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The advance of digitalization has generated an ever-increasing number of options in the digital sphere. This phenomenon has transformed multiple sectors, including e-commerce and, in particular, the fashion industry. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool that is redefining the online shopping experience. However, there is little research on how AI influences this purchasing process, limiting its full exploitation. This study provides new insight into how artificial intelligence influences online purchase intention in this sector by examining Generation Z consumers’ attitude and purchase intention using the Echo Look AI device. This study involved 210 university students aged between 18 and 25 years old who were surveyed in the cities of Madrid and Barcelona. The results indicate that perceived quality, attitude towards AI and perceived usefulness have a positive influence on purchase intention. Based on these results, theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

The 4D (four-dimensional) eigenvector 1 (E1) sequence has proven to be a highly effective tool for organizing observational and physical properties of type-1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs). In this paper, we present multiple measurements of metallicity for the broad line region gas, from new and previously-published data. We demonstrate a consistent trend along the optical plane of the E1 (also known as the quasar main sequence), defined by the line width of Balmer hydrogen Hβ profile and by a parameter measuring the prominence of singly-ionized iron emission. The trend involves an increase from sub-solar metallicity in correspondence with extreme Population B (weak Feii emission, large Hβ FWHM (full width at half maximum)) to metallicity several tens the solar value in correspondence with extreme Population A (strongest Feii optical emission, narrower Hβ profiles). The data establish the metallicity as a correlate of the 4DE1/main sequence. If the considerably high metallicity (Z≳10Z⊙, solar metallicity) gas is expelled from the sphere of influence of the central black hole, as indicated by the widespread evidence of nuclear outflows and disk wind in the case of sources radiating at a high Eddington ratio, then it is possible that the outflows from quasars played a role in chemically enriching the host galaxy.

Properties of the broad line region (BLR) in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are commonly used to estimate the mass of the supermassive black hole (SMBH) that powers an AGN. However, the understanding of the physics behind the BLR remains incomplete. The AGNs exhibit strong optical variability, observed in the change of the profiles and fluxes of broad emission lines. Utilizing this variability provides an opportunity to constrain the physics of the BLR, and understand the interplay of the BLR with SMBH and surrounding regions. Here, we present the long-term monitoring campaign of a sample of the known broad-line AGNs (identified as LoTerm AGN). The aim of this study is to show the importance of sustained and dedicated campaigns that continually collect spectroscopic data of the known AGNs over extended timescales, providing unique insight into the origin and structure of the BLR. LoTerm AGN is a collaborative network of seven moderate-size telescopes equipped for spectroscopy. We focus on the recent spectral data of the known changing-look AGN, NGC 3516. Specifically, we examine the broad hydrogen Balmer Hα line observed in the period 2020–2023, demonstrating that this AGN remains active with the BLR signatures observed in the spectra. No significant change in the broad line profile of Hα line is observed during this recent period.

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are already being used in various healthcare areas. Similarly, they can offer many advantages in hospital emergency services. The objective of this work is to demonstrate that through the novel use of AI, a trained system can be developed to detect patients at potential risk of infection in a new pandemic more quickly than standardized triage systems. This identification would occur in the emergency department, thus allowing for the early implementation of organizational preventive measures to block the chain of transmission. Materials and Methods: In this study, we propose the use of a machine learning system in emergency department triage during pandemics to detect patients at the highest risk of death and infection using the COVID-19 era as an example, where rapid decision making and comprehensive support have becoming increasingly crucial. All patients who consecutively presented to the emergency department were included, and more than 89 variables were automatically analyzed using the extreme gradient boosting (XGB) algorithm. Results: The XGB system demonstrated the highest balanced accuracy at 91.61%. Additionally, it obtained results more quickly than traditional triage systems. The variables that most influenced mortality prediction were procalcitonin level, age, and oxygen saturation, followed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, C-reactive protein, the presence of interstitial infiltrates on chest X-ray, and D-dimer. Our system also identified the importance of oxygen therapy in these patients. Conclusions: These results highlight that XGB is a useful and novel tool in triage systems for guiding the care pathway in future pandemics, thus following the example set by the well-known COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent studies have demonstrated the value that the Internet and web applications bring to businesses. Among other tools are those that enable the analysis and monitoring of searches, such as Google Trends, which is currently used by the fashion industry to guide experiential practices in a context of augmented reality and/or virtual reality, and even to predict purchasing behaviours through the metaverse. Data from this tool provide insight into fashion consumer search patterns. Understanding and managing this digital tool is an essential factor in rethinking businesses’ marketing strategies. The aim of this study is to analyse online user search behaviour by analysing and monitoring the terms “metaverse” and “fashion” on Google Trends. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional method was employed. The results show that there is growing consumer interest in both concepts on the Internet, despite the lack of homogeneity in the behaviour of the five Google search tools.

