1,226 research outputs found

    Neutron-Capture elements in planetary nebulae: first detections of near-Infrared [Te III] and [Br V] emission lines

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    We have identified two new near-infrared emission lines in the spectra of planetary nebulae (PNe) arising from heavy elements produced by neutron capture reactions: [Te III] 2.1019 μ\mum and [Br V] 1.6429 μ\mum. [Te III] was detected in both NGC 7027 and IC 418, while [Br V] was seen in NGC 7027. The observations were obtained with the medium-resolution spectrograph EMIR on the 10.4m Gran Telescopio Canarias at La Palma, and with the high-resolution spectrograph IGRINS on the 2.7m Harlan J. Smith telescope at McDonald Observatory. New calculations of atomic data for these ions, specifically A-values and collision strengths, are presented and used to derive ionic abundances of Te2+^{2+} and Br4+^{4+}. We also derive ionic abundances of other neutron-capture elements detected in the near-infrared spectra, and estimate total elemental abundances of Se, Br, Kr, Rb, and Te after correcting for unobserved ions. Comparison of our derived enrichments to theoretical predictions from AGB evolutionary models shows reasonable agreement for solar metallicity progenitor stars of \sim2 - 4 M_{\odot}. The spectrally-isolated [Br V] 1.6429 μ\mum line has advantages for determining nebular Br abundances over optical [Br III] emission lines that can be blended with other features. Finally, measurements of Te are of special interest because this element lies beyond the first peak of the s-process, and thus provides new leverage on the abundance pattern of trans-iron species produced by AGB stars.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

    A clustering approach to analyse the environmental and energetic impacts of Atlantic recipes - A Galician gastronomy case study

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    The definition of the term gastronomy encompasses both the knowledge of food and its handling, preparation and consumption. Beyond a sense of cultural identity and tradition, gastronomy also represents a pole of tourist attraction. This is the case of Galicia, a region in north-western Spain. Within this framework, local dishes, which include distinctive elements of the Atlantic diet, have gained popularity. This research delves into the sustainability of 60 Galician recipes by performing a hierarchical cluster analysis to study their carbon footprint, the energy return on investment ratio and cost. The life cycle assessment methodology was followed to account for the carbon footprint and the energy return on investment ratio of the recipes. The scope was bounded to the cradle-to-fork phases through the life cycle: production of the ingredients, transport, and meal preparation. The functional unit selected was one serving of a Galician meal. The results suggest that the recipes could be classified into three main groups according to the presence of a greater or lesser amount of animal-based products. Cluster 1 comprises 10 meat recipes. Cluster 2 encompasses 31 recipes rich in fish with some vegetables and moderate consumption of red meat and dairy products. Cluster 3 includes 22 vegetable-based recipes. The higher the portion of animal products in the recipes (mainly red meat), the higher the costs and carbon footprint and the lower the energy return on investment ratio. Conversely, plant-based recipes tend to reduce greenhouse gases emissions and increase cost competitiveness and energy efficiency indicators. Based on this study, the food service could promote eco-labelling that support and certify restaurant menus. This research could also provide transformative climate education for sustainable food for consumers, giving advice to improve food-based dietary guidelines in SpainThe Galiat project received funding from the ERDF-Interconecta for Galicia Program (ITC-20133014 & ITC-20151009), managed by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness. The authors thank the participating companies that assisted in this study; these include the Belarmino Fernández Iglesias Hostelry School, Bodegas Terras Gauda, Bodegas Pazo de Rivas, Conservas A Rosaleira, Conservas Friscos, Aceites Olei, and Quescrem. C.C.-F. would like to thank the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for financial support (Grant reference FPU 19/06648). C.C-F, S.G.-G., G.F. and M.T.M. belong to the Galician Competitive Research Group (GRC ED431C 2017/29) and to the Cross-disciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS Research Center, ED431E 2018/01). All these programs are co-funded by FEDER (EU)S

    Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Fanhdi<sup>®</sup>, a Plasma-Derived VWF/Factor VIII Concentrate, in von Willebrand Disease in Spain: A Retrospective Study

