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Advertising connects the institutional and business sector with the public, responding to a persuasive and commercial interest. Advertising connects the institutional and business sector with the public, responding to a persuasive and commercial interest. The promotion of tourist destinations is a key activity for public and private advertisers to effectively communicate with their audiences. These advertisements show citizens' interests and motivations for travelling in the 21st century. This study analysed 95 advertisements published in 2020 in the newspaper El País, the most widely read generalist print media in Spain, on the day of the week coinciding with the publication of the specialised supplement "El viajero" (The Traveller). A quantitative and qualitative content analysis has been carried out in order to respond to the main objective of identifying the main advertisers and the usual sales proposition in this type of advertisement, also explaining the narrative strategies used in tourism campaigns. The main conclusions are the importance of wellbeing in the campaigns carried out and the important presence of public bodies in the promotion of destinations, especially Spanish destinations, highlighting historical, cultural and environmental heritage, which take on the same importance as the offer of beaches or cruises. This is an advertisement aimed especially at young people who travel as a couple, reflecting social concerns and trends in an irregular year for tourism promotion due to the covid-19 pandemic. This time period was an exceptional context, with consequences on citizen attitudes towards travel, which undoubtedly limits the application of these conclusions to that specific time context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plantain is one of the most important food and commercial crops in the Huetar Atlantica region of Costa Rica. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are one of the major constraints of plantain production and are therefore a threat to food security. The present study was part of an investigation that was carried out in Talamanca, Limón, Costa Rica with the objective to quantify and identify the main PPN genera associated with plantain cultivation. Nematodes were extracted from a total of 76 samples; 63 from soil and 13 from roots of plantain collected from 10 smallholder farms. In terms of absolute frequencies of distribution, the most abundant PPN genus in soil was Pratylenchus, which was detected in over 76.9% samples, followed by Helicotylenchus (69.2%), Meloidogyne and Radopholus (61.5%). In the roots, Helicotylenchus (100%), Meloidogyne (90.5%), Pratylenchus (74.6%), and Radopholus (66.7%) were the most frequently detected genera. In general, frequency and population densities of PPN were high in comparison to other similar surveys. Overall, the data suggest that PPNs could pose a serious threat to plantain production in Costa Rica and that control measures should be further developed and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiral density waves are thought to be excited in the accretion discs of accreting compact objects, including cataclysmic variable stars (CVs). Observational evidence has been obtained for a handful of systems in outburst over the last two decades. We present the results of a systematic study searching for spiral density waves in CVs, and report their detection in two of the sixteen observed systems. While most of the systems observed present asymmetric, non-Keplerian accretion discs during outburst, the presence of ordered structures interpreted as spiral density waves is not as ubiquitous as previously anticipated. From a comparison of systems by their system parameters it appears that inclination of the systems may play a major role, favouring the visibility and/or detection of spiral waves in systems seen at high inclination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an extensive Doppler tomography study of the eclipsing nova-like EC21178–5417, which exhibits the classic accretion disc signature in the form of double-peak emission lines in its spectrum. Doppler tomograms confirm the presence of a strong, two-armed spiral pattern visible in the majority of the spectral lines studied. This makes EC21178–5417 one of the very few nova-likes that show spiral structure in their discs. We also report night-to-night changes in the position and relative strength of the spiral arms, revealing fluctuations on the conditions in the accretion disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background While numerous studies have shown that the impact of cold waves is decreasing as result of various processes of adaptation, far fewer have analysed the time trend shown by such impact, and still fewer have done so for the different provinces of a single country, moreover using a specific cold waves definition for each. This study thus aimed to analyse the time trend of the impact of cold days on daily mortality in Spain across the period 1983–2003. Methods For study purposes, we used daily mortality data for all natural causes except accidents in ten Spanish provinces. The time series was divided into three subperiods. For each period and province, the value of T threshold was obtained via the percentile corresponding to the cold day's definition for that province obtained in previous studies. Relative Risks (RRs) and Population Attributable Fraction (PARs) were calculated using Generalised Linear Models (GLMs) with the Poisson regression link. Seasonalities, trends and autoregressive components were controlled. Global RRs and ARs were calculated with the aid of a meta-analysis with random effects for each of the periods. Results The results show that the RRs for Spain as a whole were 1.12 (95% CI: 1.08 1.16) for the first period, 1.15 (95% CI: 1.09 1.22) for the second and 1.18 (95% CI: 1.10 1.26) for the third. The impact of cold days has risen slightly over time, though the differences were not statistically significant. These findings show a clearly different behaviour pattern to that previously found for heat. Conclusion The results obtained in this study do not show a downward trend for colds days. The complexity of the biological mechanisms involved in cold-related mortality and the lack of robust results mean that more research must be done in this particular field of public health. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • This study analyses the time trend of the impact of cold on daily mortality in Spain. • The results obtained show a clearly different behaviour pattern to that found for heat. • The impact of cold days has remained constant over time. • It is necessary to implement prevention plans to reduce the impact of cold on health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of both dietary lipid level and stocking density on digestive function was tested in young rainbow trout under culture conditions. Two dietary lipid levels (14 and 33%) and three culture densities (15, 30 and 40 kg/m 3 ) were assayed in triplicate lots: L14/D15, L14/D30, L14/D40, L33/D15, L33/D30 and L33/D40. Intestinal activities of amylase, lipase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, total protease (at different pHs) as well as some biometric parameters such hepatosomatic index (HSI) and digestivesomatic index (DSI) as indicative of perivisceral fat accumulation, were determined after a 12-weeks experimental period. A histological study of intestine was carried on to evaluate changes in tissue architecture. Fish fed on higher lipid diets grew more and accumulated a higher amount of fat in perivisceral tissue, although higher stocking density reduced this trend. According to digestive capacity, higher lipid intake induced an activation of lipase activity that was not apparent when fish were held under the highest rearing density. By other hand, dietary lipids promoted a significant inhibition of protease activity in fish under high density conditions. These results seem to indicate a clear interaction between both variables. In this study, it was manifested a general effect of dietary lipids level and culture density on digestive profile. These interactions should be taken into account when foreseeing the digestive utilization of a commercial feed at different culture conditions to improve fish production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many of the studies that analyze the future impact of climate change on mortality assume that the temperature that constitutes a heat wave will not change over time. This is unlikely, however, given the process of adapting to heat changes, prevention plans, and improvements in social and health infrastructure. The objective of this study is to analyze whether, during the 1983–2013 period, there has been a temporal change in the maximum daily temperatures that constitute a heat wave (T threshold ) in Spain, and to investigate whether there has been variation in the attributable risk (AR) associated with mortality due to high temperatures in this period. This study uses daily mortality data for natural causes except accidents CIEX: A00-R99 in municipalities of over 10,000 inhabitants in 10 Spanish provinces and maximum temperature data from observatories located in province capitals. The time series is divided into three periods: 1983–1992, 1993–2003 and 2004–2013. For each period and each province, the value of T threshold was calculated using scatter-plot diagram of the daily mortality pre-whitened series. For each period and each province capitals, it has been calculated the number of heat waves and quantifying the impact on mortality through generalized linear model (GLM) methodology with the Poisson regression link. These models permits obtained the relative risks (RR) and attributable risks (AR). Via a meta-analysis, using the Global RR and AR were calculated the heat impact for the total of the 10 provinces. The results show that in the first two periods RR remained constant RR: 1.14 (CI95%: 1.09 1.19) and RR: 1.14 (CI95%: 1.10 1.18), while the third period shows a sharp decrease with respect to the prior two periods RR: 1.01 (CI95%: 1.00 1.01); the difference is statistically significant. In Spain there has been a sharp decrease in mortality attributable to heat over the past 10 years. The observed variation in RR puts into question the results of numerous studies that analyze the future impact of heat on mortality in different temporal scenarios and show it to be constant over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies that analyse the impact on mortality of particulate matter (PM) produced by biomass combustion from wildfires mostly focus on a single city or on cities in different countries, with very few concentrating on one country as a whole. Accordingly, the aim of this paper was to analyse the impact that PM has on daily mortality in Spain on days with biomass combustion from wildfires. To analyse natural PM advections the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing, Food & Environment divides Spain into 9 geographical regions. One province representative of each region for was selected analysis purposes, with provincial daily natural-cause mortality across the period 2004–2009 as the dependent variable, and daily mean PM concentrations in the provincial capital as the independent variable. We controlled for the effect of other chemical pollutants (NO 2 and O 3 ), maximum daily temperature on heat-wave days, day of the week, trends, seasonalities and the autoregressive nature of the series, using generalised linear models with the Poisson regression link to calculate relative risks (RRs) and the increase in RR (IRR) of PM-related mortality. The analysis was performed for days with and without biomass advections (DBA and DNBA respectively), with a breakdown by year, summer, and the remainder of the year (i.e., excluding summer). The results indicated that daily mean PM concentrations were higher on DBA than on DNBA, with statistically significant differences in most provinces. Furthermore, PM 10 was associated with higher daily mortality on DBA in regions where wildfires were most frequent, but not in the remaining provinces. This translated as an IRR per 10 μg/m 3 of PM of 7.93 (2.36–13.81) in the North-west, 3.76 (1.36–6.22) in the Centre and 4.46 (2.99–5.94) in the South-west, values which in all cases were statistically higher than those obtained on DNBA. The increase in PM caused by biomass advections from wildfires is linked to a significant IRR of mortality in Spain. Hence, the fact that wildfires are likely to become increasingly frequent in the context of climate change makes this type of analysis particularly necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spain’s current heat wave prevention plans are activated according to administrative areas. This study analyses the determination of threshold temperatures for triggering prevention-plan activation by reference to isoclimatic areas, and describes the public health benefits. We subdivided the study area – the Madrid Autonomous Region (MAR) – into three, distinct, isoclimatic areas: ‘North’, ‘Central’ and ‘South’, and grouped daily natural-cause mortality (ICD-10: A00-R99) in towns of over 10,000 inhabitants (2000–2009 period) accordingly. Using these three areas rather than the MAR as a whole would have resulted in a possible decrease in mortality of 73 persons (38–108) in the North area, and in aborting unnecessary activation of the plan 153 times in the Central area and 417 times in the South area. Our results indicate that extrapolating this methodology would bring benefits associated with a reduction in attributable mortality and improved effectiveness of public health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose/objective(s): Improved stratification is needed in HPV-negative