A comparative Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) study using a non-supervised clustering analysis and an expert knowledge based model - A case study from Ahuachapán, El Salvador

DSM is the inference of spatial and temporal soil property variations using mathematical models based on quantitative relationships between environmental information and soil measurements. The quality of DSM information depends on the method and environmental covariates used for its estimations. We compared two DSM methods to predict soil properties such as Organic Matter “MO” (%), Sand (%), Clay (%), pH (H2O), Phosphorus (mg/kg), Effective Cationic Exchange Capacity “CICE” (cmol/L), Potassium (cmol/L) and Water Holding Capacity (mm/m) for the department of Ahuachapán in El Salvador to support the activities of the Agriculture Landscape Restoration Initiative (ALRI) in the countr

A comparative Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) study using a non-supervised clustering analysis and an expert knowledge based model - A case study from Ahuachapán, El Salvador

DSM is the inference of spatial and temporal soil property variations using mathematical models based on quantitative relationships between environmental information and soil measurements. The quality of DSM information depends on the method and environmental covariates used for its estimations. We compared two DSM methods to predict soil properties such as Organic Matter “MO” (%), Sand (%), Clay (%), pH (H2O), Phosphorus (mg/kg), Effective Cationic Exchange Capacity “CICE” (cmol/L), Potassium (cmol/L) and Water Holding Capacity (mm/m) for the department of Ahuachapán in El Salvador to support the activities of the Agriculture Landscape Restoration Initiative (ALRI) in the countr

High p27 protein levels in chronic lymphocytic leukemia are associated to low Myc and Skp2 expression, confer resistance to apoptosis and antagonize Myc effects on cell cycle

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.-- et al.Myc (c-Myc) counteracts p27 effects, and low p27 usually correlates with high Myc expression in human cancer. However there is no information on the co-expression of both genes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We found a lack of correlation between RNA and protein levels of p27 and Myc in CLL cells, so we determined the protein levels by immunoblot in 107 cases of CLL. We observed a high p27 protein expression in CLL compared to normal B cells. Ectopic p27 expression in a CLL-derived cell line resulted in cell death resistance. Surprisingly, Myc expression was very low or undetectable in most CLL cases analyzed, with a clear correlation between high p27 and low Myc protein levels. This was associated with low Skp2 expression, which is consistent with the Skp2 role in p27 degradation and with SKP2 being a Myc target gene. High Myc expression did not correlate with leukemia progression, despite that cell cycle-related Myc target genes were upregulated. However, biochemical analysis showed that the high p27 levels inhibited cyclin-Cdk complexes even in Myc expressing CLL cells. Our data suggest that the combination of high p27 and low Myc is a marker of CLL cells which is mediated by Skp2.The work has been funded by grants SAF11-23796 from MINECO and RD12/0036/0033 (to JL), and RD12/0036/0004 (to DC) and RD12/0036/0060 (to MAP) from Instituto Carlos III. These funding was co-sponsored by the European Union FEDER program. JC was recipient of a Fellowship from Fundación Marqués de Valdecilla and from the University of Cantabria.Peer Reviewe

Electrodes based on nafion and epoxy-graphene composites for improving the performance and durability of open cathode fuel cells, prepared by electrospray deposition

Fabrication of electrodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells is a intriguing process in which a balance between gas transport, electrical conductivity, proton transport and water managing must be optimized. In this work four different electrodes prepared by electrospray deposition have been studied using different catalytic inks, in which Nafion and epoxy doped with Graphene-Nanoplatelets were used as binders. After studying the behavior of those electrodes in a single open cathode fuel cell proton electrolyte membrane, it is clear that the addition of epoxy as binder doped with graphene, improves the performance of the fuel cell and increase the mechanical stability of the electrode avoiding the loose of catalyst during the electrode manipulation in the fuel cell assembly process and the durability of the fuel cell. To explain this behavior, an ex-situ study was carried out, in which properties such as its surface morphology, hydrophobicity and electrical and thermal conductivity of those electrodes were studied. From the results of this study, such improvement in the performance of the fuel cell was justified on the basis of the increase in the electrical conductivity, a diminution in its thermal conductivity and an enhancement of hydrophobicity (surface morphology) of the deposited catalyst layer, when an optimum quantity of epoxy is added to the catalytic ink that makes to improve the mechanical properties of those electrodesAJN and MAG are actually working on this project with a contract funded by the Comunidad Atonoma de la Región de Murcia, Conserjería de Desarrollo Económico, Turismo y Empleo, and the European Union, through the program RIS3- MUR, grant number 2I20SAE00079. This work has also been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AEI, Spain,PID2020-112744GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and RTI2018-095844-B-I00), Fundacion Seneca (Región de Murcia, Spain), grant number: 20985/PI/18 and Agencia estatal española de Investigación, grant number PID2019-104272RBC55/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper

Antibacterial Effect of Chitosan–Gold Nanoparticles and Computational Modeling of the Interaction between Chitosan and a Lipid Bilayer Model

Pathogenic bacteria have the ability to develop antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Their action consists mainly in the production of bacterial enzymes that inactivate antibiotics or the appearance of modifications that prevent the arrival of the drug at the target point or the alteration of the target point itself, becoming a growing problem for health systems. Chitosan–gold nanoparticles (Cs-AuNPs) have been shown as effective bactericidal materials avoiding damage to human cells. In this work, Cs-AuNPs were synthesized using chitosan as the reducing agent, and a systematic analysis of the influence of the synthesis parameters on the size and zeta potential of the Cs-AuNPs and their UV-vis spectra was carried out. We used a simulation model to characterize the interaction of chitosan with bacterial membranes, using a symmetric charged bilayer and two different chitosan models with different degrees of the chitosan amine protonation as a function of pH, with the aim to elucidate the antibacterial mechanism involving the cell wall disruption. The Cs-AuNP antibacterial activity was evaluated to check the simulation model.Fil: Fuster, M.G.. Universidad de Murcia. Facultad de Química; EspañaFil: Montalbán, M. G.. Universidad de Murcia. Facultad de Química; EspañaFil: Carissimi, G.. Universidad de Murcia. Facultad de Química; EspañaFil: Lima, Beatriz Viviana. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Cano, M.. Universidad de Cordoba. Instituto Universitario de Investigación En Química Fina y Nanoquímica.; EspañaFil: Giner Casares, J. J.. Universidad de Cordoba. Instituto Universitario de Investigación En Química Fina y Nanoquímica.; EspañaFil: López Cascales, J.J.. Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena; EspañaFil: Enriz, Ricardo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Víllora, G.. Universidad de Murcia. Facultad de Química; Españ

2D self-assembly of o-OPE foldamers for chiroptical barcoding

We report on the preparation and characterization of two dimensional (2D) films of (S,S,P)-1 and (R,R,M)-1ortho-oligophenylene ethylene (o-OPE) enantiomers presenting high values of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). The amphiphilic character of these two molecules allows a precise 2D self-assembly at the air/water interface and an efficient transfer onto a glass solid support. The morphological and chiroptical characterization of the solid supports after the transfer of 1, 8, 16 and 32 Langmuir films of (S,S,P)-1 and (R,R,M)-1 has been carried out. The strong chiroptical values of these monomers allow reliable ECD measurements to be obtained after a single transfer, with ECD values increasing as the number of transferred films increases. The semi-liquid behavior of the monomers on the solid substrate allows CPL measurements free of photoselection artifacts that show values similar to those obtained in solution and independent of monomer concentration. All these properties have allowed us to develop the first simple organic molecule (SOM)-based chiroptical barcoding presenting positive and negative regions as a proof of concept

The bright optical afterglow of the long GRB 001007

We present optical follow up observations of the long GRB 001007 between 6.14 hours and ~468 days after the event. An unusually bright optical afterglow (OA) was seen to decline following a steep power law decay with index alpha = -2.03 +/- 0.11, possibly indicating a break in the light curve at t - to < 3.5 days, as found in other bursts. Upper limits imposed by the LOTIS alerting system 6.14 hours after the gamma ray event provide tentative (1.2 sigma) evidence for a break in the optical light curve. The spectral index beta of the OA yields -1.24 +/- 0.57. These values may be explained both by several fireball jet models and by the cannonball model. Fireball spherical expansion models are not favoured. Late epoch deep imaging revealed the presence of a complex host galaxy system, composed of at least two objects located 1.2" (1.7 sigma) and 1.9" (2.7 sigma) from the afterglow position.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, published in A&

