Characterization and Analysis of the Carbonation Process of a Lime Mortar Obtained from Phosphogypsum Waste

This work addresses the reuse of waste products as a raw material for lime putties, which are one of the components of mortar. 1:3 Lime/sand mortars very similar to conventional construction mortars were prepared using a lime putty obtained from the treatment of phosphogypsum with sodium hydroxide. The physical, rheological and mechanical properties of this phosphogypsum-derived mortar have been studied, as well as the mineralogical composition, microstructure by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and curing process by monitoring carbonation and ultrasonic propagation velocity. Considering the negative influence of sulphates on the hardened material, the behaviour of the material after sulphates precipitation by adding barium sulphate was additionally tested. Carbonation progressed from the outside to the inside of the specimen through the porous system by Liesegang rings patterns for mortars with soluble sulphates, while the carbonation with precipitated sulphates was controlled by diffusion-precipitation. Overall, the negative influence of low-sulphate contents on the mechanical properties of mortars was verified. It must be highlighted the importance of their precipitation to obtain adequate performance.This research was funded by Programa Estatal I+D+i Retos de la Sociedad of the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Spain), which supported this research (MAT2017-84228-R research project)

Electrosprayed hydroxypropyl methylcellulose microcapsules containing Rhus microphylla fruit extracts and their application in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) preservation

The data that has been used is confidential.Encapsulation technology is used to incorporate a wide range of compounds, which is beneficial for protecting and improving the bioactivity of plant extracts. In this study, the objectives were to develop hydroxypropyl methylcellulose microcapsules containing two different extracts from Rhus microphylla fruit namely RmA (obtained by conventional agitation) and RmO (obtained by ohmic heating) using electrohydrodynamic processing. The microcapsules were then characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), ATR-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate their influence on strawberry quality. Spherical microcapsules with a particle size of 2.052.41m were successfully obtained, and FTIR analysis confirmed the proper incorporation of the extracts. The microcapsules containing RmA extract (MC-RmA) exhibited superior antioxidant and antifungal activities in vitro. Consequently, their efficacy in preserving the quality of strawberry fruits during storage at 4±1°C and 85% relative humidity (RH) was evaluated at concentrations of 0.25% and 0.50% (w/v). After 14 days, the MC-RmA-treated fruits showed reduced weight loss, improved firmness, and unchanged color. Additionally, the gradual release of antifungal activity from MC-RmA suggests its potential as a novel solution to mitigate postharvest losses in strawberry fruits.This study was supported by Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro (UAAAN). Jorge L. Guía-García thanks Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT, Mexico) for PhD fellowship support (CONAHCYT grant number 731604/604900).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biopesticide of Neem Obtained by Enzyme-Assisted Extraction: An Alternative to Improve the Pest Control

The indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides to control pests and diseases without technical assistance instead of solving the pest problems has caused environmental damage, agriculture productivity, and human health. Pesticides can remain for several years in the soil, being able to contaminate rivers and lagoons, animals of shepherding and foods. Besides, in recent years, pests have shown an alarmingly resistance over several pesticides. This makes necessary the use of other natural sources of pesticides that could be degraded avoiding the resistance problem. One of the main sources analyzed is the neem (Azadirachta indica) due to its complex content of bioactive triterpenoids. However, cellulosic structures of cell wall conditioned the extraction of these components, acting as physical barrier and avoiding its complete extraction. This chapter included a review of the consequences of the use of chemical pesticides to control pests spread in plant and animals and its repercussions on the environment. Moreover, the advantages of the use of food-grade enzyme preparations as an alternative to elaborate an extract of neem without organic solvents are exposed. The results are promissory and could improve the acaricide and repellent effects of the neem extracts over pests, reducing the negative effect caused by chemical pesticides

Gene discovery for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy by machine learning techniques

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a neuromuscular disorder that shows a preference for the facial, shoulder and upper arm muscles. FSHD affects about one in 20-400,000 people, and no effective therapeutic strategies are known to halt disease progression or reverse muscle weakness or atrophy. Many genes may be incorrectly regulated in affected muscle tissue, but the mechanisms responsible for the progressive muscle weakness remain largely unknown. Although machine learning (ML) has made significant inroads in biomedical disciplines such as cancer research, no reports have yet addressed FSHD analysis using ML techniques. This study explores a specific FSHD data set from a ML perspective. We report results showing a very promising small group of genes that clearly separates FSHD samples from healthy samples. In addition to numerical prediction figures, we show data visualizations and biological evidence illustrating the potential usefulness of these results.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Nuclear envelope defects cause stem cell dysfunction in premature-aging mice

Nuclear lamina alterations occur in physiological aging and in premature aging syndromes. Because aging is also associated with abnormal stem cell homeostasis, we hypothesize that nuclear envelope alterations could have an important impact on stem cell compartments. To evaluate this hypothesis, we examined the number and functional competence of stem cells in Zmpste24-null progeroid mice, which exhibit nuclear lamina defects. We show that Zmpste24 deficiency causes an alteration in the number and proliferative capacity of epidermal stem cells. These changes are associated with an aberrant nuclear architecture of bulge cells and an increase in apoptosis of their supporting cells in the hair bulb region. These alterations are rescued in Zmpste24−/−Lmna+/− mutant mice, which do not manifest progeroid symptoms. We also report that molecular signaling pathways implicated in the regulation of stem cell behavior, such as Wnt and microphthalmia transcription factor, are altered in Zmpste24−/− mice. These findings establish a link between age-related nuclear envelope defects and stem cell dysfunction

