XRD study of coal microstructure evolution during air oxidation

Coal oxidation in air at 270°C of three bituminous coalsduring 2-6 days, was studied. The microstructure of theoxidized samples was studied by XRD and also the evolution of porosity by CO2 adsorption at 298 K. It was found that under these conditions, coals lose weight due tochemical reactions. Analysis of XRD of these materials revealed that in first stages of oxidation, aliphatic groupsin coal disappear leaving a more aromatic microstructure. Also in the initial steps, stacks of low number of graphenelayers react, increasing the mean number of layers perstack in the structure and decreasing the fraction of ordered structure. The decrease in the interplanar distance between layers, d002, and the increase in the mean number of layers per stack suggests coal reorganization, leaving amore ordered structure in oxidized coals. Analysis of the surface area available for CO2 adsorption revealed that porosity was not accessible in the oxidized samples

Prilog istraživanju promjena na škrgama zebrice (Danio rerio) prilikom izloženosti dioksinu

This study determined cell changes in the gills of zebrafish (Danio rerio, Hamilton, 1822) as a result of a dietary supply of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). 50 zebrafish were divided into five groups, one control group and four experimental ones. The experimental groups were supplied 10, 40, 100 and 270 ng/day/fish TCDD, respectively. Structural, ultrastructural and morphometric studies of the fish gill were carried out, indicating that, in low concentrations, fish gills presented hyperemia with progressive erosion of the endothelium of the capillaries resulting in edema and microhaemorrhages. In the non-respiratory gill, in those groups with low concentrations, it could be observed that the chloride cells presented hypertrophy as a result of dilatation of the intracellular canal and swelling of the microvilli, losing their activity in the degradation of chemical substances (according to some authors) in those groups with a higher concentration. Mucous cells presented hyperplasia and hypertrophy. The sensory buds were not directly affected, but, due to the presence of interstitial edema, swelling of the supporting cells occurred without the involvement of the neurosensory cells. We concluded that dioxins affect the gills to a greater or lesser extent depending on their concentration in the fish’s diet, which alters their functionality.Ovim istraživanjem utvrđene su promjene na stanicama škrga zebrice (Danio rerio, Hamilton, 1822) kao rezultat hranjena 2,3,7,8 tetraklorodibenzo p-dioksinom (TCDD). Pedeset jedinki zebrice podijeljeno je u pet grupa, jednu kontrolnu grupu i četiri eksperimentalne. Eksperimentalnim grupama davano je 10, 40, 100 i 270 ng/riba/dan TCDD. Provedena su strukturalna, ultrastrukturalna i morfološka istraživanja škrga ribe, ukazujući da su škrge riba pokazivale hiperemiju s progresivnom erozijom endotel kapilara koja je rezultirala edemima i mikrokrvarenjima. Kod grupa kojima je dana manja koncentracija, u škrgama koje ne služe za disanje može se primijetiti da kloridne stanice pokazuju hipertrofiju kao posljedicu dilatacije međustaničnog kanala i oticanje mikroresica kojima se smanjuje aktivnost tijekom razgradnje kemijskih tvari (prema mišljenjima nekih autora) u onim grupama koje su bile izložene većim koncentracijama. Mukozne stanice pokazuju hiperplaziju i hipertrofiju. Osjetni pupoljci nisu bili izravno pogođeni, ali, zbog prisutnosti intersticijskog edema, oticanja potpornih stanica bez uključivanja neurosenzornih stanica. Zaključak je da dioksini utječu na škrge u većoj ili manjoj mjeri ovisno o njihovoj koncentraciji u ishrani ribe, što mijenja njihovu funkcionalnost

Propuesta de Supply Chain Management y Logística para la empresa Tiendas Ara

El siguiente trabajo presenta la investigación realizada por el Grupo 207115_9 del curso Diplomado De Profundización Supply Chain Management Y Logística (Opción De Trabajo De Grado) para el periodo (16-02), del año 2023.” En este informe plasmamos una investigación en la empresa Tiendas Ara (Jerónimo Martins) escogida en consenso por el grupo de trabajo; aplicando los conocimientos requeridos en cada una de las fases, presentando de esta forma estrategias y mejoras para la optimización en la gestión de la cadena de suministro y de esta manera aumentar la eficiencia para la empresa. Además de conocer principios del SCM se configura la red de cadena de suministros utilizando la estructura corporativa de la empresa. Tiendas ARA es considerada la segunda mayor Cadena de tiendas de descuento de Colombia, con su sede en Portugal está tienda ha logrado que la mayoría de sus productos sean de proveedores colombianos, la empresa se concentra en el conjunto de operaciones que componen el suministro de bienes y servicios.” La presente propuesta está basada en la logística para la empresa teniendo en cuenta que es necesario la planificación y una estrategia establecida en cuanto a la compra de insumos y su almacenamiento, es conveniente implementar una logística de aprovisionamiento, lo cual permite una mayor probabilidad en tiempos de entrega así mismo también se destaca con su implementación la reducción de costos.”The following work presents the research carried out by Group 207115_9 of the Diploma Course on Supply Chain Management and Logistics (Degree Work Option) for the period (16-02), of the year 2023.” In this report we present an investigation in the company Tiendas Ara (Jerónimo Martins) chosen by consensus by the working group; applying the knowledge required in each of the phases, thus presenting strategies and improvements for optimization in supply chain management and thus increasing efficiency for the company. In addition to knowing SCM principles, the supply chain network is configured using the company's corporate structure. Tiendas ARA is considered the second largest chain of discount stores in Colombia. With its headquarters in Portugal, this store has achieved that the majority of its products are from Colombian suppliers. The company concentrates on the set of operations that make up the supply of goods. and services.” This proposal is based on logistics for the company, taking into account that planning and an established strategy are necessary regarding the purchase of inputs and their storage, it is convenient to implement supply logistics, which allows a greater probability in times of delivery, and the reduction in costs also stands out with its implementation.

