An erbium(III)-based NIR emitter with a highly conjugated ß-diketonate for blue-region sensitization

The sensitization of lanthanide complexes in the visible region is of particular interest for practical applications such as labeling, biological analysis and optoelectronics. A visible-light sensitized Er3+complex based on the use of a highly conjugated ß-diketonate (1, 3-di(2-naphthyl)-1, 3-propanedione, Hdnm) and 5-nitro-1, 10-phenanthroline (5NO2phen) as an ancillary ligand, [Er(dnm)3(5NO2phen)], has been synthesized, fully characterized and its photophysical properties have been investigated. Suitably expanded p-conjugation in the complex molecule makes the excitation window red-shifted to the visible region (up to 550 nm). Efficient energy transfer by antenna effect results in 1.53 µm emission from the Er3+ion

Effect of different finishing strategies and steer temperament on animal welfare and instrumental meat tenderness

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of different fattening systems from pasture to concentrate and temperament on animal welfare (AW) and meat quality (MQ). Eighty-four Hereford steers were randomly assigned to the following groups: T1, pasture (4% of animal live weight: LW); T2, pasture (3% LW) plus concentrate (0.6% LW); T3, pasture (3% LW) plus concentrate (1.2% LW); T4, an ad libitum concentrate treatment. Temperament was assessed by three individual tests: crush score, flight time, and exit speed, building a multicriterial temperament index (TIndex). The flight zone was also registered for each treatment. AW was assessed through the integration of indicators of productivity, physiology, and behavior, as well as by monitoring the health status within each treatment. Shear force was registered for MQ. Differences in average daily gain were due to the different energetic composition of the diets (T4 > T3 > T2 > T1) and were not attributable to animal welfare problems. Animals from T4 had the higher average daily gain (ADG) but welfare was negatively affected, being evident through physiological indicators, the restriction or deprivation of relevant behaviors, diet-related diseases, and mortality. T1, T2, and T3 did not appear to compromise animal welfare. However, strict preventive measures and monitoring should be taken during the habituation process and when using any new diet that includes concentrate, because of possible dietary diseases. Shear force values were lower in T1. None of the animals in our experiment were excitable or aggressive, but there was a positive response to handling in all treatments. In addition, regardless of diet, calmer animals had higher average daily gain and lower shear force values; thus, temperament appears to have a significant influence on productivity and meat quality

A statistical approach to quantify uncertainty in carbon monoxide measurements at the Izaña global GAW station: 2008–2011

Atmospheric CO in situ measurements are carried out at the Izaña (Tenerife) global GAW (Global Atmosphere Watch Programme of the World Meteorological Organization – WMO) mountain station using a Reduction Gas Analyser (RGA). In situ measurements at Izaña are representative of the subtropical Northeast Atlantic free troposphere, especially during nighttime. We present the measurement system configuration, the response function, the calibration scheme, the data processing, the Izaña 2008–2011 CO nocturnal time series, and the mean diurnal cycle by months

Exact propagators for atom-laser interactions

A class of exact propagators describing the interaction of an $N$-level atom with a set of on-resonance $\delta$-lasers is obtained by means of the Laplace transform method. State-selective mirrors are described in the limit of strong lasers. The ladder, V and $\Lambda$ configurations for a three-level atom are discussed. For the two level case, the transient effects arising as result of the interaction between both a semi-infinite beam and a wavepacket with the on-resonance laser are examined.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

In-situ CO measurements at Izaña global GAW station: GC-RGA system, data processing, and 2008-2011 time series

Comunicación presentada en: 16th WMO/IAEA Meeting on Carbon Dioxide, Other Greenhouse Gases, and Related Measurement Techniques celebrado del 25 al 28 de octubre de 2011 en Wellington, Nueva Zelanda

Selection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains Applied to the Production of Prieto Picudo Rosé Wines with a Different Aromatic Profile

The aim of this work was to select indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains based on a combination of genetic and aroma analyses to be used for inoculation in industrial fermentations and produce rosé wine with a different aromatic profile. A total of 118 indigenous strains of S. cerevisiae and one hybrid strain from five wineries and three different vintages were isolated from spontaneous microfermentations and genetically characterised according to the restriction fragment length polymorphism of their mitochondrial DNA (RFLP-mtDNA). From this group, 30 strains were subjected to phenotypic/oenological characterisation and, of these, nine were chosen as starters in wine fermentations due to their ability to ferment well and their appearance in consecutive vintages or in two or more wineries. Wines produced by these nine selected strains were aromatically and chemically characterised, revealing great differences in their sensory profiles. One of these strains (C9-I) showed the most complex aroma profile in the sensory characterisation, so it was selected to produce an industrial wine. A principal component analysis showed that the industrial wine produced was aromatically very different from several commercial wines produced by different wineries. In fact, their main aromatic attributes were not found in the commercial rosé wines selected for the sensory evaluation. The study shows that a combination of microbiological and chemical techniques can be an effective tool to improve the winemaking process to produce industrial wines with a distinctive organoleptic profile

Effect of aspirin on the diagnostic accuracy of the faecal immunochemical test for colorectal advanced neoplasia

Background: Aspirin (ASA) is a drug that can cause gastrointestinal lesions and symptoms. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most prevalent type of cancer in Western countries. We assessed the effect of aspirin on the diagnostic accuracy of the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for CRC and/or advanced neoplasia (AN) in patients undergoing colonoscopy for gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods: We conducted a prospective multicentre observational study of diagnostic tests that included patients with gastrointestinal symptoms undergoing colonoscopy between March 2012 and 2014 (the COLONPREDICT study). Symptoms were assessed and a FIT and blood tests assessing haemoglobin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were performed. Results: The study included 3052 patients: A total of 2567 did not take aspirin (non-user group) and 485 (16%) took aspirin (user group). Continuous treatment with ASA did not change the AUC (0.88, 0.82; p = 0.06), sensitivity (92%, 88%; p = 0.5) or specificity (71%, 67%; p = 0.2) of the FIT for CRC detection. Similarly, we found no differences in the AUC (0.81, 0.79; p = 0.6), sensitivity (74%, 75.5%; p = 0.3) or specificity (76%, 73.6%; p = 0.3) for AN detection. Patients with an aspirin use of = 300 mg/day had a lower prevalence of AN and the sensitivity, specificity and AUC for AN for these patients were 54%, 68% and 0.66, significantly lower than for the non-user group (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Aspirin does not modify the diagnostic accuracy of FIT for CRC and/or AN in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. Aspirin use of = 300 mg/day decreases the accuracy of the test

MicroRNAs expression, chromosomal alterations and immunoglobulin variable Heavy chain hypermutations in Mantle Cell Lymphomas

The contribution of microRNAs (miR) to the pathogenesis of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is not well known.We investigated the expression of 86 mature miRs mapped to frequently altered genomic regions in MCL in CD5+/CD5 normal B cells, reactive lymph nodes, and purified tumor cells of 17 leukemic MCL, 12 nodal MCL, and 8MCL cell lines. Genomic alterations of the tumors were studied by single nucleotide polymorphism arrays and comparative genomic hybridization. Leukemic and nodal tumors showed a high number of differentially expressed miRs compared with purified normal B cells, but only some of them were commonly deregulated in both tumor types. An unsupervised analysis of miR expression profile in purified leukemic MCL cells revealed two clusters of tumors characterized by different mutational status of the immunoglobulin genes, proliferation signature, and number of genomic alterations. The expression of most miRs was not related to copy number changes in their respective chromosomal loci. Only the levels of miRs included in the miR-17-92 cluster were significantly related to genetic alterations at 13q31. Moreover, overexpression of miR-17-5p/miR-20a from this cluster was associated with high MYC mRNA levels in tumors with a more aggressive behavior. In conclusion, the miR expression pattern of MCL is deregulated in comparison with normal lymphoid cells and distinguishes two subgroups of tumors with different biological features.Postprint (updated version

Pressure-induced spin transition and site-selective metallization in CoCl2

The interplay between spin states and metallization in compressed CoCl 2 is investigated by combining diffraction, resistivity and spectroscopy techniques under high-pressure conditions and ab-initio calculations. A pressure-induced metallization along with a Co 2+ high-spin (S = 3/2) to low-spin (S = 1/2) crossover transition is observed at high pressure near 70 GPa. This metallization process, which is associated with the p-d charge-transfer band gap closure, maintains the localization of 3d electrons around Co 2+ , demonstrating that metallization and localized Co 2+ -3d low-spin magnetism can coexist prior to the full 3d-electron delocalization (Mott-Hubbard d-d breakdown) at pressures greater than 180 GPa.Financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economıa y Competitividad (Project No. MAT2015-69508-P, MAT2016-80438-P) and MALTA-CONSOLIDER (Ref. No. MAT2015-71070-REDC) is acknowledged

Consensus document on allergic conjunctivitis (DECA)

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is an inflammatory disease of the conjunctiva caused mainly by an IgE-mediated mechanism. It is the most common type of ocular allergy. Despite being the most benign form of conjunctivitis, AC has a considerable effect on patient quality of life, reduces work productivity, and increases health care costs. No consensus has been reached on its classification, diagnosis, or treatment. Consequently, the literature provides little information on its natural history, epidemiological data are scarce, and it is often difficult to ascertain its true morbidity. The main objective of the Consensus Document on Allergic Conjunctivitis (Documento dE Consenso sobre Conjuntivitis Alérgica [DECA]), which was drafted by an expert panel from the Spanish Society of Allergology and Spanish Society of Ophthalmology, was to reach agreement on basic criteria that could prove useful for both specialists and primary care physicians and facilitate the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of AC. This document is the first of its kind to describe and analyze aspects of AC that could make it possible to control symptoms