Biodiversity of Root-Nodule Bacteria Associated With the Leguminous Plant Biserrula pelecinus

Biserrula pelecinus is a noteworthy forage legume known for its drought- and acid-resistant properties and nitrogen-fixing ability that forms an extremely specific symbiotic relationship with bacteria from genera Mesorhizobium. To investigate the biodiversity of root- nodule bacteria associated with B. pelecinus, a total of 88 bacterial strains were examined using repYpolymerase chain reaction amplifica- tion. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was also used to determine the phylogenetic relationship with type strains of different genera of rhi- zobia. Our results show that although a considerable genetic variability among Biserrula isolates was found, most isolates were phylogenetically related to Mesorhizobium ciceri. Curiously, a new symbiotic partner was found to nodulate Biserrula, suggesting possible lateral gene transfer of nodulation and nitrogen fixation genes between Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium

Efficient integral equation analysis of 3-D rectangular waveguide microwave circuits by using green’s functions accelerated with the Ewald method

In this contribution, an electric field integral equation (EFIE) formulation is proposed, for the analysis of microwave circuits based on rectangular waveguides with an unlimited number of arbitrarily 3-D-shaped conducting elements. For this purpose, the Lorenz gauge rectangular waveguide Green’s functions are used. Moreover, the Ewald method has been employed to significantly speed up the evaluation of these rectangular waveguide Green’s functions. Strategies are also proposed to switch between different ways of calculating the Green’s functions depending on the source-observation distance along the propagation direction. In addition, the method of moments (MoM) has been applied to solve the EFIE. Following the application of this technique, the impedance matrix resulting from the MoM has been divided into dynamic and static parts, thus reducing the computational time required to obtain the frequency response of practical 3-D microwave circuits by up to a factor of 3 compared with the traditional formulation. On the other hand, a generic expression is derived to evaluate the multimode scattering parameters of rectangular waveguide circuits, independently on the mode used to excite the structure. The evaluation of the electromagnetic fields inside the rectangular waveguides has also been carried out. The proposed technique has been validated by comparison with results provided by commercial full-wave software, such as ANSYS HFSS and CST Studio Suite, showing good agreement and good numerical efficiency.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación in the framework of the research projects: “Design and Development of New High-Performance Components for High-Frequency Communication Systems (NEWCOSYS)” under Grant PID2022-136590OB-C42 and “Advancing on Waveguide Technologies for Near-Future Satellite Communication Equipment (ADWASAT)” under Grant PID2022-136590OB-C41; in part by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, European Union Next Generation Funds in the projects “Antennas and Circuits for Efficient Wireless Sensor Networks Using Low-Orbit Satellites (ARIELS)” under Grant TED2021-129196B-C42 and “Technological Demonstrator of New Radio Links Between Small Satellites and Earth Stations for Advanced Digital Applications (CHILD-SAT)” under Grant TED2021-129196B-C41; and in part by the Fundación Séneca, Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Región de Murcia, Spain, through “Componentes radiantes y de filtrado de microondas para satélites emergentes” under Project 22076/PI/22

Efficient Calculation of the 3-D Rectangular Waveguide Green’s Functions Derivatives by the Ewald Method

In this contribution, the Ewald method has efficiently been applied to accelerate the computation of the rectangular waveguide Green’s functions derivatives. Based on previous works, we have outlined new approximation formulae that avoid the evaluation of computationally expensive complementary error functions of complex argument, needed by the Ewald method. This is possible when the internal medium of the rectangular waveguide is homogeneous and lossless. On the other hand, different convergence numerical studies have been carried out, showing a similar convergence rate for computing the original Green’s functions and their derivatives. Moreover, we have checked that the computational time is only slightly increased for obtaining the derivatives as compared to the original Green’s functions, after the application of these new techniques. The new derived expressions are useful for the evaluation of electromagnetic fields, the characterization of dielectric materials and step discontinuities between rectangular waveguides, and the analysis of rectangular cavities using integral equation formulations. For validation, the electric field produced by a surface electric current density with a rectangular pulse distribution has been evaluated, using the new proposed expressions. These results have been compared to simulations provided by a full-wave finite elements commercial software to verify their correctness, exhibiting a good agreement

Integral equation analysis of multiport H‐plane microwave circuits by using 2D rectangular cavity Green's functions accelerated by the Ewald Method

An integral equation technique for the analysis of multiport H‐plane microwave circuits composed of an unlimited number of arbitrarily shaped metallic and/or dielectric elements is proposed. The structure under study is divided into different regions after the application of the surface equivalence principle. Following this approach, the access waveguide ports are modelled by means of parallel plate Green's functions, whereas the central region is characterised by 2D rectangular cavity Green's functions. The use of this kind of Green's functions represents a novelty for solving H‐plane integral equation problems. For the first time, the Ewald method has been employed in order to accelerate the computation of the 2D rectangular cavity Green's functions and their derivatives, needed in the integral equation. In addition, convergence studies show the numerical convenience of using the Ewald method to achieve a fast and accurate evaluation of these Green's functions. Results show that the analysis can be very efficient if the structure is segmented in a proper way based on fitting the cavity resonator within the geometry of the structure under analysis. In fact, all the walls of the structure that are coincident with the auxiliary resonator need not to be discretised during the numerical solution. Finally, several simulation examples of practical inductive microwave circuits are presented and discussed, showing a good agreement and higher computational efficiency when compared to results provided by commercial full‐wave software tools and measurements.This research work has been financially supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Grant number MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) in the frame of the cooperative projects “Green an Efficient Technologies for Advanced Telecommunication Systems (GRETAS)” with Ref. TPID2019‐103982RB‐C42 and “Advanced Design of New High Frequency Components in Compact Waveguide Technologies for Future Telecommunication Satellites (GUIDESAT)” (Ref. TPID2019‐103982RB‐C41)

The use of mental health promotion strategies by nurses to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression during the COVID-19 outbreak: a prospective cohort study

Objectives: To evaluate and compare nurses' depression, anxiety and stress symptoms at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and after six months; to evaluate and compare the frequency of use of mental health promotion strategies during the same period; and to identify the relationship between the frequency of use of mental health promotion strategies, during the same period, with nurses’ depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. Methods: Data collection was carried out in two moments: at baseline and after six months. An online questionnaire was applied to nurses to assess the frequency of use of some mental health promotion strategies and their depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms (through the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales – short version (DASS-21)). Results: The anxiety and stress symptoms significantly decreased over time. The physical activity increased, and a decrease was observed in the remote social contacts after six months. The stress, anxiety and depression scores were significantly lower in nurses who frequently or always used all strategies compared to participants who never or rarely used them, except for one strategy (rejecting information about COVID-19 from unreliable sources). Conclusions: Mental health promotion strategies, such as physical activity, relaxation activity, recreational activity, healthy diet, adequate water intake, breaks between work shifts, maintenance of remote social contacts, and verbalization of feelings/emotions, are crucial to reduce nurses’ stress, anxiety and depression symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Neurolipid systems: A new target for the treatment of dementia

Neurolipids comprise a diverse class of bioactive lipids that include molecules capable of activating G protein-coupled receptors, thereby inducing systemic effects that contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis. Dementia, a non-specific brain disorder characterized by a common set of signs and symptoms, usually arises subsequent to brain injuries or diseases and is often associated with the aging process. Individuals affected by dementia suffer from the disruption of several neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems, among which neurolipids play an important role, including the endocannabinoid, lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine 1-phosphate systems. In this review, we present an overview of the most recent and pertinent findings regarding the involvement of these neurolipidic systems in dementia, including data from a wide range of both in vitro and in vivo experiments as well as clinical trials.This work was supported by grants from Basque Government IT1454-22 to the ‘Neurochemistry and Neurodegeneration’ consolidated research group and by Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the project ‘PI20/00153’ (co-funded by European Regional Development Fund ‘A way to make Europe’) and by BIOEF project BIO22/ALZ/010 funded by Eitb Maratoia

Patient-centered care for people with depression and anxiety: an integrative review protocol

Introduction: Depression and anxiety are mental diseases found worldwide, with the tendency to worsen in the current pandemic period. These illnesses contribute the most to the world’s rate of years lived with disability. We aim to identify and synthesize indicators for the care process of the person with depression and/or anxiety disorders, based on patient-centered care, going through the stages of diagnostic assessment, care planning, and intervention. Methods and analysis: An integrative literature review will be conducted, and the research carried out on the following databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, CINAHL, Web of Science, TrialRegistry, and MedicLatina. The research strategy contains the following terms MesH or similar: “patient-centered care”, “depression”, and “anxiety”. Two independent revisers will perform the inclusion and exclusion criteria analysis, the quality analysis of the data, and its extraction for synthesis. Disagreements will be resolved by a third revisor. All studies related to diagnostic assessment, care planning, or intervention strategies will be included as long as they focus on care focused on people with depression and anxiety, regardless of the context. Given the plurality of the eligible studies, we used the narrative synthesis method for the analysis of the diagnostic assessment, the care and intervention planning, and the facilitators and barriers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparação entre a resposta de crescimento ao tratamento com hormônio de crescimento (GH) em crianças com insensibilidade parcial ao GH ou deficiência de GH leve

Objectives: GH therapy is still controversial, except in severe GH deficiency (SGHD). The objective of this study was to compare the response to growth hormone (GH) therapy in children with partial GH insensitivity (PGHIS) and mild GH deficiency (MGHD) with those with SGHD. Subjects and methods: Fifteen PGHIS, 11 MGHD, and 19 SGHD subjects, followed up for more than one year in the Brazilian public care service, were evaluated regarding anthropometric and laboratory data at the beginning of treatment, after one year (1st year) on treatment, and at the last assessment (up to ten years in SGHD, up to four years in MGHD, and up to eight years in PGHIS). Results: Initial height standard deviation score (SDS) in SGHD was lower than in MGHD and PGHIS. Although the increase in 1st year height SDS in comparison to initial height SDS was not different among the groups, height-SDS after the first year of treatment remained lower in SGHD than in MGHD. There was no difference in height-SDS at the last assessment of the children among the three groups. GH therapy, in the entire period of observation, caused a trend towards lower increase in height SDS in PGHIS than SGHD but similar increases were observed in MGHD and SGHD. Conclusion: GH therapy increases height in PGHIS and produces similar height effects in MGHD and SGHD. _________________________________________________________________________________________ RESUMO: Objetivos: O tratamento com GH é ainda controverso, salvo na deficiência grave de GH (SGHD). O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a resposta ao tratamento com GH em indivíduos com insensibilidade parcial ao GH (PGHIS) e na deficiência moderada do GH (MGHD) com SGHD. Sujeitos e métodos: Quinze pacientes com PGHIS, 11 com MGHD e 19 com SGHD, seguidos por mais de um ano no Sistema Único de Saúde, foram avaliados antropométrica e laboratorialmente, no início, com um ano de tratamento e na última avaliação (tempo máximo de dez anos na SGHD, quatro anos na MGHD e oito anos na PGHIS). Resultados: O escore de desvio-padrão (EDP) da estatura inicial foi menor nos indivíduos com SGHD do que naqueles com MGHD e PGHIS. Embora o aumento no EDP da estatura no primeiro ano em comparação com o inicial não fosse diferente entre os grupos, o EDP da altura no primeiro ano de tratamento permaneceu menor na SGHD que na MGHD. Não houve diferença no EDP da estatura na última avaliação entre os três grupos. O tratamento com GH, no período completo da observação, provocou uma tendência a menor aumento no EDP da estatura nos pacientes com PGHIS que naqueles com SGHD, entretanto aumentos semelhantes foram encontrados nos grupos MGHD e SGHD. Conclusão: O tratamento com GH aumentou a estatura nos indivíduos com PGHIS e produziu efeitos similares na estatura em MGHD e SGHD