High-Luminance QD-LED Device With Digital and Dynamic Lighting Functions for Efficient Automotive Systems

The work of F. M. Gomez-Campos and S. Rodriguez-Bolivar was supported by the Spanish Junta de Andalucia under Project P18-RT-3303.Thiswork reports the design of a 60-segment photoluminescence quantum dot light emitting device (QD-LED) for automotive lighting systems. The QD-LED device was fabricated using a quantum dot film (QDF), incorporating two kinds of quantum dots (QDs) synthesized to emit at 531 nm (green) and 624 nm (red). When the QDF is excited with blue wavelength at 465 nm, a white color output is obtained. Likewise, by using different color filters, all the automotive lighting functions (interior and exterior) can be achieved. In addition, an electronic control module, based on the state-of-the-art multichannel automotive lighting emitting diode (LED) drivers, was specifically designed to control each segment individually to enable the possibility of external digital communication with the vehicle surroundings. That is key to develop the autonomous vehicle by incorporating what is known as car-to-X communication, used to transmit information to other vehicles and road users through light. Furthermore, this work is remarkable due to the low power consumption of the QD-LED device designed, which implies a high electrical efficiency, something critical for the electrical vehicle development. Besides, figures ofmerit and performance indicators are measured, offering promising values to use this nanotechnology in the next future of the vehicle transportation lighting systems.Junta de Andalucia P18-RT-330

Association between sleep-disordered breathing and breast cancer aggressiveness

Background Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been associated with cancer aggressiveness, but studies focused on specific tumors are lacking. In this pilot study we investigated whether SDB is associated with breast cancer (BC) aggressiveness. Methods 83 consecutive women <65 years diagnosed with primary BC underwent a home respiratory polygraphy. Markers of SDB severity included the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and the 4% oxygen desaturation index (ODI4). The Ki67 proliferation index, lack of hormone receptors (HR-), Nottingham Histological Grade (NHG), and tumor stage were used as markers of BC aggressiveness. The association between SDB and molecular subtypes of BC was also assessed. Results The mean (SD) age was 48.8 (8.8) years and body mass index was 27.4 (5.4) Kg/m2. 42 women (50.6%) were post-menopausal. The median (IQR) AHI was 5.1 (2–9.4), and ODI4 was 1.5 (0.5–5.8). The median (IQR) AHI did not differ between the groups with Ki67>28% and Ki6728% and Ki67<29% (51.2% vs 52.3%, p = 0.90), HR- and HR+ (58.3% vs 49.1%, p = 0.47), NHG categories (p = 0.89), different tumor stages (p = 0.71), or molecular subtypes (p = 0.73). These results did not change when the ODI4 was used instead of the AHI. Conclusion Our results do not support an association between the presence or severity of SDB and BC aggressiveness.Asociación de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica del Sur (NEUMOSUR) 1/201

A distributed and energy‑efficient KNN for EEG classification with dynamic money‑saving policy in heterogeneous clusters

Universidad de Granada/CBUASpanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities under Grants PGC2018-098813-B-C31,PID2022-137461NB-C32ERDF fund. Funding for open access charge: University of Granada/ CBU

Sistema web de facturación y control de mercancía para la librería “María Auxiliadora”, Jinotepe-Carazo, en el periodo del año 2022

A partir de “la necesidad de un sistema web transaccional”, se ha llevado a cabo el desarrollo de este proyecto, tomando como objeto de estudio la librería “María Auxiliadora”, con el fin de dar respuesta a dicha necesidad, a través de un Sistema web de facturación y control de mercancía. En primera instancia en este trabajo de investigación se identifican los procesos que actualmente lleva el negocio, así como la problemática del mismo, con el fin de determinar las necesidades del sistema; para ello se utilizaron diferentes métodos para la recopilación de datos, como la entrevista realizada al trabajador de la librería, con el fin de obtener los requerimientos funcionales y no funcionales, de igual manera para la definición de los alcances y limitantes del sistema. También en el presente documento se detallan conceptos generales sobre los sistemas de información, sobre el Lenguaje Unificado UML, Bases de datos, entre otros. Con la intención de fundamentar cada proceso del desarrollo del sistema. Del mismo modo se presentan los diagramas que representa las transacciones del negocio a través de la metodología de lenguaje unificado UML, también se implementó una base de datos que permite registrar, almacenar y procesar la información del negocio, y se diseñó la estructura del sistema, por medio de las herramientas de desarrollo web como SQL SERVER, VISUAL STUDIO y VISUAL STUDIO CODE. Finalmente se integraron todas las herramientas a nivel de análisis, diseño y de programación, para el desarrollo del sistema de facturación y control de mercancía. Tras haber culminado con el desarrollo del sistema, se concluyó que un sistema web transaccional es fundamental para agilizar y automatizar los procesos de un negocio, como se planteaba al inicio, y que del mismo modo contribuye a la integridad de la información

