Non-local scattering control in coupled resonator networks

We demonstrate scattering control of Gaussian-like wave packets propagating with constant envelope velocity and invariant waist through coupled resonator optical waveguides (CROW) via an external resonator coupled to multiple sites of the CROW. We calculate the analytical reflectance and transmittance using standard scattering methods from waveguide quantum electrodynamics and show it is possible to approximate them for an external resonator detuned to the CROW. Our analytical and approximate results are in good agreement with numerical simulations. We engineer various configurations using an external resonator coupled to two sites of a CROW to show light trapping with effective exponential decay between the coupling sites, wave packet splitting into two pairs of identical Gaussian-like wave packets, and a non-local Mach-Zehnder interferometer.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figure

On the radioecological issues of natural radionuclides in water and sediment of a highly contaminated lagoon from Mexico

Se han determinado las concentraciones de actividad de radionucleidos naturales en el agua y los sedimentos de la laguna El Pedernalillo, Zacatecas, México

Nesting Of Montezuma Quail In Mexico

Although Mexico has the greatest diversity of quail of any New World country, basic information on the ecology and life history of Mexican quails remains unknown. Our objective was to describe nest characteristics of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae montezumae) in central Mexico. We searched for Montezuma quail nests within 8 counties in the state of México, Mexico during May–September 2003. We conducted nest searches along 66 transects (3–5 km × 40 m) distributed across 17 study sites. We recorded vegetation community, elevation, and nesting substrate for each nest. We measured nest characteristics: height, depth, nest entrance diameter, and orientation. If eggs were found, we recorded clutch size and egg mass, texture, color, and shape. We observed 324 quail and located 6 nests along a 254-km route. Nests were located at elevations ranging from 2,568–2,692 m above sea level. Mean (± standard deviation) nest height and depth were 122.2 ± 7.7 mm and 195 ± 61.8 mm, respectively. Nest entrance orientation for 5 of 6 nests was toward a southerly direction. Mean nest egg mass was 9.9 ± 0.1 g. Our study provides basic and descriptive information on a poorly known quail species in Mexico

Biochemical characterization of a novel monospecific endo-β-1,4-glucanase belonging to GH Family 5 from a rhizosphere metagenomic library

Cellulases have a broad range of different industrial applications, ranging from food and beverages to pulp and paper and the biofuels area. Here a metagenomics based strategy was used to identify the cellulolytic enzyme CelRH5 from the rhizosphere. CelRH5 is a novel monospecific endo-β-1,4-glucanase belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase family 5 (GH5). Structural based modelling analysis indicated that CelRH5 is related to endo-β-1,4-glucanases derived from thermophilic microorganisms such as Thermotoga maritima, Fervidobacterium nodosum and Ruminiclostridium thermocellum sharing 30-40% amino acid sequence identity. The molecular weight of the enzyme was determined as 40.5 kDa. Biochemical analyses revealed that the enzyme displayed good activity with soluble forms of cellulose as a substrate such as ostazin brilliant red hydroxyethyl cellulose (OBR-HEC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and insoluble azurine cross-linked hydroxyethylcellulose (AZCL-HEC). The enzyme shows highest enzymatic activity at pH 6.5 with high pH tolerance, remaining stable in the pH range 4.5 – 8.5. Highest activity was observed at 40 ˚C, but CelRH5 is psychrotolerant being active and stable at temperatures below 30 ˚C. The presence of final products of cellulose hydrolysis (glucose and cellobiose) or metal ions such as Na+, K+, Li+ and Mg2+, as well as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), urea, dithiothreitol (DTT), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) or glycerol, did not have a marked effect on CelRH5 activity. However, the enzyme is quite sensitive in presence of 10 mM ions Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Fe3+ and reagents such as 1 M guanidine HCl, 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and 20% ethanol. Given that it is psychrotolerant and retains activity in the presence of final cellulose degradation products, metal ions and various reagents, which are common in many technological processes; CelRH5 may be potential suitability for a variety of different biotechnological applications

Chronic renal disease in Spain: Prevalence and related factors in persons with diabetes mellitus older than 64 years

