Open Source 3D Printed Lung Tumor Movement Simulator for Radiotherapy Quality Assurance

[EN] In OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, cancer is one of the main causes of death, lung cancer being one of the most aggressive. There are several techniques for the treatment of lung cancer, among which radiotherapy is one of the most effective and least invasive for the patient. However, it has associated difficulties due to the moving target tumor. It is possible to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy by effectively tracking a tumor and reducing target irradiation margins. This paper presents a custom electromechanical system that follows the movement of a lung tumor. For this purpose, a hysteresis loop of human lung movement during breathing was studied to obtain its characteristic movement equation. The system is controlled by an Arduino, steppers motors and a customized 3D printed mechanism to follow the characteristic human breathing, obtaining an accurate trajectory. The developed device helps the verification of individualized radiation treatment plans and permits the improvement of radiotherapy quality assurance procedures.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) and FEDER funds under grants BFU2015-64380-C2-2-R (D.M.). D.R.Q. was supported by grant "Ayudas para la formacion de personal investigador (FPI)" from the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion, Innovacion y Transferencia of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Quiñones Colomer, DR.; Soler-Egea, D.; González-Pérez, V.; Reibke, J.; Simarro-Mondejar, E.; Pérez Feito, R.; García Manrique, JA.... (2018). Open Source 3D Printed Lung Tumor Movement Simulator for Radiotherapy Quality Assurance. Materials. 11(8 (1317)):1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11081317S111118 (1317

Astrobites as a Community-led Model for Education, Science Communication, and Accessibility in Astrophysics

Support for early career astronomers who are just beginning to explore astronomy research is imperative to increase retention of diverse practitioners in the field. Since 2010, Astrobites has played an instrumental role in engaging members of the community -- particularly undergraduate and graduate students -- in research. In this white paper, the Astrobites collaboration outlines our multi-faceted online education platform that both eases the transition into astronomy research and promotes inclusive professional development opportunities. We additionally offer recommendations for how the astronomy community can reduce barriers to entry to astronomy research in the coming decade

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Isotopic and hydrochemistry spatial variation of sulfate for groundwater characterization in karstic aquifers

The Sierra Gorda aquifer is one of the most extensive of southern Spain. The main groundwater discharge is produced at its northern boundary through several high‐flow springs. In this study, stable isotopes of dissolved sulfate (δ34S and δ18O) and groundwater chemistry were used to determine the origin of the sulfate and to characterize the groundwater flow. We sampled the main springs, as well as other minor outlets related to perched water tables, in order to determine the different sources of SO42− (e.g., dissolution of evaporites and atmospheric deposition). The substantial difference in the amount of dissolved SO42− between the springs located in its northwestern part (≈25 mg/L) and those elsewhere in the northern part (≈60 mg/L) suggests zones with separate groundwater flow systems. A third group of springs, far from the northeastern boundary of the permeable outcrops, shows higher SO42− content than the rest (≈125 mg/L). The isotopic range of sulfate (−0.3‰ to 14.82‰ V‐CTD) points to several sources, including dissolution of Triassic or Miocene evaporites, atmospheric deposition, and decomposition of organic material in the soil. Among these, the dissolution of Triassic gypsum—which overlies the saturated zone as a consequence of the folds and faults that deform the aquifer—is the main source of SO42− (range from 12.79‰ to 14.82‰ V‐CTD). This range is typical for Triassic gypsum. The higher karstification in the western sector, together with important differences in the saturated thickness between the western and eastern sectors, would also be due to the tectonic structure and could explain the difference in SO42− contents in the water. This singular arrangement may cause a higher residence time of groundwater in the eastern sector; thus, a higher contact time with Triassic evaporitic rocks is inferred. Accordingly, the stable isotopes of SO42− are found to be a valuable tool for identifying areas with different flow systems in the saturated zone of karstic aquifers, as well as for evaluating aspects such as the degree of karstification.Unidad de Granada, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, EspañaDepartamento de Geodinámica, Universidad de Granada, EspañaDepartment of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Reino UnidoInstituto Geológico y Minero de España, Españ

The speed and displacement of the Laetoli Site G track-maker hominins

Since their discovery in 1978, the hominin fossil footprints from Laetoli have been the focus, of extensive research on the locomotion, speed, body size, and behavior of the responsible track-makers (nominally Australopithecus afarensis). In this work, we show that careful examination of walking speed and displacement yields valuable information regarding the interaction between individuals, as well as group behavior of the track-maker hominins. First, we calculate statures for the Site G and S hominins using appropriate footprint length/stature ratios, obtaining statures ranging from 1.2 to 1.6 − 1.7 m. This range is somewhat taller than that proposed for Au. afarensis from skeletal remains (roughly 1.1 to 1.6 m), thus suggesting that comparatively large individuals are possibly represented in the Laetoli footprints. We then calculate speeds for the Site G track-makers from a stride length-speed scaling for humans. Stride and step lengths are measured from a digital model using the deepest point on the heel area of the G1 and G3 footprints as reference, and the deepest point on the hallux area for the overprinted G2 footprints. The hominins responsible for the Site G trackways all walked at a very similar mean speed, around 0.8 m s−1, which is faster than the speeds proposed by some previous studies. Detailed step-to-step speed calculations for G1 and G3 hominins show that the walking speed varied substantially (up to a factor of 1.5) over distances of just a few meters, perhaps due to surface conditions or behavioral reasons. The centers of mass of the G1 and G3 hominins traced very similar trajectories along the trackway portion examined. Thus, all Site G track-makers appear to have been moving together: the G1 and G3 hominins walked over the Laetoli ashes together in parallel, following behind the G2 hominin

Yield response to regulated deficit irrigation of greenhouse cherry tomatoes

10 páginas.--6 figuras.-- 3 tablas.-- 49 referenciasAround the world, the tomato is considered the most important vegetable because of the extent of the cultivated area. In addition, it requires vast amounts of irrigation but little is known about the management of deficit irrigation. This study aims to evaluate the effect of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on development of crop and fruit quality for cherry tomatoes (ʽLazarinoʼ and ʽSummerbrixʼ). Two different cherry cultivars were used during two crop cycles (autumn and spring). RDI was scheduled with an initial period of no water stress and with a period of deficit from the beginning of the flowering, with a threshold of midday leaf water potential of around −1 MPa. It was found that the response to the irrigation treatment was affected by the season and even by the cluster considered. During the autumn cycle, there were no clear differences in yield despite water stress being mild but still significant. In the spring cycle, yield reduction peaked with different responses between cultivars. Water stress reduced fruit weight and fruit number per cluster in cv Summerbrix, producing a continuous decrease throughout the harvest period. In cv Lazarino, a yield reduction was detected only at the end of the harvest period and was related to the decrease in fruit weight and the number of inflorescence. The application of RDI reduced water by 85% and increased the content of soluble sugar, carotenoids and total phenols in both cultivars and cyclesthe funding received from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Before Ministerio de Economía y Competitivida) , project ref. AGL2012-37610 , co-funded by FEDER). ECC, DH, AMBG, CMS and AJMM thank the Ibero-American Programme for Science, Technology and Development (CYTED, http://www.cyted.org ) for the funding of the IBERCAROT network. AJMM acknowledges the funding received from the Carotenoid Network: from microbial and plants to food and health (CaRed), funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Before Ministerio de Economía y Competitivida) (BIO2015-71703-REDT). The authors wish to thank the Fitó Company for the seeds provided.Peer reviewe

ABI1 and PP2CA phosphatases are negative regulators of Snf1-related protein kinase1 signaling in Arabidopsis

[EN] Plant survival under environmental stress requires the integration of multiple signaling pathways into a coordinated response, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this integration are poorly understood. Stress-derived energy deprivation activates the Snf1-related protein kinases1 (SnRK1s), triggering a vast transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming that restores homeostasis and promotes tolerance to adverse conditions. Here, we show that two clade A type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), established repressors of the abscisic acid (ABA) hormonal pathway, interact with the SnRK1 catalytic subunit causing its dephosphorylation and inactivation. Accordingly, SnRK1 repression is abrogated in double and quadruple pp2c knockout mutants, provoking, similarly to SnRK1 overexpression, sugar hypersensitivity during early seedling development. Reporter gene assays and SnRK1 target gene expression analyses further demonstrate that PP2C inhibition by ABA results in SnRK1 activation, promoting SnRK1 signaling during stress and once the energy deficit subsides. Consistent with this, SnRK1 and ABA induce largely overlapping transcriptional responses. Hence, the PP2C hub allows the coordinated activation of ABA and energy signaling, strengthening the stress response through the cooperation of two key and complementary pathways.We thank Vera Nunes for plant management, Filip Rolland and Jorg Kudla for comments, and Julia Costa for help with the scintillation counter. The 35S:SnRK1.1-2 line was provided by Martine Thomas. E.B.-G. was supported by grants from Marie Curie IRG, the EMBO Installation program, Marie Curie Actions FP7-People-2010-ITN, the Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT-PTDC/AGR-AAM/104939/2008), and the Portugal-Spain Bilateral Collaboration program Acoes integradas (Acao E-26/10). A.C. was supported by SFRH/BPD/47280/2008, C.M. was supported by SFRH/BD/33563/2008, L.M. was supported by SFRH/BD/51627/2011, and P.C. was supported by SFRH/BPD/79255/2011. A. Rabissi was supported by a Generalitat de Catalunya PhD grant (FI-AR067443). P.L.R. was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (grants BIO2011-23446 and PT2009-0155), R.A. was supported by the Junta para Ampliacion de Estudios e Investigaciones Cientificas-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas fellowship, and M.G.-G. was supported by a Juan de la Cierva contract.Rodrigues, A.; Adamo, M.; Crozet, P.; Margalha, L.; Confraria, A.; Martinho, C.; Elias, A.... (2013). ABI1 and PP2CA phosphatases are negative regulators of Snf1-related protein kinase1 signaling in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell. 25(10):3871-3874. https://doi.org/10.​1105/​tpc.​113.​114066S38713874251

Incidence and molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus reinfection in prisons in Catalonia, Spain (Re-HCV study)

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection may hamper HCV elimination in prisons. We aimed to (i) determine the reinfection rate in people treated for HCV in Catalan prisons, (ii) measure reinfection in people entering prisons, and (iii) characterize the molecular epidemiology of HCV in prisons and people who inject drugs (PWID) in the community. Re-HCV was a prospective study in eight prisons (2019–2020) including two groups: (1) people cured with treatment in prison and followed-up every 6 months, and (2) people testing HCV-RNA positive at incarceration. Bio-behavioral data were collected. HCV isolates were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed with those of PWID in the community. Reinfection follow-up after treatment was achieved in 97 individuals (103.05 person-years). Two reinfections were detected, resulting in an incidence ≤ 10/100 person-years. Among people entering prison, 2% (359/17,732) were viremic, of which 334 (93.0%) were included, and 44 (13.5%) presented with reinfection (84.7% being PWID). Frequently, HCV isolates in prisons and PWID in the community were phylogenetically related. Although HCV reinfection is low after treatment, it is common in people entering Catalan prisons. To maintain a low HCV prevalence in prisons, harm-reduction services and test-and-treat programs for PWID should be strengthened both inside and outside prisons