Dark energy survey year 1 results: the lensing imprint of cosmic voids on the cosmic microwave background

Artículo escrito por un elevado número de autores, solo se referencian el que aparece en primer lugar, el nombre del grupo de colaboración, si le hubiere, y los autores pertenecientes a la UA

Synthesis of Nylon 6/Modified Carbon Black Nanocomposites for Application in Uric Acid Adsorption

High uric acid levels cause different clinic conditions. One of them is hyperuricemia, which leads to kidney damage. A solution for eliminating uric acid in the blood is by hemodialysis, which is performed using nanocomposite membranes. In this work, Nylon 6 nanocomposites were synthesized with modified carbon black (MCB), which were considered candidate materials for hemodialysis membranes. The modification of carbon black was made with citric acid using the variable-frequency ultrasound method. The new MCB was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dispersion tests. Nylon 6/MCB nanocomposites were processed using the ultrasound-assisted melt-extrusion method to improve the dispersion procedure of the nanoparticles. The Nylon 6/MCB nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, TGA, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These were assessed for the absorption of toxins and hemocompatibility. MBC and nanocomposites showed excellent uric acid removal (78–82%) and hemocompatibility (1.6–1.8%). These results suggest that Nylon 6/MCB nanocomposites with low loading percentages can be used on a large scale without compatibility problems with blood

Consistent Device Simulation Model Describing Perovskite Solar Cells in Steady-State, Transient, and Frequency Domain

A variety of experiments on vacuum-deposited methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells are presented, including JV curves with different scan rates, light intensity-dependent open-circuit voltage, impedance spectra, intensity-modulated photocurrent spectra, transient photocurrents, and transient voltage step responses. All these experimental data sets are successfully reproduced by a charge drift-diffusion simulation model incorporating mobile ions and charge traps using a single set of parameters. While previous modeling studies focused on a single experimental technique, we combine steady-state, transient, and frequency-domain simulations and measurements. Our study is an important step toward quantitative simulation of perovskite solar cells, leading to a deeper understanding of the physical effects in these materials. The analysis of the transient current upon voltage turn-on in the dark reveals that the charge injection properties of the interfaces are triggered by the accumulation of mobile ionic defects. We show that the current rise of voltage step experiments allow for conclusions about the recombination at the interface. Whether one or two mobile ionic species are used in the model has only a minor influence on the observed effects. A delayed current rise observed upon reversing the bias from +3 to -3 V in the dark cannot be reproduced yet by our drift-diffusion model. We speculate that a reversible chemical reaction of mobile ions with the contact material may be the cause of this effect, thus requiring a future model extension. A parameter variation is performed in order to understand the performance-limiting factors of the device under investigation

Private Narratives and Infant Views: Iconizing 1970s Militancy in Contemporary Argentine Cinema

This is the author's accepted manuscript, made available with the permission of the publisher.This article analyses the connections between the subjective turn in the representation of militancy, iconicity, and historical examination in Infancia clandestina, a recent Argentine film that portrays the 1970s armed struggle through a child’s lens. Breaking with the leading interpretation that praises the movie because of its original exposition of left-leaning violence, I contend that this coming-of-age story fits within a version of militancy that originated in the mid-1990s and that has become quite common since the advent of the Kirchner administration in 2003. This particular version relies on a privatized and archaic image of activism that is at the core of the global iconization of 1970s militancy. An analysis of the filmic use of an infant perspective and of anime-style cartoons illuminates how contemporary Argentine cinema both registers and participates in this iconizing process

Response of the photosynthetic apparatus to a flowering-inductive period by water stress in Citrus

