Animal behaviour: Shifting attention in order to disperse

New findings in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans identify neuromodulation of behavioural responses to pheromones as a mechanism for regulating dispersal and foraging strategies

Structural instability of vortices in Bose-Einstein condensates

In this paper we study a gaseous Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) and show that: (i) A minimum value of the interaction is needed for the existence of stable persistent currents. (ii) Vorticity is not a fundamental invariant of the system, as there exists a conservative mechanism which can destroy a vortex and change its sign. (iii) This mechanism is suppressed by strong interactions.Comment: 4 pages with 3 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Factors controlling rock-clay buffer interaction in a radioactive clay repository

The paper examines the interaction between host rock and a clay-based engineered barrier in the context of deep underground disposal of high-level radioactive waste. A large scale “in situ” heating test currently under way in the underground Grimsel Rock Laboratory (GRL; Switzerland) is adopted as a representative case for study. The main features of the behaviour of the rock/barrier system have been examined using a comprehensive programme of coupled thermo–hydro–mechanical analyses. A parametric study has been performed to assess the effects of individual phenomena and parameters. The characterisation activities carried out in relation with the in situ test provide the information on material properties and test conditions required. Results highlighting the influence of vapour diffusion, permeability, and retention curve of rock and bentonite are presented. The interaction between clay barrier and host medium exhibits a high degree of complexity

Globally-Linked Vortex Clusters in Trapped Wave Fields

We put forward the existence of a rich variety of fully stationary vortex structures, termed H-clusters, made of an increasing number of vortices nested in paraxial wave fields confined by trapping potentials. However, we show that the constituent vortices are globally linked, rather than products of independent vortices. Also, they always feature a monopolar global wave front and exist in nonlinear systems, such as Bose-Einstein condensates. Clusters with multipolar global wave fronts are non-stationary or at best flipping.Comment: 4 pages, 5 PostScript figure

Misfolded α-Synuclein in Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease.

We analyzed Lewy body (LB) pathology in 18 autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) brains via immunohistochemistry. Real-time quaking induced conversion was used to detect misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) in 18 living ADAD cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Concomitant LB pathology was present in 44% ADAD brains. Only 6% CSF samples were positive for misfolded α-syn. In an additional AD sample, all patients with confirmed LB presented misfolded α-syn in postmortem CSF regardless of the LB staging. In conclusion, misfolded α-syn in CSF was scarce in symptomatic living ADAD individuals, in contrast to postmortem brain tissue. These results suggest late appearance of LB pathology in ADAD

Brote nosocomial de COVID-19 en una planta de medicina interna: probable transmisión aérea

Transmissió aèria; Brot; COVID-19Transmisión aérea; Brote; COVID-19Airborne transmission; Outbreak; COVID-19Background and objectives: Despite the increasing evidence supporting the importance of airborne transmission in SARS-CoV-2 infection, it has not been considered relevant in the vast majority of reported nosocomial outbreaks of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to describe a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection whose features suggest that aerosol transmission had an important role. Methods: This is a descriptive analysis of a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an internal medicine ward that occurred in December 2020. All cases were confirmed by a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Results: From December 5 to December 17, 21 patients and 44 healthcare workers (HCWs) developed a nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fifty-one of the 65 cases (78.5%) were diagnosed between December 6 and 9. The attack rate in patients was 80.8%. Among HCWs, the attack rate was higher in those who had worked at least one full working day in the ward (56.3%) than in those who had occasionally been in the ward (25.8%; p = 0.005). Three days before the first positive case was detected, two extractor fans were found to be defective, affecting the ventilation of three rooms. Sixteen cases were asymptomatic, 48 cases had non-severe symptoms, and 2 cases required admission to the intensive care unit. All patients eventually recovered. Conclusion: The high attack rate, the explosive nature of the outbreak, and the coincidence in time with the breakdown in air extractors in some rooms of the ward suggest that airborne transmission played a key role in the development of the outbreak.Antecedentes y objetivos A pesar de los datos cada vez mayores que respaldan la importancia de la transmisión aérea en la infección por el SARS-CoV-2, en la inmensa mayoría de los brotes nosocomiales descritos de COVID-19 no se ha considerado relevante. El objetivo de este estudio consiste en describir un brote nosocomial de infección por el SARS-CoV-2 cuyas características indican que la transmisión por aerosoles desempeñó un papel importante. Métodos Se trata de un análisis descriptivo de un brote nosocomial de infección por el SARS-CoV-2 en una planta de Medicina Interna que tuvo lugar en diciembre de 2020. Todos los casos se confirmaron mediante una PCR positiva para SARS-CoV-2. Resultados Entre el 5 y el 17 de diciembre, 21 pacientes y 44 profesionales sanitarios contrajeron una infección nosocomial por el SARS-CoV-2. De los 65 casos, 51 (78,5%) se diagnosticaron entre el 6 y el 9 de diciembre. La tasa de ataque en los pacientes fue del 80,8%. Entre los profesionales sanitarios, la tasa de ataque fue mayor en los que habían trabajado al menos una jornada laboral completa en la planta (56,3%) que en los que habían estado ocasionalmente en ella (25,8%; p = 0,005). Tres días antes de detectar el primer caso positivo se identificó una avería en dos extractores de aire, que afectó a la ventilación de tres habitaciones. Dieciséis casos cursaron de forma asintomática, 48 manifestaron síntomas leves y 2 precisaron ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Todos los casos se recuperaron finalmente. Conclusiones La elevada tasa de ataque, la naturaleza explosiva del brote y la coincidencia en el tiempo con la avería de los extractores de aire en algunas habitaciones de la planta indican que la transmisión aérea desempeñó un papel fundamental en el desarrollo del brote

Antecedentes de los valores olímpicos en la Grecia Clásica y su proyección en el olimpismo moderno

Actualmente, el Movimiento Olímpico identifica tres valores fundamentales que definen el Olimpismo: excelencia, amistad y respeto. Muchas investigaciones analizan la inclusión de los valores olímpicos en los textos y conferencias de Pierre de Coubertin, sin embargo, poco se ha escrito sobre los valores asociados a la práctica física y competitiva en la Grecia Clásica y la vinculación de estos con los valores del ideario olímpico moderno. Este trabajo estudia la pervivencia de aquellos valores clásicos dentro de los que hoy recoge el Movimiento Olímpico y cómo podemos establecer un paralelismo entre los valores defendidos por el Olimpismo moderno y el código ético subyacente en la literatura grecolatina, en cuanto a la actividad física y la celebración de los certámenes atléticos.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Currently, the Olympic Movement has identified three core values that define Olympism: excellence, friendship and respect. Many studies analyzed the inclusion of the olympic values in texts and lectures of Pierre de Coubertin, however, little has been written about the values associated with the physical and competitive practice in Classical Greece and linking these with the values of ideology modern olympic. This article studies the survival of those classic values within which today includes the Olympic Movement and how we can establish a parallelism between the values defended by the modern Olympism and the underlying ethical code in the Greco-Roman literature regarding physical activity and celebration athletic contests. Artículo revisado por pare

A randomized open-labeled study to examine the effects of creatine monohydrate and combined training on jump and scoring performance in young basketball players

BACKGROUND: Creatine monohydrate (CrM) supplementation has been shown to be an effective and safe nutritional supplement to improve performance; however, the impact of CrM supplementation in young basketball players is less clear. This study evaluated the effects of CrM supplementation during a strength and conditioning training (SCT) program on lower-limb strength parameters and performance in under-16 (U16) basketball players. METHODS: Twenty-three male U16 basketball players participated in this study (14.3 ± 0.4 years; BMI: 20.7 ± 2.2 kg∙m(−2)). The players were randomly assigned to either a CrM group (n = 12) that ingested 0.1 g·kg(−1)·day(−1) of CrM or to a non-supplemented control group (n = 11, CON). The athletes participated in an 8-week SCT program consisting of two lower-limb resistance-training sessions and two plyometric sessions per week. Squat jump (SJ), drop jump (DP), countermovement jump (CMJ), and Abalakov (ABK) jump power tests as well as basketball performance (points and minutes per game) were measured before, during and/or after the intervention. Data were analyzed using a general linear model with repeated measures with independent Student’s t-test pairwise comparisons. RESULTS: The results (95% confidence interval for mean change from baseline) show that there were significant differences for all variables for CrM and CON, respectively: SJ (cm): 2.6 – 6.4, P < 0.01 and 2.2–5.1 P < 0.01; DJ (cm): 2.5–5.6, P < 0.01, and 1.8–4.4, P < 0.01; CMJ (cm): 0.3–0.8, P < 0.01, and 0.2–0.5, P < 0.01; ABK (cm): 2.8–5.5, P < 0.01 and 0.7–2.6, P = 0.003. A significant group x time interaction (p = 0.003, η(p)(2) = 0.342) was observed in ABK performance. No significant group x time effects were seen in squat jump (p = 0.449, η(p)(2) = 0.028), drop jump (p = 0.143, η(p)(2) = 0.099), or counter movement jump (p = 0.304, η(p)(2) = 0.05). A significant interaction effect was also observed in points per game (p = 0.049, η(p)(2) = 0.149), while a non-significant but medium effect was seen in minutes per game (p = 0.166, η(p)(2) = 0.094). CONCLUSIONS: CrM supplementation in conjunction with resistance and plyometric training increased the lower-limb ABK power and scoring performance in U16 basketball players

Cuantificación de ácidos grasos a partir de biomasa microalgal

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are focusing the interest of researchers as long as analytical techniques are being improved. The Lepage and Roy direct transesterification method is being widely used to measure fatty acid content of microalgae which are proposed as potential sources of these products. In this paper, the physical state of the biomass to be analyzed is studied. Comparison has been stated between lyophilized biomass and wet biomass just harvested. Furthermore, the amount of sample and the number of methyl ester extractions have also been studied. From the statistical analysis carried out, wet biomass to fatty acid determination and the adequate range of sample are proposed. Three methyl ester extractions improve the resolution of GC analysis.El interés creciente por los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de cadena larga viene favorecido por la mejora de las técnicas de análisis. La metodología de transesterificación directa propuesta por Lepage y Roy está siendo ampliamente utilizada para la determinación del contenido en ácidos grasos de microalgas, consideradas como potenciales fuentes de estos productos. En el presente trabajo, se analiza la influencia del estado físico de la biomasa analizada, seca, normalmente por liofilización, o húmeda recién cosechada del cultivo. Asimismo, se analiza el efecto de la cantidad de biomasa empleada y del número de extracciones de los esteres metílicos obtenidos. Del estudio estadístico realizado se pone de manifiesto la importancia del estado físico de la muestra, aconsejándose el uso de biomasa directamente obtenida del cultivo. Se proponen los intervalos de cantidad de biomasa para metilación, así como la conveniencia de realizar tres extracciones previas a la inyección en el cromatógrafo, que favorece la resolución del análisis

Evaluation of GenoFlow DR-MTB array test for detection of rifampin and isoniazid resistance in mycobacterium tuberculosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the GenoFlow DR-MTB array test (DiagCor Bioscience, Hong Kong) on 70 cultured isolates and 50 sputum specimens. The GenoFlow array test showed good sensitivity and specificity compared to the phenotypic Bactec 460TB. This array accurately detected mutations in rpoB, katG, and inhA associated with resistance to rifampin and isoniazid