Isolation and characterization of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degrading bacteria isolated from a PCB contaminated reservoir in Donna, TX

The Donna Irrigation System (DIS) located in Donna, Hidalgo County, TX, was confirmed to be contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 1993 and remediation of the site will be attempted in the future. The need to isolate novel PCB degrading bacteria for bioremediation has been an active area of research in recent decades; thus, it was hypothesized that a variety of microorganisms able to degrade PCBs could be isolated from sediments taken from the DIS. Two genes of the PCB degradation pathway, bphA1 and bphC, were detected in 43 bacterial isolates grown from DIS sediments using molecular and culture-based methodology, confirming the PCB degradation potential of these bacteria. Biochemical testing indicated differences in the enzymatic activity, carbohydrate fermentation ability, and carbon source utilization patterns of these isolates and strongly suggests that a variety of species, and possibly genera, of PCB degrading bacteria are present in the sediments of the DIS

Experimental study on the stomatal resistance of green roof vegetation of semiarid climates for building energy simulations

Current modelling approaches for energy simulations in green roofs use a range of values for parameters such as stomatal resistance (rs) of the vegetation. rs reflects the capability of a plant to transpire, thus it has a direct relation to the cooling potential of green roofs in buildings. Therefore, rs values need to be revised based on differences among species and contrasting environmental conditions, considering anatomical and physiological characteristics among species and their changes throughout the day. In order to provide real data on species commonly used for green roofs in semiarid climates, this paper aims to evaluate the stomatal resistance of nine species of groundcovers and to compare this data with current models. rs was measured for each species at 8:00 h, 12:00 h, 16:00 h and 20:00 h during day and nighttime in winter in a leaf located at the middle of the stem. The results of this study showed that rs varies significantly among species, throughout the day and between the side of the leaf (adaxial or abaxial). The lowest rs values for species was at noon ranging from 264 to 807 s m- 1 and the highest rs was at night ranging from 568 to 973 s m-1. Sedum spurium red, Sedum hybrid, and white and pink Verbena sp. had the largest rs variation in the day-night cycle. The results of rs are higher than those values recommended for some energy simulation models

Diseño de un plan estratégico de desarrollo turístico sostenible para el GAD del cantón Alausí, provincia de Chimborazo

El presente trabajo de investigación denominado diseño de un plan estratégico, para el desarrollo turístico sostenible del cantón Alausí, provincia de Chimborazo tiene como finalidad lograr un beneficio en materia turística en donde se brinde al turista múltiples alternativas para que su estancia sea mayor a una visita corta o a un día. Por consiguiente, la metodología cualitativa se utilizó para conocer la realidad del sector turístico en aspectos positivos y negativos, mientras la cuantitativa se basó en la aplicación de encuestas y conocer características de la demanda turística, las técnicas e instrumentos utilizados fueron, encuesta, entrevista y cuestionario. Mediante la técnica de la encuesta se logró determinar que un 51% de personas que visitan el cantón están comprendidas entre 18 a 25 años, además 273 encuestas indican que uno de los motivos de visita es realizar turismo, esto resultó útil para conocer sus expectativas, además, de enfocar el turismo a la parte joven. La propuesta se fundamentó en el desarrollo de la formulación filosófica del GADMCA, se realizó la matriz de involucrados que permitió conocer los grupos o actores que son parte en el desarrollo de las actividades turísticas y a través de la cual se plantearon las estrategias y el diseño del POA. En conclusión, la elaboración del Perfil de Capacidad Interno conjuntamente con el Perfil de Oportunidades y Amenazas, determinaron que Alausí presenta problemas para el desarrollo turístico sostenible debido a la falta de un plan estratégico que se enfoque a esta área y sea impulsado por el Gobierno Autónomo Descentralizado del Cantón Alausí. Por último, se recomienda a las autoridades competentes hacer uso positivo del presente trabajo que ayudará asimismo servirá como base para el desarrollo turístico sostenible del cantónThis research work called design of a strategic plan for the development of sustainable tourism in the Alausí canton, Chimborazo province aims to achieve a benefit in tourist matters where the tourist is offered multiple alternatives so that his stay is longer than a short visit or one day. Therefore, the qualitative methodology is used to know the reality of the tourism sector in positive and negative aspects, while the quantitative was based on the application of surveys and to know characteristics of the tourist demand, the techniques and instruments used were surveys, interviews, and questionnaire. By means of the technique of the survey, it was possible to determine that 51% of people who visit the canton are between 18 and 25 years old, in addition 273 surveys indicate that one of the reasons for visiting is to carry out tourism, this was useful to know their expectations, in addition, to focus tourism to the young part. The proposal was based on the development of the philosophical formulation of GADMCA, the involved matrix allowed knowing the groups or actors that are part of the development of tourist activities and through which the strategies and design of the POA. In conclusion, the preparation of the Internal Capacity Profile together with the Profile of Opportunities and Threats determined that Alausí presents problems for sustainable tourism development due to the lack of a strategic plan that is focused on this area and that is promoted by the Decentralized Autonomous Government of Alausi Canton. Finally, it is recommended that the competent authorities make proper use of this work that will also serve as a basis for the sustainable tourism development of the canto

