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Introduction: The analysis of the core biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is recommended in the clinical units where it is available. Because of the absence of universal validated values, the determination of specific cut-off points for each center and its population is recommended. The main objective of the CORCOBIA study was to determine the cut-off points of core AD CSF biomarkers for several centers (Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona and Hospital General de Granollers), which work with the same reference laboratory (Laboratori de Referència de Catalunya). Methods: Prospective study including cognitively unimpaired individuals (CU, n = 42), subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI, n = 35) and patients with dementia due to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD, n = 48), in whom clinical and neuropsychological assessment, neuroimaging, APOE genotyping and lumbar puncture to analyse amyloid beta peptides (Aβ42, Aβ40), total tau (tTau) and phosphorylated Tau (pTau181) using the Lumipulse G600II (Fujirebio) was performed. The values of sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), predictive values and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated, determining the cut-off point according to the Youden index by comparing the CU and AD groups. Results: The resulting cut-offs and their AUC were the following: Aβ42 750 pg/mL (AUC 0.809); Aβ42/Aβ40 0.062 (AUC 0.78); pTau181 69.85 pg/mL (AUC 0.81); tTau 522.0 pg/mL (AUC 0.79); Aβ42/tTau 1.76 (AUC 0.86); Aβ42/pTau181 10.25 (AUC 0.86). Conclusions: The determination of cut-off points of core AD CSF biomarkers for the participating centers allows a better diagnostic accuracy. The ratio CSF Aβ42/pTau181 shows the highest AUC and better balance between sensitivity and specificity. Resumen: Introducción: El análisis de biomarcadores bioquímicos de Enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) en líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) se recomienda como parte del diagnóstico en los centros en los que está disponible. Ante la ausencia de valores universales validados, se recomienda la determinación de puntos de corte (PdC) específicos para cada centro y su población. El objetivo principal del proyecto CORCOBIA fue determinar los PdC de biomarcadores de EA en LCR para varios centros (Parc de Salut Mar de Barcelona y Hospital General de Granollers), que trabajan con el mismo laboratorio de referencia (Laboratori de Referència de Catalunya). Métodos: Estudio prospectivo incluyendo sujetos cognitivamente sanos (CS, n = 42), con deterioro cognitivo ligero amnésico (DCLa, n = 35) y con demencia tipo Alzheimer (DTA, n = 48), realizando valoración clínica y neuropsicológica, neuroimagen, genotipado APOE y punción lumbar para analizar los péptidos beta amiloides (Aβ42, Aβ40) y las proteínas tau total (tTau) y tau fosforilada (pTau181) mediante el autoanalizador Lumipulse G600II (Fujirebio). Se calcularon los valores de Sensibilidad (S), Especificidad (E), valores predictivos y área bajo la curva (ABC), determinando el punto de corte según índice de Youden comparando los grupos de CS y DTA. Resultados: Los PdC y ABC fueron los siguientes: Aβ42 750 pg/mL (ABC 0.809); Aβ42/Aβ40 0.062 (ABC 0.78); pTau181 69.85 pg/mL (ABC 0.81); tTau 522.0 pg/mL (ABC 0.79); Aβ42/tTau 1.76 (ABC 0.86); Aβ42/pTau181 10.25 (ABC 0.86). Conclusiones: La determinación de PdC para biomarcadores de EA en LCR para los centros participantes permite una mejor precisión diagnóstica, siendo la ratio Aβ42/pTau181 en LCR el parámetro con mayor ABC y mejor balance entre sensibilidad y especificidad.

Resumen: El prurigo crónico nodular (PCN) es una enfermedad dermatológica crónica, caracterizada por la presencia de prurito crónico (PC) y lesiones nodulares pruriginosas cutáneas. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo consensuar entre un grupo de expertos, a partir de una revisión bibliográfica no sistemática, un algoritmo para el diagnóstico clínico del PCN. El algoritmo resultante se ha estructurado en tres bloques: 1) identificación precoz del paciente con posible diagnóstico de PCN; 2) diagnóstico y valoración del PCN; y 3) categorización del PCN (identificación de las causas subyacentes o de las comorbilidades asociadas)Consideramos que este algoritmo clínico puede facilitar el diagnóstico correcto de los pacientes con PCN. Además, genera conciencia de la necesidad de un abordaje multidisciplinar y de un tratamiento específico del PCN, pasos indispensables para tomar mejores decisiones terapéuticas. Abstract: Chronic nodular prurigo (CNP) is a chronic dermatological disease characterized by the presence of chronic pruritus and pruritic nodular lesions. The aim of this study was to reach consensus among a group of experts based on a non-systematic literature review and an algorithm for the clinical diagnosis of CNP. The resulting algorithm is structured in 3 blocks: 1) early identification of the patient with a possible diagnosis of CNP; 2) diagnosis and assessment of CNP; and 3) categorization of CNP (identification of the underlying causes or associated comorbidities).We believe that this clinical algorithm can facilitate the correct diagnosis of patients with CNP. Additionally, it raises awareness on the need for a multidisciplinary approach and specific treatment of CNP, steps of paramount importance to make better therapeutic decisions.

