Numerical tool for tsunami risk assessment in the southern coast of Dominican Republic

The southern coast of Dominican Republic is a very populated region, with several important cities including Santo Domingo, its capital. Important activities are rooted in the southern coast including tourism, industry, commercial ports, and, energy facilities, among others. According to historical reports, it has been impacted by big earthquakes accompanied by tsunamis as in Azua in 1751 and recently Pedernales in 2010, but their sources are not clearly identified. The aim of the present work is to develop a numerical tool to simulate the impact in the southern coast of the Dominican Republic of tsunamis generated in the Caribbean Sea. This tool, based on the Tsunami-HySEA model from EDANYA group (University of Malaga, Spain), could be used in the framework of a Tsunami Early Warning Systems due the very short computing times when only propagation is computed or it could be used to assess inundation impact, computing inundation with a initial 5 meter resolution. Numerical results corresponding to three theoretical sources are used to test the numerical tool.This research has been partially supported by the Spanish Government Research project SIMURISK (MTM2015-70490-C2-1-R), the Junta de Andalucía research project TESELA (P11-RNM7069), and Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. The GPU and multi-GPU computations were performed at the Unit of Numerical Methods (UNM) of the Research Support Central Services (SCAI) of the University of Malaga

HySEA model verification for Tohoku 2011 Tsunami. Application for mitigation tsunami assessment

In many aspects Tohoku-Oki 2011 mega tsunami has changed our perception of tsunami risk. The tsunami-HySEA model is used to numerically simulate this event and observed data will we used to verify the model results. Three nested meshes of enhanced resolution (4 arc-min, 32 arc-sec and 2 arc-sec) will be used by the numerical model. The propagation mesh covers all Pacific Ocean with more of 7 million cells. An intermediate mesh with 5 millions cells contains the Japanese archipelago and, finally, two finer meshes, with nearly 8 and 6 millions cells, cover Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures at Tohoku region, the most devastated areas hit by the tsunami. The presentation will focus on the impact of the tsunami wave in these two areas and comparisons with observed data will be performed. DART buoys time series, inundation area and observed runup is used to assess model performance. The arrival time of the leading flooding wave at the vicinity of the Senday airport, as recorded by video cameras, is also used as verification data for the model. After this tsunami, control forests as well as breakwaters has been discussed as suitable mitigation infrastructures. As particular case, we will analyse the evolution of the tsunami in the area around the Sendai airport (Miyagi Prefecture) and its impact on the airport. A second simulation has been performed, assuming the existence of a coastal barrier protecting the area. The role of this barrier in modifying tsunami wave evolution and mitigating flooding effects on the airport area are discussed. The protection effect of the breakwaters near Kamaishi (Iwate Prefecture) is also assessed. The numerical model shows how these structures, although did not provide a full protection to tsunami waves, they helped to largely mitigate its effects in the area.Acknowledgements. This research has been partially supported by the Junta de Andalucía research project TESELA (P11-RNM7069), the Spanish Government Research project DAIFLUID (MTM2012-38383-C02-01) and Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. The multi-GPU computations were performed at the Laboratory of Numerical Methods (University of Malaga)

Non-linear shallow water models for coastal run-up simulations

Shallow water models are frequently used to simulate ocean or coastal circulation or tsunami wave propagation. But these models are seldom used to explicitely reproduce for example tsunami wave run-up into coast. In this work we porpose an implementation of dry/wet areas for shallow water models that allow to reproduce coastal inundation and water retrainment once the impact wave passes over. The run-up model has been tested for simple test cases and geometries as in complex, real cases, as the Lituya Bay 1958 megatsunami.Proyecto DAIFLUID - Plan Nacional de I+D (MEC/FEDER) Referencia MTM2012 / TESELA - Proyecto de Excelencia de la Junta de Andalucía (convocatoria 2011) Referencia P11 - RNM7069 / Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Variables clínicas asociadas a no reflujo tras la intervención coronaria percutánea en el infarto de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST: análisis secundario del estudio PERSTEMI I y II

Objective. To determine the clinical factors associated to no-reflow after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Peru. Materials and methods. Case - control retrospective study, derived from the PERSTEMI (Peruvian Registry of ST-elevation myocardial infarction) I and II study. Cases (group 1) were those patients who presented no-reflow after PCI, defined by a TIMI flow < 3, and controls (group 2) were those with a TIMI 3 flow after the intervention. Clinical and angiographic variables were compared between both groups, and a multivariate analysis was performed looking for associated factors to no-reflow. Results. We included 75 cases and 304 controls. The incidence of no-reflow was 19.8%. There was a higher frequency of no-reflow in patients with primary PCI compared to the pharmacoinvasive strategy, in patients with one-vessel disease and in those with TIMI 0 before PCI. In-hospital mortality and heart failure were higher in patients with no-reflow (21.3% vs. 2.9% and 45.3% vs. 16.5, respectively; p<0.001). After the multivariate analysis, the ischemia time > 12 hours, Killip Kimball (KK) > I, TIMI 0 before PCI, and one-vessel disease were the factors significantly associated with no-reflow after PCI. Conclusions. The ischemia time greater than 12 hours, the highest KK score, the presence of an occluded culprit artery (TIMI 0) before PCI and an one-vessel disease, were factors independently associated to no-reflow in patients with STEMI in Peru.Objetivo. Determinar las variables clínicas asociados a no reflujo tras la intervención coronaria percutánea (ICP) en pacientes con infarto de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMCEST) en el Perú. Materiales y métodos. Estudio de casos y controles retrospectivo, derivado de los registros PERSTEMI (registro peruano de infarto de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST) I y II. Se consideró casos (grupo 1) a los pacientes que presentaron no reflujo tras la ICP, definido porun flujo TIMI<3, y controles (grupo2) a aquellos con un flujoTIMI 3 post intervención. Se compararon variables clínicas y angiográficas entre ambos grupos y se realizó un análisis multivariable buscando variables independientes asociados a no reflujo. Resultados. Se incluyeron 75 casos y 304 controles. La incidencia de no reflujo fue del 19,8%. Se presentó mayor frecuencia de no reflujo en pacientes sometidos a ICP primaria en comparación a farmacoinvasiva, además en pacientes con lesiones uniarteriales y en aquellos con flujo inicial TIMI 0. La mortalidad hospitalaria y la incidencia de insuficiencia cardiaca fue mayor en los pacientes con no reflujo (21,3% vs. 2,9% y 45,3% vs. 16,5%, respectivamente, valor de p < 0,001). Posterior al análisis multivariado se encontró que el tiempo de isquemia > 12 h, un Killip Kimball (KK) > I, un flujo inicial TIMI 0, y la enfermedad uniarterial, fueron las variables asociadas de forma significativa a no reflujo tras la ICP. Conclusiones. El tiempo de isquemia mayor a 12 h, el mayor puntaje KK, la presencia de flujo TIMI 0 en la arteria responsable del infarto pre-ICP y la enfermedad coronaria uniarterial son variables que se asocian de forma independiente la posibilidad de no reflujo en pacientes con IAMCEST en el Perú

Un modelo 1D NPZ de acoplamiento entre la hidrodinámica y los flujos biogeoquímicos en estrechos bicapa. Aplicación a la dinámica mareal en el Estrecho de Gibraltar

Los modelos NPZ (siglas para Nutrientes-Fitoplancton-Zooplancton en inglés) son comúnmente utilizados en estudios de biología marina. Este tipo de modelos utiliza un conjunto de ecuaciones diferenciales muy sencillo para definir la dinámica del plancton marino. Las variables de estado de las cuales se modeliza su evolución son los nutrientes, el fitoplancton y el zooplankton, esto se hace en términos de su contenido de nitrógeno, ya que este compuesto el que normalmente limita la producción primaria en el océano. En este trabajo se implementa el acoplado de un modelo NPZ para el modelado de los flujos biogeoquímicos con un modelo de aguas poco profundas bicapa para la hidrodinámica. El objetivo es aplicar este modelo a la simulación de flujos biogeoquímicos en el Estrecho de Gibraltar con imposición de la dinámica mareal.1) Proyecto DAIFLUID. Plan Nacional MTM2012-38383-C02-01. 2) Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Differential in vitro and in vivo effect of barley cysteine and serine protease inhibitors on phytopathogenic microorganisms

Protease inhibitors from plants have been involved in defence mechanisms against pests and pathogens. Phytocystatins and trypsin/α-amylase inhibitors are two of the best characterized protease inhibitor families in plants. In barley, thirteen cystatins (HvCPI-1 to 13) and the BTI-CMe trypsin inhibitor have been previously studied. Their capacity to inhibit pest digestive proteases, and the negative in vivo effect caused by plants expressing these inhibitors on pests support the defence function of these proteins. Barley cystatins are also able to inhibit in vitro fungal growth. However, the antifungal effect of these inhibitors in vivo had not been previously tested. Moreover, their in vitro and in vivo effect on plant pathogenous bacteria is still unknown. In order to obtain new insights on this feature, in vitro assays were made against different bacterial and fungal pathogens of plants using the trypsin inhibitor BTI-CMe and the thirteen barley cystatins. Most barley cystatins and the BTI-CMe inhibitor were able to inhibit mycelial growth but no bacterial growth. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants independently expressing the BTI-CMe inhibitor and the cystatin HvCPI-6 were tested against the same bacterial and fungal pathogens. Neither the HvCPI-6 expressing transgenic plants nor the BTI-CMe ones were more resistant to plant pathogen fungi and bacteria than control Arabidopsis plants. The differences observed between the in vitro and in planta assays against phytopathogenic fungi are discusse

Validation of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‑Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ‑CLUTS) for Spanish‑speaking children

The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-CLUTS) is a 12-item self-administered tool to screen lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in children. The aim of this study is to translate and validate the ICIQ-CLUTS into Spanish (ICIQ-CLUTS-Sp) and to study its psychometric properties. The cross-cultural adaptation of the ICIQ-CLUTS was performed following international recommendations. The psychometric analysis of the ICIQ-CLUTS-Sp was carried out to determine the reliability, validity, and diagnostic accuracy in a sample of 155 children and parents who completed the Spanish version ICIQ-CLUTS. The reliability indicators for the ICIQ-CLUTS-Sp were excellent (Cronbach's alpha was > 0.8 and ICC > 0.9 both for children's and parents' versions). There was a high Pearson r > 0.6 and a high agreement level between children's and parents' answers (ICC > 0.6), except in 4 items. For parents, the standard error of measurement (SEm) was 0.41, and the minimal detectable change (MDC) was 1.14 points. In children, these results were 0.42 and 1.16 points, respectively. Cut-off points greater than 15 points in the parent version or 16 points in the children version have the highest sensitivity and specificity for detecting LUTS. Conclusion: The Spanish version of the ICIQ-CLUTS questionnaire is a valid, reliable, and diagnostically accurate instrument to identify cases of children with LUTS. Therefore, it can be used to screen for lower urinary tract symptoms in Spanish speaking children and/or parents, as well as to monitor the effects of interventions. What is Known: • Lower urinary tract symptoms in children should be assessed multimodally using minimally invasive diagnostic procedures. One way to do this is to use the questionnaire to differentiate these cases in paediatric patients. • A cross-cultural adaptation of the ICIQ-CLUTS questionnaire to Spanish has not yet been done. What is New: • Based on a comprehensive validation methodology, this study highlights that the ICIQ-CLUTSSp questionnaire has good psychometric properties

HySEA: An operational GPU-based model for Tsunami Early Warning Systems

HySEA numerical model for the simulation of earthquake generated tsunamis is presented. The initial sea surface deformation is computed using Okada model. Wave propagation is computed using nonlinear shallow water equations in spherical coordinates, where coastal inundation and run-up are suitable treated in the numerical algorithm. Generation, propagation and inundation phases are all integrated in a single code and computed coupled and synchronously when they occur at the same time. Inundation is modelled by allowing cells to dynamically change from dry to wet and reciprocally when water retreats from wetted areas. Special effort is made in preserving model well-balanced (i.e. capturing small perturbations to the steady state of the ocean at rest). The GPU model implementation allows faster than real time (FTRT) simulation for real large-scale problems. The large speed-ups obtained make HySEA code suitable for its use in Tsunami Early Warning Systems. The Italian TEWS at INGV (Rome) has adopted HySEA GPU code for its National System. The model is verified by hindcasting the wave behaviour in several benchmark problems. Numerical results for an earthquake-generated tsunami in the Mediterranean Sea is presented and computing time analysed. The interest of using higher order methods, analysing numerical schemes from first order up to order five, in the context of TEWS, is also addressed. Tsunami codes do not usually use higher than second order methods. It is demonstrated that this should idea should be revised.This research has been partially supported by the Junta de Andalucía research project TESELA (P11-RNM7069), the Spanish Government Research project HySEA2 (MTM2009-11923) and Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. The multi-GPU computations were performed at the Laboratory of Numerical Methods (University of Malaga)

Current Advanced Therapies Based on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Skin Diseases

Skin disease may be related with immunological disorders, external aggressions, or genetic conditions. Injuries or cutaneous diseases such as wounds, burns, psoriasis, and scleroderma among others are common pathologies in dermatology, and in some cases, conventional treatments are ineffective. In recent years, advanced therapies using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from different sources has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of many pathologies. Due to their properties; regenerative, immunomodulatory and differentiation capacities, they could be applied for the treatment of cutaneous diseases. In this review, a total of thirteen types of hMSCs used as advanced therapy have been analyzed, considering the last 5 years (2015–2020). The most investigated types were those isolated from umbilical cord blood (hUCB-MSCs), adipose tissue (hAT-MSCs) and bone marrow (hBM-MSCs). The most studied diseases were wounds and ulcers, burns and psoriasis. At preclinical level, in vivo studies with mice and rats were the main animal models used, and a wide range of types of hMSCs were used. Clinical studies analyzed revealed that cell therapy by intravenous administration was the advanced therapy preferred except in the case of wounds and burns where tissue engineering was also reported. Although in most of the clinical trials reviewed results have not been posted yet, safety was high and only local slight adverse events (mild nausea or abdominal pain) were reported. In terms of effectiveness, it was difficult to compare the results due to the different doses administered and variables measured, but in general, percentage of wound’s size reduction was higher than 80% in wounds, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and Severity Scoring for Atopic Dermatitis were significantly reduced, for scleroderma, parameters such as Modified Rodnan skin score (MRSC) or European Scleroderma Study Group activity index reported an improvement of the disease and for hypertrophic scars, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) score was decreased after applying these therapies. On balance, hMSCs used for the treatment of cutaneous diseases is a promising strategy, however, the different experimental designs and endpoints stablished in each study, makes necessary more research to find the best way to treat each patient and disease.Instituto de Salud Carlos III (European Regional Development Fund "A way to make Europe") PI13/02576 PI17/02083Andalusian Regional Government SAS PI-0458-2016 PIGE-0242-2019Instituto de Salud Carlos III (European Social Fund "Investing in your future") FI18/0026

Las representaciones de las amenazas a la biodiversidad en el cine de animación: implicaciones para su enseñanza en la Educación Primaria

La crisis de biodiversidad por la que atraviesa el planeta forma parte de la crisis global social, económica y ambiental en la que estamos inmersos. La pérdida de biodiversidad tiene efectos no solo sobre las especies, también sobre los ecosistemas y los servicios ecosistémicos de los que dependemos. Por ello es necesario adoptar medidas para detener esta grave pérdida. La educación puede ser una vía complementaria a la gestión y la conservación, pero se requieren estrategias innovadoras para incorporar ciertos contenidos socioambientales al aula. El cine animado puede llevar contenidos y valores proambientales a la escuela. Para determinar si este tipo de cine puede mostrar las graves amenazas que pesan sobre la biodiversidad se plantea la presente investigación. Por ello se realiza una selección de películas de animación y mediante un análisis de contenido se obtienen resultados que indican que, en la muestra analizada se encuentran representados, aunque con distintas frecuencias, todos los grandes problemas que tiene la biodiversidad. Esto nos invita a pensar que el uso de este tipo de cine, previa selección adecuada, puede introducir estos importantes conceptos en el aula y contribuir a la adquisición de contenidos y valores proambientales.The biodiversity crisis that the planet is going through is part of the global social, economic and envi-ronmental crisis in which we are immersed. Biodiversity loss has effects not only on species, but also on the ecosystems and ecosystem services on which we depend. It is necessary to take measures to stop this serious loss. Education can be a complementary way to those of management and conservation, but in-novative strategies are required to incorporate certain socio-environmental content into the classroom. Animated cinema can bring pro-environmental content and values to school. The present research is proposed to determine if this type of cinema can show the serious threats of biodiversity. For this reason, a number of animated films is selected. A content analysis is carried out and the results indicate that, in the analyzed sample, all the great problems that biodiversity has are represented, although in different frequencies. This invites us to think that the use of this type of cinema, after appropriate selection, can introduce these important concepts in the classroom and contribute to the acquisition of pro-environmental content and values