Search

Two vaccines against rotavirus diseases, Rotarix® and RotaTeq®, are being marketed in Spain; but rotavirus is not presently among the diseases covered by universal vaccination in Spain. The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of extending Spain’s current targeted rotavirus vaccination strategy including only preterm babies, to a policy of universal vaccination. A de novo cohort-based Markov model was built to evaluate the efficiency of three compared rotavirus vaccination strategies in Spain: targeted, universal, and no vaccination. Using Rotarix® or RotaTeq®, we compared the cost–utility of these strategies from both a societal perspective and Spanish National Health System (SNHS) perspective. The model represents the most important clinical events conceivably linked to rotavirus infection. Efficacy, effectiveness, safety, costs, and utilities were identified by systematic reviews. Incremental cost–utility ratio (ICUR) is EUR 23,638/QALY (Quality-Adjusted Life Year) for targeted vaccination with Rotarix® compared with no vaccination. The ICUR for the rest of the strategies evaluated are above EUR 30,000/QALY. The sensitivity analysis shows price as the only parameter that could make the universal vaccination strategy efficient. Considering a threshold of EUR 25,000/QALY, only targeted vaccination with Rotarix® would be efficient from societal perspective. Price drops of 36.9% for Rotarix® and 44.6% for RotaTeq® would make universal vaccination efficient.

The combination of signals from the T-cell receptor (TCR) and co-stimulatory molecules triggers transcriptional programs that lead to proliferation, cytokine secretion, and effector functions. We compared the impact of engaging the TCR with CD28 and/or CD43 at different time points relative to TCR engagement on T-cell function. TCR and CD43 simultaneous engagement resulted in higher CD69 and PD-1 expression levels than in TCR and CD28-stimulated cells, with a cytokine signature of mostly effector, inflammatory, and regulatory cytokines, while TCR and CD28-activated cells secreted all categories of cytokines, including stimulatory cytokines. Furthermore, the timing of CD43 engagement relative to TCR ligation, and to a lesser degree that of CD28, resulted in distinct patterns of expression of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Complete cell activation was observed when CD28 or CD43 were engaged simultaneously with or before the TCR, but ligating the TCR before CD43 or CD28 failed to complete a cell activation program regarding cytokine secretion. As the order in which CD43 or CD28 and the TCR were engaged resulted in different combinations of cytokines that shape distinct T-cell immune programs, we analyzed their upstream sequences to assess whether the combinations of cytokines were associated with different sets of regulatory elements. We found that the order in which the TCR and CD28 or CD43 are engaged predicts the recruitment of specific sets of chromatin remodelers and TFSS, which ultimately regulate T-cell polarization and plasticity. Our data underscore that the combination of co-stimulatory molecules and the time when they are engaged relative to the TCR can change the cell differentiation program.

Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is a rare event which it is specifically up to pathologists to bring to light correctly. The histological identification of such tumor-to-tumor cases is simple when the respective histologies are different but can be problematic if the case includes two carcinomas with similar cytoarchitecture viewed one inside the other under the microscope. We report four cases of this condition in which clear cell renal cell carcinoma is involved, either as a receptor or as a donor, and remark on the difficulties in recognizing some of them. Appropriate clinical–pathological correlation, including a review of the patient’s antecedents and radiological exams, would be a great help in routinely identifying tumor-to-tumor metastases.

People with HIV (PWH) may be more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and worse clinical outcomes. We investigated the disparity in SARS-CoV-2 vaccination coverage between PWH and those without HIV (PWoH) in Catalonia, Spain, assessing primary and monovalent booster vaccination coverage from December 2021 to July 2022. The vaccines administered were BNT162, ChAdOx1-S, mRNA-127, and Ad26.COV2.S. Using a 1:10 ratio of PWH to PWoH based on sex, age, and socioeconomic deprivation, the analysis included 201,630 individuals (183,300 PWoH and 18,330 PWH). Despite a higher prevalence of comorbidities, PWH exhibited lower rates of complete primary vaccination (78.2% vs. 81.8%, p < 0.001) but surpassed PWoH in booster coverage (68.5% vs. 63.1%, p < 0.001). Notably, complete vaccination rates were lower among PWH with CD4 p < 0.001, all). However, PWH with CD4 < 200 cells/μL received more boosters (p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis of the overall population, a prior SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, HIV status, migrants, and mild-to-severe socioeconomic deprivation were associated with lower primary vaccination coverage, reflecting barriers to healthcare and vaccine access. However, booster vaccination was higher among PWH. Targeted interventions are needed to improve vaccine coverage and address hesitancy in vulnerable populations.

