Plasma acceleration in a magnetic arch

When two magnetic nozzles with opposite polarity are placed side by side, a 'magnetic arch' (MA) is formed, which connects the field lines of each nozzle into a closed-line configuration. The plasma expansion and acceleration in this magnetic topology are relevant for clusters of electrodeless plasma thrusters, as well as novel, non-cylindrical thruster architectures. A collisionless, quasineutral, two-fluid model of the plasma expansion in a MA, is introduced. The plasma properties (density, electron temperature, electrostatic potential, ion velocity, electric currents) in the 2D planar and zero plasma-beta limit are analyzed, and the magnetic thrust density is discussed. It is shown that the ions coming out of the two nozzles meet on a shock-like structure to form a single beam that propagates beyond the closed lines of the applied magnetic field, generating magnetic thrust. A small magnetic drag contribution comes from the final part of the expansion. The plasma-induced magnetic field is then computed self-consistently for non-zero plasma-beta expansions, showing that it stretches the MA in the downstream direction and helps reduce that drag contribution. Finally, the limitations of the present model are discussed.This work has been carried out as part of the ZARATHUSTRA project, which has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 950466)

Emotions Detection based on a Single-electrode EEG Device

The study of emotions using multiple channels of EEG represents a widespread practice in the field of research related to brain computer interfaces (Brain Computer Interfaces). To date, few studies have been reported in the literature with a reduced number of channels, which when used in the detection of emotions present results that are less accurate than the rest. To detect emotions using an EEG channel and the data obtained is useful for classifying emotions with an accuracy comparable to studies in which there is a high number of channels, is of particular interest in this research framework. This article uses the Neurosky Maindwave device; which has a single electrode to acquire the EEG signal, Matlab software and IBM SPSS Modeler; which process and classify the signals respectively. The accuracy obtained in the detection of emotions in relation to the economic resources of the hardware dedicated to the acquisition of EEG signal is remarkable

Expanding the etiology of oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum: a novel interstitial microdeletion at 1p36

The etiology of oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS) is not well established. About half of patients show a positive family history. The etiology of familiar cases is unclear but appears genetically heterogeneous. This motivated us to report a case of OAVS with microtia, ptosis, facial microsomy, and fusion of vertebral bodies associated with a novel genetic etiology, including a deletion at 1p36.12-13. This case report expands on the genetic etiology of OAVS. Furthermore, it also expands the clinical manifestations of patients with interstitial deletions of the de 1p36.12-13 region

Comparison of the state of lithium-sulphur and lithium-ion batteries applied to electromobility

The market share in electric vehicles (EV) is increasing. This trend is likely to continue due to the increased interest in reducing CO2 emissions. The electric vehicle market evolution depends principally on the evolution of batteries capacity. As a consequence, automobile manufacturers focus their efforts on launching in the market EVs capable to compete with internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV) in both performance and economic aspects. Although EVs are suitable for the day-to-day needs of the typical urban driver, their range is still lower than ICEV, because batteries are not able to store and supply enough energy to the vehicle and provide the same autonomy as ICEV. EV use mostly Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries but this technology is reaching its theoretical limit (200–250¿Wh/kg). Although the research to improve Li-ion batteries is very active, other researches began to investigate alternative electrochemical energy storage systems with higher energy density. At present, the most promising technology is the Lithium-Sulphur (Li-S) battery. This paper presents a review of the state of art of Li-Sulphur battery on EVs compared to Li-ion ones, considering technical, modelling, environmental and economic aspects with the aim of depicting the challenges this technology has to overcome to substitute Li-ion in the near future. This study shows how the main drawbacks for Li-S concern are durability, self-discharge and battery modelling. However, from an environmental and economic point of view, Li-S technology presents many advantages over Li-ion.Peer ReviewedPreprin

Immunophenotype and Transcriptome Profile of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Fingolimod: Setting Up a Model for Prediction of Response in a 2-Year Translational Study

BackgroundFingolimod is a functional sphingosine-1-phosphate antagonist approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Fingolimod affects lymphocyte subpopulations and regulates gene expression in the lymphocyte transcriptome. Translational studies are necessary to identify cellular and molecular biomarkers that might be used to predict the clinical response to the drug. In MS patients, we aimed to clarify the differential effects of fingolimod on T, B, and natural killer (NK) cell subsets and to identify differentially expressed genes in responders and non-responders (NRs) to treatment.Materials and methodsSamples were obtained from relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients before and 6 months after starting fingolimod. Forty-eight lymphocyte subpopulations were measured by flow cytometry based on surface and intracellular marker analysis. Transcriptome sequencing by next-generation technologies was used to define the gene expression profiling in lymphocytes at the same time points. NEDA-3 (no evidence of disease activity) and NEDA-4 scores were measured for all patients at 1 and 2 years after beginning fingolimod treatment to investigate an association with cellular and molecular characteristics.ResultsFingolimod affects practically all lymphocyte subpopulations and exerts a strong effect on genetic transcription switching toward an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant response. Fingolimod induces a differential effect in lymphocyte subpopulations after 6 months of treatment in responder and NR patients. Patients who achieved a good response to the drug compared to NR patients exhibited higher percentages of NK bright cells and plasmablasts, higher levels of FOXP3, glucose phosphate isomerase, lower levels of FCRL1, and lower Expanded Disability Status Scale at baseline. The combination of these possible markers enabled us to build a probabilistic linear model to predict the clinical response to fingolimod.ConclusionMS patients responsive to fingolimod exhibit a recognizable distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations and a different pretreatment gene expression signature that might be useful as a biomarker

Refuerzo de la escayola mediante fibras de lana mineral procedentes del reciclaje de rcd

Con la entrada en vigor del Código Técnico de la edificación el uso de lanas minerales está cada día más generalizado tanto en obras de rehabilitación como en obra nueva. Por lo tanto, la generación de residuos de este tipo de material aislante cobra una mayor importancia. El objetivo principal de la investigación que se presenta en esta ponencia es analizar la viabilidad del reciclaje de fibras obtenidas de las lanas minerales procedentes de los RCD como material alternativo a las fibras de vidrio cortadas que se utilizan en la actualidad como elementos de refuerzo en los prefabricados de yeso. Para ello se realizan series de escayola E-35 aditivadas con residuo de lana de roca y con residuo de lana de vidrio en diferentes porcentajes de adición. Dichas series se repiten cambiando este aditivo por fibra de vidrio E de 25mm de longitud con el fin de realizar un análisis comparativo con respecto a las series aditivadas con residuo de lanas minerales. Todas las series se someten al ensayo Shore C para determinar su dureza superficial y a ensayos mecánicos correspondientes para determinar su resistencia a flexotracción y a compresión. A partir de los resultados obtenidos se concluye que, con residuo de lana de roca se aumenta la Dureza Shore C en todos los porcentajes de adición, llegando a mejorar en un 12% con respecto a la fibra de vidrio, con un porcentaje de adición del 2%. Sin embargo, se obtienen valores inferiores de resistencia a flexotracción para todos sus porcentajes de adición. La mayor diferencia, un 50%, aparece con el porcentaje de adición del 4%. En el ensayo de resistencia a compresión los resultados obtenidos en las series aditivadas con residuo de lana de roca son superiores para todos los porcentajes de adición estudiados. La mayor diferencia aparece para el 3% de adición, en el que las series aditivadas con residuo de lana de roca superan en un 36% a las aditivadas con fibra de vidrio. Con respecto a las series aditivadas con residuo de lana de vidrio se concluye que, mejoran la dureza superficial linealmente en torno al 5% para todos los porcentajes de adición, con respecto a las series aditivadas con fibra de vidrio. Los valores de resistencia a flexotracción son superiores hasta el 3% de adición, llegando esta mejora al 26% con el 1% de adición. Los valores obtenidos en el ensayo de resistencia a compresión son mayores para todos los porcentajes de adición, excepto para el 4%. Esta mejora alcanza el 41% para el porcentaje de adición del 3%. Como conclusión final decir que las series aditivadas con lanas minerales procedentes del reciclaje obtienen mejores resultados en los ensayos realizados que las fibras utilizadas en la actualidad como refuerzo del yeso, por lo que resulta viable su sustitución

Incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Spain: a systematic review

[EN] Introduction: Greater understanding of the prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in Spain and their temporal trends is necessary to improve the allocation of healthcare resources and to study aetiological factors. Methods: We performed a systematic search of the MedLine database and reviewed the reference lists of the articles gathered. We collected studies reporting prevalence or incidence rates of multiple sclerosis in any geographical location in Spain, with no time limits. In 70% of cases, data were extracted by 2 researchers (FGL and EAC); any discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Results: We identified 51 prevalence and 33 incidence studies published between 1968 and 2018. In the adjusted analysis, the number of prevalent cases per 100 000 population increased by 26.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 21.5-31.8) every 10 years. After adjusting for year and latitude, the number of incident cases per 100 000 population increased by 1.34 (95% CI, 0.98-1.69) every 10 years. We observed a trend toward higher prevalence and incidence rates at higher latitudes. Conclusions: The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Spain has increased in recent decades, although case ascertainment appears to be incomplete in many studies. Incidence rates have also increased, but this may be due to recent improvements in the detection of new cases. [ES] Introducción: El conocimiento de la prevalencia y de la incidencia de la esclerosis múltiple en España y de sus tendencias temporales es necesario para planificar mejor los servicios clínicos y estudiar factores etiológicos. Método: Se efectuó una revisión sistemática, mediante una búsqueda en Medline y en las referencias de cada artículo, de todos los estudios que describieran cifras de prevalencia o de incidencia de la esclerosis múltiple en algún lugar geográfico de España, sin límites temporales. En el 70% de los casos la extracción de datos la hicieron dos observadores (FGL y EAC), que resolvieron las discrepancias por consenso. Resultados: Se identificaron 51 estudios de prevalencia y 33 de incidencia entre 1968 y 2018. En el análisis ajustado, por cada 10 años la prevalencia por 100 000 habitantes aumentó en 26,6 (intervalo de confianza -IC- del 95%, 21,5 a 31,8). Según los datos del análisis ajustado por el año y la latitud, por cada 10 años la incidencia por 100 000 habitantes aumentó en 1,34 (IC 95%, 0,98 a 1,69). Se observó una tendencia de mayores prevalencias e incidencias en latitudes más altas. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de la esclerosis múltiple aumentó en las últimas décadas en España, aunque en muchos estudios la verificación de casos parece haber sido incompleta. La incidencia también aumentó, pero eso puede deberse a una detección de casos nuevos más exhaustiva en los últimos años.This study has received funding from Biogen Idec, S. L.S

A Hardware/Software Platform to Acquire Bioelectrical Signals. A Case Study: Characterizing Computer Access through Attention

This paper describes a hardware/software platform to acquire human body signals. In the field of physiological computing it is desirable to have a system that allows the synchronized acquisition of signals coming from different sources. Here is described how to unify the whole process of acquiring signals from both customized hardware and low cost commercial devices such as Neurosky’s mindwave. A case study using this platform is also shown: studying the feasibility of using sustained attention to access a computer. In order to do that brain activity was measured using Neurosky’s mindwave. The participants in this study were asked to keep their attention high/low for as long as possible during several trials. Experimentation was performed by 7 normally developed subjects and 3 people with cerebral palsy (CP). Our preliminary work shows that 60% of participants might be potential users of this technology. Eventually, modulating the attention to access a communication board needs a scanning period greater than 5.76s

Endocannabinoid system modulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from dimethyl fumarate-treated multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of lipid metabolites, their receptors and the enzymes implicated in their synthesis and degradation. The ECS exerts anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties and its modulation has the potential of being a therapeutic target in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an approved drug for MS, which has immunomodulatory effects although its mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. Objectives: To test if DMF could modulate the ECS in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from MS patients. Methods: PBMCs from 11 Healthy Donors (HC) and 20 MS patients (at baseline and after 1 year of DMF treatment) were obtained by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. Patients were clinically followed for 2 years; disease activity was assessed annually. The levels of the endocannabinoids 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), Anandamide (AEA), Oleoylethanolamine (OEA) and Palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) were determined by Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and normalized to the total amount of protein. Results: The median values (in pmol/g protein) of 2-AG and AEA were both similar between HC (361.42 for 2-AG; 63.62 for AEA) and patients at baseline (269.26 for 2-AG; 58.70 for AEA). After 1 year of treatment, no differences were found compared to baseline. However, there was a trend (p=0.07) towards an increase of 2-AG in patients that did not reach NEDA 3 on follow-up at 2 years. OEA and PEA levels were both lower at baseline (61.83 for OEA, p=0.01; 541.0 for PEA, p=0.001) compared to HC (190.35 for OEA; 1140.51 for PEA). After 1 year, PEA levels were unchanged (449.50, p=0.68), but OEA (115.39, p=0.04) increased to levels similar to those of HC. Conclusions: Our results confirm the dysregulation of the ECS in MS. Furthermore, they shed light on a new mechanism of action of DMF in MS, as it can modulate the ECS through OEApre-print110 K

Incidence of multiple sclerosis among European Economic Area populations, 1985-2009: the framework for monitoring

Background: A debate surrounding multiple sclerosis epidemiology has centred on time-related incidence increases and the need of monitoring. The purpose of this study is to reassess multiple sclerosis incidence in the European Economic Area. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of literature from 1965 onwards and integrated elements of original research, including requested or completed data by surveys authors and specific analyses. Results: The review of 5323 documents yielded ten studies for age- and sex-specific analyses, and 21 studies for time-trend analysis of single data sets. After 1985, the incidence of multiple sclerosis ranged from 1.12 to 6.96 per 100,000 population, was higher in females, tripled with latitude, and doubled with study midpoint year. The north registered increasing trends from the 1960s and 1970s, with a historic drop in the Faroe Islands, and fairly stable data in the period 1980-2000; incidence rose in Italian and French populations in the period 1970-2000, in Evros (Greece) in the 1980s, and in the French West Indies in around 2000. Conclusions: We conclude that the increase in multiple sclerosis incidence is only apparent, and that it is not specific to women. Monitoring of multiple sclerosis incidence might be appropriate for the European Economic AreaS