The photosynthetic responses to a flowering-inductive water-stress period and recovery were studied and compared in two Citrus species. Under greenhouse conditions, Fino lemon and Owari satsuma trees were subjected to moderate (-2 MPa at predawn) and severe (-3 MPa) water stress levels and were re-watered after 60 days. Vegetative growth was inhibited during the stress assays, and strong defoliation levels were reported, especially in Fino lemon. In both species, bud sprouting was induced after re-watering. Flowers and vegetative shoots developed in Owari satsuma after a drought period, and the development was independent of the stress level. In Fino lemon, vegetative shoots and flowers were primarily formed after moderate and severe stress, respectively. The photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance were reduced by water stress, and a marked increase in water-use efficiency at the moderate water deficit level was observed. Nevertheless, the photosynthetic apparatus was not damaged, since the maximum quantum yield, photosynthetic pigment concentrations and Rubisco level and activity did not change. Furthermore, the measured malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and peroxidase activity indicated that oxidative stress was not specifically triggered by water stress in our study. Therefore, the gas exchange, fluorescence and biochemical parameters suggested that diffusional limitations to photosynthesis predominated in both of the studied Citrus species, and explained the rapid recovery of the photosynthetic parameters after rehydration. The net CO 2 fixation rate and stomatal conductance were recovered within 24 h in Fino lemon, whereas 3 days were required in Owari satsuma. This suggests the presence of some metabolic limitations in the latter species. Furthermore, the sensibility of the defoliation rates, the accumulation of proline and the stomatal behaviour in response to water stress indicated a higher drought tolerance of Fino lemon, according to its better acclimation to hot climates. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.The authors thank Dr. J. Moreno and co-workers from the Departamento de Bioquimica of the Universidad de Valencia for his help and support in the Rubisco assays, and Dr. F. Fornes, Dr. A. Calatayud and Dr. E. Primo-Millo for the critical review of the manuscript. This work was funded by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain (Ayudas para primeros proyectos de investigacion PAID06-06).Ávila Reséndiz, C.; Guardiola Barcena, JL.; González Nebauer, S. (2012). Response of the photosynthetic apparatus to a flowering-inductive period by water stress in Citrus. Trees - Structure and Function. 26(3):833-840. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-011-0657-4S833840263Addicott FT (1982) Abscission. 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Proc Int Soc Citrus 1:315–323Castel JR, Buj A (1990) Response of Salustiana oranges to high frequency deficit irrigation. Irrig Sci 11:121–127Chaikiatitiyos S, Menzel CM, Rasmussen TS (1994) Floral induction in tropical fruit trees: effects of temperature and water supply. J Hortic Sci 69:397–415Chaves MM, Flexas J, Pinheiro C (2009) Photosynthesis under drought and salt stress: regulation mechanisms from whole plant to cell. Ann Bot 103:551–560Costa JM, Ortuño MF, Chaves M (2007) Deficit irrigation as a strategy to save water: physiology and potential application to horticulture. J Integr Plant Biol 49:1421–1434Davenport TL (1990) Citrus flowering. Hortic Rev 12:249–408Davies FS, Albrigo LG (1994) Citrus. CAB International, Wallingford, pp 126–134Domingo R, Ruiz-Sánchez MC, Sánchez-Blanco MJ, Torrecillas A (1996) Water relations, growth and yield of Fino lemon trees under regulated deficit irrigation. Irrig Sci 16:115–123Erismann ND, Machado EC, Tucci MLS (2008) Photosynthetic limitation by CO2 diffusion in drought stressed orange leaves on three rootstocks. Photosynth Res 96:163–172Flexas J, Bota J, Galmés J, Medrano H, Ribas-Carbó M (2006) Keeping a positive carbon balance under adverse conditions: responses of photosynthesis and respiration to water stress. Physiol Plant 127:343–352Gallé A, Florez-Sarasa I, Tomas M, Pou A, Medrano H, Ribas-Carbó M, Flexas J (2009) The role of mesophyll conductance during water stress and recovery in tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris): acclimation or limitation? J Exp Bot 60:2379–2390Galmés J, Medrano H, Flexas J (2007) Photosynthetic limitations in response to water stress and recovery in Mediterrenean plants with different growth forms. New Phytol 175:81–93García-Luis A, Kanduser M, Santamarina P, Guardiola JL (1992) Low temperature influence on flowering in Citrus. The separation of inductive and bud dormancy releasing effects. Physiol Plant 86:648–652García-Sánchez F, Syvertsen JP, Gimeno V, Botía P, Pérez-Pérez JG (2007) Responses to flooding and drought stress by two citrus rootstock seedlings with different water-use efficiency. Physiol Plant 130:532–542Genty B, Briantais JM, Baker NR (1989) The relationship between quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Biochim Biophys Acta 990:87–92Gómez-Cadenas A, Tadeo FR, Talon M, Primo-Millo E (1996) Leaf abscission induced by ethylene in water-stressed intact seedlings of Cleopatra mandarin requires previous abscisic acid accumulation in roots. Plant Physiol 112:401–408Gordo O, Sanz JJ (2010) Impact of climate change on plant phenology in Mediterranean ecosystems. Glob Chang Biol 16:1082–1106Heath RL, Packer L (1968) Photoperoxidation in isolated chloroplasts. I. Kinetics and stoichiometry of fatty acid peroxidation. Arch Biochem Biophys 125:189–190Hoagland DR, Arnon DI (1950) The water culture method for growing plants without soil. California Agricultural Experiment Station Circular no. 347, p 32IPCC (2001) Climate change 2001. In: Houghton JT (ed) The scientific basis. Cambridge University Press, CambridgeLawlor DW (1995) The effects of water deficit on photosynthesis. In: Smirnoff N (ed) Environment and plant metabolism. Bios Scientific Publishers, Oxford, pp 129–160Lichtenthaler HK, Buschmann C (2001) Current protocols in food analytical chemistry, F4.2.1 and F4.3.1. John Wiley and Sons, Inc, NJLorimer GH, Badger MR, Andrews TJ (1977) D-Ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxilase-oxigenase. Improved methods for activation and assay of catalytic activities. Anal Biochem 78:66–75Miyashita K, Tanakamaru S, Maitani T, Kimura K (2005) Recovery responses of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance in kidney bean following drought stress. Environ Exp Bot 53:205–214Nir I, Leshem B, Goren R (1972) Effects of water stress, gibberellic acid and 2-chloroethylammoniumchloride (CCC) ob flower differentiation in Eureka lemon trees. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 97:774–778Peñarrubia L, Moreno J (1988) Ribulose 1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase from citrus leaves. Phytochemistry 27:1999–2004Pérez-Pérez JG, Syvertsen JP, Botía P, García-Sánchez F (2007) Leaf water relations and net gas exchange responses of salinized carrizo citrange seedlings during drought stress and recovery. Ann Bot 100:335–345Pérez-Pérez JG, Robles JM, Tovar JC, Botía P (2009) Response to drought and salt stress of lemon ‘Fino 49’ under field conditions: water relations, osmotic adjustment and gas Exchange. Sci Hortic 122:83–90Reynolds M, Tuberosa R (2008) Translational research impacting on crop productivity in drought-prone environments. 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Effect of the horizontal aspect ratio on thermocapillary convection stability in annular pool with surface heat dissipation

[EN] A linear stability analysis of the thermoconvective problem of a thin liquid film contained in an annular domain has been conducted. The influence of the horizontal aspect ratio on the solution has been considered by keeping a fixed external wall while the internal radius of the annular domain was modified. The parameter used in the study, Gamma(h), has been defined as the ratio of the internal radius to the domain depth. The other control parameter of the study is the Prandtl number ranging from 0.7 to 50, i.e. characteristic of fluids as air to n-butanol. The study has been performed for different Bond (Bo) regimes ranging from 0.0 for surface tension dominated flows to 67 for buoyancy dominated ones. Three different kind of bifurcations are found in the Gamma(h) - Pr plane for large Bonds, while for low Bonds only two of them appear. In the case of pure buoyancy or surface tension flows, for every Gamma(h) there exists a Prandtl number such that oscillatory and stationary coexist in a co-dimension two bifurcation point. These transitions show a strong dependency with the Bond number. Indeed, the lower transition disappears for low Bo and the upper one disappears with intermediate Bo values. Furthermore, there is a non-linear dependency of the number of structures of the growing bifurcation with Gamma(h). These co-dimension two lines show a strong dependency with Bo. Firstly, looking at the frontier between HWI and LR regions, for large Bo numbers, Pr increases with Gamma(h), while for low Bo the trend is reversed. Additionally, this transition only appears in the extreme Bo cases, for the central values of the considered, no transition is found. Similarly, the second transition found only appears for Bo larger than 30.SH and MJPQ work have been supported by project RTI2018-102256-B-I00 of Mineco/FEDER. PF work has been partially supported by the Spain's National Research and Development Plan (Project ESP2016-75887) and by the CHEOPS project (Grant Agreement 730135). This work was supported by a generous grant of computer time from the supercomputing center of the UPV.López-Núñez, E.; Pérez Quiles, MJ.; Fajardo, P.; Hoyas, S. (2020). Effect of the horizontal aspect ratio on thermocapillary convection stability in annular pool with surface heat dissipation. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer. 148:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2019.119140S1814

Host and environmental factors modulate the exposure of free-ranging and farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) to coxiella burnetii

The control of multihost pathogens, such as Coxiella burnetii, should rely on accurate information about the roles played by the main hosts. We aimed to determine the involvement of the red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the ecology of C. burnetii. We predicted that red deer populations from broad geographic areas within a European context would be exposed to C. burnetii, and therefore, we hypothesized that a series of factors would modulate the exposure of red deer to C. burnetii. To test this hypothesis, we designed a retrospective survey of 47 Iberian red deer populations from which 1,751 serum samples and 489 spleen samples were collected. Sera were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in order to estimate exposure to C. burnetii, and spleen samples were analyzed by PCR in order to estimate the prevalence of systemic infections. Thereafter, we gathered 23 variables— within environmental, host, and management factors—potentially modulating the risk of exposure of deer to C. burnetii, and we performed multivariate statistical analyses to identify the main risk factors. Twenty-three populations were seropositive (48.9%), and C. burnetii DNA in the spleen was detected in 50% of the populations analyzed. The statistical analyses reflect the complexity of C. burnetii ecology and suggest that although red deer may maintain the circulation of C. burnetii without third species, the most frequent scenario probably includes other wild and domestic host species. These findings, taken together with previous evidence of C. burnetii shedding by naturally infected red deer, point at this wild ungulate as a true reservoir for C. burnetii and an important node in the life cycle of C. burnetii, at least in the Iberian Peninsula

Tau-knockout mice show reduced GSK3-induced hippocampal degeneration and learning deficits

It has been proposed that deregulation of neuronal glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) activity may be a key feature in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. We have previously generated transgenic mice that overexpress GSK3β in forebrain regions including dentate gyrus (DG), a region involved in learning and memory acquisition. We have found that GSK3 overexpression results in DG degeneration. To test whether tau protein modified by GSK3 plays a role in that neurodegeneration, we have brought GSK3 overexpressing mice to a tau knockout background. Our results indicate that the toxic effect of GSK3 overexpression is milder and slower in the absence of tau. Thus, we suggest that the hyperphosphorylated tau mediates, at least in part, the pathology observed in the brain of GSK3 overexpressing mice.This work was supported by grants from Spanish Plan Nacional, Comunidad de Madrid, Fundación Botín, CIBERNED, and an institutional grant from Fundación Ramón Areces.Peer reviewe

A review of exposure assessment methods for epidemiological studies of health effects related to industrially contaminated sites

BACKGROUND: this paper is based upon work from COST Action ICSHNet. Health risks related to living close to industrially contaminated sites (ICSs) are a public concern. Toxicology-based risk assessment of single contaminants is the main approach to assess health risks, but epidemiological studies which investigate the relationships between exposure and health directly in the affected population have contributed important evidence. Limitations in exposure assessment have substantially contributed to uncertainty about associations found in epidemiological studies. OBJECTIVES: to examine exposure assessment methods that have been used in epidemiological studies on ICSs and to provide recommendations for improved exposure assessment in epidemiological studies by comparing exposure assessment methods in epidemiological studies and risk assessments. METHODS: after defining the multi-media framework of exposure related to ICSs, we discussed selected multi-media models applied in Europe. We provided an overview of exposure assessment in 54 epidemiological studies from a systematic review of hazardous waste sites; a systematic review of 41 epidemiological studies on incinerators and 52 additional studies on ICSs and health identified for this review. RESULTS: we identified 10 multi-media models used in Europe primarily for risk assessment. Recent models incorporated estimation of internal biomarker levels. Predictions of the models differ particularly for the routes ‘indoor air inhalation’ and ‘vegetable consumption’. Virtually all of the 54 hazardous waste studies used proximity indicators of exposure, based on municipality or zip code of residence (28 studies) or distance to a contaminated site (25 studies). One study used human biomonitoring. In virtually all epidemiological studies, actual land use was ignored. In the 52 additional studies on contaminated sites, proximity indicators were applied in 39 studies, air pollution dispersion modelling in 6 studies, and human biomonitoring in 9 studies. Exposure assessment in epidemiological studies on incinerators included indicators (presence of source in municipality and distance to the incinerator) and air dispersion modelling. Environmental multi-media modelling methods were not applied in any of the three groups of studies. CONCLUSIONS: recommendations for refined exposure assessment in epidemiological studies included the use of more sophisticated exposure metrics instead of simple proximity indicators where feasible, as distance from a source results in misclassification of exposure as it ignores key determinants of environmental fate and transport, source characteristics, land use, and human consumption behaviour. More validation studies using personal exposure or human biomonitoring are needed to assess misclassification of exposure. Exposure assessment should take more advantage of the detailed multi-media exposure assessment procedures developed for risk assessment. The use of indicators can be substantially improved by linking definition of zones of exposure to existing knowledge of extent of dispersion. Studies should incorporate more often land use and individual behaviour