Quantitative Stability of Linear Infinite Inequality Systems under Block Perturbations with Applications to Convex Systems

The original motivation for this paper was to provide an efficient quantitative analysis of convex infinite (or semi-infinite) inequality systems whose decision variables run over general infinite-dimensional (resp. finite-dimensional) Banach spaces and that are indexed by an arbitrary fixed set $J$. Parameter perturbations on the right-hand side of the inequalities are required to be merely bounded, and thus the natural parameter space is $l_{\infty}(J)$. Our basic strategy consists of linearizing the parameterized convex system via splitting convex inequalities into linear ones by using the Fenchel-Legendre conjugate. This approach yields that arbitrary bounded right-hand side perturbations of the convex system turn on constant-by-blocks perturbations in the linearized system. Based on advanced variational analysis, we derive a precise formula for computing the exact Lipschitzian bound of the feasible solution map of block-perturbed linear systems, which involves only the system's data, and then show that this exact bound agrees with the coderivative norm of the aforementioned mapping. In this way we extend to the convex setting the results of [3] developed for arbitrary perturbations with no block structure in the linear framework under the boundedness assumption on the system's coefficients. The latter boundedness assumption is removed in this paper when the decision space is reflexive. The last section provides the aimed application to the convex case

Single-ion and exchange anisotropy effects and multiferroic behavior in high-symmetry tetramer single molecule magnets

We study single-ion and exchange anisotropy effects in equal-spin $s_1$ tetramer single molecule magnets exhibiting $T_d$, $D_{4h}$, $D_{2d}$, $C_{4h}$, $C_{4v}$, or $S_4$ ionic point group symmetry. We first write the group-invariant quadratic single-ion and symmetric anisotropic exchange Hamiltonians in the appropriate local coordinates. We then rewrite these local Hamiltonians in the molecular or laboratory representation, along with the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriay (DM) and isotropic Heisenberg, biquadratic, and three-center quartic Hamiltonians. Using our exact, compact forms for the single-ion spin matrix elements, we evaluate the eigenstate energies analytically to first order in the microscopic anisotropy interactions, corresponding to the strong exchange limit, and provide tables of simple formulas for the energies of the lowest four eigenstate manifolds of ferromagnetic (FM) and anitiferromagnetic (AFM) tetramers with arbitrary $s_1$. For AFM tetramers, we illustrate the first-order level-crossing inductions for $s_1=1/2,1,3/2$, and obtain a preliminary estimate of the microscopic parameters in a Ni$_4$ from a fit to magnetization data. Accurate analytic expressions for the thermodynamics, electron paramagnetic resonance absorption and inelastic neutron scattering cross-section are given, allowing for a determination of three of the microscopic anisotropy interactions from the second excited state manifold of FM tetramers. We also predict that tetramers with symmetries $S_4$ and $D_{2d}$ should exhibit both DM interactions and multiferroic states, and illustrate our predictions for $s_1=1/2, 1$.Comment: 30 pages, 14 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Eficacia de una técnica cognitivo-conductual en pacientes quirúrgicos

El objetivo del estudio consistió en diseñar y comprobar la eficacia de una técnica psicológica en pacientes quirúrgicos, para reducir los niveles de ansiedad y depresión, y facilitar la recuperación. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 30 mujeres que debían someterse a una histerectomía abdominal. Estas mujeres fueron repartidas al azar en dos grupos: experimental y control. La técnica se compuso de diferentes elementos: 1) información; 2) expresión de emociones; 3) respiración, relajación, visualización; 4) ejercicios para facilitar la recuperación; 5) entrega de hojas informativas. Los resultados fueron: el grupo experimental respecto al grupo control, padeció menos ansiedad y depresión postquirúrgicas, sufrió menos dolor y complicaciones después de la operación, necesitó menos analgésicos, recuperó antes sus funciones orgánicas, y se acortó su estancia hospitalaria. Por tanto podemos concluir que la técnica psicológica diseñada se mostró eficaz como facilitadora de la recuperación en pacientes quirúrgicos.The aim of this study was to design and test the efficiency of a psychological technique to reduce levels of anxiety and depression in surgery patients and to facilitate their recovery. The test group was composed of 30 women who were to have a hysterectomy. These women were divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group . The technique involved various elements: 1) information, 2) the expression of emotions, 3) breathing, relaxation, visualitation, 4) excercises to facilitate recovery, 5) distribution of summary sheets. The results were as follows: compared to the control group, the experimental group suffered less anxiety, less post-surgical depression, less pain and fewer post-operative complications. The women needed fewer painkillers, regained their normal bodily functions and needed a shorter stay in hospital. We can thus conclude that the psychological technique designed, proved efficient in facilitating the recovery of surgical patients

