Comparing the Performance of Supported Ru Nanocatalysts Prepared by Chemical Reduction of RuCl3 and Thermal Decomposition of Ru3(CO)12 in the Sunlight-Powered Sabatier Reaction

The preparation of Ru nanoparticles supported on γ-Al2O3 followed by chemical reduction using RuCl3 as a precursor is demonstrated, and their properties are compared to Ru nanoparticles supported on γ-Al2O3 prepared by impregnation of γ-Al2O3 with Ru3(CO)12 and subsequent thermal decomposition. The Ru nanoparticles resulting from chemical reduction of RuCl3 are slightly larger (1.2 vs. 0.8 nm). In addition, Ru nanoparticles were deposited on Stöber SiO2 using both deposition techniques. These particles were larger than the ones deposited on γ-Al2O3 (2.5 and 3.4 nm for chemical reduction and thermal decomposition, respectively). Taking into account the size differences between the Ru nanoparticles, all catalysts display similar activity (0.14–0.63 mol·gRu−1·h−1) and selectivity (≥99%) in the sunlight-powered Sabatier reaction. Ergo, the use of toxic and volatile Ru3(CO)12 can be avoided, since catalysts prepared by chemical reduction of RuCl3 display similar catalytic performance

Genomic Analysis Reveals Disruption of Striatal Neuronal Development and Therapeutic Targets in Human Huntington's Disease Neural Stem Cells.

We utilized induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from Huntington's disease (HD) patients as a human model of HD and determined that the disease phenotypes only manifest in the differentiated neural stem cell (NSC) stage, not in iPSCs. To understand the molecular basis for the CAG repeat expansion-dependent disease phenotypes in NSCs, we performed transcriptomic analysis of HD iPSCs and HD NSCs compared to isogenic controls. Differential gene expression and pathway analysis pointed to transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and netrin-1 as the top dysregulated pathways. Using data-driven gene coexpression network analysis, we identified seven distinct coexpression modules and focused on two that were correlated with changes in gene expression due to the CAG expansion. Our HD NSC model revealed the dysregulation of genes involved in neuronal development and the formation of the dorsal striatum. The striatal and neuronal networks disrupted could be modulated to correct HD phenotypes and provide therapeutic targets

Integral chain management of wildlife diseases

The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has caused the most prominent loss of vertebrate diversity ever recorded, which peaked in the 1980s. Recent incursion by its sister species B. salamandrivorans in Europe raised the alarm for a new wave of declines and extinctions in western Palearctic urodeles. The European Commission has responded by restricting amphibian trade. However, private amphibian collections, the main end consumers, were exempted from the European legislation. Here, we report how invasion by a released, exotic newt coincided with B. salamandrivorans invasion at over 1000 km from the nearest natural outbreak site, causing mass mortality in indigenous marbled newts (Triturus marmoratus), and posing an acute threat to the survival of nearby populations of the most critically endangered European newt species (Montseny brook newt, Calotriton arnoldi). Disease management was initiated shortly after detection in a close collaboration between policy and science and included drastic on site measures and intensive disease surveillance. Despite these efforts, the disease is considered temporarily contained but not eradicated and continued efforts will be necessary to minimize the probability of further pathogen dispersal. This precedent demonstrates the importance of tackling wildlife diseases at an early stage using an integrated approach, involving all stakeholders and closing loopholes in existing regulations

Analysis of antenal sensilla patterns of Rhodnius prolixus from Colombia and Venezuela