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    Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a plasma-derived factor VIII concentrate containing von Willebrand Factor (pdVWF/FVIII) in standard clinical practice in von Willebrand Disease (VWD) patients. Methods: A retrospective, multicentric, observational study of VWD patients treated with Fanhdi®, a pdVWF/FVIII concentrate, from January 2011 to December 2017 was conducted at 14 centers in Spain. Efficacy and safety were evaluated for acute bleeding episodes, for prevention of bleeding in surgeries, and for secondary long-term prophylaxis. Results: Seventy-two eligible patients, type 1, 2, 3 VWD (25%/38.9%/36.1%) were treated for spontaneous and traumatic bleeding (140 episodes, n = 41 patients), to prevent surgical bleeding (69 episodes, n = 43 patients); and for secondary long-term prophylaxis (18 programs, n = 13 patients). Replacement therapy with pdVWF/FVIII showed an excellent to good clinical efficacy in 96.7% of the bleeding episodes, 100% during surgical procedures and 100% during prophylaxis. No adverse events (AEs), nor serious AEs related to the product were observed. Conclusions: Fanhdi® was effective, safe and well tolerated in the management of bleeding episodes, the prevention of bleeding during surgeries, and for secondary long-term prophylaxis in VWD patientsThe author(s) disclosed receipt of the followingfinancial support forthe research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This workwas supported by Grifols, manufacturer of the pdVWF/FVIII,Fanhdi

    Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Fanhdi ®, a Plasma-Derived VWF/Factor VIII Concentrate, in von Willebrand Disease in Spain : A Retrospective Study

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    UDHEBRONTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of a plasma-derived factor VIII concentrate containing von Willebrand Factor (pdVWF/FVIII) in standard clinical practice in von Willebrand Disease (VWD) patients. A retrospective, multicentric, observational study of VWD patients treated with Fanhdi ®, a pdVWF/FVIII concentrate, from January 2011 to December 2017 was conducted at 14 centers in Spain. Efficacy and safety were evaluated for acute bleeding episodes, for prevention of bleeding in surgeries, and for secondary long-term prophylaxis. Seventy-two eligible patients, type 1, 2, 3 VWD (25%/38.9%/36.1%) were treated for spontaneous and traumatic bleeding (140 episodes, n = 41 patients), to prevent surgical bleeding (69 episodes, n = 43 patients); and for secondary long-term prophylaxis (18 programs, n = 13 patients). Replacement therapy with pdVWF/FVIII showed an excellent to good clinical efficacy in 96.7% of the bleeding episodes, 100% during surgical procedures and 100% during prophylaxis. No adverse events (AEs), nor serious AEs related to the product were observed. Fanhdi ® was effective, safe and well tolerated in the management of bleeding episodes, the prevention of bleeding during surgeries, and for secondary long-term prophylaxis in VWD patients

    Psychometric properties of the Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) in oncology practice

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    Background/Objective: This study sought to assess the psychometric properties of the 9-item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) in patients with resected, non-metastatic cancer and eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy. Method: A total of 568 patients were recruited from a multi-institutional, prospective, transversal study. Patients answered the SDM-Q-9 after visiting their medical oncologist who, in turn, completed the SDM-Q---Physician version. Reliability, factorial structures [exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)], and convergent validity of the SDM-Q-9 scores were explored. Results: SDM-Q-9 showed a clear factorial structure, compatible with a strong and replicable general factor and a secondary group factor, in patients with resected, non-metastatic cancer. Total sum scores derived from the general factor showed good reliability in terms of omega coefficient: .90. The association between patient and physician perception of SDM was weak and failed to reach statistical significance. Males and patients over 60 years of age displayed the greatest satisfaction with SDM. Conclusions: SDM-Q-9 can aid in evaluating SDM from the cancer patients' perspective. SDM-Q-9 is helpful in studies examining patient perspectives of SDM and as an indicator of the degree of quality and satisfaction with health care and patient-physician relationship

    Propiedades psicométricas del Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) en oncología

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    Antecedentes/Objetivo: Este estudio analiza las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario Shared Decision-Making (SDM-Q-9) en pacientes con cáncer resecado, no metastásico y elegibles para quimioterapia adyuvante. Método: Estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo, transversal en el que se reclutaron 568 pacientes que respondieron al SDM-Q-9 después de visitar a su oncólogo quien, a su vez, completó el SDM-Q-versión médico. Se estudiaron la fiabilidad, la estructura factorial [análisis factorial exploratorio (EFA), análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA)] y la validez convergente de las puntuaciones del SDMQ-9. Resultados: La escala SDM-Q-9 mostró una estructura factorial clara, compatible con un factor general fuerte y replicable, y un factor de grupo secundario. La puntuación del factor general mostró una buena fiabilidad en términos de coeficiente omega: 0,90. La asociación entre la percepción del médico y del paciente en la SDM fue débil y no logró alcanzar significación estadística. Los hombres y los pacientes mayores de 60 años mostraron mayor satisfacción con la toma de decisiones compartidas con el oncólogo. Conclusiones: El cuestionario SDM-Q-9 puede ayudar en la evaluación de la toma de decisiones compartidas desde la perspectiva de los pacientes con cáncer y como indicador del grado de calidad y satisfacción en la relación médico-paciente

    Psychometric properties of Liverpool Stoicism Scale (LSS) in a cohort of patients with resected cancer in adjuvant treatment

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    Stoicism has been used to describe a wide range of behaviors in the face of disease that go from silence, resistance to the adversity, or 'to make the best of a bad disease'. This study pursued two objectives: 1) analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the LSS; 2) assess the relation between stoicism and gender, age, and the five-factor personality model. NEOcoping is a prospective, multicenter, observational, non-interventionist study. Patients were recruited consecutively at thirteen Spanish teaching hospitals. The following scales were administered: Liverpool Stoicism Scale (LSS) and Big Five Inventory (BFI-10). A total of 443 patients (250 females) with a mean age of 59.8 years (SD =12.3) were enrolled. Colon cancer was the most common, followed by breast cancer. At the total-scale level, mean LSS was lower than the originally reported British sample. The four-factor structure fitted the data well, had a clear interpretation, and the derived scales showed acceptable reliabilities. The personality trait of introversion predicted 4.1% of the variance of stoicism (p<.001). Even though it needs to be improved, the LSS scale demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties to appraise stoicism in the Spanish population with resected cancer

    Desired weight loss and its association with health, health behaviors and perceptions in an adult population with weight excess: One-year follow-up

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    Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) worsens quality of life and increases mortality. Dissatisfaction with weight in patients with MetS may modify the effect of lifestyle interventions to achieve changes in health-related behaviors. Objective: To assess 1-year changes in cardiovascular risk scores, self-perceived general health and health-related behaviors according to observed changes in desired weight loss during the first year of intervention in a large cardiovascular prevention trial. Design: Prospective analysis of the PREDIMED-PLUS trial, including 5,499 adults (55-75 years old) with overweight or obesity at baseline. Methods: The desired weight loss was the difference between ideal and measured weight. Tertiles of change in desired weight loss (1 year vs. baseline) were defined by the following cut-off points: >= 0.0 kg (T1, n = 1,638); 0.0 to -4.0 kg (T2, n = 1,903); <=-4.0 kg (T3, n = 1,958). A food frequency questionnaire assessed diet and the Minnesota-REGICOR questionnaire assessed physical activity. The Framingham equation assessed cardiovascular risks. The changes in the severity of MetS were also assessed. The Beck Depression Inventory assessed depressive symptoms and the SF-36 assessed health-related quality of life. Data were analyzed using general linear models. Results: BMI decreased at T2 and T3 (T1: 0.3, T2: -0.7, T3: -1.9). The most significant improvement in diet quality was observed at T3. Cardiovascular risk decreased at T2 and T3. Mean reductions in MetS severity score were: -0.02 at T1, -0.39 at T2 and -0.78 at T3. The perception of physical health increases in successive tertiles. Conclusions: In older adults with MetS, more ambitious desired weight loss goals were associated with improvements in diet, cardiovascular health and perceived physical health during the first year of a healthy lifestyle intervention programme. Weight dissatisfaction needs to be considered by health professionals

    COVID-19 outbreaks in a transmission control scenario: challenges posed by social and leisure activities, and for workers in vulnerable conditions, Spain, early summer 2020

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    Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 community-wide transmission declined in Spain by early May 2020, being replaced by outbreaks and sporadic cases. From mid-June to 2 August, excluding single household outbreaks, 673 outbreaks were notified nationally, 551 active (>6,200 cases) at the time. More than half of these outbreaks and cases coincided with: (i) social (family/friends’ gatherings or leisure venues) and (ii) occupational (mainly involving workers in vulnerable conditions) settings. Control measures were accordingly applied
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