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Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is characterised by recurrent attacks of optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. The purpose of this work was to identify the incidence and prevalence of NMOSD and its clinical characteristics in the population treated for demyelinating diseases in Western Mexico. Material and method: A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Neurology, at the Sub-specialty Medical Unit, Specialties Hospital (known by its Spanish abbreviation UMAE-HE), of the National Western Medical Center (CMNO), Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). A review of the electronic files for all patients with a diagnosis of NMOSD in 2019, was carried out in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. Results: Fifty-eight patients with NMOSD were included in the study. The incidence was 0.71/100 000 (CI 0.60-0.85) and the prevalence was 1.09/100 000 (CI 0.84-1.42). There were 79.3% women, and 20.6% were men (P = .01). All (100%) patients presented with anti-aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G, and 89.6% showed seropositivity for anti-aquaporin-4 (CI 82.6-94.9). Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 100% of patients, where 34.4% were normal, and 65.5% (38) abnormal, presenting with non-specific subcortical lesions (P = 0.04). The initial clinical presentation was optic neuritis (ON) in 58.6%; where 31.0% was bilateral ON, 20.7% was left ON, and 6.9% were right ON; transverse myelitis in 26.0%, area postrema syndrome (APS) in 10.3%, among others. Conclusions: The incidence of NMOSD exceeds 0.71/100 000, the prevalence is low at 1.09/100 000, and NMOSD is predominantly found in women. Resumen: Antecedentes: El trastorno del espectro de la neuromielitis óptica (NMOSD por sus siglas en inglés) se caracteriza por ataques recurrentes de neuritis óptica y mielitis transversa. el propósito de este trabajo fue identificar la incidencia y prevalencia del NMOSD y sus características clínicas en la población tratada por enfermedades desmielinizantes en el occidente de México. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en el departamento de neurología en la Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Especialidades (UMAE-HE), Del Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente (CMNO) México. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Se realizó una revisión de los expedientes electrónicos de todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de NMOSD en 2019, en el estado de Jalisco, México. Resultados: Cincuenta y ocho pacientes con NMOSD fueron incluidos en el estudio. La incidencia fue de 0,71/100,000 (IC 0,60–0,85) y la prevalencia fue de 1,09/100,000 (IC 0,84–1,42). El 79,3 eran mujeres y el 20,06 eran hombres (P = 0,01). Todos (100%) los pacientes presentaron inmunoglobulina G anti-acuaporina-4 y el 89,6% mostró seropositividad para anti-acuaporina-4 (IC 82,6–94,9%). Se realizó resonancia magnética al 100% de los pacientes siendo el 34,4% normales y el 65,5 % anormales, presentando lesiones subcorticales inespecíficas (P = 0,04). La presentación clínica inicial fue de neuritis óptica (NO) en el 58,6% donde el 31% eran bilaterales; el 20,7% eran izquierdos y el 6,9% eran derechos; mielitis transversa en el 26,0%; síndrome de área postrema (SAF) en el 10,3%. Conclusiones: La incidencia de NMOSD supera el 0,71/100,000; la prevalencia es baja en un 1,09/100,000 y este se encuentra predominantemente en mujeres.

Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) stands as a promising carbon dioxide removal technology. Yet, this solution to climate change entails shifts in environmental drivers with unknown consequences for marine fish that are critical to ecosystem health and food security. Fish and their supporting food webs may be stressed by the novel carbonate chemistry or the nutrients contained in the deployed minerals. With a mesocosm experiment on natural plankton communities, we studied early life stages of fish under alkalinity (+600 µmol kg−1) and silicate (+75 µmol L−1) addition. Larvae and young juveniles of temperate coastal species, including Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and cod (Gadus morhua), were exposed to direct physiological and indirect food-web-mediated effects of OAE for 49 d. Neither in the shorter nor in the longer term did we find an impairment of fish growth and survival. Alkalization even led to an increase in fish biomass. This resistance to OAE was despite using non-CO2-equilibrated deployment that induces more severe perturbations in carbonate chemistry (ΔpH =+0.7, pCO2=75 µatm) compared to alternative scenarios. Overall, our community-level study suggests that some fish populations, including key fisheries' species, may be resilient to the water chemistry changes under OAE. Whilst these results give cause for optimism regarding the large-scale application of OAE, other life history stages (embryos) and habitats (open ocean) may prove more vulnerable.

Space-based laser altimetry has revolutionized our capacity to characterize terrestrial ecosystems through the direct observation of vegetation structure and the terrain beneath it. Data from NASA's ICESat-2 mission provide the first comprehensive look at canopy structure for boreal forests from space-based lidar. The objective of this research was to create ICESat-2 aboveground biomass density (AGBD) models for the global entirety of boreal forests at a 30 m spatial resolution and apply those models to ICESat-2 data from the 2019–2021 period. Although limited in dense canopy, ICESat-2 is the only space-based laser altimeter capable of mapping vegetation in northern latitudes. Along each ICESat-2 orbit track, ground and vegetation height is captured with additional modeling required to characterize biomass. By implementing a similar methodology of estimating AGBD as GEDI, ICESat-2 AGBD estimates can complement GEDI's estimates for a full global accounting of aboveground carbon. Using a suite of field measurements with contemporaneous airborne lidar data over boreal forests, ICESat-2 photons were simulated over many field sites and the impact of two methods of computing relative height (RH) metrics on AGBD at a 30 m along-track spatial resolution were tested; with and without ground photons. AGBD models were developed specifically for ICESat-2 segments having land cover as either Evergreen Needleleaf or Deciduous Broadleaf Trees, whereas a generalized boreal-wide AGBD model was developed for ICESat-2 segments whose land cover was neither. Applying our AGBD models to a set of over 19 million ICESat-2 observations yielded a 30 m along-track AGBD product for the pan-boreal. The ability demonstrated herein to calculate ICESat-2 biomass estimates at a 30 m spatial resolution provides the scientific underpinning for a full, spatially explicit, global accounting of aboveground biomass.

