Quality Assessment and Practical Interpretation of the Wave Parameters Estimated by HF Radars in NW Spain

High-frequency (HF) radars are efficient tools for measuring vast areas and gathering ocean parameters in real-time. However, the accuracy of their wave estimates is under analysis. This paper presents a new methodology for analyzing and validating the wave data estimated by two CODAR SeaSonde radars located on the Galician coast (NW Spain). Approximately one and a half years of wave data (January, 2014–April, 2015) were obtained for ten range cells employing two different sampling times used by the radar software. The resulting data were screened by an updated method, and their abundance and quality were described for each radar range cell and different wave regime; the latter were defined using the spectral significant wave height (Hm0) and mean wave direction (Dm) estimated by two buoys and three SIMAR points (SImulación MARina in Spanish, from the wave reanalysis model by Puertos del Estado (PdE)). The correlation between the results and the particularities of the different sea states (broadband or bimodal), the wind and the operation of the devices are discussed. Most HF radar wave parameters’ errors occur for waves from the NNE and higher than 6 m. The best agreement between the Vilán radar and the Vilano-Sisargas buoy wave data was obtained for the dominant wave regime (from the northwest) and the southwest wave regime. However, relevant contradictions regarding wave direction were detected. The possibilities of reducing the wave parameters’ processing time by one hour and increasing the numbers of range cells of the radars have been validatedThis research was funded by Interreg Atlantic Area project MyCOAST (EAPA 285/2016) and INTERREG V-A Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) project RADAR_ON_RAIA co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (EU). V.P.-M. and A.B. acknowledge financial support by CRETUS strategic partnership (ED431E2018/01), co-funded by the ERDF (EU) http://www.usc.es/cretus/S

Spectroscopic investigations of iron(II) and iron(III) oxalates

In an attempt to contribute to a better characterization of FeII and FeIII oxalate complexes, an investigation of their vibrational (infrared and Raman) and 57Fe-Mössbauer spectra was performed. It is shown that the two polymorphs, α and β, of FeC2O4.2H2O cannot be accurately differentiated with any of these spectroscopic methods, demonstrating the high structural similarity of these two crystalline forms. Partially deuterated samples of β-FeC2O4·2H2O were also investigated to improve the vibrational-spectroscopic analysis. In the case of Fe2(C2O4)3·4H2O, a structural model, derived from results of combined vibrational and Mössbauer data, could be proposed. The 298 K Mössbauer spectrum for this complex is discussed in detail for the first time.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Química Inorgánic

Estrogen Receptor-Alpha (ESR1) Governs the Lower Female Reproductive Tract Vulnerability to Candida albicans

Estradiol-based therapies predispose women to vaginal infections. Moreover, it has long been known that neutrophils are absent from the vaginal lumen during the ovulatory phase (high estradiol). However, the mechanisms that regulate neutrophil influx to the vagina remain unknown. We investigated the neutrophil transepithelial migration (TEM) into the vaginal lumen. We revealed that estradiol reduces the CD44 and CD47 epithelial expression in the vaginal ectocervix and fornix, which retain neutrophils at the apical epithelium through the estradiol receptor-alpha. In contrast, luteal progesterone increases epithelial expression of CD44 and CD47 to promote neutrophil migration into the vaginal lumen and Candida albicans destruction. Distinctive to vaginal mucosa, neutrophil infiltration is contingent to sex hormones to prevent sperm from neutrophil attack; although it may compromise immunity during ovulation. Thus, sex hormones orchestrate tolerance and immunity in the vaginal lumen by regulating neutrophil TEM.The authors thank the units of flow cytometry, cell culture and statistical analysis. We are grateful to J. Villarejo, M. Fernandez-Garcia, and F. Sanchez-Cobos, for expert help and support. This work was partially supported by Fundacion Mutua Madrilena and the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness ISCIII-FIS grants PI13/00269, PI16/00050, and PI17/01324, co-financed by ERDF (FEDER) Funds from the European Commission, ``A way of making Europe.´´ MR holds a Miguel Servet II contract (CPII14/00009). LS-M holds a IiSGM intramural contract.S

Integrated Application of Enhanced Replacement Method and Ensemble Learning for the Prediction of BCRP/ABCG2 Substrates

Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP or ABCG2) is a polyspecific efflux-transporter which belongs to the ATP-binding Cassette superfamily. Up-regulation of BCRP is associated to multi-drug resistance in a number of conditions, e.g. cancer and epilepsy. Recent proteomic studies show that high-expression levels of BCRP are found in healthy human intestine and at the blood-brain barrier, limiting the absorption and brain distribution of its substrates. Here, we have jointly applied the Enhanced Replacement Method and ensemble learning approaches to obtain combinations of 2D linear classifiers capable of discriminating among substrates and non-substrates of the wild type human BCRP. The best model ensemble obtained outperforms previously reported 2D linear classifiers, showing the ability of the Enhanced Replacement Method and ensemble learning schemes to optimize the performance of individual models. This is the first report of the Enhanced Replacement Method to solve classification problems.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Spectroscopic investigations of iron(II) and iron(III) oxalates

In an attempt to contribute to a better characterization of FeII and FeIII oxalate complexes, an investigation of their vibrational (infrared and Raman) and 57Fe-Mössbauer spectra was performed. It is shown that the two polymorphs, α and β, of FeC2O4•2H2O cannot be accurately differentiated with any of these spectroscopic methods, demonstrating the high structural similarity of these two crystalline forms. Partially deuterated samples of β-FeC2O4•2H2O were also investigated to improve the vibrational-spectroscopic analysis. In the case of Fe2(C2O4)3•4H2O, a structural model, derived from results of combined vibrational and Mössbauer data, could be proposed. The 298 K Mössbauer spectrum for this complex is discussed in detail for the first time

Spectroscopic investigations of iron(II) and iron(III) oxalates

In an attempt to contribute to a better characterization of FeII and FeIII oxalate complexes, an investigation of their vibrational (infrared and Raman) and 57Fe-Mössbauer spectra was performed. It is shown that the two polymorphs, α and β, of FeC2O4.2H2O cannot be accurately differentiated with any of these spectroscopic methods, demonstrating the high structural similarity of these two crystalline forms. Partially deuterated samples of β-FeC2O4·2H2O were also investigated to improve the vibrational-spectroscopic analysis. In the case of Fe2(C2O4)3·4H2O, a structural model, derived from results of combined vibrational and Mössbauer data, could be proposed. The 298 K Mössbauer spectrum for this complex is discussed in detail for the first time.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Química Inorgánic

Extreme wave height events in NW Spain: a combined multi-sensor and model approach

The Galician coast (NW Spain) is a region that is strongly influenced by the presence of low pressure systems in the mid-Atlantic Ocean and the periodic passage of storms that give rise to severe sea states. Since its wave climate is one of the most energetic in Europe, the objectives of this paper were twofold. The first objective was to characterize the most extreme wave height events in Galicia over the wintertime of a two-year period (2015–2016) by using reliable high-frequency radar wave parameters in concert with predictions from a regional wave (WAV) forecasting system running operationally in the Iberia-Biscay-Ireland (IBI) area, denominated IBI-WAV. The second objective was to showcase the application of satellite wave altimetry (in particular, remote-sensed three-hourly wave height estimations) for the daily skill assessment of the IBI-WAV model product. Special attention was focused on monitoring Ophelia—one of the major hurricanes on record in the easternmost Atlantic—during its 3-day track over Ireland and the UK (15–17 October 2017). Overall, the results reveal the significant accuracy of IBI-WAV forecasts and prove that a combined observational and modeling approach can provide a comprehensive characterization of severe wave conditions in coastal areas and shows the benefits from the complementary nature of both systems.The authors also would like to thank the support by Interreg Atlantic Area project MyCOAST (EAPA 285/2016) co-funded by the ERDF (EU)S

Epidemiological and clinical features of Kawasaki disease in Spain over 5 years and risk factors for aneurysm development. (2011-2016): KAWA-RACE study group

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute self-limited systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology affecting mainly children less than 5 years of age. Risk factors for cardiac involvement and resistance to treatment are insufficiently studied in non-Japanese children. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology, clinical features and risk factors for resistance to treatment and coronary artery lesions (CAL) in KD in Spain. Methods: Retrospective study (May 2011-June 2016) of all patients less than 16 years of age diagnosed with KD included in KAWA-RACE network (84 Spanish hospitals). Results: A total of 625 cases were analyzed, 63% were males, 79% under 5 year-olds and 16.8% younger than 12 months. On echocardiographic examination CAL were the most frequent findings (23%) being ectasia the most common (12%). Coronary aneurysms were diagnosed in 9.6%, reaching 20% in infants under 12 months (p 900,000 cells/mm3, maximum temperature 10 days and fever before treatment ≥ 8 days as independent risk factors for developing coronary aneurysms. Conclusions: In our population, children under 12 months develop coronary aneurysms more frequently and children with KD with anemia and leukocytosis have high risk of cardiac involvement. Adding steroids early should be considered in those patients, especially if the treatment is not started before 8 days of fever. A score applicable to non-Japanese children able to predict the risk of aneurysm development and IVIG resistance is necessary

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Confirmed and Negative Kawasaki Disease Patients During the Pandemic in Spain

Introduction: COVID-19 has a less severe course in children. In April 2020, some children presented with signs of multisystem inflammation with clinical signs overlapping with Kawasaki disease (KD), most of them requiring admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This study aimed to describe the prevalence and clinical characteristics of KD SARS-CoV-2 confirmed and negative patients during the pandemic in Spain. Material and Methods: Medical data of KD patients from January 1, 2018 until May 30, 2020 was collected from the KAWA-RACE study group. We compared the KD cases diagnosed during the COVID-19 period (March 1-May 30, 2020) that were either SARS-CoV-2 confirmed (CoV+) or negative (CoV-) to those from the same period during 2018 and 2019 (PreCoV). Results: One hundred and twenty-four cases were collected. There was a significant increase in cases and PICU admissions in 2020 (P-trend = 0.001 and 0.0004, respectively). CoV+ patients were significantly older (7.5 vs. 2.5 yr) and mainly non-Caucasian (64 vs. 29%), had incomplete KD presentation (73 vs. 32%), lower leucocyte (9.5 vs. 15.5 × 109) and platelet count (174 vs. 423 × 109/L), higher inflammatory markers (C-Reactive Protein 18.5vs. 10.9 mg/dl) and terminal segment of the natriuretic atrial peptide (4,766 vs. 505 pg/ml), less aneurysm development (3.8 vs. 11.1%), and more myocardial dysfunction (30.8 vs. 1.6%) than PreCoV patients. Respiratory symptoms were not increased during the COVID-19 period. Conclusion: The KD CoV+ patients mostly meet pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19/multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children criteria. Whether this is a novel entity or the same disease on different ends of the spectrum is yet to be clarified

Cirugía robótica en patología quirúrgica benigna y maligna (urología, cirugía general y digestiva, cirugía cardiotorácica, ginecología, endocrinología, oftalmología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello). Capítulo I: cirugía cardiotorácica, endocrina, oftalmológica y cirugía de cabeza y cuello

Cirurgia robòtica; Tècniques quirúrgiques; InnovacióCirugía robótica; Técnicas quirúrgicas; InnovaciónRobotic surgery; Surgical techniques; InnovationAquest estudi té l’objectiu de determinar si la cirurgia assistida per robot, quan aquesta és el tractament indicat en una sèrie de patologies benignes o malignes, ha de ser incorporada en la cartera comuna bàsica de serveis assistencials del SNS i, per tant, convertir-se en una tecnologia finançada a través de fons públics. Per fer-ho s’ha avaluat l’eficàcia o l’efectivitat, la seguretat i l’eficiència de la cirurgia assistida per robot en comparació amb la cirurgia oberta o endoscòpica en un grup d’indicacions de patologia benigna o maligna en les especialitats de cirurgia cardiotoràcica, endocrina, oftalmològica, de cap i coll.El estudio tiene el objetivo de determinar si la cirugía asistida por robot, cuando la cirugía es el tratamiento indicado en una serie de patologías benignas o malignas, debe ser incorporada en la cartera común básica de servicios asistenciales del SNS y, por tanto, convertirse en una tecnología financiada a través de fondos públicos. Para ello se ha evaluado la eficacia o la efectividad, la seguridad y la eficiencia de la cirugía asistida por robot en comparación con la cirugía abierta o endoscópica en un grupo de indicaciones de patología benigna o maligna en las especialidades de cirugía cardiotorácica, endocrina, oftalmológica y de cabeza y cuello.The aim of the report is to determine whether robot-assisted surgery —when surgery is the indicated treatment for a series of benign or malignant pathologies— should be included in the basic common portfolio of the SNS healthcare services and thus become a publicly funded technology. To this end, the efficacy or effectiveness, safety and efficiency of robot-assisted surgery has been evaluated in comparison with open or endoscopic surgery in a group of indications of benign or malignant pathology in the specialities of cardiothoracic surgery, endocrine surgery, ophthalmological surgery, head and neck surgery