Encoding the scaling of the cosmological variables with the Euler Beta function

We study the scaling exponents for the expanding isotropic flat cosmological models. The dimension of space, the equation of state of the cosmic fluid and the scaling exponent for a physical variable are related by the Euler Beta function that controls the singular behavior of the global integrals. We encounter dual cosmological scenarios using the properties of the Beta function. For the entropy density integral we reproduce the Fischler-Susskind holographic bound.Comment: Latex2e, 11 pages, 1 figure; reference added; minor changes commenting the nature of the holographic principle and the particle/event horizo

Exploring a simple sector of the Einstein-Maxwell landscape

We explore the four dimensional Einstein-Maxwell landscape as a toy model in which we can formulate a sphere compactification stabilized by an electromagnetic field. Replacing the compactification sphere by J spheres, we obtain a simple sector of the (2J+2)-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell landscape. In this toy model, we analyze some properties which are very difficult to uncover in the string theory landscape, including: complete moduli stabilization, stability conditions, and state counting. We also show how to construct anthropic states in this model. A detailed comparison between the main features of this landscape and the Bousso-Polchinski landscape is given. We finally speculate on the impact of these phenomena in the string theory landscape.Comment: 69 pages, 16 figures, some references adde

Effectiveness of the use of patagial wing tags for griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Spain

Efectivitat de l’ús de marques alars patagials en el marcatge del voltor comú (Gyps fulvus) a Espanya Es descriu el disseny de marques alars patagials de lectura dorsoventral d’alta durabilitat per al marcatge i el seguiment d’exemplars de voltor comú Gyps fulvus. Amb aquest objectiu es van marcar ocells aclimatats dins del Projecte Canyet de recuperació del voltor comú com a espècie nidificant al Parc Natural de la Serra de Mariola (Comunitat Valenciana). Un total de 193 voltors van ser marcats en el període 2000-2015 en el punt de mostreig i 43 individus van ser recapturats, amb un valor mitjà de 1.362 dies (SD ± 543,78). De la mateixa manera, es va pesar la meitat de la mostra d’individus capturats (n = 20), els quals van presentar un valor mitjà de 9,11 kg (SD ± 1,14). També es va mesurar l’àrea de les perforacions cicatritzades, la superfície mitjana de les quals va ser de 85,38 mm2 (SD ± 28,61). Les marques alars van proporcionar resultats molt satisfactoris, que permeten aprofundir en els patrons de comportament interespecífic, així com en els moviments de nomadisme. S’ha constatat que el disseny final d’aquestes marques és adequat atès que la identificació a distància és bona i la incidència negativa en els individus és molt reduïda. A més a més, aquest sistema permet la diferenciació d’individus amb una freqüència elevada. S’ha constatat així mateix que aquest dispositiu no interfereix en les etapes vitals de l’espècie i que, adaptant-lo convenientment a escala, resultaria factible per a altres espècies ornítiques.Efectividad del empleo de marcas alares patagiales en el marcaje de buitre leonado (Gyps fulvus) en España Se describe el diseño de marcas alares patagiales de lectura dorsoventral de alta durabilidad para el marcaje y seguimiento de ejemplares de buitre leonado Gyps fulvus. Para ello se marcaron aves aclimatadas dentro del Proyecto Canyet de recuperación del buitre leonado como especie nidificante en el Parque Natural de la Sierra de Mariola (Comunidad Valenciana). Un total de 193 buitres fueron marcados en el período 2000-2015 en el punto de muestreo y 43 individuos fueron recapturados, con un valor medio de 1.362 días (SD ± 543,78). Del mismo modo, se pesó a la mitad de la muestra de individuos capturados (n = 20), siendo el valor promedio de 9,11 kg (SD ± 1,14). Se midió asimismo el área de las perforaciones cicatrizadas, siendo la superficie media de perforación de 85,38 mm2 (SD ± 28,61). Las marcas alares proporcionaron resultados muy satisfactorios, que permiten profundizar en los patrones de comportamiento interespecífico, así como en los movimientos de nomadismo. Se ha constatado que el diseño final de estas marcas es adecuado, ya que su identificación a distancia es buena y la incidencia negativa en los individuos es muy reducida. Además, este sistema permite la diferenciación de individuos con una elevada frecuencia. Del mismo modo, se ha constatado que este dispositivo no interfiere en las etapas vitales de la especie y que, adaptándolo convenientemente a escala, resultaría factible para otras especies orníticas.We describe the design of patagial wing tags with highly durable lateral readings for marking and tracking griffon vultures Gyps fulvus. Acclimatized birds were tagged within Projecte Canyet for the recovery of the griffon vulture as a nesting species in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park (Valencia Region). A total of 193 vultures were tagged at the sampling point between 2000 and 2015. Forty-three individuals were recaptured within an average of 1,362 days (SD ± 543.78). Half the sample of captured individuals was weighed (n = 20) and the average was 9.11 kg (SD ± 1.14). The area of the scarred perforations was measured, and the mean perforation size was 85.38 mm2 (SD ± 28.61). Wing tags provided highly satisfactory results and enabled a deeper understanding of the patterns of interspecific behaviour and nomadic movements. The design of the tags was satisfactory because it facilitated identification of individuals at a distance. The negative impact on individuals was low and the device did not interfere in the vital life stages of the species. We suggest the model could be useful for other bird species if adapted to size

SEOM Clinical Guideline of fertility preservation and reproduction in cancer patients (2016)

