Monte Carlo Deep Neural Network Model for Spread and Peak Prediction of COVID-19

Just a few days before the beginning of this year a new virus, widely known as the COVID-19, was detected in Wuhan, capital of the province Hubei, China. Since then, COVID-19 has spread all across the globe infecting more than half a million people resulting to the passing of nearly 25000 patients. Beside the social pain that this new pandemic is causing, the measures put in force to halt the spreading of the virus are stressing the global economy indicating a domino efect that can last even longer than the probable eradication of COVID-19. Yet, these measures are necessary to prevent health system reach their capacity, an occasion where di cult decisions will need to be made such as prioritization of patients to be treated

On the monitoring of surface displacement in connection with volcano reactivation in Tenerife, Canary Islands, using space techniques

Geodetic volcano monitoring in Tenerife has mainly focused on the Las Cañadas Caldera, where a geodetic micronetwork and a levelling profile are located. A sensitivity test of this geodetic network showed that it should be extended to cover the whole island for volcano monitoring purposes. Furthermore, InSAR allowed detecting two unexpected movements that were beyond the scope of the traditional geodetic network. These two facts prompted us to design and observe a GPS network covering the whole of Tenerife that was monitored in August 2000. The results obtained were accurate to one centimetre, and confirm one of the deformations, although they were not definitive enough to confirm the second one. Furthermore, new cases of possible subsidence have been detected in areas where InSAR could not be used to measure deformation due to low coherence. A first modelling attempt has been made using a very simple model and its results seem to indicate that the deformation observed and the groundwater level variation in the island may be related. Future observations will be necessary for further validation and to study the time evolution of the displacements, carry out interpretation work using different types of data (gravity, gases, etc) and develop models that represent the island more closely. The results obtained are important because they might affect the geodetic volcano monitoring on the island, which will only be really useful if it is capable of distinguishing between displacements that might be linked to volcanic activity and those produced by other causes. One important result in this work is that a new geodetic monitoring system based on two complementary techniques, InSAR and GPS, has been set up on Tenerife island. This the first time that the whole surface of any of the volcanic Canary Islands has been covered with a single network for this purpose. This research has displayed the need for further similar studies in the Canary Islands, at least on the islands which pose a greater risk of volcanic reactivation, such as Lanzarote and La Palma, where InSAR techniques have been used already

COVID-19 Impact Estimation on ICU Capacity at Andalusia, Spain, Using Artificial Intelligence

In early 2020, the world began to watch with caution the spread of an outbreak of pneumonia associated with a new coronavirus, called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which originated in late December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The rapid spread of this outbreak meant that in just one month more than 33 countries were infected with more than 85,200 cases

Características citopatológicas del carcinoma de células acinares (CCA) de glándula salival: a propósito de cuatro observaciones

Objetivo: Presentar las características citopatológicas del carcinoma acinar (CCA), así como su correlación cito-histológica, comentando los problemas de diagnóstico diferencial de esta entidad en base a cuatro observaciones estudiadas mediante PAAF. Casos clínicos: Dos varones de 52 y 53 años, una mujer de 79 años, y una niña de 12 años que presentaron tumoraciones localizadas en territorio parotídeo (casos 1, 2 y 4), y a nivel laterocervical (caso 3). En tres pacientes, la PAAF fue, junto a los estudios de imagen, la primera aproximación diagnóstica; correspondiendo el caso 3 a una punción de adenopatías laterocervicales metastásicas en una paciente con antecedentes de CCA de parótida. Hallazgos citológicos: Las extensiones citológicas mostraron abundante celularidad tumoral dispuesta en pequeñas placas monocapa, formando estructuras acinares, o como células aisladas. Es de destacar la abundancia de núcleos desnudos en el fondo de los frotis, y la ausencia de grasa y de epitelio ductal. Las células poseían núcleos monomorfos redondeados u ovales, nucleólo poco evidente y abundante citoplasma granular o finamente vacuolado. Discusión: La PAAF proporciona información esencial en la actuación diagnóstico-terapeútica de las tumoraciones de la glándula salival, resultando esta metodología muy sensible en su eficacia diagnóstica. La identificación de los CCA frecuentemente presenta dificultades, debido a la gran similitud citológica de las células tumorales con el componente acinar normal propio de la glándula salival. El diagnóstico diferencial se plantea, fundamentalmente, con carcinomas de células claras, con carcinomas mucoepidermoides, con el tumor de Warthin y con los oncocitomas. Nuestras observaciones confirman la validez de la PAAF en una primera aproximación diagnóstica de estas lesiones tumorales accesibles a la punción directa.Objective: To present the cytopathological characteristics of acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) as well as its cyto-histological correlation, commenting on the differential diagnostic problems of this entity based on four observations studied using fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Clinical Cases: Two males of 52 and 53 years of age, one 79 year-old woman and a girl of 12 years of age, who presented tumors located in the parotid area (cases 1, 2 and 4) and at the laterocervical level (case 3). In 3 patients, the FNAB was, together with the image studies, the first diagnostic indication; case 3 corresponding to a puncture of metastatic laterocervical adenopathies in a patient with a history of parotid ACC. Cytological findings: The cytologic smears revealed abundant tumoral cellularity arranged in small monolayered sheets, forming acinar structures or isolated cells. The abundance of bare nuclei at the background of the smears, and the absence of adipose tissue and ductal epithelium are highlighted. The cells possessed round or oval monomorphic nuclei, few nucleoli and abundant granular or finely vacuolate cytoplasm. Discussion: FNAB provides essential information on the diagnostic- therapeutic management of salivary gland tumors; this methodology is highly sensitive in its diagnostic efficacy. The diagnosis of ACCs frequently presents difficulties, owing to the great cytologic similarity of the tumor cells with the normal acinar component of the salivary gland. The differential diag-nosis is considered, fundamentally, with clear cell carcinomas, mucoepidermoid carcinomas, Warthin's tumor, and oncocytomas. Our observations confirm the validity of FNAB in a first diagnostic approximation for those lesions accessible to direct puncture

CD44-high neural crest stem-like cells are associated with tumour aggressiveness and poor survival in neuroblastoma tumours

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma is a paediatric tumour originated from sympathoadrenal precursors and characterized by its heterogeneity and poor outcome in advanced stages. Intra-tumoral cellular heterogeneity has emerged as an important feature in neuroblastoma, with a potential major impact on tumour aggressiveness and response to therapy. CD44 is an adhesion protein involved in tumour progression, metastasis and stemness in different cancers; however, there has been controversies about the significance of CD44 expression in neuroblastoma and its relationship with tumour progression. METHODS: We have performed transcriptomic analysis on patient tumour samples studying the outcome of patients with high CD44 expression. Adhesion, invasion and proliferation assays were performed in sorted CD44high neuroblastoma cells. Tumoursphere cultures have been used to enrich in undifferentiated stem-like cells and to asses self-renewal and differentiation potential. We have finally performed in vivo tumorigenic assays on cell line-derived or Patient-derived xenografts. FINDINGS: We show that high CD44 expression is associated with low survival in high-grade human neuroblastoma, independently of MYCN amplification. CD44 is expressed in a cell population with neural crest stem-like features, and with the capacity to generate multipotent, undifferentiated tumourspheres in culture. These cells are more invasive and proliferative in vitro. CD44 positive cells obtained from tumours are more tumorigenic and metastatic, giving rise to aggressive neuroblastic tumours at high frequency upon transplantation. INTERPRETATION: We describe an unexpected intra-tumoural heterogeneity within cellular entities expressing CD44 in neuroblastoma, and propose that CD44 has a role in neural crest stem-like undifferentiated cells, which can contribute to tumorigenesis and malignancy in this type of cancer. FUNDING: Research supported by grants from the "Asociación Española contra el Cáncer" (AECC), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation SAF program (SAF2016-80412-P), and the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant to RP).Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation SAF program (SAF2016-80412-P

The first widespread solar energetic particle event observed by Solar Orbiter on 2020 November 29

Context. On 2020 November 29, the first widespread solar energetic particle (SEP) event of solar cycle 25 was observed at four widely separated locations in the inner (.1 AU) heliosphere. Relativistic electrons as well as protons with energies >50 MeV were observed by Solar Orbiter (SolO), Parker Solar Probe, the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO)-A and multiple near-Earth spacecraft. The SEP event was associated with an M4.4 class X-ray flare and accompanied by a coronal mass ejection and an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wave as well as a type II radio burst and multiple type III radio bursts. Aims. We present multi-spacecraft particle observations and place them in context with source observations from remote sensing instruments and discuss how such observations may further our understanding of particle acceleration and transport in this widespread event. Methods. Velocity dispersion analysis (VDA) and time shift analysis (TSA) were used to infer the particle release times at the Sun. Solar wind plasma and magnetic field measurements were examined to identify structures that influence the properties of the energetic particles such as their intensity. Pitch angle distributions and first-order anisotropies were analyzed in order to characterize the particle propagation in the interplanetary medium. Results. We find that during the 2020 November 29 SEP event, particles spread over more than 230◦ in longitude close to 1 AU. The particle onset delays observed at the different spacecraft are larger as the flare–footpoint angle increases and are consistent with those from previous STEREO observations. Comparing the timing when the EUV wave intersects the estimated magnetic footpoints of each spacecraft with particle release times from TSA and VDA, we conclude that a simple scenario where the particle release is only determined by the EUV wave propagation is unlikely for this event. Observations of anisotropic particle distributions at SolO, Wind, and STEREO-A do not rule out that particles are injected over a wide longitudinal range close to the Sun. However, the low values of the first-order anisotropy observed by near-Earth spacecraft suggest that diffusive propagation processes are likely involved.Agencia Estatal de Investigació

Consumption of food fried in olive oil and unhealthy aging in a Mediterranean country

Fried food has usually shown neutral or detrimental effects on many chronic diseases, possibly depending on the type of food fried and the frying oil, but its relationship with unhealthy aging is unknown. We examined how changes in fried food consumption over a 3-year period were linked to unhealthy aging over 3 and 6 years. Methods: Prospective cohort study in Spain with 2043 individuals aged ≥60 years, recruited in 2008–2010 and followed-up to 2012 and 2015. Fried food consumption was ascertained with a validated diet history, and unhealthy aging was measured with a 52-item health deficit accumulation index. Results: Compared with participants who reduced fried food consumption, those who increased it showed less deficit accumulation over 3 years (multivariable β [95% confidence interval]: −1.45 [−2.30, −0.61]), but not over 6 years of follow-up. More 3-year deficit accumulation was observed when replacing 100 g/day of fried food with an equal amount of non-fried food (1.48 [0.59, 2.37]); corresponding values in substitution analyses were 2.03 [1.03, 3.03] for fried protein-rich food, 10.76 [5.20, 16.33] for fried eggs, and 2.06 [0.68, 3.43] for fried fish. Also, increased olive oil intake was significantly associated with less 3-year deficit accumulation (total olive oil: −1.14 [−2.07, −0.21], and olive oil with non-fried food: −0.99 [−1.89, −0.08]). Conclusions: In a Mediterranean country, where olive oil is the most common frying medium, increased fried food consumption was associated with delayed unhealthy aging over 3 years of follow-up; consumption of olive oil and fried protein-rich food (especially eggs and fish) were its main drivers. However, these associations did not generally remain after 6 yearsThis work was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III, State Secretary of R+D+I, and FEDER/FSE (FIS grants 16/609, 16/1512, 18/287, and 19/319); JPI-A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life, State Secretary of R+D+I (the Salamander Project, grant number PCIN-2016-145); and the Cátedra de Epidemiología y Control del Riesgo Cardiovascular at UAM (grant number 820024

Síntesis de ferritas de pb, cd y mn vía hidroquímica: incidencia del anión y el flujo de aire

No se conocen estudios de los efectos de las sales usadas en las síntesis sobre la estequiometría final de las ferritas de tipo MxFeII(1-x)FeIIIO4 vía hidroquímica. Realizar la síntesis de ferritas de Pb, Cd y Mn en relación 15:1 Fe2+/M2+ variando condiciones del flujo de aire y utilizando nitratos de Pb, Cd y Mn y cloruros de Cd y Mn, ha sido el objetivo del trabajo. Se partió de soluciones de nitratos [Pb(NO3)2; Cd(NO3)2.4H2O y Mn(NO3)2.6H2O] y cloruros [CdCl2.2½H2O y MnCl2.4H2O]. Las estequiometrías conseguidas fueron las mismas (Pb0.04Fe2.96O4, Cd0.06Fe2.94O4, Mn0.12Fe2.88O4) no encontrando dependencia del anión de partida. En las ferritas base ion nitrato, se mostró una tendencia de disminución de Fe2+, con el aumento del flujo de aire. Para las de cadmio y manganeso sintetizadas a partir de cloruro, se observó una disminución mayor de Fe2+ que en las obtenidas a partir de nitratos; probablemente debido a la presencia de Cl- que en medio básico pasa a ClO- y éstos dan lugar a la oxidación de Fe2+ a Fe3+ catalizada por los propios iones Fe2+, Fe3+ y Mn2+. Para la ferrita de cadmio se determinaron contenidos de Fe2+ mayores a los encontrados en las ferritas de manganeso; posiblemente no se oxidó todo el Fe2+ por menor concentración de cloruros (0.018M) que en la de manganeso (0.036M)

Ensinar e aprender português: a digital resource for learning to read and write

In Education, the use of technological resources to support students' teaching and learning is becoming more and more urgent. Teaching and Learning Portuguese [Ensinar e Aprender Português – EAP] is a structured and innovative educational resource, supported by the use of Information and Communication Technologies and based on scientific evidence. It is aimed at students (and teachers) of the four years of primary school. It aims to: i) support the teaching/learning of reading and writing in primary school; ii) signalize, in a timely manner, students at-risk of presenting difficulties in learning to read and write; and iii) support the recovery of learning. This paper will present this digital resource developed for the Portuguese context, based on the Portuguese curriculum and the legislation on inclusive education. It is also anchored in the multilevel approach whose focus on digital transition, on screening tests and monitoring of learning has introduced new challenges in the education system. As it is a digital resource whose activities are self-executable and for which explanatory and corrective feedbacks are provided, it contributes to bridge a gap in terms of digital transition which was particularly visible in a pandemic context such as the one we are going through.In Education, the use of technological resources to support students' teaching and learning is becoming more and more urgent. Teaching and Learning Portuguese [Ensinar e Aprender Português – EAP] is a structured and innovative educational resource, supported by the use of Information and Communication Technologies and based on scientific evidence. It is aimed at students (and teachers) of the four years of primary school. It aims to: i) support the teaching/learning of reading and writing in primary school; ii) signalize, in a timely manner, students at-risk of presenting difficulties in learning to read and write; and iii) support the recovery of learning. This paper will present this digital resource developed for the Portuguese context, based on the Portuguese curriculum and the legislation on inclusive education. It is also anchored in the multilevel approach whose focus on digital transition, on screening tests and monitoring of learning has introduced new challenges in the education system. As it is a digital resource whose activities are self-executable and for which explanatory and corrective feedbacks are provided, it contributes to bridge a gap in terms of digital transition which was particularly visible in a pandemic context such as the one we are going through.This work was financially supported by Portuguese national funds through the FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) within the framework of the CIEC (Research Center for Child Studies of the University of Minho) projects under the references UIDB/00317/2020 and UIDP/00317/2020

Resistance and inactivation kinetics of bacterial strains isolated from the Non-chlorinated and chlorinated effluents of a WWTP

The microbiological quality of water from a wastewater treatment plant that uses sodium hypochlorite as a disinfectant was assessed. Mesophilic aerobic bacteria were not removed efficiently. This fact allowed for the isolation of several bacterial strains from the effluents. Molecular identification indicated that the strains were related to Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli (three strains), Enterobacter cloacae, Kluyvera cryocrescens (three strains), Kluyvera intermedia, Citrobacter freundii (two strains), Bacillus sp. and Enterobacter sp. The first five strains, which were isolated from the non-chlorinated effluent, were used to test resistance to chlorine disinfection using three sets of variables: disinfectant concentration (8, 20 and 30 mg·L−1), contact time (0, 15 and 30 min) and water temperature (20, 25 and 30 °C). The results demonstrated that the strains have independent responses to experimental conditions and that the most efficient treatment was an 8 mg·L−1 dose of disinfectant at a temperature of 20 °C for 30 min. The other eight strains, which were isolated from the chlorinated effluent, were used to analyze inactivation kinetics using the disinfectant at a dose of 15 mg·L−1 with various retention times (0, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 min). The results indicated that during the inactivation process, there was no relationship between removal percentage and retention time and that the strains have no common response to the treatmentsThe work of SM-H was supported by a graduate scholarship (number 217745) that was kindly provided by CONACyT, Mexico. Some chemical reagents were generously provided by the Administration of the B.A. in Biology at UAEH, Mexico. We thank the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Hidalgo campus, for allowing us to sample from its WWTP. The authors recognize Jose A. Rodriguez-Ávila for his comments on the procedure for analyzing inactivation kineticsS