Investigating metal-inhibitor interaction with EQCM and SVET: 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole on Au, Cu and Au-Cu galvanic coupling

In this work, the scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and the quartz crystal microbalance technique (EQCM) were used to characterize the electrochemical interaction of two corrosion inhibitors, 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole and 3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATA), in Au and Cu samples individually and with both metals connected in order to form a galvanic pair Au-C

SVET study of the interaction of 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole corrosion inhibitor with Au, Cu and Au-Cu galvanic coupling

This study reports an electrochemical investigation of the interaction between 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (2MBT), a corrosion inhibitor, and two noble metals (Cu and Au), either isolated or under galvanical coupling. The surface reactivity of the inhibitor-modified metals in chloride-containing aqueous solution of 0.1 mM NaCl was studied using the Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET). The potential gradients in the electrolyte were detected by the SVET and converted to local ionic currents distributed at different anodic and cathodic sites, where electrochemical redox reactions are taking place. No external polarization was applied during SVET measurements, leaving the samples at the spontaneous free corrosion potential (FCP). The values of FCP showed that the metals are not protected by 2MBT. SVET revealed a moderate electrochemical activity of Au and very low in the case of Cu

The Spanish Infrared Camera onboard the EUSO-BALLOON (CNES) flight on August 24, 2014

The EUSO-Balloon (CNES) campaign was held during Summer 2014 with a launch on August 24. In the gondola, next to the Photo Detector Module (PDM), a completely isolated Infrared camera was allocated. Also, a helicopter which shooted flashers flew below the balloon. We have retrieved the Cloud Top Height (CTH) with the IR camera, and also the optical depth of the nonclear atmosphere have been inferred with two approaches: The first one is with the comparison of the brightness temperature of the cloud and the real temperature obtained after the pertinent corrections. The second one is by measuring the detected signal from the helicopter flashers by the IR Camera, considering the energy of the flashers and the location of the helicopter

The atmospheric science of JEM-EUSO

An Atmospheric Monitoring System (AMS) is critical suite of instruments for JEM-EUSO whose aim is to detect Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR) and (EHECR) from Space. The AMS comprises an advanced space qualified infrared camera and a LIDAR with cross checks provided by a ground-based and airborne Global Light System Stations. Moreover the Slow Data Mode of JEM-EUSO has been proven crucial for the UV background analysis by comparing the UV and IR images. It will also contribute to the investigation of atmospheric effects seen in the data from the GLS or even to our understanding of Space Weather

Effectiveness of an mHealth intervention combining a smartphone app and smart band on body composition in an overweight and obese population: Randomized controlled trial (EVIDENT 3 study)

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. Methods: A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19). Conclusions: The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect

SUPLEMENTO DEL XV CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL DE ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA Y DEPORTE. 17,18 y 19 DE OCTUBRE DEL 2018. ENSENADA, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MÉXICO

Compendio, en formato artículo, de los mejores trabajos presentados en el XV CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL DE ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA Y DEPORTE celebrado los días  17,18 y 19 de octubre del 2018 en la Universidad Autónoma de Baja California en la ciudad de Ensenada, Baja California, México:La nutrición en la actividad física y deportiva: alimentos funcionales con nanotecnología, aplicaciones potenciales. González González, K.Y.; Huerta Plaza, B.A.; Amaya Parra, G. (118-130)Perfil antropométrico, físico y hábitos alimentarios en escolares indígenas de Tijuana México. Avendaño Cano, D.L.; Gómez Miranda, L.M.; Aburto Corona, J.A. (131-142)Relación entre el clima de aprendizaje en Educación Física y la percepción de los estudiantes en las competencias del profesorado. Baños, R; Ortiz-Camacho, M.M.; Baena-Extremera, A.; Granero-Gallegos, A.; Machado-Parra, J.P.; Rentería, I.; Acosta, I.; Ramírez, L. (143-153)Valoración de capacidades físicas, composición corporal y consumo de vitaminas en una competencia de Crossfit. Cervantes-Hernández, N.; Hernández Nájera, N.; Carrasco Legleu, C.E.; Candia Lujan, R.; Enríquez Del Castillo, L.A. (154-164)Relación de la actividad física, características antropométricas y VO2máx en jóvenes universitarios: características por género. Enríquez-del Castillo, L.A.; Cervantes-Hernández, N.; Carrasco-Legleu, C.E.; Candia Luján, R. (165-174)Entrenamiento vibratorio de cuerpo completo y sus efectos sobre la composición corporal en jóvenes universitarios. Flores-Chico, B.; Bañuelos-Teres, L.E.; Buendía Lozada, E.R.P. (175-183)Actualización curricular, plan 2016 de la Licenciatura en Cultura Física de la BUAP. Flores-Chico, B.; Flores-Flores, A.; López de La Rosa, LE.; Aguilar-Enríquez, R.I.; Caballero Gómez, JM; Villanueva-Huerta, JA. (184-192)Evaluación psicológica y de la musculatura isquiosural de basquetbolistas universitarias en distintas etapas deportivas. Moranchel-Charros, R.; Martínez-Velázquez, E.S. (193-203)Efecto del ejercicio físico sobre la fuerza, resistencia y riesgo de caída en mujeres adultas. Ortiz Ortiz, M; Espinoza Gutiérrez, R; Gómez Miranda, LM.; Guzmán Gutiérrez, EC.; Calleja Núñez, JJ. (204-212)Desigualdad vs igualdad numérica y su efecto en la técnica de jugadores de fútbol infantil. Vega-Orozco, SI; Gavotto Nogales, OI; Bernal Reyes, F; Horta Gim, MA; Sarabia Sainz, HM. (213-224

