Background and Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and breast cancer (BC) are diseases of high prevalence worldwide. Both alter lung function separately. So suffering both tables would increase this decrease in lung function. The objetive was to determine the effects of DM2 and BC on ventilation volumes and pressures in adult women. Material and Methods: Forty-two women patients were recruited, of whom 40 were accepted under the exclusion criteria. They were divided into four groups: control group (CG), DM2, BC and DM2+BC. Body plethysmography was used to measure forced vital capacity, lung volumes, airway resistance and muscle pressures. Finally the normality of the data was determined using Student's t test or the Mann-Whitney U test; the threshold of significance was p<0.05. Results: No significant differences were observed in the anthropometric variables between the control group and the other groups. The ventilation flows showed no significant differences, while the lung volumes presented significant differences in the inspiratory capacity (IC) variables (p<0,002). Maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP-MEP) also presented significant diminution (p<0,001; p<0,041, respectively). Conclusions: From the results obtained we can conclude that the combination of type 2 diabetes mellitus with breast cancer caused a diminution in ventilation volumes and pressures, specifically in IC, MIP and MEP.

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with high incidence in children and adolescents characterized by motor hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. MRI-based evidences support that neuroanatomical abnormalities as the volume reduction of neocortex and hippocampus are shared by several neuropsychiatric diseases as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. In addition, it is well documented the abnormal development and postnatal pruning of dendritic spines of neocortical neurons in schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. A recent report using the prenatal nicotine exposure murine model of ADHD support a delay in spine maturation in CA1 neurons correlated with impaired working memory and hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). In vivo spine imaging show that dendritic spines are dynamic structures exhibiting Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity triggering intracellular cascades involving glutamate receptors, calcium influx and remodeling of F-actin network. The LTP-induced insertion of postsynaptic glutamate receptors is associated to the enlargement of spine head and long-term depression (LTD) to the spine shrinkage. In this review, we summarize recent evidence emerged from meta-analysis of brain imaging data from ADHD patients, risk loci from global genome-wide analysis and new reports focused on spine molecular structure and dynamics using in vivo imaging in neocortex and hippocampus.

On 19 September 2021, La Palma volcano (Canarias Archipelagos) started an eruption that persisted until 13 December 2021. Despite the Volcano Explosive Index (VEI) being estimated equal to 3, corresponding to not so powerful eruption, the long eruption activity posed much scientific in-terest in this natural hazard event. In this paper, we searched for possible effects of this eruption on the atmosphere and ionosphere, investigating the climatological archive and Swarm magnetic satellite data. In particular, we explored Aerosol, Sulphur Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide con-centrations in the atmosphere identifying both the direct emissions from the volcano as well as the plume that drifted toward West-South-West and was reinforced during the eruption period. The vertical profile of temperature from the Saber satellite was analysed to search for the possible presence of acoustic gravity waves induced by volcanic activity. Compared with the year before without eruption in the areas, a lot of Saber profiles present an Energy Potential very much higher than the previous year, proposing the presence of Acoustic Gravity Waves (AGW) induced by volcano eruption activity. We also identified Swarm magnetic disturbances on the day of the eruption and in November. The mechanism of coupling could be different for the latter one, as there is no evidence for AGW. They may be due to a more complex of physical and chemical al-terations that propagate from the lower atmosphere to the upper one into the ionosphere.

This article proposes a monitoring system that allows to track transitions between different stages in the berry harvesting process (berry picking, waiting for transport, transport, and arrival to the packing) solely using information from temperature and vibration sensors located in the basket. The monitoring system assumes a characterization of the process based on Hidden Markov Models and uses the Viterbi algorithm to perform inference and estimate the most likely state trajectory. The obtained state trajectory estimate is then used to compute a potential damage indicator in real-time. The proposed methodology does not require information about the weight of the basket to identify each of the different stages, which makes it effective and more efficient than other alternatives available in the industry.

Natural rocks are highly heterogeneous due to various geological processes that constantly alter their properties. The accumulation, deposition, and cementation of mineral and organic particles continuously modify the spatial characteristics of rock properties. Property variability or anisotropy is commonly observed in most rock types and influences strength, transport, and thermal conductivity behavior. This unpredictability presents a significant challenge for laboratory testing. Binder-jet additive manufacturing (3D printing) has emerged as a valuable technology for characterizing rock properties in geoscience and engineering. This study proposes a methodology to evaluate the variability and repeatability of mechanical properties of 3D-printed sandstones during binder-jet additive manufacturing. The mechanical properties were analyzed statistically for samples located in various parts of the 3D printer build volume. The results showed that the 3D-printed sandstones exhibited significant variations in their strength and stiffness properties when measured from samples produced within the same build volume during binder-jet additive manufacturing. The Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) varied from 23 to 38 MPa, with an average value of 29 MPa. The Young's modulus, on the other hand, ranged from 1.5 to 4.05 GPa, with an average value of 2.33 GPa. The variability of the mechanical properties, quantified by the standard deviation, decreased when the entire population of 3D-printed sandstones was divided into smaller samples situated at different elevations of the build platform.

Baeyer-Villiger monoxygenases (BVMOs) are flavin-dependant oxidative enzymes capable to catalyse the insertion of an oxygen atom between a carbonylic Csp2 and the Csp3 at the alpha position, therefore transforming linear and cyclic ketones into esters and lactones. These enzymes are dependent on nicotinamides (NAD(P)H) for the flavin reduction and subsequent reaction with molecular oxygen to furnish peroxyflavin, the ultimate responsible for the substrate oxidation. BVMOs can be included in cascade reactions, coupled to other redox enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) or ene-reductases (EREDs), so that the direct conversion of alcohols or α,β-unsaturated carbonylic compounds to the corresponding esters can be achieved. This way, it is possible to develop smart synthetic strategies with a convenient cofactor recycling, both using whole cells (native or genetically engineered) as well as isolated enzymes, via multi-steps reaction through sequential or parallel methodologies. Some examples will be commented dealing with these biotransformations, highlighting the advantages of the coupling of enzymatic steps.

A general framework for inference in dynamical systems is described, based on the language of Bayesian probability theory and making use of the maximum entropy principle. Taking as fundamental the concept of a path, the continuity equation and Cauchy's equation for fluid dynamics arise naturally, while the specific information about the system can be included using the Maximum Caliber (or maximum path entropy) principle.

2023 was the hottest year ever recorded, global warming accelerates its rising, we witness a series of extreme weather events, more frequent and more intense, climate refugees, infrastructure harmed, forests burning, “meteorological tsunamis”. We failed to meet the main goals of the Kyoto protocol; we are very close to fail in meeting the Paris agreement’s slowing global warming goal. Greenhouse gases emissions are at rise and, even if completely halt, temperatures would keep rising, enhancing the global average. Carbon capture and storage technologies are being developed to counterbalance these emissions by removing such gases from the atmosphere and physically storing or transforming them into useful molecules for the society. In this work we prospect microorganisms that can serve as a platform for developing carbon capture technologies. We process samples from the seabed of Brainsfield Strait region, Antarctica, prospecting for an organism capable of fixing carbon dioxide without light (chemoautotrophic bacterias) and capable of enduring extreme conditions of pressure (100 bar) under 100% supercritical state carbon dioxide atmosphere (scCO2), conditions like those found in oil deposits, where the technology can be of particular use.

Abstract: The present work evaluates the feasibility of using volcanic fly ash (VFA), generated by the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano on the island of La Palma (Spain) in 2021, as a precursor in the preparation of cementitious materials with different Portland cement (PC) replacement levels (0%, 30%, 70% and 100%), in the absence (Blended Cement, BC) and presence of an alkaline ac-tivator (Hybrid Alkaline Cement, HAC, and Alkaline Cements, AC). Hydration kinetics (isother-mal conduction calorimetry), paste mechanical strengths and reaction products were character-ised by XRD, FTIR, TG/DTG and BSEM/EDX. The results obtained indicate that the strengths de-veloped by the hybrid alkaline cements (HAC) are higher than those of the blended cements (BC), especially at the age of 2 days, where 25 MPa was obtained with the replacement of 70% PC by VFA. Alkaline cements (AC, 100% VFA) prepared with 8M NaOH solution as activator reached 40 MPa after 2 days. It was observed that in all the binders, depending on the initial composition of the binder mixture and the percentage of replacement and/or activator, VFA reacts to form cementitious gels, C-A-S-H and N-A-S-H type, which supports its use as a mineral addition to blended cement or as a precursor in the preparation of alkaline and hybrid alkaline cements.

This work studies how the Elo rating system can be applied to score-based sports, where it’s gaining popularity, and in particular for predicting the result at any point of a game, extending its statistical basis to stochastic processes. We derive some new theoretical results for this model and use them to implement Elo ratings for basketball and soccer leagues, where the assumptions of our model are tested and found to be mostly accurate. We showcase several metrics for comparing the performance of different ratings systems and determine whether adding a feature has a statistically significant impact. Finally, we propose an Elo model based in a discrete process for the score that allows us to obtain draw probabilities for soccer matches, and has a performance competitive with alternatives like SPI ratings.

Metformin, a widely used anti-diabetic drug, has garnered attention for its potential in cancer management, particularly in breast and colorectal cancer. It is established that metformin reduces mitochondrial respiration, but its specific molecular targets within mitochondria vary. Proposed mechanisms include inhibiting mitochondrial respiratory chain Complex I and/or Complex IV, and mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, among others. These actions lead to cellular energy deficits, redox state changes, and several molecular changes that reduce hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic patients. Clinical evidence supports metformin’s role in cancer prevention in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Moreover, in these patients with breast and colorectal cancer, metformin consumption leads to an improvement of survival outcomes and prognosis. The synergistic effects of metformin with chemotherapy and immunotherapy highlights its potential as an adjunctive therapy for breast and colorectal cancer. However, nuanced findings underscore the need for further research and stratification by molecular subtype, particularly for breast cancer. This comprehensive review integrates metformin-related findings from epidemiological, clinical, and preclinical studies in breast and colorectal cancer. Here, we discuss current research addressed to define metformin's bioavailability and efficacy, exploring novel metformin-based compounds and drug delivery systems, including derivatives targeting mitochondria, combination therapies, and novel nanoformulations, showing enhanced anticancer effects.

This work discusses the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and pollution in Spain using an autoregressive distributed lag regression model (ARDL) from 1961 to 2018. The authors apply the theoretical context of pollution haven/halo and conclude that FDI in Spain does not contribute to the transfer of green technologies for cleaner production, despite being included within the European environmental regulatory framework. The authors also verify the adequacy of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) and the Load Capacity Curve hypothesis (LCC) in the Spanish environmental context and find that income per capita has a positive effect on environmental sustainability and quality. In this sense, the further development of an efficient renewable energy infrastructure could efficiently drive to a better standards all pollution indexes in Spain, including nuclear energy production, contributing the emissions neutrality aimed by the EU by 2050.

One of the most important challenges in the Machine and Deep Learning areas today is to build good models using small datasets, because sometimes it is not possible to have large ones. Several techniques have been proposed in the literature to address this challenge. This paper aims at studying the different available Deep Learning techniques and performing a thorough experimentation to analyze which technique or combination thereof improves the performance and effectiveness of the models. A complete comparison with classical Machine Learning techniques was carried out, to contrast the results obtained using both techniques when working with small datasets. Thirteen algorithms were implemented and trained using three different small datasets (MNIST, Fashion MNIST, and CIFAR-10). Each experiment was evaluated using a well-established set of metrics (Accuracy, Precision, Recall, F1, and the Matthews correlation coefficient). The experimentation allowed concluding that it is possible to find a technique or combination of them to mitigate a lack of data, but this depends on the nature of the dataset, the amount of data, and the metrics used to evaluate them.

A cryptic invader of the genus Persicaria is recently increasing in the damper, northern parts of La Palma and Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands (Spain) and locally behaves as an invasive species. Examination of historical herbarium specimens showed this species to be present in Gran Canaria since the 1960’s and the same probably applies to La Palma. Up to now, this species had been assigned to the Old World weed P. maculosa. However, morphologically these plants clearly correspond with P. hydropiperoides, a common and widespread weed native to the New World, and morphologically similar indeed to P. maculosa. Diagnostic features for these two species, as well as for another similar species (P. decipiens, originally described from the Canary Islands), are compared, thoroughly discussed and copiously illustrated. The current distribution, ecology and naturalization status of P. hydropiperoides in the Canary Islands are also assessed. The variability of P. hydropiperoides is discussed, more precisely the taxonomic position of a southern ‘race’ of it that is sometimes referred to as a distinct species, P. persicarioides. In addition to our morphology-based study, a molecular phylogenetic analysis has been conducted on the nuclear ITS region and the plastid DNA region trnL-F.

After brings about a brief review of the theoretical explanations and researches on the reasons for being a victim, this article is organized into two sections. The first presents a comparative analysis of the data for 1999 and 2016 in terms of perceptions, profiles and most significant sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables. The second one shows an explanatory analysis based on a multivariate logistical regression model using as an independent variable lifestyle of the population and socioeconomic variables, and as dependent variables individual’s susceptibility to becoming a victim of certain crimes. The results points towards an explanatory model of victimization in which sociodemographic variables play an increasingly less important role while variables related to lifestyle and subjective perceptions make a significant contribution to greater understanding of the nature of being the victim of a crime.

