The effects of bicarbonate and mineral surfaces on uranium immobilization under anaerobic conditions

For four decades, from 1940 through 1980, the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) extensively mined and processed uranium at various sites. As a result, widespread uranium contamination exists in subsurface sediments and aquifers. In subsurface environments, uranium primarily exists as U(VI) or U(IV), oxidized and reduced species, respectively. U(VI) is highly soluble and toxic, U(IV), while relatively toxic, is insoluble which greatly reduces its exposure pathways. We seek to examine the role of ferric iron on U(VI) reduction by adsorbing U(VI) onto ferric and non-ferric mineral surfaces in the presence of a reductant. Further, we seek to understand the role that NaHCO3, a natural groundwater buffer, has in the reductive geochemical transformations of U(VI) adsorbed on ferric and non-ferric mineral surfaces. Bench top studies were performed using 100 uM U(VI) and the reductant AHQDS, in the presence and absence of Fe-Gel (amorphous ferric oxyhydroxide) and gamma-Al2O3. In the presence of a HEPES buffer at pH 8, results demonstrate direct homogeneous reduction in several hours in the absence of Fe-Gel or gamma-Al2O3, and reduction within a 48-hour period in the presence Fe-Gel or gamma-Al2O3. While adsorbed to both ferric and non-ferric mineral surfaces, U(VI) reduction is inhibited. U(VI) reduction in the presence of NaHCO3 buffer also inhibits U(VI) reduction

Integración de técnicas colaborativas a procesos de gestión de proyectos informáticos

This document presents the results of a research project entitled Process Improvement in Information Technology in Project Management, from the perspective of Collaborative engineering; the purpose of this document is to report on the integration of technical collaborative engineering to the computing management projects, without going into details as the choice of improvement models and project management methodology. For this particular case, the theoretical basis PMBOK was taken as a guide to good practices in project management. The description of collaborative elements, their integration into project management processes, the definition of collaborative tools for controlling, monitoring and validation of project management and integration framework for collaborative engineering to an improvement model, are topics developed in this document.El presente documento entrega los resultados de un proyecto de investigación denominado Mejora de Procesos en la Gestión de Proyectos Informáticos, desde la perspectiva de la Ingeniería Colaborativa y tiene como propósito realizar un informe sobre el proceso de integración de técnicas de ingeniería colaborativa a la gestión de proyectos informáticos, sin profundizar en detalles como la selección del modelo de mejora y la metodología de gestión de proyectos (que en este caso tomó como base teórica PMBOK, como guía de buenas prácticas en gestión de proyectos). El documento desarrolla la descripción de elementos colaborativos, su integración a procesos de gestión de proyectos, la definición de instrumentos colaborativos de control, seguimiento y validación en gestión de proyectos y la estructura de integración de la ingeniería colaborativa a un modelo de mejora

Variabilidad estacional y a mesoescala de algunos parámetros biológicos y químicos en relación con la hidrodinámica del canal de Ibiza (Mediterráneo occidental)

Este trabajo está basado en el análisis tridimensional a mesoescala de la relación entre la hidrodinámica y la distribución espacial de los nutrientes (nitratos), el porcentaje de saturación de oxígeno y la concentración de clorofila a, de acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos en cuatro campañas llevadas a cabo en el canal de Ibiza en noviembre de 1990, marzo de 1991 y a principios y mediados de julio de 1992. El estudio comparado de estas cuatro campañas muestra una fenomenología diversa y cambiante, aunque puede ser descrita como variación de un patrón básico consistente en la generación de un sistema ciclónico y un frente originado por el agua entrante en el canal, de procedencia atlántica, situada sobre el agua residente que sale a través de él. Este fenómeno determina la fertilización por afloramiento producido por el sistema divergencia superficial - convergencia profunda asociado al sistema frontal y al torbellino ciclónico. La variabilidad espacial detectada a mesoescala está estrechamente relacionada con las distribuciones hidrográficas y la escasa duración de algunas estructuras de dimensiones reducidas. En consecuencia, este tipo de fenomenología puede ser considerada independiente de la época del año, que condiciona principalmente los gradientes verticales y la circulación general. De acuerdo con esto, en noviembre de 1990, las concentraciones relativamente bajas de clorofila a observadas pueden estar relacionadas con fenómenos de difusión y transporte debido a la intensidad de la corriente de agua de procedencia atlántica. Por el contrario, en la campaña efectuada en marzo de 1991, parece existir un fenómeno de confinamiento del material producido en una cuña ciclónica, que queda relativamente aislada y horizontalmente comprimida por una masa de agua situada al norte de la misma que, simultáneamente, obstaculiza el avance hacia el norte del agua de procedencia atlántica. Esto puede explicar, en parte, las elevadas concentraciones de clorofila observadas en el área ciclónica. La comparación de las campañas realizadas a primeros y mediados de julio de 1992 muestra cómo un simple desplazamiento hacia el sur del sistema ciclónico puede alterar, de manera importante, tanto los aportes de nutrientes como la distribución de los máximos de clorofila. En ambos casos las elevadas, aunque discontinuas, concentraciones de clorofila registradas pueden ser causadas por un mecanismo de acumulación que abarcaría conjuntamente procesos tales como un relativamente pequeño transporte advectivo y la disminución de la velocidad de sedimentación del fitoplancton a través de la picnoclina, así como la acumulación de nutrientes debida a la compresión vertical de los afloramientos que alcanzan la picnoclina, pudiendo permitir la producción fitoplanctónica cerca de los máximos de clorofilaPublicado

Seasonal and mesoscale variability of biological and chemical parameters related to the hydrodynamics of the Ibiza Channel (western Mediterranean)

Este trabajo está basado en el análisis tridimensional a mesoescala de la relación entre la hidrodinámica y la distribución espacial de los nutrientes (nitratos), el porcentaje de saturación de oxígeno y la concentración de clorofila a, de acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos en cuatro campañas llevadas a cabo en el canal de Ibiza en noviembre de 1990, marzo de 1991 y a principios y mediados de julio de 1992. El estudio comparado de estas cuatro campañas muestra una fenomenología diversa y cambiante, aunque puede ser descrita como variación de un patrón básico consistente en la generación de un sistema ciclónico y un frente originado por el agua entrante en el canal, de procedencia atlántica, situada sobre el agua residente que sale a través de él. Este fenómeno determina la fertilización por afloramiento producido por el sistema divergencia superficial - convergencia profunda asociado al sistema frontal y al torbellino ciclónico. La variabilidad espacial detectada a mesoescala está estrechamente relacionada con las distribuciones hidrográficas y la escasa duración de algunas estructuras de dimensiones reducidas. En consecuencia, este tipo de fenomenología puede ser considerada independiente de la época del año, que condiciona principalmente los gradientes verticales y la circulación general. De acuerdo con esto, en noviembre de 1990, las concentraciones relativamente bajas de clorofila a observadas pueden estar relacionadas con fenómenos de difusión y transporte debido a la intensidad de la corriente de agua de procedencia atlántica. Por el contrario, en la campaña efectuada en marzo de 1991, parece existir un fenómeno de confinamiento del material producido en una cuña ciclónica, que queda relativamente aislada y horizontalmente comprimida por una masa de agua situada al norte de la misma que, simultáneamente, obstaculiza el avance hacia el norte del agua de procedencia atlántica. Esto puede explicar, en parte, las elevadas concentraciones de clorofila observadas en el área ciclónica. La comparación de las campañas realizadas a primeros y mediados de julio de 1992 muestra cómo un simple desplazamiento hacia el sur del sistema ciclónico puede alterar, de manera importante, tanto los aportes de nutrientes como la distribución de los máximos de clorofila. En ambos casos las elevadas, aunque discontinuas, concentraciones de clorofila registradas pueden ser causadas por un mecanismo de acumulación que abarcaría conjuntamente procesos tales como un relativamente pequeño transporte advectivo y la disminución de la velocidad de sedimentación del fitoplancton a través de la picnoclina, así como la acumulación de nutrientes debida a la compresión vertical de los afloramientos que alcanzan la picnoclina, pudiendo permitir la producción fitoplanctónica cerca de los máximos de clorofila.The interactions between the hydrodynamics and the spatial distribution of nutrients (nitrates), percentage of oxygen saturation and chlorophyll-a concentration were studied by means of a 3-D mesoscale analysis. The data were obtained from four surveys carried out in the Ibiza Channel in November 1990, March 1991 and twice in July 1992. The comparative study of the data showed a high variability due to variations of a cyclonic eddy and a frontal system caused by the incoming modified Atlantic water, layered anta the resident water that flows out of the channel. This phenomenon determined fertilisation by upwelling, as a consequence of the surface-divergence/deep-convergence system associated with the front and the cyclonic gyre. Mesoscale spatial variability was closely related to hydrographic parameters. The short life of some small-scale structures can be considered independently of the season, which mainly causes vertical gradients and general circulation. In November 1990, the relatively low chlorophyll concentrations could be related to transport and diffusion phenomena caused by the intense inflow of the Modified Atlantic Water (MAW) mass. On the other hand, in March 1991, it seems that an enclosure phenomenon was found. The material produced was accumulated in a relatively isolated cyclonic area, horizontally compressed by a northern water mass, which also obstructed the normal inflow of the MAW. This could explain the high chlorophyll concentrations observed in the cyclonic area. The comparison between the surveys carried out in early and mid-July 1992 showed how a single southward displacement of the cyclonic system could have a great impact on the intensity of nutrient inputs and the location of chlorophyll maxima. In both cases, the very high, but patchy, chlorophyll concentrations observed might have been caused by an accumulation mechanism. This mechanism could be based on a joint process involving a slight advective transport and a drop in the phytoplankton's sinking rate through the pycnocline. Also, accumulation al nutrients due to vertical compression of upwelling phenomena reaching the pycnocline may lead to some phytoplankton production near the deep chlorophyll maxima.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

