Validation of an Aesthetic Assessment System for Commercial Tasks

[Abstract] Automatic prediction of the aesthetic value of images has received increasing attention in recent years. This is due, on the one hand, to the potential impact that predicting the aesthetic value has on practical applications. Even so, it remains a difficult task given the subjectivity and complexity of the problem. An image aesthetics assessment system was developed in recent years by our research group. In this work, its potential to be applied in commercial tasks is tested. With this objective, a set of three portals and three real estate agencies in Spain were taken as case studies. Images of their websites were taken to build the experimental dataset and a validation method was developed to test their original order with another proposed one according to their aesthetic value. So, in this new order, the images that have the high aesthetic score by the AI system will occupy the first positions of the portal. Relevant results were obtained, with an average increase of 52.54% in the number of clicks on the ads, in the experiment with Real Estate portals. A statistical analysis prove that there is a significant difference in the number of clicks after selecting the images with the AI system.This work is supported by the General Directorate of Culture, Education and University Management of Xunta de Galicia (Ref. ED431D 201716), Competitive Reference Groups (Ref. ED431C 201849) and Ministry of Science and Innovation project Society challenges (Ref. PID2020-118362RB-I00). We also wish to acknowledge the support received from the Centro de Investigación de Galicia “CITIC”, funded by Xunta de Galicia and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund- Galicia 2014-2020 Program), by grant ED431G 2019/01Xunta de Galicia; ED431D 201716Xunta de Galicia; ED431C 201849Xunta de Galicia; ED431G 2019/0

Wastewater-Based Epidemiology as a New Tool for Estimating Population Exposure to Phthalate Plasticizers

This study proposes the monitoring of phthalate metabolites in wastewater as a nonintrusive and economic alternative to urine analysis for estimating human exposure to phthalates. To this end, a solid-phase extraction–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed, allowing for the determination of eight phthalate metabolites in wastewater (limits of quantification between 0.5 and 32 ng L–1). The analysis of samples from the NW region of Spain showed that these substances occur in raw wastewater up to ca. 1.6 μg L–1 and in treated wastewater up to ca. 1 μg L–1. Concentrations in raw wastewater were converted into levels of exposure to six phthalate diesters. For two of them, these levels were always below the daily exposure thresholds recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the European Food Safety Authority. For the other four, however, estimates of exposure surpassed such a threshold (especially the toddler threshold) in some cases, highlighting the significance of the exposure to phthalates in children. Finally, concentrations in wastewater were also used to estimate metabolite concentrations in urine, providing a reasonable concordance between our results and the data obtained in two previous biomonitoring studiesThis work was financed by Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO; project no. CTM2014-56628-C3-2-R), Xunta de Galicia (GRC2013-020 and IGM postdoctoral contract “Plan Galego de Investigación, Innovación e Crecemento 2011–2015”) and FEDER/ERDFS

The poor accuracy of D-dimer for the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection but its potential usefulness in early postoperative infections following revision arthroplasty for aseptic loosening

Background: D-dimer was introduced in 2018 as an alternative biomarker for C-reactive protein (CRP) in the diagnostic of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) criteria of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society. We assessed the accuracy of plasma D-dimer for the diagnosis of early, delayed, and late PJI according to Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) criteria, and whether persistently high levels of D-dimer in cases of aseptic loosening (AL) may be predictive of subsequent implant-related infection. Methods: A prospective study of a consecutive series of 187 revision arthroplasties was performed at a single institution.Septic (n = 39) and aseptic revisions (n = 141) were classified based on IDSA criteria. Preoperative assessment of CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and D-dimer was performed. Receiver operating curves were used to determine maximum sensitivity and specificity of the biomarkers. The natural progress of D-dimer for AL cases was followed up either until the date of implant-related infection at any time during the first year or 1 year after revision in patients without failure. Clinical outcomes for those AL cases included infection-related failure that required a new surgery or need for antibiotic suppression. Results: Preoperative D-dimer level was significantly higher in PJI cases than in AL cases (p = 0.000). The optimal threshold of D-dimer for the diagnosis of PJI was 1167 ng/mL. For overall diagnosis of PJI, C-reactive protein (CRP) achieved the highest sensitivity (84.6%), followed by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and D-dimer (82% and 71.8%, respectively). Plasma D-dimer sensitivity was lower for all PJI types. When combinations of 2 tests were studied, the combined use of ESR and CRP achieved the best accuracy for all types of PJI (76.9%). 4.25% of AL cases had implant failure due to implant-related infection during the first year after the index revision arthroplasty, only the cases with early failure maintained high D-dimer levels

