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Abstract The practical development of compact modern nanophotonic devices relies on the availability of fast and low-cost fabrication techniques applicable to a wide variety of materials and designs. We have engraved a split grating geometry on stainless steel using femtosecond laser processing. This structure serves as a template to fabricate efficient plasmonic sensors, where a thick gold layer is grown conformally on it. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images confirm the generation of the split laser-induced periodic spatial structures. The optical reflectance of our sensors shows two dips corresponding to the excitation of surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) at two different wavelengths. Furthermore, the asymmetric shape of these spectral responses reveals a strong and narrow Fano resonance. Our computational electromagnetism models accurately reproduce the reflectivity of the fabricated structure. The spectral responses of both the simulated and fabricated structures are fitted to the Fano model that coherently combines the narrow SPRs with the broad continuum background caused by diffraction. The parameters extracted from the fitting, such as the resonance wavelengths and line widths, are used to evaluate the performance of our device as a refractometric sensor for liquids. The maximum sensitivity and figure of merit are 880 nm/RIU and 80 RIU−1, respectively. Besides the compact design of our sensing device, its performance exceeds the theoretical maximum sensitivity of a classical Kretschmann setup.

The purpose of this study is to analyse the constitutionality of Law 19/2022, based on the theory of the rights of nature, specifically its compatibility with the constitutional framework used by the Spanish State (Art. 149.1.23 of the Spanish Constitution) as a regulatory basis in the new field of the rights of nature and its impact on the regulatory possibilities of the autonomous communities. This article also studies the Law from the perspective of legal certainty (Art. 9.3 of the Spanish Constitution).

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected marginalized groups in the United States. Although most children have mild or asymptomatic COVID-19, some experience severe disease and long-term complications. However, few studies have examined health disparities in severe COVID-19 outcomes among US children.ObjectiveTo examine disparities in the clinical outcomes of infants and children aged

The research aimed to generate bioelectricity using pepper waste and the microalgae Spirulina sp by a double-chamber microbial fuel cell (dcMFC). A dcMFC was constructed with Cu and Zn electrodes, where organic waste and microalgae were placed in the anodic and cathodic chambers, respectively. Also, electrochemical parameters were measured for 35 days. Finally, possible electrogenic microorganisms were isolated and identified. It was possible to generate maximum values of current (6.04414 ± 0.2145 mA) and voltage (0.77328 ± 0.213 V). The maximum conductivity value was 134.1636 ± 7.121 mS/cm, while the internal resistance value was 83.784 ±7.147Ω. The values of power and current density reached were 584.45 ± 19.14 mW/cm 2 and 5.983 A/cm 2, respectively. The optimal operating pH was 4.59 ± 0.14. From the microbial growth on the anode, the yeast Yarrowia phangngaensis (1) and Pseudomonas stutzeri (2) were identified, which may be involved in the transfer of electrons to the electrode. In conclusion, it was possible to generate clean energy in a laboratory-scale dcMFC when pepper waste and Spirulina sp. were used. These results are promising because organic waste can generate sustainable and environmentally friendly energy.

Corticosterone (CORT) release during learning experiences is associated with strong memories and activity of the glucocorticoid receptor. It has been shown that lesions of the dorsal striatum (DS) of rats trained in the cued version of the Morris water maze impair memory, and that local injection of CORT improves its performance, suggesting that DS activity is involved in procedural memory which may be modulated by CORT. We trained rats in cued Morris water maze and analyzed the effect of CORT synthesis inhibition on performance, CORT levels, expression of plasticity-involved genes, such as the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), casein kinase 2 (CK2), and the serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1), as well as the presence of phosphorylated nuclear glucocorticoid receptor in serine 232 (pGR-S232) in the DS. The inhibition of CORT synthesis by metyrapone reduced CORT levels in plasma, prevented its increment in DS and impaired the performance of cued water maze. Additionally, there was an increase of CK2 and SGK1 mRNAs expression in trained subjects, which was unrelated to CORT levels. Finally, we did not observe changes in nuclear pGR-S232 in any condition. Our findings agree with evidence demonstrating that decreasing CORT levels hinders acquisition and consolidation of the spatial version of the Morris water maze; these novel findings broaden our knowledge about the involvement of the DS in the mechanisms underlying procedural memory.

El trabajo analiza los diversos aspectos que rodean a la cuestión probatoria de los estados mentales ajenos. Primeramente, se explican los argumentos por los cuales parte de la doctrina sostiene que los estados mentales ajenos no serían susceptibles de ser conocidos ni probados, sino -a lo sumo- imputados. Luego, se analizan detenidamente cada uno de estos postulados para dejar en evidencia que detrás de los mismos se esconden variadas confusiones terminológicas y conceptuales. Finalmente, se explica de qué forma y mediante qué razonamientos los estados mentales ajenos serían susceptibles de ser conocidos y probados.

Enzo Traverso, Revolución: Una historia intelectual

Blazed gratings are periodic surface structures of great interest for applications such as friction control, light trapping, and spectrometry. While different laser processing methods have been explored to produce these elements, they have not yet surpassed conventional surface manufacturing techniques, often based on lithography processes or mechanical ruling. This work introduces a new approach based on the combination of ultrashort pulses and triangular beam shaping, which enables the generation of asymmetrical grooves in a single step. The main advantage of this strategy is that by simply changing the laser processing direction we can induce a significant modification in the ratio of asymmetry between the sidewall angles of the machined channels. The paper includes a comprehensive study, which has been supported by statistical tools, of the effect of this and other experimental parameters on the morphology of grooves machined on stainless steel. As a result, we achieved a wide range of geometries, with asymmetry ratios spanning from 1 to 5 and channel depths between 3 and 15 µm. Furthermore, we demonstrate the validity of the approach through the successful manufacture of blazed gratings of various slopes. The results reflect the versatility and cost-efficiency of the proposed fabrication strategy, and thus its potential to streamline the production of sawtooth gratings and other devices that are based on asymmetrical features.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the production of complex three-dimensional (3D) structures; however, the efficient and precise fabrication of thin profiles remains a challenge. This study explores the application of femtosecond-laser-based additive manufacturing techniques for the production of thin profiles with micron-scale features, reaching profile thicknesses below 100 µm. The study investigates the effects of scanning strategy, with optimized processing parameters, on the fabrication of thin profiles; wall thickness measurements were carried out using various technologies to analyse the influence of each on the resulting values. The quality of the walls was quantified by means of a visual characterization of the melted volumes, analysing the evolution of the measured thickness with regard to the processing conditions and in relation to the theoretical thicknesses of the walls.

IntroductionWe compared hospitalization outcomes of young children hospitalized with COVID-19 to those hospitalized with influenza in the United States.MethodsPatients aged 0-

The dumping of organic waste in the areas surrounding food supply centers and the excessive use of fossil fuels for energy generation have generated major pollution problems worldwide. One of the novel solutions is the use of organic waste for electricity generation through the use of microbial fuel cell technology. In this research, low-cost, laboratory-scale, double-chamber microbial fuel cells were fabricated using zinc and copper as electrodes and avocado waste as fuel. Current and voltage values of 3.7326 ± 0.05568 mA and 0.74 ± 0.02121 V were achieved on the seventh day, with an optimum operating pH of 5.98 ± 0.16 and a maximum electrical conductivity of 94.46 ± 5.12 mS/cm. The cells showed a very low operating resistance of 71.480 Ω, indicating the good electrical conductivity of the electrodes. Likewise, a power density of 566.80 ± 13.48 mW/cm2 at a current density of 5.165 A/cm2 was generated. This research provides an eco-friendly solution to farmers and companies dedicated to the export and import of this fruit because it shows the benefits of using their own waste for the generation of electricity, reducing costs.

Agriculture in the Canary Islands has greater limitations than in the rest of Spain due to the cultivation areas being geographically limited and the abrupt orography of the archipelago. As a result, in certain situations, tillage of the land is more complex and costs increase. This study focuses on the island of Tenerife and aims to identify the determining variables that directly affect the price of agricultural land, considering the type of crop. For this purpose, a survey was designed for farm managers on the island of Tenerife and, after analysing the responses, we focused on tubers, legumes, vineyards, bananas, and cereals. A multilinear regression model showed that the highest land price corresponds to those farms destined for banana production, with a value of 16.52 €/m^2^. The price of agricultural land on the island of Tenerife was found to be eight times higher than the European average. The main factors impacting this value are irrigation, the orography of the land, and the presence of farm buildings.

