Three-dimensional modelling of a very large river the Río Paraná

River hydrodynamicsBed roughness and flow resistanc

Factor Xa Generation by Computational Modeling: An Additional Discriminator to Thrombin Generation Evaluation

Factor (f)Xa is a critical enzyme in blood coagulation that is responsible for the initiation and propagation of thrombin generation. Previously we have shown that analysis of computationally generated thrombin profiles is a tool to investigate hemostasis in various populations. In this study, we evaluate the potential of computationally derived time courses of fXa generation as another approach for investigating thrombotic risk. Utilizing the case (n = 473) and control (n = 426) population from the Leiden Thrombophilia Study and each individual's plasma protein factor composition for fII, fV, fVII, fVIII, fIX, fX, antithrombin and tissue factor pathway inhibitor, tissue factor-initiated total active fXa generation was assessed using a mathematical model. FXa generation was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC), the maximum rate (MaxR) and level (MaxL) and the time to reach these, TMaxR and TMaxL, respectively. FXa generation was analyzed in the entire populations and in defined subgroups (by sex, age, body mass index, oral contraceptive use). The maximum rates and levels of fXa generation occur over a 10- to 12- fold range in both cases and controls. This variation is larger than that observed with thrombin (3–6 fold) in the same population. The greatest risk association was obtained using either MaxR or MaxL of fXa generation; with an ∼2.2 fold increased risk for individuals exceeding the 90th percentile. This risk was similar to that of thrombin generation(MaxR OR 2.6). Grouping defined by oral contraceptive (OC) use in the control population showed the biggest differences in fXa generation; a >60% increase in the MaxR upon OC use. FXa generation can distinguish between a subset of individuals characterized by overlapping thrombin generation profiles. Analysis of fXa generation is a phenotypic characteristic which may prove to be a more sensitive discriminator than thrombin generation among all individuals

The karyotype of Nothoscordum arenarium Herter (Gilliesioideae, Alliaceae): A populational and cytomolecular analysis

The genus Nothoscordum Kunth comprises approximately 20 species native to South America. Karyologically, the genus is remarkable for its large chromosomes and Robertsonian translocations. Variation in chromosome number has been recorded in a few polyploid species and it is unknown among diploids. This study presents the chromosome number and morphology of 53 individuals of seven populations of N. arenarium Herter (2n = 10). In addition, karyotype analyses after C-banding, staining with CMA and DAPI, and in situ hybridization with 5S and 45S rDNA probes were performed in six individuals from one population. All individuals exhibited 2n = 10 (6M + 4A), except for one tetraploid (2n = 20, 12M + 8A) and one triploid (2n = 15, 9M + 6A) plant. C-banding revealed the presence of CMA+ /DAPI - heterochromatin in the short arm and in the proximal region of the long arm of all acrocentric chromosomes. The 45S rDNA sites co-localized with the CMA + regions of the acrocentrics short arms, while the 5S rDNA probe only hybridized with the subterminal region of a pair of metacentric chromosomes. A change in the pattern of CMA bands and rDNA sites was observed in only one individual bearing a reciprocal translocation involving the long arm of a metacentric and the long arm of an acrocentric chromosome. These data suggest that, despite isolated cases of polyploidy and translocation, the karyotype of N. arenarium is very stable and the karyotypic instability described for other species may be associated with their polyploid condition

Cooperative Regulation of the Activity of Factor Xa within Prothrombinase by Discrete Amino Acid Regions from Factor Va Heavy Chain†

ABSTRACT: The prothrombinase complex catalyzes the activation of prothrombin to R-thrombin. We have repetitively shown that amino acid region 695DYDY698 from the COOH terminus of the heavy chain of factor Va regulates the rate of cleavage of prothrombin at Arg271 by prothrombinase. We have also recently demonstrated that amino acid region 334DY335 is required for the optimal activity of prothrombinase. To assess the effect of these six amino acid residues on cofactor activity, we created recombinant factor Va molecules combining mutations at amino acid regions 334–335 an

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Agregación de sedimentos en una cuenca de llanura: utilización del Microscopio Electrónico de Barrido como herramienta de evaluación

The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of sedimentary aggregates, which affect the transport of fine sediments. This contribution explores the influence of organic matter and dissolved salts, as the main factors that determine the aggregation of particles. Bottom sediments of Negro river (tributary of the Paraná River), flows in the Chaco province (North-East of Argentina), and were assessed by granulometric analysis in consecutive phases of sample processing, to evaluate the presence of aggregates. The relative abundance of the different sizes in each analyzed phase, was controlled by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The obtained results represent the first quantitative set of values of sediment aggregation in a river of the Chaco Plain, and can be used as a reference for the characterization of other rivers of subtropical plains. The results of this study show that the aggregates formation was favored by the high concentration of dissolved salts, but also by the presence of organic matter, abundant in subtropical environments. It was concluded that it is not convenient to apply classical techniques of sediment particle disaggregation (chemical oxidation to remove organic matter and chemical dispersants to break down associated particles), in order to avoid misinterpretation of transport dynamics of sediments in the natural environment.<br><br>El estudio de materiales movilizados a través de los sistemas fluviales es de gran interés para resolver cuestiones tanto ambientales como de ingeniería. La presencia de sedimentos formando agregados, es frecuente en sistemas fluviales con lechos ricos en materiales finos. La abundante presencia de materia orgánica, la alta concentración de sales, y la baja velocidad de la corriente son algunos factores que favorecen esta agregación, la cual afecta directamente las posibilidades de movilización de los sedimentos. En este trabajo se evaluó la presencia de agregados naturales en los sedimentos de fondo del río Negro, tributario del río Paraná, ubicado en la provincia del Chaco (Argentina). Para ello se realizaron análisis granulométricos en etapas consecutivas de procesamiento de muestras que evaluaron los efectos de la presencia de materia orgánica y las sales disueltas en el estado de agregación de las partículas sedimentarias. En cada etapa las muestras fueron observadas bajo Microscopio Electrónico de Barrido (MEB). Los resultados conseguidos representan la primera evaluación cuantitativa sobre la presencia de agregados naturales de sedimentos en un río de la llanura Chaqueña, pudiéndose usar además como referencia para la caracterización de otros ríos similares. Los resultados obtenidos permiten apreciar un aumento marcado de la fracción limo al eliminar materia orgánica, y de la fracción arcilla al eliminar el efecto electroquímico producto de las altas concentraciones salinas. Se concluye que para estudios destinados a interpretaciones ambientales no es recomendable el uso de técnicas que incluyan eliminación de materia orgánica particulada fina y la dispersión química, pues la información generada puede conducir a una interpretación sesgada de la dinámica de transporte de los sedimentos en el medio natural