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Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this work, a hypoxia-sensitive nanoprobe is developed by coating the surface of upconverting core/shell nanoparticles (NaGdF4: 2%Yb3+, 3%Nd3+, 0.2%Tm3+/NaYF4) with a non-fluorescent azo-dye based on a boron-dipyrromethene functionalized azo compound. Azo-dyes are able to quench fluorescence emissions due to their N＝N azo bond, which results in the absorption of most visible emissions of the nanoparticles. However, in a biological environment suffering hypoxia, the azo bond is reduced, which allows the recovery of the nanoparticles' upconversion emissions. Thereby a near-infrared excitable sensor with an azo-dye is created and for the first time not only enables excitation via NIR at biocompatible 808 nm but also continuous imaging and tracking of the probe in the infrared due to NIR-emissions enabled by the dopant combination since quenching only occurs in the visible. These multifunctional (imaging and sensing) nanoparticles are characterized, their behaviour in reductive and hypoxic environments is determined and the detection of reducing conditions in a hypoxic environment is demonstrated in cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Coccidiosis is one of the most economically important parasitic diseases in goat production systems. The disease is caused by protozoa, referred to as coccidia, of which Eimeria christenseni is among the most pathogenic. The aim of this study was to isolate an E. christenseni strain and to assess its infectivity, pathogenicity, and ability to develop a protective immune response. After previous collection of E. christenseni-positive faeces, purification of oocysts, and amplification in donor animals, an experimental infection was carried out considering three groups: primary-infected, reinfected, and non-infected. The results showed that the Gran Canaria (GC) E. christenseni strain had similar morphological and biological characteristics to those previously described, but no significant clinical signs were observed despite the high number of dissemination parasitic elements (oocysts) excreted with faeces. The novel strain isolated would therefore be of low pathogenicity but still able to protect hosts from subsequent reinfections. Its biological similarities to other highly pathogenic Eimeria species might enable comparative studies aimed at developing alternative strategies to control goat coccidiosis. Eimeria christenseni is considered among the most pathogenic Eimeria species in goats. The aim of this study was to isolate an E. christenseni strain and to assess its infectivity, pathogenicity, and ability to develop a protective immune response. After previous collection of E. christenseni-positive faeces, purification of oocysts, and amplification in donor animals, an experimental infection was carried out. A total of 19 kids were divided into three groups: primary-infected and challenged, challenge control, and uninfected control. Infections were performed orally with 2 × 105 sporulated oocysts per animal. Oocyst shedding, clinical signs, and production parameters, in addition to haematological and histopathological features, were monitored. The results showed that the Gran Canaria (GC) E. christenseni strain had similar morphological and biological characteristics to those previously described, but no significant clinical signs were observed despite the high oocyst counts here recorded. The novel strain isolated would therefore be of low pathogenicity but still able to develop significant immunoprotective responses upon challenge infections. Its biological similarities to highly pathogenic species such as Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae and Eimeria arloingi might enable comparative studies aimed at developing alternative strategies for drug treatments, including Eimeria species (strain)-specific vaccination strategies for the efficient control of goat coccidiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual Semantic Navigation (VSN) is the ability of a robot to learn visual semantic information for navigating in unseen environments. These VSN models are typically tested in those virtual environments where they are trained, mainly using reinforcement learning based approaches. Therefore, we do not yet have an in-depth analysis of how these models would behave in the real world. In this work, we propose a new solution to integrate VSN models into real robots, so that we have true embodied agents. We also release a novel ROS-based framework for VSN, ROS4VSN, so that any VSN-model can be easily deployed in any ROS-compatible robot and tested in a real setting. Our experiments with two different robots, where we have embedded two state-of-the-art VSN agents, confirm that there is a noticeable performance difference of these VSN solutions when tested in real-world and simulation environments. We hope that this research will endeavor to provide a foundation for addressing this consequential issue, with the ultimate aim of advancing the performance and efficiency of embodied agents within authentic real-world scenarios. Code to reproduce all our experiments can be found at . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In contrast with patients receiving therapy for retinal disease during clinical trials, those treated in routine clinical practice experience various challenges (including administrative, clinic, social, and patient-related factors) that can often result in high patient and clinic burden, and contribute to suboptimal visual outcomes. The objective of this study was to understand the challenges associated with clinical management of diabetic macular edema from the perspectives of patients, healthcare providers, and clinic staff, and identify opportunities to improve eye care for people with diabetes. Methods: We conducted a survey of patients with diabetic macular edema, providers, and clinic staff in 78 clinics across 24 countries on six continents, representing a diverse range of individuals, healthcare systems, settings, and reimbursement models. Surveys comprised a series of single- and multiple-response questions completed anonymously. Data gathered included patient personal characteristics, challenges with appointment attendance, treatment experiences, and opportunities to improve support. Provider and clinic staff surveys asked similar questions about their perspectives; and clinic characteristics were also captured. Results: Overall, 5681 surveys were gathered: 3752 from patients with diabetic macular edema, 680 from providers, and 1249 from clinic staff. Too many appointments, too short treatment intervals, difficulties in traveling to the clinic or arranging adequate support to travel, out-of-pocket costs, office/parking fees, and long waiting times were noted by all as contributing to increase the burden on the patient and caregiver. Patients generally desired more in-depth discussions with their provider, which would help with information exchange and better expectation-setting. Conclusions: The wealth of systematic data generated by this global survey highlights the breadth and scale of challenges associated with the clinical management of patients with diabetic macular edema. Addressing the opportunities for improvement raised by patients, providers, and clinic staff could increase patient adherence to treatment, reduce appointment burden, and improve clinic capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of medications by emergency medical services (EMS) is increasing. Conventional scores are time‐consuming and therefore difficult to use in an emergency setting. For early decision‐making, an easy‐to‐use score based on the medications administered by the EMS may have prognostic value. The primary objective of this study was to develop the prehospital drug‐derived score (PDDS) for 2‐day mortality. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, ambulance‐based cohort study was conducted in adults with undifferentiated acute diseases treated by EMS and transferred to the emergency department. Demographic data, prehospital diagnosis data, prehospital medication and variables for the calculation of the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS), and Rapid Acute Physiology Score (RAPS) were collected. The PDDS was developed and validated, establishing three levels of risk of 2‐day mortality. The predictive capability of each score was determined by the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and compared using the Delong's test (p‐value). Results: A total of 6401 patients were included. The PDDS included age and the use of norepinephrine, analgesics, neuromuscular blocking agents, diuretics, antihypertensive agents, tranexamic acid, and bicarbonate. The AUROC of PDDS was.86 (95% CI:.816–.903) versus NEWS2.866 (95% CI:.822–.911), p =.828; versus REMS.885 (95% CI:.845–.924), p =.311; versus RAPS.886 (95% CI:.846–.926), p =.335, respectively. Conclusion: The newly developed easy‐to‐use prehospital drug‐derived PDDS score has an excellent predictive value of early mortality. The PDDS score was comparable to the conventional risk scores and therefore might serve as an alternative score in the prehospital emergency setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Education & Psychology is the property of European Journal of Education & Psychology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An alternative approach to reducing the clinker factor, i.e., worldwide CO2 emissions resulting from the production of composite cement, is to replace these materials with supplementary aluminosilicate-based materials that promote the formation of alkali-activated cements, whose elevated temperature resistance, limited permeability, strong binding properties, excellent durability, high chemical corrosion resistance, confinement of toxic waste, and environmentally low impact have attracted a lot of attention in the cement industry. The principal aluminosilicate-based supplementary materials (SCMs) used in the cement industry are fly ash and blast-furnace slag. Recently, limestone has been proposed for use in alkali-activated cement to improve mechanical resistance and promote nucleation sources for the hydration of hybrid gels. In the current research work, the effect of 5 and 10 wt% limestone additions to slag and fly ash/slag alkali-activated cements with NaOH-4M was studied to evaluate the mechano-chemical and microstructural properties of alkali-activated cement. The effect of limestone was studied using mechanical resistance, XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDS, and calorimetry methods. The XRD, FTIR, and SEM-EDS results demonstrated the formation of portlandite Ca(OH)2 after the activator solution's reaction with limestone. The limestone's dissolution in Ca2+ contributes to hybrid gel formation ((N, C)-A-S-H, N-A-S-H, and C-A-S-H), resulting in compressive strength higher than 20 MPa, the recommended resistance for commercial cement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Peptidergic GPCR systems are broadly distributed in the human body and regulate numerous physiological processes by activating complex networks of intracellular biochemical events responsible for cell regulation and survival. Excessive stimulation, ill-function, or blockade of GPCRs produces cell disturbances that may cause disease should compensatory mechanisms not suffice. Methods and Results. Revision of updated experimental research provided an evident relationship associating peptidergic GPCR malfunction with tumor formation and maintenance resulting from uncontrolled cell proliferation and migration, colonization, inhibition of apoptosis or altered metabolism, and increased angiogenesis in tumoral tissues. Conclusion. Determination of the implication of GPCR peptide signaling in specific neoplasia is crucial to designing tailored pharmacological treatments to counteract or dismantle the origin of the signaling circuitry causing cellular disruption. In some cases, particular ligands for these receptors may serve as concomitant treatments to aid other pharmacological or physical approaches to eradicate neoplasias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereal crops play a critical role in global food security, but their productivity is increasingly threatened by climate change. This study evaluates the feasibility of using PlanetScope satellite imagery and a UAV equipped with the MicaSense RedEdge multispectral imaging sensor in monitoring winter wheat under various fertilizer treatments in a Mediterranean climate. Eleven fertilizer treatments, including organic-mineral fertilizer (OMF) pellets, were tested. The results show that conventional inorganic fertilization provided the highest yield (8618 kg ha⁻1), while yields from OMF showed a comparable performance to traditional fertilizers, indicating their potential for sustainable agriculture. PlanetScope data demonstrated moderate accuracy in predicting canopy cover (R2 = 0.68), crop yield (R2 = 0.54), and grain quality parameters such as protein content (R2 = 0.49), starch (R2 = 0.56), and hectoliter weight (R2 = 0.51). However, its coarser resolution limited its ability to capture finer treatment-induced variability. MicaSense, despite its higher spatial resolution, performed poorly in predicting crop components, with R2 values below 0.35 for yield and protein content. This study highlights the complementary use of remote sensing technologies to optimize wheat management and support climate-resilient agriculture through the integration of sustainable fertilization strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we present the exact equations for the back and effective focal lengths of a plano-concave thick lens. These equations are derived through a detailed ray-tracing approach, calculating the meridional ray's path parallel to the optical axis while taking into account lens thickness, refractive index, and surface curvature. Our analysis bridges the gap between paraxial approximations and exact ray behavior, highlighting how traditional models (e.g., thin-lens equations) can be extended to thick lenses. Additionally, we review recent advancements in negative refraction and surface phase manipulation techniques to demonstrate how our equations compare to modern numerical methods and metacoating-enhanced designs. This work provides a comprehensive and exact framework for understanding the optical properties of plano-concave thick lenses, offering new insights into their application in precision optics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this work, the antihypertensive and antithrombotic activities of milk fermented with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. Bulgaricus NCFB 2772 (monoculture and co‐culture), were studied. It was observed that both species, as well as the co‐culture, showed an increase in proteolytic activity during fermentation, which is related to the increase in the biological activities studied. Both biological activities increased as a function of fermentation time, describing a curve similar to that of their proteolytic activity, which could indicate the release of bioactive peptides due to the proteolytic activity of the bacteria. The highest antihypertensive activity was obtained at 12 h of fermentation and was 74.9% for Lb. rhamnosus, 79.1% for L. delbrueckii and 77.6% for the co‐culture, with no significant difference between these values. On the other hand, the antithrombotic activity was 56.1% for Lb. rhamnosus, 49.9% for L. delbrueckii and 72.3% for the co‐culture. These findings contribute to the knowledge about the influence of fermentation conditions on biological activity of fermented milk, while emphasising the additional benefits of probiotic and industrially important lactic acid bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Periodontal ligament is the soft connective tissue joining the roots of teeth with alveolar bone. The periodontal ligament presents significant cellular heterogeneity, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, cementoblasts, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils. These cells have crucial roles for