Resumen: Introducción: El análisis de biomarcadores bioquímicos de enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) en líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) se recomienda como parte del diagnóstico en los centros en los que está disponible. Ante la ausencia de valores universales validados, se recomienda la determinación de puntos de corte (PdC) específicos para cada centro y su población. El objetivo principal del proyecto CORCOBIA fue determinar los PdC de biomarcadores de EA en LCR para varios centros (Parc de Salut Mar de Barcelona y Hospital General de Granollers) que trabajan con el mismo laboratorio de referencia (Laboratori de Referència de Catalunya). Métodos: Estudio prospectivo que incluyó sujetos cognitivamente sanos (n = 42), con deterioro cognitivo ligero amnésico (n = 35) y con demencia tipo Alzheimer (n = 48), a los que se realizó valoración clínica y neuropsicológica, neuroimagen, genotipado APOE y punción lumbar para analizar los péptidos beta-amiloides (Aβ42, Aβ40) y las proteínas tau total (tTau) y tau fosforilada (pTau181) mediante el autoanalizador Lumipulse® G600II (Fujirebio). Se calcularon los valores de sensibilidad y especificidad, los valores predictivos y el área bajo la curva (ABC), determinando el PdC según el índice de Youden comparando los grupos de sujetos cognitivamente sanos y con demencia tipo Alzheimer. Resultados: Los PdC y ABC fueron los siguientes: Aβ42 750 pg/ml (ABC 0,809); Aβ42/Aβ40 0,062 (ABC 0,78); pTau181 69,85 pg/ml (ABC 0,81); tTau 522,0 pg/ml (ABC 0,79); Aβ42/tTau 1,76 (ABC 0,86); Aβ42/pTau181 10,25 (ABC 0,86). Conclusiones: La determinación de PdC para biomarcadores de EA en LCR para los centros participantes permite una mejor precisión diagnóstica, siendo la ratio Aβ42/pTau181 en LCR el parámetro con mayor ABC y mejor balance entre sensibilidad y especificidad. Abstract: Introduction: The analysis of the core biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is recommended in the clinical units where it is available. Because of the absence of universal validated values, the determination of specific cut-off points (COP) for each center and its population is recommended. The main objective of the CORCOBIA study was to determine the COP of core AD CSF biomarkers for several centers (Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, and Hospital General de Granollers), which work with the same reference laboratory (Laboratori de Referència de Catalunya). Methods: Prospective study including cognitively healthy subjects (n = 42), subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (n = 35) and patients with dementia due to AD (n = 48), in whom clinical and neuropsychological assessment, neuroimaging, APOE genotyping and lumbar puncture to analyze amyloid beta peptides (Aβ42, Aβ40), total tau (tTau) and phosphorylated Tau (pTau181) using the Lumipulse® G600II (Fujirebio) was performed. The values of sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated, determining the COP according to the Youden index by comparing the groups of cognitively healthy subjects and AD. Results: The resulting COP and their AUC were the following: Aβ42 750 pg/ml (AUC 0.809); Aβ42/Aβ40 0.062 pg/ml (AUC 0.78); pTau181 69.85 pg/ml (AUC 0.81); tTau 522.0 pg/ml (AUC 0.79); Aβ42/tTau 1.76 pg/ml (AUC 0.86); Aβ42/pTau181 10.25 pg/ml (AUC 0.86). Conclusions: The determination of COP of core AD CSF biomarkers for the participating centers allows a better diagnostic accuracy. The ratio CSF Aβ42/pTau181 shows the highest AUC and better balance between sensitivity and specificity.

Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a negative emissions technology (NET) that shows significant potential for climate change mitigation. By increasing the bicarbonate ion concentration in ocean water, OAE could enhance long-term carbon storage and mitigate ocean acidification. However, the side effects and/or potential co-benefits of OAE on natural planktonic communities remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, a mesocosm experiment was conducted in the oligotrophic waters of Gran Canaria. A CO2-equilibrated total alkalinity (TA) gradient was employed in increments of 300 µmol L−1, ranging from ∼ 2400 to ∼ 4800 µmol L−1. This study represents the first attempt to evaluate the potential impacts of OAE on planktonic communities under natural conditions. The results show that net community production (NCP), gross production (GP), community respiration (CR) rates, and the metabolic balance (GP:CR) did not exhibit a linear response to the whole alkalinity gradient. Instead, significant polynomial and linear regression models were observed for all rates up to ΔTA 1800 µmol L−1, in relation to the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations. Notably, the ΔTA 1500 and 1800 µmol L−1 treatments showed peaks in NCP shifting from a heterotrophic to an autotrophic state, with NCP values of 4 and 8 µmol O2 kg−1 d−1, respectively. These peaks and the optimum curve were also reflected in the nanoplankton abundance, size-fractionated chlorophyll a, and 14C uptake data. Furthermore, abiotic precipitation occurred in the highest treatment after day 21, but no impact on the measured parameters was detected. Overall, a damaging effect of CO2-equilibrated OAE in the range applied here on phytoplankton primary production, community metabolism, and composition could not be inferred. In fact, a potential co-benefit to OAE was observed in the form of the positive curvilinear response to the DIC gradient up to the ΔTA 1800 treatment. Further experimental research at this scale is key to gain a better understanding of the short- and long-term effects of OAE on planktonic communities.

Chronic nodular prurigo (CNP) is a chronic dermatological disease characterized by the presence of chronic pruritus and pruritic nodular lesions. The aim of this study was to reach consensus among a group of experts based on a non-systematic literature review and an algorithm for the clinical diagnosis of CNP. The resulting algorithm is structured in 3 blocks: 1) early identification of the patient with a possible diagnosis of CNP; 2) diagnosis and assessment of CNP; and 3) categorization of CNP (identification of the underlying causes or associated comorbidities).We believe that this clinical algorithm can facilitate the correct diagnosis of patients with CNP. Additionally, it raises awareness on the need for a multidisciplinary approach and specific treatment of CNP, steps of paramount importance to make better therapeutic decisions. Resumen: El prurigo crónico nodular (PCN) es una enfermedad dermatológica crónica, caracterizada por la presencia de prurito crónico (PC) y lesiones nodulares pruriginosas cutáneas. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo consensuar entre un grupo de expertos, a partir de una revisión bibliográfica no sistemática, un algoritmo para el diagnóstico clínico del PCN. El algoritmo resultante se ha estructurado en tres bloques: 1) identificación precoz del paciente con posible diagnóstico de PCN; 2) diagnóstico y valoración del PCN; y 3) categorización del PCN (identificación de las causas subyacentes o de las comorbilidades asociadas)Consideramos que este algoritmo clínico puede facilitar el diagnóstico correcto de los pacientes con PCN. Además, genera conciencia de la necesidad de un abordaje multidisciplinar y de un tratamiento específico del PCN, pasos indispensables para tomar mejores decisiones terapéuticas.

The development of reduced models provide efficient methods that can be used to perform short term experimental data analysis or narrow down the parametric range of more sophisticated numerical approaches. Reduced models are derived by simplifying the physics description with the goal of retaining only the essential ingredients required to reproduce the phenomena under study. This is the role of the gyro-fluid code FAR3d, dedicated to analyze the linear and nonlinear stability of Alfvén Eigenmodes (AE), Energetic Particle Modes (EPM) and magnetic-hydrodynamic modes as pressure gradient driven mode (PGDM) and current driven modes (CDM) in nuclear fusion devices. Such analysis is valuable for improving the plasma heating efficiency and confinement; this can enhance the overall device performance. The present review is dedicated to a description of the most important contributions of the FAR3d code in the field of energetic particles (EP) and AE/EPM stability. FAR3d is used to model and characterize the AE/EPM activity measured in fusion devices as LHD, JET, DIII-D, EAST, TJ-II and Heliotron J. In addition, the computational efficiency of FAR3d facilitates performing massive parametric studies leading to the identification of optimization trends with respect to the AE/EPM stability. This can aid in identifying operational regimes where AE/EPM activity is avoided or minimized. This technique is applied to the analysis of optimized configurations with respect to the thermal plasma parameters, magnetic field configuration, external actuators and the effect of multiple EP populations. In addition, the AE/EPM saturation phase is analyzed, taking into account both steady-state phases and bursting activity observed in LHD and DIII-D devices. The nonlinear calculations provide: the induced EP transport, the generation of zonal structures as well as the energy transfer towards the thermal plasma and between different toroidal/helical families. Finally, FAR3d is used to forecast the AE/EPM stability in operational scenarios of future devices as ITER, CFETR, JT60SA and CFQS as well as possible approaches to optimization with respect to variations in the most important plasma parameters.

SfM-MVS (Structure from Motion -Multi View Stereo) photogrammetry is a cost-effective and versatile technique used, among other applications, for the three-dimensional (3D) modelling of archaeological heritage sites and artistic objects. Traditional photogrammetry primarily derives the calibration parameters of the camera and the exterior orientation variables from ground control points (GCPs), obtained by means of a GPS, and tie points (TPs). The SfM-MVS approach simultaneously computes both the relative projection geometry and a set of sparse 3D points. However, when these techniques must be used with difficult-to-reach objects, the process is very complex and implies the use of expensive pieces of equipment. For these reasons, this study develops a new procedure to obtain 3D scale models using of a low-cost Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). To achieve good dimensional accuracy, a scaling tool has been designed which can be carried by the aircraft and deployed on the top of object. By means of this tool it is possible to determine the object actual size, scale the 3D model and then verify the operability and quality of the measurements obtained. The new method has been validated by comparing point clouds and distances. The results showed an error of less than 1 mm in almost 90% of the point cloud and a mean relative error of 1.49%. The procedure is therefore simple, effective and allows the use of SfM-MVS photogrammetry techniques indoors or outdoors on objects, which due to their complex location, it is impossible to use scaling references and their reconstruction is only feasible with sophisticated and expensive technical means.

The generation of shear flows (SFs) by Alfven Eigenmodes (AEs) and energetic particle modes (EPMs) have important effects on the operation of future nuclear fusion reactors, because SFs regulate the saturation of the AEs/EPMs, the transport of EPs and thermal plasma, as well as the formation of transport barriers among other consequences. The aim of this study is the analysis of SFs generation during the saturation phase of AEs and EPMs in LHD plasma. Experiments performed in the 23rd and 24th LHD experimental campaigns are dedicated to explore the destabilization of AEs/EPMs in discharges with different heating patterns, thermal plasma and magnetic field configurations. In particular, the shots 176490 and 179697 show the destabilization of MHD bursts and energetic-ion-driven resistive interchange modes (EIC), respectively. Charge exchange spectroscopy measurements in both discharges indicate that the generation of SFs by AE/EPM is uncorrelated with the perturbation induced by the neutral beam injector (NBI). Nonlinear simulations performed using the gyro-fluid code FAR3d show the generation of zonal structures, especially SFs, induced during the saturation phase of Toroidal Alfven Eigenmodes (TAEs) triggered in the MHD burst as well as by the $1/1$ EIC in the bursting phase. The simulations indicate that SFs are caused by the radial electric fields powered by energy transfers from the unstable AE/EPM towards the thermal plasma. The strongest SFs are measured during the EIC bursting phase once the $1/1$ EPM overlaps with nearby resonances at the plasma periphery. Likewise, the largest SFs during the MHD burst are observed once TAEs radially overlap in the inner-middle plasma region.

Technological developments of the last decades are making possible to speed up different processes involved in construction projects. It is noticeable what building information modeling (BIM) can offer during the entire lifecycle of a project by integrating graphical and non graphical data, in addition to this, mapping the site with a 3D laser scan has been proved to provide a feasible workflow to compare as built models with as designed BIM, in this way, an automatic construction progress monitoring can also be performed. Terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) are commonly used to map a construction site due the level of accuracy provided, but indoor mobile mapping systems (iMMS) could offer a more efficient approach by speeding up the acquisition time and capturing all the details of the site just by walking through it, provided that the point cloud is accurate enough for the purpose of interest. In this paper, an iMMS is used to track the progress of a construction site, the point clouds were uploaded onto a platform of autonomous construction progress monitoring to verify if the system can meet the requirements of available applications. The results showed that the iMMS used is capable to produce point clouds with a quality such that the construction progress monitoring can be performed.

El Campo Casabe está formado por una estructura anticlinal asimétrica con buzamiento moderado hacia el este, afectado por fallas transpresionales que involucran secuencias sedimentarias del Cretáceo y Paleógeno. Como consecuencia, se produjeron fallas normales e inversas que definen 8 bloques operativos en el campo. Se resaltan como características relevantes la alta heterogeneidad de yacimientos no consolidados producidos en conjunto, la limitada continuidad areal de los yacimientos y las desfavorables relaciones de movilidad. Estas condiciones motivaron al equipo técnico del campo a realizar análisis integrados y multidisciplinarios que comprenden estudios de geología, yacimientos e ingeniería de subsuelo, validados con la experiencia operativa obtenida en el campo, con el fin de explotar más eficientemente los hidrocarburos de cada una de las 23 capas productoras.Este análisis integrado incorpora cambios en los volúmenes de inyección de agua por arena en función de los volúmenes remanentes de petróleo, calculados a partir de las eficiencias volumétrica y de desplazamiento y de los estudios de conectividad hidráulica. A partir de estos volúmenes, se definieron pronósticos de producción incremental usando curvas de flujo fraccional. También se determinaron perfiles de inyección por pozo que generen una condición de balance en el sistema. Todo esto, con el fin de incrementar el factor de recobro en el campo, mejorar la utilización del agua de inyección y disminuir el índice de falla relacionado a desbalances en el sistema producción–inyección. Los resultados a la fecha indican que en las zonas de estudio se ha obtenido una reducción del 25% en el índice de falla, un incremento de la producción del 21%, una reversión de la tendencia de la declinación del campo del 15% al 7% y una reducción del 30% de los costos asociados a consumo de energía y química para tratamiento de agua.

Eastern boundary upwelling systems (EBUS) are among the most productive marine ecosystems on Earth. The production of organic material is fueled by upwelling of nutrient-rich deep waters and high incident light at the sea surface. However, biotic and abiotic factors can modify surface production and related biogeochemical processes. Determining these factors is important because EBUS are considered hotspots of climate change, and reliable predictions of their future functioning requires understanding of the mechanisms driving the biogeochemical cycles therein. In this field experiment, we used in situ mesocosms as tools to improve our mechanistic understanding of processes controlling organic matter cycling in the coastal Peruvian upwelling system. Eight mesocosms, each with a volume of ∼55 m3, were deployed for 50 d ∼6 km off Callao (12∘ S) during austral summer 2017, coinciding with a coastal El Niño phase. After mesocosm deployment, we collected subsurface waters at two different locations in the regional oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) and injected these into four mesocosms (mixing ratio ≈1.5 : 1 mesocosm: OMZ water). The focus of this paper is on temporal developments of organic matter production, export, and stoichiometry in the individual mesocosms. The mesocosm phytoplankton communities were initially dominated by diatoms but shifted towards a pronounced dominance of the mixotrophic dinoflagellate (Akashiwo sanguinea) when inorganic nitrogen was exhausted in surface layers. The community shift coincided with a short-term increase in production during the A. sanguinea bloom, which left a pronounced imprint on organic matter C : N : P stoichiometry. However, C, N, and P export fluxes did not increase because A. sanguinea persisted in the water column and did not sink out during the experiment. Accordingly, export fluxes during the study were decoupled from surface production and sustained by the remaining plankton community. Overall, biogeochemical pools and fluxes were surprisingly constant for most of the experiment. We explain this constancy by light limitation through self-shading by phytoplankton and by inorganic nitrogen limitation which constrained phytoplankton growth. Thus, gain and loss processes remained balanced and there were few opportunities for blooms, which represents an event where the system becomes unbalanced. Overall, our mesocosm study revealed some key links between ecological and biogeochemical processes for one of the most economically important regions in the oceans.

Extreme heat does not affect all urban residents equally. While vulnerability is often defined as a combination of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, many scholars have argued that the quantitative representation of adaptive capacity is particularly difficult. How people who live in vulnerable situations change their behavior to cope with and manage extreme urban temperatures, and the resources necessary to prevent adverse health effects, highlight different adaptive capacity within a city. Our understanding and depiction of how and why the impacts of urban heat vary between individuals and groups is constrained by contemporary approaches to quantify vulnerability using aggregate-scale data drawn from censuses, surveys, and administrative records. Thus, adaptive capacity is likely poorly represented in modern heat vulnerability analyses and their applications. This article explores how different city residents understand and adapt to increasing extreme urban heat, the tradeoffs different populations must make between generic and specific adaptive capacity, and the coping strategies that influence heat adaptive capacity at various scales. Using metropolitan Phoenix as a test site, open-ended interviews were conducted in which residents told their stories about past and present extreme heat adaptive capacity and adaptive behaviors. Three narratives emerged: heat is an inconvenience, heat is a manageable problem, and heat is a catastrophe. Framing heat vulnerability using these differing narratives can help evaluate if standard recommendations for coping with heat adequately represent solutions for the lived experiences of different vulnerable groups. Learning how and under what circumstances vulnerable people are motivated to make necessary changes to increase thermal comfort and safeguard public health will ensure that targeted heat mitigation and adaptation policies are widely adopted. Heat adaptation and mitigation policy makers need to be cognizant of the gap in heat risk perception across different segments of the population and reflect on whether those decisions reflect their experience (of likely belonging to the inconvenience group) or incorporate differing scales of heat adaptive capacity.

The aim of this study is to analyze the linear stability of Alfvén eigenmodes (AE) in the QPS device heated by a tangential neutral beam injector (NBI). The analysis is performed using the gyro-fluid code FAR3d, that solves the reduced MHD equations for the thermal plasma coupled with moments of the kinetic equation for the energetic particles (EP). The AE stability is calculated in several operational regimes of the tangential NBI: EP β between 0.001 and 0.1, EP energy between 12 and 180 keV and different radial locations of the beam. The analysis is performed for vacuum and finite β equilibria as well as QPS configurations with two and three periods. The EP β threshold in the vacuum case is 0.001 and the AE frequency is lower as the energy of the EP population decreases. Toroidal Alfvén eigenmodes with f = 80–120 kHz and elliptical AE between f = 120–350 kHz are triggered between the middle-outer plasma region ( $r/a \gt 0.5$ ). The AE stability improves in the simulations with finite β equilibria and three period configurations with respect to the vacuum case with two periods because the continuum gaps are slender, leading to a higher threshold of the EP β , above 0.03 for the AEs triggered by the helical mode families. Helical effects are not strong enough to destabilize Helical Alfvén eigenmodes, the AEs with the largest growth rates are triggered by the n = 1 and n = 2 toroidal families.

En la última década estudios previos han demostrado un aumento de las cifras de prolactina en pacientes con un primer episodio psicótico libres de tratamiento respecto a controles sanos. Aunque no existen mecanismos fisiopatológicos claros, existe la posibilidad de que se trate de una alteración secundaria al contexto estresante del debut psicótico. Alternativamente, los pacientes con un trastorno psicótico podrían sufrir una regulación anómala de la secreción de prolactina con un exceso de factores estimuladores o un defecto de los factores inhibitorios. En la presente revisión narrativa se comentan diferentes posibles mecanismos fisiopatológicos implicados incluyendo el papel del estrés y la regulación de la secreción de prolactina en la vía tuberoinfundibular, que puede evaluarse clínicamente con pruebas funcionales endocrinológicas. Este conocimiento ofrece una oportunidad de investigar las causas de estas alteraciones y dilucidar los mecanismos implicados en la hiperprolactinemia en fases tempranas de psicosis.

Sociology plays a key role in empathy development, which is central to addressing complex social problems. However, little is known about what types of courses work best to enhance empathy. In parallel, sociological animal studies (SAS) has evolved as a relatively new subfield focused on assessing human and animal relationships. SAS research suggests that our interactions with animals enhance empathy development. Combining these literatures, we assess if SAS compared to non-SAS courses impact affective and cognitive empathy for humans and animals differently. Findings reveal that students who take SAS courses demonstrate greater postcourse human and animal empathy even when controlling for precourse levels of empathy and other factors that drive empathy development. Although SAS remains on the periphery of the discipline, this study suggests that it should be a central component of the sociological curriculum.

Abstract This investigation demonstrates the feasibility to fabricate high quality ceramic-carbonate membranes based on mixed-conducting ceramics. Specifically, it is reported the simultaneous CO2/O2 permeation and stability properties of membranes constituted by a combination of ceramic and carbonate phases, wherein the microstructure of the ceramic part is composed, in turn, of a mixture of fluorite and perovskite phases. These ceramics showed ionic and electronic conduction, and at the operation temperature, the carbonate phase of the membranes is in liquid state, which allows the transport of $$\rm{CO}_3^{2-}$$ C O 3 2 − and O2− species via different mechanisms. To fabricate the membranes, the ceramic powders were uniaxially pressed in a disk shape. Then, an incipient sintering treatment was carried out in such a way that a highly porous ceramic was obtained. Afterwards, the piece is densified by the infiltration of molten carbonate. Characterization of the membranes was accomplished by SEM, XRD, and gas permeation techniques among others. Thermal and chemical stability under an atmosphere rich in CO2 was evaluated. CO2/O2 permeation and long-term stability measurements were conducted between 850 and 940 °C. The best permeation-separation performance of membranes of about 1 mm thickness, showed a maximum permeance flux of about 4.46×10−7 mol·m−2·s−2·Pa−1 for CO2 and 2.18×10−7 mol·m−2·s−1·Pa−1 for O2 at 940 °C. Membranes exhibited separation factor values of 150–991 and 49–511 for CO2/N2 and O2/N2 respectively in the studied temperature range. Despite long-term stability test showed certain microstructural changes in the membranes, no significant detriment on the permeation properties was observed along 100 h of continuous operation.

La diversificación de los productos agroalimentarios a través de las cadenas emergentes tiene un papel económico fundamental en el Ecuador. Los factores socioeconómicos y productivos siguen afectando su progreso y desempeño. Además, el crecimiento actual de las oportunidades de mercado a nivel local e internacional es un motor para apoyarlas. Por lo tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar los aspectos sociales y de producción para comprender la dinámica de la cadena de la guchuva (Physalis peruviana) a través de sus etapas. El objetivo fue introducir el dimensionamiento de la cadena para contribuir con ideas relevantes. Realizamos la investigación aplicando un marco que considera la configuración de la cadena y herramientas descriptivas. Fronteras establecidas para el estudio agrupó a los actores de la preproducción, producción y posproducción. Realizamos encuestas en los niveles establecidos para identificar fortalezas y debilidades basadas en variables socioeconómicas y productivas específicas. Los resultados señalan que la diversificación de los canales de comercialización y el fortalecimiento de las estructuras organizativas son las principales estrategias a largo plazo para reforzar la cadena de guchuva. La contribución principal fue la aplicación de la configuración de la cadena como una herramienta para evaluar el rendimiento de la cadena alimentaria de manera integral.

The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of the electron cyclotron heating (ECH) on the linear stability of Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and energetic particle modes (EPMs) triggered by energetic ions in Heliotron J plasma. The analysis is performed using the FAR3d code that solves a reduced MHD model to describe the thermal plasma coupled with a gyrofluid model for the energetic particle (EP) species. The simulations reproduce the AE/EPM stability trends observed in the experiments as the electron temperature ( T _e ) increases, modifying the thermal plasma β , EP β and EP slowing-down time. Particularly, the $n/m = 1/2$ EPM and $2/4$ Global AE are stabilized in the low-bumpiness (LB) configuration due to an enhancement of the continuum, finite Larmor radius and e-i Landau damping effects as the thermal β increases. On the other hand, a larger ECH injection power cannot stabilize the AE/EPM in medium-bumpiness and high-bumpiness (HB) configurations because the damping effects are weaker compared to the LB case, unable to balance the further destabilization induced by an enhanced EP resonance as the EP slowing-down time and EP β increases with T _e .

An increased incidence of haematologic malignancies and other cancer types among patients with haemophilia compared with matched controls has been reported in several longitudinal studies. Tumours initially misdiagnosed as haematomas and conversely haematomas mistaken for tumours have been reported. Here, we describe the case of a 43-year-old man with severe haemophilia A and a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, originally diagnosed as a haematoma, who underwent a splenectomy and several associated surgeries as part of his lymphoma treatment. Perioperative treatment with octanate® (human coagulation factor VIII) enabled the successful performance of all surgical interventions required in the context of lymphoma treatment. Nevertheless, differential diagnosis of posttraumatic haematoma in patients with haemophilia should include the consideration of malignancy.

In this article, the full description of a heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF_REF) cohort of 192 patients is provided. Tables with the baseline demographic, prior history, ECG parameters, echocardiographic parameters, laboratory values and pharmacological treatment of these patients are included. Also, the quartile values of the analyzed circulating biomarkers: high sensitivity Troponin T (hs-TnT), galectin-3 (Gal-3), C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (CICP), soluble AXL (sAXL) and Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) are given. The main demographic and clinical features of the patients’ subgroups that have hs-TnT, Gal-3, CICP or BNP above the third quartile are described. Tables with Pearson correlation analysis of the HF_REF patients’ biomarker levels are included. And Pearson correlation analysis of the HF_REF patients’ hs-TnT, Gal-3, CICP levels with patients’ biochemical parameters, blood count and inflammation parameters are also described. These data are related to the research articles (AXL receptor tyrosine kinase is increased in patients with heart failure (M. Batlle, P. Recarte-Pelz, E. Roig, M.A. Castel, M. Cardona, M. Farrero, et al., 2014) [1] and Use of serum levels of high sensitivity troponin T, galectin-3 and C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen at long term follow-up in Heart Failure patients with reduced ejection fraction: comparison with soluble AXL and BNP (M. Batlle, B. Campos, M. Farrero, M. Cardona, B. González, M.A. Castel, et al., 2016) [2].

Abstract Background GATA3 is pivotal for the development of T lymphocytes. While its effects in later stages of T cell differentiation are well recognized, the role of GATA3 in the generation of early T cell precursors (ETP) has only recently been explored. As aberrant GATA3 mRNA expression has been linked to cancerogenesis, we investigated the role of GATA3 in early T cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL). Methods We analyzed GATA3 mRNA expression by RT-PCR (n = 182) in adult patients with T-ALL. Of these, we identified 70 of 182 patients with ETP-ALL by immunophenotyping. DNA methylation was assessed genome wide (Illumina Infinium® HumanMethylation450 BeadChip platform) in 12 patients and GATA3-specifically by pyrosequencing in 70 patients with ETP-ALL. The mutational landscape of ETP-ALL with respect to GATA3 expression was investigated in 18 patients and validated by Sanger sequencing in 65 patients with ETP-ALL. Gene expression profiles (Affymetrix Human genome U133 Plus 2.0) of an independent cohort of adult T-ALL (n = 83) were used to identify ETP-ALL and investigate GATA3low and GATA3high expressing T-ALL patients. In addition, the ETP-ALL cell line PER-117 was investigated for cytotoxicity, apoptosis, GATA3 mRNA expression, DNA methylation, and global gene expression before and after treatment with decitabine. Results In our cohort of 70 ETP-ALL patients, 33 % (23/70) lacked GATA3 expression and were thus defined as GATA3low. DNA methylation analysis revealed a high degree of GATA3 CpG island methylation in GATA3low compared with GATA3high ETP-ALL patients (mean 46 vs. 21 %, p

Colombia is the country with the highest biodiversity of species of the Passifloraceae family in the world, to date possess an inventory of 167 species. Some of these have a high commercial importance derived from their consumption in fresh and processed; reason why they are widely cultivated in different regions of the country, but especially distributed throughout the Andean Region. Because of the above it is evident that a significant part of the fruits used in the consumption generate by-products that are going to give to the landfills, becoming a focus of environmental contamination. Therefore, this project evaluated the potential of the by- products generated from three Passiflorae edulis Sims, Passiflorae mollissima (Kunth) L.H. Bailey and Passiflorae quadrangularis L. for their potential use as biomass. For this purpose, fruits were used in consumption matures of the three-species forming a single batch and performing the analyzes of the variables in triplicate. Hence, the analysis of the content of holocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, as well as determination of the dry matter content and percentage of moisture by lyophilization and organic matter were carried out using a unifactorial design (residues of the studied fruit). Consequently, as a result of data processed in the Matlab statistical package through analysis of variance it was evidenced that the analyzed postharvest residues have a high potential in the three pasifloras evaluated as a source of usable biomass. Lastly, it is emphasized the pericarp of passion fruit (Passiflorae edulis Sims) becouse it showed higher percentage contents in the variables cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin what evidenced the potential of these residues (residual biomass) for the production of so-called " Biofuels - Second Generation".

Undoubtedly, with the different effects of climate change, the companies producing biofuels have turned their attention to the woody and herbaceous species, for their energy use. Although these processes are based on the different agroindustry chains that are developed at local, regional, national or international level, depending on the type of soil, vegetation and predominant climate presented in each of them. For this reason, the industry transformation sector must go hand in hand with the primary sector, ensuring a large amount of volume in the production of biomass with characteristics desired by the processors of plants for the use of bioenergy improving the production techniques. Having said that, this research evaluated the composition and initial behavior in a second generation of the sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuss L.) of plants that were treated during their germination phase with induced magnetic fields. The magnetic field strengths of 14µT and 422µT to which the mother plants were subjected were generated with coils of 300 and 1200 turns, handling an exposure time of 60 min, 180 min, 300 min and 15 days (permanent). Subsequently evaluating seeds in relation to variables such as germination and initial seedling growth (% of germination, fresh biomass and dry biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll, in addition, to development indicators); in the same way, the watery activity, the protein nitrogen content, the ethereal extract or crude fat content, the ash content and the crude fiber were determined on the seeds of the first generation. On the other hand, the experimental design was subject to the initial conditions of culture of the mother plants being a factorial design in relation two components "field intensity x time of magnetic induction". The best results were evidenced in those plants coming from seeds of mother plants treated with fields with lower intensity and with a longer exposure time.

Currently, one of the major problems of agricultural and agroindustry production chains worldwide, is generated by the by-products that later become contaminating sources of the environment. It is then, where the use of biotechnology as a tool applied to agroindustry processes manages to transform by-products into products with greater added value. For its part, the cultivation Musa spp., has been a traditional sector of the peasant economy, but at the same time it generates a significant amount of waste (pseudostem and leaves) that remain in the field after harvest. Therefore, it is proposed in this research to identify the potential of the pseudostem of Musa spp., as raw material for the development of nutritional blocks that serve for animal consumption, taking as a reference the characterization, pretreatment and combination of said byproduct with waste from other agroindustry chains, for their nutritional potential such as molasses, glycerin and the cake of palm kernel. In addition, two factors were evaluated: the first with pseudostem from of (San Francisco - Cundinamarca and Tibaná - Boyacá) and the second pre-treatment from (stem in cool and stem in silage); with these were constructed nutritional blocks considering the two research factors and their combinations to establish the behavior and nutritional quality of pretreatments. The results showed a reduction of the lignin level, an increase of the protein content up to 30%, as well as a decrease in the percentage of Neutral Detergent Fiber - NDF, converting of pseudostem blocks into a food supplement with great potential of use in the animal feed and with this in an alternative to mitigate the negative impact of the disposal of these residues in the environment.

Liquid humic substances are one of the biotechnological alternatives for organic agriculture, mainly those that are obtained from recyclable organic sources such as compost and vermicompost. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of biofertilization with Liplant on the growth, development and water relations of rose plants, exposed to water stress conditions. The experiment was carried out under semicontrolled conditions in the central area of the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA), San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque province. Used were the species Rosa indica L. var. Classy; applying a completely randomized design, where the factors studied were the sprinkling with the biostimulant Liplant 1/40 v.v., and the water stress condition, with 4 treatments, 2 with control and two with stress; alternating in each case the application or not of the Liplant. The substrate used was composed of leached red ferralitic soil, combined with cachaza in proportion 3:1 v.v. It was observed that the index evaluated were significantly affected by the pre- established drought conditions, clearly showing a decrease of the biomass in the aerial parts of the plant, being more remarkable in plants without application of Liplant. Sprinkling with Liplant 1/40 v.v., allowed to increase the production of biomass, both in good wáter catering and in conditions of water deficit. This reflects that the efficient use of biotechnology helps to mitigate, in the case of rose cultivation, the negative effects of climate change.

It is evident that many processes at industrial level are limited by not disposing throughout the time, in a sustainable and continuous way, sources of raw materials of high potential. It is then that the use of foliar residues of Musa spp. plants plays an important role, taking into account that for being a perennial tropical crop, it presents a high production of biomass per unit area annually. It is to remark that on a regular basis, biomass produced is left on plantations after every harvest, which turns to be a problem not only for crop management, but also for the environment. This research evaluated the potential of pseudostem of Musa spp. for biomass production in order to generate added value to its crops and decrease the productive- environmental problem that all its waste produce. Plant samples of pseudostem are taken from the villages of San Francisco de Sales, Cundinamarca - Colombia y Tibaná, Boyacá – Colombia. Pseudostem cutting was performed at a distance of 1 m from the base of the stem; the type of cut is transversal and the following 50 cm were used as raw material. With the purpose of identifying the exploitable physicochemical components of the pseudostem of Musa spp, one bromatological analysis was performed – Van Soest for every origin (San Francisco y Tibaná). To carry out the bromatological analysis, it was required 250g of each sample. The parameters evaluated were moisture content (H), ash content, ether extract or crude fat (GC), fiber, protein, carbohydrates, nitrogen – free extract (ELN), minerals, structural and nonstructural composites. A design with factorial arrangement with three replicates per treatment was used. A simple variance analysis (ANOVA) among the means of samples was performed by treatment with a significance level of 95% (a=0,05) in order to establish if there are meaningful differences for the variables in evaluation. In the case of not finding meaningful differences among the samples, a multiple range test was performed using the statistical package Statgraphics Centurion. While conducting the analysis of the study variables for raw materials in fresh, and regardless of their origin, the high potential for biomass production presented by pseudostem of Musa spp was detected, thus presenting a dry biomass content exceeding 70% in both stems. The elements of greater variation in the composition are lignin content, ashes, hemicellulose, nonstructural carbohydrates as well as sodium and manganese.

One of the major concerns at a global level relies on the influence that global warming has had and will continue having and therefore climate change on different economic sectors, mainly in developing countries, which are more vulnerable and with less resilience in their population. Nowadays, it is evident the global trend of searching different sources of raw material with potential to be used for biomass production. Considering this issue, this project analyzed the effect produced by the magnetic fields induced on plants Helianthus annuss L, as an enhancer of biomass production, as well as the morpho-physiological variations presented. Exposure of seeds to different intensities of magnetic fields (intensity of 14 µT and 422 µt) was: 1, 3 and 5 hours a day for 15 days, permanent exposure for 15 days, using as a witness seeds without exposing. Planting was carried out in 24 cm3 sockets with coconut fiber previously disinfected and moisturized as substrate. The planting trays were placed in semi-controlled growth zone to a light intensity of 3,000 lux with 12h light cycles at a temperature of 23 °C and an average relative humidity of 43%. The variables studied are percent germination, growth dynamics, number of roots, production of fresh mass and dry biomass, chlorophyll content a, b and total as well as carotenoids. Physiologically the relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, leaf area index, crop growth rate, absolute growth rate, duration of leaf area and specific leaf area were determined. A simple analysis of variance (ANOVA) between the average of the samples per treatment was performed with a significance level of 95% (a = 0.05) in order to establish if there are significant differences for the variables in evaluation. In the case of not existing meaningful differences among the samples, a multiple range test was performed using the statistical package Statgraphics Centurion. The best results were obtained in seeds treated with permanent magnetic fields with intensity of 14 µT seeds, which demonstrated a significant increase in the value of most indicators studied, being more evident in germination percentage, stem length, number of roots, accumulation of fresh and dry mass as well as chlorophyll. An increased level of chlorophylls gives an indirect measure of the high potential that these plants have to produce biomass.

There are several sources of raw material that have been identified worldwide with some potential to be used for the production of biofuels; for this reason hard work has been put into increasing the yields per unit area and increasing the sugar content (as in the case of corn). There are only a small number of studies that have analyzed the morpho-anatomical behaviour of crops modified for biomass production. For this reason, this work studied the morpho-anatomical, developmental and physiochemical changes in Zea mays L. plants when exposed to magnetic and electromagnetic fields with a view to the large-scale production of biomass for the generation of biofuels. Seeds were exposed to different fields for 21 days, with a control group of seeds thatwere not exposed. Sowing was carried out in 100 cm3 trays using coconut fiber as a substrate. The substratehad been disinfected and moistened prior to use. The sowing trays were placed in a semi-controlled growth chamber at a light intensity of 3,000 lux, with light cycles of 12 hours and at a temperature of 23°C. The variables studied were the growth dynamics of coleoptiles and plants, the complete bromatological analysis and the anatomical structure. The bromatological analysis included the percentage variation of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash content, organic matter, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and calcium, lignin and water activity. The anatomical structure was studied to identify relevant histological changes and mainly focused on the arrangement of parenchymatous tissue and the shape of the cells of which it is comprised. In addition, evaluations were conducted regarding the development of the crop based on the following indicators: relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, leaf area index, crop growth rate, absolute growth rate, leaf area duration and specific leaf area. The best results were obtained on plants whose seeds were treated with electromagnetic fields. A significant increase was seen in the majority of the indicators studied. This was most evident in the development of the parenchymal tissue and thus the chlorophyll content, as was clearly seen in the histological sections. It is important to emphasize that the histological technique allowed us to identify areas of the greatest concentrations of chlorophyll (shown by differing shades of green) in plants whose seeds had been subjected to electromagnetic fields. An increase in the chlorophyll level gives us an indirect measure of the high potential these plants offer for producing biomass.

Currently, reduce the environmental impacts generated by industries is vital; that is the reason why many companies are changing their processes to biotechnological processes which seem to be more sustainable alternatives. The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is an internationally accepted tool that allows environmental assessment of products and processes. In addition, LCA has been used to identify environmental improvement opportunities in different production systems and, that is the reason why it has been selected to be used on this research in order to diagnose the environmental performance of a Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) of a cattle benefit plant. The system studied was a WWTP located in Cúcuta (Colombia), which treats 118.477 kg/day of water from cattle benefit plant. The stages of the WWTP are: screening, grit removal, primary sedimentation tank, homogenizer, grease traps, activated sludge reactor, secondary sedimentation tank, slow down flow filter and drying bed. In this paper the process diagrams and the mass and energy balances were constructed with information provided directly by the cattle benefit plant. The impact analysis was carried out using the software SIMAPRO 7.0 and the following impact categories were evaluated: climate change, eutrophication, photochemical oxidation, depletion of the ozone layer, acidification and biotic exhaustion. It was found that the environmental impacts of the WWTP of the cattle benefit plant are generated mainly due to the high electricity consumption in screening, homogenizer, and slurry reactor. Eutrophication was also observed due to the enrichment caused by the increase of the amounts of nutrients, which affected decomposition of excess of organic matter in the water so it could not be a complete mineralization of the nutrients it possesses. All the calculations were carried out using the Ecoinvent data bases. Favourable indicators were observed comparing the environmental profiles of the biological WWTP under study with the environmental indicators of a physicochemical WWTP of cattle benefit plant located in Bucaramanga (Colombia). The potential environmental impacts were lower in all the impact categories evaluated.

Unprovoked venous thromboembolism is associated with a 5 to 27% annual risk of recurrence after discontinuation of anticoagulation, and indefinite anticoagulation is recommended if the bleeding risk is low to moderate. However, in one-third of patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism, the risk of recurrence is so low (3–6 months may not be necessary. Several prediction rules were derived to identify patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism who have a low recurrence risk. In 2016, we presented our results of the original DAMOVES, a nomogram for prediction of recurrence in an individual patient with unprovoked venous thromboembolism. The aim of this study was to externally validate this nomogram in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism.

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El levantamiento de fachadas es un proceso demandado en multitud de ámbitos como la planificación arquitectónica y el planeamiento. La fotogrametría ofrece gran precisión geométrica y nos permite visualizar la textura del objeto en cuestión. Con la aparición de software gratuito en este ámbito, ésta se convierte en una de las técnicas más asequibles. Para demostrar las posibilidades de esta metodología, se presentan aquí tres ejemplos de levantamientos de fachadas de distinta tipología, realizados con fotogrametría y mediante la utilización del software gratuito, utilizando para ello una cámara convencional sin calibrar. Además se incluye un estudio en el que se muestra un análisis de la precisión alcanzable con este proceso, y una comparación directa con dos instrumentos topográficos convencionales. El trabajo realizado muestra, por tanto, como la fotogrametría de objeto cercano posibilita el levantamiento de fachadas a un bajo coste y de una forma ágil, precisa y eficiente.

At the moment of obtaining good agricultural yields, as in the specific case of corn (Zea mays L.), the action of various factors, such as the surrounding environment, can cause a decrease of the germinative power of seeds. To improve the germinative power of the corn seeds, it has been searched for new methods and technologies. In this regard, our study focuses on the comparison of the effects on seeds when exposed to magnetic fields of high and low intensities, and to electric and electromagnetic fields. For a time of 15 days the seeds were exposed by different fields. The studied variables were: the germination percentage, growth dynamics of coleoptiles, and accumulation of fresh mass, dry biomass and contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll. The best results were obtained for the seeds treated with electromagnetic fields doubling the value of most of the indicators under study.