Attenuation lengths of high energy photoelectrons in compact and mesoporous SiO2 films

El pdf del artículo es la versión post-print.We have experimentally evaluated attenuation lengths (AL) of photoelectrons traveling in compact and micro and mesoporous (∼ 45% voids) SiO 2 thin films with high (8.2-13.2 keV) kinetic energies. The films were grown on polished Si(100) wafers. ALs were deduced from the intensity ratio of the Si 1s signal from the SiO 2 film and Si substrate using the two-peaks overlayer method. We obtain ALs of 15-22 nm and 23-32 nm for the compact and porous SiO 2 films for the range of kinetic energies considered. The observed AL values follow a power law dependence on the kinetic energy of the electrons where the exponent takes the values 0.81 ± 0.13 and 0.72 ± 0.12 for compact and porous materials, respectively. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.We thank the Spanish MICINN (projects MAT2010-18447 and Consolider CSD2008-00023 and CPAN CSD2007-42) for financial support.Peer Reviewe

ATOMS (Adjustable Transobturator Male System) Is an Effective and Safe Second-Line Treatment Option for Recurrent Urinary Incontinence after Implantation of an AdVance/AdVance XP Fixed Male Sling? A Multicenter Cohort Analysis

(1) Background: This study examined outcomes of second-line ATOMS implantation after failure of the fixed male sling (FMS) AdVance/AdVance XP. (2) Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort analysis was carried out in men implanted with an ATOMS between 2011 and 2020 after failure of an AdVance/AdVance XP. Success was assessed on the basis of objective (dryness, 0–1 pad/24 h or >20 g/24 h pad test) and subjective results (PGI-I). We performed the Wilcoxon rank sum test, Fisher’s exact test, logistic regression, and multivariate analysis. (3) Results: The study included 88 patients from 9 centers with a mean age of 71.3 years. No Clavien–Dindo > II complications occurred within the first 3 months after ATOMS implantation. A total of 10 cases (9%) required revision in the ensuing clinical course. After a mean follow-up of 42.5 months, 76.1% achieved social continence, and 56.8% used no pads at all. Mean urine leakage/24 h dropped from 422 g (3.9 pads) to 38 g (0.69 pads) and the mean ICIQ-SF decreased from 16.25 to 5.3 (p < 0.0001). PROMs (patient-reported outcome measures) showed improvement in 98.9% of cases, and 63.6% gave a “very much better” PGI-I rating. Multivariate analysis identified a lower probability of achieving maximum satisfaction for the following factors: the AdVance XP as first-line therapy (OR 0.35), a lower ICIQ-SF question 1 (OR 0.26), status post-irradiation (OR 0.14), and more severe pain prior to ATOMS implantation (OR 0.51). (4) Conclusions: Implantation of an ATOMS is an effective and safe second-line treatment option for recurrent urinary incontinence after implantation of an AdVance/AdVance XP sling. High patient satisfaction was demonstrated in a long-term follow-up

TELMA: Technology enhanced learning environment for minimally invasive surgery

Background: Cognitive skills training for minimally invasive surgery has traditionally relied upon diverse tools, such as seminars or lectures. Web technologies for e-learning have been adopted to provide ubiquitous training and serve as structured repositories for the vast amount of laparoscopic video sources available. However, these technologies fail to offer such features as formative and summative evaluation, guided learning, or collaborative interaction between users. Methodology: The "TELMA" environment is presented as a new technology-enhanced learning platform that increases the user's experience using a four-pillared architecture: (1) an authoring tool for the creation of didactic contents; (2) a learning content and knowledge management system that incorporates a modular and scalable system to capture, catalogue, search, and retrieve multimedia content; (3) an evaluation module that provides learning feedback to users; and (4) a professional network for collaborative learning between users. Face validation of the environment and the authoring tool are presented. Results: Face validation of TELMA reveals the positive perception of surgeons regarding the implementation of TELMA and their willingness to use it as a cognitive skills training tool. Preliminary validation data also reflect the importance of providing an easy-to-use, functional authoring tool to create didactic content. Conclusion: The TELMA environment is currently installed and used at the Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre and several other Spanish hospitals. Face validation results ascertain the acceptance and usefulness of this new minimally invasive surgery training environment

The evolution of the zooplankton community in the gulf of Cadiz, SW Iberian Peninsula

The Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) has been conducting a multidisciplinary study of the marine ecosystem in the Gulf of Cadiz (GoC; SW Iberian Peninsula) since 2009 within the frame of the program Time Series of Oceanographic data in the Gulf of Cadiz (STOCA, in Spanish). The program maintains repeated observations along five across-shelf transects: three times a year from 2009 to 2012 and quarterly on hereafter. In this paper we present the temporal evolution of the zooplankton community in the GoC. In particular, we focused on samples from three stations located off the Guadalquivir river mouth: GD1 (20 m depth), GD3 (80 m) and GD6 (450 m). Samples were taken with bongo-40 cm paired zooplankton nets (mesh size 200 mm). Double oblique hauls were conducted from top to bottom or to a maximum depth of 200 m) while the ship was steaming at 2.5 kn. A total of 43 samples per station were included in the analysis. Samples were imaged with ZooScan. Full images were processed with ZooProcess which generated set of associated features measured on each identified object (Gorsky et al, 2010). These objects were sorted following a common taxonomic guide using the web application EcoTaxa (http://ecotaxa.obs-vlfr.fr). As a sanity check, a variable number of aliquots were directly identified by light microscopy. These results permitted the description of the mean and variable components of the plankton community, their seasonal in the context of the thermohaline and transport variability in the 2010s

