Seismic Waveguide of Metamaterials

We have developed a new method of an earthquake-resistant design to support conventional aseismic designs using acoustic metamaterials. We suggest a simple and practical method to reduce the amplitude of a seismic wave exponentially. Our device is an attenuator of a seismic wave. Constructing a cylindrical shell-type waveguide that creates a stop-band for the seismic wave, we convert the wave into an evanescent wave for some frequency range without touching the building we want to protect.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Factores de éxito del proceso de puesta en marcha de la empresa: Valores culturales, redes sociales y ayudas públicas

In this paper we analyze the effect of the cultural values, the social networks and the public programs of support of entrepreneurship. The results show that it individuals with cultural values of security and universalism -mixed- tend to successfully complete the creation of business. By contrast, we found that certain collectivist values such as benevolence, conformity or tradition, negatively affect the company's birth. We also demonstrate that networks that contribute directive knowledge and the programs of public help not financial coming from the Unique Managerial Window (from now on VUE) favour the creation of the enterprise

La caracterización molecular y ampelográfica de clones de "Albariño", "Savagnin Blanc" y "Caíño Blanco" (Vitis vinifera L.) demuestra que son cultivares diferentes

The grapevine cultivar "Albariño" is one of the oldest grown in the vine-growing areas of North-Western Spain and Northern Portugal. Since recognition of Origin Denomination status for the Rías Baixas region (the coast of Western Galicia, Spain) in 1987, the economic importance of this cultivar has increased, and its grapes are now among the most expensive in Spain. The area occupied by "Albariño" vines in this region is increasing every year, and the wines made from its grapes are gaining international recognition. These events, plus the fact that "Albariño" was little known outside its traditional growing area, have led to speculation about its origin and the existence of synonyms. Misnames of "Albariño" have included "Savagnin Blanc" and "Caíño Blanco". The present work compares "Albariño", "Savagnin Blanc" and "Caíño Blanco" ampelographically (i.e., it compares shoot, leaf, grape cluster, berry and seed characteristics) and molecularly using microsatellite markers. The results show that they are in fact three different cultivars providing a complete description. For "Caíño Blanco", there is little previously reported information.El "Albariño" es uno de los cultivares más antiguos de la zona vitícola del Noroeste de España y norte de Portugal. Desde la aprobación en el año 1987 de la Denominación de Origen Rías Baixas, este cultivar es el de mayor valor económico de esta zona vitícola, y su uva alcanza uno de los precios más elevados de España. Su superficie de cultivo, dentro de esta Denominación de Origen, se multiplica año tras año, y sus vinos adquieren fama internacional. Todo ello, unido a que era un cultivar poco conocido fuera de esta pequeña zona vitícola española, ha llevado a la aparición en los últimos años de diversas especulaciones sobre su origen, y a la atribución de diferentes sinonimias. Entre los nombres erróneamente atribuidos al "Albariño" se encuentran "Savagnin Blanc" y "Caíño Blanco". En el presente trabajo se hace un estudio comparativo de los tres cultivares a nivel ampelográfico (brote, hoja, racimo, baya, semilla) y a nivel molecular por medio de marcadores microsatélite. Los resultados demuestran que "Albariño", "Savagnin Blanc" y "Caíño Blanco" son cultivares distintos, proporcionando una completa descripción de cada uno. De uno de ellos, "Caíño Blanco", existe muy poca información previa

Variability of the stomata among 'Albariño' (Vitis vinifera L.) clones and its relationship with susceptibility to downy mildew

Research Note

Macro- and microscopic leaf characteristics of six grapevine genotypes (Vitis spp.) with different susceptibilities to grapevine downy mildew

This work reports the leaf morphology of six grapevine genotypes, five belonging to Vitis vinifera and one to Vitis riparia. Earlier studies on these genotypes showed different levels of susceptibility to grapevine downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola). The aim of this work was to detect differences between the leaf morphology of these cultivars at the macro- and microscopic levels, and to characterize morphological traits which could be associated with susceptibility and resistance to downy mildew. An ampelographic description of each genotype was used to develop a scheme illustrating the characteristic leaf morphology. The density and morphology of the trichomes and the stomatal index was assessed by means of microscopical techniques. Distinct macro and microscope differences among the genotypes were seen. No clear relation between ampelographic characteristics and susceptibility to downy mildew was observed. The two cultivars that in earlier studies were found to be the least susceptible to downy mildew were the most similar in terms of their spongy mesophyll. Both showed very little or no wax on the abaxial surface of their leaves.

Joint multifractal analysis of air temperature, relative humidity and reference evapotranspiration in the middle zone of the Guadalquivir river valley

Previous works have analysed the relationship existing between reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and other climatic variables under a one-at-a-time perturbation condition. However, due to the physical relationships between these climatic variables is advisable to study their joint influence on ET0. The box-counting joint multifractal algorithm describes the relations between variables using relevant information extracted from the data singularities. This work investigated the use of this algorithm to describe the simultaneous behaviour of ET0, calculated by means of Penman-Monteith (PM) equation, and relative humidity (RH) and air temperature (T), influencing on it in the middle zone of the Guadalquivir river valley, Andalusia, southern Spain. The studied cases were grouped according to the fractal dimension values, which were related to their probability of occurrence. The most likely cases were linked to smooth behaviour and weak dependence between variables, both circumstances were detected in the local multifractal analysis. For these cases, the rest of Penman Monteith (PM) equation variables, neither the T nor the RH, seemed to influence on ET0 determination, especially when low T values were involved. By contrast, the least frequent cases were those with variables showing high fluctuations and strong relationship between them. In these situations, when T is low, the ET0 is affected by the rest of PM equation variables. This fact confirmed T as main driver of ET0 because the higher T values the lesser influence of other climate variables on ET0. Joint multifractal analysis shows some limitations when it is applied to large number of variables, the results reported are promising and suggest the convenience of exploring the relationships between ET0 and other climatic variables not considered here with this framework such as wind speed and net radiation.Comment: 40 pages, 10 figure

Ensayo clínico aleatorizado de una intervención intensiva sobre los estilos de vida de pacientes con hiperfibrinogenemia en prevención primaria de las enfermedades cardiovasculares en el ámbito de la atención primaria de salud

ObjetivosEstudiar el efecto de un programa intensivo de modificación del estilo de vida en los valores de fibrinógeno plasmático en pacientes sin enfermedad cardiovascular, con fibrinógeno elevado y valores normales de colesterol. Analizar si el efecto sobre el fibrinógeno es independiente del efecto sobre los lípidos.DiseñoEnsayo clínico controlado y aleatorizado.EmplazamientoOnce áreas básicas de L’Hospitalet de Llobregat y Barcelona.ParticipantesSe incluirá a 436 pacientes, 218 en cada grupo, de 35-75 años, sin enfermedad cardiovascular (cardiopatía isquémica, accidente cerebrovascular y arteriopatía periférica) con hiperfibrinogenemia (fibrinógeno > 300 mg/dl) y colesterol plasmático < 250 mg/dl.IntervencionesUn grupo de pacientes recibirá una intervención intensiva (en frecuencia e intensidad del consejo y tratamiento) sobre cambios de estilo de vida: dejar de fumar, dieta hipocalórica en caso de sobrepeso u obesidad y ejercicio físico. El seguimento del grupo intervención se realizará cada 2 meses. El grupo control seguirá los cuidados habituales.MedicionesSe determinarán los valores de fibrinógeno plasmático. Además, se registrarán otros acontecimientos de interés (modificación de los factores de riesgo, cambios en la calidad de vida, acontecimientos cardiovasculares y muerte) durante un seguimiento de 2 años.DiscusiónLa instauración de una intervención intensiva de prevención primaria (cambios de estilo de vida) en los pacientes que presentan hiperfibrinogenemia podría ser una medida más eficaz que la intervención habitual para reducir las cifras de fibrinógeno plasmático. Además, estas medidas podrían traducirse en una disminución del riesgo cardiovascular y en una mejora de la calidad de vida del paciente.ObjectivesTo study the effect of an intensive programme to modify life-style on levels of plasma fibrinogen in patients without cardiovascular pathology, with high fibrinogen and normal cholesterol levels. To analyse whether the effect on fibrinogen is independent, or otherwise, of the effect on lipids.DesignRandomised clinical trial with a control.Setting11 health districts in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat and Barcelona.Participants436 patients will be included, 218 individuals between 35 and 75 years old in each group, and without cardiovascular pathology (ischaemic cardiopathy, cerebral vascular accident or peripheral arteriopathy), with hyperfibrinogenaemia (fibrinogen ›300 mg/dL) and with plasma control ‹250 mg/dL.InterventionsOne group of patients will receive an intensive intervention (in frequency and intensity of counselling and treatment) for life-style changes, i.e. stopping smoking, low-calorie diet in case of overweight or obesity, and physical exercise. The follow-up of the intervention group will be every 2 months. The control group will follow customary treatments.MeasurementsLevels of plasma fibrinogen. In addition, other relevant events will be recorded over a 2-year monitoring period: modification of risk factors, changes in quality of life, cardiovascular events or death.DiscussionThe introduction of an intensive primary prevention intervention (life-style changes) in patients with hyperfibrinogenaemia could be a more effective measure than the habitual intervention for reducing plasma fibrinogen figures. In addition, these measures could be translated into a reduction of cardiovascular risk and an improvement in the patient́s quality of life