Partiendo de que existe toda una serie de pensadores contemporáneos que inscriben sus esfuerzos en la Teoría Crítica de la sociedad, llegándose a reconocer a sí mismos como miembros o continuadores de la tradición, en el presente artículo me propongo efectuar un conjunto de consideraciones sobre la situación actual y porvenir de ella. Situando mi iniciativa de investigación en aquel más amplio terreno historiográfico-intelectual en el que la llamada Escuela de Frankfurt ha sido examinada de diferentes modos, procederé centrándome no en el pasado mayor o menormente conocido de esta constelación o campo de fuerzas sino, sobre todo, en el actual estado de cosas que se ha configurado como resultado de la intervención del filósofo social Axel Honneth (1). La atención concedida a esa peculiar realidad me permitirá, en pasos sucesivos, ensayar una aproximación cartográfica mediante la cual pueda darse cuenta de las principales entonaciones que ha adquirido la Teoría Crítica de la sociedad después de Honneth (2), como así también establecer algunas hipótesis relativas a los posibles futuros de la misma (3). Identificador permanente (ARK): http://id.caicyt.gov.ar/ark:/s18535925/zr4xzahhz ORCID Id: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0813-2679

Introduction: The identification of chemical compounds that interfere with SARS-CoV-2 replication continues to be a priority in several academic and pharmaceutical laboratories. Computational tools and approaches have the power to integrate, process and analyze multiple data in a short time. However, these initiatives may yield unrealistic results if the applied models are not inferred from reliable data and the resulting predictions are not confirmed by experimental evidence.Methods: We undertook a drug discovery campaign against the essential major protease (MPro) from SARS-CoV-2, which relied on an in silico search strategy –performed in a large and diverse chemolibrary– complemented by experimental validation. The computational method comprises a recently reported ligand-based approach developed upon refinement/learning cycles, and structure-based approximations. Search models were applied to both retrospective (in silico) and prospective (experimentally confirmed) screening.Results: The first generation of ligand-based models were fed by data, which to a great extent, had not been published in peer-reviewed articles. The first screening campaign performed with 188 compounds (46 in silico hits and 100 analogues, and 40 unrelated compounds: flavonols and pyrazoles) yielded three hits against MPro (IC50 ≤ 25 μM): two analogues of in silico hits (one glycoside and one benzo-thiazol) and one flavonol. A second generation of ligand-based models was developed based on this negative information and newly published peer-reviewed data for MPro inhibitors. This led to 43 new hit candidates belonging to different chemical families. From 45 compounds (28 in silico hits and 17 related analogues) tested in the second screening campaign, eight inhibited MPro with IC50 = 0.12–20 μM and five of them also impaired the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cells (EC50 7–45 μM).Discussion: Our study provides an example of a virtuous loop between computational and experimental approaches applied to target-focused drug discovery against a major and global pathogen, reaffirming the well-known “garbage in, garbage out” machine learning principle.

Background: Long COVID has become a central public health concern. This study characterized the effectiveness of BNT162b2 BA.4/5 bivalent COVID-19 vaccine (bivalent) against long COVID symptoms. Methods: Symptomatic US adult outpatients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 were recruited between 2 March and 18 May 2023. Symptoms were assessed longitudinally using a CDC-based symptom questionnaire at Week 4, Month 3, and Month 6 following infection. The odds ratio (OR) of long COVID between vaccination groups was assessed by using mixed-effects logistic models, adjusting for multiple covariates. Results: At Week 4, among 505 participants, 260 (51%) were vaccinated with bivalent and 245 (49%) were unvaccinated. Mean age was 46.3 years, 70.7% were female, 25.1% had ≥1 comorbidity, 43.0% prior infection, 23.0% reported Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir use. At Month 6, the bivalent cohort had 41% lower risk of long COVID with ≥3 symptoms (OR: 0.59, 95% CI, 0.36–0.96, p = 0.034) and 37% lower risk of ≥2 symptoms (OR: 0.63, 95% CI, 0.41–0.96, p = 0.030). The bivalent cohort reported fewer and less durable symptoms throughout the six-month follow-up, driven by neurologic and general symptoms, especially fatigue. Conclusions: Compared with unvaccinated participants, participants vaccinated with the bivalent were associated with approximately 40% lower risk of long COVID and less symptom burden over the six-month study duration.

