A DSS For Reservoirs Operation Based On The Execution Of Formal Models

Controlling the evolution of a reservoir in a flood episode can be critical, especially in Mediterranean basins where the concentration time is very short. In this situation, an automatic software tool can help the reservoir manager to make a quick decision. In this paper we present a DSS based on the execution of formal models by means of model checking. This technique exhaustively explores the different execution branches of a model of the system. The DSS addresses two flood control tasks. First, the DSS simulates the evolution of the reservoir (the water stored and released) when applying a predefined flood control strategy. Second, and probably the most important task, the DSS generates, in a short time, new flood control strategies based on a prediction of the water inflow and the goals and constraints imposed by the dam manager. This task is associated with the concept of risk in its technical sense; that is, the probability of occurrence of an extreme event and the damage cost associated. The DSS returns a set of maneuvers over the dam gates that control the evolution of the dam level following the goals and constrains imposed by the dam manager. Currently, the DSS includes hybrid model of a specific dam located in the city of Marbella. This model describes the continuous discharge curves and the discrete opening degrees of the dam gates. Other models of Andalusian dams will be included soon. In addition, there are discrete models of two flood control strategies (Dordogne and MEV) that can be applied. Moreover in order to generate new strategies, the DSS uses a non-deterministic model that simulates the dam manager. We present some case studies where we evaluate the performance of the tool and the suitability of the control strategies generated for different historical flood episodes

El voluntariado de la Universidad de Sevilla en los grupos interactivos de las comunidades de aprendizaje

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar las valoraciones que los estudiantes universitarios, que han participado como voluntarios en centros constituidos como Comunidad de Aprendizaje, hacende su experiencia en Grupos Interactivos.Para la recogida de información pedimos a los participantes que entregaran una memoria con sus valoraciones. En el análisis de dichos informes se ha utilizado una metodología cualitativa basada en análisis del contenido.Los resultados se han agrupado en cinco bloques: Para qué les ha servido colaborar en el voluntariado de grupos interactivos, cómo se han sentido durante esta colaboración, los aspectos positivos que quieren destacar de esta experiencia, los aspectos negativos de la misma y por último las propuestas de mejora que quieran formular.Finalizamos el trabajo señalando que los aspectos positivos sobrepasan con creces a los aspectos negativos y superan ampliamente sus expectativas iniciales tanto a nivel personal como profesional. Por otra parte los resultados confirman en la práctica los siete principios del aprendizaje dialógico sobre el que se sustenta este modelo de actuación educativa

Characterization of Thermophilic Lignocellulolytic Microorganisms in Composting

Composting involves the selection of a microbiota capable of resisting the high temperatures generated during the process and degrading the lignocellulose. A deep understanding of the thermophilic microbial community involved in such biotransformation is valuable to improve composting efficiency and to provide thermostable biomass-degrading enzymes for biorefinery. This study investigated the lignocellulose-degrading thermophilic microbial culturome at all the stages of plant waste composting, focusing on the dynamics, enzymes, and thermotolerance of each member of such a community. The results revealed that 58% of holocellulose (cellulose plus hemicellulose) and 7% of lignin were degraded at the end of composting. The whole fungal thermophilic population exhibited lignocellulose-degrading activity, whereas roughly 8–10% of thermophilic bacteria had this trait, although exclusively for hemicellulose degradation (xylan-degrading). Because of the prevalence of both groups, their enzymatic activity, and the wide spectrum of thermotolerance, they play a key role in the breakdown of hemicellulose during the entire process, whereas the degradation of cellulose and lignin is restricted to the activity of a few thermophilic fungi that persists at the end of the process. The xylanolytic bacterial isolates (159 strains) included mostly members of Firmicutes (96%) as well as a few representatives of Actinobacteria (2%) and Proteobacteria (2%). The most prevalent species were Bacillus licheniformis and Aeribacillus pallidus. Thermophilic fungi (27 strains) comprised only four species, namely Thermomyces lanuginosus, Talaromyces thermophilus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Gibellulopsis nigrescens, of whom A. fumigatus and T. lanuginosus dominated. Several strains of the same species evolved distinctly at the stages of composting showing phenotypes with different thermotolerance and new enzyme expression, even not previously described for the species, as a response to the changing composting environment. Strains of Bacillus thermoamylovorans, Geobacillus thermodenitrificans, T. lanuginosus, and A. fumigatus exhibiting considerable enzyme activities were selected as potential candidates for the production of thermozymes. This study lays a foundation to further investigate the mechanisms of adaptation and acquisition of new traits among thermophilic lignocellulolytic microorganisms during composting as well as their potential utility in biotechnological processing

