APPLICATION OF A NEW TECHNICAL OF ACOUSTIC TOMOGRAPHY FOR THE VISUALIZATION AND ESTIMATION OF THE MICROFRACTURES IN OUTCROP SAMPLES

This work presents the development of a methodology to estimate microfractures density in rocks, using acoustic tomography technique. The piezoelectric crystals were used as transductors for the generation of the acoustic shear kind waves, through study cores. The propagation time of the wave is obtained using digital signal processing in MATLAB and finally the distances of each paths is obtained, thus the wave velocity values are stored in numerical arrays. The technique used in this work is to perform acoustic tomography in function of the shear wave velocity, where the rock matrix and microfractures are differentiated and analyzed from contrasts of velocities. The tomographic images are generated through rendering matrices of velocity in MATLAB. In order to validate this research was necessary to use synthetic cements plugs as controlled models, where the discontinuity was simulated through hollow inclusions made with rubber prototypes; finally the obtained results show a maximum of 7.06% of error, baseing the reliability of the generated technique.Este trabajo presenta el desarrollo de una metodología para estimar el volumen de microfracturamiento en rocas, utilizando la técnica de tomografía acústica. Se utilizaron cristales piezoeléctricos como transductores para la generación de ondas acústicas secundarias o de corte a través de muestras de estudio. El tiempo de propagación de la onda es obtenido utilizando tratamiento digital de señales en MATLAB y finalmente se obtiene las distancias de cada una de las trayectorias entre los cristales, de esta manera se almacenan los valores de velocidad de onda en arreglos numéricos matriciales. La técnica empleada en este trabajo consiste en realizar tomografía acústica en función de la velocidad de la onda de corte, donde se logra diferenciar la matriz y las microfracturas de las rocas analizadas, a partir del contraste de las velocidades. Las imágenes tomográficas se generan a través de la renderización de las matrices de velocidades en MATLAB. Para poder validar esta investigación fue necesario utilizar plugs sintéticos de concreto como modelos controlados, donde se simularon discontinuidades por medio de inclusiones huecas hechas con prototipos de cauchos; finalmente los resultados obtenidos, muestran un error máximo de 7.06 % fundamentando la confiabilidad de la técnica generada

APPLICATION OF A NEW TECHNICAL OF ACOUSTIC TOMOGRAPHY FOR THE VISUALIZATION AND ESTIMATION OF THE MICROFRACTURES IN OUTCROP SAMPLES

This work presents the development of a methodology to estimate microfractures density in rocks, using acoustic tomography technique. The piezoelectric crystals were used as transductors for the generation of the acoustic shear kind waves, through study cores. The propagation time of the wave is obtained using digital signal processing in MATLAB and finally the distances of each paths is obtained, thus the wave velocity values are stored in numerical arrays. The technique used in this work is to perform acoustic tomography in function of the shear wave velocity, where the rock matrix and microfractures are differentiated and analyzed from contrasts of velocities. The tomographic images are generated through rendering matrices of velocity in MATLAB. In order to validate this research was necessary to use synthetic cements plugs as controlled models, where the discontinuity was simulated through hollow inclusions made with rubber prototypes; finally the obtained results show a maximum of 7.06% of error, baseing the reliability of the generated technique.Este trabajo presenta el desarrollo de una metodología para estimar el volumen de microfracturamiento en rocas, utilizando la técnica de tomografía acústica. Se utilizaron cristales piezoeléctricos como transductores para la generación de ondas acústicas secundarias o de corte a través de muestras de estudio. El tiempo de propagación de la onda es obtenido utilizando tratamiento digital de señales en MATLAB y finalmente se obtiene las distancias de cada una de las trayectorias entre los cristales, de esta manera se almacenan los valores de velocidad de onda en arreglos numéricos matriciales. La técnica empleada en este trabajo consiste en realizar tomografía acústica en función de la velocidad de la onda de corte, donde se logra diferenciar la matriz y las microfracturas de las rocas analizadas, a partir del contraste de las velocidades. Las imágenes tomográficas se generan a través de la renderización de las matrices de velocidades en MATLAB. Para poder validar esta investigación fue necesario utilizar plugs sintéticos de concreto como modelos controlados, donde se simularon discontinuidades por medio de inclusiones huecas hechas con prototipos de cauchos; finalmente los resultados obtenidos, muestran un error máximo de 7.06 % fundamentando la confiabilidad de la técnica generada

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18–49, 50–69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population

Timing of surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international prospective cohort study

Peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30-day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30-day mortality in patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4–1.5). In patients with a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery within 0–2 weeks, 3–4 weeks and 5–6 weeks of the diagnosis (odds ratio (95%CI) 4.1 (3.3–4.8), 3.9 (2.6–5.1) and 3.6 (2.0–5.2), respectively). Surgery performed ≥ 7 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was associated with a similar mortality risk to baseline (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.5 (0.9–2.1)). After a ≥ 7 week delay in undertaking surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients with ongoing symptoms had a higher mortality than patients whose symptoms had resolved or who had been asymptomatic (6.0% (95%CI 3.2–8.7) vs. 2.4% (95%CI 1.4–3.4) vs. 1.3% (95%CI 0.6–2.0), respectively). Where possible, surgery should be delayed for at least 7 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with ongoing symptoms ≥ 7 weeks from diagnosis may benefit from further delay

Analysis of the Influence of Terrain Orientation on the Design of PV Facilities with Single-Axis Trackers

This paper investigates how to optimally orient the photovoltaic solar trackers of an axis parallel to the terrain, applying the sky model of Hay–Davies. This problem has been widely studied. However, the number of studies that consider the orientation (inclination and azimuth of the terrain) is very limited. This paper provides an examination of incident solar irradiance that can be extended to terrain with variable orientation and in consideration of different azimuths of the axis of rotation. Furthermore, a case study of the south of Spain is provided, considering different inclination and orientation terrain values. The results obtained in this study indicate, as a novelty, that for lands that are not south facing, the rotation axis azimuth of solar trackers should be different from zero and adjusted to the same direction as the land azimuth in order to maximize energy production. Annual energy production is sensitive to changes in the rotation axis azimuths of solar trackers (an influence of around 3% of annual energy production)

Bis(hydrosulfido)-bridged dinuclear rhodium(I) complexes as a platform for the synthesis of trinuclear sulfido aggregates with the core [MRh2(μ3-S2)] (M = Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Ru)

The reaction of [Rh(μ-SH)(CO)(PPh3)]2 or [Rh(μ-SH){P(OPh)3}2]2 with [Cp*MCl2]2 (M = Rh, Ir) in the presence of NEt3 afforded the Rh3 and IrRh2 sulfido-bridged compounds [Cp*M(μ3-S)2Rh2(CO)2(PPh3)2] (M = Rh, 1; Ir, 2) and [Cp*Rh(μ3-S)2Rh2{P(OPh)3}4] (3). The reaction with [MCl2(cod)] (M = Pd, Pt), cis-[PtCl2(PPh3)2] or [(η6-C6H6)RuCl2]2 under the same experimental conditions gave [(cod)M(μ3-S)2Rh2{P(OPh)3}4] (M = Pd, 6; Pt, 7), [(cod)M(μ3-S)2Rh2(CO)2(PPh3)2] (M = Pd, 8; Pt, 9), [(PPh3)2Pt(μ3-S)2Rh2(CO)2(PPh3)2] (10) and [(η6-C6H6)Ru(μ3-S)2Rh2(CO)2(PPh3)2] (12), with PdRh2, PtRh2 and RuRh2 trimetallic cores. The aggregates derived from [Rh(μ-SH)(CO)(PPh3)]2 were isolated as a mixture of trans and cis isomers in which the trans isomer predominates. The reaction of [Rh(μ-SH){P(OPh)3}2]2 with 2 equiv. of n-BuLi at 253 K followed by addition of [Cp*IrCl2]2 gave [Cp*Ir(μ3-S)2Rh2{P(OPh)3}4] (4) and [Cp*2ClIr2(μ3-S)2Rh{P(OPh)3}2] (5) in a 3:2 ratio. The RuRh2 compound [(η6-C6H6)Ru(μ3-S)2Rh2{P(OPh)3}4] (11) was prepared similarly from [Rh(μ-SH){P(OPh)3}2]2 and [(η6-C6H6)RuCl2]2 using n-BuLi as a deprotonating agent. The molecular structures of compounds 3, 6, 7, 9 and 11 have been determined by X-ray analysis. The trinuclear complexes exhibit an asymmetric triangular metal core with two triply bridging sulfido ligands resulting in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal M3(μ3-S)2 heterometallic metal–sulfur core.Financial support from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN/FEDER) of Spain (Project CTQ2010-15221), the Diputación General de Aragón (E07), and CONSOLIDER INGENIO-2010, Projects MULTICAT (CSD2009-00050) and Factoría de Cristalización (CSD2006-0015) is gratefully acknowledged.Peer Reviewe

Omic approaches in environmental risk assessment

Resumen de la comunicación presentada al XX Congreso de la Sociedad Española de Mutagénesis Ambiental – Córdoba 201