The aim of this study was to determine the associations between the front and back squat, countermovement jump (CMJ) and deep squat jump (DSJ) force–time metrics, and weightlifting performance in top-level weightlifters. Thirteen top-level weightlifters who classified for the World Championship 2023 participated. The heaviest successful snatch and clean and jerk were recorded within a preparation session as performance indicators. The front and back squat one-repetition maximums (1RMs) were evaluated in separate training sessions. The average of three maximum CMJs and DSJs were recorded using a force plate, and jump height, propulsive net impulse, and peak power were calculated for further analysis. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to determine the associations between variables. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. The front and back squat 1RMs were significant and nearly perfectly associated with weightlifting performance (p < 0.001, r = 0.98–0.99). CMJ and DSJ propulsive net impulse displayed nearly perfect associations with weightlifting performance (p < 0.001, r = 0.96–0.99), while jump height is a less promising metric to assess the weightlifters’ ballistic capabilities. This study reinforces that lower body maximum strength and ballistic capabilities are closely associated with top-level weightlifters’ performance and are of practical importance to monitor their neuromuscular function.

The COVID-19 pandemic had various effects on the social, personal and educational spheres that made it necessary to rethink how to respond to new emerging needs. In Spain, a massive closure of schools occurred, which led to a transition from face-to-face teaching to emergency remote teaching. This led to the implementation of pedagogical measures to ensure continuity in the teaching process. The aim of this research is to explore the impact of the pandemic on the educational and personal trajectories of students from their own experiences of attending a poorly performing school in the province of Malaga (Spain). The methodology was qualitative, and the information was collected through a focus group. The most relevant results indicated that the students, in response to the pandemic situation, developed resilience strategies to cope with the lack of technological devices, connectivity problems, difficulties in managing their emotions and the absence of interactions with their peer groups. The main conclusions include the need to build resilient and inclusive educational spaces as key pillars for educational transformation.

Corneal diseases are a major cause of vision loss, often associated with aging, trauma and disease. Damage to corneal sensory innervation leads to discomfort and pain. Environmental stressors, such as short-wavelength light, can induce oxidative stress that alters mitochondrial function and affects cell and tissue homeostasis, including corneal innervation. Cellular antioxidant mechanisms may attenuate oxidative stress. This study investigates crocin, a derivative of saffron, as a potential antioxidant therapy. In vitro rat trigeminal sensory ganglion neurons were exposed to both sodium azide and blue light overexposure as a model of oxidative damage. Crocin was used as a neuroprotective agent. Mitochondrial and cytoskeletal markers were studied by immunofluorescence analysis to determine oxidative damage and neuroprotection. In vivo corneal innervation degeneration was evaluated in cornea whole mount preparations using Sholl analyses. Blue light exposure induces oxidative stress that affects trigeminal neuron mitochondria and alters sensory axon dynamics in vitro, and it also affects corneal sensory innervation in an in vivo model. Our results show that crocin was effective in preserving mitochondrial function and protecting corneal sensory neurons from oxidative stress. Crocin appears to be a promising candidate for the neuroprotection of corneal innervation.

Bacterial communities associated with fish larvae are highly influenced by the microbiota of live prey used as feed (rotifers or Artemia), generally dominated by bacterial strains with a low degree of specialization and high growth rates, (e.g., Vibrionaceae), which can be detrimental to larvae. Co-cultivation of microalgae used in the enrichment of Artemia (e.g., Phaeodactylum tricornutum, or Chlorella minutissima) with Vibrio-antagonistic probiotics belonging to the Roseobacter clade bacteria (e.g., Phaeobacter spp. or Ruegeria spp.) was studied. The introduction of the probiotics did not affect microalgae growth or significantly modify the composition of bacterial communities associated with both microalgae, as revealed by DGGE analysis. The inoculation of P. tricornutum with Ruegeria ALR6 allowed the maintenance of the probiotic in the scale-up of the microalgae cultures, both in axenic and non-axenic conditions. Using Ruegeria-inoculated P. tricornutum cultures in the enrichment of Artemia reduced the total Vibrionaceae count in Artemia by 2 Log units, therefore preventing the introduction of opportunistic or pathogenic bacteria to fish larvae fed with them.