Opportunistic Pathogenic Bacteria Colonize Thorns of Native Rio Grande Valley Plants

Thorns serve as mechanical defenses of plants against herbivory. However, plant thorns harbor microorganisms that are potentially pathogenic. These pathogens may be transferred to herbivores and other animals and provide an additional defense for the plants. Thorns from 5 plant species native to the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas were collected and used to isolate bacteria colonizing the thorn surface. Thorns, leaves and stems of plants were visualized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to observe any bacteria on the plant surface. Isolated bacteria were tested for their ability to grow in aerobic versus anaerobic environments, to produce hemolysis, carbon source utilization, and were gram-stained. Bacteria were identified by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. A total of 69 pure cultures were obtained of which 61 were positively identified. The majority of the bacteria were gram-positive and facultative (i.e., able to grow both aerobically and anaerobically). Many (23%) were hemolytic suggesting that they were opportunistic blood-borne pathogens. All isolated organisms metabolized a collection of 31 tested organic substrates and metabolic activity was observed to be more efficient among anaerobically-isolated microorganisms compared to microorganisms isolated aerobically. SEM revealed that bacteria were found on the thorn surface but also on the stems and leaves of the plants. Identification using the 16S rRNA gene revealed the presence of 10 species representing 7 genera. The most commonly identified organisms were Bacillus cereus, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, all of which are opportunistic pathogens

Is the Banana Ripe? Andean Bear–Human Conflict in a Protected Area of Colombia

The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus; bear) is endemic to the tropical Andes Mountains of South America. Previous assessments predict that bear populations will decline by \u3e30% in the next 30 years. The species may face the greatest threats within its historical distribution in Colombia where rapid agricultural expansion into natural habitats is increasing human–bear conflicts. Between April 2017 and March 2018, we studied bear feeding behavior on plantain (Musa sapientum) and banana (M. paradisiaca) crops within the Barbas-Bremen protected area in the central mountain range of Colombia to describe the magnitude of crop damage, economic losses, and spatial distribution of feeding sites where human–bear conflicts would most likely occur. We also identified all affected farmers and used structured interviews to determine their attitudes toward the bears and their conservation. We recorded 237 damaged plants and identified 57 bear feeding area locations on 9 farms. Bear damage consisted of bites to the trunk of each plant and consumption of the centers. The damage polygon covered 198 ha, and it was located in the northwestern portion of the protected area. Although we estimated that the magnitude of crop consumption by bears and social and economic dimensions of damage caused by the species in Colombia. Our research also provides insights on how human–bear conflicts may be mitigated in the study area

Ideas alternativas sobre cambio climático, adelgazamiento de la capa de ozono y lluvia ácida de un grupo de alumnos de centros de enseñanza permanente de adultos

Es mucha la información que recibimos en torno al cambio climático, el adelgazamiento de la capa de ozono y la lluvia ácida, y en relación a ello se generan muchas opiniones e ideas no exentas de polémica y de falta de rigor científico que hacen confundir causas y consecuencias de unos y otros. Se plantea la necesidad de posicionarnos como ciudadanos responsables ante las consecuencias de tan graves problemas, por lo que consideramos clave conocer más sobre las ideas del alumnado y su posible origen. Se ha elaborado y analizado un cuestionario para detectar posibles ideas alternativas relacionadas con los principales problemas de contaminación atmosférica. La muestra está formada por un grupo de alumnos de Educación Permanente de Adultos (EPA)

The Rio Hortega University Hospital Glioblastoma dataset: a comprehensive collection of preoperative, early postoperative and recurrence MRI scans (RHUH-GBM)

Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive primary brain tumor, is associated with poor patient outcomes. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a critical role in diagnosing, characterizing, and forecasting glioblastoma progression, public MRI repositories present significant drawbacks, including insufficient postoperative and follow-up studies as well as expert tumor segmentations. To address these issues, we present the "R\'io Hortega University Hospital Glioblastoma Dataset (RHUH-GBM)," a collection of multiparametric MRI images, volumetric assessments, molecular data, and survival details for glioblastoma patients who underwent total or near-total enhancing tumor resection. The dataset features expert-corrected segmentations of tumor subregions, offering valuable ground truth data for developing algorithms for postoperative and follow-up MRI scans. The public release of the RHUH-GBM dataset significantly contributes to glioblastoma research, enabling the scientific community to study recurrence patterns and develop new diagnostic and prognostic models. This may result in more personalized, effective treatments and ultimately improved patient outcomes

Blockchain in the new era of smart contracts

En el documento, se lleva a cabo una revisión que dará a conocer lo que son los contratos inteligentes, su estado actual y algunas de las aplicaciones a nivel mundial de esta tecnología basada en cadena de bloques (Blockchain por sus siglas en ingles). Este sistema está revolucionando el mundo actual ya que al ser contratos que tienen la capacidad de cumplirse de forma automática una vez que las partes han acordado los términos. Pero seguramente se tiene en mente el clásico papel firmado, así que, ¿cómo es posible que un contrato se pueda hacer cumplir a sí mismo? Pues bien, lo cierto es que los contratos inteligentes son un poco distintos a los contratos en papel. Ambos son acuerdos en los que dos o más involucrados se comprometen a cumplir una serie de condiciones, y sus elementos fundamentales son los mismos: el consentimiento voluntario de todas las partes, el objeto del contrato (bien o servicio), y una causa justa, verdadera y lícita. Ahora bien, ambos difieren en tres factores: el modo de escritura, su implicación legal y el modo de cumplimiento. Sin embargo, los contratos inteligentes son aplicaciones o software descentralizados que ahorran la necesidad de tener intermediarios, evita conflictos, sus tiempos de respuesta son cortos y sus procesos más seguros a comparación de los métodos tradicionales por lo que bancos y gobiernos analizan su implementación.In this document, a review is carried out that will reveal what smart contracts are, their advantages, their characteristics, as well as the state in which they are currently and the different applications that they have had so far. development with this blockchain-based technology. So far, smart contracts have had a very large impact worldwide, since they are contracts developed so that they can be executed automatically once the different parties have determined the terms that must be met. We surely see this as something distant, due to how many contracts are still carried today, in the typical paper that we must sign and enforce. So, what could we have or do to make the contracts run by themselves? It is a question that we will solve in the course of the article. Although we have that smart contracts are a little different from the common contracts that we all know, both are contracts in which two or more parties are involved and must meet certain conditions for this to be fulfilled. However, smart contracts are applications or a decentralized code where one of their characteristics and differences with the typical contracts signed on paper is to save the need for intermediaries, such as lawyers. In addition to the fact that these are safer and faster in terms of their execution, several studies are currently being carried out and many of the industries worldwide are adopting these contracts as an option to see the advantages and the impact that this new technology is generating worldwide

Clinical features of 314 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.Background: Immunomodulatory drugs (IMD), Interferon β1a, β1b and glatiramer acetate are available in the Chilean public health system since June 2008 for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS). Diagnostic confirmation and programmed follow up of these patients is carried out at a public national reference center. Aim: To describe the epidemiological and clinical features of 314 patients evaluated in this center between 2008 and 2012. Patients and Methods: Review of clinical records, to obtain information about demographic background, medical history, expanded disability status scale of Kurtzke (EDSS), multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSFC), intensity fatigue scale of Krupp, Rao’s Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BNR-R) and anxious-depressive manifestations using Hamilton and Beck questionnaires. Results: The ages of patients ranged from 12 to 63 years and 67% were women. The initial symptoms were sensory disturbances in 20%, motor alterations in 18% and optical neuritis in 16%. In 9% of patients, the disease began with several manifestations. The EDSS was 4 or less in 73% of patients and cognitive impairment was observed in 34%. Treatment failure during the first and second years, occurred in 23 and 26% of patients, respectively. Male gender, age under 40 and brainstem malfunction at the onset of disease, were predictive of treatment failure during the second year. Conclusions: The features of these patients are very similar to those reported abroad. (Rev Med Chile 2014; 142: 559-566) Key words: Disease progression; Immunomodulation; Multiple Sclerosisi, Relapsin-Remittin