On optimal temozolomide scheduling for slowly growing glioblastomas

Background: Temozolomide (TMZ) is an oral alkylating agent active against gliomas with a favorable toxicity profile. It is part of the standard of care in the management of glioblastoma (GBM), and is commonly used in low-grade gliomas (LGG). In-silico mathematical models can potentially be used to personalize treatments and to accelerate the discovery of optimal drug delivery schemes. Methods: Agent-based mathematical models fed with either mouse or patient data were developed for the in-silico studies. The experimental test beds used to confirm the results were: mouse glioma models obtained by retroviral expression of EGFR-wt/EGFR-vIII in primary progenitors from p16/p19 ko mice and grown in-vitro and in-vivo in orthotopic allografts, and human GBM U251 cells immobilized in alginate microfibers. The patient data used to parametrize the model were obtained from the TCGA/TCIA databases and the TOG clinical study. Results: Slow-growth "virtual" murine GBMs benefited from increasing TMZ dose separation in-silico. In line with the simulation results, improved survival, reduced toxicity, lower expression of resistance factors, and reduction of the tumor mesenchymal component were observed in experimental models subject to long-cycle treatment, particularly in slowly growing tumors. Tissue analysis after long-cycle TMZ treatments revealed epigenetically driven changes in tumor phenotype, which could explain the reduction in GBM growth speed. In-silico trials provided support for implementation methods in human patients. Conclusions: In-silico simulations, in-vitro and in-vivo studies show that TMZ administration schedules with increased time between doses may reduce toxicity, delay the appearance of resistances and lead to survival benefits mediated by changes in the tumor phenotype in slowly-growing GBMs.This research was funded by the James S. Mc. Donnell Foundation (USA) 21st Century Science Initiative in Mathematical and Complex Systems Approaches for Brain Cancer (Collaborative award 220020560, doi:10.37717/220020560); Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia (ref. number 451-03-9/2021-14/200007); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and FEDER funds, Spain (grant number PID2019-110895RB-I00, doi: 10.13039/501100011033 to VMP-G, and RTI2018-093596 and PI21CIII/00002 to PS-G); and Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (grant number 2020-PREDUCLM-15634 to JJ-S).S

Prognostic factors of a lower CD4/CD8 ratio in long term viral suppression HIV infected children

CoRISpe (Cohorte Nacional de VIH pediátrica de la RED RIS).[Background] Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is associated with marked immune reconstitution. Although a long term viral suppression is achievable, not all children however, attain complete immunological recovery due to persistent immune activation. We use CD4/CD8 ratio like a marker of immune reconstitution.[Methods] Perinatal HIV-infected children who underwent a first-line cART, achieved viral suppression in the first year and maintained it for more than 5 years, with no viral rebound were included. Logistic models were applied to estimate the prognostic factors, clinical characteristics at cART start, of a lower CD4/CD8 ratio at the last visit.[Results] 146 HIV-infected children were included: 77% Caucasian, 45% male and 28% CDC C. Median age at cART initiation was 2.3 years (IQR: 0.5–6.2). 42 (30%) children received mono-dual therapy previously to cART. Time of undetectable viral load was 9.5 years (IQR: 7.8, 12.5). 33% of the children not achieved CD4/CD8 ratio >1. Univariate analysis showed an association between CD4/CD8 1 was not achieved in 33% of the children. Lower CD4 nadir and previous exposure to suboptimal therapy, before initiating cART, are factors showing independently association with a worse immune recovery (CD4/CD8 < 1).Peer reviewe

Mitocondrial COI and 16S rDNA sequences support morphological identification and biogeography of deep-sea red crabs of the genus Chaceon (Crustacea, Decapoda, Geryonidae) in the Eastern Central and South Atlantic Ocean

The geographical spreading of new fishing activities and the increasingly deeper locations of these activities have shown the worldwide distribution of gerionid crabs and new descriptions of Chaceon taxa. However, incomplete penetrance, variable expressivity, and phenotypic overlap make the morphometric identification of these species difficult. In this study, partial sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and 16S mitochondrial ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) genes have been analyzed in Chaceon species from the Eastern Central and South Atlantic and compared with sequences of species from Western Atlantic. Our results corroborate the proposed morphological species and highlight the significant separation of the Eastern Atlantic species and those from Atlantic coasts of South America for both markers (97% Bayesian posterior probability, BPP / 83% Bootstrap replicates, BT). Interestingly, Chaceon sanctaehelenae shows a closer relationship with the species of the American coast than with those from the Eastern Atlantic. On the other hand, while COI marker clearly separates Chaceon atopus and Chaceon erytheiae species (99 BPP / 91% BT), these species share haplotypes for the 16S rRNA marker, pointing to a recent speciation process. Moreover, a close relationship was observed between Chaceon maritae and Chaceon affinis (94% BPP / 77% BT). The topologies of the trees obtained indicate that the ancestor of this genus was closer related to those species from South America than to those from the Eastern Atlantic.Versión del edito