Climate and hydrological variability: the catchment filtering role

Abstract. Measuring the impact of climate change on flood frequency is a complex and controversial task. Identifying hydrological changes is difficult given the factors, other than climate variability, which lead to significant variations in runoff series. The catchment filtering role is often overlooked and thus may hinder the correct identification of climate variability signatures on hydrological processes. Does climate variability necessarily imply hydrological variability? This research aims to analytically derive the flood frequency distribution based on realistic hypotheses about the rainfall process and the rainfall–runoff transformation. The annual maximum peak flow probability distribution is analytically derived to quantify the filtering effect of the rainfall–runoff process on climate change. A sensitivity analysis is performed according to typical semi-arid Mediterranean climatic and hydrological conditions, assuming a simple but common scheme for the rainfall–runoff transformation in small-size ungauged catchments, i.e. the CN-SCS model. Variability in annual maximum peak flows and its statistical significance are analysed when changes in the climatic input are introduced. Results show that depending on changes in the annual number of rainfall events, the catchment filtering role is particularly significant, especially when the event rainfall volume distribution is not strongly skewed. Results largely depend on the return period: for large return periods, peak flow variability is significantly affected by the climatic input, while for lower return periods, infiltration processes smooth out the impact of climate change

¿Qué es la psicología para los estudiantes españoles de educación a distancia?

Se aplicó a los estudiantes de Psicología de la Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia en España (UNED) una modificación de la escala estandarizada por Thiriat (1981) y que ha sido utilizada (con más o menos cambios) en casi la totalidad de los trabajos de este tipo. En la encuesta se indaga sobre el autor, la obra y el fenómeno que considerasen como los más destacados de nuestra disciplina. También se les pedía que eligiesen entre varias definiciones de psicología y de diferentes conceptos relevantes como el pensamiento, la inteligencia o la mente. Por último, se les requería una valoración de diferentes aspectos de la psicología y de la propia psicología en su conjunto en comparación con otros campos del saber. Se concluye comparando los resultados obtenidos en este trabajo con otros similares realizados con otras poblacione

Negative affect, perceived health, and endocrine and immunological levels in caregivers of offspring with schizophrenia.

Negative affect (NA) and chronic stress are separately associated with health imbalances, and the interaction between the two aspects remains unclear. Care of relatives with long-term pathologies could be a likely model in the study of this issue, as caregivers frequently report chronic stress and health complaints. The aim of this study is examine the role of NA on psychophysiological stress-induced response and health in schizophrenia caregivers. Method: Forty-one caregivers were distributed into two groups accordingly to their scores in NA. Thirteen non-caregivers were included as a control group. Participants were exposed to a repeated acute psychosocial stress while salivary cortisol, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and skin conductance level (SCL) were measured before, during, and after stress. Mood, state-anxiety, care conditions and perceived general health were also assessed. Results: Caregivers with higher NA reported negative perceptions, worse health, and greater decreases in cortisol and IgA response than caregivers with low NA and than non-caregivers. Conclusions: NA could reduce the capability to develop adaptive psychophysiological stress responses. From a preventive view, the evaluation of NA could be useful to detect and assist high-risk individuals in potentially chronically stressed population

Engineered microenvironments for synergistic VEGF - integrin signalling during vascularization

We have engineered polymer-based microenvironments that promote vasculogenesis both in vitro and in vivo through synergistic integrin-growth factor receptor signalling. Poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) triggers spontaneous organization of fibronectin (FN) into nanonetworks which provide availability of critical binding domains. Importantly, the growth factor binding (FNIII12-14) and integrin binding (FNIII9-10) regions are simultaneously available on FN fibrils assembled on PEA. This material platform promotes synergistic integrin/VEGF signalling which is highly effective for vascularization events in vitro with low concentrations of VEGF. VEGF specifically binds to FN fibrils on PEA compared to control polymers (poly(methyl acrylate), PMA) where FN remains in a globular conformation and integrin/GF binding domains are not simultaneously available. The vasculogenic response of human endothelial cells seeded on these synergistic interfaces (VEGF bound to FN assembled on PEA) was significantly improved compared to soluble administration of VEGF at higher doses. Early onset of VEGF signalling (PLCγ1 phosphorylation) and both integrin and VEGF signalling (ERK1/2 phosphorylation) were increased only when VEGF was bound to FN nanonetworks on PEA, while soluble VEGF did not influence early signalling. Experiments with mutant FN molecules with impaired integrin binding site (FN-RGE) confirmed the role of the integrin binding site of FN on the vasculogenic response via combined integrin/VEGF signalling. In vivo experiments using 3D scaffolds coated with FN and VEGF implanted in the murine fat pad demonstrated pro-vascularization signalling by enhanced formation of new tissue inside scaffold pores. PEA-driven organization of FN promotes efficient presentation of VEGF to promote vascularization in regenerative medicine applications

Orthotopic kidney transplantation survival and complications: systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: To determine graft and patient survival and adverse events in patients who undergo orthotopic kidney transplantation. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. We search in Medline, Embase, and Central from inception to nowadays. We included observational studies with patients who undergo orthotopic kidney transplantation. The primary outcomes were overall patient and graft survival. We pooled the information in a frequency meta-analysis with a 95% CI. We analyzed bias with the STROBE statement. Results: Of the 106 papers initially retrieved, four met the inclusion criteria. Vascular and urinary tract complications were reported in 19% and 15%, respectively. The overall patient survival was 92% 95%CI (88% to 95%), I2 = 0%, and the overall graft survival was 88% 95 CI (83% to 91%), I2 = 0%. Conclusion: Our analysis showed a high survival rate in patients and kidney grafts after orthotopic kidney transplantation, with a similar complication rate compared to a heterotopic kidney transplant

Impact of texture TDS and flavour TDS tasks and of chocolate-chip biscuit characteristics on oral processing features

[EN] The objective of the present study was to investigate differences in oral activity when biscuits of the same type but with subtle composition differences are consumed and how performing a Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS) task modifies the way one eats. In addition, comparisons were made between performing a texture TDS (T-TDS) and a flavour TDS (F-TDS). Oral activity while eating biscuits with and without conducting a TDS task was recorded using a 3.dimensional motion capture system to monitor the evolution of jaw movements. The results showed that oral activity evolved over the consumption time, differed depending on the texture of the sample and was affected to a small but significant extent when a TDS task was performed simultaneously (the differences averaged < 4 cycles, 1 s in duration, 0.1 cycles/s in frequency, and 1 mm in lateral displacement). The biscuit samples were affected equally. Almost no differences were found on comparing oral activity during the execution of the T-TDS and the F-TDS tasks. Overall, the present results show differences in oral activity even for food products of the same category with subtle differences in composition. Performing TDS tasks (regardless of their modality) during sample consumption affected the total number, frequency and lateral amplitude of the chewing movements which should be taken into account for future research. However, these differences were small and affected both samples equally.The authors are grateful to the Spanish Ministry of the Economy and Competitiveness (AGL-2016-75403-R, Spain) and to the Regional Government of Valencia (Project Prometeo 2017/189, Spain) for financial support.Rizo, A.; Jimenez-Pérez, I.; Camacho-García, A.; Fiszman, S.; Pérez-Soriano, P.; Tarrega, A. (2019). Impact of texture TDS and flavour TDS tasks and of chocolate-chip biscuit characteristics on oral processing features. Food Quality and Preference. 76:109-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2019.04.005S1091177

Artrosis postraumática en pacientes con fractura-luxacion de Lisfranc.

