Using 222Rn to identify and quantify groundwater inflows to the Mundo River (SE Spain)

Groundwater discharge to the Mundo River (SE, Spain) has been investigated from 2011 to 2013 by means of 222Rn activities in river water and groundwater. Starting nearby the river source, some 50km of river channel have been studied. The Mundo River is located in the water stressed region of the Segura River Basin. Identifying and quantifying groundwater discharge to rivers is essential for the Hydrological Plan of the Segura Basin Authority. Four main areas of groundwater discharge to the river have been identified by means of 222Rn. Moreover, groundwater fluxes have been quantified using radon activities and, when possible, have been validated with chloride mass balances. The uncertainty range (±2σ) of all water balances has also been assessed. Groundwater discharge (QGW) values estimated by radon mass balances (RMB) and chloride mass balances (CMB) were similar in the river tracts and/or dates in which surface inputs from tributaries were null or negligible. This adds confidence to the QGW values estimated by RMB in the reaches were CMB could not be performed due to the existence of ungauged surface inputs, as is the case of the upper basin of the Mundo River, as well as to the applicability of the method to similar situations. Quantification of groundwater discharge allowed identifying Ayna zone as the main gaining reach of the studied area, with up to 29,553±8667m3day-1 in year 2011. Overall, the total QGW estimated by means of RMB for the studied area was 8-16% of the total river flow. The results are coherent with the meteorological conditions of the study period (average rainfall around 450mm/y) and also with the undisturbed situation of the aquifers discharging to the Mundo River in the considered area.Fil: Ortega Ormaechea, Lucia. Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena; España. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Rectorado. Instituto de Hidrología de Llanuras-Sede Azul. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Hidrología de Llanuras-Sede Azul; ArgentinaFil: Manzano, M.. Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena; EspañaFil: Custodio, E.. Universidad Politecnica de Catalunya; EspañaFil: Hornero, J.. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España; EspañaFil: Rodríguez Arévalo, J.. Centro de Estudios y Experimentación de Obras Públicas; Españ

Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux with polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer and dextranomer/hyaluronic acid in adults

Purpose Aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer and polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer in endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux disease in adult patients with and without chronic renal failure. Materials and Methods Thirty two patients (12 female, 20 male) with a total of 50 renal units were treated for vesicoureteral reflux. There were 26 (81%) chronic renal failure patients. The success of treatment was evaluated by voiding cystouretrography at 3rd and 12th months after subureteric injection. The persistence of reflux was considered as failure. Patients were divided into two groups according to injected material. Age, sex, grade of reflux and treatment results were recorded and evaluated. Results Reflux was scored as grade 1 in seven (14%), grade 2 in 16 (32%), grade 3 in 21 (42%) and grade 4 in six (12%) renal units. There was not patient with grade 5 reflux. Fourteen renal units (28%) were treated with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (group 1) and 36 renal units (72%) were treated with polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer (group 2). The overall treatment success was achieved at 40 renal units (80%). The treatment was successful at 11 renal units (79%) in group 1 and 29 renal units (81%) in group 2 (p = 0.71). There was not statistically significant difference between two groups with patients with chronic renal failure in terms of treatment success (p = 1.00). Conclusions The effectiveness of two bulking agents was similar in treatment of vesicoureteral reflux disease in adult patients and patients with chronic renal failure

Arenas calizas para la confección de hormigones: influencia de sus finos calizos y arcillosos a nivel de morteros

For the purpose to obtain data for a next revision of the Spanish Concrete Norm about the content of fines in sands fixed to date on 5 % without exceptions, an exhaustive research project has been undertaken. Following, the results of the influence of different contents of calcareous and clayey fines in mortar mechanical properties, are shown, first step to begin the study of this influence on concretes made with limestone aggregate, presently in execution phase. Before those experimental works, a general survey at all the limestone aggregate quarries in northern area of the peninsula corresponding to the Basque Country, was accomplished. By the results obtained it seems that it will be possible to enlarge the limit untill 12-15%, if only a limited presence of clay is assured.Con el propósito de obtener datos para una próxima revisión de la Norma Española de Hormigón en cuanto al contenido en finos en arenas, actualmente fijado sin excepción en el 5%, se ha abordado un proyecto de investigación bastante exhaustivo. Se presentan a continuación los resultados de la influencia de diferentes contenidos de finos calizos y arcillosos en las propiedades mecánicas de los morteros, paso previo al estudio de dicha influencia en hormigones confeccionados con árido calizo de machaqueo, fase actualmente en ejecución. Previamente a estos trabajos experimentales se realizó una prospección general de todas las canteras de machaqueo de caliza en el área norte de la península, correspondiente al País Vasco. Por los resultados obtenidos parece que el límite podrá elevarse hasta el 12-15%, siempre que se garantice una presencia de arcilla limitada por ensayos

Caveats and pitfalls of SOX1 autoantibody testing with a commercial line blot assay in paraneoplastic neurological investigations

