Heavy Hadrons in Dense Matter

We study the behavior of dynamically-generated baryon resonances with heavy-quark content within a unitarized coupled-channel theory in matter that fulfills heavy-quark spin symmetry constraints. We analyze the implications for the formation of charmed mesic nuclei and the propagation of heavy mesons in heavy-ion collisions from RHIC to FAIR.Comment: 4 pages, 1 table, 2 figures, contribution to the proceedings of Strangeness in Quark Matter (SQM2015), Dubna, 6-11 July 201

Identificación de un modelo lineal adecuado para evaluar características pre-destete en ganado criollo colombiano Blanco Orejinegro: Identification of an appropriate linear model to evaluate pre-weaning traits in colombian creole cattle Blanco Orejinegro

The Blanco Orejinegro (BON) Creole breed has an adaptation process of more than 500 years to the environmental conditions of Colombia, and it is characterized by being a dual-purpose breed used for both milk and meat production, so it is a very important biological heritage that must be studied. The goal of this study was to identify an appropriate linear model to evaluate pre-weaning traits in BON cattle. Weighing information was collected and filtered from four BON cattle herds. The evaluated traits were weight at 4 months (W4M), weight at weaning (WW) and daily weight gain between 4 months and weaning (DWG4M-W). Nine linear models were evaluated in which were included the following factors as fixed effects: sex, herd, month of weighing or month of birth, calving number, time of weighing or birth (dry and rainy weather), age (covariate, fixed effect and adjusted by regression), year of weaning or year of birth and, contemporary group (CG) formed by sex and herd for DWG4M-W and sex, herd and year of weighing for W4M and WW, with a minimum of five observations in each CG. To identify the most appropriate linear model for each trait, the value of AIC (Akaike information criterion, BIC (Bayesian information criterion), determination coefficient (R2) and sum of squares of error (SCE) were used. The most suitable model for all the traits was the one that involved the contemporary group and age as a fixed effect for W4M and age as a covariate for WW.La Raza criolla Blanco Orejinegro (BON) tiene un proceso de adaptación de más de 500 años a las condiciones ambientales de Colombia. Se caracteriza por ser una raza doble propósito utilizada para la producción de leche y carne, convirtiéndola en un patrimonio biológico de gran importancia que debe ser estudiado. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar un modelo lineal adecuado para evaluar características pre-destete en ganado criollo Blanco Orejinegro. Se recolectó y depuró información de pesajes de cuatro hatos de ganado BON. Las características evaluadas fueron peso a los 4 meses (P4M), peso al destete (PD) y ganancia diaria de peso entre los 4 meses y el destete (GDP4M-D). Se evaluaron nueve modelos lineales en los que se incluyeron como efectos fijos los siguientes factores: sexo, hato, mes de pesaje o nacimiento, número de parto, época de pesaje o época de nacimiento (época seca o lluviosa), edad (covariable, efecto fijo y ajustada por regresión), año de pesaje o año de nacimiento y grupo contemporáneo (GC) compuesto por sexo y hato para GDP4M-D y sexo, hato y año de pesaje para P4M y PD, con mínimo cinco observaciones por GC. Para identificar el modelo lineal más adecuado para cada característica se utilizó el valor de AIC (Akaike information criterion), BIC (Bayesian information criterion), coeficiente de determinación (R2) y la suma de cuadrados del error (SCE). El modelo más adecuado para todas las características fue aquel que involucró el GC y edad como efecto fijo para P4M y edad como covariable para PD

Identificación de un modelo lineal adecuado para evaluar características pre-destete en ganado criollo colombiano Blanco Orejinegro: Identification of an appropriate linear model to evaluate pre-weaning traits in colombian creole cattle Blanco Orejinegro

The Blanco Orejinegro (BON) Creole breed has an adaptation process of more than 500 years to the environmental conditions of Colombia, and it is characterized by being a dual-purpose breed used for both milk and meat production, so it is a very important biological heritage that must be studied. The goal of this study was to identify an appropriate linear model to evaluate pre-weaning traits in BON cattle. Weighing information was collected and filtered from four BON cattle herds. The evaluated traits were weight at 4 months (W4M), weight at weaning (WW) and daily weight gain between 4 months and weaning (DWG4M-W). Nine linear models were evaluated in which were included the following factors as fixed effects: sex, herd, month of weighing or month of birth, calving number, time of weighing or birth (dry and rainy weather), age (covariate, fixed effect and adjusted by regression), year of weaning or year of birth and, contemporary group (CG) formed by sex and herd for DWG4M-W and sex, herd and year of weighing for W4M and WW, with a minimum of five observations in each CG. To identify the most appropriate linear model for each trait, the value of AIC (Akaike information criterion, BIC (Bayesian information criterion), determination coefficient (R2) and sum of squares of error (SCE) were used. The most suitable model for all the traits was the one that involved the contemporary group and age as a fixed effect for W4M and age as a covariate for WW.La Raza criolla Blanco Orejinegro (BON) tiene un proceso de adaptación de más de 500 años a las condiciones ambientales de Colombia. Se caracteriza por ser una raza doble propósito utilizada para la producción de leche y carne, convirtiéndola en un patrimonio biológico de gran importancia que debe ser estudiado. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar un modelo lineal adecuado para evaluar características pre-destete en ganado criollo Blanco Orejinegro. Se recolectó y depuró información de pesajes de cuatro hatos de ganado BON. Las características evaluadas fueron peso a los 4 meses (P4M), peso al destete (PD) y ganancia diaria de peso entre los 4 meses y el destete (GDP4M-D). Se evaluaron nueve modelos lineales en los que se incluyeron como efectos fijos los siguientes factores: sexo, hato, mes de pesaje o nacimiento, número de parto, época de pesaje o época de nacimiento (época seca o lluviosa), edad (covariable, efecto fijo y ajustada por regresión), año de pesaje o año de nacimiento y grupo contemporáneo (GC) compuesto por sexo y hato para GDP4M-D y sexo, hato y año de pesaje para P4M y PD, con mínimo cinco observaciones por GC. Para identificar el modelo lineal más adecuado para cada característica se utilizó el valor de AIC (Akaike information criterion), BIC (Bayesian information criterion), coeficiente de determinación (R2) y la suma de cuadrados del error (SCE). El modelo más adecuado para todas las características fue aquel que involucró el GC y edad como efecto fijo para P4M y edad como covariable para PD

Avaliação da aterosclerose subclínica e de níveis plasmáticos de LDL minimamente modificada em pacientes com espondilite anquilosante e sua correlação com a atividade da doença

AbstractIntroductionAccelerated atherosclerosis has been shown in some autoimmune diseases, mainly in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Although high preva- lence of corticosteroids use may be a confounding factor due to their detrimental effects on several risk factors, systemic inflammation per se is supposed to play an important role in atherogenesis in these patients.MethodsWe have evaluated sub-clinical atherosclerosis and plasma levels of circulating electronegative LDL, which represents the fraction of LDL that is minimally modified, in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Fourteen patients who fulfilled the modified New York criteria for AS were compared with 13 paired controls. Carotid intimal-media thick- ness (IMT) was assessed by ultrasonography bilaterally in common carotid artery, internal carotid artery and in the bifurcation. Groups were homogeneous regarding cardiovascular risk factors. Only a single patient in AS group was in use of corticosteroid.ResultsThe presence of active inflammation was demonstrated by elevated BASDAI and higher CRP levels and in patients versus controls (12.36 vs. 3.45mg/dl, P = 0.002). No dif- ference was found in carotid IMT between both groups, in any site of artery. Averaged IMT (6 measurements, at 3 pre-specified sites bilaterally) was 0.72 ± 0.28 in AS group and 0.70 ± 0.45mm in controls (P = 0.91). Minimally modified LDL did not differ significantly either between patients and controls (14.03 ± 17.40 vs. 13.21 ± 10.21; P = 0.88).ConclusionsPatients with AS did not show increased carotid IMT in comparison to con- trols. In the same way, circulating plasma levels of LDL (-), did not differ significantly in both groups

Remdesivir in Very Old Patients (≥80 Years) Hospitalized with COVID-19: Real World Data from the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry

Background: Large cohort studies of patients with COVID-19 treated with remdesivir have reported improved clinical outcomes, but data on older patients are scarce. Objective: This work aims to assess the potential benefit of remdesivir in unvaccinated very old patients hospitalized with COVID-19; (2) Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients >= 80 years hospitalized in Spain between 15 July and 31 December 2020 (SEMI-COVID-19 Registry). Differences in 30-day all-cause mortality were adjusted using a multivariable regression analysis. (3) Results: Of the 4331 patients admitted, 1312 (30.3%) were >= 80 years. Very old patients treated with remdesivir (n: 140, 10.7%) had a lower mortality rate than those not treated with remdesivir (OR (95% CI): 0.45 (0.29-0.69)). After multivariable adjustment by age, sex, and variables associated with lower mortality (place of COVID-19 acquisition; degree of dependence; comorbidities; dementia; duration of symptoms; admission qSOFA; chest X-ray; D-dimer; and treatment with corticosteroids, tocilizumab, beta-lactams, macrolides, and high-flow nasal canula oxygen), the use of remdesivir remained associated with a lower 30-day all-cause mortality rate (adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.40 (0.22-0.61) (p < 0.001)). (4) Conclusions: Remdesivir may reduce mortality in very old patients hospitalized with COVID-19

Fitoperifiton asociado al río Acacias-Pajure en la Orinoquia colombiana

Phytoperiphyton refers to the autotrophic component belonging to the periphyton community, composed of aquatic microorganisms that have been monitored for their ecological importance and potential as bioindicators. Few investigations have been carried out on this community in the Colombian Orinoquia, a region with abundant water resources and multiple anthropic pressures, because it is the country’s main agricultural and energy source. Three monitorings were carried out at 12 points along the Acacias-Pajure River, where a total of 41 genera were identified. The highest records of richness were presented at monitoring points 6 and 7, associated with oil palm crops and livestock activity. Navicula (Ochrophyta) and Cosmarium (Charophyta) were the most frequent genera, Oedogonium (Chlorophyta) and Phormidium (Cyanobacteria) the most abundant along the river.El fitoperifiton hace referencia al componente autótrofo perteneciente a la comunidad del perifiton, compuesta por microorganismos acuáticos que han sido monitoreados por su importancia ecológica y potencial como bioindicadores. Son escasos los estudios que se han realizado sobre esta comunidad en la Orinoquia colombiana, región con un abundante recurso hídrico y con múltiples presiones antrópicas, debido a que es la principal despensa agrícola y energética del país. Se realizaron tres monitoreos en 12 puntos a lo largo del río Acacias-Pajure, en donde se identificaron un total de 41 géneros. Los mayores registros de riqueza se presentaron en los puntos de monitoreo 6 y 7, asociados a cultivos de palma de aceite y actividad ganadera. Navicula (Ochrophyta) y Cosmarium (Charophyta) fueron los géneros más frecuentes, Oedogonium (Chlorophyta) y Phormidium (Cyanobacteria) los más abundantes a lo largo del río

Impact of operatoŕs experience on peri-procedural outcomes with Watchman FLX: Insights from the FLX-SPA registry

Background: The Watchman FLX is a device upgrade of the Watchman 2.5 that incorporates several design enhancements intended to simplify left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) and improve procedural outcomes. This study compares peri-procedural results of LAAO with Watchman FLX (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts) in centers with varying degrees of experience with the Watchman 2.5 and Watchman FLX. Methods: Prospective, multicenter, 'real-world' registry including consecutive patients undergoing LAAO with the Watchman FLX at 26 Spanish sites (FLX-SPA registry). Implanting centers were classified according to the center's prior experience with the Watchman 2.5. A further division of centers according to whether or not they had performed ≤ 10 or > 10Watchman FLX implants was prespecified at the beginning of the study. Procedural outcomes of institutions stratified according to their experience with the Watchman 2.5 and FLX devices were compared. Results: 359 patients [mean age 75.5 (SD8.1), CHA2DS2-VASc 4.4 (SD1.4), HAS-BLED 3.8(SD0.9)] were included. Global success rate was 98.6%, successful LAAO with the first selected device size was achieved in 95.5% patients and the device was implanted at first attempt in 78.6% cases. There were only 9(2.5%) major peri-procedural complications. No differences in efficacy or safety results according to the centeŕs previous experience with Watchman 2.5 and procedural volume with Watchman FLX existed. Conclusions: The Watchman FLX attains high procedural success rates with complete LAA sealing in unselected, real-world patients, along with a low incidence of peri-procedural complications, regardless of operatoŕs experience with its previous device iteration or the number of Watchman FLX devices implanted

Overview of recent TJ-II stellarator results

The main results obtained in the TJ-II stellarator in the last two years are reported. The most important topics investigated have been modelling and validation of impurity transport, validation of gyrokinetic simulations, turbulence characterisation, effect of magnetic configuration on transport, fuelling with pellet injection, fast particles and liquid metal plasma facing components. As regards impurity transport research, a number of working lines exploring several recently discovered effects have been developed: the effect of tangential drifts on stellarator neoclassical transport, the impurity flux driven by electric fields tangent to magnetic surfaces and attempts of experimental validation with Doppler reflectometry of the variation of the radial electric field on the flux surface. Concerning gyrokinetic simulations, two validation activities have been performed, the comparison with measurements of zonal flow relaxation in pellet-induced fast transients and the comparison with experimental poloidal variation of fluctuations amplitude. The impact of radial electric fields on turbulence spreading in the edge and scrape-off layer has been also experimentally characterized using a 2D Langmuir probe array. Another remarkable piece of work has been the investigation of the radial propagation of small temperature perturbations using transfer entropy. Research on the physics and modelling of plasma core fuelling with pellet and tracer-encapsulated solid-pellet injection has produced also relevant results. Neutral beam injection driven Alfvénic activity and its possible control by electron cyclotron current drive has been examined as well in TJ-II. Finally, recent results on alternative plasma facing components based on liquid metals are also presentedThis work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014–2018 under Grant Agreement No. 633053. It has been partially funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Inovación y Universidades of Spain under projects ENE2013-48109-P, ENE2015-70142-P and FIS2017-88892-P. It has also received funds from the Spanish Government via mobility grant PRX17/00425. The authors thankfully acknowledge the computer resources at MareNostrum and the technical support provided by the Barcelona S.C. It has been supported as well by The Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), Project P-507F

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie