Design considerations for tailoring the thickness profile of transparent dielectric deposits by continuous-wave laser deposition

The distribution of a transparent dielectric material deposited onto a planar substrate by a continuous-wave laser is studied concerning the dependence on the light-intensity distribution. Theory is derived to model the thickness profile of the condensed material, with the aim of supporting the fabrication of free-from optics. Experiments have been performed to test the theory on the basis of an infrared-transmitting chalcogenide glass.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia FIS2008- 00260Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa de Andalucía FQM-423

Wireless Sensor Network Solution for Sustainable Food Production

Environmental monitoring has become a key aspect in food production over the last few years. Due to their low cost, low power consumption and flexibility, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have turned up as a very convenient tool to be used in these environments where no intrusion is a must. In this work, a WSN application in a food factory is presented. The paper gives an overview of the system set up, covering from the initial study of the parameters and sensors, to the hardware-software design and development needed for the final tests in the factory facilities

Gingival hyperplasia as an early manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia. A retrospective review

We study the prevalence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) among patients with severe gingival enlargement. We retrospective reviewed the clinical records of patients with severe gingival enlargement, between 2011 and 2018. The Saxer and Mühlemann index were used to measure inflammation and gingival bleeding. The degree of dental mobility was measured by the Nyman and Lindhe technique. A correlation analysis was carried out to test whether there were any associations among the different variables. In the sample of 117 patients the mean gingival bleeding index was ?3 and the degree of dental mobility ?2.3. 1.7% of patients, with severe gingival hyperplasia were diagnosed with AML. We found a significant association between gingival bleeding and aging (p<0.001) and a trend (0.54) between bleeding and suffering from AML. Severe gingival enlargement, abundant gingival bleeding, and dental mobility could be early manifestations of a blood dyscrasia

Safety and Efficacy of a New Synthetic Material Based on Monetite, Silica Gel, PS-Wallastonite, and a Hydroxyapatite Calcium Deficient: A Randomized Comparative Clinic Trial

Background and Objectives: Maxillary bone defects related to post-extraction alveolar ridge resorption are usual. These defects may lead to failure in further surgical implant phases given the lack of bone volume to perform the dental implant. The objective of this clinical assay was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an experimental synthetic bone substitute in the preservation of post-extraction maxillary alveoli. Materials and Methods: 33 voluntary patients who had at least one maxillary premolar tooth that was a candidate for exodontia (n = 39) and subsequent implant rehabilitation participated. The regenerated alveoli were monitored by means of periodic clinical examinations (days 9 ± 1, 21 ± 4, 42 ± 6, and 84 ± 6), measuring the height and width of the alveolar crest (days 0 and 180 ± 5), measurement of radiodensity using tomographic techniques (days 0–5 and 175 ± 5), and histological examination of biopsies collected at 180 ± 5 days. Results: No significant differences were observed during the entire follow-up period between the two groups with respect to the safety variables studied. A variation in width of −0.9 ± 1.3 mm and −0.6 ± 1.5 mm, and a variation in height of −0.1 ± 0.9 mm and −0.3 ± 0.7 mm was observed for experimental material Sil-Oss® and Bio-Oss®, respectively. The radiodensity of the alveoli regenerated with the experimental material was significantly lower than that corresponding to Bio-Oss®. However, the histological study showed greater osteoid matrix and replacement of the material with newformed bone in the implanted beds with the experimental material. Conclusions: Both materials can be used safely and proved equally effective in maintaining alveolar flange dimensions, they are also histologically biocompatible, bioactive and osteoconductive. The experimental material showed the advantage of being resorbable and replaced with newformed bone, in addition to promoting bone regeneration

The “Alluvial Mesovoid Shallow Substratum”, a new subterranean habitat

Received: April 5, 2013; Accepted: August 23, 2013; Published: October 4, 2013In this paper we describe a new type of subterranean habitat associated with dry watercourses in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula, the “Alluvial Mesovoid Shallow Substratum” (alluvial MSS). Historical observations and data from field sampling specially designed to study MSS fauna in the streambeds of temporary watercourses support the description of this new habitat. To conduct the sampling, 16 subterranean sampling devices were placed in a region of Eastern Spain. The traps were operated for 12 months and temperature and relative humidity data were recorded to characterise the habitat. A large number of species was captured, many of which belonged to the arthropod group, with marked hygrophilous, geophilic, lucifugous and mesothermal habits. In addition, there was also a substantial number of species showing markedly ripicolous traits. The results confirm that the network of spaces which forms in alluvial deposits of temporary watercourses merits the category of habitat, and here we propose the name of “alluvial MSS”. The “alluvial MSS” may be covered or not by a layer of soil, is extremely damp, provides a buffer against above ground temperatures and is aphotic. In addition, compared to other types of MSS, it is a very unstable habitat. It is possible that the “alluvial MSS” may be found in other areas of the world with strongly seasonal climatic regimes, and could play an important role as a biogeographic corridor and as a refuge from climatic changes.The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for funded this research project (CGL2010-19924) and the Ministry of Education and Science programme "Juan de la Cierva". This research Project (CGL2010-19924) was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.The Ministry of Education and Science programme "Juan de la Cierva" funded the research activity of one of the authors (A. J-V.).Peer reviewe

Caracterización de la respuesta citotóxica de la pectenotoxina-2 (PTX-2) en dos modelos celulares humanos: células de neuroblastoma y células Caco-2

[ESP] La presencia de pectenotoxinas (PTX) en los moluscos fue descubierta debido a su elevada toxicidad aguda en el bioensayo en ratón mediante inyección intraperitoneal de extractos lipofílicos. Los estudios en animales indican que son mucho menos potentes vía oral y que no inducen diarrea. En este trabajo, hemos caracterizado la respuesta citotóxica de la PTX-2 in vitro en dos líneas celulares, las células de Caco-2 y las células de neuroblastoma, incluyendo marcadores de citotoxicidad y de apoptosis. Hemos evaluado los potentes cambios estructurales que provoca la PTX-2 sobre ambos modelos celulares, el desprendimiento del sustrato, el redondeamiento celular y los cambios en el citoesqueleto, así como la integridad de la membrana plasmática que no se ve afectada por la PTX-2 en ninguna de las líneas celulares estudiadas. Por otro lado, hemos abordado el estudio de distintos marcadores de apoptosis: potencial de membrana de mitocondria, fragmentación del DNA y activación de caspasas. Entre ellos el que más se ve afectado por el tratamiento celular con la PTX-2 es el potencial de membrana de mitocondria, mientras que otros marcadores o no se ven afectados o el efecto es poco relevante.Este trabajo se financió con fondos de los proyectos AGL-2004- 08268-C02-01/ALI y REN-2003-06598-C02-02 del Ministerio de Ciencia y Teconologí

Disminución del contenido en ácido domoico en vieiras (Pecten maximus) mediante un proceso fácilmente aplicable en la industria transformadora

[ESP] La incidencia económica de las mareas rojas con toxicidad ASP (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning) es especialmente trágica en el sector de la vieira (Pecten maximus) debido a su baja tasa de detoxificación natural. El ácido domoico se acumula mayoritariamente en el hepatopáncreas de este molusco. Por ello, la normativa comunitaria actual permite la ablación del hepatopáncreas para disminuir la toxicidad, si bien exige garantías de que este procedimiento consiga disminuir la concentración de toxina en la parte comestible hasta niveles tolerables. Por otra parte, existe normativa específica para la disminución de la toxicidad PSP (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) en el corruco o langostillo (Acanthocardia tubercu- latum). En este trabajo hemos estudiado el efecto de la combinación de ambos procedimientos sobre la toxicidad ASP en vieiras. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que la combinación de ambos métodos es más efectiva que la ablación por sí sola y que puede suponer una alternativa para disminuir el efecto económico negativo de la toxicidad ASP sobre el sector de la vieira.Este trabajo se financió con los fondos del proyecto PGIDIT06RMA00804CT de la Xunta de Galicia