We studied the global and local M-Z relation based on the first data available from the CALIFA survey (150 galaxies). This survey provides integral field spectroscopy of the complete optical extent ...of each galaxy, with a resolution high enough to separate individual HIT regions and/or aggregations. About 3000 individual HIT regions have been detected. The spectra cover the wavelength range between 0113727 and SIT 6731, with a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio to derive the oxygen abundance and star-formation rate associated with each region. In addition, we computed the integrated and spatially resolved stellar masses based on SDSS photometric data. We explore the relations between the stellar mass, oxygen abundance and star-formation rate using this dataset. Our results agree with the scenario in which gas recycling in galaxies, both locally and globally, is much faster than other typical timescales, such like that of gas accretion by inflow and/or metal loss due to outflows. In essence, late-type/disk-dominated galaxies seem to be in a quasi-steady situation, with a behavior similar to the one expected from an instantaneous recycling/closed-box model.
The hemoparasite
Trypanosoma
equiperdum
belongs to the Trypanozoon subgenus and includes several species that are pathogenic to animals and humans in tropical and subtropical areas across the world. ...As with all eukaryotic organisms, Ca
2+
is essential for these parasites to perform cellular processes thus ensuring their survival across their life cycle. Despite the established paradigm to study proteins related to Ca
2+
homeostasis as potential drug targets, so far little is known about Ca
2+
entry into trypanosomes. Therefore, in the present study, the presence of a plasma membrane Ca
2+
-channel in
T. equiperdum
(TeCC), activated by sphingosine and inhibited by verapamil, is described. The TeCC was cloned and analyzed using bioinformatic resources, which confirmed the presence of several domains, motifs, and a topology similar to the Ca
2+
channels found in higher eukaryotes. Biochemical and confocal microscopy assays using antibodies raised against an internal region of human L-type Ca
2+
channels indicate the presence of a protein with similar predicted molar mass to the sequence analyzed, located at the plasma membrane of
T. equiperdum
. Physiological assays based on Fura-2 signals and Mn
2+
quenching performed on whole parasites showed a unidirectional Ca
2+
entry, which is activated by sphingosine and blocked by verapamil, with the distinctive feature of insensitivity to nifedipine and Bay K 8644. This suggests a second Ca
2+
entry for
T. equiperdum
, different from the store-operated Ca
2+
entry (SOCE) previously described. Moreover, the evidence presented here for the TeCC indicates molecular and pharmacological differences with their mammal counterparts, which deserve further studies to evaluate the potential of this channel as a drug target.
The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of incorporation of ash from biomass incinerator as raw material on the production of ceramic bricks for their application in construction. ...So, for the fabrication of bricks, compositions were prepared with addition of increasing amounts of waste ash (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% in wt.) in the clay body. The mixed samples were sintered using conventional powder processing based on powder compaction at 54.5 MPa and firing them at 950 °C without the addition of additives. Effect on apparent density, water absorption and mechanical properties were investigated. The results showed that water absorption increased and apparent density and compressive strength decreased with higher amounts of ash. Bricks with an ash content up to 20% meet the UNE standards compressive strength. As a result, since interesting performances were observed, the potential use of ashes from biomass incinerator up to 20 wt.% in ceramic formulations of industrial interest was confirmed. In this sense, incorporating ashes into clay body reduces environmental problems and total cost of raw material disposition.
In this paper, we study the chemical history of low-mass star-forming (SF) galaxies in the local universe clusters Coma, A1367, A779, and A634. The aim of this work is to search for the imprint of ...the environment on the chemical evolution of these galaxies. Galaxy chemical evolution is linked to the star formation history, as well as to the gas interchange with the environment, and low-mass galaxies are well known to be vulnerable systems to environmental processes affecting both these parameters. For our study we have used spectra from the SDSS-III DR8. We have examined the spectroscopic properties of SF galaxies of stellar masses 10 super(8)-10 super(10) M sub(middot in circle), located from the core to the cluster's outskirts. The gas-phase O/H and N/O chemical abundances have been derived using the latest empirical calibrations. We have examined the mass-metallicity relation of cluster galaxies, finding well-defined sequences. The slope of these sequences, for galaxies in low-mass clusters and galaxies at large cluster-centric distances, follows the predictions of recent hydrodynamic models. A flattening of this slope has been observed for galaxies located in the core of the two more massive clusters of the sample, principally in Coma, suggesting that the imprint of the cluster environment on the chemical evolution of SF galaxies should be sensitive to both the galaxy mass and the host cluster mass. The H I gas content of Coma and A1367 galaxies indicates that low-mass SF galaxies, located at the core of these clusters, have been severely affected by ram-pressure stripping (RPS). The observed mass-dependent enhancement of the metal content of low-mass galaxies in dense environments seems plausible, according to hydrodynamic simulations. This enhanced metal enrichment could be produced by the combination of effects such as wind reaccretion, due to pressure confinement by the intracluster medium (ICM), and the truncation of gas infall, as a result of the RPS. Thus, the properties of the ICM should play an important role in the chemical evolution of low-mass galaxies in clusters.
ABSTRACT
We analysed the photometry of 20 038 cool stars from campaigns 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the K2 mission in order to detect, characterize, and validate new planetary candidates transiting ...low-mass stars. We present a catalogue of 25 new periodic transit-like signals in 22 stars, of which we computed the parameters of the stellar host for 19 stars and the planetary parameters for 21 signals. We acquired speckle and AO images, and also inspected archival Pan-STARRS1 images and Gaia DR2 to discard the presence of close stellar companions and to check possible transit dilutions due to nearby stars. False positive probability (FPP) was computed for 22 signals, obtaining FPP < $1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for 17. We consider 12 of them as statistically validated planets. One signal is a false positive and the remaining 12 signals are considered as planet candidates. 20 signals have an orbital period of P$_{\rm orb} \lt 10\,\mathrm{ d}$, 2 have $10\, \mathrm{ d} \lt $ P$_{\rm orb} \lt 20\, \mathrm{ d}$, and 3 have P$_{\rm orb} \gt 20\, \mathrm{ d}$. Regarding radii, 11 candidates and validated planets have computed radius R < 2R⊕, 9 have 2R⊕ < R < 4R⊕, and 1 has R > 4R⊕. Two validated planets and two candidates are located in moderately bright stars ($\rm \mathit{ m}_{kep}\lt 13$) and two validated planets and three candidates have derived orbital radius within the habitable zone according to optimistic models. Of special interest is the validated warm super-Earth K2-323 b (EPIC 248616368 b) with T$_{\rm eq} = 318^{+24}_{-43} \, \mathrm{ K}$, S$_{\rm p} = 1.7\pm 0.2 \, \mathrm{ S}_{\oplus }$, and R$_{\rm p} = 2.1\pm 0.1 \, \mathrm{ R}_{\oplus }$, located in an m$\rm _{kep}$ = 14.13 star.
Occupational footwear is intended to provide protection against the risks associated with work activities. The choice of footwear is complex due to the welfare, health and safety conditions of ...workers.
To identify the injuries and problems caused by occupational footwear through a systematic review of the existing literature.
A literature search was carried out in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Dialnet Plus, Pubmed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases over the period 2000-23, following the PRISMA Declaration guidelines.
A total of 27 studies were included in the review. The results indicated that there is a wide variety of injuries caused by occupational footwear: from dermal injuries (e.g. calluses) and injuries to the nail apparatus to inflammatory pathologies such as plantar fasciitis or bursitis. In addition, inappropriate footwear can cause pain in the ankle and foot, knees, hips and lower back. Other results include the discomfort derived from the footwear itself.
Inappropriate footwear can cause injuries to the foot and other related bone structures. Further studies are needed on the detection of foot injuries caused by occupational footwear and the levels of action at this level to improve the worker's health, the adaptability of the footwear to the wearer, and the worker's comfort and adherence to the footwear.
ABSTRACT
Whole‐genome duplication, or polyploidy, is common in many plant species and often leads to better adaptation to adverse environmental condition. However, little is known about the ...physiological and molecular determinants underlying adaptation. We examined the drought tolerance in diploid (2x) and autotetraploid (4x) clones of Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia) rootstocks grafted with 2x Valencia Delta sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) scions, named V/2xRL and V/4xRL, respectively. Physiological experiments to study root–shoot communication associated with gene expression studies in roots and leaves were performed. V/4xRL was much more tolerant to water deficit than V/2xRL. Gene expression analysis in leaves and roots showed that more genes related to the response to water stress were differentially expressed in V/2xRL than in V/4xRL. Prior to the stress, when comparing V/4xRL to V/2xRL, V/4xRL leaves had lower stomatal conductance and greater abscisic acid (ABA) content. In roots, ABA content was higher in V/4xRL and was associated to a greater expression of drought responsive genes, including CsNCED1, a pivotal regulatory gene of ABA biosynthesis. We conclude that tetraploidy modifies the expression of genes in Rangpur lime citrus roots to regulate long‐distance ABA signalling and adaptation to stress.
In this paper, we characterized the physiological and molecular adaptation of Diploid (2x) and autotetraploid (4x) clones of Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia) rootstocks grafted with 2x Valencia Delta sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) for water deficit tolerance. We observed that V/2xRL presented higher water consumption than V/4xRL which was correlated to a greater abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis in 4x roots in control and stress conditions. We also demonstrated that in 4x roots present a much greater expression of drought responsive genes, including CsNCED1 (a pivotal regulatory gene of ABA biosynthesis). Then, tetraploidy modifies the expression of genes in the roots to regulate plant signaling and adaptation to stress. To our knowledge, these are the first results explaining the molecular and physiological determinants of water deficit tolerance in polyploids.
After biological treatment, coke wastewater contains small amounts of phenolic compounds resistant to such treatment. The removal of phenols and COD from coke wastewater subjected to biological ...treatment was studied. The adsorbents used were granular activated carbon and the resins XAD-2, AP-246 and OC-1074. Equilibrium, kinetics and column assays were carried out, fitting the equilibrium data to Langmuir and Freundlich models and the kinetic data to the Lagergren equation. The best results were obtained with GAC, which presented higher adsorption capacities. In the equilibrium assays, the adsorption capacities (
Q) found were 1.48
mg
g
−1 for GAC versus 0.07 and 0.04
mg
g
−1 for resins AP-246 and OC-1074, respectively. In the kinetic assays, the values of the Lagergren adsorption parameter,
q
e, were 1.69, 0.15 and 0.14
mg
g
−1 for GAC, AP-246 and OC-1074, respectively. In the column assays, the dynamic capacity of GAC for up to 480
bed
volumes was 1.82
mg
mL
−1. No saturation was obtained for this volume due to the asymptotic shape of the breakthrough curve, whereas for the same percolated volume, the resins AP-246 and OC-1074 were saturated. These two resins presented similar saturation capacities of around 1.1
mg
mL
−1.
Acute lethal and sublethal toxicity of the imidazolinone imazethapyr (IMZT)-based commercial formulation herbicide Pivot H® (10.59% IMZT) was evaluated on Hypsiboas pulchellus tadpoles. Whereas ...mortality was used as the end point for lethality, frequency of micronuclei (MNs) and other nuclear abnormalities as well as DNA single-strand breaks evaluated by the single cell gel electrophoresis assay were employed to test genotoxicity. Behavioral, growth, developmental, and morphological abnormalities were also employed as sublethal end points. Mortality studies revealed equivalent LC50 (96h) values of 1.49mg/L (confidence limit, 1.09–1.63) and 1.55mg/L (confidence limit, 1.51–1.60) IMZT for Gosner stage (GS) 25 and GS36, respectively. Behavioral changes, i.e., irregular swimming and immobility, as well as a decreased frequency of keratodonts were observed. The herbicide increased the frequency of MNs in circulating erythrocytes of tadpoles exposed for 48h to the highest concentration assayed (1.17mg/L). However, regardless of the concentration of the herbicide assayed, an enhanced frequency of MNs was observed in tadpoles exposed for 96h. The herbicide was able to induce other nuclear abnormalities, i.e., blebbed and notched nuclei, only when tadpoles were exposed for 96h. In addition, we observed that exposure to IMZT within the 0.39–1.17mg/L range increased the genetic damage index in treatments lasting for both 48 and 96h. This study represents the first evidence of acute lethal and sublethal effects exerted by IMZT on amphibians. Finally, our findings highlight the properties of this herbicide that jeopardize nontarget living species exposed to IMZT.
•Lethality and genotoxicity of imazethapyr were used as endpoints in H. pulchellus.•Imazethapyr-based formulations induced DNA primary lesions in blood cells.•First evidence of genotoxicity exerted by imazethapyr-based formulations on tadpoles.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the enhancement of biogas production from cattle manure (CM) at pilot-plant scale using: a) ultrasound pretreatment (US) (520 kJ/kg Total Solids (TS); ...409.59 kJ), b) co-digestion with crude glycerine (Gly) from the biodiesel industry (6% w/w), and c) US pretreatment (520 kJ/kg TS; 340.84 kJ), applied to the aforementioned mixture of both substrates prior to anaerobic co-digestion. The reactor used for this purpose was an Induced Bed Reactor (IBR), with a useful volume of 1250 L. Methane production from CM was enhanced by the application of low-energy ultrasound pretreatment (520 kJ/kg TS) (from 0.29 to 0.46 m3 CH4/kg Volatile Solids (VSadded)), and by co-digestion with Gly (from 0.29 to 0.44 m3 CH4/kg VSadded). The best results were obtained when the mixture of CM + Gly was pretreated by US (up to 0.59 m3 CH4/kg VSadded). Observation by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the microstructural changes the CM underwent after pretreatment and/or co-digestion with crude glycerine enabled the discussion and justification of the results obtained in the present study.
•Biogas production from cattle manure was enhanced by prior sonication.•Adding 6% (w/w) of crude glycerine to cattle manure increased biogas production.•Sonicated cattle manure plus crude glycerine produced 54.4 m3 biogas/t waste.•Biogas production of sonicated (CM+ 6% Gly) was similar at laboratory and pilot scale.•Scanning electron microscopy enabled the discussion and justification of the results.