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Bacteria that live asymptomatically within plant tissues are known as endophytes. Because of the close relation with the plant host, they have been a matter of interest for application as plant growth promoters. Melia azedarach is a widely distributed medicinal tree with proven insecticidal, antimicrobial, and antiviral activity. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize endophytic bacteria from M. azedarach and analyze their plant growth promoting activities for the potential application as biological products. Bacteria were isolated from roots and leaves of trees growing in two locations of Northeastern Argentina. The isolates were characterized by repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence PCR and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The plant growth-promoting activities were assayed in vitro, improvement of plant growth of selected isolates was tested on M. azedarach plantlets, and the effect of selected ACC deaminase producing isolates was tested on tomato seedlings under salt-stress conditions. The highest endophytic bacterial abundance and diversity were obtained from the roots. All isolates had at least one of the assayed plant growth-promoting activities and 80 % of them had antagonistic activity. The most efficient bacteria were Pseudomonas monteilii, Pseudomonas farsensis, Burkholderia sp. and Cupriavidus sp. for phosphate solubilization (2064 μg P ml−1), IAA production (94.7 μg ml−1), siderophore production index (5.5) and ACC deaminase activity (1294 nmol α-ketobutyrate mg−1 h−1). M. azedarach inoculation assays revealed the bacterial growth promotion potential, with Pseudomonas monteilii, Pseudomonas farsensis and Cupriavidus sp. standing out for their effect on leaf area, leaf dry weight, specific leaf area, and total Chl, Mg and N content, with increases of up to 149 %, 58 %, 65 %, 178 %, 76 % and 97.7 %, respectively, compared to NI plants. Efficient ACC deaminase-producing isolates increased stress tolerance of tomato plants under saline condition. Overall, these findings indicate the potential of the endophytic isolates as biostimulant and biocontrol agents.

While thermochronological studies have constrained the landscape evolution of several of the crustal blocks of West and East Antarctica, the tectono-thermal evolution of the Ellsworth Mountains remains relatively poorly constrained. These mountains are among the crustal blocks that comprise West Antarctica and exhibit an exceptionally well-preserved Palaeozoic sedimentary sequence. Despite the seminal contribution of Fitzgerald and Stump (1991), who suggested an Early Cretaceous uplift event for the Ellsworth Mountains, further thermochronological studies are required to improve the current understanding of the landscape evolution of this mountain chain. We present new zircon (U–Th) / He (ZHe) ages, which provide insights into the landscape evolution of the Ellsworth Mountains. The ZHe ages collected from near the base and the top of the sequence suggest that these rocks underwent burial reheating after deposition. A cooling event is recorded during the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, which we interpret as representing exhumation in response to rock uplift of the Ellsworth Mountains. Moreover, our results show that while ZHe ages at the base of the sequence are fully reset, towards the top ZHe ages are partially reset. Uplift and exhumation of the Ellsworth Mountains during the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous was contemporaneous with the rotation and translation of this crustal block with respect to East Antarctica and possibly the Antarctic Peninsula. Furthermore, this period is characterized by widespread extension associated with the disassembly and breakup of Gondwana, with the Ellsworth Mountains playing a key role in the opening of the far southern Atlantic. Based on these results, we suggest that uplift of the Ellsworth Mountains during the disassembly of Gondwana provides additional evidence for major rearrangement of the crustal blocks between the South American, African, Australian and Antarctic plates. Finally, uplift of the Ellsworth Mountains commenced during the Jurassic, which predates the Early Cretaceous uplift of the Transantarctic Mountains. We suggest that the rift-related exhumation of the Ellsworth Mountains occurred throughout two events: (i) a Jurassic uplift associated with the disassembly of southwestern Gondwana and (ii) an Early Cretaceous uplift related with the separation between Antarctica and Australia, which is also recorded in the Transantarctic Mountains.

Ice crystal formation in mixed-phase clouds is initiated by specific aerosol particles, termed ice-nucleating particles (INPs). Only a tiny fraction of all aerosol particles are INPs, providing a challenge for contemporary INP measurement techniques. Models have shown that the presence of INPs in clouds can impact their radiative properties and induce precipitation formation. However, for a qualified implementation of INPs in models, measurement techniques able to accurately detect the temperature-dependent INP concentration are needed. Here we present measurements of INP concentrations in ambient air under conditions relevant to mixed-phase clouds from a total of 10 INP methods over 2 weeks in October 2018 at the Puy de Dôme observatory in central France. A special focus in this intercomparison campaign was placed on having overlapping sampling periods. Although a variety of different measurement principles were used, the majority of the data show INP concentrations within a factor of 5 of one another, demonstrating the suitability of the instruments to derive model-relevant INP data. Lower values of comparability are likely due to instrument-specific features such as aerosol lamina spreading in continuous-flow diffusion chambers, demonstrating the need to account for such phenomena when interpreting INP concentration data from online instruments. Moreover, consistently higher INP concentrations were observed from aerosol filters collected on the rooftop at the Puy de Dôme station without the use of an aerosol inlet.

This paper introduces a novel modelling framework for conducting dynamic analysis of DC microgrids (MG), considering components such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), combined heat and power (CHP) cogeneration, photovoltaic (PV) plants and DC/DC converters. The MG dynamics are accurately captured using well-founded modelling practices of the power system transient analysis field. Firstly, the power device models are derived based on fundamental operating principles using a lumped-type parameter modelling approach. Secondly, the DC microgrid is formulated using nodal power injections, which is combined with Newton–Raphson and implicit trapezoidal methods to efficiently solve fair-sized networks of arbitrary topology. The dynamic outcomes of a 13-bus MG were compared with those of an electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation conducted in Simscape Electrical for load and solar irradiance changes and for a DC/DC converter outage. For these events, errors smaller than 2.5% were yielded by the new approach, only requiring 3.1% of the computing time employed by the EMT simulation. The method’s applicability was also showcased by assessing the dynamic performance of a larger DC microgrid containing 118 buses, twelve distributed generators and five BESS, which was subjected to typical contingencies such as load increases and distribution line disconnections.

Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: La medición precisa de la torsión femoral es esencial para el diagnóstico, indicación y planificación preoperatoria de las osteotomías desrotadoras femorales en pacientes con inestabilidad patelofemoral o dolor anterior de rodilla. Se han descrito múltiples métodos de medición, con valores muy diferentes entre ellos y ninguno de ellos permite establecer la magnitud de la osteotomía necesaria para devolver la torsión a valores normales. El objetivo del presente trabajo es desarrollar un método de medición que permita no solo el diagnóstico de pacientes con alteraciones torsionales, sino también establecer la magnitud de la osteotomía necesaria durante la cirugía. Material y métodos: Se seleccionaron 30 pacientes sin antecedentes de patología patelofemoral que disponían de una tomografía completa de miembros inferiores por otros motivos, siendo considerados así pacientes normales. Se calculó su torsión femoral mediante los métodos de Jeanmart y de Murphy por dos radiólogos independientes. Por otra parte, dos cirujanos ortopédicos independientes realizaron la medición de la torsión mediante el método 3D propuesto. Se evaluó el comportamiento normal de los datos y se definió la variabilidad intra- e interobservador del método 3D mediante su coeficiente de correlación intraclase y mediante el gráfico de Bland-Altman, realizando una comparación cuantitativa y cualitativa respectivamente con los métodos clásicos. Se estableció el intervalo de confianza de los valores normales con el nuevo método 3D y finalmente, se analizó al patrón de regresión lineal entre los métodos de Jeanmart y Murphy con el método de medición 3D. Resultados: La media de torsión femoral con el método 3D fue de 12,74° (DE 5,96°, IC 95%: 11,67 a 13,82°). Con el método de Jeanmart, esta fue de 12,84° (DE 8,60°, IC 95%: 11,28 a 14,39°) y de 15,87° (DE 10,68°, IC 95%: 13,94 a 17,80°) con el método de Murphy. Las diferencias entre el método 3D y el método de Jeanmart no fueron significativamente estadísticas, pero sí que lo fueron entre el método 3D y el método de Murphy.La correlación entre el método de Jeanmart y el método 3D fue mayor (R-squared = 0,65 p-valor

The capacity of a novel bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) to totally replace dietary supplemental inorganic phosphate (Pi) in broilers aged one day old was evaluated using a phased dosing strategy and reduction in dietary phytate. A total of 1,248 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were assigned to 24 pens (52 birds/pen, 12 pens/diet, six each males and females) in a complete randomised block design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement (two diets, two genders). Diets comprised: (1) a positive control (PC) based on maize, wheat and soybean meal, containing Pi from monocalcium phosphate and 2,000 XU/kg xylanase, and; (2) an inorganic phosphate-free (IPF) diet equivalent to PC but with reduced Ca (-2.0 g/kg) and supplemented with PhyG at 3,000, 2,000 and 1000 FTU/kg from d 0 to 11 (3.4 g/kg phytate-P (PP)), d 11 to 22 (3.3 g/kg PP) and d 22 to 42 (2.8 to 2.9 g/kg PP), respectively. A negative control was not included for animal welfare reasons. Tibias were collected on d 11, 22 and 42 from two birds/pen. Treatment IPF maintained or improved average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) vs PC during all phases; Body weight was higher in the IPF treatment than the PC at d 42 (+3.97%, P

Introduction: Neuropsychological symptoms and cortical atrophy patterns show similarities between typical Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and its variants. Thus, correct diagnosis is difficult, leading to errors in the therapeutic process. Indeed, the challenge in cognitive neuroscience focuses on identifying key features of cognitive-linguistic profiles and improving the knowledge of neural correlates for accurate differential diagnosis between the heterogeneous profiles of typical and atypical AD. Aim: This systematic review aims to describe different AD profiles, considering their neuropsychological symptoms and neural correlates. Methods: The present study followed the PRISMA guidelines and included studies from the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, published between 2011 and 2021. Results: Thirty-one articles were included in this systematic review for critical analysis. Results suggest significant declines in episodic and working memory and executive function. Likewise, in all groups, verbal fluency and visuospatial/visuoconstructive skills declined. However, these symptoms overlap between typical AD, logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia, posterior cortical atrophy, behavioural/dysexecutive or frontal variant AD, and corticobasal syndrome. On the other hand, the neural correlate showed a pattern of atrophy in frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital areas, even compromising the cuneus and precuneus. Conclusion: Spontaneous language and semantic and phonological verbal fluency could be an important biomarker for differential diagnosis between typical AD and its atypical variants. Likewise, clinical assessment should consider using advanced neuroimaging techniques to establish early associations between brain dysfunction and neuropsychological performance, with particular attention to brain areas such as the cuneus and precuneus. Resumen: Introducción: En la Enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) la sintomatología neuropsicológica y el patrón de atrofia muestran similitudes entre sus variantes atípicas, conduciendo a errores diagnósticos e intervenciones no atingentes a los déficits en sus perfiles típico y atípicos. Así, el desafío en neurociencia cognitiva se centra en poder identificar los elementos neuropsicológicos y las bases neurales para un diagnóstico diferencial certero entre esta heterogeneidad de perfiles. Objetivo: Caracterizar los distintos perfiles de la EA considerando sus manifestaciones neuropsicológicas y correlato neural. Metodología: La revisión sistemática cualitativa se realizó bajo los criterios de la declaración PRISMA, considerando estudios de las bases de datos PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus y Web of Science, entre los años 2011 y 2021. Resultados: La búsqueda dio como resultado 31 artículos finales. Los hallazgos sugieren declives significativos en memoria episódica y de trabajo, función ejecutiva, lenguaje y habilidades visuoespaciales/visuoconstructivas, síntomas que se superponen en EA típica, Afasia Progresía Primaria variante logopénica, Atrofia Cortical Posterior, EA variante frontal y Síndrome Corticobasal. Por otra parte, el correlato neural en estos perfiles sugiere un patrón de atrofia frontal, témporoparietal y occipital, comprometiendo adicionalmente el cuneus y precuneus. Conclusión: El lenguaje espontáneo y la fluidez verbal semántica y fonológica se proponen como claves en el diagnóstico diferencial. Asimismo, la valoración clínica debe considerar el uso de técnicas de neuroimagen avanzadas para establecer asociaciones en etapas tempranas entre la función cerebral afectada y el desempeño neuropsicológico, dando especial atención a áreas como el cuneus y precuneus.

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) completed its 5 month Survey Validation in 2021 May. Spectra of stellar and extragalactic targets from Survey Validation constitute the first major data sample from the DESI survey. This paper describes the public release of those spectra, the catalogs of derived properties, and the intermediate data products. In total, the public release includes good-quality spectral information from 466,447 objects targeted as part of the Milky Way Survey, 428,758 as part of the Bright Galaxy Survey, 227,318 as part of the Luminous Red Galaxy sample, 437,664 as part of the Emission Line Galaxy sample, and 76,079 as part of the Quasar sample. In addition, the release includes spectral information from 137,148 objects that expand the scope beyond the primary samples as part of a series of secondary programs. Here, we describe the spectral data, data quality, data products, Large-Scale Structure science catalogs, access to the data, and references that provide relevant background to using these spectra.

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) was designed to conduct a survey covering 14,000 deg ^2 over 5 yr to constrain the cosmic expansion history through precise measurements of baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO). The scientific program for DESI was evaluated during a 5 month survey validation (SV) campaign before beginning full operations. This program produced deep spectra of tens of thousands of objects from each of the stellar Milky Way Survey (MWS), Bright Galaxy Survey (BGS), luminous red galaxy (LRG), emission line galaxy (ELG), and quasar target classes. These SV spectra were used to optimize redshift distributions, characterize exposure times, determine calibration procedures, and assess observational overheads for the 5 yr program. In this paper, we present the final target selection algorithms, redshift distributions, and projected cosmology constraints resulting from those studies. We also present a One-Percent Survey conducted at the conclusion of SV covering 140 deg ^2 using the final target selection algorithms with exposures of a depth typical of the main survey. The SV indicates that DESI will be able to complete the full 14,000 deg ^2 program with spectroscopically confirmed targets from the MWS, BGS, LRG, ELG, and quasar programs with total sample sizes of 7.2, 13.8, 7.46, 15.7, and 2.87 million, respectively. These samples will allow exploration of the Milky Way halo, clustering on all scales, and BAO measurements with a statistical precision of 0.28% over the redshift interval z < 1.1, 0.39% over the redshift interval 1.1 < z < 1.9, and 0.46% over the redshift interval 1.9 < z < 3.5.

Introduction and objectives: Accurate measurement of femoral torsion is essential to diagnosing, correct surgical decision-making, and the preoperative planning of derotational osteotomies in a subgroup of anterior knee pain patients and patellofemoral instability. Several measurement techniques have been described with great variability in the magnitude of the values. Moreover, none of them can predict the effect of rotational osteotomy on the femoral version value. The purpose of the present work is to develop a method to reliably measure femoral torsion as well as to evaluate the effects of osteotomy on the femoral version angle. Material and methods: 30 patients without previous signs neither symptoms of patellofemoral pain or patellofemoral instability and with a lower limbs CT were selected. Their femoral torsion was measured using the classic Jeanmart and the Murphy's method by two independent radiologists. Independently, two orthopedic surgeons measured femoral torsion with the 3D method described in this study. The intraclass coefficient correlation and the Bland-Altman tests were used to analyze qualitatively and quantitatively the intraobserver and interobserver variability of the method regarding the Jeanmart's and Murphy's method. The confidence interval of the Normal values of the new method were defined and a lineal regression analysis between the 3D-Jeanmart's and 3D-Muphy's methods was performed. Results: The mean femoral version with the 3D method was 12.74° (SD 5.96°, 95% CI: 11.67°–13.82°). With Jeanmart's method, it was 12.84° (SD 8.60°, 95% CI: 11.28°–14.39°) and 15.87° (SD 10.68°, 95% CI: 13.94°–17.80°) with Murphy's method, being these differences not statistically significant. Both interobserver and intraobserver agreement of the 3D method were high. Conclusion: The method presented in this study allows for the reliable quantification of femoral torsion in a reproducible way. This method can be applied in several open access 3D image programmes what makes its implementation in the healthcare centres possible from now on. Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: La medición precisa de la torsión femoral es esencial para el diagnóstico, la indicación y la planificación preoperatoria de las osteotomías desrotadoras femorales en pacientes con inestabilidad patelofemoral o dolor anterior de rodilla. Se han descrito múltiples métodos de medición, con valores muy diferentes entre ellos, y ninguno permite establecer la magnitud de la osteotomía necesaria para devolver la torsión a valores normales. El objetivo del presente trabajo es desarrollar un método de medición que permita no solo el diagnóstico de pacientes con alteraciones torsionales, sino también establecer la magnitud de la osteotomía necesaria durante la cirugía. Material y métodos: Se seleccionaron 30 pacientes sin antecedentes de patología patelofemoral que disponían de una tomografía completa de miembros inferiores por otros motivos, siendo considerados así pacientes normales. Se calculó su torsión femoral mediante los métodos de Jeanmart y de Murphy por dos radiólogos independientes. Por otra parte, dos cirujanos ortopédicos independientes realizaron la medición de la torsión mediante el método 3D propuesto. Se evaluó el comportamiento normal de los datos y se definió la variabilidad intraobservador e interobservador del método 3D mediante su coeficiente de correlación intraclase y mediante el gráfico de Bland-Altman, realizando una comparación cuantitativa y cualitativa, respectivamente, con los métodos clásicos. Se estableció el intervalo de confianza de los valores normales con el nuevo método 3D, y finalmente se analizó el patrón de regresión lineal entre los métodos de Jeanmart y Murphy con el método de medición 3D. Resultados: La media de torsión femoral con el método 3D fue de 12,74° (DE: 5,96°, IC 95%: 11,67-13,82°). Con el método de Jeanmart, esta fue de 12,84° (DE: 8,60°, IC 95%: 11,28-14,39°) y de 15,87° (DE: 10,68°, IC 95%: 13,94-17,80°) con el método de Murphy. Las diferencias entre el método 3D y el método de Jeanmart no fueron significativamente estadísticas, pero sí lo fueron entre el método 3D y el método de Murphy.La correlación entre el método de Jeanmart y el método 3D fue mayor (R2 = 0,65, p

Abstract This study presents the first hydrogeochemical model of the hydrothermal systems of Turrialba and Irazú volcanoes in central Costa Rica, manifested as thermal springs, summit crater lakes, and fumarolic degassing at both volcanoes. Our period of observations (2007–2012) coincides with the pre- and early syn-phreatic eruption stages of Turrialba volcano that resumed volcanic unrest since 2004, after almost 140 years of quiescence. Peculiarly, the generally stable Irazú crater lake dropped its level during this reawakening of Turrialba. The isotopic composition of all the discharged fluids reveals their Caribbean meteoric origin. Four groups of thermal springs drain the northern flanks of Turrialba and Irazú volcanoes into two main rivers. Río Sucio (i.e. “dirty river”) is a major rock remover on the North flank of Irazú, mainly fed by the San Cayetano spring group. Instead, one group of thermal springs discharges towards the south of Irazú. All thermal spring waters are of SO4-type (i.e. steam-heated waters), none of the springs has, however, a common hydrothermal end-member. A water mass budget for thermal springs results in an estimated total output flux of 187 ± 37 L/s, with 100 ± 20 L/s accounted for by the San Cayetano springs. Thermal energy release is estimated at 110 ± 22 MW (83.9 ± 16.8 MW by San Cayetano), whereas the total rock mass removal rate by chemical leaching is ~ 3000 m3/year (~ 2400 m3/year by San Cayetano-Río Sucio). Despite Irazú being the currently less active volcano, it is a highly efficient rock remover, which, on the long term can have effects on the stability of the volcanic edifice with potentially hazardous consequences (e.g. flank collapse, landslides, phreatic eruptions). Moreover, the vapor output flux from the Turrialba fumaroles after the onset of phreatic eruptions on 5 January 2010 showed an increase of at least ~ 260 L/s above pre-eruptive background fumarolic vapor fluxes. This extra vapor loss implies that the drying of the summit hydrothermal system of Turrialba could tap deeper than previously thought, and could explain the coincidental disappearance of Irazú’s crater lake in April 2010.

The irregularities of the earth’s surface are quantified by means of roughness measurements using Digital Elevation Models (DEM’s). This article presents a roughness measurement method that is based on the calculation of the difference of altitude existing between a plane passing through the centre of a moving window and the altitude of the DEM surface inside this window. This method differs from the measure of the standard deviation and best fit plane, in the sense that it considers all difference values, positives or negatives. The measurement is done in a 3 × 3 or a 5 × 5 moving window and contemplates inside this window the plane which passes through the centre of the window and the highest pixel located in the border or perimeter of this window. According to the 3D configuration of the DEM surface inside the moving window, the sum of all the differences is positive or negative, allowing to discriminate the local morphology independently of the global roughness. The roughness variable which distinguishes negative and positive values allows to classify accurately landscape units such as watersheds, riverbeds, volcanic assemblages as well as landforms associated with tectonic structures.

Abstract Background Stroke can lead to varying degrees of oropharyngeal dysphagia, respiratory muscle dysfunction and even increase medical complications such as aspiration, malnutrition and death. Recent studies suggest that inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscle training (IEMT) can improve swallowing efficacy and may reduce aspiration events. The main purpose of this study is to examine whether an 8-week IEMT programme can improve respiratory muscle strength and swallow dysfunction severity in subacute stroke patients with dysphagia. Methods Retornus-2 is a two-arm, prospectively registered, randomized controlled study with blinded assessors and the participation of fifty individuals who have suffered a stroke. The intervention group undergoes IEMT training consisting of 5 sets of 10 repetitions, three times a day for 8 weeks. Training loads increase weekly. The control group undergoes a sham-IEMT protocol. The primary outcome examines the efficacy of the IEMT protocol to increase respiratory muscle strength and reduce dysphagia severity. The secondary outcome assesses the longitudinal impact of dysphagia on body composition and nutritional assessment over a 6-month follow-up. Discussion IEMT induces an improvement in respiratory muscle strength and might be associated with relevant benefits in dysphagia patterns, as well as a reduction in the number of aspiration events confirmed by videofluoroscopy or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. The description of the impact of swallowing impairment on nutritional status will help develop new strategies to face this known side-effect. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03021252. Registered on 10 January 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=retornus+2&term=&cntry=ES&state=&city=&dist= WHO trial Registration data set: Due to heavy traffic generated by the COVID-19 outbreak, the ICTRP Search Portal does not respond. The portal recommends other registries such as clinicaltrials.gov. Protocol version: RETORNUS 2_ PROTOCOL_2.

Most precipitation from deep clouds over the continents and in the intertropical convergence zone is strongly influenced by the presence of ice crystals whose formation requires the presence of ice nucleating particles (INPs). Although there are a large number of INP sources, the ice nucleating abilities of aerosol particles originating from oceans, deserts, and wildfires are poorly described at tropical latitudes. To fill this gap in knowledge, the National Autonomous University of Mexico micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor droplet freezing technique (UNAM-MOUDI-DFT) was constructed to measure the ice nucleating activity of aerosol samples that were collected in Sisal and Mérida, Yucatán (Mexico) under the influence of cold fronts, biomass burning (BB), and African dust (AD) intrusions during five short-term field campaigns between January 2017 and July 2018. The three different aerosol types were distinguished by their physicochemical properties. Marine aerosol (MA), BB, and AD air masses were found to contain INPs; the highest concentrations were in AD (from 0.071 to 36.07 L−1 at temperatures between −18 and −27 ∘C), followed by MA (from 0.068 to 18.90 L−1 at temperatures between −15 and −28 ∘C) and BB (from 0.063 to 10.21 L−1 at temperatures between −20 and −27 ∘C). However, MA had the highest surface active site densities (ns) between −15 and −30 ∘C. Additionally, supermicron particles contributed more than 72 % of the total INP concentration independent of aerosol type.

On a global scale, African dust is known to be one of the major sources of mineral dust particles, as these particles can be efficiently transported to different parts of the planet. Several studies have suggested that the Yucatán Peninsula could be influenced by such particles, especially in July, associated with the strengthening of the Caribbean low-level jet. Although these particles have the potential to significantly impact the local air quality, as shown elsewhere (especially with respect to particulate matter, PM), the arrival and impact of African dust in Mexican territory has not been quantitatively reported to date. Two short-term field campaigns were conducted to confirm the arrival of African dust on the Yucatán Peninsula in July 2017 and July 2018 at the Mérida atmospheric observatory (20.98∘ N, 89.64∘ W). Aerosol particles were monitored at ground level using different online and off-line sensors. Several PM2.5 and PM10 peaks were observed during both sampling periods, with a relative increase in the PM levels ranging between 200 % and 500 % with respect to the normal background conditions. Given that these peaks were found to be highly correlated with supermicron particles and chemical elements typically found in mineral dust particles, such as Al, Fe, Si, and K, they are linked with African dust. This conclusion is supported by combining back trajectories with vertical profiles from radiosondes, reanalysis, and satellite images to show that the origin of the air masses arriving at Mérida was the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). The good agreement found between the measured PM10 concentrations and the estimated dust mixing ratio content from MERRA-2 (Version 2 of the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications) corroborates the conclusion that the degradation of the local (and likely regional) air quality in Mérida is a result of the arrival of African dust.

This dataset was compiled to estimate the levels of thermal comfort and mental health in a sample group of university students confined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time research was carried out, these students of a hot and humid region of Mexico, had already spent 200 days on distance learning using online platforms. A total of 324 records were documented with a final sample of 316 valid participants. The total records were collected directly from the students through a web platform (Microsoft forms). This data set can be used to generate correlations between mental health, thermal comfort, and individual characteristics in the study population that will allow to identify the influence of the built environment and local climate on the levels of stress and anxiety that university students experienced under confinement. It can also be used to issue recommendations to improve the quality of built spaces and for the construction of adaptive models of thermal comfort considering mental health as a study variable.

Introduction: Inferior vena cava agenesis (IVCA) is one of the many anomalies of this vessel. It is one of the most uncommon anomalies, with an estimated prevalence of 0.0005–1% in the general population. Around 5% of the patients younger than 30 years with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) have a total or segmental IVCA. Report: Here two unique cases of young and previously healthy male patients are reported: one with bilateral lower extremity DVT, the second with lower extremity DVT and pulmonary embolism. Both patients were found to have segmental agenesis of the inferior vena cava on computed tomography angiography (CTA). Treatment consisted of ultrasound enhanced thrombolysis (EKOS + alteplase) and venous angioplasty. Both patients were discharged with long-term (up to 24 months) oral anticoagulation and compression stockings. Follow up at 3 and 12 months revealed no new thrombotic episode. Discussion: IVCA can be asymptomatic but the majority of the symptomatic patients present with DVT. IVCA confers a risk factor for DVT. IVCA should be considered and ruled out as a rare but important risk factor and cause of DVT in previously young healthy patients. Once diagnosed, aggressive treatment must be started because of the high risk of post-thrombotic syndrome. Keywords: Inferior vena cava agenesis, Deep vein thrombosis, Ultrasound enhanced thrombolysis

Objective: To determine the efficacy of sitagliptin alone or in combination with metformin in women with polycystic ovary in terms of ovarian cyclicity, fertility and cardiometabolic profile compared to metformin alone. Rationale: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects a percentage of 5–10% of women of reproductive age worldwide and has a prevalence of 6.6% (95% CI: 2.3–10.9%) in Mexican women and most common cause of infertility in developed countries. Treatment with insulin sensitizing drugs (metformin and pioglitazone) has been shown to improve menstrual cyclicity and fertility in the metabolic profile with polycystic ovarian patients. Incretins and DPP-4 inhibitors have been shown to enhance pancreatic β cell activity, increasing weight loss by its anorexic effect and resulting in an adequate weight control and improved fertility. Previous evidence has compared the effect of exenatide and alone or in combination with metformin in the treatment of PCOS, in this article we will compare sitagliptin and metformin alone or in combination. Study design: Blind, controlled and randomized clinical trial. Patients: Women between 18 and 40 years of age, with a BMI >20 and diagnosed with PCOS with the Rotterdam criteria. Results: In the normalized index of menstruations it was found that there was a statistically significant intragroup increase in each one of the treatments. With a higher percentage of change, that of metformin with 80%, followed by that of sitagliptin with 65% and then COMBO with 30%. No statistically significant differences were found between treatment groups. Conclusion: Therapeutic effect of sitagliptin was observed in patients with PCOS comparable to metformin and the combination of metformin-sitagliptin is more effective in terms of ovulation than the other two treatments alone.

Objetivo: Reportar la utilidad de un método simplificado con extracción directa de la leche materna y detección por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución en fase inversa, para la cuantificación de retinol y α-tocoferol. Material y métodos: Se empleó un diseño experimental 23 con las variables de temperatura, tipo de solvente y efecto antioxidante, en 2 niveles. Posterior a la extracción de la leche materna, las muestras se saponificaron con hidróxido de potasio-metanol, se extrajeron con éter de petróleo y se secaron y reconstituyeron con etanol. Para establecer las condiciones del sistema cromatográfico se utilizaron columnas microbondapack con detector UV/visible: fase móvil metanol-agua (96:4 v/v), longitud de onda 325 para retinol y 290 nm para α-tocoferol. Resultados: Los parámetros analíticos fueron linealidad: r2 = 0.9955 (retinol), r2 = 0.9808 (α-tocoferol); límites de detección y de cuantificación: 1.1 y 2.7 μg/dL (retinol), 0.9 y 2.3 μg/dL (α-tocoferol); precisión del método: desviación estándar relativa 4.5% intradía y 4.8% entre días (retinol) y 4.9% intradía y 4.1% entre días (α-tocoferol); exactitud: recuperación = 85.8 ± 7.8% para retinol y 98 ± 1.9% para el α-tocoferol. El método permitió cuantificar la concentración de retinol y α-tocoferol eficientemente. Una vez validado el método, se aplicó para la cuantificación de retinol y α-tocoferol en 100 muestras de leche materna. Los valores fueron para retinol 63.9 ± 5.2 y para α-tocoferol 359 ± 115 μg/dL. Conclusión: El método fue selectivo, lineal, preciso, sensible y exacto, características que junto con su sencillez hacen de él un método conveniente para la determinación de retinol y α-tocoferol simultáneamente en leche materna.

Objective: To promote awareness of healthy lifestyles, to help decrease the risk factors that cause cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, through Health Education (HE). Material and Methods: Between November and December 2014 in the prison of Soria, HE intervention in cardiovascular diseases was performed. Participation was offered to 160 inmates at the Prison. The intervention consisted of individual interviews with anthropometric assessment and review of medical records and three group sessions with theoretical and practical content of these diseases, as well as dietary recommendations, Mediterranean diet and exercise. Knowledge gained from surveys conducted for that purpose was evaluated. Results: A total of 33 (21%) of 160. Average age 38.2 (35.2 to 41.3). Prevalence: Normal weight (BMI 18 to 24.9) 18 (54.5%), overweight BMI (25.0 to 29.9) 11 (33.3%), obesity (IBMI from 30) 4 (12. 1%). Cardiovascular risk (CVR) as ICC (waist hip ratio) 10 (30%) high risk, REGICOR 4 (12.1%) moderate risk. Relative risk of comorbidity in 2 (6.0%) had a slightly increased risk, 4 (12.1%) had increased risk. Conclusions: HE interventions are necessary and effective in modifying lifestyles. The calculation of CVT should serve to implement preventive measures to reduce the factors of cardiovascular risk.

The equilibrium composition of volcanic gases with their magma is often overprinted by interaction with a shallow hydrothermal system. Identifying the magmatic signature of volcanic gases is critical to relate their composition to properties of the magma (temperature, fO2, gas-melt segregation depth). We report measurements of the chemical composition and flux of the major gas species emitted from Turrialba Volcano during March 2013. Measurements were made of two vents in the summit region, one of which opened in 2010 and the other in 2012. We determined an average SO2 flux of 5.2 ± 1.9 kg s-1 using scanning ultraviolet spectroscopy, and molar proportions of H2O, CO2, SO2, HCl, CO and H2 gases of 94.16, 4.03, 1.56, 0.23, 0.003 and 0.009% respectively by open-path Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and a multi-species gas-sensing system. Together, these data imply fluxes of 88, 8, 0.44, 5 × 10-3 and 1 × 10-3 kg s-1 for H2O, CO2, HCl, CO and H2 respectively. Although H2S was detected, its concentration could not be resolved. HF was not detected. The chemical signature of the gas from both vents was found to be broadly similar. Following the opening of the 2010 and 2012 vents we found limited to negligible interaction of the magmatic gas with the hydrothermal system has occurred and the gas composition of the volcanic plume is broadly representative of equilibrium with the magma. The time evolution of the gas composition, the continuous emission of large quantities of SO2, and the physical evolution of the summit area with new vent openings and more frequent eruptions all point towards a continuous drying of the hydrothermal system at Turrialba's summit at an apparently increasing rate.

This research provides a wave flood simulation using a high resolution LiDAR Digital Terrain Model. The simulation is based on the generation of waves of different amplitudes that modify the river level in such a way that water invades the adjacent areas. The proposed algorithm firstly reconstitutes the original river surface of the studied river section and then defines the percentage of water loss when the wave floods move downstream. This procedure was applied to a gently slope area in the lower basin of Coatzacoalcos river, Veracruz (Mexico) defining the successive areas where lateral flooding occurs on its downstream movement.

We study the quantum cosmology of a quadratic fR theory with a FRW metric, via one of its equivalent Horndeski type actions, where the dynamic of the scalar field is induced. The classical equations of motion and the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, in their exact versions, are solved numerically. There is a free parameter in the action from which two cases follow: inflation + exit and inflation alone. The numerical solution of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation depends strongly on the boundary conditions, which can be chosen so that the resulting wave function of the universe is normalizable and consistent with Hermitian operators.

The time problem is a problem of canonical quantum gravity that has long been known about; it is related to the relativistic invariance and the consequent absence of an explicit time variable in the quantum equations. This fact complicates the interpretation of the wave function of the universe. Following proposals to assign the clock function to a scalar field, we look at the scalar degree of freedom contained in f ( R ) theories. For this purpose we consider a quadratic f ( R ) theory in an equivalent formulation with a scalar field, with a FRW metric, and consider its Wheeler-DeWitt equation. The wave function is obtained numerically and is consistent with the interpretation of the scalar field as time by means of a conditional probability, from which an effective time-dependent wave function follows. The evolution the scale factor is obtained by its mean value, and the quantum fluctuations are consistent with the Heisenberg relations and a classical universe today.

Salinity and moisture limiting crop productivity due an imbalance between concentrations of auxins, gibberellins, cytokinin, ABA and ethylene. applications of growth regulators to alleviate salinity stress can be an economic and safe alternative to environment. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of salinity (0, 1000 and 2000 ppm of NaCl), soil moisture (30 and 60%) and exogenous application of growth regulators (control, 5 mL L-1 at the Beginning of flowering and 5 mL L-1 in vegetative stage + Beginning of flowering) and the combinations of three factors in snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Concentrations of 2000 ppm reduced biomass and pod production in 35.5 and 45%, respectively. The humidity had no effects in biomass production and pod number. With the application of growth regulators in the vegetative stage + beginning of flowering, the weight and number of pods were increased. The greater biomass and yield was observed with 0 ppm, 60% humidity and application of growth regulators in the beginning of flowering. However, with: 1000 ppm, 30% of humidity and application in B. flowering, the biomass production was statistically similar. Our conclusion suggests that the application of growth regulators can be economical and easily applicable for farmers.

En este estudio se evaluó el crecimiento y acumulación de biomasa en plántulas de 7 meses de edad pertenecientes a 42 familias de polinización libre de tres especies de Eucalyptus (E. globulus, E. resinifera, y E. rudis). El ensayo se estableció en condiciones de vivero con germoplasma colectado en plantaciones establecidas en la cuenca del Valle de México. Los resultados indicaron la existencia de variación significativa (P≤0.05) entre especies y entre familias dentro de especies para las variables altura, diámetro, número de hojas y número de ramas, aunque no en el área foliar. A nivel de especies se encontraron diferencias significativas en todas las variables relacionadas con la acumulación y distribución de biomasa, excepto en el peso seco de las hojas. También se encontró una variación significativa (P≤0.01) a nivel de familias dentro de especies en el peso seco del tallo, el peso seco de hojas y la biomasa aérea mientras que el peso seco de las ramas y la biomasa de raíz no presentaron una variación significativa entre las familias. El componente de variación de familias dentro de especies aportó del 2 al 12 % de la variación fenotípica total, mientras que las especies contribuyeron sólo del 0.5 a 7.5 de esta variación. El mayor porcentaje de variación se presentó dentro de parcelas, con valores de 80 a 90 % del total en todas las variables de crecimiento y acumulación de biomasa de las plántulas.

Optical solitons are infrared stable pulses whose shape and spectrum endure over thousands of kilometers. This paper presents a theoretical framework and shows a numerical simulation of solitons propagation in optical fibers.

Se describen las líneas de trabajo priorizadas y algunos resultados obtenidos en la implantación del programa de prevención y reducción de lesiones por accidentes de tráfico en un área de salud. A partir de 1999 el Centro de Salud Pública priorizó la identificación y búsqueda de aliados en otros sectores (Asociación de policías locales y educación), la construcción de la capacidad de trabajo conjunta y la formación de un grupo intersectorial. Se llevaron a cabo actividades docentes y jornadas. Se formó una red de personas en 17 de un total de 39 ayuntamientos que participan con actividades en el grupo intersectorial. Un total de 10 de estos ayuntamientos participaron con actividades educativas y siete, además, exigieron al cumplimiento de la legislación. El grupo intersectorial potenció la visibilidad de sus actividades a través de los medios de comunicación local. Estas actividades no están dirigidas a reducir las lesiones por tráfico, sino a crear un marco de trabajo para la movilización de los sectores implicados. Se pretende potenciar más el compromiso entre los niveles políticos, técnicos y civiles incidiendo en valores sociales de respeto para una vida más saludable.We describe priority issues and some of the results obtained from the implementation of the «Prevention and Reduction of Traffic Accident Injuries» program in a health area. Since 1999 the public health center has made a priority of identifying and recruiting partners from other sectors (the local police association and the local education authority), increasing its capacity for working together, and setting up an intersectorial working group. Teaching activities and meetings were held. A network of people was created from 17 of a total of 39 town halls that participate in activities supported by the intersectorial group. Ten are involved in educational activities and a further seven focus on ensuring compliance with the law. The intersectorial group promoted their visibility through the local media. These activities are not aimed at reducing injuries from road traffic accidents, but rather at creating an action framework through which all the sectors involved can be mobilized. The aim is to strengthen commitment among political, technical and civil sectors by focussing on social values of respect for a healthier life.

Dentro de los primates neotropicales el mono ardilla (Saimiri sciureus), debido a su distribución yabundancia, es, al parecer, el mas estable en vida libre por su gran capacidad de adaptación a há-bitats perturbados por el hombre. Sin embargo, definitivamente se ve afectado por la destruccióndel hábitat, y por la alta tasa de extracción de su medio, especialmente para ser comercializadoen los centros urbanos como mascota, o en institutos internacionales para pruebas biomédicasSiguiendo a Hershkovitz P (1984), en el territorio Colombiano existen tres subespecies deSaimiri sciureus.: S. s. albigenaPusch, S. s. macrodonElliot, S. s. cassiquiarensisLesson, diferenciablespor su cariotipo y en algunos casos se han detectado híbridos interespecíficos o inter subes-pecíficos. Se presentan los datos del estudio cariológico de 27 ejemplares de Saimiri sciureus(7 hembras y 20 machos) decomisados por el DAMA y dados en custodia al Centro de Recep-ción y Rehabilitación de fauna silvestre de Engativá.

Colombia ocupa el segundo lugar en América, después del Brasil, en cuanto al número de génerosy especies de primates. Actualmente se ha confirmado la presencia de 29 especies, sin embargo,este número puede aumentar hasta 32, dependiendo de futuros estudios de campo y de la solu-ción de problemas taxonómicos y sistemáticos en algunos grupos. Esta rica diversidad se veamenazada por la extinción de especies en sus hábitats naturales y la continua presión antrópicasobre las poblaciones entre las cuales la caza y el tráfico ilegal juegan un importante papel.