Elevation transition of aquatic insects closely matches a thermal feature in the Yungas of Northwestern Argentina

Temperature is a key factor that shapes the distribution of organisms.Having knowledge about how species respond to temperature is relevant to devise strategies for addressing the impacts of climate change.Aquatic insects are particularly vulnerable to climate change,yet there is still much to learn about their ecology and distribution.In the Yungas ecoregion of Northwestern Argentina,cold-and warm-adapted species of the orders Ephemeroptera,Plecoptera,and Trichoptera(EPT)are segregated by elevation.We modeled the ecological niche of South American EPT species in this region using available data and projected their potential distribution in geographic space.Species were grouped based on their ecogeographic similarity,and we analyzed their replacement pattern along elevation gradients,focusing on the ecotone where opposing thermal preferences converge.Along this interface,we identified critical points where the combined incidence of cold and warm assemblages maximizes,indicating a significant transition zone.We found that the Montane Cloud Forest holds the interface,with a particularly greater suitability at its lower boundary.The main axis of the interface runs in a N-S direction and falls between 14°C-16°C mean annual isotherms.The probability of a particular location within a basin being classified as part of the interface increases as Kira’s warmth index approaches a score around 150.Understanding the interface is critical for defining the thermal limits of species distribution and designing biomonitoring programs.Changes in the location of thermal constants related to mountainous ecotones may cause vertical displacement of aquatic insects and vegetation communities.We have recognized significant temperature thresholds that serve as indicators of suitability for the interface.As global warming is anticipated to shift these indicators,we suggest using them to monitor the imprints of climate change on mountain ecosystems.

刚性对称陀螺分子Stark效应的精确解

提出了一种精确求解位于外电场中刚性对称陀螺分子转动能级和相应解析波函数的新方法.首先利用不同形式的函数变换和变量代换将位于外电场中对称陀螺分子的极角θ方向的方程转化为合流Heun微分方程,然后根据合流Heun微分方程和合流Heun函数具有的特点,找到描述同一本征态的线性相关的两个解,构造Wronskian (朗斯基)行列式,得到精确的能谱方程.最后利用Maple软件计算出不同量子态的本征值,再将得到的本征值代入本征函数进行归一化运算最终得到用合流Heun函数表示的解析的归一化本征函数.这些结果可为深入研究对称陀螺分子的Stark效应提供有益的帮助.

Erosion problem in tool steel using cold box core-making process

This paper presents the erosion results of the AISI H13 steel impinged by resin-bonded silica sand, using a testing rig that closely simulates the real blowing conditions during industrial core-making. Steel specimens were heat treated to obtain hardness of 294, 445 and 595 HV200 (29, 45 and 55 HRC). Erosion tests were carried out at impingement angles from 20° to 90° and air drag pressures of 1.38, 2.07 and 2.76 bar (20, 30 and 40 psi). The main results are summarized as follows:(i) The harder material, the lower erosion;(ii) the maximum erosion rate is at 30°;(iii) Little difference in erosion rate at impact angle of 60° and 90° for a constant pressure tested regardless of the hardness level;(iv) As the pressure increases, so does the erosion rate, being more sensitive for low impact angles. Finally, a differential form of the general erosion equation is applied on a practical core-making case to evaluate the erosion rate of the H13 steel at 30° and 90° impingement angles.

Slime coating of kaolinite on chalcopyrite in saline water flotation

In saline water flotation, the salinity can cause a distinguishable slime coating of clay minerals on chalcopyrite particles through its effect on their electrical double layers in aqueous solutions. In this work, kaolinite was used as a representative clay mineral for studying slime coating during chalcopyrite flotation. The flotation of chalcopyrite in the presence and absence of kaolinite in tap water, seawater, and gypsum-saturated water and the stability of chalcopyrite and kaolinite particles in slurries are presented. Zeta-potential distributions and scanning electron microscopy images were used to characterize and explain the different slime coating degrees and the different flotation performances. Kaolinite particles induced slime coating on chalcopyrite surfaces and reduced chalcopyrite floatability to the greatest extent when the p H value was in the alkaline range. At 0.24 wt% of kaolinite, the chalcopyrite floatability was depressed by more than 10% at alkaline p H levels in tap water. Salinity in seawater and gypsum-saturated water compressed the electrical double layers and resulted in extensive slime coating.

