BD;info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio