On the heating of source of the Orion KL hot core

We present images of the J=10-9 rotational lines of HC3N in the vibrationally excited levels 1v7, 1v6 and 1v5 of the hot core (HC) in Orion KL. The images show that the spatial distribution and the size emission from the 1v7 and 1v5 levels are different. While the J=10-9 1v7 line has a size of 4''x 6'' and peaks 1.1'' NE of the 3 mm continuum peak, the J=10--9 1v5 line emission is unresolved (<3'') and peaks 1.3'' south of the 3 mm peak. This is a clear indication that the HC is composed of condensations with very different temperatures (170 K for the 1v7 peak and $>230$ K for the 1v5 peak). The temperature derived from the 1v7 and 1v5 lines increases with the projected distance to the suspected main heating source I. Projection effects along the line of sight could explain the temperature gradient as produced by source I. However, the large luminosity required for source I, >5 10^5 Lsolar, to explain the 1v5 line suggests that external heating by this source may not dominate the heating of the HC. Simple model calculations of the vibrationally excited emission indicate that the HC can be internally heated by a source with a luminosity of 10^5 Lsolar, located 1.2'' SW of the 1v5 line peak (1.8'' south of source I). We also report the first detection of high-velocity gas from vibrationally excited HC3N emission. Based on excitation arguments we conclude that the main heating source is also driving the molecular outflow. We speculate that all the data presented in this letter and the IR images are consistent with a young massive protostar embedded in an edge-on disk.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, To be published in Ap.J. Letter

Fusarium wilt of banana by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4: contingency planning, best farm biosecurity practices for prevention and capacity building in Latin America & Caribbean.

Banana world production (2015) was133.7 million ton and is the most important fruit commodity representing a gross value of 45 billion USD. Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) produce 24 % of the banana world production and 64% of this production are locally consumed, representing food security and livelihoods for millions people. Seven countries of the region belong to the top-10 exporting nations. Fusarium wilt (FW) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) is a major threat for this crop. Current increment of movement of persons, commodities and germplasm, increase risks of transboundary movement of pests putting under press exotic pest surveillance. Measures implementation to prevent introduction and dissemination of diseases should be a shared responsibility between National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPO) and growers. Most important defense line to reduce the threat imposed by Foc TR4 are developing and implementation of contingency plans and basic farm biosecurity procedures to prevent introductions. This report review FW dispersal ways and the best practices to prevent its introduction to production sites. Contingency plans bring scientific, organizational and regulatory bases of actions to implement by NPPO for opportune management (identification, diagnostic, eradication-confining, suppression-contention-management, financial and logistic resources) of an eventual outbreak of FocTR4 in region. Farm biosecurity practices are simple basic measures addressed to reduce risks of exotic pathogen introductions to production sites: a) Workers and public awareness. B) Persons and equipment decontamination at entry/exit of farms. C) Limitation of access of persons, transport and equipment to and among fields. D) Use of certified healthy planting material. E) Enhance of soil disease suppressiveness. F) Frequent surveillance of disease. G) Immediate report of unusual situations. Bioversity International, OIRSA, FAO and NPPO since 2009 has been developing awareness and capacity building workshops on prevention disease detection and diagnosis in LAC

Examining Retirement Housing Preferences Among International Retiree Migrants

Housing demand models based on individual consumers' utility function reflect preferences about the structure and lot, neighborhood, and location as related to socioeconomic characteristics of the occupants. As a growing proportion of aging residents in many countries are undertaking late life moves, their preferences will have an influence on destination housing markets. We examine the characteristics, attitudes and preferences about retirement housing among immigrant retirees currently living in traditional housing in a retirement destination in Alicante, Spain. Using results from a survey of German and British retirees living in the region, we find through logistic regression that preference for retirement housing is associated with aging and gaining access to in-home support services.Housing preferences; Demographic trends; Seniors housing

Workshop 3: Pests and diseases in bananas - projecting the effects of climate change.

Over several decades, ProMusa has addressed important disease threats such as black leaf streak (black Sigatoka), Fusarium wilt, banana streak viruses and Banana bunchy top virus

Synthesis of slow-wave structures based on capacitive-loaded lines through aggressive space mapping (ASM)

This article is focused on the automated synthesis of slow-wave structures based on microstrip lines loaded with patch capacitors. Thanks to the presence of the shunt capacitors, the effective capacitance of the line is enhanced, and the phase velocity of the structure can be made significantly smaller than the one of the unloaded line. The target is to achieve the layout of the slow-wave structure able to provide the required slow-wave ratio, characteristic (Bloch) impedance and electrical length (i.e., the usual specifications in the design of slow-wave transmission lines). To this end, a two-step synthesis method, based on the aggressive space mapping (ASM) algorithm, is proposed for the first time. Through the first ASM algorithm, the circuit schematic providing the target specifications is determined. Then, the second ASM optimizer is used to generate the layout of the structure. To illustrate the potential of the proposed synthesis method, three application examples are successfully reported. The two-step ASM algorithm is able to provide the layout of the considered structures from the required specifications, without the need of an external aid in the process.This work has been supported by MINECO-Spain (projects TEC2010-17512 METATRANSFER, TEC2010-21520-C04-01, TEC2013-47037-C5-1-R, CONSOLIDER EMET CSD2008-00066, TEC2013-40600-R and TEC2013-49221-EXP), Generalitat de Catalunya (project 2014SGR-157), Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats (who has awarded Ferran Martin) and FEDER Funds. Marco Orellana acknowledges the support of the Universidad de Costa Rica, MICITT and CONICIT to study at the Univesitat Autonoma de Barcelona.Orellana, M.; Selga, J.; Sans, M.; Rodriguez Perez, AM.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Martín Antolín, JF. (2015). Synthesis of slow-wave structures based on capacitive-loaded lines through aggressive space mapping (ASM). International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering. 25(7):629-638. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmce.20901S629638257F. Martín J. Bonache M. Durán-Sindreu J. Naqui F. Paredes G. Zamora 1 25Gorur, A. (1994). A novel coplanar slow-wave structure. IEEE Microwave and Guided Wave Letters, 4(3), 86-88. doi:10.1109/75.275589Sor, J., Qian, Y., & Itoh, T. (2001). Miniature low-loss CPW periodic structures for filter applications. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 49(12), 2336-2341. doi:10.1109/22.971618Shau-Gang Mao, & Ming-Yi Chen. (2001). A novel periodic electromagnetic bandgap structure for finite-width conductor-backed coplanar waveguides. IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, 11(6), 261-263. doi:10.1109/7260.928932Martín, F., Falcone, F., Bonache, J., Lopetegi, T., Laso, M. A. G., & Sorolla, M. (2003). New CPW low-pass filter based on a slow wave structure. Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, 38(3), 190-193. doi:10.1002/mop.11011Garcia-Garcia, J., Bonache, J., & Martin, F. (2006). Application of Electromagnetic Bandgaps to the Design of Ultra-Wide Bandpass Filters With Good Out-of-Band Performance. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 54(12), 4136-4140. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2006.886155Bandler, J. W., Biernacki, R. M., Shao Hua Chen, Grobelny, P. A., & Hemmers, R. H. (1994). Space mapping technique for electromagnetic optimization. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 42(12), 2536-2544. doi:10.1109/22.339794Bandler, J. W., Biernacki, R. M., Shao Hua Chen, Hemmers, R. H., & Madsen, K. (1995). Electromagnetic optimization exploiting aggressive space mapping. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 43(12), 2874-2882. doi:10.1109/22.475649Koziel, S., Cheng, Q., & Bandler, J. (2008). Space mapping. IEEE Microwave Magazine, 9(6), 105-122. doi:10.1109/mmm.2008.929554Koziel, S., & Bandler, J. W. (2007). Space-Mapping Optimization With Adaptive Surrogate Model. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 55(3), 541-547. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2006.890524S. Koziel Q.S. Cheng J.W. Bandler 1995 1998Koziel, S., Bandler, J. W., & Cheng, Q. S. (2010). Robust Trust-Region Space-Mapping Algorithms for Microwave Design Optimization. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 58(8), 2166-2174. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2010.2052666Q.S. Cheng J.W. Bandler N.K. Nikolova S. Koziel 1 4L.J. Rogla J.E. Rayas-Sanchez V.E. Boria J. Carbonell 111 114P.J. Bradley 1 4P.J. Bradley 1 17 2013J. Selga A. Rodríguez V.E. Boria F. MartínJ. Selga A. Rodríguez J. Naqui M. Durán-Sindreu V.E. Boria F. Martín 2013J. Selga M. Sans A. Rodríguez J. Bonache V. Boria F. Martín 1 4Sans, M., Selga, J., Rodriguez, A., Bonache, J., Boria, V. E., & Martin, F. (2014). Design of Planar Wideband Bandpass Filters From Specifications Using a Two-Step Aggressive Space Mapping (ASM) Optimization Algorithm. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 62(12), 3341-3350. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2014.2365477Broyden, C. G. (1965). A class of methods for solving nonlinear simultaneous equations. Mathematics of Computation, 19(92), 577-577. doi:10.1090/s0025-5718-1965-0198670-6Marqus, R., Martn, F., & Sorolla, M. (2007). Metamaterials with Negative Parameters. doi:10.1002/978047019173

The Metabolic Core and Catalytic Switches Are Fundamental Elements in the Self-Regulation of the Systemic Metabolic Structure of Cells

[Background] Experimental observations and numerical studies with dissipative metabolic networks have shown that cellular enzymatic activity self-organizes spontaneously leading to the emergence of a metabolic core formed by a set of enzymatic reactions which are always active under all environmental conditions, while the rest of catalytic processes are only intermittently active. The reactions of the metabolic core are essential for biomass formation and to assure optimal metabolic performance. The on-off catalytic reactions and the metabolic core are essential elements of a Systemic Metabolic Structure which seems to be a key feature common to all cellular organisms. [Methodology/Principal Findings] In order to investigate the functional importance of the metabolic core we have studied different catalytic patterns of a dissipative metabolic network under different external conditions. The emerging biochemical data have been analysed using information-based dynamic tools, such as Pearson's correlation and Transfer Entropy (which measures effective functionality). Our results show that a functional structure of effective connectivity emerges which is dynamical and characterized by significant variations of bio-molecular information flows. [Conclusions/Significance] We have quantified essential aspects of the metabolic core functionality. The always active enzymatic reactions form a hub –with a high degree of effective connectivity- exhibiting a wide range of functional information values being able to act either as a source or as a sink of bio-molecular causal interactions. Likewise, we have found that the metabolic core is an essential part of an emergent functional structure characterized by catalytic modules and metabolic switches which allow critical transitions in enzymatic activity. Both, the metabolic core and the catalytic switches in which also intermittently-active enzymes are involved seem to be fundamental elements in the self-regulation of the Systemic Metabolic Structure.Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC),grant 201020I026. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN). Programa Ramon y Cajal. Campus de Excelencia Internacional CEI BioTIC GENIL, grant PYR-2010-14. Junta de Andalucia, grant P09-FQM-4682

Bioprocess optimization for generation of hepatocytes derived from hiPSC and its application in primary hyperoxaluria type 1 disease modelling

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the hepatic alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT). Defective AGT in PH1 patients is characterized by excessive oxalate synthesis, which leads to a broad range of kidney complications including the end-stage renal disease [1]. Combined liver-kidney transplantation remains the only effective treatment; however significant morbidity, mortality and costs encouraged the development of advanced cell- and gene-based therapies for PH1. Thus, our aim was to implement a novel strategy to generate high numbers of functional hepatocyte-like cells (HLC) from PH1 patient derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (PH1.hiPSC), for PH1 disease modelling and further application in drug and therapeutics development. PH1.HLC were differentiated as 3D aggregates in stirred-tank bioreactors (STB) operated in perfusion, according to the integrated bioprocess previously developed by our group [2,3]. Briefly, PH1.hiPSC were aggregated and expanded in STB for 4 days preceding the hepatic differentiation. hiPSC to HLC commitment begin by culturing the 3D aggregates in different medium formulations (from Takara BioEurope AB). Two different dissolved oxygen (pO2) conditions were explored: a normoxia (pO2: uncontrolled, 95% air, 5% CO2) throughout the differentiation process (21 days) and a hypoxia with a low oxygen (pO2: 4% O2) environment between day 4 and day 14 of the differentiation. Our results showed that PH1-hiPSC successfully proliferated as 3D aggregates with an expansion factor of 6-fold after 4 days in culture while maintaining their pluripotent phenotype. Low dissolved oxygen concentration during hepatic specification, generate higher yields of HLC and improve gene expression levels of ALB, A1AT and CYP3A4 hepatic markers when compared with HLC differentiated under uncontrolled pO2 conditions. Moreover, Flow cytometry analysis, revealed a higher hepatocyte content of 80% (low pO2) vs 43% (uncontrolled pO2) for albumin, showing a higher process efficiency. Transcriptomic analysis using RNAseq confirmed that hepatocyte differentiation was enhanced in the low dissolved oxygen condition. In addition, these PH1.HLC showed functional characteristics typical of hepatocytes including production of important hepatic proteins (albumin, alpha 1 antitrypsin), urea and bile acids. PH1.HLC also display drug metabolization capacity, CYP450 activity and, by histological assessment, glycogen storage and positive staining for albumin and AFP markers. To further characterize the PH1 disease features, we performed a detailed metabolomic analysis and demonstrated that PH1.HLC show defective AGT activity with significantly higher production and secretion of oxalate for PH1.HLC when compared with HLC generated from healthy counterparts. Overall, controlling the dissolved oxygen concentration at key stages of the hepatic differentiation process improved cell yield and the maturation status of HLC. The bioprocess developed and optimized in this work offers high relevance not only for generation of more accurate in vitro models to study PH1 rare disease, but also towards the development of novel therapies. Acknowledgements & Funding: this study was funded by a grant from ERA-NET E-Rare 3 research program, JTC ERAdicatPH (E-Rare3/0002/2015) and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia project MetaCardio (PTDC/BTM-SAL/32566/2017); iNOVA4Health – UIDB/04462/2020 and UIDP/04462/2020, a program financially supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, through national funds is acknowledged. P. V., J. I. A. were supported by FCT fellowships SFRH/BD/145767/2019, SFRH/BD/116780/2016 respectively. [1] P. Cochat, N. Engl. J. Med., vol. 369, no. 7, pp. 649–658, 2013. [2] B. Abecasis, J. Biotechnol., vol. 246, pp. 81–93, 2017. [3] I. Isidro, Biotechnol Bioeng, vol. 118, 3610–3617, 2021

Shortcomings of international standard iso 9223 for the classification, determination, and estimation of atmosphere corrosivities in subtropical archipelagic conditions—The case of the Canary Islands (Spain)

grant ProID2017010042The classification, assessment, and estimation of the atmospheric corrosivity are fixed by the ISO 9223 standard. Its recent second edition introduced a new corrosivity category for extreme environments CX, and defined mathematical models that contain dose–response functions for normative corrosivity estimations. It is shown here that application of the ISO 9223 standard to archipelagic subtropical areas exhibits major shortcomings. Firstly, the corrosion rates of zinc and copper exceed the range employed to define the CX category. Secondly, normative corrosivity estimation would require the mathematical models to be redefined introducing the time of wetness and a new set of operation constants.publishersversionpublishe