The Scimitar Precooled Mach 5 Engine

Accepted versio

Redescription of the Mexican scorpion \u3cem\u3eCentruroides hoffmanni\u3c/em\u3e Armas, 1996 (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

The Mexican scorpion Centruroides hoffmanni Armas, 1996 is redescribed, based on adults of both sexes. It is readily diagnosed by its medium size, dark brown two-banded tergites and brown marbling on carapace, appendages and metasoma, pectinal tooth counts, the shape of the female basal plate of the pectines, development of metasomal carinae, and shape of the telson and subaculear tubercle. The geographical distribution of this species ranges from southeastern Oaxaca to southwestern Chiapas, Mexico. It was originally compared with Centruroides thorelli (Kraepelin, 1891), but actually it seems to be closely related to C. infamatus (C. L. Koch, 1845) and C. baergi Hoffmann, 1932

BMI and low bone mass in an elderly male nursing home population

Little is known about osteoporosis in institutionalized older adults. Risk factors such as low body mass index (BMI) have been investigated in female populations, but remain understudied in men. The objective of this study was to examine characteristics of older men residing in a nursing home who received bone mineral density evaluations. 57 male Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) nursing home residents were screened for osteoporosis using a peripheral dual X-ray (pDXA) technique. T-scores were categorized into three groups: normal (0 > -1); osteopenic (-1 to -2.49); osteoporotic (< -2.5). Average age was 76.2 years (standard deviation = 11.5; range: 48-100). T-scores indicated that 37.3% of the population was normal, 35.6% osteopenic, and 27.1% osteoporotic. 35.6% of patients had normal BMIs, 3.4% were underweight, 47.5% were overweight, and 13.6% were considered obese. There was a high prevalence of overweight and obese individuals (61.1%) in the osteopenic and osteoporotic groups. As expected, there was a high prevalence of low bone mass in our population (62%). However, overweight and obese men were more likely to have osteoporosis and osteopenia, contrary to literature and clinical knowledge. This finding may be partially explained by the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle and relative lack of weight-bearing activity in this group of men

Shifting the paradigm: Narratives of the future guide the development of Costa Rica's INDC

This policy brief summarizes the process and main results of the development of Costa Rica´s INDC through a participatory process in which the building and use of future scenarios was the first step in a national dialogue to define, test and improve mitigation measures to lower emissions of greenhouse gases

Cambiando el paradigma: las narrativas del futuro guían el desarrollo de la INDC de Costa Rica

Este resumen de política presenta el proceso y los principales resultados del desarrollo de la INDC de Costa Rica a través de un proceso participativo en el que la construcción y uso de escenarios futuros fue el primer paso de un diálogo nacional para definir, probar y mejorar las medidas de mitigación para la reducción de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero

Penta-block copolymer microspheres: Impact of polymer characteristics and process parameters on protein release

Here, we aimed to develop protein loaded microspheres (MSs) using penta-block PLGA-based copolymers to obtain sustained and complete protein release. We varied MS morphology and studied the control of protein release. Lysozyme was used as a model protein and MSs were prepared using the solid-in-oil-in-water emulsion solvent extraction method. We synthesized and studied various penta-block PLGA-based copolymers. Copolymer characteristics (LA/GA ratio and molecular weight of PLGA blocks) influenced MS morphology. MS porosity was influenced by process parameters (such as solvent type, polymer concentration, emulsifying speed), whereas the aqueous volume for extraction and stabilizer did not have a significant effect. MSs of the same size, but different morphologies, exhibited different protein release behavior, with porous structures being essential for the continuous and complete release of encapsulated protein. These findings suggest strategies to engineer the morphology of MSs produced from PLGA-based multi-block copolymers to achieve appropriate release rates for a protein delivery system

Metallo-dielectric core-shell nanospheres as building blocks for optical three-dimensional isotropic negative-index metamaterials

Materials showing electromagnetic properties that are not attainable in naturally occurring media, so-called metamaterials, have been lately, and still are, among the most active topics in optical and materials physics and engineering. Among these properties, one of the most attractive ones is the subdiffraction resolving capability predicted for media having an index of refraction of -1. Here, we propose a fully three-dimensional, isotropic metamaterial with strong electric and magnetic responses in the optical regime, based on spherical metallo-dielectric core-shell nanospheres. The magnetic response stems from the lowest, magnetic-dipole resonance of the dielectric shell with a high refractive index, and can be tuned to coincide with the plasmon resonance of the metal core, responsible for the electric response. Since the response does not originate from coupling between structures, no particular periodic arrangement needs to be imposed. Moreover, due to the geometry of the constituents, the metamaterial is intrinsically isotropic and polarization independent. It could be realized with current fabrication techniques with materials such as silver (core) and silicon or germanium (shell). For these particular realistic designs, the metamaterials present a negative index in the range of 1.2-1.55οm. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.The authors acknowledge support from the Spain Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion´ through the Consolider-Ingenio project EMET (CSD2008-00066) and NANOPLAS (FIS2009- 11264) and from the Comunidad de Madrid (grant MICROSERES P2009/TIC-1476). RP-D acknowledges support from CSIC through a JAE-Pre grantPeer Reviewe

Computer aided volumetric assessment of orbital structures in patients with Graves' orbitopathy: correlation with serum thyroid antiperoxidase antibodies and disease activity

Introduction: Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder. Goiter and Graves' orbitopathy are frequently seen clinically. It would be helpful for the diagnosis, grading, prognosis, and treatment of this condition if it was possible to find serum biomarkers to establish a connection between the plasma levels of these compounds and orbital changes. Methods: A retrospective study was performed by revising the medical records of 44 patients with Graves' orbitopathy and 15 controls. The Osirix software (Pixmeo, Geneva, Switzerland) was used for manual orbital measurements. Plasma levels of Graves' orbitopathy substances were obtained in the analytical review of the patients. Results: A greater muscle volume was observed in patients with Graves' orbitopathy in relation to the control group (p < 0.001). The clinical activity score (CAS) was associated to total muscle mass (p = 0.013) and retrorbital fat (p = 0.048). Our results indicated a direct relationship between serum concentrations of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies and inferior rectus thickening (p = 0.036); however, we did not observe a positive correlation between other muscle volumes and serum concentrations of various thyroid-related substances. Conclusions: This study is the first that uses Osirix measurement software to manually assess orbital features in patients with Graves' orbitopathy. These measurements were compared to the outcomes of tests performed in a laboratory. Among several serum biomarkers, anti-thyroid peroxidase appears to be a reliable biomarker that correlates positively with inferior rectus muscle thickness in patients with thyroid eye disease. This may help to improve the management of this diseaseOpen Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. This work was financially supported by ISCIII (RETICS RD16/0008/0003) and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund—ERDF)S