Advances in residential design related to the influence of geomagnetism

: Since the origin of the Modern Movement, there has been a basic commitment to improving housing conditions and the well-being of occupants, especially given the prediction that 2/3 of humanity will reside in cities by 2050. Moreover, a compact model of the city with tall buildings and urban densification at this scale will be generated. Continuous constructive and technological advances have developed solid foundations on safety, energy efficiency, habitability, and sustainability in housing design. However, studies on improving the quality of life in these areas continue to be a challenge for architects and engineers. This paper seeks to contribute health-related information to the study of residential design, specifically the influence of the geomagnetic field on its occupants. After compiling information on the effects of geomagnetic fields from different medical studies over 23 years, a case study of a 16-story high-rise building is presented, with the goal of proposing architectural design recommendations for long-term occupation in the same place. The purpose of the present work is three-fold: first, to characterize the geomagnetic field variability of buildings; second, to identify the causes and possible related mechanisms; and third, to define architectural criteria on the arrangement of uses and constructive elements for housing

What DNA barcodes reveal: microhabitat preference, hunting strategy and dispersal ability drive genetic variation across Iberian spider species

1. The current rate of species loss calls for immediate actions to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Cataloguing species richness and composition, and revealing how diversity is geographically distributed are the first steps towards designing efficient conservation strategies. 2. Here, we aim to determine diversity patterns and potential drivers of taxonomic and genetic diversity and population structure of Iberian spiders. We used a community level perspective, analysing more than 3000 DNA barcode sequences representing 370 spider species dwelling in white-oak forest habitats across the Spanish National Park network. 3. By combining and comparing morphological and DNA barcode-based species delimitation methods, we assessed their performance and identified putative factors behind cases of incongruence. Our findings uncovered potential overlooked diversity as suggested by the geographic patterns of genetic variation and put a red flag on those taxa that may be undergoing overlooked evolutionary or ecological processes. 4. Spider functional traits associated with foraging strategy, microhabitat preference, ballooning ability and circadian activity explained the observed patterns of population structure across species but did not explain variation in genetic diversity. Overall, our study represents a major step forward in the understanding of large-scale diversity patterns in Iberian spiders at the community level and provides relevant information to guide future conservation strategies of the so-far largely overlooked invertebrate diversit

Towards an Inerian DNA barcode reference library of freshwater macroinvertebrates and fishes

Freshwater macroinvertebrates and fishes are focal groups in major ecosystem biomonitoring programs in the Iberian Peninsula. Yet, their use as bioindicators is sometimes constrained by the time and cost needed for sorting macroinvertebrates specimens and their challenging taxonomic identification, and the huge sampling procedures for capturing rare or incipient fish species, respec- tively. Given the increasing cost-effectiveness of metazoan identification based on metabarcoding [i.e., high-throughput sequenc- ing (HTS) of DNA barcodes] and reliability of species-level identification and the high number of samples that can be processed, its use in biomonitoring of freshwater communities can provide an alternative to morphology-based approaches. However, the accuracy of species assignment in metabarcoding approaches relies on the availability of a comprehensive DNA barcode reference library. Because of the high level of endemicity in the Iberian Peninsula, current public repositories for DNA barcodes may not be informative enough to identify the Iberian fauna to species level. Here, we compiled the Iberian freshwater macroinvertebrates and fishes taxonomic list (including indigenous and non-indigenous species) and the available molecular data for the cytochrome oxidase I DNA barcode (cox1, COI-5P) in public repositories to assess the extent of DNA barcode coverage. The DNA barcode coverage was reported for DNA fragments within the Folmer region (658 bp). Given that HTS platforms provide DNA sequence in the range of 50-400 bp in length, we also reported the second half of the DNA barcode (313 bp, Leray region) and the first part of the Leray region (285 bp, Leray-285), which are short DNA barcodes useful to assign metabarcoding cox1 data. For macroin- vertebrates, the final taxonomic checklist comprises 3348 species including Mollusca (65 species), Crustacea (101 species) and Insecta (3182 species). We present an initial DNA barcode reference library, with an overall coverage of ~ 35 % of the Iberian taxa. Exploring this data, we find a strong taxonomic bias. Based on Leray-285, Odonata (43 of 79 species barcoded, 54.43 %) and Hemiptera (44 of 81 species barcoded, 54.32 %) were the best represented lineages. In contrast, Diptera (393 of 1693 species barcoded, 23.21 %), and Plecoptera (42 of 135 species barcoded, 31.11 %) were underrepresented. For fishes, the available DNA barcode data covered 98.11 % of the indigenous (76) and non-indigenous (30) species. By revealing and quantifying current gaps on the available data (~ 65 %), we aim to improve efficiency in designing the next steps towards the ambitious yet necessary goal of compiling a complete DNA barcode reference library for Iberian macroinvertebrates and fishes

Patient profile and management of delirium in older adults hospitalized due to COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 can cause neurologic symptoms, as well as respiratory ones. Older adults are at risk of developing acute delirium in older persons (ADOP). The combination of experiencing respiratory isolation due to COVID-19, as well as other associated risk factors for older adults, may have had an impact on ADOP and ADOP management in the acute hospital setting. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of ADOP in patients admitted to a COVID-19 unit. An observational prospective study on a sample of 108 patients was carried out between November 2020 and May 2021. The following data were collected: sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors for ADOP, management of ADOP, and impact on ADOP on both functional and cognitive deteriora-tion. A 29.6% proportion of older adults admitted to an acute COVID-19 unit presented hyperactive ADOP, mainly during the night. Management of ADOP in our sample involved mainly pharmaco-logical treatment and had a serious impact on hospital stay and both functional and cognitive dete-rioration. Preventive strategies and being accompanied by a relative or a carer may be useful to manage ADOP during hospital admission due to COVID-19

Can long-range PCR be used to amplify genetically divergent mitochondrial genomes for comparative phylogenetics?: a case study within spiders (Arthropoda: Araneae)

The development of second generation sequencing technology has resulted in the rapid production of large volumes of sequence data for relatively little cost, thereby substantially increasing the quantity of data available for phylogenetic studies. Despite these technological advances, assembling longer sequences, such as that of entire mitochondrial genomes, has not been straightforward. Existing studies have been limited to using only incomplete or nominally intra-specific datasets resulting in a bottleneck between mitogenome amplification and downstream high-throughput sequencing. Here we assess the effectiveness of a wide range of targeted long-range PCR strategies, encapsulating single and dual fragment primer design approaches to provide full mitogenomic coverage within the Araneae (Spiders). Despite extensive rounds of optimisation, full mitochondrial genome PCR amplifications were stochastic in most taxa, although 454 Roche sequencing confirmed the successful amplification of 10 mitochondrial genomes out of the 33 trialled species. The low success rates of amplification using long-Range PCR highlights the difficulties in consistently obtaining genomic amplifications using currently available DNA polymerases optimised for large genomic amplifications and suggests that there may be opportunities for the use of alternative amplification methods

Suitability of the SL index for the semi-automatic identification of mass movements affecting the drainage network

Los índices geomorfológicos, como el índice del gradiente del perfil longitudinal de los ríos (Stream Length- Gradient index, SL) han demostrado ser buenos identificadores de anomalías en los perfiles longitudinales de los ríos. Generalmente, los factores más comunes que producen estas anomalías (knickpoints) son principalmente cambios litológicos, estructuras tectónicas activas y grandes movimientos de ladera. Este estudio se propone detectar zonas de la red de drenaje afectadas por movimientos en masa utilizando el índice SL en las cuencas de La Vall d’Àssua, Romadriu y La Vall de Tor (Pirineos Centrales). La metodología utilizada consiste en calcular el índice SL utilizando la herramienta Chi-Map y, después, se han aplicado las herramientas Análisis de Puntos Calientes (Hotspot and Cluster Analysis, HCA) y Densidad de Kernel (Kernel Density, KD) de ArcGIS® para proporcionar una mejor visualización y localización de los valores anómalos del índice SL. Las anomalías de SL han sido comparadas con el inventario de inestabilidades de ladera existente en la cuenca de La Vall d’Àssua. Los resultados obtenidos de este análisis indican que hay una buena correlación entre anomalías de SL y los movimientos en masa. Además, este índice geomorfológico ha ayudado en la identificación de 13 nuevas inestabilidades de ladera en el conjunto de las tres cuencas analizadas. En conclusión, el estudio realizado ha permitido comprobar la utilidad del índice SL para detectar aquellos puntos de la red de drenaje que están afectados por movimientos en masa.Geomorphological indices, such as the Stream Length-Gradient (SL) index, have been demonstrated to be suitable for detecting anomalies in stream-profiles. These anomalies (knickpoints) are generally related to active tectonics, lithological changes and large mass movements. This study aims to detect drainage areas affected by mass movements using SL index in La Vall d’Àssua, Romadriu and La Vall de Tor basins (Central Pyrenees). The methodology used consists of computing the SL index using the Chi-Map script and then, applying two ArcGIS® tools, which are the Hotspot and Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Kernel Density (KD), to provide a better visualisation and location of the knickpoints. SL anomalies have been compared with the slope failure inventory of La Vall d’Àssua basin, indicating a good correlation between SL anomalies and slope failures. Additionally, this geomorphological index provided the identification of 13 mass movements which had not previously been described. To sum up, this geomorphological parameter is a useful tool for the identification of drainage network areas affected by mass movements.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por los Proyectos CHARMA (CGL2013-40828-R) y PROMONTEC (MINEICO- FEDER Ref.: CGL2017-84720-R)

Beyond the RICH: Innovative Photosensitive Gaseous Detectors for new Fields of Applications

We have developed and successfully used several innovative designs of detectors with solid photocathodes. The main advantage of these detectors is that rather high gains (>10E4) can be achieved in a single multiplication step. This is possible by, for instance, exploiting the secondary electron multiplication and limiting the energy of the steamers by distributed resistivity. The single step approach also allows a very good position resolution to be achieved in some devices: 50 micron on line without applying any treatment method (like center of gravity). The main focus of our report is new fields of applications for these detectors and the optimization of their designs for such purposes.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, 3 table

Magnetite Nanoparticles Functionalized with RNases against Intracellular Infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Altres ajuts: Fundació La Marató de TV3/20180310Current treatments against bacterial infections have severe limitations, mainly due to the emergence of resistance to conventional antibiotics. In the specific case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, they have shown a number of resistance mechanisms to counter most antibiotics. Human secretory RNases from the RNase A superfamily are proteins involved in a wide variety of biological functions, including antimicrobial activity. The objective of this work was to explore the intracellular antimicrobial action of an RNase 3/1 hybrid protein that combines RNase 1 high catalytic and RNase 3 bactericidal activities. To achieve this, we immobilized the RNase 3/1 hybrid on Polyetheramine (PEA)-modified magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs). The obtained nanobioconjugates were tested in macrophage-derived THP-1 cells infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The obtained results show high antimicrobial activity of the functionalized hybrid protein (MNP-RNase 3/1) against the intracellular growth of P. aeruginosa of the functionalized hybrid protein. Moreover, the immobilization of RNase 3/1 enhances its antimicrobial and cell-penetrating activities without generating any significant cell damage. Considering the observed antibacterial activity, the immobilization of the RNase A superfamily and derived proteins represents an innovative approach for the development of new strategies using nanoparticles to deliver antimicrobials that counteract P. aeruginosa intracellular infection

Everything causes cancer? Beliefs and attitudes towards cancer prevention among anti-vaxxers, flat earthers, and reptilian conspiracists: online cross sectional survey

Objective: To evaluate, using an online non-probability sample, the beliefs about and attitudes towards cancer prevention of people professing vaccination scepticism or conspiracy theories. Design: Cross sectional survey. Setting: Data collected mainly from ForoCoches (a well known Spanish forum) and other platforms, including Reddit (English), 4Chan (English), HispaChan (Spanish), and a Spanish language website for cancer prevention (mejorsincancer.org) from January to March 2022. Participants: Among 1494 responders, 209 were unvaccinated against covid-19, 112 preferred alternative rather than conventional medicine, and 62 reported flat earth or reptilian beliefs. Main outcome measures: Cancer beliefs assessed using the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) and Cancer Awareness Measure Mythical Causes Scale (CAM-MYCS) (both validated tools). Results: Awareness of the actual causes of cancer was greater (median CAM score 63.6%) than that of mythical causes (41.7%). The most endorsed mythical causes of cancer were eating food containing additives or sweeteners, feeling stressed, and eating genetically modified food. Awareness of the actual and mythical causes of cancer among the unvaccinated, alternative medicine, and conspiracy groups was lower than among their counterparts. A median of 54.5% of the actual causes was accurately identified among each of the unvaccinated, alternative medicine, and conspiracy groups, and a median of 63.6% was identified in each of the three corresponding counterparts (P=0.13, 0.04, and 0.003, respectively). For mythical causes, medians of 25.0%, 16.7%, and 16.7% were accurately identified in the unvaccinated, alternative medicine, and conspiracy groups, respectively; a median of 41.7% was identified in each of the three corresponding counterparts (P<0.001 in adjusted models for all comparisons). In total, 673 (45.0%) participants agreed with the statement "It seems like everything causes cancer." No significant differences were observed among the unvaccinated (44.0%), conspiracist (41.9%), or alternative medicine groups (35.7%), compared with their counterparts (45.2%, 45.7%, and 45.8%, respectively). Conclusions: Almost half of the participants agreed that "It seems like everything causes cancer," which highlights the difficulty that society encounters in differentiating actual and mythical causes owing to mass information. People who believed in conspiracies, rejected the covid-19 vaccine, or preferred alternative medicine were more likely to endorse the mythical causes of cancer than their counterparts but were less likely to endorse the actual causes of cancer. These results suggest a direct connection between digital misinformation and consequent erroneous health decisions, which may represent a further preventable fraction of cancer