Estudios fenomorfológicos en la vegetación del sur de España. I. Cistus L.

The phenomorphology of five Cistus species was studied in the Montes de Málaga range (Málaga) of southern Spain. The study sites was visited at least once every month during a whole year. Each of the species was carefully examined, described in the field and representative herbarium specimens collected to form a supporting phenological herbarium. Pheno-morphological diagrams were then made describing the annual cycles of the plants. For three species the diagrams were compared to similar ones made in France and for one to a diagram made also in Israel. The phenophases of flower bud formation, of flowering, of fruit setting, of seed dispersal and of dolichoblast leaf shedding were similar for the species examined in Spain and also in France and Israel. Since no distinction was made between brachyblasts of the current year to those of preceeding ones more variation between species and countries was obtained.Se describe el comportamiento fenomorfológico de cinco especies de Cistus L. (C. ladanifer L., C. popuhfolius L. subsp. major (Pourret ex Dunal) Heywood, C. albidus L., C. monspeliensis L. y C. salvifolius L.) presentes en la serie de los alcornocales con encinas del sector Malacitano-Axarquiense (Málaga, España). Se discute el comportamiento fenológico y se comparan los resultados con los ya obtenidos en otras zonas del área mediterránea

AI is a viable alternative to high throughput screening: a 318-target study

: High throughput screening (HTS) is routinely used to identify bioactive small molecules. This requires physical compounds, which limits coverage of accessible chemical space. Computational approaches combined with vast on-demand chemical libraries can access far greater chemical space, provided that the predictive accuracy is sufficient to identify useful molecules. Through the largest and most diverse virtual HTS campaign reported to date, comprising 318 individual projects, we demonstrate that our AtomNet® convolutional neural network successfully finds novel hits across every major therapeutic area and protein class. We address historical limitations of computational screening by demonstrating success for target proteins without known binders, high-quality X-ray crystal structures, or manual cherry-picking of compounds. We show that the molecules selected by the AtomNet® model are novel drug-like scaffolds rather than minor modifications to known bioactive compounds. Our empirical results suggest that computational methods can substantially replace HTS as the first step of small-molecule drug discovery

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Optimisation de la conception de la chaîne d’approvisionnement pour une bioraffinerie durable

The growing global population and its effect on food security and the urgency for climate change mitigation, are issues that foster innovations to increase the efficiency of the use of natural resources. Among them, biomass is a renewable resource highly available. A biorefinery can transform biomass in source of energy, materials and chemical products. However, at the early stage of a biorefinery project, strategic decisions have to be made, including location, production capacity or technology to be used, determining the project’s feasibility. As a consequence, the decision process needs to consider several aspects, as the specific conditions of the territory where the project is supposed to be deployed. A recent study shows that despite this problem has been treated by the multiple objective programming community, the main focus has been centered on factors of economic profitability. However, consider the whole dimensions of sustainability, “Economical”, “Social”, “Environmental”, “Technological” and “Political” is essential in this kind of project. Under these conditions, not all available optimization tools are suitable. Hence, a preliminary study about multi-objective optimization tools is realized. Then, a general optimization modeling strategy integrating the sustainability dimensions at the early stage of a biorefinery project is developed. To finish, the developed model is applied to the case study of biorefinery deployment in Colombia. It will permit a better visibility for decision makers, because its capability to propose scenarios and evaluate sustainability trade-offs by integrating stakeholders preferencesLa croissance de la population mondiale et son effet sur la sécurité alimentaire et l'urgence du changement climatique, sont des facteurs qui favorisent des diverses innovations pour accroître l'efficacité de l'utilisation des ressources naturelles. Parmi lesquelles la biomasse est une ressource renouvelable d’une grande disponibilité. Une bioraffinerie peut transformer la biomasse en énergie durable, matériaux et des produits chimiques. Par contre, au début d'un projet de bioraffinerie, des décisions stratégiques doivent être prises. Et ainsi, le processus de décision doit tenir en compte diverses aspects, comme des conditions spécifiques du territoire où le projet est destiné à être déployé. Une étude récente montre que, bien que ce problème ait été traité par la communauté scientifique, l'accent est mis sur les facteurs de rentabilité économique. Cependant, considérer toutes les dimensions de la durabilité, «Économique», «Social», «Environnemental», «Technologique» et «Politique» est essentielle dans ce type de projets. Dans ces conditions, tous les outils d'optimisation disponibles ne conviennent pas. Par conséquent, une étude préliminaire sur les outils d'optimisation multi-objectifs est réalisée. Par la suite, une stratégie d'optimisation intégrant les dimensions de durabilité dans la phase amont du projet a été développée. En fin, le modèle développé a été appliqué à l'étude du déploiement de bioraffineries en Colombie. Ce modèle et son optimisation permettent une meilleure visibilité pour les décideurs, grâce à sa capacité de proposer des scénarios et d’évaluer les compromis de la durabilité en intégrant les préférences des parties prenante

Biorefinery supply chain design optimization under sustainability dimensions

La croissance de la population mondiale et son effet sur la sécurité alimentaire et l'urgence du changement climatique, sont des facteurs qui favorisent des diverses innovations pour accroître l'efficacité de l'utilisation des ressources naturelles. Parmi lesquelles la biomasse est une ressource renouvelable d’une grande disponibilité. Une bioraffinerie peut transformer la biomasse en énergie durable, matériaux et des produits chimiques. Par contre, au début d'un projet de bioraffinerie, des décisions stratégiques doivent être prises. Et ainsi, le processus de décision doit tenir en compte diverses aspects, comme des conditions spécifiques du territoire où le projet est destiné à être déployé. Une étude récente montre que, bien que ce problème ait été traité par la communauté scientifique, l'accent est mis sur les facteurs de rentabilité économique. Cependant, considérer toutes les dimensions de la durabilité, «Économique», «Social», «Environnemental», «Technologique» et «Politique» est essentielle dans ce type de projets. Dans ces conditions, tous les outils d'optimisation disponibles ne conviennent pas. Par conséquent, une étude préliminaire sur les outils d'optimisation multi-objectifs est réalisée. Par la suite, une stratégie d'optimisation intégrant les dimensions de durabilité dans la phase amont du projet a été développée. En fin, le modèle développé a été appliqué à l'étude du déploiement de bioraffineries en Colombie. Ce modèle et son optimisation permettent une meilleure visibilité pour les décideurs, grâce à sa capacité de proposer des scénarios et d’évaluer les compromis de la durabilité en intégrant les préférences des parties prenantesThe growing global population and its effect on food security and the urgency for climate change mitigation, are issues that foster innovations to increase the efficiency of the use of natural resources. Among them, biomass is a renewable resource highly available. A biorefinery can transform biomass in source of energy, materials and chemical products. However, at the early stage of a biorefinery project, strategic decisions have to be made, including location, production capacity or technology to be used, determining the project’s feasibility. As a consequence, the decision process needs to consider several aspects, as the specific conditions of the territory where the project is supposed to be deployed. A recent study shows that despite this problem has been treated by the multiple objective programming community, the main focus has been centered on factors of economic profitability. However, consider the whole dimensions of sustainability, “Economical”, “Social”, “Environmental”, “Technological” and “Political” is essential in this kind of project. Under these conditions, not all available optimization tools are suitable. Hence, a preliminary study about multi-objective optimization tools is realized. Then, a general optimization modeling strategy integrating the sustainability dimensions at the early stage of a biorefinery project is developed. To finish, the developed model is applied to the case study of biorefinery deployment in Colombia. It will permit a better visibility for decision makers, because its capability to propose scenarios and evaluate sustainability trade-offs by integrating stakeholders preference

First phylogenetic analysis of Ehrlichia canis in dogs and ticks from Mexico. Preliminary study

Objective. Phylogenetic characterization of Ehrlichia canis in dogs naturally infected and ticks, diagnosed by PCR and sequencing of 16SrRNA gene; compare different isolates found in American countries. Materials and methods. Were collected Blood samples from 139 dogs with suggestive clinical manifestations of this disease and they were infested with ticks; part of 16SrRNA gene was sequenced and aligned, with 17 sequences reported in American countries. Two phylogenetic trees were constructed using the Maximum likelihood method, and Maximum parsimony. Results. They were positive to E. canis 25/139 (18.0%) dogs and 29/139 (20.9%) ticks. The clinical manifestations presented were fever, fatigue, depression and vomiting. Rhipicephalus sanguineus Dermacentor variabilis and Haemaphysalis leporis-palustris ticks were positive for E. canis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequences of dogs and ticks in Mexico form a third group diverging of sequences from South America and USA. Conclusions. This is the first phylogenetic analysis of E. canis in Mexico. There are differences in the sequences of Mexico with those reported in South America and USA. This research lays the foundation for further study of genetic variability

Stabilization in Water of Large Hydrophobic Uniform Magnetite Cubes by Silica Coating

Novel water dispersible large cubic nanocapsules consisting of uniform hydrophobic magnetite core (79 and 126 nm) and amorphous silica shell were prepared. Silica modification of magnetite particles and functionalization of silica surface by introducing methylphosphonate groups were performed at the same time. These nanoparticles were characterized by both transmission and scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, ζ potential determinations, X-ray techniques, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and magnetization measurements. The results show that the methodology employed to coat the hydrophobic magnetite with a silica shell provides uniform core–shell magnetite–silica nanoparticles with a good colloidal stability in water and control of the morphology and of the silica thickness. Thus, the high hydrophobicity and strong magnetic dipole interaction of these magnetite nanoparticles are tailored by silica modification, therefore opening a new range of applications in water for these magnetic nanoparticles

Unraveling the Role of Flavor Structure and Physicochemical Properties in the Binding Phenomenon with Commercial Food Protein Isolates

Food protein-flavor binding influences flavor release and perception. The complexity of the binding phenomenon lies in the flavor and protein properties. Thus, molecular interactions between commercial whey- or plant-based protein isolates (PI) such as pea, soy, and lupin, with carbonyl and alcohol flavor compounds were assessed by static headspace (HS) GC-MS. HS results showed that not only the displacement of the carbonyl group from the inner part of the flavor structure toward the edge promoted binding up to 52.76% ± 4.65 but also the flavor’s degree of unsaturation. Similarly, thermal treatment led to a slight increase in hexanal-protein binding because of possible protein conformational changes. Protein’s residual fat (<1%) seemed insufficient to promote significant flavor binding to PI. Despite the complexity of commercial food protein isolates, the results displayed that binding is predominantly influenced by the flavor structure and physicochemical properties, with the protein source and residual fat playing a secondary role