Closed-form multicast precoding for satellite flexible payloads

This paper investigates a novel closed-form noniterative precoding technique for multicast multibeam satellite systems. Next-generation satellite systems will be benefited from the flexible use of the satellite resources especially its power flexible allocation among beams. Intending to obtain a low-computational complexity design, we revisit the well-known signal-to-leakage-and-noise ratio design for multicast transmission. Two alternatives are introduced considering both the physical meaning of the ratio and certain multicast channel vector mapping. We observe the benefits of these techniques in satellite flexible payloads. The proposed technique shows a substantial gain compared to the benchmark according to the numerical simulations. Intuitive insights on the precoding behaviour are also presented.This work is funded by Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Spain, under project TERESA -TEC2017-90093-C3-1-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) and by Catalan government under the grant 2017-SGR-01479.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Shared access satellite-terrestrial reconfigurable backhaul network enabled by smart antennas at mm-wave band

© 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes,creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.5G traffic expectations require not only the appropriate access infrastructure, but also the corresponding backhaul infrastructure to ensure a well-balanced network scaling. Optical fibre and terrestrial wireless backhaul will hardly meet 100% coverage and satellite must be considered within the 5G infrastructure to boost ubiquitous and reliable network utilization. This work presents the main outcomes of SANSA project, which proposes a novel solution that overcomes the limitations of the traditional fixed backhaul. It is based on a dynamic integrated satelliteterrestrial backhaul network operating on the mm-wave band. Its key principles are a seamless integration of the satellite segment into terrestrial backhaul networks; a terrestrial wireless network capable of reconfiguring its topology according to traffic demands; and an aggressive frequency reuse within the terrestrial segment and between terrestrial and satellite segments. The two technological enablers of SANSA are smart antenna techniques at mm-wave and a software defined intelligent hybrid network management. This article introduces these 5G enablers, which permit satellite communications to play a key role in different 5G use cases, from the early deployment of 5G services in sparse scenarios to enhanced mobile broadband in denser scenarios.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Effects of Four Formulations of Prostaglandin Analogs on Eye Surface Cells. A Comparative Study

We evaluated the cytotoxic effects of four prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) used to treat glaucoma. First we established primary cultures of conjunctival stromal cells from healthy donors. Then cell cultures were incubated with different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 5, 25, 50 and 100%) of commercial formulations of bimatoprost, tafluprost, travoprost and latanoprost for increasing periods (5 and 30 min, 1 h, 6 h and 24 h) and cell survival was assessed with three different methods: WST-1, MTT and calcein/AM-ethidium homodimer-1 assays. Our results showed that all PGAs were associated with a certain level of cell damage, which correlated significantly with the concentration of PGA used, and to a lesser extent with culture time. Tafluprost tended to be less toxic than bimatoprost, travoprost and latanoprost after all culture periods. The results for WST-1, MTT and calcein/AM-ethidium homodimer-1 correlated closely. When the average lethal dose 50 was calculated, we found that the most cytotoxic drug was latanoprost, whereas tafluprost was the most sparing of the ocular surface in vitro. These results indicate the need to design novel PGAs with high effectiveness but free from the cytotoxic effects that we found, or at least to obtain drugs that are functional at low dosages. The fact that the commercial formulation of tafluprost used in this work was preservative-free may support the current tendency to eliminate preservatives from eye drops for clinical use.This study was supported by the Spanish Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica (I+D+I) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), grants FIS PI11/1582 and FIS PI14/0955 (co-financed by FEDER funds, European Union) and by Grant P10-CTS-6060 from the Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucia, Spain (Proyectos de Excelencia)

3D printed carboxymethyl cellulose scaffolds for autologous growth factors delivery in wound healing

This work aims to use carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as main structural and functional component of 3D printed scaffolds for healing of diabetic wounds. Differently from previous inks involving small contents in CMC, herein sterile (steam-heated) concentrated CMC solely dispersions (10–20%w/v) were screened regarding printability and fidelity properties. CMC (15%w/v)-citric acid inks showed excellent self-healing rheological properties and stability during storage. CMC scaffolds loaded with platelet rich plasma (PRP) sustained the release of relevant growth factors. CMC scaffolds both with and without PRP promoted angiogenesis in ovo, stem cell migration in vitro, and wound healing in a diabetic model in vivo. Transparent CMC scaffolds allowed direct monitoring of bilateral full-thickness wounds created in rat dorsum. CMC scaffolds facilitated re-epithelialization, granulation, and angiogenesis in full-thickness skin defects, and the performance was improved when combined with PRP. Overall, CMC is pointed out as outstanding component of active dressings for diabetic woundsS

Utility of CYP2D6 copy number variants as prognostic biomarker in localized anal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is an infrequent tumor whose treatment has not changed since the 1970s. The aim of this study is the identification of biomarkers allowing personalized treatments and improvement of therapeutic outcomes. Methods: Forty-six paraffin tumor samples from ASCC patients were analyzed by whole-exome sequencing. Copy number variants (CNVs) were identified and their relation to disease-free survival (DFS) was studied and validated in an independent retrospective cohort of 101 ASCC patients from the Multidisciplinary Spanish Digestive Cancer Group (GEMCAD). GEMCAD cohort proteomics allowed assessing the biological features of these tumors. Results: On the discovery cohort, the median age was 61 years old, 50% were males, stages I/II/III: 3 (7%)/16 (35%)/27 (58%), respectively, median DFS was 33 months, and overall survival was 45 months. Twenty-nine genes whose duplication was related to DFS were identified. The most representative was duplications of the CYP2D locus, including CYP2D6, CYP2D7P, and CYP2D8P genes. Patients with CYP2D6 CNV had worse DFS at 5 years than those with two CYP2D6 copies (21% vs. 84%; p <.0002, hazard ratio [HR], 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7–24.9). In the GEMCAD validation cohort, patients with CYP2D6 CNV also had worse DFS at 5 years (56% vs. 87%; p =.02, HR = 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1–5.7). Mitochondria and mitochondrial cell-cycle proteins were overexpressed in patients with CYP2D6 CNV. Conclusions: Tumor CYP2D6 CNV identified patients with a significantly worse DFS at 5 years among localized ASCC patients treated with 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, and radiotherapy. Proteomics pointed out mitochondria and mitochondrial cell-cycle genes as possible therapeutic targets for these high-risk patients. Plain Language Summary: Anal squamous cell carcinoma is an infrequent tumor whose treatment has not been changed since the 1970s. However, disease-free survival in late staged tumors is between 40% and 70%. The presence of an alteration in the number of copies of CYP2D6 gene is a biomarker of worse disease-free survival. The analysis of the proteins in these high-risk patients pointed out mitochondria and mitochondrial cell-cycle genes as possible therapeutic targets. Therefore, the determination of the number of copies of CYP2D6 allows the identification of anal squamous carcinoma patients with a high-risk of relapse that could be redirected to a clinical trial. Additionally, this study may be useful to suggest new treatment strategies to increase current therapy efficacyIdiPAZ, Grant/Award Number: Jesús Antolín Garciarena Fellowship; European Proteomics Infrastructure Consortium, Grant/Award Number: 823839, Horizon 2020 Programm

Medical versus surgical approach to initial treatment in septic arthritis: A single spanish center’s 8-year experience

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the functional results of 2 different procedure types, medical or surgical used in treating native joint septic arthritis. Methods In this cohort study, we reviewed the clinical registries of patients admitted to a single third-level hospital with the diagnosis of septic arthritis during the period of January 1, 2008, to January 31, 2016. Results A total of 63 cases of septic arthritis were identified in which the initial approach for 49 patients was medical (arthrocentesis), whereas the initial approach for 14 patients was surgical (arthroscopy or arthrotomy). Of the 49 patients who received initial medical treatment (IMT), 15 patients (30%) later required surgical treatment because of poor progress. The median age of the patients was 60 (SD, 18) years. The group who received IMT were older than those who received initial surgical treatment (median, 64 years [interquartile range {IQR}, 54–76 years], vs. 48 years [IQR, 30–60 years]). There was a larger percentage of male patients in the surgical group (78% vs. 42% [p = 0.018]). Thirty percent of the medical group had been receiving corticosteroid treatment (p = 0.018). Results of complete recovery of joint functionality showed no significant differences after 1 year (68% with MT vs. 67% with ST, p = 0.91). Both groups had similar symptom duration until diagnosis, duration of antibiotic therapy (median, 30 days [IQR, 28–49 days], vs. 29.5 days [IQR, 27–49] days), and mortality rate (3 in the medical group). Conclusions The results of the study show that initial surgical treatment in patients with native joint septic arthritis is not superior to IMT. However, half of the patients with shoulder and hip infections treated with IMT eventually required surgical intervention, suggesting that perhaps this should be the preferred initial approach in these cases

Exploring APOE genotype effects on Alzheimer's disease risk and amyloid β burden in individuals with subjective cognitive decline: The FundacioACE Healthy Brain Initiative (FACEHBI) study baseline results

Introduction: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) has been proposed as a potential preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nevertheless, the genetic and biomarker profiles of SCD individuals remain mostly unexplored. Methods: We evaluated apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4's effect in the risk of presenting SCD, using the Fundacio ACE Healthy Brain Initiative (FACEHBI) SCD cohort and Spanish controls, and performed a meta-analysis addressing the same question. We assessed the relationship between APOE dosage and brain amyloid burden in the FACEHBI SCD and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohorts. Results: Analysis of the FACEHBI cohort and the meta-analysis demonstrated SCD individuals presented higher allelic frequencies of APOE ε4 with respect to controls. APOE dosage explained 9% (FACEHBI cohort) and 11% (FACEHBI and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohorts) of the variance of cerebral amyloid levels. Discussion: The FACEHBI sample presents APOE ε4 enrichment, suggesting that a pool of AD patients is nested in our sample. Cerebral amyloid levels are partially explained by the APOE allele dosage, suggesting that other genetic or epigenetic factors are involved in this AD endophenotype

Eligibility criteria for Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): a position statement from a consortium of scientific societies for the use of MHT in women with medical conditions. MHT Eligibility Criteria Group

This project aims to develop eligibility criteria for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The tool should be similar to those already established for contraception A consortium of scientific societies coordinated by the Spanish Menopause Society met to formulate recommendations for the use of MHT by women with medical conditions based on the best available evidence. The project was developed in two phases. As a first step, we conducted 14 systematic reviews and 32 metanalyses on the safety of MHT (in nine areas: age, time of menopause onset, treatment duration, women with thrombotic risk, women with a personal history of cardiovascular disease, women with metabolic syndrome, women with gastrointestinal diseases, survivors of breast cancer or of other cancers, and women who smoke) and on the most relevant pharmacological interactions with MHT. These systematic reviews and metanalyses helped inform a structured process in which a panel of experts defined the eligibility criteria according to a specific framework, which facilitated the discussion and development process. To unify the proposal, the following eligibility criteria have been defined in accordance with the WHO international nomenclature for the different alternatives for MHT (category 1, no restriction on the use of MHT; category 2, the benefits outweigh the risks; category 3, the risks generally outweigh the benefits; category 4, MHT should not be used). Quality was classified as high, moderate, low or very low, based on several factors (including risk of bias, inaccuracy, inconsistency, lack of directionality and publication bias). When no direct evidence was identified, but plausibility, clinical experience or indirect evidence were available, "Expert opinion" was categorized. For the first time, a set of eligibility criteria, based on clinical evidence and developed according to the most rigorous methodological tools, has been defined. This will provide health professionals with a powerful decision-making tool that can be used to manage menopausal symptoms

Spanish home enteral nutrition registry of the year 2014 and 2015 from the NADYA-SENPE Group

Objetivo: exponer los resultados del registro de nutrición enteral domiciliaria (NED) del año 2014 y 2015 del Grupo NADYA-SENPE. Métodos: se recopilaron los pacientes introducidos en el registro desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2014 y la mismas fechas de 2015, y se procedió al análisis descriptivo y analítico de los datos. Resultados: en el año 2014, se registraron 3.749 pacientes y en 2015, 4.202; la prevalencia fue de 80,58 pacientes/millón de habitantes en el año 2014 y de 90,51 en 2015. Por sexos, hubo un 49,9% de mujeres en 2014 y un 50,3% en 2015. La edad media fue de 73 años (IIQ 59-83) en ambos años. Finalizaron 684 episodios de NED en 2014 y 631 en 2015, la causa principal fue el fallecimiento en el 54,9% y 50,4% de los casos, respectivamente. Los portadores de sonda nasogástrica presentan una edad media superior a los pacientes con cualquier otra vía (p < 0,001). Se registraron 67 pacientes pediátricos en 2014 (56,7% niñas) y 77 en 2015 (55,8% niñas). La vía principal de administración fue la gastrostomía en el 52,0% de los casos de 2014 y sonda nasogástrica en el 50,8% de los casos de 2015. La causa principal de fi nalización de la nutrición fue el fallecimiento (57,1% en 2014 y 38,5% en 2015). Se observó que los niños más pequeños eran los que se alimentaban preferentemente por SNG (p 0,004 vs. 0,002).Tanto en pacientes pediátricos como en adultos el diagnóstico principal que motivó la necesidad de NED fue la enfermedad neurológica que cursa con afagia o disfagia severa. Conclusiones: se ha incrementado el número de pacientes del registro, así como el número de centros participantes y el número medio de pacientes comunicados por cada centro respecto a años anteriores, sin que se hayan modificado sustancialmente las características de los pacientes, salvo mayor duración de los episodiosObjective: To present the results of the Spanish home enteral nutrition (HEN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE group for the years 2014 and 2015. Methods: From January 1st 2014 to December 31st 2015 the HEN registry was recorded and afterwards a further descriptive and analytical analysis was done. Results: In 2014, 3749 patients were recorded, and 4202 in 2015; prevalence was 80.58 patients/one million inhabitants in Spain in 2014 and 90.51 in 2015. There were 49.9% females in 2014 and 50.3% in 2015. Median age was 73 years (IQI 59-83) in 2014 as well as in 2015. 684 episodes fi nished in 2014 and 631 in 2015, with death as the main cause, in 54.9% and 50.4%, respectively. The ones who were fed through nasogastric tube had a mean age higher than the ones fed by any other route (p-value < 0.001). Sisty-seven paediatric patients were recorded in 2014 (56.7% females) and 77 in 2015 (55.8% females). Median age at the beginning of HEN among children was 5 months in 2014 and 5 months in 2015. The main route of administration was gastrostomy, in 52.5% in 2014 and nasogastric tube in 50.8% in 2015. 7 episodes fi nished in 2014 and 13 in 2015, having death as the main cause (57.1% in 2014 and 38.5% in 2015). It was found that were younger children the ones who were mainly fed by nasogastric tubes (p-value 0.004 vs. 0.002). Among paediatric patients as well as adults, the main diagnosis leading to HEN was neurological disease which gives aphagia or severe dysphagia. Conclusions: There has been an increase in the number of patients in the registry as well as the participating centers and the number of patients per center, without any signifi cant change in the characteristics of the patients other than longer duration of the episode

Seminario de Economía Mexicana

Serie de ponencias referentes al Seminario de Economía Mexicana. Memorias del Seminario de Economía Mexicana de 199