Sherry Farzan,1– 4 Tyrone Coyle,1– 3 Gina Coscia,1– 3 Andre Rebaza,2,5 Maria Santiago2,5 1Division of Allergy & Immunology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Northwell Health System, Great Neck, NY, USA; 2Department of Pediatrics, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Northwell Health System, Queens, NY, USA; 3Department of Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Northwell Health System, Manhasett, NY, USA; 4Institute of Health System Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health System, Manhasset, NY, USA; 5Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Northwell Health System, New York, NY, USACorrespondence: Sherry Farzan, Division of Allergy & Immunology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Northwell Health System, 865 Northern Blvd, Suite 101, Great Neck, NY, 11021, USA, Tel +1 516-622-5070, Fax +1 516-622-5060, Email sfarzan@northwell.eduAbstract: The rates of asthma and obesity are increasing concurrently in the United States. Epidemiologic studies demonstrate that the incidence of asthma increases with obesity. Furthermore, obese individuals have asthma that is more severe, harder to control, and resistant to standard medications. In fact, specific asthma-obesity phenotypes have been identified. Various pathophysiologic mechanisms, including mechanical, inflammatory, metabolic and microbiome-associated, are at play in promulgating the obese-asthma phenotypes. While standard asthma medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids and biologics, are currently used to treat obese asthmatics, they may have limited effectiveness. Targeting the underlying aberrant processes, such as addressing steroid resistance, microbiome, metabolic and weight loss approaches, may be helpful.Keywords: asthma, obesity, body mass index, BMI

Evidence on the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on symptoms, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) is scarce. We analyzed associations between bivalent BA.4/5 BNT162b2 (BNT162b2) and these patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Symptomatic US adults testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 were recruited between 2 March and 18 May 2023 (CT.gov NCT05160636). PROs were assessed using four questionnaires measuring symptoms, HRQoL and WPAI (a CDC-based symptom survey, PROMIS Fatigue, EQ-5D-5L, WPAI-GH), from pre-COVID to Week 4 following infection. Multivariable analysis using mixed models for repeated measures was conducted, adjusting for several covariates. The study included 643 participants: 316 vaccinated with BNT162b2 and 327 unvaccinated/not up-to-date. Mean (SD) age was 46.5 years (15.9), 71.2% were female, 44.2% reported prior infection, 25.7% had ≥1 comorbidity. The BNT162b2 cohort reported fewer acute symptoms through Week 4, especially systemic and respiratory symptoms. All PROs were adversely affected, especially at Week 1; however, at that time point, the BNT162b2 cohort reported better work performance, driven by less absenteeism, and fewer work hours lost. No significant differences were observed for HRQoL COVID-19 negatively impacted patient outcomes. Compared with unvaccinated/not up-to-date participants, those vaccinated with bivalent BA.4/5 BNT162b2 reported fewer and less persistent symptoms and improved work performance.

COVID-19 infection adversely impacts patients’ wellbeing and daily lives. This survey-based study examined differences in patient-reported COVID-19 symptoms, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) among groups of patients defined based on age and symptom-based long COVID status. Symptomatic, COVID-19-positive US outpatients were recruited from 31 January–30 April 2022. Outcomes were collected via validated instruments at pre-COVID, Day 3, Week 1, Week 4, Month 3 and Month 6 following infection, with changes assessed from pre-COVID and between groups, adjusting for covariates. EQ-5D-5L HRQoL and WPAI scores declined in all groups, especially during the first week. Long COVID patients reported significantly higher symptoms burden and larger drops in HRQoL and WPAI scores than patients without long COVID. Their HRQoL and WPAI scores did not return to levels comparable to pre-COVID through Month 6, except for absenteeism. Patients without long COVID generally recovered between Week 4 and Month 3. Older (>50) and younger adults generally reported comparable symptoms burden and drops in HRQoL and WPAI scores. During the first week of infection, COVID-19-related health issues caused loss of 14 to 26 work hours across the groups. These data further knowledge regarding the differential impacts of COVID-19 on clinically relevant patient groups.

Baculoviruses are insect-specific pathogens widely used in biotechnology. In particular, the Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) has been exploited as a platform for bio-inputs production. This is why the improvement of the technologies used for the production of recombinant baculoviruses takes on particular relevance. To achieve this goal, we developed a highly versatile baculoviral transfer vector generation system called PluriBAC. The PluriBAC system consists of three insert entry levels using Golden Gate assembly technology. The wide availability of vectors and sticky ends allows enough versatility to combine more than four different promoters, genes of interest, and terminator sequences. Here, we report not only the rational design of the PluriBAC system but also its use for the generation of baculoviral reporter vectors applied to different fields of biotechnology. We demonstrated that recombinant AcMNPV baculoviruses generated with the PluriBAC system were capable of infecting Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. On the other hand, we found that the recombinant budded virions (BV) generated using our system were capable of transducing different types of tumor and normal cells both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that the PluriBAC system could constitute a versatile tool for the generation of insecticide and gene therapy vectors.

Molting is an important process in which old and worn feathers are exchanged for new ones. Plumage color is determined by pigments such as carotenes, melanin and by the ultrastructure of the feather. The importance of plumage coloration has been widely studied in different groups of birds, generally at a particular time of the year. However, plumage coloration is not static and few studies have addressed the change in plumage color over time and its relationship to reproductive tasks. The Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata, Des Murs, 1847) has a melanistic coloration with sexual dichromatism in different body regions. The Eared Dove´s crown is the most exposed body region during the bowing display. Our objective was therefore to accurately determine the molting period of the crown feathers and study the seasonal variation in their coloration in females and males. Our findings indicate a molting period of 6 months (January to June). The new feathers are undergoing changes in their coloration from July to December. During that period we apply an avian vision model then enabled us to reveal a seasonal variation in the coloration of the crown feathers in both sexes, as given by a change in the chromatic distances. The highest values in the chromatic distances towards the reproductive period are given by a change in the UV-violet component of the spectrum, indicating changes in the microstructure of the feather. This change in crown coloration towards the breeding season could be linked to reproductive behaviors.

Sherry Farzan,1– 4 André Rebaza,2,5 Shipra Rai,2 Maria Santiago2,5 Northwell Health COVID-19 Research Consortium1Division of Allergy & Immunology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, NY, USA; 2Department of Pediatrics, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New Hyde Park, NY, USA; 3Department of Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, USA; 4Institute of Health System Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA; 5Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New Hyde Park, NY, USACorrespondence: Sherry FarzanDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy & Immunology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, 865 Northern Blvd. Suite 101, Great Neck, NY, 11021, USATel +1 516-622-5070Fax +1 516-622-5060Email sfarzan@northwell.eduPurpose: It is unclear whether asthma is a risk factor for the development of COVID-19; however, severe asthma is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. While systemic corticosteroids are beneficial during the inflammatory phase of COVID-19, the impact of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is unclear. We sought to characterize asthmatics admitted with COVID-19 early in the pandemic, determine if baseline factors are associated with more severe COVID-19 disease, and if the use of ICS may mitigate the severity of COVID-19.Patients and Methods: A retrospective chart review of hospitalized asthma patients > 18 years testing positive for SARS-CoV2 from March to June 2020 was performed. Baseline demographic and asthma variables were collected. COVID-19 outcomes and laboratory values were extracted and compared between sex, race, ethnicity, and ICS use.Results: Of the 906 patient charts reviewed, 787 asthmatics were confirmed to be admitted for symptomatic COVID-19. Sex differences were found in hospitalization and intubation. Non-Hispanic patients had a significantly greater number of days on ventilator. Patients on ICS were 1.6 times more likely to be discharged on supplemental oxygen compared to patients not on ICS (p = 0.01).Conclusion: While our findings confirm trends observed by others with respect to risk factors among asthmatics with COVID-19, differences based on sex, ethnicity and ICS use in asthmatics were observed. Our finding that ICS use was associated with discharge with oxygen is novel. Future research is needed to study the trajectory of asthmatics from diagnosis to outcomes.Keywords: asthma, COVID-19, sex, inhaled corticosteroids, outcomes

Summary: Chemically induced dimerization (CID) is a useful tool for artificially inducing protein-protein interactions. Although CID has been used extensively for live-cell microscopy applications in mammalian systems, it is rarely utilized in yeast cell biology studies. Here, we present a step-by-step protocol for the utilization of a CID system in live-cell microscopy experiments of budding yeast endocytosis. While focusing on the study of endocytosis, this protocol framework is adaptable to the study of other cellular processes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Lamb et al. (2021).

This research aimed to use kiwi waste as fuel to generate bioelectricity through microbial fuel cells. It was possible to generate an electrical current and voltage peaks of 3.807 ± 0.102 mA and 0.993 ± 0.061 V on day 11, showing an electrical conductivity of 189.82 ± 3.029 mS/cm and an optimum operating pH of 5.966 ± 0.121. The internal resistance of the cells was calculated using Ohm’s Law, resulting in a value of 14.957 ± 0.394 Ω, while the maximum power density was 212.68 ± 26.84 mW/m2 at a current density of 4.506 A/cm2. Through the analysis of the FTIR spectra carried out on the substrate, a decrease in the characteristic organic peaks was observed due to their decomposition during the electricity-generation process. In addition, it was possible to molecularly identify the bacteria Comamonas testosteroni, Sphingobacterium sp., and Stenotropho-monas maltophila adhered to the anodized biofilm. Finally, the capacity of this residue to generate bioelectricity was demonstrated by lighting an LED bulb with a voltage of 2.85 V.

The present study aimed to contribute to the diagnosis and advance the knowledge of the impacts of land use change and climate change on the tropical longleaf forest biome at the continental scale in South America (Biome 1 according to the WWF classification) for realizing scientific progress in the search for convincing strategies and actions by different actors for the preservation of forests in the continent. The status and climate of the area, which harbors the tropical longleaf forests of South America, were assessed. Moreover, volumetric soil moisture (VSM) was evaluated through maps and simulation using the autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA). Furthermore, future climate scenarios were predicted based on El Niño–Southern Oscillation phenomena, meteorological systems, and scientific evidence, such as the shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) and sociopolitical dynamics evident in the region from the case analysis of the Brazilian states of Acre and Rio de Janeiro. An increase was noted in the temperature and range of precipitation variation in the biome. ARIMA analysis indicated changes of up to 0.24 m3 m−3 and an increased range of future VSM values. The December–January–February (DJF) quarter recorded the highest VSM median with the measurement scale of 0.05 to 0.44 m3 m−3, while the June–July–August (JJA) quarter recorded the lowest value. The regions of the biome with the lowest VSM values included southern Amazon (Ecuador, Peru, and the Brazilian states of Acre, Mato Grosso, Pará, and Maranhão), Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Southeast Region, and the Brazilian state of Bahia.

Objective: Children with no pathogenic bacteria in the nasopharynx are unlikely to have acute bacterial sinusitis. We evaluated whether information on clinical presentation, viral co-detection, and mucosal cytokine levels could be used to predict presence of bacteria in the nasopharynx.Method: We obtained nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs from children diagnosed with acute sinusitis. NP swabs were processed for bacterial culture, viral PCR testing, and cytokine expression. We examined whether results of the bacterial culture could be predicted based on the presence of clinical information, presence of viruses or mucosal cytokine levels.Results: We enrolled 174 children; 123 (71%) had a positive culture for potentially pathogenic bacteria and 51 (29%) had normal flora. 122/174 (70%) tested positive for one or more viruses. Compared to children with normal flora, children with pathogenic bacteria were more likely to have viruses (p < 0.01), but this relationship disappeared when we adjusted for age. Children with pathogenic bacteria in their nasopharynx and children with normal flora had similar levels of nasal cytokines.Conclusion: In children with clinically diagnosed acute sinusitis, clinical presentation, levels of nasal cytokines, and presence of viruses do not differentiate children with and without pathogenic bacteria in their nasopharynx.

Background and aims: Baccharis notosergila is an aggressive weed inhabiting the Salado river basin, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The aims of this work were: to analyze the morpho-anatomy and histochemistry of aerial vegetative organs in order to understand the adaptation strategies that ensure its survival, as well as to expand knowledge on traits determining resistance to the control methods applied. M&M: The material collected was prepared and examined with conventional techniques of microscopy. Histochemical tests to identify starch, resins, polyphenols, and lipophilic substances were performed. Results: The major features found were small and deciduous leaves; uniseriate epidermis with massive and striate cuticle; stomata at level or slightly above the other epidermal cells and glandular trichomes secreting oily substances; stomata on both surfaces and isobilateral mesophyll. Tannins, starch and lipophilic substances were identified in leaves and stems; polyphenols, resins and lipids in ducts, and calcium oxalate crystals in leaves, stems and capitate trichomes. Conclusions: The aerial vegetative organs features of B. notosergila explain its tolerance to the unfavorable conditions of the Salado river basin area, as well as its high competitive ability over others species of the natural prairie. The reduced and deciduous leaves, the epidermal traits, and chemical substances found constitute a physical and chemical barrier reducing dehydration as well as the penetration of the herbicides applied for its control. Botanical knowledge of B. notosergila is the basis for the design and development of new and appropriate management methods for this species.

The excessive use of fossil sources for the generation of electrical energy and the increase in different organic wastes have caused great damage to the environment; these problems have promoted new ways of generating electricity in an eco-friendly manner using organic waste. In this sense, this research uses single-chamber microbial fuel cells with zinc and copper as electrodes and pineapple waste as fuel (substrate). Current and voltage peaks of 4.95667 ± 0.54775 mA and 0.99 ± 0.03 V were generated on days 16 and 20, respectively, with the substrate operating at an acid pH of 5.21 ± 0.18 and an electrical conductivity of 145.16 ± 9.86 mS/cm at two degrees Brix. Thus, it was also found that the internal resistance of the cells was 865.845 ± 4.726 Ω, and a maximum power density of 513.99 ± 6.54 mW/m2 was generated at a current density of 6.123 A/m2, and the final FTIR spectrum showed a clear decrease in the initial transmittance peaks. Finally, from the biofilm formed on the anodic electrode, it was possible to molecularly identify the yeast Wickerhamomyces anomalus with 99.82% accuracy. In this way, this research provides a method that companies exporting and importing this fruit may use to generate electrical energy from its waste.

The accelerated increase in energy consumption by human activity has generated an increase in the search for new energies that do not pollute the environment, due to this, microbial fuel cells are shown as a promising technology. The objective of this research was to observe the influence on the generation of bioelectricity of sucrose, with different percentages (0%, 5%, 10% and 20%), in papaya waste using microbial fuel cells (MFCs). It was possible to generate voltage and current peaks of 0.955 V and 5.079 mA for the cell with 20% sucrose, which operated at an optimal pH of 4.98 on day fifteen. In the same way, the internal resistance values of all the cells were influenced by the increase in sucrose, showing that the cell without sucrose was 0.1952 ± 0.00214 KΩ and with 20% it was 0.044306 ± 0.0014 KΩ. The maximum power density was 583.09 mW/cm2 at a current density of 407.13 A/cm2 and with a peak voltage of 910.94 mV, while phenolic compounds are the ones with the greatest presence in the FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) absorbance spectrum. We were able to molecularly identify the species Achromobacter xylosoxidans (99.32%), Acinetobacter bereziniae (99.93%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (100%) present in the anode electrode of the MFCs. This research gives a novel use for sucrose to increase the energy values in a microbial fuel cell, improving the existing ones and generating a novel way of generating electricity that is friendly to the environment.

The use of organic waste as fuel for energy generation will reduce the great environmental problems currently caused by the consumption of fossil sources, giving agribusiness companies a profitable way to use their waste. In this research, tomato waste with different percentages of sucrose (0-target, 5, 10, and 20%) was used in microbial fuel cells manufactured on a laboratory scale with zinc and copper electrodes, managing to generate maximum peaks of voltage and a current of 1.08 V and 6.67 mA in the cell with 20% sucrose, in which it was observed that the optimum operating pH was 5.29, while the MFC with 0% (target) sucrose generated 0.91 V and 3.12 A on day 13 with a similar pH, even though all the cells worked in an acidic pH. Likewise, the cell with 20% sucrose had the lowest internal resistance (0.148541 ± 0.012361 KΩ) and the highest power density (224.77 mW/cm2) at a current density of 4.43 mA/cm2, while the MFC with 0% sucrose generated 160.52 mW/cm2 and 4.38 mA/cm2 of power density and current density, respectively, with an internal resistance of 0.34116 ± 0.2914 KΩ. In this sense, the FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) of all the substrates used showed a high content of phenolic compounds and carboxylate acids. Finally, the MFCs were connected in a series and managed to generate a voltage of 3.43 V, enough to light an LED (green). These results give great hope to companies and society that, in the near future, this technology can be taken to a larger scale.

In our study, the cathodic material xLi2MnO3–(1−x)LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 was synthesized by means of the co-precipitation technique. The effect of x (proportion of components Li2MnO3 and LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2) on the structural, morphological, and electrochemical performance of the material was evaluated. Materials were structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the morphological analysis was performed using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique, while charge–discharge curves and differential capacity and impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to study the electrochemical behavior. The results confirm the formation of the structures with two phases corresponding to the rhombohedral space group R3m and the monoclinic space group C2/m, which was associated to the components of the layered material. Very dense agglomerations of particles between 10 and 20 µm were also observed. In addition, the increase in the proportion of the LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 component affected the initial irreversible capacity and the Li2MnO3 layer’s activation and cycling performance, suggesting an optimal chemical ratio of the material’s component layers to ensure high energy density and long-term durability.

The environmental problems caused by the excessive use of fossil fuels for electricity generation have led to the development of new technologies. Microbial fuel cells constitute a technology that uses organic sources for electricity generation. This research gives a novel means of using Golden Berry waste as fuel for electricity generation through microbial fuel cells made at low cost, achieving current and voltage peaks of 4.945 ± 0.150 mA and 1.03 ± 0.02 V, respectively. Conductivity values increased up to 148 ± 1 mS/cm and pH increased up to 8.04 ± 0.12 on the last day. The internal resistance of cells was 194.04 ± 0.0471 Ω, while power density was 62.5 ± 2 mW/cm2 at a current density of 0.049 A/cm2. Transmittance peaks of the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum showed a decrease when comparing the initial and final spectra, while the bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was molecularly identified with an identity percentage of 99.93%. The three cells connected in series managed to generate 2.90 V, enough to turn on a TV remote control. This research has great potential to be scalable if it is possible to increase the electrical parameters, generating great benefits for companies, farmers, and the population involved in the production and marketing of this fruit.

Clay minerals are often used due to their high adsorption capacity, which has sparked interest in their biological applications to stabilize drugs and pharmaceutical products. This research aims to summarize information about the stability of drugs, cosmetics, dermocosmetics, and pharmaceutical compounds incorporated in the structure of different clay minerals. The databases used to search the articles were Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct. Photostabilization of these compounds is reviewed and its importance demonstrated. For biological applications, the increase in solubility and bioavailability of clay minerals has proven useful for them as drug carriers. While their natural abundance, low toxicity, and accessible cost have contributed to classical applications of clay minerals, a wide range of interesting new applications may be facilitated, mainly through incorporating different organic molecules. The search for new functional materials is promising to challenge research on clay minerals in biological or biotechnological approaches.

The enormous environmental problems that arise from organic waste have increased due to the significant population increase worldwide. Microbial fuel cells provide a novel solution for the use of waste as fuel for electricity generation. In this investigation, onion waste was used, and managed to generate maximum peaks of 4.459 ± 0.0608 mA and 0.991 ± 0.02 V of current and voltage, respectively. The conductivity values increased rapidly to 179,987 ± 2859 mS/cm, while the optimal pH in which the most significant current was generated was 6968 ± 0.286, and the ° Brix values decreased rapidly due to the degradation of organic matter. The microbial fuel cells showed a low internal resistance (154,389 ± 5228 Ω), with a power density of 595.69 ± 15.05 mW/cm2 at a current density of 6.02 A/cm2; these values are higher than those reported by other authors in the literature. The diffractogram spectra of the onion debris from FTIR show a decrease in the most intense peaks, compared to the initial ones with the final ones. It was possible to identify the species Pseudomona eruginosa, Acinetobacter bereziniae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Yarrowia lipolytica adhered to the anode electrode at the end of the monitoring using the molecular technique.