Surface Analysis, Microstructural, Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties of New Ti-15Ta-5Zr Alloy

Cora Vasilescu,Silviu Iulian Drob,Petre Osiceanu,Paula Drob,Jose Maria Calderon Moreno1,Silviu Preda,Steliana Ivanescu,Ecaterina Vasilescu 대한금속·재료학회 2015 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.21 No.2

This paper describes the synthesis of a novel Ti-15Ta-5Zr alloy with an  + β stable, homogeneous, biphasicmicrostructure (by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy) and the determinationof its mechanical properties, hardness and a Young’s modulus of 42.2 GPa. The alloy passive film compositionand thickness were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; a thick, compact native passive filmcontaining the protective oxides of all constituent elements (TiO2, Ta2O5, ZrO2) was identified. The electrochemicalparameters confirmed a nobler behaviour and a more capacitive, resistant passive film on thealloy surface compared to Ti and other existing implant alloys; these facts are due to the alloying elements that,by their oxides stabilize and reinforce the alloy passive film. This passive film thickened in time, which increased itsprotective capacity. The new alloy had no susceptibility to galvanic or local corrosion. Ti-15Ta-5Zr alloyis recommended as an advanced orthopaedic implant material.

Fluorescence Guided Surgery with 5-Aminolevulinic Acid for Resection of Spinal Cord Ependymomas

Rafael García Moreno,Luis Miguel Bernal García,Hyaissa Ippolito Bastidas,Carlos Andrés Mondragón Tirado,Aurora Moreno Flores,Juan Pablo Sosa Cabezas,José Manuel Cabezudo Artero 대한척추외과학회 2019 Asian Spine Journal Vol.13 No.1

Study Design: A retrospective study. Purpose: We report our experience with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)–assisted resection of spinal cord ependymomas in adults. Overview of Literature: Ependymoma is the most frequent primary spinal cord tumor in adults. Surgery is the treatment of choice in most cases. However, while complete resection is achieved in approximately 80% of cases, clinical improvement is achieved in 15% only. Five-ALA fluorescence–guided surgery seems to be useful for this tumor type. Methods: We studied 14 patients undergoing 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery for spinal cord ependymomas in our service. The modified McCormick classification was used to determine clinical status and the degree of resection was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Of the 14 patients, the tumor showed an intense emission of fluorescence in 12 and the fluorescence was weak and nonuniform in two. Complete resection was achieved in 11 cases. According to the McCormick classification, 10 patients improved, two remained the same, and two deteriorated. Conclusions: Our results confirm that 5-ALA fluorescence-guided resection is useful in spinal cord ependymoma resection. Although the rate of complete resections is similar to that in published series without 5-ALA, clinical results are better when using 5-ALA with a lower percentage of clinical deterioration.

Dexamethasone and COVID-19 in a Developing Country: Appropriate Use?

( Diego Martin Moreno Marreros ),( Maycol Leonardo Aburto Moreno ),( Kattia Gassely Torres Gil ),( Carlos Morera Guzman ) 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 2021 Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Vol.84 No.3

Multi-scale model for coupled piezoelectric-inelastic behavior

Moreno-Navarro, Pablo,Ibrahimbegovic, Adnan,Damjanovic, Dragan Techno-Press 2021 Coupled systems mechanics Vol.10 No.6

In this work, we present the development of a 3D lattice-type model at microscale based upon the Voronoi-cell representation of material microstructure. This model can capture the coupling between mechanic and electric fields with non-linear constitutive behavior for both. More precisely, for electric part we consider the ferroelectric constitutive behavior with the possibility of domain switching polarization, which can be handled in the same fashion as deformation theory of plasticity. For mechanics part, we introduce the constitutive model of plasticity with the Armstrong-Frederick kinematic hardening. This model is used to simulate a complete coupling of the chosen electric and mechanics behavior with a multiscale approach implemented within the same computational architecture.

