New and updated convex shape models of asteroids based on optical data from a large collaboration network

Context. Asteroid modeling efforts in the last decade resulted in a comprehensive dataset of almost 400 convex shape models and their rotation states. These efforts already provided deep insight into physical properties of main-belt asteroids or large collisional families. Going into finer detail (e.g., smaller collisional families, asteroids with sizes 20 km) requires knowledge of physical parameters of more objects. Aims. We aim to increase the number of asteroid shape models and rotation states. Such results provide important input for further studies, such as analysis of asteroid physical properties in different populations, including smaller collisional families, thermophysical modeling, and scaling shape models by disk-resolved images, or stellar occultation data. This provides bulk density estimates in combination with known masses, but also constrains theoretical collisional and evolutional models of the solar system. Methods. We use all available disk-integrated optical data (i.e., classical dense-in-time photometry obtained from public databases and through a large collaboration network as well as sparse-in-time individual measurements from a few sky surveys) as input for the convex inversion method, and derive 3D shape models of asteroids together with their rotation periods and orientations of rotation axes. The key ingredient is the support of more that 100 observers who submit their optical data to publicly available databases. Results. We present updated shape models for 36 asteroids, for which mass estimates are currently available in the literature, or for which masses will most likely be determined from their gravitational influence on smaller bodies whose orbital deflections will be observed by the ESA Gaia astrometric mission. Moreover, we also present new shape model determinations for 250 asteroids, including 13 Hungarias and three near-Earth asteroids. The shape model revisions and determinations were enabled by using additional optical data from recent apparitions for shape optimization. © 2016 ESO.J.H. greatly appreciates the CNES post-doctoral fellowship program. J.H. and M.D. were supported by the project under the contract 11-BS56-008 (SHOCKS) of the French Agence National de la Recherche (ANR), JD by grant GACR 15-04816S of the Czech Science Foundation, DO by the grant NCN 2012/S/ST9/00022 of Polish National Science Center, and A. Marciniak by grant 2014/13/D/ST9/01818 of Polish National Science Center.Peer Reviewe

Evaluation of the online presence of family firms: A comparative analysis between Ibero-America and the US

Digital marketing strategies are an intermediary between marketing channels and communication of information. With the emergence of web 2.0, corporate websites’ have become the epicentre of digital marketing strategies. This study aims to fill a gap in the family business literature related to online presence and their differences between regions. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), the websites of the largest Ibero-American and American family businesses in the world (which were included in the Family Business Global Index (FBGI)) were examined by evaluating their content, form and function, as well as their presence in social networks. A multigroup analysis was used to compare the results in Ibero-America and America. One of the main results is that there is a negative relationship between website quality and a company’s turnover and a positive relationship between social networks and a company’s turnover. Regarding multigroup analysis, there are no significant differences among the family firms of the two regions with respect to the online presence. This study has relevant practical implications because it highlights the importance of a global strategy of online presence since it influences the company’s turnover

Resting state connectivity and cognitive performance in adults with cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy

Cognitive impairment is an inevitable feature of cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), affecting executive function, attention and processing speed from an early stage. Impairment is associated with structural markers such as lacunes, but associations with functional connectivity have not yet been reported. Twenty-two adults with genetically-confirmed CADASIL (11 male; aged 49.8 ± 11.2 years) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging at rest. Intrinsic attentional/executive networks were identified using group independent components analysis. A linear regression model tested voxel-wise associations between cognitive measures and component spatial maps, and Pearson correlations were performed with mean intra-component connectivity z-scores. Two frontoparietal components were associated with cognitive performance. Voxel-wise analyses showed an association between one component cluster and processing speed (left middle temporal gyrus; peak −48, −18, −14; ZE = 5.65, pFWEcorr = 0.001). Mean connectivity in both components correlated with processing speed (r = 0.45, p = 0.043; r = 0.56, p = 0.008). Mean connectivity in one component correlated with faster Trailmaking B minus A time (r = −0.77, p < 0.001) and better executive performance (r = 0.56, p = 0.011). This preliminary study provides evidence for associations between cognitive performance and attentional network connectivity in CADASIL. Functional connectivity may be a useful biomarker of cognitive performance in this population

Pérdida Auditiva Oculta, Sinaptopatía Coclear y Ruido Ocupacional

[ES] Introducción: La sinaptopatía coclear por exposición a ruido (SCER) es definida como una alteración funcional transitoria o permanente de las sinapsis en cinta de las células pilosas internas de la cóclea. Este artículo tiene el objetivo de comentar la utilidad de la identificación temprana de la pérdida auditiva oculta por SCER basado en marcadores audiológicos y en la metodología usada en grupos clínicos para su búsqueda. Método: Revisión de la literatura relacionada en bases científicas y la narración descriptiva de los resultados. Resultados: La SCER produce una pérdida auditiva oculta en pacientes con audiograma normal, principalmente obreros o individuos expuestos a niveles de ruido intenso. Los principales estudios de identificación de la SCER han sido realizados principalmente en estudiantes universitarios o en músicos. Conclusiones: Son necesarios ajustes en la política de salud auditiva para una amplia identificación temprana de la SCER en las poblaciones en riesgo para la pérdida auditiva oculta y luchar por una regulación del daño. [EN] Introduction: Cochlear synaptopathy after noise exposure (CSNE) is defined as the transient or permanent func-tional damage to the ribbon synapsis of the inner hair cells of the cochlea. This article has the objective of comment the usefulness of early identification of the hidden hearing loss after CSNE based on audiological markers and in changes in the clinical methodology in clinical groups for its searching. Method: Review of related literature in scientific databases and narrative description of results. Results: CSNE results in a hidden hearing loss in patients with normal pitch audiogram, mainly workers or indi-viduals exposed to high noise levels. The main studies of identification have been performed mainly in groups of students from college or musicians. Conclusions: Is necessary adjustments in hearing health policy for an wide early identification of CSNE in at risk populations for the identification of the hidden hearing loss and fight for its damage regulation[ES] Introducción: La sinaptopatía coclear por exposición a ruido (SCER) es definida como una alteración funcional transitoria o permanente de las sinapsis en cinta de las células pilosas internas de la cóclea. Este artículo tiene el objetivo de comentar la utilidad de la identificación temprana de la pérdida auditiva oculta por SCER basado en marcadores audiológicos y en la metodología usada en grupos clínicos para su búsqueda. Método: Revisión de la literatura relacionada en bases científicas y la narración descriptiva de los resultados. Resultados: La SCER produce una pérdida auditiva oculta en pacientes con audiograma normal, principalmente obreros o individuos expuestos a niveles de ruido intenso. Los principales estudios de identificación de la SCER han sido realizados principalmente en estudiantes universitarios o en músicos. Conclusiones: Son necesarios ajustes en la política de salud auditiva para una amplia identificación temprana de la SCER en las poblaciones en riesgo para la pérdida auditiva oculta y luchar por una regulación del daño. [EN] Introduction: Cochlear synaptopathy after noise exposure (CSNE) is defined as the transient or permanent func-tional damage to the ribbon synapsis of the inner hair cells of the cochlea. This article has the objective of comment the usefulness of early identification of the hidden hearing loss after CSNE based on audiological markers and in changes in the clinical methodology in clinical groups for its searching. Method: Review of related literature in scientific databases and narrative description of results. Results: CSNE results in a hidden hearing loss in patients with normal pitch audiogram, mainly workers or indi-viduals exposed to high noise levels. The main studies of identification have been performed mainly in groups of students from college or musicians. Conclusions: Is necessary adjustments in hearing health policy for an wide early identification of CSNE in at risk populations for the identification of the hidden hearing loss and fight for its damage regulationN

Industrial Composting of Sewage Sludge: Study of the Bacteriome, Sanitation, and Antibiotic-Resistant Strains

