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Lipid Production from Native Oleaginous Yeasts Isolated from Southern Chilean Soil Cultivated in Industrial Vinasse Residues
No full textIn this research, six strains of oleaginous yeasts native to southern Chile were analyzed for their biotechnological potential in lipid accumulation. For this purpose, the six strains, named PP1, PP4, PR4, PR10, PR27 and PR29, were cultivated in a nitrogen-deficient synthetic mineral medium (SMM). Then, two strains were selected and cultivated in an industrial residual 'vinasse', under different conditions of temperature (degrees C), pH and carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio. Finally, under optimized conditions, the growth kinetics and determination of the lipid profile were evaluated. The results of growth in the SMM indicate that yeasts PP1 and PR27 presented biomass concentrations and lipid accumulation percentages of 2.73 and 4.3 g/L of biomass and 36.6% and 45.3% lipids, respectively. Subsequently, for both strains, when cultured in the residual vinasse under optimized environmental conditions, biomass concentrations of 14.8 +/- 1.51 g/L (C/N 80) and 15.83 +/- 0.57 g/L (C/N 50) and lipid accumulations of 28% and 30% were obtained for PP1 and PR27, respectively. The composition of the triglycerides (TGs), obtained in the culture of the yeasts in a 2 L reactor, presented 64.25% of saturated fatty acids for strain PR27 and 47.18% for strain PP1. The saturated fatty acid compositions in both strains are mainly constituted of fatty acids, myristic C 14:0, heptadecanoic C 17:0, palmitic C 16:0 and stearic C 18:0, and the monounsaturated fatty acids constituted of oleic acid C 18:1 (cis 9) (28-46%), and in smaller amounts, palmitoleic acid and heptadecenoic acid. This work demonstrates that the native yeast strains PP1 and PR27 are promising strains for the production of microbial oils similar to conventional vegetable oils. The potential applications in the energy or food industries, such as aquaculture, are conceivable
Requirements for patentability of inventions in Cuba. Notes from comparative law
Get PDFEn la investigación se realizó un análisis desde el Derecho comparado de los requisitos de patentabilidad de las invenciones en relación con la legislación cubana. Para ello, se elaboró un artículo que examina los requisitos básicos del sistema de patentes; así mismo, se definen las causas generales que inciden en las irregulares prohibiciones de contenido genérico, que se manifiestan en el reconocimiento de una invención, y los retos que surgen con respecto a la exclusión en materia patentable. También, se abordan los desafíos provocados por la falta de interpretación uniforme en cuanto a las materias no patentables.The investigation carried out an analysis of the patentability requirements of inventions and the challenges that arise with regard to patentability exclusion. For this purpose, an article was elaborated that analyzes the basic requirements of a patent system and at the same time defines the general causes that affect the irregular generic content prohibitions that are manifested in the recognition of a labor invention. It also addressed some of the reasons for the lack of uniform interpretation and recognition in modern patent systems of inventions for non-patentable materials
Trabalho Social entre o sentido comum, hegemonia e práxis: Uma análise a partir de Gramsci
Get PDFEl artículo tiene como objetivo develar la contradicción histórico-política entre el sentido común y el proyecto emancipatorio contenido en el discurso cotidiano de los trabajadores y trabajadoras sociales. La metodología que utilizo es la hermenéutica‒crítica; analizo la experiencia cotidiana objetivada en el discurso de los individuos profesionales entrevistados. Como resultados descriptivos‒interpretativos se desprende que la profesión presenta una hegemonía de perspectiva tecnocrática, y una falta de análisis crítico que sustente la acción profesional. Como conclusiones, destaco la necesidad de un sujeto profesional que asuma un rol ético‒político que permita una práctica orientada a la transformación social y una profundización teórico‒conceptual.This article aims to unveil the historical‒political contradiction between common sense and the emancipatory project in the daily discourse of social workers. A critical‒hermeneutic methodology is used in this study to objectivize everyday experience, which is analyzed in the discourse of the interviewed professionals. The descriptive ‒ interpretive results show the hegemony in the discourse produced by the social workers, evidencing technocratic approaches and a lack of critical analysis to support their practice, The authors conclude with highlighting the need for a social worker to assume an ethical – political role, which results in practice that is aimed towards social transformation and contributing to increased theoretical and conceptual knowledg
Transcriptional and Histone Acetylation Changes Associated with CRE Elements Expose Key Factors Governing the Regulatory Circuit in the Early Stage of Huntington's Disease Models
No full textHuntington's disease (HD) is a disorder caused by an abnormal expansion of trinucleotide CAG repeats within the huntingtin (Htt) gene. Under normal conditions, the CREB Binding Protein interacts with CREB elements and acetylates Lysine 27 of Histone 3 to direct the expression of several genes. However, mutant Htt causes depletion of CBP, which in turn induces altered histone acetylation patterns and transcriptional deregulation. Here, we have studied a differential expression analysis and H3K27ac variation in 4- and 6-week-old R6/2 mice as a model of juvenile HD. The analysis of differential gene expression and acetylation levels were integrated into Gene Regulatory Networks revealing key regulators involved in the altered transcription cascade. Our results show changes in acetylation and gene expression levels that are related to impaired neuronal development, and key regulators clearly defined in 6-week-old mice are proposed to drive the downstream regulatory cascade in HD. Here, we describe the first approach to determine the relationship among epigenetic changes in the early stages of HD. We determined the existence of changes in pre-symptomatic stages of HD as a starting point for early onset indicators of the progression of this disease
Microplastic Quantification in Aquatic Birds: Biomonitoring the Environmental Health of the Panjkora River Freshwater Ecosystem in Pakistan
No full textMicroplastic pollution has become a global concern, with potential negative impacts on various ecosystems and wildlife species. Among these species, ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) are particularly vulnerable due to their feeding habits and proximity to aquatic environments contaminated with microplastics. The current study was designed to monitor microplastic (MP) pollutants in the freshwater ecosystem of the Panjkora River, Lower Dir, Pakistan. A total of twenty (20) duck samples were brought up for four months and 13 days on the banks of the river, with no food intake outside the river. When they reached an average weight of 2.41 +/- 0.53 kg, all samples were sacrificed, dissected, and transported in an ice box to the laboratory for further analysis. After sample preparation, such as digestion with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH), density separation, filtration, and identification, the MP content was counted. A total of 2033 MP particles were recovered from 20 ducks with a mean value of 44.6 +/- 15.8 MPs/crop and 57.05 +/- 18.7 MPs/gizzard. MPs detected in surface water were 31.2 +/- 15.5 MPs/L. The major shape types of MPs recovered were fragments in crop (67%) and gizzard (58%) samples and fibers in surface water (56%). Other types of particles recovered were fibers, sheets, and foams. The majority of these detected MP particles were in the size range of 300-500 mu m (63%) in crops, and 50-150 mu m (55%) in gizzards, while in water samples the most detected particles were in the range of 150-300 mu m (61%). Chemical characterization by FTIR found six types of polymers. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) had the greatest polymer detection rate (39.2%), followed by polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (28.3%), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (22.7%), polystyrene (6.6%), co-polymerized polypropylene (2.5%), and polypropylene homopolymer (0.7%). This study investigated the presence of microplastics in the crops and gizzards of ducks, as well as in river surface water. The results revealed the significant and pervasive occurrence of microplastics in both the avian digestive systems and the surrounding water environment. These findings highlight the potential threat of microplastic pollution to wildlife and ecosystems, emphasizing the need for further research and effective mitigation strategies to address this pressing environmental concern
Acoustic characteristics of voice production in virtual reality-simulated and physical environments: a comparative study in university professors
No full textThis study investigated the reliability of a virtual reality-simulated classroom to generate a comparable self-perception of voice quality and acoustic effects of phonation to a real classroom in a group of teachers, and sense of presence. Thirty university professors participated in the study and were required to produce loud connected speech by reading a 100-word text in two conditions: (1) in a real classroom including a group of students, and (2) in a virtual replica of the classroom consisting of a 360-degree video of the same classroom and students, which was displayed using a head mounted display. Ambient noise was controlled in both conditions by playing classroom noise through headphones. The self-perception of voice quality, the long-term average spectrum and smooth cepstral peak prominence were estimated in both conditions. The sense of presence generated by virtual reality was measured after interacting with the virtual classroom. There were no statistically significant differences in the self-perception of voice quality or in the acoustic measures of voice production between conditions. The sense of presence in the virtual classroom was high. Our findings suggest that a virtual reality-simulated classroom generate comparable self-perception of voice quality and acoustic effects of phonation to the real classroom, and a high sense of presence, in a group of teachers. Additionally, it is important to highlight the potential of virtual reality to enhance the ecological validity of acoustic assessment of voice production in laboratories and clinical settings
Knowledge and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors of Chilean adolescents attending urban and rural schools. Is it necessary to focus the prevention strategies according to territorial relevance?
No full textBackground: HIV infection has sustained increased in the Chilean young population. In order to focus on sexual education in adolescents, it is first necessary to establish the degree of knowledge and risk behaviors in this group. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the degree of knowledge and HIV/ AIDS risk behaviors in adolescents from rural and urban schools. Material and Methods: The study included 385 adolescents between 14 and 18 years old. Through an anonymous survey, sociodemographic data, knowledge about HIV/ AIDS, risk behaviors, and ways of accessing information were collected. Results: A third of the adolescents surveyed (33.6%) reported having initiated sexual activity, primarily men. Rural students showed lower knowledge of HIV/AIDS. 32.2% of individuals who initiated sexual activity reported nonuse or rarely use of condoms, and only 4.4% of students have had an HIV detection/diagnostic test. Although the students had received information mainly from their teachers, they reported that if they needed help, they would go to health centers, youth programs, and, to a lesser extent, to teachers. They also preferred access to information in workshops, on the Internet, and social networks. Conclusions: We observed regular knowledge of HIV/AIDS among adolescents. Rural students showed less knowledge and several risk behaviors. These findings emphasize the need to establish sexual education strategies in adolescents, considering the territory and the use of new technologies
Drivers of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity Across 1,000 km of Chilean Vineyards
No full textArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities associated to several grapevine cultivars were analyzed from 1,000 km long of crop area in Chile. The effect that different cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. may have on AMF communities has been scarcely studied, especially in non-organic managements. Our objective was to describe the AMF communities and quantify the arbuscular mycorrhizal root colonization associated to several grapevine cultivars in different grapevine ages along a 1,000 km long cropping surface and to test whether factors such as grapevine cultivar and grapevine age, as well as soil chemical factors shapes AMF communities. The vineyards were distributed along 1,000 km across Chile, passing through several administrative regions of the country. The different grapevines ranged from 1 to 41 years old. AMF identification and taxonomy was performed based on spore morphological analyses. AMF spores abundance, root colonization and extraradical mycelium (ERC) were also evaluated. More than 94,000 AMF spores were identified in the 34 vineyards investigated. In total, 15 AMF species were identified in this study. The AMF community was mainly represented by species belonging to the families Acaulosporaceae, Entrophosporaceae and Glomeraceae, dominated by the genera Acaulospora, Claroideoglomus, Septoglomus and Simiglomus. Regardless of grapevine age, soil chemistry and geographic location, the AMF community structure was influenced by grapevine cultivar. Grapevine age, soil chemistry and geographic location no affect AMF richness, AMF spores abundance, root colonization and extraradical mycelium (ERC). The AMF species identified in our work could be indicators of agricultural systems exposed to biotic and abiotic stresses in different grapevine age, soil chemistry and geographic location, according to the transect investigated. A role of vineyard cultivar in determining the structure of the AMF community was revealed. The use of AMF species target in regenerative vineyards management could be determining factors for the AMF community establishment
¿Cuánto resiste la memoria? Destrucción y patrimonialización de la Villa San Luis de Las Condes
Get PDFEl artículo busca comprender los procesos de destrucción y patrimonialización de la villa San Luis de Las Condes de Santiago de Chile, entre 1976 y la actualidad, desde una perspectiva historiográfica y antropológica. A partir de la revisión de bibliografía, prensa, fuentes oficiales y archivos personales, y la realización de entrevistas y observaciones en terreno, se analiza de manera crítica el desalojo forzoso de los pobladores de la villa durante la dictadura cívico militar de Augusto Pinochet –en un violento y poco estudiado episodio de violación a los Derechos Humanos en materia de vivienda–, y la destrucción y conversión de gran parte del sector en un lujoso distrito económico, al calor de la consolidación del régimen económico neoliberal. Se releva la importancia de la acción organizada de los ex pobladores en la defensa y activación patrimonial de los vestigios de la villa –que permitieron su declaratoria como Monumento Histórico en 2017–, y en la controversial puesta en valor del sitio como lugar de memoria en los últimos años. El estudio pretende ser un aporte a la reflexión teórica y un seguimiento actualizado a las disputas patrimoniales suscitadas en torno al proyecto de intervención, memorialización y musealización de las ruinas de la villa, patrimonio de los Derechos Humanos e hito urbano que, desde su materialidad desintegrada y fisurada, sostiene la memoria de un pasado traumático para los ex pobladores del conjunto habitacional, y, al mismo tiempo, resiste al olvido y a la presión de grupos económicos.This article seeks to understand the processes of destruction and patrimonialization of the villa San Luis de Las Condes in Santiago de Chile from a historiographical and anthropological perspective, between 1976 and the present. Based on a review of literature, press, official sources, and personal archives, as well as interviews and on-site observations, this article critically analyzes the forced eviction of the residents of the villa during the civic-mili-tary dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet –which is a violent and under-studied episode of human rights violation in the housing sector–, and the destruction and transformation of a significant part of the sector into a luxurious economic district, in the context of the merging of the neoliberal economic regime. This article highlights the importance of the organized action of the former resi-dents in defending and activating the heritage of the villa’s vestiges –which led to its declaration as a Historical Monument in 2017–, and the controversial valorization of the site as a place of memory in recent years. The study aims to contribute to theoretical reflection and updated monitoring of the heritage disputes surrounding the intervention, memorialization, and musealization projects of the villa’s ruins. As well as the heritage of Human Rights and ur-ban landmark that, despite its disintegrated and fissured materiality, sustains the memory of a traumatic past for the former inhabitants of the residential complex. And, at the same time, resists oblivion and the pressure of economic groups