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy often result in reduced fertility in cancer patients. With increasing survival rates, fertility is an important quality-of-life concern for many young cancer patients. Around 70–75% of young cancer survivors are interested in parenthood but the numbers of patients who access fertility preservation techniques prior to treatment are significantly lower. Moreover, despite existing guidelines, healthcare professionals do not address fertility preservation issues adequately. There is a critical need for improvements in clinical care to ensure patients are well informed about infertility risks and fertility preservation options and to support them in their reproductive decision-making prior to cancer treatment

Impaired hypoglycaemia awareness in early pregnancy increases risk of severe hypoglycaemia in the mid-long term postpartum irrespective of breastfeeding status in women with type 1 diabetes

Information regarding the postpartum period in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is scarce. We aim to evaluate the relation of impaired hypoglycaemia awareness (IAH) in early pregnancy and breastfeeding status (its presence and duration) with severe postpartum hypoglycaemia (SH).Retrospective cohort study of women with T1D followed during pregnancy between 2012 and 2019. Data on SH were recorded before and during pregnancy. IAH was evaluated at the first antenatal visit. Data on breastfeeding and the long-term postpartum period were collected by questionnaire and from medical records.A total of 89 women with T1D were included with a median follow-up after pregnancy of 19.2 [8.7-30.5] months. Twenty-eight (32%) women had IAH at the first antenatal visit. At discharge, 74 (83%) started breastfeeding during a median of 8 [4.4-15] months. A total of 18 (22%) women experienced ≥1 SH during postpartum. The incidence of SH significantly increased from pregestational to the gestational and post-partum period (0.09, 0.15 and 0.25 episodes/patient-year, respectively). Postpartum SH rates were comparable in breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women (21.4% vs. 25%, respectively, p>0.05). Clarke test score at the first antenatal visit was associated with postpartum SH (for each 1-point increase: OR 1.53; 95% CI, 1.06-2.21) adjusted for confounders. No other diabetes and pregnancy-related variables were identified as predictors of SH in this period.SH are common in the long-term postpartum period independently of breastfeeding. Assessing IAH in early pregnancy could identify those at an increased risk of SH in the postpartum period.Copyright © 2022 SEEN and SED. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved

Bevacizumab plus preoperative chemotherapy in operable HER2 negative breast cancer: biomarkers and pathologic response

Purpose: The primary aim of this trial was to assess the rate of pathologic complete responses (pCR) of doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by bevacizumab/docetaxel (BT), as neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer (BC). Furthermore, the association between biomarkers and the pCR was explored. Methods: Patients with HER-negative operable stage II–III BC ≥2 cm were enrolled. Four cycles of AC (A 60 mg/m2 and C 600 mg/m2, every 3 weeks) followed by 4 cycles of BT (B 15 mg/kg and T 75 mg/m2, every 3 weeks), were planned. A core-biopsy was performed for biological markers assessment. Results: Seventy-two women were included. Forty-three (63 %) patients were hormone receptor-positive. Sixty-four (89 %) completed the planned treatment, and 66 evaluable patients underwent surgery (92 %): a pCR was achieved in 16 of them (24, 95 % CI 15–36 %). pCR was significantly higher in tumors hormone receptor-negative, and in those with Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) protein overexpression. The overall clinical response rate was 86 % (95 % CI 76–93 %), including 42 complete responses. No unexpected toxicities or treatment-related deaths were observed. Conclusion: This regimen showed a remarkable clinical and pathological activity: the suggested relation between pCR and AGTR1 overexpression should be confirmed in larger trials.Financial support for this research was provided by Roche Farma, S.A

Effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle promotion program as adjunctive teletherapy for treatment-resistant major depression during COVID 19 pandemic: A randomized clinical trial protocol

INTRODUCTION: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) has a high prevalence and can be exacerbated by poor physical health and economic hardships, which have become common stressors during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The therapeutic approaches used to treat these patients are not always available, may be not be accepted by some patients, and often require face-to-face interactions. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study will be to evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based adjuvant lifestyle-based intervention for patients with TRD. METHODS: This will be a parallel, randomized, and controlled clinical trial. A total of 180 patients with TRD will be randomly allocated (1:1:1) to 1 of 3 groups: treatment prescribed by the mental health team and written suggestions for lifestyle changes (placebo control group); treatment prescribed by the mental health team, written suggestions for lifestyle changes, and an 8-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program (active control group); or treatment prescribed by the mental health team, written suggestions for lifestyle changes, and an 8-week lifestyle change promotion program (intervention group). We will perform this study during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will administer interventions by teletherapy, and contact participants by telephone calls, text messages, and/or teleconferences. We will collect patient data using questionnaires administered at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and after 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome will be score on the Beck Depression Inventory-II. The secondary outcomes will be score on the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (used to quantify and track patient progress and treatment response over time) and health-related quality of life measured using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions Questionnaire. DISCUSSION: Patients with TRD are especially vulnerable when face-to-face psychotherapy is unavailable. The main strength of the proposed study is the novelty of the intervention to be used as an adjuvant therapy. Our results may provide guidance for treatment of patients with TRD in future situations that require lockdown measures. CLINICALTRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04428099

Hologrphy and holographic dark energy model

The holographic principle is used to discuss the holographic dark energy model. We find that the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy bound is far from saturation under certain conditions. A more general constraint on the parameter of the holographic dark energy model is also derived.Comment: no figures, use revtex, v2: use iop style, some typos corrected and references updated, will appear in CQ