Salient stills

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1992.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-70).by Laura A. Teodosio.M.S

Development of a metric of aquatic invertebrates for volunteers (MAIV): a simple and friendly biotic metric to assess ecological quality of streams

Citizen science activities, involving local people in volunteer-supported and sustainable monitoring programs, are common. In this context, the objective of the present work was to develop a simple Metric of Aquatic Invertebrates for Volunteers (MAIV), including a user-friendly tool that can be easily accessed by volunteers, and to evaluate the e ciency of a volunteer monitoring program following an audit procedure. To obtain MAIV values, macroinvertebrate communities were reduced to 18 surrogate taxa, which represented an acceptable compromise between simplicity, e ciency, and reproducibility of the data, compared to the regular Water Framework Directive monitoring. When compared to results obtained with the National Classification System of Portugal, MAIV accurately detected moderate, poor, and bad ecological status. Thus, MAIV can be used by volunteers as a complement to the o cial monitoring program, as well as a prospective early warning tool for local problems related to ecological quality. Volunteers were students supervised by their teachers. Results obtained by volunteers were compared to results obtained by experts on macroinvertebrate identification to measure the e ciency of the procedure, by counting gains and losses on sorting, and identification. Characteristics of groups of volunteers (age and school level) did not influence significantly the e ciency of the procedure, and generally results of volunteers and experts matched.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Modelling of growth curves and estimation of genetic parameters for growth curve parameters in Peruvian young llamas (Lama glama)

The objectives of this study were to describe the growth of young llamas by the application of four non-linear functions (Gompertz, Logistic, Von Bertalanffy and Brody), evaluate the importance of fixed (environmental) effects (sex, type of llama, month and year of birth) on growth curve parameters and finally estimate the genetic parameters for growth curve parameters (A: asymptotic body weight and k: specific growth rate). A total of 35,691 monthly body weight records from birth up to 16 months of age from 2675 young llamas, collected from 1998 to 2008 in the Quimsachata Experimental Station of the Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA) in Peru were used. Growth curve parameters were estimated by non-linear procedures while genetic parameters were estimated by application of a bivariate animal model and the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method. All non-linear functions closely fitted actual body weight measurements, while the Gompertz function provided the best fit in describing the growth data of young llamas. All environmental effects significantly influenced the asymptotic weight (A), while the specific growth rate (k) was only affected by the month and year of birth. Heritability estimates for parameters A and k were 0.10 and 0.01, respectively. Genetic correlation between A and k was high and negative (−0.82), indicating that a rapid decrease in growth rate after inflection point is associated with higher mature weight. Despite the low heritability estimates obtained herein, slight genetic gain(s) were observed in the current study suggesting that a selection program to change the slope of the growth curve of llamas may be feasible

An integrated 0D/1D/3D numerical framework to predict performance, emissions, knock and heat transfer in ICEs fueled with NH3–H2 mixtures: The conversion of a marine Diesel engine as case study

In the maritime transportation, e-fuels represent a valid alternative to fossil energy sour- ces, in order to accomplish the European Union goals in terms of climate neutrality. Among the e-fuels, the ammonia-hydrogen mixtures can play a leading role, as the combination of the two allows to exploit the advantages of each one, simultaneously compensating their gaps. The main goal of the present publication is the proposal of a robust numerical frame- work based on 0D, 1D and 3D tools for CFD analyses of internal combustion engines fueled with ammonia-hydrogen mixtures. The 1D engine model provides boundary conditions for the multi-dimensional in- vestigations and estimates the overall engine performance. 3D in-cylinder detailed ana- lyses are proficiently used to predict combustion efficiency (via the well-established G-equation model supported by laminar flame speed correlations for both ammonia and hydrogen) and emissions (with a detailed chemistry based approach). Heat transfer and knock tendency are evaluated as well, by in-house developed models. As for the 0D/1D chemical kinetics calculations, firstly they support 3D analyses (for example via the gen- eration of ignition delay time tables). Moreover, they allow insights on aspects such as NOx formation, to individuate mixture qualities able to strongly reduce the emissions

