Beklemishevia hispaniola n. sp., nuevo representante de la Cohorte Palaeosomata (Acari, Oribatei) en España

A new species of oribatid mite (Acari, Oribatei) belonging to the family Ctenacaridae (Cohors Palaeosomata) is described; this species was recorded several times in Spain as Beklemishevia galeodula Zachvatkin, 1945. The new species is easily distinguishable from the mentioned one because of the presence of three claws in every leg, a noticeable pigidial neotrichy and the absence of short, almost spiniform, setae on the pygidium.Se describe una nueva especie de oribátido (Acari, Oribatei) perteneciente a la familia Ctenacaridae (Cohorte Palaeosomata) que habia sido citada varias veces en España como Beklemishevia galeodula Zachvatkin, 1945, y de la que se diferencia por presentar tres uñas en todas las patas, una acentuada neotriquia pigidial y carecer de setas cortas espiniformes en el pigidio

New Multiphase CP and DP 1000 MPa strength level grades for improved performance after hot forming

Pure martensitic steels have after hot forming limited performance in terms of rest ductility which limits the application in crash relevant parts. New steel grades were designed in the EU project HOTFORM including the corresponding process routes. These steel grades have ferritic-martensitic dual phase (DP) and martensitic-bainitic complex phase (CP) microstructures after hot forming process. The laboratory tests show an improved formability after hot forming. The basic concepts of the new alloys are explained. Furthermore, for validation of upscaling purposes a semi-industrial test is carried out and the results are discussed. The main application is for vehicle safety. This is evaluated by comparing the crash performance of these hot formed grades with cold rolled DP1000 and CP1000 for crash cans in a drop tower test.The research leading to these results was carried out in the framework of HOTFORM project with a financial grant of the Research Programme RFCS (Research Funds for Coal and Steel) under grant agreement (RFSR-CT-2015-00017)

Oribátidos (Acari, Oribatei) de Fuerteventura (islas Canarias)

The oribatid fauna from Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) is studied for the first time; 86 species are recorded, from which 18 are new to the Science and two are new subspecies. Two new genera are erected: Passalobates n. gen. (Family Passalozetidae) and Fuerteventuria n. gen. (Family Protoribatidae). Two species belonging to Ethiopic genera are described: Scutoverticosus insperatus n. sp. and Ethiovertex elisae n. sp. These genera contained until now the type species only.Se estudian por primera vez los ácaros oribátidos de Fuerteventura, y se citan 86 especies de las que 18 son nuevas para la Ciencia y dos son nuevas subespecies, y se establecen dos géneros nuevos: Passalobates n. gen. (Familia Passalozetidae) y Fuerteventuria n. gen. (Familia Protoribatidae). Se describen dos especies de géneros etiópicos: Scutoverticosus insperatus n. sp. y Ethiovertex elisae n. sp., géneros que, hasta ahora, solo contaban con la especie tipo

Use of a new ocular insert versus conventional mydriasis in cataract surgery

Background. To compare the efficacy and safety of a new ocular insert versus conventional mydriasis in cataract surgery. Methods. We selected 70 patients undergoing cataract surgery. Thirty five patients (Group 1) received instillation of mydriatic drops (tropicamide 1%, phenylephrine 10%, and cyclopentolate 1%) prior to surgery, and 35 patients (Group 2) had a Mydriasert insert (Théa Pharma) (0.28¿mg of tropicamide and 5.4¿mg of phenylephrine hydrochloride) placed in the inferior fornix. Pupil size before and after surgery, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured. Results. Before surgery, pupil diameter was ¿mm in Group 1 and in Group 2 ( ). Twenty four hours after surgery, pupil diameter was ¿mm in Group 1 and in Group 2 ( ). There were no statistically significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate between groups. Conclusions. The effect of the Mydriasert insert was similar to conventional mydriatic agents. Pupil size was restored to normal faster when using the Mydriasert insert compared with conventional mydriatic agents for pupil dilation

Subwavelength gratings for sensing and polarization management

Sub-wavelength grating (SWGs) structures are becoming important building blocks in planar waveguide photonic devices [1]. SWG structures have been successfully applied in the design of a range of devices with remarkable performance by using refractive index engineering and dispersion engineering techniques [2]. In this work we explore two new promising applications of these structures, namely in evanescent field waveguide sensing and polarization management. For the evanescent waveguide sensing devices, we show that sub- wavelength patterning of silicon wires can be used to control the delocalization of the waveguide mode and therefore enhance both bulk and surface sensitivities (Fig. 1). We will also discuss the implementation of subwavelength structures in efficient polarization splitter and rotator (PSR) devices [3]. PSR devices based on asymmetrical directional couplers typically exhibit stringent fabrication tolerances. We show that by implementing SWG structures in PSR design both the effective mode index and its derivatives with respect to critical dimensions can be controlled, which significantly improves tolerance to fabrication errors (Fig. 2).Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 is related to disease activity and damage in patients with systemic erythematosus lupus

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease that regulates cholesterol metabolism through low-density lipoprotein receptor degradation and that has been linked to cardiovascular (CV) disease. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether PCSK9 levels are disrupted compared with controls in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We additionally sought to establish whether PCSK9 is related to both the abnormalities in the lipid profile and to the disease activity or damage of patients with SLE. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study that encompassed 366 individuals: 195 SLE patients and 171 age-, sex-, and statin intake-matched controls. PCSK9, lipoproteins serum concentrations, and lipid profiles were assessed in patients and controls. A multivariable analysis, adjusted for standard CV risk factors, was performed to evaluate the role of PCSK9 in SLE-related dyslipidemia. Results: Most lipid related-molecules were decreased in patients with SLE compared with controls. This downregulation included PCSK9, with PCSK9 levels being lower in patients than controls in the full multivariable analysis, including the modifications in lipid profiles that the disease itself produces {beta coefficient ?73 [95% confidence interval (CI) ?91 to ?54] ng/ml, p???0.001}. Both SLICC and SLEDAI scores were independently and positively related to PCSK9. Patients currently on hydroxychloroquine exhibited decreased levels of PCSK9 compared with those that were not taking hydroxychloroquine [beta coefficient ?30 (95% CI ?54 to ?6) ng/ml, p?=?0.015]. Conclusion: PCSK9 is downregulated in SLE compared with controls, but SLE patients with higher disease activity and damage exhibited higher PSCK9 serum levels.The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/ or publication of this article: this work was supported by a grant to IF-A from the Spanish Ministry of Health, Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación, Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2013–2016 and by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional - FEDER - (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, FIS PI14/00394, PI17/00083). The research of MAG-G is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria grants PI06/0024, PI09/00748, PI12/00060, PI15/00525, PI18/00043) and the ISCIII RETICS program (RD12/0009 and RD16/0012)

Re-inventing Multimode Interference Couplers Using Subwavelength Gratings

We use the concept of subwavelength grating (SWG) refractive-index-engineering to propose and experimentally demonstrate a reduced size, slotted 2x2 MMI coupler. We also present an ultra-broadband 2x2 MMI coupler which is based on SWG dispersion engineering.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia (project TEC2009-10152), a Formación del Profesorado Universitario scholarship (AP-2006-03355), the European Mirthe project (FP7-2010-257980) and “Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]Pyrimidine-3-Carboxamide and N-Benzyl-6′,7′-Dihydrospiro[Piperidine-4,4′-Thieno[3,2-c]Pyran] analogues with bactericidal efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis targeting MmpL3

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a major human pathogen and the causative agent for the pulmonary disease, tuberculosis (TB). Current treatment programs to combat TB are under threat due to the emergence of multi-drug and extensively-drug resistant TB. As part of our efforts towards the discovery of new anti-tubercular leads, a number of potent tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-ca​rboxamide(THPP) and N-benzyl-6′,7′-dihydrospiro[piperidine-4,​4′-thieno[3,2-c]pyran](Spiro) analogues were recently identified against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis BCG through a high-throughput whole-cell screening campaign. Herein, we describe the attractive in vitro and in vivo anti-tubercular profiles of both lead series. The generation of M. tuberculosis spontaneous mutants and subsequent whole genome sequencing of several resistant mutants identified single mutations in the essential mmpL3 gene. This ‘genetic phenotype’ was further confirmed by a ‘chemical phenotype’, whereby M. bovis BCG treated with both the THPP and Spiro series resulted in the accumulation of trehalose monomycolate. In vivo efficacy evaluation of two optimized THPP and Spiro leads showed how the compounds were able to reduce >2 logs bacterial cfu counts in the lungs of infected mice

The environmental and social footprint of the university of the Basque Country UPV/EHU

This work has calculated the organisational environmental and social footprint of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in 2016. First, input and output data flows of the UPV/EHU activity were collected. Next, the environmental and social impacts of the academic activity were modelled, using the Ecoinvent 3.3 database with the PSILCA-based Soca v1 module in openLCA software. In order to evaluate the environmental impacts, CML and ReCiPe LCIA methods were used. The Social Impact Weighting Method was adjusted for the assessment of specific social impacts. The modelling has identified some hotspots in the organisation. The contribution of transport (8,900 km per user, annually) is close to 60% in most of the environmental impacts considered. The life cycle of computers stands out among the impacts derived from the consumption of material products. More than half of environmental impacts are located outside the Basque Country. This work has also made it possible to estimate some of the impacts of the organisational social footprint, such as accidents at work, only some of which occur at the UPV/EHU. Traces of child labour and illiteracy have also been detected in the social footprint that supports the activity of the UPV/EHU. Some of the social and environmental impacts analysed are not directly generated by the UPV/EHU, but they all demand attention and co-responsibility. Based on the modelling performed, this work explores alternative scenarios and recommends some improvement actions which may reduce (in some cases over 30%) the environmental and social impacts of the UPV/EHU's activity. These scenarios and improvement actions will feed a process with stakeholders in the UPV/ EHU based on the Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology.To the Sustainability Directorate and the Educational Advisory Service, both belonging to the Vice-Chancellor's Office for Innovation, Social Commitment and Social Action of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, in the context of the Campus Bizia Lab programme (2017/18, 18/19 and 19/20 calls) for the financing of the EHU-Aztarna project. This research has also been supported by 'Ekopol: Iraunkortasunerako Bideak' research group, recognised by the Basque Government (IT1365-19) and the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU (GIC-18/22)