An Interpretation of Article 24 of the Constitution of Japan: Reconsidering the Principle of \u27\u27Gender Equality\u27\u27 from the Perspective of \u27\u27the Dilemma of Difference\u27\u27

This paper presents a novel methodology to calculate cation diffusion coefficients and activation energies in cubic Y2O3–ZrO2 by Molecular Dynamics. The calculation is based upon modulating the interaction potential to promote cation mobility within the lattice. The technique was calibrated by measuring static properties and oxygen self-diffusion characteristics, and then applied to cation diffusion. The respective activation energies and diffusion coefficients agree well with experimental findings. Preliminary results about grain boundary cation diffusion are presented for the first time as a proof of the potentiality of the procedureMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación MAT2009-14351-C02-01, MAT2009-14351-C02-02Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional y Desarrollo 53687

Soluciones Creativas de Intervención (LUGH)

En este texto se puede encontrar información sobre los antecedentes del proyecto LUGH ITESO Soluciones creativas de intervención, así como los objetivos del trabajo que incluyen la vinculación entre empresas socialmente responsables con escenarios, comunidades, organizaciones u otros esfuerzos de la sociedad por mejorar su entorno. De este modo la empresa obtiene un beneficio en términos de posicionamiento, a la vez que produce un beneficio social tangible. Durante el período primavera 2016, se desarrollaron estrategias y piezas de comunicación para las organizaciones Plenitud de vida, Concertando México, Juntos por los demás y Capeltic. En este informe se incluye también la descripción del método de trabajo que el proyecto propone para la realización de estrategias de comunicación e intervención social

Incidence and risk factors for nonmelanoma skin cancer after heart transplantation

[Abstract] Introduction. The incidence of skin cancer in heart transplant (HT) patients is higher than in the general population, reversing the proportion of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with a predominance of the former. The etiologic role of new immunosuppressants is not well known. We sought to ascertain the incidence of SCC and BCC in HT patients and the risk factors for its occurrence. Patients and Methods. We report the incidence of all types of post-HT skin cancer, SCC, and BCC among adult HT patients in Spain (4089 subjects) as well as the influence of gender, age at heart transplant, immunosuppression, and sunlight exposure. Results. The incidence rates of SCC and BCC, per 1000 persons/year, were 8.5 and 5.2, respectively. Males had a higher risk of SCC but not BCC. Induction therapy increased the risk of SCC and BCC. The relative risk of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was 0.3 (0.2–0.6; P < .0005) and azathioprine (AZA) 1.8 (1.2–2.7; P < .0032) for SCC, whereas tacrolimus and cyclosporine showed no difference. The relative risk of BCC was not affected by any immunosuppressant. Conclusion. Age at transplantation >45 years, induction therapy use, and high sunshine zone were risk factors for both SCC and BCC. Different immunosuppressive agents have different risks of nonmelanoma skin cancer, as AZA increases the risk of SCC and MMF is a protective factor. The relative risk of BCC was not affected by any immunosuppressor

The prognosis of noncutaneous, nonlymphomatous malignancy after heart transplantation: data from the spanish post-heart transplant tumour registry

[Abstract] Introduction. Malignancy is a major complication in the management of solid organ transplant patients. Skin cancers show a better prognosis than other neoplasms, but not all others are equal: Ideally, patient management must take into account the natural history of each type of cancer in relation to the transplanted organs. We sought to determine the prognosis of various groups of noncutaneous nonlymphomatous (NCNL) cancers after heart transplantation (HT). Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the records of the Spanish Post-Heart-Transplant Tumour Registry, which collects data on posttransplant tumors in all patients who have undergone HT in Spain since 1984. Data were included in the study up to December 2008. We considered only the first NCNL post-HT tumors. Results. Of 4359 patients, 375 developed an NCNL cancer. The most frequent were cancers of the lung (n = 97; 25.9%); gastrointestinal tract (n = 52; 13.9%); prostate gland (n = 47; 12.5%; 14.0% of men), bladder (n = 32; 8.5%), liver (n = 14; 3.7%), and pharynx (n = 14; 3.7%), as well as Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 11; 2.9%). The corresponding Kaplan-Meier survival curves differed significantly (P < .0001; log-rank test), with respective survival rates of 47%, 72%, 91%, 73%, 36%, 64%, and 73% at 1 year versus 26%, 62%, 89%, 56%, 21%, 64%, and 73% at 2 years; and 15%, 51%, 77%, 42%, 21%, 64%, and 52% at 5 years post-diagnosis, respectively. Conclusion. Mortality among HT patients with post-HT NCNL solid organ cancers was highest for cancers of the liver or lung (79%–85% at 5 years), and lowest for prostate cancer (23%)

Lung cancer after heart transplantation: results from a large multicenter registry

[Abstract] In this study we analyzed Spanish Post-Heart-Transplant Tumour Registry data for adult heart transplantation (HT) patients since 1984. Median post-HT follow-up of 4357 patients was 6.7 years. Lung cancer (mainly squamous cell or adenocarcinoma) was diagnosed in 102 (14.0% of patients developing cancers) a mean 6.4 years post-HT. Incidence increased with age at HT from 149 per 100 000 person-years among under-45s to 542 among over-64s; was 4.6 times greater among men than women; and was four times greater among pre-HT smokers (2169 patients) than nonsmokers (2188). The incidence rates in age-at-diagnosis groups with more than one case were significantly greater than GLOBOCAN 2002 estimates for the general Spanish population, and comparison with published data on smoking and lung cancer in the general population suggests that this increase was not due to a greater prevalence of smokers or former smokers among HT patients. Curative surgery, performed in 21 of the 28 operable cases, increased Kaplan–Meier 2−year survival to 70% versus 16% among inoperable patients