Abstract Background The key objective of our study was to describe the population-average trajectories of wellbeing, spanning the period of 2017–2022, comparing young people with other age groups. Moreover, we aimed to identify subgroups of young people who experienced disproportionate changes in wellbeing. Methods We used longitudinal data from six waves (2017–2022) of the Swiss Household Panel. Participants were at least 14 years old in 2017 and had at least one valid composite measure of wellbeing between 2017 and 2022 (n individuals = 11,224; n observations = 49,032). The data were typically collected with telephone or web interviewing. The age of participants ranged from 14 to 102, with a roughly equal distribution of men (51.1%) and women (48.9%). We conceptualized wellbeing as positive affect and life satisfaction, negative affect, stress and psychosomatic symptoms. We described the trajectories of wellbeing using piecewise growth curve analysis. We included sociodemographic characteristics to further describe wellbeing trajectories across subgroups of young people. These comprised (1) gender, (2) migration status, (3) partnership status, (4) living with parents, (5) education/employment status, (6) household income. Results Young people (age 14–25) experienced a steady decline in positive affect and life satisfaction throughout the entire period, with the greatest change occurring before the pandemic (2017–2019). The trajectories in this outcome were largely stable in other age groups. Moreover, young individuals showed a more pronounced increase in negative affect, particularly in the pre-pandemic years, compared to older groups. Negative affect increased during the pandemic, followed by a subsequent decline post-pandemic, observed similarly across all age groups. Among young people specifically, the trajectory of stress was similar to the one of negative affect. However, issues such as sleep problems, weakness, weariness, and headaches continued to increase in this population from 2017 to 2022. We also found evidence for a greater increase in negative affect during the pandemic in young women and those not in employment or education. Conclusions Given the fact that the decline in young people’s wellbeing in Switzerland started two years before the pandemic, our study emphasises the importance of consideing their wellbeing within a broader systemic context beyond pandemic-related changes.

Background: Switching between calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) may be a beneficial strategy after discontinuation. The aim of this study was to evaluate switching outcomes of effectiveness/tolerability. Methods: Retrospective multicentric study of migraine patients who switched to another CGRP–mAb due to lack of tolerability or effectiveness (defined as

Background: To date, all preventive anxiety disorders interventions are one-fit-all and none of them are based on individual level and risk profile. The aim of this project is to design, develop and evaluate an online personalized intervention based on a risk algorithm for the universal prevention of anxiety disorders in the general population. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two parallel arms (prevANS vs usual care) and 1-year follow-up including 2000 participants without anxiety disorders from Spain and Portugal will be conducted.The prevANS intervention will be self-guided and can be implemented from the prevANS web or from the participants' Smartphone (through an App). The prevANS intervention will have different intensities depending on the risk level of the population, evaluated from the risk algorithm for anxiety: predictA. Both low and moderate-high risk participants will receive information on their level and profile (risk factors) of anxiety disorders, will have access to stress management tools and psychoeducational information periodically. In addition, participants with a moderate-high risk of anxiety disorders will also have access to cognitive-behavioral training (problem-solving, decision-making, communication skills, and working with thoughts). The control group will not receive any intervention, but they will fill out the same questionnaires as the intervention group.Assessments will be completed at baseline, 6 and 12-month follow-up. The primary outcome is the cumulative incidence of anxiety disorders. Secondary outcomes include depressive and anxiety symptoms, risk probability of anxiety disorders (predictA algorithm) and depression (predictD algorithm), improvement in physical and mental quality of life, and acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention. In addition, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses will also be carried out from two perspectives, societal and health system, and analyses of mediators and moderators will also be performed. Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, prevANS study will be the first to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a personalized online intervention based on a risk predictive algorithm for the universal prevention of anxiety disorders. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05682365.

Abstract Background Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 microspheres is a clinically effective therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the available economic evaluations of TARE for the treatment of HCC. Methods The Preferred Reported Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was followed by applying a search strategy across six databases. All studies identified as economic evaluations with TARE for HCC treatment in English or Spanish language were considered. Costs were adjusted using the 2020 US dollars based on purchasing-power-parity ($US PPP). Results Among 423 records screened, 20 studies (6 cost-analyses, 3 budget-impact-analyses, 2 cost-effectiveness-analyses, 8 cost-utility-analyses, and 1 cost-minimization analysis) met the pre-defined criteria for inclusion. Thirteen studies were published from the European perspective, six from the United States, and one from the Canadian perspectives. The assessed populations included early- (n = 4), and intermediate-advanced-stages patients (n = 15). Included studies were evaluated from a payer perspective (n = 20) and included both payer and social perspective (n = 2). TARE was compared with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in nine studies or sorafenib (n = 11). The life-years gained (LYG) differed by comparator: TARE versus TACE (range: 1.3 to 3.1), and TARE versus sorafenib (range: 1.1 to 2.53). Of the 20 studies, TARE was associated with lower treatment costs in ten studies. The cost of TARE treatment varied widely according to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system and ranged from 1311 $US PPP/month (BCLC-A) to 71,890 $US PPP/5-years time horizon (BCLC-C). The incremental cost-utility ratio for TARE versus TACE resulted in a 17,397 $US PPP/Quality-adjusted-Life-Years (QALY), and for TARE versus sorafenib ranged from dominant (more effectiveness and lower cost) to 3363 $US PPP/QALY. Conclusions Economic evaluations of TARE for HCC treatment are heterogeneous. Overall, TARE is a cost-effective short- and long-term therapy for the treatment of intermediate-advanced HCC.

Agricultural drought is one of the most critical hazards with regard to intensity, severity, frequency, spatial extension and impact on livelihoods. This is especially true for Argentina, where agricultural exports can represent up to 10% of gross domestic product (GDP), and where drought events for 2018 led to a decrease of nearly 0.5% of GDP. In this work, we investigate the applicability of the Soil Moisture Agricultural Drought Index (SMADI) for detection of droughts in Argentina, and compare its performance with the use of two well-known precipitation-based indices: the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation- Evaporation Index (SPEI). SMADI includes satellite-based information of soil moisture, surface temperature and vegetation greenness, and was designed to capture the hydric stress on the soil-vegetation ensemble. Results indicate that SMADI has greater capabilities for agricultural drought detection than SPI and SPEI: it was able to recognize more than 83% of the registered emergencies, correctly classifying 75% of them as extreme droughts, and outperforming SPI and SPEI in all the analyzed metrics.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as the Global Position System (GPS), are currently used to replace the traditional pastoralism and to remotely control the movements and location of the herds. Besides, the use of this remote monitoring can benefit the understanding of grazing resource use and livestock management. In this work we investigated the herd behaviour in a Spanish organic farm of free pastoralist sheep with a joint use of different geodata sources. The area of study comprised approximately 900 hectares with a variety of land covers dedicated to pasture.A herd of 300 head was monitored during 2009 and 2010. GPS data were acquired every 5 minutes. In addition, a comprehensive map of land uses/land covers (LU/LC) was retrieved through a supervised classification of a mosaic of orthophotographs (visible and near infrared bands, VNIR). Then, the digital elevation model (DEM) and the digital surface model (DSM) were obtained from a 2010 LiDAR (light detection and ranging) campaign, which allowed the retrieval of terrain attributes and vegetation parameters. The positioning and behaviour of the GPS-tracked sheep were analysed in terms of the retrieved topographic characteristics and land uses. The study of the most influential variables indicated that the slope and aspect were the topographic attributes that most exerted impact on the grazing activity, being the north direction the most preferable, as well as a gentle slope. Regarding the LU/LC, grassland areas were selected by the sheep, specifically in areas of short vegetation (i.e., outside shrublands and trees beyond 0.5 m high).

The project “VerSus+ / Heritage for PEOPLE”, founded by the European Commission as part of the Creative Europe Culture Programme (Ref. 607593-CREA-1-2019-1-ES-CULT-COOP1) during the period 2019–2023, focuses on the transmission of knowledge to all branches of society and the general public. Its aim is to raise awareness on what constitutes the basis for the conservation of the tangible and intangible heritage as well as for a more sustainable contemporary architecture. This in-depth transmission of the lessons from vernacular heritage to future society is to be carried out in specific defined contexts, such as islands and archipelagos (geographically limited territories that are accessible to collaborators and administrative, technical and social agents), where vernacular heritage is under pressure, subjected to the transformations of contemporary life, particularly mass tourism. These pilot experiences should serve as a real testing ground for the implementation of actions for social participation, dissemination, education, communication, and promotion in different contexts and through different media. This project aims to reach out to society in order to showcase the sustainable qualities of the examples identified, through the establishment of an operative approach that can be adjusted to different contexts. The experiences on each island are expected to have repercussions throughout the region and, in turn, throughout the country in question, improving the perspectives and opportunities starting from best practices, and promoting the development of local skills. In addition, promotion and support from partners and associate partners will allow these experiences to be applied in other similar European and international contexts.

Resumen: Los pacientes en diálisis son un grupo de riesgo de sufrir la infección por el SARS-CoV-2 y posiblemente de tener más complicaciones, pero la información con la que contamos es escasa. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir la experiencia del primer mes de pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en una unidad hospitalaria de hemodiálisis (HD) que atiende al 2.o distrito madrileño con más en incidencia de COVID-19 (casi 1.000 pacientes en 100.000 habitantes). Se presenta mediante un diario las acciones llevadas a cabo, la incidencia de COVID-19 en pacientes y en el personal sanitario, algunas características clínicas y el resultado de un cribado entre todos los pacientes de la unidad.Al inicio, teníamos 90 pacientes en HD: 37(41,1%) han tenido COVID-19, de los que 17 (45,9%) fueron diagnosticados por síntomas detectados en el triaje o durante la sesión y 15 (40,5%) en un cribado realizado a posteriori en los que no se había hecho test diagnóstico por PCR-SARS-CoV-2 hasta ese momento. El síntoma más frecuente fue la fiebre, el 50% presentó linfopenia y el 18,4% saturación de O2

The efficiency of a thermoelectric generator model under maximum conditions is presented for two optimization criteria proposed under the context of finite-time thermodynamics, namely, the efficient power criterion and the Omega function, where this last function represents a trade-off between useful and lost energy. The results are compared with the performance of the device at maximum power output. A macroscopic thermoelectric generator (TEG) model with three possible sources of irreversibilities is considered: (i) the electric resistance R for the Joule heating, (ii) the thermal conductances Kh and Kc of the heat exchangers between the thermal baths and the TEG, and (iii) the internal thermal conductance K for heat leakage. In particular, two configurations of the macroscopic TEG are studied: the so-called exoreversible case and the endoreversible limit. It shows that for both TEG configurations, the efficiency at maximum Omega function is always greater than that obtained in conditions of maximum efficient power, and this in turn is greater than that of the maximum power regime.

Biodiesel is generally produced through transesterification with base catalysts, using vegetable oils as raw materials. These vegetable oils can be expensive, being replaced for other alternatives like animal fats. However, animal fats usually present high free fatty acid (FFA) levels, which make the use of base catalysts difficult. Pre-esterification of these raw materials is an effective pre-treatment to reduce FFA levels as free fatty acids react with methanol to produce methyl esters and water. In this research work, the esterification of animal fats was studied, obtaining kinetic parameters through a simplified model. This model, with 1.5 reaction order with respect to FFA, only takes into account the direct reaction of esterification chemical equilibrium, proving that the reaction rate of the inverse reaction is negligible. The reaction rate coefficient, which presents a linear correlation between methanol and the catalyst (H2SO4), was adjusted to temperature through the Arrhenius equation, obtaining the activation energy and the pre-exponential factor. A thorough experimentation has been carried out in order to determine the influence of catalyst concentration, methanol/fat ratio and reaction times corresponding to esterification and transesterification. Reaction times for esterification and transesterification longer than 120 min were enough to obtain biodiesel yields above 97%.