Combined body mass index and waist-to-height ratio and its association with lifestyle and health factors among Spanish children: the PASOS study

Background and Aims: The World Health Organization recommended simultaneous measurement of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and suggested joint use to predict disease risks. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of BMI and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) categories among Spanish children and adolescents, as well as their associations with several lifestyle factors. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 8–16-year-old children and adolescents (n = 3772) were included in the PASOS nationwide representative study. Children/adolescents and their mothers/female caregivers answered a questionnaire on lifestyle and health factors. Child/adolescent anthropometrics were measured. Four combined BMI-WHtR disease risk categories were built. Results: A third of participants showed combined BMI-WHtR categories with high disease risk (12.3% ‘increased risk’, 9.7% ‘high risk’, 14.3% ‘very high risk’). Participants in the ‘very high risk’ group were less likely to be females (odds ratio 0.63; 95% CI: 0.52–0.76) and adolescents (0.60; 95% CI: 0.49–0.72), to practice ≥60 min/day of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (0.73; 95% CI: 0.57–0.93), and to watch <120 min/day of total screen time on weekdays (0.61; 95% CI: 0.49–0.76). Mothers of participants in the ‘very high risk’ group were less likely to have a high educational level, be in the overweight or normal range, have never smoked or were former smokers, and watch <120 min/day of total screen time on weekends. Participants in the ‘increased’ and ‘high risk’ categories had mothers with normal weight and ≥60 min/day of MVPA. Participants in the ’high risk’ group did not achieve ≥60 min/day of MVPA and showed lower adherence to the mediterranean diet. Conclusions: Adherence to a healthy lifestyle in children and adolescents, but also in their mothers/female caregivers during offspring’s childhood and adolescence, is associated with low BMI-WHtR disease risk.The PASOS study was funded by Fundación PROBITAS and the Gasol Foundation. Additional funds were received from the Barça Foundation, Banco Santander, IFA, Vienna and the Fundación Deporte Joven (no references are applicable). J.A.T., C.B., M.M.G., and M.d.M.B. were funded by CIBEROBN (CB12/03/30038) of the Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund

Brentuximab vedotin in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: Data from the Spanish Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry

[Background] Brentuximab vedotin (BV) has been approved for CD30-expressing cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after at least one previous systemic treatment. However, real clinical practice is still limited.[Objectives] To evaluate the response and tolerance of BV in a cohort of patients with CTCL.[Methods] We analysed CTCL patients treated with BV from the Spanish Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry (RELCP).[Results] Sixty-seven patients were included. There were 26 females and the mean age at diagnosis was 59 years. Forty-eight were mycosis fungoides (MF), 7 Sézary syndrome (SS) and 12 CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30 LPD). Mean follow-up was 18 months. Thirty patients (45%) showed at least 10% of CD30+ cells among the total lymphocytic infiltrate. The median number of BV infusions received was 7. The overall response rate (ORR) was 67% (63% in MF, 71% in SS and 84% in CD30 LPD). Ten of 14 patients with folliculotropic MF (FMF) achieved complete or partial response (ORR 71%). The median time to response was 2.8 months. During follow-up, 36 cases (54%) experienced cutaneous relapse or progression. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 10.3 months. The most frequent adverse event was peripheral neuropathy (PN) (57%), in most patients (85%), grades 1 or 2.[Conclusions] These results confirm the efficacy and safety of BV in patients with advanced-stage MF, and CD30 LPD. In addition, patients with FMF and SS also showed a favourable response. Our data suggest that BV retreatment is effective in a proportion of cases.The Spanish Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry (RELCP) is promoted by the Fundación Piel Sana Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología, which received an unrestricted grant support from Kyowa Kirin.Peer reviewe

Informe final del escaneo de horizonte sobre futuras especies exóticas invasoras en España

73 p.La introducción de especies exóticas invasoras (EEI) es una de las principales causas de la pérdida de biodiversidad a nivel global, que provoca grandes costes socioeconómicos. Sin embargo, el número de nuevas introducciones continúa creciendo año tras año. Por lo tanto, urge identificar posibles futuras EEI con el objetivo de diseñar e implementar medidas que prevengan y mitiguen los efectos negativos de su introducción. Así, el objetivo de este estudio es prospectar qué especies exóticas no establecidas en España podrían llegar fácilmente en los próximos 10 años, establecerse y causar importantes impactos ecológicos. Para ello, se ha realizado un escaneo de horizonte, siguiendo la metodología establecida en trabajos previos, siendo el primero para el conjunto de las especies exóticas invasoras en España. Se añadieron en el análisis especies que no son autóctonas de España, incluyendo los archipiélagos de Canarias y Baleares, y que no están establecidas en España. Un total de 39 científicos, expertos en distintos grupos taxonómicos y ecosistemas, ha evaluado 933 especies. Con el objetivo de analizar el acuerdo entre las evaluaciones individuales de los expertos y su consistencia, se llevaron a cabo dos análisis de fiabilidad complementarios, cuyos resultados se discuten en este informe. Como resultado del escaneo, se obtuvo una lista priorizada de 105 especies (46 con riesgo muy alto y 59 con riesgo alto). La mayoría de estas especies (84,8%), sin embargo, no están incluidas actualmente en el Catálogo Español de Especies Exóticas Invasoras. Por lo tanto, se recomienda la realización de un análisis de riesgo más detallado de estas especies y, si se confirma el riesgo alto, la solicitud de su incorporación en dicho catálogo o en el Listado de especies alóctonas susceptibles de competir con las especies silvestres autóctonas, alterar su pureza genética o los equilibrios ecológicos. Del mismo modo, se propone la realización de escaneos de horizonte específicos para los archipiélagos de Canarias y Baleares, ya que muchas de las especies autóctonas de la Península no lo son de las islas y podrían tener un gran impacto si allí se introdujeran. Este informe también analiza la afinidad taxonómica (i.e. filo) y funcional (i.e. productor primario, depredador, omnívoro, herbívoro o filtrador) de las especies de la lista priorizada, su origen geográfico y las principales vías de introducción. Por último, discute los mecanismos de impacto de dichas especies.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovació

Autoantibodies against type I IFNs in patients with critical influenza pneumonia

In an international cohort of 279 patients with hypoxemic influenza pneumonia, we identified 13 patients (4.6%) with autoantibodies neutralizing IFN-alpha and/or -omega, which were previously reported to underlie 15% cases of life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia and one third of severe adverse reactions to live-attenuated yellow fever vaccine. Autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) can underlie critical COVID-19 pneumonia and yellow fever vaccine disease. We report here on 13 patients harboring autoantibodies neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 alone (five patients) or with IFN-omega (eight patients) from a cohort of 279 patients (4.7%) aged 6-73 yr with critical influenza pneumonia. Nine and four patients had antibodies neutralizing high and low concentrations, respectively, of IFN-alpha 2, and six and two patients had antibodies neutralizing high and low concentrations, respectively, of IFN-omega. The patients' autoantibodies increased influenza A virus replication in both A549 cells and reconstituted human airway epithelia. The prevalence of these antibodies was significantly higher than that in the general population for patients 70 yr of age (3.1 vs. 4.4%, P = 0.68). The risk of critical influenza was highest in patients with antibodies neutralizing high concentrations of both IFN-alpha 2 and IFN-omega (OR = 11.7, P = 1.3 x 10(-5)), especially those <70 yr old (OR = 139.9, P = 3.1 x 10(-10)). We also identified 10 patients in additional influenza patient cohorts. Autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFNs account for similar to 5% of cases of life-threatening influenza pneumonia in patients <70 yr old

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality