Hydrothermal reduction of CO2 captured as NaHCO3 into formate with metal reductants and catalysts

Producción CientíficaThe hydrothermal reduction of CO2 captured in aqueous solutions using metal reductants is a promising novel approach that achieves high yields of conversion and high selectivity, but it presents the limitation of the high temperatures needed for the reaction to take place. In this work, experiments combining several reductant metals (Zn, Al and Fe), catalysts (Pd/C, Ni, Cu, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4) and temperatures (200, 250 and 300 ºC) were performed to optimize the process at milder temperatures. Using Al as reductant and Pd/C as catalyst, yields as high as 38 % were obtained at 200ºC, compared with the highest yield (57 %) observed at 250 ºC. Thus a significant temperature reduction can be achieved using a suitable combination of reductant and catalyst. Using this reaction system, Pd/C as catalyst and Al as reductant, an extensive set of experiments at different times and temperatures were performed in order to determine the kinetics of the process and correlate them to a mathematical model of the process. The model correctly reproduces the experimental data with average errors lower than 5.9 %. These results demonstrate the feasibility of lower the operating temperature while maintaining the performance, when using an adequate combination of catalyst and reductant.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (project RTI2018-097456-B-I00)Junta de Castilla y Leon - FEDER (program CLU-2019-04

Altered functional connectivity in essential tremor

Essential tremor (ET) has been associated with a spectrum of clinical features, with both motor and nonmotor elements, including cognitive deficits. We employed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess whether brain networks that might be involved in the pathogenesis of nonmotor manifestations associated with ET are altered, and the relationship between abnormal connectivity and ET severity and neuropsychological function. Resting-state fMRI data in 23 ET patients (12 women and 11 men) and 22 healthy controls (HC) (12 women and 10 men) were analyzed using independent component analysis, in combination with a ‘‘dualregression’’ technique, to identify the group differences of resting-state networks (RSNs) (default mode network [DMN] and executive, frontoparietal, sensorimotor, cerebellar, auditory/language, and visual networks). All participants underwent a neuropsychological and neuroimaging session, where resting-state data were collected. Relative to HC, ET patients showed increased connectivity in RSNs involved in cognitive processes (DMN and frontoparietal networks) and decreased connectivity in the cerebellum and visual networks. Changes in network integrity were associated not only with ET severity (DMN) and ET duration (DMN and left frontoparietal network), but also with cognitive ability.Moreover, in at least 3 networks (DMN and frontoparietal networks), increased connectivity was associated with worse performance on different cognitive domains (attention, executive function, visuospatial ability, verbal memory, visual memory, and language) and depressive symptoms. Further, in the visual network, decreased connectivity was associated with worse performance on visuospatial ability. ET was associated with abnormal brain connectivity in major RSNs that might be involved in both motor and nonmotor symptoms

In vitro culture of ovine embryos up to early gastrulating stages

Developmental failures occurring shortly after blastocyst hatching from the zona pellucida constitute a major cause of pregnancy losses in both humans and farm ungulates. The developmental events occurring following hatching in ungulates include the proliferation and maturation of extra-embryonic membranes - trophoblast and hypoblast - and the formation of a flat embryonic disc, similar to that found in humans, which initiates gastrulation prior to implantation. Unfortunately, our understanding of these key processes for embryo survival is limited because current culture systems cannot sustain ungulate embryo development beyond hatching. Here, we report a culture system that recapitulates most developmental landmarks of gastrulating ovine embryos: trophoblast maturation, hypoblast migration, embryonic disc formation, disappearance of the Rauber's layer, epiblast polarization and mesoderm differentiation. Our system represents a highly valuable platform for exploring the cell differentiation, proliferation and migration processes governing gastrulation in a flat embryonic disc and for understanding pregnancy failures during the second week of gestation. This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview

Development of the Post Cardiac Surgery (POCAS) prognostic score

Producción CientíficaThe risk of mortality in cardiac surgery is generally evaluated using preoperative risk-scale models. However, intraoperative factors may change the risk factors of patients, and the organism functionality parameters determined upon ICU admittance could therefore be more relevant in deciding operative mortality. The goals of this study were to find associations between the general parameters of organism functionality upon ICU admission and the operative mortality following cardiac operations, to develop a Post Cardiac Surgery (POCAS) Scale to define operative risk categories and to validate an operative mortality risk score. Methods: We conducted a prospective study, including 920 patients who had undergone cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Several parameters recorded on their ICU admission were explored, looking for a univariate and multivariate association with in-hospital mortality (90 days). In-hospital mortality was 9%. Four independent factors were included in the POCAS mortality risk model: mean arterial pressure, bicarbonate, lactate and the International Normalized Ratio (INR). The POCAS scale was compared with four other risk scores in the validation series. Results: In-hospital mortality (90 days) was 9%. Four independent factors were included in the POCAS mortality risk model: mean arterial pressure, bicarbonate ratio, lactate ratio and the INR. The POCAS scale was compared with four other risk scores in the validation series. Discriminatory power (accuracy) was defined with a receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. The best accuracy in predicting in-hospital mortality (90 days) was achieved by POCAS. The areas under the ROC curves of the different systems analyzed were 0.890 (POCAS), followed by 0.847 (Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAP II)), 0.825 (Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)), 0.768 (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II)), 0.754 (logistic EuroSCORE), 0.714 (standard EuroSCORE) and 0.699 (Age, Creatinine, Ejection Fraction (ACEF) score). Conclusions: Our new system to predict the operative mortality risk of patients undergoing cardiac surgery is better than others used for this purpose (SAP II, SOFA, APACHE II, logistic EuroSCORE, standard EuroSCORE, and ACEF score). Moreover, it is an easy-to-use tool since it only requires four risk factors for its calculation.Junta de Castilla y León (grant GRS 463/A/10)Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social (grant RD06/0001/0020

Development of the Post Cardiac Surgery (POCAS) prognostic score

Producción CientíficaThe risk of mortality in cardiac surgery is generally evaluated using preoperative risk-scale models. However, intraoperative factors may change the risk factors of patients, and the organism functionality parameters determined upon ICU admittance could therefore be more relevant in deciding operative mortality. The goals of this study were to find associations between the general parameters of organism functionality upon ICU admission and the operative mortality following cardiac operations, to develop a Post Cardiac Surgery (POCAS) Scale to define operative risk categories and to validate an operative mortality risk score. Methods: We conducted a prospective study, including 920 patients who had undergone cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Several parameters recorded on their ICU admission were explored, looking for a univariate and multivariate association with in-hospital mortality (90 days). In-hospital mortality was 9%. Four independent factors were included in the POCAS mortality risk model: mean arterial pressure, bicarbonate, lactate and the International Normalized Ratio (INR). The POCAS scale was compared with four other risk scores in the validation series. Results: In-hospital mortality (90 days) was 9%. Four independent factors were included in the POCAS mortality risk model: mean arterial pressure, bicarbonate ratio, lactate ratio and the INR. The POCAS scale was compared with four other risk scores in the validation series. Discriminatory power (accuracy) was defined with a receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. The best accuracy in predicting in-hospital mortality (90 days) was achieved by POCAS. The areas under the ROC curves of the different systems analyzed were 0.890 (POCAS), followed by 0.847 (Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAP II)), 0.825 (Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)), 0.768 (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II)), 0.754 (logistic EuroSCORE), 0.714 (standard EuroSCORE) and 0.699 (Age, Creatinine, Ejection Fraction (ACEF) score). Conclusions: Our new system to predict the operative mortality risk of patients undergoing cardiac surgery is better than others used for this purpose (SAP II, SOFA, APACHE II, logistic EuroSCORE, standard EuroSCORE, and ACEF score). Moreover, it is an easy-to-use tool since it only requires four risk factors for its calculation.Junta de Castilla y León (grant GRS 463/A/10)Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social (grant RD06/0001/0020

TMEM95 is a sperm membrane protein essential for mammalian fertilization.

The fusion of gamete membranes during fertilization is an essential process for sexual reproduction. Despite its importance, only three proteins are known to be indispensable for sperm-egg membrane fusion: the sperm proteins IZUMO1 and SPACA6, and the egg protein JUNO. Here we demonstrate that another sperm protein, TMEM95, is necessary for sperm-egg interaction. TMEM95 ablation in mice caused complete male-specific infertility. Sperm lacking this protein were morphologically normal exhibited normal motility, and could penetrate the zona pellucida and bind to the oolemma. However, once bound to the oolemma, TMEM95-deficient sperm were unable to fuse with the egg membrane or penetrate into the ooplasm, and fertilization could only be achieved by mechanical injection of one sperm into the ooplasm, thereby bypassing membrane fusion. These data demonstrate that TMEM95 is essential for mammalian fertilization. © 2020, Lamas-Toranzo et al

Predicting cardiac surgery–associated acute kidney injury: The CRATE score

Producción CientíficaPurpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication after cardiac surgery and is associated with increased mortality. The aim was to design a nondialytic AKI score in patients with previously normal renal function undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Data were collected on 909 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between 2012 and 2014. A total of 810 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients were classified as having AKI based on the RIFLE criteria. Postoperative AKI occurred in 137 patients (16.9%). Several parameters were recorded preoperatively, intraoperatively, and at intensive care unit admission, looking for a univariate andmultivariate associationwith AKI risk. A second data set of 741 patients, from2 different hospitals,was recorded as a validation cohort. Results: Four independent risk factors were included in the CRATE score: creatinine (odds ratio [OR], 9.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.77-19.56; P b .001), EuroSCORE (OR, 1.40; CI, 1.29-1.52; P b .001), lactate (OR, 1.03; CI, 1.01- 1.04; P b .001), and cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR, 1.01; CI, 1.01-1.02; P b .001). The accuracy of the model was good, with an area under the curve of 0.89 (CI, 0.85-0.92). The CRATE score retained good discrimination in validation cohort, with an area under the curve of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.78-0.85). Conclusions: CRATE score is an accurate and easy to calculate risk score that uses affordable andwidely available variables in the routine care surgical patients

Simulación del comportamiento del subsistema de potencia del satélite Lian-He bajo unos parámetros de misión típicos = Simulation of the Lian-Hé satellite power subsystem under typical LEO mission requirements

En el proceso de diseño de sistemas espaciales, el subsistema de generación y distribución de potencia resulta crítico. Para percibirlo basta con pensar en la dependencia energética de gran parte de los demás subsistemas. En el presente informe se describirá en detalle el modelizado del sistema de generación y distribución de potencia del satélite Lian-He. También se realizarán análisis para comprobar durabilidad de la batería durante la misión, así como la robustez del diseño en caso de fallo de algún panel solar. El presente trabajo es parte del contenido docente de la asignatura de Generación y Gestión de Potencia Eléctrica correspondiente al Máster Universitario en Sistemas Espaciales (MUSE), impartido en el curso 2016-2017. Los tutores de este trabajo han sido los profesores Elena Roibás-Millán, Javier Cubas y Santiago Pindado. The proper design of the power subsystem in a space mission is a critical factor, as the correct performance of all the other subsystems of a satellite depend on the power generation and distribution. In the present work, the power subsystem of Lian-Hé satellite (generation, storage and distribution), is thoroughly described and analyzed for a typical LEO misión requeriments. Besides, a failure analysis of key parts of the subsystem such as oneot two solar panels, or half of the battery strings has been included in the work. This work was carried out as part of the subject Power Subsystems of the Master in Space Systems(MUSE)of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. The supervisors of this work were professors elena Roibás-Millán, Javier Cubas and Santiago Pindado

Inclusión digital y visibilización de personas mayores en época de Covid-19

Memoria del proyecto con indicación de las actividades realizadas y los resultados obtenidos. Se describen y valoran las diversas actividades realizadas al amparo del proyecto en el curso 2020-21, en particular las siguientes: (1) un programa de tutorías telefónicas con personas mayores finalizado a la formación en el manejo de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC); (2) el concurso de fotografía titulado “Las personas mayores responden a la pandemia”, pensado para visibilizar la vida de las personas mayores durante la pandemia; y finalmente (3) unas actividades alternativas vinculadas al proyecto que, sin interacción directa con las personas mayores, pretendían sensibilizar al alumnado acerca de la situación de estas durante la pandemia. Se presenta una evaluación de los objetivos conseguidos a través de las tres vías, haciendo especial hincapié en las competencias adquiridas por parte del alumnado.Oficina Universitaria ApS UCMDepto. de Biblioteconomía y DocumentaciónFac. de Ciencias de la DocumentaciónTRUEsubmitte