Early performance of two tropical dry forest species after assisted migration to pine-oak forests at different altitudes:strategic response to climate change

Assisted migration has been proposed as a strategy for adaptive management of forest species in response to expected effects of climate change,but it is controversial for several reasons.Tropical dry forests are among the most threatened ecosystems in the world.In Mexico,historically,land-use change and deforestation have been decreasing forest cover,and climate change is shifting the potential distribution of different forest types,exacerbating the risk of local extinctions.Assisted altitudinal migration could be a feasible strategy for reducing local extinctions in response to climate change and lack of landscape connectivity.Our objective was to evaluate survival and growth of Albizia plurijuga and Ceiba aesculifolia,two tropical deciduous forests species in Mexico.We transplanted 4-month-old seedlings to experimental raised beds at three altitudes(2100,2400 and 2700 m a.s.l.),exceeding their upper regional limit of distribution(2000 m a.s.l.).We also tested seed germination at each altitude.We monitored the experiment for 10 months.For both species,as altitude increased and cold weather was more prevalent,plant performance declined.Within species,differences in individual growth were significant among altitudes.Overall survival was 18.5%for A.plurijuga and 24.5%for C.aesculifolia.Both species had higher survival and better growth at lower altitude,and no seedling emergence at any altitude.We conclude that assisted migration can be implemented for each species by an upward attitudinal shift within,and not exceeding,400 m beyond their present upper altitudinal limit of distribution.Our results indicate that for many species that show altitudinal gradients at regional scales,unless current climate conditions change,the potential to establish outside their range is minimal.

Effect of Fe_(3)O_(4) nanoparticles on magnetic xerogel composites for enhanced removal of fluoride and arsenic from aqueous solution

Fe_(3)O_(4)magnetic xerogel composites were prepared by polycondensation of resorcinol(R)-formaldehyde reaction via a sol-gel process in an aqueous solution through varying the molar ratio of Fe_(3)O_(4)nanoparticles(MNPs),catalyst(C),and water(W)content.MNPs were obtained by co-precipitation(MC),oxidation of iron salts(MO),or solvothermal synthesis(MS).Both MNPs and magnetic xerogels were examined regarding the performance of arsenic and fluoride removal in a batch system.The MC-based MNPs had higher adsorption capacities for both fluoride(202.9 mg/g)and arsenic(3.2 mg/g)than other MNPs in optimum conditions.The X-ray diffraction,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed that Fe was composed into the polymeric matrix of magnetic xerogels that contained 0.59%-4.42%of Fe with a molar ratio of MNPs(M)to R between 0.01 and 0.10.With low R/C and optimum M/R ratios,an increase in the surface area of magnetic xerogels affected the fluoride and arsenic adsorption capacities.The magnetic xerogel composites with the MC-based MNPs prepared at a fixed R/C ratio(100)and at different R/W(0.05-0.06)and M/R(0.07-0.10)ratios had a high arsenic removal efficiency of 100%at an As(V)concentration of 0.1 mg/L and pH of 3.0.The maximum adsorption capacities of magnetic xerogels were approximately five times higher than those of the xerogels without MNP composites.Therefore,Fe_(3)O_(4)nanoparticles enhanced the adsorption of arsenate and fluoride.The variations of alkaline catalyst and water content significantly affected the resulting properties of textural and surface chemistry of magnetic xerogel composites.

Role of platelets and breast cancer stem cells in metastasis

The high mortality rate of breast cancer is mainly caused by the metastatic ability of cancer cells,resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy,and tumor regression capacity.In recent years,it has been shown that the presence of breast cancer stem cells is closely associated with the migration and metastatic ability of cancer cells,as well as with their resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.The tumor microenvironment is one of the main molecular factors involved in cancer and metastatic processes development,in this sense it is interesting to study the role of platelets,one of the main communicator cells in the human body which are activated by the signals they receive from the microenvironment and can generate more than one response.Platelets can ingest and release RNA,proteins,cytokines and growth factors.After the platelets interact with the tumor microenvironment,they are called"tumor-educated platelets."Tumor-educated platelets transport material from the tumor microenvironment to sites adjacent to the tumor,thus helping to create microenvironments conducive for the development of primary and metastatic tumors.It has been observed that the clone capable of carrying out the metastatic process is a cancer cell with stem cell characteristics.Cancer stem cells go through a series of processes,including epithelial-mesenchymal transition,intravasation into blood vessels,movement through blood vessels,extravasation at the site of the establishment of a metastatic focus,and site colonization.Tumor-educated platelets support all these processes.

Serum levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin are related to cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy subjects

AIM To determine a potential relationship between serum undercarboxylated(uc OC) concentration and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes(T2D) patients and healthy subjects(HS).METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on 140 subjects classified into two groups, 70 with T2D and 70 HS. Medical history and physical examination with anthropometric measurements were obtained from all subjects. Body fat percentage was determined by bioelectrical impendency analysis. Serum uc OC concentration was determined by enzyme immunoassay,while serum levels of insulin and hsC RP were obtained using high sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostasis model assessment-IR. Lipid profile [triglycerides,total cholesterol(TC), high-density lipoproteins(HDL-c),low density lipoproteins(LDL-c), very low-density lipoproteins] was determined by spectrophotometry and standard formulas when applicable. RESULTS The T2D patient group showed significantly higher values of waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP),current smoking, and alcohol use when compared to the HS group(P < 0.05). We observed a significantly lower serum ucO C concentration in T2D than in HS(1.5 ± 1.4vs 2.3 ± 1.8, P < 0.05). In the whole study population,ucO C concentration was inversely correlated with body mass index(BMI)(r =-0.236, P < 0.05), fasting plasma glucose(r =-0.283, P < 0.01) and HDL-c(r =-0.255,P < 0.05); and positively correlated with LDL-c/HDL-c ratio(r = 0.306, P < 0.05) and TC/HDL-c ratio(r =0.284, P < 0.05). In the T2D group, serum uc OC concentration was inversely correlated with BMI(r =-0.310, P < 0.05) and body-fat percentage(r =-0.311,P < 0.05), and positively correlated with DBP(r = 0.450,P < 0.01). In HS group a positive correlation between serum levels of uc OC and SBP(r = 0.277, P < 0.05)was observed. CONCLUSION Serum uc OC is a potential marker for cardiovascular risk in Mexicans because it is related to adiposity parameters, blood pressure and lipid profile.

Noisy environments:untangling the role of anthropogenic noise on bird species richness in a Neotropical city

Background:Among urban stimuli,anthropogenic noise has been identified to be one of the behavioral drivers of species that rely on acoustic signals for communication.Studies have shown both species‑specific and assemblage responses to urban noise,ranging from the modulation of their acoustic frequencies and spatiotemporal adjustments to declines in species richness.In this study,we assessed the citywide relationship between two anthropogenic noise variables(noise levels recorded during bird surveys and daily average noise levels)and vegetation cover with bird species richness.Methods:This study was conducted in the city of Xalapa(Mexico)through a 114 citywide point‑count survey.We recorded bird communities at each sampling site.We measured noise levels using a sound level meter while performing point‑counts.Then,we generated a map of average daily noise of the city using an array of 61 autonomous recording units distributed across the city of Xalapa and calculated daily noise levels for the 114 points.We ran a linear model(LM)to assess potential relationships between both point‑count and daily(24 h)noise values and vegetation cover with bird richness.Results:Results from the LM show:(1)a negative relationship between maximum point‑count noise and avian species richness,(2)no relationship between 24 h noise and bird species richness,and(3)a positive relationship between vegetation cover and bird species richness.Conclusions:Results provide evidence that decreases in urban bird species richness do not necessarily imply the permanent absence of species,suggesting that birds can temporarily fly away from or avoid sites when noisy,become cryptic while noisy events are occurring,or be undetected due to our inability to record them in the field during noisy events.