HNSCC patients with intermediate and select high-risk disease. Significant molecular and immune response features have not been well-integrated with clinicopathologic factors to predict outcomes in this population. We sought to develop and validate an integrated molecular and clinicopathologic machine learning-based predictor for OS and PFS in this population to inform a future trial design. We hypothesize that our predictor will stratify patients better than a predictor derived from standard techniques.Materials/methods: We included 253 patients from TCGA with pathologic stage III-IVB (excluded T4b; included N3a) HPV-negative HNSCC with microscopic ENE and intermediate-risk disease (close margins/LVSI/PNI), treated with surgery and RT +/- chemotherapy. We split the data into training (70%) and testing (30%) sets. We identified 29 relevant molecular features (genomic: mutation vs. no mutation, transcriptomic: ≥ vs. < upper third quartile of log2 transformed mRNA expression) associated with significant HNSCC pathways, including cellular proliferation, cellular differentiation, cell cycle control, adhesion and invasion, anti-tumor immune response, and apoptosis. We also identified 19 demographic, behavioral, and clinicopathologic factors. We performed random survival forest modeling on OS and PFS and validated the machine learning-based predictor on the testing set, using ROC/AUC. Variables of importance were identified using the "Janitza" method. We also built a predictor using standard "best" Cox proportional hazards modeling and compared AUC values for OS and PFS versus our machine learning-based values.Results: The median OS and PFS times were 4.4 years and 3 years, respectively. After accounting for pairwise correlations, we kept 38 variables for model building. Using the training set, significant variables of most importance for OS included age, female sex, PNI, LVSI, ≥ four pathologically involved lymph nodes, microscopic ENE, TP53 missense and nonsense mutations, and expression of PD1, LAG3, TIM3, L1CAM, CASP8, PIK3CA, E2F2, E2F4, FAT1, and NOTCH1 (all P-values < .05). Significant variables of importance for PFS included age, female sex, ≥ four pathologically involved lymph nodes, microscopic ENE, anatomic subsite, TP53 nonsense mutations, and expression of PD1, L1CAM, PIK3CA, and FAT1 (all P-values < .05). Using the testing set, we validated the 38-variable predictor on OS and PFS with AUC values of 0.82 and 0.75, respectively. In contrast, the "best" Cox models resulted in low AUC values for OS and PFS (0.65 and 0.66, respectively).Conclusion: We developed and validated a machine learning-based predictor for OS and PFS that outperforms standard Cox predictors in HPV-negative HNSCC. This study provides a rationale to use the predictor as a stratifier in a prospective clinical trial of surgery, radiotherapy, and PD1 blockade in patients with microscopic ENE and intermediate-risk disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Low Temperature Days (LTD) have attracted far less attention than that of High Temperature Days (HTD), though its impact on mortality is at least comparable. This lower degree of attention may perhaps be due to the fact that its influence on mortality is less pronounced and longer-term, and that there are other concomitant infectious winters factors. In a climate-change scenario, the studies undertaken to date report differing results. The aim of this study was to analyse mortality attributable to both thermal extremes in Spain's 52 provinces across the period 2000–2009, and estimate the related economic cost to show the benefit or “profitability” of implementing prevention plans against LTD. Methods Previous studies enabled us: to obtain the maximum daily temperature above which HTD occurred and the minimum daily temperature below which LTD occurred in the 52 provincial capitals analysed across the same study period; and to calculate the relative and attributable risks (%) associated with daily mortality in each capital. These measures of association were then used to make different calculations to obtain the daily mean mortality attributable to both thermal extremes. To this end, we obtained a summary of the number of degrees whereby the temperature exceeded (excess °C) or fell short (deficit °C) of the threshold temperature for each capital, and calculated the respective number of extreme temperatures days. The economic estimates rated the prevention plans as being 68% effective. Results Over the period considered, the number of HTD (4373) was higher than the number of LTD (3006) for Spain as a whole. Notwithstanding this, in every provincial capital the mean daily mortality attributable to heat was lower (3 deaths/day) than that attributable to cold (3.48 deaths/day). In terms of the economic impact of the activation of prevention plans against LTD, these could be assumed to avoid 2.37 deaths on each LTD, which translated as a saving of €0.29M. Similarly, in the case of heat, 2.04 deaths could be assumed to be avoided each day on which the prevention plan against HTD was activated, amounting to a saving of €0.25M. While the economic cost of cold-related mortality across the ten-year period 2000–2009 was €871.7M, that attributable to heat could be put at €1093.2M. Conclusion The effect of extreme temperatures on daily mortality was similar across the study period for Spain overall. The lower number of days with LTD meant, however, that daily cold-related mortality was higher than daily heat-related mortality, thereby making prevention plans against LTD more “profitable” prevention plans against HTD in terms of avoidable mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, there are few studies that analyse the impact of low temperatures on mortality and fewer still that use cold-wave-definition thresholds based on epidemiological and non-climatological criteria. Such a threshold definition, which took into account population features such as socio-economic and demographic characteristics, made it possible for a specific threshold temperature to be obtained for each of Spain's 52 provincial capitals in this study. Using generalised linear models with the Poisson regression link, and controlling for trend, autocorrelations and seasonalities of the series, and influenza epidemics, we obtained the impact of low temperatures on mortality in each provincial capital by calculating the relative risks (RRs) and attributable risks (ARs) for natural as well as circulatory and respiratory causes. The study showed higher minimum temperature thresholds in coastal areas, and an overall impact of cold on mortality in Spain due to natural causes RR = 1.13 (95% CI: 1.11–1.16), circulatory causes RR = 1.18 (95% CI: 1.15–1.22) and respiratory causes RR = 1.24 (95% CI: 1.20–1.29) slightly greater than that obtained to date for heat. From a public health standpoint, there is a need for specific cold wave prevention plans at a regional level which would enable mortality attributable to low temperatures to be reduced. These plans have shown themselves to be effective in decreasing heat-related mortality, and we feel that they are essential for reducing cold-related effects on morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A decade after the implementation of prevention plans designed to minimise the impact of high temperatures on health, some countries have decided to update these plans in order to improve the weakness detected in these ten years of operation. In the case of Spain, this update has fundamentally consisted of changing the so-called “threshold” or “trigger” temperatures used to activate the plan, by switching from temperature values based on climatological criteria to others obtained by epidemiological studies conducted on a provincial scale. This study reports the results of these “trigger” temperatures for each of Spain's 52 provincial capitals, as well as the impact of heat on mortality by reference to the relative risks (RRs) and attributable risks (ARs) calculated for natural as well as circulatory and respiratory causes. The results obtained for threshold temperatures and RRs show a more uniform behaviour pattern than those obtained using temperature values based on climatological criteria; plus a clear decrease in RRs of heat-associated mortality due to the three causes considered, at both a provincial and regional level as well as for Spain as a whole. The updating of prevention plans is regarded as crucial for optimising the operation of these plans in terms of reducing the effect of high temperatures on population health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of studies have shown that there is a time trend towards a reduction in the effects of heat on mortality. In the case of cold, however, there is practically no research of this type and so there is no clearly defined time trend of the impact of cold on mortality. Furthermore, no other specific studies have yet analysed the time trend of the impact of both thermal extremes by age group. We analysed data on daily mortality due to natural causes (ICD-10: A00-R99) in the city of Madrid across the period 2001–2009 and calculated the impact of extreme temperatures on mortality using Poisson regression models for specific age groups. The groups of age selected coinciding with the pre-existing age-groups analyzed in previous papers. For heat waves the groups of age used were: <10 years, 10–17 years, 18–44 years, 45–64 years, 65–74 years and over-75 years. For cold waves the groups of age used were: <1 year; 1–5 years, 6–17 years, 18–44 years, 45–64 years, 65–74 years and over-75 years. <1, 1–17, 18–44, 45–66, 65–74 and over-75 years. We controlled for confounding variables, such as air pollution, noise, influenza, pollen, pressure and relative humidity, trend of the series, as well as seasonalities and autoregressive components of the series. The results of these models were compared to those obtained for the same city during the period 1986–1997 and published in different studies. Our results show a lightly reduction in the effects of heat, especially in the over-45-year age group. In the case of cold, the behaviour pattern was the opposite, with an increase in its effect. Heat adaptation and socio-economic and public-health prevention and action measures may be behind this amelioration in the effects of heat, whereas the absence of such actions in respect of low temperatures may account for the increase in the effects of cold on mortality. From a public health point of view, the implementation of cold wave prevention plans covering all age groups is thus called for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe factor VIII ( FVIII)-deficient patients with and without FVIII inhibitors cannot be distinguished using FVIII levels. The FVIII assay is sensitive to detect factor levels below 1%. While severe FVIII-deficient, non-inhibitor patients have FVIII < 1%, they may retain unmeasurable residual factor activity. In contrast, inhibitor patients have a FVIII antibody that presumably fully eliminates FVIII activity. It is unknown whether thromboelastography ( TEG) and thrombin generation assay ( TGA) can differentiate between patients with FVIII < 1% with and without the presence of FVIII inhibitors. The primary objective was to discern whether TEG and TGA could differentiate between severe FVIII-deficient patients with and without the presence of FVIII inhibitors. A secondary objective was to correlate TEG and TGA to annualized bleeding rates. This observational study performed TEG and TGA in healthy volunteers ( N = 15), severe FVIII-deficient ( N = 15) and severe FVIII-deficient patients with inhibitors ( N = 15). Kaolin-activated TEG was better at differentiating reaction time (31.3 vs. 120 min respectively, P = 0.004) and kinetics time (6.1 vs. 23.1 min respectively, P = 0.028) between the non-inhibitor and inhibitor patients. TEG activated by tissue factor in plasma-containing corn trypsin inhibitor failed to differentiate groups. The TGA failed to differentiate peak thrombin, endogenous thrombin potential and lag time between groups. There was no correlation between TEG and TGA with annualized bleeding rates. Kaolin-activated TEG, but not TGA, differentiated between severe FVIII-deficient patients with and without inhibitors. These assays did not find a correlation to annualized bleeding rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid identification of introduced seaweeds is crucial to support management and conservation decisions, especially when multiple cryptic lineages of high-profile invasive taxa occur sympatrically. The red seaweed genus Asparagopsis (Bonnemaisoniales, Rhodophyta) comprises two recognised morpho-species characterised by heteromorphic life cycles and presumably morphologically identical "Falkenbergia' tetrasporophyte stages: A. armata and A. taxiformis. Populations of the former were easily identified by the presence of distinctive harpoon-like braches on the gametophyte thalli. Four morphologically cryptic yet genetically distinct mitochondrial lineages of invasive nature were recognised within A. taxifortnis. We reported a morphological delineation of tetrasporophytes and gametophytes of A. sparagopsis, including cryptic lineages collected from the Mediterranean Sea and the Hawaiian Islands, where multiple Asparagopsis lineages were present. Vegetative anatomical characters of the tetrasporophytes were useful in differentiating A. armata from those of A. taxiformis as well as among tetrasporophyte isolates belonging to the four A. taxiformis lineages. In addition, these characters distinguished lineage 2 native range specimens (Hawaii) from the invasive specimens (Mediterranean Sea), which suggested high levels of morphological plasticity in the invasive taxon. We propose that the taxonomic status of the lineages within A. taxiformis needs to be revised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the stomach development in the sturgeon Acipenser naccarii, focusing on its histoenzymatic and ultrastructural characteristics from hatching until the end of the juvenile phase, 1 month later. The study aims to assist the aquaculturist in identifying the best timing for the start of feeding and to select the appropriate food for each stage of A. naccarii development. At hatching, the anterior portion of the digestive system consists of a yolk sac with a large central yolk mass. The yolk mass is enclosed by differentiating endodermal epithelium. The most significant ultrastructural characteristics of the epithelium are the numerous supranuclear vacuoles containing protein and lipid yolk granules, dilated intercellular spaces, and filiform cytoplasmic projections related to the uptake of reserve material on the apical surface. Newly hatched eleuthero-embryos show optimal enzymatic activities at a pH of 1.5 and 3, which is probably related to the presence of hatching glands and the digestion of yolk components. During the free-embryo phase, the yolk sac epithelium undergoes a series of histological, ultrastructural, and functional modifications to form a cecal stomach with anatomical characteristics similar to those of juvenile specimens. Gastric glands emerge between 6 and 7 days post-hatching (PH), although the absence of secretion granules in their oxyntic-peptic cells indicates that the stomach is not yet functional. During the following days (the exotrophic period), development of the tubular-vesicular network is observed, and secreting granules occur in the cytoplasm of oxyntic-peptic cells until around day 35 after fertilization (day 27 PH), when acid protease enzymatic activity is again detected. These histological and enzymatic changes and the greater number and size of oxyntic-peptic cell secretion granules appear to be related to the gastric compartment ontogeny reaching functionality at this developmental stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tool path generation problem is one of the most complexes in computer aided manufacturing (CAM). Although some efficient algorithms have been developed to solve it, their technological dependency makes them efficient in only a limited number of cases. In the article we propose a model that will set apart the geometrical issues involved in the manufacturing process from the purely technology-dependent physical issues by means of a topological system. Presented in the paper there is a method for offsetting any kind of curve regardless of the machining technology (i.e., independent of any tool geometry: spherical, conical, toroidal and so on). Specifically, we use parametric cubic curves, which is one of the most general and popular models in CAD/CAM applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Tool path generation problem is one of the most complexes in computer aided manufacturing. Although some efficient algorithms have been developed to solve it, their technological dependency makes them efficient in only a limited number of cases. Method of Approach. Our aim is to propose a model that will set apart the geometrical issues involved in the manufacturing process from the purely technology-dependent physical issues by means of a topological system. This system applies methods and concepts used in mathematical morphology paradigms. Thus, we will obtain a geometrical abstraction which will not only provide solutions to typically complex problems but also the possibility of applying these solutions to any machining environment regardless of the technology. Presented in the paper is a method for offsetting any kind of curve. Specifically, we use parametric cubic curves, which is one of the most general and popular models in computer aided design (CAD)/computer aided manufacturing (CAM) applications. Results. The resulting method avoids any constraint in object or tool shape and obtains valid and optimal trajectories, with a low temporal cost of O(n·m), which is corroborated by the experiments. It also avoids some precision errors that are present in the most popular commercial CAD/CAM libraries. Conclusions. The use of morphology as the base of the formulation avoids self-intersections and discontinuities and allows the system to machine free-form shapes using any tool without constraints. Most numerical and geometrical problems are also avoided. Obtaining a practical algorithm from the theoretical formulation is straightforward. The resulting procedure is simple and efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colocalization of fluorescent signals in confocal microscopy is usually evaluated by inspecting merged images from different colour channels or by using commercially available software packages. We describe in this paper a simple method for assessment of nuclear localization of proteins in tissue sections through confocal immunolocalization, propidium iodide counterstaining and image analysis. Through a macro command developed for the public domain, Java-based softwareimagej, red, green, blue (RGB) images are automatically split in the red and green channels and a new image composed of the nonblack pixels coincident in both channels is created and inverted for better visualization. This method renders images devoid of both, extranuclear staining and background, thus emphasizing the nuclear signal. The resulting images can easily be used for comparison or quantification of the results. Given the simplicity of the technique and the worldwide diffusion of the software utilized, we think that this method could be useful in order to define standards of colocalization in confocal microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Many aquaculture industries generate a nutrient-rich waste stream that can lead to eutrophication of coastal waters. To address this environmental issue, the bioremediation potential of several native Northeast American species of Porphyra was assessed and compared to the well-known Asian species. Porphyra thalli were cultured over 4 weeks at 15 °C at a stocking density of 0.4 g FW L−1. At 3- to 4-day intervals nutrient uptake, tissue N accumulation and phycobiliprotein concentration (PBP) were determined as functions of nitrogen (N) concentration (25–300 μM) and N source (nitrate vs. ammonium). Growth rates were measured weekly. Growth and tissue N reached maximal levels at inorganic N concentrations of 150–300 μM. Maximum growth rates ranged from 10% to 25% day−1, although induction of archeospores reduced average growth rates in many cases. No evidence of ammonium toxicity (reductions in growth rate) was observed; in fact, similar values were found with both N sources. Ammonium generally yielded higher PBP and tissue N contents than nitrate. Porphyra amplissima presented the highest growth rate, followed by the Asian Porphyra yezoensis. Under the experimental conditions, Porphyra spp. removed 70–100% of N within 3–4 days at N concentrations up to 150 μM, but was less efficient in removing inorganic phosphorus (35–91% removal). The highest tissue N and PBP concentrations were found at 150–300 μM of N, with N values close to 7% DW. Overall, Porphyra appears to be an excellent choice for bioremediation of moderately eutrophic effluents, with the added benefit that tissue may be harvested for sale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Circulatory systems of vertebrate and invertebrate metazoans are very different. Large vessels of invertebrates are constituted of spaces and lacunae located between the basement membranes of endodermal and mesodermal epithelia, and they lack an endothelial lining. Myoepithelial differentation of the coelomic cells covering hemal spaces is a frequent event, and myoepithelial cells often form microvessels in some large invertebrates. There is no phylogenetic theory about the origin of the endothelial cells in vertebrates. We herein propose that endothelial cells originated from a type of specialized blood cells, called amoebocytes, that adhere to the vascular basement membrane. The transition between amoebocytes and endothelium involved the acquisition of an epithelial phenotype. We suggest that immunological cooperation was the earliest function of these protoendothelial cells. Furthermore, their ability to transiently recover the migratory, invasive phenotype of amoebocytes (i.e., the angiogenic phenotype) allowed for vascular growth from the original visceral areas to the well-developed somatic areas of vertebrates (especially the tail, head, and neural tube). We also hypothesize that pericytes and smooth muscle cells derived from myoepithelial cells detached from the coelomic lining. As the origin of blood cells in invertebrates is probably coelomic, our hypothesis relates the origin of all the elements of the circulatory system with the coelomic wall. We have collected from the literature a number of comparative and developmental data supporting our hypothesis, for example the localization of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 ortholog in hemocytes of Drosophila or the fact that circulating progenitors can differentiate into endothelial cells even in adult vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background:: The natural occurrence of primary resistance mutations in reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease (PR) genes of HIV-1 isolates from untreated patients has been reported and it may have important implications for the response to drug treatment. It is predictable that the same occurs in the HR1 region of gp41 sequence from patients who have never received T20 therapy, and in this regard it would be important to know not only the mutation frequencies at HR1 region but also the natural polymorphisms at resistance-associated positions present in the absence of this drug. Objectives:: The objectives of this study are to investigate the existence of natural resistance-associated mutations to T20 in HR1 gp41 region corresponding to different HIV-1 genetic forms from T20 naive patients and to determine their prevalence. Study design:: Two hundred HIV-1 gp41 sequences were included: subtype B: 164 (81.3%); subtype A: 15 (8.2%); subtype G: 10 (4.6%); subtype F: 6 (3.5%); subtype C: 3 (1.8%); subtype K: 1 (0.6%); and subtype D: 1 (0.6%). We analyzed the resistance-associated mutations previously described: Q32H/R, G36D/S, I37V, V38A/M, Q39R/H, Q40H, N42T/D/Q/H, N43D/S/K/Q, L44M, L45M, R46M and V69I. Results:: Natural resistance mutations to T20 were found at a high frequency: 10.5%, corresponding to 9.1% in subtype B and 16.7% in non-B subtype samples. Polymorphisms were more frequent in non-B and recombinant forms than in subtype B (p<0.001). Different substitutions were related to subtypes: N42S in subtypes A, B, G and C, but not in F, Q56R in subtype A from CRF02_AG, and L54M in subtype B from CRF14_BG. Conclusions:: To our knowledge this is the first study describing natural-resistance to T20 among different HIV-1 subtypes, warranting a study of the biological significance of this mutations and their clinical relevance. The detection of differences between subtypes may have an influence on the rate and patterns of resistance in patients undergoing T20 treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of the present work was to investigate the thermomechanical behaviour of a commercial Al–Mg alloy and to understand the deformation mechanisms taking place at small strains (<0.2) and high temperatures (≥300°C) at strain rates relevant to hot working conditions (0.01–10s-1). The experimental approach addresses different effects of testing machines on the load–displacement measurements. The results show distinct sorts of behaviour depending on the Zener–Hollomon parameter (Z): normal continuous increase in the stress with strain for high values of Z and a rise followed by a drop in stress with increasing strain for low values of Z. For steady-state behaviour, the relationship between stress and strain rate follows the typical power law with an exponent of 3 at low values of Z and an exponential relationship at higher values. These observations are similar to those of creep. The difference in stress response may be explained by different controlling mechanisms, namely climb of dislocations for the normal hardening behaviour and solute drag in the case where a drop of stress is observed in the stress–strain curve. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To compare transvaginal ultrasound with the Bishop score in assessment of cervical ripening for choice of induction agent. Methods Eighty women were randomized to have preinduction cervical assessment for choice of induction agent based on either Bishop score or transvaginal ultrasound. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of women who were administered prostaglandin as a preinduction agent. The criteria for considering the cervix as unripe and thus for using prostaglandin were either a Bishop score < 6 or a cervical length > 30 mm with cervical wedging of < 30% of the total cervical length. Secondary outcome measures included interval to active phase, interval to delivery and rate of Cesarean section. Results While 85% of women received prostaglauidin in the Bishop score group, only 50% of them did in the transvaginal ultrasound group (P = 0.001). The interval to active phase, interval to delivery and rate of Cesarean section were similar in both groups. Conclusions With the suggested cut-off values of a Bishop score < 6 or a cervical length > 30 mm and wedging < 30%, the use of transvaginal ultrasound instead of Bishop score for preinduction cervical assessment to choose induction agent significantly reduces the need for intracervical prostaglandin treatment without adversely affecting the success of induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baja California represents the northernmost reproductive area forLepidochelys olivacea. This region is characterized by its high temperature and low humidity. Thus, nest site selection plays an important role in reproductive success. To evaluate the factors affecting site selection for oviposition Las Barracas Beach, located in the south of the peninsula, was visited, from August to November 2000, in weekly periods. A density of 2.55 nests ha-1 was estimated from a total of 55 nests counted. A hatching success of 73.7% was observed, with 23.7% mortality and 2.5% of eggs without apparent development (eggs counted=4,031). On the day of oviposition, the relative surface humidity (between 0.75% and 1.75%) and temperature (32°C) preferred by the females for nest construction was determined at the nest site, as well as the mean distance between the nests and the high tide line for that day (17.65 m). Hatching success was affected by humidity and distance. In addition, hatching success was higher between 10 and 30 m above the high tide line measured on the day of oviposition (surface humidity ca. 1%). A total of 874 hatchlings were measured, with an average of 42.1 mm straight carapace length. Larger sizes were found in October and smaller ones in November. Generally speaking, the sizes found here were larger than those obtained in other areas. This is probably due to two factors: (1) the nests in Las Barracas were kept in situ, whereas in other areas nests are sometimes incubated artificially and (2) the nesting population of southern Baja California is different from the eastern Pacific population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modifications in the chloride (mitochondria-rich) and pavement cells of the gill epithelia of the Adriatic sturgeon Acipenser naccarii after their transfer under hypertonic environmental conditions (salinity 35) were examined by light and electron microscopy. In contrast to freshwater specimens, seawater-acclimated fish showed a marked increase in the number and size of chloride cells. Ultrastructural modifications included: presence of a slightly invaginated apical crypt, a darker cytoplasm, a more compact tubular system, a major increase in cisternae from Golgi apparatus stacks and flattened-out sacs with dilated ends that produced an increase in lateral and basal cell surfaces. All these changes indicated enhanced cellular activity. Pavement cells, which largely covered the chloride cells on the gill filament and lamella, exhibited a complex system of microridges on their apical surface. Typical features included numerous desmosomes that characterized the intercellular junction, and the presence in the apical cytoplasm of bundles of filaments and of electro-dense vesicles in freshwater fish or clear vesicles in seawater-acclimated animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the prevalence of cigarette use among racial/ethnic populations in the U.S. during 1999-2001. Primary racial/ethnic minority populations in the country; Data used for the "Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups" report of the U.S. Surgeon General; Prevalence of cigarette use among youths.

Some features of the biological retina can be modelled by a 2-layer cellular neural network (CNN) composed of locally connected elementary nonlinear processors. In order to explore these complex spatiotemporal dynamics for image processing, a prototype chip has been designed and fabricated in a 0.5μm CMOS technology. Design challenges, trade-offs, the building blocks and the tests results for this system with 0.5×10[sup 6] transistors, most of them operating in analog mode, are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the relationships between maternal serum concentrations of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in both normal pregnant women during late pregnancy and women with pregnancy complications.Methods: Sixty-six women in three groups were prospectively studied: 1) women diagnosed with fetal growth restriction (n = 22), 2) women with preeclampsia (n = 22), and 3) healthy pregnant women (controls) frequency matched for age, parity, and gestational age (n = 22). Primary outcomes were maternal serum concentrations of both beta-hCG and VEGF. Placental insufficiency was defined by a pulsatility index in umbilical artery greater than the 99th percentile for gestation.Results: Maternal serum concentrations of beta-hCG and VEGF were greater in women with preeclampsia than in controls (P = .001 and P = .002, respectively) and women with fetal growth restriction (P = .002 and P = .002, respectively). Concentrations did not differ between women with fetal growth restricted fetuses and controls. Correlation between beta-hCG and VEGF was not significant in any of the studied groups. Serum VEGF concentrations were significantly increased in a subgroup of 12 women with placental insufficiency (P = .04) and correlated with beta-hCG concentrations (r = .63, P = .02).Conclusion: Both VEGF and beta-hCG maternal serum concentrations were increased in women with preeclampsia but normal in women with fetal growth restriction, although VEGF concentrations were increased in those cases with placental insufficiency. Maternal serum beta-hCG and VEGF concentrations did not correlate except in women with placental insufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transposition of great arteries in humans is associated with a wide spectrum of coronary artery patterns. However, no information is available about how this pattern diversity develops. We have studied the development of the coronary arteries in mouse embryos with a targeted mutation of perlecan, a mutation that leads to ventriculo-arterial discordance and complete transposition in about 70% of the embryos. The perlecan-deficient embryos bearing complete transposition showed a coronary artery pattern consisting of right and left coronary arteries arising from the morphologically dorsal and ventral sinuses of Valsalva, respectively. The left coronary artery gives rise to a large septal artery and runs along the ventral margin of the pulmonary root. In the earliest embryos where transposition could be confirmed (12.5 d post coitum), a dense subepicardial vascular plexus is located in this ventral margin. In wild-type mice, however, capillaries are very scarce on the ventral surface of the pulmonary root and the left coronary artery runs dorsally to this root. We suggest that the establishment of the diverse coronary artery patterns is determined by the anatomical arrangement and the capillary density of the peritruncal vascular plexus, a plexus that spreads from the atrio-ventricular groove and grows around the aortic or pulmonary roots depending on the degree of the short-axis aortopulmonary rotation. This simple model, based on very few assumptions, might explain all the observed variation of the coronary artery patterns in humans with transposition, as well as our observations on the perlecan-deficient and the normal mice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Considers the stochastic partial differential equation. Notation and preliminary considerations; Proof of the lower bound; Proof of the upper bound.