Photocatalytic reactions of a nickel(II) annulene complex incorporated in polymeric structures

The photochemical reactions of the Ni(II) annulene complex, [NiII([5,7,12,14]-tetra methyl dibenzo[2,3- b:2,3-b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraaza[14]annulenate)], grafted into a poly(isobutylene-alt-maleate) backbone were investigated in aqueous media. The grafted Ni(II) complex becomes soluble in aqueous and organic solvents where the strands form aggregates with medium-dependent shapes. Irradiation of the polymer at 532 or 351 nm produce charge-separated macrocyclic pendants, CS, with a lifetime s 30 ns. CS reacts with electron donors and acceptors before it decays with a lifetime s 1 ms. In parallel to the decay of CS, an excited state-excited state annihilation process gives rise to luminescence whose spectrum spans wavelengths shorter than the wavelength of the irradiation, lex > 500 nm. Theoretical calculations were carried out with the aim of understanding the morphology and structures of strand aggregates, to confirm the nature of reaction products and to account for the spectroscopic and photochemical properties of the Ni(II) pendants. The endothermic reduction of CO2 to CO by S(IV) species was used as a test of the Ni(II) complex´s ability to photocatalyze the reaction. In the photoprocess, the Ni(II) complex fulfills the double role of antenna and catalyst.Fil: Estiu, G.. University Of Notre Dame-indiana; Estados UnidosFil: Ferraudi, G.. University Of Notre Dame-indiana; Estados UnidosFil: Lappin, A. G.. University Of Notre Dame-indiana; Estados UnidosFil: Ruiz, Gustavo Teodosio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Vericat, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Costamagna, J.. Universidad de Santiago de Chile; ChileFil: Villagrán, M.. Universidad de Santiago de Chile; Chil

Ecophysiological traits of highly mobile large marine predators inferred from nucleic acid derived indices

Nucleic acid-derived indices such as RNA/DNA ratios have been successfully applied as ecophysiological indicators to assess growth, nutritional condition and health status in marine organisms given that they provide a measure of tissue protein reserves, which is known to vary depending on changes in the environment. Yet, the use of these biochemical indices on highly mobile large predators is scarce. In this study, we tested the applicability of using nucleic acids to provide insights on the ecophysiological traits of two marine mammal species (common bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales) and explored potential related factors (species, sex, season, and residency pattern), using skin tissue (obtained from biopsy darts) of apparently healthy and adult free-ranging animals. Significantly higher RNA/DNA ratios were obtained for bottlenose dolphins (p < 0.001), and for visitor pilot whales when compared with resident pilot whales (p = 0.001). No significant changes were found between the sexes. Based on the percentile approach, the samples contain individuals in a general good condition (as the 10th percentile is not closer to the mean than the 75th percentile), suggesting that the studied region of Macaronesia may be considered an adequate habitat. The combination of this effective tool with genetic sexing and photographic-identification provided an overall picture of ecosystem health, and although with some limitations and still being a first approach, it has the applicability to be used in other top predators and ecosystems.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology: UID/MAR/04292/2019/ UID/Multi/04326/2019/ UIDB/04423/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impact of blood storage and sample handling on quality of high dimensional flow cytometric data in multicenter clinical research

Obtaining reliable and reproducible high quality data in multicenter clinical research settings requires design of optimal standard operating procedures. While the need for standardization in sample processing and data analysis is well-recognized, the impact of sample handling in the pre-analytical phase remains underestimated. We evaluated the impact of sample storage time (approximate to transport time) and temperature, type of anticoagulant, and limited blood volume on reproducibility of flow cytometric studies. EDTA and Na-Heparin samples processed with the EuroFlow bulk lysis protocol, stained and stored at 4 degrees C showed fairly stable expression of cell surface markers and distribution of the major leukocyte populations for up to 72 h. Additional sample fixation (1% PFA, Fix & Perm) did not have any beneficial effects. Blood samples stored for < 24 h at room temperature before processing and staining seemed suitable for reliable immunophenotyping, although losses in absolute cell numbers were observed. The major losses were observed in myeloid cells and monocytes, while lymphocytes seemed less affected. Expression of cell surface markers and population distribution were more stable in Na-Heparin blood than in EDTA blood. However, storage of Na-Heparin samples was associated with faster decrease in leukocyte counts over time. Whole blood fixation strategies (Cyto-Chex, TransFix) improved long-term population distribution, but were detrimental for expression of cellular markers. The main conclusions from this study on healthy donor blood samples were successfully confirmed in EDTA clinical (patient) blood samples with different time delays until processing. Finally, we recognized the need for adjustments in bulk lysis in case of insufficient blood volumes. Despite clear overall conclusions, individual markers and cell populations had different preferred conditions. Therefore, specific guidelines for sample handling should always be adjusted to the clinical application and the main target leukocyte population

Identification and characterization of the gene expression profiles for protein coding and non-coding RNAs of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.Significant advances have been achieved in recent years in the identification of the genetic and the molecular alterations of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Despite this, at present the understanding of the precise mechanisms involved in the development and malignant transformation of PDAC remain relatively limited. Here, we evaluated for the first time, the molecular heterogeneity of PDAC tumors, through simultaneous assessment of the gene expression profile (GEP) for both coding and non-coding genes of tumor samples from 27 consecutive PDAC patients. Overall, we identified a common GEP for all PDAC tumors, characterized by an increased expression of genes involved in PDAC cell proliferation, local invasion and metastatic capacity, together with a significant alteration of the early steps of the cellular immune response. At the same time, we confirm and extend on previous observations about the genetic complexity of PDAC tumors as revealed by the demonstration of two clearly distinct and unique GEPs (e.g. epithelial-like vs. mesenchymal-like) reflecting the alteration of different signaling pathways involved in the oncogenesis and progression of these tumors. Our results also highlight the potential role of the immune system microenvironment in these tumors, with potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications.This work has been partially supported by grants from the Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain (GRS861/A/13), RTICC from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo, Madrid, Spain (RD06/0020/0035-FEDER; RD12/0036/0048-FEDER), Fundación Memoria de Don Samuel Solórzano Barruso, Salamanca, Spain (FS/13-2012 and FS/16-2013). JM Sayagués is supported by grant CP05/00321 from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Madrid, Spain.Peer Reviewe

Monocyte Subsets and Serum Inflammatory and Bone-Associated Markers in Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Multiple Myeloma

© 2021 by the authors.Monocyte/macrophages have been shown to be altered in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering (SMM) and active multiple myeloma (MM), with an impact on the disruption of the homeostasis of the normal bone marrow (BM) microenvironment.This research was funded by the Biomedical Research Networking Center Consortium CIBER-CIBERONC (CB16/12/00400, CB16/12/00369 and CB16/12/00233-FEDER), PI13/01412- FEDER, from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Madrid, Spain; the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (grant agreement ERC-2015-AdG 695655 (TiMaScan); and the Black Swan Research Initiative of the International Myeloma Foundation (Los Angeles, CA, USA), (grant IMF13/IMF16

Single-cell immune profiling reveals thymus-seeding populations, T cell commitment, and multilineage development in the human thymus

T cell development in the mouse thymus has been studied extensively, but less is known regarding T cell development in the human thymus. We used a combination of single-cell techniques and functional assays to perform deep immune profiling of human T cell development, focusing on the initial stages of prelineage commitment. We identified three thymus-seeding progenitor populations that also have counterparts in the bone marrow. In addition, we found that the human thymus physiologically supports the development of monocytes, dendritic cells, and NK cells, as well as limited development of B cells. These results are an important step toward monitoring and guiding regenerative therapies in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation