AER Neuro-Inspired interface to Anthropomorphic Robotic Hand

Address-Event-Representation (AER) is a communication protocol for transferring asynchronous events between VLSI chips, originally developed for neuro-inspired processing systems (for example, image processing). Such systems may consist of a complicated hierarchical structure with many chips that transmit data among them in real time, while performing some processing (for example, convolutions). The information transmitted is a sequence of spikes coded using high speed digital buses. These multi-layer and multi-chip AER systems perform actually not only image processing, but also audio processing, filtering, learning, locomotion, etc. This paper present an AER interface for controlling an anthropomorphic robotic hand with a neuro-inspired system.Unión Europea IST-2001-34124 (CAVIAR)Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología TIC-2003-08164-C03-02Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología TIC2000-0406-P4- 0

Flow injection-photoinduced-chemiluminescence determination of ziram and zineb

A simple, sensitive and rapid method for the determination of the pesticides ziram and zineb was described. This new method was based on the coupling of FIA methodology and direct chemiluminescent detection; this approach had not been used up to now with these pesticides. The additional use of an 'on line' photochemical reaction, which was performed by using a photoreactor consisting of a long piece of PTFE helically coiled around a 15 W low pressure lamp, increased by a factor >20 the chemiluminometric response of the pesticides. An additional 3-fold improvement in the analytical signal was also achieved by using quinine as sensitizer. The obtained throughputs were very high (121 and 101 h(-1) for ziram and zineb, respectively); this feature together with its low limit of detection (1 ngmL(-1)) makes this method particularly well suited to routine analyses of environmental samples. On the other hand, its applicability to two members of the dithiocarbamate family of pesticides, makes it promising for the determination of the rest of the members of this family. The method was demonstrated by application to spiked water samples from different origins (ground, river and irrigation).The authors would like to thank Ministry of Education and Science from Spain for financial support: Project CTM2006-11991 and FEDER funds.López-Paz, JL.; Catalá-Icardo, M. (2008). Flow injection-photoinduced-chemiluminescence determination of ziram and zineb. Analytica Chimica Acta. 625(2):173-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2008.07.027S173179625

Spatio-temporal trends of the bottom trawling activity in a mud volcano field of the north-eastern Gulf of Cádiz (south-western Iberian Peninsula)

Multi-species bottom trawl fisheries are one of the human activities with a great impact on the benthic habitats and their associated biota. This study provides estimates of the bottom trawling activity (effort), catches and landings of the main commercial species as well as an estimation of the total revenue (TR) generated inside a mud volcano field located in the Spanish margin of the Gulf of Cádiz, during a time series from 2007 to 2012. To date, no studies have been carried out to analyse the temporal evolution of bottom trawling activity and TR in a mud volcano fied, or the economic consequences of possible potential bottom trawling regulation of certain sectors harbouring vulnerable and/or threatened habitats. In this study, Vessel Monitoring System data, logbooks and sales slips were used. The spatial distribution of the bottom trawling activity, catches and TR were related to the seafloor morphology and specific bottom types of the mud volcano field. During the time series, a high bottom trawling activity and associated catches was detected in flat sandy and muddy bottoms, including the Anastasya sector and between the Guadalquivir and Cádiz Diapiric Ridges. Low bottom trawling activity and catches were detected in the deepest areas but also in areas with hard and detritic bottoms such as Gazul and Chica sectors as well as in the Diapiric Ridges. A similar spatial pattern was detected for the TR asociated with these bottom trawling fisheries. An increase in bottom trawling activity was detected during the time series, mainly at the end, probably for increasing the TR and mantaining the economic profit due to the instability and increases in fuel prices and offset the increased costs. Based on the obtained information, bottom trawling regulations should be implemented in certain sectors harboring singular and/or threatened habitats and species. In some of these sectors, a low TR from bottom trawling was detected and, bottom trawling regulation may potentially have a low socioeconomic impact. This specific bottom trawling regulation could provide a sustainable balance between bottom trawling activities and habitat conservation in this mud volcano field according to the aims of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EEC).En prens

Native vs photoinduced chemiluminescence in dimethoate determination

The determination of dimethoate using either its native chemiluminescent (CL) properties or its photoinduced chemiluminescence obtained by irradiation with a 15W low-pressure mercury lamp was studied. Thereby, two flow injection systems (FIA) with and without irradiation were exhaustively optimized and their analytical characteristics studied. Better sensitivity and selectivity was found in absence of irradiation, due to the enhancing effect of hexadecylpyridinium chloride (HPC), which acted as a sensitizer. In the developed FIA-CL system, the alkaline hydrolysis of dimethoate with NaOH was performed on-line in presence of HPC. The oxidation of the product of hydrolysis with Ce(IV) in hydrochloric medium induced chemiluminescence. The method provided a limit of detection of only 0.05ngmL -1 without any pre-treatment. However, the combination with solid phase extraction allowed the removal of some potential interferents as well as the preconcentration of the pesticide. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied to natural waters with recoveries between 95 and 108%. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Spain (Project CTM2006-11991) and FEDER funds.Catalá Icardo, M.; López Paz, JL.; Choves Barón, C.; Pena Badena, A. (2012). Native vs photoinduced chemiluminescence in dimethoate determination. ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA. 710:81-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2011.10.043S818771

LungBEAM: A prospective multicenter study to monitor stage IV NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations using BEAMing technology

Objectives: The aim of LungBEAM was to determine the value of a novel epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation test in blood based on BEAMing technology to predict disease progression in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with first- or second-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Another goal was to monitor the dynamics of EGFR mutations, as well as to track EGFR exon 20 p.T790M (p.T790M) resistance during treatment, as critical indicators of therapeutic efficacy and patient survival. Methods: Stage IV NSCLC patients with locally confirmed EGFR-TKI sensitizing mutations (ex19del and/or L858R) in biopsy tissue who were candidates to receive first- or second-generation EGFR-TKI as first-line therapy were included. Plasma samples were obtained at baseline and every 4 weeks during treatment until a progression-free survival (PFS) event or until study completion (72-week follow-up). The mutant allele fraction (MAF) was determined for each identified mutation using BEAMing. Results: A total of 68 of the 110 (61.8%) patients experienced a PFS event. Twenty-six patients (23.6%) presented with an emergent p.T790M mutation in plasma at some point during follow-up, preceding radiologic progression with a median of 76 (interquartile ratio: 54–111) days. Disease progression correlated with the appearance of p.T790M in plasma with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48–2.54; p < 0.001). The HR for progression in patients showing increasing plasma sensitizing mutation levels (positive MAF slope) versus patients showing either decreasing or unchanged plasma mutation levels (negative or null MAF slopes) was 3.85 (95% CI, 2.01–7.36; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Detection and quantification of EGFR mutations in circulating tumor DNA using the highly sensitive BEAMing method should greatly assist in optimizing treatment decisions for advanced NSCLC patients. © 2021 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Immediate effects of dasatinib on the migration and redistribution of naïve and memory lymphocytes associated with lymphocytosis in chronic myeloid leukemia patients

Introduction: Dasatinib is a dual SRC/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) that is known to have unique immunomodulatory effects. In particular, dasatinib intake typically causes lymphocytosis, which has been linked to better clinical response. Since the underlying mechanisms are unknown and SRC family kinases are involved in many cell motility processes, we hypothesized that the movement and migration of lymphocytes is modulated by dasatinib. Patients, Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples from CML patients treated with second-line dasatinib were collected before and 2 h after the first dasatinib intake, and follow-up samples from the same patients 3 and 6 months after the start of therapy. The migratory capacity and phenotype of lymphocytes and differential blood counts before and after drug intake were compared for all study time-points. Results: We report here for the first time that dasatinib intake is associated with inhibition of peripheral blood T-cell migration toward the homeostatic chemokines CCL19 and CCL21, which control the trafficking toward secondary lymphoid organs, mainly the lymph nodes. Accordingly, the proportion of lymphocytes in blood expressing CCR7, the chemokine receptor for both CCL19 and CCL21, decreased after the intake including both naïve CD45RA+ and central memory CD45RO+ T-cells. Similarly, naïve B-cells diminished with dasatinib. Finally, such changes in the migratory patterns did not occur in those patients whose lymphocyte counts remained unchanged after taking the drug. Discussion: We, therefore, conclude that lymphocytosis induced by dasatinib reflects a pronounced redistribution of naïve and memory populations of all lymphocyte subsets including CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and B-cells

Assessment of a New ROS1 Immunohistochemistry Clone (SP384) for the Identification of ROS1 Rearrangements in Patients with Non–Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: the ROSING Study

Introduction: The ROS1 gene rearrangement has become an important biomarker in NSCLC. The College of American Pathologists/International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/Association for Molecular Pathology testing guidelines support the use of ROS1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) as a screening test, followed by confirmation with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or a molecular test in all positive results. We have evaluated a novel anti-ROS1 IHC antibody (SP384) in a large multicenter series to obtain real-world data. Methods: A total of 43 ROS1 FISH-positive and 193 ROS1 FISH-negative NSCLC samples were studied. All specimens were screened by using two antibodies (clone D4D6 from Cell Signaling Technology and clone SP384 from Ventana Medical Systems), and the different interpretation criteria were compared with break-apart FISH (Vysis). FISH-positive samples were also analyzed with next-generation sequencing (Oncomine Dx Target Test Panel, Thermo Fisher Scientific). Results: An H-score of 150 or higher or the presence of at least 70% of tumor cells with an intensity of staining of 2+ or higher by the SP384 clone was the optimal cutoff value (both with 93% sensitivity and 100% specificity). The D4D6 clone showed similar results, with an H-score of at least 100 (91% sensitivity and 100% specificity). ROS1 expression in normal lung was more frequent with use of the SP384 clone (p < 0.0001). The ezrin gene (EZR)-ROS1 variant was associated with membranous staining and an isolated green signal FISH pattern (p = 0.001 and p = 0.017, respectively). Conclusions: The new SP384 ROS1 IHC clone showed excellent sensitivity without compromising specificity, so it is another excellent analytical option for the proposed testing algorithm

Variación estacional de la condición nutricional larvaria del boquerón (Engraulis encrasicolus) en el estuario del Guadalquivir

European anchovy recruitment to the Guadalquivir estuary mainly occurs when the environmental conditions show more stability. Unusual changes in the environmental conditions of this estuary negatively impacted on key preys of anchovy and therefore on its nursery function. In this way, nutritional condition should determine strongly the physiological state of this species in estuaries and thus its survival and recruitment. RNA:DNA ratio has been applied with success as indicator of nutritional condition and growth in marine organisms. We study RNA:DNA ratio in anchovies of the coupled system Guadalquivir estuary-coastal influenced area in the Gulf of Cádiz in order to evaluate the condition seasonal variability of this species along this spatial gradient. Spatial differences in the size distribution of anchovy and high values of RNA:DNA in the Guadalquivir estuary compared to its influence coastal area suggest that anchovies migrate to the estuary and they acquire a very good condition. We conclude that RNA:DNA is an useful tool to understand the ecological mechanisms by which the coupled system Guadalquivir estuary-coastal influenced area in the Gulf of Cádiz control the success or failure of the recruitment of this important fishery resource in the region

Search for dark matter produced in association with a hadronically decaying vector boson in pp collisions at sqrt (s) = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search is presented for dark matter produced in association with a hadronically decaying W or Z boson using 3.2 fb−1 of pp collisions at View the MathML sources=13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events with a hadronic jet compatible with a W or Z boson and with large missing transverse momentum are analysed. The data are consistent with the Standard Model predictions and are interpreted in terms of both an effective field theory and a simplified model containing dark matter

Erratum: Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Interpretation: By quantifying levels and trends in exposures to risk factors and the resulting disease burden, this assessment offers insight into where past policy and programme efforts might have been successful and highlights current priorities for public health action. Decreases in behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks have largely offset the effects of population growth and ageing, in relation to trends in absolute burden. Conversely, the combination of increasing metabolic risks and population ageing will probably continue to drive the increasing trends in non-communicable diseases at the global level, which presents both a public health challenge and opportunity. We see considerable spatiotemporal heterogeneity in levels of risk exposure and risk-attributable burden. Although levels of development underlie some of this heterogeneity, O/E ratios show risks for which countries are overperforming or underperforming relative to their level of development. As such, these ratios provide a benchmarking tool to help to focus local decision making. Our findings reinforce the importance of both risk exposure monitoring and epidemiological research to assess causal connections between risks and health outcomes, and they highlight the usefulness of the GBD study in synthesising data to draw comprehensive and robust conclusions that help to inform good policy and strategic health planning