Multispectral integral imaging acquisition and processing using a monochrome camera and a liquid crystal tunable filter

This paper presents an acquisition system and a procedure to capture 3D scenes in different spectral bands. The acquisition system is formed by a monochrome camera, and a Liquid Crystal Tunable Filter (LCTF) that allows to acquire images at different spectral bands in the [480, 680]nm wavelength interval. The Synthetic Aperture Integral Imaging acquisition technique is used to obtain the elemental images for each wavelength. These elemental images are used to computationally obtain the reconstruction planes of the 3D scene at different depth planes. The 3D profile of the acquired scene is also obtained using a minimization of the variance of the contribution of the elemental images at each image pixel. Experimental results show the viability to recover the 3D multispectral information of the scene. Integration of 3D and multispectral information could have important benefits in different areas, including skin cancer detection, remote sensing and pattern recognition, among others.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the projects ALFI3D TIN 2009-14103-C 03-01, Consolider Ingenio 2010CSD 2007- 00018, EODIX AYA 2008-05965-C04-04/ESP, and FIS2009-9135, and also by the Generalitat Valen- ciana through the projects PROMETEO/2010/028 and PROMETEO2009-077

Original Approach to Synthesize TiO2/ZnO Hybrid nanosponges used as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical applications

[EN] In the present work, TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges have been synthesized for the first time. First, TiO2 nanosponges were obtained by anodization under hydrodynamic conditions in a glycerol/water/NH4F electrolyte. Next, in order to achieve the anatase phase of TiO2 and improve its photocatalytic behaviour, the samples were annealed at 450 degrees C for 1 h. Once the TiO2 nanosponges were synthesized, TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges were obtained by electrodeposition of ZnO on TiO2 nanosponges using different temperatures, times, and concentrations of zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3)(2)). TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges were used as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical water splitting tests. The results indicate that the photoelectrochemical response improves, in the studied range, by increasing the temperature and the Zn(NO3)(2) concentration during the electrodeposition process, obtaining an increase in the photoelectrochemical response of 141% for the TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges electrodeposited at 75 degrees C with 10 mM Zn(NO3)(2) for 15 min. Furthermore, morphological, chemical, and structural characterization was performed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX), Raman Confocal Laser Spectroscopy, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Grazing Incidence X-Ray Diffraction (GIXRD).The authors would like to express their gratitude for the financial support of the ¿Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019-105844RB-I00/MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)¿, for the co-finance by the European Social Fund, and for its help in the ¿Laser Raman Microscope acquisition (UPOV08-3E-012) ¿. Pedro José Navarro Gázquez also thanks the Grant PEJ2018-003596-A-AR funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ¿ESF Investing in your future¿.Navarro-Gázquez, PJ.; Muñoz-Portero, M.; Blasco-Tamarit, E.; Sánchez-Tovar, R.; Fernández-Domene, RM.; Garcia-Anton, J. (2021). Original Approach to Synthesize TiO2/ZnO Hybrid nanosponges used as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical applications. Materials. 14(21):1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14216441S121142

The Obesity Paradox: Associations between the Body Mass Index and Self-Perceived Health, Depression Status, and Pain Level in Older People

Population growth and physical inactivity have led to health and social consequences derived from chronic diseases and decreased quality of life in the elderly. Some research suggests that overweight in older people may not be associated with the negative effects on some health indicators. This study analysed the associations between Self-Perceived Health (SPH), Depression status, Pain Level, and Body Mass Index (BMI) in people over 70 years who are residents in Spain, with a final sample composed of 13,895 participants. A cross-sectional study using data from the European Health Surveys in Spain (EHIS2014 and 2020) and the National Health Survey (ENSE2017) was conducted. Dependency associations were observed between SPH, Depression Status, and Pain Level with BMI in the outcomes from the three surveys analysed (p < 0.001). Negative SPH, Depression Status, and Severe/Extreme Pain Degree prevalence were higher in the Underweight groups, being the lowest in Normal-weight and Overweight groups (p < 0.05). High levels of negative SPH, Depression, and Severe/Extreme Pain risks were found in the Underweight compared to the Normal-weight group, but not in Overweight ones. Overweight was not linked with an increased risk of the conditions analysed compared to the Normal-weight groups in older residents in Spain. The Underweight group presented the highest negative SPH prevalence, Depression, and Severe/Extreme Pain. Moreover, Obesity increased the negative SPH, Depression, and Pain Degree risks compared to the Normal-weight and Overweight groups in this population.The author Á.D.-Z. (FPU20/04201) was supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, Grant FPU20/04201 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, and, as appropriate, by “European Social Fund Investing in your future” or by “European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR”

