551 research outputs found

    Morphological variability and evaluation of taxonomic characters in the genus \u3ci\u3eErythemis\u3c/i\u3e Hagen, 1861 (Odonata: Libellulidae: Sympetrinae)

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    Erythemis Hagen, 1861 (Odonata: Libellulidae: Sympetrinae) is a Neotropical genus with ten species in which morphological characters vary widely. The aim of this paper is to study the taxonomic diversity of the genus Erythemis and to test the diagnostic value of morphological characters used to discriminate species. The diagnostic value of the morphometric characters is tested using discriminant function analysis, principal component analysis, and graphical exploration of the data. A total of 134 characters were studied; of those, 53 are recoded and 81 are proposed in this work. Discrete characters such as color, genitalia, ventral teeth of male cercus, extension of dark basal area in hind wing, and morphometric characters of abdominal carinae and antenodal wing venation are the most useful for species determination. In contrast, abdomen length/HW length ratio, vulvar lamina length, and spines of femoral structure are highly variable. A lectotype is designated for Diplax credula Hagen, 1861. Taxonomic keys for males and females are included, and variation in several characters is presented

    ICOS-Spain. Activity Report 2021-2022

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    Editors: O.E. García, S.F. León-Luis y Melchor González-Dávila.[ES]El Sistema Integrado de Observación del Carbono (ICOS) es una infraestructura europea de investigación (ERIC) que tiene por objetivo la monitorización de gases de efecto invernadero. Esta iniciativa está financiada por la Unión Europea y países socios. La Asamblea General de ICOS aprobó la solicitud de adhesión de España, y su incorporación se hizo oficial el 1 de enero de 2021. En la actualidad, la red ICOS-España, donde AEMET ejerce la coordinación, cuenta con cinco estaciones que cubren los dominios: atmosférico, oceánico y de ecosistema. El "Informe de Actividades ICOS-España: 2021-2022" presenta las principales tareas llevadas a cabo en cada estación, con el objetivo de obtener la certificación ICOS y mostrar el estado actual de avance en este proceso. Además, el informe también resume las actividades de comunicación y difusión realizadas por los investigadores que forman parte del nodo nacional.[EN]The Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) is a European Research Infrastructure (ERIC) that aims to monitor greenhouse gases. This initiative is funded by the European Union and partner countries. The ICOS General Assembly approved Spain's membership, and its incorporation officially began on January 1, 2021. Currently, the ICOS-Spain national network, coordinated by AEMET, has five stations covering atmospheric, oceanic, and ecosystem domains. The "ICOS-Spain Activities Report: 2021-2022" presents the main tasks carried out at each station, with the aim of obtaining ICOS certification and the current situation of this process. In addition, the report also summarizes the communication and dissemination activities carried out by the researchers who are part of the national node

    Catalytic behavior of NaV6O15 bronze for partial oxidation of hydrogen sulfide

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    [EN] Na-containing V2O5 materials have been prepared hydrothermally from gels with Na/V ratios of 0.02-0.26, and calcined at 500 degrees C. The calcined samples have been characterized and tested as catalysts in the partial oxidation of H2S to elemental sulfur. At low Na-contents, V2O5 and NaV6O15 bronze are formed, with the NaV6O15/V2O5 ratio increasing with the Na-content. Pure NaV6O15 bronze is mainly formed from gels containing a Na/V ratio of 0.18. However, NaV6O15 and Na1.164V3O8 are formed from gels with Na/V ratio higher than 0.35. NaV6O15 based catalyst shows high conversion for the oxidation of H2S with a high selectivity into elemental sulfur. These catalysts are more active and stable than pure or Na-doped V2O5 catalysts. V4O9 is observed after reaction in both pure Na-doped V2O5 catalysts but also in NaV6O15/V2O5 mixed catalysts. However, no changes in the NaV6O15 crystalline structure are observed in the Na-promoted catalysts. Accordingly, NaV6O15 crystalline phase is stable for several hours of catalysisat a difference with V2O5. The active sites in V-containing vanadium catalysts are probably V5+-O-V4+ pairs as previously proposed for V4O9 crystalline phase. The best catalytic performances were achieved on V2O5-NaV6O15 mixtures which are transformed into V4O9-NaV6O15 mixtures during the catalytic tests. These catalytic results could be due to the intrinsic physical properties of both phases but also because of the optimal dispersion obtained in the synthesis procedure. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The authors would like to thank the DGICYT in Spain (Projects CTQ2012-37925-C03-01, CTQ2012-37925-C03-03 and MAT2010-19837-C06-05) for financial support.Soriano Rodríguez, MD.; Rodriguez-Castellon, E.; Garcia-Gonzalez, E.; López Nieto, JM. (2014). Catalytic behavior of NaV6O15 bronze for partial oxidation of hydrogen sulfide. Catalysis Today. 238:62-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2014.02.030S626823

    Coastline variability from satellite imagery and its relation with sediment texture

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    [EN] Beaches are natural environments of great interest for our society. They go through remarkable changes run by key factors that are interconnected according to the literature. A better understanding of these parameters, such as sediment texture and shoreline variability, would be of a great interest for coastal monitoring and planning. Shorelines of all Landsat 8 (OLI) images available over the course of one year have been obtained for determining the variability that has occurred in different Valencian beaches. Likewise, the relation between shoreline variability and sediment texture has been evaluated, showing that beaches with higher variability over the year have smaller sediment texture, which is also related with gentle slopes, and vice versa. The methodology allows obtaining the shoreline variability, a key parameter of beach morphodynamics, in a semiautomatic way. The variability allows developing a gross estimate of beach texture.[ES] Las playas son entornos naturales de enorme interés para nuestra sociedad. Estos espacios están sometidos a grandes cambios regidos por factores clave fuertemente interrelacionados según la literatura. Un mayor conocimiento de estos parámetros, como la textura del sedimento o la variabilidad de la línea de costa de las playas resultaría de gran interés para la monitorización y gestión de la costa. Se han obtenido las líneas de costa de todas las escenas Landsat 8 (OLI) disponibles a lo largo de un año para, a partir de ellas, determinar la variabilidad de diferentes playas valencianas. Asimismo, se ha evaluado la relación existente entre dicha variabilidad y la textura del sedimento de las playas, mostrando que las playas con mayores cambios en la línea de costa a lo largo del año son aquellas con un tamaño de grano menor, asociado a pendientes más suaves y viceversa. La metodología seguida incluye la obtención de forma semiautomática de la variabilidad de la línea de costa, un parámetro clave de la morfodinámica costera, y a partir de ella la estimación a grandes rasgos de la textura del sedimento de las playas.Este proyecto ha sido realizado con la ayuda de la beca FPU15/04501 concedida por el MECD a C. Cabezas, así como con el proyecto RESETOCOAST (CGL2015- 69906-R) del programa Retos del MINECO. Los autores agradecen el apoyo de la Oficina Técnica DevesaAlbufera.Cabezas-Rabadán, C.; Almonacid-Caballer, J.; Pardo-Pascual, JE.; Soriano-González, J. (2017). Variabilidad de la línea de costa a partir de imágenes de satélite y su relación con la textura del sedimento. En Primer Congreso en Ingeniería Geomática. Libro de actas. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 153-161. https://doi.org/10.4995/CIGeo2017.2017.6628OCS15316

    Nanoparticles in Endodontics Disinfection: State of the Art

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    Endodontic-related diseases constitute the fourth most expensive pathologies in industrialized countries. Specifically, endodontics is the part of dentistry focused on treating disorders of the dental pulp and its consequences. In order to treat these problems, especially endodontic infections, dental barriers and complex root canal anatomy should be overcome. This constitutes an unmet medical need since the rate of successful disinfection with the currently marketed drugs is around 85%. Therefore, nanoparticles constitute a suitable alternative in order to deliver active compounds effectively to the target site, increasing their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, in the present review, an overview of dental anatomy and the barriers that should be overcome for effective disinfection will be summarized. In addition, the versatility of nanoparticles for drug delivery and their specific uses in dentistry are comprehensively discussed. Finally, the latest findings, potential applications and state of the art nanoparticles with special emphasis on biodegradable nanoparticles used for endodontic disinfection are also reviewed. Keywords: PLGA; dentistry; endodontics; metal nanoparticles; nanoparticles

    On the Origin of the Spontaneous Formation of Nanocavities in Hexagonal Bronzes (W,V)O3

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    [EN] Hexagonal (W,V)O3−x oxides of high thermal stability have been synthesized hydrothermally through the intermediate products Nax(W,V)O3·zH2O and (NH4)0.33−x(W,V)O3−y. The obtained crystals show nanostructured surface via the formation of a dense population of polyhedral nanocavities self-distributed along particular crystallographic directions. Nanocavities present a regular size that ranges from 5 to 10 nm in both length and width. The synthesis process involves a significant topotactic relationship between the as-synthesized product and the desired final product and this relationship is suggested as the origin of the observed surface nanostructure. The comparison of our results with observations in different solids has allowed us to suggest that the formation of nanocavities is an extensive spontaneous process when materials are obtained by the chemical reactions of solids leading to products with defined crystallographic orientation with respect to the original compound. The characterization provides evidence regarding the potential relevance of nanocavities in the functional properties of the resulting solids.Authors acknowledge the financial support from DGICYT in Spain through projects MAT2010-19837-C06-05 and CTQ2012-37925-C03-1. Authors are also grateful to the Centro de Microscopia Electronica (UCM) for facilities.García-González, E.; Soriano Rodríguez, MD.; Urones-Garrote, E.; López Nieto, JM. (2014). On the Origin of the Spontaneous Formation of Nanocavities in Hexagonal Bronzes (W,V)O3. Dalton Transactions. 43:14644-14652. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4DT01465KS14644146524

    Optimizing CIGB-300 intralesional delivery in locally advanced cervical cancer

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    Background:We conducted a phase 1 trial in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer by injecting 0.5 ml of the CK2-antagonist CIGB-300 in two different sites on tumours to assess tumour uptake, safety, pharmacodynamic activity and identify the recommended dose.Methods:Fourteen patients were treated with intralesional injections containing 35 or 70 mg of CIGB-300 in three alternate cycles of three consecutive days each before standard chemoradiotherapy. Tumour uptake was determined using 99 Tc-radiolabelled peptide. In situ B23/nucleophosmin was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results:Maximum tumour uptake for CIGB-300 70-mg dose was significantly higher than the one observed for 35 mg: 16.1±8.9 vs 31.3±12.9 mg (P=0.01). Both, AUC 24h and biological half-life were also significantly higher using 70 mg of CIGB-300 (P<0.001). Unincorporated CIGB-300 diffused rapidly to blood and was mainly distributed towards kidneys, and marginally in liver, lungs, heart and spleen. There was no DLT and moderate allergic-like reactions were the most common systemic side effect with strong correlation between unincorporated CIGB-300 and histamine levels in blood. CIGB-300, 70 mg, downregulated B23/nucleophosmin (P=0.03) in tumour specimens.Conclusion:Intralesional injections of 70 mg CIGB-300 in two sites (0.5 ml per injection) and this treatment plan are recommended to be evaluated in phase 2 studies.Fil: Sarduy, M. R.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: García, I.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Coca, M. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Perera, A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Torres, L. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Valenzuela, C. M.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Baladrón, I.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Solares, M.. Hospital Materno Ramón González Coro; CubaFil: Reyes, V.. Center For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology Havana; CubaFil: Hernández, I.. Isotope Center; CubaFil: Perera, Y.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Martínez, Y. M.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: Molina, L.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: González, Y. M.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: Ancízar, J. A.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Prats, A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: González, L.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Casacó, C. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Acevedo, B. E.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: López Saura, P. A.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Alonso, Daniel Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; ArgentinaFil: Gómez, R.. Elea Laboratories; ArgentinaFil: Perea Rodríguez, S. E.. Center For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology Havana; Cuba. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; Cub

    Obtaining cloud top height from WRF model vertical profiles: application to the EUSO program

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    The objective of the Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO) program is detection and measurement of high-energy particles that reach earth?s atmosphere from space. Clouds at mid and upper levels of the troposphere can interfere with such detection. Therefore, determining cloud top height with high accuracy is crucial to estimating the effect of clouds on these measurements.With this aim, we developed a method to extract that height using cloud temperature via vertical profiles predicted by the WRF model

    Optimal opportunistic screening of atrial fibrillation using pulse palpation in cardiology outpatient clinics: Who and how

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    Atrial fibrillation (AF) remain a prevalent undiagnosed condition frequently encountered in primary care.We aimed to find the parameters that optimize the diagnostic accuracy of pulse palpation to detect AF. We also aimed to create a simple algorithm for selecting which individuals would benefit from pulse palpation and, if positive, receive an ECG to detect AF.Nurses from four Cardiology outpatient clinics palpated 7,844 pulses according to a randomized list of arterial territories and durations of measure and immediately followed by a 12-lead ECG, which we used as the reference standard. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the palpation parameters. We also assessed whether diagnostic accuracy depended on the nurse's experience or on a list of clinical factors of the patients. With this information, we estimated the positive predictive values and false omission rates according to very few clinical factors readily available in primary care (age, sex, and diagnosis of heart failure) and used them to create the algorithm.The parameters associated with the highest diagnostic accuracy were palpation of the radial artery and classifying as irregular those palpations in which the nurse was uncertain about pulse regularity or unable to palpate pulse (sensitivity = 79%; specificity = 86%). Specificity decreased with age. Neither the nurse's experience nor any investigated clinical factor influenced diagnostic accuracy. We provide the algorithm to select the ≥40 years old individuals that would benefit from a pulse palpation screening: a) do nothing in <60 years old individuals without heart failure; b) do ECG in ≥70 years old individuals with heart failure; c) do radial pulse palpation in the remaining individuals and do ECG if the pulse is irregular or you are uncertain about its regularity or unable to palpate it.Opportunistic screening for AF using optimal pulse palpation in candidate individuals according to a simple algorithm may have high effectiveness in detecting AF in primary care
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