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Background: In vitro embryo production is a highly demanded reproductive technology in horses, which requires the recovery (in vivo or post-mortem) and in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. Oocytes subjected to IVM exhibit poor developmental competence compared to their in vivo counterparts, being this related to a suboptimal composition of commercial maturation media. The objective of this work was to study the effect of different concentrations of secretome obtained from equine preovulatory follicular fluid (FF) on cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during IVM. COCs retrieved in vivo by ovum pick up (OPU) or post-mortem from a slaughterhouse (SLA) were subjected to IVM in the presence or absence of secretome (Control: 0 µg/ml, S20: 20 µg/ml or S40: 40 µg/ml). After IVM, the metabolome of the medium used for oocyte maturation prior (Pre-IVM) and after IVM (Post-IVM), COCs mRNA expression, and oocyte meiotic competence were analysed. Results: IVM leads to lactic acid production and an acetic acid consumption in COCs obtained from OPU and SLA. However, glucose consumption after IVM was higher in COCs from OPU when S40 was added (Control Pre-IVM vs. S40 Post-IVM: 117.24 ± 7.72 vs. 82.69 ± 4.24; Mean µM ± SEM; p < 0.05), while this was not observed in COCs from SLA. Likewise, secretome enhanced uptake of threonine (Control Pre-IVM vs. S20 Post-IVM vs. S40 Post-IVM: 4.93 ± 0.33 vs. 3.04 ± 0.25 vs. 2.84 ± 0.27; Mean µM ± SEM; p < 0.05) in COCs recovered by OPU. Regarding the relative mRNA expression of candidate genes related to metabolism, Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression was significantly downregulated when secretome was added during IVM at 20–40 µg/ml in OPU-derived COCs (Control vs. S20 vs. S40: 1.77 ± 0.14 vs. 1 ± 0.25 vs. 1.23 ± 0.14; fold change ± SEM; p < 0.05), but not in SLA COCs. Conclusions: The addition of secretome during in vitro maturation (IVM) affects the gene expression of LDHA, glucose metabolism, and amino acid turnover in equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), with diverging outcomes observed between COCs retrieved using ovum pick up (OPU) and slaughterhouse-derived COCs (SLA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a uniform theory of diffraction–physical optics (UTD–PO) formulation for analyzing radiowave multiple diffraction emanating from trees and buildings in green urban areas, considering illumination from a low transmitter and assuming spherical-wave incidence. Based on Babinet's principle, this solution models buildings as rectangular sections and accounts for the influence of tree crowns (assuming these rise above the average rooftop height) by incorporating appropriate attenuation factors/phasors into the diffraction phenomena of buildings. The validation of the formulation is achieved through measurements made at the 39 GHz 6G mmWave frequency on a scale model of a green urban environment comprising bonsai trees and bricks. The main advantage of the proposed solution is that the calculations only include single diffractions due to recursion, circumventing the need to use higher-order diffraction terms in the diffraction coefficients, thus reducing the computation time and power. Our results may be beneficial for the design of mobile communication systems, including 6G networks, situated in green urban areas and with transmission source positioned lower than the surrounding infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we address the construction of virtual reality scenarios for the NeoTrie VR software, to make some 3D models of architectural objects manageable anywhere. Students will be able to see the pieces (muqarnas, vaults and arches and towers) in a 3D model, manipulate and assemble them, to understand their spatial arrangement. They will also be able to use Neotrie tools to build and thus better assimilate the underlying geometric structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two series of dinuclear organotin macroheterocycles of general formula [R2Sn{Ch(C6H4CH2)2}2SnR2] [Ch = O with R = n-Bu (2a), Bn (3a), Ph (4a) and Ch = S with R = n-Bu (2b), Bn (3b), Ph (4b)] were easily synthetized by a Barbier-type reaction assisted by sonochemical activation of metallic magnesium. The 119Sn{1H} NMR data for all compounds and the X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies for 2a and 4a confirmed the presence of a central Sn atom in a four-coordinate environment. The molecular structures of 2a and 4a showed puckered 16-membered macroheterocycles. The tin and oxygen atoms are in the interior of the cavity of the macrocycle, surrounded by hydrophobic C–H bonds. A Hirshfeld surface analyses of 2a and 4a showed that the macrocycles are linked by weak C–H···π, C···C, and H···H non-covalent interactions. The pairwise interaction energies showed that the cohesion between the macrocycles are mainly due to dispersion forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of foliar applications of PectiMorf® was studied in bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivated under two irrigation variants. For this, 12 concrete containers were planted with the cultivar "Tomeguín 93". The irrigation consisted of applying 100 and 50 % of the ETc (standard evapotranspiration of the crop) and the PectiMorf® foliar applications were 150 mg ha-1 at 20 and 35 days after sowing giving rise to the following four treatments: T1-100 % ETc, considered as control treatment. T2-100 % ETc + P (P = PectiMorf® application at 20 and 35 DAS) T3-50 % ETc + P and T4- 50 % ETc, considered as stress treatment. Seven days after the PectiMorf® applications (28 and 43 DAS) were evaluated, the soil moisture content and different physiological indicators such as growht in dried biomass, leaf water potential (Ψf), actual osmotic potential (Ψs), osmotic potential at maximum turgor (Ψ100s) and stomatal conductance (gs). In addition, the water potential of the soil at the level of the soil-root interfaces (Ψr) and the contribution of dehydration to changes in potential osmotic ΔΨ ss were calculated. The results showed a positive effect of the foliar applications of PectiMorf® in the improvement of plants water status in both irrigation variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of generative models in image synthesis has become increasingly prevalent. Synthetic medical imaging data is of paramount importance, primarily because medical imaging data is scarce, costly, and encumbered by legal considerations pertaining to patient confidentiality. Synthetic medical images offer a potential answer to these issues. The predominant approaches primarily assess the quality of images and the degree of resemblance between these images and the original ones employed for their generation.The central idea of the work can be summarized in the question: Do the performance metrics of Frechet Inception Distance(FID) and Inception Score(IS) in the Cycle-consistent Generative Adversarial Networks (CycleGAN) model are adequate to determine how real a generated chest x-ray pneumonia image is? In this study, a CycleGAN model was employed to produce artificial images depicting 3 classes of chest x-ray pneumonia images: general(any type), bacterial, and viral pneumonia. The quality of the images were evaluated assessing and contrasting 3 criteria: performance metric of CycleGAN model, clinical assessment of respiratory experts and the results