Regulation of RUVBL1-RUVBL2 AAA-ATPases by the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay factor DHX34, as evidenced by Cryo-EM

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a surveillance pathway that degrades aberrant mRNAs and also regulates the expression of a wide range of physiological transcripts. RUVBL1 and RUVBL2 AAA-ATPases form an hetero-hexameric ring that is part of several macromolecular complexes such as INO80, SWR1, and R2TP. Interestingly, RUVBL1-RUVBL2 ATPase activity is required for NMD activation by an unknown mechanism. Here, we show that DHX34, an RNA helicase regulating NMD initiation, directly interacts with RUVBL1-RUVBL2 in vitro and in cells. Cryo-EM reveals that DHX34 induces extensive changes in the N-termini of every RUVBL2 subunit in the complex, stabilizing a conformation that does not bind nucleotide and thereby down-regulates ATP hydrolysis of the complex. Using ATPase-deficient mutants, we find that DHX34 acts exclusively on the RUVBL2 subunits. We propose a model, where DHX34 acts to couple RUVBL1-RUVBL2 ATPase activity to the assembly of factors required to initiate the NMD response.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation SAF2017-82632-P Andres Lopez-Perrote Carlos F Rodriguez Marina Serna Oscar Llorca. Autonomous Government of Madrid Y2018/BIO4747 Ana Gonzalez-Corpas Oscar Llorca. Autonomous Government of Madrid P2018/NMT4443 Ana Gonzalez-Corpas Oscar Llorca MRC Core funding Javier F Caceres Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation BES-2015-071348 Carlos F Rodriguez The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.S

Comparison and application of different echo reduction techniques in antenna measurement

During the last years, different methods for improving the quality of the antenna measurements results have been developed, in particular for echo reduction. This paper is a common research work between Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Microwave Vision Group whose objective is the comparison of different echo reduction techniques in order to be able to explote the advantages of each one in antenna measurements applications. In particular, these techniques are specially important for outdoor antenna measurement systems, for systems as the StarLab (where the measurement equipement is placed without full coverage of absorbing material) or for measurements at lower frequencies where the performance of the absorbing material is not good enough. These techniques are based on spatial filtering, modal filtering and time gating techniques. The paper analyzes different approaches: in particular for spatial filtering, holographic techniques [1] and source reconstruction based on integral equations [2] are analyzed. In the first case, the field is back propagated to a large planar surface containing the antenna under test, and the fields out of the antenna area are filtered out. The main advantage is the very small time required for the transformation, while the disadvantages are focused on the specific applications for planar antennas and the need of geometrical information to improve the results. The second algorithm, based on source reconstruction using integral equation (in particular the authors analyzed MVG INSIGHT© algorithm). The main disadvantage is the time consumption, although the results are better accurate than the previous one. In the case of modal filtering, there are different approaches, with similar theoretical basis. This paper uses the approach included in MV-Echo© [3] for the cancellation of the echos based on the spherical modes decomposition of the radiated field. The last group of algorithms are based on time filtering. In particular FFT [4], Matrix Pencil method [5] and non uniform DFT are used. In all the cases, the results are similar. The first algortihm requires uniformly frequency spaced samples (not always available) but it is faster. In these three cases, the main disadvantage is the number of frequencies (and step) required for having a good echo reduction. The different algorithms have been applied to the measurement of a dipole antenna (SD1900) in the MVI StarLab System. Results show that depending on the angular range of the pattern the improvements are better or worst using any of the methods. Results will be shown in the final paper or presentation

Low intensity vs. self-guided Internet-delivered psychotherapy for major depression: A multicenter, controlled, randomized study

Background: Major depression will become the second most important cause of disability in 2020. Computerized cognitive-behaviour therapy could be an efficacious and cost-effective option for its treatment. No studies on cost-effectiveness of low intensity vs self-guided psychotherapy has been carried out. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of low intensity vs self-guided psychotherapy for major depression in the Spanish health system. Methods: The study is made up of 3 phases: 1.- Development of a computerized cognitive-behaviour therapy for depression tailored to Spanish health system. 2.- Multicenter controlled, randomized study: A sample (N=450 patients) with mild/moderate depression recruited in primary care. They should have internet availability at home, not receive any previous psychological treatment, and not suffer from any other severe somatic or psychological disorder. They will be allocated to one of 3 treatments: a) Low intensity Internet-delivered psychotherapy + improved treatment as usual (ITAU) by GP, b) Self-guided Internet-delivered psychotherapy + ITAU or c) ITAU. Patients will be diagnosed with MINI psychiatric interview. Main outcome variable will be Beck Depression Inventory. It will be also administered EuroQol 5D (quality of life) and Client Service Receipt Inventory (consume of health and social services). Patients will be assessed at baseline, 3 and 12 months. An intention to treat and a per protocol analysis will be performed. Discussion: The comparisons between low intensity and self-guided are infrequent, and also a comparative economic evaluation between them and compared with usual treatment in primary. The strength of the study is that it is a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of low intensity and self-guided Internet-delivered psychotherapy for depression in primary care, being the treatment completely integrated in primary care setting

Analysis of the immune system of multiple myeloma patients achieving long-term disease control by multidimensional flow cytometry.

Multiple myeloma remains largely incurable. However, a few patients experience more than 10 years of relapse-free survival and can be considered as operationally cured. Interestingly, long-term disease control in multiple myeloma is not restricted to patients with a complete response, since some patients revert to having a profile of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. We compared the distribution of multiple compartments of lymphocytes and dendritic cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of multiple myeloma patients with long-term disease control (n=28), patients with newly diagnosed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (n=23), patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (n=23), and age-matched healthy adults (n=10). Similarly to the patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and symptomatic multiple myeloma, patients with long-term disease control showed an expansion of cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells and natural killer cells. However, the numbers of bone marrow T-regulatory cells were lower in patients with long-term disease control than in those with symptomatic multiple myeloma. It is noteworthy that B cells were depleted in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and in those with symptomatic multiple myeloma, but recovered in both the bone marrow and peripheral blood of patients with long-term disease control, due to an increase in normal bone marrow B-cell precursors and plasma cells, as well as pre-germinal center peripheral blood B cells. The number of bone marrow dendritic cells and tissue macrophages differed significantly between patients with long-term disease control and those with symptomatic multiple myeloma, with a trend to cell count recovering in the former group of patients towards levels similar to those found in healthy adults. In summary, our results indicate that multiple myeloma patients with long-term disease control have a constellation of unique immune changes favoring both immune cytotoxicity and recovery of B-cell production and homing, suggesting improved immune surveillance.This work was supported by the Cooperative Research Thematic Network (RTICCs; RD06/0020/0006 and G03/136), Instituto de Salud Carlos III/ Subdirección General de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS: PI060339; 06/1354; 02/0905; 01/0089/01-02; PS09/01897/01370) and Consejeria de Educacion (GR37) and Consejería de Sanidad, Junta de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain (557/A/10). The authors also thank the Fundación Carolina-BBVA for supporting and promoting the exchange of medical researchers from Latin America to Spai

A year living with SARS-CoV-2: an epidemiological overview of viral lineage circulation by whole-genome sequencing in Barcelona city (Catalonia, Spain)

Catalonia; SARS-CoV-2; Molecular epidemiologyCataluña; SARS-CoV-2; Epidemiología molecularCatalunya; SARS-CoV-2; Epidemiologia molecularHerein, we describe the genetic diversity of circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in Barcelona city (Catalonia, Spain) throughout the first four pandemic waves. From weeks 11/2020–24/2021, SARS-CoV-2-positive respiratory samples were randomly selected per clinical setting (80% from primary care or 20% from the hospital), age group, and week. WGS was performed following the ARTICv3 protocol on MiSeq or NextSeq2000 Illumina platforms. Nearly complete consensus sequences were used for genetic characterization based on GISAID and PANGOLIN nomenclatures. From 2475 samples, 2166 (87%) were fully sequenced (78% from primary care and 22% from hospital settings). Multiple genetic lineages were co-circulating, but four were predominant at different periods. While B.1.5 (50.68%) and B.1.1 (32.88%) were the major lineages during the first pandemic wave, B.1.177 (66.85%) and B.1.1.7 (83.80%) were predominant during the second, third, and fourth waves, respectively. Almost all (96.4%) were carrying D614G mutation in the S protein, with additional mutations that define lineages or variants. But some mutations of concern, such as E484K from B.1.351 and P.1 lineages are currently under monitoring, together with those observed in the receptor-binding domain or N-terminal domain, such as L452R and T478K from B.1.617.2 lineage. The fact that a predominant lineage was observed in each pandemic wave suggests advantageous properties over other contemporary co-circulating variants. This genetic variability should be monitored, especially when a massive vaccination campaign is ongoing because the potential selection and emergence of novel antigenic SARS-CoV-2 strains related to immunological escapement events.This work was supported by Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases: [Grant Number REIPI RD16/0016/0003]; Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Business [Grant Number IDI-20200297]; Direcció General de Recerca i Innovació en Salut (DGRIS); European Development Regional Fund (ERDF) “A way to achieve Europe” by Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases [REIPI RD16/0016/0003]