Productividad primaria bruta y respiración planctónica en el Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano

Planktonic gross primary productivity (GPP) and respiration (RP) were evaluated in the National Park Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (NPSAV) at the southwest of Gulf of Mexico from December 2008 to January 2012. Using these data we characterized the zone and identified the organic metabolism function of the ecosystem. The GPP values varied between 0-231 mgC m-3 h-1 and the RP values between 0-447 mgC m-3 h-1 . The north was different from south, with Playa Norte being the most productive site of the system. The north is influenced by anthropogenic activities such as the residual water treatment plant, whereas the south is influenced by the river plume of Jamapa during the rainy period. By the contrary Cabezo reef was the lowest productive; this site is the farest from the coast hence with no influence of Jamapa river plume. No differences were detected between sites associated to reefs and sites without reefs. The ratio GPP/RP indicated that the ecosystem is a source of CO2 most of the time, and in short periods of the year as a carbon sink.Se evaluó la productividad primaria bruta (PPB) y la respiración planctónica (RP) en el Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (PNSAV), en el suroeste del Golfo de México durante diciembre de 2008 a enero de 2012. Con base en esto, se buscó caracterizar la zona e identificar la función del metabolismo orgánico del ecosistema. Los valores para la PPB oscilaron entre 0-231 mgC m-3 h-1 y para la RP entre 0-447 mgC m-3 h-1, La zona norte tuvo diferencia con la zona sur del área de estudio, siendo Playa Norte el sitio más productivo del sistema. La zona norte presentó una mayor influencia antropogénica, debido a una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales, mientras que la zona sur está sometida a la influencia de la descarga del río Jamapa durante el período de lluvias. En contraste, el arrecife Cabezo fue el menos productivo; este sitio es el más lejano de la costa y por consiguiente sufre un menor efecto de la influencia del río Jamapa. No se encontraron diferencias entre los sitios asociados a arrecifes y sitios sin arrecifes. La razón PPB/RP, mostró que el ecosistema funciona la mayor parte del tiempo, como una fuente de CO2 y solo en periodos cortos del año, como un sumidero de carbono

PV Lesions and Other Issues in the Oral Cavity Treatment and Removal without Pain

Abstract: Due to different oral and dental conditions, oral mucosa lesions such as those caused by the human papilloma virus and temporomandibular joint pathologies often have to be treated by surgical, ablative or extractive procedures. The treatment and control of pain and inflammation during these procedures is essential to guarantee the patient's well-being. For the foregoing reason, a hydrogel based on sodium alginate and hyaluronic acid containing 2% of ketorolac tromethamine has been developed. We characterized it physically, mechanically and morphologically. The rheological results suggest that the formulation can be easily and gently applied. Ex vivo permeation studies show that Ketorolac Tromethamine is able to penetrate through the buccal and sublingual mucosae, in addition to being retained in the mucosae's structure. Through an in vitro test, we were able to evaluate the role that saliva plays in the bioavailability of the drug, observing that more than half of the applied dose is eliminated in an hour. The histological and cytotoxic studies performed on pigs in vivo showed the excellent safety profile of the formulation, as well as its high tolerability. In parallel, a biomimetic artificial membrane (PermeaPad®) was evaluated, and it showed a high degree of correlation with the oral and sublingual mucosa

Glutamate and Brain Glutaminases in Drug Addiction

Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and its actions are related to the behavioral effects of psychostimulant drugs. In the last two decades, basic neuroscience research and preclinical studies with animal models are suggesting a critical role for glutamate transmission in drug reward, reinforcement, and relapse. Although most of the interest has been centered in post-synaptic glutamate receptors, the presynaptic synthesis of glutamate through brain glutaminases may also contribute to imbalances in glutamate homeostasis, a key feature of the glutamatergic hypothesis of addiction. Glutaminases are the main glutamate-producing enzymes in brain and dysregulation of their function have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders; however, the possible implication of these enzymes in drug addiction remains largely unknown. This mini-review focuses on brain glutaminase isozymes and their alterations by in vivo exposure to drugs of abuse, which are discussed in the context of the glutamate homeostasis theory of addiction. Recent findings from mouse models have shown that drugs induce changes in the expression profiles of key glutamatergic transmission genes, although the molecular mechanisms that regulate drug-induced neuronal sensitization and behavioral plasticity are not clear.This work was financially supported by Grants RD12/0028/0013 (JM) and RD12/0028/0001 (FRF) of the RTA RETICS network from the Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Grant SAF2015-64501-R from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (to JM and JMM) and Excellence Grant CVI-6656 (Regional Andalusian government) (to JM)

Aprovechamiento energético de residuos sólidos

En muchos países de la región iberoamericana, la biomasa supone más del 30 % del consumo energético nacional. En los países industrializados, el consumo de biomasa energética suele ser muy inferior, por la contribución predominante de los “combustibles fósiles”. Tal situación tuvo un punto de inflexión en la década de los 70, con la primera crisis del petróleo, que permitió dejar en evidencia la insostenibilidad de un modelo basado en el uso casi exclusivo de los combustibles fósiles. Actualmente, la amenaza más significativa es el incremento en las emisiones de gases de efecto de invernadero y el calentamiento global. En la mayoría de los países y en los eventos internacionales existe un interés creciente por la utilización energética de los residuos, el ahorro y la eficiencia energética con el doble objetivo de reducir la dependencia energética y reducir los impactos ambientales. En esta publicación se presentan varios proyectos de investigación desarrollados y aplicados a nivel real de valorización de la biomasa residual. El retorno al uso de la biomasa con fines energéticos no presupone una vuelta atrás en el desarrollo tecnológico; al contrario, el uso de este recurso biológico se encuentra directamente relacionado con nuevas formas de uso de los residuos y el desarrollo de nuevos procesos y tecnologías que permitan la producción de combustibles más avanzados con elevadas prestaciones, altas eficiencias energéticas, bajas emisiones y costos inferiores a los combustibles fósiles. Algunos de estos procesos están en fase comercial y otros en pleno desarrollo, como ocurre con otras fuentes de energías renovables

Evaluation of dynamic spinal morphology and core muscle activation in cyclists. A comparison between standing posture and on the bicycle

(1) Background: Cycling is characterized by a sustained sitting posture on the bicycle, where physiologic spinal curvatures are modified from standing to cycling. Therefore, the main objective was to evaluate and compare the morphology of the spine and the core muscle activity in standing posture and cycling at low intensity. (2) Methods: Twelve competitive cyclists participated in the study. Spinal morphology was evaluated using an infrared-camera system. Muscle activation was recorded using a surface electromyography device. (3) Conclusions: The lumbar spine changes its morphology from lordosis in standing to kyphosis (lumbar flexion) when pedaling on the bicycle. The sacral tilt significantly increases its anterior tilt when cycling compared to when standing. The spinal morphology and sacral tilt are dynamic depending on the pedal’s position during the pedal stroke quadrants. The infraspinatus, latissimus dorsi, external oblique, and pectoralis major showed significantly higher activation pedaling than when standing, although with very low values

Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with α1-antitrypsin deficiency genotypes PI*ZZ and PI*SZ in the Spanish registry of EARCO

Background: The Spanish registry of α1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) integrated in the European Alpha-1 Research Collaboration (EARCO) provides information about the characteristics of patients, in particular those with the PI*SZ genotype, which is frequent in Spain. Method: Individuals with severe AATD defined as proteinase inhibitor (PI) genotypes PI*ZZ, PI*SZ and other rare deficient variants were included from February 1, 2020, to February 1, 2022. The analysis focused on a comparison of the characteristics of PI*ZZ and PI*SZ patients. Results: 409 patients were included (53.8% men) with a mean±sd age of 53.5±15.9 years. Genotypes were PI*ZZ in 181 (44.7%), PI*SZ in 163 (40.2%), PI*SS in 29 (7.2%) and other in 32 (7.9%). 271 (67.4%) had lung disease: 175 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (43.5%), 163 emphysema (40.5%) and 83 bronchiectasis (20.6%). Patients with the PI*SZ genotype were younger, more frequently non-index cases and had a lower frequency of respiratory diseases except asthma compared with PI*ZZ patients. Among patients with respiratory diseases, PI*SZ individuals were significantly older both at onset of symptoms and at diagnosis; only asthma was more frequent in PI*SZ than in PI*ZZ individuals. Twelve PI*SZ patients (15.4%) received augmentation therapy compared with 94 PI*ZZ patients (66.2%; p<0.001). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of PI*SZ in Spain. Patients with the PI*SZ genotype were older at symptom onset and diagnosis and had less severe lung disease compared with PI*ZZ patients. The prevalence of asthma was higher in PI*SZ, and up to 15% of PI*SZ patients received augmentation therapy.Acknowledgements: The Spanish registry would like to acknowledge the support of the EARCO Steering committee: Christian Clarenbach and Marc Miravitlles (co-chairs), Robert Bals, Jan Stolk, Joanna Chorostowska-Wynimko, Karen O’Hara, Marion Wilkens, José Luis López-Campos, Alice M. Turner, Ilaria Ferrarotti, Gerry McElvaney and Robert A. Stockley