Estimations of toxic vapour concentrations, by atmospheric dispersion calculations, in a nuclear power plant control room, following an offsite accidental release in the frame of probabilistic safety assessment

This project is categorized as an atmospheric dispersion study about how a toxic gas external dispersion might reach a nuclear power plant control room with dangerous concentration. In fact, it is contained within a larger project, which studies how likely a train accident, related with hazardous materials transport, could end up in a dangerous toxic vapour concentration in the control room, affecting the plant safety. The scope of the actual study is to obtain control room toxic vapour concentrations by performing a probabilistic approach of atmospheric dispersion calculations. The goal is to apply a prospective approach, aiming to use the results in the probabilistic safety assessment of the plant. The tasks developed consist of regulations review, atmospheric dispersion codes comparison and selection, scenario design and release points distribution, meteorological analysis and calculations automation, and finally, control room vapour diffusion calculations. The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) has provided the Nuclear Engineering Research Group (NERG) from the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) with the dispersion and diffusion codes, HABIT and ARCON96, for the development of the present study, under consideration of academic purposes. The whole project is developed within the frame of a collaborative agreement between NERG group (UPC) and Nuclear Plant Licensee. Since this agreement is confidential, no real names and codification for the plant and its systems, components and materials are used. Therefore, the generic expression “The plant” is written instead

Proceso de implementación de la adaptación del programa de protección contra incendios en una central nuclear de agua a presión de 1000 MWE según la normativa vigente

En el presente proyecto se realiza un estudio de la adaptación a la normativa vigente de protección contra incendios en centrales nucleares españolas de aproximadamente 1000 MWe de capacidad. El alcance del proyecto abarca, en primer lugar, el estudio de la normativa vigente, mediante un análisis de la evolución histórica de la misma. En segundo lugar se realiza un análisis de riesgo de incendios, de un hipotético recinto conflictivo, mediante simulación computacional de incendios en el marco de la última normativa aplicable en el ámbito de protección contra incendios, siendo ésta, la NFPA-805 (National Fire Protection Association). Finalmente, se realiza una valoración cualitativa en la que se comparan los resultados del análisis de riesgo mediante simulación computacional con la metodología anterior basada en correlaciones expresadas en formulas simples. El proyecto se desarrolla en el marco del convenio de colaboración existente entre el departamento NERG de la UPC y un Licenciatario de Centrales Nucleares Españolas. Debido al carácter confidencial del convenio de colaboración, no se hace mención a ningún elemento de una central nuclear existente. Por lo tanto, la nomenclatura de cualquier Estructura, Sistema o Componente (ESC) expresada en los documentos que componen el presente proyecto, así como los resultados y conclusiones, son ficticios y no son vinculantes a ninguna Central Nuclear existente. Se hace, por tanto, referencia a una central nuclear genérica mediante los términos Central o Central Nuclear

LTMaker: a tool for semiautomatic reconstruction of the embryonic lineage tree from 4D-microscopy

Studies of animal development using a 4Dmicroscopy system generate an immense amount of image data. In order to properly analyze the recorded embryogenesis, a computer-aided systematic process of categorization of cells from the image data should be accomplished. We present a software tool named LTMaker for the systematic semiautomatic identification of embryonic cells centers and also to determine the underlying linage tree. The program saves the generated data to a file so that further analysis of the embryo can be performed with external tools.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Lesiones estomatológicas por el uso de instrumentos de viento en sus ejecutantes.

Introducción: la literatura científica que incluye lesiones bucales en músicos de viento se enfoca en poblaciones localizadas en conservatorios norteamericanos y europeos, cuyas características poblacionales y musicales difieren de los músicos de la región Caribe colombiana, quienes presentan trastornos oclusales y periodontales específicos, debido a las particularidades de los instrumentos autóctonos que ejecutan. Objetivo: Describir las lesiones estomatológicas en los músicos ejecutantes de instrumentos tipo viento. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en 13 músicos de instrumentos del tipo viento. Se utilizaron como instrumentos de recolección primaria de la información: encuesta e historia clínica odontológica completa. El Análisis estadístico de la información fue realizado en SPSS v21. Resultados: se observó una prevalencia del 100% en lesiones de tipo traumática en tejidos blandos. Se identificó en mucosa labial superior una alteración hipertrófica con forma triangular en zona central que se presentó en el 76,92% de la muestra y en mucosa labial inferior una lesión depresiva en un 46,15%. Estas alteraciones no habían sido reportadas en la literatura científica al igual que el sabor asociado al instrumento con un 38,46%. El apiñamiento dental tuvo una prevalencia del 38,46% seguido de microfracturas dentales con un 30,77% y las alteraciones articulares con ruidos en ATM 69,23 %. Conclusión: El estudio evidencia la presencia de múltiples lesiones y alteraciones en estructuras estomatológicas que limitan en algunas ocasiones la adecuada ejecución del instrumento. Palabras clave: Instrumentos musicales, músicos, Lesiones estomatologicas, Lesiones orofaciales, salud bucal.   &nbsp

Cognition and the five-factor model of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in schizophrenia