of classification of a visual transformer(ViT). The overall results showed that the evaluation metrics of the CycleGAN are insufficient to establish realism in generated medical images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual detection of fingering on the trumpet is an increasingly interesting topic in music research. The ability to recognize and track the movements of the trumpet player’s fingers during the performance of a musical piece can provide valuable information for analyzing and improving instrument technique. However, this is a largely unexplored task, as most works focus on audio quality rather than instrument fingering techniques. Developing techniques for identifying essential finger positions on a musical instrument is crucial, as poor fingering techniques can harm instrument performance. In this work, we propose the visual detection of this fingering using convolutional neural networks with a proprietary dataset created for this purpose. Additionally, to improve the results and focus on the essential parts of the instrument, we use self-attention mechanisms by extracting these features automatically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce the notion of principal angles between subspaces of the same signature in a (real, complex or quaternionic) pseudo-euclidean space of index 1. We show that these determine the relative position of an important class of pairs of hyperbolic and elliptic subspaces (Theorems 3.9 and 4.10). Also, as an application, we will see that these angles can be used to study the relative position of pairs of an important class of totally geodesic submanifolds of the (real, complex or quaternionic) hyperbolic space (Theorem 6.3). As a consequence we obtain a nice interpretation of these principal angles as geometric invariants of the hyperbolic space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Spain faces a growing concern with rising melanoma cases, affecting people of all ages and sexes. This study explores the reasons behind this trend, examining the influence of factors affecting entire populations over time and differences between age groups. Sunlight exposure remains the primary culprit, potentially linked to historical changes in sunbathing habits. This research highlights a need for improved public health strategies, emphasizing sun protection and early detection measures, especially tailored to address the specific challenges observed in Spain. Aim: This study aims to elucidate the factors driving melanoma incidence trends in Spain by analyzing the GBD-2019 dataset (1990–2019) and investigating the age-specific, birth cohort, and period effects on incidence rates. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed melanoma incidence trends in Spain from 1990 to 2019 using an ecological design. Data were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 and Spain's National Statistics Institute. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) were calculated using joinpoint regression analysis, and age–period–cohort (A-P-C) modeling was employed to assess the effects of age, time period, and birth cohort on incidence rates. Results: Between 1990 and 2019, an estimated 147,823 melanoma cases were diagnosed in Spain. The ASIRs showed a steady increase for both sexes, with slightly higher rates observed in men. Both men (average annual percentage change (AAPC): 2.8%) and women (AAPC: 2.4%) showed a steady increase in the ASIR over the period. Joinpoint analysis revealed distinct periods of incidence rate changes, with significant upward trends in earlier years followed by stabilization in recent years. Incidence rates increased steadily with age, with the highest rates in the 80–84 age group. Women tended to have slightly higher rates in younger age groups, while men had higher rates in older age groups. Both men and women experienced a steady increase in relative risk of melanoma throughout the 30-year study period, with significant upward trends across birth cohorts. Conclusions: Despite limitations, this study provides valuable insights into factors influencing melanoma incidence in Spain. By understanding age, period, and cohort effects, effective prevention strategies can be developed to reduce melanoma incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The entrance of the Madre de Dios convent in Seville was carved in stone by Juan de Oviedo y de la Bandera, an important sculptor who made great artistic productions, highlighting his carvings in wood and stone. Several studies have been carried out on the carvings in wood, but no interest has been paid by experts to the carving pieces in stone. In this work, this polychrome made on stone around 1590 was studied for the first time. Micro-samples were taken and studied using micro-analytical techniques (optical microscopy, SEM-EDX, colourimetry, XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy). The pigments (smalt, atacamite, malachite, copper resinate, cinnabar, red earth, yellow ochre, carbon, and bone black) and the consolidation product (acrylic resin, very possibly Paraloid B72) were characterized. The experimental study indicated that the polychrome was applied on a layer of white lead (cerussite and hydrocerussite) that was laid on the substrate stone, constituted by calcarenite. This study also includes a comprehensive discussion on the use of these materials and techniques in other artworks within Seville's cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the pursuit of enhancing the technological maturity of innovative magnetic sensing techniques, opportunities presented by in-orbit platforms (IOD/IOV experiments) provide a means to evaluate their in-flight capabilities. The Magnetic Experiments for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (MELISA) represent a set of in-flight demonstrators designed to characterize the low-frequency noise performance of a magnetic measurement system within a challenging space environment. In Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, electronic circuits are exposed to high levels of radiation coming from energetic particles trapped by the Earth's magnetic field, solar flares, and galactic cosmic rays. A significant effect is the accidental bit-flipping in memory registers. This work presents an analysis of memory data redundancy resources using auxiliary second flash memory and exposes recovery options to retain critical data utilizing a duplicated data structure. A new and lightweight technique, CCM (Cross-Checking and Mirroring), is proposed to verify the proper performance of these techniques. Four alternative algorithms included in the original version of the MELISA software (Version v0.0) are presented. All the versions have been validated and evaluated according to various merit indicators. The evaluations showed similar performances for the proposed techniques, and they are valid for situations in which the flash memory suffers from more than one bit-flip. The overhead due to the introduction of additional instructions to the main code is negligible, even in the target experiment based on an 8-bit microcontroller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of deep learning to image and video processing has become increasingly popular nowadays. Employing well-known pre-trained neural networks for detecting and classifying objects in images is beneficial in a wide range of application fields. However, diverse impediments may degrade the performance achieved by those neural networks. Particularly, Gaussian noise and brightness, among others, may be presented on images as sensor noise due to the limitations of image acquisition devices. In this work, we study the effect of the most representative noise types and brightness alterations on images in the performance of several state-of-the-art object detectors, such as YOLO or Faster-RCNN. Different experiments have been carried out and the results demonstrate how these adversities deteriorate their performance. Moreover, it is found that the size of objects to be detected is a factor that, together with noise and brightness factors, has a considerable impact on their performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we start developing a Riemann-type integration theory on spaces which are equipped with a fractal structure. These topological structures have a recursive nature, which allows us to guarantee a good approximation to the true value of a certain integral with respect to some measure defined on the Borel σ -algebra of the space. We give the notion of Darboux sums and lower and upper Riemann integrals of a bounded function when given a measure and a fractal structure. Furthermore, we give the notion of a Riemann-integrable function in this context and prove that each μ -measurable function is Riemann-integrable with respect to μ. Moreover, if μ is the Lebesgue measure, then the Lebesgue integral on a bounded set of R n meets the Riemann integral with respect to the Lebesgue measure in the context of measures and fractal structures. Finally, we give some examples showing that we can calculate improper integrals and integrals on fractal sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: The expert report is a tool used by the forensic psychologist to scientifically support the psychological evaluation and communicate his or her decision regarding the expert object to the legal operator. However, psychological assessments elaborated for these types of cases often use protocols and emit conclusions without the accuracy and rigor required for the judicial context. It is common that these do not present a proper structure, or a logical continuity that integrates the results, and that their considerations are unclear or contradictory due to an incorrect choice of evaluation techniques. Method: This article presents an expert counter-report where the structure, content, methodology, and conclusions of a psychological expert report based on the Statement Reality Analysis (SVA) technique are analyzed. The report evaluates the truthfulness of the testimony of an alleged minor victim of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), which is the typical evidence used in Legal Medicine and Forensic Science Institutes. Results: The analysis and review of the report revealed deficiencies in the method, premises, and conclusions. Conclusions: It is concluded that the quality assessment of psychological reports as the evidence used in CSA cases based on the SVA must be systematically cross-checked to verify the compliance with the scientific, legal, and jurisprudential standards. Also, when these reports are used as evidence, it should be verified compliance with the principle of the presumption of innocence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inverse degree index, also called inverse index, first attracted attention through numerous conjectures generated by the computer programme Graffiti. Since then its relationship with other graph invariants has been studied by several authors. In this paper we obtain new inequalities involving the inverse degree index, and we characterize graphs which are extremal with respect to them. In particular, we obtain several inequalities relating the inverse degree index with the first and second Zagreb indices, the general first and second Zagreb indices, the Forgotten index, the general sum-connectivity index, the Sombor index and the misbalance indeg index, and several parameters of the molecular graph as the number of vertices, the number of edges, the minimum degree and the maximum degree. Also, we compute the inverse degree index for some classes of chemical graphs. Furthermore, some applications are given to the study of the physicochemical properties of three classes of compounds: polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorobiphenyls, and octane isomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This article aims to explore the concept of chain value of the public port system in Ecuador from the perspective of importing/exporting companies, analyzing how perceived value in the use of port services affects customer satisfaction and the intermediate links of the influence of trust and commitment on customer loyalty. Design/methodology/approach - Relying on a survey of 634 Ecuadorian companies with experience in international trade as port users and a theoretical framework well-established in the literature on consumer behavior, the empirical study found evidence of a positive and significant relationship with the knowledge of chain effects. Findings - The findings confirm the chain effect and reveal ways to maintain an ongoing satisfactory, trust and committed relationship with users, thereby ultimately gaining and maintaining their loyalty. The conclusions suggest how this postulate can help to close the gap referred to the effective management of port services, and point out that port managers should be concerned with a continuous in-depth understanding of the perceived value and its chain effects. Originality/value - The authors add evidence of the use of the postulate of the chain of effects on these dimensions, whose applicability is very well established, tested and consensual for the doctrine in industrial marketing. In contrast, it is scarcely present in the port relationship with its users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a semiprime globalization for a partial group action on a semiprime Lie algebra L , and with an additional reasonable condition, we show that this semiprime globalization is unique up to isomorphism. Moreover, under the same condition we prove that any globalizable partial group action on L induces a globalizable partial group action on its maximal quotient algebra. For Jordan algebras, we show that a globalizable partial group action on a unital Jordan algebra J induces a globalizable partial group action on the unital special universal envelope for J. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technical and intellectual capabilities of past societies are reflected in the monuments they were able to build. Tracking the provenance of the stones utilised to build prehistoric megalithic monuments, through geological studies, is of utmost interest for interpreting ancient architectures as well as to contribute to their protection. According to the scarce information available, most stones used in European prehistoric megaliths originate from locations near the construction sites, which would have made transport easier. The Menga dolmen (Antequera, Malaga, Spain), listed in UNESCO World Heritage since July 2016, was designed and built with stones weighting up to nearly 150 tons, thus becoming the most colossal stone monument built in its time in Europe (c. 3800–3600 BC). Our study (based on high-resolution geological mapping as well as petrographic and stratigraphic analyses) reveals key geological and archaeological evidence to establish the precise provenance of the massive stones used in the construction of this monument. These stones are mostly calcarenites, a poorly cemented detrital sedimentary rock comparable to those known as 'soft stones' in modern civil engineering. They were quarried from a rocky outcrop located at a distance of approximately 1 km. In this study, it can be inferred the use of soft stone in Menga reveals the human application of new wood and stone technologies enabling the construction of a monument of unprecedented magnitude and complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a two‐dimensional flow model of a viscous fluid between two close moving surfaces. We show, using a formal asymptotic expansion of the solution, that its asymptotic behavior, when the distance between the two surfaces tends to zero, is the same as that of the the Navier‐Stokes equations. The leading term of the formal asymptotic expansions of the solutions to the new model and Navier‐Stokes equations are solution of the same limit problem, and the type of the limit problem depends on the boundary conditions. If slip velocity boundary conditions are imposed on the upper and lower bound surfaces, the limit is a solution of a lubrication model, but if the tractions and friction forces are known on both bound surfaces, the limit is a solution of a thin fluid layer model. The model proposed has been obtained to be a valuable tool for computing viscous fluid flow between two nearby moving surfaces, without the need to decide a priori whether the flow is typical of a lubrication or a thin fluid layer problem, and without the enormous computational effort that would be required to solve the Navier‐Stokes equations in such a thin domain. We propose a two‐dimensional flow model of a viscous fluid between two close moving surfaces. We show, using a formal asymptotic expansion of the solution, that its asymptotic behavior, when the distance between the two surfaces tends to zero, is the same as that of the the Navier‐Stokes equations. The leading term of the formal asymptotic expansions of the solutions to the new model and Navier‐Stokes equations are solution of the same limit problem, and the type of the limit problem depends on the boundary conditions.... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce the theory of a generalized Fourier transform in order to solve differential equations with a generalized fractional derivative, and we state its main properties. In particular, we obtain the new corresponding convolution, inverse and Plancherel formulas, and Hausdorff–Young type inequality. We show that this generalized Fourier transform is useful in the study of several fractional differential equations (both ordinary and partial differential equations). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the metabolic adaptations of a chemoresistant prostate cancer cell line in comparison to a sensitive cell line. We utilized prostate cancer LNCaP cells and subjected them to a stepwise increase in the antiandrogen 2-hydroxy-flutamide (FLU) concentration to generate a FLU-resistant cell line (LN-FLU). These LN-FLU cells displayed characteristics of cancer stem cells, exhibited drug resistance, and showed a significantly reduced expression of Cyclin D1, along with the overexpression of p16, pointing to a proliferation arrest. In comparing the cancer stem-like LN-FLU cells to the LNCaP cells, we observed a decrease in the expression of CTP-choline cytidylyl transferase α (CCTα), as well as a decline in choline kinase, suggesting altogether a downregulation of the phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic pathway. In addition, we found decreased levels of the protein methyl transferase PRMT2 and the upregulation of the histone deacetylase Sirtuin1 (Sirt1). Analysis of the human prostate cancer samples revealed similar results in a population with high expressions of the stem cell markers Oct4 and ABCB1A1. Our findings suggest that the adaptation of prostate cancer cells to antiandrogens could induce reprogramming into stem cells that survive in a low phosphocholine metabolism and cell cycle arrest and display drug resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the transformation of diversity within a family medicine residency program in response to the underserved population in Salt Lake City. Topics include revising the candidate selection rubric, implementing structural changes to support residents, and collaborating with other programs for strategies on diversification, all aimed at meeting the needs of the diverse patient population.

The article focuses on efforts towards equity in medicine, highlighting innovative initiatives addressing discrimination in healthcare. Topics include transforming diversity in a family medicine residency program, providing medically tailored meals to address health consequences of food insecurity, and collaborative efforts among care providers to identify and support individuals who may benefit from such interventions.

Context: The high rates of adductor injuries and reinjuries in soccer have suggested that the current rehabilitation programs may be insufficient; therefore, there is a need to create prevention and reconditioning programs to prepare athletes for the specific demands of the sport. Objective: The aim of this study is to validate a rehab and reconditioning program (RRP) for adductor injuries through a panel of experts and determine the effectiveness of this program through its application in professional soccer. Design: A 20-item RRP was developed, which was validated by a panel of experts anonymously and then applied to 12 injured male professional soccer players. Setting: Soccer pitch and indoor gym. Participants: Eight rehabilitation fitness coaches (age = 33.25 [2.49] y) and 8 academic researchers (age = 38.50 [3.74] y) with PhDs in sports science and/or physiotherapy. The RRP was applied to 12 male professional players (age = 23.75 [4.97] y; height = 180.56 [8.41] cm; mass = 76.89 [3.43] kg) of the Spanish First and Second Division (La Liga). Interventions: The experts validated an indoor and on-field reconditioning program, which was based on strengthening the injured muscle and retraining conditional capacities with the aim of reducing the risk of reinjury. Main Outcome Measures: Aiken V for each item of the program and number of days taken by the players to return to full team training. Results: The experts evaluated all items of the program very highly as seen from Aiken V values between 0.77 and 0.94 (range: 0.61–0.98) for all drills, and the return to training was in 13.08 (±1.42) days. Conclusion: This RRP following an injury to the adductor longus was validated by injury experts, and initial results suggested that it could permit a faster return to team training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational fluid dynamics techniques were applied to reproduce the characteristics of the liquid methanol burner described in a previous paper by Guevara et al. In this work, the unstable Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (U-RANS) approach known as the Scale-Adaptive Simulation (SAS) model was employed, together with the steady nonadiabatic flamelets combustion model, to characterize and compare methanol and hydrogen flames. These flames were compared to determine whether this model can reproduce the coherent dynamic structures previously obtained using the LES model in other investigations. The LES turbulence model still entails a very high computational cost for many research centers. Conversely, the SAS model allows for local activation and amplification, promoting the transitions of momentum equations from the stationary to the transient mode and leading to a dramatic reduction in computational time. It was found that the global temperature contour of the hydrogen flame was higher than that of methanol. The air velocity profile peaks in the methanol flame were higher than those in hydrogen due to the coherent structures formed in the near field of atomization. Both flames presented coherent structures in the form of PVC; however, in the case of hydrogen, a ring-type vortex surrounding the flame was also developed. The axial, tangential, and radial velocity profiles of the coherent structures along the axial axis of the combustion chamber were analyzed at a criterion of Q = 0.003. The investigation revealed that the radial and tangential components had similar behaviors, while the axial velocity components differed. Finally, it was found that, using the SAS model, the coherent dynamic structures of the methanol flame were different from those obtained in previous works using the LES model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyse time trends in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mortality and explore possible provincial clustering of SLE mortality in Spain (2001–2020). Methods: We conducted an ecological study using deaths registered in SLE at the Spanish National Institute of Statistics between 2001 and 2020. Jointpoint regression models have been used to evaluate temporal trends. To analyse the spatial pattern of SLE mortality in men and women in Spain, crude rates, age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs), smooth relative risk (RR) and posterior probabilities (PP) for RR greater than one for the period 2001–2020 were calculated. The Global Moran I index was used to assess the existence of global spatial autocorrelation. Local indicators of spatial association (LISA) and Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic were used to identify clusters. Results: Over the 20 years analyzed in this study, the SLE average ASMR for the period was 2.7 for women and 0.7 for men, with a sex ratio (female/male) of 3.8. In men, no province showed a RR>1. Conversely, in women, eight provinces showed values of RR> 1 with a PP greater than 0.8 (Seville, Cadiz, Huelva and Murcia in the south, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Huesca and Leon in the north). In men, neither of the two methods detected a clustering of provinces. However, in women, both methods identified a cluster of provinces located in the southwest of the country (Huelva, Cádiz, Seville and Malaga) as a cluster with significant excess mortality. In the second cluster (centred on the province of Huelva) obtained with the Kulldorff method, two more provinces were added (Badajoz and Cordoba, also located in the southwest). Conclusions: We detected a cluster of provinces with an excess risk of female SLE mortality in the southwest of Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate in feral pigs the presence of Salmonella spp (Spp), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), swine influenza virus (SIV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App). The samples were obtained from pigs in the states of Chihuahua and Durango, Mexico. The tests analyzed for the animals from Chihuahua were nasal swabs for SIV, rectal swabs for Spp and PEDV, serum for PRRSV and PCV2, lung, liver, and lymph nodes for Spp, SIV, PRRSV, and PCV2, as well as serum for serological tests. From animals in the state of Durango, the following was collected: nasal swabs for SIV, rectal swabs for Spp and PEDV, and serum for PCV2 for molecular and serological studies. The molecular results in both states showed samples positive for PCV2, 73.3 % in Chihuahua and 91.3 % in Durango; likewise, two positive samples were obtained for Spp in the state of Chihuahua (13.3 %) and one in Durango (6.6 %), for SIV there were two positive (8.7 %) in Durango. For PRRSV and PEDV, samples were negative in both states. Serological results in pigs from the two states showed positivity for PCV2, Spp, and App. Samples were negative for PRRSV, PEDV, and Mhyo in both states. It is important to highlight the molecular and serological detection of feral pigs positive for various infectious agents important in pig production with zoosanitary repercussions on public health, which implies an epidemiological relevance of these animals in the context of "one health". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing need for innovative educational methods that can motivate and engage students in subjects that are often perceived as difficult or boring. One such approach is the UPCT-Bloopbusters educational project, developed by a group of professors at the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), Spain, wherein concepts from the fields of physics and technology are presented and exemplified in the classroom through scenes from different movies in conjunction with experiments. The project was conducted on three subjects, one from each of the three bachelor of electrical engineering degree programs offered at the UPCT, namely Physics I, Applied Physics, and Optical Communications. This paper describes the methodology of the educational project and then presents and discusses the academic results of the students involved in terms of success and performance rates both before and after the application of the new methodology. Moreover, the results of a survey carried out on the students are presented. Finally, some of the exercises used in this methodology for the teaching and learning of science based on different movie scenes are provided as examples. The results of the project show that the students were receptive of the methodology and further indicated that it may lead to increased academic performance due to their enhanced understanding of physics and technology concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dilemma between stability and plasticity is crucial in machine learning, especially when non-stationary input distributions are considered. This issue can be addressed by continual learning in order to alleviate catastrophic forgetting. This strategy has been previously proposed for supervised and reinforcement learning models. However, little attention has been devoted to unsupervised learning. This work presents a dynamic learning rate framework for unsupervised neural networks that can handle non-stationary distributions. In order for the model to adapt to the input as it changes its characteristics, a varying learning rate that does not merely depend on the training step but on the reconstruction error has been proposed. In the experiments, different configurations for classical competitive neural networks, self-organizing maps and growing neural gas with either per-neuron or per-network dynamic learning rate have been tested. Experimental results on document clustering tasks demonstrate the suitability of the proposal for real-world problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to investigate the larval development of Argia joergenseni Ris in three streams located at different latitudes and ecoregions (Yungas and Chaco) in Argentina. We measured the head width and the metathoracic wing sheath length, and classified larvae into five size classes. Our results showed different patterns of larval growth between the three study sites. At the Yungas sites (latitude 26° S), larvae exhibited a high proportion of small individuals throughout the year, suggesting a multivoltine life cycle. In contrast, larvae in the Chaco region (latitude 32° S) showed marked seasonality in growth. The findings indicate a negative correlation between voltinism and latitude in A. joergenseni. The species exhibited an almost continuous flight season in the Yungas, while at the southern limit of its distribution (Chaco), the flight season was limited to the warmest months. This study provides important information on the larval ecology of A. joergenseni, contributing to a better understanding of the dynamics of damselfly communities and facilitating the development of effective conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we undertook a comprehensive analysis of a Pet Tumour Registry of the Canary Archipelago (PTR‐CA) in Spain to investigate the epidemiology of canine cutaneous round cell tumours. From a database of 2526 tumours collected from 2003 to 2020, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of the main trends in diagnosis, age, multiplicity and anatomical distribution as well as a case–control study comparing these cases with the contemporaneous canine population of the Canary Archipelago to analyse breed distribution. In line with former studies, we found histiocytomas mostly affect young dogs (2, IQR 1–5) and mast cell tumours affect middle‐to‐old dogs (8, IQR 6–10) with grade 1 affecting at younger ages (6.5, IQR 6–8) than both grade 2 (8, IQR 6–10 years) and grade 3 (9, IQR 7–11). Histiocytomas and plasmacytomas showed a similar anatomical distribution appearing mainly on the face, head and neck regions while mast cell tumours occur mainly on limbs and trunk. Higher risk for mast cell tumours and histiocytomas were found for Bulldog‐related breeds such as Boxer (ORMCT = 23.61, CI95%: 19.12–29.15, ORHCT = 10.17, CI95%: 6.60–15.67), Boston Terrier (ORMCT 19.47, CI95%: 7.73–49.05, ORHCT 32.61, CI95%: 11.81–90.07) and Pug (ORMCT 8.10, CI95%: 5.92–11.07, ORHCT 7.87, CI95%: 4.66–13.28) while Chihuahua dogs showed significantly less risk (ORMCT 0.18, CI95%: 0.09–0.33, ORHCT 0.41, CI95%: 0.21–0.78). Notably, the Canarian Mastiff, a local breed, had a low risk of suffering from a mast cell tumour which raises the question of whether this relates to a genetic peculiarity of this breed or some husbandry and environmental factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 70th anniversary of the publication of the double helix model for the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid has oppened the opportunity for reflections and to debate the specific role of each of the original protagonists. Here we review how this discovery has lead to our current medical knowledge and practice, and discuss what we think were the actual contributions of each of these scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Tralokinumab was recently approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and is the first selective interleukin (IL)-13 inhibitor that specifically neutralizes IL-13 with high affinity. Objectives To determine the real-life short-term effectiveness and safety of tralokinumab treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Methods A multicentre retrospective study was conducted including adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who started tralokinumab treatment from 1 April to 30 June 2022 in 16 Spanish hospitals. Demographic and disease characteristics, severity and quality of life scales were collected at the baseline visit and at weeks 4 and 16. Results Eighty-five patients were included. Twenty-seven patients (32%) were non-naive to advanced therapy (biological or Janus kinase inhibitors inhibitors). All included patients had severe disease with baseline Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores of 25.4 (SD 8.1), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 15.8 (5.4) and peak pruritus numerical rating scale (PP-NRS) 8.1 (1.8) and 65% had an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) of 4. At week 16, there was improvement on all scales. The mean EASI decreased to 7.5 (SD 6.9, 70% improvement), SCORing Atopic Dermatitis improved 64% and PP-NRS, 57%. Also, 82%, 58% and 21% of the patients achieved EASI 50, 75 and 90, respectively. The percentage of EASI 75 responders was significantly higher among the naive vs. non-naive groups (67% vs. 41%). The safety profile was acceptable. Conclusions Patients, with a long history of disease and prior multidrug failure, showed a good response to tralokinumab, confirming clinical trial results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wild pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. glabriusculum (Dunal) Heiser & Pickersgill) is a valuable genetic resource for agriculture and food. Around the world salinity is a significant environmental stress that limit and affect agriculture productivity. This work estimates the variation in salinity tolerance in six populations of wild pepper populations of the Northwest of Mexico at three salinity levels (without NaCl, 25 and 50 mM NaCl). The measured traits were height, stem development, foliar area, relative content of chlorophyll, dry weight of plant, root, stem, and leaves. Salinity tolerance was estimated with a stress tolerance index (STI) obtained by comparing values of traits between control treatment (without NaCl) and salinity treatments. Data were subjected to univariate and multivariate variance analysis of principal components. All measured traits were negatively and significantly affected by salinity. Univariate variance analysis and of principal components clearly differentiated the studied populations. At 50 mM NaCl, height, stem diameter, foliar area, stem and leaves dry weight correlated positively with electrical conductivity, and foliar area, relative content of chlorophyll, stem and leaves dry weight correlated with soil Na at the site of origin of the populations. Presa Oviachic showed a higher salinity tolerance in both NaCl treatments (1.17 and 0.99), followed by two more populations (Lo de Vega and Yecorato), each with each salinity treatment. Presa Oviachic presented the highest average STI in both treatments, 37.6% and 40.4% higher than Cósala and Mazocahui respectively. Root dry weight (0.427), stem diameter (0.419), leaf area (0.412), stem dry weight (0.407) and plant dry weight (0.345) were the most important traits in that order and Presa Oviachic was significantly superior to the rest of populations in STI at 50 mM NaCl. Plants of these populations could be a source of salinity resistance. The variation pattern observed in these traits suggests adaptation to the local edaphic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel nanorods (NRs) capped with gold (Au/Ni) were grown into porous anodic aluminum oxide templates and subsequently transferred onto Au/Si (100) substrates. A high dense 2D array of Ni and Au/Ni nanorods was analyzed by vibrating sample magnetometry; it was found that an increase in 14.8% of the magnetic moment following the deposition of Au caps. In order to further investigate this phenomenon, the magnetic distribution of Au/Ni nanorods was studied by off-axis electron holography. The magnetization and induction strengths were evaluated to be 4.7 × 105 A/m and 0.62 T, respectively, which is equivalent to magnetometry measurements of the Ni NR arrays. Remarkably, a vortex state configuration was imaged in the Au segment by the retrieved magnetic phase of the electron holograms under free lens conditions of the transmission electron microscope column. It was concluded that the magnetic distribution in the Au segment is associated with a ferromagnetic coupling with Ni and correlated with the magnetometry measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: hallux valgus is an unsightly and painful deformity that causes disorders in the use of footwear and long-term walking disability due to calluses, ulcerations and foot deformities. In Cuba, the population goes to consultations since adolescence to request its correction. Due to its multicausal character, there are few preventive options that can be carried out. Its treatment should be directed to achieve, by surgical methods, the resolution of the problems of the deformity. Objective: to determine the results of hallux valgus treatment in adolescents using the modified Bösch technique. Methods: a prospective longitudinal study was conducted with 23 patients diagnosed with hallux valgus considered as mild and moderate according to the Coughlin-Mann classification and surgically corrected by the modified Bösch technique at the "Eduardo Agramonte Piña" Pediatric Hospital between January 2018 and January 2022. Results: the most frequently observed group was between 11 and 15 years old, female. Moderate hallux valgus predominated, which presented bilaterally in most cases. Before the intervention, most of the patients presented moderate pain, limitation of recreational activities and important alignment defects. Six months later they presented good alignment, mild limitation of activities and absence of pain. Conclusions: correction of hallux valgus in adolescents using the modified Bösch technique is effective in correcting this deformity satisfactorily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this text we expose the process of mobilization by people with disabilities (PwD), for the recognition of their rights, within the framework of the transformations in the management of public affairs by the Latin American States. The question that guides the development of this article is: how is the mobilization of PwD linked to the participation of Latin American States in the management of public affairs? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the history of China in order to identify the key moments that allowed this country to become a power with the ability to dispute the global hegemony, resulting from a particular socio-historical development that starts with its selfisolation until its incorporation into the world market with its own political and economic project inherited from a revolutionary process that had a high cost for Chinese society. Based on the world-system approach, proposed by Wallerstein, the article analyzes the transformation of China from a world-empire to a peripheral economy, and, later, the achievement of a political and economic centrality that places it at the head of a new world order, which is not devoid of imperialist overtones. In this framework, parallels are established with Latin American history, since the region plays a central role in the consolidation of Chinese hegemony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To analyse the relationship between workplace violence and work engagement in nursing professionals. Background. Violence in the workplace has become a phenomenon of growing concern. Nursing professionals are one of the most exposed groups to this type of violence. Method. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on a national sample of Spanish nurses by means of convenience, non-probabilistic sampling. A questionnaire was administered that collected sociodemographic variables, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), and an "ad hoc" scale on violence in the workplace. Results. 1648 active nursing professionals participated in this study. The participants obtained higher scores in the "dedication" variable. It was observed that 42.17% had personally suffered some type of aggression or violence at work. Verbal aggression was the most frequent type of reported violence. Nurses who experience violence, threat, and psychological harassment showed lower levels of work engagement than those who did not. In the case of those who experience sexual harassment and those who do not, the values for the UWES-9 were similar. Conclusions. Having personally experienced violence, threats or psychological harassment can negatively affect nurses' work engagement, the most common acts of violence being verbal and often perpetrated by family members and patients. Implications for Nursing Management. Adequate tools are not still being used to ensure that the assaulted professionals are adequately assisted by their institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beneficial microorganisms tend to promote growth and development of Carica papaya at different levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Rhizophagus irregularis and Trichoderma viride on C. papaya growth under greenhouse conditions for 28 days. C. papaya plantlets obtained through micropropagation were used after acclimation. Each plantlet received a treatment with 500 R. irregularis spores and/or 5x107 T. viride spores randomly. The plants were cultured under greenhouse conditions and watered with an 15-15-15 NPK solution for 28 days. The results demonstrate that the treatments with R. irregularis and the coinoculation with R. irregularis and T. viride promoted the vegetative growth of papaya plants by increasing shoot length, shoot diameter, number of leaves and leaf area. Treatment with T. viride did not induce significant changes. It is concluded that the use of beneficial microorganisms such as R. irregularis and T. viride increases the growth parameters of C. papaya in the first days of culture under greenhouse conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental purpose of higher education institutions is to train professionals capable of managing knowledge and generating innovation processes, which translates into competitive advantages and optimal productive performance. The purpose of this research is to describe the relationship observed between knowledge management variables and the prevailing innovation capacity in higher education organizations. The research hypothesis establishes the presence of a direct relationship between knowledge management and innovation capacity. For this purpose, a quantitative and descriptive type of research was carried out. The study population consisted of 77 institutions of higher education, and by means of probabilistic sampling by clusters, a sample size of 441 workers from these institutions was determined. A structured questionnaire composed of 88 items on a Likert-type scale was used to collect information in the field. Among the main findings, it was observed that there is a high correlation coefficient (0.921), an estimated ratio of (1.267), a standardized ratio of (.96), and a p-value (0.000), which provides sufficient evidence of the existence of a positive relationship between the two variables analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inverse degree index, also called inverse index, first attracted attention through numerous conjectures generated by the computer programme Graffiti. Since then its relationship with other graph invariants has been studied by several authors. In this paper we obtain new inequalities involving the inverse degree index, and we characterize graphs which are extremal with respect to them. Also, a QSPR study of this index and its exponential extension was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical formula of the title compound, 2C17H17N4 +-2C7H5O5 °-C17H16N4--2.94C4H8O2, was established by X-ray diffraction of a single-crystal obtained by reacting 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)propane (L) and gallic acid (HGal) in ethyl acetate. The molecular structure can be described as a salt (HL)+(Gal)° cocrystallized with a molecule L, with a stoichiometric relation of 2:1. Moreover, large voids in the crystal are filled with ethyl acetate, the amount of which was estimated by using a solvent mask during structure refinement, affording the chemical formula (HL+-Gal°)2-L-(C4H8O2)2.94. The arrangement of components in the crystal is driven by O--H- - -O, N--H- - -O and O--H- - -N hydrogen bonds rather than by -- or C--H- - -- interactions. In the crystal, molecules and ions shape the boundary of cylindrical tunnels parallel to [100] via R (rings) and D (discrete) supramolecular motifs. These voids, which account for about 28% of the unit-cell volume, contain disordered solvent molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quail (Coturnix coturnix, Linnaeus 1758), a notable model used in developmental biology, is a precocial bird species in which the processes of retinal cell differentiation and retinal histogenesis have been poorly studied. The purpose of the present research is to examine the retinogenesis in this bird species immunohistochemically and compare the results with those from previous studies in precocial and altricial birds. We found that the first PCNA-negative nuclei are detected at Stage (St) 21 in the vitreal region of the neuroblastic layer, coinciding topographically with the first αTubAc-/Tuj1-/Isl1-immunoreactive differentiating ganglion cells. At St28, the first Prox1-immunoreactive nuclei can be distinguished in the vitreal side of the neuroblastic layer (NbL), but also the first visinin-immunoreactive photoreceptors in the scleral surface. The inner plexiform layer (IPL) emerges at St32, and the outer plexiform layer (OPL) becomes visible at St35—the stage in which the first GS-immunoreactive Müller cells are distinguishable. Newly hatched animals show a well-developed stratified retina in which the PCNA-and pHisH3-immunoreactivies are absent. Therefore, retinal cell differentiation in the quail progresses in the stereotyped order conserved among vertebrates, in which ganglion cells initially appear and are followed by amacrine cells, horizontal cells, and photoreceptors. Müller glia are one of the last cell types to be born. Plexiform layers emerge following a vitreal-to-scleral gradient. Finally, our results suggest that there are no significant differences in the timing of different events involved in retinal maturation between the quail and the chicken, but the same events are delayed in an altricial bird species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an easy-to-understand and easy-to-use methodology for monitoring the neutralization potential of residues derived from coal preparation. The methodology was developed based on the chemical composition of the waste and the relationship between calcium and sulfur. The effectiveness of this, in the control of residues, is demonstrated through in situ testing in a coal preparation plant in San Juan de Sabinas, Coahuila. The tests were carried out by collecting samples in three waste streams for five days at the plant. The methodology presents a strong linear correlation between the neutralization potential and the Ca/S ratio of 0.91. The estimation of neutralization potential through the Ca/S ratio represents a practical, easy-to-apply methodology that saves time and favors the decision-making required by waste management plans, to avoid the generation of acid drainage in coal waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzymatic degradation of the recalcitrant poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been an important biotechnological goal. The present review focuses on the state of the art in enzymatic degradation of PET, and the challenges ahead. This review covers (i) enzymes acting on PET, (ii) protein improvements through selection or engineering, (iii) strategies to improve biocatalyst–polymer interaction and monomer yields. Finally, this review discusses critical points on PET degradation, and their related experimental aspects, that include the control of physicochemical parameters. The search for, and engineering of, PET hydrolases, have been widely studied to achieve this, and several examples are discussed here. Many enzymes, from various microbial sources, have been studied and engineered, but recently true PET hydrolases (PETases), active at moderate temperatures, were reported. For a circular economy process, terephtalic acid (TPA) production is critical. Some thermophilic cutinases and engineered PETases have been reported to release terephthalic acid in significant amounts. Some bottlenecks in enzyme performance are discussed, including enzyme activity, thermal stability, substrate accessibility, PET microstructures, high crystallinity, molecular mass, mass transfer, and efficient conversion into reusable fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to analyse the creative competence of students before and after a micro-learning experience carried out in a collaborative online international learning (COIL) environment between Spanish and Mexican university students in the field of education and entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach: A single-group quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measures was adopted. The composition of the group was natural and included a total of 57 students who participated in the COIL experience. The duration was three weeks, where students from both countries were linked together in the development of a micro-learning project. The creativity self-efficacy scale was used as a data collection instrument. Findings: The micro-learning activities through COIL developed the creative competence of the participating students. In particular, the groups from both universities improved their scores on the creative competence in the post-test compared to the pre-test measure. Research limitations/implications: The limitations of this study were linked to the sample loss of some cases, as some students did not complete the post-test measure. The main implication of the study was to demonstrate that COIL experiences are suitable for developing certain skills in students, such as creative competence or co-operative work. Originality/value: COIL experiences break down the barriers of physical space and give students an active role, allowing them to fully develop competences and offering an intercultural perspective, which encourages open-mindedness and understanding of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inequalities play a major role in pure and applied mathematics. In particular, the inequality plays an important role in the study of Rosseland's integral for the stellar absorption. In this paper we obtain new Milne-type inequalities, and we apply them to the generalized Riemann–Liouville-type integral operators, which include most of the known Riemann–Liouville integral operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]