Tetrapartite entanglement measures of generalized GHZ state in the noninertial frames

Using a single-mode approximation, we carry out the entanglement measures, e.g., the negativity and von Neumann entropy when a tetrapartite generalized GHZ state is treated in a noninertial frame, but only uniform acceleration is considered for simplicity. In terms of explicit negativity calculated, we notice that the difference between the algebraic average π_(4) and geometric average Π_(4) is very small with the increasing accelerated observers and they are totally equal when all four qubits are accelerated simultaneously. The entanglement properties are discussed from one accelerated observer to all four accelerated observers. It is shown that the entanglement still exists even if the acceleration parameter r goes to infinity. It is interesting to discover that all 1-1 tangles are equal to zero, but 1-3 and 2-2 tangles always decrease when the acceleration parameter γ increases. We also study the von Neumann entropy and find that it increases with the number of the accelerated observers. In addition, we find that the von Neumann entropy S_(ABCDI), S_(ABCIDI), S_(ABICIDI) and S_(AIBICIDI) always decrease with the controllable angle θ, while the entropies S_(3-3 non), S_(3-2 non), S_(3-1 non) and S_(3-0 non) first increase with the angle θ and then decrease with it.

Tripartite Entanglement Measures of Generalized GHZ State in Uniform Acceleration

Using the single-mode approximation,we study entanglement measures including two independent quantities;i.e.,negativity and von Neumann entropy for a tripartite generalized Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger(GHZ)state in noninertial frames.Based on the calculated negativity,we study the whole entanglement measures named as the algebraic average π3-tangle and geometric average Π3-tangle.We find that the difference between them is very small or disappears with the increase of the number of accelerated qubits.The entanglement properties are discussed from one accelerated observer and others remaining stationary to all three accelerated observers.The results show that there will always exist entanglement,even if acceleration r arrives to infinity.The degree of entanglement for all 1-1 tangles are alwa.ys equal to zero,but 1-2 tangles always decrease with the acceleration parameter r.We notice that the von Neumann entropy increases with the number of the accelerated observers and SκΙζΙ(κ,ζ∈(A,B,C)) first increases and then decreases with the acceleration parameter r.This implies that the subsystem ρκΙζΙ is first more disorder and then the disorder will be reduced as the acceleration parameter r increases.Moreover,it is found that the von Neumann entropies SABCI,SABICI and SAIBICI always decrease with the controllable angle θ,while the entropies of the bipartite subsystems S2-2non(two accelerated qubits),S2-1non(one accelerated qubit) and S2-0non(without accelerated qubit) first increase with the angle θ and then decrease with it.

Candelilla Wax as Natural Slow-Release Matrix for Fertilizers Encapsulated by Spray Chilling

Efforts to improve crop yields with efficient use of fertilizers are needed to guarantee global food security.Enhanced slow-release fertilizer systems(SRFs)encapsulated in biodegradable matrices are being developed to address this global concern.From a wide range of strategies for SRFs development,we explored a natureinspired solution based on the plant cuticle model and its function as a membrane for water and nutrient transport control.Here,Candelilla wax,extracted from Candelilla wild plants(Euphorbia antisyphilitica),is studied as a renewable slow-release matrix for fertilizers encapsulated by a modified spray chilling process.From this process,microencapsulates containing 40 wt%of phosphorus fertilizer are obtained with distinctive sizes and chemical characteristics,presenting a slow-release behavior.Considering the abovementioned features,novel insights into fertilizer release mechanisms based on plant cuticle models are discussed.

Shannon information entropies for rectangular multiple quantum well systems with constant total lengths

We first study the Shannon information entropies of constant total length multiple quantum well systems and then explore the effects of the number of wells and confining potential depth on position and momentum information entropy density as well as the corresponding Shannon entropy.We find that for small full width at half maximum（FWHM） of the position entropy density,the FWHM of the momentum entropy density is large and vice versa.By increasing the confined potential depth,the FWHM of the position entropy density decreases while the FWHM of the momentum entropy density increases.By increasing the potential depth,the frequency of the position entropy density oscillation within the quantum barrier decreases while that of the position entropy density oscillation within the quantum well increases.By increasing the number of wells,the frequency of the position entropy density oscillation decreases inside the barriers while it increases inside the quantum well.As an example,we might localize the ground state as well as the position entropy densities of the1 st,2 nd,and 6 th excited states for a four-well quantum system.Also,we verify the Bialynicki–Birula–Mycieslki（BBM）inequality.

Shannon information entropies for position-dependent mass Schrdinger problem with a hyperbolic well

The Shannon information entropy for the Schrodinger equation with a nonuniform solitonic mass is evaluated for a hyperbolic-type potential. The number of nodes of the wave functions in the transformed space z are broken when recovered to original space x. The position Sx and momentum S p information entropies for six low-lying states are calculated. We notice that the Sx decreases with the increasing mass barrier width a and becomes negative beyond a particular width a,while the Sp first increases with a and then decreases with it. The negative Sx exists for the probability densities that are highly localized. We find that the probability density ρ（x） for n = 1, 3, 5 are greater than 1 at position x = 0. Some interesting features of the information entropy densities ρs（x） and ρs（p） are demonstrated. The Bialynicki-Birula-Mycielski（BBM）inequality is also tested for these states and found to hold.

Modeling the Spike Response for Adaptive Fuzzy Spiking Neurons with Application to a Fuzzy XOR

A spike response model(SRM)based on the spikes generator circuit(SGC)of adaptive fuzzy spiking neurons(AFSNs)is developed.The SRM is simulated in MatlabTM environment.The proposed model is applied to a configuration of a fuzzy exclusive or(fuzzy XOR)operator,as an illustrative example.A description of the comparison of AFSNs with other similar methods is given.The novel method of the AFSNs is used to determine the value of the weights or parameters of the fuzzy XOR,first with dynamic weights or self-tuning parameters that adapt continuously,then with fixed weights obtained after training,finally with fixed weights and a dynamic gain or self-tuning gain for a fine adjustment of amplitude.

Biodiversity-friendly Agricultural Practices in the Indigenous Agricultural Systems in the Biodiversity Corridor of the Alto Paraná Atlantic Forest (Paraguay)

Agricultural systems result of the coevolution between social and natural systems,where biodiversity and natural resources play an important role,emerging interactions between crops and the natural environment that allow the development of ecological processes which interact with external inputs.This research aims to describe the agricultural practices developed by the Guarani Indigenous people in the agricultural systems located within the biodiversity corridor of the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest.This exploratory study is focused on multiple cases,with a qualitative approach and from data collected during 2017 and 2018 in eleven indigenous communities.The main practices developed for the management of biodiversity are polyculture,rotation,and embroideries;they also practice agroforestry and livestock-raising.The main difficulty they face is the reduction of the surrounding biodiversity,which affects the sustainability of the system.This study shows ways for nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation according to current needs for greening the economy.

Tetrapartite entanglement measures of W-class in noninertial frames

We present the entanglement measures of a tetrapartite W-class entangled system in a noninertial frame, where the transformation between Minkowski and Rindler coordinates is applied.Two cases are considered.First, when one qubit has uniform acceleration whilst the other three remain stationary.Second, when two qubits have nonuniform accelerations and the others stay inertial.The 1–1 tangle, 1–3 tangle, and whole entanglement measurements π4 and Π4, are studied and illustrated with graphics through their dependence on the acceleration parameter rd for the first case and rc and rd for the second case.It is found that the negativities(1–1 tangle and 1–3 tangle) and π-tangle decrease when the acceleration parameter rd or in the second case rc and rd increase, remaining a nonzero entanglement in the majority of the results.This means that the system will be always entangled except for special cases.It is shown that only the 1–1 tangle for the first case vanishes at infinite accelerations, but for the second case the 1–1 tangle disappears completely when r > 0.472473.An analytical expression for the von Neumann information entropy of the system is found and we note that it increases with the acceleration parameter.

Numerical Study of Highly Nonlinear Photonic Crystal Fiber with Tunable Zero Dispersion Wavelengths

Solid-core silica photonic crystal fiber is proposed borrowing the concept of golden ratio (1.618) and keeping it between pitch and air hole diameter Λ/d in a subset of six rings of air-holes with hexagonal arrangement. In the case when we have a pitch equal to one micron (Λ = 1 μm), we need air-holes diameters d = 0.618 μm in order to achieve two zero dispersion wavelength (ZDW) points at 725 nm and 1055 nm;this gives us the possibility to use the fiber for supercontinuum generation, by pumping close to that points, pulse compression or reshaping. We analyzed a series of fibers using this relation and showed the possibilities of tunable ZDW in a wide range of wavelengths from 725 nm to 2000 nm, with low losses and small effective area. In agreement with the ZDW point needed, the geometry of the structure can be modified to the point of having only three rings of air holes that surround the solid core with low losses and good confinement mode. The design proposed here is analyzed using the finite element method with perfectly matched layers, including the material dispersion directly into the model applying the Sellmeier’s equation.

The Role of Health Inequality in the Maternal Health Services Provided by Public Institutions in Mexico

This work aims to determine the role of inequality in the provision of maternal health services among five regions in Mexico (northwest, northeast, central, the Mexico City-State of Mexico region and the south). We consider the most important service providers corresponding to the main health institutions in Mexico (IMSS, ISSSTE, SESAS, IMSS-Oportunidades). Therefore, a cross-sectional prospective study was conducted to analyze eight intervention packages (Prenatal Care, Syphilis, Influenza, Obstetric Urgent Care, HIV in pregnancy, delivery care, neonatal care and accessibility) offered by the Maternal and Perinatal Health (MPH) program. A quantitative analysis demonstrates low to marginal performance of the MPH program in three regions (South, Mexico City-State of Mexico and the Northwest) and marginal in two other regions (Central and Northeast). Furthermore, four of the intervention packages presented the lowest performance in the South (Prenatal Care, Syphilis, Influenza and Obstetric Urgent Care), as did the average of the total of the MPH packages. The performance of HIV in Pregnancy package was marginal in the Southern and Mexico City-State of Mexico regions and Neonatal Care was low in the Northwest. The assessment of the MPH intervention packages allows us to identify their strengths and weaknesses. This information allows us to identify similarities and differences among the geographical regions in order to describe and analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the current system and hence to improve the decision making regarding the Maternal and Perinatal Health Programs in Mexico. The results suggest that a homogenization has taken place in terms of the low quality of the services.

The Influence of the Precipitation Heat Treatment Temperature on the Metallurgical, Microstructure, Thermal Properties, and Microhardness of an Alpha Brass

Metals obtain optimum conditions of metallurgical and physical properties through a heat treatment. Brass is one of the copper alloys which has many applications in everyday life and in the industry. Brass is one of the copper alloys which has many applications in everyday life and the industry. In this work, the influence of the precipitation heat treatment temperature on the metallurgical microstructure, structure, thermal properties, and microhardness of an alpha brass is analyzed. Samples were heat treated by precipitation for 2 h at 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, 600°C, and 700°C. The best mechanical properties were found at 500°C of precipitation heat treatment temperature. Specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Vickers microhardness, photothermal radiometry, and photoacoustic to study the thermal diffusivity and conductivity, as well as the heat capacity. The inverse of the full width at the half maximum analysis showed that the crystallinity decreased as the precipitation heat treatment temperature increased. Metallurgical microstructure and microhardness were correlated to the precipitation heat treatment temperatures to determine the effect on the metallurgical and mechanical properties, as well as the effect on the thermal properties of alpha brass.