Different exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) have found a number of factors other than the original positive, negative, and general psychopathology. Based on a review of previous studies and using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), Wallwork et al. (Schizophr Res 2012; 137: 246–250) have recently proposed a consensus five-factor structure of the PANSS. This solution includes a cognitive factor which could be a useful measure of cognition in schizophrenia. Our objectives were 1) to study the psychometric properties (factorial structure and reliability) of this consensus five-factor model of the PANSS, and 2) to study the relationship between executive performance assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the proposed PANSS consensus cognitive factor (composed by items P2-N5-G11). This cross-sectional study included a final sample of 201 Spanish outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. For our first objective, CFA was performed and Cronbach's alphas of the five factors were calculated; for the second objective, sequential linear regression analyses were used. The results of the CFA showed acceptable fit indices (NNFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.08). Cronbach's alphas of the five factors were adequate. Regression analyses showed that this five-factor model of the PANSS explained more of the WCST variance than the classical three-factor model. Moreover, higher cognitive factor scores were associated with worse WCST performance. These results supporting its factorial structure and reliability provide robustness to this consensus PANSS five-factor model, and indicate some usefulness of the cognitive factor in the clinical assessment of schizophrenic patients

Functional mapping to reveal slow conduction and substrate progression in atrial fibrillation

Aims: The aim of our study was to analyse the response to short-coupled atrial extrastimuli to identify areas of hidden slow conduction (HSC) and their relationship with the atrial fibrillation (AF) phenotype. Methods and results: Twenty consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF and persistent AF (10:10) underwent the first pulmonary vein isolation procedure. Triple short-coupled extrastimuli were delivered in sinus rhythm (SR), and the evoked response was analysed: sites exhibiting double or highly fragmented electrograms (EGM) were defined as positive for HSC (HSC+). The delta of the duration of the bipolar EGM was analysed, and bipolar EGM duration maps were built. High-density maps were acquired using a multipolar catheter during AF, SR, and paced rhythm. Spatial co-localization of HSC+ and complex fractionated atrial EGMs (CFAE) during AF was evaluated. Persistent AF showed a higher number and percentage of HSC+ than paroxysmal AF (13.9% vs. 3.3%, P < 0.001). The delta of EGM duration was 53 ± 22ms for HSC+ compared with 13 ± 11 (10)ms in sites with negative HSC (HSC-) (P < 0.001). The number and density of HSC+ were lower than CFAE during AF (19 vs. 56 per map, P < 0.001). The reproducibility and distribution of HSC+ in repeated maps were superior to CFAE (P = 0.19 vs. P < 0.001). Sites with negative and positive responses showed a similar bipolar voltage in the preceding sinus beat (1.65 ± 1.34 and 1.48 ± 1.47mV, P = 0.12). Conclusion: Functional mapping identifies more discrete and reproducible abnormal substrates than mapping during AF. The HSC+ sites in response to triple extrastimuli are more frequent in persistent AF than in paroxysmal AF

The registry of home artificial nutrition and ambulatory of the Spanish society of parenteral and enteral nutrition: Swot analysis

Objetivo: Evidenciar mediante un análisis DAFO-R realizado por consenso de expertos las características más acuciantes del registro de Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria y Ambulatoria. Material y método: Análisis DAFO-R por consenso de expertos. Se solicitó la participación de los miembros del grupo NADYA activos en los últimos 5 años bajo la premisa de estructurar el DAFO-R sobre las características del registro NADYA desde su inicio. Resultados: Han participado 18 expertos de diferentes hospitales de la geografía española. El análisis interno se inclina positivamente presentando al registro con recursos importantes. En el análisis externo no son numerosas las amenazas, hay factores de gran potencia, “la voluntariedad del registro” y la “dependencia externa de financiación”. Las oportunidades identificadas son importantes. Las recomendaciones se dirigen a la estabilización del sistema disminuyendo las amenazas como foco principal de las estrategias a desarrollar al mismo tiempo que se debe potenciar los puntos identificados en oportunidades y fortalezas. Conclusiones: El registro NADYA se muestra en el análisis con gran potencialidad de mejora. Las recomendaciones propuestas deberán estructurarse para continuar la tendencia de desarrollo y perfeccionamiento de la calidad que ha caracterizado al registro NADYA desde su inicio.Objective: To evidence by means of a SWOT-R analysis performed by an expert consensus the most worrying characteristics of the register on Home-based and Outpatient Artificial Nutrition. Material and methods: SWOT-R analysis with expert consensus. We requested the participation of the active members of the NADYA group within the last 5 years with the premise of structuring the SWOT-R based on the characteristics of the NADYA registry from its beginning. Results: 18 experts from hospitals all over Spain have participated. The internal analysis seems to be positive, presenting the registry as having important resources. The external analysis did not show a great number of threats, there are very potent factors, “the voluntariness” of the registry and the “dependence on external financing”. The opportunities identified are important. The recommendations are aimed at stabilizing the system by decreasing the threats as one of the main focus of the strategies to develop as well as promoting the items identified as opportunities and strengths. Conclusions: The analysis shows that the NADYA register shows a big potentiality for improvement. The proposed recommendations should be structured in order to stay on the track of development and quality improvement that has characterized the NADYA register from the beginnin