Wastewater treatment generates a huge amount of sewage sludge, which is a source of environmental pollution. Among the alternatives for the management of this waste, industrial composting stands out as one of the most relevant. The objective of this study was to analyze the bacterial population linked to this process and to determine its effectiveness for the reduction, and even elimination, of microorganisms and pathogens present in these organic wastes. For this purpose, the bacteriome and the fecal bacteria contamination of samples from different sewage sludge industrial composting facilities were evaluated. In addition, fecal bacteria indicators and pathogens, such as Salmonella, were isolated from samples collected at key stages of the process and characterized for antibiotic resistance to macrolide, β-lactam, quinolone, and aminoglycoside families. 16S rRNA phylogeny data revealed that the process clearly evolved toward a prevalence of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla, removing the fecal load. Moreover, antibiotic-resistant microorganisms present in the raw materials were reduced, since these were isolated only in the bio-oxidative phase. Therefore, industrial composting of sewage sludge results in a bio-safe final product suitable for use in a variety of applications

Relación entre las variables asociadas al trauma (disociación, culpa, evitación experiencial y síntomas de estrés postraumático) y su influencia en la salud percibida.

Introducción: Una experiencia traumática se define como un evento que supera la capacidad de una persona para responder a él. El trauma se ha asociado con una variedad de problemas psicológicos, entre los que destacan los síntomas de estrés postraumático, problemas de salud y una falta de bienestar percibido. Además, varios estudios han demostrado que otras variables están asociadas con la exposición al trauma y pueden tener un papel importante para explicar el desarrollo y el mantenimiento de los síntomas postraumáticos. Estas son: disociación, culpa y evitación experiencial. Conjuntamente, se han establecido diferencias de género en cada una de ellas. Sin embargo, no existen estudios que hayan considerado todas estas variables simultáneamente. Objetivos: Examinar la relación entre disociación, culpa, evitación experiencial y síntomas de estrés postraumático en un grupo de personas con historia de trauma y su influencia sobre su salud percibida. Además, comprobar si tales relaciones se modifican a través del género. Método: Se incluyó a un total de 903 participantes. La edad media fue de 22.25 (DT= 5.17) para la muestra total, 21.9 (DT= 4.5) para la muestra de la mujer y de 23.50 (DT= 6.92) para la muestra de los hombres. Se empleó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales para poner a prueba las relaciones postuladas en el modelo hipotético, y se analizó este a través de un análisis multi-grupo (hombres y mujeres). Resultados: Los resultados dieron apoyo empírico al modelo hipotético, mostrando relaciones significativas entre las variables en ambos sexos. Sólo en los hombres, la asociación entre evitación experiencial y los síntomas postraumáticos no es significativa, pero el modelo final es significativamente equivalente entre género. Conclusiones: En conjunto, estos hallazgos arrojan luz sobre los factores que deben ser considerados cuando se desarrollan estrategias tanto preventivas como de tratamiento de personas que han vivido algún tipo de trauma.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Risk factors for thrombotic microangiopathy in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients receiving GVHD prophylaxis with tacrolimus plus MTX or sirolimus

Post-transplant complications.-- et al.Transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a feared complication of allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) owing to its high mortality rate. The use of calcineurin inhibitors or sirolimus (SIR) for GVHD prophylaxis has been suggested as a potential risk factor. However, the impact of tacrolimus (TAC) and SIR combinations on the increased risk of TA-TMA is currently not well defined. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of TA-TMA in 102 allogeneic HSCT recipients who consecutively received TAC plus SIR (TAC/SIR) (n=68) or plus MTX (TAC/MTX)±ATG (n=34) for GVHD prophylaxis. No significant differences were observed in the incidence of TA-TMA between patients receiving TAC/SIR vs TAC/MTX±ATG (7.4% vs 8.8%, P=0.8). Only grade III-IV acute GVHD, previous HSCT and serum levels of TAC >25 ng/mL were associated with a greater risk of TA-TMA. Patients developing TA-TMA have significantly poorer survival (P<0.001); however, TA-TMA ceased to be an independent prognostic factor when it was included in a multivariate model. In conclusion, the combination of TAC/SIR does not appear to pose a higher risk of TA-TMA. By contrast, we identified three different risk groups for developing TA-TMA.Peer Reviewe

Metabolic strategies for the degradation of the neuromodulator agmatine in mammals

