The late Early Pleistocene site of Fuente Nueva-3 (Guadix-Baza Depression, SE Spain): a hyena latrine developed on a quicksand trap for megaherbivores?

The late Early Pleistocene archaeological site of Fuente Nueva-3 (FN3), which lies in the Guadix-Baza Depression (SE Spain) and is dated to ~ 1.4 Ma, contributes some of the oldest evidence of hominin presence in Western Europe, including a huge tool assemblage of Oldowan tradition, manuports (i.e., unmodified stones used as percussion tools) and abundant fossils of large mammals, some of which preserve anthropogenic marks related to defleshing, butchering and marrow processing. In addition, there are bones with tooth marks produced by scavenging carnivores. The fertile layers of the FN3 section have been grouped in a lower archaeological level (LAL) and an upper archaeological level (UAL). Both levels preserve abundant skeletal remains and lithic tools. However, the LAL shows a high density of manuports, which suggests that hominin activity was more intense at this level, while the UAL preserves many remains of megaherbivores, particularly proboscideans (Mammuthus meridionalis), and almost all coprolites unearthed from the site, which points to a greater involvement of the giant hyenas (Pachycrocuta brevirostris). In this paper, we (i) test for statistical differences in the composition of the faunal assemblages preserved in the UAL and LAL; and (ii) analyze particle size in the fertile layers of both archaeological levels. Our results show that megaherbivores are comparatively overrepresented in the UAL, specially by young elephants, while other medium-to-large and large-sized ungulates, particularly equids, are more abundant in the LAL, showing a predominance of adult individualsFounding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

A flexible methanol-to-methane thermochemical energy storage system (TCES) for gas turbine (GT) power production

This study introduces an innovative solution to address the challenges arising from the volatile natural gas market and the growing integration of renewable energy sources within the industrial sector. The research strives to confront this challenge by including renewable methanol (CH3OH) and converting it into methane (CH4), with an intermediate step involving synthesis gas (CO/H2) by using concentrating solar power. This approach provides a sustainable and adaptable solution to reduce dependence on natural gas. The process entails a methanol decomposition reaction at moderate temperatures (500 °C). The resulting methane is used as fuel for gas turbines and can also serve as feedstock in the chemical industry. The simulations were conducted in ASPEN HYSYS and yielded overall system efficiencies exceeding 29% and roundtrip efficiencies of 44%. Through techno-economic optimisation of the reaction conditions, competitive levelized fuel costs (LCOF) of €172/MWh and future LCOE values of €145/MWh were achieved. These findings present an innovative strategy for integrating gas turbine cycles and additional conversion pathways for green methanol.ESASUR and VS Energy Tech SL (University of Seville, Spain

Plio-Pleistocene hydrothermal events of the Baza Basin (Betic Cordillera, SE Spain) and their paleoecological implications

Los rellenos continentales sedimentarios de edad Plioceno inferior a finales del Pleistoceno medio en la cuenca de Baza (depresión de Guadix-Baza, SE de España) son mundialmente conocidos por su elevado grado de completitud estratigráfica y la excepcional conservación de su registro fósil de vertebrados terrestres. Estos sedimentos se depositaron en ambientes fluvio-lacustres y conservan abundantes asociaciones de restos de grandes mamíferos, incluyendo las evidencias más arcaicas de presencia humana en Europa occidental, ubicadas en los yacimientos de finales del Pleistoceno inferior de Barranco León y Fuente Nueva-3, datados ambos en ∼1,4 Ma. Desde finales del Mioceno, la cuenca se vio sometida a intensa actividad tectónica, mostrando depósitos originados en antiguas surgencias de aguas termales. Estas surgencias se desarrollaron a lo largo de una amplia malla espacio-temporal, ligada a fracturas tectónicas, mostrando mayor concentración en la subcuenca de Orce desde el Plioceno superior al Holoceno. El análisis de la composición de las silexitas y otras facies asociadas a estas fuentes termales muestra la presencia de marcadores geoquímicos y mineralógicos ligados a escenarios hidrotermales. El aporte continuado de las fuentes termales en la cuenca de Baza dio como resultado biotopos muy ricos y productivos, capaces de soportar una elevada diversidad y biomasa de mamíferos terrestres. Ambientes geológicos, hidroquímicos y ecológicos similares se encuentran alineados con surgencias termales en África oriental, el Corredor Levantino y el área circum- mediterránea. Proponemos como hipótesis que la presencia de tales corredores hidrotermales favoreció la dispersión de los homininos y otros grandes mamíferos durante el Plio-Pleistoceno, dando lugar a la primera colonización humana de Europa.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA. This work was supported by Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo,Junta de Andalucía, EXP: BC.03.174/19 10153, M. Patrocinio Espigares, Research Groups RNM-146, Paul Palmqvist, RNM-199, Paul Palmqvist,UMA18-FEDERJA-188, M. Patrocinio Espigares, PAIDI 2020 postdoctoral grant, Isidoro Campaña, Generalitat de Catalunya, 2021SGR 01238 (AGAUR), Bienvenido Martínez-Navarro, Comunidad de Madrid, Programa de Atracción de Talento, Guillermo Rodríguez-Gómez, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, CEX2019-000945-M, Bienvenido Martínez-Navarro

Experience of 10 years in routine trans operative endoscopy and calibration in fundoplication due to gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background: Endoscopy and intraoperative calibration in fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), confirm an adequate technique avoiding postoperative failure. Intraoperative changes and morbidity in routine use are unknown.Methods: Retrospective study in a single center, data were taken primarily from electronic archive medical records. A total of 899 who underwent fundoplication surgery with endoscopy and/or routine intraoperative calibration due to GERD met the required criteria between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020. The primary objective was to identify the number of calibration and intraoperative endoscopy findings. Also, the morbidity associated with its routine use was analyzed.Results: Over a 10-year study period, the most frequent calibration in the Nissen Fundoplication was 60Fr in 472 cases (61.4 %). The most used calibration in Toupet Fundoplication was 60Fr in 26 cases (21.1%). Endoscopy was performed in 786 patients (71.38%), of which; 3 patients (0.3%) required changes, secondary to fundoplication rotation in 2 patients (0.2%) and redundant gastric fundus in 1 patient (0.1%).Conclusions: Routine intraoperative calibration and endoscopy achieved excellent results in 96.8% of fundoplication’s, ensuring adequate esophageal position and corroborating an adequate intraoperative technique; decreasing the rate of failures and immediate postoperative dysphagia

Orbits and emission spectra from the 2014 Camelopardalids

We have analyzed the meteor activity associated with meteoroids of fresh dust trails of Comet 209P/LINEAR, which produced an outburst of the Camelopardalid meteor shower (IAU code #451, CAM) in May 2014. With this aim, we have employed an array of high-sensitivity CCD video devices and spectrographs deployed at 10 meteor observing stations in Spain in the framework of the Spanish Meteor Network (SPMN). Additional meteoroid flux data were obtained by means of two forward-scatter radio systems. The observed peak zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) was much lower than expected, of around 20 meteors h-1. Despite of the small meteor flux in the optical range, we have obtained precise atmospheric trajectory, radiant and orbital information for 11 meteor and fireball events associated with this stream. The ablation behaviour and low tensile strength calculated for these particles reveal that Camelopardalid meteoroids are very fragile, mostly pristine aggregates with strength similar to that of the Orionids and the Leonids. The mineral grains seem to be glued together by a volatile phase. We also present and discuss two unique emission spectra produced by two Camelopardalid bright meteors. These suggest a non-chondritic nature for these particles, which exhibit Fe depletion in their composition.Comment: Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society on Sept. 22, 201

The use of mixed collagen-Matrigel matrices of increasing complexity recapitulates the biphasic role of cell adhesion in cancer cell migration: ECM sensing, remodeling and forces at the leading edge of cancer invasion

The migration of cancer cells is highly regulated by the biomechanical properties of their local microenvironment. Using 3D scaffolds of simple composition, several aspects of cancer cell mechanosensing (signal transduction, EMC remodeling, traction forces) have been separately analyzed in the context of cell migration. However, a combined study of these factors in 3D scaffolds that more closely resemble the complex microenvironment of the cancer ECM is still missing. Here, we present a comprehensive, quantitative analysis of the role of cell-ECM interactions in cancer cell migration within a highly physiological environment consisting of mixed Matrigel-collagen hydrogel scaffolds of increasing complexity that mimic the tumor microenvironment at the leading edge of cancer invasion. We quantitatively show that the presence of Matrigel increases hydrogel stiffness, which promotes ß1 integrin expression and metalloproteinase activity in H1299 lung cancer cells. Then, we show that ECM remodeling activity causes matrix alignment and compaction that favors higher tractions exerted by the cells. However, these traction forces do not linearly translate into increased motility due to a biphasic role of cell adhesions in cell migration: at low concentration Matrigel promotes migration-effective tractions exerted through a high number of small sized focal adhesions. However, at high Matrigel concentration, traction forces are exerted through fewer, but larger focal adhesions that favor attachment yielding lower cell motility

