A note on local bases and convergence in fuzzy metric spaces

In the context of fuzzy metrics in the sense of George and Veeramani, we study when certain families of open balls centered at a point are local bases at this point. This question is related to p-convergence and s-convergence. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Samuel Morillas acknowledges the support of Universitat Politenica de Valencia under Grant PAID-05-12 SP20120696.Gregori Gregori, V.; Miñana Prats, JJ.; Morillas Gómez, S. (2014). A note on local bases and convergence in fuzzy metric spaces. Topology and its Applications. 163:142-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.topol.2013.10.013S14214816

Carbon Nanotube Composites as Electromagnetic Shielding Materials in GHz Range

Following the development of the new electronic systems and communication networks, the levels of electromagnetic contamination have risen dramatically in the recent years. Every day, new studies appear searching for a way to mitigate the electromagnetic interferences (EMI). At the same time, the rapid evolution of technology forces the field to search for lighter and more efficient materials. The composites using carbon allotropes (such as carbon nanotubes) and polymers as reinforcement are gaining importance, due to the many advantages they exhibit in comparison to the materials that were used until now. A great number of applications require absorption to be the main electromagnetic shielding mechanism, thereby making this review necessary as a way to summarize the latest studies on CNT/polymer composites and how to improve the absorption mechanism by changing the morphology and composition of CNTs.This work was supported by the grant Nanoarq (MAT2014-57557-R) from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Inovación

Innovació i investigació docent per millorar l’enginy i la creativitat dels alumnes d’Enginyeria i Arquitectura

El nou marc de l’EEES i l’experiència docent en las àrees de l’Enginyeria i l’Arquitectura, indueix a pensar en la introducció de noves metodologies docents motivades per la necessitat d’adaptar, en la mesura del possible, els coneixements que l’alumne adquireix a la Universidad al món professional de les empreses. L’ensenyament a Enginyeria i Arquitectura, s’ha ha basat, tradicionalment, en l’aplicació de models matemàtics. Així, els exercicis plantejats als alumnes es redueixen, la majoria de vegades, a aplicar aquest models matemàtics. La realitat professional és ben diferent, l’arquitecte i/o enginyer no tindrà sovint temps de fer anàlisis tant detallats com els que realitzava com alumne; és per això que sembla aconsellable variar el model d’ensenyança / aprenentatge.Peer Reviewe

Simplifying the detection of MUTYH mutations by high resolution melting analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>MUTYH</it>-associated polyposis (MAP) is a disorder caused by bi-allelic germline <it>MUTYH </it>mutation, characterized by multiple colorectal adenomas. In order to identify mutations in <it>MUTYH </it>gene we applied High Resolution Melting (HRM) genotyping. HRM analysis is extensively employed as a scanning method for the detection of heterozygous mutations. Therefore, we applied HRM to show effectiveness in detecting homozygous mutations for these clinically important and frequent patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we analyzed phenotype and genotype data from 82 patients, with multiple (>= 10) synchronous (19/82) or metachronous (63/82) adenomas and negative <it>APC </it>study (except one case). Analysis was performed by HRM-PCR and direct sequencing, in order to identify mutations in <it>MUTYH </it>exons 7, 12 and 13, where the most prevalent mutations are located. In monoallelic mutation carriers, we evaluated entire <it>MUTYH </it>gene in search of another possible alteration. HRM-PCR was performed with strict conditions in several rounds: the first one to discriminate the heteroduplex patterns and homoduplex patterns and the next ones, in order to refine and confirm parameters. The genotypes obtained were correlated to phenotypic features (number of adenomas (synchronous or metachronous), colorectal cancer (CRC) and family history).</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>MUTYH </it>germline mutations were found in 15.8% (13/82) of patients. The hot spots, Y179C (exon 7) and G396D (exon 13), were readily identified and other mutations were also detected. Each mutation had a reproducible melting profile by HRM, both heterozygous mutations and homozygous mutations. In our study of 82 patients, biallelic mutation is associated with being a carrier of ≥10 synchronous polyps (p = 0.05) and there is no association between biallelic mutation and CRC (p = 0.39) nor family history (p = 0.63). G338H non-pathogenic polymorphism (exon 12) was found in 23.1% (19/82) of patients. In all cases there was concordance between HRM (first and subsequent rounds) and sequencing data.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Here, we describe a screening method, HRM, for the detection of both heterozygous and homozygous mutations in the gene encoding <it>MUTYH </it>in selected samples of patients with phenotype of MAP. We refine the capabilities of HRM-PCR and apply it to a gene not yet analyzed by this tool. As clinical decisions will increasingly rely on molecular medicine, the power of identifying germline mutations must be continuously evaluated and improved.</p

High efficacy of Sofosbuvir plus Simeprevir in a large cohort of Spanish cirrhotic patients infected with genotypes 1 and 4

[Abstract] Background and Aims. Hepatitis C (HCV) therapy with Sofosbuvir (SOF)/Simeprevir (SMV) in clinical trials and real‐world clinical practice, showed high rates of sustained virological response (SVR) in non‐cirrhotic genotype (GT)‐1 and GT‐4 patients. These results were slightly lower in cirrhotic patients. We investigated real‐life effectiveness and safety of SOF/SMV with or without ribavirin (RBV) in a large cohort of cirrhotic patients. Methods. This collaborative multicentre study included data from 968 patients with cirrhosis infected with HCV‐GT1 or 4, treated with SOF/SMV±RBV in 30 centres across Spain between January‐2014 and December‐2015. Demographic, clinical, virological and safety data were analysed. Results. Overall SVR was 92.3%; the majority of patients were treated with RBV (62%) for 12 weeks (92.4%). No significant differences in SVR were observed between genotypes (GT1a:94.3%; GT1b:91.7%; GT4:91.1%). Those patients with more advanced liver disease (Child B/C, MELD≥10) or portal hypertension (platelet count≤100×109/L, transient elastography≥21 Kpa) showed significantly lower SVR rates (84.4%‐91.9%) than patients with less advanced liver disease (93.8%‐95.9%, P<.01 in all cases). In the multivariate analysis, the use of RBV, female gender, baseline albumin≥35 g/L, MELD<10 and lack of exposure to a triple therapy regimen were independent predictors of SVR (P<.05). Serious adverse events (SAEs) and SAE‐associated discontinuation events occurred in 5.9% and 2.6%. Conclusions. In this large cohort of cirrhotic patients managed in the real‐world setting in Spain, SOF/SMV±RBV yielded to excellent SVR rates, especially in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. In addition, this combination showed to be safe, with low rates of SAEs and early discontinuations.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI15/0015

Metodologías y experiencias de investigación en comunicación e información

This work contextualizes the state of research in the areas of Communication Sciences and Information Sciences and presents new national and international methodological experiences that allow enriching the research experience of groups and lines of research developed in both thematic areas. The intersections between qualitative and quantitative methodologies, cases and ways of approaching research are explored, and new knowledge is provided both from studying the context of the situation and from the actual practices that allow opening doors and consolidating research in emerging areas, such as communication and information. The knowledge transfer carried out in this work is the result of the research work of consolidated research groups that carry out their research financed by public and private bodies of the first order and that are developed in Higher Education centres. The result is a volume directed at researchers and carried out by researchers who are looking for the intersection and collaboration in experiences that may allow the enrichment and progress of investigation

Metodologías y experiencias de investigación en comunicación e información

This work contextualizes the state of research in the areas of Communication Sciences and Information Sciences and presents new national and international methodological experiences that allow enriching the research experience of groups and lines of research developed in both thematic areas. The intersections between qualitative and quantitative methodologies, cases and ways of approaching research are explored, and new knowledge is provided both from studying the context of the situation and from the actual practices that allow opening doors and consolidating research in emerging areas, such as communication and information. The knowledge transfer carried out in this work is the result of the research work of consolidated research groups that carry out their research financed by public and private bodies of the first order and that are developed in Higher Education centres. The result is a volume directed at researchers and carried out by researchers who are looking for the intersection and collaboration in experiences that may allow the enrichment and progress of investigation

Estudio del duelo migratorio en pacientes inmigrantes que acuden a las consultas de atención primaria. Presentación de un cuestionario de valoración del duelo migratorio

Objetivos: Validar un cuestionario que permita conocer la existencia de duelo migratorio (DM) y sus dimensiones en la población inmigrante, y estudiar la relación del mismo con determinadas variables sociodemográficas (VSD). Diseño: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, multicéntrico. Emplazamiento: Consultas de atención primaria (AP). Pacientes: 290 pacientes inmigrantes (PI) de AP, excluyendo los < 18 años. Se produjeron 12 negativas por falta de tiempo, falta de entendimiento y ausencia de traductor. Mediciones principales: Se usa el cuestionario sobre DM con 17 preguntas, realizándose su análisis factorial, con extracción final de 4 factores que explican el 52,1% de la varianza global. Se recogen VSD: género, edad, estado civil, nacionalidad, red social, tiempo en España, situación legal y laboral y dificultades de comunicación. Se realiza análisis multivariante de las variables construidas con las VSD. Resultados: Se han encontrado 4 factores (miedo, nostalgia, preocupación y pérdida de identidad [PdI]) comprobándose que ninguna comunalidad era < 0,30 considerándose que los 4 factores representan el conjunto de variables del cuestionario del DM. Analizando las correlaciones entre factores se apreció que la preocupación se relaciona con el miedo y la nostalgia, siendo ésta independiente del miedo. La PdI tiene una correlación baja con los otros factores. El alfa de Cronbach muestra una consistencia buena en los factores 1, 2 y 3. Algunas VSD se relacionan con la presencia de cada factor. Conclusiones: Se presenta un instrumento validado para estudiar y caracterizar el DM, adecuado para estudiar las distintas dimensiones del duelo en la población inmigrante.Objectives: To validate a questionnaire designed to show the existence of migratory grief (MG) and its dimensions in the immigrant population, and to study its relationship with certain sociodemographic variables. Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study. Emplacement: Consultations in Primary Health Care. Patients: The study included 290 Primary Health Care immigrant patients over 18-years old. There were 12 rejections due to, lack of time, absence of a translator, and lack of understanding. Principal measurements: An MG questionnaire with 17 questions was employed, carrying out a factor analysis with final extraction of 4 factors explaining 52.1% of overall variance. Sociodemographic variables were collected: gender, age, marital status, nationality, social network, time in Spain, legal and work situation and communication difficulties. Multivariate analysis was performed using the sociodemographic variables. Results: Four factors were found (fear, homesickness, concern and loss of identity), showing that non-communality was < 0.30 and considering that the 4 factors represent the group of variables from the questionnaire. After analysing the correlations between the different factors, it was observed that concern is related to fear and homesickness, this latter being independent from fear. The loss of identity had a low correlation with other factors. Cronbach's alpha showed good consistency in factors 1, 2 and 3. Some sociodemographic variables are associated with the presence of each factor. Conclusions: We present a validated instrument to study and characterise MG, adapted to study the different dimensions of the grief in immigrant population