Epidemiological trends of HIV/HCV coinfection in Spain, 2015-2019

Altres ajuts: Spanish AIDS Research Network; European Funding for Regional Development (FEDER).Objectives: We assessed the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and active HCV infection (HCV-RNA-positive) in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Spain in 2019 and compared the results with those of four similar studies performed during 2015-2018. Methods: The study was performed in 41 centres. Sample size was estimated for an accuracy of 1%. Patients were selected by random sampling with proportional allocation. Results: The reference population comprised 41 973 PLWH, and the sample size was 1325. HCV serostatus was known in 1316 PLWH (99.3%), of whom 376 (28.6%) were HCV antibody (Ab)-positive (78.7% were prior injection drug users); 29 were HCV-RNA-positive (2.2%). Of the 29 HCV-RNA-positive PLWH, infection was chronic in 24, it was acute/recent in one, and it was of unknown duration in four. Cirrhosis was present in 71 (5.4%) PLWH overall, three (10.3%) HCV-RNA-positive patients and 68 (23.4%) of those who cleared HCV after anti-HCV therapy (p = 0.04). The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies decreased steadily from 37.7% in 2015 to 28.6% in 2019 (p < 0.001); the prevalence of active HCV infection decreased from 22.1% in 2015 to 2.2% in 2019 (p < 0.001). Uptake of anti-HCV treatment increased from 53.9% in 2015 to 95.0% in 2019 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In Spain, the prevalence of active HCV infection among PLWH at the end of 2019 was 2.2%, i.e. 90.0% lower than in 2015. Increased exposure to DAAs was probably the main reason for this sharp reduction. Despite the high coverage of treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents, HCV-related cirrhosis remains significant in this population

Reconstruction of events recorded with the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Cosmic rays arriving at Earth collide with the upper parts of the atmosphere, thereby inducing extensive air showers. When secondary particles from the cascade arrive at the ground, they are measured by surface detector arrays. We describe the methods applied to the measurements of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory to reconstruct events with zenith angles less than 60o using the timing and signal information recorded using the water-Cherenkov detector stations. In addition, we assess the accuracy of these methods in reconstructing the arrival directions of the primary cosmic ray particles and the sizes of the induced showers

Spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant through Europe in the summer of 2020.

Following its emergence in late 2019, the spread of SARS-CoV-21,2 has been tracked by phylogenetic analysis of viral genome sequences in unprecedented detail3–5. Although the virus spread globally in early 2020 before borders closed, intercontinental travel has since been greatly reduced. However, travel within Europe resumed in the summer of 2020. Here we report on a SARS-CoV-2 variant, 20E (EU1), that was identified in Spain in early summer 2020 and subsequently spread across Europe. We find no evidence that this variant has increased transmissibility, but instead demonstrate how rising incidence in Spain, resumption of travel, and lack of effective screening and containment may explain the variant’s success. Despite travel restrictions, we estimate that 20E (EU1) was introduced hundreds of times to European countries by summertime travellers, which is likely to have undermined local efforts to minimize infection with SARS-CoV-2. Our results illustrate how a variant can rapidly become dominant even in the absence of a substantial transmission advantage in favourable epidemiological settings. Genomic surveillance is critical for understanding how travel can affect transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and thus for informing future containment strategies as travel resumes. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited