Eigenstate equivalent circuit for bi-periodic surfaces: Application to three parallel dipoles

An equivalent circuit for the unit cell of bi-periodic surfaces is proposed. The equivalent circuit is general and simple. It is based on the decomposition of the eigenmodes of the structure and it takes into account the polarization of the incident wave. It consists of the interconnection of two different admittances and two transformers. The model of a unit cell composed of three parallel dipoles is extracted. The transformer of the proposed equivalent circuit models the rotation of the dipoles, while the admittances model their frequency behaviour (resonances). This equivalent circuit provides physical insight and, at the same time, it models in separate elements the contribution of the rotation and the dipole trio resonances. The model is able to replicate the full-wave simulation result with great accuracy.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MCIU), Agencia Estatal de Investigación y Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) (Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad) con referencia: RTI2018-097098-J-I00. Junta de Andalucía PAIDI 2020 con referencia: PY20 00452

Measuring odd- and even-mode propagation constants of coupled-lines by means of the lattice network

A classic method for measuring the propagation constant of transmission lines is the one proposed by Bianco and Parodi more than four decades ago [1]. It is based on the invariance of the cross ratio of four complex numbers under a bilinear transformation. This means that it is possible to extract the value of the propagation constant (both real and imaginary parts) of an arbitrary transmission line (TL) by measuring, through an arbitrary (and unique) two-port, the input reflection coefficient of four TL sections of different lengths provided they are terminated by the same load. The accuracy of the original method can be greatly improved by measuring a higher number of TL sections and taking all the possible combinations of four lines.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

On the eigenstate equivalent circuit for lossy asymmetric two-ports and its applications

An equivalent-circuit topology for two-port lossy non-symmetric reciprocal networks is presented [1]. The circuit topology is based on the eigenstate decomposition. The proposed circuit consists of two immittances and two transformers with a single complex turns ratio, as shown in Fig. 1. The only three complex parameters of the circuit are obtained from the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the admittance or impedance matrix of the network in a straightforward way. The real parts of its immittances are always positive. Thus, the circuit is a powerful candidate for modeling asymmetric structures since it preserves some of the valuable properties of the symmetric lattice network: ability to separate the eigenstates and realizability of the real parts of the immittances. Indeed, it degenerates in the classic lattice network if the structure is symmetric. Two direct applications of the circuit are proposed. The first one is the design of asymmetric unit cells of leaky-wave antennas. A model can be found for the behavior of the two-port as a function of the degree of asymmetry using the proposed equivalent circuit topology. The new design methodology is simple and general, unlike the one proposed in [2]. The second application is the analysis and modeling of lossless and lossy bi-periodic scatterers [3]. It significantly simplifies their design, since it reduces the number of elements with respect to other equivalent circuits. Due to the capability of decomposition into the eigen excitations of the structure, the circuit provides an important physical insight. For different structures, the admittances have been successfully modeled using a few positive and frequency-independent RLC elements.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

CRISPR-ERA for Switching Off (Onco) Genes

Genome-editing nucleases like the popular CRISPR/Cas9 enable the generation of knockout cell lines and null zygotes by inducing site-specific double-stranded breaks (DSBs) within a genome. In most cases, when a DNA template is not present, the DSB is repaired by nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), resulting in small nucleotide insertions or deletions that can be used to construct knockout alleles. However, for several reasons, these mutations do not produce the desired null result in all cases, instead generating a similar protein with functional activity. This undesirable effect could limit the therapeutic efficiency of gene therapy strategies focused on abrogating oncogene expression by CRISPR/Cas9 and should be taken into account. This chapter reviews the irruption of CRISPR technology for gene silencing and its application in gene therapy

Detection and characterization of staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant s. aureus in foods confiscated in EU borders

Producción CientíficaThe aim of the study was to evaluate the potential role of the illegal entry of food in UE in the Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) spread. We studied the prevalence and characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA isolated from foods of animal origin confiscated from passengers on flights from 45 non-EU countries from 2012 to 2015 by the Border Authorities at Bilbao International Airport (Spain) and Vienna International Airport (Austria), as well as foods from open markets close to EU land borders. Of 868 food samples tested (diverse meat samples including antelope, duck, guinea pig, pork, rodents, turkey, dairy products, and eggs), 136 (15.7%) were positive for S. aureus and 26 (3.0%) for MRSA. All MRSA strains were mecA-positive. The prevalence of S. aureus-positive dairy samples among food confiscated at Bilbao International Airport was 64.6%, and this airport also had the highest value (11.8%) for MRSA-positive samples. The predominant sequence type was ST5 (30.8%), followed by ST8, ST1649, ST1, and other lineages were found to a lesser extent (ST7, ST22, ST72, ST97, and ST398). Six isolates tested positive for luk-PVL genes (SCCmec IV subtypes IVc and IVe). Enterotoxin profiling revealed that 19 MRSA strains were enterotoxigenic, harboring one or more se genes. The MRSA isolates positive for luk-PVL genes were not enterotoxigenic, and none of the isolates tested positive for enterotoxin E. We found 14 resistance profiles, and more than 69% of the MRSA isolates were resistant to three or more types of antimicrobial agents. This finding reveals both the wide diversity of the antimicrobial resistance found in the strains and the capacity to resist not only to beta-lactam drugs. One MRSA strain showed unusual characteristics: it was oxacillin-susceptible, harbored SCCmec V, and was positive for sed, seg, and sej but negative for PVL virulence factors. This study shows the presence of enterotoxigenic HA-, CA-, and LA-MRSA in foods illegally entering the EU, and highlights illegal importation of food as route of enterotoxigenic MRSA spread. Uncontrolled entry of food stuffs into the EU can be a relevant neglected route of MRSA dissemination.Séptimo Programa Marco de la UE Proyecto PROMISE (proyecto n. 265877)Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (AGL2016- 74882-C3-3

Clinical Impact of Electronic Monitoring Devices of Inhalers in Adults with Asthma or COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to gain insight into the characteristics and clinical impact of electronic monitoring devices of inhalers (EMDs) and their clinical interventions in adult patients with asthma or COPD. The search included PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus and Embase databases, as well as official EMDs websites. We found eight observational studies and ten clinical trials, assessing a wide range of clinical outcomes. Results from the meta-analysis on adherence to inhalers in a period over three months were favourable in the EMD group (fixed effects model: SMD: 0.36 [0.25-0.48]; random effects model SMD: 0.41 [0.22-0.60]). An exploratory meta-analysis found an improvement in ACT score (fixed effect model SMD: 0.25 [0.11-0.39]; random effects model: SMD: 0.47 [−0.14-1.08]). Other clinical outcomes showed mixed results in the descriptive analyses. The findings of this review highlight the benefits of EMDs in the optimization of adherence to inhaled therapy as well as the potential interest in other clinical outcomes

Members of the α-amylase inhibitors family from wheat endosperm are major allergens associated with baker's asthma

AbstractWe have identified the major antigens or IgE binding components from wheat flour. Thirty-five sera from patients with baker's asthma were used to analyze the reaction with wheat salt-soluble proteins. We found a 15 kDa SDS-PAGE band which reacted with all sera tested. Purified members of the α-amylase inhibitor family, which are the main components of the 15 kDa band, were recognized by specific IgE when tested with a pool of reactive sera. Immunodetection after two-dimensional electrophoretic fractionation of crude inhibitor preparations from wheat endosperms also detected several inhibitor subunits as major low-molecular-weight allergens

Characterization of biofilms formed by foodborne methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

Producción CientíficaThe objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of 49 methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from foods of animal origin (42 from dairy products and 7 from meat and meat products) to form biofilms. Overall, a higher biofilm biomass was observed for those MRSA strains harboring SCCmec type IV, while 8 MRSA strains (5 from dairy products and 3 from meat and meat products) were classified as strong biofilm formers in standard Tryptic Soy Broth medium. When a prolonged incubation period (48 h) was applied for those 8 MRSA strains, an increased biofilm biomass accumulation was observed during the time course, whereas the number of viable cells within the biofilms decreased as the biomass increased. The capacity of biofilm production correlated pretty well between the experiments using polystyrene microtiter plates and stainless steel micro-well plates, and significant higher values were observed in stainless steel when glucose was added to TSB during the enrichment. Biofilms were further characterized by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), confirming that proteins and α-polysaccharides were the predominant components inside the extracellular polymeric matrix of biofilms formed by MRSA strains. In conclusion, our results confirm that MRSA isolates from foods of animal origin have significant capacity for forming biofilms with a high protein content, which can play a key role for the successful dissemination of MRSA lineages via food. Knowledge of the capacity of MRSA strains to produce biofilms, as well as characterization of the main MRSA biofilms matrix components, can help both to counteract the mechanisms involved in biofilm formation and resistance and to define more rational control strategies by using tailor-made cleaning agents

Reflexions a propòsit de les seccions sobre llengua dels mitjans de comunicació

Aquest article planteja l’acció de divulgació de coneixements lingüístics en l’actualitat als mitjans de comunicació. Recull les reflexions d’especialistes que han estudiat, elaborat i assessorat espais sobre aquest tema dels mitjans escrits i audiovisuals. Hi formulen les seves reflexions a partir de tres aspectes: en primer lloc, l’activitat pròpia de divulgació de qüestions de llengua (inclosa la normativa) en les institucions o les empreses a les quals estan o han estat vinculats; en segon lloc, la manera com creuen que aquesta activitat de difusió de coneixements de llengua ajuda a l’estudi i a la fixació de la norma, i, en tercer lloc, els canals i les formes cap a on hauria d’evolucionar, en el futur pròxim, la divulgació de coneixements lingüístics, si vol ser efectiva.This paper proposes language knowledge dissemination today in the media. It gathers the reflections of specialists who have studied, elaborated, and advised sections on this subject within the written and audiovisual media. They formulate their reflections based on three aspects: firstly, their activity of disseminating language issues (including regulations) in the institutions or companies to which they are or have been linked; secondly, how they believe that this activity of disseminating language knowledge helps in the study and setting of the norm; and, thirdly, the channels and ways in which it should evolve, in the near future, the dissemination of linguistic knowledge, if it is to be effective

Relación de la edad y la ocupación con las barreras para la práctica de actividades físico-deportivas de las mujeres adultas españolas

Proyecto I+D+i DEP19801 Dado el escaso conocimiento en torno a las barreras que impiden practicar a las mujeres adultas españolas los objetivos de esta investigación son identificar las diferentes barreras que presentan las mujeres entre 30 y 64 años de edad según el grupo de edad (30 a 35 años, 36 a 49 años, más de 50 años) y nivel de ocupación (empleo e hijos, empleo y cuidado de hijos)