Síndrome de fatiga crónica en una adolescente de 15 años

Fatigue and lack of energy are frequent symptoms in children and adolescents. A diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome should be considered in children and adolescents who complain of chronic fatigue associated with other symptoms without a demonstrable physical cause. Lack of knowledge about this syndrome and late diagnosis may have a negative impact on the normal development of affected children and adolescents. Treatment should be based on a rehabilitation program with cognitive behavioral therapy and a gradual increase in activities

Ionization electron signal processing in single phase LArTPCs. Part I. Algorithm Description and quantitative evaluation with MicroBooNE simulation

We describe the concept and procedure of drifted-charge extraction developed in the MicroBooNE experiment, a single-phase liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC). This technique converts the raw digitized TPC waveform to the number of ionization electrons passing through a wire plane at a given time. A robust recovery of the number of ionization electrons from both induction and collection anode wire planes will augment the 3D reconstruction, and is particularly important for tomographic reconstruction algorithms. A number of building blocks of the overall procedure are described. The performance of the signal processing is quantitatively evaluated by comparing extracted charge with the true charge through a detailed TPC detector simulation taking into account position-dependent induced current inside a single wire region and across multiple wires. Some areas for further improvement of the performance of the charge extraction procedure are also discussed. Keywords: MicroBooNE, Signal Processing, Deconvolution, ROIUnited States. Department of Energy. High Energy Physics DivisionNational Science Foundation (U.S.)Swiss National Science FoundationScience and Technology Facilities Council (Great Britain)Royal Society (Great Britain

Bioinspired bright noniridescent photonic melanin supraballs

Structural colors enable the creation of a spectrumof nonfading colors without pigments, potentially replacing toxic metal oxides and conjugated organic pigments. However, significant challenges remain to achieve the contrast needed for a complete gamut of colors and a scalable process for industrial application. We demonstrate a feasible solution for producing structural colors inspired by bird feathers. We have designed core-shell nanoparticles using high-refractive index (RI) (similar to 1.74) melanin cores and low-RI (similar to 1.45) silica shells. The design of these nanoparticles was guided by finite-difference time-domain simulations. These nanoparticles were self-assembled using a one-pot reverse emulsion process, which resulted in bright and noniridescent supraballs. With the combination of only two ingredients, synthetic melanin and silica, we can generate a full spectrum of colors. These supraballs could be directly added to paints, plastics, and coatings and also used as ultraviolet-resistant inks or cosmetics

Systematic Procedure to Avoid Unintended Polarity Mismatch in the Cascade Connection of Multiport Devices with Symmetric Feeding Lines

This paper is a postprint of a paper submitted to and accepted for publication in [journal] and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. The copy of record is available at IET Digital LibraryThe traditional cascading of generalised scattering matrices (GSMs) assumes that the modal sets at the connected ports of a cascaded network are strictly equal. This implies a careful selection of the modal polarities, or the reference systems, of every port. Usually, the connection scheme of every device is known a priori. Then, the individual GSMs are pre-processed, or auxiliary devices, which correct possible modal mismatches at the ports, are included in appropriate positions among the cascade, so that the traditional cascading-by-pairs approach can be directly applied. This scheme clearly complicates the reutilisation of previously calculated GSMs, and mixes the cascading with the solution of the individual building blocks. In this study, a systematic procedure is proposed to define the polarity of the modes at the ports of a device fed with transmission lines or waveguides showing a single or double symmetry. The modified expressions to calculate the scattering parameters of the cascade of two multiport devices, incorporating the regular modal corrections to apply when this criterion is used to define the modal polarity at the ports, is also presented in this study. This strategy is more convenient from the point of view of programming, less error-prone and easier to implement.This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spanish Government, under Research Projects TEC2013-47037-C05-3-R and TEC2013-47037-C05-1-R.Belenguer Martínez, Á.; Borja, A.; Díaz Caballero, E.; Esteban González, H.; Boria Esbert, VE. (2015). Systematic Procedure to Avoid Unintended Polarity Mismatch in the Cascade Connection of Multiport Devices with Symmetric Feeding Lines. IET Microwaves Antennas and Propagation. 9(11):1128-1135. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-map.2014.0167S1128113591

Bacillus subtilis biofilm matrix components target seed oil bodies to promote growth and anti-fungal resistance in melon

Beneficial microorganisms are used to stimulate the germination of seeds; however, their growth-promoting mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Bacillus subtilis is commonly found in association with different plant organs, providing protection against pathogens or stimulating plant growth. We report that application of B. subtilis to melon seeds results in genetic and physiological responses in seeds that alter the metabolic and developmental status in 5-d and 1-month-old plants upon germination. We analysed mutants in different components of the extracellular matrix of B. subtilis biofilms in interaction with seeds and found cooperation in bacterial colonization of seed storage tissues and growth promotion. Combining confocal microscopy with fluorogenic probes, we found that two specific components of the extracellular matrix, amyloid protein TasA and fengycin, differentially increased the concentrations of reactive oxygen species inside seeds. Further, using electron and fluorescence microscopy and metabolomics, we showed that both TasA and fengycin targeted the oil bodies in the seed endosperm, resulting in specific changes in lipid metabolism and accumulation of glutathione-related molecules. In turn, this results in two different plant growth developmental programmes: TasA and fengycin stimulate the development of radicles, and fengycin alone stimulate the growth of adult plants and resistance in the phylloplane to the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Understanding mechanisms of bacterial growth promotion will enable the design of bespoke growth promotion strains

TOROS optical follow-up of the advanced LIGO–VIRGO O2 second observational campaign

We present themethods and results of the optical follow-up, conducted by the Transient Optical Robotic Observatory of the South Collaboration, of gravitational wave events detected during the Advanced LIGO–Virgo second observing run (2016 November–2017 August). Given the limited field of view (∼100 arcmin) of our observational instrumentation, we targeted galaxies within the area of high localization probability that were observable from our sites. We analysed the observations using difference imaging, followed by a random forest algorithm to discriminate between real and spurious transients. Our observations were conducted using telescopes at Estacion Astrofısica de Bosque Alegre, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, the Dr. Cristina V. Torres Memorial Astronomical Observatory, and an observing station in Salta, Argentina

Vascular retinal findings after COVID-19 vaccination in 11 cases: a coincidence or consequence?

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to assess vascular retinal findings temporally related to COVID-19 vaccination. With greater information regarding all possible future adverse events, we hope to understand the real dimension and relevance of what was presented. Methods: Eleven patients with visual complaints after COVID-19 vaccination were enrolled. Data on the following were included: age, sex, vaccine, time of symptom onset, systemic findings, medical history, best-corrected visual acuity, and ocular findings by slit-lamp biomicroscopy as well as multimodal retinal imaging (color fundus, red-free photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography, and fluorescein-angiography). Inclusion criteria were the presence of ophthalmologic signs within 30 days after the first or second dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. Results: Of 11 patients, five had arterial occlusion (45.4%), four had venous occlusion (36.4%), and two (18.2%) had nonspecific vascular alterations suggestive of retinal ischemia such as cotton-wool spots. The mean age was 57 (SD = 16; range: 27-84) years. The mean time of symptoms onset was 10 (SD = 5.4; range: 3-16) days. Nine patients were female (81.8%). Systemic risk factors were observed in 36.4% of patients. Two patients had both neurological and visual symptoms, with arterial occlusion. Overall, 36.4% patients had COVID-19 in the previous year. Seven patients (63.6%) received ChAdOx1 nCoV- 19 (AZD1222) vaccine. Conclusions: Our data suggest that retinal events temporally related to COVID-19 vaccination are possible but are very rare. The relationship of these events with post-COVID-19 vaccination warrants further attention to derive a meaningful conclusion.RESUMO Objetivos: o principal objetivo deste estudo foi descrever pacientes com achados vasculares retinianos temporalmente relacionados à vacinação contra COVID-19. Com maior notificação de possíveis eventos adversos similares, esperamos compreender a real dimensão e relevância do que foi apresentado. Métodos: Onze pacientes com queixas visuais após vacinação contra COVID-19 foram estudados. Os dados analisados foram: idade, gênero, tipo de vacinação, tempo de aparecimento de sintomas, achados sistêmicos, antecedentes pessoais, acuidade visual com melhor correção, biomicroscopia e imagem retiniana multimodal (retinografia colorida, red-free, SD-OCT, OCTA e angiofluoresceinografia). Os critérios de inclusão foram a presença de alterações oftalmológicas ocorridas dentro de 30 dias após a primeira ou segunda dose de qualquer vacina contra COVID-19. Resultados: Onze pacientes foram incluídos: 5 com oclusão arterial (45,4%), 4 com oclusão venosa (36,4%) e 2 (18,2%) com alterações não específicas vasculares sugestivas de isquemia retiniana como exsudatos algodonosos. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 57 anos (DP=16; com intervalo de 27 a 84 anos). A média de tempo de aparecimento de sintomas após a vacinação foi de 10 dias (DP=5,4; com intervalo de 3 a 16 dias). Nove dos onze pacientes eram do sexo feminino (81,8%). Fatores de risco sistêmicos foram observados em 36,4% dos pacientes. Dois pacientes tiveram sintomas neurológicos e visuais, com oclusão arterial. 36,4% dos pacientes tiveram infecção prévia por COVID-19 no último ano. Sete pacientes (63,6%) receberam a vacina ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222). Conclusões: nossos dados sugerem que eventos retinianos temporalmente relacionados à vacinação contra COVID-19 são possíveis, porém raros. A relação entre estes eventos pós-vacinais exigem futura atenção antes de maiores conclusões

Can we identify non-stationary dynamics of trial-to-trial variability?"

Identifying sources of the apparent variability in non-stationary scenarios is a fundamental problem in many biological data analysis settings. For instance, neurophysiological responses to the same task often vary from each repetition of the same experiment (trial) to the next. The origin and functional role of this observed variability is one of the fundamental questions in neuroscience. The nature of such trial-to-trial dynamics however remains largely elusive to current data analysis approaches. A range of strategies have been proposed in modalities such as electro-encephalography but gaining a fundamental insight into latent sources of trial-to-trial variability in neural recordings is still a major challenge. In this paper, we present a proof-of-concept study to the analysis of trial-to-trial variability dynamics founded on non-autonomous dynamical systems. At this initial stage, we evaluate the capacity of a simple statistic based on the behaviour of trajectories in classification settings, the trajectory coherence, in order to identify trial-to-trial dynamics. First, we derive the conditions leading to observable changes in datasets generated by a compact dynamical system (the Duffing equation). This canonical system plays the role of a ubiquitous model of non-stationary supervised classification problems. Second, we estimate the coherence of class-trajectories in empirically reconstructed space of system states. We show how this analysis can discern variations attributable to non-autonomous deterministic processes from stochastic fluctuations. The analyses are benchmarked using simulated and two different real datasets which have been shown to exhibit attractor dynamics. As an illustrative example, we focused on the analysis of the rat's frontal cortex ensemble dynamics during a decision-making task. Results suggest that, in line with recent hypotheses, rather than internal noise, it is the deterministic trend which most likely underlies the observed trial-to-trial variability. Thus, the empirical tool developed within this study potentially allows us to infer the source of variability in in-vivo neural recordings

Analytical Performance of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay Using TaqMan Probes for Quantification of Trypanosoma cruzi Satellite DNA in Blood Samples

Background: The analytical validation of sensitive, accurate and standardized Real-Time PCR methods for Trypanosoma cruzi quantification is crucial to provide a reliable laboratory tool for diagnosis of recent infections as well as for monitoring treatment efficacy. Methods/Principal Findings: We have standardized and validated a multiplex Real-Time quantitative PCR assay (qPCR) based on TaqMan technology, aiming to quantify T. cruzi satellite DNA as well as an internal amplification control (IAC) in a single-tube reaction. IAC amplification allows rule out false negative PCR results due to inhibitory substances or loss of DNA during sample processing. The assay has a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.70 parasite equivalents/mL and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.53 parasite equivalents/mL starting from non-boiled Guanidine EDTA blood spiked with T. cruzi CLBrener stock. The method was evaluated with blood samples collected from Chagas disease patients experiencing different clinical stages and epidemiological scenarios: 1- Sixteen Venezuelan patients from an outbreak of oral transmission, 2- Sixty three Bolivian patients suffering chronic Chagas disease, 3- Thirty four Argentinean cases with chronic Chagas disease, 4- Twenty seven newborns to seropositive mothers, 5- A seronegative receptor who got infected after transplantation with a cadaveric kidney explanted from an infected subject. Conclusions/Significance: The performing parameters of this assay encourage its application to early assessment of T. cruzi infection in cases in which serological methods are not informative, such as recent infections by oral contamination or congenital transmission or after transplantation with organs from seropositive donors, as well as for monitoring Chagas disease patients under etiological treatment.Fil: Duffy, Tomas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones En Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Cura, Carolina Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Ramírez, Juan C.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Abate, Teresa. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Instituto de Medicina Tropical; VenezuelaFil: Cayo, Nelly M.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Biologia de la Altura; ArgentinaFil: Parrado, Rudy. Universidad San Simón; BoliviaFil: Diaz Bello, Zoraida. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Instituto de Medicina Tropical; VenezuelaFil: Velazquez, Elsa Beatriz. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz Calderón, Arturo. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Instituto de Medicina Tropical; VenezuelaFil: Juiz, Natalia Anahí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Basile, Joaquín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Lineth. Universidad San Simón; BoliviaFil: Riarte, Adelina. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología; ArgentinaFil: Nasser, Julio Rubén. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Ocampo, Susana B.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Biologia de la Altura; ArgentinaFil: Yadon, Zaida E.. Pan-American Health Organization; Estados UnidosFil: Torrico, Faustino. Universidad San Simón; BoliviaFil: Alarcón de Noya, Belkisyole. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Instituto de Medicina Tropical; VenezuelaFil: Ribeiro, Isabela. Drugs and Neglected Diseases Initiative; SuizaFil: Schijman, Alejandro Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; Argentin