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Abstract Spectral filters are fundamental building blocks in integrated photonics. Bragg grating filters have been demonstrated in silicon waveguides with a wide range of spectral responses and are suitable for wavelength division multiplexing applications. However, retrieving Bragg grating reflections typically requires external components such as fiber optic circulators. In this work, we develop fully integrated add-drop filters based on cladding-modulated Bragg gratings incorporated in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer configuration. We design complex spectral filtering devices with single and dual-band flat-top responses for the specified bandwidth. Additionally, we propose a novel design methodology which aims to minimize phase errors within the filters. We experimentally demonstrate add-drop filters with single-band and two-band rejection spectra at the datacom O-band, fabricated on a 220-nm thick silicon-on-insulator platform. Our results show an insertion loss below 1 dB and a crosstalk of around −20 dB at the channel center for a 4.5-nm wavelength grid and 3-nm wide channels.

Abstract Background Corticosteroid injections are commonly used for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. In recent years, ultrasound-guided multipuncture treatment of the fascia has been described in the literature. Our study aimed to compare the effectiveness of these two techniques in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Methods The outcomes achieved over 120 days following the use of these techniques to treat plantar fasciitis were examined. A total of 81 patients were randomly selected for the study; 41 were treated with ultrasound-guided multipuncture and 40 with ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection. Clinical examinations and ultrasound assessments were performed before treatment and at 30, 60 and 120 days post-treatment. Clinical assessments included the use of a visual analog scale (VAS) to record pain and the Foot Function Index (FFI) to evaluate function. Ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of the plantar fascia. Results Both the ultrasound-guided multipuncture and corticosteroid injection techniques were associated with significant functional and echographic improvements at 4 months post-treatment (P

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, can be congenitally transmitted by crossing the placental barrier. This study investigates the role of T. cruzi-derived exovesicles (TcEVs) in facilitating parasite infection and the consequent tissue damage and apoptotic cell death in human placental explants (HPEs). Our findings demonstrate that TcEVs significantly enhance the parasite load and induce tissue damage in HPEs, both in the presence and absence of the parasite. Through histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses, we show that TcEVs alone can disrupt the placental barrier, affecting the basal membrane and villous stroma. The induction of apoptotic cell death is evidenced by DNA fragmentation, caspase 8 and 3, and p18 fragment immunodetection. This damage is exacerbated when TcEVs are combined with T. cruzi infection. These findings suggest that TcEVs play a critical role in the pathogenesis of congenital Chagas disease by disrupting the placental barrier and facilitating parasite transmission to the fetus. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of transplacental transmission of T. cruzi and highlights the potential of targeting TcEVs as a therapeutic strategy against congenital Chagas disease.

Abstract Background The sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes in the placenta, and the resulting inflammatory response affects maternal and child health. Despite existing information, little is known about the direct impact of P. falciparum on the placental barrier formed by trophoblast and villous stroma. This study aimed to assess placental tissue damage caused by P. falciparum in human placental explants (HPEs). Methods HPEs from chorionic villi obtained of human term placentas (n = 9) from normal pregnancies were exposed to P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IE) for 24 h. HPEs were embedded in paraffin blocks and used to study tissue damage through histopathological and histochemical analysis and apoptosis using TUNEL staining. Culture supernatants were collected to measure cytokine and angiogenic factors and to determine LDH activity as a marker of cytotoxicity. A subset of archived human term placenta paraffin-embedded blocks from pregnant women with malaria were used to confirm ex vivo findings. Results Plasmodium falciparum-IE significantly damages the trophoblast layer and the villous stroma of the chorionic villi. The increased LDH activity and pathological findings such as syncytial knots, fibrin deposits, infarction, trophoblast detachment, and collagen disorganization supported these findings. The specific damage to the trophoblast and the thickening of the subjacent basal lamina were more pronounced in the ex vivo infection. In contrast, apoptosis was higher in the in vivo infection. This disparity could be attributed to the duration of exposure to the infection, which significantly varied between individuals naturally exposed over time and the 24-h exposure in the ex vivo HPE model. Conclusion Exposure to P. falciparum-IE induces a detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast, disorganization of the stroma villi, and an increase in apoptosis, alterations that may be associated with adverse results such as intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight.

Objetivo: Describir la utilidad de la cavernosografía por tomografía computarizada (TC) de la vasculatura venosa peneana para el diagnóstico de disfunción eréctil de origen venoso. Método: Entre el año 2017 y 2021 en el Servicio de Radiología de la Clínica de la mujer de Bogotá, Colombia, se realizaron 32 cavernosografías como método radiológico para el diagnóstico vascular de pacientes con disfunción eréctil y sospecha de escape venoso. El procedimiento se hizo con un método estandarizado y la lectura de la imagen se hizo utilizando la clasificación del drenaje venoso anómalo mediante TC para la clasificación de escapes venosos: tipo A, sin escape; tipo B, escape sistema venoso profundo; tipo C, escape sistema venoso superficial, y tipo D, escape en sistema venoso superficial y profundo. Resultados: Treinta y dos pacientes fueron diagnosticados con insuficiencia venosa: tipo A dos pacientes, escape tipo B tres pacientes, escape tipo C cuatro pacientes y escape tipo D 20 pacientes. En dos pacientes poscirugía de ligadura venosa se encontró neovascularización que escapaba y en un paciente con Peyronie se encontró escape venoso superficial y profundo con falta de llenado de los cuerpos cavernosos distales. Conclusión: El diagnóstico etiológico en la disfunción eréctil debe ser un objetivo clínico para poder ofrecer tratamientos exitosos más específicos. Uno de los métodos potenciales de diagnóstico es la realización de cavernosografía por TC en pacientes seleccionados, lo que permite una imagen más detallada anatómicamente profunda del drenaje venoso bajo una visualización tridimensional similar a la que se observaría en una disección quirúrgica.

Abstract The exploration of metal–insulator transitions to produce field-induced reversible resistive switching effects has been a longstanding pursuit in materials science. Although the resistive switching effect in strongly correlated oxides is often associated with the creation or annihilation of oxygen vacancies, the underlying mechanisms behind this phenomenon are complex and, in many cases, still not clear. This study focuses on the analysis of the superconducting performance of cuprate YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) devices switched to different resistive states through gate voltage pulses. The goal is to evaluate the effect of field-induced oxygen diffusion on the magnetic field and angular dependence of the critical current density and identify the role of induced defects in the switching performance. Transition electron microscopy measurements indicate that field-induced transition to high resistance states occurs through the generation of YBa2Cu4O7 (Y124) intergrowths with a large amount of oxygen vacancies, in agreement with the obtained critical current density dependences. These results have significant implications for better understanding the mechanisms of field-induced oxygen doping in cuprate superconductors and their role on the superconducting performance.

Se determinaron las tolerancias dimensionales y la evaluación de la resistencia mecánica de una rueda dentada de dientes recto ubicada en el mando final de un Bulldozer Komatsu D85A-18 la cual presenta problemas de cálculo y redimensionamiento. Al emplear los procedimientos del cálculo se obtuvieron resultados que satisfacen la condición de resistencia y el buen funcionamiento de la pieza en la transmisión.

Se desarrolló una aplicación informática, para el cálculo de las dimensiones del sistema de alimentación para el diseño de la tecnología de fundición para evitar los defectos volumétricos en la fundición por la incorrecta selección de las dimensiones de los sistemas de alimentación. La suma de las áreas de los alimentadores se determinó, teniendo en cuenta el peso del metal líquido que fluye por el sistema de alimentación, el tiempo de vertido, la velocidad específica de vertido, y el coeficiente de correlación sobre el espesor de las paredes de la pieza, así como, la interpolación de Lagrange de segundo grado. Los resultados de la aplicación informática se compararon con tecnologías ya realizadas, arrojando un error absoluto del 2 %, resultado dentro del rango mínimo permisible.

The conversion of spent coffee grounds (SCG) into hydrochars has been the subject of extensive research in recent years, aimed at evaluating their potential for biofortifying foods and mitigating the plant toxicity linked to SCG. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical characterization and the impact of incorporating both activated (ASCG and AH160) and functionalized SCG (ASCG-Zn), as well as SCG-derived hydrochars (AH160-Zn), on cucumber yield and plant zinc content. The following physicochemical properties were analyzed: specific surface area, pH and electrical conductivity, polyphenols, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The by-products activated and functionalized with zinc were applied to cucumber crops grown in a greenhouse across multiple harvests. The activation of both SCG and H160 reduced the specific surface area of the particles. However, when these by-products were functionalized, their Zn content increased significantly, up to 7400 ppm. Concerning polyphenol content, the activated products showed levels ranging from 3.5 to 4.9 mg GAE/g. Regarding cumulative production, the treatments that showed the highest yields were the by-products activated and functionalized with Zn reaching 25 kg. Incorporating these by-products notably raised the Zn content in cucumbers, reaching 0.1 mg Zn per 100 g of fresh weight. The activated by-products demonstrated the highest Zn utilization efficiency.

The transformation of spent coffee grounds (SCGs) into hydrochars has been extensively studied in recent years to explore their potential in biofortifying foods and mitigating the plant toxicity associated with SCGs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding activated (ASCG and AH160) and functionalized SCGs, as well as SCG-derived hydrochars (ASCG-Fe and AH160-Fe), on cucumber production and plant iron content. To achieve this, SCGs and SCG-derived hydrochars activated and functionalized with Fe were incorporated into cucumber crops grown in a greenhouse over multiple harvests. Among the treatments, SCG-Fe proved to be the most promising for cucumber production, yielding an average of 25 kg of cumulative production per treatment across three harvests. Regarding iron content, the average results across all harvests showed that SCGs and functionalized SCG-hydrochars matched the performance of the commercial chelate (0.108 vs. 0.11 mg Fe/100 g fresh weight). However, in subsequent harvests, iron appeared to leach out, with the activated bio-products (ASCG and AH160) leaving the highest iron reserves in the soil. Additionally, the hydrochar activated at 160 °C demonstrated the highest utilization efficiency. In conclusion, the incorporation of SCG residues and second-generation residues (hydrochars) shows promise as agents for biofortifying cucumbers.

La Interacción Humano-Computadora (HCI por sus siglas en inglés) y las Artes Interactivas (AI) tienen tradiciones, objetivos, enfoques y herramientas diferentes, aunque mantienen desde hace mucho tiempo una relación de diálogo, intercambio de ideas e incluso polinización cruzada. La presente investigación buscó explorar parte de estas influencias mutuas: identificar temas de HCI que puedan enriquecer la práctica artística y reconocer ideas de AI que puedan incorporarse a la agenda de HCI. La metodología empleada consistió en un estudio de caso exploratorio organizado como una experiencia pedagógica de conceptos de HCI para profesionales de AI que involucró a más de 100 artistas que desarrollaron proyectos de interacciones enactivas. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó el método de Observación Participante. Los principales resultados del análisis de los datos mostraron un entrelazamiento de aportes entre ambas disciplinas en al menos tres aspectos: a) la importancia del trabajo en primera persona, b) las relaciones entre el engagement del usuario y el tiempo de uso, y c) la necesidad de contar con definiciones de Experiencia de Usuario con mayor consenso para facilitar las prácticas de evaluación. En conclusión, este trabajo exploratorio proporciona evidencia de la apropiación por parte de las AI del contenido de la HCI y la existencia los tres aspectos mencionados de entrelazamiento entre las agendas de HCI y las AI.

This study introduces a method for identifying territories ideal for establishing photovoltaic (PV) plants for green hydrogen (GH2) production in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile, a location celebrated for its outstanding solar energy potential. Assessing the viability of PV plant installation necessitates a balanced consideration of technical aspects and socio-environmental constraints, such as the proximity to areas of ecological importance and indigenous communities, to identify potential zones for solar and non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE)-based hydrogen production.To tackle this challenge, we propose a methodology that utilizes geospatial analysis, integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) tools with sensitivity analysis, to determine the most suitable sites for PV plant installation in the Antofagasta region. Our geospatial analysis employs the QGIS software to identify these optimal locations, while sensitivity analysis uses the Sørensen–Dice coefficient method to assess the similarity among chosen socio-environmental variables.Applying this methodology to the Antofagasta region reveals that a significant area within a 15 km radius of existing road networks and electrical substations is favorable for photovoltaic projects. Our sensitivity analysis further highlights the limiting effects of socio-environmental factors and their interactions. Moreover, our research finds that enlarging areas of socio-environmental importance could increase the total hydrogen production by about 10% per commune, indicating the impact of these factors on the potential for renewable energy production.

Se analizó el comportamiento de las tensiones que surgen durante el proceso de soldadura de una tubería de acero API 5L Gr. 65 por efecto de la temperatura y el flujo de calor. La simulación se realizó considerando el depósito del cordón en un diámetro de 100 mm con electrodo E 7018 de 4 mm, como condiciones. Se determinó que, las tensiones que se generan en el ciclo térmico de soldadura se distribuyen con valores desde 443,55 N/mm2, en la zona fundida, en la interfase es de 394,31 N/mm2 y en la zona afectada por el calor de 345,06 N/mm2, las cuales influyen en la resistencia a fatiga de la unión. El valor máximo de temperatura, se origina en el centro del cordón de soldadura con 3 500 oC y en la medida que se aleja de este disminuye hasta 507,41 oC, lo cual está asociado al proceso de transferencia de calor por radiación y conducción y que el calentamiento localizado del proceso de soldadura provoca deformaciones térmicas de carácter elástico y plástico.

The industrial adoption of material extrusion of polymers (MEX/P) is hindered by the geometric quality of manufactured parts. Contact image sensors (CISs), commonly used in flatbed scanners, have been proposed as a suitable technology for layer-wise characterization of contour deviations, paving the way for the application of corrective measures. Nevertheless, despite the high resolution of CIS digital images, the accurate characterization of layer contours in MEX/P is affected by contrast patterns between the layer and the background. Conventional edge-recognition algorithms struggle to comprehensively characterize layer contours, thereby diminishing the reliability of deviation measurements. In this work, we introduce a novel approach to precisely locate contour points in the context of MEX/P based on evaluating the similarity between the grayscale pattern near a particular tentative contour point and a previously defined gradient reference pattern. Initially, contrast patterns corresponding to various contour orientations and layer-to-background distances are captured. Subsequently, contour points are identified and located in the images, with coordinate measuring machine (CMM) verification serving as a ground truth. This information is then utilized by an adaptive edge-detection algorithm (AEDA) designed to identify boundaries in manufactured layers. The proposed method has been evaluated on test targets produced through MEX/P. The results indicate that the average deviation of point position compared to that achievable with a CMM in a metrology laboratory ranges from 8.02 µm to 13.11 µm within the experimental limits. This is a substantial improvement in the reliability of contour reconstruction when compared to previous research, and it could be crucial for implementing routines for the automated detection and correction of geometric deviations in AM parts.

Se analizó el tema de la selección de bombas centrífugas utilizadas en el bombeo de la pulpa de yeso obtenida a través de la lixiviación acida a alta presión. Se evaluó el comportamiento reológico del fluido a través de las concentraciones en peso y en volumen de la mezcla y la densidad del sólido y la pulpa, se estableció la metodología de cálculo con vista al análisis de selección de la bomba 174-PU-3D. Los resultados revelaron el comportamiento newtoniano del fluido con un porciento de sólido en volumen de 10,5 %. Entre otros resultados se comprobó que el grupo moto-bomba analizado trabaja cercano al rango de diseño propuesto por el fabricante, con un caudal de trabajo de 430 m3/h y una altura manométrica de 25,5 m de columna líquida, lo que demuestra que está correctamente seleccionada.

This paper presents SimilarityTS, a toolkit for the evaluation of similarity for multivariate time series. This software enables the comparison and assessment of the similarity between time series in a standard way, using the most relevant metrics and figures usually employed in the literature, such as the Kullback–Leibler divergence, Dynamic Time Warping, DTW paths, PCA, and t-SNE representations, among others. This toolkit provides a better way to compare research results and facilitates the repeatability of experiments.

Material Extrusion (MEX) currently stands as the most widespread Additive Manufacturing (AM) process, but part quality deficiencies remain a barrier to its generalized industrial adoption. Quality control in MEX is a complex task as extrusion performance impacts the consistency of mechanical properties and the surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and geometric precision of manufactured parts. Recognizing the need for early-stage process monitoring, this study explores the potential of integrating Laser Triangulation Sensors (LTS) into MEX/P manufacturing equipment for layer-wise 3D inspections. Using a double-bridge architecture, an LTS-based sub-micrometric inspection system operates independently from the manufacturing process, enabling comprehensive digitization and autonomous reconstruction of the target layer’s topography. Surface texture is then computed using standardized indicators and a new approach that provides insight into layer quality uniformity. A case study evaluating two alternative extruder head designs demonstrates the efficacy of this integrated approach for layer quality characterization. Implementing a generalized layer-wise procedure based on this integration can significantly mitigate quality issues in MEX manufacturing and optimize process parameter configurations for enhanced performance.

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are a type of food waste and are produced in abundance around the world. However, their utilization as a soil organic amendment is challenging due to their phytotoxic effect. In the present work, the impact of agronomic biofortification on Dutch cucumbers was investigated using different chemically modified SCG and analyzing their effects on iron contents, their capacity for releasing antioxidants, and the production of short-chain fatty acids after in vitro digestion–fermentation. The results indicated variations in the iron contents and chemical compositions of cucumbers according to the treatment groups. Functionalized and activated hydrochar from SCG increased Fe levels in cucumbers. Although activated hydrochar obtained at 160 °C and functionalized with Fe showed the highest iron supply per serving, differences in antioxidant capacity and short-chain fatty acid production were observed between the groups. It is concluded that growing conditions and the presence of iron may significantly influence the contribution of these cucumbers to the dietary intake of nutrients and antioxidants, which could have important implications for human health and nutrition.

Spent coffee grounds (SCGs) are a food waste with a large generation around the world. However, their utilization as a soil organic amendment is difficult due to their phytotoxic effect. In the present work, the impact of agronomic biofortification on Dutch cucumbers was studied by using different chemically modified SCGs, analyzing their effects on Zn content, the release of antioxidant capacity and the production of short-chain fatty acids after in vitro digestion–fermentation. The results indicated variations in the Zn content and chemical composition of cucumbers according to the treatment groups. The functionalized with Zn and activated SCGs were able to increase Zn levels in cucumbers. Meanwhile, the activated hydrochar obtained at 160 °C and the activated and functionalized with Zn SCGs showed the highest Zn supply per serving. Differences in the antioxidant capacity and short-chain fatty acid production were observed between the groups. It is concluded that the growing conditions and the presence of Zn may significantly influence the contribution of these cucumbers to the dietary intake of nutrients and antioxidants, which could have important implications for human health and nutrition.

El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar un inventario de los macroinvertebrados bentónicos y describir su estructura espacial en 15 playas de la costa oriental de Cuba. Se registró un total de 30 especies de las cuales ocho son poliquetos, ocho moluscos, 13 crustáceos y un cefalocordado. Las especies con mayor abundancia relativa fueron Donax striatus, D. denticulatus, Parhyalella nisbetae, Thalorchestia fritzi, Eurydice convexa, Emerita talpoida y Ocypode quadrata. En la zona supralitoral se encontraron solo cuatro especies. De ellas tres aparecen también en la zona intermareal. En la zona intermareal se presenta la mayor riqueza de especies (21); mientras en la zona sublitoral se encontraron 13 especies. Las playas protegidas con ambiente estuarino presentaron una mayor riqueza de especies que las expuestas con influencia oceánica. Esto pudiera estar dado a que las playas protegidas estuarinas reciben menor energía del oleaje y mayor aporte de nutrientes, lo que crea un ambiente más favorable para un mayor número de especies. La separación de las playas en dos grupos por medio de los análisis de ordenación y agrupamiento puede tener implicaciones para el manejo en cuanto a su uso y protección.

Sexual and reproductive rights are protected in Colombia by the 1991 Political Constitution,1 meaning that it is the State's responsibility to guarantee their fulfillment. For decades, health professionals had trouble understanding that, and when a patient asked us for a definitive contraceptive method, we tried to dissuade them from using it. However, we have learned that our role in this area is to advise and not to create barriers, nor to impose limits on age or number of children because, as established in Law 1412 of 2010,2 people have the right to make responsible and free decisions about how many children they want to have or whether they even want to have children at all. Therefore, vasectomy and tubal ligation should be promoted and their performance should be authorized at no cost for the patient.

Abstract Background 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) identifies carotid plaque inflammation and predicts stroke recurrence. Aim Our aim was to evaluate the performance of soluble low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (sLRP1) as an indicator of carotid plaque inflammation. Methods A prospective study was conducted among adult patients with recent (

Abstract Scarce data have been reported about cellular immunity and longevity for different COVID-19 vaccination schedules. We carried out a prospective study enrolling 709 healthcare workers receiving two doses of mRNA-1273, BNT162b2, ChAdOx1, ChAdOx1/BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 single dose to compare humoral and cellular immunogenicity across 9 months. Higher SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody levels were observed among individuals with hybrid immunity with one dose of any vaccine in comparison to uninfected individuals receiving two doses (mRNA-1273: 20,145 vs 4295 U/mL; BNT162b2: 15,659 vs 1959 U/mL; ChAdOx1: 5344 vs 2230 U/mL), except for ChAdOx1/BNT162b2 heterologous schedule (12,380 U/mL). Naturally infected individuals did not increase substantially the titers after the second dose and showed higher levels throughout the 9 months follow-up. The mean elimination half-life of antibodies among COVID-19 naïve participants was 98, 111, 60 and 36 days, for mRNA-1273, BNT162b2, ChAdOx1/ChAdOx1 and ChAdOx1/BNT162b2, respectively. Cellular immunity was preserved in 96%, 98%, 88% and 92% of uninfected individuals who received mRNA-1273, BNT162b2, ChAdOx1/ChAdOx1 and ChAdOx1/BNT162b2 after 6/9 months. Individuals with specific T cells showed robust long lasting protection, especially when m-RNA based vaccines are inoculated. These data may influence the validity of the vaccination passport and the need for booster vaccinations.

Data centres increase their size and complexity due to the increasing amount of heterogeneous workloads and patterns to be served. Such a mix of various purpose workloads makes the optimisation of resource management systems according to temporal or application-level patterns difficult. Data-centre operators have developed multiple resource-management models to improve scheduling performance in controlled scenarios. However, the constant evolution of the workloads makes the utilisation of only one resource-management model sub-optimal in some scenarios.In this work, we propose: (a) a machine learning regression model based on gradient boosting to predict the time a resource manager needs to schedule incoming jobs for a given period; and (b) a resource management model, Boost, that takes advantage of this regression model to predict the scheduling time of a catalogue of resource managers so that the most performant can be used for a time span.The benefits of the proposed resource-management model are analysed by comparing its scheduling performance KPIs to those provided by the two most popular resource-management models: two-level, used by Apache Mesos, and shared-state, employed by Google Borg. Such gains are empirically evaluated by simulating a hyper-scale data centre that executes a realistic synthetically generated workload that follows real-world trace patterns.

Background Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the technique of choice in the study of mediastinal and hilar lesions; however, it can be affected by the insufficiency of intact biopsy samples, which might decrease its diagnostic yield for certain conditions, thus requiring re-biopsies or additional diagnostic procedures such as mediastinoscopy when the probability of malignancy remains high. Our objectives were to 1) attempt to reproduce this technique in the same conditions that we performed EBUS-TBNA, i.e. in the bronchoscopy suite and under moderate sedation; 2) describe the method used for its execution; 3) determine its feasibility by accessing different lymph node stations applying our method; and 4) analyse the diagnostic yield and its complications. Methods This was a prospective study of 50 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (TMC) in a single procedure using a 22-G TBNA needle and a 1.1-mm cryoprobe subsequently between January and August 2022. Patients with mediastinal lesions >1 cm were recruited, and EBUS-TBNA and TMC were performed in the same lymph node station. Results The diagnostic yield was 82% and 96% for TBNA and TMC, respectively. Diagnostic yields were similar for sarcoidosis, while cryobiopsy was more sensitive than TBNA in lymphomas and metastatic lymph nodes. As for complications, there was no pneumothorax and in no case was there significant bleeding. There were no complications during the procedure or in the follow-up of these patients. Conclusions TMC following our method is a minimally invasive, rapid and safe technique that can be performed in a bronchoscopy suite under moderate sedation, with a higher diagnostic yield than EBUS-TBNA, especially in cases of lymphoproliferative disorders and metastatic lymph nodes or when more biopsy sample is needed for molecular determinations.

Iron biofortification has been of main interest for tackling iron deficiency anemia, one of the highest prevalence among micronutrient deficiencies (hidden hunger) in developing countries. This study investigated the effect of activated spent coffee grounds (SCG) and its hydrochars at three temperatures (160°C, 180°C, 200°C) as bio-chelates to level up the iron content of lettuce. Four bio-chelates (ASCG-Fe, AH160-Fe, AH180-Fe and AH200-Fe) were obtained by activation and Fe-functionalization. A pot trial was conducted at doses of 0.2% of the bio-chelates on lettuce with two controls: soil without biofortifying agents (control) and a commercial chelate (control-Fe). Outcomes showed no significant differences (p

Antennas should be small enough to fit in the limited space of IoT devices and, at the same time, with multi-band operation across several bands as well as ensure stability when embedded in a device. In this regard, two different technologies are compared: antenna booster and flexible printed circuit antenna. A comparison is addressed from measured results in terms of efficiency, concluding that despite the antenna booster is more than fifty times smaller in area, it provides better efficiency across the frequency range of 698–960 MHz and 1710–2690 MHz across three different printed circuit boards (PCB): a big PCB of 131 mm × 60 mm, a medium PCB of 95 mm × 42 mm, and a small PCB of 65 mm × 42 mm. Moreover, the flexible printed antenna depends on the mounting process, whereas the antenna booster does not.

Abstract Painful lesions on the plantar aspect of the first interphalangeal joint (IPJ) of the hallux can be attributed to structures called ossicles, nodules, or sesamoids. The aims of the present study were first to verify that ultrasonography (US) is a high-sensitivity tool for diagnosing an interphalangeal ossicle (IO), and second to prove that US-guided-shaving surgery (“milling”) is a safe and feasible technique for remodeling the IO. The study is divided into three parts. In the first part, the prevalence of IOs was estimated in 12 cadaver feet using US, anatomical dissection, and fluoroscopy. In the second, a detailed US and morphological description of the IO was obtained. In the third, six cadaver feet were subjected to surgical milling. IO prevalence was 41.6% in gross anatomy, 41.6% in US examination and just 16.6% in fluoroscopy. The ossicles had a mean length of 4 mm (± 2 mm) and a width of 7 mm (± 2 mm). The ossicles could be completely shaved in all specimens without injuring important anatomical structures. Our results indicate that US is a more precise tool for diagnosing an IO than X-ray. Moreover, our US-guided mini-invasive surgical technique appears feasible and safe.

Se describen dos especies nuevas del género Cerion Röding, 1878, procedentes una de ellas de la localidad costera Punta de Guanos, en la provincia Matanzas, y otra de Cayo La Raya, perteneciente a la provincia Holguín. Con estos reportes aumentan a 18 los táxones descritos para Matanzas, a 43 los descritos para Holguín, y en general a 158 los descritos para Cuba. Cerion irielii sp. nov., muestra como característica notable poseer una concha de gran tamaño en comparación con la mayoría de las descritas para el grupo, y un mayor grosor en la última vuelta; por su parte, Cerion maikei sp. nov., posee el mayor grosor en las cercanías de la región central, hacia la base del ápice y la superficie de la concha áspera al tacto, con hendiduras axiales.

IntroductionThe food industries play a fundamental role in feeding for the functions of animal metabolism. Fish feed extrusion cooking includes process-independent factors such as temperature (°C), screw speed (RPM), throughput, feed, and moisture content that influence the final product's nutritional value and physical properties. The evidence suggests that the application of hydrolyzed protein flour (HPH) is a crucial step for the techno-functional properties of the product. Therefore, this work aimed to study the effect of hydrolyzed protein meal from silage of trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on the parameters of the extrusion system and their physical transformations.MethodsIn this study, the influence of hydrolyzed protein meals ranges between 10 and 30% as a substitute for fish meals. The physical properties of the extrudate were monitored, evaluating the hardness, durability, buoyancy, expansion index, and apparent density.ResultsConsistent with this, parameters such as feed composition, screw speed, moisture content, and extrusion process affected the composition and properties of the final product.DiscussionThe physical properties indicated that the hydrolyzed protein flour presented cohesiveness and decreased the mean retention time in the extruder barrel and the specific mechanical energy (SME). Hydrolyzed protein flour during the extrusion process produces pellets with high durability and low hardness due to the high porosity presented, which allows for obtaining nutritional characteristics in the extruded product.

In contrast to the well-studied canonical regulatory mechanisms, the way by which the recently discovered Src N-terminal regulatory element (SNRE) modulates Src activity is not yet well understood. Phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues modulates the charge distribution along the disordered region of the SNRE and may affect a fuzzy complex with the SH3 domain that is believed to act as an information transduction element. The pre-existing positively charged sites can interact with the newly introduced phosphate groups by modulating their acidity, introducing local conformational restrictions, or by coupling various phosphosites into a functional unit. In this paper, we use pH-dependent NMR measurements combined with single point mutations to identify the interactions of basic residues with physiologically important phosphorylated residues and to characterize the effect of these interactions in neighbor residues, thus providing insight into the electrostatic network in the isolated disordered regions and in the entire SNRE. From a methodological point of view, the linear relationships observed between the mutation-induced pKa changes of the phosphate groups of phosphoserine and phosphothreonine and the pH-induced chemical shifts of the NH groups of these residues provide a very convenient alternative to identify interacting phosphate groups without the need to introduce point mutations on specific basic residues.

Resumen Introducción: El dolor lumbar es patología prevalente influida por factores ambientales y personales: edad, sexo, nivel educativo, estrés, apoyo social y riesgos laborales, entre otros. Es objetivo de este trabajo es valorar la repercusión de variables sociodemográficas en trabajadores con lumbalgia así como su impacto en discapacidad. Material y Método: Estudio descriptivo en 351 pacientes diagnosticados de dolor lumbar. Se valora la influencia de: edad, sexo, hábitos de vida y limitaciones con el test Oswestry. Resultados: Las personas que participan son mayoritariamente hombres (44.9), de edad media 41± 1, y un nivel de estudios elemental (47.4). Los hábitos de vida más saludables se dan entre la población joven (81.4%) y en las mujeres (82.6%), el consumo de tabaco aumenta con la edad (en >50 años el 55% es fumador) y las mujeres toman menos alcohol (40.1% no consume), pero practican menos ejercicio físico (diario el 6.6%). En jóvenes es más efectiva la fisioterapia (57.7%), mientras que los mayores combinan fármacos y fisioterapia (45%). La repercusión de lumbalgia en incapacidad aumenta con la edad, especialmente en mujeres y mantiene una relación positiva con el grado de discapacidad del Oswestry (p

Surgery for left-sided infective endocarditis (IE) has been demonstrated to improve patients’ survival rates but information about quality of life (QoL) after surgery is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the postoperative outcomes and QoL after surgery for IE patients compared to patients undergoing cardiac surgery for non-IE indications. Adult patients with definite acute left-sided IE were matched 1:1 to patients who underwent cardiac surgery for non-endocarditic purposes from 2014 to 2019. QoL was assessed using the SF-36 survey at the last follow-up. A total of 105 patients were matched. The IE group had higher rates of preoperative stroke (21% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.005) and higher stages of NYHA class (p < 0.001), EuroSCORE II (12.3 vs. 3.0, p < 0.001) and blood cell count abnormalities (p < 0.001). The IE group had higher incidence of low cardiac output syndrome (13.3% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.029), dialysis (10.5% vs 1.0%, p = 0.007) and prolonged mechanical ventilation (16.2% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.002) after surgery. At the last follow-up, subcomponents of the SF-36 QoL survey were not different between the groups. Patients who underwent cardiac surgery for IE demonstrated a higher risk profile with a higher rate of postoperative complications. Once recovered from the acute phase of the disease, the reported QoL at follow-up was comparable to that of matched cardiac patients operated for non-IE purposes.

In recent years, great interest has been shown in pseudocereals for their high nutritional value. Wet milling has been used to obtain macromolecules such as proteins and starches. However, the co-products obtained from this food industry have been studied little. A factorial design Box-benhken was used to study the effect of surfactant concentration (SDS), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration and maceration temperature on structural and colorimetric properties. Structural properties were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and color changes by the CIElab tristimulus method (L*, a*, b*). A decrease in temperature and NaOH causes a decrease in lightness (L*), resulting in lower starch content and higher protein content in the co-product. This behavior was correlated with the infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) spectra. The spectra show a possible structural change in the amylose/amylopectin ratio of the starch granule at 1,012 cm−1, 1,077 cm−1, and 1,150 cm−1 bands, which are associated with glycosidic bonds, these bonds were sensitive to NaOH concentration. While those bands assigned to Amide II (1,563 cm−1) and Amide I (1,633 cm−1), were sensitive to the effect of NaOH and maceration temperature, evidencing that protein content in the co-products is variable and depends significantly on the extraction conditions. The co-products obtained by wet milling could be used in the development of functional foods, such as bread, snacks, pasta and other products.

Se describen cinco especies nuevas del género Cerion Röding, 1878, procedentes cuatro de ellas de la provincia de Holguín, y una de la provincia de Guantánamo, aumentando a 156 las especies y subespecies descritas de Cuba. Como caracteres diagnósticos notables se mencionan para Cerion orteai sp. nov., con localidad tipo en Playa Baracutey, la presencia de dientes columelares y un diente parietal comparativamente más elevado; para Cerion naylae sp. nov., con localidad tipo en Playa Carmona, la ausencia de costillas en la mitad de la concha; para Cerion espinosai sp. nov., con localidad tipo en Playa Baracutey, la forma escalonada que adopta la concha en la zona de inserción sutural; para Cerion moralespradoi sp. nov., con localidad tipo en El Canto, un ápice redondeado y diente parietal bilobulado; y para Cerion harasewychi sp. nov., con localidad tipo en Rafael Freyre, la superficie de la concha con costillas tenues apenas perceptibles. Para todas estas especies se incluyen datos de anatomía interna asociados a la rádula y órganos reproductores.

The octanol-water partition coefficient (Po/w), or the octanol-water distribution coefficient (Do/w) for ionized compounds, is a key parameter in the drug development process. In a previous work, this parameter was estimated through the retention factor measurements in a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) - microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) system for acidic compounds. Nonetheless, when ionized basic compounds were analyzed, undesirable ion pairs were formed with the anionic surfactant and avoided a good estimation of log Do/w. For this reason, an alternative MEEKC system based on a cationic surfactant has been evaluated to estimate Po/w or Do/w of neutral compounds and ionized bases. To this end, it has been characterized through the solvation parameter model (SPM) and compared to the octanol-water partition system. Results pointed out that both systems show a similar partition behavior. Hence, the log Po/w of a set of neutral compounds has been successfully correlated against the logarithm of the retention factor (log k) determined in this MEEKC system. Then, the log Do/w of 6 model bases have been estimated at different pH values and they have been compared to data from the literature, determined by the reference shake-flask and potentiometric methods. Good agreement has been observed between the literature and the estimated values when the base is neutral or partially ionized (up to 99 % of ionization).

Road freight transport is one of the sectors with the highest greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption in the logistics industry. In recent years, due to the increase in carbon dioxide emissions, several companies have considered reducing them in their daily logistics operations by means of better routing management. Green vehicle routing problems (GVRPs) constitute a growing problem direction within the interplay of vehicle routing problems and environmental sustainability that aims to provide effective routes while considering environmental concerns. These NP-hard problems are one of the most studied ones in green logistics, and due to their difficulty, there are many different heuristic and hybrid techniques to solve them under the need of having high-quality solutions within reasonable computational time. Given the role and importance of these methods, this review aims at providing a comprehensive overview of them while reviewing their defining strategies and components. In addition, we analyze characteristics and problem components related to how emissions are being considered. Lastly, we map and analyze the benchmarks proposed so far for the different GVRP variants considering emissions.

Owing to the high risk of recurrence, identifying indicators of carotid plaque vulnerability in atherothrombotic ischemic stroke is essential. In this study, we aimed to identify modified LDLs and antioxidant enzymes associated with plaque vulnerability in plasma from patients with a recent ischemic stroke and carotid atherosclerosis. Patients underwent an ultrasound, a CT-angiography, and an 18F-FDG PET. A blood sample was obtained from patients (n = 64, 57.8% with stenosis ≥50%) and healthy controls (n = 24). Compared to the controls, patients showed lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (apoB), apoA-I, apoA-II, and apoE, and higher levels of apoJ. Patients showed lower platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) enzymatic activities in HDL, and higher plasma levels of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and electronegative LDL (LDL(−)). The only difference between patients with stenosis ≥50% and p < 0.033), the presence of hypoechoic plaque (OR: 7.52, CI: 1.26–44.83, p < 0.027), and of diffuse neovessels (OR: 10.77, CI: 1.21–95.93, p < 0.033), indicating that an increased proportion of LDL(−) is associated with vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally through their interaction with the 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTR) of target mRNAs, affecting their stability and/or translation. Therefore, miRNAs regulate biological processes such as signal transduction, cell death, autophagy, metabolism, development, cellular proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulated expression of microRNAs is associated with infectious diseases, where miRNAs modulate important aspects of the parasite–host interaction. Helminths are parasitic worms that cause various neglected tropical diseases affecting millions worldwide. These parasites have sophisticated mechanisms that give them a surprising immunomodulatory capacity favoring parasite persistence and establishment of infection. In this review, we analyze miRNAs in infections caused by helminths, emphasizing their role in immune regulation and its implication in diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of therapeutic strategies.

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are produced in massive amounts throughout the world as a bio-residue from coffee brewing. However, SCG are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, bioactive compounds and melanoidins, which are macromolecules with chelating properties. Additionally, SCG have showed potential applications in several fields such as biotechnology (bioethanol, volatile aromatic compounds, carotenoids, fungi and enzymes), energy production (combustion, pyrolysis, torrefaction, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization) and environmental sciences (composting). This review will focus on the last of these applications. SCG improve soil quality by increasing their chemical, physicochemical, physical properties and biological fertility. However, SCG inhibit plant growth at very low concentrations (1%) due to i. the stimulation of microbial growth and consequent competition for soil nitrogen between soil microorganisms and plant roots; ii. the presence of phytotoxic compounds in SCG, such as polyphenols. The SCG transformations that have proven to eliminate these compounds are vermicomposting and pyrolysis at 400 °C. However, it has been pointed out by some studies that these compounds are responsible for the chelating properties of SCG, which makes their elimination not recommended. The use of SCG as biochelates has also been studied, generating a residue–micronutrient mixture for the biofortification of edible plants.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues as the most important cause of mortality. Better risk screening and prediction are needed to reduce the cardiovascular disease burden. The aim of the study was to assess the role of serum biomarkers in the prediction of CVD among asymptomatic middle-aged adults with no prior CVD history. A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out using literature from PubMed and following PRISMA reporting guidelines. Twenty-five studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. The most commonly studied biomarker was high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) (10 studies), which showed that higher hs-CRP levels are associated with an increased risk of subsequent CVD events and mortality. In addition, several less-studied biomarkers (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), fibrinogen, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and others) also showed significant associations with greater future risk of CVD. A meta-analysis was possible to perform for hs-CRP and NT-proBNP, which showed statistically significant results for the ability of hs-CRP (hazard ratio (HR) 1.19, (95% CI: 1.09–1.30), p < 0.05) and NT-proBNP (HR 1.22, (1.13–1.32), p < 0.05) to predict incident CVD among middle-aged adults without a prior CVD history or symptoms. Several serum biomarkers, particularly hs-CRP and NT-proBNP, have the potential to improve primary CVD risk prevention among asymptomatic middle-aged adults.

Introduction Cough is a common symptom of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. However, objectively measuring its frequency and evolution is hindered by the lack of reliable and scalable monitoring systems. This can be overcome by newly developed artificial intelligence models that exploit the portability of smartphones. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, cough detection for respiratory disease syndromic surveillance represents a simple means for early outbreak detection and disease surveillance. In this protocol, we evaluate the ability of population-based digital cough surveillance to predict the incidence of respiratory diseases at population level in Navarra, Spain, while assessing individual determinants of uptake of these platforms.Methods and analysis Participants in the Cendea de Cizur, Zizur Mayor or attending the local University of Navarra (Pamplona) will be invited to monitor their night-time cough using the smartphone app Hyfe Cough Tracker. Detected coughs will be aggregated in time and space. Incidence of COVID-19 and other diagnosed respiratory diseases within the participants cohort, and the study area and population will be collected from local health facilities and used to carry out an autoregressive moving average analysis on those independent time series. In a mixed-methods design, we will explore barriers and facilitators of continuous digital cough monitoring by evaluating participation patterns and sociodemographic characteristics. Participants will fill an acceptability questionnaire and a subgroup will participate in focus group discussions.Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was obtained from the ethics committee of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Canada and the Medical Research Ethics Committee of Navarre, Spain. Preliminary findings will be shared with civil and health authorities and reported to individual participants. Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and international conferences.Trial registration number NCT04762693.

Summary: The interplay between the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) and the gasotransmitter nitric oxide (NO) regulates seed germination and post-germinative seedling growth. We show that GAP1 (germination in ABA and cPTIO 1) encodes the transcription factor ANAC089 with a critical membrane-bound domain and extranuclear localization. ANAC089 mutants lacking the membrane-tethered domain display insensitivity to ABA, salt, and osmotic and cold stresses, revealing a repressor function. Whole-genome transcriptional profiling and DNA-binding specificity reveals that ANAC089 regulates ABA- and redox-related genes. ANAC089 truncated mutants exhibit higher NO and lower ROS and ABA endogenous levels, alongside an altered thiol and disulfide homeostasis. Consistently, translocation of ANAC089 to the nucleus is directed by changes in cellular redox status after treatments with NO scavengers and redox-related compounds. Our results reveal ANAC089 to be a master regulator modulating redox homeostasis and NO levels, able to repress ABA synthesis and signaling during Arabidopsis seed germination and abiotic stress.

Abstract Objective To determine the cutoffs that optimized the agreement between 18F‐Florbetapir positron emission tomography (PET) and Aβ1‐42, Aβ1‐40, tTau, pTau and their ratios measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the LUMIPULSE G600II instrument, we quantified the levels of these four biomarkers in 94 CSF samples from participants of the Sant Pau Initiative on Neurodegeneration (SPIN cohort) using the Lumipulse G System with available 18F‐Florbetapir imaging. Methods Participants had mild cognitive impairment (n = 35), AD dementia (n = 12), other dementias or neurodegenerative diseases (n = 41), or were cognitively normal controls (n = 6). Levels of Aβ1‐42 were standardized to certified reference material. Amyloid scans were assessed visually and through automated quantification. We determined the cutoffs of CSF biomarkers that optimized their agreement with 18F‐Florbetapir PET and evaluated concordance between markers of the amyloid category. Results Aβ1‐42, tTau and pTau (but not Aβ1‐40) and the ratios with Aβ1‐42 had good diagnostic agreement with 18F‐Florbetapir PET. As a marker of amyloid pathology, the Aβ1‐42/Aβ1‐40 ratio had higher agreement and better correlation with amyloid PET than Aβ1‐42 alone. Interpretation CSF biomarkers measured with the Lumipulse G System show good agreement with amyloid imaging in a clinical setting with heterogeneous presentations of neurological disorders. Combination of Aβ1‐42 with Aβ1‐40 increases the agreement between markers of amyloid pathology.

A ready-to-eat cereal processed by a twin-screw extrusion was formulated, using flour and bran from a quality protein maize (QPM) variety and a zinc biofortified rice. The effect of variation of the content of bran in the formulation on the physical quality of the extruded product was studied. The maize-rice meal mixtures contained rice and maize bran formulated at two levels, 25 and 30 % of the total; within the bran mixture the rice bran content was formulated at levels ranging from 0 to 10 %. Physical characteristics of the extrudates such as expansion ratio (ER) and crispness work indicator (WC), were determined. The treatments with lower content of rice bran showed a better behavior, in terms of the physical variables. The products with higher ER and lower WC had desirable sensorial characteristics. Analysis of the extrudates confirmed an increased content of Zn, lysine, tryptophan in relation to raw materials.