High-level expression of Pinus sylvestris glutamine synthetase in Escherichia coli Production of polyclonal antibodies against the recombinant protein and expression studies in pine seedlings

AbstractIn a previous work we reported the molecular characterization of a glutamine synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2.) complementary DNA from a woody plant (Cantón et al. (1993) Plant Mol. Biol. 22, 819–828). The isolated cDNA (pGSP114) encoding a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) cytosolic subunit, has been subcloned into the expression vector pET3c to overproduce the GS polypeptide in Escherichia coli cells. The recombinant GS protein showed the same molecular size as a native Scots pine GS subunit. Antibodies against the pET3c-GSP114 encoded protein were raised in rabbits by injecting purified preparations and specificity was determined by immunoprecipitation of GS activity present in pine crude extracts. In spite of the antibodies were able to recognize both cytosolic and chloroplastic GS in tomato plants, they were unable to immunodetect chloroplastic GS in green cotyledons of pine seedlings and cytosolic GS was the unique recognized polypeptide. Unlike to that found in other plant species, cytosolic GS was strongly expressed in green tissues as determined by protein and Northern analysis. Our results suggest a key role for cytosolic GS in photosynthetic tissues of conifers

Remote sensing depicts riparian vegetation responses to water stress in a humid Atlantic region

Riparian areas in the Cantabrian Atlantic ecoregion (northwest Portugal) play a key role in soil formation and conservation, regulation of nutrient and water cycle, creation of landscape aesthetic value and the preservation of biodiversity. The maintenance of their ecological integrity is crucial given the ever increase in multiple anthropogenic (water demand and agriculture) and climatic pressures (droughts and extreme events). We developed a transferable remote sensing approach, taking advantage of the latest freely available technologies (Sentinel-2 and Copernicus Land products), to detect intra-annual and inter-annual changes in riparian vegetation productivity at the river basin scale related to water stress. This study has used the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to investigate riparian vegetation productivity dynamics on three different vegetation types (coniferous, broadleaved and grassland) over the past 5 years (2015-2019). Our results indicated that inter-annual seasonality differed between drier (2017) and wetter (2016) years. We found that intra-annual dynamics of NDVI were influenced by the longitudinal river zonation. Our model ranked first (r2m = 0.73) showed that the productivity of riparian vegetation during the dry season was positively influenced by annual rainfall and by the type of riparian vegetation. The emergent long lags between climatic variation and riparian plant productivity provides opportunities to forecast early warnings of climatically-driven impacts. In addition, the different average productivity levels among vegetation types should be considered when assessing climatic impacts on riparian vegetation. Future applications of Sentinel 2 products could seek to distinguish riparian areas that are likely to be more vulnerable to changes in the annual water balance from those that are more resistant under longer-term changes in climate.Contrato-Programa UIDB/04050/2020. ERA4CS/0004/2016. CLIMALERT: Climate Alert Smart System for Sustainable Water and Agriculture, an ERA-NET initiated by JPI Climate (ERA4CS programme) co-funded by the EU commission (Grant Agreement 690462) and FCT (ERA4CS/0004/2016). This work was supported by the “Contrato-Programa” UIDB/04050/2020 funded by national funds through the FCT I.P. (GP

Facilitation Among Saproxylic Insects Inhabiting Tree Hollows in a Mediterranean Forest: The Case of Cetonids (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Tree hollows offer an ideal niche for saproxylic insects in mature Mediterranean forests, where Diptera and Coleoptera are the richest groups. Co-occurrence is frequently observed among many species of both groups in these microhabitats, and some of these species have been considered to facilitate the presence of other species by acting as ecosystem engineers. One of the systems that is found in Mediterranean tree hollows is formed by cetonid (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and syrphid (Diptera: Syrphidae) larvae. Here, cetonid larvae feed on wood and litter and produce a substrate that is easier to decompose. To assess the possible role of these larvae as facilitating agents for the saproxylic guild, we studied whether the presence of saprophagous Syrphidae inside tree hollows is associated with the activity of cetonid larvae. Furthermore, in laboratory conditions, we tested whether cetonid larvae activity can improve the development and fitness of the saprophagous syrphid species. Our results show that “cetonid activity” was the variable that best explained the presence of saprophagous syrphid species in natural conditions. Myathropa florea (L., 1758) was one of the species most influenced by this activity. The laboratory experiment gave similar results, demonstrating that an enriched substrate with Cetonia aurataeformis Curti, 1913 larval feces improves syrphid larval growth rate and fitness of adults (measured as longer wing length) of M. florea.Financial support was provided by the Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation (CGL2008-04472, CGL2009-09656, CG L2011-23658, CGL2012-31669) and the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2013/034 Project). I.R.S.G. was supported by Grisolia fellowships of the Generalitat Valencian

NECESIDADES DEL CUIDADOR DEL ENFERMO DE ALZHEIMER TERMINAL.

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia in western society. Due to the invalidating nature, the social impact of this disease is high, as patients need soon the presence of a caregiver. For these reasons, the social and economic costs of Alzheimer’s disease are of considerable importance. The objectives of this study are to ascertain the principal caregiver’s needs, to identify activities which are performed at a high cost to caregivers in terms of physical, financial and psychological resources and to assess if caregivers have the required resources to perform them. This is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, non-comparative and prospective study. Our sample was composed of 35 caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients of a geriatric residence (Residencia Geriátrica San Basilio, Murcia) and a Clinic (Clínica Belén, Murcia). A convenience sampling was used. Just the caregivers who accepted to participate were enrolled in this study. In our survey, the data were collected by means of a questionnaire, which was administered from April 20 through April 25 of the same year. Data analyses were performed using Microsoft EXCEL software. According to the caregivers, the most costly activity was the hygiene of patients (80%). In this line, 77% of participants stated that this activity was the most time-consuming. They also refer that they would need help from the multidisciplinary team for bathing the patients. In this sample, caregivers have the resources to perform the activities required but they would like to be helped in areas such as nutrition administration, handling medicines, mobilization of patients and postural changes and prevention of pressure ulcers.La enfermedad de Alzheimer es la primera causa de demencia en la población occidental. Su carácter invalidante delega asistencia permanente desde los estadios moderados de la enfermedad por lo que la dependencia de cuidados constituye su principal característica social. Esta enfermedad consume importantes recursos socio-sanitarios y provoca graves pérdidas en el paciente y en sus cuidadores. Los objetivos de este estudio de investigación son conocer las principales cargas de los cuidadores principales ante este tipo de enfermos terminales, identificar las actividades que suponen mayor carga para el cuidador principal y conocer si disponen de los recursos necesarios para realizar dichas actividades. Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal no comparativo, prospectivo. En 35 cuidadores principales de los pacientes incluidos en la Residencia Geriátrica San Basilio y Clínica Belén (Murcia), se realizó una encuesta transversal de una sola medición. Muestreo de conveniencia no probabilístico, seleccionando voluntarios que sean cuidadores principales de dichos centros. El método utilizado para la recolección de datos fue un cuestionario, que se realizó entre los días 20 y 25 de abril del mismo año. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó la hoja de calculo Excel, por lo que se tuvieron que dar valores numéricos a cada una de las posibles respuestas, coincidiendo la primera letra del abecedario con el número uno y así sucesivamente. La actividad que le supone mayor carga de trabajo a los cuidadores es con un 80% la higiene, al igual que la que le dedica mayor tiempo con un 77% de los encuestados. Estos consideran que el baño-aseo es la tarea que mayor carga les conlleva y en la que necesitan mayor ayuda del equipo multidisciplinar. Los cuidadores disponen de los recursos necesarios para realizar sus actividades, aunque consideran la necesidad de disponer de ayuda en otras actividades que realizan como administración de nutrición, administración de medicación, movilización de cambios posturales y prevención de ulceras por presión