The impact of surgical practice on oncological outcomes in robot-assisted radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer, Spanish National Registry

Minimal invasive surgery (MIS) has been associated with lower disease-free survival than open surgery among women who underwent radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer. However, the mechanisms by which MIS increases mortality in cervical cancer remain uncertain. We aimed to determine if surgical practice among centers using robotic surgery has an impact on oncological outcomes. We evaluated 215 women with early-stage cervical cancer (≤IB1 or IIA1, FIGO 2009) who underwent robot-assisted radical hysterectomy in five Spanish tertiary centers between 2009 and 2018. A higher surgical volume, higher participation in clinical trials, higher rate of MRI use for diagnosis, greater use of sentinel lymph node biopsies, and a favorable learning curve with low rates of early recurrences were observed for the centers with better oncological outcomes. These factors might have a significant impact on oncological outcomes in all surgical approaches. Abstract: This study aimed to assess whether surgical practice had a significant impact on oncological outcomes among women who underwent robot-assisted radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer (≤IB1 or IIA1, FIGO 2009). The secondary objective was to audit the pre-surgical quality indicators (QI) proposed by the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO). The top 5 of 10 centers in Spain and Portugal were included in the analysis. The hospitals were divided into group A (n = 118) and group B (n = 97), with recurrence rates of 10%, respectively. After balancing both groups using the propensity score, the ORs for all events were higher and statistically significant for group B (recurrences OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.13-1.15, p-value = 0.001; death OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.02-1.18, p-value = 0.012; disease-specific mortality ORr = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.04-1.19, p-value = 0.002). A higher surgical volume, higher participation in clinical trials, higher rate of MRI use for diagnosis, greater use of sentinel lymph node biopsies, and a favorable learning curve with low rates of early recurrences were observed among the centers with better oncological outcomes. These factors might have a significant impact on oncological outcomes not only after robot-assisted surgery, but also after laparoscopies and open surgeries in the treatment of cervical cancer

Influence of clinical and neurocognitive factors in psychosocial functioning after a first episode non-affective psychosis: Differences between males and females

Background: Deficits in psychosocial functioning are present in the early stages of psychosis. Several factors, such as premorbid adjustment, neurocognitive performance, and cognitive reserve (CR), potentially influence functionality. Sex differences are observed in individuals with psychosis in multiple domains. Nonetheless, few studies have explored the predictive factors of poor functioning according to sex in first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study aimed to explore sex differences, examine changes, and identify predictors of functioning according to sex after onset. Materials and methods: The initial sample comprised 588 individuals. However, only adults with non-affective FEP (n = 247, 161 males and 86 females) and healthy controls (n = 224, 142 males and 82 females) were included. A comprehensive assessment including functional, neuropsychological, and clinical scales was performed at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. A linear regression model was used to determine the predictors of functioning at 2-year follow-up. Results: FEP improved their functionality at follow-up (67.4% of both males and females). In males, longer duration of untreated psychosis (β = 0.328, p = 0.003) and worse premorbid adjustment (β = 0.256, p = 0.023) were associated with impaired functioning at 2-year follow-up, while in females processing speed (β = 0.403, p = 0.003), executive function (β = 0.299, p = 0.020) and CR (β = -0.307, p = 0.012) were significantly associated with functioning. Conclusion: Our data indicate that predictors of functioning at 2-year follow-up in the FEP group differ according to sex. Therefore, treatment and preventative efforts may be adjusted taking sex into account. Males may benefit from functional remediation at early stages. Conversely, in females, early interventions centered on CR enhancement and cognitive rehabilitation may be recommended

Link between cognitive polygenic risk scores and clinical progression after a first-psychotic episode

Background: Clinical intervention in early stages of psychotic disorders is crucial for the prevention of severe symptomatology trajectories and poor outcomes. Genetic variability is studied as a promising modulator of prognosis, thus novel approaches considering the polygenic nature of these complex phenotypes are required to unravel the mechanisms underlying the early progression of the disorder. Methods: The sample comprised of 233 first-episode psychosis (FEP) subjects with clinical and cognitive data assessed periodically for a 2-year period and 150 matched controls. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, education attainment and cognitive performance were used to assess the genetic risk of FEP and to characterize their association with premorbid, baseline and progression of clinical and cognitive status. Results: Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and cognitive performance PRSs were associated with an increased risk of FEP [false discovery rate (FDR) ⩽ 0.027]. In FEP patients, increased cognitive PRSs were found for FEP patients with more cognitive reserve (FDR ⩽ 0.037). PRSs reflecting a genetic liability for improved cognition were associated with a better course of symptoms, functionality and working memory (FDR ⩽ 0.039). Moreover, the PRS of depression was associated with a worse trajectory of the executive function and the general cognitive status (FDR ⩽ 0.001). Conclusions: Our study provides novel evidence of the polygenic bases of psychosis and its clinical manifestation in its first stage. The consistent effect of cognitive PRSs on the early clinical progression suggests that the mechanisms underlying the psychotic episode and its severity could be partially independent