Residual Strength of Liquefied Sand: Laboratory vs. Field Measurements

Determining the residual strength of liquefied sand is essential for estimating post-earthquake stability of vulnerable earth structures, or calculating runout of liquefaction flow slides. Current practice is to select values from a database of back-calculated residual strengths from failure case histories, which have been related to representative penetration test resistance numbers in the failed materials. Given the uncertainties involved, it is desirable to compare the field data with laboratory tests under controlled conditions. This paper describes residual strength measurements for a uniform fine sand using two recently-developed tests designed to impose large strains and strain rates: a modified triaxial test in which a metal coupon is dragged through the liquefied sample by an external dead weight, and a ring shear device which can impose constant rates of strain on the liquefied sand. In all cases, a stress-thinning behavior is observed; however, coupon movement through the liquefied sand is basically laminar, representing conditions in the interior of a flowing mass, while the rotating ring creates a well-defined contact shear band and higher resistance, which might be considered more representative of flow at the base of a sliding mass. Comparison with back-calculated field values shows that coupon residual strengths plot at the lower bound, and ring shear results at the upper bound, of backcalculated field values

Planificación estratégica de enfermería en Extremadura: aproximación conceptual

En el presente artículo se pretende ofrecer a las personas interesadas en el campo de la gestión, en general y en la gestión de los servicios de enfermería, en particular, una aproximación a los principales conceptos que afectan la planificación estratégica de los servicios de enfermería. El objetivo es que pueda servir como base sobre la que en un futuro puedan desarrollarse proyectos de desarrollo profesional en enfermería. La metodología utilizada ha sido una amplia revisión de la bibliografía relacionada, en la que han destacado aspectos profesionales, sociales, económicos y de gestión. La conclusión más importante que podemos obtener es la necesidad de abordar los servicios de enfermería desde una óptica profesionalizada de gestión, en la que se pueda obtener un mayor desarrollo profesional y beneficio social.This article is intended to provide persons interested in the field of management in general and in the management of the nursing services, in particular, an approach to the main concepts that affect the strategic planning of nursing services. The objective is that it can serve as a future based on which they can develop professional development projects in nursing. The methodology used has been a comprehensive review of the related literature, which have featured professional, social, economic aspects and management. The most important conclusion that we can get is the need to address the nursing services from a professional perspective of management, in which can be obtain greater professional growth and social benefit

Microreactor with integrates temperature control for the synthesis of CdSe nanocrystals

The recent needs in the nanosciences field have promoted the interest towards the development of miniaturized and highly integrated devices able to improve and automate the current processes associated to the efficient nanomaterials production. Herein, a green tape based microfluidic system to perform high temperature controlled synthetic reactions of nanocrystals is presented. The device, which integrates both, the microfluidics and a thermally controlled platform, was applied to the automated and continuoussynthesis of CdSe quantum dots. Since temperature can be accurately regulated as required, sizecontrolled and reproducible quantum dots could be obtained by regulating this parameter and the molar ratio of precursors. The obtained nanocrystals were characterized by UV-Vis and fluorescencespectrophotometries. The band width of the emission peaks obtained indicates a narrow size distribution of the nanocrystals, which confirms the uniform temperature profile applied for each synthetic process, being the optimum temperature at 270° C (Full Width at Half Maximum = 40 nm). This approach allows a temperature controlled, easy, low cost and automated way to produce quantum dots in organic media, enhancing its application from laboratory-scale to pilot-line scale processes.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) through projects CTQ2009-12128 and the Consolider Ingenio 2010 project CSD2006 -12 and Catalonia 15 Government through SGR 2009 -0323

Nanotribology and electrical properties of carbon nanotubes hybridized with covalent organic frameworks

Nanomanipulation of molecular materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or new covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is key not only for the study of their fundamental physicochemical properties, but also for building and probing nanodevices. Therefore, we have investigated the tribological properties of oxidized MWCNTs (ox-MWCNTs) and their hybridization with COF building blocks (ox-MWCNTs@COF) adsorbed on a mica surface. We used the AFM tip to apply torsional forces on individual nanotubes. Depending on the manipulation parameters, the lateral displacements of the AFM tip slide and/or bend nanotubes enabling the direct quantification of the nanotube-mica adhesion. We found striking changes in the behaviour of the lateral force needed to manipulate each carbon nanotube variant which indicates an increased adhesion of ox-MWCNTs@COF with respect to ox-MWCNTs (∼10x). In addition, the use of the AFM tip as a mobile electrode enabled the measurement of electrical transport through individual nanotubes that revealed a rectifying behaviour of the ox-MWCNTs@COF with high resistivity, which was in contrast with the near ohmic performance of ox-MWCNTsP. J.d.P. acknowledges support by grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (FIS2017- 89549-R; “Maria de Maeztu” Program for Units of Excellence in R&D MDM2014-0377; and FIS2017-90701- REDT) and the Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSPO RGP0012/ 2018). R. M. ackowledges support by grant PID2019-110637RB-10

Simplified Mathematical Modeling of Uncertainty: Cost-Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Spain

[EN] When exceptional situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic arise and reliable data is not available at decision-making times, estimation using mathematical models can provide a reasonable reckoning for health planning. We present a simplified model (static but with two-time references) for estimating the cost-effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine. A simplified model provides quick assessment of the upper bound of cost-effectiveness, as we illustrated with data from Spain, and allows for easy comparisons between countries. It may also provide useful comparisons among different vaccines at the marketplace, from the perspective of the buyer. From analysis of this information, key epidemiological figures, and costs of the disease for Spain have been estimated, based on mortality. The fatality value is a robust data that can alternatively be obtained from death registers, funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematoria. Our model estimates the cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) to be 5,132 € (4,926 ¿ 5,276) as of 17 February 2021, based on the following assumptions/inputs: an estimated cost of 30 euros per dose (plus transport, storing, and administration), two doses per person, efficacy of 70% and coverage of 70% of the population. Even considering the possibility of some bias, this simplified model provides confirmation that vaccination against COVID-19 is highly cost-effective.Marco-Franco, JE.; Pita-Barros, P.; González-De Julián, S.; Sabat, I.; Vivas-Consuelo, D. (2021). Simplified Mathematical Modeling of Uncertainty: Cost-Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Spain. Mathematics. 9(5):1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/math90505661159

COVID-19, Fake News, and Vaccines: Should Regulation Be Implemented?

[EN] We analysed issues concerning the establishment of compulsory vaccination against COVID-19, as well as the role of misinformation as a disincentive-especially when published by health professionals-and citizen acceptance of measures in this regard. Data from different surveys revealed a high degree of hesitation rather than outright opposition to vaccines. The most frequent complaint related to the COVID-19 vaccination was the fear of side effects. Within the Spanish and European legislative framework, both compulsory vaccination and government regulation of FN (Fake News) appear to be feasible options, counting on sufficient legal support, which could be reinforced by additional amendment. However, following current trends of good governance, policymakers must have public legitimation. Rather than compulsory COVID-19 vaccination, an approach based on education and truthful information, persuading the population of the benefits of a vaccine on a voluntary basis, is recommended. Disagreements between health professionals are positive, but they should be resolved following good practice and the procedures of the code of ethics. Furthermore, citizens do not support the involvement of government authorities in the direct control of news. Collaboration with the media and other organizations should be used instead.Marco-Franco, JE.; Pita-Barros, P.; Vivas-Orts, D.; González-De Julián, S.; Vivas-Consuelo, D. (2021). COVID-19, Fake News, and Vaccines: Should Regulation Be Implemented?. International Journal of Environmental research and Public Health (Online). 18(2):1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020744S111182Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2020https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-06/DNR_2020_FINAL.pdfMerck CEO Ken Frazier Discusses a COVID Cure, Racism, and Why Leaders Need to Walk the Talkhttps://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/merck-ceo-ken-frazier-speaks-about-a-covid-cure-racism-and-why-leaders-need-to-walk-the-talkDe las Heras-Pedrosa, C., Rando-Cueto, D., Jambrino-Maldonado, C., & Paniagua-Rojano, F. J. (2020). Exploring the Social Media on the Communication Professionals in Public Health. Spanish Official Medical Colleges Case Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(13), 4859. doi:10.3390/ijerph17134859Page, B. I., & Shapiro, R. Y. (1983). Effects of Public Opinion on Policy. American Political Science Review, 77(1), 175-190. doi:10.2307/1956018Public Opinion Surveys as Input to Administrative Reformhttp://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/publicdisplaydocumentpdf/?cote=CCNM/SIGMA/PUMA(98)48&docLanguage=EnJacobs, L. R. (1992). The Recoil Effect: Public Opinion and Policymaking in the U.S. and Britain. Comparative Politics, 24(2), 199. doi:10.2307/422278The Statistics Portal for Market Data, Market Research and Market Studieshttps://www.statista.com/Flash Eurobarometer 464: Fake News and Disinformation Onlinehttps://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/2d79b85a-4cea-11e8-be1d-01aa75ed71a1/language-enState of Vaccine Confidence in the EU 2018https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/vaccination/docs/2018_vaccine_confidence_en.pdfGlobal Attitudes on a COVID-19 Vaccine, 2020https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2020-09/global-attitudes-on-a-covid-19-vaccine-ipsos-survey-for-wef-2020.pdfEffects and Consequences of the Coronavirus (II): Advance Results. Tabulation by Sociodemographic Variableshttp://datos.cis.es/pdf/Es3302marMT_A.pdfNeumann-Böhme, S., Varghese, N. E., Sabat, I., Barros, P. P., Brouwer, W., van Exel, J., … Stargardt, T. (2020). Once we have it, will we use it? A European survey on willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The European Journal of Health Economics, 21(7), 977-982. doi:10.1007/s10198-020-01208-6Gallup-Knight Foundation: Americans see Media As Key to Democracy But Increasingly Don’t Trust Ithttps://knightfoundation.org/press/releases/gallup-knight-foundation-report-americans-see-media-as-key-to-democracy-but-increasingly-don-t-trust-it/“Fake News” Threat to Media; Editorial Decisions, Outside Actors at Faulthttps://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_us_040218/Insider NJ Monmouth National—America Takes Sides in Social Media Warhttps://www.insidernj.com/press-release/monmouth-national-america-takes-sides-social-media-war/International Study of Valueshttps://www.fbbva.es/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Presentacion_Estudio_Valores_2019.pdfCoronavirus Special Reportshttps://www.agcom.it/osservatorio-sulla-disinformazione-onlineWhich Media Are Responsible for Spreading False or Inaccurate Information Regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Its Impact?https://www.statista.com/statistics/1111877/opinions-on-fake-news-sources-about-the-coronavirus-by-macro-region-italy/Covid-19 News and Information: Consumption and Attitudeshttps://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/tv-radio-and-on-demand/news-media/coronavirus-news-consumption-attitudes-behaviourHow to Report Misinformation Onlinehttps://www.who.int/campaigns/connecting-the-world-to-combat-coronavirus/how-to-report-misinformation-online?