Biochemical Characterization of Recombinant L-Asparaginase (AnsA) from Rhizobium etli, a Member of an Increasing Rhizobial-Type Family of L-Asparaginases

( Moreno Enriquez Angelica ),( Zahaed Evangelista Martinez ),( Edith G. Gonzalez-mondragon ),( Arturo Calderon Flores ),( Roberto Arreguin ),( Ernesto Perez Rueda ),( Alejandro Huerta Saquero ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2012 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.22 No.3

We report the expression, purification, and characterization of L-asparaginase (AnsA) from Rhizobium etli. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity in a single-step procedure involving affinity chromatography, and the kinetic parameters Km, Vmax, and kcat for L-asparagine were determined. The enzymatic activity in the presence of a number of substrates and metal ions was investigated. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 47 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme showed a maximal activity at 50oC, but the optimal temperature of activity was 37oC. It also showed maximal and optimal activities at pH 9.0. The values of Km, Vmax, kcat, and kcat/Km were 8.9±0.967×10-3 M, 128±2.8 U/mg protein, 106±2 s-1, and 1.2±0.105×104M-1s-1, respectively. The L-asparaginase activity was reduced in the presence of Mn2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ metal ions for about 52% to 31%. In addition, we found that NH4 +, L-Asp, D-Asn, and β-aspartyl-hydroxamate in the reaction buffer reduced the activity of the enzyme, whereas L-Gln did not modify its enzymatic activity. This is the first report on the expression and characterization of the L-asparaginase (AnsA) from R. etli. Phylogenetic analysis of asparaginases reveals an increasing group of known sequences of the Rhizobialtype asparaginase II family.

The Case for Hypercritical Accretion in M33 X-7

Moreno Mé,ndez, Enrique,Brown, Gerald E.,Lee, Chang-Hwan,Park, Il H. IOP Publishing 2008 The Astrophysical journal Vol.689 No.1

q-SOBOLEV ORTHOGONALITY OF THE q-LAGUERRE POLYNOMIALS {L_n^(-N)(·q)}_n=0^∞ FOR POSITIVE INTEGERS N

Moreno, Samuel G.,Garcia-Caballe, Esther M. Korean Mathematical Society 2011 대한수학회지 Vol.48 No.5

The family of q-Laguerre polynomials $\{L_n^{(\alpha)}({\cdot};q)\}_{n=0}^{\infty}$ is usually defined for 0 < q < 1 and ${\alpha}$ > -1. We extend this family to a new one in which arbitrary complex values of the parameter ${\alpha}$ are allowed. These so-called generalized q-Laguerre polynomials fulfil the same three term recurrence relation as the original ones, but when the parameter ${\alpha}$ is a negative integer, no orthogonality property can be deduced from Favard's theorem. In this work we introduce non-standard inner products involving q-derivatives with respect to which the generalized q-Laguerre polynomials $\{L_n^{(-N)}({\cdot};q)\}_{n=0}^{\infty}$, for positive integers N, become orthogonal.

A methodology to derive global maps of leaf traits using remote sensing and climate data

Moreno-Martí,nez, Á,lvaro,Camps-Valls, Gustau,Kattge, Jens,Robinson, Nathaniel,Reichstein, Markus,van Bodegom, Peter,Kramer, Koen,Cornelissen, J. Hans C.,Reich, Peter,Bahn, Michael,Niineme Elsevier 2018 Remote sensing of environment Vol.218 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This paper introduces a modular processing chain to derive global high-resolution maps of leaf traits. In particular, we present global maps at 500 m resolution of specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content per dry mass, and leaf nitrogen/phosphorus ratio. The processing chain exploits machine learning techniques along with optical remote sensing data (MODIS/Landsat) and climate data for gap filling and up-scaling of in-situ measured leaf traits. The chain first uses random forests regression with surrogates to fill gaps in the database (> 45<I>%</I> of missing entries) and maximizes the global representativeness of the trait dataset. Plant species are then aggregated to Plant Functional Types (PFTs). Next, the spatial abundance of PFTs at MODIS resolution (500 m) is calculated using Landsat data (30 m). Based on these PFT abundances, representative trait values are calculated for MODIS pixels with nearby trait data. Finally, different regression algorithms are applied to globally predict trait estimates from these MODIS pixels using remote sensing and climate data. The methods were compared in terms of precision, robustness and efficiency. The best model (random forests regression) shows good precision (normalized RMSE≤ 20<I>%</I>) and goodness of fit (averaged Pearson's correlation R = 0.78) in any considered trait. Along with the estimated global maps of leaf traits, we provide associated uncertainty estimates derived from the regression models. The process chain is modular, and can easily accommodate new traits, data streams (traits databases and remote sensing data), and methods. The machine learning techniques applied allow attribution of information gain to data input and thus provide the opportunity to understand trait-environment relationships at the plant and ecosystem scales. The new data products – the gap-filled trait matrix, a global map of PFT abundance per MODIS gridcells and the high-resolution global leaf trait maps – are complementary to existing large-scale observations of the land surface and we therefore anticipate substantial contributions to advances in quantifying, understanding and prediction of the Earth system.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Presented a modular process chain for plant trait mapping including local effects </LI> <LI> High-resolution global maps of leaf traits by fusing measured trait data, LANDSAT and MODIS </LI> <LI> Scope for testing and parameterizing trait-enabled Earth System models </LI> <LI> Implications for land management and Earth system science applications </LI> </UL> </P>

Artificial gametes from stem cells

Moreno, Inmaculada,Miguez-Forjan, Jose Manuel,Simon, Carlos The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2015 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.42 No.2

The generation of artificial gametes is a real challenge for the scientific community today. In vitro development of human eggs and sperm will pave the way for the understanding of the complex process of human gametogenesis and will provide with human gametes for the study of infertility and the onset of some inherited disorders. However, the great promise of artificial gametes resides in their future application on reproductive treatments for all these people wishing to have genetically related children and for which gamete donation is now their unique option of parenthood. This is the case of infertile patients devoid of suitable gametes, same sex couples, singles and those fertile couples in a high risk of transmitting serious diseases to their progeny. In the search of the best method to obtain artificial gametes, many researchers have successfully obtained human germ cell-like cells from stem cells at different stages of differentiation. In the near future, this field will evolve to new methods providing not only viable but also functional and safe artificial germ cells. These artificial sperm and eggs should be able to recapitulate all the genetic and epigenetic processes needed for the correct gametogenesis, fertilization and embryogenesis leading to the birth of a healthy and fertile newborn.

Provision of a protein-rich supplement for grazing suckling female beef calves to improve productive performance and metabolic response

Moreno Deilen S,Ortega Román M,Marquez David C,Moreira Thiago R,Santos Edson J dos,Almeida Daniel M de,Paulino Mário Fonseca,Rennó Luciana Navajas,Detmann Edenio 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.8

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the provision of a proteinrich supplement on productive performance, and metabolic profile on grazing suckling female beef calves in tropical conditions during 150 d of experimentation. Methods: Fifty-six Nellore suckling female calves, and their respective dams were distributed in a completely randomised design and made to undergo two treatments as follows: UNS (without supplementation), and SUP (supplementation with 5 g/kg body weight [BW] of a protein supplement). Throughout the experiment, animal performance and metabolic profile were evaluated. Also, ureagenesis and gluconeogenesis were assessed for gene expression. Results: SUP female calves showed a higher voluntary intake (p≤0.03) of the diet components evaluated, digestibility of organic matter (p≤0.02) and microbial nitrogen production (MICN; p≤0.02) compared to UNS female calves. In its turn, serum urea nitrogen (p≤0.01) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (p≤0.03) levels and ureagenesis (p≤0.04) increased in SUP female calves compared to UNS female calves. Blood glucose and triglyceride levels were not affected by supplementation. The average daily gain (ADG) from SUP female calves was higher (p≤0.02) compared with UNS female calves. However, supplementation did not affect the body measures of the animals. Conclusion: In summary, provision of a protein-rich supplement improves the intake and nutrients digestibility, ADG and final BW and increases metabolic indicators of the protein status in grazing suckling female beef calves in tropical conditions. Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the provision of a protein-rich supplement on productive performance, and metabolic profile on grazing suckling female beef calves in tropical conditions during 150 d of experimentation.Methods: Fifty-six Nellore suckling female calves, and their respective dams were distributed in a completely randomised design and made to undergo two treatments as follows: UNS (without supplementation), and SUP (supplementation with 5 g/kg body weight [BW] of a protein supplement). Throughout the experiment, animal performance and metabolic profile were evaluated. Also, ureagenesis and gluconeogenesis were assessed for gene expression.Results: SUP female calves showed a higher voluntary intake (p≤0.03) of the diet components evaluated, digestibility of organic matter (p≤0.02) and microbial nitrogen production (MICN; p≤0.02) compared to UNS female calves. In its turn, serum urea nitrogen (p≤0.01) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (p≤0.03) levels and ureagenesis (p≤0.04) increased in SUP female calves compared to UNS female calves. Blood glucose and triglyceride levels were not affected by supplementation. The average daily gain (ADG) from SUP female calves was higher (p≤0.02) compared with UNS female calves. However, supplementation did not affect the body measures of the animals.Conclusion: In summary, provision of a protein-rich supplement improves the intake and nutrients digestibility, ADG and final BW and increases metabolic indicators of the protein status in grazing suckling female beef calves in tropical conditions.