A beam-beam monitoring detector for the MPD experiment at NICA

The Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD) is to be installed at the Nuclotron Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR). Its main goal is to study the phase diagram of the strongly interacting matter produced in heavy-ion collisions. These studies, while providing insight into the physics of heavy-ion collisions, are relevant for improving our understanding of the evolution of the early Universe and the formation of neutron stars. In order to extend the MPD trigger capabilities, we propose to include a high granularity beam-beam monitoring detector (BE-BE) to provide a level-0 trigger signal with an expected time resolution of 30 ps. This new detector will improve the determination of the reaction plane by the MPD experiment, a key measurement for flow studies that provides physics insight into the early stages of the reaction. In this work, we use simulated Au+Au collisions at NICA energies to show the potential of such a detector to determine the event plane resolution, providing further redundancy to the detectors originally considered for this purpose namely, the Fast Forward Detector (FFD) and the Hadron Calorimeter (HCAL). We also show our results for the time resolution studies of two prototype cells carried out at the T10 beam line at the CERN PS complex.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures. Updated to published version with added comments and correction

Cov-caldas: A new COVID-19 chest X-Ray dataset from state of Caldas-Colombia

The emergence of COVID-19 as a global pandemic forced researchers worldwide in various disciplines to investigate and propose efficient strategies and/or technologies to prevent COVID-19 from further spreading. One of the main challenges to be overcome is the fast and efficient detection of COVID-19 using deep learning approaches and medical images such as Chest Computed Tomography (CT) and Chest X-ray images. In order to contribute to this challenge, a new dataset was collected in collaboration with “S.E.S Hospital Universitario de Caldas” (https://hospitaldecaldas.com/) from Colombia and organized following the Medical Imaging Data Structure (MIDS) format. The dataset contains 7,307 chest X-ray images divided into 3,077 and 4,230 COVID-19 positive and negative images. Images were subjected to a selection and anonymization process to allow the scientific community to use them freely. Finally, different convolutional neural networks were used to perform technical validation. This dataset contributes to the scientific community by tackling significant limitations regarding data quality and availability for the detection of COVID-19. © 2022, The Author(s)

Intensive care adult patients with severe respiratory failure caused by Influenza A (H1N1)v in Spain

Introduction: Patients with influenza A (H1N1)v infection have developed rapidly progressive lower respiratory tract disease resulting in respiratory failure. We describe the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the first 32 persons reported to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to influenza A (H1N1)v infection in Spain. Methods: We used medical chart reviews to collect data on ICU adult patients reported in a standardized form. Influenza A (H1N1)v infection was confirmed in specimens using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT PCR) assay. Results: Illness onset of the 32 patients occurred between 23 June and 31 July, 2009. The median age was 36 years (IQR = 31 - 52). Ten (31.2%) were obese, 2 (6.3%) pregnant and 16 (50%) had pre-existing medical complications. Twenty-nine (90.6%) had primary viral pneumonitis, 2 (6.3%) exacerbation of structural respiratory disease and 1 (3.1%) secondary bacterial pneumonia. Twenty-four patients (75.0%) developed multiorgan dysfunction, 7 (21.9%) received renal replacement techniques and 24 (75.0%) required mechanical ventilation. Six patients died within 28 days, with two additional late deaths. Oseltamivir administration delay ranged from 2 to 8 days after illness onset, 31.2% received high-dose (300 mg/day), and treatment duration ranged from 5 to 10 days (mean 8.0 +/- 3.3). Conclusions: Over a 5-week period, influenza A (H1N1)v infection led to ICU admission in 32 adult patients, with frequently observed severe hypoxemia and a relatively high case-fatality rate. Clinicians should be aware of pulmonary complications of influenza A (H1N1)v infection, particularly in pregnant and young obese but previously healthy persons