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj_bv-tqx7QIV5hoGAB1REwetEAAYASAAEgLpjPD_BwECovid-19 Pandemichttps://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19-pandemicFighting Disinformationhttps://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/fighting-disinformation_enTackling Online Disinformationhttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/tackling-online-disinformationFunded Projects in the Fight against Disinformationhttps://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/fighting-disinformation/funded-projects-fight-against-disinformation_enSocial Observatory for Disinformation and Social Media Analysishttps://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/825469European Court of Human Rights European Convention on Human Rights; 1950 with Ammendshttps://www.echr.coe.int/documents/convention_eng.pdfThe Legal Framework to Address “Fake News”: Possible Policy Actions at the EU Levelhttps://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2018/619013/IPOL_IDA(2018)619013_EN.pdfCoronavirus: EU Strengthens Action to Tackle Disinformationhttps://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1006EEAS Special Report Update: Short Assessment of Narratives and Disinformation around the Covid-19 Pandemic (Update May–November)https://euvsdisinfo.eu/eeas-special-report-update-short-assessment-of-narratives-and-disinformation-around-the-covid-19-pandemic-update-may-november/Fighting Disinformation—COVID-19 Vaccineshttps://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/coronavirus/fighting-disinformation/Calling of an International Conference on Freedom of Informationhttps://digitallibrary.un.org/record/209774?ln=esUniversal Declaration of Human Rightshttps://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/217(III)WMA Declaration of Genevahttps://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-geneva/Hendriks. (1997). Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with Regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. European Journal of Health Law, 4(1), 89-100. doi:10.1163/15718099720521896Code of Medical Ethics Guide to Medical Ethicshttps://www.cgcom.es/sites/default/files/codigo_deontologia_medica.pdfCase-law STS 1639/2016—ECLI: ES:TS:2016:1639http://www.poderjudicial.es/search/AN/openCDocument/f9caf3b37c843044ddaedeee43551672cfe231e21f03965aCharter of Fundamental Rights of the European Unionhttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/char_2012/ojRoope, L. S. J., Buckell, J., Becker, F., Candio, P., Violato, M., Sindelar, J. L., … Clarke, P. M. (2020). How Should a Safe and Effective COVID-19 Vaccine be Allocated? Health Economists Need to be Ready to Take the Baton. PharmacoEconomics - Open, 4(4), 557-561. doi:10.1007/s41669-020-00228-5Ding, Y., Du, X., Li, Q., Zhang, M., Zhang, Q., Tan, X., & Liu, Q. (2020). Risk perception of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its related factors among college students in China during quarantine. PLOS ONE, 15(8), e0237626. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0237626Dryhurst, S., Schneider, C. R., Kerr, J., Freeman, A. L. J., Recchia, G., van der Bles, A. M., … van der Linden, S. (2020). Risk perceptions of COVID-19 around the world. Journal of Risk Research, 23(7-8), 994-1006. doi:10.1080/13669877.2020.1758193Wise, T., Zbozinek, T. D., Michelini, G., Hagan, C. C., & Mobbs, D. (2020). Changes in risk perception and self-reported protective behaviour during the first week of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Royal Society Open Science, 7(9), 200742. doi:10.1098/rsos.200742Olivares-Delgado, F., Iglesias-Sánchez, P. P., Benlloch-Osuna, M. T., Heras-Pedrosa, C. de las, & Jambrino-Maldonado, C. (2020). Resilience and Anti-Stress during COVID-19 Isolation in Spain: An Analysis through Audiovisual Spots. 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Glaukos iStent inject® Trabecular Micro-Bypass Implantation Associated with Cataract Surgery in Patients with Coexisting Cataract and Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension: A Long-Term Study

Purpose. To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of the iStent inject device (Glaukos Corporation, Laguna Hills, CA) combined with phacoemulsification in patients with coexistent cataract and open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods. A prospective, uncontrolled, nonrandomized, interventional case series study was conducted in patients with both mild or moderate open-angle glaucoma or OHT and cataract. Patients underwent cataract surgery along with the implant of two iStent inject devices. Outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), topical hypotensive medications required, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results. 20 patients were enrolled. Mean follow-up was months. Mean baseline IOP was  mmHg with medication and  mmHg after washout. Mean end-follow-up IOP was  mmHg, representing an IOP decrease of 36.92%,  mmHg (), from baseline washout IOP. The mean number of medications was significantly reduced from to (). 45% of patients were medication-free by the end of follow-up. Mean BCVA improved significantly from to (). No complications of surgery were observed. Conclusion. The iStent inject device combined with cataract surgery served to significantly reduce both IOP and medication use in the long term in patients with coexistent open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT) and cataract

Histone H4 acetylation regulates behavioral inter-individual variability in zebrafish

FUNDAMENTOS: Los animales pueden mostrar comportamientos muy diferentes incluso en poblaciones isogénicas, pero los mecanismos subyacentes para generar esta variabilidad siguen siendo esquivos. Utilizamos el pez cebra (Danio rerio) como modelo para probar la influencia de las modificaciones de las histonas en el comportamiento. RESULTADOS: Encontramos que las larvas de pez cebra de laboratorio e isogénico muestran comportamientos individuales consistentes cuando nadan libremente en pozos idénticos o en reacción a estímulos. Esta variabilidad de comportamiento interindividual se reduce cuando dañamos la vía de desacetilación de la histona. Los individuos con altos niveles de acetilación de la histona H4, y específicamente H4K12, se comportan de manera similar al promedio de la población, pero aquellos con bajos niveles se desvían de él. Más precisamente, encontramos un conjunto de regiones genómicas cuya acetilación de histonas H4 se reduce con la distancia entre el individuo y el comportamiento medio de la población. Encontramos pruebas de que esta modulación depende de un complejo de Yin-yang 1 (YY1) y de la histona deacetilasa 1 (HDAC1) que se une a estas regiones y las desactiva. Estos cambios no sólo se mantienen a nivel de la transcripción sino que también se amplifican, ya que la mayoría de las regiones objetivo se encuentran cerca de los genes que codifican los factores de transcripción. CONCLUSIONES: Sugerimos que la estocasticidad en la vía de desacetilación de las histonas participa en la generación de una variabilidad interindividual de comportamiento genético independiente.BACKGROUND: Animals can show very different behaviors even in isogenic populations, but the underlying mechanisms to generate this variability remain elusive. We use the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model to test the influence of histone modifications on behavior. RESULTS: We find that laboratory and isogenic zebrafish larvae show consistent individual behaviors when swimming freely in identical wells or in reaction to stimuli. This behavioral inter-individual variability is reduced when we impair the histone deacetylation pathway. Individuals with high levels of histone H4 acetylation, and specifically H4K12, behave similarly to the average of the population, but those with low levels deviate from it. More precisely, we find a set of genomic regions whose histone H4 acetylation is reduced with the distance between the individual and the average population behavior. We find evidence that this modulation depends on a complex of Yin-yang 1 (YY1) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) that binds to and deacetylates these regions. These changes are not only maintained at the transcriptional level but also amplified, as most target regions are located near genes encoding transcription factors. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that stochasticity in the histone deacetylation pathway participates in the generation of genetic-independent behavioral inter-individual variability.• Beca Juan de la Cierva, para Ángel Carlos Román García • Beca Federación de Sociedades Bioquímicas Europeas, para Ángel Carlos Román García • Beca predoctoral JAE-CSIC (España), para Julián Vicente Page • Contrato Ramón y Cajal RYC-2015-17867, para José María Carvajal González • Ministerio de Economía, y Competitividad. Proyectos BFU2014-54699-P (I+D+i) y BFU-2017-85547-P, para José María Carvajal González • Ministerio de Economía, y Competitividad. Proyectos BFU2011-22678 (I+D+i), para Pedro María Fernández Salguero • Ministerio de Economía, y Competitividad. Proyectos BFU2012-33448, para Gonzalo García de Polavieja Embid • Junta de Junta de Extremadura. Ayuda GR15164, para José María Carvajal González • Unión Europea. Iniciativa ERASysBio, apoyada en el marco del Espacio Europeo de Investigación (ERA-NET), en el marco Plus del Programa Marco 7, para Gonzalo García de Polavieja Embid • Fundaçao para a Ciência e Tecnologia. Proyecto PTDC/NEU-SCC/0948/2014, para Gonzalo García de Polavieja Embid • Champalimaud Fundación. Ayuda para Gonzalo García de Polavieja EmbidpeerReviewe