periodontium homeostasis and function. However, certain cell types, such as neutrophils, remain poorly characterized in this tissue, despite their natural abundance and relevance in processes and diseases affecting the periodontal ligament. Methods: In order to characterize neutrophils present in periodontal ligament, and get some insight into their functions, single-cell RNA sequencing data from published reports was analyzed to integrate and create a comprehensive map of neutrophil heterogeneity within the murine periodontal ligament under steady-state conditions. Results: Four distinct neutrophil populations were identified based on their unique transcriptional signatures. Comparison and trajectory analysis revealed that these populations represent discrete stages of neutrophils undergoing maturation. These neutrophil populations were also classified, based on their granule content-associated signatures, as azurophil, specific, a transitional stage between specific and gelatinase (specific/gelatinase), and gelatinase. This reflects the sequential order of granule formation during neutrophil development (granulopoiesis) in the bone marrow. Discussion: Together, our findings indicate that the periodontal ligament may serve as a microenvironment where the ordered and sequential maturation of neutrophils takes place. This suggests that similarly to other niches, the murine periodontal ligament can support, to some extent, hematopoietic processes such as granulopoiesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Radial electrical power network optimizations through reconfigurations including generation and demand flexibility. The increasing integration of distributed generation (DG) and the rise of microgrids have reshaped the operation of distribution systems, introducing both challenges and opportunities for optimization. This study presents a methodology that combines network reconfiguration with the integration of buses with flexible power in order to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of distribution networks. Flexible buses, which aggregate multiple microgrids or controllable distributed resources, function as control points that can dynamically adjust active and reactive power within predefined limits. This capability allows for more precise management of power flows, enabling the system to respond to fluctuations in generation and demand. The proposed optimization framework aims to minimize the total operational costs, including power losses and the use of flexible power, while adhering to system constraints. The methodology is evaluated through case studies on two distribution systems: the Kumamoto and IEEE-33 systems. The results indicate a 43.9% reduction in power losses for the Kumamoto system and a 66.6% reduction for the IEEE-33 system, along with notable cost savings in both cases. These outcomes demonstrate the potential benefits of incorporating flexible power buses in modern radial distribution networks, showing their role in adapting to various operational scenarios and supporting the integration of distributed generation and microgrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Despite increasing evidence demonstrating the safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), this procedure is often neglected in this population. This Spanish registry aimed to determine the proportion of MRI referrals and performance among patients with pacemakers (PMs) or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Methods and results This prospective, multicentre, open-label registry involved 21 Spanish centres. Data were collected upon implant of PMs or ICDs from BIOTRONIK and one year after, and included the number of MRIs and computed tomography scans prescribed, performed and denied, and reasons for denial. Data from 1105 patients (mean age: 74.2 years) were analysed and 982 completed the follow-up. Of them, 82.2% had a PM and 17.8% an ICD. A total of 351 imaging tests were prescribed in 220 patients (19.9%), including 52 MRIs in 39 patients (3.5%) and 299 computed tomography scans in 196 patients (17.8%). Among the MRIs, 44 (84.6%) were performed, five (9.6%) were not performed, and three (5.8%) were replaced by an alternative test. Most of the indicated computed tomography scans were performed (97.7%). The proportion of patients with an MRI scan referral was 4.6% during the pre-COVID-19 period and 2.6% during the COVID-19 period. No MRI-related arrhythmic ventricular event was reported. Conclusion This registry revealed that only 3.5% of patients with CIEDs had an MRI referral over the study, with rates decreasing to 2.6% during the COVID-19 period. These rates contrast with the 85 MRIs conducted per 1000 inhabitants in Spain in 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The modulation of the autonomic nervous system's activity, particularly increasing its parasympathetic tone, is of significant interest in clinical physiotherapy due to its potential benefits for stress-related conditions and recovery processes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the addition of neurodynamics in enhancing parasympathetic activation in subjects with chronic stress. Methods: A clinical trial randomly assigned participants to a group with neurodynamics (6 bpm breathing protocol + manual therapy + neurodynamic technique) or a group without neurodynamics (6 bpm breathing protocol + manual therapy only). Metrics of heart rate variability (HRV), including the Mean Heart Rate (Mean HR), standard deviation of intervals between consecutive heartbeats (SDNN), Heart Rate Difference (Diff. HR), Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD), number of intervals differing by more than 50 ms (NN50), percentage of consecutive NN intervals that differed by more than 50 ms (pNN50), and the high-frequency component measured in standardized units (HF), were assessed before, during, and after the intervention. Results: During the intervention, the group with neurodynamics showed significant changes in all variables except in the pNN50 and HF while the group without neurodynamics only showed improvements in the Mean HR, SDNN, and RMSSD. In the post-intervention phase, the group with neurodynamics maintained an increase in HRV while the group without neurodynamics experienced a decrease, suggesting an increase in sympathetic activity. Conclusions: Vagal nerve neurodynamics appear to represent an effective method for enhancing parasympathetic activation in patients with chronic stress. The results highlight the importance of a more comprehensive analysis of HRV variables in order to obtain a correct picture of the impact of interventions on the complex and multifaceted functioning of the autonomic nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromyography (EMG) stands out as an accessible and inexpensive method for identifying muscle contractions on the surface and within deeper muscle tissues. Using specialized electronic circuits for amplification and filtering can help develop simple but effective systems for detecting and analyzing these signals. However, EMG devices developed by research teams frequently lack rigorous methodologies for validating the quality of the signals they record compared to those obtained by commercial systems that have undergone extensive testing and regulatory approval for market release. This underscores the critical need for standardized validation techniques to reliably assess the performance of experimental devices relative to established commercial equipment. Hence, this study introduces a methodology for the development and statistical validation of a laboratory EMG circuit compared with a professional device available on the market. The experiment simultaneously recorded the muscle electrical activity of 18 volunteers using two biosignal acquisition devices—a prototype EMG and a commercial system—both applied in parallel at the same recording site. Volunteers performed a series of finger and wrist extension movements to elicit myoelectric activity in these forearm muscles. To achieve this, it was necessary to develop not only the EMG signal