• Advances in environmental research
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.229-243
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• 2013

Coagulation-flocculation (CF) was tested coupled with an aerobic biofilter to reduce total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHs) concentration and toxicity from petrochemical wastewater. The efficiency of the process was followed using turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The biofilter was packed with a basaltic waste (tezontle) and inoculated with a bacterial consortium. Toxicity test were carried out using Lactuca sativa var. capitata seeds. Best results for turbidity removal were obtained using alum. Considerable turbidity removal was obtained when using Opuntia spp. COD removal with alum was 25%, for Opuntia powder it was 36%. The application of the biofilter allowed the removal of 70% of the remaining TPHs after 30 days with a biodegradation rate (BDR) value 47 $mgL^{-1}d^{-1}$. COD removal was slightly higher with BDR value 63 $mgL^{-1}d^{-1}$. TPH kinetics allowed a degradation rate constant equal to $4.05{\times}10^{-2}d^{-1}$. COD removal showed similar trend with $k=4.23{\times}10^{-2}d^{-1}$. Toxicity reduction was also successfully achieved by the combined treatment process.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.587-599
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• 2017

The immune response against Trichinella spiralis at the intestinal level depends on the $CD4^+$ T cells, which can both suppress or promote the inflammatory response through the synthesis of diverse cytokines. During the intestinal phase, the immune response is mixed (Th1/Th2) with the initial predominance of the Th1 response and the subsequent domination of Th2 response, which favor the development of intestinal pathology. In this context, the glucocorticoids (GC) are the pharmacotherapy for the intestinal inflammatory response in trichinellosis. However, its therapeutic use is limited, since studies have shown that treatment with GC suppresses the host immune system, favoring T. spiralis infection. In the search for novel pharmacological strategies that inhibit the Th1 immune response (proinflammatory) and assist the host against T. spiralis infection, recent studies showed that resiniferatoxin (RTX) had anti-inflammatory activity, which decreased the serum levels of IL-12, $INF-{\gamma}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, NO, and $PGE_2$, as well the number of eosinophils in the blood, associated with decreased intestinal pathology and muscle parasite burden. These researches demonstrate that RTX is capable to inhibit the production of Th1 cytokines, contributing to the defense against T. spiralis infection, which places it as a new potential drug modulator of the immune response.

• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.410-417
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• 2020

Fungal ecological interactions play a key role in structuring community assemblages. These associations may involve both antagonistic and synergistic relationships, which are commonly influenced by abiotic factors such as nutrient conditions. However, information for extreme, oligotrophic systems remain poor. Herein, interactions among key members of the aquatic transient fungal community (Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sp., and Coprinellus micaceus) of a low-nutrient freshwater system in the Cuatro Ci enegas Basin, Mexico were studied. Pairwise interaction bioassays were explored in vitro under different nutrient conditions, including carbohydrates-rich, carbohydrates and amino peptides-rich, and low nutrients. Our results indicated that antagonistic patterns prevail among the studied taxa. However, nutrient-dependent changes were observed in Cladosporium sp. shifting to synergy under carbohydrates-rich conditions, suggesting changes in the fungal community composition as a result of nutrient enrichment. Remarkably, our findings contrast with previous work demonstrating mainly synergistic interactions between our tested fungal isolates and co-occurring autochthonous bacteria (Aeromonas spp. and Vibrio sp.) under low-nutrient conditions. This observation may indicate that bacteria and fungi exhibit distinct community-level responses, driven by nutrient conditions. This contributes to the knowledge of fungal community dynamics and interspecific interactions in an oligotrophic ecosystem, highlighting the relevance of nutrient-based shifts and antagonistic interactions in ecosystem dynamics.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.33
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• pp.309-330
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• 2013

This paper explores the concept of pure language introduced in Walter Benjamin's "The Task of the Translator" and looks at various perspectives on this concept represented in theories of Paul De Man and Gilles Deleuze and a short story of Jorge Luis Borges. According to "The Task of the Translator," pure language is defined as a vessel of which fragments are the original and the translation. Just as fragments are part of a vessel, so the original and the translation are fragments of a greater language, which is pure language. On the other hand, De Man, from a deconstructive criticism, says that pure language does not exist except as a permanent disjunction, which inhabits all languages as such, and that any work is totally fragmented in relation to this pure language and every translation is totally fragmented in relation to the original. While De Man consider pure language incorporeal, Deleuzian interpretation regards it as a virtual object or differenciator in relation to which the two series of the original and the translation coexist and resonate. Finally in Borges's "Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote" Menard attempt to translate Cervantes's Don Quixote identically in every detail. By showing a case in which the original and the translation are the same, Borges raises a question what would take place in relation to pure language if the original and the translation were identical. In Deleuze, identity and resemblance are the result of a differenciator, but in Borges, identity is a differenciator which produces differences. If we apply this logic to the last paragraph of "The Task of the Translator," we can say the interlinear version of Scriptures, as the prototype or ideal of all translation, in the form of which the original and the translation must be one, is a differenciator, an endless difference-making machine.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.468-472
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• 2023

Bilateral posterior communicating (pComm) artery aneurysms represent only 2% of mirror intracranial aneurysms. Usually, these are surgically approached through bilateral craniotomies for clipping. We present the case of a 50-year-old female presenting with headache and horizontal diplopia. Neurological examination revealed a left oculomotor palsy, with no other neurological deficits. Imaging studies revealed bilateral aneurysmatic lesions in both internal carotid arteries (ICA). A conventional left pterional approach was planned in order to treat the symptomatic aneurysm, and, if deemed feasible, a contralateral clipping through the same approach. The procedure was performed in a hybrid operating room (HOR), performing an intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and roadmapping assistance during dissection and clipping. Transoperatively, a post-fixed optic chiasm was identified, with a wide interoptic space, which allowed us to perform the contralateral clipping through a unilateral approach. This technique for clipping bilateral pComm aneurysms can be performed when the proper anatomical features are met.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 2003

Production of ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides usually referred to as bacteriocins is an inducible trait in several gram positive bacteria, particularly in those belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria. In many of these organisms, production of bacteriocins is inducible and induction requires secretion and extracellular accumulation of peptides that act as chemical messengers and trigger bacteriocin production. These inducer peptides are often referred to as autoinducers and are believed to permit a quorum sensing-based regulation of bacteriocin production. Notably, the peptides acting as autoinducers are dedicated peptides with or without antimicrobial activity or the bacteriocins themselves. The autoinducer-dependent induction of bacteriocin production requires histidine protein kinases and response regulator proteins of two-component signal transduction systems. The current working model for the regulation of class II bacteriocin production in lactic acid bacteria and the most relevant direct and indirect pieces of evidence supporting the model are discussed in this minireview.

• Journal of Communications and Networks
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.309-318
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• 2003

This paper presents an in-depth study of a UWB indoor radio channel between 1 and 9 GHz, which was used for the subsequent development of a new statistical UWB multipath channel model, focusing on short range indoor scenarios. The channel sounding process was carried out covering different indoor environments, such as laboratories, halls or corridors. A combination of new and traditional parameters has been used to accurately model the channel impulse response in order to perform a precise temporal estimation of the received pulse shape. This model is designed specifically for UWB digital systems, where the received pulse is correlated with an estimated replica of itself. The precision of the model has been verified through the comparison with measured data from equivalent scenarios and cases, and highly satisfactory results were obtained.

• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2012

Micro Electric Vehicles are considered as a solution for reducing $CO_2$ emissions, however, it is difficult to evaluate its impact in a local community when it has been introduced. In this study, we evaluated how to spread the Micro EV within the community, using the utility derived from a multinomial logit model, and analyze the effect on $CO_2$ emissions. The householder's utility model is based on an investigation about Kiryu citizen's activities of shopping, transportation methods, etc. Using the geographic information system, we get the distances of each householder and the stores, and estimate a multinomial logit model about the combination choices of shopping stores and transportation method.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.187-202
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• 2009

This paper focuses on the flexural behavior of RC beams externally strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) fabric. A non-linear finite element (FE) analysis strategy is proposed to support the beam flexural behavior experimental analysis. A development system (QUEBRA2D/FEMOOP programs) has been used to accomplish the numerical simulation. Appropriate constitutive models for concrete, rebars, CFRP and bond-slip interfaces have been implemented and adjusted to represent the composite system behavior. Interface and truss finite elements have been implemented (discrete and embedded approaches) for the numerical representation of rebars, interfaces and composites.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.117-129
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• 2013

We briefly review the recent progress in passively mode-locked fiber lasers (PMLFLs) based on semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs) and discuss the detailed characterization of a SESAM-based, passively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber (EDF) laser operating in the 1.5-${\mu}m$ spectral range for various configurations. A simple and compact design of the laser cavity enables the PMLFL to generate either femtosecond or wavelength-tunable picosecond pulses with high stability as the intra-cavity filtering method is altered. All the cavities investigated in our experiments present self-starting, continuous-wave mode-locking with no Q-switching instabilities. The excellent stability of the source eventually enables the wavelength-tunable PMLFL to be used as a master oscillator for a power-amplifier source based on a large-core EDF, generating picosecond pulses of >10-kW peak power and >100-nJ pulse energy.