Floods are amongst the most frequent and destructive type of disaster, causing significant damage to communities. Globally, there is an increasing trend in the damage caused by floods generated by several factors. Flooding is characterized by the overflow of water onto dry land. Tropical cyclones generate floods due to excess water in rivers and streams and storm surges; however, the hazard of both phenomena is presented separately. In this research we present a methodology for the estimation of flood hazards related to tropical cyclones, integrating runoff and storm surge floods. As a case study, we selected the south-western suburbs of the city of La Paz, the capital of the state of Baja California Sur in northwest Mexico. The city has experienced in recent years an expansion of the urban area. In addition, there is an infrastructure of great importance such as the transpeninsular highway that connects the capital with the north of the state, as well as the international airport. Our results indicate that urban areas, agricultural lands, as well as the air force base, airport, and portions of the transpeninsular highway are in hazardous flood areas, making necessary to reduce the exposure and vulnerability to these tropical cyclone-related events. A resulting map was effective in defining those areas that would be exposed to flooding in the face of the impact of tropical cyclones and considering climate change scenarios, which represents an invaluable source of information for society and decision-makers for comprehensive risk management and disaster prevention.

A 26-year-old man with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection developed a sudden-onset acute testicular pain. The echo-doppler images showed massive testicular infarction, so orchiectomy was performed. On gross examination, the surgical specimen showed complete testicular necrosis and diffuse thickening of the testicular coverings. Under the microscope, a severe obliterative arteritis was evidenced. SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody was detected by immunohistochemistry in the arterial endothelium. Electron microscopy displayed intracytoplasmic spiky viral particles in endothelial cells. The patient was treated with corticoids and was asymptomatic at last contact.

Saltwater intrusion into groundwater systems is a problem worldwide and is induced mainly by human activities, such as groundwater overexploitation and climate change. The coastal Los Planes aquifer in the southern part of the Baja California Peninsula (Mexico) is affected by seawater intrusion due to more than 40 years of groundwater overexploitation. A dataset of 55 samples was compiled, including 18 samples from our campaigns between 2014 and 2016. Several methods exist to define the impact of seawater in a coastal aquifer, such as the “seawater fraction”, the “Chloro-Alkaline Indices”, the “Hydrochemical Facies Evolution Diagram”, and the “Saltwater Mixing Index”. These methods provide reasonable results for most of the coastal zone of the Los Planes aquifer. A slight increase in mineralization was observed from 2014 to 2016 compared with the situation in 2003. However, in its northwestern part, samples from hydrothermal wells were not recognized by these methods. Here, the aquifer is affected mainly by thermal water with elevated mineralization, introduced through the El Sargento fault, a main fault, which cuts through the study area in the north–south direction. By considering known hydrothermal manifestations in the interpretation, samples could be classified as a combination of four end-members: fresh groundwater, seawater, and the composition of two types of thermal water. One thermal endmember with very low mineralization coincides with the thermal water described from the Los Cabos Block, where meteoric water represents the source (found in the Sierra la Laguna). The second endmember is comparable to coastal thermal manifestations where seawater represents the main source. Therefore, the higher mineralization in the northwestern zone is the result of the mobilization of thermal groundwater and direct mixing with seawater, which is introduced locally at the coast due to overextraction. This finding is important for future management strategies of the aquifer.

The physiological and neuromuscular responses at 72 h post-match are not widely researched, despite evidence showing substantial changes in recovery markers at 72 h post-match. Consequently, the aim of this study was to determine the biochemical and physical performance responses to a soccer match after a 72-h recovery period. Male soccer players of a semiprofessional team participated in this study. Before playing a friendly match, blood values of testosterone, cortisol, the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio and urea were collected and the squat jump and the Bangsbo Repeated Sprint Ability test were performed. These measurements were considered as baseline (pre match) and were obtained again after a 72-h recovery period. Results indicate that physical performance at 72 h post-match was similar to baseline (squat jump: p = 0.974; total Repeated Sprint Ability time: p = 0.381; Repeated Sprint Ability fatigue index: p = 0.864). However, perturbations in the biochemical milieu derived from the soccer match metabolic and physiological stress were still evident at this time point. While no significant differences compared to pre match were obtained in testosterone and urea concentrations after the recovery period, cortisol and testosterone-to-cortisol ratio values were significantly higher (14.74 ± 3.68 µg/dL vs. 17.83 ± 2.65 µg/dL; p = 0.045; ES 0.92 [0.00; 1.84], very likely) and lower (39.08 ± 13.26 vs. 28.29 ± 7.45; p = 0.038; ES −0.96 [−1.89; −0.04], very likely), respectively. In conclusion, soccer players have similar physical performance to the pre match after a 72-h recovery period, even with signs of biochemical and physiological stress.

People living with HIV (PLWH) are prioritised for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination due to their vulnerability to severe COVID-19. Therefore, the epidemiological surveillance of vaccination coverage and the timely identification of suboptimally vaccinated PLWH is vital. We assessed SARS-CoV-2 vaccination coverage and factors associated with under-vaccination among PLWH in Catalonia, Spain. As of 11.12.2021, 9945/14942 PLWH (66.6%) had received ≥1 dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Non-Spanish origin (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.64, 95% CI 0.59–0.70), CD4 count of 200–349 cells/μL (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.64–0.86) or 350–499 cells/μL (aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.70–0.88), detectable plasma HIV-RNA (aOR 0.61 95% CI 0.53–0.70), and previous SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis (aOR 0.58 95% CI 0.51–0.65) were associated with under-vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis (437 [9.5%] vs. 323 [3.5%], p < 0.001), associated hospitalisations (10 [2.3%] vs. 0 [0%], p < 0.001), intensive care unit admissions (6 [1.4%] vs. 0 [0%], p < 0.001), and deaths (10 [2.3%] vs. 0 [0%], p < 0.001) were higher among unvaccinated PLWH. Vaccination coverage was lower among PLWH with a CD4 count >200 cells/μL, detectable plasma HIV-RNA, previous SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, and migrants. SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, associated hospitalisations, and deaths among PLWH were lower among the vaccinated compared with the unvaccinated. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination prioritisation has not completely reached vulnerable PLWH with poorer prognosis. This information can be used to inform public health strategies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted daily activities worldwide. University students may have experienced substantial changes in daily living as a result of restrictions on university attendance. The return to normalcy may take a long time, and understanding the influence that shifts in daily routines have had on the lifestyles of university students may inform approaches to support overall well-being. We analyzed changes in the lifestyles of students enrolled at a health sciences university during the COVID-19 pandemic. This longitudinal study took place at the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing in the University of the Basque Country in Spain, and the final sample consisted of 113 nursing students, 109 medical students, and 45 physiotherapy students. Our results demonstrate changes in lifestyles of university students during the pandemic. MedDiet adherence scores and the percentage of students with high adherence increased during the pandemic. This increase was due to the increased consumption of vegetables and nuts. In terms of physical activity, the practice of moderate and intense physical activity was maintained. These results provide important information for both public health authorities and educational institutions to guide strategies to maintain the well-being of students and enhance opportunities for young adults to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Pesticides can be found in beehives for several reasons, including contamination from surrounding cultivars; yet one of the most pertinent is related to the fact that beekeepers employ acaricides to control various types of mites, which may accumulate in beeswax due to their lipophilic nature. In the present study, foundation sheets of different origins, collected over a period of three years, were analyzed to detect the residues of seven acaricides (atrazine, chlorpyrifos, chlorfenvinphos, alpha-endosulfan, bromopropylate, coumaphos, tau-fluvalinate) by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. An efficient sample treatment (recoveries between 90% and 108%) is proposed, involving solvent extraction with 1% acetic acid in acetonitrile mixture followed by dispersive solid-phase extraction (enhanced matrix removal lipid) and a polishing step. An evaluation was made of the analytical performance of the proposed method. It was shown to be selective, linear from a limit of quantification to 5000 µg/kg, precise (relative standard deviation values were below 6%), and with a goo sensitivity (limit of quantification ranging from 5 to 10 µg/kg). Finally, results showed that a large majority of the sheets analyzed (>90%) contained residues of at least one of these compounds. Coumaphos and tau-fluvalinate residues were the most common, with chlorpyrifos and chlorfenvinphos detected to a lesser extent.

The present study aimed to develop predictive models of calf birth weight (CBW) from liveweight (LW) data collected remotely and individually using an automated in-paddock walk-over-weighing scale (WOW). Twenty-eight multiparous Charolais cows were mated with two Brahman bulls. The WOW was installed at the only watering point to capture LW over five months. Calf birth date and weight were manually recorded, and the liveweight change experienced by a dam at calving (ΔLWC) was calculated as pre-LW minus post-LW calving. Cow non-foetal weight loss at calving (NFW) was calculated as ΔLWC minus CBW. Pearson’s correlational analysis and simple linear regressions were used to identify associations between all variables measured. No correlations were found between ΔLWC and pre-LW (p = 0.52), or post-LW (p = 0.14). However, positive associations were observed between ΔLWC and CBW (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.56) and NFW (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.90). Thus, the results suggest that 56% of the variation in ΔLWC is attributed to the calf weight, and consequently could be used as an indicator of CBW. Remote, in-paddock weighing systems have the potential to provide timely and accurate LW data of breeding cows to improve calving management and productivity.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a mild illness caused by enteroviruses (EV), although in some Asian countries, large outbreaks have been reported in the last 25 years, with a considerable incidence of neurological complications. This study describes epidemiological and clinical characteristics of EV infections involved in HFMD and other mucocutaneous symptoms from 2006 to 2020 in Spain. EV-positive samples from 368 patients were included. EV species A were identified in 85.1% of those typed EV. Coxsackievirus (CV) A6 was the prevalent serotype (60.9%), followed by EV-A71 (9.9%) and CVA16 (7.7%). Infections affected children (1–6 years old) mainly, and show seasonality with peaks in spring–summer and autumn. Clinical data indicated few cases of atypical HFMD as well as those with neurological complications (associated with the 2016 EV-A71 outbreak). Phylogenetic analysis of CVA6 VP1 sequences showed different sub-clusters circulating from 2010 to present. In conclusion, HFMD or exanthemas case reporting has increased in Spain in recent years, probably associated with an increase in circulation of CVA6, although they did not seem to show greater severity. However, EV surveillance in mucocutaneous manifestations should be improved to identify the emergence of new types or variants causing outbreaks and more severe pathologies.

(1) Background: Both cerebral vascular disorders and cognitive decline increase in incidence with age. The role of cerebral vascular disease and hemodynamic changes in the development of cognitive deficits is controversial. The objective of this study was to assess the cardiovascular response during cardiac stress testing in neurologically asymptomatic individuals who developed cognitive impairment several years after previous cardiac stress testing. (2) Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent cardiac stress testing between January 2001 and December 2010. Patients were followed up until May 2015, and we selected those who developed cognitive dysfunction including dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and subjective cognitive decline, after the stress test. Heart rate and blood pressure both at rest and at peak exercise, and the mean R-R interval at rest were recorded. For each patient who developed cognitive impairment, we selected one matched control who did not show cognitive decline by the end of the follow-up period. (3) Results: From the cohort of 7224 patients, 371 developed cognitive impairment; of these, 186 (124 men) met the inclusion criteria, and 186 of the other patients were selected as matched controls. During follow-up, cognitive impairment appeared 6.2 ± 4.7 years after the cardiac stress test. These patients who had subsequently developed cognitive impairment had significantly lower at-rest systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure than controls (p < 0.05). Further, compared with controls, their maximum heart rate was significantly higher at peak exercise. (4) Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that differences in cardiovascular response to stress might be present in individuals who develop cognitive decline. These findings challenge the possibility of assessing blood pressure and heart rate variability at rest and during cardiac stress as potential risk factors associated with cognitive impairment.