Seasonal and interannual variability of dissolved oxygen around the Balearic Islands from hydrographic data

Oceanographic data obtained between 2001 and 2011 by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO, Spain) have been used to characterise the spatial distribution and the temporal variability of the dissolvedoxygen around the Balearic Islands (Mediterranean Sea). The study area includes most of the Western Mediterranean Sea, from the Alboran Sea to Cape Creus,atthe border between France and Spain. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) at thewatersurface is found to be in a state of equilibrium exchange with the atmosphere. In the spring and summer a subsurface oxygen supersaturation is observed due to the biological activity, above the subsurface fluorescence maximum. Minimum observed values of dissolved oxygen are related to theLevantine Intermediate Waters (LIW). An unusual minimum of dissolved oxygen concentrations were also recorded in the Alboran Sea Oxygen Minimum Zone. The Western Mediterranean Deep Waters (WMDW) and the Western Intermediate Waters (WIW) show higher values of dissolved oxygenthanthe Levantine Intermediate Waters due to their more recent formation. Using these dissolved oxygen concentrations it is possible to showthat the Western Intermediate Waters move southwards across the Ibiza Channel and the deep water circulates around the Balearic Islands. It has also been possible to characterise the seasonal evolution of the different watermassesandtheir dissolved oxygen content in a station in the Algerian sub-basin. Keywords: Ocean circulation, dissolved oxygen, water masses, Western Mediterranean Sea, Balearic SeaPost-print

Defective minor spliceosome mRNA processing results in isolated familial growth hormone deficiency

The molecular basis of a significant number of cases of isolated growth hormone deficiency remains unknown. We describe three sisters affected with severe isolated growth hormone deficiency and pituitary hypoplasia caused by biallelic mutations in the RNPC3 gene, which codes for a minor spliceosome protein required for U11/U12 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) formation and splicing of U12-type introns. We found anomalies in U11/U12 di-snRNP formation and in splicing of multiple U12-type introns in patient cells. Defective transcripts include preprohormone convertases SPCS2 and SPCS3 and actin-related ARPC5L genes, which are candidates for the somatotroph-restricted dysfunction. The reported novel mechanism for familial growth hormone deficiency demonstrates that general mRNA processing defects of the minor spliceosome can lead to very narrow tissue-specific consequences.Peer reviewe

Genetic and epigenetic methylation defects and implication of the ERMN gene in autism spectrum disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly heritable and genetically complex conditions. Although highly penetrant mutations in multiple genes have been identified, they account for the etiology of <1/3 of cases. There is also strong evidence for environmental contribution to ASD, which can be mediated by still poorly explored epigenetic modifications. We searched for methylation changes on blood DNA of 53 male ASD patients and 757 healthy controls using a methylomic array (450K Illumina), correlated the variants with transcriptional alterations in blood RNAseq data, and performed a case-control association study of the relevant findings in a larger cohort (394 cases and 500 controls). We found 700 differentially methylated CpGs, most of them hypomethylated in the ASD group (83.9%), with cis-acting expression changes at 7.6% of locations. Relevant findings included: (1) hypomethylation caused by rare genetic variants (meSNVs) at six loci (ERMN, USP24, METTL21C, PDE10A, STX16 and DBT) significantly associated with ASD (q-value <0.05); and (2) clustered epimutations associated to transcriptional changes in single-ASD patients (n = 4). All meSNVs and clustered epimutations were inherited from unaffected parents. Resequencing of the top candidate genes also revealed a significant load of deleterious mutations affecting ERMN in ASD compared with controls. Our data indicate that inherited methylation alterations detectable in blood DNA, due to either genetic or epigenetic defects, can affect gene expression and contribute to ASD susceptibility most likely in an additive manner, and implicate ERMN as a novel ASD gene

Occurrence of rotavirus a genotypes and other enteric pathogens in diarrheic suckling piglets from Spanish swine farms

Species A rotavirus (RVA) is a major viral pathogen causing diarrhea in suckling piglets. Studies on its genetic heterogeneity have implications for vaccine efficacy in the field. In this study, fecal samples (n = 866) from diarrheic piglets younger than 28 days were analyzed over a two-year period (2018–2019). Samples were submitted from 426 farms located in 36 provinces throughout Spain and were tested using real-time PCR (qPCR) and reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) for five enteric pathogens. The individual prevalence was 89.4%, 64.4%, 44.9%, 33.7% and 4.4% for Clostridiumperfringens, Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile, species A rotavirus, species C rotavirus and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, respectively. Most specimens (96.9%) were positive for at least one of the target pathogens, and more than 80% of samples harbored mixed infections. Nucleotide sequencing of 70 specimens positive for RVA revealed the presence of the VP7 genotypes G4, G9, G3, G5, G11 and the VP4 genotypes P7, P23, P6 and P13, with the combinations G4P7 and G9P23 being the most prevalent, and especially in the areas with the highest pig population. The study shows the extensive genetic diversity of RVA strains as well as discrepancies with the genotypes contained in the vaccine available in Spain, and multiple amino acid differences in antigenic epitopes of different G- and P- genotypes with the vaccine strains. Further investigations are needed to determine the efficacy of the vaccine to confer clinical protection against heterologous strains

RhIGF-1 treatment increases bone mineral density and trabecular bone structure in children with PAPP-A2 deficiency

KARGER: "This is the peer-reviewed but unedited manuscript version of the following article: Hormone Research in Paediatrics 89.3 (2018): 200-204 DOI: 10.1159/000486336. The final, published version is available at http://www.karger.com/. http://doi.org/10.1159/000486336]."Aim: Our objective was to determine changes in bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score (TBS), and body composition after 2 years of therapy with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 (rhIGF-1) in 2 prepubertal children with a complete lack of circulating PAPP-A2 due to a homozygous mutation in PAPP-A2 (p.D643fs25∗) resulting in a premature stop codon. Methods: Body composition, BMD, and bone structure were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 1 and 2 years of rhIGF-1 treatment. Results: Height increased from 132 to 145.5 cm (patient 1) and from 111.5 to 124.5 cm (patient 2). Bone mineral content increased from 933.40 to 1,057.97 and 1,152.77 g in patient 1, and from 696.12 to 773.26 and 911.51 g in patient 2, after 1 and 2 years, respectively. Whole-body BMD also increased after 2 years of rhIGF-1 from baseline 0.788 to 0.869 g/cm2in patient 1 and from 0.763 to 0.829 g/cm2in patient 2. After 2 years of treatment, both children had an improvement in TBS. During therapy, a slight increase in body fat mass was seen, with a concomitant increase in lean mass. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: Two years of rhIGF-1 improved growth, with a tendency to improve bone mass and bone microstructure and to modulate body composition.The authors are funded by Fondos de Investigación Sanitaria and FEDER (Grants PI1302195 and PI1600485 to J.A.), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (BFU2014-51836-C2-2-R to J.A.C.), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (J.A.), and Fundación Endocrinología y Nutrició