The effect of legumes adapted to a temperate climate on gas production kinetics, enteric methane, and rumen fermentation in vitro was evaluated. The species studied were Acacia dealbatha, Acacia melanoxylon, Albizzia lopantha, Lupinus pubescens, Inga insignes, Senna multiglandulosa and Tecoma stans. The effective degradation of the dry matter was estimated, the in vitro gas production was measured up to 120 hours of incubation, and the production of enteric methane, VFAs, and ammonia were measured at 24 hours. Dry matter, organic matter, ash, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin were evaluated. The content of total phenols and condensed tannins was quantified. To determine digestibility, the samples were incubated for up to 120 hours. I. insignes presented a higher dry matter content and a high crude protein content. L. pubescens presented low dry matter digestibility. The neutral detergent fiber content was higher in I. insignes and with a higher value in dry matter digestibility and lower content of total phenols and condensed tannins. While S. multiglandulosa showed low detergent acid fiber content. The acid detergent lignin value was higher in I. insignes and lower in L. pubescens. In vitro gas and enteric methane production was higher in L. pubescens. propionic acid and ammonia they were higher in S. multiglandulosa. It is concluded that the amount of secondary compounds affects methane production, compromises digestibility and rumen kinetics of the legumes studied.

We analyze the humoral and B-cell mediated immunogenic response induced by GP5 lineal epitopes from porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) to explore the role of this protein in the protective response. For inoculation, pigs aged twenty-one days were allocated into six groups (seven pigs per group): control (PBS), vehicle (carrier), vaccinated (Ingelvac-PRRSV, MLV®), non-vaccinated and naturally infected, GP5-B and GP5-B3. Subsequently blood samples were collected and analyzed. Cytokine were measured by ProcartaPlex kit. Peptide-specific IgGs and cross-reactivity against peptides were analyzed by ELISA and B-cell subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry. At 2 days post-immunization (dpi), the GP5-B3 peptide increased the serum concentrations of cytokines associated to activate adaptive cellular immunity (IL-1β and IL-12). The concentration of IgGs anti-GP5-B increased in both cases at 21 and 42 dpi, while IgGs anti-GP5-B3 increased at 21 dpi and remained at the same level until 42 dpi. Also, antibody-forming/Plasma B cells (CD2+/CD21-) and primed B cells (CD2-/CD21+) from immunized pigs showed an increase at 42 dpi. Conversely the naïve B cells from immunized pigs decreased compared with the controls. Importantly, Both GP5-B and GP5-B3 peptides exhibited immunoreactivity against serum antibodies from vaccinated group, as well as non-vaccinated and naturally infected group. In conclusion, GP5-B and GP5-B3 peptides elicited immunogenicity mediated by antigen specific IgG´s and B-cell activation.

The development of storage standards for databases of different nature and origin makes it possible to aggregate and interact with different data sources in order to obtain and show complex and thematic information to the end user. This article aims to analyze some possibilities opened up by new applications and hypothesize their possible developments. With this work, using the currently available Web technologies, we would like to verify the potential of the use of Linked Open Data in the world of WebGIS and illustrate an application that allows the user to interact with Linked Open Data through their representation on a map. Italy has a artistic and cultural heritage unique in the world and the italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism has created and made freely available a dataset in Linked Open Data format that represents it. With the aim of enhancing and making this heritage more usable, the National Research Council (CNR) has created an application that presents this heritage via WebGIS on a map. Following criteria definable by the user, such as the duration, the subject of interest and the style of the trip, tourist itineraries are created through the places that host this heritage. New possibilities open up where the tools made available by the Web can be used together, according to pre-established sequences, to create completely new applications. This can be compared to the use of words, all known in themselves, which, according to pre-established sequences, allow us to create ever new texts.

Different machine learning models (multiple linear regression, vector support machines, artificial neural networks and random forests) are applied to predict the monthly global irradiation (MGI) from different input variables (latitude, longitude and altitude of meteorological station, month, average temperatures, among others) of different areas of Galicia (Spain). The models were trained, validated and queried using data from three stations, and each best machine model was checked in two independent stations. The results obtained confirmed that the best ML methodology is the ANN model which presents the lowest RMSE value in the validation and querying phases 122.6·10kJ/(m2∙day) and 113.6·10kJ/(m2∙day), respectively, and predict conveniently for independent stations, 201.3·10kJ/(m2∙day) and 209.4·10kJ/(m2∙day), respectively. Given the good results obtained, it is convenient to continue with the design of artificial neural networks applied to the analysis of monthly global irradiation.

Boldine, a major aporphine alkaloid found in Chilean boldo tree, is a potent antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a detrimental role in the pathogenesis of kidney damage in Renovascular hypertension (RVH). The activation of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is crucial in the development and progression of hypertensive renal damage and TGF-β is closely associated with the activation of RAS. In the present study, we assessed the effect of boldine on the progression of kidney disease using the 2K1C hypertension model and identifying mediators in the RAS such as TGF-β, that could be modulated by this alkaloid. Toward this hypothesis, rats (n=5/group) were treated with boldine (50mg/kg/day, gavage) for 6 weeks after 2K1C surgery (pressure≥180mmHg). Kidney function was evaluated by measuring of proteinuria/creatininuria ratio (U prot/U Crea), oxidative stress (OS) by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The evolution of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was followed weekly. α-SMA and Col III were used as markers of kidney damage; ED-1 and Osteopontin (OPN) as markers of inflammation. We also explored the effect in RAS mediators, such as ACE-1 and TGF-β. Boldine treatment reduced UProt/UCrea ratio, plasma TBARS and slightly reduced SBP in 2K1C hypertensive rats, producing no effect in control animals. In 2K1C rats treated with boldine the levels of α-SMA, Col III, ED-1 and OPN were lower when compared to 2K1C rats. Boldine prevented the increase in ACE-1 and TGF-β in 2K1C rats, suggesting that boldine reduces kidney damage. These results suggest that boldine could potentially be used as a nutraceutic.

An acrobot is a planar robot with a passive actuator in its first joint. The control problem of the acrobot tries to make it rise from the rest position to the inverted pendulum position. This control problem can be divided in the swing-up problem, when the robot has to rise itself through swinging up as a human acrobat does, and the balancing problem, when the robot has to maintain itself on the inverted pendulum position. We have developed three controllers for the swing-up problem applied to two types of motors: small and big. For small motors, we used the SARSA controller and the PD with a trajectory generator. For big motors, we propose a new controller to control the acrobot, a PWM controller. All controllers except SARSA are tuned using a Genetic Algorithm.

Norepinephrine (NE) uptake through the NE transporter (NET) is the primary mechanism to ter-minate the action of this neurotransmitter. Dysregulation of brain NE levels is associated with various conditions, including attention deficits, depression, and Alzheimer's disease. Recently, we identified an interaction between the related dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT) and G protein βγ subunits. Activation of Gβγ in cells and brain slices leads to DA efflux through DAT. However, the potential interaction between Gβγ and NET has not been reported. Here, we used a combina-tion of molecular modeling approaches to elucidate the structural details of the NET/Gβγ inter-action, supported by experimental evidence. Through 1.5µs of molecular dynamic simulation, we observed a favorable NET/Gβγ interaction mediated by the intracellular carboxy terminus of NET. As a consequence, the binding energy of NE for NET also changes resulting in alterations of the electrostatic profile of NET. We propose that these changes mediate the NE efflux effect. Fi-nally, we provide experimental evidence demonstrating that Gβγ physically interacts with NET and that the Gβγ activator mSIRK induces NE efflux through the transporter. These findings identified a novel interaction between Gβγ and NET and highlighted its potential implications in the regulation of NE neurotransmission and associated disorders.

In recent decades, particularly intense changes have occurred in Spanish urban areas. This is the result of demographic and urbanizing transformations that have led to a change in the city model. The predominance of compact forms has been replaced by the growing prominence of urban sprawl. Structures are now more extensive, characterized, in turn, by fragmentation and notable consumption of land in the peripheries. In medium-sized cities, the municipalities bordering the central cities have concentrated the processes of suburbanization and periurbanization. This paper addresses the process of change for 34 cities and their urban areas located in inland Spain. A proposal is made for the delimitation and characterization of urban areas, taking the municipality as the unit of analysis. At the methodological level, six variables are used, analyzed by means of multicriteria statistical techniques combined with the use of GIS tools. An Urban Transformation Index (ITU) has been developed that synthesizes urbanizing, demographic and socioeconomic dynamics. In the territorial area, the 20-minute isochrone is used as a reference. In the temporal domain, the period of analysis addresses the events of the first two decades of the twenty-first century.

The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) was used to assess the impact of biomethane plant of the “La Católica” in Pedregal-Majes-Arequipa farm, fed with cow manure and holding a production of 60 Nm3/day of purified biogas. Life cycle inventory, impact assessment and interpretation were performed. The functional unit established was 1 MJ of energy produced; the study was modeled with SimaPro software, Ecoinvent Database and ReCiPe Midpoint (H) impact assessment methodology, according to the impact categories of climate change and fossil resource depletion. The impact analysis was limited to the Well to Tank (WTT) approach, which involves feedstock transport, substrate mixed, anaerobic digestion, biogas purification, storage and injection of the fuel into transport vehicles. The digestion process generated the highest amount of CO2 emissions (1.79E-02 kg CO2 eq/MJ-biomethane) and the highest depletion of fossil resources (6.58E-03 kg oil eq/MJ-biomethane), compared to the other fuel production, due to energy consumption and transport infrastructure. Biomethane was then compared to fossil fuels, resulting in natural gas generating the least amount of CO2 emissions, followed by diesel and finally biomethane. For the fossil resource depletion category, biomethane presented the lowest amount of fossil fuel consumption (1.37E-02 kg oil eq/MJ-biomethane), followed by natural gas and diesel.

Within the framework of theoretical developments in so-called participatory culture and the context of funds of identity, incorporated within what is known as the funds of knowledge approach, an innovative teaching methodology is implemented that allows students to actively participate in knowledge construction. The project translates into a proposal for educational contextualization and personalization based on the students’ funds of identity, that is, those resources (people, artifacts, places, activities, institutions) they consider to be most relevant and significant to define themselves. Once these have been identified through identity artifacts, such as collages or self-drawings, students link some of these funds of identity to curricular content of the subject and produce a video that shows the results of this academic work. The final product is shared on a YouTube channel containing the videos of all of the students in the class. The phases of the project are described and illustrated. We argue that the proposed teaching and learning project, which is cross-disciplinary in nature, allows for principles such as educational contextualization, funds of identity, and participatory culture to be incorporated into what we call here the funds of identity 2.0 approach, putting it into educational practice.

With COVID-19 vaccines slowly being rolled out in many countries, it is important to understand the public’s acceptance of being vaccinated. This study aims to study the willingness and motivations among residents of the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas, Philippines to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Based on an online survey of 137 respondents, who willingly participated in the study, 71% will take a COVID-19 vaccine if it becomes available, with similar rates among respondents from Caloocan (82%), Malabon (83 %), and Navotas (81%). If a vaccine is proven safe and effective, more respondents (82%) will take a COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, safety against COVID-19 as well as the safety and effectiveness of vaccines are the primary factors why respondents are willing or unwilling to get a vaccine. The results highlight the need for effective messaging that promotes COVID-19 vaccination, with emphasis on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, and its benefits to the public, especially that the vaccines that will be delivered in the country in the next few months are not the most preferred brands by the respondents.

Epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD) incidence increase with age. There are reciprocal relationships between epilepsy and AD. Epilepsy is a risk factor for AD and, in turn, AD is an independent risk factor for developing epilepsy in old age and abnormal AD biomarkers in PET and or CSF are frequently found in late onset epilepsies of unknown etiology. Accordingly, epilepsy and AD share pathophysiological processes including neuronal hyperexcitability and an early excitatory-inhibitory dysregulation leading to dysfunction in the inhibitory GABAergic and excitatory glutamatergic systems. Moreover, both β-amyloid and tau protein aggregates, the anatomopathological hallmarks of AD, have proepileptic effects. Finally, these aggregates have been found in the resection material of refractory temporal lobe epilepsies suggesting that epilepsy leads to amyloid and tau aggregates. Some epileptic syndromes, such as medial temporal lobe epilepsy share structural and functional neuroimaging findings with AD, leading to overlapping symptomatology such as episodic memory deficits and toxic synergistic effects. In this respect, the existence of epileptiform activity and electroclinical seizures in AD appears to accelerate progression of cognitive decline and the presence of cognitive decline is much more prevalent in epileptic patients than in elderly without epilepsy. Notwithstanding their clinical significance, the diagnosis of clinical seizures in AD is a challenge. Most are focal and manifest with altered level of consciousness without motor symptoms, and are often interpreted as cognitive fluctuations. Finally, despite the frequent association of epilepsy and AD dementia, there is a lack of clinical trials to guide the use of antiseizure medications (ASM). There is also a potential role for ASMs to be used as disease-modifying drugs in AD.

Fire is a significant threat to human life and civil infrastructures. Builders and architects are hankering for safer and sustainable alternatives of concrete that do not compromise with their design intent or fire safety requirements. The aim of the present work is to improve the residual compressive performance of concrete in the post-fire exposure, by incorporating by-products from urban residues. Based on sustainability and circular economy motivations, the attention is focused on rubber tire fly ash, aged brick powder, and plastic (PET) bottle residuals used as partial sand replacement. The selected by-products from urban residues are used for the preparation of Cement-Based Composites (CBCs) in two different proportions (10 % and 15 %). The thermal CBC behaviour is thus investigated under realistic fire scenarios (i.e., Direct Flame (DF) for 1 hour (1h)), by following the ISO 834 standard provisions, but necessarily resulting in non-uniform thermal exposure for the cubic specimens. The actual thermal exposure is further explored with a Finite Element (FE) model, giving evidence of thermal boundaries effects. The post-fire residual compressive strength of heated concrete and CBC samples is hence experimentally derived, and compared to unheated specimens in ambient conditions. From the experimental study, the enhanced post-fire performance of CBCs with PET bottle residual is generally found superior to other CBCs or concrete. The structure-property relation is also established, with the support of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs. Based on existing empirical models of literature for the prediction of the compressive or residual compressive strength of standard concrete, newly developed empirical relations for both concrete and CBCs are assessed.

Oligodendrocytes are myelinating cells of the central nervous system, which are generated by progenitor oligodendrocytes as a result of maturation processes. The main function of mature oligodendrocytes is to produce myelin, a lipid-rich multi-lamellar membrane that wraps tightly around neuronal axons, isolating them and facilitating nerve conduction through saltatory propagation. The myelination process requires the consumption of a lot of energy and a high metabolic turnover. Mitochondria are essential organelles which regulate many cellular functions including the energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. Any mitochondrial dysfunction impacts cellular metabolism and negatively affects the health of the organism. If the functioning of the mitochondria is unbalanced the myelination process is impaired. At the end of myelination, oligodendrocytes synthesize about 40% of the total lipids present in the brain. Since lipid synthesis occurs in the cellular endoplasmic reticulum, the alteration of this organelle can lead to partial or deficient myelination, triggering numerous neurodegenerative diseases. In this review the main dysfunctions of oligodendrocytes caused by exogenous or endogenous stimuli will be investigated. Furthermore, the oligodendrocyte reactions to excessive mitochondrial oxidative stress and an altered regulation of the functioning of the endoplasmic reticulum will be discussed.

Background: During esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed with colonoscopy, gastric and duodenal erythema, erosions, and ulcerations are often observed. This investigation was designed to review the prevalence of gastroduodenal lesions in patients who underwent wireless capsule endoscopy using standard bowel cleansing preparations, but no endoscopy or sedation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients referred for capsule endoscopy. Records and capsule reports were reviewed for patient demographics, preparation prescribed, procedural indications, and gastroduodenal findings. Preparations studied included polyethylene glycol lavage (PEG), PEG plus bisacodyl (PEG+bis), bisacodyl (bis), oral sulfate solution (OSS) and no prep. Results: Among the 1236 records, 498 (40.3%) were men and 738 (59.7%) were women. The mean age was 57 years +/- 17.8 years SD. The percentage of patients with lesions after any bowel preparation was 52.7% for gastric lesions and 23.6% for duodenal lesions. The percentage of patients with gastroduodenal lesions was 58.3% with prep, compared to 38.2% without prep. These findings were statistically significant with RR 1.53 [1.19-1.94] (p-value=0.00004). This difference was more pronounced in the OSS group RR 1.65 [1.29-2.1] and bisacodyl groups RR 1.64 [1.25-2.15] compared to the PEG group RR 0.95 [0.7-1.3]. Conclusion: This study showed that patients undergoing wireless capsule endoscopy who received bowel preparations had a significant increase in gastric and duodenal lesions. Of the preparations studied, OSS was associated with the greater number of gastroduodenal lesions, while PEG was the least associated with lesions with an occurrence similar to the non-prep group. The clinical significance of these lesions remains undetermined.

This work aims to integrate the circular economy (CE) into learning experiences to enhance learning outcome development in Higher Education (HE). Building on existing active learning research, this work aligns CE initiatives—particularly waste reduction and elimination— with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study proposes an experiential learning framework to cultivate citizenship commitment, sustainability impact, and engineering learning outcomes through realistic problem-solving in the supply chains of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Using the ADDIE instructional design model and Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, the approach is illustrated in a case study within an undergraduate industrial engineering module. Based on student opinion surveys and achievement metrics, results indicate that the experience significantly enhanced student engagement and motivation. This research contributes to the broader dissem-ination of CE concepts in HE and supports the advancement of SDG #4 Quality Education and #12 Sustainable Consumption and Production. Future research will explore the application of this learning experience across diverse industries and assess its impact on student learning outcomes in various educational contexts.

Activated sludge process is a well known method to treat municipal and industrial waste water. In this complex process, the oxygen concentration in the reactors plays a critical role in the plant efficiency. This paper proposes the use of a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network to identify an input-output model suitable for the design of an oxygen concentration controller. The model is identified from easy-accessible measures collected from a real plant. This dataset covers almost a month. The performances achieved with the proposed LSTM model are compared with the ones obtained with a standard AutoRegressive model with eXogenous input (ARX). Both models catch the oscillation and the overall behaviour (ARX ρ=0.833 , LSTM ρ=0.921), but, while the ARX model fails in reaching the correct amplitude (FIT=41.20%), the LSTM presents satisfactory performance (FIT=60.56%).

In various models of chronic kidney disease, the amount and localization of Cx43 in the nephron is known to increase, but the intracellular pathways that regulate these changes have not been identified. Therefore, we proposed that: "In the model of renal damage induced by infusion of angiotensin II (AngII), a RhoA/ROCK-dependent pathway, is activated and regulates the abundance of renal Cx43”. In rats, we evaluated: 1) the time-point where the renal damage induced by AngII is no longer reversible; and 2) the involvement of a RhoA/ROCK-dependent pathway and its relationship with the amount of Cx43 in this irreversible stage. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and renal function (urinary protein/urinary creatinine: Uprot/UCrea) were evaluated as systemic and organ outcomes, respectively. In kidney tissue, we also evaluated: 1) oxidative stress (amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive species), 2) inflammation (immunoperoxidase detection of the inflammatory markers ED-1 and IL-1β), 3) fibrosis (immune detection of type III collagen; Col III) and 4) activity of RhoA/ROCK (amount of phosphorylated MYPT1; p-MYPT1). The ratio Uprot/UCrea, SBP, oxidative stress, inflammation, amount of Cx43 and p-MYPT1 remained high 2 weeks after suspending AngII treatment in rats treated for 4 weeks with AngII. These responses were not observed in rats treated with AngII for less than 4 weeks, in which all measurements returned spontaneously close to the control values after suspending AngII treatment. Rats treated with AngII for 6 weeks and co-treated for the last 4 weeks with Fasudil, an inhibitor of ROCK, showed high SBP but did not present renal damage or increased amount of renal Cx43. Therefore, renal damage induced by AngII correlates with the activation of RhoA/ROCK and the increase in Cx43 amounts and can be prevented by inhibitors of this pathway.

Urban vitality, understood as a key factor for the achievement of cities’ sustainability, shows a strong relationship with urban morphology. The city theorist Jane Jacobs suggested morphologi-cal aspects to promote vital cities already in the 1960s, which remain valid in the present. How-ever, few studies in the Andean region quantitatively exemplify this. This paper aims to test the measurement of urban vitality in a neighborhood of Quito, Ecuador, called La Mariscal, inte-grating Jacobs’ approach. In particular, three urban vitality indexes are evaluated with the appli-cation of GIS software using cadastral data obtained from the municipality and field data col-lection. Results show that the context-based previous knowledge and the scale of analysis are es-sential factors in the configuration of dimensions, indicators, and spatial representation of any urban vitality index. In the study area land use mixture, contact opportunity, and accessibility dimensions are fundamental. Regarding indicators, the incorporation of the informal small-scale commerce, the quality of sidewalks, the street slope, and the good-conditioned street furniture is recommended. Finally, a hybrid representation (raster and vectorial) is suggested to precisely measure urban vitality at a block scale. Altogether, by providing a comparative approach, we in-tend to bring a useful framework for researchers and planners to study urban vitality in Andean cities.

This study aimed to determine a nutritionally adequate feeding protocol for Hippocampus hippocampus juveniles. In the experimental trial, seahorses were fed copepods from 0-7 days post-parturition (DPP) and, from 8-28 DPP, four dietary treatments: (copepods (control diet), microalgae-enriched Artemia with a DHA/EPA ratio of 2:1, microalgae-enriched Artemia with a DHA/EPA ratio of 2:1 along with 5% copepods, and with 10% copepods) were tested. Results showed that juvenile seahorses fed on copepods attained a significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) growth performance (5.1 mg d-1) than fish-fed diets with 5% and 10% copepod inclusion, (3.09 and 3.07 mg d-1, respectively), and fish-fed enriched Artemia (1.83 mg d-1) which performed poorly. Data suggests that feeding copepods during the first 7 DPP promotes maturation of the digestive tract of juvenile seahorses, and the addition of a limited amount of copepods to the diet improves H. hippocampus juvenile growth performance when compared to the use of Artemia as a single diet due to the improvement of the essential fatty acid profile in the diets.

The railway infrastructure has played a crucial role in urban development since its inception in the 19th century. This article aims to show how the transformations resulting from the implementa-tion of this transport system have had a particular impact on the city of Istanbul, considering a technical, an engineering and the heritage perspective. To achieve this, an exhaustive review of collected drawings, articles and reports has been carried out since 2012, while starting to work on the architectural coordination of the project. These documents reflect how the Marmaray project covers different aspects, such as materials, signage, civil protection and landscaping. The results obtained demonstrate how a railway infrastructure project not only improves the technical and operational efficiency of traffic in the city, but also protects the natural and historical heritage. As a main conclusion of this investigation, it highlights the necessity for proper coordination between technical interventions in the infrastructure and a comprehensive and integrated strategy that encompasses both the heritage and the urban landscape of Istanbul.

X-ray crystallographic and theoretical charge density data for a series of compounds [(Co(Ts3tren))M(Co(Ts3tren))] (M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) is examined. The crystal structures are isostructural and the alkaline earth metal ions have the same arrangement of donor oxygen atoms despite the large variation in ionic radii. The isomorphism of these molecules is surprising and a theoretical examination of the electronic structures, with the different metal ions along the series, provides detailed insight into their stabilities. The theoretical and experimental data are consistent and agree well. The local properties of the Co(II) ion and its donor atoms are relatively independent of the alkali earth metal.

According to official sources, the numbers of children-to-parent violence (CPV) in the most advanced countries have been on an increasing trend for more than a decade, which generates great social concern. This phenomenon has also aroused enormous interest among researchers, who have identified risk and protective factors related to adolescent CPV in numerous studies. To contribute to a better explanation of CPV, the aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between family communication problems and CPV, through psychosocial adjustment variables -psychological distress and positive attitude toward the transgression of social norms- in schooled adolescents. The sample consisted of 8115 adolescents enrolled in schools in the State of Nuevo León (Mexico) (51.5% boys, 49.5% girls), whose ages ranged from 11 to 16 years (M = 13.34, SD = 1.04). Structural equation modeling was performed using Structural Equation Modeling Software (EQS). The results showed that family communication problems have a direct and signif-icant relationship with CPV. It was also observed that there is an indirect relationship between both variables, through the relationships of psychological distress and positive attitude towards the transgression of social norms. The multigroup analysis performed showed gender differences in some of these relationships. Finally, the results and their implications in the field of family intervention are discussed.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between the type of conization, the volume and dimensions of the cone, with the persistence/recurrence of CIN 2-3, presence of affected margins and post-cone HR-HPV positivity. Methods: 227 women treated with LLETZ and histologically confirmed CIN2-3 were evaluated between 1996 and 2006 and followed up until June 2016. Age, type of resection according to IFCPC 2011, volume, cone dimensions, margins were studied. of resection, post-cone high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) status and viral load. Determinants of HR-HPV positivity were estimated using unconditional logistic regression and time to recurrence was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: Persistent/recurrent CIN2-3 was found in 12 cases (5.2%), type 1 conization was performed in 81 patients, with 5 recurrences (6.1%), type 2 in 101 patients, with 6 recurrences (5 .9%) and type 3 resection in 45 women, with 1 recurrence (2.2%). Volume and dimensions were not associated with recurrence. The Log-Rank Test did not show a significant difference between the 3 treatments (p= 0.18). The free margins in type 1 were 37%, in type 2 resection 61% and in type 3 71% (p=0.001). Resection type 1 had 15% HR-HPV post positive cone, type 2 reached 16% and type 3 had 9%, this difference being non-significant (p=0.58). The incidence of recurrence at 36 months in type 1 resection was 0.08%, in type 2 treatment it was 0.04% and in type 3 resection it was 0.0%. Conclusions : Type 3 resection had a higher proportion of free margins and lower post-cone HR-HPV positivity, with a lower incidence of persistence/recurrence.

A balanced diet model, rich in fruits and vegetables and ensuring the intake of natural products, has been shown to reduce or prevent the occurrence of many chronic diseases. However, the choice to consume large quantities of fruits and vegetables leads to an increase in the amount of waste, which can cause the alteration in environmental sustainability. To date, the concept of "by-product" has evolved, understood as a waste product, from which it is still possible obtain useful compounds. Therefore, the by-products in the agricultural sector, are a rich source of bioactive compounds, capable to possess a second life, decreasing the amount of waste products, the disposal costs and the environmental pollution. A promising and well-known citrus of the Mediterranean diet is the bergamot (Citrus bergamia, Risso et Poiteau). The composition of bergamot is known and the rich presence of phenolic compounds and essential oils has justified countless beneficial properties found, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cholesterolemic and protective activity for the immune system, heart failure and coronary heart diseases. The industrial processing of bergamot fruits leads to the formation of bergamot juice and bergamot oil. The solid residues, referred as "pastazzo", are normally used as feed for livestock or pectin production. The fiber of bergamot (BF) can be obtained from pastazzo and could exert an interesting effect thanks to its content of polyphenols. The purpose of this work was to test the effects of BF on an in vitro model of neurotoxicity induced by treatment with amyloid beta protein. In particular, this experimental model included both neurons and oligodendrocytes in order to measure the involvement of the glia and compare it with the neurons one. The results obtained showed a protective activity of BF, although the oligodendrocytes were more sensitive and fragile than neurons. Further experiments are necessary and if the trend was confirmed, solid residues of bergamot could be used in AD, and, at the same time, could help to avoid the accumulation of waste products.

The positional cloning of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the neutrophil cytosolic factor 1 (Ncf1) gene, advocating that a low oxidative burst drives autoimmune disease, demands an understanding of the underlying molecular causes. A cellular target could be T cells, which have been shown to be regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the pathways by which ROS mediate T cell signaling remain unclear. The adaptor molecule linker for activation of T cells (LAT) is essential for coupling T cell receptor-mediated antigen recognition to downstream responses, and it contains several cysteine residues that have previously been suggested to be involved in redox regulation. To address the possibility that ROS regulate T cell-dependent inflammation through LAT, we established a mouse strain with cysteine-to-serine mutations at positions 120 and 172 (LATSS). We found that redox regulation of LAT through C120 and C172 mediate its localization and phosphorylation. LATSS mice had reduced numbers of double-positive thymocytes and naïve peripheral T cells. Importantly, redox insensitivity of LAT enhanced T cell-dependent autoimmune inflammation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This effect was reversed on an NCF1-mutated (NCF1m1j), ROS-deficient, background. Overall, our data shows that LAT is redox-regulated, acts to repress T cell activation, and is targeted by ROS induced by NCF1 in antigen-presenting cells (APCs).

NADPH is an indispensable cofactor in a wide range of physiological processes which is generated by a family of NADPH-dehydrogenases, where the NADP-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME) is one member of these enzymes. Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit is a horticultural product worldwide consumed which has great nutritional and economic relevance. Besides the phenotypical changes that undergo pepper fruit during ripening, there are many associated modifications at transcriptomic, proteome ic, biochemical, and metabolic levels. Nitric oxide (NO) is a recognized signal molecule that can exert regulatory functions in diverse plant processes. To our knowledge, there is very scarce information about the number of genes encoding for NADP-ME in pepper plants and their expression during the ripening of sweet pepper fruit. Based on a data-mining approach on the pepper plant genome and fruit transcriptome (RNA-seq), five NADP-ME genes were identified, and four of them, namely CaNADP-ME2 to CaNADP-ME5, were expressed in fruit. The time-course expression analysis of these genes during different fruit ripening stages including green immature (G), breaking point (BP), and red ripe (R) showed that they were differentially modulated. Thus, while CaNADP-ME3 and CaNADP-ME5 were upregulated, CaNADP-ME2 and CaNADP-ME4 were downregulated. Exogenous NO treatment of fruit triggered the downregulation of CaNADP-ME4. Furthermore, the analysis of the cis-regulatory elements showed that CaNADP-ME2 and CaNADP-ME5 were positively regulated by the light-responsive element Box4 whereas CaNADP-ME4 was by ABRE (ACGT-containing abscisic acid response element), which is involved in the abscisic acid (ABA) responsiveness. To get deeper knowledge on this enzyme system from fruits, we obtained the 50-75% ammonium-sulfate-enriched protein fraction containing CaNADP-ME enzyme activity, and this was assayed by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The results allowed identifying four isozymes designated CaNADP-ME I to CaNADP-ME IV. Taken together, the data provide new pieces of information on the CaNADP-ME system with the identification of five CaNADP-ME genes and how the four genes expressed in pepper fruits are modulated during ripening and by exogenous NO gas treatment.

Two new Mn(II) and Zn(II) metal-organic compounds of 1,10-phenanthroline and methyl benzoates viz. [Mn(phen)2Cl2]2-ClBzH (1) and [Zn(4-MeBz)2(2-AmPy)2] (2) (where, 4-MeBz = 4-methylbenzoate, 2-AmPy = 2-aminopyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2-ClBzH = 2-chlorobenzoic acid) have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, TGA, spectroscopic (FTIR, electronic) and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Crystal structure analysis of the compounds reveals the presence of various non-covalent interactions which provides stability to the crystal structures. Crystal structure analysis of the compound 1 reveals the formation of supramolecular dimer of 2-ClBzH enclathrated within the hexameric host cavity formed by the neighboring monomeric units. Compound 2 is a mononuclear compound of Zn(II) where flexible binding topologies of 4-CH3Bz is observed with the metal centre. Moreover various non-covalent interactions such as lp(O)-π, lp(Cl)-π, C‒H∙∙∙Cl, π-stacking interactions as well as N‒H∙∙∙O, C‒H∙∙∙O and C‒H∙∙∙π hydrogen bonding interactions are found to be involved in plateauing the molecular self-association of the compounds. The remarkable enclathration of the H-bonded 2-ClBzH dimer into a supramolecular cavity formed by two [Mn(phen)2Cl2] complexes has been further studied theoretically using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, non-covalent interaction (NCI) plot index and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) computational tools. Synergistic effects have been also analysed using molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface analysis.

The integration of clean energy generation with wastewater treatment holds promise for addressing both environmental and energy concerns. Focusing on photocatalytic hydrogen production and wastewater treatment, the study introduces PdIn/TiO2 catalysts for the simultaneous removal of the pharmaceutical contaminant paracetamol and hydrogen production. Physicochemical characterization showed a high distribution of Pd and In on the support as well as a high interaction with it. The Pd and In deposition enhances the light absorption capability and significantly improved HER in comparison to TiO2 not only in the electrolyte but also in presence of paracetamol. Regarding PTM oxidation, TiO2 and PdIn/TiO2 showed an irreversible behavior toward the PTM oxidation, limited by the adsorption of species on the electrode surface. Thus, PdIn-doped TiO2 stands out as a promising catalyst, showcasing enhanced physicochemical properties and superior catalytic performance. This underscores its potential for both environmental remediation and sustainable hydrogen production.

The aim of this study was to assess precipitation (P) by analyzing data from in situ stations compared with those from solely remote sensing products CHIRP and CMORPH, with a reference station in the city. The evapotranspiration (ET) was analyzed directly using SSEBop. The region chosen for this study was the Metropolitan Area of Belem (MAB), close to the estuary of the Amazon River and the mouth of the Tocantins River. Belem is the rainiest state capital of Brazil, which causes a myriad of problems for the local population. The monthly best fit is shown here. In this study, we analyzed P and ET from local stations and compared them with those from satellite products. The main metrics RMSE, NRMSE, MBE, R2, Slope, and NS were used. For the reference station, the automatic and conventional CHIRP and CMORPH results, in mm/month, were as follows: automatic CHIRP: RMSE = 93,3, NRMSE = 0.32, MBE = −33,54, R2 = 0.7048, Slope = 0.945, NS = 0.5668; CMORPH: RMSE = 195,93, NRMSE = 0.37, MBE = −52,86, R2 = 0.6731, Slope = 0.93, NS = 0.4344; conventional station CHIRP: RMSE = 94.87, NRMSE = 0.32, MBE = −33.54, R2 = 0.7048, Slope = 0.945, NS = 0.5668; CMORPH: RMSE = 105.58, NRMSE = 0.38, MBE = −59.46 R2 = 0.7728, Slope = 1.007, NS = 0.4308. This was compared with the pixel and in situ station data. The ET ranges, on average, between 83 mm/month in the Amazonian summer and 112 mm/month in the Amazonian winter. This work concludes that, although CMORPH has a coarser resolution of 0.25° compared to CHIP’s 0.05° for MAB at a monthly resolution, the remote sensing products were reliable. SSEBop also showed reliable performance. For analyses of the consistency of precipitation time series, these products could provide more accurate information.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) affect millions of people worldwide, and to date Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are the most common NDs. The risk of developing NDs increases dra-matically with age, and genetic and environmental factors can be crucial in their progression. The main feature of NDs is the abnormal presence of specific proteins that can lead to neuronal death, proteotoxic stress, and alteration of catabolic systems, which are major players in the processes of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Despite research efforts to date, the therapies cur-rently in use for the treatment of NDs provide marginal therapeutic benefit, so the focus is now being direct toward the search of natural products that could be a valuable aid in combating these diseases, including the natural compound Andrographis paniculata (Ap) and especially its main constituent Andrographolide (Andro). Preclinical studies have shown that the aqueous extract of Ap is capable to modulate neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative responses, determining a reduction in inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in various NDs. Therefore, in this review we will focus on the molecular mechanisms through which Ap and Andro are able to modulate the processes of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation that are major causes of neuronal death and cognitive decline.

In this paper, we revisit the q-states clock model for small systems. We present results for the thermodynamics of the q-states clock model from $q=2$ to $q=20$ for small square lattices $L \times L$, with L ranging from $L=3$ to $L=64$ with free-boundary conditions. Energy, specific heat, entropy and magnetization are measured. We found that the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT)-like transition appears for $q>5$ regardless of lattice size, while the transition at $q=5$ is lost for $L<10$; for $q\leq 4$ the BKT transition is never present. We report the phase diagram in terms of $q$ showing the transition from the ferromagnetic (FM) to the paramagnetic (PM) phases at a critical temperature T$_1$ for small systems which turns into a transition from the FM to the BKT phase for larger systems, while a second phase transition between the BKT and the PM phases occurs at T$_2$. We also show that the magnetic phases are well characterized by the two dimensional (2D) distribution of the magnetization values. We make use of this opportunity to do an information theory analysis of the time series obtained from the Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, we calculate the phenomenological mutability and diversity functions. Diversity characterizes the phase transitions, but the phases are less detectable as $q$ increases. Free boundary conditions are used to better mimic the reality of small systems (far from any thermodynamic limit). The role of size is discussed.

Small wind turbines placed at City locations are affected by variable speed winds that frequently also change the direction. Architectural constructions, buildings of different height and abrupt orography of Cities make the winds that occur at City locations, more variable than in flat lands or at sea. However, performance of Small-wind turbines under this type of variable winds is not deeply studied in specialized literature. Therefore, this article analyses this important issue, also considering three types of power conversion configurations utilized in small-wind turbines; the generally used Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) configuration, the simple only-rectifier configuration and an intermediate configuration in terms of complexity called Pseudo-MPPT. This general-purpose analysis is applied to a specific type of wind turbine, i.e. the Ayanz wind turbine with screw blades, which presents very adequate characteristics for city locations such as; safety, reduced visual and acoustic impacts and birds’ casualties avoidance. Thus, a wide simulation and experimental tests-based analysis is carried out, identifying which are the main factors affecting to the maximization of energy production of small-wind turbines in general and the Ayanz turbine in particular. It is concluded that depending how the wind turbine is designed in terms of these identified main factors, the simple Pseudo-MPPT power conversion configuration could even extract more energy than more complex MPPT configurations, especially in quickly varying wind situations.

Abstract: Little is known about landbird group dynamics in response to predation. Here, we describe the interactions between the Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) and its predators regarding the survival advantages grouping behaviour may provide. Livestream webcam observations were conducted in Madikwe Game Reserve (South Africa) from August 2020 to December 2021. Emphasis was placed on predator–prey interaction and its effect on group size and structure in a spatial framework. Although Black-Backed Jackals (Lupulella mesomelas) are not adept at hunting birds, they might negatively impact guineafowl by curtailing their feeding time during winter with constant harassment. We found that these canids often approach larger and denser groups in the morning and late evenings. Surprisingly, guineafowl most often responded by standing nearby. On the contrary, a higher predator-induced response was associated with the presence of predatory birds, arguably as part of an evolutionary stable prey-predator system. This line of thought is also supported by the lack of a precise defensive mechanism elicited by jackal attacks, unlike those of aerial predators. Nevertheless, we contend that grouping in Helmeted Guineafowl is a defensive strategy to respond to predator attacks while individuals engage in daily activities.

Developing sustainable and renewable energy sources is critical as higher and higher global energy and environmental challenges arise. Hydrogen has the highest mass/energy density of any fuel and is considered one of the best sources of clean energy. Water splitting is regarded as one of the most promising solutions for hydrogen production on a large scale. Highly efficient, durable and cost-effective catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are critical in the realization of this goal. Among many materials proposed, graphene-based materials offer some unique properties for HER catalysis. In this review, we present recent progress on development of graphene-based electrocatalysts toward HER throughout the past few years.

The effect of land use on sandy soils of southern Botswana was carried out by comparing the composition and properties of soil organic matter. Virgin and disturbed soils were sampled from savanna ecosystems (Central District and Kweneng District). The biodegradability of organic matter was evaluated by incubation in the laboratory. Humic fractions were quantified and humic acids were analyzed by visible and infrared spectroscopy. The results indicate that continued disturbance, whether due to grazing or subsistence farming, has resulted in small significant changes in the concentration of available nutrients and organic matter in the soil. Nevertheless, substantial changes could be established in soil C/N ratio, humic acid/fulvic acid ratio and in the biodegradability of soil organic matter and the structural characteristics of humic acids. The increased aromaticity of humic acid (visible and IR spectroscopies) following disturbance, suggests increased biogeochemical activity and/or the impact of abiotic processes (such as periodic fires) selectively removing aliphatic constituents. The overall results indicate a low potential soil fertility, the sustainable preservation of which depending more on features related to quality than to the total amount of the soil organic matter, which shows considerable aromatization parallel to its degree of association with the mineral fraction.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of the global population, with a female-male ratio of 3:1. To date, genetic predisposition, the involvement of a deficient immune system and lifestyle are known to be the major responsible for the onset of the disease. RA preferably affects the joints, with consequent joint swelling and deformities followed by ankylosis. Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can also develop extra-articular manifestations, which mainly affect the cardiovascular system, the nervous system, the skin, the eye, the respiratory system, the kidney and the gastrointestinal system. It has been shown that about 20% of RA patients can develop neuropathies, multiple mononeuritis, distal sensory neuropathies and sense motor neuropathies. Neurological involvement occurs as a consequence of vasculitis of the nerve vessels leading to vascular ischaemia, axonal degeneration and neuronal demyelination. In RA, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease is very high and depends, most probably, on vascular damage resulting from endothelial dysfunction. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that the integrity of the endothelium is also involved in the neurological disorders resulting from RA. This review aims to highlight the main characteristics of the extra-articular manifestations at the nervous level resulting from rheumatoid arthritis. To this end, the literature main results on these pathological manifestations have been collected with particular focus on the involvement of endothelial dysfunction. In fact, the endothelium could be considered a valuable target for minimizing the incidence of extra-articular neurological manifestations in RA.

The amount and composition of litter was evaluated, during May and June 2021, at two urban beaches, i.e. La Victoria and La Cortadura, in Cadiz, SW Spain. Surveys were daily carried out in the morning and in the evening during the week−ends to quantify the daily accumulation of beach litter and relate it with the number of beach users, which was assessed at around 1:00 p.m. Litter amount was also related to clean-up operations that very mechanically and manually carried out each day very early in the morning. A total of 8108 items were collected at the two investigated sectors during the study period and beach visitors were quantified in each one of 22 surveys. Plastic was the most common material representing 82% in La Victoria and 68% in La Cortadura. The most common items were cigarette butts and small hard plastic fragments. Some hazardous litter items for beach visitors were identified such as broken glass. The number of visitors has been positively related to the amount of litter. Significant differences were seen in the litter abundance between the morning and afternoon assessments since the beaches are daily cleaned and show bins to facilitate litter disposal. Cleaning operations remove much of the litter items but always leave low quantities of small items uncollected. Efforts to prevent litter on these beaches should focus on informing visitors properly in order to avoid dumping and on improving clean-up operations.

A visible-light photoredox functionalization of 3,4-dihydro-1,4-benzoxazin-2-ones through a Friedel-Crafts reaction with indoles using an inexpensive organophotoredox catalyst is described. The reaction uses a dual catalytic system formed by a photocatalyst simple and cheap, 9,10-phenanthrenedione, and a Lewis acid, Zn(OTf)₂. 5W white LEDs are used as visible-light source and oxygen from air as a terminal oxidant, obtaining the corresponding products with good yields. The reaction can be extended to other electron-rich arenes.

Nisin, an antibacterial compound produced by Lactococcus lactis strains, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to be used as a safe food additive to control the growth of undesirable pathogenic bacteria. Nisin is commonly described as a pH-dependent primary metabolite, since its production depends on growth and culture pH evolution. However, the relationship between bacteriocin synthesis and the consumption of the limiting nutrient has not been described until now. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a competitive four-dimensional Lotka Volterra-like equation to describe the relationships between culture pH, limiting nutrient (total nitrogen: TN) consumption and production of biomass (X) and nisin (BT) in four series of batch fermentation with L. lactis CECT 539 in diluted whey (DW)-based media. The developed four-dimensional LV-like equation (with a unique set of parameters) could not be used to describe all cultures belonging to each fermentation series. However, the four-dimensional LV-like equation described accurately each individual culture, providing a good description of the relationships between pH, TN, X and BT, higher values for R2 and F-ratios, lower values (&lt; 10%) for the mean relative percentage deviation modulus, with bias and accuracy factor values approximately equal to one.

Evidence has been accumulated demonstrating that heavy metals may accumulate in various organs leading to tissue damage and toxic effects in mammals. In particular, the Central Nervous System (CNS) seems to be particularly vulnerable to cumulative concentrations of heavy metals, though the pathophysiological mechanisms is still to be clarified. In particular the potential role of oligodendrocyte dysfunction and myelin production after exposure to subtoxic concentration of heavy metals is to be better assessed. Here we investigated on the effect of sub-toxic concentration of several essential (Cu^{2 +}, Cr³⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺) and non-essential (Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Al³⁺) heavy metals on MO3.13 and SHSY5Y human oligodendrocyte and neuronal cell lines (grown individually or in co-culture). In particular, exposure of both cell lines to heavy metals produced a reduced cell viability of co-cultured cell lines compared to cells grown separately. This effect was more pronounced in neurons which were more sensitive to metals than oligodendrocytes when the cells were grown in co-culture. On the other hand, a significant reduction of lipid component in cells occurred after their exposure to heavy metals, an effect accompanied by substantial reduction of the main protein that makes up myelin (MBP) in co-cultured cells. Finally, the effect of heavy metals in oligodendrocytes were associated to imbalanced intracellular calcium ion concentration as measured through the fluorescent Rhod-2 probe, thus confirming that heavy metals, even used at subtoxic concentrations, lead to dysfunctional oligodendrocytes. In conclusion, our data show, for the first time, that sub-toxic concentrations of several heavy metals lead to dysfunctional oligodendrocytes, an effect highlighted when these cells are co-cultured with neurons. The pathophysiological mechanism(s) underlying this effect is to be better clarified. However, imbalanced intracellular calcium ion regulation, altered lipid formation and, finally, imbalanced myelin formation seem to play a major role in early stages of heavy metal-related oligodendrocyte dysfunction.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is one of the biggest health and societal challenges of the recent decades. Among the causes of mortality triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection, the presence of an inflammatory "cytokine storm" (CS) at later stages of the disease has been found to play a determinant role. Here, we used available transcriptomic data from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of COVID-19 patients suffering from a CS to obtain gene-signatures associated to this pathological process. Using these signatures, we interrogated the Connectivity MAP (CMap) dataset that contains the effects of over 5,000 small molecules on the transcriptome of human cancer cell lines, and looked for molecules which effects on transcription mimic or oppose those associated to the CS. Consistent with their medical use, this analysis found a significant enrichment of glucocorticoids or inhibitors of the Janus Kinases (JAK) as drugs that could revert the CS. On the other hand, molecules that potentiate the immune response such as PKC activators are predicted to worsen the CS. Besides these expected findings, our analysis also reveals a potential effect of the antibiotic doxycycline or MAPK/RAF/MEK inhibitors in reverting the CS, or of topoisomerase inhibitors and the anti-alcohol abuse drug disulfiram in potentiating its effects. Finally, our analyses support that the gender-related differences in the severity of COVID-19 are related to the anti-inflammatory properties of female hormones. While acknowledging that this is an analysis based on limited available data, we decided to share it as a resource that might help others in the selection of drugs that could be tested in the context of experimental models of CS triggered by viral infections.

Metamaterials, man-made composites scaled smaller than the wavelength, have demonstrated a huge potential in their applications in acoustics, opening up for sub--wavelength acoustic absorbers, acoustic invisibility, perfect acoustic mirrors and acoustic lenses for hyper focusing, acoustic illusions and enabling new degrees of freedom in the control of the acoustic field. The zero, or even negative, refractive sound index of metamaterials offers possibilities in control of the acoustic pattern and sound at sub--wavelength scales. Despite the tremendous growth of the research on acoustic metamaterials during the last decade, the potential of metamaterial-based technologies in aeronautics is still not fully explored and its utilization is still in its infancy. Thus the principal concepts mentioned above could very well provide means to develop devices that would allow the mitigation of the impact of the civil aviation noise on the community. This paper gives a review of the state of the art of the most relevant works on acoustic metamaterials, analyzing them against their potential applicability in aeronautics, and in this process identifying possible implementation areas and interesting metabehaviors. It also identifies some technical challenges and possible future directions for research with the goal of unveiling the potential of metamaterials technologies in aeronautics.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have increased interpersonal and intimate violence, harmful use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD), and mental health problems. The present study uses a valid path model to describe relationships between these conditions of young Mexicans during the second year of the pandemic. A sample of 7,420 young Mexicans ages 18 to 24—two-thirds of whom were women—completed the Life Events Checklist, the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test, the Major-Depressive-Episode Checklist, the Generalized Anxiety Scale, and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist. Young Mexicans reported higher rates of victimization and perpetration of interpersonal and intimate violence and mental health symptomatology than those noted pre-pandemic and in the first year of the pandemic. Harmful use of AOD rates were like those reported by adolescents before. Findings suggested asymmetric victimization and perpetration of intimate violence by gender (with women being at a higher risk than men, p≤.05). More men than women engaged in the harmful use of AOD (except for sedatives, which more women abuse). In contrast, more women than men were at risk of all mental health conditions. The path model indicates that being a victim of intimate violence predicts harmful use of tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, and sedatives, depression, anxiety, and specific PTSD symptoms (such as re-experimentation and avoidance symptoms). Being a victim of interpersonal violence resulted in severe PTSD symptoms (including avoidance, negative alterations in cognition-mood, and hyperarousal signs). Harmful use of sedatives predicted depressive symptoms. Men´s victimizing intimate violence model contrasted with that of women, which also included being the victim of interpersonal violence and severe PTSD symptoms. The high school youth model had three paths -victimizing-intimate violence, victimizing-interpersonal abuse, and sedative use, which predicted depression. The findings of this study could serve as the basis for future studies exploring mechanisms that predict violence patterns to develop the most cost-effective preventive programs and public policies and to address mental health conditions during community emergencies.

Capsicum is the genus where a number of species and varieties have pungent features due to the exclusive content of capsaicinoids such as capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin. In this work, the main enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems in pepper fruits from four varieties with different pungent capacity has been investigated at two ripening stages. Thus, a sweet pepper variety (Melchor) from California type fruits, and three autochthonous Spanish varieties were used, including Piquillo, Padrón and Alegría riojana. The capsaicinoids contents were determined in pericarp and placenta from fruits showing that these phenyl-propanoids were mainly localized in placenta. The activity profile of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD, total and isoenzymatic), the enzymes of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle (AGC) and four NADP-dehydrogenases indicate that some interaction with the capsaicinoid metabolism seems to occur. Among the results obtained on enzymatic antioxidant, the role of an Fe-SOD and the glutathione reductase from the AGC is highlighted. Additionally, it was found that ascorbate and glutathione content were higher in those pepper fruits which displayed the greater contents of capsacinoids. Taken together, all these data indicate that antioxidants may contribute to preserve capsaicinoids metabolism to maintain their functionality in a framework where NADPH is perhaps playing an essential role.

This study investigated the effect of partially replacing fish meal with krill and copepod meals in inert diets, co-fed with shrimp, on the growth and nutrient digestibility of long-snout seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus). A control diet (Diet 1) using raw starch and four experimental diets with similar protein (≈44.8%) and energy (≈15.1 MJ/kg) levels were tested. Diet 2 used fish meal as the sole protein source, while in Diets 3-5, krill and copepod meals replaced 44% of the fish meal. Seahorses fed Shrimp + Diets 2-5 showed significantly higher growth rates (P &lt; 0.05) than those fed Shrimp + Diet 1, though there were no significant growth differences among Diets 2-5. Digestibility of dry matter (46.1% to 72.2%), lipids (73.3% to 85.5%), crude protein (89.8% to 95.8%), energy (82% to 92.2%), and phosphorus (28.7% to 64.4%) varied with diet, being consistently lower in seahorses fed Shrimp + Diet 1. As an agastric species, H. guttulatus did not exhibit impaired digestibility for any of the tested nutrients, minerals, or energy. This study suggests that crustacean meals can effectively substitute fish meal in inert diets for this species, contributing to the sustainability and optimization of captive seahorse husbandry practices.

The release of nanomolar concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial cells (EC), via activation of constitutive NO synthase (eNOS), represents the pre-requisite for the vaso-protective role of vascular endothelium. On the other hand, exaggerated release of NO as a consequence of activation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), leads to endothelial dysfunction and, at the late stages, to the development of atherothrombosis. Oxidyzed LDLs (OxyLDL) represent the major candidate to trigger biomolecular processes accompanying endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation leading to atherosclerosis development though the pathophysiological mechanism still remains to be elucidated. Here, we summarize recent evidence suggesting that oxyLDL produce significant impairment in the balance in the eNOS/iNOS machinery, downregulating eNOS via HMGB1-TLR4-Caveolin-1 pathway. On the other hand, a sustained activation of the scavenger receptor LOX-1 leads to NFkB activation which, in turn, increases iNOS, leading to EC oxidative stress. Finally, these events are associated to reduced protective autophagic response and accelerated apoptotic EC death which activates atherosclerotic development. Taken togheter, these informations shed new light into the pathophysiological mechanisms of oxy-LDL-related impairment of EC functionality and open new perspective in atherothrombosis prevention.

Scientists and astronomers have attached Scientists and astronomers have attached great importance to the task of discovering new exoplanets, even more so if they are in the habitable zone. To date, more than 4300 exoplanets have been confirmed by NASA, using various discovery techniques, including planetary transits, in addition to the use of various databases provided by space and ground-based telescopes. This article proposes the development of a deep learning system for detecting planetary transits in Kepler Telescope lightcurves. The approach is based on related work from the literature and enhanced to validation with real lightcurves. A CNN classification model is trained from a mixture of real and synthetic data, and validated only with real data and different from those used in the training stage. The best ratio of synthetic data is determined by the perform of an optimisation technique and a sensitivity analysis. The precision, accuracy and true positive rate of the best model obtained are determined and compared with other similar works. The results demonstrate that the use of synthetic data on the training stage can improve the transit detection performance on real light curves.

Herein, we have reported the synthesis and characterization [single crystal X-ray diffraction technique, spectroscopic etc.] of two new Ni(II) and Zn(II) coordination compounds viz. [Ni(2,6-PDC)2]2[Ni(en)2(H2O)2]2[Ni(en)(H2O)4]·4H2O (1) and [Zn(2,6-PDC)(Hdmpz)2] (2) (where, 2,6-PDC = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate, en = ethylene-1,2-diamine, Hdmpz = 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole). Compound 1 is found to crystallize as a multicomponent Ni(II) compound with five discrete complex moieties; whereas, compound 2 is a mononuclear compound of Zn(II). Deep analysis of the crystal structure of compound 1 unfolds unusual dual enclathration of guest complex cationic moieties within the supramolecular host cavity stabilized by anion‒π, π-stacking, N‒H⋯O, C‒H⋯O and O‒H⋯O hydrogen bonding interactions. Interestingly, further enclathration of a complex cationic moiety is observed within another supramolecular host cavity formed involving anionic complex moieties and lattice water molecules in 1. Again, the crystal structure of compound 2 is stabilized by the presence of unconventional C‒H⋯π(chelate ring) interactions along with C‒H⋯O, C‒H⋯N hydrogen bonding, π-stacking, C‒H⋯π(pyridyl) interactions. These non-covalent interactions have been further studied theoretically using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surfaces, non-covalent interaction (NCI) plot index and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) computational tools. The computational study displays that π-stacking or H-bonds greatly tune the directionality of compound 1 although non-directional electrostatic forces dominate energetically. For compound 2, combined QTAIM/NCI plot analysis confirms the presence of unconventional C‒H⋯π(chelate ring) interaction along with other weak interactions obtained from the crystal structure analysis. Further, the individual energy contributions of these weak yet significant non-covalent interactions have also been determined computationally.

Hydrothermal pyrite is an important source of thallium (Tl) but this rare element can be also detected in the secondary iron goethite-lepidocrocite and jarosite ores, associated to hydrothermal kerogen, manganese oxides, accessorial potassium minerals and tiny Tl-bearing clusters shielded in quartz masses. We studied Tl-bearing samples collected from Fe-Mn ores hosted in dolostone rocks sited along ca. 15 km of fossil thermal springs following a geological fault in the Lodares surroundings. Samples were analyzed by environmental scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (ESEM-EDS), electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Tl LIII-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, Micro-Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). We found epithermal pyrite, sphalerite, galena and baryte and secondary gypsum, jarosite, scorodite, anglesite, goethite, epsomite and elemental sulfur produced by both hydroxylation and bacterial processes. The highest Tl contents were found in hydrothermal pyrite (200 mg kg-1), kerogen (13 mg kg-1), manganese ores (27 mg kg-1) and iron sulfate-hydroxides (142 mg kg-1). The aquatic kerogen was formed in a marine environment and later heavily carbonized during the hydrothermal processes. The Lodares outcrops exhibit interesting details on the geochemical cycle of Tl in a genetic frame of epithermal formation of pyrite and kerogen.

Conyza canadensis is a species invading large agricultural areas throughout the world, mainly to its ability to evolve herbicide resistance. Specifically, in Hungary, extensive areas have been infested by this species due to the difficulty in controlling it with glyphosate. To corroborate this fact as resistance and not as an incorrect herbicide application, eight suspicious glyphosate-resistant C. canadensis populations from different Hungarian regions were studied. In dose-response assays with glyphosate, the LD50 and GR50 values indicated that populations 1 to 5 were resistant to this herbicide (H-5 population the most resistant). Besides, the shikimic acid accumulation tests corroborated the results observed in the dose-response assays. 11 alternative herbicides from 6 different mode of action (MOA) were applied at field doses as control alternatives on populations H-5 and H-6 (both in the same regions). The H-5 population showed an unexpected resistance to flazasulfuron (ALS-inhibitor). The ALS enzyme activity studies indicated that the I50 for H-5 was 63.3 fold higher compared to its correspondent susceptible population (H-6). Therefore, the H-5 population exhibited multiple-resistance to flazasulfuron and glyphosate, being the first case reported in Europe for this two MOA. For that reason, the other herbicides with different MOA have to be tested here.

Brain physiology and morphology are vulnerable to chronic stress, affecting cognitive performance and behavior. However, functional compounds found in food may alleviate these alterations. White quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Wild) seeds have high content of n-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid. This work aimed to evaluate the possible neuroprotective role of a quinoa-based functional food (QFF) in rats. Prepubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with rat chow or QFF (50% rat chow + 50% dehydrated quinoa seeds) and exposed or not to restraint stress protocol (2 hours/day; 15 days). Four experimental groups were used: Non-stressed (rat chow), Non-stressed + QFF, Stressed (rat chow) and Stressed + QFF. Weight gain, locomotor activity (open field), anxiety (elevated plus maze, light-dark box), spatial memory (Y-maze), and dendritic length in the hippocampus were measured in all animals. QFF intake did not affect anxiety-like behaviors, while the memory of stressed rats fed with QFF improved compared to those fed with rat chow. In addition, QFF intake countered the stress-induced dendritic atrophy in pyramidal neurons located in CA3 area of the hippocampus. The results suggest that a quinoa-supplemented diet could have a protective role on the memory of chronically stressed rats.

The objective of this study is to measure the crack propagation speed in three types of self-compacting concrete reinforced with steel fibers loaded under four different loading rates. Central-notched prismatic beams with two types of fibers (13 mm and 30 mm in length), three fiber volume ratios, 0.51%, 0.77% and 1.23%, were fabricated. Four strain gages were glued on one side of the specimen notch to measure the crack propagation velocity, a fifth one at the notch tip to estimate the strain rates upon the initiation of a cohesive crack and the stress-free crack. A servo-hydraulic testing machine and a drop-weight impact device were employed to conduct three-point bending tests at four loading-point displacement rates, the former to perform tests at 2.2 μm/s, 22 mm/s and the latter for those at 1.77 m/s, 2.66 m/s, respectively. With lower fiber contents, smooth mode-I cracks were formed, the crack speed reached the order of 1 mm/s and 20 m/s. However, crack velocities up to 1417 m/s were obtained for the concrete with high content of fibers under impact loading. This value is fairly close to the theoretically predicted terminal crack velocity of 1600–1700 m/s. Numerical simulations based on cohesive theories of fracture and preliminary results based on the technique of Digital Image Correlation are also presented to complement those obtained from the strain gages. In addition, the toughness indices are calculated under all four loading rates. Strain hardening (softening) behavior accounting from the initiation of the first crack is observed for all three types of concrete at low (high) loading rates. Significant enhancement in the energy absorption capacity is observed with increased fiber content.

Malaria remains a life-threatening disease in many tropical countries. Honduras has successfully reduced malaria transmission as different control methods have been applied focusing mainly on indoor mosquitoes. The selective pressure exerted by the use of insecticides inside the households could modify the feeding behavior of the mosquitoes forcing them to search for available animal hosts outside the houses. These animal hosts in the peridomicile could consequently become an important factor in maintaining vector populations in endemic areas. Herein, we investigated the blood meal sources and Plasmodium spp. infection on anophelines collected outdoors in endemic areas of Honduras. Individual PCR reactions with species-specific primers were used to detect five feeding sources on 181 visibly engorged mosquitoes. In addition, a subset of these mosquitoes where chosen for pathogen analysis by a nested PCR approach. Most mosquitoes fed on multiple hosts (2 to 4), and 24.9% of mosquitoes were fed on a single host, animal or human. Chicken and bovine were the most frequent blood meal sources (29.5% and 27.5% respectively). The average human blood index (HBI) was 22.1%. None of the mosquitoes was found to be infected with Plasmodium spp. Our results show the opportunistic and zoophilic behavior of Anopheles mosquitoes in Honduras.

Nowadays, there is extensive production and use of plastic materials for different industrial activities. These plastics, either from their primary production sources or through degradation processes of the plastics themselves, can contaminate the ecosystem with micro and nanoplastics. Once in the aquatic environment, these microplastics can be the basis for the adsorption of chemical pollutants, favoring that these chemical pollutants disperse more quickly in the environment and can affect living beings. Due to the lack of information on adsorption, three machine learning models (random forest, support vector machine, and artificial neural network) to predict different microplastic/water partition coefficients (log Kd) were developed using two different approximations (based on the number of input variables). The best-selected machine learning models present, in general, correlation coefficients upper than 0.92 in the query phase, which indicate that these type of models could be used for a rapid estimation of the absorption of organic contaminants on microplastics.

The main neurovascular unit of the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) consists of a cellular component, which includes endothelial cells, astrocytes, pericytes, microglia, neurons and oligodendrocytes, as well as a non-cellular component resulting from the extracellular matrix. The endothelial cells are the major vital component of the BBB able to preserve the brain homeostasis; these cells are situated along the demarcation line between the bloodstream and the brain. Therefore, an alteration or the progressive disruption of the endothelial layer may clearly impair the brain homeostasis. The proper functioning of the brain endothelial cells is generally ensured by two elements: 1) the presence of junction proteins; 2) the preservation of a specific polarity involving an apical-luminal and a basolateral-abluminal membrane. In view of the above, this review intends to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying BBB function and their changes occurring in early stages of neurodegenerative processes in order to develop novel therapeutic strategies aimed to counteract neurodegenerative disorders.

This work focuses on the support effect on the performances of Co-based catalysts for the acetic acid steam reforming. SBA-15, a well ordered hexagonal mesoporous silica structure, and CeO2 have been selected as the supports, with the impact of chromium addition also being investigated. Better acetic acid steam reforming performances have been recorded for CeO2 compared to SBA-15 supported catalysts and, in particular, the 7Co/CeO2 catalyst showed the highest values of acetic acid conversions with enhanced H2 yields below 480°C, in comparison to the other investigated catalytic formulations. In addition, more pronounced coke depositions and acetone concentrations have been obtained with CeO2 supported catalysts, due to the tendency of ceria to catalyse the ketonization reaction. Chromium addition to Co/SBA-15 catalysts led to an enhancement in the activity towards acetic acid steam reforming, while on CeO2 supported catalysts no improvement in the catalysts activity was observed; however, on both SBA-15 and CeO2 supported catalysts, Cr addition reduced the amount of coke deposited on the catalysts surface.

Beyond the usual ferromagnetic and paramagnetic phases present in spin systems, the usual q-state clock model, presents an intermediate vortex state when the number of possible orientations q for the system is equal to 5 or larger. Such vortex states give rise to the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) phase present up to the XY model in the limit q→∞. Based on information theory, we present here an analysis of the classical order parameters plus new short-range parameters defined here. Thus, we show that even using the first nearest neighbors spin-spin correlations only, it is possible to distinguish the two transitions presented by this system for q greater than or equal to 5. Moreover, the appearance at relatively low temperature and disappearance of the BKT phase at a rather fix higher temperature is univocally determined by the short-range interactions recognized by the information content of classical and new parameters.

Anastomotic leakage (AL) after the creation of a gastrointestinal (GI) anastomosis remains an important complication in GI surgery. From its introduction more than 60 years ago, Cyanoacrylate (CA) has gained popularity in colorectal surgery to provide “prophylaxis” against AL. However although in surgical practice it is increasingly used, evidences on humans are still lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate in humans the safety of CA to seal colorectal anastomosis. All consecutive patients from Jannuary 2022 through December 2022 who underwent minimally invasive colorectal surgery were retrospectively analysed from a prospectively maintained database. Inclusion criteria were histological diagnosis of cancer, totally minimally invasive procedure and absence of intraoperative complications. 103 patients were included in the study, N-butyl cyanoacrylate with metacryloxisulfolane (Glubran 2 ®) was used to seal colorectal anastomosis, no adverse reactions to CA or postoperative complications related to inflammation and adhesions occurred, only one case of AL (0.9%) was recorded. We can consider this study an important proof of concept on safety of CA to seal colorectal anastomosis. It opens the possibility to start performing prospective and comparative studies in humans to evaluate effectiveness of CA in preventing colorectal AL.

This paper is a thorough review of innovative architectures of electro-hydraulic servovalves that exploit actuation systems based on piezo-electric materials. The use of commercially available piezo-electric actuators, namely, piezo-stacks, amplified piezo-stacks, rectangular benders and ring benders, is very promising for the actuation of the main stages and of the pilot stages of servovalves, given the fast response and low weight of piezoelectric materials. The use of these actuators can also allow novel designs to be developed, thus helping manufacturers to overcome the typical drawbacks of commercial servovalves, such as the high complexity and the high internal leakage of the pilot stages of two stage servovalves, as well as the large size and weight of direct drive servovalves. Firstly, the piezoelectric actuators that can be used for driving servovalves are presented in the paper and their characteristics are thoroughly discussed. Then, the main novel architectures present in the literature are explained and compared with the commercial ones, and their performance parameters are discussed to draw conclusions on the prospect that some of these architectures can be used by manufacturers as future designs.

Biomimetic compounds are an alternative for to the limited action and fragile nature of enzymes. This work deals with the synthesis, characterization and evaluation of catalytic activity of two new biomimetic models for the active centers of ascorbate oxidase and catalase. [Cu3(S,S(+)cpse)3(H2O)3][Cu3(R,R(-)cpse)3(H2O)3]·17H2O (model for ascorbate oxidase, 1), and [Mn2(S,S(+)Hcpse)4(NaClO4)2(NaOH)(CH4O)]n·[(C2H6O)2]n·[(CH4O)2]n (model for catalase, 2) were prepared through the synchronic method (yields > 78%). The compound 1 has electronic and optical characteristics for racemic compound. The magnetic properties and electrochemical behavior evidence electronic transfer between metal centers. Meanwhile, the compound 2 showed polymeric properties in solid state and dimeric behavior in solution. Compound 1 was able to effectively catalyze the oxidation of ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic acid (65.6% and 78.24% for racemic and enantiomeric pure compounds) showing structural and functional similarity to the natural enzyme. Besides, Compound 2 catalyzed the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide toward oxygen and water molecules (45%), evidencing that the prepared complex mimics the action of catalases. These two biomimetic models are relationship between them for the structural ligands, the coordination form to metal center and the catalytic activity as oxidase. This research shows the relationship with the design, evaluation, and comprehension of fundamentals aspects for the biomimetic models of active center of metalloenzymes that have importance for biological and industrial processes.

The production of oxygenated bio-additives for traditional fuels represents a key challenge due to the depletion of fossil fuels in the next future and their contribution to environmental pollu-tion. In this context, the present study considers the synthesis of different mixtures of 1-hexanol/hexyl hexanoate produced through the catalytic hydrogenation of hexanoic acid, a car-boxylic acid obtainable from the fermentation of a wide variety of waste biomasses. In particu-lar, crude hexanoic acid deriving from the fermentation of grape pomace, an abundant Italian agrifood waste, has been taken into consideration. The reaction was carried out with the com-mercial 5 wt% Re/γ-Al2O3 catalyst, whose acidity allowed the tuning of the reaction selectivity towards the preferential formation of hexyl hexanoate instead of 1-hexanol. As consequence, the tunable composition of the obtained 1-hexanol/hexyl hexanoate mixtures was leveraged for en-gine applications, thus allowing studying each component influence on the Diesel engine per-formances and verifying their synergistic effects. The engine experimental activity highlighted that both 1-hexanol and hexyl hexanoate, as well as their mixtures, can be used in Diesel engine with a commercial Diesel fuel up to high loadings (20 vol%) without altering engine perfor-mances and significantly lowering soot and CO emissions by more than 40%.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections represent the fourth-leading cause of death attributable to antimicrobial resistance globally, but a standardized therapy is still lacking. In this narrative review we focused the antibiotic treatment of CRAB infections in view of newly β-lactam agents (NBLs) like sulbactam/durlobactam and cefiderocol, discussing the main hot points such as the superiority of combination treatment over monotherapy and the best antibiotic partner to use in combination. Sulbactam/durlobactam seems to be the best candi-date to replace current back-bone agents. Cefiderocol, could play a crucial role in combina-tion-regimen. Due to toxicity and the PK/PD limitations, colistin (or polymyxin B) should be used as an alternative agent (when no other options are available). Tigecycline (or minocycline) and fosfomycin could represent suitable partners for both NBLs. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are needed to better evaluate the role of NBLs in CRAB infection treatment and to compare the ef-ficacy of tigecycline and fosfomycin as partner antibiotics. Synergism should be tested between NBLs and “old” drugs (rifampicin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole). Huge efforts should be made to accelerate pre-clinical and clinical studies on safer polymyxin candidates with lung im-proved activity, as well as on the i.v. rifabutin formulation.

The present study seeks to assess the Brand Equity in the network of new fashion designers in the Canary Islands. To this end, we have adapted the Brand Equity model to an online context and proposed a set of metrics for four dimensions: estimate, relevance, awareness, and differen-tiation. The multidimensional approach to online Brand Equity was employed to measure the online Brand Equity of 129 fashion designers from the Canary Islands. The study's findings re-vealed that the number of social media profiles significantly impacts brand awareness and dif-ferentiation. Moreover, the digital maturity level influences brand relevance and overall Brand Equity . Our study highlights the practical value of web data-driven metrics for measuring online Brand Equity , which can be utilised for diagnostic, evaluative, or predictive purposes. The study's outcomes have substantial implications for marketers in the fashion industry aimed at improving online Brand Equity

This paper proposes an optimal path type classification scheme for the three-point Dubins problem. It allows to directly extract the shortest path type from a Dubins set, evaluating only the relative initial and final configurations with the via point position using a suitable partition of the Cartesian plane. Two alternative approaches are proposed to address the problem: an analytical approach and a heuristic one. The latter was revealed to be much faster from a computational point of view. The proposed classification logic makes the path planning for the three-point Dubins problem much more effective and suitable for real-time applications. Numerical examples are provided to show the efficiency of the proposed strategy.

Current methods for the hardening step of functional coatings over different materials imply the use of high temperatures, high energy consumption or long periods of time, which have repercussions on the speed and cost of the product. We report here a simple and low cost methodology for the functionalization of low cost stainless steel, which is modular, depending of the functionality pursued: a levelling layer for smooth the surface of the material, an “easy to clean” property, or both of them. The research is based on sol-gel coatings cured under UV light without requiring high thermal hardening processes making it applicable to plastics and other sensible materials and possessing high chemical and thermal stability. The film ensures lower processing costs, and higher rates of hardening if the adequate medium-pressure lamps are employed. This formulation is also well defined for scaling up the process, so it is possible to perform a continuous coating in large areas by employing mild processing conditions (low temperature, atmospheric pressure). In addition, the sol gel solution was fully characterized and studied in order to guarantee a long service life before deposition, with a focus on industrial applications in the domestic sector.

Taste disorders are common among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, with a prevalence ranging from 20% to 86%, persisting throughout treatment. This condition leads to reduced food consumption, increasing the risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition is associated not only with worse treatment efficacy and poor disease prognosis but also with reduced functional status and quality of life. The fruit of Synsepalum dulcificum (Daniell), commonly known as miracle berry or miracle fruit, contains miraculin, a taste-modifying protein with profound effects on taste perception. The CLINMIR Protocol is a triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the regular consumption of a food supplement containing a miraculin-based novel food, dried miracle berry (DMB), on the taste perception (measured through electrogustometry) and nutritional status (evaluated through the GLIM Criteria) of malnourished cancer patients under active antineoplastic treatment. To this end, a pilot study was designed with 30 randomized patients divided into three study arms (150 mg DMB + 150 mg freeze-dried strawberries, 300 mg DMB or placebo) for three months. Throughout the five main visits, an exhaustive assessment of different affected parameters susceptible to improvement through regular consumption of the miraculin-based food supplement will be conducted, including electrical and chemical taste perception, smell perception, nutritional and morphofunctional assessment, diet, quality of life, fatty acid profile of erythrocytes, levels of inflammatory and cancer-associated cytokines, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense system, plasma metabolomics, and saliva and stool microbiota. The primary anticipated result is that malnourished cancer patients with taste distortion who consume the miraculin-based food supplement will report an improvement in food taste perception. This improvement translates into increased food intake, thereby ameliorating their nutritional status and mitigating associated risks. Additionally, the study aims to pinpoint the optimal dosage that provides maximal benefits. The protocol adheres to the SPIRIT 2013 Statement, which provides evidence-based recommendations and is widely endorsed as an international standard for trial protocols (https://www.spirit-statement.org/spirit-statement/). The clinical trial protocol has been registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05486260).

This study carried out a qualitative and descriptive relational approach that combined Documentary Analysis and elements of the Analytical Method to investigate the phenomenon of bilingualism in Tuluá, Colombia. The aim of this study was to diagnose the promotion of bilingualism by proposing a series of recommendations to strengthen the educational and linguistic policies. The data was processed through matrices and analyzed in the light of the theoretical references to enable a historical account of the programs or strategies that have been implemented for the promotion of bilingualism. The findings of this study are crucial in developing suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of bilingualism. By identifying strengths, weaknesses, and patterns in the historical framework and modern performance indicators, the research offers valuable contributions to the current discourse on bilingual education policies in Tuluá, Colombia.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) syndrome is the most common progressive human motor and sensory peripheral neuropathy. CMT type 1E is a demyelinating neuropathy affecting Schwann cells due to pmp22 mutations, modelized by Trembler-J mice. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol com-pound obtained from turmeric (Curcuma longa), exhibits dose- and time-varying antitumor, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, however, the neurotherapeutic actions of curcumin still remain elusive. Here, we propose curcumin as a possible natural treatment capable of enhancing cellular detoxification mechanisms, resulting in an improvement of the neurodegenerative Trembler-J phenotype. Using a refined method for obtaining enriched Schwann cell cultures, we evaluated the neurotherapeutic action of low dose curcumin treatment on the PMP22 expression, and on the chaperones (HSF1 and Hsp27) and autophagy/mTOR (HDAC6 and ribosomes) pathways in Trembler-J and wild-type genotypes. In wild-type Schwann cells, the action of cur-cumin resulted in strong stimulation of the chaperone and macroautophagy pathway, whereas the modulation of ribophagy showed a mild effect. However, despite the promising neuroprotective effects for the treatment of neurological diseases, we report (demonstrate?) that the action of cur-cumin in Trembler-J Schwann cells could be impaired due to the irreversible impact of ethanol used as a common curcumin vehicle necessary for administration. These results contribute to expand our still limited understanding of PMP22 biology in neurobiology, and expose the intrinsic lability of the neurodegenerative Trembler-J genotype. Furthermore, they unravel interesting physiological mechanisms of cellular resilience relevant for to the pharmacological treatment of the neurodegenerative Tremble J phenotype with curcumin and ethanol. We conclude that the analysis of the effects of the vehicle itself is an essential and in-escapable step to comprehensibly assess the own effects and full potential of curcumin treatment for therapeutic purposes.

Connexin 43 (Cx43) is expressed in kidneys and constitutes a feedforward mechanism leading to inflammation in other tissues where they form hemichannels and gap junction channels. However, the possible functional relationship between these membrane channels and their role in damaged renal cells remains unknown. Here, analyses of ethidium uptake and thiobarbituric acid reactive species revealed that TNF-α plus IL-1β increase Cx43 hemichannel activity and oxidative stress in MES-13 cells, a cell line derived from mesangial cells. The latter also was accompanied by a reduction in gap junctional communication, whereas western blotting analysis showed a progressive increase of phosphorylated MYPT (a substrate of RhoA/ROCK) and Cx43 upon TNF-α/IL-1β treatment. Additionally, inhibition of RhoA/ROCK strongly diminished the TNF-α/IL-1β-induced activation of Cx43 hemichannels and reduction in gap junctional coupling. We propose that activation of Cx43 hemichannels and inhibition of cell coupling during pro-inflammatory conditions could contribute to oxidative stress and damage of mesangial cells via the RhoA/ROCK pathway.

This work presents the development and implementation of a distributed navigation system based on computer vision. The autonomous system consists of a wheeled mobile robot with an integrated colour camera. The robot navigates through a laboratory scenario where the track and several traffic signals must be detected and recognized by using the images acquired with its on-board camera. The images are sent to a computer server that processes them and calculates the corresponding speeds of the robot using a cascade of trained classifiers. These speeds are sent back to the robot, which acts to carry out the corresponding manoeuvre. The classifier cascade should be trained before experimentation with two sets of positive and negative images. The number of images in these sets should be considered to limit the training stage time and avoid overtraining the system.

Hyperlipidemia and insulin-resistance are often associated with Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) thereby representing a true issue worldwide, due to increased risk of developing cardiovascular and systemic disorders. Although clear evidence suggests that circulating fatty acids contribute in pathophysiological mechanisms underlying NAFLD and hyperlipidemia, further studies are required for better identify potential beneficial approaches for counteracting such a disease state. Recently, several artichoke extracts have been used for both reducing hyperlipidemia, insulin-resistance and NAFLD, though the mechanism is unclear. Here we used a wild type of Cynara Cardunculus extract (CyC), rich in sesquiterpens and antioxidant active ingredients, in rats fed and High Fat Diet (HFD) compared to Normal Fat Diet (NFD). In particular, in rats fed HFD for four consecutive weeks, we found a significant increase of serum cholesterol, triglyceride and serum glucose. This effect was accompanied by increased body weight and by histopathological features of liver steatosis. The alterations of metabolic parameters found in HFD were antagonised dose-dependently by daily oral supplementation of rats with CyC 10 and 20 mg/Kg over 4 weeks, an effect associated to significant improvement of liver steatosis. The effect of CyC (20 mg/Kg) was also associated to enhanced expression of both OCTN1 and OCTN2 carnitine-linked transporters. Thus, present data suggest a contribution of carnitine system in the protective effect of CyC in diet-induced hyperlipidemia, insulin-resistance and NAFLD.

Sheep’s milk is a significant source of nucleotides monophosphate (NMPs) but can also contain undesirable residues from veterinary drugs, posing a potential human health risk. This study introduces a novel application of 2D-LC, in heart-cutting mode, for the simultaneous determination of nucleotides and veterinary drug residues in sheep’s milk. Two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) allows for the separation of these compounds in a single chromatographic run despite their differing physicochemical properties. The proposed method separates six veterinary drug residues and five NMPs in a single injection. The compounds were separated using a C18 reversed-phase column in the first dimension and a Primesep SB analytical column in the second dimension. The method performance was evaluated in terms of linearity range, detection and quantification limits, matrix effects, precision, and accuracy. The results demonstrated good linearity and sensitivity, with quantification limits allowing for the quantification of veterinary drugs at the maximum residue level and nucleotides at typical levels found in milk samples. The method has been successfully applied to the analysis of sheep’s milk samples acquired from local supermarkets, with recoveries within a range of 70-119 % and 82-117 % for veterinary residues and NMPs, respectively.

This experiment aimed to determine the temperature limits beyond which seahorse growth and reproduction become suboptimal due to climate change. Four temperatures (16, 20, 24, and 28°C) were tested to evaluate their effect on juvenile (1-56 days post-parturition (DPP)) and adult (one year old) seahorses. Additionally, the reproductive performance of adults was observed. Another experiment measured oxygen consumption (MO2) in the same age groups and temperatures. Adults showed significantly higher growth rates at 20 and 24°C compared to 16 and 28°C. Adult mortality rates were 0%, 0%, 6.2%, and 62.5% at the respective temperatures. Juvenile growth performance was higher at 20°C and 24°C but significantly lower at 16°C, with survival rates of 8%, 62%, 10%, and 0%, respectively. Oxygen consumption increased with age and temperature, ranging from 106.3±3.1 to 203.3±3.1 μmol O2/g BW/h at 16°C, and from 128.8±3.8 to 273.3±3.1 μmol O2/g BW/h at 28°C. The study highlights that juvenile and adult H. guttulatus have narrow thermal boundaries, beyond which reproduction, growth, and survival are seriously affected. Under climate change, the species appears unable to cope, potentially leading to their rapid disappearance.

TiNbZrTa alloys are promising for multidisciplinary applications, such as refractory and biomedical purposes due to their high thermal stability and non-toxicity. Hardness and elastic modulus are among the key features for their adequate industrial applications. The influence of porosity and Ti/Ta ratio were investigated on TiNbZrTa alloys produced by three different processing routes, i.e., (i) blend element and posterior press and sintering (BE + P&amp;S), (ii) mechanical alloying with press and sintering (MA + P&amp;S), and (iii) arc melting and casting. Atomic diffusion was improved during processing, resulting in lower porosity in the following order: casting &lt; MA + P&amp;S &lt; BE + P&amp;S. Ta offered limited atomic diffusion due to its high melting point compared to other constituent elements. Thus, the total porosity of alloys increased with increasing the Ta contents, i.e., by lowering the Ti/Ta ratio. However, the Ti/Ta ratio did not considerably affect the bonding energy or the elastic modulus. Hardness was increased significantly in dense alloys compared to the porous ones. However, porosity and Ti/Ta ratio did not show a clear trend in hardness among the porous alloys.

Production of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) has become crucial in controlling sea lice levels in salmonid aquaculture. To improve their breeding, there is a need for early sex identification. The genomic region containing anti-Müllerian hormone (amh) gene was suggested as the candidate sex-determining gene in lumpfish. However, the genome of lumpfish contains three copies of amh with ambiguous sex specificity, designated amh1, amh2, and amh3. The study aims to analyse the male-specific region between these amh paralogues, for its application as a sex marker. In this study, we utilised polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays to identify the male-specific amh markers in lumpfish and estimate the length of the male-specific region in the lumpfish genome. Our results suggest that a region of approximately 26 kilobase (kb) region containing amh1 and amh2 is male-specific, while both sexes share amh3. The developed PCR-based genetic sex identification assays targeting amh1 and amh2 exhibited more than 97% accuracy. Further experiments in other members of the Cyclopteridae: Aptocyclus ventricosus, Eumicrotremus taranetzi, and E. asperrimus revealed male-specific amh fragments only in A. ventricosus. Phylogenetic analyses using the available Cyclopteridae amh sequences suggest that male-specific amh arose early in the Cyclopteridae lineage. These findings and development of the PCR test will be of service to lumpfish aquaculture as well as to future studies attempting to further elucidate the sex-determination system and sex chromosome evolution in lumpfish.

The onset and progression of the salivary and gut microbiota, the transmission and the impact of the salivary microbiota on the development of early fecal microbial communities was herein explored. We characterized the microbiota of 82 faecal and 80 salivary samples, collected from 82 healty newborns at birth, 7, 15, 30, 90 and 180 days of life, by 16S rRNA targeted-metagenomics approach. Correlation heat-maps and co-occurrence networks were used to investigate microbial taxa relationship in saliva, gut and between the two ecosystems. In saliva microbiota, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus appeared as early commensals, dominating this ecosystem through the time, while Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Granulicatella and Veillonella were late colonizers. anaerobes as Enterobacteriace, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, were gut microbiota pioneers, followed by the anaerobic Bifidobacterium, Veillonella, Eggerthella and Bacteroides. Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Veillonella were shared by gut and saliva ecosystems (core microbiota). Early saliva and gut microbiota seem to evolve independently driven by local adaptation strategies, with the only exception for the oral Streptococcus and Veillonella genera, involved in gut microbiota development as seeding species. A more comprehensive knowledge of how oral microbiota may impact pathophysiological conditions of gut microbiota may open new avenues on the design of postbiotics.

Site Index has been widely used as an age normalised metric to account for variation in forest height at a range of spatial scales. Although previous research has used a range of modelling methods to describe regional variation in Site Index little research has examined gains that can be achieved through use of regression kriging or spatial ensemble methods. In this study an extensive set of environmental surfaces were used as covariates to predict Site Index measurements covering the environmental range of \textit{Pinus radiata} D. Don plantations in Chile. Using this dataset, the objectives of this research were to (i) compare predictive precision of a range of geostatistical, parametric and non-parametric models, (ii) determine if significant gains in precision can be attained through use of regression kriging, (iii) evaluate the precision of a spatial ensemble model that utilises predictions from the five most precise models, through using the model prediction with lowest error for a given pixel and (iv) produce a map of Site Index across the study area. The five most precise models were all geostatistical and included ordinary kriging and four regression kriging models that were based on partial least squares or random forests. A spatial ensemble model constructed from these five models was the most precise of those developed (RMSE = 1.851 m, RMSE% = 6.38%) and had relatively little bias. Climatic and edaphic variables were the strongest determinants of Site Index and in particular, variables related to soil water balance were well represented within the most precise predictive models. These results highlight the utility of predicting Site Index using a range of approaches, as these can be used to construct a spatial ensemble that may be more precise than predictions from the constituent models.

There is currently much interest in avoiding precious metals in Catalysis. The devel-opment of nickel catalysts to replace palladium in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction is a relevant case in this line of research since both elements share many chemical features. This contri-bution focuses on -Phenyl elimination in alkylnickel complexes. This is the microscopic reverse of olefin insertion (or carbometallation), a fundamental step of the Heck cycle that is usually considered irreversible and selectivity-determining. However, the potential reversibil-ity of carbometallation is generally concealed by the facile beta-hydrogen elimination that follows. Where -hydrogen elimination is hindered, beta-aryl elimination may ensue. We have previously shown that cationic 2-methyl-2-phenylpropyl (neophyl) palladium com-plexes supported by bidentate ligands experience -Ph elimination, which can be seen as an example of olefin de-insertion. In this contribution, we report that -phenyl elimination can also occur in their nickel analogs, in which case fast hydrolyses of the resulting phenyl product can follow the reaction. We investigated the mechanism of these processes and compared their feasibility for nickel and palladium catalysts using DFT calculations. These results are relevant information for the design of nickel-based catalysts for the Heck reac-tion.

The integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in photovoltaic (PV) installations offers significant potential to enhance efficiency, reliability, and economic viability. This study evaluates the technical and economic impacts of implementing the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data analytics in PV systems within the residential and industrial sectors in the Region of Murcia. Real-time monitoring technologies based on IoT sensors were analyzed to collect data on the operational performance of pilot PV installations. Advanced data analysis techniques, including machine learning, were analyzed to process the collected data, enabling predictive maintenance, performance optimization, and future production estimation. The study also explored the use of drones and computer vision for automated inspection of solar panels, identifying issues such as hotspots and dirt accumulation. The results demonstrate significant improvements in energy efficiency, system availability, and reduction of failures and downtime. Economic analyses indicate cost savings in operation and maintenance and increased overall system reliability. This research identifies key barriers and opportunities for adopting 4.0 technologies in the PV sector and proposes strategies to overcome challenges and leverage benefits. The findings contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the promotion of sustainable and efficient energy systems in the solar industry.

In this investigation, Cu-Ni alloys for possible fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), with different aluminum additions were produced using vacuum atmosphere. Annealed alloys (He atmosphere) with low aluminum concentration showed a coarse dendritic structure, while samples with high aluminum concentration showed a refined dendritic structure. Structural defects analyses have shown a relative low vacancy concentrations. Hardness value increases approximately five times for the alloyed samples compared with the as-cast and unalloyed samples. Compression test results have shown a noticeable strengthening improvement, mainly in samples heat treated with 10 at % Al, while samples with 5 at % Al presented also acceptable resistance. Results are discussed in terms of dislocation mobility and hardening precipitation mechanism.

Migratory movements are a political, social and public health issue on a global scale. Access to sexual and reproductive health services for irregular migrant women (IMW) is a public health issue. The aim of this study is to identify qualitative evidence on IMW's experiences of sexual and reproductive health care in emergency and primary care settings. Methods: meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. Synthesis includes assembling and categorising findings based on the simili-arty in meaning. The search was conducted between January 2010 and June 2022 using PubMed, WOS and CINAHL databases. Results: of 131 articles found in the initial search, only 9 articles met the criteria and were included in the review. Four main themes were established: (1) The need to focus emergency care on sexual and reproductive health, (2) Unsatisfactory clinical experiences, (3) Forced reproduction, (4) Alternating between formal and informal healthcare services. Con-clusions: IMW’s attitudes towards sexual and reproductive health are influenced by culture, ed-ucational level, fear, barriers and the attitude of healthcare providers. Healthcare institutions need to be aware of the IMW’s experiences to understand the specific difficulties they face. IMW call for socially and culturally sensitive health care, cultural mediators, improved communication and safe environments that ensure confidentiality.

Introduction: Unlike cigarette smoking, secondhand smoke (SHS) has not been as well described as an environmental risk for Multiple sclerosis (MS) nor as a risk factor for disease progression. We systematically reviewed the association between SHS and the risk of onset and/or progression of MS.Methods: We systematically screened MEDLINE/PUBMED, Science Direct, LILACs, and SCIELO searching for publications between January 1st , 2010, and July 5, 2021 with the following keywords: “multiple sclerosis and smoking”; “multiple sclerosis and passive smoking”; “multiple sclerosis and secondhand smoking”. An 11-year filter was applied from 2010 to 2021. Results: Fifteen articles were included in this review, which consisted of systematic reviews with meta-analysis (N = 2), systematic reviews (N = 2), and observational studies (N = 11). Both meta-analyses reported an impact of SHS on MS onset among secondhand smokers. One of the systematic reviews selected two observational studies showing the association between SHS and MS development, and one study that did not find a significant association between SHS and the risk of MS development. The other systematic review identified selected eight articles showing a relationship between SHS and MS. Seven observational studies reported higher odds of MS onset when associated with SHS. Four observational studies did not show a relationship between SHS and MS onset or progression.Discussion: Most articles showed a positive association between SHS exposure and the risk of developing MS. On the other hand, an association between SHS and a higher risk for MS progression could not be established.

Alumina dispersion-strengthened copper, Glidcop, is used widely in high-heat-load ultra-high-vacuum components for synchrotron light sources (absorbers), accelerator components (beam intercepting devices) and in nuclear power plants. Glidcop has similar thermal and electrical properties to OFE (oxygen free electrical) copper, but has superior mechanical properties, thus making it a feasible structural material; its yield and ultimate strength are equivalent to those of mild-carbon steel. The purpose of this work has been to develop a brazing technique to join Glidcop to Mo, using a commercial Cu-based alloy. The effects of the excessive diffusion of the braze along the grain boundaries on the interfacial chemistry and joint microstructure, as well as on the mechanical performance of the brazed joints, has been investigated. In order to prevent the diffusion of the braze into the Glidcop alloy, a copper barrier layer has been deposited on Glidcop by means of RF-sputtering.

Before December 2020, Antarctica had remained free of Covid-19 cases. The main concern during the pandemic was the limited health facilities available at Antarctic stations to deal with the disease, as well as the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Antarctic wildlife through reverse zoonosis. In December 2020, 60 cases emerged in Chilean Antarctic stations, disrupting the summer campaign with ongoing isolation needs. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the wastewater of several scientific stations. In Antarctica, treated wastewater is discharged directly into the seawater. No studies currently address recovery of infectious virus particles from treated wastewater, but their presence raises the risk of infecting wildlife and initiating new replication cycles. This study highlights the initial virus detection in wastewater from Antarctic stations, identifying viral RNA via RT-qPCR targeting various genomic regions. The virus's RNA was found in effluent from two wastewater plants at Maxwell Bay and O’Higgins Station on King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, respectively. This study explores the potential for reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to Antarctic wildlife due to the direct release of viral particles into seawater. The implications of such transmission underscore the need for continued vigilance and research.