Expression of epicardial adipose tissue thermogenic genes in patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction heart failure

[Abstract] Epicardial adipose tissue has been proposed to participate in the pathogenesis of heart failure. The aim of our study was to assess the expression of thermogenic genes (Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α), and PR-domain-missing 16 (PRDM16) in epicardial adipose tissue in patients with heart failure, stablishing the difference according to left ventricular ejection fraction (reduced or preserved). Among the 75 patients in our study, 42.7% (n=32) had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. UCP1, PGC1α and PRDM16 mRNA in EAT were significantly lower in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, male gender, body max index, presence of obesity, type-2-diabetes mellitus, hypertension and coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction were associated with the expression levels of UCP1, PGC1α and PRDM16 mRNA. Thermogenic genes expressions in epicardial adipose tissue (UCP1: OR 0.617, 95%CI 0.103-0.989, p=0.042; PGC1α: OR 0.416, 95%CI 0.171-0.912, p=0.031; PRDM16: OR 0.643, 95%CI 0.116-0.997, p=0.044) were showed as protective factors against the presence of heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, and age (OR 1.643, 95%CI 1.001-3.143, p=0.026), presence of coronary artery disease (OR 6.743, 95%CI 1.932-15.301, p<0.001) and type-2-diabetes mellitus (OR 4.031, 95%CI 1.099-7.231, p<0.001) were associated as risk factors. The adequate expression of thermogenic genes has been shown as possible protective factors against heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, suggesting that a loss of functional epicardial adipose tissue brown-like features would participate in a deleterious manner on heart metabolism. Thermogenic genes could represent a future novel therapeutic target in heart failure.Ministerio de Salud, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad; PI13/02542Ministerio de Salud, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad; PI11/01661Red de Investigación Cardiovascular (España), RD12/0042/003

Escala SIS-C de Evaluación de las Necesidades de Apoyo para niños y adolescentes con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo: proyectos de Investigación del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO; PSI2012-36278) y de la Junta de Castilla y León (SA120U13)

[ES]El informe de investigación presentado en este documento corresponde al proyecto de investigación titulado Desarrollo y validación de una escala de evaluación de necesidades de apoyo en niños y adolescentes con discapacidad intelectual, solicitado y desarrollado por el INICO (Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad de la Universidad de Salamanca) y financiado por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (PSI2012-36278). De manera complementaria, se han ido desarrollando otros proyectos estrechamente vinculados a los posibles usos de esta herramienta, entre los que destaca el proyecto titulado Evaluación y análisis diferencial de necesidades de apoyo en alumnos con y sin discapacidad intelectual, financiado por la Junta de Castilla y León (SA120U13). Concretamente, el objetivo principal ha sido elaborar una escala válida para evaluar necesidades de apoyo en niños y adolescentes (de 5 a 16 años) con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo según su intensidad, en términos del tipo, frecuencia y duración diaria. Esta escala se ha desarrollado en castellano de manera simultánea al proceso de construcción original en inglés, desarrollado por la Asociación Americana de Discapacidades Intelectuales y del Desarrollo (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities – AAIDD). Los resultados de este proyecto han permitido elaborar una herramienta de evaluación de gran utilidad para las organizaciones y centros educativos que trabajan con niños y adolescentes con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo. Tanto es así que el proyecto ha recibido la valoración final de muy satisfactorio por parte del Ministerio correspondiente. La herramienta resultante (Thompson et al., 2016), desarrollada en varios países en un intento de contar con un instrumento de evaluación común, es conocida internacionalmente como SIS-C (Supports Intensity Scale - Children’s Version; SIS for Children). En España, la Escala de Intensidad de Apoyos para Niños y Adolescentes supone el primer intento por ofrecer a los profesionales un instrumento de evaluación específico que permita conocer las necesidades de apoyo de personas con discapacidad intelectual desde edades tempranas y aportar información objetiva que pueda ser utilizada como referencia en la elaboración de planes de apoyo personalizados. Para su desarrollo, se ha seguido un proceso muy riguroso de adaptación y validación que ha contado con la colaboración de numerosos investigadores y expertos, así como de una amplia muestra de participantes de diferentes centros, asociaciones y entidades de todo el territorio nacional, a quiénes nos gustaría dedicar unas primeras páginas de agradecimiento. Posteriormente, se ofrece una breve descripción del proyecto, que comienza con un apartado de contextualización y justificación teórica que permite conocer en mayor detalle la necesidad de creación de este tipo de herramientas, dando paso a la correspondiente explicación del procedimiento de elaboración y a la presentación de los resultados y conclusiones más relevantes en relación con el desarrollo de la SIS-C en España

An Olive-Derived Extract 20% Rich in Hydroxytyrosol Prevents beta-Amyloid Aggregation and Oxidative Stress, Two Features of Alzheimer Disease, via SKN-1/NRF2 and HSP-16.2 in Caenorhabditis elegans

The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding support of FEDER/Junta de AndaluciaConsejeria de Economia y Conocimiento, Grant B-AGR-193-UGR18. Also grant PID2019-106778RBI00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 FEDER "Una manera de hacer Europa".Olive milling produces olive oil and different by-products, all of them very rich in different bioactive compounds like the phenolic alcohol hydroxytyrosol. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an olive fruit extract 20% rich in hydroxytyrosol on the molecular mechanisms associated with Alzheimer disease features like A beta- and tau- induced toxicity, as well as on oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. Moreover, characterization of the extracts, regarding the profile and content of phenolics, as well as total antioxidant ability, was investigated. The study of lethality, growth, pharyngeal pumping, and longevity in vivo demonstrated the lack of toxicity of the extract. One hundred mu g/mL of extract treatment revealed prevention of oxidative stress and a delay in A beta-induced paralysis related with a lower presence of A beta aggregates. Indeed, the extract showed the ability to avoid a certain degree of proteotoxicity associated with aggregation of the tau protein. According to RNAi tests, SKN-1/NRF2 transcription factor and the overexpression of HSP-16.2 were mechanistically associated in the observed effects.FEDER/Junta de AndaluciaConsejeria de Economia y Conocimiento B-AGR-193-UGR18 PID2019-106778RBI00 MCIN/AEI/10.13039/50110001103

Introducción al ecoturismo comunitario

Este libro presenta un análisis de los proyectos de turismo, y de la necesidad de reforzar todo aquello que los vuelva compatibles con la conservación, protección y restauración del entorno. Inicia con definiciones y conceptos que permitan la comprensión del ecoturismo; también se analizan los impactos económicos, sociales y ambientales del turismo convencional; para finalizar el apartado se cita al desarrollo sustentable como el modelo socioeconómico y ambiental que permitirá establecer un turismo menos lesivo al medio ambiente. Medio ambiente y cultura local han sido los componentes más sacrificados en el desarrollo de proyectos turísticos. Por eso se busca generar en los lectores una reflexión sobre aspectos que suelen considerarse complementarios, de poca relevancia o de difícil comprensión. Se hace la invitación a revisar cada capítulo, indagar en otros medios (libros, videos, internet, documentos, etc.) y buscar respuestas a las inquietudes que este texto les pueda dejar. Por último, se pretende despertar el interés de viajar y experimentar propuestas ecoturísticas que las comunidades rurales ofrecen a lo largo del país

Implantación de un visor GIS con software libre en la Comunidad de Regantes del Trasvase Tajo-Segura de Totana, Murcia

En el ámbito del desarrollo de software orientado a la implementación de sistemas de información geográfica, una de las empresas de referencia a nivel internacional es la multinacional estadounidense Esri. En particular, en el contexto de los visores cartográficos para la web, por la experiencia del usuario que aportan. No obstante, la utilización de visores, tal y como los ofrece Esri en su sitio web, queda circunscrita al consumo de servicios ArcGIS Server, que sólo se pueden gestionar mediante la aplicación de Esri ArcGIS for Server. El elevado coste de la adquisición de este software propicia, en muchos casos, la búsqueda de soluciones alternativas, que casi siempre pasan por la utilización de librerías de desarrollo de código abierto, como son OpenLayers, GeoExt y ExtJS, entre otras. En este trabajo se plantea una propuesta que aprovecha las características funcionales del visor de Esri, evitando recurrir a ArcGIS for Server como servidor de mapas. Esto es posible gracias a la generación de servicios WMS y WFS a partir de software libre (servidores de mapas MapServer o GeoServer) y, al hecho de que Esri mantenga liberado bajo la licencia Apache 2.0 el código de su visor, permitiendo la alteración del código, lo que permite implementar capacidades funcionales nuevas, como la recuperación interactiva de datos temáticos (operación GetFeatureInfo en servicios WMS) y las búsquedas multicriterio sobre el mapa (operación GetFeature en servicios WFS). Este visor de La Compañía® ha sido implantado con éxito en la Comunidad de Regantes del Trasvase Tajo-Segura de Totana en Murcia, poniendo de manifiesto de que con software libre es posible construir visores con las mismas y/o mejores funcionalidades que los visores implementados con software propietario, y reforzar las ventajas en el ahorro de costes aplicando software libre, logrando con ello independencia tecnológica de las empresas que comercializan software propietario

Beneficial effects of essential oils from the mediterranean diet on gut microbiota and their metabolites in ischemic heart disease and type-2 diabetes mellitus

[Abstract] Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain major health problems worldwide and commonly coexist in individuals. Gut microbial metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have been linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Previous studies have reported dysbiosis in the gut microbiota of these patients and the prebiotic effects of some components of the Mediterranean diet. Essential oil emulsions of savory (Satureja hortensis), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) were assessed as nutraceuticals and prebiotics in IHD and T2DM. Humanized mice harboring gut microbiota derived from that of patients with IHD and T2DM were supplemented with L-carnitine and orally treated with essential oil emulsions for 40 days. We assessed the effects on gut microbiota composition and abundance, microbial metabolites and plasma markers of cardiovascular disease, inflammation and oxidative stress. Our results showed that essential oil emulsions in mice supplemented with L-carnitine have prebiotic effects on beneficial commensal bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus genus. There was a decrease in plasma TMAO and an increase in fecal SCFAs levels in mice treated with parsley and rosemary essential oils. Thrombomodulin levels were increased in mice treated with savory and parsley essential oils. While mice treated with parsley and rosemary essential oils showed a decrease in plasma cytokines (INFɣ, TNFα, IL-12p70 and IL-22); savory essential oil was associated with increased levels of chemokines (CXCL1, CCL2 and CCL11). Finally, there was a decrease in protein carbonyls and pentosidine according to the essential oil emulsion. These results suggest that changes in the gut microbiota induced by essential oils of parsley, savory and rosemary as prebiotics could differentially regulate cardiovascular and metabolic factors, which highlights the potential of these nutraceuticals for reducing IHD risk in patients affected by T2DM.Junta de Andalucía; PI-0170-2018Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PT20/00101Junta de Andalucía; RH-0078-2021Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CPII19/00022Instituto de Salud Carlos III; FI20/0022