Propiedades magnéticas de los sedimentos de tipo estuarino. El caso de las Rías Baixas.

Este trabajo establece la utilidad de la susceptibilidad magnética como indicador de la influencia marina y evolución diagenética en sedimentos costeros de las Rías Baixas. Para ello se investigó la variabilidad geográfica de la susceptibilidad en 200 muestras de sedimentos marinos superficiales en las Rías de Vigo y Pontevedra. Su variabilidad vertical se estudió en 80 muestras de tres testigos de entre 60 y 90 cm de longitud extraídos en la Ría de Pontevedra. La susceptibilidad de las muestras superficiales aumenta progresivamente hacia mar abierto, y a medida que nos alejamos de las zonas de mayor influencia continental, estando relacionada con la textura y composición del sedimento, y por tanto, con su procedencia. Los testigos, más homogéneos litológicamente, mostraron una disminución muy importante de la susceptibilidad con la profundidad, estando ésta asociada a la evolución diagenética del sedimento. Para estudiar mejor estos procesos, se determinó la composición elemental y mineralógica, y además se midieron otras propiedades magnéticas de muestras representativas. Estos resultados se analizaron conjuntamente con los datos sedimentológicos disponibles, lo que permitió establecer que la variabilidad de 151 D. Rey et al. Propiedades magnéticas de los sedimentos de tipo estuarino... la susceptibilidad dependía de tres factores principales: (a) procedencia y origen de los sedimentos, (b) régimen hidrodinámico de la zona y (c) presencia de partículas contaminantes discretas de origen antropogénico. También puede concluirse que la evolución de las fases magnetomineralógicas durante la diagénesis temprana está controlada por el contenido en materia orgánica, lo que a su vez determina el potencial de oxidación-reducción.Meassurement of magnetic susceptibility has allowed the assesment of the marine influence and diagenetic evolution of coastal sediments from the Rías Baixas. This is based on geographically and vertically distributed data. The lowfield susceptibility () of over 200 samples of surficial seabed sediments of the Rias of Vigo and Pontevedra showed a significant increase towards the open sea and away from continental influenced areas. Vertical variability of the susceptibility was evaluated in 80 samples obtained from three 60 to 90 cm long gravity corers in the Ria de Pontevedra. These samples showed a very strong decrease in susceptibility with depth. The surficial susceptibility values correlated well with the textural characteristics of the sediments, suggesting a link between sediment provenance and origin of the magnetic signal. To further evaluate these relationships, the available sedimentological data were completed with a number of elemental and mineralogical analysis. In addition some basic magnetic parameters were obtained for selected specimens. The combined analysis of these data showed that the spatial variability of the susceptibility observed in the different granulometric fractions can be spatially related to: (a) sediment provenance and origin, (b) hydrodynamic regime established between the Rias and the adjacent shelf, (c) antropogenic solid particulate pollution. It can also be concluded that the evolution of the magnetomineralogical phases during the early stages of burial and diagenesis is controlled by the organic matter content which in turn controls the redox potential

Effect of Yb concentration on the resistivity and lifetime of CdTe:Ge:Yb codoped crystals

The resistivity and electron lifetime of CdTe:Ge:Yb crystals are reported, demonstrating that the effect of Yb concentration is crucial for accurate electrical compensation. It is also demonstrated that the codoping of CdTe with Ge as deep donor and with Yb as rare-earth element could be a promising way to obtain semiinsulating CdTe crystals with good transport properties. High resistivity 5 10 9 cm and lifetime 9 s were obtained, thus confirming the beneficial effect of rare-earth dopingThis work has been partly supported by the projects CAM SENSORCDT S-0505/MAT/0209, CAM FOTOFLEX S-0505/ENE-123, and EU FP6 PHOLOGIC 017158. E.S. also acknowledges the Spanish MEC for the fellowship FPU 2003-1388.Peer reviewe

Economic Analysis of Thrombo inCode, a Clinical-Genetic Function for Assessing the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism

Background: Patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) commonly have an underlying genetic predisposition. However, genetic tests nowadays in use have very low sensitivity for identifying subjects at risk of VTE. Thrombo inCode is a new genetic tool that has demonstrated very good sensitivity, thanks to very good coverage of the genetic variants that modify the function of the coagulation pathway. Objective: To conduct an economic analysis of risk assessment of VTE from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System with Thrombo inCode (a clinical-genetic function for assessing the risk of VTE) versus the conventional/standard method used to date (factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A). Methods: An economic model was created from the National Health System perspective, using a decision tree in patients aged 45 years with a life expectancy of 81 years. The predictive capacity of VTE, based on identification of thrombophilia using Thrombo inCode and using the standard method, was obtained from two case-control studies conducted in two different populations (S. PAU and MARTHA; 1,451 patients in all). Although this is not always the case, patients who were identified as suffering from thrombophilia were subject to preventive treatment of VTE with warfarin, leading to a reduction in the number of VTE events and an increased risk of severe bleeding. The health state utilities (quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs]) and costs (in 2013 EUR values) were obtained from the literature and Spanish sources. Results: On the basis of a price of EUR 180 for Thrombo inCode, this would be the dominant option (more effective and with lower costs than the standard method) in both populations. The Monte Carlo probabilistic analyses indicate that the dominance would occur in 100 % of the simulations in both populations. The threshold price of Thrombo inCode needed to reach the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) generally accepted in Spain (EUR 30,000 per QALY gained) would be between EUR 3,950 (in the MARTHA population) and EUR 11,993 (in the S. PAU population). Conclusion: According to the economic model, Thrombo inCode is the dominant option in assessing the risk of VTE, compared with the standard method currently used

Generation of Defective Few-Layered Graphene Mesostructures by High-Energy Ball Milling and Their Combination with FeSiCuNbB Microwires for Reinforcing Microwave Absorbing Properties

15 páginas, 9 figuras, 4 tablasDefective few-layered graphene mesostructures (DFLGMs) are produced from graphite flakes by high-energy milling processes. We obtain an accurate control of the generated mesostructures, as well as of the amount and classification of the structural defects formed, providing a functional material for microwave absorption purposes. Working under far-field conditions, competitive values of minimum reflection loss coefficient (RLmin) = ¿21.76 dB and EAB = 4.77 dB are achieved when DFLGMs are immersed in paints at a low volume fraction (1.95%). One step forward is developed by combining them with the excellent absorption behavior that offers amorphous Fe73.5Si13.5B9Cu1Nb microwires (MWs), varying their filling contents, which are below 3%. We obtain a RLmin improvement of 47% (¿53.08 dB) and an EAB enhancement of 137% (4 dB) compared to those obtained by MW-based paints. Furthermore, a fmin tunability is demonstrated, maintaining similar RLmin and EAB values, irrespective of an ideal matching thickness. In this scenario, the Maxwell-Garnet standard model is valid, and dielectric losses mainly come from multiple reflections, interfacial and dielectric polarizations, which greatly boost the microwave attenuation of MWs. The present concept can remarkably enhance not only the MW attenuation but can also apply to other microwave absorption architectures of technological interest by adding low quantities of DFLGMs.The present work has been supported by the Ministerio Español de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) through the projects: PIE-2010-OE-013-200014, PIE 2021-60-E-030, RTI2018-095856-B-C21, and RTI2018-095303-A-C52; Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital (MINECO) by PID2020-114192RB-C41; and Comunidad de Madrid, Spain, by S2018/NMT-4321 NANOMAGCOST. MICINN also supports A.S., D.M., and A.P. through the grants RYC2021-031236-I, RYC2021-031166-I, and PRE2019-0875001234, respectivelyPeer reviewe

Targets, mechanisms and cytotoxicity of half-sandwich Ir(III) complexes are modulated by structural modifications on the benzazole ancillary ligand

Cancers are driven by multiple genetic mutations but evolve to evade treatments targeting specific mutations. Nonetheless, cancers cannot evade a treatment that targets mitochondria, which are essential for tumor progression. Iridium complexes have shown anticancer properties, but they lack specificity for their intracellular targets, leading to undesirable side effects. Herein we present a systematic study on structure-activity relationships of eight arylbenzazole-based Iridium(III) complexes of type [IrCl(Cp*)], that have revealed the role of each atom of the ancillary ligand in the physical chemistry properties, cytotoxicity and mechanism of biological action. Neutral complexes, especially those bearing phenylbenzimidazole (HL1 and HL2), restrict the binding to DNA and albumin. One of them, complex 1[C,NH-Cl], is the most selective one, does not bind DNA, targets exclusively the mitochondria, disturbs the mitochondria membrane permeability inducing proton leak and increases ROS levels, triggering the molecular machinery of regulated cell death. In mice with orthotopic lung tumors, the administration of complex 1[C,NH-Cl] reduced the tumor burden. Cancers are more vulnerable than normal tissues to a treatment that harnesses mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, complex 1[C,NH-Cl] characterization opens the way to the development of new compounds to exploit this vulnerability

Role of the 4Kscore test as a predictor of reclassification in prostate cancer active surveillance

Background: Management of active surveillance (AS) in low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients could be improved with new biomarkers, such as the 4Kscore test. We analyze its ability to predict tumor reclassification by upgrading at the confirmatory biopsy at 6 months. Methods: Observational, prospective, blinded, and non-randomized study, within the Spanish National Registry on AS (AEU/PIEM/2014/0001; NCT02865330) with 181 patients included after initial Bx and inclusion criteria: PSA =10 ng/mL, cT1c-T2a, Grade group 1, =2 cores, and =5 mm/50% length core involved. Central pathological review of initial and confirmatory Bx was performed on all biopsy specimens. Plasma was collected 6 months after initial Bx and just before confirmatory Bx to determine 4Kscore result. In order to predict reclassification defined as Grade group =2, we analyzed 4Kscore, percent free to total (%f/t) PSA ratio, prostate volume, PSA density, family history, body mass index, initial Bx, total cores, initial Bx positive cores, initial Bx % of positive cores, initial Bx maximum cancer core length and initial Bx cancer % involvement. Wilcoxon rank-sum test, non-parametric trend test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate established differences between groups of reclassification. Results: A total of 137 patients met inclusion criteria. Eighteen patients (13.1%) were reclassified at confirmatory Bx. The %f/t PSA ratio and 4Kscore showed differences between the groups of reclassification (Yes/No). Using 7.5% as cutoff for the 4Kscore, we found a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 29%, with no reclassifications to Grade group 3 for patients with 4Kscore below 7.5% and 2 (6%) missed Grade group 2 reclassified patients. Using this threshold value there is a biopsy reduction of 27%. Additionally, 4Kscore was also associated with changes in tumor volume. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that the 4Kscore may be a useful tool in the decision-making process to perform a confirmatory Bx in active surveillance management

Interface Depinning in the Absence of External Driving Force

We study the pinning-depinning phase transition of interfaces in the quenched Kardar-Parisi-Zhang model as the external driving force $F$ goes towards zero. For a fixed value of the driving force we induce depinning by increasing the nonlinear term coefficient $\lambda$, which is related to lateral growth, up to a critical threshold. We focus on the case in which there is no external force applied (F=0) and find that, contrary to a simple scaling prediction, there is a finite value of $\lambda$ that makes the interface to become depinned. The critical exponents at the transition are consistent with directed percolation depinning. Our results are relevant for paper wetting experiments, in which an interface gets moving with no external driving force.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures included, uses epsf. Submitted to PR

Age-dependent impact of two exercise training regimens on genomic and metabolic remodeling in skeletal muscle and liver of male mice

Skeletal muscle adapts to different exercise training modalities with age; however, the impact of both variables at the systemic and tissue levels is not fully understood. Here, adult and old C57BL/6 male mice were assigned to one of three groups: sedentary, daily high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT), or moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) for 4 weeks, compatible with the older group’s exercise capacity. Improvements in body composition, fasting blood glucose, and muscle strength were mostly observed in the MICT old group, while effects of HIIT training in adult and old animals was less clear. Skeletal muscle exhibited structural and functional adaptations to exercise training, as revealed by electron microscopy, OXPHOS assays, respirometry, and muscle protein biomarkers. Transcriptomics analysis of gastrocnemius muscle combined with liver and serum metabolomics unveiled an age-dependent metabolic remodeling in response to exercise training. These results support a tailored exercise prescription approach aimed at improving health and ameliorating age-associated loss of muscle strength and function in the elderly.This work was supported by funding from the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Aging/NIH. Work in JMV laboratory was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) grant BFU2015-64630-R, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU) grant RTI2018-100695-B-I00, Spanish Junta de Andalucía grants P18-RT-4264, 1263735-R and BIO-276, the FEDER Funding Program from the European Union, and Universidad de Córdoba. MCR was supported by a FPU fellowship from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (reference FPU14/06308). SRL held a FPI predoctoral contract funded by MINECO (reference BES-2016-078229).Peer reviewe

Tamizaje químico y determinar la actividad amebicida, antioxidante y tóxica de los extractos metanólicos de <i>Jatropha dioica</i> y <i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis</i>

La Organización Mundial de la Salud ha estimado que aproximadamente el 80% de los habitantes a nivel mundial han utilizado la medicina tradicional para el cuidado de su salud. Entre las cuales se encuentran Jatropha dioica y Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Objetivo: realizar el tamizaje químico de Jatropha dioica y Eucalyptus camaldulensis, y determinar la actividad amebicida, antioxidante y tóxica de los extractos metanólicos de J. dioica y E. camaldulensis. Métodos: Se colectó el material vegetal de ambas especies, se obtuvieron los extractos y se realizó: a) tamizaje química, b) determinación de la actividad antioxidante, c) bioensayo de letalidad en Artemia salina y d) determinación de la actividad amebicida de los extractos metanólicos sobre Entamoeba histolytica. Resultados: Se determinaron los compuestos químicos presentes en los extractos de E. camaldulensis y J. dioica, los extractos de E. camaldulensis presentan mayor actividad antioxidante. El extracto etanólico de hoja de E. camaldulensis presenta menor toxicidad para A. salina, y el extracto metanólico de tallo de ambas especies presentaron el mayor potencial amebicida. Conclusiones: Los extractos con actividad amebicida podrían ser empleados en futuros trabajos de investigación encaminados a inhibir tanto el crecimiento como el enquistamiento de Entamoeba histolytica y de otros parásitos patógenos al humano.Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Functional upgrading in China’s export processing sector

Functional upgrading occurs when a firm acquires more sophisticated functions within an existing value chain. In this paper, we analyze if there is evidence of this type of upgrading in China’s export processing regime by investigating dynamics in the relative prevalence of Import & Assembly (IA) versus Pure Assembly (PA) processing trade over the period 2000-2013. Firms in both regimes provide similar manufacturing services to foreign companies, but IA firms also conduct the sophisticated tasks of quality control, searching, financing and storing imported materials. Consistent with a trend of functional upgrading, we show that the share of IA trade in total processing trade has increased rapidly during the period 2000-2006, both overall and within product categories. Furthermore, we find that this trend has gone hand in hand with improvements in a sector’s labor productivity and unit values. Against expectations, we find that this process has slowed down notably during the period 2006-2013.status: publishe