La artrosis postraumática es una de las complicaciones más frecuentes y más invalidantes de la fractura-luxación de Lisfranc (FLL). Objetivo . Evaluar el grado de incidencia de artrosis postraumática como complicación y secuela en pacientes con fractura-luxación de Lisfranc y valorar qué factores muestran relación directa o influyen en su aparición y desarrollo. Material y Método . Se realizó un estudio de cohortes ambispectivo transversal de 83 pacientes con diagnóstico de fractura-luxación de Lisfranc. Se utilizó un protocolo de recogida de datos con variables relacionadas con la lesión, parámetros clínicos, terapéuticos, complicaciones y escalas de valoración clínica. La valoración de artrosis se realiza mediante aparición de signos radiológicos de la clasifica - ción radiológica de Kellgren y Lawrence y su correlación clínica con presencia de dolor. Resultados . La artrosis se mostró como un factor influyente en los resultados, puntuaciones regulares y malas presentan mayor tasa de artrosis (p=0,001), y en cuanto al grado de artrosis, los casos más graves de artrosis se situaban en el grupo de puntuaciones malas (p=0,025). Este grupo de pacientes presentaron peores puntuaciones porque referían más dolor, mayor consumo de analgésicos, más limitación de las actividades de la vida diaria, de las actividades deportivas y limitación de la distancia caminada. Conclusiones . La artrosis se mostró como un factor influyente en los resultados (p=0,001). Los pacientes que desarrollaron artrosis tardaron más tiempo en reincorporarse a su empleo o actividad laboral previa, tenían un tiempo más demorado desde la cirugía al alta y mayor número total de incapacidades laborales y compensaciones económicas con respecto a los pacientes que no desarrollaron artrosis, siendo todos estos valores estadísticamente significativos.The posttraumatic degenerative osteoarthritis is one of the most frequent complications and more disabling of Lisfranc's fracture - luxation (FLL). Objetive. Evaluate the degree of frequency of posttraumatic degenerative osteoarthritis as complication and adverse effect in patients with Lisfranc's fracture - luxation and value what factors show straight relation or influence in its appearance and development. Material and Method.We have made a transversal prospective and retrospective study of cohorts on 83 patients with diagnosis of Lisfranc's fracture - luxation. We have used a data collecting protocol of items related to the injury, clinical, therapeutic parameters, complications and scales of clinical valuation. The assessment valuation of degenerative osteoarthritis is made under radiological signs realized by means of appearance of radiological signs of Kellgren and Lawrence classification and clinical correlation with presence of pain. Results . The degenerative osteoarthri tis appeared as an influential factor in the results, regular and bad punctuations present major rate of degenerative osteoarthritis (p=0,001), and as for the degree of degenerative osteoarthritis, the most serious cases of degenerative osteoarthritis were placing in the group of bad punctuations (p=0,025). This group of patients presented worse punctuations because they were recounting more pain, major consumption of analgesics, more limitation of the activities of the daily life, of the sports activities and limitation of the travelled distance. Conclusions . The degenerative osteoarthritis appeared as an influential factor in the results (p=0,001). The patients who developed degenerative osteoarthritis were late more time in coming back to his employment or labor previous activity; they had a time more delayed from the surgery to the discharge and major total number of labor disabilities and economic compensations with regard to the patients who did not develop degenerative osteoarthritis, being all these statistically significant values

Flexible and Binder-Free Iron Phosphide Electrodes Using a Three-Dimensional Support for High Hydrogen Productivity

In this work, an inexpensive and reliable microstructured electrode for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is developed. This cathode is made of Earth-abundant elements consisting of iron phosphide as an electrocatalyst and carbon felt (CF) as a flexible conductive scaffold. Its porous character and binder-free FeP coverage over the carbon fibers generate a high number of accessible active sites for the reaction, achieving a high value of the electrochemically active surface area. The electrode reaches 100 mA ⋅ cm by applying only −53 mV vs RHE at 50 °C in 0.5 M HSO, demonstrating excellent electrocatalytic activity for the HER and outstanding stability in acidic electrolyte. Furthermore, the feasibility of these electrodes for industrial application is evaluated using a PEM electrolyzer. The developed prototype with a cathodic area of 1.8 cm shows a very promising performance, reaching 14.9 mmol H ⋅ h ⋅ cm (corresponding to 800 mA ⋅ cm) at a voltage of only 2.1 V

Discriminant analysis using fatty acids profile, stable carbon isotopes and tocopherols content as tool for feeding system prediction in Iberian pigs

Aim of study: The application of three analytical methods (fatty acids: FA, tocopherols: TOC, and isotope ratio: ISO) to distinguish the feeding type received by Iberian pigs during the fattening stage.Area of study: This distinction is very important for the labelling of Iberian high-quality products in the Quercus forest located on the southwest of Iberian Peninsula, where several production systems coexist.Material and methods: Discriminant analysis on fat samples with unknown background obtained from commercial pigs was applied. The feasibility of the combination method to determine the authentication of feeding background was studied on samples from different fattening system: free-range feeding with acorn and pastures (BE); free-range feeding acorn and pastures plus commercial feeds (RE); open-air feeding with commercial feeds (CA); standard feeding with commercial feeds (CE).Main results: In a first application of the methods, the overall success rate was 60.1% for FA, 49.7% for ISO and 49.3% for TOC. When some of the batches were reclassified attending to those previous results and additional information available about farm characteristics, ISO and TOC analyses had a 70% of success rate in the four categories, whereas FA showed 40.5%, attributable to the use of high-oleic commercial diets. The predictions improved with the method combination. The ISO+TOC combination achieved a 84.1% of success in prediction. When it was reduced to just two categories (acorn vs non-acorn), the success reached a 95% for FA+TOC and ISO+TOC.Research highlights: The use of these methods as a complementary tool for quality controls is highly recommended to avoid undesirable misclassifications