Evidence of quasi equilibrium in pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layers

Two sets of measurements utilizing hot-wire anemometry and oil film interferometry for flat-plate turbulent boundary layers, exposed to various controlled adverse and favorable pressure gradients, are used to evaluate history effects of the imposed and varying freestream gradients. The results are from the NDF wind tunnel at ILLINOIS TECH (IIT) and the MTL wind tunnel at KTH, over the range $800 < Re_\tau < 22,000$ (where $Re_{\tau}$ is the friction Reynolds number). The streamwise pressure-gradient parameter $\beta \equiv (-\ell/\tau_{w}) \cdot (\partial P_{e}/\partial x)$ varied between $-2 < \beta < 7$, where $\ell$ is an outer length scale for boundary layers equivalent to the half height of channel flow and the radius of pipe flow, and is estimated for each boundary-layer profile. Extracting from each profile the three parameters of the overlap region, following the recent work of \cite{mon23} that led to an overlap region of combined logarithmic and linear parts, we find minimum history effects in the overlap region. Thus, the overlap region in this range of pressure-gradient boundary layers appears to be in ``quasi equilibrium".Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

On the original author and year of description of the extinct hyaenid Pachycrocuta brevirostris

The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature recommends providing the author and year of original description of any taxon when first mentioned in a publication, which is useful for both taxonomic and nomenclatural reasons. Here we show that the authorship of the extinct hyaenid taxon Hyaena brevirostris, type species of the genus Pachycrocuta, has been incorrectly attributed to "Aymard, 1846" for more than a century on the basis of a publication that never existed. Our bibliographic research indicates that the first published work in which the name was employed-Gervais' (1848-1852) Zoologie et Paléontologie françaises, the part dealing with carnivorans being issued in 1850-fulfils the criteria of availability. Given that Gervais did not attribute the description to Aymard, but merely employed the latter's name in reference to a museum label/record (which does not constitute a valid indication), the correct name with authorship for this taxon is Pachycrocuta brevirostris (Gervais, 1850)

Potential application of lactic acid bacteria in the biopreservation of red grape from mycotoxigenic fungi

BACKGROUND: Filamentous fungi are the main contamination agent in the viticultural sector. Use of synthetic fungicides is the regular answer to these contaminations. Nevertheless, because of several problems associated with the use of synthetic compounds, the industry demands new and safer methods. In the present work, the biopreservation potential of four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains was studied against the principal grape contaminant fungi. RESULTS: Agar diffusion test evidenced that all four culture-free supernatant (CFS) had antifungal properties against all tested fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) test values evidenced that media fermented by the Lactobacillus plantarum E3 and Lactobacillus plantarum E4 strains showed the highest antifungal activity, resulting in an MFC from 6.3 to 100 g L−1 . Analysis of CFS evidenced the presence of different antifungal compounds, such as lactic acid, phenyllactic acid and pyrazines. In tests on red grapes, an average reduction of 1.32 log10 of the spores per gram of fruit was achieved by all CFS in grapes inoculated with Aspergillus ochraceus and by 0.94 log10 for L. plantarum E3 CFS against Botrytis cinerea. CONCLUSION: The antifungal activity of the fermented CFS by L. plantarum E3 reduced the growth of B. cinerea and A. ochraceus in grapes, which are the main contaminant and main producer of ochratoxin A in these crops, respectively. Therefore, based on the results obtained in this work, use of the strain L. plantarum E3 could be an interesting option for the biopreservation of grapes

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Largest HIV-1 CRF02_AG Outbreak in Spain: Evidence for Onward Transmissions

Background and Aim: The circulating recombinant form 02_AG (CRF02_AG) is the predominant clade among the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) non-Bs with a prevalence of 5.97% (95% Confidence Interval-CI: 5.41–6.57%) across Spain. Our aim was to estimate the levels of regional clustering for CRF02_AG and the spatiotemporal characteristics of the largest CRF02_AG subepidemic in Spain.Methods: We studied 396 CRF02_AG sequences obtained from HIV-1 diagnosed patients during 2000–2014 from 10 autonomous communities of Spain. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the 391 CRF02_AG sequences along with all globally sampled CRF02_AG sequences (N = 3,302) as references. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis was performed to the largest CRF02_AG monophyletic cluster by a Bayesian method in BEAST v1.8.0 and by reconstructing ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony in Mesquite v3.4, respectively.Results: The HIV-1 CRF02_AG prevalence differed across Spanish autonomous communities we sampled from (p &lt; 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 52.7% of the CRF02_AG sequences formed 56 monophyletic clusters, with a range of 2–79 sequences. The CRF02_AG regional dispersal differed across Spain (p = 0.003), as suggested by monophyletic clustering. For the largest monophyletic cluster (subepidemic) (N = 79), 49.4% of the clustered sequences originated from Madrid, while most sequences (51.9%) had been obtained from men having sex with men (MSM). Molecular clock analysis suggested that the origin (tMRCA) of the CRF02_AG subepidemic was in 2002 (median estimate; 95% Highest Posterior Density-HPD interval: 1999–2004). Additionally, we found significant clustering within the CRF02_AG subepidemic according to the ethnic origin.Conclusion: CRF02_AG has been introduced as a result of multiple introductions in Spain, following regional dispersal in several cases. We showed that CRF02_AG transmissions were mostly due to regional dispersal in Spain. The hot-spot for the largest CRF02_AG regional subepidemic in Spain was in Madrid associated with MSM transmission risk group. The existence of subepidemics suggest that several spillovers occurred from Madrid to other areas. CRF02_AG sequences from Hispanics were clustered in a separate subclade suggesting no linkage between the local and Hispanic subepidemics

On the original author and year of description of the extinct hyaenid Pachycrocuta brevirostris

The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature recommends providing the author and year of original description of any taxon when first mentioned in a publication, which is useful for both taxonomic and nomenclatural reasons. Here we show that the authorship of the extinct hyaenid taxon Hyaena brevirostris, type species of the genus Pachycrocuta, has been incorrectly attributed to "Aymard, 1846" for more than a century on the basis of a publication that never existed. Our bibliographic research indicates that the first published work in which the name was employed-Gervais' (1848-1852) Zoologie et Paléontologie françaises, the part dealing with carnivorans being issued in 1850-fulfils the criteria of availability. Given that Gervais did not attribute the description to Aymard, but merely employed the latter's name in reference to a museum label/record (which does not constitute a valid indication), the correct name with authorship for this taxon is Pachycrocuta brevirostris (Gervais, 1850)

La reina del mundo: reflexiones sobre la historia de la opinión pública

Obra colectiva sobre la evolución histórica de la opinión pública abordada desde un enfoque de carácter multidisciplinar, desde las perspectivas de análisis de la historiografía, la filosofia, la sociología y las ciencias de la información. Pretende presentar una visión global del fenómeno de la opinión pública en toda su dimensió

Effects of erythropoietin on left ventricular hypertrophy in adults with severe chronic renal failure and hemoglobin <10 g/dL

Effects of erythropoietin on left ventricular hypertrophy in adults with severe chronic renal failure and hemoglobin <10 g/dL.BackgroundLeft ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) frequently complicates chronic renal insufficiency. Anemia is also common in these patients and may contribute to LVH.MethodsWe conducted an open-label interventional trial to evaluate the effect of recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) on left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in anemic patients with renal insufficiency. Adults with creatinine clearance 10 to 30mL /min (nondiabetics) or 20 to 40mL /min (diabetics) were recruited, and rhEPO was given to those with anemia (hemoglobin level <10 g/dL). Baseline and 6-month LVMI and LVH (LVMI >130 g/m2 in men and >100 g/m2 in women), hemoglobin levels, creatinine clearance, blood pressure, medications, and medical history were obtained. Forty anemic and 61 nonanemic control subjects were enrolled.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of LVH was 68.3% (95% CI 58.3-77.2), and entry hemoglobin level was the only significant predictor of baseline LVH (adjusted OR 0.69 per g/dL increase in hemoglobin, 95% CI 0.50-0.94). After 6 months, LVMI decreased in anemic patients receiving rhEPO (142 ± 56 vs. 157 ± 56 g/m2) (P = 0.007), with an increase in hemoglobin (11.3 ± 1.9 vs. 9.1 ± 0.7 g/dL) (P = 0.001). There were no changes in LVMI or hemoglobin level among controls. After adjusting for confounders and change in hemoglobin, receipt of rhEPO was associated with a significant reduction in LVMI (P = 0.01).ConclusionTreatment with rhEPO was not independently associated with significant changes in blood pressure or renal function. LVH is a common finding in chronic renal insufficiency and is associated with lower hemoglobin levels. Treatment with rhEPO may decrease LVH in patients with severe renal insufficiency and anemia

New suid remains from the early Vallesian (Late Miocene) site of Can Missert (Vallès-Penedès Basin)

Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya; Departament de Cultura de la Generalitat de Catalunya (CLT0009_22_000018); a predoctoral Joan OróFI fellowship (2023 FI-1 00396); a technician contract of the INVESTIGO Program 2022 (reference 100027TC1) financed by the European Union, Next GenerationNo suid remains have been reported from the Miocene site of Can Missert (Terrassa; Vallès-Penedès Basin, NE Iberian Peninsula), variously correlated to MN7+8 (late Aragonian) or MN9 (early Vallesian) due to the uncertain presence of hipparionin equids. The recent donation of fossils collected decades ago by amateur naturalists has confirmed the presence of Hippotherium and enabled the description of a sample of 27 suid teeth from Can Missert 2. They are here attributed to the suine Propotamochoerus palaeochoerus and the tetraconodontine Parachleuastochoerus valentini, while Listriodon splendens is also recorded from Can Missert based on a previously unpublished male upper canine. The co-occurrence of Pr. palaeochoerus and hipparionins at Can Missert strengthens the view that the former is a biochronological marker of the Vallesian. In turn, the described tetraconodontine remains support the distinction of Pa. valentini from Conohyus simorrensis-considered its senior subjective synonym by some authors-but do not contribute to the ongoing debate about their potential congeneric status. The co-occurrence of Pr. palaeochoerus and Pa. valentini has also been recorded from the earliest Vallesian sites of Creu de Conill 20 and Castell de Barberà within the same basin. However, the composition of the Can Missert 2 suid assemblage more clearly differs from that of Castell de Barberà, where both Listriodon splendens and Albanohyus castellensis are also abundant. Given the restricted size of Can Missert sample, it is uncertain whether such differences are indicative of more open and/or seasonal paleoenvironmental conditions at Can Missert or just the result of sampling biases

A revised (earliest Vallesian) age for the hominoid-bearing locality of Can Mata 1 based on new magnetostratigraphic and biostratigraphic data from Abocador de Can Mata (Vallès-Penedès Basin, NE Iberian Peninsula)

Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaThe Abocador de Can Mata (ACM) composite stratigraphic sequence (els Hostalets de Pierola, Vallès-Penedès Basin, NE Iberian Peninsula) has yielded a diverse primate assemblage from the late Aragonian (Middle to Late Miocene). Detailed litho-, bio-, and magnetostratigraphic control has enabled an accurate dating of these fossil remains. Comparable data, however, were lacking for the nearby locality of Can Mata 1 (CM1), which yielded a dryopithecine canine of a female individual. Given the lack of hipparionin equids and giraffids, CM1 has been correlated to the latest Aragonian (Mammal Neogene [MN] zone MN7+8). Here we revise the age of CM1 based on fieldwork and associated paleomagnetic samplings undertaken in 2018-2021. Our results extend the ACM composite sequence upward and indicate that CM1 correlates to the earliest Vallesian (MN9). The updated ACM sequence has a thickness of ∼300 m and comprises 12 magnetozones correlated to subchrons C5Ar.1r to C5n.2n (∼12.6-11.1 Ma; latest MN6 to earliest MN9, late Aragonian to earliest Vallesian). CM1 is correlated to C5r.1r (11.146-11.056 Ma), with an interpolated age of 11.11 Ma, thus postdating the dispersal of hipparionin horses into the Vallès-Penedès Basin-which is correlated to the previous subchron C5r.1n, with an interpolated age of 11.18 Ma, and by definition marks the beginning of the Vallesian. CM1 also minimally postdates the earliest record of giraffids at ACM-representing their earliest well-dated occurrence in the basin-being correlated to C5r.1n with an interpolated age of 11.11 Ma. We conclude that CM1 has an earliest Vallesian (MN9) age of ∼11.1 Ma, intermediate between the Aragonian dryopithecins and the Vallesian hispanopithecins. Ongoing paleontological surveillance at ACM thus offers the prospect to yield additional earliest Vallesian ape remains, which are essential to clarify their taxonomic allocation as well as to confirm whether hispanopithecins evolved locally from dryopithecins rather than immigrating from elsewhere during MN9

Identification of ZNF313/RNF114 as a novel psoriasis susceptibility gene

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disorder that is inherited as a multifactorial trait. Linkage studies have clearly identified a primary disease susceptibility locus lying within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), but have generated conflicting results for other genomic regions. To overcome this difficulty, we have carried out a genome-wide association scan, where we analyzed more than 408 000 SNPs in an initial sample of 318 cases and 288 controls. Outside of the MHC, we observed a single cluster of disease-associated markers, spanning 47 kb on chromosome 20q13. The analysis of two replication data sets confirmed this association, with SNP rs495337 yielding a combined P-value of 1.4 × 10−8 in an overall sample of 2679 cases and 2215 controls. Rs495337 maps to the SPATA2 transcript and is in absolute linkage disequilibrium with five SNPs lying in the adjacent ZNF313 gene (also known as RNF114). Real-time PCR experiments showed that, unlike SPATA2, ZNF313 is abundantly expressed in skin, T-lymphocytes and dendritic cells. Furthermore, an analysis of the expression data available from the Genevar database indicated that rs495337 is associated with increased ZNF313 transcripts levels (P = 0.003), suggesting that the disease susceptibility allele may be a ZNF313 regulatory variant tagged by rs495337. Homology searches indicated that ZNF313 is a paralogue of TRAC-1, an ubiquitin ligase regulating T-cell activation. We performed cell-free assays and confirmed that like TRAC-1, ZNF313 binds ubiquitin via an ubiquitin-interaction motif (UIM). These findings collectively identify a novel psoriasis susceptibility gene, with a putative role in the regulation of immune responses