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of in-paddock technologies to capture individual variability of self-fed supplement intake (molasses-lick blocks, MLB), feeding behavior, and liveweight (LW) in grazing beef cattle. An electronic feeder (EF) and in-paddock walk-over-weighing system (WOW) were installed to measure, daily and simultaneously, individual MLB intake and LW. Cattle grazed (pastures and oat crops) and were fed (lucerne and oaten hay) during a 220 day trial. Over the entire period, we were able to quantify a large variability in MLB intake between individuals (p < 0.01; ranging from 0 to 194 g/hd per day). Liveweight change (p < 0.05, R = 0.44) and feeding behaviour (e.g., feeding frequency and duration, p < 0.01; R2 > 0.86) were positively correlated with MLB intake over the entire period but these correlations seemed to be affected by the type of feed. The intake of MLB seems to be explained by the individual behaviour of animals rather than the entire group. The use of in-paddock technologies enabled remote measurement of variability in supplement intake and cattle growth. The ability to monitor LW and feeding behavior of individual animals in a group could allow automatic individualized feeding of grazing cattle (amount and type of supplement) and managing low-performing animals under grazing conditions.

The outstanding properties of selected soft magnetic materials make them successful candidates for building high performance sensors. In this paper we present our recent work regarding different sensing technologies based on the coupling of the magnetic properties of soft magnetic materials with their electric or elastic properties. In first place we report the influence on the magneto-impedance response of the thickness of Permalloy films in multilayer-sandwiched structures. An impedance change of 270% was found in the best conditions upon the application of magnetic field, with a low field sensitivity of 140%/Oe. Second, the magneto-elastic resonance of amorphous ribbons is used to demonstrate the possibility of sensitively measuring the viscosity of fluids, aimed to develop an on-line and real-time sensor capable of assessing the state of degradation of lubricant oils in machinery. A novel analysis method is shown to sensitively reveal the changes of the damping parameter of the magnetoelastic oscillations at the resonance as a function of the oil viscosity. Finally, the properties and performance of magneto-electric laminated composites of amorphous magnetic ribbons and piezoelectric polymer films are investigated, demonstrating magnetic field detection capabilities below 2.7 nT.

In this paper, a precise real-time temperature control system based on infrared (IR) thermometry for domestic induction cooking is presented. The temperature in the vessel constitutes the control variable of the closed-loop power control system implemented in a commercial induction cooker. A proportional-integral controller is applied to establish the output power level in order to reach the target temperature. An optical system and a signal conditioning circuit have been implemented. For the signal processing a microprocessor with 12-bit ADC and a sampling rate of 1 Ksps has been used. The analysis of the contributions to the infrared radiation permits the definition of a procedure to estimate the temperature of the vessel with a maximum temperature error of 5 °C in the range between 60 and 250 °C for a known cookware emissivity. A simple and necessary calibration procedure with a black-body sample is presented.

The ability to capture genetic variation with unprecedented resolution improves our understanding of bacterial populations and their ability to cause disease. The goal of the pathogenomics era is to define genetic diversity that results in disease. Despite the economic losses caused by vector-borne bacteria in the Order Rickettsiales, little is known about the genetic variants responsible for observed phenotypes. The tick-transmitted rickettsial pathogen Anaplasma marginale infects cattle in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Australia. Genomic analysis of North American A. marginale strains reveals a closed core genome defined by high levels of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Here we report the first genome sequences and comparative analysis for Australian strains that differ in virulence and transmissibility. A list of genetic differences that segregate with phenotype was evaluated for the ability to distinguish the attenuated strain from virulent field strains. Phylogenetic analyses of the Australian strains revealed a marked evolutionary distance from all previously sequenced strains. SNP analysis showed a strikingly reduced genetic diversity between these strains, with the smallest number of SNPs detected between any two A. marginale strains. The low diversity between these phenotypically distinct bacteria presents a unique opportunity to identify the genetic determinants of virulence and transmission.

Groundwater provides the most important of the water resources used in the maintenance of communities in arid and semi-arid regions. In these areas, the usage of deep wells with motorized pumps in combination with the lack of effective regulatory policies and high human population growth (increase the water demand) impact the quality of the groundwater. This is especially the case for the San José del Cabo aquifer, in Baja California Sur. In the present study the groundwater flow system is analyzed in order to recognize the impact from variations in groundwater extraction and recharge on the phreatic levels and discharge values. In order to achieve this goal, a groundwater model was generated using the MODFLOW program. Different scenarios of extraction and recharge were calculated, based on different estimations of population growth. All the scenarios result in decreasing groundwater levels. As an important result, a relationship between the phreatic level and the extraction volume was found for the middle zone of the aquifer, where an average annual decrease of 0.5 m was observed from every 5 × 106 m3 additional extraction volume. This zone is up to three times more susceptible to changes in extraction values than the southern zone. As the results show, the San José del Cabo aquifer is in a fragile state where an increment in extraction is not an option without the use of remediation technics or new sources for water supply.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of severe and long-term disability in developed countries. Around 15 million people suffer a stroke each year, being most of them ischemic due to modifiable risk factors. Adequate self-management abilities may help to manage the consequences of stroke, but it is unknown which specific intervention could be effective to booster these self-management abilities. Objective: To evaluate the improvement of self-management in chronic stroke survivors using decision support and self-management system (STARR). Methods: A randomized, prospective, parallel group, open, and the unicentric pilot trial will be performed. Stroke survivors and their caregivers will be randomly allocated to STARR management or standard of care. Main inclusion criteria are mild to moderate disabled first stroke adult survivor, living at home, able to cope and follow the guidelines and devices, without socio-familial exclusion. All will get a conventional treatment in the acute and subacute phase; however, in the chronic period, cases will use the developed STARR App and Decision Support System. Measurements will be performed at baseline, at 3 months, and at 6 months. Outcome measures are patient-report outcome measure of self-management competency, physical function, risk factor reduction, healthcare resource utilization, knowledge of the condition, mood, and social isolation. Discussion: If effective, the results of this study will enable stroke patients and their caregivers to deal better with the everyday life obstacles of stroke, improve the adherence of the treatment, improve the control of cardiovascular risk, and, in consequence, reduce the recurrence of secondary strokes, the number of complications, the number of consultations, and readmissions; to ultimately reduce the health systems costs. Taking into consideration that the number of stroke survivors is increasing around the world, a large number of individuals could profit from this intervention.

In arid and semiarid zones, groundwater plays a key role in the ecology and availability of freshwater. Coastal lagoons in arid zones have great importance as a refuge for species of flora and fauna, as a source of freshwater, and for recreational purposes for local communities and tourism. In addition, as environments under natural stress, they are suffering pressure from anthropogenic activities and climate change, especially in zones with intense touristic development as in the case of the Baja California Peninsula in northwest Mexico. In this paper, we analyze the future of a coastal lagoon impacted by climate change and anthropogenic pressures. We constructed a groundwater MODFLOW-SWI2 model to predict changes in freshwater–saltwater inputs and correlated them with the geospatial analysis of the distribution and evolution of the water body and surrounding vegetation. The methodology was applied to the San Jose lagoon, one of the most important wetlands in the Baja California peninsula, which had been affected by anthropogenic activities and endangered by climate change. According to our water balance, the deficit of the San Jose aquifer will increase by 2040 as a result of climate change. The water table north of the lagoon will drop, affecting the amount of freshwater inflow. This reduction, together with an increase of evapotranspiration and the sea-level rise, will favor an increase of mineralization, reducing the surface water and groundwater quality and in consequence affecting the vegetation cover. Without proper management and adequate measures to mitigate these impacts, the lagoon may disappear as a freshwater ecosystem. Results of this research indicate that the use of a groundwater flow model, together with a geospatial analysis provide effective tools to predict scenarios for the future of coastal lagoons, and serve as a basis for land planning, nature conservation, and sustainable management of these ecosystems.

Recent advances in the research of autonomous vehicles have showed a vast range of applications, such as exploration, surveillance and environmental monitoring. Considering the mining industry, it is possible to use such vehicles in the prospection of minerals of commercial interest beneath the ground. However, tasks such as geophysical surveys are highly dependent on specific sensors, which mostly are not designed to be used in these new range of autonomous vehicles. In this work, we propose a novel magnetic survey pipeline that aims to increase versatility, speed and robustness by using autonomous rotary-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). We also discuss the development of a state-of-the-art three-axis fluxgate, where our goal in this work was to refine and adjust the sensor topology and coupled electronics specifically for this type of vehicle and application. The sensor was built with two ring-cores using a specially developed stress-annealed CoFeSiB amorphous ribbon, in order to get sufficient resolution to detect concentrations of small ferrous minerals. Finally, we report on the results of experiments performed with a real UAV in an outdoor environment, showing the efficacy of the methodology in detecting an artificial ferrous anomaly.