Contribution of the Immigrant Population to Demographic and Spatial Dynamics of the Basque Country

The twenty-first century begins with a rupture of the migratory pattern in the Basque Country, a region located in the north of Spain, transforming it from a community which exports its population to one which receives it. Despite the current economic crisis, the Basque Country continues to be a destination for foreigners, now in many cases coming from other Spanish regions most affected by this crisis. Given the quantitative and qualitative importance of these migration flows, in this research we analyze the contribution of immigrants to the demographic dynamics of the Basque Country. By also identifying their patterns of spatial localization, we examine their contribution to the correction or accentuation of regional imbalances in the population distribution. The results reveal that the demographic recovery rests primarily on contributions of this immigrant population, a population which also promotes the rejuvenation of an aging society, although it is far from correcting regional imbalances and may contribute to accentuating them.

A Tutorial on Federated Learning from Theory to Practice:Foundations,Software Frameworks,Exemplary Use Cases,and Selected Trends

When data privacy is imposed as a necessity,Federated learning(FL)emerges as a relevant artificial intelligence field for developing machine learning(ML)models in a distributed and decentralized environment.FL allows ML models to be trained on local devices without any need for centralized data transfer,thereby reducing both the exposure of sensitive data and the possibility of data interception by malicious third parties.This paradigm has gained momentum in the last few years,spurred by the plethora of real-world applications that have leveraged its ability to improve the efficiency of distributed learning and to accommodate numerous participants with their data sources.By virtue of FL,models can be learned from all such distributed data sources while preserving data privacy.The aim of this paper is to provide a practical tutorial on FL,including a short methodology and a systematic analysis of existing software frameworks.Furthermore,our tutorial provides exemplary cases of study from three complementary perspectives:i)Foundations of FL,describing the main components of FL,from key elements to FL categories;ii)Implementation guidelines and exemplary cases of study,by systematically examining the functionalities provided by existing software frameworks for FL deployment,devising a methodology to design a FL scenario,and providing exemplary cases of study with source code for different ML approaches;and iii)Trends,shortly reviewing a non-exhaustive list of research directions that are under active investigation in the current FL landscape.The ultimate purpose of this work is to establish itself as a referential work for researchers,developers,and data scientists willing to explore the capabilities of FL in practical applications.

Comparative analysis of different static mixers performance by CFD technique:An innovative mixer

The flow and mixing behavior of two miscible liquids has been studied in an innovative static mixer by using CFD,with Reynolds numbers ranging from 20 to 160.The performance of the new mixer is compared with those of Kenics,SMX,and Komax static mixers.The pressure drop ratio(Z-factor),coefficient of variation(CoV),and extensional efficiency(α)features have been used to evaluate power consumption,distributive mixing,and dispersive mixing performances,respectively,in all mixers.The model is firstly validated based on experimental data measured for the pressure drop ratio and the coefficient of variation.CFD results are consistent with measured data and those obtained by available correlations in the literature.The new mixer shows a superior mixing performance compared to the other mixers.

Effects of resveratrol and other polyphenols in hepatic steatosis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease covers a wide spectrum of liver pathologies which range from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.Polyphenols are members of a very large family of plant-derived compounds that can have beneficial effects on human health,and thus their study has become an increasingly important area of human nutrition research.The aim of the present review is to compile published data concerning the effects of both isolated polyphenols as well as polyphenol extracts,on hepatocyte and liver fat accumulation under different steatosis-inducing conditions.The results reported clearly show that this group of biomolecules is able to reduce fat accumulation,but further studies are needed to establish the optimal dose and treatment period length.With regard to the potential mechanisms of action,there is a good consensus.The anti-lipidogenic effect of polyphenols is mainly due to reduced fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis,increased in fatty acid oxidation,and reduced of oxidative stress and inflammation.As a general conclusion,it can be stated that polyphenols are biomolecules which produce hepatoprotective effects.To date,these beneficial effects have been demonstrated in cultured cells and animal models.Thus,studies performed in humans are needed before these molecules can be considered as truly useful tools in the prevention of liver steatosis.

A techno-economic and life cycle assessment for the production of green methanol from CO_(2): catalyst and process bottlenecks

The success of catalytic schemes for the large-scale valorization of CO_(2) does not only depend on the development of active,selective and stable catalytic materials but also on the overall process design.Here we present a multidisciplinary study(from catalyst to plant and techno-economic/lifecycle analysis)for the production of green methanol from renewable H2 and CO_(2).We combine an in-depth kinetic analysis of one of the most promising recently reported methanol-synthesis catalysts(InCo)with a thorough process simulation and techno-economic assessment.We then perform a life cycle assessment of the simulated process to gauge the real environmental impact of green methanol production from CO_(2).Our results indicate that up to 1.75 ton of CO_(2) can be abated per ton of produced methanol only if renewable energy is used to run the process,while the sensitivity analysis suggest that either rock-bottom H2 prices(1.5$kg1)or severe CO_(2) taxation(300$per ton)are needed for a profitable methanol plant.Besides,we herein highlight and analyze some critical bottlenecks of the process.Especial attention has been paid to the contribution of H2 to the overall plant costs,CH4 trace formation,and purity and costs of raw gases.In addition to providing important information for policy makers and industrialists,directions for catalyst(and therefore process)improvements are outlined.

Lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide blended in polyurethane acrylate photocurable solid polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries

The increased demand of electronic devices promotes the development of advanced and more efficient energy storage devices, such as batteries. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the most studied battery systems due to their high performance. Among the different battery components, the separator allows the control of lithium ion diffusion between the electrodes. To overcome some drawbacks of liquid electrolytes, including safety and environmental issues, solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are being developed. In this work, a UV photocurable polyurethane acrylate (PUA) resin has been blended with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) up to 30 wt% LiTFSI content to reach a maximum ionic conductivity of 0.0032 mS/cm at room temperature and 0.09 mS/cm at 100 ℃. Those values allowed applying the developed materials as photocurable SPE in Swagelok type Li/C-LiFePO_(4) half-cells, reaching a battery discharge capacity value of 139 mAh.g^(−1) at C/30 rate. Those results, together with the theoretical studies of the discharge capacity at different C-rates and temperatures for batteries with LiTFSI/PUA SPE demonstrate the suitability of the developed photocurable SPE for LIB applications.

Genetics of adult attachment:An updated review of the literature

Attachment style,which has been theorized to be rooted in childhood bonding experiences,influences adult cognitive,emotional and interpersonal functioning.Despite its relationship with early experiences,research indicates that the continuity of attachment style across childhood and adulthood is only partial,being a malleable tendency that is shaped throughout development,with an increasing influence of genetics,as it occurs in other cognitive and behavioral phenotypes.Genetic research indicates that up to 45% of the variability in anxious and 39% in avoidant adult attachment style could be explained by genetic causes,but the precise mechanisms remain unclear.A narrative review is conducted analyzing the existing literature regarding the implication of candidate genes related to oxytocin,dopaminergic pathways,serotonergic pathways and brainderived neurotrophic factor in adult attachment,with both vulnerability and differential susceptibility approaches,yielding mixed results.We highlight the lack of genome-wide studies and the scarcity of epigenetic investigation.Based on the existing data,we conclude that the genetics of adult attachment is an area that requires further research to clarify its etiological role and that it should be preferably approached as an interaction between nature and nurture.

Substitution of Nitrite Reductase of Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1 by the Homologous Gene of Phormidium laminosum

Even though the nitrate assimilation operon has been extensively studied in Phormidium laminosum, some aspects still remain unclear. The genetic manipulation of this cyanobacterium is problematic that hinders the elucidation of further aspects of nitrogen metabolism. To circumvent this, Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1 was selected as a surrogate host and its nirA gene was substituted by the homologous gene of P. laminosum. This process, based on Long Flanking Homology Polymerase Chain Reaction and the natural competence of T. elongatus BP-1, required an intermediate T. elongatus BP-1 ΔnirA::kat mutant, which carries a gene encoding a thermostable kanamycin nucleotidyl transferase in place of nirA_Te. In the presence of nirA_Pl, nirA defective mutants of T. elongatus BP-1 recovered the ability to grow with nitrate as the sole nitrogen source, and showed a phenotype similar to that observed in wild-type cells. The procedure could be useful to substitute other genes from T. elongatus BP-1 with the homologues from P. laminosum in order to study this particular operon. Furthermore, it may be used as a general tool to explore phenotypic changes due to the exchange of a single gene between cyanobacteria.

Effect of the Inorganic Nitrogen Source in the Expression of Nitrite Reductase (NirA) in <i>Thermosynechococcus elongatus</i>BP-1

Nitrite reductase (NirA, EC 1.7.7.1) from the thermophilic, unicellular, non-N2-fixing cyanobacte-rium Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1 has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Analysis by SDS-PAGE of the pure recombinant protein (His6NirA) showed two protein bands, one of 58 kDa (corresponding to the theoretical His6NirA molecular mass) and another of 44 kDa. Western blotting and mass spectrometry analyses confirmed that the 44 kDa protein resulted from proteolysis of the intact His6NirA, and suggested the existence, at the C-terminal domain of the 58 kDa form, of a region particularly sensible to proteolysis or accessible to proteases. A sample of both forms of His6NirA was used to obtain anti-NirA polyclonal antibodies. These antibodies were used to assess, by SDS-PAGE followed by Western blotting, the in vivo expression of NirA in wild-type cells of T. elongatus BP-1 growing in cultures with nitrate, nitrite or ammonium which were inoculated with cells grown with different nitrogen sources. These analyses revealed that protein bands corresponding to the complete (58 kDa) and truncated (44 kDa) forms of NirA can also be detected in solubilized cells. Moreover, the presence of each of these forms depended on the nitrogen source used to grow cells. Thus, expression of the complete NirA generally predominates in cells growing in medium with nitrate or nitrite. However, the truncated form prevails in cells grown in nitrate or nitrite and then transferred to medium with ammonium. The fact that the patterns of in vivo expression of NirA are different depending on the nitrogen source used possibly relies on a post-translational regulatory mechanism by proteolysis.

Inner ear hair cell regeneration A look from the past to the future

Most recent studies on regeneration of inner ear hair cells focus on use of stem cells, gene therapy and neurotrophic factors. Cochlear gene therapy has been successfully used in the treatment of neu- rosensory hearing loss. This suggests that cochlear hair cell regeneration is possible. The objective of this paper is to review research and clinical application of inner near hair cell regeneration.

Conversion of Waste Parasitic Insect(Hylobius abietis L.)into Antioxidative,Antimicrobial and Biodegradable Films

Hylobius abietis is a plant parasitic insect belonging to the order Coleoptera and which causes severe damages to coniferous forests in Northern and Eastern Europe.This current study is aimed to provide a new viewpoint into the waste of this insect by producing chitosan.Dry insect corpses consisted of 27.9%chitin and 86.2%of the chitin was converted into the chitosan.FT-IR spectra analyses confirmed the purity and the deacetylation degree of the produced chitosan(molecular weight of chitosan;7.3 kDa).This chitosan exhibited antimicrobial activity against 18 bacterial strains.Further,biodegradable chitosan composite films with β-carotene were produced.Antioxidant activity of chitosan films were found to be higher than chitosan gels;andβ-carotene incorporation further increased the antioxidative properties of the chitosan films.This study demonstrated that the waste of parasitic insect like H.abietis can be evaluated as a source for production of biodegradable and edible chitosan-based films for applications in food coating.

Compact Solvmanifolds with a Closed G₂-Structure

We consider a parametrized family of compact G2-calibrated solvmanifolds, and construct associative (so volume-minimizing submanifolds) 3-tori with respect to the closed G2-structure. We also study the Laplacian flow of this closed G2 form on the solvable Lie group underlying to each of these solvmanifolds, and show long time existence of the solution.

Chemical Composition,Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of the Oil and Plant Extract Myrocarpus frondosus Allemao

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical profile of extracts (aqueous and ethanol) and the essential oil of Myrocarpus frondosus Allem?o, the sensitivity of strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium and Listéria monocytogenes, front the extracts and essential oil, by means of the microdilution method in broth, the antioxidant activity by the ABTS method, and the content of phenolic compounds present in the extracts and oil. For the preparation of extracts from plant leaves used with ethanol and water, then separated, the chemical identification of compounds was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (CLAE-DAD) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrum (CG/MS). With the chemical analysis of the extracts obtained the presence of the major compound rutin, and oil major compound was found germacrene B. In the microdilution method in broth, oil and extracts showed inhibition against all the bacteria tested in the concentrations 1 mg/ml to 0.25 mg/ml, except for Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml of the essential oil and trans-caryophyllene. The results of Minimum Bactericidal Concentration showed that the essential oil had bactericidal activity at a concentration of 1mg/ml for all bacteria tested and trans-caryophyllene at the same concentration only for Listeria monocytogenes. In relation to the essential oil, antioxidant activity showed higher radical reduction capacity of 40.92% and the content of phenolic compounds ethanol extract showed more 12.72%. The in vitro results support the conclusion that the essential oil is very promising both in antimicrobial action as antioxidant activity and the leaf extracts on antioxidant activity.

On the Walker’ Model for the Carbon Dioxide in the Earth’s Atmosphere

Climate change is a wicked problem because it is hard to say what the problem is, and to define it clearly. However, we know that global temperature rise correlates with increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide [1] and [2]. In this paper, we analyze a model for the carbon dioxide developed by Walker in [3] with several source terms. Our numerical results show that the burning fossil fuels have an effect on the carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere and the climate change problem, one of the major global challenger of our time.

Microencapsulation of Essential Oils by Interfacial Polimerization Using Polyurea as a Wall Material

An essential oil is the volatile lipophilic component extracted from plants. Microencapsulation systems protect the essential oil from degradation and evaporation, and, at the same time, allow a sustained release. This work analyses and characterizes the oregano and sage essential oil microcapsules prepared by interfacial polymerization technique, using polyurea as wall material. Several instrumental techniques are used: optical microscopy, size particle, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Termo gravimetric analysis (TGA), spectrophotometry, antimicrobial test and chromatography. Results show that oregano and sage oil have antimicrobial properties, and their microencapsulation allows knowing that these properties remain inside the microcapsules.

A new oxidative pathway of nitric oxide production from oximes in plants

Nitric oxide(NO)is an essential reactive oxygen species and a signal molecule in plants.Although several studies have proposed the occurrence of oxidative NO production,only reductive routes for NO production,such as the nitrate(NO_(3)^(-))-upper-reductase pathway,have been evidenced to date in land plants.However,plants grown axenically with ammonium as the sole source of nitrogen exhibit contents of nitrite and NO3−,evidencing the existence of a metabolic pathway for oxidative production of NO.We hypothesized that oximes,such as indole-3-acetaldoxime(IAOx),a precursor to indole-3-acetic acid,are intermediate oxidation products in NO synthesis.We detected the production of NO from IAOx and other oximes catalyzed by peroxidase(POD)enzyme using both 4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorescein fluorescence and chemiluminescence.Flavins stimulated the reaction,while superoxide dismutase inhibited it.Interestingly,mouse NO synthase can also use IAOx to produce NO at a lower rate than POD.We provided a full mechanism for POD-dependent NO production from IAOx consistent with the experimental data and supported by density functional theory calculations.We showed that the addition of IAOx to extracts from Medicago truncatula increased the in vitro production of NO,while in vivo supplementation of IAOx and other oximes increased the number of lateral roots,as shown for NO donors,and a more than 10-fold increase in IAOx dehydratase expression.Furthermore,we found that in vivo supplementation of IAOx increased NO production in Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type plants,while prx33-34 mutant plants,defective in POD33-34,had reduced production.Our data show that the release of NO by IAOx,as well as its auxinic effect,explain the superroot phenotype.Collectively,our study reveals that plants produce NO utilizing diverse molecules such as oximes,POD,and flavins,which are widely distributed in the plant kingdom,thus introducing a long-awaited oxidative pathway to NO production in plants.This knowledge has essential implications for understanding signaling in biological systems.

Experimental test of a building thermal system for preventive maintenance based on thermoeconomic analysis

An analysis of the sectorial structure of energy consumption shows that residential and tertiary sector buildings are the third-highest consumers,responsible for 29.5%of a city’s final energy consumption.The Building Quality Control Laboratory of the Basque Government aims to promote quality,innovation,and sustainability in buildings.To accomplish this goal,it has constructed an experimental facility with different energy generation technologies and a very versatile control system for testing different energy systems and operation modes.In this study,we tested a facility for supplying domestic hot water and heating for a multi-family house by means of a condensing boiler and an aerothermal heat pump(together with the corresponding control).This installation could reproduce the thermal demands required to be satisfied by the generation equipment through a programmed operation of the installation based on real demands.Additionally,this installation was analyzed using thermoeconomics(TE)to solve problems unable to be solved using traditional energy analyses based on the First Law of Thermodynamics.These problems include:(1)Determining the costs of the products of the installation based on physical criteria,(2)detecting the places where losses actually occur,evaluating their costs,and proposing cost-effective improvements,and(3)diagnosing issues in the installation.As a result,this paper suggests a solution to the preventive maintenance problems confronting the technical maintenance personnel for thermal installations in buildings by applying TE knowledge and using real data collected from sensors.

Novel single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes with high toughness and high resistance against lithium dendrites

Solid-state polymer electrolytes are considered as an alternative to classic liquid electrolytes,particularly for application in highenergy lithium metal batteries.With respect to common dual-ion conductors,single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes(SICPEs)are less affected by lithium dendrites growth and thus are particularly interesting for application in lithium metal batteries.In this work,novel SIC-PEs are developed,based on an ionomer having poly(ethylene-alt-maleimide)backbone and lithium phenylsulfonyl(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide pendant moieties,further blended with poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)and poly(ethylene glycol)dimethyl ether(PEGDME).These SIC-PEs exhibit ionic conductivity around~7×10^(−6)S·cm^(−1) at 70℃,lithium transference number close to unity,and excellent mechanical properties,with fracture toughness over 30 J·cm^(−3).Additionally,the electrolytes show very high resistance against lithium dendrites growth,by cycling for more than 1200 h in Li°symmetric cells at a current density of 0.1 mA·cm^(−2).LiFePO4||Li°cells with these SIC-PEs were cycled at 70℃ and C/10,showing initial capacity of almost 160 mAh·g^(−1)and residual capacity of 45%after 100 cycles.This work shows that single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes based on poly(ethylene-alt-maleimide)backbone are promising materials for application as electrolytes or catholytes in lithium metal polymer batteries.

Simultaneous analysis of the intestinal parasites and diet through eDNA metabarcoding

Agricultural expansion and intensification are having a huge impact on plant and arthropod diversity and abun-dance,affecting food availability for farmland birds.Difficult food access,in turn,can lead to immunosuppression and a higher incidence of parasites.In the studies designed to examine changes in the diet of birds and their par-asites,metabarcoding is proving particularly useful.This technique requires mini-barcodes capable of amplifying the DNA of target organisms from fecal environmental DNA.To help to understand the impact of agricultural expansion on biodiversity,this study sought to design and identify mini-barcodes that might simultaneously as-sess diet and intestinal parasites from the feces of farmland birds.The capacity to identify diet and parasites of 2 existing and 3 newly developed mini-barcodes was tested“in silico”in relation to the behavior of a reference eukaryotic barcode.Among the newly designed mini-barcodes,MiniB18S_81 showed the higher taxonomic cover-age of eukaryotic taxa and a greater amplification and identification capacity for diet and parasite taxa.Moreover,when it was tested on fecal samples from 5 different steppe bird species,MiniB18S_81 showed high taxonomic resolution of the most relevant diet and parasite phyla,Arthropoda,Nematoda,Platyhelminthes,and Apicomplexa at the order level.Thus,the mini-barcode developed emerges as an excellent tool to simultaneously provide detailed information regarding the diet and parasites of birds,essential for conservation and management.

Influence of the operating temperature on the ageing and interfaces of double layer polymer electrolyte solid state Li metal batteries

Solid-state lithium metal batteries(SSLMBs)are considered an auspicious technology to develop high energy density and safe energy storage devices.The double layer polymer electrolyte(DLPE)is a rational approach for engineering high-performance SSLMBs addressing electrolyte requirements with specifically designed polymers at the positive electrode and as separator.In this work,SSLMBs were assembled with poly(propylene carbonate)(PPC),offering stability toward oxidation at the positive electrode,and a gel polymer electrolyte with polyethyleneglycol dimethylether(PEGDME)as separator,offering high ionic conductivity at low temperature and sufficient interfacial stability with Li metal.The electrochemical properties and performance of cells with LiFePO_(4) and Li[Ni_(0.6)Mn_(0.2)Co_(0.2)]O_(2) positive electrodes are thoroughly investigated as function of the operating temperature by using a host of characterization techniques.High-voltage cells with an areal capacity of 0.7 mAh·cm^(−2)cycled at 40℃ exhibit a higher capacity retention than the cells cycled at 70℃.To understand such differences,a three-electrode setup is applied to discriminate anodic processes from cathodic as function of the temperature.We elucidate the ageing and interfacial evolution for DLPE cells with gel polymer electrolytes paving the way for building performance solid state batteries.