Deformed quasiparticle random phase approximation formalism for single- and two-neutrino double β decay

13 pages, 4 tables, 18 figures.-- PACS nrs.: 21.60.Jz; 23.40.Hc; 23.40.Bw.We use a deformed quasiparticle random phase approximation formalism to describe simultaneously the energy distributions of the single β Gamow-Teller strength and the two-neutrino double β decay matrix elements. Calculations are performed in a series of double β decay partners with A=48 , 76, 82, 96, 100, 116, 128, 130, 136, and 150, using deformed Woods-Saxon potentials and deformed Skyrme Hartree-Fock mean fields. The formalism includes a quasiparticle deformed basis and residual spin-isospin forces in the particle-hole and particle-particle channels. We discuss the sensitivity of the parent and daughter Gamow-Teller strength distributions in single β decay, as well as the sensitivity of the double β decay matrix elements to the deformed mean field and to the residual interactions. Nuclear deformation is found to be a mechanism of suppression of the two-neutrino double β decay. The double β decay matrix elements are found to have maximum values for about equal deformations of parent and daughter nuclei. They decrease rapidly when differences in deformations increase. We remark on the importance of a proper simultaneous description of both double β decay and single Gamow-Teller strength distributions. Finally, we conclude that for further progress in the field, it would be useful to improve and complete the experimental information on the studied Gamow-Teller strengths and nuclear deformations.We would like to thank A. A. Raduta for useful discussions. This work was supported by Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Spain) under Contract No. BFM2002-03562 and by International Graduiertenkolleg GRK683, by the “Land Baden-Wuerttemberg” within the “Landesforschungsschwerpunkt: Low Energy Neutrinos,” by the DFG under 418SPA112/8/03, the VEGA Grant agency of the Slovac Republic under Contract No. 1/0249/03, and by the EU ILIAS project under Contract No. RII3-CT-2004-506222. One of us (R.A.R.) thanks Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Spain) for financial support.Peer reviewe

Single- and low-lying-states dominance in two-neutrino double-beta decay

19 pages, 5 tables, 6 figures.--Available on line on Oct 30, 2008.--ArXiv pre-print available at: http://arxiv.org/abs/0811.0319A theoretical analysis of the single-state dominance hypothesis for the two-neutrino double-beta decay rates is performed on the examples of the double-beta decays of 100Mo, 116Cd and 128Te. We also test the validity of an extended low-lying-state dominance that takes into account the contributions of the low-lying excited states in the intermediate nucleus to the double-beta decay rates. This study has been accomplished for all the double-beta emitters for which we have experimental information on their half-lives. The theoretical framework is a proton–neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation based on a deformed Skyrme Hartree–Fock mean field with pairing correlations. Our calculations indicate that there are no clear evidences for single- or low-lying-state dominance in the two-neutrino double-beta decay. Finally, we investigate the single-electron energy distributions of the outgoing electrons in the double-beta decay processes with an exact treatment of the energy denominators, which could help for a more comprehensive analysis of NEMO-3 data.This work was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci´on (Spain) under contract no. FIS2005-00640. It was also supported in part by the EU ILIAS project under contract RII3-CT-2004-506222. O M and R A R thank Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci´on (Spain) for financial support.Peer reviewe

Efectos del riego de parques urbanos con agua regenerada sobre la tasa de infiltración y la resistencia a la penetración del suelo

La ciudad de Madrid utiliza agua regenerada para el riego de sus parques y zonas verdes desde el año 2002. Este tipo de agua de riego, más mineralizada que el agua potable hasta entonces empleada, puede conllevar cambios en las características estructurales del suelo. En este trabajo se evalúa el efecto del riego con agua regenerada sobre la tasa de infiltración y la resistencia a la penetración del suelo en uno de estos parques (Parque Garrigues Walker). Para ello se han habilitado dos parcelas experimentales: AP, regada con agua potable y AR, regada con agua regenerada. Los resultados han revelado diferencias significativas tanto en las velocidades de infiltración como en la resistencia a la penetración del suelo. Observándose en la parcela regada con agua regenerada una disminución de la velocidad de infiltración, lo que puede estar provocado por un taponamiento de poros por la mayor presencia de sodio en el agua regenerada y una mayor resistencia a la penetración, debido a la mayor presencia de biomasa en PGW-AR.The city of Madrid uses reclaimed water to irrigate its parks and green areas since 2002. This kind of water, more mineralized than drinking water previously used, could imply changes on the structural soil features. The main aim of this study has been to assess the impact of reclaimed water on infiltration rate and soil penetration resistance in one of these parks (Garrigues Walker Park). For that purpose, two plots have been selected: one irrigated by reclaimed water and the other by drinking water. Results have shown significant differences on infiltration rates as well as on soil penetration resistances. The plot irrigated by reclaimed water has evidenced a decrease on infiltration rate, which could be caused by soil pores clogging as a result of the larger amount of sodium contained in reclaimed water, and an increase of soil penetration resistance, due to the higher presence of biomass in this plot

Evaluación del impacto a medio-largo plazo del riego con agua regenerada sobre la salinidad del suelo en parques urbanos de la ciudad de Madrid

La ciudad de Madrid viene regando la mayoría de sus parques urbanos con agua regenerada desde hace más de una década. La sustitución del agua potable por la regenerada, de diferente composición físico-química y notablemente más mineralizada, podría estar alterando las características físico-químicas del suelo. En este trabajo se ha estudiado el posible riesgo de salinización en dos parques: el Parque Emperatriz María de Austria y el Parque Garrigues Walker, ambos equipados con dos parcelas experimentales, una regada con agua regenerada y otra, a modo de control, en la que se ha mantenido el riego con agua potable. Se ha instalado una red de tomamuestras de succión para tomar muestras de agua del suelo, además de las muestras de suelo. Los resultados obtenidos en ambos parques revelan una mayor salinidad en el agua del suelo y en el suelo en las parcelas regadas con agua regenerada, aproximándose a los valores límite señalados para plantas sensibles a la salinidad (CEsuelo > 2.000 muS/cm). Este hecho apunta una tendencia a la salinización del suelo a largo plazo, en los suelos de parques regados con este tipo de agua.The city of Madrid has been using reclaimed water to irrigate most of its urban parks for more than a decade. The substitution of tap water by reclaimed water, with different physico-chemical properties and significantly more mineralized, could be altering soil’s physico-chemical characteristics. In this work, we study the potential soil salinization risk in two parks: Emperatriz María de Austria Park and Garrigues Walker Park, each of them with two plots: one irrigated by reclaimed water and the other by drinking water, as a control plot. A network of suction lysimeters has been installed to take soil solution samples, apart from taking soil samples. Results in both parks reveals a higher salinity in soil solution and soil in the plot irrigated by reclaimed water, close to the limit values for salt sensitive plants (ECsoil > 2.000 μS/cm). This points to a soil salinization trend in the long-term, in soils of urban parks irrigated by reclaimed water

Transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during animal transport

The transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) between food-producing animals (poultry, cattle and pigs) during short journeys ( 8 h) directed to other farms or to the slaughterhouse lairage (directly or with intermediate stops at assembly centres or control posts, mainly transported by road) was assessed. Among the identified risk factors contributing to the probability of transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), the ones considered more important are the resistance status (presence of ARB/ARGs) of the animals pre-transport, increased faecal shedding, hygiene of the areas and vehicles, exposure to other animals carrying and/or shedding ARB/ARGs (especially between animals of different AMR loads and/or ARB/ARG types), exposure to contaminated lairage areas and duration of transport. There are nevertheless no data whereby differences between journeys shorter or longer than 8 h can be assessed. Strategies that would reduce the probability of AMR transmission, for all animal categories include minimising the duration of transport, proper cleaning and disinfection, appropriate transport planning, organising the transport in relation to AMR criteria (transport logistics), improving animal health and welfare and/or biosecurity immediately prior to and during transport, ensuring the thermal comfort of the animals and animal segregation. Most of the aforementioned measures have similar validity if applied at lairage, assembly centres and control posts. Data gaps relating to the risk factors and the effectiveness of mitigation measures have been identified, with consequent research needs in both the short and longer term listed. Quantification of the impact of animal transportation compared to the contribution of other stages of the food-production chain, and the interplay of duration with all risk factors on the transmission of ARB/ARGs during transport and journey breaks, were identified as urgent research needs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Practical guideline for Benign paroxismal positional vertigo

Introduction and objective: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common peripheral vertigo, characterized by brief attacks of rotatory vertigo associated with nystagmus, which are elicited by specific changes in head position relative to gravity. The observation of positional nystagmus is essential for the diagnosis of BPPV. The treatment consists in maneuvers of canalith repositioning procedure to move otoconial debris from the affected semicircular canal to the utricle. These guidelines are intended for all who treat the BPPV in their work, with an intention to assist in the diagnosis and application of an appropriate therapeutic method. Method: The experience and analysis of different national and international consensus on BPPV, has allowed to a large group of ENT specialists of the Communities of Castilla y León, Cantabria and La Rioja (Spain), carry out this guide. Results: The different clinical entities are reviewed. BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal, horizontal canal and anterior canal, BPPV affecting several canals, atypical and central BPPV, subjective BPPV and the characteristics of this process in the elderly. Canalith repositioning procedures have been illustrated with explanatory drawings. Discussion and conclusions: Although the pathophysiology of BPPV is canalolithiasis comprising free-floating otoconial debris within the endolymph of a semicircular canal, or cupulolithiasis comprising otoconial debris adherent to the cupula, there are still many issues to be resolved. We think that the best way to find answers is part of using a common methodology in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients.Introducción y Objetivo: El vértigo periférico más frecuente es el Vértigo Posicional Paroxístico Benigno (VPPB), caracterizado por bruscos ataques de sensación rotatoria, que aparecen como consecuencia de determinados cambios en la posición de la cabeza con relación a la gravedad. La observación del nistagmo posicional es fundamental para el diagnóstico de VPPB. El tratamiento consiste en aplicar maniobras de reposición, para intentar trasladar los restos otoconiales libres, desde el conducto semicircular (CS) afectado hasta el utrículo. Esta guía, está orientada para quienes tratan el VPPB, con la intención práctica de ayudarles en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta enfermedad. Método: La experiencia y el análisis de diferentes acuerdos nacionales e internacionales sobre el VPPB, han permitido a un amplio grupo de especialistas ORL de las Comunidades de Castilla y León, Cantabria y La Rioja (España), llevar a cabo esta guía. Resultados: Se revisan las diferentes entidades clínicas. VPPB del conducto semicircular posterior (CSP), horizontal (CSA) y anterior (CSA), incluyéndose también el VPPB multicanal, VPPB atípico y central, VPPB subjetivo y las características de este proceso en el anciano. Las maniobras de reposición se han ilustrado con dibujos explicativos. Discusión y conclusiones: Aunque la fisiopatología del VPPB se explica por la presencia de restos otoconiales libres en la endolinfa de uno o varios conductos semicirculares (canalitiasis) y en algunos casos por su adherencia a la cúpula del CS (cupulolitiasis), aún quedan muchas cuestiones por resolver. Pero creemos que la mejor manera de encontrar respuestas parte de utilizar una metodología común en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de estos pacientes

Jardins per a la salut

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia. Assignatura: Botànica farmacèutica. Curs: 2014-2015. Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són el recull de les fitxes botàniques de 128 espècies presents en el Jardí Ferran Soldevila de l’Edifici Històric de la UB. Els treballs han estat realitzats manera individual per part dels estudiants dels grups M-3 i T-1 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos de febrer a maig del curs 2014-15 com a resultat final del Projecte d’Innovació Docent «Jardins per a la salut: aprenentatge servei a Botànica farmacèutica» (codi 2014PID-UB/054). Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pels professors de l’assignatura. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica. També s’ha pretès motivar els estudiants a través del retorn de part del seu esforç a la societat a través d’una experiència d’Aprenentatge-Servei, deixant disponible finalment el treball dels estudiants per a poder ser consultable a través d’una Web pública amb la possibilitat de poder-ho fer in-situ en el propi jardí mitjançant codis QR amb un smartphone

Effectiveness of an intervention for improving drug prescription in primary care patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy:Study protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial (Multi-PAP project)

This study was funded by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias ISCIII (Grant Numbers PI15/00276, PI15/00572, PI15/00996), REDISSEC (Project Numbers RD12/0001/0012, RD16/0001/0005), and the European Regional Development Fund ("A way to build Europe").Background: Multimorbidity is associated with negative effects both on people's health and on healthcare systems. A key problem linked to multimorbidity is polypharmacy, which in turn is associated with increased risk of partly preventable adverse effects, including mortality. The Ariadne principles describe a model of care based on a thorough assessment of diseases, treatments (and potential interactions), clinical status, context and preferences of patients with multimorbidity, with the aim of prioritizing and sharing realistic treatment goals that guide an individualized management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention that implements the Ariadne principles in a population of young-old patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The intervention seeks to improve the appropriateness of prescribing in primary care (PC), as measured by the medication appropriateness index (MAI) score at 6 and 12months, as compared with usual care. Methods/Design: Design:pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial. Unit of randomization: family physician (FP). Unit of analysis: patient. Scope: PC health centres in three autonomous communities: Aragon, Madrid, and Andalusia (Spain). Population: patients aged 65-74years with multimorbidity (≥3 chronic diseases) and polypharmacy (≥5 drugs prescribed in ≥3months). Sample size: n=400 (200 per study arm). Intervention: complex intervention based on the implementation of the Ariadne principles with two components: (1) FP training and (2) FP-patient interview. Outcomes: MAI score, health services use, quality of life (Euroqol 5D-5L), pharmacotherapy and adherence to treatment (Morisky-Green, Haynes-Sackett), and clinical and socio-demographic variables. Statistical analysis: primary outcome is the difference in MAI score between T0 and T1 and corresponding 95% confidence interval. Adjustment for confounding factors will be performed by multilevel analysis. All analyses will be carried out in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: It is essential to provide evidence concerning interventions on PC patients with polypharmacy and multimorbidity, conducted in the context of routine clinical practice, and involving young-old patients with significant potential for preventing negative health outcomes. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02866799Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio