A Decision Tree and S-Transform Based Approach for Power Quality Disturbances Classification

In this paper, it is presented an automated classification based on S-transform as feature extraction tool and Decision Tree as algorithm classifier. The signals generated according to mathematical models, including complex disturbances, have been used to design and test this approach, where noise is added to the signals from 40dB to 20dB. Finally, several disturbances, simple and complex, have been considered to test the implemented system. Evaluation results verifying the accuracy of the proposed method are presented.IEE

Propiedades psicométricas del Inventario Obsesivo de Leyton para Niños Versión Corta en una muestra comunitaria de niños y adolescentes

The aim of the current study was to analyze psychometric properties of the Short LOI-CV in Spanish community sample. Participants were 914 children and adolescents with mean age of 13.01 years (51.3% males). An EFA yielded a three-factor model representing Obsessions, Compulsions, and Cleanliness dimensions. Both, total score and subscales showed an adequate internal consistency. The Spanish version also exhibited good test-retest reliability and moderate convergent and discriminant validity. The younger participants (from 8 to 10 years) obtained higher means for total score and subscales than older participants (groups 11-13 and 14-18 years). Significant differences related to gender were also observed since males obtained higher means in Compulsions subscale. Despite more research is required, the Spanish version of the Short LOI-CV exhibited promising psychometric results to assess obsessive-compulsive symptoms in community population.El objetivo de este estudio fueanalizar las propiedades psicométricas del ShortLOI-CVen unamuestra españolacomunitaria.Los participantes fueron 914 niñosyadolescentescon edad mediade13.01años (varones =51.3%).ElAFE mostróun modelo de tresfactores compuesto por los dominios Obsesiones, CompulsionesyLimpieza. Tanto lapuntuación total comolas subescalas mostraron una adecuadaconsistenciainterna.Laversión española mostróbuena fiabilidad test-retestymoderada validezconvergenteydiscriminante.Los participantes más jóvenes (8a10 años) obtuvieron medias más altasquela escala Totalydistintas subescalas quelos mayores (grupo de11-13yde 14-18años). Se encontraron también diferencias significativas respecto al sexo, siendo losvarones los que mayoresmedias mostraron en laescala de compulsiones.Pese aqueesnecesariamás investigación, estos resultados sugirieron que la versión en español del ShortLOI-CV mostróun buen rendimiento psicométricos para evaluar los síntomas obsesivo-compulsivosen niñosyadolescentesen población comunitari

The Role of Epigenetics in the Progression of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma and the Basis for Future Epigenetic Treatments

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is curable when diagnosed at an early stage, but when disease is non-confined it is the urologic cancer with worst prognosis. Antiangiogenic treatment and immune checkpoint inhibition therapy constitute a very promising combined therapy for advanced and metastatic disease. Many exploratory studies have identified epigenetic markers based on DNA methylation, histone modification, and ncRNA expression that epigenetically regulate gene expression in ccRCC. Additionally, epigenetic modifiers genes have been proposed as promising biomarkers for ccRCC. We review and discuss the current understanding of how epigenetic changes determine the main molecular pathways of ccRCC initiation and progression, and also its clinical implications. Despite the extensive research performed, candidate epigenetic biomarkers are not used in clinical practice for several reasons. However, the accumulated body of evidence of developing epigenetically-based biomarkers will likely allow the identification of ccRCC at a higher risk of progression. That will facilitate the establishment of firmer therapeutic decisions in a changing landscape and also monitor active surveillance in the aging population. What is more, a better knowledge of the activities of chromatin modifiers may serve to develop new therapeutic opportunities. Interesting clinical trials on epigenetic treatments for ccRCC associated with well established antiangiogenic treatments and immune checkpoint inhibitors are revisited.Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIComisión Europe

The development of the radicular and vegetative systems of almond trees with different rootstocks following the application of biostimulants

[EN] Aim of study: Recently, the development of almond crops on a global scale has increased their area under cultivation. The demand for both plants and products that stimulate the growth of almond trees has therefore become increasingly necessary. Accordingly, in this project we have studied the response in the vegetative and root systems of almond trees with different rootstocks to varying inputs of several root stimulants. Area of study: Valencia (Spain) Material and methods: Several different organic biostimulants were studied in isolation, i.e. not combined with synthetic chemical fertilizers, in order to ascertain if chemical fertilizers could be at least partially replaced. Main results: Good results were obtained by applying a biostimulant composed of organic matter rich in saccharides and carboxylates. Using an approach that enabled a distinguishing between them, plant radicular systems were shown to respond differently according to the biostimulant applied and the rootstock tested. The best results were obtained with a biostimulant composed of organic matter from corn hydrolysis and containing free amino acids and extracts from algae, as well as 0.07% zeaxanthins. Research highlights: Although biostimulants are promoters of young almond tree growth, they should be applied to only partially replace chemical fertilizers. The present paper shows the importance of using an organic-origin biostimulant, as a complement to chemical nutritionMondragón-Valero, A.; Malheiro, R.; Salazar Hernández, DM.; Martinez-Tome, J.; Pereira, JA.; López- Cortés, I. (2020). The development of the radicular and vegetative systems of almond trees with different rootstocks following the application of biostimulants. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research (Online). 18(4):1-11. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2020184-14787S111184Apone F, Tito A, Carola A, Arciello S, Tortora A, Filippini L, 2010. A mixture of peptides and sugars derived from plant cell walls increases plant defense responses to stress and attenuates ageing-associated molecular changes in cultured skin cells. J Biotech 145: 367-376.Basak A, 2008. Effect of preharvest treatment with seaweed products, Kelpak® and Goëmar BM 86®, on fruit quality in apple. Inter J Fruit Sci 8: 1-14.Battacharyya D, Babgohari MZ, Rathor P, Prithiviraj B, 2015. Seaweed extracts as biostimulants in horticulture. Sci Hortic 196: 39-48.Bernhard R, Grasselly C, 1981. Les pêchers x amandiers. Arb Fruit 328: 37-42.Bi G, Scagel C, Cheng L, Dong S, Fuchigami L, 2003. Spring growth of almond nursery trees depends upon nitrogen from both plant reserves and spring fertilizer application. J Hortic Sci Biotech 78: 853-858.Burns AM, Zitt MA, Rowe CC, Langkamp-Henken B, Mai V, Nieves C, et al., 2016. Diet quality improves for parents and children when almonds are incorporated into their daily diet: a randomized, crossover study. Nutr Res 36: 80-89.Bussi C, Huguet J, Besset J, Girard T, 1995. Rootstock effects on the growth and fruit yield of peach. Eur J Agron 4: 387-393.Chen SK, Edwards CA, Subler S, 2003. The influence of two agricultural biostimulants on nitrogen transformations, microbial activity, and plant growth in soil microcosms. Soil Biol Biochem 35: 9-19.Chouliaras V, Tasioula M, Chatzissavvidis C, Therios I, Tsabolatidou E, 2009. The effects of a seaweed extract in addition to nitrogen and boron fertilization on productivity, fruit maturation, leaf nutritional status and oil quality of the olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivar Koroneiki. J Sci Food Agric 89: 984-988.Deliopoulos T, Kettlewell P, Hare M, 2010. Fungal disease suppression by inorganic salts. A review. Crop Prot 29: 1059-1075.Enz M, Dachler CH, 1997. Compendium of growth stage identification keys for mono- and dicotyledonous plants. Extended BBCH scale. A joint publication of BBA, BSA, IGZ, IVA, AgrEvo, BASF, Bayer, Novartis. 94 pp.Ertani A, Cavani L, Pizzeghello D, Brandellero E, Altissimo A, Ciavatta C, Nardi S, 2009. Biostimulant activity of two protein hydrolyzates in the growth and nitrogen metabolism of maize seedlings. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 172: 237-244.Espada J, Romero J, Cmuñas F, Alonso J, 2013. Nuevos patrones para el melocotonero: mejora de la eficiencia y calidad del fruto. Gobierno de Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain.European Biostimulants Industry Council, 2018. Economic overview of biostimulants sector in Europe. http://www.biostimulants.eu/.Felipe A, 2009. Felinem, Garnem and Monegro almond x peach hybrid rootstocks. HortScience 44: 196-197.Forcada C, Gogorcena Y, Moreno M, 2012. Agronomical and fruit quality traits of two peach cultivars on peach-almond hybrid rootstocks growing on Mediterranean conditions. Sci Hortic 140: 157-163.Gómez-Aparisi J, Carrera M, Felipe A, Socias I Company R, 2001. Garnem, Monegro y Felinem: Nuevos patrones híbridos almendro x melocotonero, resistentes a nematodos y de hoja roja para frutales de hueso. Inf Téc Econ Agrar 97: 282-288.Goss M, Miller M, Bailey L, Grant C, 1993. Root growth and distribution in relation to nutrient availability and uptake. Eur J Agron 2: 57-67.INC, 2019. Global statistical review 2017-2018. International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, Reus, Spain.Khan W, Rayirath UP, Subramanian S, Jithesh MN, Rayorath P, Hodges DM, et al., 2009. Seaweed extracts as biostimulants of plant growth and development. J Plant Growth Reg 28: 386-399.Lopus SE, Santibañez MP, Beede RH, Duncan RA, Edstrom J, Niederholzer FJA, et al., 2010. Survey examines the adoption of perceived best management practices for almond nutrition. Calif Agric 64: 149-154.Mondragón-Valero A, Lopéz-Cortés I, Salazar DM, Córdova PF, 2017. Physical mechanisms produced in the development of nursery almond trees (Prunus dulcis Miller) as a response to the plant adaptation to different substrates. Rhizosphere 3: 44-49.Moreno M, Gogorcena Y, Pinochet J, 2008. Mejora y selección de patrones de prunus tolerantes a estreses abióticos. In: La adaptación al ambiente y los estreses abióticos en la mejora vegetal, pp. 451-475. Junta de Andalucía, Dirección General de Planificación y Análisis de Mercados, Servicio de Publicaciones y Divulgación, Sevilla.Muhammad S, Luedeling E, Brown P, 2009. A nutrient budget approach to nutrient management in almond. XVI Proc Int Plant Nutr Col, California (USA), pp: 1-9.Nardi S, Pizzeghello D, Schiavon M, Ertani A, 2016. Plant biostimulants: physiological responses induced by protein hydrolyzed-based products and humic substances in plant metabolism. Sci Agric 73: 18-23.Olivares FL, Busato JG, Paula AM, Lima LS, Aguiar NO, Canellas LP, 2017. Plant growth promoting bacteria and humic substances: crop promotion and mechanisms of action. Chem Biol Tech Agric 4: 30.Pinochet J, 2010. 'Replantpac' (Rootpac R), a plum-almond hybrid rootstock for replant situations. HortScience 45: 299-301.Pinochet J, Bordas M, Torrents J, 2011. ROOTPAC R: un nuevo portainjerto de Prunus para situaciones de replante. Revista de Fruticultura 15: 4-10.Pizzeghello D, Francioso O, Ertani A, Muscolo A, Nardi S, 2013. Isopentenyladenosine and cytokinin-like activity of different humic substances. J Geochem Expl 129: 70-75.Rayorath P, Jithesh M. Farid A, Khan W, Palanisamy R, 2008. Rapid bioassays to evaluate the plant growth promoting activity of Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol. using a model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. J Appl Phycol 20: 423-429.Rouphael Y, Cardarelli M, Bonini P, Colla G, 2017. Synergistic action of a microbial-based biostimulant and a plant derived-protein hydrolysate enhances lettuce tolerance to alkalinity and salinity. Front Plant Sci 8: 131.Salazar D, Melgarejo P, 2002. El cultivo del almendro. Mundi-Prensa, Madrid, Spain. 307 pp.Scaglia B, Pognani M, Adani F, 2017. The anaerobic digestion process capability to produce biostimulant: the case study of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) vs. auxin-like property. Sci Total Environ 589: 36-45.Sotomayor C, Castro J, Bustos E, 2008. Nuevos portainjertos para Chile. Rev Agron For UC 35: 22-26.Vargas F, Romero M, Altea N, 1985. Porte-greffe d'amandier: Aspects importants des programmes de Centre Agropecuari Mas Bové. GREMPA, colloque 1985. CIHEAM, Paris. Opt Mediterr Sér Etudes 1985-I: 61-68. http://om.ciheam.org/om/pdf/s09/CI010822.pdfVernieri P, Borghesi E, Ferrante A, Magnani G, 2005. Application of biostimulants in floating system for improving rocket quality. 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Experimental Enhancement of Feelings of Transcendence, Tenderness, and Expressiveness by Music in Christian Liturgical Spaces

In western cultures, when it comes to places of worship and liturgies, music, acoustics and architecture go hand in hand. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the emotions evoked by music are enhanced by the acoustics of the space where the music was composed to be played on. We explored whether the emotional responses of western naïve listeners to two vocal pieces from the Renaissance, one liturgical and one secular, convolved with the impulse responses of four Christian temples from the United Kingdom, were modulated by the appropriate piece/space matching. In an alternative forced choice task where participants had to indicate their preference for the original recording of the piece (not convolved with any temple-like acoustics) vs. the convolved one, no significant differences were found. However, in the tasks where participants rated their emotional in response to each piece and acoustic condition, the factorial ANCOVA analyses performed on the results revealed significant effects. We observed that, across pieces and spaces, participants found the temple-like acoustics as more transcendent, compared to the acoustics of the original version of the pieces. In addition, they rated the secular piece as more tender and the liturgical piece as more expressive in its original versions, compared to the convolved ones. We conclude that the acoustic signature of the four Christian temples causes an exaltation of certain emotions on listeners, although this effect is not associated to one or another musical piece. Keywords: archaeoacoustics; auralization; emotion; music; psychoacoustics

Potential of Oral Nanoparticles Containing Cytokines as Intestinal Mucosal Immunostimulants in Pigs : A Pilot Study

Antibiotics are essential compounds to cope with bacterial infections. However, their inadequate and excessive use has triggered the rapid arising of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. In this scenario, immunostimulants, which are molecules that boost the immune system, open up a new approach to face this problem, enhancing treatment efficacy and preventing infections by immune system response. Cytokines are central effector molecules of the immune system, and their recombinant production and administration in animals could be an interesting immune modulation strategy. The aim of this study was the development of a highly stable nanoparticle of porcine cytokines to achieve the immunostimulation of intestinal mucosa in piglets. The outcomes of the present study prove this approach is able to stimulate swine intestinal cells and macrophages in vitro and tends to modulate inflammatory responses in vivo, although further studies are required to definitively evaluate their potential in animals. Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat that is worryingly rising in the livestock sector. Among the proposed strategies, immunostimulant development appears an interesting approach to increase animal resilience at critical production points. The use of nanoparticles based on cytokine aggregates, called inclusion bodies (IBs), has been demonstrated as a new source of immunostimulants in aquaculture. Aiming to go a step further, the objective of this study was to produce cytokine nanoparticles using a food-grade microorganism and to test their applicability to stimulate intestinal mucosa in swine. Four cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) involved in inflammatory response were produced recombinantly in Lactococcus lactis in the form of protein nanoparticles (IBs). They were able to stimulate inflammatory responses in a porcine enterocyte cell line (IPEC-J2) and alveolar macrophages, maintaining high stability at low pH and high temperature. In addition, an in vivo assay was conducted involving 20 piglets housed individually as a preliminary exploration of the potential effects of IL-1β nanoparticles in piglet intestinal mucosa after a 7 d oral administration. The treated animals tended to have greater levels of TNF-α in the blood, indicating that the tested dose of nanoparticles tended to generate an inflammatory response in the animals. Whether this response is sufficient to increase animal resilience needs further evaluation

Serological Findings in a Child with Paroxysmal Cold Haemoglobinuria

PCH is a rare autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) but is one of the most common causes of AIAH in children. For the diagnosis, it is important to perform the appropriate methods of serological investigation and show the typical biphasic reaction. This is a case report of a child who presented with features of haemolysis and was diagnosed with PCH of this way

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Oral Supplementation with a Highly-Concentrated Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Triglyceride in Patients with Keratoconus: A Randomized Controlled Preliminary Study

A prospective, randomized, single-center preliminary study was performed in patients with keratoconus stages I-III (Amsler-Krumeich), who received a high rich docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (1000 mg/day) supplement for 3 months versus untreated patients. One eye per patient was evaluated. Thirty-four patients were recruited (75% men, mean age 31 years), with 15 randomized to the control group and 19 to the DHA-treated group. Corneal topography variables and plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammatory status were evaluated. A panel of fatty acids in blood samples was also assessed. There were significant between-group differences in the astigmatism axis, asphericity coefficient, and intraocular pressure in favor of the DHA group. Additionally, between-group significant differences in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), free glutathione (GSH) and GSH/GSSG ratio, as well as reduced values of inflammatory markers, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) were found. These preliminary findings support the usefulness of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of DHA supplementation for targeting underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of keratoconus. Prolonged duration of DHA supplementation may be needed to detect more noticeable clinical changes in corneal topography

Proyecto Utica. Excavaciones en la ciudad fenicio-púnica. Campañas de 2013 y 2014

Se presentan los resultados preliminares de las campañas de excavación de 2013 y 2014 en la antigua ciudad de Utica (Túnez), en dos áreas al norte de la ciudad, denominadas zonas I y II. En la segunda se ha localizado en los cortes 20 y 21 un edificio del siglo ix a. C. al que se vinculan hornos domésticos y un pozo cegado, con un importante conjunto de cerámicas fenicias, griegas, sardas nurágicas y locales. En la zona I se ha continuado la excavación de las áreas de los cortes 10 y 11. En el primero se han excavado varios sectores que han permitido precisar la datación de los sistemas constructivos fenicio-púnicos y romanos, localizar un área relacionada con un horno de producción y una calle romana de época imperial. En el área del corte 11 se ha podido conocer mejor la planta del edificio monumental y precisar la datación de las dos fases del edificio monumental fenicio-púnico.In the paper are presented the preliminary results of excavation seasons of 2013 and 2014 in the city of Utica (Tunisia) in two areas named zones I and II. In the last one have been localized in the sondages 20 and 21 a building of 9th century BC associated to domestic kilns and a to well filled with Phoenician, Greek, Nuraghic and local pottery. In Zone I the excavation of sondage areas 10 and 11 has continued. In the first one different sectors have been excavated allowing more precision in the date of the Phoenician, Punic and Roman building systems. A production area with a kiln and a roman imperial street have been localized too. In the area of sondage 11 the excavation conducted to a better knowledgment of the plan of a monumental Phoenician and Punic building and the datation of its two phases

Foliar C, N, and P stoichiometry characterize successful plant ecological strategies in the Sonoran Desert

Ecological processes are centered to water availability in drylands; however, less known nutrient stoichiometry can help explain much of their structure and ecological interactions. Here we look to the foliar stoichiometry of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) of 38 dominant plant species from the Sonoran Desert, grouped in four different functional types to describe ecological characteristics and processes. We found that foliar N, C:N, C:P, and N:P stoichiometric ratios, but not P, were higher than those known to most other ecosystems and indicate P but not N limitations in leaves. Biological N fixers (BNF) had even higher leaf N concentrations, but bio-elemental concentrations and stoichiometry ratios were not different to other non-N-fixing legume species which underscores the need to understand the physiological mechanisms for high N, and to how costly BNF can succeed in P-limiting drylands environments. Stoichiometry ratios, and to lesser extent elemental concentrations, were able to characterize BNF and colonizing strategies in the Sonoran Desert, as well as explain leaf attribute differences, ecological processes, and biogeochemical niches in this dryland ecosystem, even when no direct reference is made to other water-limitation strategies