Agmatine (1-amino-4-guanidinobutane), a precursor for polyamine biosynthesis, has been identified as an important neuromodulator with anticonvulsant, antineurotoxic and antidepressant actions in the brain. In this context it has emerged as an important mediator of addiction/satiety pathways associated with alcohol misuse. Consequently, the regulation of the activity of key enzymes in agmatine metabolism is an attractive strategy to combat alcoholism and related addiction disorders. Agmatine results from the decarboxylation of L-arginine in a reaction catalyzed by arginine decarboxylase (ADC), and can be converted to either guanidine butyraldehyde by diamine oxidase (DAO) or putrescine and urea by the enzyme agmatinase (AGM) or the more recently identified AGM-like protein (ALP). In rat brain, agmatine, AGM and ALP are predominantly localised in areas associated with roles in appetitive and craving (drug-reinstatement) behaviors. Thus, inhibitors of AGM or ALP are promising agents for the treatment of addictions. In this review, the properties of DAO, AGM and ALP are discussed with a view to their role in the agmatine metabolism in mammals

Effect of the presence of the plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) Chryseobacterium balustinum Aur9 and salt stress in the pattern of flavonoids exuded by soybean roots

In this work we studied how biotic and abiotic stresses can alter the pattern of flavonoids exuded by Osumi soybean roots. A routine method was developed for the detection and characterization of the flavonoids present in soybean root exudates using HPLC-MS/MS. Then, a systematic screening of the flavonoids exuded under biotic stress, the presence of a plant growth promoting rhizobacterium, and salt stress was carried out. Results obtained indicate that the presence of Chryseobacterium balustinum Aur9 or 50 mM NaCl changes qualitatively the pattern of flavonoids exuded when compared to control conditions. Thus, in the presence of C. balustinum Aur9, soybean roots did not exude quercetin and naringenin and, under salt stress, flavonoids daidzein and naringenin could not be detected. Soybean root exudates obtained under saline conditions showed a diminished capacity to induce the expression of the nodA gene in comparison to the exudates obtained in the absence of salt. Moreover, lipochitooligosaccharides (LCOs) were not detected or weakly detected when Sinorhizobium fredii SMH12 was grown in the exudates obtained under salt stress conditions or under salt stress in the presence of C. balustinum Au9, respectively.Fil: Dardanelli, Marta Susana. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Farmacia; España. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología Molecular. Sección Química Biológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Manyani, Hamid. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Farmacia; EspañaFil: González Barroso, Sergio. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Farmacia; EspañaFil: Rodríguez Carvajal, Miguel A.. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Farmacia; EspañaFil: Gil Serrano, Antonio M.. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Farmacia; EspañaFil: Espuny, Maria R.. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Farmacia; EspañaFil: López Baena, Francisco Javier. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Farmacia; EspañaFil: Bellogín, Ramon A.. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Farmacia; EspañaFil: Megías, Manuel. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Farmacia; EspañaFil: Ollero, Francisco J.. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Farmacia; Españ

Analysis of incidence, risk factors and clinical outcome of thromboembolic and bleeding events in 431 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients

This is an open-access paper.-- et al.Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients have an increasing risk of both hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications. However, the competing risks of two of these life-threatening complications in these complex patients have still not been well defined. We retrospectively analyzed data from 431 allogeneic transplantation recipients to identify the incidence, risk factors and mortality due to thrombosis and bleeding. Significant clinical bleeding was more frequent than symptomatic thrombosis. The cumulative incidence of a bleeding episode was 30.2% at 14 years. The cumulative incidence of a venous or arterial thrombosis at 14 years was 11.8% and 4.1%, respectively. The analysis of competing factors for venous thrombosis revealed extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease to be the only independent prognostic risk factor. By contrast, six factors were associated with an increased risk of bleeding; advanced disease, ablative conditioning regimen, umbilical cord blood transplantation, anticoagulation, acute III-IV graft-versus-host disease, and transplant-associated microangiopathy. The development of thrombosis did not significantly affect overall survival (P=0.856). However, significant clinical bleeding was associated with inferior survival (P<0.001). In allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, significant clinical bleeding is more common than thrombotic complications and affects survival.Peer Reviewe