SOX1 autoantibodies are considered markers of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) and are usually determined by commercial line blot in many clinical services. Recent studies suggested that SOX1 autoantibodies also occur in patients with neuropathies unrelated to SCLC, questioning the value of SOX1 autoantibodies as paraneoplastic biomarkers. Here, we compared the specificity and sensitivity of a commercial line blot (Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany) with those of an in house cell-based assay (CBA) with HEK293 cells transfected with SOX1. Overall, 210 patients were included in the study, 139 patients with polyneuropathies without SCLC, and 71 with disorders associated with SOX1 autoantibodies detected with the in-house CBA. Forty one of these 71 cases had been referred to our laboratory for onconeuronal antibody assessment and 30/71 were patients with known PNS and SCLC. None of the patients with polyneuropathies had SOX1 autoantibodies by either line blot or CBA (specificity of the immunoblot: 100%; 95%C.I.: 97.8-100). Among the 71 patients with CBA SOX1 autoantibodies, only 53 were positive by line blot (sensitivity: 74.6%; 95%C.I.: 62.9-84.2). Lung cancer was detected in 37/41 (90%; 34 with SCLC) patients referred for onconeuronal antibody assessment and 34 of them also had a PNS. Our study confirms the association of SOX1 autoantibodies with SCLC and PNS. The line blot test misses 25% of the cases; therefore, to minimize the frequency of false negative results we recommend the use of a confirmatory test, such as CBA, in patients suspected to have a SCLC-related PNS

Analysis of some physical-chemical and biological water parameters in two thermal seasons at Ensenada stream, Diamante, Entre Ríos

Las aguas superficiales continentales son fácilmente contaminadas por lo que es conveniente conocer su estado ambiental para detectar las agresiones al sistema y brindar conocimiento para su preservación. El río Paraná, uno de los principales componentes del la Cuenca del Plata, recibe los aportes de numerosos ríos y arroyos a lo largo de su curso. En su tramo medio, y sobre la margen izquierda, desemboca el arroyo de la Ensenada ubicado en el Departamento Diamante de la provincia de Entre Ríos. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo ampliar la información acerca del estado de las aguas de la cuenca del citado arroyo para lo que se realizaron muestreos en dos estaciones del año 2010 con marcadas diferencias térmicas. Se efectuaron muestreos en nueve sitios del curso y tributarios, y se analizaron las muestras, por métodos estandarizados, en sus parámetros físicos-químicos y microbiológicos. Los resultados mostraron que los parámetros físico-químicos como pH, CE y clorofila “a” se encuentran en rangos comparable con otros cursos de la región, no así el fosforo que muestra altos valores en su curso principal, lo que señala los efectos de las actividades antrópicas en la cuenca. Los altos valores de recuento en coliformes totales y termotolerantes, que mayormente fueron encontrados en los tributarios, superan los límites establecidos para aguas recreativas. El análisis de conglomerados aplicado al conjunto de parámetros físico-químicos mostró la formación de cinco clúster en las dos estaciones climáticas, destacándose el conformado por dos tributarios que se caracterizaron por presentar altos contenidos de fósforo. El análisis de la comunidad de cianobacterias mostró la presencia de Microcystis capaz de afectar la calidad recreacional y de consumo del agua, con valores no significativos de cianotoxinas.Inland surface waters are easily contaminated so it is convenient to know the environmental status to detect aggression and provide knowledge for preservation. The Parana River, one of the main components of the River Plate Basin, receives input from numerous rivers and streams along its course. In the Medium Paraná River on its left margin, the Ensenada stream ends, located in the Diamante Department, province of Entre Ríos. This work objective is to increase the information about the status of the waters of the stream basin considering samples obtained during two well differentiated thermal seasons in 2010. Samplings were made in nine sites of the course and tributary streams and were analyzed by standard methods, in their physical-chemical and microbiological parameters. The results show that the physical-chemical parameters such as pH, EC and chlorophyll "a" are in ranges comparable with other courses in the region, but not with phosphorus in the main course, with higher values showing the effects of human activities in the basin. The high values of total coliform count as well as thermotolerants, mostly found in the tributaries, exceed the limits for recreational waters. Cluster analysis applied to the set of physical-chemical parameters showed the formation of five clusters in two seasons, with the forming of two tributaries that were characterized by high contents of phosphorus. The analysis of cyanobacteria showed presence of Microcystis genus that can affect the quality of recreational and consumption water, with non significant values of cyanotoxins.Fil: Vivot, Eduardo Pedro. Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez, Cecilia I.. Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios; ArgentinaFil: Kieffer, Luis Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Prosperi, Carlos Hugo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Gieco, Adriana M.. Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios; ArgentinaFil: Dragan, Analía N.. Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios; ArgentinaFil: Ormaechea, María V.. Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios; ArgentinaFil: de la Sierra, Patricia Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Guerra, Elio W.. Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios; Argentin

Is there life after degeneration? The organizational life cycle of cooperatives under a ‘grow-or-die’ dichotomy

This article provides an in-depth, longitudinal analysis combining real-time and retrospective data on a set of Mondragon's industrial cooperatives that are organized as international groups. We examine the life cycle of these international cooperative groups, which is expected to evolve differently to that of small- and medium-sized cooperatives that operate exclusively on a local scale. The article is theoretically informed by the cooperative life cycle theory, as well as by recent insights from the degeneration and regeneration theses. Our analysis yields an intricate picture of the evolution of cooperatives faced with a ‘grow-or-die’ dichotomy. On the one hand, our findings reject the highly simplistic and deterministic view of the degeneration thesis by demonstrating that these cooperatives can mobilize resources to revitalize cooperative values and practices. On the other, we find that regeneration may not occur in a consistent, sequential fashion as the previous literature suggests, but rather degenerative and regenerative tendencies can occur simultaneously, even leading to long-lasting, unresolvable situations. In light of this, the article asks future research to draw on power-aware and politically informed approaches for further understanding of how cooperatives manage the tensions at each organizational stage of their life cycle, and of which organizational actors benefit, and how, from reversing some degenerative tendencies while maintaining others intact

Estudio de la calidad del agua de bebida para aves en granjas avícolas de la región centro-oeste de la provincia de Entre Ríos. Granjas de postura comercial

En Argentina existe una población de 41.000.000 de gallinas en postura, de las cuales el 20% aproximadamente están localizadas en la Provincia de Entre Ríos, representando la segunda provincia en importancia del país en producción de huevos. El agua utilizada en las granjas es de origen subterráneo. Existe información sobre sus características por los múltiples usos a que se destina. Sin embargo, el nivel de conocimientos actual no nos sirve a la hora de tomar decisiones en particular. Por este motivo y con el fin de caracterizar el agua que se destina a bebida aviar, se realizó un relevamiento de granjas de postura en los departamentos Paraná y Diamante de la provincia de Entre Ríos, donde se encuentra la mayor concentración de aves destinadas a la producción de huevos. El mismo estuvo enmarcado en el proyecto de investigación “Estudio de la calidad del agua de bebida para aves en granjas avícolas de la región centro-oeste de la provincia de Entre Ríos”, llevado a cabo por las Cátedras de Química General y Avicultura FCA-UNER. Se analizó el agua de 29 granjas de postura, realizándose análisis físico-químico y bacteriológico, los resultados muestran pH dentro de lo recomendado, elevada dureza, altos valores de sodio y sulfatos así como importantes variaciones de los componentes aun en predios cercanos y como consecuencia la necesidad realizar correcciones de los aportes minerales a fin de lograr un balance electrolítico adecuado, para el mejor rendimiento de la explotación. &nbsp

Evaluación de la capacidad de mejora de parámetros de calidad de aguas superficiales, subterráneas y residuales mediante el uso de semillas de Moringa oleifera

El agua es un recurso indispensable para la vida y esencial para el desarrollo de la producción y la industria, donde su calidad es de gran interés. En el presente trabajo se evaluó la factibilidad de mejorar parámetros fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos del agua utilizando el polvo de semilla de Moringa oleifera.  Se evaluaron los parámetros fisicoquímicos: turbidez, pH, alcalinidad, dureza, conductividad y arsénico en aguas superficiales y subterráneas y el efecto bactericida de la Moringa oleifera en aguas residuales y superficiales mediante el análisis de coliformes totales. En todos los casos se evaluaron los tratamientos A, B y C, los cuales representan semillas completas (con cáscara y aceite), semillas sin cáscara y semillas sin cáscara y sin aceite, respectivamente. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que el polvo de las semillas de Moringa oleifera generó una mejora en la turbidez de aguas superficiales. Además, se observó una disminución del contenido de arsénico y carbonatos en aguas subterráneas y una leve disminución de la dureza y el calcio. En tanto, al evaluar el pH, conductividad y concentración de bicarbonatos no se evidenciaron efectos en ninguna de las aguas tratadas. Respecto a la calidad microbiológica de aguas residuales y superficiales, la Moringa oleifera no mostró efectos bactericidas

Building the Future Therapies for Down Syndrome: The Third International Conference of the T21 Research Society

Research focused on Down syndrome has increased in the last several years to advance understanding of the consequences of trisomy 21 (T21) on molecular and cellular processes and, ultimately, on individuals with Down syndrome. The Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS) is the premier scientific organization for researchers and clinicians studying Down syndrome. The Third International Conference of T21RS, held June 6–9, 2019, in Barcelona, Spain, brought together 429 scientists, families, and industry representatives to share the latest discoveries on underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of T21, define cognitive and behavioral challenges and better understand comorbidities associated with Down syndrome, including Alzheimer’s disease and leukemia. Presentation of cutting-edge results in neuroscience, neurology, model systems, psychology, cancer, biomarkers and molecular and phar­ma­cological therapeutic approaches demonstrate the compelling interest and continuing advancement in all aspects of understanding and ameliorating conditions associated with T21