Water quality in an aquaponics system interconnected with a biofilter

Objective: To determine the water quality of an aquaponic system interconnected by a biofilter, using loofah (Luffa cylindrica) as an inert support. Design/methodology/approach: The organisms used in the aquaponic system were juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides). The physical-chemical parameters analyzed in the water were: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, NH4+, NO2- and NO3-. The data generated in this work were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and comparison of means (Tukey p<0.05). Results: Recirculation of pond water through the biofilter and plants reduced NH4+ and NO3- by 31.6% and 18.5%, respectively. In the pond, the total ammoniacal nitrogen did not exceed 0.022 mg L-1. The survival of the fish was 100% and 725.8 g of epazotes were harvested, which did not show symptoms of mineral deficiency. Limitations on study/implications: Aquaponic production is still limited to small areas due to the costs involved in its management. Findings/conclusions: The water quality parameters of the tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)-epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides) aquaponic system, interconnected through a biofilter with Luffa cylindrica were maintained within the recommendations for said system. Keywords: Biofilter, aquaculture, mineralization, ammoniaObjective: To determine the water quality of an aquaponics system interconnected by a biofilter, using sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) as an inert support. Design/Methodology/Approach: The organisms used in the aquaponics system were juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosioides). The following physicochemical parameters of the water were analyzed: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, NH4+, NO2-, and NO3-. Data generated in this work were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and to the comparison of means (Tukey’s test, p<0.05). Results: Recirculating tank water through the biofilter and plants reduced NH4+ and NO3- by 31.6% and 18.5%, respectively. The total ammonia nitrogen in the tank did not exceed 0.022 mg L-1. The fish survival rate was 100% and 725.8 g of wormseed were harvested. The wormseed did not show symptoms of mineral deficiency. Study Limitations/Implications: Aquaponics production is still limited to small surfaces, as a consequence of the costs involved in its handling. Findings/Conclusions: Water quality parameters of the tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)-wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosioides) aquaponics system —interconnected through a biofilter with Luffa cylindrica— fulfilled the recommendations for such system

Diagnóstico del posgrado en México. Región Centro Occidente

El estudio tiene como propósito analizar la estructura institucional de la oferta del Posgrado en la Región Centro Occidente, con la finalidad de identificar fortalezas y debilidades y con ello proponer políticas públicas para el impulso de la calidad de los estudios de posgrado en México. Con base en la información nacional se elaboraron seis diagnósticos regionales y un diagnóstico nacional del posgrado. En este volumen se presentan los resultados de la Región Centro Occidente que incluye los estados Jalisco, Colima, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Michoacán y Aguascalientes. Se analizan las características de las Instituciones de Educación Superior que impactan en los posgrados que imparten, tales como origen de financiamiento, grado de desarrollo de su normativa, así como las formas de evaluación, entre otras. Se revisan las características académicas, administrativas y financieras de los programas de posgrado como niveles, orientación, modalidades, formación de competencias. Se da cuenta de las características de los actores del posgrado: estudiantes, coordinadores, egresados. Se presentan las relaciones de los posgrados con el entorno y se ofrece una sistematización y análisis cualitativo respecto a lo que los coordinadores identifican como problemas y perspectivas a futuro y estrategias de fortalecimiento del posgrado.Consejo Mexicano de Estudios de PosgradoConsejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologí

Innovación y estrategias de intervención en acoso escolar

Los problemas de convivencia escolar, violencia escolar, bullying y cyberbullying, en los centros españoles son una realidad y, por tanto, es necesario que los futuros docentes cuenten con estrategias específicas para el abordaje de estas situaciones cuando se enfrenten a la realidad de las aulas. En este manual, profesionales del área de la convivencia escolar presentan las actuaciones, programas y herramientas disponibles que en estos momentos se están poniendo en práctica en los centros escolares con resultados positivos. Así, se pretende ampliar el conocimiento teórico-práctico en el ámbito de la convivencia, gestión de conflictos y violencia escolar.EducaciónPsicologí

Use of tocilizumab in kidney transplant recipients with COVID-1

Acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with coronavirus infection is related to a cytokine storm with large interleukin-6 (IL-6) release. The IL-6-receptor blocker tocilizumab may control the aberrant host immune response in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) . In this pandemic, kidney transplant (KT) recipients are a high-risk population for severe infection and showed poor outcomes. We present a multicenter cohort study of 80 KT patients with severe COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab during hospital admission. High mortality rate was identified (32.5%), related with older age (hazard ratio [HR] 3.12 for those older than 60 years, P = .039). IL-6 and other inflammatory markers, including lactic acid dehydrogenase, ferritin, and D-dimer increased early after tocilizumab administration and their values were higher in nonsurvivors. Instead, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels decreased after tocilizumab, and this decrease positively correlated with survival (mean 12.3 mg/L in survivors vs. 33 mg/L in nonsurvivors). Each mg/L of CRP soon after tocilizumab increased the risk of death by 1% (HR 1.01 [confidence interval 1.004-1.024], P = .003). Although patients who died presented with worse respiratory situation at admission, this was not significantly different at tocilizumab administration and did not have an impact on outcome in the multivariate analysis. Tocilizumab may be effective in controlling cytokine storm in COVID-19 but randomized trials are needed