Protocolos RADMED (versión: 1.01 – 2014). Procedimientos a seguir en las campañas del proyecto RADMED

Los protocolos RADMED se pueden considerar como una guía de mar de las operaciones a realizar en el desarrollo de una campaña de ese proyecto, en donde figuran: el montaje del equipamiento científico, las secuencias de las diferentes operaciones y muestreos, la identificación de las estaciones, cómo rellenar los diferentes estadillos, las determinaciones de variables oceanográficas a bordo y el post-procesado de los datos hidrográficos. Detrás de todo ello está la intención de homogeneizar la información, para facilitar el post-procesado y el fiel tratamiento de las muestras y análisis.[Abstract] The RADMED protocols can be considered as a guide to work at the sea in the development of a campaign of this project and to conduct its different operations. They include: installation of scientific equipment, the sequences of the different operations and sampling, identification of stations, the filling of the various work sheets, determinations of oceanographic variables on board and the post processing of hydrographic data. All this pretend to standardize the information to facilitate post processing and accurate treatment of the samples and analysis

Cruise Summary Report - MEDWAVES survey. MEDiterranean out flow WAter and Vulnerable EcosystemS (MEDWAVES)

The MEDWAVES (MEDiterranean out flow WAter and Vulnerable EcosystemS) cruise targeted areas under the potential influence of the MOW within the Mediterranean and Atlantic realms. These include seamounts where Cold-water corals (CWCs) have been reported but that are still poorly known, and which may act as essential “stepping stones” connecting fauna of seamounts in the Mediterranean with those of the continental shelf of Portugal, the Azores and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. During MEDWAVES sampling has been conducted in two of the case studies of ATLAS: Case study 7 (Gulf of Cádiz-Strait of Gibraltar-Alboran Sea) and Case study 8 (Azores). The initially targeted areas in the Atlantic were: the Gazul Mud volcano, in the Gulf of Cádiz (GoC) area, included in the case study 7, and the Atlantic seamounts Ormonde (Portuguese shelf) and Formigas (by Azores), both part of the case study 8. In the Mediterranean the targeted areas were The Guadiaro submarine canyon and the Seco de los Olivos (also known as Chella Bank) seamount. Unfortunately it was not possible to sample in Guadiaro due to time constraints originated by adverse meteorological conditions which obligate us to reduce the time at sea focusing only in 4 of the 5 initially planned areas. MEDWAVES was structured in two legs; the first leg took place from the 21st September (departure from Cádiz harbour in Spain) to the 13th October 2016 (arrival in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal took place the 8th of October due to the meteorological conditions that obligated to conclude the first leg earlier as planned). during the Leg 1 sampling was carried out in Gazul, Ormonde and Formigas. The second leg started the 14th October (departure from Ponta Delgada) and finished the 26th October (arrival in Málaga harbour, Spain). MEDWAVES had a total of 30 effective sampling days, being 6 days not operative due to the adverse meteorological conditions experienced during the first leg which forced us to stay in Ponta Delgada from the 08th to the 13th October. During MEDWAVES the daily routine followed a similar scheme, depending of course on the weather and sea conditions. The main activity during the day, starting early in the morning (around 08:00 AM, once the night activities were finished), was the ROV deployment. Generally a single ROV dive of around 8 hours was performed, however in several occasions two dives were carried out in the same day (see General station list, Appendix II). After the ROV (and sometimes between two dives) the Box Corer and/or Van Veen Grab and/or Multicore was deployed. After these activities, during the night CTD-Rosette deployments and MB was conducted. Accordingly to this schema the scientific personnel worked in the day or in the night watch. A total of 215 sampling stations have been covered in MEDWAVES, using the following sampling gears: Multibeam echosounder, CTD-Rosette, LADCP, Box Corer, Van Veen Grab, Multicorer and a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Table 1 sumamrised the number of sampling stations conducted with each gear in each sampling zone. Additionally MB surveys have been conducted during the transits between area