Brote de legionelosis en Murcia en julio de 2001. La óptica de sanidad ambiental

The measures of intervention adopted for the study and control of the outbreak are exposed. 126 systems with risk were found (45 of them high risk): 70 water cooling towers or similar, 35 decorative fountains, 1 building site with earth movement and 20 air-water closed systems, distributed by risk criteria.Immediately were stopped: decorative fountains, washing down of streets, spray irrigation in parks and the building site.486 inspections and 1040 sample taking were executed, the cleaning and disinfection of water cooling towers and similar systems were ordered and closing if necessary.Afterwards, fills were replaced in water cooling tower which tested Lp positive.After the investigation of 339 systems, 57 (16.9%) tested Lp positive culture, 23 (6.8 %) water cooling towers and 31 (9.1 %) drinking water taps.Distribution by serotypes: LpS1 (62’3%), serotypes 2-14 (36’68%).LpS1Olda Olda (21’74%) was the most abundant followed by LpS1 Pontiac Philadelphia Lugano (18’84%), in contrast to LpS1 Pontiac Philadelphia Glasgow (1’45%), found only in one case although isolated in the 18 samples of patients.Culture and PCR were available in 355 cases, resulting in 30,8% sensitivity (confidence interval 95%, 25,1) and specificity 99,4±0,8.There are a big percentage of samples positives to Lp Sg1 and between them prevail Lp Pontiac Philadelphia, basically Lugano kind.The first disinfection doesn ́t eradicate all the contamination. The finding of 14 Lp positive systems after cleaning and disinfection process, with previous negative cultures, suggests a high analytical results variability and/or an inefficient first cleaning and disinfections of the system.The previous conclusions and the low sensitivity of the PCR test must be considered in future cases.Se exponen las medidas de intervención adoptadas para el estudio y control del brote. Se encontraron 126 instalaciones con riesgo (45 de ellas de alto): 70 torres de refrigeración y similares, 35 fuentes ornamentales, 1 obra con movimiento de tierra y 20 sistemas con circuito cerrado aire-agua, que se distribuyeron por categorías de riesgo.De forma inmediata se clausuraron: las fuentes ornamentales, el baldeo de calles y riegos por aspersión de parques y la obra.Se realizaron un total de 486 inspecciones y 1040 toma de muestras, ordenando la limpieza y desinfección de torres de refrigeración y similares y su clausura en caso necesario. Posteriormente, se cambio de relleno en torres de refrigeración positivas a Lp.Del total de instalaciones investigadas (339), en 57 (16’9%) se encontró un cultivo positivo a Lp. Distribución por tipo de instalación con cultivo positivo a Lp: en torres de refrigeración 23 (6’8%), en fuentes ornamentales 3 (7,32%) y en agua sanitaria 31 (9’1%).Distribución por serogrupos: LpS1 (62’3%), serogrupos 2-14 (36’68%).LpS1Olda Olda (21’74%) fue la mas abundante seguida de LpS1 Pontiac Filadelfia Lugano (18’84%) frente a LpS1 Pontiac Filadelfia Glasgow (en 1 ocasión, 1’45%), esta ultima fue la aislada en las 18 muestras de enfermos.En 355 ocasiones se dispone de cultivo y PCR, encontrándose una sensibilidad de 30,8% (Intervalo de confianza al 95%, de 25,1) y una especificidad del 99,4±0,8. Hay que considerar la eventual influencia en los resultados aportada por la posible aparición de dos falsos negativos en el cultivo.Se encuentra un elevado porcentaje de muestras correspondientes a Legionella pneumophilla serogrupo 1, dentro de estas prevalecen las tipo Pontiac Philadelphia, y dentro de estas las tipo Lugano.La primera desinfección no erradicó la contaminación en su totalidad. Abundando en lo anterior, el hallazgo de un número considerable de torres de refrigeración positivas a Lp tras limpieza y desinfección, con cultivos previos negativos redunda en la variabilidad de los resultados analíticos y/o en la ineficacia de las primeras limpiezas y desinfecciones realizadas por empresas.Lo expuesto anteriormente unido a la baja sensibilidad de la PCR deben de ser tenidos en cuenta en futuros incidentes

Executive summary of the Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) and of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC) in antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery

La profilaxis antibiótica en cirugía es una de las medidas más eficaces para la prevención de la infección de localización quirúrgica, aunque su uso es con frecuencia inadecuado, pudiendo incrementar el riesgo de infección, toxicidades y resistencias bacterianas. Debido al avance en las técnicas quirúrgicas y la emergencia de microorganismos multirresistentes las actuales pautas de profilaxis precisan ser revisadas. La Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas (SEIMC), conjuntamente con la Asociación Española de Cirujanos (AEC) ha revisado y actualizado las recomendaciones de profilaxis antimicrobiana para adaptarlas a cada tipo de intervención quirúrgica y a la epidemiología actual. En este documento se recogen las recomendaciones de los antimicrobianos utilizados en profilaxis en los diferentes procedimientos, las dosis, la duración, la profilaxis en huéspedes especiales, y en situación epidemiológica de multirresistencia, de tal forma que permitan un manejo estandarizado, un uso racional, seguro y efectivo de los mismos en la cirugía electiva.Antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery is one of the most effective measures for preventing surgical site infection, although its use is frequently inadequate and may even increase the risk of infection, toxicities and antimicrobial resistance. As a result of advances in surgical techniques and the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms, the current guidelines for prophylaxis need to be revised. The Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology) (SEIMC) together with the Asociación Española de Cirujanos (Spanish Association of Surgeons) (AEC) have revised and updated the recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery to adapt them to any type of surgical intervention and to current epidemiology. This document gathers together the recommendations on antimicrobial prophylaxis in the various procedures, with doses, duration, prophylaxis in special patient groups, and in epidemiological settings of multidrug resistance to facilitate standardized management and the safe, effective and rational use of antibiotics in elective surgery

Emergency Crisis Resource Management course: a tool for transforming attitudes within emergency service teams

[ES] OBJETIVO. Conocer la percepción sobre la influencia del factor humano en urgencias que adquieren los alumnos trasla realización de un curso E-CRM (Emergency Crisis Resource Management) de la Sociedad Española de Urgencias y Emergencias (SEMES) basado en simula ción clínica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO. Se analizaron las respuestas a un cuestionario ad hoc administrado a los 3 meses de las ediciones de los cursos E-CRM SEMES realizados entre 2017-19. El cuestionario valoraba la autopercepción sobre la influencia que ha tenido el curso en su desarrollo personal y profesional. RESULTADOS. Se recogieron las encuestas de 147 participantes (73,5% médicos, 20,4% enfermeras, 5,4% TES (Técnico en Emergencias Sanitarias) y 1,4% otras profesiones. El 65% de los profesionales tenía una antigüedad de más de 10 años. Existieron diferencias significativas entre las diferentes profesiones y servicios en los 5 ejes E-CRM (petición de ayuda, claridad de papeles, comunicación eficaz, uso de recursos y evaluación global). Se destacó el uso de ayudas cognitivas, la escucha activa y la planificación previa al inicio del turno. CONCLUSIONES. Tras la realización de un curso E-CRM basado en simulación, los participantes son conscientes de cómo el factor humano influye en el desempeño de su trabajo en los servicios de urgencias y emergencias, lo que pueder llevar a introducir cambios en su quehacer profesional y personal.[EN] OBJECTIVE. To know the perception of the influence of the human factor in emergencies, acquired by students after completing an E-CRM (Emergency Crisis Resource Management) course of the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medicine (SEMES) based on clinical simulation. E-CRM (Emergency Crisis Resource Management) course of the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) based on clinical simulation. METHODS. We analyzed responses to an ad hoc survey sent to participants 3 months after they completed the E-CRM course between 2017 and 2019. We analyzed their views of the influence the course had on their personal and professional development. RESULTS. Responses were received from 147 course participants (73.5%, physicians; 20.4%, nurses; 5.4%, emergency medical technicians; and 1.4%, other). Sixty-five percent had more than 10 years of experience. The different groups of participants gave significantly different responses for the 5 question categories: seeking help, role clarification, effective communication, resource use, and overall evaluation. Respondents emphasized their use of cognitive aids, active listening, and team planning prior to starting a shift. CONCLUSIONS. After the E-CRM clinical simulation course, respondents reported being more aware of how human factors influence their personal and professional approaches to carrying out their emergency service work.S