Examines the photosynthetic acclimation and biochemical responses of Gelidium sesquipedal cultured in chemostats. Effect of the quality of light and photon-fluence rate; Indications of the changes in C-partitioning between carbon compounds and organic nitrogen compounds; Mobilization and accumulation of carbon in the algae.

The Chametla wetland is used by shorebirds as a stopover site during their autumn migration and it is also an important breeding area for several species of waterbirds. The objective of this work was to compare the bird assemblages in Chametla wetland during three sampling periods: 1) 1991–1992; 2) 1997–1998 which was subjected to El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate conditions and 3) 2005–2006. Bird communities were characterized in terms of species composition and diversity, using similarity analysis. Bird assemblage composition differed across years and seasons. Seasonal variations in composition and diversity were related to the presence/absence of phenological-characterized species (migratory vs. wintering species). The highest species richness was recorded under the ENSO period (1997–1998). We observed a sharp decrease in shorebird numbers, with evident stress at the assemblage level throughout the entire study period. There seems to be a transition of the bird assemblages from shorebird dominance to a dominance by long-legged wading birds and waterfowl species, which could be related to water level variation and changes in the quality/availability of food in the intertidal zone. The joint pressures of regional climate variation combined with local anthropogenic perturbations may lead to changes in bird assemblage in the Chametla wetland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a number of studies have been conducted with the aim of analysing the impact that high temperatures will have on mortality over different time horizons under different climate scenarios. Very few of these studies take into account the fact that the threshold temperature used to define a heat wave will vary over time, and there are practically none which calculate this threshold temperature for each geographical area on the assumption that there will be variations at a country level. To analyse the impact that high temperatures will have on mortality across the periods 2021–2050 and 2051–2100 under a high-emission climate scenario (RCP8.5), in a case: (a) where adaptation processes are not taken into account; and (b) where complete adaptation processes are taken into account. Based on heat-wave definition temperature (T threshold) values previously calculated for the reference period, 2000–2009, for each Spanish provincial capital, and their impact on daily mortality as measured by population attributable risk (PAR), the impact of high temperatures on mortality will be calculated for the above-mentioned future periods. Two hypotheses will be considered, namely: (a) that T threshold does not vary over time (scenario without adaptation to heat); and, (b) that T threshold does vary over time, with the percentile to which said T threshold corresponds being assumed to remain constant (complete adaptation to heat). The temperature data were sourced from projections generated by Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) climate models adapted to each region's local characteristics by the State Meteorological Agency (Agencia Estatal de Meteorología/AEMET). Population-growth projections were obtained from the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadística/INE). In addition, an economic estimate of the resulting impact will be drawn up. The mean value of maximum daily temperatures will rise, in relation to those of the reference period (2000–2009), by 1.6⁰C across the period 2021–2050 and by 3.3⁰C across the period 2051–2100. In a case where there is no heat-adaptation process, overall annual mortality attributable to high temperatures in Spain would amount to 1414 deaths/year (95% CI: 1089–1771) in the period 2021–2050, rising to 12,896 deaths/year (95% CI: 9852–15,976) in the period 2051–2100. In a case where there is a heat-adaptation process, annual mortality would be 651 deaths/year (95% CI: 500–807) in the period 2021–2050, and 931 deaths per year (95% CI: 770–1081) in the period 2051–2100. These results display a high degree of heterogeneity. The savings between a situation that does envisage and one that does not envisage an adaptive process is €49,100 million/year over the 2051–2100 time horizon. A non-linear increase in maximum daily temperatures was observed, which varies widely from some regions to others, with an increase in mean values for Spain as a whole that is not linear over time. The high degree of heterogeneity found in heat-related mortality by region and the great differences observed on considering an adaptive versus a non-adaptive process render it necessary for adaptation plans to be implemented at a regional level. • In 2050–2100 the mean of the maximum temperatures in Spain will increase at a rate of 0.66 ºC / decade. • Without adaptation, the annual mortality by heat in 2050–2100 will be 12,900 deaths / year. • With complete adaptation the mortality attributable to heat would be 1400 deaths / year. • The economic cost of not adapting to full adaptation would amount to 49,100 million / year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the discovery and analysis of 36 new eclipsing EL CVn-type binaries, consisting of a core helium-composition pre-white dwarf (pre-He-WD) and an early-type main-sequence companion. This more than doubles the known population of these systems. We have used supervised machine learning methods to search 0.8 million light curves from the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF), combined with Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) and Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) colours. The new systems range in orbital periods from 0.46 to 3.8 d and in apparent brightness from ~14 to 16 mag in the PTF R or g☉ filters. For 12 of the systems, we obtained radial velocity curves with the Intermediate Dispersion Spectrograph at the Isaac Newton Telescope. We modelled the light curves, radial velocity curves and spectral energy distributions to determine the system parameters. The radii (0.3-0.7 Rϴ) and effective temperatures (8000-17 000 K) of the pre-He-WDs are consistent with stellar evolution models, but the masses (0.12-0.28 Mϴ) show more variance than models have predicted. This study shows that using machine learning techniques on large synoptic survey data is a powerful way to discover substantial samples of binary systems in short-lived evolutionary stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]