Radio spectra and polarisation properties of a bright sample of radio-loud broad absorption line quasars

[Context]: The origin of broad-absorption-line quasi-stellar objects (BAL QSOs) remains unclear. Accounting for ∼20% of the QSO population, these objects have broad absorption lines in their optical spectra generated from outflows with velocities of up to 0.2 c. In this work, we present the results of a multi-frequency study of a well-defined radio-loud BAL QSO sample, and a comparison sample of radio-loud non-BAL QSOs, both selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). [Aims]: We aim to test which of the currently popular models of the BAL phenomenon - >orientation> or > evolutionary> - best accounts for the radio properties of BAL quasars. We also consider a third model in which BALs are produced by polar jets driven by radiation pressure. [Methods]: Observations from 1.4 to 43 GHz have been obtained with the VLA and Effelsberg telescopes, and data from 74 to 408 MHz have been compiled from the literature. The spectral indices give clues about the orientation, while the determination of the peak frequency can constrain the age, and test the evolutionary scenario, in which BAL QSOs are young QSOs. The fractional polarisation and the rotation measure in part reflect the local magnetic field strength and particle density. [Results]: The fractions of resolved sources in the BAL and non-BAL QSO samples are similar (16% versus (vs.) 12%). The resolved sources in the two samples have similar linear sizes (20 to 400 kpc) and morphologies. There is weak evidence that the fraction of variable sources amongst BAL QSOs is smaller. The fractions of candidate GHz-peaked sources are similar in the two samples (36 ± 12% vs. 23 ± 8%), suggesting that BAL QSOs are not generally younger than non-BAL QSOs. Both BAL and non-BAL QSOs have a wide range of spectral indices, including flat-spectrum and steep-spectrum sources, consistent with a broad range of orientations. There is weak evidence (91% confidence) that the spectral indices of the BAL QSOs are steeper than those of non-BAL QSOs, mildly favouring edge-on orientations. At a higher level of significance (≥97%), the spectra of BAL QSOs are no flatter than those of non-BAL QSOs, which suggests that a polar orientation is not preferred. The distributions of fractional polarisation in the two samples have similar median values (1-3%). The distributions of rotation measure are also similar, the only outlier being the BAL QSO 1624+37, which has an extreme rest-frame rotation measure (from the literature) of -18 350 ± 570 rad m-2. © ESO 2012.Part of this work was supported by a grant of the Italian Programme for Research of Relevant National Interest (PRIN No. 18/2007, PI: K.-H. Mack) The authors acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación under project AYA2008-06311-C02-02. This work has benefited from research funding from the European Union’s sixth framework programme under RadioNet grant agreement No. 227290.Peer Reviewe

How the analysis of archival data could provide helpful information about TID degradation. Case study: Bipolar transistors

A critical step of radiation hardness assurance (RHA) for space systems is given by the parts selection in accordance with the observed (or estimated) radiation effects. Although radiation testing is the most decisive way of studying the radiation degradation of electronic components, the increasing use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and the challenges posed by NewSpace are pushing the need of finding new approaches to assess the risk associated with radiation environments. This work tries to evaluate if valuable information might be extracted from archival data to carry out this assessment despite the well-known and dramatic lot-to-lot, or even part-to-part, variability for some technologies and the impact of the different test conditions, such as the bias conditions and the dose rate in enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS). These factors are briefly analyzed for some examples. A new radiation database is briefly introduced, and some statistical approaches are cited, apart from the analysis herein followed. To finish, a first analysis on three families of bipolar transistors is presented together with the independent results from three external reports, with a good agreement between the experimental results and the expected ones.10.13039/501100002878-Junta de Andalucia and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) Funds through the Singular Project Predicción del Comportamiento Eléctrico de Dispositivos Electrónicos bajo Radiación (PRECEDER) (Grant Number: CEI-5-RNM138). 10.13039/501100004837-Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under Project (Grant Number: PID2019-108377RB-C32)Peer reviewe

Forests for the New Millennium - MAKING FORESTS WORK FOR PEOPLE AND NATURE

THE WAYS IN WHICH FORESTS ARE PERCEIVED AND USED HAVE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY OVER RECENT YEARS. FORESTS ARE NO LONGER SEEN SIMPLY AS A SOURCE OF TIMBER, BUT AS COMPLEX ECOSYSTEMS WHICH SUSTAIN LIVELIHOODS AND PROVIDE A RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES. IT IS NOW WIDELY RECOGNISED THAT FORESTS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION.Forest, economics, livelihoods

Clinical consensus recommendations regarding non-invasive respiratory support in the adult patient with acute respiratory failure secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection

La enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) es una infección del tracto respiratorio causada por un nuevo coronavirus emergente que se reconoció por primera vez en Wuhan, China, en diciembre de 2019. Actualmente la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha definido la infección como pandemia y existe una situación de emergencia sanitaria y social para el manejo de esta nueva infección. Mientras que la mayoría de las personas con COVID-19 desarrollan solo una enfermedad leve o no complicada, aproximadamente el 14% desarrollan una enfermedad grave que requiere hospitalización y oxígeno, y el 5% pueden requerir ingreso en una unidad de cuidados intensivos. En casos severos, COVID-19 puede complicarse por el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA), sepsis y shock séptico y fracaso multiorgánico. Este documento de consenso se ha preparado sobre directrices basadas en evidencia desarrolladas por un panel multidisciplinario de profesionales médicos de cuatro sociedades científicas españolas (Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva y Unidades Coronarias [SEMICYUC], Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica [SEPAR], Sociedad Española de Urgencias y Emergencias [SEMES], Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor [SEDAR]) con experiencia en el manejo clínico de pacientes con COVID-19 y otras infecciones virales, incluido el SARS, así como en sepsis y SDRA. El documento proporciona recomendaciones clínicas para el soporte respiratorio no invasivo (ventilación no invasiva, oxigenoterapia de alto flujo con cánula nasal) en cualquier paciente con presentación sospechada o confirmada de COVID-19 con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda. Esta guía de consenso debe servir como base para una atención optimizada y garantizar la mejor posibilidad de supervivencia, así como permitir una comparación fiable de las futuras intervenciones terapéuticas de investigación que formen parte de futuros estudios observacionales o de ensayos clínicos.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory tract infection caused by a newly emergent coronavirus, that was first recognized in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined the infection as a global pandemic and there is a health and social emergency for the management of this new infection. While most people with COVID-19 develop only mild or uncomplicated illness, approximately 14% develop severe disease that requires hospitalization and oxygen support, and 5% require admission to an intensive care unit. In severe cases, COVID-19 can be complicated by the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis and septic shock, and multiorgan failure. This consensus document has been prepared on evidence-informed guidelines developed by a multidisciplinary panel of health care providers from four Spanish scientific societies (Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine [SEMICYUC], Spanish Society of Pulmonologists [SEPAR], Spanish Society of Emergency [SEMES], Spanish Society of Anesthesiology, Reanimation, and Pain [SEDAR]) with experience in the clinical management of patients with COVID-19 and other viral infections, including SARS, as well as sepsis and ARDS. The document provides clinical recommendations for the noninvasive respiratory support (noninvasive ventilation, high flow oxygen therapy with nasal cannula) in any patient with suspected or confirmed presentation of COVID-19 with acute respiratory failure. This consensus guidance should serve as a foundation for optimized supportive care to ensure the best possible chance for survival and to allow for reliable comparison of investigational therapeutic interventions as part of randomized controlled trials

Common Variation in the PIN1 Locus Increases the Genetic Risk to Suffer from Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome

Funding Information: Funding: This work was supported by the Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PAIDI 2020) (ref. PY20_00212, P20_00583), and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (ref. SAF2016–78722-R, PID2020–120157RB-I00) and the Proyectos I + D + i del Programa Operativo FEDER 2020 (ref. B-CTS-584-UGR20, B-CTS-260-UGR20). FDC was supported by the “Ramón y Cajal” program (ref. RYC-2014–16458), and LBC was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the “Juan de la Cierva Incorporación” program (Grant ref. IJC2018– 038026-I, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), all of them including FEDER funds. AGJ was funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FSE “El FSE invierte en tu futuro”(grant ref. FPU20/02926). SGM was funded by a previously mentioned project (ref. PY20_00212). IPATIMUP integrates the i3S Research Unit, which is partially supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), financed by the European Social Funds (COMPETE-FEDER) and National Funds (projects PEstC/SAU/LA0003/2013 and POCI-01–0145-FEDER-007274). AML is funded by the Portuguese Government through FCT (IF/01262/2014). PIM is supported by the FCT post-doctoral fellowship (SFRH/BPD/120777/2016), financed from the Portuguese State Budget of the Ministry for Science, Technology and High Education and from the European Social Fund, available through the Programa Operacional do Capital Humano. ToxOmics—Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, is also partially supported by FCT (Projects: UID/BIM/00009/2013 and UIDB/UIDP/00009/2020). SLarriba received support from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grant DTS18/00101], co-funded by FEDER funds/European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)—a way to build Europe), and from “Generalitat de Catalunya” (grant 2017SGR191). SLarriba is sponsored by the “Researchers Consolidation Program” from the SNS-Dpt. Salut Generalitat de Catalunya (Exp. CES09/020). This article is related to the Ph.D. Doctoral Thesis of Miriam Cerván-Martín (grant ref. BES-2017–081222 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FSE “El FSE invierte en tu futuro”). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.We aimed to analyze the role of the common genetic variants located in the PIN1 locus, a relevant prolyl isomerase required to control the proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells and the integrity of the blood–testis barrier, in the genetic risk of developing male infertility due to a severe spermatogenic failure (SPGF). Genotyping was performed using TaqMan genotyping assays for three PIN1 taggers (rs2287839, rs2233678 and rs62105751). The study cohort included 715 males diagnosed with SPGF and classified as suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA, n = 505) or severe oligospermia (SO, n = 210), and 1058 controls from the Iberian Peninsula. The allelic frequency differences between cases and controls were analyzed by the means of logistic regression models. A subtype specific genetic association with the subset of NOA patients classified as suffering from the Sertoli cell-only (SCO) syndrome was observed with the minor alleles showing strong risk effects for this subset (ORaddrs2287839 = 1.85 (1.17–2.93), ORaddrs2233678 = 1.62 (1.11–2.36), ORaddrs62105751 = 1.43 (1.06–1.93)). The causal variants were predicted to affect the binding of key transcription factors and to produce an altered PIN1 gene expression and isoform balance. In conclusion, common non-coding single-nucleotide polymorphisms located in PIN1 increase the genetic risk to develop SCO.publishersversionpublishe

Contribution of TEX15 genetic variants to the risk of developing severe non-obstructive oligozoospermia

Background: Severe spermatogenic failure (SPGF) represents one of the most relevant causes of male infertility. This pathological condition can lead to extreme abnormalities in the seminal sperm count, such as severe oligozoospermia (SO) or non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Most cases of SPGF have an unknown aetiology, and it is known that this idiopathic form of male infertility represents a complex condition. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether common genetic variation in TEX15, which encodes a key player in spermatogenesis, is involved in the susceptibility to idiopathic SPGF.Materials and Methods: We designed a genetic association study comprising a total of 727 SPGF cases (including 527 NOA and 200 SO) and 1,058 unaffected men from the Iberian Peninsula. Following a tagging strategy, three tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TEX15 (rs1362912, rs323342, and rs323346) were selected for genotyping using TaqMan probes. Case-control association tests were then performed by logistic regression models. In silico analyses were also carried out to shed light into the putative functional implications of the studied variants.Results: A significant increase in TEX15-rs1362912 minor allele frequency (MAF) was observed in the group of SO patients (MAF = 0.0842) compared to either the control cohort (MAF = 0.0468, OR = 1.90, p = 7.47E-03) or the NOA group (MAF = 0.0472, OR = 1.83, p = 1.23E-02). The genotype distribution of the SO population was also different from those of both control (p = 1.14E-02) and NOA groups (p = 4.33-02). The analysis of functional annotations of the human genome suggested that the effect of the SO-associated TEX15 variants is likely exerted by alteration of the binding affinity of crucial transcription factors for spermatogenesis.Conclusion: Our results suggest that common variation in TEX15 is involved in the genetic predisposition to SO, thus supporting the notion of idiopathic SPGF as a complex trait

Contribution of TEX15 genetic variants to the risk of developing severe non-obstructive oligozoospermia

Lisbon clinical group co-authors and IVIRMA group co-authors Ana Aguiar, (Unidade de Medicina da Reproducao, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal); Carlos Calhaz-Jorge, (Unidade de Medicina da Reproducao, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal); Joaquim Nunes, (Unidade de Medicina da Reproducao, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal); Sandra Sousa (Unidade de Medicina da Reproducao, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal), and Sónia Correia (Centro de Medicina Reprodutiva, Maternidade Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal); Maria Graça Pinto(Centro de Medicina Reprodutiva, Maternidade Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal). Alberto Pacheco, (IVIRMA Madrid, Spain); Cristina González, (IVIRMA Sevilla, Spain); Susana Gómez, (IVIRMA Lisboa, Portugal); David Amorós, (IVIRMA Barcelona, Spain); Jesús Aguilar, (IVIRMA Vigo, Spain); Fernando Quintana, (IVIRMA Bilbao, Spain).Background: Severe spermatogenic failure (SPGF) represents one of the most relevant causes of male infertility. This pathological condition can lead to extreme abnormalities in the seminal sperm count, such as severe oligozoospermia (SO) or non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Most cases of SPGF have an unknown aetiology, and it is known that this idiopathic form of male infertility represents a complex condition. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether common genetic variation in TEX15, which encodes a key player in spermatogenesis, is involved in the susceptibility to idiopathic SPGF. Materials and Methods: We designed a genetic association study comprising a total of 727 SPGF cases (including 527 NOA and 200 SO) and 1,058 unaffected men from the Iberian Peninsula. Following a tagging strategy, three tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TEX15 (rs1362912, rs323342, and rs323346) were selected for genotyping using TaqMan probes. Case-control association tests were then performed by logistic regression models. In silico analyses were also carried out to shed light into the putative functional implications of the studied variants. Results: A significant increase in TEX15-rs1362912 minor allele frequency (MAF) was observed in the group of SO patients (MAF = 0.0842) compared to either the control cohort (MAF = 0.0468, OR = 1.90, p = 7.47E-03) or the NOA group (MAF = 0.0472, OR = 1.83, p = 1.23E-02). The genotype distribution of the SO population was also different from those of both control (p = 1.14E-02) and NOA groups (p = 4.33–02). The analysis of functional annotations of the human genome suggested that the effect of the SO-associated TEX15 variants is likely exerted by alteration of the binding affinity of crucial transcription factors for spermatogenesis. Conclusion: Our results suggest that common variation in TEX15 is involved in the genetic predisposition to SO, thus supporting the notion of idiopathic SPGF as a complex trait.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (PID 2020-120157RB-I00) and the Andalusian Government through the research projects of “Plan Andaluz de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion (PAIDI 2020)” (ref. PY20_00212) and “Programa Operativo FEDER 2020” (ref. B-CTS-584-UGR20). LB-C was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the “Juan de la Cierva Incorporacion” program (Grant ref. IJC 2018-038026- I, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), which includes FEDER funds. AG-J was funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and FSE “El FSE invierte en tu futuro” (grant ref. FPU20/02926). IPATIMUP integrates the i3S Research Unit, which is partially supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), financed by the European Social Funds (COMPETE-FEDER) and National Funds (projects PEstC/SAU/LA0003/2013 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274). PM is supported by the FCT post-doctoral fellowship (SFRH/BPD/120777/2016), financed from the Portuguese State Budget of the Ministry for Science, Technology and High Education and from the European Social Fund, available through the Programa Operacional do Capital Humano. ToxOmics—Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, is also partially supported by FCT (UID/BIM/00009/2016 and UIDB/00009/2020). SL received support from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grant: DTS18/00101], co-funded by FEDER funds/European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)-a way to build Europe-), and from “Generalitat de Catalunya” (grant 2017SGR191). SL is sponsored by the “Researchers Consolidation Program” from the SNS-Dpt. Salut Generalitat de Catalunya (Exp. CES09/020). This article is related to the Ph.D. Doctoral Thesis of AG-J.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Des Forêts pour le Nouveau Millénaire - DES FORÊTS À GÉRER DANS L’INTÉRÊT DES GENS ET DE LA NATURE

LA FAÇON DONT LES FORÊTS SONT PERÇUES ET LEURS UTILISATIONS ONT BEAUCOUP CHANGÉ AU COURS DES DERNIÈRES ANNÉES. LES FORÊTS NE SONT PLUS CONSIDÉRÉES COMME ÉTANT UNIQUEMENT DES SOURCES DE BOIS MAIS DES ÉCOSYSTÈMES COMPLEXES QUI PERMETTENT À DES COMMUNAUTÉS DE SE DÉVELOPPER ET OFFRENT TOUTE UNE GAMME DE PRODUITS ET DE SERVICES ENVIRONNEMENTAUX. ON RECONNAÎT AUJOURD’HUI QUE LES FORÊTS PEUVENT CONTRIBUER AU DÉVELOPPEMENT RURAL ET À LA LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ.Forêt, économie

Vitamin C transporter gene (SLC23A1 and SLC23A2) polymorphisms, plasma vitamin C levels, and gastric cancer risk in the EPIC cohort

Vitamin C is known to protect mucosal tissues from oxidative stress and inhibit nitrosamine formation in the stomach. High consumption of fruits, particularly citrus, and higher circulating vitamin C concentrations may be inversely associated with gastric cancer (GC) risk. We investigated 20 polymorphisms in vitamin C transporter genes SCL23A1 and SCL23A2 and GC risk in 365 cases and 1,284 controls nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. We also evaluated the association between these polymorphisms and baseline plasma vitamin C levels in a subset of participants. Four SNPs were predictors of plasma vitamin C levels (SLC23A1 rs11950646 and rs33972313; SLC23A2 rs6053005 and rs6133175) in multivariable linear regression models. One SNP (SLC23A2 rs6116569) was associated with GC risk, in particular non-cardia GC (OR = 1.63, 95 % CI = 1.11-2.39, based on 178 non-cardia cases), but this association was attenuated when plasma vitamin C was included in the logistic regression model. Haplotype analysis of SLC23A1 yielded no associations with GC. In SLC23A2, one haplotype was associated with both overall and non-cardia GC, another haplotype was associated with GC overall, and a third was associated with intestinal-type GC. Common variants in SLC23A1 and SLC23A2 may influence plasma vitamin C concentration independent of dietary intake, and variation in SLC23A2 may influence GC risk. Additional prospective studies in large populations and consortia are recommended. Investigation of variation in vitamin C transporter genes may shed light on the preventative properties of vitamin C in gastric carcinogenesis

Bosques para el Nuevo Milenio - BOSQUES QUE BENEFICIEN A LA GENTE Y SUSTENTEN LA NATURALEZA

LAS MANERAS DE PERCIBIR Y USAR LOS BOSQUES HAN CAMBIADO DRAMÁTICAMENTE DURANTE LOS ÚLTIMOS AÑOS. YA NO SE CONSIDERA MÁS A LOS BOSQUES SÓLO COMO UNA FUENTE DE MADERA, SINO COMO ECOSISTEMAS COMPLEJOS QUE SUSTENTAN LAS FORMAS DE VIDA HUMANA Y SUMINISTRAN UNA GAMA DE PRODUCTOS Y SERVICIOS AMBIENTALES. AHORA ES AMPLIAMENTE RECONOCIDO QUE LOS BOSQUES PUEDEN CONTRIBUIR AL DESARROLLO RURAL Y AYUDAN A ALIVIAR LA POBREZA.Forest, economics, livelihoods