Interplay of couplings between antiferrodistortive, ferroelectric, and strain degrees of freedom in monodomain PbTiO3_{3}/SrTiO3_{3} superlattices

We report first-principles calculations on the coupling between epitaxial strain, polarization, and oxygen octahedra rotations in monodomain (PbTiO$_{3}$)$_{n}$/(SrTiO$_{3}$)$_{n}$ superlattices. We show how the interplay between (i) the epitaxial strain and (ii) the electrostatic conditions, can be used to control the orientation of the main axis of the system. The electrostatic constrains at the interface facilitate the rotation of the polarization and, as a consequence, we predict large piezoelectric responses at epitaxial strains smaller than those that would be required considering only strain effects. In addition, ferroelectric (FE) and antiferrodistortive (AFD) modes are strongly coupled. Usual steric arguments cannot explain this coupling and a covalent model is proposed to account for it. The energy gain due to the FE-AFD coupling decreases with the periodicity of the superlattice, becoming negligible for $n \ge 3$.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Regulatory estimates for defaulted exposures: A case study of Spanish mortgages

The capital requirements derived from the Basel Accord were issued with the purpose of deploying a transnational regulatory framework. Further regulatory developments on risk measurement is included across several documents published both by the European Banking Authority and the European Central Bank. Among others, the referred additional documentation focused on the models’ estimation and calibration for credit risk measurement purposes, especially the Advanced Internal-Ratings Based models, which may be estimated both for non-defaulted and defaulted assets. A concrete proposal of the referred defaulted exposures models, namely the Expected Loss Best Estimate (ELBE) and the Loss Given Default (LGD) in-default, is presented. The proposed methodology is eventually calibrated on the basis of data from the mortgage’s portfolios of the six largest financial institutions in Spain. The outcome allows for a comparison of the risk profile particularities attached to each of the referred portfolios. Eventually, the economic sense of the results is analyzed.Regional Government of Andalusia, Spain (Research Group SEJ-555)

Forecasting for regulatory credit loss derived from the COVID-19 pandemic: A machine learning approach

The economic onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has compromised the risk management of financial institutions. The consequences related to such an unprecedented situation are difficult to foresee with certainty using traditional methods. The regulatory credit loss attached to defaulted mortgages, so-called expected loss best estimate (ELBE), is forecasted using a machine learning technique. The projection of two ELBEs for 2022 and their comparison are presented. One accounts for the outbreak’s impact, and the other presumes the nonexistence of the pandemic. Then, it is concluded that the referred crisis surely adversely affects said high-risk portfolios. The proposed method has excellent performance and may serve to estimate future expected and unexpected losses amidst any event of extraordinary magnitud

Neuromechanical adaptation induced by jumping on an elastic surface

Jumping on an elastic surface produces a number of sensory and motor adjustments. This effect caused by jumping on the trampoline has been called “trampoline aftereffect”. The objective of the present study was to investigate the neuromuscular response related with this effect. A group of 15 subjects took part in an experimental session, where simultaneous biomechanical and electromyographic (EMG) recordings were performed during the execution of maximal countermovement jumps (CMJs) before and after jumping on an elastic surface. We assessed motor performance (leg stiffness, jump height, peak force, vertical motion of center of mass and stored and returned energy) and EMG activation patterns of the leg muscles. The results showed a significant increase (p ⩽ 0.05) of the RMS EMG of knee extensors during the eccentric phase of the jump performed immediately after the exposure phase to the elastic surface (CMJ1), and a significant increase (p ⩽ 0.05) in the levels of co-activation of the muscles crossing the ankle joint during the concentric phase of the same jump. Results related with motor performance of CMJ1 showed a significant increase in the leg stiffness (p ⩽ 0.01) due to a lower vertical motion of center of mass (CoM) (p ⩽ 0.005), a significant decrease in jump height (p ⩽ 0.01), and a significantly smaller stored and returned energy (p ⩽ 0.01). The changes found during the execution of CMJ1 may result from a mismatch between sensory feedback and the efferent copy.Actividad Física y Deport

Cambios en el uso del preservativo en una cohorte de prostitutas

ResumenObjetivoDescribir los cambios en el uso del preservativo en una cohorte de mujeres que ejercen la prostitución en Alicante y analizar los factores que se relacionan con los cambios en esta práctica preventiva.MétodosSe han usado los datos de un estudio prospectivo que incluyó a las mujeres dedicadas a la prostitución que acudieron al Centro de Información y Prevención de Sida (CIPS) de Alicante desde 1986 a 1996. Se estimó la frecuencia en el uso del preservativo con los clientes en la primera y última visita al centro, se valoró el cambio entre las dos visitas y los factores asociados a ellos. Se realizaron dos análisis de regresión logística para determinar la asociación entre el cambio positivo o negativo y las variables explicativas.ResultadosLa prevalencia de uso del preservativo en la última visita fue mayor que en la primera (83,9% frente al 69,2%; p < 0,001). Entre las prostitutas que trabajan en contactos se incrementa más de cinco veces el uso del preservativo que entre las que lo hacen en los clubs y en la calle. Las que tienen mayor tiempo de seguimiento son las que tienen una mayor prevalencia en el uso del preservativo al final del seguimiento (odds ratio ajustada > 6 años frente a < de un año = 7,61; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 2,2-26,0).ConclusiónEste estudio ha puesto en evidencia un incremento en la frecuencia del uso del preservativo y la baja frecuencia de su abandono en una cohorte de prostitutas a lo largo de 10 años. En un futuro será necesario adaptar esta estrategia preventiva a las nuevas formas de prostitución menos estables y al incremento de inmigrantes, factores que motivan una menor asistencia y adhesión a centros de prevención.SummaryObjetiveTo describe changes in condom use among prostitutes enrolled in a prospective cohort study in Alicante (Spain), and to identify those factors associated with changes in this behaviour.MethodsData from this study come from a prospective cohort study of women working at prostitution enrolled in a center for AIDS preventive at Alicante from 1986 to 1996. The proportion of condom use by prostitutes with their clients was recorded during the first visit and the last one, and changes in condom use were estimated as the difference between them. Two logistic regression analyses were done to identify those factors associated with positive or negative changes in condom use.ResultsA statistically significant increase in the prevalence of condom use was observed between the first, 69,2%, and the last visit, 83,9% (p < 0,001). Prostitutes working private increased the condom use more than five time than those working in clubs or at the street. The higher the follow-up time the higher the prevalence of condom user, OR > 6 years = 7,6 (95% CI: 2,2-26,0). No variable was associated with a negative change in condom use.ConclusionThis study shows an overall increase of condom use in a cohort of prostitutes after 10 years of follow-up. Relapse in risk behavior has been infrequent. In the future, preventive strategies to increase the use of condoms among prostitutes should be adapted to the new forms of sexual commerce

Interaction of 8 He with 208Pb at near-barrier energies: 4 He and 6 He production

Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness-FPA-2010-22131-CO2-01 (FINURA) y FPA2013-47327-C2-1-RMinistry of Science and Higher Education of Poland-N202 033637National Science Centre of Poland-2013/08/M/ST2/00257 (LEA-COPIGAL) y 2014/14/M/ST2/00738 (COPIN-INFN Collaboration)European Science Foundation-EUI2009-04163432 (EUROGENESIS

Utilization of lactose and presence of the phospho-β-galactosidase (lacG) gene in Lactococcus garvieae isolates from different sources

This study evaluates the utilization of lactose (Lac) and the presence of the phospho-&beta;-galactosidase (lacG) gene as markers for distinguishing between fish (Lac-/lacG-) and dairy isolates (Lac+/lacG+) of Lactococcus garvieae, using a panel of L. garvieae isolates from different sources. None of the fish isolates produced acid from lactose (Lac-), however Lac-/lacG- isolates were observed in pigs, cows, birds and humans. Most of the dairy isolates (77.8%) were Lac+/lacG+, but some dairy isolates did not produce acid from this sugar. Data in the present study show that the ability to metabolize lactose and the presence of the lacG gene are heterogeneously scattered among L. garvieae isolates of different sources. Therefore, the use of these criteria as markers to differentiate between L. garvieae isolates of dairy and fish origin should be considered with caution. [Int Microbiol 2010; 13(4):189-193

Utilization of lactose and presence of the phospho-β-galactosidase (lacG) gene in Lactococcus garvieae isolates from different sources

This study evaluates the utilization of lactose (Lac) and the presence of the phospho-β-galactosidase (lacG) gene as markers for distinguishing between fish (Lac-/lacG-) and dairy isolates (Lac+/lacG+) of Lactococcus garvieae, using a panel of L. garvieae isolates from different sources. None of the fish isolates produced acid from lactose (Lac-), however Lac-/lacG- isolates were observed in pigs, cows, birds and humans. Most of the dairy isolates (77.8%) were Lac+/lacG+, but some dairy isolates did not produce acid from this sugar. Data in the present study show that the ability to metabolize lactose and the presence of the lacG gene are heterogeneously scattered among L. garvieae isolates of different sources. Therefore, the use of these criteria as markers to differentiate between L. garvieae isolates of dairy and fish origin should be considered with caution

Global transcriptome analysis of Lactococcus garvieae strains in response to temperature

Lactococcus garvieae is an important fish and an opportunistic human pathogen. The genomic sequences of several L. garvieae strains have been recently published, opening the possibility of global studies on the biology of this pathogen. In this study, a whole genome DNA microarray of two strains of L. garvieae was designed and validated. This DNA microarray was used to investigate the effects of growth temperature (18°C and 37°C) on the transcriptome of two clinical strains of L. garvieae that were isolated from fish (Lg8831) and from a human case of septicemia (Lg21881). The transcriptome profiles evidenced a strain-specific response to temperature, which was more evident at 18°C. Among the most significant findings, Lg8831 was found to up-regulate at 18°C several genes encoding different cold-shock and cold-induced proteins involved in an efficient adaptive response of this strain to low-temperature conditions. Another relevant result was the description, for the first time, of respiratory metabolism in L. garvieae, whose gene expression regulation was temperature-dependent in Lg21881. This study provides new insights about how environmental factors such as temperature can affect L. garvieae gene expression. These data could improve our understanding of the regulatory networks and adaptive biology of this important pathogen

Pharmacogenetic Guided Opioid Therapy Improves Chronic Pain Outcomes and Comorbid Mental Health: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study

Interindividual variability in analgesic response is at least partly due to well-characterized polymorphisms that are associated with opioid dosing and adverse outcomes. The Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) has put forward recommendations for the CYP2D6 phenotype, but the list of studied drug-gene pairs continues to grow. This clinical trial randomized chronic pain patients (n = 60), referred from primary care to pain unit care into two opioid prescribing arms, one guided by CYP2D6, μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1), and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) genotypes vs. one with clinical routine. The genotype-guided treatment reduced pain intensity (76 vs. 59 mm, p < 0.01) by improving pain relief (28 vs. 48 mm, p < 0.05), increased quality of life (43 vs. 56 mm p < 0.001), and lowered the incidence of clinically relevant adverse events (3 [1-5] vs. 1 [0-2], p < 0.01) and 42% opioid dose (35 [22-61] vs. 60 [40-80] mg/day, p < 0.05) as opposed to usual prescribing arm. The final health utility score was significantly higher (0.71 [0.58-0.82] vs. 0.51 [0.13-0.67] controls, p < 0.05) by improving sleepiness and depression comorbidity, with a significant reduction of 30-34% for headache, dry mouth, nervousness, and constipation. A large-scale implementation analysis could help clinical translation, together with a pharmaco-economic evaluation