A surface extraction analysis in a multi-material test part for computed tomography in metrology applications

The main advantage of Computed Tomography is the capability of making measurements of non-accessible internal features in a test piece. One of the cases that can usually be found in this sense is the contact zone between two elements that are forming a common surface boundary, where the main complexity is to determine which surface belongs to which piece. Nowadays, this kind of surfaces are measurable only by utilizing Computed Tomography, taking into account that the characteristics of the Tomography can significantly vary depending on the material of the elements that are in contact. In this article a piece that has two different interfaces is analyzed: a Piece in contact with Air, and Material A in contact with Material B. Three different surface extraction algorithms are analyzed for multi-material parts, Threshold, Canny and Deriche, and the results and conclusions obtained are presented

Toward reliable population estimates of wolves by combining spatial capture-recapture models and non-invasive DNA monitoring

Decision-makers in wildlife policy require reliable population size estimates to justify interventions, to build acceptance and support in their decisions and, ultimately, to build trust in managing authorities. Traditional capture-recapture approaches present two main shortcomings, namely, the uncertainty in defining the effective sampling area, and the spatially-induced heterogeneity in encounter probabilities. These limitations are overcome using spatially explicit capture-recapture approaches (SCR). Using wolves as case study, and non-invasive DNA monitoring (faeces), we implemented a SCR with a Poisson observation model in a single survey to estimate wolf density and population size, and identify the locations of individual activity centres, in NW Iberia over 4,378 km. During the breeding period, posterior mean wolf density was 2.55 wolves/100 km (95%BCI = 1.87-3.51), and the posterior mean population size was 111.6 ± 18.8 wolves (95%BCI = 81.8-153.6). From simulation studies, addressing different scenarios of non-independence and spatial aggregation of individuals, we only found a slight underestimation in population size estimates, supporting the reliability of SCR for social species. The strategy used here (DNA monitoring combined with SCR) may be a cost-effective way to generate reliable population estimates for large carnivores at regional scales, especially for endangered species or populations under game management.J.V.L.B. was supported by a Ramon & Cajal research contract (RYC-2015-18932) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness. R.G. was supported by research contract (IF/00564/2012) from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). Tis work was partially supported by the project PTDC/BIA-EVF/2460/2014 (FCT).Peer Reviewe

Estudio de las características bibliointegrativas de la revista española de salud pública: un análisis de la promoción y prevención

The objective of this work is to perform a bibliointegrative analysis of the Spanish Journal of Public Health and establish the preference they give to the prevention and promotion, considering for this purpose, the articles original papers, original brief and special collaboration published in the period 2003 - 2010. 365 articles were analyzed. Between 2003 and 2010 original 232 articles (63.6 %), 15 Original short articles (4.1 %) and 118 special collaboration (32.3 %) of a total of 365 articles, 336 (92.05 %) were published in spanish publications and 29 (7.95 %) to foreign publications. The thematic highlights regarding surveillance, planning and health management, infectious and chronic diseases. The type of publication with the highest number of empirical articles is 245 (67.12 %) and the theoretical 120 (32.88 %). The areas of public health with more contributions are: health management, surveillance, prevention and health promotion. Overall, the Spanish Journal of Public Health publishes promotion and prevention of disease in 41.15 % (150), distributed in different areas.El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar un análisis bibliointegrativo de la Revista Española de Salud Pública y establecer la prioridad que se le da a la prevención y promoción, considerando para dicho fin la revisión de los artículos originales, original breve y de colaboración especial publicados en el periodo 2003 - 2010. Se han analizado 365 artículos. Entre el 2003 y el 2010 se publicaron 232 artículos originales (63.6%), 15 artículos original breve (4.1 %) y 118 de colaboración especial (32,3 %). De un total de 365 artículos, 336 (92.05%) corresponde a publicaciones españolas y 29 (7.95 %) a publicaciones extranjeras. En la temática tratada destaca el tratamiento a vigilancia epidemiológica, planificación y administración sanitaria, enfermedades infecciosas y crónicas. El tipo de publicación con mayor número de artículos es la empírica con 245 (67.12%) y la teórica 120 (32.88%). Las áreas de la salud pública con más aportes son: Gestión de salud, vigilancia epidemiológica y prevención y promoción de la salud. En términos generales, la Revista española de Salud Pública, publica artículos de prevención y promoción de la enfermedad en un 41.15% (150), distribuidos en las diferentes áreas de la Salud Pública

Mid-Infrared Laser Spectroscopy Applications in Process Analytical Technology: Cleaning Validation, Microorganisms, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Formulations

Mid-infrared (MIR) lasers are very high-brightness energy sources that are replacing conventional thermal sources (globars) in many infrared spectroscopy (IRS) techniques. Although not all laser properties have been exploited in depth, properties such as collimation, polarization, high brightness, and very high resolution have contributed to recast IRS tools. Applications of MIR laser spectroscopy to process analytical technology (PAT) are numerous and important. As an example, a compact grazing angle probe mount has allowed coupling to a MIR quantum cascade laser (QCL), enabling reflectance-absorbance infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) measurements. This methodology, coupled to powerful multivariable analysis (MVA) routines of chemometrics and fast Fourier transform (FFT) preprocessing of the data resulted in very low limits of detection of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and high explosives (HEs) reaching trace levels. This methodology can be used to measure concentrations of surface contaminants for validation of cleanliness of pharmaceutical and biotechnology processing batch reactors and other manufacturing vessels. Another application discussed concerns the enhanced detection of microorganisms that can be encountered in pharmaceutical and biotechnology plants as contaminants and that could also be used as weapons of mass destruction in biological warfare. In the last application discussed, the concentration of APIs in formulations was determined by MIR laser spectroscopy and was cross validated with high-performance liquid chromatography

Evaluación de riesgo por inundación pluvial en el distrito de Lucre y Centro Poblado de Huacarpay de la Provincia de Quispicanchis - Región Cusco

La presente investigación determinó los niveles de peligrosidad, vulnerabilidad y riesgo, que conlleve a la probabilidad de ocurrencia del fenómeno de inundación a consecuencia de las intensas lluvias de carácter anómalo sobre la micro cuenca del río Lucre y la laguna de Huacarpay, donde se encuentra la población afectada y medios de vida expuestos, ubicados en el distrito de Lucre, provincia de Quispicanchis y departamento del Cusco. Para su desarrollo se aplicó la metodología del “Manual para la Evaluación de Riesgos originados por Fenómenos Naturales”, 2da Versión, el cual permite: analizar parámetros de evaluación y susceptibilidad (factores condicionantes y desencadenantes) de los fenómenos o peligros. Dentro de este marco, se recurrió a la información existente en las entidades técnicas científicas, Instituto Geológico, Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET), Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática (INEI), Autoridad Nacional del Agua (ANA), Municipalidad Distrital de Lucre, Centro Nacional de Estimación, Prevención y Reducción del Riesgo de Desastres (CENEPRED), asimismo la información obtenida a través de recopilación de datos por el grupo que realiza el estudio de Evaluación de Riesgos. Llegando a la conclusión que las zonas urbanas expuestas del centro poblado de Huacarpay en el distrito de Lucre, se encuentran en Zona de ALTO RIESGO ante inundaciones pluviales y los efectos probables del fuerte impacto en las zonas urbanas del Centro Poblado de Huacarpay - Lucre afectadas por inundaciones debido a lluvias intensas

Differential leukocyte expression of IFITM1 and IFITM3 in patients with severe pandemic influenza A(H1N1) and COVID-19

Interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins mediate protection against enveloped viruses by blocking membrane fusion at endosomes. IFITM1 and IFITM3 are crucial for protection against influenza, and various single nucleotide polymorphisms altering their function have been linked to disease susceptibility. However, bulk IFITM1 and IFITM3 mRNA expression dynamics and their correlation with clinical outcomes have not been extensively addressed in patients with respiratory infections. In this study, we evaluated the expression of IFITM1 and IFITM3 in peripheral leukocytes from healthy controls and individuals with severe pandemic influenza A(H1N1) or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Comparisons between participants grouped according to their clinical characteristics, underlying disease, and outcomes showed that the downregulation of IFITM1 was a distinctive characteristic of severe pandemic influenza A(H1N1) that correlated with outcomes, including mortality. Conversely, increased IFITM3 expression was a common feature of severe pandemic influenza A(H1N1) and COVID-19. Using a high-dose murine model of infection, we confirmed not only the downregulation of IFITM1 but also of IFITM3 in the lungs of mice with severe influenza, as opposed to humans. Analyses in the comparative cohort also indicate the possible participation of IFITM3 in COVID-19. Our results add to the evidence supporting a protective function of IFITM proteins against viral respiratory infections in humans.Introduction Methods - Human samples - IFITM expression in humans - Influenza infection in mice - IFITM expression in mice - Cytokine levels in mouse lungs - Study approval - Statistical analysis Results - Participant characteristics - IFITM1 and IFITM3 in patients with severe pandemic influenza A(H1N1) - High-dose influenza A (H1N1) virus infection downregulates IFITM expression in mice - IFITM1 and IFITM3 in severe COVID-19 Discussio

Dominant Negative Mutants of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab Toxin Function as Anti-Toxins: Demonstration of the Role of Oligomerization in Toxicity

BACKGROUND:Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins, that are used worldwide in insect control, kill insects by a mechanism that depends on their ability to form oligomeric pores that insert into the insect-midgut cells. These toxins are being used worldwide in transgenic plants or spray to control insect pests in agriculture. However, a major concern has been the possible effects of these insecticidal proteins on non-target organisms mainly in ecosystems adjacent to agricultural fields. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We isolated and characterized 11 non-toxic mutants of Cry1Ab toxin affected in different steps of the mechanism of action namely binding to receptors, oligomerization and pore-formation. These mutant toxins were analyzed for their capacity to block wild type toxin activity, presenting a dominant negative phenotype. The dominant negative phenotype was analyzed at two levels, in vivo by toxicity bioassays against susceptible Manduca sexta larvae and in vitro by pore formation activity in black lipid bilayers. We demonstrate that some mutations located in helix alpha-4 completely block the wild type toxin activity at sub-stoichiometric level confirming a dominant negative phenotype, thereby functioning as potent antitoxins. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:This is the first reported case of a Cry toxin dominant inhibitor. These data demonstrate that oligomerization is a fundamental step in Cry toxin action and represent a potential mechanism to protect special ecosystems from the possible effect of Cry toxins on non-target organisms

Revealing the last 13,500 years of environmental history from the multiproxy record of a mountain lake (Lago Enol, northern Iberian Peninsula)

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10933-009-9387-7.We present the Holocene sequence from Lago Enol (43°16′N, 4°59′W, 1,070 m a.s.l.), Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain. A multiproxy analysis provided comprehensive information about regional humidity and temperature changes. The analysis included sedimentological descriptions, physical properties, organic carbon and carbonate content, mineralogy and geochemical composition together with biological proxies including diatom and ostracod assemblages. A detailed pollen study enabled reconstruction of variations in vegetation cover, which were interpreted in the context of climate changes and human impact. Four distinct stages were recognized for the last 13,500 years: (1) a cold and dry episode that includes the Younger Dryas event (13,500–11,600 cal. year BP); (2) a humid and warmer period characterizing the onset of the Holocene (11,600–8,700 cal. year BP); (3) a tendency toward a drier climate during the middle Holocene (8,700–4,650 cal. year BP); and (4) a return to humid conditions following landscape modification by human activity (pastoral activities, deforestation) in the late Holocene (4,650–2,200 cal. year BP). Superimposed on relatively stable landscape conditions (e.g. maintenance of well established forests), the typical environmental variability of the southern European region is observed at this site.The Spanish Inter-Ministry Commission of Science and Technology (CICYT), the Spanish National Parks agency, the European Commission, the Spanish Ministry of Science, and the European Social Fund

Revealing the last 13,500 years of environmental history from the multiproxy record of a mountain lake (Lago Enol, northern Iberian Peninsula)

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10933-009-9387-7.We present the Holocene sequence from Lago Enol (43°16′N, 4°59′W, 1,070 m a.s.l.), Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain. A multiproxy analysis provided comprehensive information about regional humidity and temperature changes. The analysis included sedimentological descriptions, physical properties, organic carbon and carbonate content, mineralogy and geochemical composition together with biological proxies including diatom and ostracod assemblages. A detailed pollen study enabled reconstruction of variations in vegetation cover, which were interpreted in the context of climate changes and human impact. Four distinct stages were recognized for the last 13,500 years: (1) a cold and dry episode that includes the Younger Dryas event (13,500–11,600 cal. year BP); (2) a humid and warmer period characterizing the onset of the Holocene (11,600–8,700 cal. year BP); (3) a tendency toward a drier climate during the middle Holocene (8,700–4,650 cal. year BP); and (4) a return to humid conditions following landscape modification by human activity (pastoral activities, deforestation) in the late Holocene (4,650–2,200 cal. year BP). Superimposed on relatively stable landscape conditions (e.g. maintenance of well established forests), the typical environmental variability of the southern European region is observed at this site.The Spanish Inter-Ministry Commission of Science and Technology (CICYT), the Spanish National Parks agency, the European Commission, the Spanish Ministry of Science, and the European Social Fund