Determination of human metabolites of chlorinated phosphorous flame retardants in wastewater by N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide-derivatization and gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry

The analysis of wastewater for the determination of human biomarkers of exposure (human metabolites) is a non-intrusive, economic and complementary alternative to the analysis of urine in the monitoring of human exposure to chemicals of concern. This study provides the first gas chromatography-based method for the determination of three metabolites of chlorinated organophosphorous flame retardants (OPFRs: bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, bis(chloropropyl) phosphate and bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate) in wastewater. A solid-phase extraction procedure based on the use of mixed-mode reversed-phase weak anion exchange sorbents was optimized including a fractionated elution of OPFRs and their metabolites. Analytes derivatization was investigated by comparing two silylating reagents, N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide and N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide, the first one providing better results. Determination was performed by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry with a quadrupole-time-of-flight system (GC-QTOF) in order to improve selectivity. Furthermore, the use of GC-QTOF combined with the specific ion obtained from silylated metabolites (m/z 154.9924) can be exploited to screen for other phosphate ester metabolites. Under final conditions, the overall method performance was satisfactory, affording method detection limits ranging from 1.1 to 4.6 ng/L, percentages of recovery from 90% to 110%, and relative standard deviations below 13%. The analysis of composite raw wastewater samples collected over 24 h in the NW of Spain allowed to quantify, for the first time in this matrix, the metabolite bis(chloropropyl) phosphate at levels over 60 ng/LThis work was financially supported by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (project no. CTM2017-84763-C3-2-R), the Galician Council of Culture, Education and Universities (ED431C2017/36, VC predoctoral contract, ED481A-2017/156, and IGM postdoctoral contract, Plan Galego I2C-Modalidade B, ED481D 2017/003), Gil Dávila Foundation (VC research grant) and FEDER/ERDFS

Multi-residue determination of psychoactive pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and related metabolites in wastewater by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

This is the Author’s Accepted Manuscript of the following article: González-Mariño, I., Castro, V., Montes, R., Rodil, R., Lores, A., Cela, R., & Quintana, J. (2018). Multi-residue determination of psychoactive pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and related metabolites in wastewater by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Journal Of Chromatography A, 1569, 91-100. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2018.07.045 © Elsevier 2018. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseThis study presents a new multi-residue analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 38 psychoactive drugs (including benzodiazepines, antidepressants and drugs of abuse) and related metabolites in raw wastewater. Potential analyte losses during sample filtration and stability in wastewater were evaluated. Analyte losses, especially for 12 compounds, were observed during filtration, indicating a strong sorption onto the filter material. In order to overcome this effect, filtered water samples were combined with methanolic washes of the corresponding filters and the resulting solutions were solid-phase extracted on mixed-mode (reverse-phase plus cation-exchange) sorbents. Extracts were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Quantification was performed by the internal standard method with isotopic labeled analogs. Recovery percentages varied between 65% and 137%; method quantification limits ranged between 0.2 and 22 ng/L in ultrapure water and between 0.3 and 30 ng/L in wastewater for all the analytes but three (for which they were ∼60–80 ng/L). The analysis of 24 h-composite samples collected during one week in the city of Santiago de Compostela demonstrated the ubiquity of 31 analytes, which were positively quantified in all samples. The highest concentrations were found for some of the antidepressants, with mean and maximum levels exceeding, in some cases, the levels previously reported in literature. This fact could be related to the additional washing step of the filters using methanol, which allowed to desorb retained analytes highlighting the importance of this step during the sample preparation protocolS

Assessing Cocaine Use Patterns in the Brazilian Capital by Wastewater-Based Epidemiology

This is the postprint (accepted manuscript) version of the article published by Taylor & Francis in the International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry on December, 10th 2018. Available on-line: http://www.tandfonline.com//10.1080/03067319.2018.1554743The levels of cocaine (COC) and its metabolites benzoylecgonine (BE) and cocaethylene (COE) in wastewater samples from Brasilia, Brazil, were determined using liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The former metabolite was used to estimate cocaine consumption using a country-tuned correction factor that considers BE excretion rates for different routes of administration as well as the fraction of crack users in Brazil. A day-to-day analysis during a week indicates higher cocaine use in weekends with peaks on Sunday in both southern (7385 ± 121 mg day−1 1000 inhab−1) and northern (3566 ± 171 mg day−1 1000 inhab−1) areas of Brasilia. A significant high cocaine use was also observed in the Carnival Day of 2018 (6229 ± 219 mg day−1 1000 inhab−1). COE/BE ratios were used to assess COC and alcohol co-consumption since COE is produced during the co-consumption of both substances. Higher ratios were also observed during the weekend. However, higher ratios on Saturdays rather than Sundays may be explained by the decrease of BE excretion during the co-consumption with alcohol, which may lead to an underestimation of the cocaine use estimates on Saturdays, as well as by different patterns of co-consumption by powder and crack users, where the latter usually drink lower amounts of alcohol. Our data suggest that only 3% of cocaine was seized by the local Technical Police during the studyThis work was supported by the Federal District Research Foundation under Grant [193.000.916/ 2015]; the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación under Grant [CTM2017-84763-C3-2-R]; the Galician Council of Culture, Education and Universities under Grants [ED431C2017/36]; IGM postdoctoral contract, Plan Galego I2C-Modalidade B, ED481D 2017/003; and FEDER/ERDFS

Profiling cocaine residues and pyrolytic products in wastewater by mixed‐mode liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: González‐Mariño, I, Estévez‐Danta, A, Rodil, R, et al. Profiling cocaine residues and pyrolytic products in wastewater by mixed‐mode liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Drug Test Anal. 2019; 11: 1018– 1027, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2590. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived VersionsThis work provides a new analytical method for the determination of cocaine, its metabolites benzoylecgonine and cocaethylene, the pyrolytic products anhydroecgonine and anhydroecgonine methyl ester, and the pharmaceutical levamisole in wastewater. Samples were solid‐phase extracted and extracts analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using, for the first time in the illicit drug field, a stationary phase that combines reversed‐phase and weak cation‐exchange functionalities. The overall method performance was satisfactory, with limits of detection below 1 ng/L, relative standard deviations below 21%, and percentages of recovery between 93% and 121%. Analysis of 24‐hour composite raw wastewater samples collected in Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and Brasilia (Brazil) highlighted benzoylecgonine as the compound showing the highest population‐normalized mass loads (300–1000 mg/day/1000 inhabitants). In Brasilia, cocaine and levamisole loads underwent an upsurge on Sunday, indicating a high consumption, and likely a direct disposal, of cocaine powder on this day. Conversely, the pyrolytic product resulting from the smoke of crack, anhydroecgonine methyl ester, and its metabolite anhydroecgonine were relatively stable over the four days, agreeing with a non‐recreational‐associated use of crackThis work was financially supported by Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia (ED431C2017/36 and IGM postdoctoral contract, Plan Galego I2C‐Modalidade B, ED481D 2017/003), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (project no. CTM2017‐84763‐C3‐2‐R), the Federal District Research Foundation (project no. 193.000.916/2015), and FEDER/ERDFS

Intravitreal implants manufactured by supercritical foaming for treating retinal diseases

Chronic retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are a major cause of global visual impairment. However, current treatment methods involving repetitive intravitreal injections pose financial and health burdens for patients. The development of controlled drug release systems, particularly for biological drugs, is still an unmet need in prolonging drug release within the vitreous chamber. To address this, green supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) foaming technology was employed to manufacture porous poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based intravitreal implants loaded with dexamethasone. The desired implant dimensions were achieved through 3D printing of customised moulds. By varying the depressurisation rates during the foaming process, implants with different porosities and dexamethasone release rates were successfully obtained. These implants demonstrated controlled drug release for up to four months, surpassing the performance of previously developed implants. In view of the positive results obtained, a pilot study was conducted using the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab to explore the feasibility of this technology for preparing intraocular implants loaded with biologic drug molecules. Overall, this study presents a greener and more sustainable alternative to conventional implant manufacturing techniques, particularly suited for drugs that are susceptible to degradation under harsh conditions

Consensus recommendations for the improvement of inter- and intra-centre care coordination in the management of hemophilia

Hemofilia A; Equipo multidisciplinar; TelefarmaciaHaemophilia A; Multidisciplinary care team; TelepharmacyHemofilia A; Equip multidisciplinar; TelefarmàciaObjetivo definir las recomendaciones consensuadas para mejorar la coordinación asistencial entre Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hematología y Enfermería, inter e intra-centros, en la atención a los pacientes con hemofilia. Método se identificaron y valoraron las recomendaciones para la mejora de la coordinación asistencial en el abordaje de los pacientes con hemofilia, por parte de un panel multidisciplinar de profesionales con experiencia en este campo (Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hematología y Enfermería) y apoyado en la evidencia científica. La valoración de las recomendaciones identificadas se realizó por metodología de consenso Rand/UCLA (Delphi-adaptado) con base en su adecuación y, posteriormente, a su necesidad. En ambos casos, se empleó la escala ordinal de Likert. Los datos se analizaron estadísticamente a través de diferentes métricas. Resultados se identificaron 53 recomendaciones para la mejora de la coordinación asistencial entre Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hematología y Enfermería en el manejo del paciente con hemofilia, agrupadas en 8 ámbitos de actuación: i) Unidades de Hemofilia, centros de referencia y abordaje multidisciplinar; ii) papel de Hematología, Farmacia Hospitalaria y Enfermería en el recorrido asistencial de los pacientes con hemofilia; iii) telefarmacia y telemedicina; iv) monitorización farmacocinética; v) transición al régimen de paciente adulto; vi) educación sanitaria al paciente; vii) cirugía, urgencias e ingreso hospitalario; y viii) evaluación de los resultados. Todas las recomendaciones fueron valoradas por el panel de expertos externos como adecuadas y necesarias. Conclusiones el recorrido asistencial del paciente con hemofilia es complejo y depende de diversas variables. Además, requiere la implicación de distintos profesionales sanitarios que deben actuar de manera coordinada e integrada en todas las etapas de la vida del paciente, de manera adaptada a sus necesidades individuales. Las recomendaciones identificadas y consensuadas pueden suponer una mejora para la continuidad y calidad asistencial, pues facilitan la integración y coordinación de los profesionales implicados en el abordaje de esta enfermedad, especialmente de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hematología y Enfermería.Objective Define consensus recommendations to improve care coordination between Hospital Pharmacy, Haematology and Nursing, inter- and intra-center, in the care of haemophilia patients. Method Recommendations for the improvement of care coordination in the management of haemophilia patients were identified and assessed by a multidisciplinary panel of professionals with experience in this field (Hospital Pharmacy, Haematology and Nursing) and supported by scientific evidence. The identified recommendations were assessed by Rand/UCLA consensus methodology (Delphi-adapted) based on their appropriateness and, subsequently, on their necessity. In both cases, it was used ordinal Likert scale. Data were statistically analysed through different metrics. Results Fifty-three recommendations for the improvement of care coordination between Hospital Pharmacy, Haematology and Nursing in the management of haemophilia patients were identified, grouped into eight areas of action: i) Haemophilia units, reference centers and multidisciplinary care; ii) Role of Haematology, Hospital Pharmacy and Nursing in the patient journey of haemophilia patients; iii) Telepharmacy and telemedicine; iv) Pharmacokinetic monitoring; v) Transition to adult patient regimen; vi) Patient health education; vii) Surgery, emergency room and hospital admission; and viii) Outcome evaluation. All recommendations were assessed as appropriate and necessary by the external expert panel. Conclusions Haemophilia patient journey is complex and depends on different variables. It also requires the involvement of different healthcare professionals who must act in a coordinated and integrated manner at all stages of the patient's life, adapted to their individual needs. On this matter, the identified and agreed recommendations may improve continuity and quality of care, as they facilitate the integration and coordination of the professionals involved in the management of this pathology, especially Hospital Pharmacy, Haematology and Nursing.Para la realización de este trabajo se ha contado con el patrocinio de CSL-Behring

Analysis of internal soliton signals and their eastward propagation in the Alboran Sea : exploring the effect of subinertial forcing and fortnightly variability

Internal waves are commonly observed in oceans and lakes where high stratification exists. In the present study in the Strait of Gibraltar, we analyse internal soliton signals recorded in different locations in their eastward propagation from their release point (Camarinal Sill) to the continental slope of the northwestern Alboran Sea. Moreover, the effect of subinertial forcing on the release of solitons is also explored. The internal soliton activity was assessed from different approaches: (i) in-situ data (i.e., current and temperature measurements or High-Frequency Radar), (ii) numerical modelling, and (iii) an analytical approach. The arrival of solitons over the continental slope of the north-western Alboran Sea showed fortnightly variability in both number (occurrence) and amplitude during spring tides when compared with during neap tides. The observed arrival times of the solitons oscillated between 14 (spring tides) and 20 h (neap tides). Nevertheless, to provide a comprehensive explanation for the fluctuations in travel times, it is necessary to consider the subinertial variability driven by atmospheric forcing, which impacts both the flow in the Strait of Gibraltar and the mesoscale patterns in the Alboran Sea (e.g., the Coastal Cyclonic Gyre)