Correction: Understanding MAOS through computational chemistry

Correction for 'Understanding MAOS through computational chemistry' by P. Prieto et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017, 46, 431–451

Influence of the crystallization process on the luminescence of multilayers of SiGe nanocrystals embedded in SiO2

Multilayers of SiGe nanocrystals embedded in an oxide matrix have been fabricated by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition SiO2 onto Si wafers (in a single run at 390 ◦C and 50mTorr, using GeH4, Si2 H6 and O2) followed by a rapid thermal annealing crystallize the SiGe nanoparticles. The main emission band is located at 400 nm in both cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence at 80K and also at room temperature. The annealing conditions (temperatures ranging from 700 to 1000 ◦C and for times of 30 investigated in samples with different diameter of the nanoparticles (from ≈3 to ≥5 nm) and oxide interlayer thickness (15 and establish a correlation between the crystallization of the nanoparticles, the degradation of their composition by Ge diffusion the luminescence emission band. Structures with small nanoparticles (3–4.5 nm) separated by thick oxide barriers (≈35 nm) annealed 60 s yield the maximum intensity of the luminescence. An additional treatment at 450 ◦C in forming gas for dangling-bond the intensity of the luminescence band by 25–30%

Síndrome post-colecistectomía: análisis de una cohorte prospectiva

Introducción. El síndrome post-colecistectomía fue descrito hace más de 70 años y se define como la presencia de síntomas gastrointestinales que pueden persistir después de la colecistectomía o aparecer como nuevos síntomas. Este síndrome, poco conocido, puede manifestarse desde pocos meses hasta varios años luego de la cirugía y ocurre entre 5 % y 40 % de los pacientes. Método. Estudio de cohorte prospectiva, que incluyó pacientes a quienes se les realizó colecistectomía laparoscópica en tres unidades quirúrgicas de Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, durante un período de ocho meses, con seguimientos periódicos durante dos años. El síndrome post-colecistectomía se definió como la presencia de al menos un síntoma gastrointestinal a partir del primer mes de la cirugía. Resultados. Se incluyeron 380 pacientes de los cuales 183 (48,2 %) desarrollaron el síndrome. La edad tuvo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre aquellos que lo desarrollaron y los que no (p=0,024). La diarrea fue el único síntoma preoperatorio asociado al desarrollo del síndrome. El síndrome post-colecistectomía se encontró en el 42,1 % de los pacientes al primer mes de seguimiento y en el 17,4 % al segundo año. Conclusiones. El síndrome post-colecistectomía ocurre en un porcentaje importante de pacientes. En concordancia con la literatura, se encontró que la diarrea prequirúrgica es un factor de riesgo independiente para el desarrollo del síndrome. Se recomienda un adecuado seguimiento de los pacientes después de una colecistectomía

Remodeling of the m6A RNA landscape in the conversion of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells to macrophages

We thank CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya for institutional support. This work was supported by the Health Department PERIS-project no. SLT/002/16/00374 and AGAUR-projects no. 2017SGR1080 of the Catalan Government (Generalitat de Catalunya); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCI), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project no. RTI2018-094049-B-I00; the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (Grant agreement No. 743168); the Varda and Boaz Dotan Research Center in Hemato-oncology affiliated to the Tel Aviv University; the Cellex Foundation; and “la Caixa” Banking Foundation (LCF/PR/GN18/51140001). ME is an ICREA Research Professor.Peer Reviewed"Article signat per 12 autors/es: Alberto Bueno-Costa, David Piñeyro, Carlos A. García-Prieto, Vanessa Ortiz-Barahona, Laura Martinez-Verbo, Natalie A. Webster, Byron Andrews, Nitzan Kol, Chen Avrahami, Sharon Moshitch-Moshkovitz, Gideon Rechavi & Manel Esteller"Postprint (published version

Path planning for quadrotors in 3D dynamic environments

Un tema de interés sobre los vehículos aéreos no tripulados es la determinación de trayectorias apropiadas que le permitan moverse de una posición inicial a una posición objetivo, garantizando que la trayectoria sea segura, es decir, que no existan riesgos de colisión. En este artículo se presentan dos técnicas de planificación de trayectorias y una estrategia de evasión de obstáculos para cuadricópteros, ambas técnicas funcionales sobre ambientes tridimensionales con obstáculos estáticos o dinámicos restringidos a velocidades constantes. Las técnicas funcionan sobre un ambiente modelado con planos que generan un campo de potencial artificial. La primera técnica está basada en puntos móviles que interconectan la posición inicial con la meta, posteriormente cada punto se mueve hacia zonas libres de la influencia de los obstáculos siguiendo el campo potencial, lo que hace que se encuentren caminos libres de obstáculos. La segunda técnica usa el concepto de zonas seguras, el cual se utiliza como criterio para actualizar la posición de los puntos. Adicionalmente, se propone una metodología de evasión de obstáculos dinámicos, que consiste en transformar el problema de planeación de trayectorias con obstáculos dinámicos al caso de planeación de trayectorias con obstáculos estáticos mediante un proceso de análisis de las posibilidades de colisión. Los resultados muestran que estas técnicas superan los inconvenientes de los algoritmos basados en gradiente descendente como mínimos locales y oscilaciones inestables.A topic of interest on unmanned aerial vehicles is determining appropriate paths that allow them to move from an initial position to a target position, ensuring that the path is safe, in other words, that there is no risk of collision. In this article, two techniques of path planning and an obstacle avoidance strategy for quadricopters are presented. Both techniques are functional on three-dimensional environments with static or dynamic obstacles restricted to constant speeds. The techniques work on an environment modeling with planes which generate an artificial potential field. The first technique is based on moving points that connect the initial position to the goal, and then every point moves towards free zones of influence of obstacles along the potential field, which makes unobstructed paths. The second technique uses the concept of safe areas, which is used as a criterion for updating the position of the points. Additionally, a methodology of dynamic obstacles avoidance is proposed, which is to transform the problem of trajectory planning with dynamic obstacles to the case of path planning with static obstacles through a process of analyzing the possibility of a collision. The results show that these techniques overcome the drawbacks of the gradient descent-based algorithms as local minima and unstable oscillations problems

Programming by demonstration of the sequence of tightening a nut allowing variations in tool position

Se presenta una técnica que permite la programación por demostración de un robot para que ejecute una tarea secuencial o compleja. Se utiliza una combinación de redes de Petri y modelos de mezcla de gaussianas parametrizado en la tarea; con la primera se coordina la secuencia de la tarea, en tanto que la segunda permite variaciones en la posición y orientación de los objetos de la misma. Una técnica de segmentación de tareas, descompone la demostración en subtareas. Con la secuencia de las subtareas, se obtiene una lista de acciones (plan) y con este se genera de manera automática una red de Petri. A la técnica también se le suministran las plantillas modelo de cada subtarea y los modelos de mezcla de gaussianas parametrizados en la tarea de las trayectorias de la subtarea que se quiere que admita variaciones. Una función compara las trayectorias de cada plantilla con las trayectorias repuesta del modelo, y la de mayor similitud indica que en vez de la plantilla, se debe emplear el modelo de mezcla parametrizado. Mediante el uso de un robot de fabricación propia, el cual ejecuta la tarea de tomar, transportar una llave y apretar una tuerca, se ilustra el desempeño de la técnica a través de gráficas.A technique of programming by demonstration of a robot is proposed. Such a technique allows that a robot execute sequential or complex tasks. It uses a combination of Petri nets and task parameterized Gaussian mixture models. The first one handles the task sequence, while the second one allows variations in the position and orientation of objects involved in the task. Using a segmentation task technique, the demonstration is chunked in subtasks. With the subtasks sequence, an action list or plan is obtained and with this, a Petri net is automatically generate. Models of the templates of each subtasks and task parameterized Gaussian mixture models of the subtask that we want to allow variations are also provide to the technique. A function compare one each of the template trajectory with the task parameterized model response trajectory and the most similar indicate that instead of the template, the task parameterized model is use. Through the use of a homemade robot, which executes the task of tightening a nut, the performance of the technique is illustrated by using figures

Evaluation of microsatellite-based genetic diversity, protein and mineral content in chickpea accessions grown in Kyrgyzstan

The genetic diversity of 23 chickpea accessions representing Kyrgyz landraces and cultivars, ICARDA breeding lines, Spanish and Turkish cultivars was characterized using nine microsatellite (SSR) markers which generated a total of 122 alleles. The number of alleles (Na) per locus varied from 9 to 20. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged between 0.05 and 0.43 (average 0.13) whereas both the expected heterozygosity (He) and polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.71 to 0.90 (average 0.83). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 62% of the total genetic variation was found within accessions while the remaining 38% was found among accessions. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) indicated the presence of two groups. The two Kyrgyz cultivars were found apart from these groups. Cluster analysis generally confirmed the results of PCoA and also separated the Kyrgyz cultivars from the subcluster formed by Kyrgyz landraces and the subclusters formed by breeding lines from ICARDA along with landraces from Turkey and Spain. In addition, protein content and mineral concentration were determined. Protein content and mineral concentrations for Ca, S, Mg, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn varied significantly among accessions. The results show that Kyrgyz germplasm provides a source of diversity for improvement of chickpea

A new tool based on artificial intelligence and GIS for preventive conservation of heritage buildings

This paper describes a new predictive model for preventive conservation of buildings. It allows for multiscenarios of several hazards, assessments of environmental risks, and the use level of buildings together with cultural val-ues of monuments. This modeling approach is based on fuzzy logic and geographic information system available to organizations dedicated to the restoration and rehabilitation in Spain. This system has a transversal development that includes urban, architectural, cultural heritage value, and the analysis of environmental and sociodemographic situations around the monuments. This new tool allows for decision making based on scientific criteria and minimizes risklosses of cultural asset

First recorded case of leucism in the velvet belly lantern shark Etmopterus spinax (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae)

Poster presentado en el SIBIC 2022 IX Iberian Congress of IchthyologyThe capture of a female specimen of the velvet belly lantern shark Etmopterus spinax with abnormal skin coloration is reported. The specimen was captured off northern Spain (Bay of Biscay, North-Eastern Atlantic) in 2021 by bottom trawling. The lack of dermal melanophores combined with a normal retinal pigmentation, lead us to considérate the specimen as leucistic. This is the first case of leucism in E. spinax and the second record of colour aberration in the family Etmopteridae

Complementary Effects of Interleukin-15 and Alpha Interferon Induce Immunity in Hepatitis B Virus Transgenic Mice

In chronic hepatitis B (CHB), failure to control hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with T cell dysfunction. HBV transgenic mice mirror many features of the human disease, including T cell unresponsiveness, and thus represent an appropriate model in which to test novel therapeutic strategies. To date, the tolerant state of CD8+ T cells in these animals could be altered only by strong immunogens or by immunization with HBV antigen-pulsed dendritic cells; however, the effectors induced were unable to suppress viral gene expression or replication. Because of the known stimulatory properties of alpha interferon (IFN-α) and interleukin-15 (IL-15), this study explored the therapeutic potential of liver-directed gene transfer of these cytokines in a murine model of CHB using adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery. This combination not only resulted in a reduction in the viral load in the liver and the induction of an antibody response but also gave rise to functional and specific CD8+ immunity. Furthermore, when splenic and intrahepatic lymphocytes from IFN-α- and IL-15-treated animals were transferred to new HBV carriers, partial antiviral immunity was achieved. In contrast to previous observations made using either cytokine alone, markedly attenuated PD-L1 induction in hepatic tissue was observed upon coadministration. An initial study with CHB patient samples also gave promising results. Hence, we demonstrated synergy between two stimulating cytokines, IL-15 and IFN-α, which, given together, constitute a potent approach to significantly enhance the CD8+ T cell response in a state of immune hyporesponsiveness. Such an approach may be useful for treating chronic viral infections and neoplastic conditions