Understanding the Evolutionary Relationships and Major Traits of \u3cem\u3eBacillus\u3c/em\u3e through Comparative Genomics

Background: The presence of Bacillus in very diverse environments reflects the versatile metabolic capabilities of a widely distributed genus. Traditional phylogenetic analysis based on limited gene sampling is not adequate for resolving the genus evolutionary relationships. By distinguishing between core and pan-genome, we determined the evolutionary and functional relationships of known Bacillus. Results: Our analysis is based upon twenty complete and draft Bacillus genomes, including a newly sequenced Bacillus isolate from an aquatic environment that we report for the first time here. Using a core genome, we were able to determine the phylogeny of known Bacilli, including aquatic strains whose position in the phylogenetic tree could not be unambiguously determined in the past. Using the pan-genome from the sequenced Bacillus, we identified functional differences, such as carbohydrate utilization and genes involved in signal transduction, which distinguished the taxonomic groups. We also assessed the genetic architecture of the defining traits of Bacillus, such as sporulation and competence, and showed that less than one third of the B. subtilis genes are conserved across other Bacilli. Most variation was shown to occur in genes that are needed to respond to environmental cues, suggesting that Bacilli have genetically specialized to allow for the occupation of diverse habitats and niches. Conclusions: The aquatic Bacilli are defined here for the first time as a group through the phylogenetic analysis of 814 genes that comprise the core genome. Our data distinguished between genomic components, especially core vs. pan-genome to provide insight into phylogeny and function that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. A phylogeny may mask the diversity of functions, which we tried to uncover in our approach. The diversity of sporulation and competence genes across the Bacilli was unexpected based on previous studies of the B. subtilis model alone. The challenge of uncovering the novelties and variations among genes of the non-subtilis groups still remains. This task will be best accomplished by directing efforts toward understanding phylogenetic groups with similar ecological niches

Diseño del Sistema de Producción y Distribución de leche Pasteurizada para la Comunidad Agrícola de San Agustín de Callo en Ecuador

This study was carried out in the milk producers association of the Community of San Agustin de Callo, named CEDECO, located in the province of Cotopaxi. CEDECO is currently engaged in the primary production and commercialization of milk to local pasteurization plants. However, it is seeking to become an integrated producer of pasteurized milk. Based on these premise, the project aims to implement technical tools to design the production process, pasteurization plant and distribution system for this community that is considered to be part of the bottom of the population pyramid. In order to achieve the objective, the project starts by giving a description of the social situation of Cotopaxi, a statistical analysis of the quantity of milk supplied by the community and the ideal capacity taking into consideration the maximum quantity of milk supplied. On this basis, a production system and pasteurization layout is proposed. Finally, a market analysis is done in Latacunga and Lasso to generate a distribution route with the use of the travelling salesman problem.En este artículo se analiza la situación de la Asociación de Lecheros de la Comunidad de San Agustín de Callo (CEDECO), ubicada en la provincia de Cotopaxi. CEDECO actualmente se dedica a la producción primaria de leche y venta de la misma a las pasteurizadoras locales. Sin embargo, está buscando volverse un productor integrado de leche pasteurizada. En base a estas necesidades, el objetivo del proyecto es aplicar herramientas técnicas para el diseño del proceso de producción, planta de pasteurización y distribución para esta comunidad que es considerada parte de la base de la pirámide poblacional. El estudio parte de una descripción de la situación social de la provincia de Cotopaxi, continúa con un análisis estadístico de la cantidad de leche suministrada por la comunidad y la capacidad ideal tomando en consideración el suministro máximo de leche. Con estas bases se propone un sistema de producción y configuración espacial de la planta de pasteurización. Finalmente, se hace un estudio de mercado a los minoristas de Latacunga y Lasso para generar una ruta de distribución con la utilización del modelo del agente viajero

Analysis of the methodology for rate determination in commercial transportation service of conventional and executive taxis

An efficient transport service allows a society to have economic progress and improves quality of life. Part of this structure is the issue in the determination of pricing the service of it, thus, the incomes of the offeror and good service to the user can be guaranteed. In Ecuador, the National Traffic Agency establishes a methodology that considers the offer of kilometers and operating costs. However, this methodology does not establish how to get and analyse the information that feeds the model, this aspect can generate biases and subjectivities at the time to define the rate. This study seeks to detect deficiencies in the methodology and suggest the relevant changes as an alternative to it, for this a mixed approach is considered, which not only considers surveys but also instrumentation and hi-technology to measure fuel consumption, tire wear, distance traveled and number of passengers. Once the analysis of the methodology was developed, a new approach to information gathering was proposed; and to validate, an experiment was applied to a canton of the country, with this it was possible to obtain rates that better represent the reality of the sector under analysis

Comparación socioeconómica y ambiental de la desertificación en Colombia – Nigeria

8 páginas : gráficas, mapamundo. Este proyecto se realizó un análisis a través de una comparación entre la desertificación ocasionada en Boyacá, Colombia y en Nigeria, África, zonas escogidas por su fuerte impacto en actividades agropecuarias, causante principal de la desertificación. Al ser su principal ingreso económico. Actividades que han tenido un avance muy alto con los años, por lo cual se comparan estadísticas adquiridas a partir de entidades como la Corporación Autónoma Regional, el Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales entre otras para el caso de Colombia, donde se refleja que en Boyacá la agricultura se ha desarrollado y tecnificado en los últimos años; Por otro lado, para Nigeria estadísticas adquiridas de fuentes confiables dadas a conocer por la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha Contra la Desertificación donde indica que la variación climática es físicamente evidente en la desertificación y la sequía, lo cual también afecta a la estructura social y económica, por ende, la supervivencia de la población y de los animales. La desertificación es una problemática que no debe ser invisible a los ojos del hombre ya que esta no tiene vuelta atrás, y menos si la población depende de esto y su producción. Se debe tratar con rapidez y mucha atención así su nivel este en 1% o en 60%, cualquier rango es extremadamente importante, ya que con el tiempo será mayor él impacto en las vidas de todos los seres vivos.Incluye referencias bibliográfica

Correlation of the highest-energy cosmic rays with the positions of nearby active galactic nuclei

Data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory provide evidence for anisotropy in the arrival directions of the cosmic rays with the ighest-energies, which are correlated with the positions of relatively nearby active galactic nuclei (AGN) [Pierre Auger Collaboration, Science 318 (2007) 938]. The correlation has maximum significance for cosmic rays with energy greater than ~6 x 1019 eV and AGN at a distance less than ~75 Mpc. We have confirmed the anisotropy at a confidence level of more than 99% through a test with parameters specified a priori, using an independent data set. The observed correlation is compatible with the hypothesis that cosmic rays with the highest-energies originate from extra-galactic sources close enough so that their flux is not significantly attenuated by interaction with the cosmic background radiation (the Greisen–Zatsepin–Kuz’min effect). The angular scale of the correlation observed is a few degrees, which suggests a predominantly light composition unless the magnetic fields are very weak outside the thin disk of our galaxy. Our present data do not identify AGN as the sources of cosmic rays unambiguously, and other candidate sources which are distributed as nearby AGN are not ruled out. We discuss the prospect of unequivocal identification of individual sources of the highest-energy cosmic rays within a few years of continued operation of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Correlation of the highest-energy cosmic rays with the positions of nearby active galactic nuclei

Data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory provide evidence for anisotropy in the arrival directions of the cosmic rays with the ighest-energies, which are correlated with the positions of relatively nearby active galactic nuclei (AGN) [Pierre Auger Collaboration, Science 318 (2007) 938]. The correlation has maximum significance for cosmic rays with energy greater than ~6 x 1019 eV and AGN at a distance less than ~75 Mpc. We have confirmed the anisotropy at a confidence level of more than 99% through a test with parameters specified a priori, using an independent data set. The observed correlation is compatible with the hypothesis that cosmic rays with the highest-energies originate from extra-galactic sources close enough so that their flux is not significantly attenuated by interaction with the cosmic background radiation (the Greisen–Zatsepin–Kuz’min effect). The angular scale of the correlation observed is a few degrees, which suggests a predominantly light composition unless the magnetic fields are very weak outside the thin disk of our galaxy. Our present data do not identify AGN as the sources of cosmic rays unambiguously, and other candidate sources which are distributed as nearby AGN are not ruled out. We discuss the prospect of unequivocal identification of individual sources of the highest-energy cosmic rays within a few years of continued operation of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Correlation of the highest-energy cosmic rays with the positions of nearby active galactic nuclei

Data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory provide evidence for anisotropy in the arrival directions of the cosmic rays with the ighest-energies, which are correlated with the positions of relatively nearby active galactic nuclei (AGN) [Pierre Auger Collaboration, Science 318 (2007) 938]. The correlation has maximum significance for cosmic rays with energy greater than ~6 x 1019 eV and AGN at a distance less than ~75 Mpc. We have confirmed the anisotropy at a confidence level of more than 99% through a test with parameters specified a priori, using an independent data set. The observed correlation is compatible with the hypothesis that cosmic rays with the highest-energies originate from extra-galactic sources close enough so that their flux is not significantly attenuated by interaction with the cosmic background radiation (the Greisen–Zatsepin–Kuz’min effect). The angular scale of the correlation observed is a few degrees, which suggests a predominantly light composition unless the magnetic fields are very weak outside the thin disk of our galaxy. Our present data do not identify AGN as the sources of cosmic rays unambiguously, and other candidate sources which are distributed as nearby AGN are not ruled out. We discuss the prospect of unequivocal identification of individual sources of the highest-energy cosmic rays within a few years of continued operation of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta