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Hydraulic turbines have been elements of utmost importance to meet the energy needs of communities worldwide. These are used with elements that improve the flow behavior of water to the turbine so that its energy benefits are improved. Spiral chambers are circular elements where their cross-section is constantly changing and are used in reaction turbines, such as Francis turbines. Their main function is to distribute evenly the fluid into the impeller inlet. This paper sought to use engineering simulation tools (ANSYS - CFX) to compare behavior and performance from a discreet continuous spiral chamber in a virtual environment under the same physical operating conditions, providing a comparative view of the performance present between the two manufacturing methods of spiral chambers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) rate after surgery for hip fracture is about 4%. The aim of the present study was to review the efficacy of dual prophylaxis using teicoplanin plus cefuroxime and risk factors for SSI.Patients: Operations for hip fracture from 2012 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant information was gathered: Demographics, comorbidities, ASA score, laterality, type of fracture, type of surgery, d from admission to surgery, length of surgery, hemoglobin value at admission, urinary or respiratory infections, and the need for pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Prophylaxis consisted of cefuroxime and teicoplanin during the induction of anesthesia. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for superficial and deep SSI were applied. Univariate and multivariable analysis were performed.Results: Six hundred fifty-seven patients were included in the study. Thirteen (2.0%) SSI were identified, six superficial (0.9%), and seven deep (1.1%). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in two infections (one superficial and one deep). The SSI rate was 2.4% in intra-medullary nails (n = 334), 1.4% in prostheses (n = 211), and 1.8% in other synthesis (n = 112). Parameters independently associated with SSI were: Intra-operative RBC transfusion (OR: 11.6, p = 0.002), length of surgery >120 min (OR: 4.5, p = 0.02), and having a urinary infection (OR: 4.28, p = 0.02).Conclusion: Dual prophylaxis including cefuroxime and teicoplanin was associated with a 2% rate of SSI. Staphylococcus aureus caused only two SSIs. Reducing SSI is of utmost importance for patients' quality of life and to avoid additional cost of surgical procedures. Therefore, more experience with dual prophylaxis is needed to confirm our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the incidence of ALK translocations in patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC in Spain, to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients, and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatment with crizotinib in a real-world setting. This is an observational prospective and retrospective cohort study to determine the incidence of ALK translocations and to analyze the effectiveness and safety of crizotinib in a real-world setting. Patient characteristics, treatment patterns, time to best overall response, duration of treatment, objective response rates (ORR), rates of adverse events (AE), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in the ALK study cohort of patients treated with crizotinib (prospective and retrospective). ALK incidence and quality of life (QoL) questionnaires were measured from patients included in the prospective cohort. The incidence of ALK translocations was 5.5 % (31 of 559 patients). Compared with ALK -negative patients, ALK -positive patients were significantly younger, predominantly female, and non-smokers. In the crizotinib effectiveness and safety study, 91 patients (42 prospective, 49 retrospective) with ALK -positive NSCLC (43.9 % in first-line, 56.1 % in second or more lines) were included. The ORR was 59.3 % and the median duration of response was 13.5 months (IQR, 5.3–26.2). The median PFS was 15.8 months (95 % CI, 11.8–22.3) and the median OS was 46.5 months, with 53 patients (58.2 %) still alive at data cut-off date. Frequently reported AEs included elevated transaminases, gastrointestinal disorders, and asthenia. Most patients (76.5 %) reported improved or stable scores for global QoL during treatment. The observed incidence of ALK translocations in NSCLC patients is aligned with published reports. This analysis of the real-world clinical experience in Spain confirms the therapeutic benefit and safety of crizotinib in advanced/metastatic ALK -positive NSCLC. Clinicaltrials.gov : NCT02679170. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very large high dimensional data are common nowadays and they impose new challenges to data-driven and data-intensive algorithms. Computational Intelligence techniques have the potential to provide powerful tools for addressing these challenges, but the current literature focuses mainly on handling scalability issues related to data volume in terms of sample size for classification tasks. This work presents a systematic and comprehensive approach for optimally handling regression tasks with very large high dimensional data. The proposed approach is based on smart sampling techniques for minimizing the number of samples to be generated by using an iterative approach that creates new sample sets until the input and output space of the function to be approximated are optimally covered. Incremental function learning takes place in each sampling iteration, the new samples are used to fine tune the regression results of the function learning algorithm. The accuracy and confidence levels of the resulting approximation function are assessed using the probably approximately correct computation framework. The smart sampling and incremental function learning techniques can be easily used in practical applications and scale well in the case of extremely large data. The feasibility and good results of the proposed techniques are demonstrated using benchmark functions as well as functions from real-world problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an approach for cloud parameter retrieval (radiometric cloud-fraction estimation) using the polarization measurements of the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2 (GOME-2) onboard the MetOp-A/B satellites. The core component of the Optical Cloud Recognition Algorithm (OCRA) is the calculation of monthly cloud-free reflectances for a global grid (resolution of 0.2° in longitude and 0.2° in latitude) to derive radiometric cloud fractions. These cloud fractions will serve as a priori information for the retrieval of cloud-top height (CTH), cloud-top pressure (CTP), cloud-top albedo (CTA) and cloud optical thickness (COT) with the Retrieval Of Cloud Information using Neural Networks (ROCINN) algorithm. This approach is already being implemented operationally for the GOME/ERS-2 and SCIAMACHY/ENVISAT sensors and here we present version 3.0 of the OCRA algorithm applied to the GOME-2 sensors. Based on more than five years of GOME-2A data (April 2008 to June 2013), reflectances are calculated for ≈35 000 orbits. For each measurement a degradation correction as well as a viewing-angle-dependent and latitudedependent correction is applied. In addition, an empirical correction scheme is introduced in order to remove the effect of oceanic sun glint. A comparison of the GOME-2A/B OCRA cloud fractions with colocated AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) geometrical cloud fractions shows a general good agreement with a mean difference of -0.15±0.20. From an operational point of view, an advantage of the OCRA algorithm is its very fast computational time and its straightforward transferability to similar sensors like OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument), TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) on Sentinel 5 Precursor, as well as Sentinel 4 and Sentinel 5. In conclusion, it is shown that a robust, accurate and fast radiometric cloud-fraction estimation for GOME-2 can be achieved with OCRA using polarization measurement devices (PMDs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethanol consumption during pregnancy may induce profound changes in fetal CNS development. We postulate that some of the effects of ethanol on striatal glutamatergic transmission and neurotrophin expression could be modulated by allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid modulator of GABAA receptor activity. We describe the acute pharmacological effect of allopregnanolone (65 μg/kg, s.c.) administered to juvenile male rats (day 21 of age) on the corticostriatal glutamatergic pathway, in both control and prenatally ethanol-exposed rats (two ip injections of 2.9 g/kg in 24% v/v saline solution on gestational day 8). Prenatal ethanol administration decreased the K+-induced release of glutamate regarding the control group. Interestingly, this effect was reverted by allopregnanolone. Regarding BDNF, allopregnanolone decreases the content of this neurotrophic factor in the striatum of control groups. However, both ethanol alone and ethanol plus allopregnanolone treated animals did not show any change regarding control values. We suggest that prenatal ethanol exposure may produce an alteration of GABAA receptors which blocks the GABA agonist-like effect of allopregnanolone on rapid glutamate release, thus disturbing normal neural transmission. Furthermore, the reciprocal interactions found between GABAergic neurosteroids and BDNF could underlie mechanisms operating during the neuronal plasticity of fetal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposal of this paper is to introduce a low-level blockchain marketplace, which is a blockchain where participants could share its power generation and demand. To achieve this implementation in a secure way for each actor in the network, we proposed to deploy it over efficient and generic low-performance devices. Thus, they are installed as IoT devices, registering measurements each fifteen minutes, and also acting as blockchain nodes for the marketplace. Nevertheless, it is necessary that blockchain is lightweight, so it is implemented as a specific consensus protocol that allows each node to have enough time and computer requirements to act both as an IoT device and a blockchain node. This marketplace will be ruled by Smart Contracts deployed inside the blockchain. With them, it is possible to make registers for power generation and demand. This low-level marketplace could be connected to other services to execute matching algorithms from the data stored in the blockchain. Finally, a real test-bed implementation of the marketplace was tested, to confirm that it is technically feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of abatacept (ABA) in monotherapy (ABAMONO) vs combined ABA [ABA plus MTX (ABAMTX) or ABA plus non-MTX conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) (ABANON-MTX)] in RA patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) (RA-ILD). Methods This was a restrospective multicentre study of RA-ILD Caucasian patients treated with ABA. We analysed in the three groups (ABAMONO, ABAMTX, ABANON-MTX) the following outcome variables: (i) dyspnoea; (ii) forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion capacity of the lung for the carbon monoxide (DLCO); (iii) chest high-resolution CT (HRCT); (iv) DAS28-ESR; (v) CS-sparing effect; and (vi) ABA retention and side-effects. Differences between basal and final follow-up were evaluated. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the differences between the three groups. Results We studied 263 RA-ILD patients (mean ± s. d. age 64.6 ± 10 years) [ABAMONO (n  = 111), ABAMTX (n  = 46) and ABANON-MTX (n  = 106)]. At baseline, ABAMONO patients were older (67 ± 10 years) and took higher prednisone dose [10 (interquartile range 5–15) mg/day]. At that time, there were no statistically significant differences in sex, seropositivity, ILD patterns, FVC and DLCO, or disease duration. Following treatment, in all groups, most patients experienced stabilization or improvement in FVC, DLCO, dyspnoea and chest HRCT as well as improvement in DAS28-ESR. A statistically significant difference between basal and final follow-up was only found in CS-sparing effect in the group on combined ABA (ABAMTX or ABANON-MTX). However, in the multivariable analysis, there were no differences in any outcome variables between the three groups. Conclusion In Caucasian individuals with RA-ILD, ABA in monotherapy or combined with MTX or with other conventional-DMARDs seems to be equally effective and safe. However, a CS-sparing effect is only observed with combined ABA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landscape anthropization has been identified as one of the main drivers of pathogen emergence worldwide, facilitating pathogen spillover between domestic species and wildlife. The present study investigated Carnivore protoparvovirus‐1 infection using molecular methods in 98 free‐ranging wild guignas (Leopardus guigna) and 262 co‐occurring owned, free‐roaming rural domestic cats. We also assessed landscape anthropization variables as potential drivers of infection. Protoparvovirus DNA was detected in guignas across their entire distribution range, with observed prevalence of 13.3% (real‐time PCR) and 9% (conventional PCR) in guignas, and 6.1% (conventional PCR) in cats. Prevalence in guigna did not vary depending on age, sex, study area or landscape variables. Prevalence was higher in juvenile cats (16.7%) than in adults (4.4%). Molecular characterization of the virus by amplification and sequencing of almost the entire vp2 gene (1,746 bp) from one guigna and five domestic cats was achieved, showing genetic similarities to canine parvovirus 2c (CPV‐2c) (one guigna and one cat), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) (one cat), CPV‐2 (no subtype identified) (two cats), CPV‐2a (one cat). The CVP‐2c‐like sequence found in a guigna clustered together with domestic cat and dog CPV‐2c sequences from South America, suggesting possible spillover from a domestic to a wild species as the origin of infection in guigna. No clinical signs of disease were found in PCR‐positive animals except for a CPV‐2c‐infected guigna, which had haemorrhagic diarrhoea and died a few days after arrival at a wildlife rescue centre. Our findings reveal widespread presence of Carnivore protoparvovirus‐1 across the guigna distribution in Chile and suggest that virus transmission potentially occurs from domestic to wild carnivores, causing severe disease and death in susceptible wild guignas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after femoral neck fracture is associated with a higher mortality, morbidity and economic costs. Although is well known that the presence of a postsurgical haematoma is associated with infection, in our knowledge there are no articles evaluating the contamination of the femoral neck fracture haematoma and the possible relationship with early postoperative PJI. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of positive cultures from haematoma in patients with femoral neck fracture and the relationship with early PJI. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed. All patients who underwent hip hemiarthroplasty for a femoral neck fracture from April’08 to February’09 were included. Three samples were taken just after the arthrotomy, a tissue sample, a swab of haematoma and blood of haematoma inoculated into blood culture flasks. Patients received the standard prophylaxis. Results: A total of 109 patients were treated during this period in our center, 16 were excluded for mistakes during taking samples or for receiving extra antibiotic treatment after or before the surgery of the fracture. In 29 patients (31.2%) one or more intraoperative cultures were positive. Four patients developed an early PJI caused by Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) in all cases. The early PJI rate in the group of patients with negative intraopertive cultures was 3.1% while in the group with one or more positive cultures was 6.9% (p =0.3). In 3 cases the haematoma was contaminated with a GNB. The PJI rate in patients with intraoperative cultures positive for a GNB was 66.6% (2/3) while in the group of patients without a GNB the infection rate was 2.2% (2/89, p =0.004, Fisher exact-test). Furthermore in these two patients the microorganism that caused the PJI was the same that had been isolated from the haematoma. Conclusion: The haematoma in femoral neck fractures was contaminated in 31.2% of cases before surgery. The contamination of the haematoma with a GNB was associated with a higher risk of early postoperative PJI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We introduce an approach to fMRI analysis based on the Endmember Induction Heuristic Algorithm (EIHA). This algorithm uses the Lattice Associative Memory (LAM) to detect Lattice Independent vectors, which can be assumed to be Affine Independent, and therefore candidates to be the endmembers of the data. Induced endmembers are used to compute the activation levels of voxels as result of an unmixing process. The endmembers correspond to diverse activation patterns, one of these activation patterns corresponds to the resting state of the neuronal tissue. The on-line working of the algorithm does not need neither a previous training process nor a priori models of the data. Results on a case study compare with the results given by the state of art SPM software. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The histology of periprosthetic tissue is a gold standard for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection. However, the specificity and sensitivity of histology has never been 100%. In the present study we hypothesized that the type of microorganism could be related to the effectiveness of histology in the detection of infection. Frozen sections and cultures from periprosthetic tissue of 38 revision arthroplasties taken at the time of resection arthroplasty for the treatment of infection were retrospectively reviewed. Frozen sections were evaluated following Feldman’s criteria. A culture was considered positive when the same microorganism was isolated in at least two samples or when pus was present around the prosthesis. The literature providing information on histology and microbiology of arthroplasty-associated infection was reviewed. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) was the etiology in 13 cases, Gram-negative bacilli in 8, Staphylococcus aureus in 7 , Candida sp in 2, Peptococcus sp in 2, Enterococcus sp in 1 and S. pneumoniae in 1. No microorganism was isolated in four cases. Almost all the frozen sections in the 38 cases were positive except in 2 of the 13 that were caused by CNS (15.3%). The articles reviewed supported our findings. Frozen section is a useful test to intraoperatively confirm an infection when preoperative septic loosening is suspected. However, histology has false-negative results when the infection is due to low-virulence microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method of generating two-dimensional and three-dimensional cloud fields is presented, which share several important statistical properties with real measured cloud fields. Well-known algorithms such as the Fourier method and the Bounded Cascade method generate fields with a specified Fourier spectrum. The new iterative method allows for the specification of both the power spectrum and the amplitude distribution of the parameter of interest, e.g. the liquid water content or liquid water path. As such, the method is well suited to generate cloud fields based on measured data, and it is able to generate broken cloud fields. Important applications of such cloud fields are e.g. closure studies. The algorithm can be supplied with additional spatial constraints which can reduce the number of measured cases needed for such studies. In this study the suitability of the algorithm for radiative questions is evaluated by comparing the radiative properties of cloud fields from cloud resolving models of cumulus and stratocumulus with their surrogate fields at nadir, and for a solar zenith angle of 0° and 60°. The cumulus surrogate clouds ended up to be identical to the large eddy simulation (LES) clouds on which they are based, except for translations and reflections. The root mean square differences of the stratocumulus transmittance and reflectance fields are less than 0.03% of the radiative budget. The radiances and mean actinic fluxes fit better than 2%. These results demonstrate that these LES clouds are well described from a radiative point of view, using only a power spectrum together with an amplitude distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Blood samples from patients with pancreatic diseases have been analysed to identify predictive RNA-based variants. These variants are not subject to changes in the environment, as is the case for gene expression or metabolic. The variants served together with CA19-9 as input to deep learning for a cohort of 268 patients with pancreatic diseases. Of these patients, 183 patients had pancreatic cancer and 85 from chronic pancreatitis. Among others, we were able to define a set of variants, which were able to differentiate resected pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatitis with an area under the curve of (AUC) of 96%. Due to the ease of our approach and the wide availability of the used method, it will have a broad impact on the clinical routine. Suspicious patients are only subjected to a blood draw of 2.5 mL blood, and the specimen can then be sent at room temperature to a specialised laboratory. For optimal pancreatic cancer treatment, early and accurate diagnosis is vital. Blood-derived biomarkers and genetic predispositions can contribute to early diagnosis, but they often have limited accuracy or applicability. Here, we seek to exploit the synergy between them by combining the biomarker CA19-9 with RNA-based variants. We use deep sequencing and deep learning to improve differentiating pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis. We obtained samples of nucleated cells found in peripheral blood from 268 patients suffering from resectable, non-resectable pancreatic cancer, and chronic pancreatitis. We sequenced RNA with high coverage and obtained millions of variants. The high-quality variants served as input together with CA19-9 values to deep learning models. Our model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 96% in differentiating resectable cancer from pancreatitis using a test cohort. Moreover, we identified variants to estimate survival in resectable cancer. We show that the blood transcriptome harbours variants, which can substantially improve noninvasive clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has overloaded national health services worldwide. Thus, early identification of patients at risk of poor outcomes is critical. Our objective was to analyse SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in serum as a severity biomarker in COVID-19. Retrospective observational study including 193 patients admitted for COVID-19. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in serum (viremia) was performed with samples collected at 48–72 h of admission by two techniques from Roche and Thermo Fischer Scientific (TFS). Main outcome variables were mortality and need for ICU admission during hospitalization for COVID-19. Viremia was detected in 50–60% of patients depending on technique. The correlation of Ct in serum between both techniques was good (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.612; p < 0.001). Patients with viremia were older (p = 0.006), had poorer baseline oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2; p < 0.001), more severe lymphopenia (p < 0.001) and higher LDH (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p = 0.021), C-reactive protein (CRP; p = 0.022) and procalcitonin (p = 0.002) serum levels. We defined "relevant viremia" when detection Ct was < 34 with Roche and < 31 for TFS. These thresholds had 95% sensitivity and 35% specificity. Relevant viremia predicted death during hospitalization (OR 9.2 [3.8–22.6] for Roche, OR 10.3 [3.6–29.3] for TFS; p < 0.001). Cox regression models, adjusted by age, sex and Charlson index, identified increased LDH serum levels and relevant viremia (HR = 9.87 [4.13–23.57] for TFS viremia and HR = 7.09 [3.3–14.82] for Roche viremia) as the best markers to predict mortality. Viremia assessment at admission is the most useful biomarker for predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients. Viremia is highly reproducible with two different techniques (TFS and Roche), has a good consistency with other severity biomarkers for COVID-19 and better predictive accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human transformation of natural habitats facilitates pathogen transmission between domestic and wild species. The guigna (Leopardus guigna), a small felid found in Chile, has experienced habitat loss and an increased probability of contact with domestic cats. Here, we describe the interspecific transmission of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) between domestic cats and guignas and assess its correlation with human landscape perturbation. Blood and tissue samples from 102 free‐ranging guignas and 262 domestic cats were collected and analyzed by PCR and sequencing. Guigna and domestic cat FeLV and FIV prevalence were very similar. Phylogenetic analysis showed guigna FeLV and FIV sequences are positioned within worldwide domestic cat virus clades with high nucleotide similarity. Guigna FeLV infection was significantly associated with fragmented landscapes with resident domestic cats. There was little evidence of clinical signs of disease in guignas. Our results contribute to the understanding of the implications of landscape perturbation and emerging diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersed alkaline substrate (DAS) is a matured passive remediation technology that has shown very high performances treating acid mine drainages (AMD). However, this remediation approach needs to improve its environmental footprint as well as to ensure almost complete water sulfate removals for longs periods of time. The present study improves the use of witherite (BaCO 3) as a reagent on DAS-type treatments to induce highwater sulfate removals in the context of Andean AMD. Also, three CaCO 3 -rich residues from the agri-food industry were tested as alternatives to the current use of limestone. Two sets of column experiments were developed with various flow rates (1.5–5.4 L/day), net acidities (202 and 404 mg/L as CaCO 3 eq.) and reactive agents (calcite, eggshells, seashells and witherite). Seashells were validated as a perfect limestone substitutes on the CaCO 3 -DAS stages. Malachite was observed, for the first time within these columns, as a mineral phase actively involved in Cu water removal. The BaCO 3 -DAS columns achieved values under 500 mg/L of sulfate at the output of the system for up to 6 months (initial sulfate concentration ranged 1234–2468 mg/L). Upscaling calculations of the present results support the feasibility of using this technology at a full field scale, especially as a wastewater treatment for abandoned mine sites, although some strategies to reduce witherite costs are recommended. Image 1 • Sea- and eggshells proven as suitable alternatives to limestone on DAS systems. • Water high alkalinity and low Al/Cu ratios generates malachite in CaCO 3 -DAS columns. • Long-term removal of different loads of sulfate was achieved using BaCO 3 -DAS columns. • BaCO 3 -DAS upscaling is feasible under a circular economy strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, Distribution System Operators are increasing the digitalization of their smart grids, making it possible to measure and manage their state at any time. However, with the massive eruption of change-distributed generation (e.g., renewable resources, electric vehicles), the grid operation have become more complex, requiring specific technologies to balance it. In this sense, the demand-side management is one of its techniques; the demand response is a promising approach for providing Flexibility Services (FSs) and complying with the regulatory directives of the energy market. As a solution, this paper proposes the use of the OpenADR (Open Automated Demand Response) standard protocol in combination with a Decentralized Permissioned Market Place (DPMP) based on Blockchain. On one hand, OpenADR hierarchical architecture based on distributed nodes provides communication between stakeholders, adding monitoring and management services. Further, this architecture is compatible with an aggregator schema that guarantees the compliance with the strictest regulatory framework (i.e., European market). On the other hand, DPMP is included at different levels of this architecture, providing a global solution to Flexibility Service Providers (FSP) that can be adapted depending on the regulation of a specific country. As a proof of concept, this paper shows the result of a real experimental case, which implements a Capacity Bidding Program where the OpenADR protocol is used as a communication method to control and monitor energy consumption. In parallel, the proposed DPMP based on Blockchain makes it possible to manage the incentives of FSs, enabling the integration of local and global markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paraffinization is a conservation technique for cadaveric anatomical pieces. This article seeks to expose an appropriate protocol of the human brain paraffinization to facilitate the study of human anatomy; this process was carried out in the medical faculty of the Universidad Militar Nueva Granada and was developed through steps of fixation, dehydration, clarifying and paraffinization of three brains. It is concluded that the protocol used allows to preserve the anatomical pieces satisfactorily, preserving structures of the brain such as: convolutions, corpus callosum and cerebellum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined stunting, wasting, and obesity frequencies in a total 1092 2-to-12 year old Baka Pygmy children from anthropometric and health data gathered in 34 villages in the Djoum-Mintom region in southeastern Cameroon in four health campaigns in 2010 and 2017–9. We compare these to the WHO Child Growth Standards, Amazonian Tsiname growth references for inter-population comparisons and the study population itself. Population-specific growth charts were constructed using GAMLSS modelling. Our results show that Baka children have one of the highest global rates of stunting relative to the WHO child growth standard with 57.8% for 2-to-12 year olds and 64% and 73% for 2-to-4 year old girls and boys, respectively. Frequencies of wasting, overweight, and low BMI were low at 3.4%, 4.6% and 4.3%, respectively, for 2-to-12 year olds. Underweight was at 25.5%, in the upper range for sub-Saharan Africa. Edemas indicated rare severe malnutrition (0.3%). Uncertainties in age estimation had dramatic effects on the reliability of estimated individual z-scores but distributions of z-scores were robust at a population level. In the context of the recent evidence for genetic adaptation of the Pygmies' small stature to the tropical forest environment we argue that WHO child standards for weight and BMI are applicable. However, standards for height are clearly not adequate for Pygmy people. To achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals, we recommend that Pygmy specific growth standards are developed for the various, genetically differing Pygmy tribes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Caviahue-Copahue Volcanic Complex is one of the most studied active volcanic systems in the South American Andean range, and yet little research has focused on trace and rare-earth elements of waters, especially during an eruptive cycle. In this study, we sampled and investigated natural waters from 23 sites (involving the crater lake, hot springs, streams, rivers, and bubbling pools) in two campaigns in 2017 and 2018, using physicochemical parameters, major, trace and rare-earth elements concentrations. With this novel dataset, it was possible to identify, characterize and compare three groups of waters with distinctive hydrofacies. Indeed, the normalization of water compositions against host rock concentrations showed a particular trace element pattern for each group of waters. Although the absolute concentrations of the elements in each sampling site changed from 2017 to 2018, the normalized patterns did not. Boron, As, Cd, Tl, Se, and Te, commonly recognized as volatile, are the main trace elements that magmatic gases supply to the system headwaters, whereas elements such as Ca, K, and Ba are affected by precipitation of secondary minerals (gypsum, anhydrite, barite, jarosite, and alunite). Furthermore, the main river draining the summit volcano shows a steep decrease in As, Cr, and V concentrations correlated to the precipitation of Fe and Al hydroxysulfates (schwertmannite and basaluminite, respectively). Moreover, it is the first time that a comparison between the different water groups is made using the patterns of the rare-earth elements, allowing us to identify and separate depletion patterns due to dilution processes from those due to precipitation processes. • Volatile elements as As, B, Cd, Se, Tl, and Te are supply by magmatic gases. • As, V, and Cr co-precipitate with Al and Fe when the pH increases. • Copahue volcano activity has increase from 2017 to 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproductive potential of red porgy in coastal waters of Buenos Aires Province (Argentina) and Uruguay (34°-39°S) was studied by means of a macroscopic and histological analysis of the gonads. Length and age at first maturity were determined, and fecundity, spawning frequency and egg quality were estimated. The spawning season extended from spring through summer between October and January with a peak of spawning in December. Length and age at maturity for sexes combined was 24.5 cm TL and 1.54 years, respectively. Batch fecundity ranged from 6,974 (25 cm TL) to 110,725 (39 cm TL) hydrated oocytes and showed significant linear relationships with total length and ovary-free weight. Relative fecundity ranged from 16 to 172 oocytes per female gram (ovary free). Spawning frequency was 58.5% during January 2011, indicating that females spawned once every 1-2 days at the peak of the spawning season. The life history of red porgy in Argentina and Uruguay was characterized by a young age at first maturity and partial, almost daily, spawning in a bounded time period, a life history strategy that would facilitate population expansion or colonization of new areas, and high population recovery rates or growth (r). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large acetabular defects remain a challenge in hip revision arthroplasty. Experience with Trabecular Titanium¿ (TT) cups (Limacorporate S.p.a.) has not been widely reported. Therefore, we assessed the survivorship and clinical and radiological outcomes of patients receiving TT cups, with or without supplementary trabecular titanium hemispherical modules for acetabular reconstruction, in primary and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA).~Background~Background~Between January 2009 and July 2014, we performed 67 revisions and 5 primary THAs using TT cups in 69 patients. To achieve stability and/or restore the hip's centre of rotation, hemispherical modules were used in 17 cases based on preoperative templating and/or intraoperative findings. Mean follow-up was 30.5 months. Acetabular bone defects were classified according to the Paprosky classification. Survivorship, functional outcomes (Merle d'Aubigné) and radiological outcomes were analysed.~Methods~Methods~8 patients underwent cup revision: 2 for loosening, 3 for infection, and 3 for hip dislocation. The remaining cases did not present radiological signs of loosening. None of the cases with Paprosky type I classifications needed revision, while 4 with type II and 4 with type III needed revision (p = 0.028). The respective mean values for pain, walking, and range of motion (Merle d'Aubigné scores ± standard deviation) were 3.6 ± 1.4, 3.7 ± 0.7, and 3.8 ± 0.6 preoperatively, and 5.7 ± 0.7, 5.3 ± 0.7, and 5.6 ± 0.7 at the latest follow-up (p<0.001).~Results~Results~In the short term, results with TT cups appear to be encouraging, with satisfactory survival rates for both simple and complex cases.~Conclusions~Conclusions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis of colorectal cancer is closely linked to the occurrence of distant metastases. Systemic dissemination is most likely caused by circulating tumor cells (CTC). Despite the fundamental role of CTC within the metastatic cascade, technical obstacles have so far prevented detailed genomic and, in particular, phenotypic analyses of CTC, which may provide molecular targets to delay or prevent distant metastases. We show here a detailed genomic analysis of single colorectal cancer-derived CTC by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), mutational profiling, and microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis. Furthermore, we report the first gene expression analysis of manually selected colorectal cancer-derived CTC by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to investigate transcriptional changes, enabling CTC to survive in circulation and form distant metastases. aCGH confirmed the tumor cell identity of CellSearch-isolated colorectal cancer-derived CTC. Mutational and MSI analyses revealed mutational profiles of CTC to be similar, but not identical to the corresponding tumor tissue. Several CTC exhibited mutations in key genes such as KRAS or TP53 that could not be detected in the tumor. Gene expression analyses revealed both a pronounced upregulation of CD47 as a potential immune-escape mechanism and a significant downregulation of several other pathways, suggesting a dormant state of viable CTC. Our results suggest mutational heterogeneity between tumor tissue and CTC that should be considered in future trials on targeted therapy and monitoring of response. The finding of upregulated immune-escape pathways, which may be responsible for survival of CTC in circulation, could provide a promising target to disrupt the metastatic cascade in colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work we investigated how the neurosteroid allopregnanolone can modulate learning and memory processes. For this purpose, we used ovariectomized (OVX) rats subcutaneously injected with oestradiol benzoate (E) alone or E and progesterone (P). Then, rats were injected in dorsal hippocampus with allopregnanolone or vehicle. Animals were tested in inhibitory avoidance task (IA task). After behavioural test hippocampal mRNA expression and enzymatic activity of 3α-HOR, the enzyme responsible of allopregnanolone synthesis, were analysed. In IA task OVX-EP rats spent less time on platform, compared to those OVX or OVX-E. Regression analyses revealed that there was a significant negative relationship between E-P infusion and performance in this task. Pre-training allopregnanolone administration to OVX-EP rats increased the time spent on the platform. Interestingly, when enzymatic activity of 3α-HOR was tested, OVX-EP rats showed a significant decrease in the enzymatic activity, compared with OVX and OVX-E rats. In addition, OVX-EP group showed a significant increase in the enzymatic activity after intrahippocampal infusion of allopregnanolone. On the other hand, when mRNA expression of 3α-HOR was analysed no differences were observed when the hippocampal allopregnanolone injection was done. These results suggest that E and P have amnesic effects on female rats, being reversed by allopregnanolone through its modulation on hippocampal 3α-HOR activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Surgical navigation systems are offered to provide more precise implantation of the femoral component in hip resurfacing (HR), allowing to reduce the risk of malpositioning and of femoral neck fracture and notching. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 30 HR divided into two cohorts and compared the results of a nonnavigated group (15 hips) with those of a navigated group (15 hips). The BrainLAB Computer Navigation System was used in all cases. No notching occurred in either group. The femoral component did not show better positioning in the navigated group, but more outlier cases were observed in the nonnavigated group (7, versus 3 in the navigated group). Although there are no long-term studies showing that surgical navigation increases the survival of HR, the avoidance of outlier values justifies its use, especially during the surgical learning curve, which is a difficult and lengthy one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Appropriate interpretation of a frozen section has a relatively high specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis of infection when septic loosening of a prosthesis is suspected. However, its usefulness for predicting the presence of microorganisms at the time of reimplantation after hip resection arthroplasty for the treatment of infection is not well defined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of histological analysis in this situation.Methods: From January 2002 to February 2006, a total of twenty-one patients underwent reimplantation after hip resection arthroplasty for the treatment of infection. Histological studies and cultures of specimens of periprosthetic tissue that had been obtained at the time of reimplantation were retrospectively reviewed. The results of culture were considered positive when the same microorganism was isolated in at least two samples. Two histological criteria were used to diagnose infection: (1) Criterion A (the Feldman criterion), defined as the presence of at least five neutrophils per high-power field (x400) in at least five separate microscopic fields and (2) Criterion B (the Athanasou criterion), defined as the presence of at least one neutrophil per high-power field (x400), on average, after examination of ten microscopic fields. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of each of these criteria were calculated with use of microbiological results as the gold standard for defining infection.Results: Seven of the twenty-one patients had a positive result on culture, and the most common microorganism was coagulase-negative staphylococcus. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of frozen-section analysis were 28.5%, 100%, 100%, and 73.6%, respectively, according to the Feldman criterion and 71.4%, 64.2%, 50%, and 81.8%, respectively, according to the Athanasou criterion. The numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells did not help in the diagnosis of infection. Fibrosis was more common in patients without an infection.Conclusions: The probability of infection is high when at least five neutrophils per high-power field are found in the periprosthetic tissue, but it is not possible to rule out infection when the number of neutrophils is less than five.Level Of Evidence: Diagnostic Level I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the extreme conditions in volcanic environments, in-situ sampling of gases is considered a very dangerous task. For this reason, the implementation of new remote sensing techniques and instruments has become a fundamental tool for monitoring volcanic activity. This work presents the design and development of a system - known as scanning-DOAS - that allows to remotely monitor (from a safe distance) the sulfur dioxide (SO 2) concentration of a volcanic plume. The instrument measures the solar radiation that reaches its CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) detector after passing through the plume. The spectral signals are recorded by a spectrometer and then processed using an inversion algorithm based on the DOAS technique (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy). As a result of the analysis, the SO 2 concentration in the cross section of the plume is obtained. Knowing the plume's height, speed and direction of propagation it is possible to calculate the gas flux. This work describes the constructive characteristics of a new prototype, which incorporates improvements based on the results obtained from a first prototype that was tested during a monitoring campaign carried out at Planchón-Peteroa Volcanic Complex (Malargüe, Mendoza province, Argentina) in the year 2017. • DOAS technique is a complementary tool to current in-situ sampling techniques. • The data measured with DOAS device allow to improve volcanic eruptions forecasting. • DOAS instrument performe scans of volcanic plumes to retrieve the SO2 concentration. • New portable and autonomous prototype built using 3D printer. • First scanning-DOAS developed in Argentina and Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the implementation of salinity gradient power (SGP) based on reverse electrodialysis (RED) in the Caribbean region of Colombia, specifically at the Magdalena River mouth (MRM). Our multidisciplinary approach comprises technical, technological, and technology diffusion assessments (market analysis). We estimate the theoretical energy potential in the MRM from spatial and temporal measurements of the physical and biochemical properties of the waters. Thereafter, we compare the power output of a tailored RED prototype using synthetic solutions and untreated natural waters from MRM. Finally, we propose a dynamic model for RED diffusion in Colombia. Our results show that the MRM exhibits suitable conditions for harnessing SGP given the prevailing thermohaline structure, tolerable water quality, and an existing physical barrier between the sea and the river. However, our experiments demonstrated that maximum power is reduced by half when feeding with MRM waters. This is attributed to the divalent ions and low concentration of the river. Finally, the dynamic model shows that the learning rate and the initial operational costs are key variables for technology diffusion. This research is a pioneer in integrating multidisciplinary perspectives of SGP in emerging economies. However, this baseline may be further complemented with socio-political, and economic analyses. • We present a multidisciplinary assessment for SGE harvesting in an emerging economy. • The thermohaline structure of the Magdalena river mouth favors SGE harvesting. • Efforts in technology development should address the presence of divalent ions. • The learning rate and operational cost mainly dictate the technology diffusion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Planchón – Peteroa Volcanic Complex exhibits two active degassing areas: Peteroa crater, PC, and peripheral hydrothermal areas, analyzed in three sampling sites, namely Valle Baños del Azufre, VBA, Valle del Peñón, VP and Valle Valenzuela, VZ. This prospective study was designed to investigate the soil diffuse emissions of CO 2 at this volcanic complex. The survey consisted of 560 measurements of CO 2 soil diffuse flux and temperature carried out at PC, VBA, VP. The results of this work show that diffuse CO 2 is emitted at PC through two well-defined diffuse degassing structures and flux distribution that can be modeled by combining two log-normal populations. Here, the main source of soil CO 2 is a shallow aquifer recharged by steam condensation and meteoric fluids that interact with rising magmatic gases. The carbon isotopic signature reveals that CO 2 diffuse degassing is affected by secondary soil processes during its ascent. The total diffuse CO 2 output at the surveyed area of PC, which covers ̴77,000 m2 around the crater fumarolic field, is 6.49 ± 0.32 t d−1. Soil diffuse emissions at the hydrothermal peripheral sites, VBA and VP, were studied covering a total area of ̴590,000 m2. These emissions are characterized by poorly defined diffuse degassing structures and flux distributions that can be modeled by combining three log-normal populations, which suggest that multiple sources feed CO 2 diffuse emissions. In concordance, the isotopic analysis also suggests a mixed source of CO 2 and degassing affected by secondary processes that modify the original isotope composition. CO 2 soil degassing at VZ shows a clear relation with the vegetated areas of the soil. The minimum endogenous CO 2 output estimation here proposed for the Planchón – Peteroa Volcanic Complex is that of PC, ̴6.5 t d−1. The thermal energy release was computed for PC, and the estimation is 2.57 ± 0.53 MW. • Planchón – Peteroa Volcanic Complex emits over 6 tons per day of volcanic- hydrothermal diffuse carbon dioxide. • Deep CO 2 is emitted through the active crater of Peteroa volcano. The peripheral hydrothermal sites emit mainly biogenic CO 2. • The carbon isotopic composition suggests that secondary processes deeply modify the original isotope composition. • The thermal energy release was estimated by assessing the flux of steam. The heat flux at Peteroa crater is 2.5 MW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present the Hefei EMI Cloud Retrieval Algorithm (HECORA), which uses information from the O2-O2 absorption band around 477 nm to retrieve effective cloud fraction and effective cloud pressure from satellite observations. The retrieved cloud information intends to improve the atmospheric trace gas products based on the Environment Monitoring Instrument (EMI) spectrometer. The HECORA method builds on OMCLDO2 and presents some evolutions. The Vector Linearized Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer (VLIDORT) model has been used to produce the Top of the Atmosphere (TOA) reflectance Look-up Tables (LUT) as a function of the cloud fraction and cloud pressure. Applying the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) technique to the synthetic reflectance LUT, the reflectance spectra can be associated with O2-O2 geometrical vertical column densities (VCDgeo) and continuum reflectance. This is the core of the retrieval method, since there is a one-to-one relationship between O2-O2 VCDgeo and continuum reflectance, on the one hand, and effective cloud fraction and effective cloud pressure, on the other hand, for a given illumination and observing geometry and given surface height and surface albedo. We first used the VLIDORT synthetic spectra to verify the HECORA algorithm and obtained good results in both the Lambertian cloud model and the scattering cloud model. Secondly, HECORA is applied to OMI and TROPOMI and compared with OMCLDO2, FRESCO+, and OCRA/ROCINN cloud products. Later, the cloud pressure results from TROPOMI observations obtained using HECORA and FRESCO+ are compared with the CALIOP Cloud Layer product. HECORA is closer to the CALIOP results under low cloud conditions, while FRESCO+ is closer to high clouds due to the higher sensitivity of the O2 A-band to cloud vertical information. Finally, HECORA is applied to the TROPOMI NO2 retrieval. Validation of the tropospheric NO2 VCD with ground-based MAX-DOAS measurements shows that choosing HECORA cloud products to correct for photon path variations on the TROPOMI tropospheric NO2 VCD retrievals has better performance than using FRESCO+ under low cloud conditions. In conclusion, this paper shows that the HECORA cloud products are in good agreement with the well-established cloud products and that they are suitable for correcting the effect of cloud in trace gas retrievals. Therefore, HECORA has the potential to be applied to EMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity of power systems is rising mainly due to the expansion of renewable energy generation. Due to the enormous variability and uncertainty associated with these types of resources, they require sophisticated planning tools so that they can be used appropriately. In this sense, several tools for the simulation of renewable energy assets have been proposed. However, they are traditionally focused on the simulation of the generation process, leaving the operation of these systems in the background. Conversely, more expert SCADA operators for the management of renewable power plants are required, but their training is not an easy task. SCADA operation is usually complex, due to the wide set of information available. In this sense, simulation or co-simulation tools can clearly help to reduce the learning curve and improve their skills. Therefore, this paper proposes a useful simulator based on a JavaScript engine that can be easily connected to any renewable SCADAs, making it possible to perform different simulated scenarios for novel operator training, as if it were a real facility. Using this tool, the administrators can easily program those scenarios allowing them to sort out the lack of support found in setting up facilities and training of novel operator tasks. Additionally, different renewable energy generation models that can be implemented in the proposed simulator are described. Later, as a use example of this tool, a study case is also performed. It proposes three different wind farm generation facility models, based on different turbine models: one with the essential generation turbine function obtained from the manufacturer curve, another with an empirical model using monotonic splines, and the last one adding the most important operational states, making it possible to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed simulation tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Are antibiotic resistance genes indicators of landscape anthropization in wildlife? • Higher prevalence of ARGs in guignas inhabiting fragmented landscapes. • Presence of mec -A and bla CTX-M in guignas inhabiting human-dominated landscapes. • Wild carnivore species could act as sentinels of anthropogenic environmental ARGs. Antimicrobial resistance is a global emerging public health issue whose presence and impact in wildlife are widely unknown. Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) are considered environmental contaminants, suitable to evaluate the degree of anthropic impact on wildlife and the environment. We used a wild felid, the guigna (Leopardus guigna), as a sentinel for the presence of ARGs in anthropized and pristine areas across their entire distribution range in Chile. We evaluated fecal samples from 51 wild guignas, collected between 2009 and 2018. Real-time PCR essays were employed to detect and quantify 22 selected ARGs in their fecal microbiome. All animals (100%) were positive for at least one ARG. The most prevalent ARG families were those that confer resistance to tetracycline (88.2%) and beta-lactamase (68.9%), with tet (Q) (60.8%), tet (W) (60.8%), and bla TEM (66.7%) as the most prevalent ARGs. Multi-resistance profiles were observed in 43% of the guignas. Statistically significant differences were found between anthropized and pristine areas for tet (Q) (p = 0.014), tet (W) (p = 0.0037), tetracycline family (p = 0.027), multi-resistance profile prevalence (p = 0.043) and tet (W) quantification (p = 0.004). Two animals from anthropized landscapes were positive for mecA , a gene associated with Staphylococcus aureus and other staphylococci resistant to methicillin, while three animals from anthropized areas were positive for bla CTX-M , that encodes class A extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Both genes have been identified in bacteria causing relevant nosocomial infections worldwide. This is the first study on ARGs in wild felids from Chile and the first detection of mecA in South American wild felids. We observed an association between the degree of landscape anthropization and ARG prevalence, confirming that ARGs are important indicators of wildlife exposure to human activity/presence, with a widespread distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculous arthritis of the elbow joint is not commonly seen by orthopaedic physicians. In the past 20 years, with the pandemic of the human immunodeficiency virus and the increase in immunocompromised people, we have observed a resurgence of tuberculosis. Osteoarticular involvement has increased, too. Spinal and monoarthritis of weight-bearing joints such as the hip or knee are most frequently involved. The elbow joint is an uncommon location of osteoarticular tuberculosis. The aim of this case report is to describe a case of tuberculous arthritis of the elbow and the diagnostic problems that may arise and lead to a delay in treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low levels of cell-free mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have been identified and proposed as a novel biomarker for the disease. The lack of validation studies of previous results prompted us to replicate this finding in a comprehensive series of patients and controls. We applied droplet digital polymerase chain reaction in CSF specimens from 124 patients representing the AD spectrum and 140 neurologically healthy controls. The following preanalytical and analytical parameters were evaluated: the effect of freeze-thaw cycles on mtDNA, the linearity of mtDNA load across serial dilutions, and the mtDNA levels in the diagnostic groups. We found a wide range of mtDNA copies, which resulted in a high degree of overlap between groups. Although the AD group presented significantly higher mtDNA counts, the receiver-operating characteristic analysis disclosed an area under the curve of 0.715 to distinguish AD patients from controls. MtDNA was highly stable with low analytical variability. In conclusion, mtDNA levels in CSF show a high interindividual variability, with great overlap within phenotypes and presents low sensitivity for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]