The existence of a possible anisotropy, determined by the orientation of any mineral or by micro­crack network in granite rock, isn´t easily detected by the naked eye. Five granitic rocks from Galicia (Spain), namely Albero, Gris Alba, Gris Mondariz, Rosa Porriño and Traspielas, were characterized petrographically by means of textural and mineralogical studies, using optical polarizing microscopy, and fractographic studies were carried out under scanning electron microscopy. Longitudinal wave propagation velocity was measured in three orthogonal directions on cubic samples, oriented according to rift surface (known in quarry works like the preferential partition surface visible in the blocks). Vp was measured on dry and water saturated samples. All the dry samples showed an anisotropic behaviour of Vp. Models of microcrack network distribution and possible mineral grain orientation were developed based on the obtained data.

The increasing frequency of drought events has expanded the research interest in drought monitoring. In this regard, remote sensing is a useful tool to globally mapping the agricultural drought. While this type of drought is directly linked to the availability of root zone soil moisture (RZSM) for plants growth, current satellite soil moisture observations only characterize the water content of the surface soil layer (0–5 cm). In this study, two soil moisture-based agricultural drought indices were obtained at a weekly rate from June 2010 to December 2016, using RZSM estimations at 1 km from the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite, instead of surface soil moisture (SSM). The RZSM was estimated by applying the Soil Water Index (SWI) model to the SMOS SSM. The Soil Moisture Agricultural Drought Index (SMADI) and the Soil Water Deficit Index (SWDI) were assessed over the Castilla y León region (Spain) at 1 km spatial resolution. They were compared with the Atmospheric Water Deficit (AWD) and the Crop Moisture Index (CMI), both computed at different weather stations distributed over the study area. The level of agreement was analyzed through statistical correlation. Results showed that the use of RZSM does not influence the characterization of drought, both for SMADI and SWDI.

Currently for bacterial identification and classification the rrs gene encoding 16S rRNA is used as a reference method for the analysis of strains of the genus Nocardia. However, it does not have enough polymorphism to differentiate them at the species level. This fact makes it necessary to search for molecular targets that can provide better identification. The sodA gene (encoding the enzyme superoxide dismutase) has had good results in identifying species of other Actinomycetes. In this study the sodA gene is proposed for the identification and differentiation at the species level of the genus Nocardia. We used 41 type species of various collections; a 386 bp fragment of the sodA gene was amplified and sequenced, and a phylogenetic analysis was performed comparing the genes rrs (1171 bp), hsp65 (401 bp), secA1 (494 bp), gyrB (1195 bp) and rpoB (401 bp). The sequences were aligned using the Clustal X program. Evolutionary trees according to the neighbour-joining method were created with the programs Phylo_win and MEGA 6. The specific variability of the sodA genus of the genus Nocardia was analysed. A high phylogenetic resolution, significant genetic variability, and specificity and reliability were observed for the differentiation of the isolates at the species level. The polymorphism observed in the sodA gene sequence contains variable regions that allow the discrimination of closely related Nocardia species. The clear specificity, despite its small size, proves to be of great advantage for use in taxonomic studies and clinical diagnosis of the genus Nocardia.

Se ha estudiado un edificio residencial con estructura de madera laminada en Granada (España) con la metodología de análisis del ciclo de vida, análisis energético del ciclo de vida y análisis de sensibilidad a cambios en la eficiencia energética durante el uso, bases de datos, distancia del transporte y diferentes escenarios para los residuos. Los impactos ambientales de las etapas de producción de materiales y construcción, así como la energía embebida fueron relativamente significantes. El valor del calentamiento global ha sido muy bajo debido al secuestro de CO2 por la madera. El análisis de sensibilidad ha revelado que la mayor reducción se consigue con la mejora de la eficiencia energética, la alta incertidumbre en los impactos de las declaraciones ambientales de producto, el escaso efecto del transporte de larga distancia sobre los impactos totales y la viabilidad de conseguir el objetivo de valorización de la Directiva Marco para el horizonte 2020 (mayor del 70%).

Asthma often remains uncontrolled, despite the fact that the pharmacological treatment has undergone large changes. We studied changes in the treatment of asthma over a 20-year period and identified factors associated with the regular use of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment. Changes in the use of medication were determined in 4617 randomly selected subjects, while changes in adults with persistent asthma were analysed in 369 participants. The study compares data from three surveys in 24 centres in 11 countries. The use of ICSs increased from 1.7% to 5.9% in the general population and the regular use of ICSs increased from 19% to 34% among persistent asthmatic subjects. The proportion of asthmatic subjects reporting asthma attacks in the last 12 months decreased, while the proportion that had seen a doctor in the last 12 months remained unchanged (42%). Subjects with asthma who had experienced attacks or had seen a doctor were more likely to use ICSs on a regular basis. Although ICS use has increased, only one-third of subjects with persistent asthma take ICSs on a regular basis. Less than half had seen a doctor during the last year. This indicates that underuse of ICSs and lack of regular healthcare contacts remains a problem in the management of asthma.

A synergistic fusion of the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) L2 soil moisture with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-derived land surface temperature (LST) and several water/vegetation indices for agricultural drought monitoring was tested. The rationale of the calculation is based on the inverse relationship between LST and vegetation condition, related in turn with the soil moisture content. All the products were time-integrated, including the lagged response of vegetation. The product aims to detect and characterize soil moisture drought conditions and, particularly, to identify potential short-term agricultural droughts among them. The new index, so-called the Soil Moisture Agricultural Drought Index (SMADI), was retrieved at 500 m spatial resolution at the Soil Moisture Measurement Stations Network of the University of Salamanca (REMEDHUS) area from 2010 to 2014 at 8-days temporal scale. SMADI was compared with other agricultural indices in REMEDHUS through statistical correlation, affording a good agreement with them, and depicting a suitable description of the drought conditions in this area during the study period.

A multi-temporal/multi-sensor field experiment was conducted within the Soil Moisture Measurement Stations Network of the University of Salamanca (REMEDHUS) in Spain, in order to retrieve useful information from satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and upcoming Global Navigation Satellite Systems Reflectometry (GNSS-R) missions. The objective of the experiment was first to identify which radar observables are most sensitive to the development of crops, and then to define which crop parameters the most affect the radar signal. A wide set of radar variables (backscattering coefficients and polarimetric indicators) acquired by Radarsat-2 were analyzed and then exploited to determine variables characterizing the crops. Field measurements were fortnightly taken at seven cereals plots between February and July, 2015. This work also tried to optimize the crop characterization through Landsat-8 estimations, testing and validating parameters such as the leaf area index, the fraction of vegetation cover and the vegetation water content, among others. Some of these parameters showed significant and relevant correlation with the Landsat-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (R>0.60). Regarding the radar observables, the parameters the best characterized were biomass and height, which may be explored for inversion using SAR data as an input. Moreover, the differences in the correlations found for the different crops under study types suggested a way to a feasible classification of crops.

An increasing number of permanent soil moisture measurement networks are nowadays providing the means for validating new remotely sensed soil moisture estimates such as those provided by the ESA’s Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission. Two types of in situ measurement networks can be found: small-scale (100–10000 km2), which provide multiple ground measurements within a single satellite footprint, and large-scale (>10000 km2), which contain a single point observation per satellite footprint. This work presents the results of a comprehensive spatial and temporal validation of a long-term (January, 2010 to June, 2014) dataset of SMOS-derived soil moisture estimates using two in situ networks within the Duero basin (Spain). The first one is the Soil Moisture Measurement Stations Network of the University of Salamanca (REMEDHUS), which has been extensively applied for validation of soil moisture remote sensing observations, including SMOS. REMEDHUS can be considered within the small-scale network group (1300 km2). The other network started from an existing meteorological network from the Castilla y León region, where soil moisture probes were incorporated in 2012. This network can be considered within the large-scale group (65000 km2). Results from comparison to in situ show that the new reprocessed L2 product (v5.51) improves the accuracy of former soil moisture retrievals, making them suitable for developing new L3 products. Validation based on comparisons between dense/sparse networks showed that temporal patterns on soil moisture are well reproduced, whereas spatial patterns are difficult to depict given the different spatial representativeness of ground and satellite observations.

An airborne campaign was performed during August, 2014 in an agricultural area in the Duero basin (Spain) in order to appraise the synergy between very different sources of Earth Observation imagery, and very different instruments for soil moisture retrieval. During the flight, an intensive field campaign comprising soil, plant and spectral measurements was carried out. An innovative sensor based on the Global Navigation Satellite Systems Reflectometry (GNSS-R) was on board the manned vehicle, the Light Airborne Reflectometer for GNSS-R Observations (LARGO) engineered by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. While the synergy between thermal, optical and passive microwave spectra observations is well known for vegetation parameters and soil moisture retrievals, the experiment aimed to evaluate the synergy of GNSS-R reflectivity with a time-collocated Landsat 8 imagery for soil moisture retrieval under semiarid climatic conditions. LARGO estimates, field measurements, and optical, NIR, SWIR and thermal bands from Landsat 8 were compared. Results showed that the joint use of GNSS-R reflectivity with vegetation and water indices together with thermal maps from Landsat 8 thoroughly improved the soil moisture estimation.

To promote social justice, doctoral programs can implement policies that support underrepresented students' success. Drawing on critical multicultural theory, we surveyed early-career social work faculty (N = 127) about experiences within their doctoral programs, and analyzed how perceptions differ based on their social identities, part-time student status, or outside work responsibilities. Descriptive results, independent samples t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and linear regression analyses suggest that social work doctoral programs support students through scholarly communities, academic mentors, and cohorts. Respondents experienced limited support relating to their development of professional skills like teaching or applying for funding, and even less relating to their social and emotional wellbeing. Our findings can help professional organizations and doctoral programs develop a healthier, more inclusive professoriate.

In this work the soil moisture dynamics was estudied in a small agricultural catchment in the central sector of the Duero basin. The experience took place in the 1 km2 Villamor experimental catchment, located in the southeastern part of the Zamora province. The evolution of the soil water contenr and its availability for plants was analyzed from the data measured in eleven soil profiles equipped with TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) probes at different depths, between 2002 and 2006. The soil moisture data recorded in Villamor which were compared against the data simultaneously registered in the Network of Soil Moisture Measurement Stations (REMEDHUS) in the agricultural region of La Guarena over 1300 km2. This comparison allowed to assess the repre-sentativeness of the experimental catchment as an expression of the hydrological dynamics of a territory larger of which is part. The results of the study carried out in Villamor have shown the seasonal water content changes in the soil, as it is expected under Mediterranean conditions. However, these changes were much more attenuated than those observed in other nearby areas. The use of the Soil Water Index (IDH) allows the analysis in terms of availability of water for the plants and enables the comparison between different areas. IDH data have shown much more reduced water deficit conditions of what might be expected, given the semi-arid conditions in the area. The comparison with series of IDH of two forested basins and the identification of deficit situations much more intense in them, leads to reflection on the very prominent role of vegetation cover in the hydrological response of certain territories.

Objective. Mechanism of action of cosmetic products is not often studied. The aim of this study is to determine the histological, immunohistochemical, and clinical changes of a new cosmetic formulation. Methods. Prospective, single-blind, patient-controlled, randomized study in 10 volunteers with mild to moderate skin photoaging on the back of their hands. The product was applied on one hand and a standard cream on the other hand, twice a day for three months. Standardized photographs were taken on basal (T0) and final visit (T1) and skin biopsies were performed. Changes on histological and immunohistochemical markers were studied. Subjective clinical changes were determined. Results. After treatment, a 26.3% improvement on epidermal thickness was detected and a significant increase on collagens I and III, elastin, and fibronectin fibers was achieved (p

La incidencia de obesidad y una de sus comorbilidades más temida la diabetes mellitus tipo II está en aumento y no pareciera haber tratamiento médico que ayude a controlar estas pandemias. Existe una técnica quirúrgica bariátrica, el Bypass Gástrico en Y de Roux (BGYR) que es segura y no sólo ayuda a controlar el exceso de peso sino también produce resultados alentadores en el control y remisión de la diabetes. Métodos: Se presentan 15 pacientes con IMC entre 30 y 35 kg/mt² diabéticos tipo II seleccionados sometidos a BGYR por laparoscopia con seguimiento de un año. Resultados: Se operaron 14 mujeres y un hombre con los siguientes valores promedios: Edad: 37 años, Peso: 88,3 kg, IMC: 32,8 kg/mt², Glicemia: 120 ± 38,8 mg%, HbA1c: 7,6% ± 0,73. 40% de hipertensión arterial y 33,3% dislipidémicos. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue de 75 minutos, dos días de hospitalización bajo índice de complicaciones y sin mortalidad. Se logró una remisión de la diabetes en el 93%, de los casos, con descensos de la glicemia y HbA1c significativos (p ≤ 0,05 y p ≤ 0,001 respectivamente) con un control de la dislipidemia del 100% y 83,3% de la HTA. Conclusiones: El BGYR en obesos tipo I diabéticos seleccionados es una técnica segura y eficaz en el control metabólico y de la obesidad.Background: The incidence of obesity and its most feared comorbidity, diabetes mellitus type 2, is increasing and there would not seem to be any medical treatment to help control these pandemics. However, there is a bariatric surgery technique, the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), which is safe and not only helps control excess weight, but produces encouraging results in the control and remission of diabetes. Methods: We present 15 selected patients with a BMI between 30 and 35 kg/mt² and diabetes type 2 who underwent a laparoscopic RYGB with of one-year follow-up. Results: A total of 14 women and one man were operated with the following average values: age: 37 years, weight: 88.3 kg, BMI: 32.8 kg/mt², blood glucose: 120 ± 38.8 mg%, HbA1c: 7.6 ± 0.73. Forty percent (40%) suffered from high blood pressure and 33.3% were dyslipidemic. Average surgical time was 75 minutes, hospital length of stay was two days, and there was a low rate of complications and no mortality. Diabetes remission was achieved in 93% of cases with significant drops in blood glucose and HbA1c (p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.001 respectively), dyslipidemia was 100% controlled and hypertension was 83.3% controlled. Conclusions: RYGB in selected patients with obesity type 1 and diabetes mellitus type 2 is a safe and effective technique for metabolic control and obesity control.

Ceratozamia mexicana Brongniart es una especie estrictamente dioica con un largo estadio juvenil. Con el fin de detectar marcadores moleculares asociados al azar (RAPD) y al análisis masal segregante (BSA), se trabajó con muestras de tejido foliar de individuos maduros de la población de esta especie en Coacoatzintla, Veracruz, México. Se usaron cinco iniciadores para amplificar tres mezclas de ADN de individuos de sexo conocido. Se produjeron un total de 37 bandas de las cuales el 63 % fueron polimórficas. Los iniciadores OPB08 y OPK10 generaron bandas distintivas al sexo. Con el iniciador OPK10 se observó una banda de 500 pb en dos de las tres mezclas de machos analizados, mientras que con el iniciador OPB08 se detectaron 2 bandas (1,400 y 1,100 pb) presentes en dos de las tres mezclas de machos examinados. Aunque es necesario validar los resultados obtenidos, pueden abrir una nueva alternativa para determinar tempranamente el sexo en C. mexicana.

Background: recent advances in endoscopy have enabled us to explore the small intestine more efficiently, both with capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy. However, these methods are not available in all hospitals. Therefore, when capsule endoscopy reveals proximal jejunal lesions, a possible alternative for treatment could involve push enteroscopy combined with colonoscopy. Lesions can thus be marked for subsequent monitoring. Objectives: to describe the efficacy of pediatric colonoscopy for diagnosis, the marking of the area explored, and therapeutic options. Material and methods: between October 2007 and September 2008 a total of 21 enteroscopies were performed using a pediatric colonoscope. Nine of these were used to take jejunal biopsy samples due to suspected disease of the mucosa. In 10 of the remaining 12, capsule endoscopy revealed lesions (vascular malformations or jejunal bleeding), and in 2 intestinal transit time was analyzed due to suspected jejunal stenosis. We used a PENTAX EC-3470-LK pediatric colonoscope, whose 11.6-mm sectional diameter and 3.8-mm working channel make it possible to administer all the usual endoscopic treatments. Results: therapeutic endoscopy was performed on 7 men and 5 women (mean age 63.3 years). Jejunal lesions were observed in 10 cases (5 cases of angiodysplasia, 2 cases of jejunal stenosis, 1 case of nonmalignant thickened jejunal folds, 1 eroded submucosal tumor, and 1 case of duodenal and jejunal varices). The most distal area was marked with India ink (2), hemoclips (4), or both to help locate the lesions using simple abdominal radiography or capsule endoscopy. Conclusions: jejunal enteroscopy enabled a firm diagnosis to be made in most of the patients studied. We were able to treat 58% of patients and mark the areas explored for subsequent follow-up. With hemoclips we were able to locate the most distal point explored using simple abdominal radiography.Introducción: los recientes avances en endoscopia nos han permitido explorar de una forma más eficaz el intestino delgado, tanto con la cápsula endoscópica (CE) como con enteroscopia de doble balón. El problema que aparece es la no disponibilidad de estos dos métodos en todos los hospitales. Por ello, cuando se ven lesiones en la CE, una alternativa posible para el tratamiento de las lesiones de yeyuno proximal podría ser la realización de una enteroscopia de pulsión con colonoscopio con fines terapéuticos y de marcaje para control de las lesiones. Objetivos: describir la eficacia del colonoscopio pediátrico en cuanto al diagnóstico, señalización de zona explorada y posibilidades terapéuticas. Material y métodos: durante el periodo comprendido entre octubre de 2007 y septiembre de 2008, se han realizado 21 enteroscopias con colonoscopio pediátrico, de las cuales 9 eran para tomar biopsias yeyunales por sospecha de patología mucosa. De las otras 12, en 10 se vieron lesiones por la cápsula endoscópica (malformaciones vasculares o sangrado yeyunal) y en 2 se hizo tránsito intestinal sospecha de estenosis yeyunal. Se utilizó un colonoscopio pediátrico PENTAX EC-3470-LK que presenta un diámetro de sección de 11,6 mm y un canal de trabajo de 3,8 mm, lo cual nos permite realizar cualquier tipo de tratamiento endoscópico habitual. Resultados: se hizo enteroscopia con fines terapéuticos en 7 hom-bres y 5 mujeres, con una edad media de 63,3 años. Se vieron lesiones endoscópicas en yeyuno en diez casos: 5 angiodisplasias, 2 estenosis yeyunales, uno con pliegues engrosados yeyunales con histología normal, un tumor submucoso erosionado y un caso de varices duodenales y yeyunales. En los últimos pacientes se hizo marcaje de la zona más distal explorada con tinta china (2) o con hemoclips (4) o con ambos, para ayudar a localizar topográficamente las lesiones mediante radiología simple de abdomen o cápsula endoscópica. Conclusiones: la enteroscopia de yeyuno ha permitido un diagnóstico de seguridad en la mayoría de los pacientes estudiados. En cuanto al tratamiento, ha permitido tratar al 58% y marcar las zonas exploradas para el seguimiento posterior. En caso del uso de hemoclips, permite localizar el punto más distal explorado mediante una radiografía simple de abdomen.

Antecedentes y objetivo: la inserción de prótesis metálicas autoexpandibles para paliar la obstrucción tumoral del vaciamiento gástrico es un procedimiento mínimamente invasivo, que cada vez se utiliza con más frecuencia. Presentamos la experiencia de esta técnica en un hospital de nivel II del Sistema Nacional de Salud. Pacientes y métodos: estudio retrospectivo de un periodo de cinco años (2003-2007), en los que se trató de resolver la obstrucción tumoral del vaciamiento gástrico en 27 ocasiones a 23 pacientes (media de 0,45 procedimientos por mes), mediante la inserción endoscópica de prótesis no recubiertas (Wallstent® y Wallflex®). Resultados: la inserción fue técnicamente posible en el 100% de los 27 intentos. Se obtuvo un buen resultado clínico en 25 ocasiones (92,5%). Se utilizó sólo endoscopia 10 (37%) veces y en las otras 17 (63%) también fluoroscopia. Tras la inserción de la prótesis se intervino a un paciente con intención curativa y a otro, en el que la prótesis no funcionó, para realizar una derivación paliativa. Cuatro prótesis se obstruyeron por crecimiento tumoral, recanalizándose mediante la inserción de nuevas prótesis. En tres ocasiones se produjo ictericia obstructiva en prótesis que cubrían la papila de Vater. No hubo otras complicaciones. Tampoco mortalidad derivada del procedimiento. La media de supervivencia fue de 104 días (rango 28-400, DE ± 94). Conclusiones: en nuestra experiencia, la inserción endoscópica de prótesis metálicas autoexpandibles parece un método seguro y eficaz en el tratamiento paliativo de la obstrucción tumoral del vaciamiento gástrico y puede llevarse a cabo con éxito en un centro de nuestras características.Aim and background: the insertion of self-expanding metal stents to palliate malignant gastric outlet obstruction is a minimally invasive procedure that is being increasingly used. We discuss experience with this technique in a level-II hospital in the Spanish National Health System. Patients and methods: a retrospective five-year study (2003-2007) was conducted in 23 patients who underwent 27 procedures aimed at resolving malignant gastric outlet obstruction (mean, 0.45 procedures per month) using endoscopically inserted noncovered stents (Wallstent® and Wallflex®). Results: insertion was technically feasible in all 27 (100%) attempts, with satisfactory clinical results in 25 cases (92.5%). Endoscopy alone was used 10 times (37%), and both endoscopy and fluoroscopy on 17 (63%) occasions. After stent insertion, one patient was intervened for treatment, and a patient with an unsuccessful prosthesis received a palliative surgical bypass. Four stents became obstructed by tumoral ingrowth, and patency was reestablished by inserting a new stent. Obstructive jaundice caused by stents covering the papilla of Vater occurred in three cases. There were no other complications or mortality due to the procedure. Mean survival was 104 days (range 28-400, SD ± 94). Conclusions: In our experience endoscopic insertion of self-expanding metal stents appears to be a safe and efficient palliative method for malignant gastric outlet obstruction, and can be performed successfully in a center with our characteristics.

Background: the clinical impact of small-bowel angiodysplasia has not been defined. We present a prospective study to determine the features of individuals with a higher risk of rebleeding or a worse clinical outcome. Patients and methods: thirty patients with angiodysplasia found on CE were included and followed for 12 months. Angiodysplasia were classified by their size as small (≤ 10 mm) or large (> 10 mm). We also studied angiodysplasia lesion numbers in each patient. Rebleeding was defined as a hemoglobin drop of more than 2 g/dl in the absence of melena or hematochezia in the case of occult GI bleeding, or with any or both manifestations. Results: a therapeutic procedure was carried out in 13 patients (43.4%). Individuals with large angiodysplasia had higher transfusion requirements, a higher proportion of therapeutic procedure performed after CE, lower hemoglobin concentration, and a lower rebleeding rate. Patients with ten or more angiodysplasia lesions had also higher transfusion requirements and lower hemoglobin levels, but we found no differences in the number of therapeutic procedures or rebleeding rate between both groups. On follow up rebleeding was detected in 5 patients (16.7%), all of them with small angiodysplasias. Rebleeding was more frequent in patients who did not receive further interventions (23.53 vs. 7.69%; p = 0.037). Conclusions: angiodysplasia size ≥ 10 mm determines a worse clinical impact and more possibilities of receiving a therapeutic procedure. Our findings support that patients with large lesions would benefit from therapeutic interventions with a reduction in rebleeding rate.Introducción: no se ha definido con exactitud el impacto clínico de las angiodisplasias del intestino delgado. Presentamos un estudio prospectivo para determinar las características de los individuos con mayor riesgo de recidiva hemorrágica o peor evolución clínica. Pacientes y métodos: en este estudio se incluyeron treinta pacientes con angiodisplasias, halladas con la cápsula endoscópica, que fueron seguidos durante 12 meses. Las lesiones se clasificaron por su tamaño en pequeñas (≤ 10 mm) o grandes (> 10 mm). Estudiamos también el número de angiodisplasias en cada paciente. La recidiva hemorrágica se definió como una caída en las cifras de hemoglobina de 2 g/dl, en ausencia de melenas o hematoquecia para la hemorragia de origen oscuro o en presencia de cualquiera de estas manifestaciones. Resultados: se realizaron procedimientos terapéuticos en 13 pacientes (43,4%). Los pacientes con angiodisplasias grandes tuvieron mayores requerimientos transfusionales, un mayor número de procedimientos diagnósticos realizados tras la cápsula endoscópica, cifras inferiores de hemoglobina y menor tasa de recidiva hemorrágica. Los pacientes con diez o más angiodisplasias recibieron también más transfusiones y presentaron cifras inferiores de hemoglobina, pero no hubo diferencias en los procedimientos terapéuticos o recidiva hemorrágica entre ambos grupos. En el seguimiento, la recidiva hemorrágica se detectó en 5 pacientes (16,7%), todos con angiodisplasias pequeñas. Esta fue más frecuente en pacientes que no recibieron tratamiento (23,53 vs. 7,69%; p = 0,037). Conclusiones: el tamaño ≥ 10 mm de las angiodisplasias determina un mayor impacto clínico y más posibilidades de recibir tratamiento. Nuestros hallazgos indican que pacientes con lesiones de mayor tamaño se beneficiarían de procedimientos terapéuticos con una reducción de la tasa de recidiva hemorrágica.

Antecedentes y objetivo: la colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica (CPRE) es habitualmente la técnica de elección para desobstruir la vía biliar. Una gran parte de los pacientes a los que se realiza esta intervención están en edad geriátrica (mayores de 75 años). Nuestro objetivo ha sido valorar la eficacia de la CPRE en este grupo de pacientes, comparado con los de menor edad. Pacientes y métodos: estudio retrospectivo en el que se han incluido los pacientes a quienes se realizó terapéutica biliar endoscópica mediante CPRE en un periodo de cuatro años (2002-2005). Resultados: se realizó CPRE a 178 pacientes en edad geriátrica y a 159 de menor edad. No hubo diferencias en el éxito del drenaje biliar (97,7-98,7%), en el número de complicaciones (11,8-14,4%), ni en la mortalidad (1,1-0,6%). Por el contrario, en el grupo geriátrico hubo más coledocolitiasis (57,3-39,6%, p = 0,004) y se utilizaron más prótesis metálicas autoexpandibles para drenar la ictericia obstructiva tumoral (47-8%, p = 0,0035). En el grupo de menor edad se repitieron más CPRE a los mismos pacientes (4-10%, p = 0,001). Conclusiones: el éxito y la morbimortalidad para drenar la vía biliar mediante CPRE son similares en los pacientes con edad geriátrica y en los de edad inferior. La coledocolitiasis es más frecuente en los pacientes mayores. No se debe excluir a ningún paciente que precise de una CPRE sólo por la edad.Background and objective: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is usually the procedure of choice for relieving bile duct obstruction. A large number of patients undergoing this intervention are geriatric population (aged 75 years of age and older). Our aim was to assess the efficacy of ERCP in this group of patients as compared to younger ones. Patients and methods: a retrospective study. All patients in whom a therapeutic biliary endoscopy had been performed over a four-year period of time (2002-2005) were included. Results: 178 geriatric patients and 159 younger ones underwent ERCP. No differences were found in successful biliary drainage (97.7 vs. 98.7%), complication number (11.8 vs. 14.4%), or mortality rate (1.1 vs. 0.6%). On the other hand, more common bile duct stones were found in geriatric patients (57.3 vs. 39.6%, p = 0.004), and also more self-expanding metal stents were employed to drain malignant obstructive jaundice(47 vs. 8%, p = 0.0035). In the youngest group, more ERCPs were repeated in the same patients (4 vs. 10%, p = 0.001). Conclusions: the geriatric population showed similar success and morbidity & mortality rates when compared to younger patients in draining their bile duct by means of ERCP. Common bile duct stones were more frequently found in geriatric patients. No patients needing an ERCP should be excluded only because of their age.

This study presents magnetic anomaly data from a new high-resolution, low-altitude helicopter-borne magnetic survey recently collected on and offshore Tenerife in the Canary Archipelago. The Italian Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) in collaboration with the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales of the CSIC of Spain conducted the survey in 2006. The data for Tenerife and surrounding marine areas were processed into digital total intensity magnetic anomalies for geomagnetic epoch 2006.4. Relative to previously available higher altitude magnetic survey data, the new survey mapped higher resolution anomalies with significantly improved spatial details, especially over the Las Cañadas caldera and Teide-Pico Viejo complex in the central part of the island. A good correlation is evident between known structural geology and the magnetic anomalies, where the new shorter wavelength anomalies facilitate more detailed and comprehensive geologic interpretations.