2D experiments and numerical simulation of the oscillatory shallow flow in an open channel lateral cavity

Steady shallow flows past an open channel lateral cavity can induce the excitation of an eigenmode of a gravity standing wave inside the cavity, called seiche, which may be coupled with the shedding of vortices at the opening of the cavity. The presence of the seiche is of fundamental interest as it enhances the mass exchange between the main channel and the cavity. Measurements of the time evolution of the water surface are not often found in the literature for this type of flows. In this work, an experimental and numerical study of a shallow flow past a channel lateral cavity is carried out. The main novelty is the use of a pioneering non-intrusive experimental technique to measure the water surface at the channel-cavity region. This optical technique offers high resolution 2D data in time and space of the water surface evolution, allowing to determine the relevant features of the seiche oscillation. Such data are supplemented with Particle Image Velocimetry measurements. Furthermore, the experiments are numerically reproduced using a high-resolution depth-averaged URANS shallow water model, under the assumption that shallow water turbulence is mainly horizontal. The experimental and numerical results are analyzed in the frequency domain. High-resolution two-dimensional amplitude oscillation maps of the seiche phenomenon, as well as velocity fields, are presented. The high quality of the experimental data reported in this work makes this data set a suitable benchmark for numerical simulation models in order to evaluate their performance in the resolution of turbulent resonant shallow flows

Analysis of the fisheries diversification funds in Spain during the period 2007 2014

[EN] A study has been carried out of the fisheries diversification projects in Spain during the period 2007-44, most of which were founded through Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). On the one hand, the investments have been classified by areas of diversification in order to know how and where investment has been made and the quantities involved. On the other hand, the effectiveness of the different projects has been analysed from the point of view of the Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) managers. The results of this analysis may be useful for designing future diversification strategies in rural coastal areas, as well as for implementing similar strategies in other countries.The authors would like to thank the Spanish Economy and Competitiveness Ministry for its support through the Research Project CSO2016-76135-P.Miret Pastor, LG.; Molina-García, A.; García-Aranda, C.; Herrera-Racionero, P. (2018). Analysis of the fisheries diversification funds in Spain during the period 2007 2014. Marine Policy. 93:150-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2018.04.014S1501589

Minimally invasive blood sampling method for genetic studies on Gopherus tortoises

Método de extracción de sangre mínimamente invasivo para estudios genéticos en tortugas terrestres del género Gopherus La obtención de muestras de tejido de buena calidad es la primera dificultad en cualquier estudio molecular. Esto es especialmente cierto en los estudios de manejo y conservación de la fauna silvestre. En el caso de las tortugas terrestres, la fuente más habitual de ADN son las muestras de sangre obtenidas principalmente de las venas braquial y yugular por contención química, o de individuos conscientes mediante métodos de manipulación y sujeción que pueden causar estrés en el animal. Se requiere una cantidad mínima de sangre para los ensayos del PCR. A continuación, presentamos una técnica mínimamente invasiva que ha resultado eficaz para extraer pequeñas cantidades de sangre apropiadas para realizar análisis genéticos. Además, las muestras obtenidas producen una amplificación de ADN mejor que otras fuentes celulares, como las células epiteliales cloacales. Después de dos años de aplicación en tortugas terrestres silvestres, esta técnica ha demostrado ser inofensiva. Sugerimos que el muestreo de pequeñas cantidades de sangre con esta técnica podría ser útil para otro tipo de análisis, como el seguimiento fisiológico y médico.Obtaining good quality tissue samples is the first hurdle in any molecular study. This is especially true for studies involving management and conservation of wild fauna. In the case of tortoises, the most common sources of DNA are blood samples. However, only a minimal amount of blood is required for PCR assays. Samples are obtained mainly from the brachial and jugular vein after restraining the animal chemically; or from conscious individuals by severe handling methods and clamping. Herein, we present a minimally invasive technique that has proven effective for extracting small quantities of blood, suitable for genetic analyses. Furthermore, the samples obtained yielded better DNA amplification than other cell sources, such as cloacal epithelium cells. After two years of use on wild tortoises, this technique has shown to be harmless. We suggest that sampling a small amount of blood could also be useful for other types of analyses, such as physiologic and medical monitoring.Método de extracción de sangre mínimamente invasivo para estudios genéticos en tortugas terrestres del género Gopherus La obtención de muestras de tejido de buena calidad es la primera dificultad en cualquier estudio molecular. Esto es especialmente cierto en los estudios de manejo y conservación de la fauna silvestre. En el caso de las tortugas terrestres, la fuente más habitual de ADN son las muestras de sangre obtenidas principalmente de las venas braquial y yugular por contención química, o de individuos conscientes mediante métodos de manipulación y sujeción que pueden causar estrés en el animal. Se requiere una cantidad mínima de sangre para los ensayos del PCR. A continuación, presentamos una técnica mínimamente invasiva que ha resultado eficaz para extraer pequeñas cantidades de sangre apropiadas para realizar análisis genéticos. Además, las muestras obtenidas producen una amplificación de ADN mejor que otras fuentes celulares, como las células epiteliales cloacales. Después de dos años de aplicación en tortugas terrestres silvestres, esta técnica ha demostrado ser inofensiva. Sugerimos que el muestreo de pequeñas cantidades de sangre con esta técnica podría ser útil para otro tipo de análisis, como el seguimiento fisiológico y médico

Response Surface Method to Calculate Energy Savings Associated with Thermal Comfort Improvement in Buildings

In developed countries, a large part of the building stock in 2050 will consist of currently existing buildings. Consequently, in order to achieve the objectives in terms of energy efficiency in the building sector we must consider not only new infrastructures but also the old ones. A reduction in energy consumption for climate control of between 50 and 90% can be achieved by rehabilitation and the implementation of different energy efficiency measures. Currently, these measures to reduce energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions can be modelled using computer tools. However, high precision and detail of thermal behaviour models through simulations can mean a great computational cost for companies, which results in a blockage of servers and workers. In this paper, the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is presented as an innovative methodology for the simplification of models for calculation of the energy savings associated with thermal comfort improvement in buildings. A single-family house model, located in three different climates, is presented as a case study in order to validate the proposed methodology. Different scenarios were simulated, addressing heating and cooling temperature set points and external wall insulation represented by the transmittance (U-value). Results obtained from energy simulation using Design Builder were contrasted against those estimated from the simplified model extracted from the RSM analysis. The results revealed a deviation lower than 3% when comparing both methods. Therefore, the simplified mathematical prediction models are demonstrated to be suitable for the study of the energy performance of buildings, saving computational time, costs and associated human resources. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Chacarita Project: Conformation and analysis of a modern and documented human osteological collection from Buenos Aires City - Theoretical, methodological and ethical aspects

Osteological reference collections play a key role in bioanthropological research; they allow the development and testing of methods for sexing and aging individuals using different bone and dental attributes. This paper presents the first stage results of the ongoing Chacarita Research Project, which aims to generate and study a reference collection of adult skeletons representative of the contemporary population of Buenos Aires city. The Chacarita Collection is being conformed of unclaimed human remains of individuals of known nationality, sex, age, cause and date of death from the Chacarita Public Cemetery. Unlike other similar endeavors, this sample has been completely exhumed using archaeological techniques. So far, a total of 146 adult skeletons have been recovered (60 females - 41.1% - and 86 males - 58.90% -), the majority of which have ages-at-death in the range of 71-90 years. They were born primarily in Argentina (n = 133; 91.1%), although other nationalities are also represented. Dates of death go between 1987 and 2000. In the short term, the osteological study of this collection will allow assessment of the performance of classical methods of sex determination and age-at-death estimation in a local setting. A special priority will be given to the study of osteological changes in individuals over 50 years. As the sample is being retrieved by exhumation, the impact of taphonomic agents on the most diagnostic bones structures is also being assessed. In the long term, this osteological collection will be available to generate new population-specific techniques, and to develop comparative biological studies.Fil: Bosio, L. A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Cátedra de Medicina Legal y Deontología Médica. Servicio de Antropología Forense; ArgentinaFil: García Guraieb, S.. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; ArgentinaFil: Luna, Leandro Hernan. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Museo Etnográfico "Juan B. Ambrosetti"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Aranda, C.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Museo Etnográfico "Juan B. Ambrosetti"; Argentin

Combination of KIR2DS4 and FcγRIIa polymorphisms predicts the response to cetuximab in KRAS mutant metastatic colorectal cancer

Cetuximab; Metastatic colorectal cancer; KIR genesCetuximab; Càncer colorectal amb metàstasi; Gens KIRCetuximab; Cáncer colorrectal con metástasis; Genes KIRCetuximab is a standard-of-care treatment for RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) but not for those harbor a KRAS mutation since MAPK pathway is constitutively activated. Nevertheless, cetuximab also exerts its effect by its immunomodulatory activity despite the presence of RAS mutation. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of polymorphism FcγRIIIa V158F and killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes on the outcome of mCRC patients with KRAS mutations treated with cetuximab. This multicenter Phase II clinical trial included 70 mCRC patients with KRAS mutated. We found KIR2DS4 gene was significantly associated with OS (HR 2.27; 95% CI, 1.08-4.77; P = 0.03). In non-functional receptor homozygotes the median OS was 2.6 months longer than in carriers of one copy of full receptor. Multivariate analysis confirmed KIR2DS4 as a favorable prognostic marker for OS (HR 6.71) in mCRC patients with KRAS mutation treated with cetuximab. These data support the potential therapeutic of cetuximab in KRAS mutated mCRC carrying non-functional receptor KIR2DS4 since these patients significantly prolong their OS even after heavily treatment. KIR2DS4 typing could be used as predictive marker for identifying RAS mutated patients that could benefit from combination approaches of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies and other immunotherapies to overcome the resistance mediated by mutation in RAS

Fabrication and deposition of copper and copper oxide nanoparticles by laser ablation in open air

The proximity of the “post-antibiotic era”, where infections and minor injuries could be a cause of death, there are urges to seek an alternative for the cure of infectious diseases. Copper nanoparticles and their huge potential as a bactericidal agent could be a solution. In this work, Cu and Cu oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by laser ablation in open air and in argon atmosphere using 532 and 1064 nm radiation generated by nanosecond and picosecond Nd:YVO4 lasers, respectively, to be directly deposited onto Ti substrates. Size, morphology, composition and the crystalline structure of the produced nanoparticles have been studied by the means of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), the energy dispersive spectroscopy of X-rays (EDS), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The UV-VIS absorbance of the thin layer of nanoparticles was also measured, and the antibacterial capacity of the obtained deposits tested against Staphylococcus aureus. The obtained deposits consisted of porous coatings composed of copper and copper oxide nanoparticles interconnected to form chain-like aggregates. The use of the argon atmosphere contributed to reduce significantly the formation of Cu oxide species. The synthesized and deposited nanoparticles exhibited an inhibitory effect upon S. aureus.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Physical activity level and lifestyle-related risk factors from Catalan physicians.

BACKGROUND: Physicians' own Physical Activity (PA) and other health-related habits influence PA promotion. The current study identifies the PA level, according to the current PA recommendations and other health-related habits of physicians from the Catalan Medical Council. METHODS: 2400 physicians (30-55 years) were randomly selected; each received a self-administered mailed questionnaire identifying medical specialization, work setting, health self-perception, body mass index (BMI), PA, and smoking habits. RESULTS: 762 physicians responded (52% female). Almost 1 in 2 (49.3%) exercised sufficiently, nearly all self-perceived good health, while 80.5% were nonsmokers. Almost 6 in 10 males reported overweight or obesity (56.9%) versus 18.2% of females. Active physicians dominated specific groups: (1) aged 45-55 years, (2) specializing either in primary care or surgery, (3) working in the private sector, (4) BMI < 25 kg/m2, (5) perceiving themselves in good health, or (6) having free leisure time. CONCLUSIONS: Only half of Catalan physicians met current PA recommendations; male physicians were particularly at risk for overweight/obesity. Overweight and under-exercise were associated with private workplaces and positive health perceptions, meaning that it is it is now possible to target inactive and/or overweight Catalan physicians in future interventions