Introducción La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) son afecciones de elevada prevalencia en personas = 65 años y constituyen un importante problema de salud pública. Objetivos Conocer la prevalencia de la ERC, sus categorías y su relación con diversos factores demográficos y clínicos, en pacientes ancianos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en España. Métodos Estudio epidemiológico, observacional, transversal, multicéntrico, ámbito nacional. Se incluyeron pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 conocida, edad = 65 años atendidos en Atención Primaria. Se recogieron variables demográficas, antropométricas y analíticas de los últimos 12 meses, incluyendo el cociente albúmina-creatinina y el filtrado glomerular estimado para evaluar la función renal. Resultados La prevalencia de ERC fue del 37, 2% (IC95%, 34, 1-40, 3%), de insuficiencia renal del 29, 7% (IC95%, 26, 8-32, 6%) y de elevación de la albuminuria del 20, 6% (IC95%, 17, 3-23, 9%), moderadamente elevada 17, 8% (IC95%, 14, 7-20, 9%), severamente elevada 2, 8% (IC95%, 1, 4-4, 2%). La prevalencia de las categorías de ERC fueron: G1 1, 3% (IC95%, 0, 6-2%), G2 6, 2% (IC95%, 4, 6-7, 8%), G3a 17, 2% (IC95%, 14, 8-19, 6%), G3b 9, 8% (IC95%, 7, 9-11, 7%), G4 2% (IC95%, 1, 1-2, 9%) y G5 0, 7% (IC95%, 0, 2-1, 2%). En el análisis multivariante, después de ajustar por el resto de variables, la ERC se asoció a mayor edad OR 5, 13, (IC95%, 3, 15-8, 35), alta comorbilidad OR 3, 36 (IC95%, 2, 2-5, 12) y la presencia de tratamiento antihipertensivo OR 2, 43 (IC95%, 1, 48-4, 02). Conclusiones La ERC es frecuente en la población diabética = 65 años y se asocia con mayor edad, alta comorbilidad e hipertensión tratada. No se ha encontrado asociación con el género y años de evolución de la diabetes. Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are conditions which have a high prevalence in individuals =65 years of age and represent a major public health problem. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of CKD, its categories and its relationship with various demographic and clinical factors in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Spain. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, multicenter, Spanish epidemiological study. Patients with known type 2 diabetes mellitus, age =65 years of age treated in Primary Care were included. We collected demographic, anthropometric and analytical variables from the previous 12 months, including the albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate to evaluate renal function. Results: The prevalence of CKD was 37.2% (95% CI, 34.1–40.3%), renal failure was 29.7% (95% CI, 26.8–32.6%) and increased albuminuria was 20.6% (95% CI, 17.3–23.9%), moderately increased albuminuria was 17.8% (95% CI, 14.7–20.9%) and severely increased albuminuria was 2.8% (95% CI, 1.4–4.2%). In turn, the prevalence of CKD categories were: G1 1.3% (95% CI, 0.6–2%), G2 6.2% (95% CI, 4.6–7.8%), G3a 17.2% (95% CI, 14.8–19.6%), G3b 9.8% (95% CI, 7.9–11.7%), G4 2% (95% CI, 1.1–2.9%) and G5 0.7% (95% CI, 0.2–1.2%). In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for the remaining variables, CKD was associated with elderly age (OR 5.13, 95% CI, 3.15–8.35), high comorbidity (OR 3.36, 95% CI, 2.2–5.12) and presence of antihypertensive treatment (OR 2.43, 95% CI, 1.48–4.02). Conclusions: CKD is frequent in the diabetic population =65 years of age and is associated with elderly age, high comorbidity and with treated hypertension. No relationship has been found with gender and time in years since onset of diabetes

Management of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders in women of childbearing age: Part 2

Introducción Muchas enfermedades que cursan con trastornos del movimiento hipercinético comienzan o afectan a mujeres en edad fértil. Es importante conocer los riesgos que tienen las mujeres con estas enfermedades durante el embarazo, así como los posibles efectos de los tratamientos sobre el feto. Objetivos Definir las características clínicas y los factores que condicionan la vida de la mujer en edad fértil con distonía, corea, síndrome de Tourette, temblor y síndrome de piernas inquietas. Definir una guía de actuación y manejo del embarazo y lactancia en las pacientes con esta enfermedad. Desarrollo Este documento de consenso se ha realizado mediante una búsqueda bibliográfica exhaustiva y discusión de los contenidos llevadas a cabo por un Grupo de Expertos en Trastornos del Movimiento de la Sociedad Española de Neurología (SEN). Conclusiones En todas las mujeres que padecen o comienzan con trastornos del movimiento hipercinéticos se debe valorar el riesgo-beneficio de los tratamientos, reducir al máximo la dosis eficaz o administrarlo de forma puntual en los casos en que sea posible. En aquellas enfermedades de causa hereditaria es importante un consejo genético para las familias. Es importante reconocer los trastornos del movimiento desencadenados durante el embarazo como determinadas coreas y síndrome de piernas inquietas.Introduction Many diseases associated with hyperkinetic movement disorders manifest in women of childbearing age. It is important to understand the risks of these diseases during pregnancy, and the potential risks of treatment for the fetus. Objectives This study aims to define the clinical characteristics and the factors affecting the lives of women of childbearing age with dystonia, chorea, Tourette syndrome, tremor, and restless legs syndrome, and to establish guidelines for management of pregnancy and breastfeeding in these patients. Results This consensus document was developed through an exhaustive literature search and a discussion of the content by a group of movement disorder experts from the Spanish Society of Neurology. Conclusions We must evaluate the risks and benefits of treatment in all women with hyperkinetic movement disorders, whether pre-existing or with onset during pregnancy, and aim to reduce effective doses as much as possible or to administer drugs only when necessary. In hereditary diseases, families should be offered genetic counselling. It is important to recognise movement disorders triggered during pregnancy, such as certain types of chorea and restless legs syndrome

Potential Operating Models, Harvest Control Rules and Performance Statistics for the NAFO 3M Cod MSE.

This document presents a proposal of possible Operating Models (OMs), Harvest Control Rules (HCR) and Performance Statistics (PS) to carry out the Management Strategies Evaluation (MSE) for the 3M cod of NAFO. This proposal will have to be reviewed by the NAFO SC to decide the first set of OMs to test with the possible HCRs in the 3M Cod MSE

The voices of youth in envisioning positive futures for nature and people

The unpredictable Anthropocene poses the challenge of imagining a radically different, equitable and sustainable world. Looking 100 years ahead is not easy, and especially as millennials, it appears quite bleak. This paper is the outcome of a visioning exercise carried out in a 2-day workshop, attended by 33 young early career professionals under the auspices of IPBES. The process used Nature Futures Framework in an adapted visioning method from the Seeds of Good Anthropocene project. Four groups envisioned more desirable future worlds; where humanity has organised itself, the economy, politics and technology, to achieve improved nature-human well-being. The four visions had differing conceptualisations of this future. However, there were interesting commonalities in their leverage points for transformative change, including an emphasis on community, fundamentally different economic systems based on sharing and technological solutions to foster sustainability and human-nature connectedness. Debates included questioning the possibility of maintaining local biocultural diversity with increased connectivity globally and the prominence of technology for sustainability outcomes. These visions are the first step towards a wider galvanisation of youth visions for a brighter future, which is often missing in the arena where it can be taken seriously, to trigger more transformative pathways towards meeting global goals

Accelerated inbreeding depression suggests synergistic epistasis for deleterious mutations in Drosophila melanogaster

Epistasis may have important consequences for a number of issues in quantitative genetics and evolutionary biology. In particular, synergistic epistasis for deleterious alleles is relevant to the mutation load paradox and the evolution of sex and recombination. Some studies have shown evidence of synergistic epistasis for spontaneous or induced deleterious mutations appearing in mutation-accumulation experiments. However, many newly arising mutations may not actually be segregating in natural populations because of the erasing action of natural selection. A demonstration of synergistic epistasis for naturally segregating alleles can be achieved by means of inbreeding depression studies, as deleterious recessive allelic effects are exposed in inbred lines. Nevertheless, evidence of epistasis from these studies is scarce and controversial. In this paper, we report the results of two independent inbreeding experiments carried out with two different populations of Drosophila melanogaster. The results show a consistent accelerated inbreeding depression for fitness, suggesting synergistic epistasis among deleterious alleles. We also performed computer simulations assuming different possible models of epistasis and mutational parameters for fitness, finding some of them to be compatible with the results observed. Our results suggest that synergistic epistasis for deleterious mutations not only occurs among newly arisen spontaneous or induced mutations, but also among segregating alleles in natural populationsWe acknowledge the support by Uvigo Marine Research Centre funded by the “Excellence in Research (INUGA)” Programme from the Regional Council of Culture, Education and Universities, with co-funding from the European Union through the ERDF Operational Programme Galicia 2014-2020. This work was funded by Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (CGL2016-75904-C2-1-P), Xunta de Galicia (ED431C 2016-037) and Fondos Feder: “Unha maneira de facer Europa.” SD was founded by a predoctoral (FPI) grant from Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, SpainS