Identification of candidate host serum and saliva biomarkers for a better diagnosis of active and latent tuberculosis infection

In our work, we aim to identify new candidate host biomarkers to discriminate between active TB patients (n = 28), latent infection (LTBI; n = 27) and uninfected (NoTBI; n = 42) individuals. For that, active TB patients and their contacts were recruited that donated serum and saliva samples. A multiplex assay was performed to study the concentration of different cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Proteins with significant differences between groups were selected and logistic regression and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy. The best marker combinations that discriminate active TB from NoTBI contacts were [IP-10 + IL-7] in serum and [Fractalkine + IP-10 + IL-1alpha + VEGF] in saliva. Best discrimination between active TB and LTBI was achieved using [IP-10 + BCA-1] in serum (AUC = 0.83) and IP-10 in saliva (p = 0.0007; AUC = 0.78). The levels of TNFalpha (p = 0.003; AUC = 0.73) in serum and the combination of [Fractalkine+IL-12p40] (AUC = 0.83) in saliva, were able to differentiate between NoTBI and LTBI contacts. In conclusion, different individual and combined protein markers could help to discriminate between active TB and both uninfected and latently-infected contacts. The most promising ones include [IP-10 + IL-7], [IP-10 + BCA-1] and TNFalpha in serum and [Fractalkine + IP-10 + IL-1alpha + VEGF], IP-10 and [Fractalkine+IL-12p40] in saliva

Development and tests of a new prototype detector for the XAFS beamline at Elettra Synchrotron in Trieste

The XAFS beamline at Elettra Synchrotron in Trieste combines X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to provide chemically specific structural information of materials. It operates in the energy range 2.4-27 keV by using a silicon double reflection Bragg monochromator. The fluorescence measurement is performed in place of the absorption spectroscopy when the sample transparency is too low for transmission measurements or the element to study is too diluted in the sample. We report on the development and on the preliminary tests of a new prototype detector based on Silicon Drift Detectors technology and the SIRIO ultra low noise front-end ASIC. The new system will be able to reduce drastically the time needed to perform fluorescence measurements, while keeping a short dead time and maintaining an adequate energy resolution to perform spectroscopy. The custom-made silicon sensor and the electronics are designed specifically for the beamline requirements.Comment: Proceeding of the 6YRM 12th-14th Oct 2015 - L'Aquila (Italy). Accepted for publication on Journal of Physics: Conference Serie