conditioning board, but also two additional interface boards: one for enabling parallel recording on both devices and another for synchronizing the devices with the task programmatically controlled in Python that the volunteers were required to perform. The EMG signals generated during these tasks were recorded simultaneously by both devices. Subsequently, 22 feature indices commonly used for classifying muscular activity patterns were calculated from two-second temporal windows of the recordings to extract detailed temporal and spatial characteristics. Finally, the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) was computed to compare the indices from the prototype with those from the commercial device, using this method as a validation system to assess the quality of the signals recorded by the prototype relative to the commercial equipment. A concordance of 87.6% was observed between the feature indices calculated from the recordings of both devices, suggesting high effectiveness and reliability of the EMG signals recorded by the prototype compared to the commercial device. These results validate the efficacy of our EMG prototype device and provide a solid foundation for the future evaluation of similar devices, ensuring their reliability, accuracy, and suitability for research or clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The Ventilatory Workload Kinetic Index (VWKI) has been proposed as a clinical instrument to evaluate ventilatory balance–imbalance. However, the regulated application of scales that allow an integral evaluation of the object of study and their subsequent reliability evaluation should be continuous. The objective was to determine the reliability of the VWKI between two evaluators and its applicability in the clinical field of physiotherapy. Materials and Methods: The methodology was divided into three stages: (i) induction period, (ii) application of the VWKI, and (iii) assessment of reliability. Results: The VWKI total score obtained excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.913, p < 0.05). The airway resistance (AR) showed moderate inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.528, p < 0.05), while the use of accessory musculature (UAM) showed poor inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.483, p < 0.05). In the physiotherapy care prioritization system, for both evaluator A (EA) and evaluator B (EB), the total VWKI score was significantly higher in priority 1 (p = 0.001; p < 0.05, respectively). Regarding the total VWKI score by services, it was observed that both EA and EB rated the VWKI significantly higher in the intensive care unit (ICU) than in medicine and the other services (p = 0.001, p = 0.0001 and p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: VWKI is highly reliable in the total score. It is also consistent with the system of prioritization of physiotherapy care and the ability to determine the severity of clinical respiratory symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancing decarbonization critically depends on the integration of PV systems into microgrids. However, this integration faces challenges, including the variability of photovoltaic solar energy production, the demands of energy management, and the complexities of grid synchronization and communication. To address these challenges, a PV emulator platform is an essential tool. This paper presents a novel four-layer PV emulator platform that seamlessly integrates power systems, control systems, measurement instrumentation, and communication processes. The proposed platform enables the emulation of I-V curves and the dynamic adjustment of operating points—including both the maximum power point (MPP) and power reserve point (PRP)—as well as temperature and irradiance while providing sufficient power capacity for microgrid integration. To validate its effectiveness, the platform was assessed for its capability to adjust operating points, such as MPPs or PRPs, under varying irradiance and temperature conditions. The results show that the platform effectively adjusts operating points with a deviation of less than 5% from theoretical values and successfully tracks a sequence of operating points. This performance underscores the platform's potential in integrating and managing PV systems within microgrid environments, thereby advancing the path to decarbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backcrossing between Sikitita and its male parent Arbequina, offers the possibility to check the suitability of different self-incompatibility models proposed for olive. To determine Sikitita's response to self- and cross-pollination treatments, including pollination with its father Arbequina, we compared the parameters following pollen–pistil interaction, the resulting initial and final fruit set, and the paternity of the seeds produced under different crosses. The results showed that Sikitita behaves as a self-incompatible cultivar due to the inhibition of pollen tube growth in the pistil of self-pollinated flowers. This incompatibility reaction led to a significant reduction of self-fertilization and fruit set. Seed paternity analyses confirmed the self-incompatibility response of Sikitita. A similar incompatibility response was observed in Sikitita flowers when hand-pollinated with pollen of Arbequina and Koroneiki. On the contrary, cross-pollination with Arbosana gave excellent results, with analyses showing that pollen of Arbosana is largely preferred by Sikitita to father its seeds more than the pollen of other cultivars presented in the orchard. The backcross failure of Sikitita with Arbequina pollen suggests that the self-incompatibility system in olives is not of the gametophytic type. In contrast, pollination tests fit features of previously reported sporophytic self-incompatibility systems. However, some amendments are proposed, among them the incompatibility groups for Sikitita and Koroneiki. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment tools (qSOFA), and Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment-Lactate (LqSOFA) to detect pre-hospital sepsis among patients with or without suspicion of infection. Material and methods: Multicenter prospective cohort study in non-traumatic patients attended by Advanced Life Support in the prehospital environment and transferred to the hospital. We collected demographic, physiological, clinical, and analytical variables, main diagnosis, hospital admission and clinical diagnosis of sepsis. Primary outcome was the clinical diagnosis of sepsis in the hospital. Results: Between March 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019, we included in our study 1548 participants of whom 82 (5.3%) received a final hospital diagnosis of sepsis. The qSOFA presented an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) to detect sepsis in patients with suspicion and without suspicion of infection of 0.757 (95% CI: 0.65–0.81), compared to LqSOFA with an AUROC to detect sepsis of 0.784 (95% CI: 0.72–0.84). In the group of patients with suspected infection, the LqSOFA for a 2-point cut-off presented an AUROC of 0.773 (95% CI: 0.69–0.85), with an excellent sensitivity of 92.6% (95% CI: 83.9–96.8) and an odds ratio of 8.23 (95% CI: 3.09–21.92). Conclusions: An appropriate strategy for reducing the morbidity and mortality from sepsis must necessarily include the prompt identification of this time-dependent pathology by using all the tools at our disposal. The qSOFA and LqSOFA can be used in the prehospital environment and help the diagnosis of suspected sepsis in patients with medical pathology, highlighting the predictive capacity of LqSOFA in the group of patients with suspected infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Urotrygon comprises small‐ to medium‐sized endemic round rays on the American continent and has undergone several synonymization processes. Here, we used an integrative taxonomic approach, including meristic, morphometric, and mtDNA analyses, to resolve the particularly intricate relationship among Urotrygon munda Gill, 1863, Urotrygon chilensis (Günther, 1872), and Urotrygon asterias (Jordan & Gilbert, 1883). The latter species is currently a synonym of U. munda but is also considered the U. chilensis "northern morphotype." These taxonomic entities have historically been confounded, mainly due to their phenotypical resemblance along their geographic distribution in the eastern Pacific. We assessed 78 specimens (43 "northern" and 30 "southern morphotypes" of U. chilensis, as well as 5 U. munda) using 19 external variables for taxonomic and morphometric analysis. Distinct meristic patterns, including pectoral and pelvic ceratotrichia, vertebrae number, and thorn distribution along the dorsal midline, were observed in the series‐type specimens of the three taxonomic entities. Our multivariate morphometric analyses consistently differentiated the three groups as distinct taxonomic entities, with an overall classification accuracy of 66.7%. The meristic results also provided reliable information distinguishing the three entities. Based on the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH2) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) genes, our phylogenetic analysis were consistent with the morphometric and meristic data, supporting these three entities as distinct species having their own evolutionary lineages. Our comprehensive approach confidently demonstrated that the northern U. chilensis morphotype matched and corresponded to the description of the Starry round ray, U. asterias, confirming its taxonomic resurrection as a valid species distinct from U. chilensis and U. munda. The geographic distribution of U. asterias spans from the tropical west coast of Mexico (including the Gulf of California) to Costa Rica, revealing that microevolutionary processes have well‐defined population clades within this range. Furthermore, U. chilensis is unequivocally established as the sole Urotrygon species occurring south of the Guayaquil marine ecoregion. In addition, the public COI and NADH2 sequences available for Urotrygon hosted in the ad hoc online databases were found to be misidentified, emphasizing the need for rigorous taxonomic scrutiny in this group. Finally, our research underscores the significance of an integrative approach that combines morphometric, meristic, and molecular techniques with historical data to disentangle the complexities of closely related taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The partial replacement effect of Portland cement by geothermal nano-SiO2 waste (GNSW) for sustainable Portland-cement-based concrete was investigated to improve the properties of concrete exposed at high critical temperatures. Portland cement was partially replaced by 20 and 30 wt.% of GNSW. The partial replacement effect on Portland-cement-based concrete subjected to 350, 550, and 750 °C was evaluated by measuring the weight changes, ultrasonic pulse velocity, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, surface inspection, and scanning electron microscopy under residual conditions. The ultrasonic pulse velocity results showed that the GNSW specimens maintained suitable stability after being heated to 350 °C. The SEM analysis revealed a denser microstructure for the 20 wt.% of partial replacement of Portland cement by GNSW specimen compared to the reference concrete when exposed to temperatures up to 400 °C, maintaining stability in its microstructure. The weight losses were higher for the specimens with partial replacements of GNSW than the reference concrete at 550 °C, which can be attributed to the pozzolanic activity presented by the GNSW, which increases the amounts of CSH gel, leading to a much denser cementitious matrix, causing a higher weight loss compared to the reference concrete. GNSW is a viable supplementary cementitious material, enhancing thermal properties up to 400 °C due to its high pozzolanic activity and filler effect while offering environmental benefits by reducing industrial waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic status of butterfly rays within the genus Gymnura remains a subject of ongoing debate among researchers. Some authors recognize up to five valid species for the Americas, while others considered several to be synonyms, which has posed a persistent challenge. We aimed to shed light on this complexity by employing molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI). Genetic sequences were obtained from fresh muscle tissue collected in the marine ecoregions corresponding to the type locality from all the nominal butterfly ray species distributed along the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). Our results unveiled compelling findings; all the species delimitation models used consistently identified seven MOTUs for the American continent and an extra G. altavela MOTU restricted to Africa. In addition, our results and models exceeded the worldwide accepted interspecific threshold of 2.0%. Remarkably, our results support the taxonomic reinstatement of Gymnura afuerae (Hildebrand, 1946) as a valid species, with a range expanding into the ETP in the Southern Hemisphere. Similarly, our data support the recent suggestion of resurrecting Gymnura valenciennii (Duméril, 1865) as a valid species in the western Atlantic. These findings urge a reassessment of the conservation status and a comprehensive taxonomic revision of American butterfly rays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to analyze conceptual, epistemological, and didactic perspectives that contribute to the modeling of scientific culture in normative and curricular documents guiding initial teaching education in natural sciences programs in Chile. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing thematic content analysis to inductively extract codes. These codes were grouped into the following categories: (1) Science literacy, (2) Science for citizenship, (3) Science education, (4) Teacher education and standards, (5) Teaching and learning process, and (6) Epistemological and didactic approaches. These categories provide insights to the modeling of scientific culture from the documents analyzed. The study concludes that the referenced model of scientific culture transcends deficit thinking and simplistic tendencies by incorporating sociocultural aspects, thus offering opportunities for a contextualized scientific education. While the model recognizes multiple cultural dimensions involved in the development of scientific literacy, there are noticeable inconsistencies in the epistemological and didactic aspects, indicating traces of 'traditional' visions in cultural and scientific education. Therefore, it is recommended that approaches nurturing the development of southern epistemologies and a scientific culture tailored to local contexts be integrated alongside global trends in teacher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Photoluminescence and resonant Raman scattering have the potential to characterize surface roughness. These optical spectroscopies can be complementary tools for monitoring and controlling semiconductor manufacturing processes. Surface roughness significantly affects light reflection and absorption, which is crucial for light–matter interaction studies and material characterization. This work examines how nanoscale surface roughness affects the electronic states and vibrational properties of cadmium telluride (CdTe) single crystals, using photoluminescence (PL) and resonant Raman scattering (RRS) spectroscopies. We have evaluated the surface roughness across various sample regions as the root-mean-square (RMS) value measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). At room temperature, increasing RMS correlated with changes in PL intensity and peak width, as well as enhanced second-order longitudinal optical (2LO) phonon mode intensity. Fitting the PL and RRS spectra with Gaussian and Lorentzian functions, respectively, allowed us to explain the relationship between surface morphology and the observed spectral changes. Our findings demonstrate that surface roughness is a critical parameter influencing the surface states and vibrational properties of CdTe, with implications for the performance of CdTe-based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental sustainability is currently of paramount importance worldwide. In this context, digitalisation has emerged as a transformative force in the business world, and small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) need to adapt to sustainability and digitalisation without neglecting performance. The objective of the study is to establish the connection between the positive financial outcomes resulting from digital capabilities and the ability of SMEs to become environmentally sustainable. Additionally, a theoretical framework has been developed to explain the results from the analysis of a reflexive structural equation model using data collected from 975 Spanish SMEs. The results indicate that investing in digitalisation allows companies to become more environmentally responsible and achieve qualitative growth in terms of reputation. Furthermore, digitalisation promotes quantitative growth through improved efficiency, cost savings, enhanced product quality and increased customer satisfaction. Lastly, the study model demonstrates that profitable companies are more likely to be sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The potential ecosystem collapse of forests in Mediterranean-type ecosystems (MTEs) by unprecedented droughts is worrisome due to the impacts on its exceptional biodiversity and human well-being. However, research integrating the impacts of global change drivers, forest resilience and the challenges facing human-nature relationships is still scarce. Methods and results: Using the central Chile megadrought and recently massive forest browning event as a model scenario, we identified, through a scientific literature review and an interdisciplinary scientific workshop, the research priorities and questions to address for MTEs in a context of global change. Our results highlighted knowledge gaps that need to be covered, particularly in social and environmental sciences, with an emphasis on soil science. Research priorities must focus on (1) the understanding of interactive effects of global and local anthropogenic drivers on MTEs and (2) the evaluation of the potential impacts of MTEs collapse on human well-being and ecosystem functioning. Conclusions: We highlight the need for a collaborative approach involving scientists, landowners, managers/administrators, and policymakers to apply adaptive forest management against the current socio-environmental challenges under a global change context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal reactive power dispatch (ORPD) problem is a critical factor in maintaining the safe and efficient operation of electric networks. Due to its mixed-variable nonlinear nature, addressing this problem requires an appropriate optimization algorithm. In this study, a novel approach based on the combination of artificial rabbits optimization (ARO) and gradient-based optimization (GBO) algorithms was proposed to solve the ORPD problem in electric networks. The performance of the proposed AROGBO algorithm were verified on 7 numerical optimization test functions. To evaluate the effectiveness of this hybrid AROGBO technique, standard IEEE-30, IEEE-57 bus, and IEEE-118 bus test systems were employed, with two objective functions tested for each system: minimum total power loss and minimum total voltage deviations. The AROGBO, ARO, and GBO algorithms were utilized in each case to determine the optimal values of the generator voltage, transformer tap changer positions, and reactive power compensation values. A comprehensive comparison was made between the results obtained from the hybrid AROGBO algorithm, standard ARO and GBO algorithms, and other metaheuristic optimization techniques. The simulation attainments verify the accuracy and stability of the proposed AROGBO methodology in solving the ORPD problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Investigações em Ensino de Ciências is the property of Instituto de Fisica-UFRGS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Emergency medical services (EMSs) face critical situations that require patient risk classification based on analytical and vital signs. We aimed to establish clustering-derived phenotypes based on prehospital analytical and vital signs that allow risk stratification. This was a prospective, multicenter, EMS-delivered, ambulance-based cohort study considering six advanced life support units, 38 basic life support units, and four tertiary hospitals in Spain. Adults with unselected acute diseases managed by the EMS and evacuated with discharge priority to emergency departments were considered between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2023. Prehospital point-of-care testing and on-scene vital signs were used for the unsupervised machine learning method (clustering) to determine the phenotypes. Then phenotypes were compared with the primary outcome (cumulative mortality (all-cause) at 2, 7, and 30 days). A total of 7909 patients were included. The median (IQR) age was 64 (51–80) years, 41% were women, and 26% were living in rural areas. Three clusters were identified: alpha 16.2% (1281 patients), beta 28.8% (2279), and gamma 55% (4349). The mortality rates for alpha, beta and gamma at 2 days were 18.6%, 4.1%, and 0.8%, respectively; at 7 days, were 24.7%, 6.2%, and 1.7%; and at 30 days, were 33%, 10.2%, and 3.2%, respectively. Based on standard vital signs and blood test biomarkers in the prehospital scenario, three clusters were identified: alpha (high-risk), beta and gamma (medium- and low-risk, respectively). This permits the EMS system to quickly identify patients who are potentially compromised and to proactively implement the necessary interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trendy high-density olive fields are often monovarietal orchards, mostly using the cultivar Arbequina. However, Arbequina shows a strong self-incompatibility response, and its yields depend on wind cross-pollination, which is not always available. With the aim of finding suitable self-compatible cultivars that can replace Arbequina, we evaluated pollen–pistil interaction, fruit set and seed paternity in Arbosana under different pollination treatments: self-pollination, open-pollination and three cross-pollination treatments: × Arbequina, × Sikitita and × Koroneiki. All these cultivars are low-vigor cultivars suitable for high-density orchards, making them potential pollinizers for Arbosana. The results show that Arbosana is also self-incompatible with a strong reduction in fruit set due to a lower fertilization level caused by a strong inhibition of pollen tube growth in self-pollinated flowers. Seed-paternity analyses confirmed the self-incompatibility response of Arbosana and suggest that some fruit obtained in bagged shoots under self-pollination were, in fact, a product of cross-fertilization. In conclusion, we recommend against the use of Arbosana in large monovarietal orchards. On the contrary, good results were obtained under cross-pollination with Sikitita, Arbequina and Koroneiki pollen, allowing us to recommend them as pollinizers for Arbosana in appropriate pollination designs. This is the first time Arbosana self-incompatibility has been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of high-sensitivity troponin using point-of-care testing (POCT) devices compared with main laboratory measurements for ruling out non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in emergency department (ED) patients presenting with non-traumatic chest pain. Methods: This multicenter, observational, prospective, non-interventional study was conducted in two Spanish hospitals from 1 June to 31 December 2023 and included adult patients presenting with non-traumatic chest pain admitted to the ED. High-sensitivity troponin levels were measured using both the Siemens Atellica® VTLi POCT device and main laboratory testing, with data collected on analytical results and measurement times. Results: Of the 201 patients who met the inclusion criteria, a significant correlation was observed between the POCT and laboratory assays. The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve was consistently greater than 0.9, indicating a high diagnostic accuracy for ruling out NSTEMI. In addition, measurement times were significantly reduced using POCT compared to the core laboratory. Conclusion: These results suggest that high-sensitivity troponin POCT devices offer comparable diagnostic performance to traditional laboratory methods for the diagnosis of NSTEMI in the emergency department, potentially speeding up clinical decisions and optimizing resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Investigaciones Turisticas is the property of Investigaciones Turisticas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Random Variable Transformation (RVT) technique has been applied in recent years to analyze a wide variety of dynamic models formulated via random differential equations. The applicability of this technique has usually been focused on problems where an explicit solution of the underlying deterministic problem is available. This fact limits the usefulness of the RVT method. This note aims to point out that the RVT technique can be successfully applied without this requirement by showing a wider range of potential applications including very general classes of single-species models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changes in the cell physiology (growth rate, cell size, and cell DNA content), photosynthetic efficiency, toxicity, and sexuality under variable light and nutrient (phosphates) conditions were evaluated in cultures of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum obtained from a red tide in the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain). The cells were grown at low (40 and 150 µE m−2 s−1), moderate (400 µE m−2 s−1), and high (800 µE m−2 s−1) light intensities in a medium with phosphate (P+) and without (P−). Cultures were acclimated to the irradiance conditions for one week, and the experiment was run for ~1 month. The cell size and DNA content were monitored via flow cytometry. Two different clonal strains were employed as a monoculture (in a P− or P+ medium) or, to foster sexuality and resting cyst formation, as a mixed culture (only in a P− medium). A. minutum growth was favored by increasing light intensities until 400 µE m−2 s−1. The DNA content analyses indicated the accumulation of S-phase cells at the highest light intensities (400 and 800 µE m−2 s−1) and therefore the negative effects on cell cycle progression. Only when the cells were grown in a P− medium did higher light intensities trigger dose-dependent, significantly higher toxicities in all the A. minutum cultures. This result suggests that the toxicity level is responsive to the combined effects of (high) light and (low) P stress. The cell size was not significantly affected by the light intensity or P conditions. The optimal light intensity for resting cyst formation was 150 µE m−2 s−1, with higher irradiances reducing the total encystment yield. Encystment was not observed at the lowest light intensity tested, indicative of the key role of low-level irradiance in gamete and/or zygote formation, in contrast to the stressor effect of excessive irradiance on planozygote formation and/or encystment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the contribution of mindfulness training to psychological well-being and quality of life in the university setting is of interest. The objective of the study is to present a comparative analysis of the scores in the variables of self-efficacy, resilience, coping strategies, and communication skills before and after the application of an intervention program based on mindfulness. An ex post facto cross-sectional design and a convenience sample of participants were adopted. The participants were students belonging to Education Sciences who benefited from the activities of the program. Instruments were administered to assess mindfulness, self-efficacy, resilience, coping strategies, and communication skills. The correlations of the mindfulness variable with the other psychoeducational variables evaluated were also analyzed. The results indicate an increase in the scores in the selected variables of mindfulness, resilience, communication skills, and some of the coping strategies considered productive or functional such as problem solving, self-criticism, emotional expression, desiderative thinking, social support, and cognitive restructuring. Statistically significant correlations were also observed between the variable mindfulness and those of perceived self-efficacy, resilience, coping strategies, and communication skills. The development of mindfulness training programs in the university setting is necessary to contribute to the improvement of more adaptive coping skills and the promotion of resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pedagogía Social is the property of Pedagogia Social and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: The development of predictive models for patients treated by emergency medical services (EMS) is on the rise in the emergency field. However, how these models evolve over time has not been studied. The objective of the present work is to compare the characteristics of patients who present mortality in the short, medium and long term, and to derive and validate a predictive model for each mortality time. Methods: A prospective multicenter study was conducted, which included adult patients with unselected acute illness who were treated by EMS. The primary outcome was noncumulative mortality from all causes by time windows including 30-day mortality, 31- to 180-day mortality, and 181- to 365-day mortality. Prehospital predictors included demographic variables, standard vital signs, prehospital laboratory tests, and comorbidities. Results: A total of 4830 patients were enrolled. The noncumulative mortalities at 30, 180, and 365 days were 10.8%, 6.6%, and 3.5%, respectively. The best predictive value was shown for 30-day mortality (AUC = 0.930; 95% CI: 0.919–0.940), followed by 180-day (AUC = 0.852; 95% CI: 0.832–0.871) and 365-day (AUC = 0.806; 95% CI: 0.778–0.833) mortality. Discussion: Rapid characterization of patients at risk of short-, medium-, or long-term mortality could help EMS to improve the treatment of patients suffering from acute illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-state lighting technology, such as LED devices, is critical to improving energy efficiency in street lighting systems. In Ecuador, government policies have established the obligation to exclusively use LED systems starting in 2023, except in special projects. Ecuador, known for its vast biodiversity, protects its national parks, which are rich in flora, fauna and natural resources, through international institutions and agreements such as UNESCO, CBD and CITES. Although reducing electrical consumption usually measures energy efficiency, this article goes further. It considers aspects such as the correlated color temperature in the lighting design of protected areas, light pollution and the decrease in energy quality due to harmonic distortion. Measurements of the electromagnetic spectrum of the light sources were made in an area in the Galápagos National Park of Ecuador, revealing highly correlated color temperatures that can affect ecosystem cycles. In addition, the investigation detected levels of light pollution increasing the night sky brightness and a notable presence of harmonic distortion in the electrical grid. Using simulations to predict the behavior of these variables offers an efficient option to help preserve protected environments and the quality of energy supply while promoting energy savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sedentary behavior has been shown to negatively affect parameters of endothelial function and central hemodynamics, both of which are closely associated with vascular health. Exercise prior to sedentary behavior has demonstrated potential as a preventive strategy to mitigate these detrimental effects. To evaluate the impact of exercise prior to sedentary behavior on vascular health parameters in the adult population, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, synthesizing the available body of knowledge. Methods: A literature search was carried out in 6 databases. For each outcome, standard error and mean difference or standardized mean difference were calculated, as appropriate. An analysis was performed using a random effects model with a 95% confidence interval, using the inverse variance statistical method. Risk of bias assessment was performed using ROB2 and considerations for crossover trials. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE system. Results: Exercise performed prior to prolonged sedentary behavior resulted in increased flow-mediated vasodilation at the first and third hours of sedentary time, compared with the control condition of sedentary behavior without prior exercise [MD: 1.51% (95% CI: 0.57 to 2.45) and MD: 1.36% (95% CI: 0.56 to 2.16), respectively]. Moreover, prior exercise led to increased shear rate at the first and third hours of sedentary time [MD: 7.70 s^−1 (95% CI: 0.79 to 14.61) and MD: 5.21 s^−1 (95% CI: 1.77 to 8.43), respectively]. Furthermore, it increased blood flow at the third hour [SMD: 0.40 (95%CI: 0.07 to 0.72)], compared with the control condition of prolonged sedentary behavior without prior exercise. Regarding hemodynamic parameters, exercise prior to prolonged sedentary behavior decreased mean arterial pressure during the first and third hours of sedentary behavior [MD: -1.94 mmHg (95% CI: -2.77 to -1.11) and MD: -1.90 mmHg (95% CI: -3.27 to -0.53), respectively], and an increase in heart rate during the first hour [MD: 4.38 beats per minute (95%CI: 2.78 to 5.98)] compared with the control condition of prolonged sedentary behavior without prior exercise. Conclusions: The findings of this research suggest that prior exercise may prevent the impairment of vascular health parameters caused by sedentary behavior. However, the quality of the evidence was estimated as moderate. Therefore, further experimental studies and high-quality clinical trials are needed in this field to strengthen the results and conclusions drawn. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023393686. Key Points: Engaging in exercise prior to sedentary behavior seems to exert a preventive effect on vascular health parameters, both after one hour and three hours of being sedentary. Exercise prior to sedentary behavior could be an effective strategy in preventing endothelial dysfunction. The preventive impact of exercise prior to sedentary behavior may be comparable in magnitude to the benefits derived from interrupting prolonged sitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free vibration characteristics in uniform beams with several lumped attachments are an important problem in engineering applications that have to deal with mounting different equipment (e.g. motors, oscillators or engines) on a structural beam. In order to solve the lack of a generalized automatic procedure, this investigation presents a simple solving approach based on analytical means applied to a secular frequency equation for obtaining the natural frequencies of an arbitrarily supported single-span, or multi-span Euler–Bernoulli beam carrying any combination of miscellaneous attachments. The approach is obtained by solving a characteristic polynomial equation using a classical method for computing the roots of a polynomial. Interestingly, if the number of elements is greater than one, a pole-zero cancellation is needed, but it does not require manual interventions such as initial values and iteration. The mathematical approach is validated with bibliographic references and evaluated for accuracy and computational effectiveness. A good agreement is observed with relative error values practically negligible mostly ranging between 10−3 and 10−9 in the first five natural frequencies, which confirms the validity of the presented approach in this paper. The MatLab code that has been developed with the solving approach is freely available as a supplementary material to this paper. Additionally, a MatLab graphical user interface has also been developed in this work which allows to obtain the eigenvalues of a simply supported Euler–Bernoulli beam carrying an undetermined number of lumped elements. The graphical user interface is also available for download, along with help facilities to be run in a Windows operating system and detailed instructions to reproduce the case studies presented here. The proposed scheme (and also the MatLab graphical user interface) is very easy to code, and can be slightly modified to accommodate beams with arbitrary supports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The use of economic sanctions has grown dramatically in recent decades. Nevertheless, many arguments are presented in the public policy space regarding their effects on target populations. The author presents the first systematic analysis of the effects of sanctions on living conditions in target countries. Design/methodology/approach: This paper provides a comprehensive survey and assessment of the literature on the effects of economic sanctions on living standards in target countries. The author identifies 31 studies that apply quantitative econometric or calibration methods to cross-country and national data to assess the impact of economic sanctions on indicators of human and economic development. The author provides in-depth discussions of three sanctions episodes—Iran, Afghanistan and Venezuela—that illustrate the channels through which sanctions affect living conditions in target countries. Findings: Of the 31 studies, 30 find that sanctions have negative effects on outcomes ranging from per capita income to poverty, inequality, mortality and human rights. The author provides new results showing that 54 countries—27% of all countries and 29% of the world economy— are sanctioned today, up from only 4% of countries in the 1960s. In the three cases discussed, sanctions that restricted the access of governments to foreign exchange limited the ability of states to provide essential public goods and services and generated substantial negative spillovers on private sector and nongovernmental actors. Originality/value: This is the first literature survey that systematically assesses the quantitative evidence on the effect of sanctions on living conditions in target countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in ambient temperature decreases crop yields. Therefore, greenhouse cooling techniques can be considered adaptation strategies to climate change. To improve the efficiency of crop production, semi-closed greenhouses are utilized, which reduce the mass and energy transfer from the greenhouse. Frequently, these types of structures include an evaporative panel and a distribution system through perforated inflated ducts. To further improve the management of this type of installation, the present work models its behavior. The proper functioning of these installations greatly depends on temperature, as well as the relative humidity of the exterior air. The results show how the exterior climate conditions affect the values of temperature and relative humidity inside the greenhouse due to its effect on the value of evaporative cooling. The cooling capacity of the air per unit mass of evaporated water is reduced when the temperature and/or humidity of the air to be treated in the evaporative panel increases. Thus, when the exterior air is at 40 °C and its relative humidity is 75%, its temperature after passing through the evaporative panel is 15 °C higher than when the initial state of the exterior air is 30 °C and 30%. The effect of the use of frequency drivers in the fans on energy consumption has also been evaluated. A reduction of 8% in the frequency value causes a 22% decrease in the power consumed and a 15% pressure drop in the circuit. Therefore, reducing the frequency of electrical energy can contribute to energy savings without affecting the climate inside the greenhouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]