Antibiotic resistance is now a first-order health problem, which makes the development of new families of antimicrobials imperative. These compounds should ideally be inexpensive, readily available, highly active, and non-toxic. Here, we present the results of our investigation regarding the antimicrobial activity of a series of natural and synthetic polyamines with different architectures (linear, tripodal, and macrocyclic) and their derivatives with the oxygen-containing aromatic functional groups 1,3-benzodioxol, ortho/para phenol, or 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran. The new compounds were prepared through an inexpensive process, and their activity was tested against selected strains of yeast, as well as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In all cases, the conjugated derivatives showed antimicrobial activity higher than the unsubstituted polyamines. Several factors, such as the overall charge at physiological pH, lipophilicity, and the topology of the polyamine scaffold were relevant to their activity. The nature of the lipophilic moiety was also a determinant of human cell toxicity. The lead compounds were found to be bactericidal and fungistatic, and they were synergic with the commercial antifungals fluconazole, cycloheximide, and amphotericin B against the yeast strains tested.

This research addresses the geomorphological connectivity existing amid the piedmont’s karstic fillings (Sierra de Esparteros) and the Guadaíra and Guadalquivir Rivers’ alluvial terraces (SW of Spain), spotted with vestiges of human activities (Middle Palaeolithic). This study includes the analysis of 20 geoarchaeological sites and 28 lithic assemblages, with a total of 13,233 lithic pieces. Techno-typological and use–wear (SEM) analyses were conducted on these artifacts. Depending on the raw materials and the provenance of these lithic industries, two groups of assemblages were identified: one made of quartzite from the north, and another made of flint from the south. Two main geochronological periods were established (OSL and U/Th): (1) a short duration (MIS6/MIS5) and (2) a long duration (MIS5/MIS3). Techno-typological analysis showed three sorts of activities: (a) the provision and distribution of raw materials, (b) knapping, and (c) other activities that imply the use of a lithic workshop (LW), along with the settlement characteristics of habitual or recurrent (HS), temporary (TS), and indeterminate (IN). This geoarchaeological connectivity is called the “hominid alluvial corridor” (HAC). The underlined features are the geomorphological units, the continuum alluvial series, the raw material of the lithic industries as an indicator of provenance and transportation throughout the alluvial system, and the use–wear analysis of the tool-kit to interpret the functionality of the pieces.

The integration of computational thinking (CT) in mathematics education is increasingly important due to its intersections with mathematical thinking and its role in the 21st century. Recent years have seen a growing interest in the use of innovative tools to enhance mathematics education, including the exploration of gamification techniques to improve student engagement. While previous research suggests that the inclusion of CT activities at an early age can positively impact students’ motivation and CT skills, the potential benefits of incorporating gamification techniques into CT instruction remain unexplored. In this study, we investigated the impact of shallow and deep gamification techniques on the CT skills and the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of second-grade students in a blended teaching sequence that combined both unplugged and plugged CT activities. A quasi-experimental design was used with a control group and an experimental group. The findings suggest that both shallow and deep gamification techniques can be effective in improving CT skills in young students, but deep gamification may have a stronger impact on motivation. These results contribute to the growing body of literature on the integration of gamification techniques in CT instruction.

Control mechanisms for biological treatment of wastewater treatment plants are mostly based on PIDS. However, their performance is far from optimal due to the high non-linearity of the biological and changing processes involved. Therefore, more advanced control techniques are proposed in the literature (e.g., using artificial intelligence techniques). However, these new control techniques have not been compared to the traditional approaches that are actually being used in real plants. To this end, in this paper, we present a comparison of the PID control configurations currently applied to control the dissolved oxygen concentration (in the active sludge process) against a reinforcement learning agent. Our results show that it is possible to have a very competitive operating cost budget when these innovative techniques are applied.

The optical and UV properties of radio-quiet (RQ) and radio-loud (RL, relativistically “jetted”) active galactic nuclei (AGN) are known to differ markedly; however, it is still unclear what is due to a sample selection and what is associated with intrinsic differences in the inner workings of their emitting regions. Chemical composition is an important parameter related to the trends of the quasar main sequence. Recent works suggest that in addition to physical properties such as density, column density, and ionization level, strong Feii emitters require very high metal content. Little is known, however, about the chemical composition of jetted radio-loud sources. In this short note, we present a pilot analysis of the chemical composition of low-z radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars. Optical and UV spectra from ground and space were combined to allow for precise measurements of metallicity-sensitive diagnostic ratios. The comparison between radio-quiet and radio-loud was carried out for sources in the same domain of the Eigenvector 1/main sequence parameter space. Arrays of dedicated photo-ionization simulations with the input of appropriate spectral energy distributions indicate that metallicity is sub-solar for RL AGN, and slightly sub-solar or around solar for RQ AGN. The metal content of the broad line-emitting region likely reflects a similar enrichment story for both classes of AGN not involving recent circum-nuclear or nuclear starbursts.

In recent years, the consumption of blue-green algae (BGA) dietary supplements is increasing because of their health benefits. However, cyanobacteria can produce cyanotoxins, which present serious health risks. In this work we propose hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) to determine cyanotoxins in BGA dietary supplements. Target toxins, including microcystin-leucine-arginine (MC-LR) and microcystin-arginine-arginine (MC-RR), nodularin, anatoxin-a and three non-protein amino acids, β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) and N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine (AEG), were separated using a SeQuant ZIC-HILIC column. Cyanotoxin extraction was based on solid–liquid extraction (SLE) followed by a tandem-solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure using Strata-X and mixed-mode cation-exchange (MCX) cartridges. The method was validated for BGA dietary supplements obtaining quantification limits from 60 to 300 µg·kg−1. Nine different commercial supplements were analyzed, and DAB, AEG, and MCs were found in some samples, highlighting the relevance of monitoring these substances as precaution measures for the safe consumption of these products.

Malachra alceifolia Jacq. (family Malvaceae), known as “malva,” is a medicinal plant used as a traditional therapy in many regions of America, Africa and Asia. Traditionally, this plant is used in the form of extracts, powder and paste by populations for treating fever, stomachache, inflammation, and parasites. However, the ethnopharmacological validation of M. alceifolia has been scarcely researched. This study showed that the chloroform fraction (MA-IC) and subfraction (MA-24F) of the leaves of M. alceifolia exhibited a potential antileishmanial activity against axenic amastigotes of Leishmania mexicana pifanoi (MHOM/VE/60/Ltrod) and had high and moderate cytotoxic effects on the viability and morphology of macrophages RAW 264.7. This study reports, for the first time, possible terpenoid metabolites and derivatives present in M. alceifolia with activity against some biosynthetic pathways in L. mexicana amastigotes. The compounds from the subfractions MA-24F were highly active and were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and by a molecular docking study in L. mexicana target protein. This study demonstrates the potential modes of interaction and the theoretical affinity energy of the metabolites episwertenol, α-amyrin and methyl commate A, which are present in the active fraction MA-24F, at allosteric sites of the pyruvate kinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase, aldolase, phosphoglucose isomerase, transketolase, arginase and cysteine peptidases A, target proteins in some vital biosynthetic pathways were responsible for the survival of L. mexicana. Some phytoconstituents of M. alceifolia can be used for the search for potential new drugs and molecular targets for treating leishmaniases and infectious diseases. Furthermore, contributions to research and the validation and conservation of traditional knowledge of medicinal plants are needed globally.

Low-frequency oscillations (LFO) occur in railway electrification systems due to the incorporation of new trains with switching converters. As a result, the increased harmonic content can cause catenary stability problems under certain conditions. Most of the research published on this topic to date is focused on modelling the event and analysing it using frequency spectrums. However, in recent years, due to the new technologies linked to Big Data (BD) and data mining (DM), a new opportunity to study and detect LFO events by means of machine-learning (ML) methods has emerged. Trains continuously collect data from the most important catenary variables, which offers new resources for analysing this type of event. Therefore, this article presents the design and implementation of a data-driven LFO event detection strategy for AC railway network scenarios. Compared to previous investigations, a new approach to analyse and detect LFO events, based on field data and ML, is presented. To obtain the most appropriate detection approach for the context of this application, on the one hand, this investigation includes a comparison of machine-learning algorithms (support vector machine, logistic regression, random forest, k-nearest neighbours, naïve Bayes) which have been trained with real field data. On the other hand, an analysis of key parameters and features to optimize event detection is also included. Thus, the most significant result of this work is the high metric values of the solution, reaching values above 97% in accuracy and 93% in F-1 score with the random forest algorithm. In addition, the applicability and training of data-driven methods with real field data are demonstrated. This automatic detection strategy can help with speeding up and improving LFO detection tasks that used to be performed manually. Finally, it is worth mentioning that this research has been structured based on the CRISP-DM methodology, established as the de facto approach for industrial DM projects.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are two entities closely linked together. DM has been described as a risk factor for the development of pNETs and for the aggressiveness of the disease. On the other hand, DM due to pNETs is frequently undiagnosed or misclassified as type 2 DM when it is due to type 3 DM. In addition, metformin, a commonly prescribed drug for type 2 DM, has an antiproliferative property and is gaining increasing attention as an antitumor agent. This review article presents the findings published in the last few years on pNETs and DMs. Emphasis will be placed on DM as a risk factor, pNET as a risk factor for the development of type 3 DM, the management of type 3 DM on pNET, and DM as a prognostic factor in patients with pNET, as well as the future clinical implications of DM in these patients. The coexistence of DM and pNET is extensively presented. It is important to perform future clinical trials, which are necessary to establish the role of metformin on pNET disease. Increasing awareness among professionals managing pNET on the importance of a correct DM diagnosis and management of the disease must be a priority due to the implications on mortality and comorbidities it may have in these patients.

Buildings are one of the key factors in working towards a low-carbon economy to help mitigate climate change. For this reason, many of the current regulations aim to reduce their consumption and increase their efficiency, as is the case in the European Union with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Terms such as nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB) or zero-emission buildings (ZEB) are increasingly used. However, these terms and regulations focus on energy and emissions, ignoring user comfort. This research shows the performance of these buildings in the face of climate change, as their strengths are not limited to energy consumption or emissions, but also to improving user comfort. By examining the compliance of a real semi-detached house with the different Spanish energy regulations (NBE-CTE 79, CTE-DB HE 2013 and CTE-DB HE 2019), its performance in terms of energy and comfort in different future scenarios defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is evaluated. The results show that the building with nZEB criteria (CTE-DB-HE 2019) reduces its energy consumption by an average of 84.36% compared to the other two energy standards. In terms of comfort, measured according to the Fanger criteria (steady state model), the hours throughout the year in the “neutral” thermal sensation category are similar; however, the hours in the “slightly cool” category are reduced by 57%, improving by up to eight times the “slightly warm” category. The nZEB building proves to be more resilient to climate change by mitigating and homogenizing its response to climatic variations.

The genus Malachra L. belongs to the family Malvaceae. It includes herbs or subshrubs of nine accepted species with approximately thirty synonyms, and it has been widely used in community folk medicine to treat health problems including inflammation, nasal obstruction, leishmaniasis, malaria, childbirth, kidney disorders, fever, respiratory tract diseases, among others. From the genus Malachra L., flavonoids, steroids, triterpenes, anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins, saponins, carbohydrates, phenols, glycosides, and alkaloids have been isolated and identified. Some pharmacological reports have indicated that the genus has antidiarrheal, antiepileptic, antiulcerogenic, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, anthelmintic, and hepatoprotective properties. However, there have been limited studies of bioactive molecules with pharmacological and biological activities associated with Malachra alceifolia Jacq., Malachra capitata (L.) L., Malachra fasciata Jacq., Malachra radiata (L.) L., Malachra ruderalis Gürke., Malachra rudis Benth., Malachra helodes Mart., Malachra urens Poit. ex Ledeb. & Alderstam., and Malachra officinalis Klotzsch. In this review, we consider the conservation of these species to save the ancestral knowledge of their traditional use in populations, and their pharmacological potential for future studies in search of alternatives for solutions to diseases in humans and animals and tools for the design and search of potential bioactive compounds against infectious and non-infectious agents.

High-fat diets enriched with lauric acid (SOLF) do not enhance leptin production despite expanding white adipose tissue (WAT). Our study aimed at identifying the influence of SOLF vs. oleic acid-enriched diets (UOLF) on the autoparacrine effect of leptin and was carried out on eight-week-old mice consuming control chow, UOLF or SOLF. Phosphorylation of kinases integral to leptin receptor (LepR) signalling pathways (705Tyr-STAT3, 473Ser-Akt, 172Thr-AMPK), adipocyte-size distribution, fatty acid content, and gene expression were analyzed in WAT. SOLF enhanced basal levels of phosphorylated proteins but reduced the ability of leptin to enhance kinase phosphorylation. In contrast, UOLF failed to increase basal levels of phosphorylated proteins and did not modify the effect of leptin. Both SOLF and UOLF similarly affected adipocyte-size distribution, and the expression of genes related with adipogenesis and inflammation. WAT composition was different between groups, with SOLF samples mostly containing palmitic, myristic and lauric acids (>48% w/w) and UOLF WAT containing more than 80% (w/w) of oleic acid. In conclusion, SOLF appears to be more detrimental than UOLF to the autoparacrine leptin actions, which may have an impact on WAT inflammation. The effect of SOLF and UOLF on WAT composition may affect WAT biophysical properties, which are able to condition LepR signaling.

Strongyloidiasis, caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, is a neglected parasitic disease that represents a serious public health problem. In immunocompromised patients, this parasitosis can result in hyperinfection or disseminated disease with high levels of mortality. In previous studies, the mRNAs encoding for the 14-3-3 and major antigen proteins were found to be expressed at high levels in S. stercoralis L3 larvae, suggesting potential key roles in parasite-host interactions. We have produced them as recombinant proteins (rSs14-3-3 and rSsMA) in a bacterial protein expression system. The serum levels of anti-rSs14-3-3 and anti-rSsMA IgGs are increased upon infection with S. venezuelensis, validating the use of the mouse model since the native 14-3-3 and MA proteins induce an immune response. Each recombinant protein was formulated in the adjuvant adaptation (ADAD) vaccination system and injected twice, subcutaneously, in CD1 mice that were experimentally infected with 3000 S. venezuelensis L3 to evaluate their protective and immunomodulatory activity. Our results, including the number of parthenogenetic females, number of eggs in stool samples and the analysis of the splenic and intestinal indexes, show that the vaccines did not protect against infection. The immunization with rSs14-3-3 induced changes in the cytokine profile in mice, producing higher expression of IL-10, TGF-β, IL-13 and TNF-α in the spleen, suggesting a Th2/Treg-type response with an increase in TNF-α levels, confirming its role as an immunomodulator.

In recent years, one of the most concerning topics in healthcare is the constant exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light being the cause of numerous skin diseases. This issue created a keen interest in sun-care cosmetics, and particularly in sunscreens, since it has been proven to significantly reduce human skin disorders. Usually, sunscreens are formulated as emulsions with organic UV-absorbers dissolved in the oil phase; thus, the solubility of these UV-filters in the emollients is crucial. In this work we expose the properties of different emollients, correlating the chemical structure with the ability to dissolve organic UV-filters.

This is a review paper on the generalization of Euclidean as well as pseudo-Euclidean groups of interest in quantum mechanics. The Weyl–Heisenberg groups, Hn, together with the Euclidean, En, and pseudo-Euclidean Ep,q, groups are two families of groups with a particular interest due to their applications in quantum physics. In the present manuscript, we show that, together, they give rise to a more general family of groups, Kp,q, that contain Hp,q and Ep,q as subgroups. It is noteworthy that properties such as self-similarity and invariance with respect to the orientation of the axes are properly included in the structure of Kp,q. We construct generalized Hermite functions on multidimensional spaces, which serve as orthogonal bases of Hilbert spaces supporting unitary irreducible representations of groups of the type Kp,q. By extending these Hilbert spaces, we obtain representations of Kp,q on rigged Hilbert spaces (Gelfand triplets). We study the transformation laws of these generalized Hermite functions under Fourier transform.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable biomaterials are currently applied in numerous biomedical areas, beyond their use as dermal fillers. However, bacterial infections and painful inflammations are associated with healthcare complications that can appear after injection, restricting their applicability. Fortunately, HA injectable hydrogels can also serve as drug delivery platforms for the controlled release of bioactive agents with a critical role in the control of certain diseases. Accordingly, herein, HA hydrogels were crosslinked with 1 4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) loaded with cefuroxime (CFX), tetracycline (TCN), and amoxicillin (AMX) antibiotics and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) anti-inflammatory agent in order to promote antibacterial and anti-inflammatory responses. The hydrogels were thoroughly characterized and a clear correlation between the crosslinking grade and the hydrogels’ physicochemical properties was found after rheology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. The biological safety of the hydrogels, expected due to the lack of BDDE residues observed in 1H-NMR spectroscopy, was also corroborated by an exhaustive biocompatibility test. As expected, the in vitro antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of the drug-loaded HA-BDDE hydrogels was confirmed against Staphylococcus aureus by significantly decreasing the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

Creating germplasm banks of wild species, such as the Iberian red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) can be challenging. One of the main difficulties is the obtention and cryopreservation of good-quality reproductive cells when the spermatozoa are obtained from epididymides after death. To avoid a loss of seminal quality during transport, developing alternative methods for cooling and freezing sperm samples under field conditions is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different durations of equilibrium and different techniques of cooling and freezing on Iberian red deer epididymal sperm quality after thawing to optimize the processing conditions in this species. Three experiments were carried out: (I) evaluation of refrigeration in straws or tubes of 15 mL; (II) study of equilibration period (0, 30, 60, or 120 min); and (III) comparison of four freezing techniques (liquid nitrogen vapor in a tank (C), liquid nitrogen vapor in a polystyrene box (B), dry ice (DY), and placing straws on a solid metallic plate floating on the surface of liquid nitrogen (MP)). For all experiments, sperm motility and kinematic parameters, acrosomal integrity, sperm viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA integrity were evaluated after thawing. All statistical analyses were performed by GLM-ANOVA analysis. Samples refrigerated in straws showed higher values (p ≤ 0.05) for mitochondrial activity and lower values (p ≤ 0.05) for apoptotic cells. Moreover, the acrosome integrity showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between 0 and 120 min, but not between 30 and 60 min, of equilibration. Finally, no significant differences were found between freezing in liquid nitrogen vapors in a tank or in a box, although there was a low quality after thawing when the samples were cryopreserved in dry ice or by placing straws on a solid metallic plate floating on the surface of liquid nitrogen. In conclusion, under field conditions, it would be possible to refrigerate the sperm samples by storing them in straws with a 120 min equilibration period and freezing them in liquid nitrogen vapors in a tank or box.

Gaseous outflows appear to be a universal property of type-1 and type-2 active galactic nuclei (AGN). The main diagnostic is provided by emission features shifted to higher frequencies via the Doppler effect, implying that the emitting gas is moving toward the observer. However, beyond the presence of blueshift, the observational signatures of the outflows are often unclear, and no established criteria exist to isolate the outflow contribution in the integrated, single-epoch spectra of type-1 AGN. The emission spectrum collected the typical apertures of long-slit spectroscopy or of fiber optics sample contributions over a broad range of spatial scales, making it difficult to analyze the line profiles in terms of different kinematical components. Nevertheless, hundred of thousands of quasars spectra collected at moderate resolution demand a proper analysis of the line profiles for proper dynamical modeling of the emitting regions. In this small contribution, we analyze several profiles of the Hi Balmer line Hβ from composite and individual spectra of sources radiating at moderate Eddington ratio (Population B). Features and profile shapes that might be traced to outflow due to narrow-line region gas are detected over a wide range of luminosity.

Background and Objectives: Irreversible visual impairment is mainly caused by retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Stem cell research has experienced rapid progress in recent years, and researchers and clinical ophthalmologists are trying to implement this promising technology to treat retinal degeneration. The objective of this systematic review is to analyze currently available data from clinical trials applying stem cells to treat human retinal diseases. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed to identify articles related with stem cell therapies to retinal diseases published prior to September 2021. Furthermore, a systematic search in ClinicalTrials (NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine) was performed to identify clinical trials using stem cells to treat retinal diseases. A descriptive analysis of status, conditions, phases, interventions, and outcomes is presented here. Conclusions: To date, no available therapy based on stem cell transplantation is approved for use with patients. However, numerous clinical trials are currently finishing their initial phases and, in general, the outcomes related to implantation techniques and their long-term safety seem promising. In the next few years, we expect to see quantifiable results pertaining to visual function improvement.

There is a debate about the way to introduce computational thinking (CT) in schools. Different proposals are on the table; these include the creation of new computational areas for developing CT, the introduction of CT in STEM areas, and the cross-curricular integration of CT in schools. There is also concern that no student should be left behind, independently of their economic situation. To this effect, an unplugged approach is the most cost-effective solution. In addition, this topic is interesting in the context of a pandemic situation that has prevented the sharing of materials between students. This study analyzes an unplugged cross-curricular introduction of CT in the Social Sciences area among sixth grade students. A group of 14 students was selected to carry out an unplugged intervention design—where they were required to program an imaginary robot on paper—in the Social Sciences area. Their CT development and academic results were compared to those of 31 students from the control group who continued attending regular classes. Results showed that an unplugged teaching style of CT in Social Sciences lessons significantly increased CT (p < 0.001) and with a large effect size (d = 1.305) without differences in students’ academic achievement. The findings show that children can potentially develop their CT in non-STEM lessons, learning the same curricular contents, and maintaining their academic results.

The integration of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers remains a challenge for both public authorities and local communities at the national, regional, and local levels. For migrants, the lack of information and inability to use technology due to insufficient access skills and proficiency in the language of the host country may lead to limited interaction with the new community and consequently to social exclusion. One of the issues of the hyper-complexity in migrant integration can be related to a problem of communication that not only involves the migrants also the local administrators and service providers. This problem requires systemic solutions rather than simple “ad hoc” solutions. This article describes the case of the easyRights project, an ongoing Horizon 2020 project aimed at improving migrants’ access to public services to ease exercising their rights. It presents the application of a co-design learning framework for the development of hackathons that aim to improve existing services. It also promotes the collaborative design of solutions that use ICTs to overcome the bureaucratic and idiomatic barriers migrants experience in their interactions with formal procedures. The example of the four ecosystems generated in the four pilot cities of the project shows the relevance of interconnecting stakeholders in the co-design of services and the potential of exploiting the multifaceted attributes of ICTs to solve the complexity in the access to such services. The results invite reflection on the necessity of exploring the capability of technology application through user-centric approaches to offer substantial solutions to the imperative—yet intricate—challenge of migrants’ inclusion in society.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are heterogeneous neoplasms which arise from neuroendocrine cells that are distributed widely throughout the body. Although heterogenous, many of them share their ability to overexpress somatostatin receptors (SSTR) on their cell surface. Due to this, SSTR and somatostatin have been a large subject of interest in the discovery of potential biomarkers and treatment options for the disease. The aim of this review is to describe the molecular characteristics of somatostatin and somatostatin receptors and its application in diagnosis and therapy on patients with NENs as well as the use in the near future of somatostatin antagonists.

There are numerous articles that study the ground reaction forces during the golf swing, among which only a few analyze the pressure pattern distributed on the entire surface of the foot. The current study compares the pressure patterns on the foot insoles of fifty-five golfers, from three different performance levels, playing swings with driver and 5-iron clubs in the driving range. Five swings were selected for each club. During each swing, ultra-thin insole sensors (4 sensors/cm2) measure foot pressure at the frequency of 100 Hz. To perform statistical analysis, insole sensors are clustered to form seven areas, with the normalized pressure of each area being our dependent variable. A video camera was used to label the five key instants of the swing. Statistical analysis demonstrates a significant difference between the pressure distribution pattern of the left and right feet for both driver and 5-iron. However, the pressure distribution pattern remains almost the same when switching the club type from 5-iron to driver. We have also observed that there are significant differences between the pattern of professionals and players with medium and high handicap. The obtained pattern agrees with the principle of weight transfer with a different behavior between the medial and lateral areas of the foot.

Induction machines have been key components in the industrial sector for decades, owing to different characteristics such as their simplicity, robustness, high energy efficiency and reliability. However, due to the stress and harsh working conditions they are subjected to in many applications, they are prone to suffering different breakdowns. Among the most common failure modes, bearing failures and stator winding failures can be found. To a lesser extent, High Resistance Connections (HRC) have also been investigated. Motor power connection failure mechanisms may be due to human errors while assembling the different parts of the system. Moreover, they are not only limited to HRC, there may also be cases of opposite wiring connections or open-phase faults in motor power terminals. Because of that, companies in industry are interested in diagnosing these failure modes in order to overcome human errors. This article presents a machine learning (ML) based fault diagnosis strategy to help maintenance assistants on identifying faults in the power connections of induction machines. Specifically, a strategy for failure modes such as high resistance connections, single phasing faults and opposite wiring connections has been designed. In this case, as field data under the aforementioned faulty events are scarce in industry, a simulation-driven ML-based fault diagnosis strategy has been implemented. Hence, training data for the ML algorithm has been generated via Software-in-the-Loop simulations, to train the machine learning models.

Currently, new treatments are required to supplement the current standard of care for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The phosphatidylinositol3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is commonly altered and activated in HNSCC. PHT-427 is a dual PI3K-mammalian target of the AKT/PDK1 inhibitor; however, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of the PHT-427 inhibitor on HNSCC has not been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the antitumoral effect of PHT-427-loaded polymeric nanoparticles based on α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS). The in vitro activity of PHT-427 was tested in hypopharynx carcinoma squamous cells (FaDu) to measure the cell viability, PI3KCA/AKT/PDK1 gene expression, and PI3KCA/AKT/PDK1 levels. Apoptosis, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also measured. The presence of PHT-427 significantly enhances its antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity by inactivating the PI3K/AKT/PDK1 pathway. Nanoparticles (NPs) effectively suppress AKT/PDK1 expression. Additionally, NPs loaded with PHT-427 produce high oxidative stress levels that induce apoptosis. In conclusion, these results are promising in the use of this nanoformulation as a PHT-427 delivery system for effective HNSCC treatment.