Antennal sensilla patterns were used to analyze population variation of domestic Rhodnius prolixus from six departments and states representing three biogeographical regions of Colombia and Venezuela. Discriminant analysis of the patterns of mechanoreceptors and of three types of chemoreceptors on the pedicel and flagellar segments showed clear differentiation between R. prolixus populations east and west of the Andean Cordillera. The distribution of thick and thin-walled trichoids on the second flagellar segment also showed correlation with latitude, but this was not seen in the patterns of other sensilla. The results of the sensilla patterns appear to be reflecting biogeographic features or population isolation rather than characters associated with different habitats and lend support to the idea that domestic R. prolixus originated in the eastern region of the Andes.Fil: Esteban, Lyda. Universidad Industrial de Santander; ColombiaFil: Angulo, Víctor Manuel. Universidad Industrial de Santander; ColombiaFil: Dora Feliciangeli, M.. Universidad de Carabobo; VenezuelaFil: Catala, Silvia Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; Argentin

La educación en el conflicto armado desde una perspectiva analógica del semillero Vórtice y el libro Desterrados de Alfredo Molano

Este ensayo est´a planificado con base a los objetivos del Semillero Vórtice y al análisis del libro Desterrados, en el cual enmarca las dinámicas y manifestaciones sociales en el conflicto armado interno que han irrumpido el espacio social; de esta manera, se consideran múltiples factores que inciden en la formulación de una educación para la paz en los estudiantes y maestros, entretanto surgen distinciones entre educación y pedagogía, de ahí, planteando una adecuada pedagogía para la paz desde la teoría y la practica en cada uno de los referentes analizados. Al mismo tiempo se observa que cada acción pedagógica tiene un fin política, en este caso el semillero Vórtice fomenta desde la acción pedagógica investigativa la convivencia escolar en los territorios del posconflicto en la educación rural. De igual forma, se logra implantar la importancia de mostrar y analizar los objetivos del ente investigador y el libroDesterrados para darle un acercamiento a las prácticas de la resolución del conflicto interno en las instituciones, con el propósito de instaurar la necesidad relevante en la creación de una pedagogía para la paz, Recreando una importancia inmediata en los procesos de justicia, reparación y construcción de memoria para la necesidad de una paz estable y duradera

Preoperative Voice Parameters Affect the Postoperative Speech Intelligibility in Patients with Cochlear Implantation

ObjectivesVerbal communication depends on a good function of voice and speech organs. Some of the voice characteristics of deaf people differ considerably from those of speakers with normal hearing. After cochlear implantation (CI), auditory control of voice production is possible and the quality of the voice is improved. CI improves quality of voice, speech and hearing with deafness. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between acoustic analysis before CI and the speech intelligibility before and after CI.MethodsTwelve prelingually deafened children implanted unilaterally at the age of 3.4-9 years were included in the study. For all of the children an acoustic analysis of the Slovene vowel 'a' was performed before CI. The fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer and noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR) were studied before the implantation. For all of the children the speech intelligibility was performed before and 12 months after CI. Preoperative hearing was divided on existing residual hearing. The results of the acoustic analyses and speech intelligibility before and after CI were compared for preoperative hearing. The results of the speech intelligibility were compared for the age of operation and preoperative acoustic analysis (F0, jitter, shimmer, NHR).ResultsPreoperative hearing had no influence on preoperative voice analysis. The children with residual hearing had a high grade of speech intelligibility before and after CI. The preoperative shimmer had positive correlation with postoperative 12 month speech intelligibility (r=0.618, P=0.032). The preoperative jitter had positive correlation with postoperative 12 month speech intelligibility, but was not statistically significant (r=0.479, P=0.116).ConclusionShimmer on preoperative voice analyses had influence on speech intelligibility after CI

Morbidity, outcomes and cost-benefit analysis of wildlife rehabilitation in Catalonia (Spain)

Background There are few studies of careful examination of wildlife casualties in Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers. These studies are essential for detecting menaces to wild species and providing objective criteria about cost-benefit of treatments in those centers. The release rate is considered the main outcome indicator, but other parameters such as length of stay at the center and a cost-benefit index expressed as number of released animals per euro and day, could be used as reliable estimators of the rehabilitation costs. Methodology A retrospective study based on 54772 admissions recorded from 1995-2013 in the database of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Torreferrussa (Catalonia, NW Spain) assessed the morbidity, outcomes and cost-benefits of the rehabilitation practices. Results Three hundred and two species were included: 232 birds (n = 48633), 37 mammals (n = 3293), 20 reptiles (n = 2705) and 13 amphibians (n = 141). The most frequent causes of admission were: 39.8% confiscation of protected species (89.4% passerines), 31.8% orphaned young animals (35.3% swifts, 21.7% diurnal raptors and owls) and 17.4% trauma casualties (46.7% raptors and owls). The highest proportion of releases was found in the captivity confiscation category [87.4% passerines (median time of stay: 12 days)], followed by the orphaned category [78% owls (66 days), 76.5% diurnal birds of prey (43 days), 75.6% hedgehogs (49 days), 52.7% swifts (19 days) and 52% bats (55 days)]. For the trauma group, 46.8% of releases were hedgehogs (44 days) and 25.6% owls (103 days). As regards the cost-benefit index, the trauma casualties and infectious diseases had the worse values with 1.3 and 1.4 released animals/euro/day respectively, and were particularly low in raptors, waders, marine birds and chiroptera. On the contrary, captivity (4.6) and misplacement (4.1) had the best index, particulary in amphibian, reptiles and passerines. Conclusions/significance Cost-benefit studies including the release rate, the time of stay at the center and the costbenefit index should be implemented for improving management efficiency of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers

Serum levels of cytokines in water buffaloes experimentally infected with Fasciola gigantica

Fasciola gigantica infection in water buffaloes causes significant economic losses especially 27 in developing countries. Although modulation of the host immune response by cytokine 28 neutralization or vaccination is a promising approach to control infection with this parasite, our 29 understanding of cytokine's dynamic during F. gigantica infection is limited. To address this, 30 we quantified the levels of serum cytokines produced in water buffaloes following experimental 31 infection with F. gigantica. Five buffaloes were infected via oral gavage with 500 viable F. 32 gigantica metacercariae and blood samples were collected from buffaloes one week before 33 infection and for 13 consecutive weeks thereafter. The levels of 10 cytokines in serum samples 34 were simultaneously determined using ELISA. F. gigantica failed to elicit the production of 35 various pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, and 36 IFN-γ. On the other hand, evidence of a Th2 type response was detected, but only early in the 37 course of parasite colonization and included modest increase in the levels of IL-10 and IL-13. 38 The results also revealed suppression of the immune responses as a feature of chronic F. 39 gigantica infection in buffaloes. Taken together, F. gigantica seems to elicit a modest Th2 40 response at early stage of infection in order to downregulate harmful Th1- and Th17-type 41 inflammatory responses in experimentally infected buffaloes. The full extent of anti-F. 42 gigantica immune response and its relation to pathogenesis requires further study

Mitochondrial phylogeography and demographic history of the Vicuña: implications for conservation

The vicuña (Vicugna vicugna; Miller, 1924) is a conservation success story, having recovered from near extinction in the 1960s to current population levels estimated at 275 000. However, lack of information about its demographic history and genetic diversity has limited both our understanding of its recovery and the development of science-based conservation measures. To examine the evolution and recent demographic history of the vicuña across its current range and to assess its genetic variation and population structure, we sequenced mitochondrial DNA from the control region (CR) for 261 individuals from 29 populations across Peru, Chile and Argentina. Our results suggest that populations currently designated as Vicugna vicugna vicugna and Vicugna vicugna mensalis comprise separate mitochondrial lineages. The current population distribution appears to be the result of a recent demographic expansion associated with the last major glacial event of the Pleistocene in the northern (18 to 22°S) dry Andes 14–12 000 years ago and the establishment of an extremely arid belt known as the 'Dry Diagonal' to 29°S. Within the Dry Diagonal, small populations of V. v. vicugna appear to have survived showing the genetic signature of demographic isolation, whereas to the north V. v. mensalis populations underwent a rapid demographic expansion before recent anthropogenic impacts