Layer Selection in Progressive Transmission of Motion-Compensated JPEG2000 Video

MCJ2K (Motion-Compensated JPEG2000) is a video codec based on MCTF (Motion- Compensated Temporal Filtering) and J2K (JPEG2000). MCTF analyzes a sequence of images, generating a collection of temporal sub-bands, which are compressed with J2K. The R/D (Rate-Distortion) performance in MCJ2K is better than the MJ2K (Motion JPEG2000) extension, especially if there is a high level of temporal redundancy. MCJ2K codestreams can be served by standard JPIP (J2K Interactive Protocol) servers, thanks to the use of only J2K standard file formats. In bandwidth-constrained scenarios, an important issue in MCJ2K is determining the amount of data of each temporal sub-band that must be transmitted to maximize the quality of the reconstructions at the client side. To solve this problem, we have proposed two rate-allocation algorithms which provide reconstructions that are progressive in quality. The first, OSLA (Optimized Sub-band Layers Allocation), determines the best progression of quality layers, but is computationally expensive. The second, ESLA (Estimated-Slope sub-band Layers Allocation), is sub-optimal in most cases, but much faster and more convenient for real-time streaming scenarios. An experimental comparison shows that even when a straightforward motion compensation scheme is used, the R/D performance of MCJ2K competitive is compared not only to MJ2K, but also with respect to other standard scalable video codecs

Immigrant women living homeless in Madrid (Spain).

Homeless people are one of the most obvious embodiments of the phenomenon of social exclusion, and homeless immigrants and homeless women are considered 2 particularly vulnerable groups. The objective of this article is to analyze the differences between women living homeless born in Spain (nonimmigrants) and those born abroad (immigrants). The study was carried out based on the data obtained from a sample of women living homeless in Madrid (Spain; N = 136). The information was collected using a structured interview. The results show major similarities between immigrant and nonimmigrant homeless women in terms of their basic sociodemographic characteristics (age, marital status, number of children), their state of health, satisfaction with their family and/or partner relationships, and feelings of loneliness or abandonment. Fewer immigrant women had their documentation in order, they received fewer financial benefits and their contact with their family of origin was more limited. However, the immigrant women became homeless at an older age and were subject to less chronic homelessness, their levels of consumption of alcohol and other psychoactive substances were lower, they had experienced fewer stressful life events, more of them had completed higher education, and more of them used mobile telephones and the Internet. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitivida

Galanin N-terminal fragment (1− 15) reduces alcohol seeking and alcohol relapse in rats: Involvement of mesocorticolimbic system

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is among the most prevalent mental illnesses, and due to the low efficacy of the current medication, it is essential to find new biological targets that could modulate alcohol consumption. Since Galanin (1− 15) [GAL(1− 15)] produces a loss of motivational behaviour by an artificial reinforcer and decreases the preference an alcohol consumption in a voluntary alcohol intake, we have studied the role of GAL(1− 15) in alcohol-seekingbehaviourandtheinvolvementofthecorticomesolimbicsystemaswellastheroleofGAL(1− 15) in context-induced alcohol relapse. In rats, we have studied GAL(1− 15)-effects on alcohol-seeking in self- administration, in fixed-ratio (FR1) and progressive-ratio (PR), and the involvement of GAL receptors using siRNA GALR1 or GALR2 knockdown animals. We have analysed the transcriptional changes of C-Fos, dopamine receptors, GAL receptors and 5HT1A receptors in the corticomesolimbic system. Also, we have examined the effect of GAL(1− 15) in context-induced alcohol relapse. GAL(1− 15) substantially reduced alcohol-seeking behaviour in the operant self-administration model in an FR1 protocol and at the breaking point in a PR schedule. GALR1and GALR2 were involved in these effects, as indicated by the analysis by GALR2 antagonist and GALR1 and GALR2 knockdown animals. Notably, the mechanism of GAL(1− 15)-mediated actions involved changes in C-Fos, Dopamine receptors and 5HT1A expression in the ventral tegmental area, accumbens nucleus and prefrontal cortex. Significantly, GAL(1− 15) reduced the context-induced alcohol relapse. These results open up the possibility to use GAL(1− 15) as a novel strategy in AUD.This work was supported by grants awarded by Spanish Ministry of Economy PID2020-114392RB-100, PDC2021-121566-100 and by Junta de Andalucía P20-00026-R and PI-0083-2019

UV Raman spectroscopy of group IV nanocrystals embedded in a SiO2 matrix

Nanostructures of both Ge nanocrystals formed by thermal oxidation of SiGe layers, and SiGe nanocrystals formed by crystallization of amorphous SiGe nanoparticles deposited by LPCVD have been analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. The nanostructures are formed on a silicon substrate. Raman spectra have been acquired with visible (514.5 nm) and UV (325 nm) excitation lines. When the amount of material is very small, as it has happens in these nanostructures, the visible line is not able to excite the characteristic peaks of the Ge or SiGe in the Raman spectrum; instead the Si second order spectrum of the substrate appears and it can be misinterpreted by attributing it to the Ge–Ge band associated with the nanocrystals. In this work, the use of UV excitation has been demonstrated to enhance the sensitivity respect to the conventional visible excitation, allowing the characteristic peaks of the Ge or SiGe nanocrystals to appear in the spectrum. We attributed this effect to the resonance effects

Raman Spectroscopy of group IV nanostructured semiconductors: influence of size, temperature and stress.

Group IV nanostructures have attracted a great deal of attention because of their potential applications in optoelectronics and nanodevices. Raman spectroscopy has been extensively used to characterize nanostructures since it provides non destructive information about their size, by the adequate modeling of the phonon confinement effect. However, the Raman spectrum is also sensitive to other factors, as stress and temperature, which can mix with the size effects borrowing the interpretation of the Raman spectrum. We present herein an analysis of the Raman spectra obtained for Si nanowires; the influence of the excitation conditions and the heat dissipation media are discussed in order to optimize the experimental conditions for reliable spectra acquisition and interpretation

Galanin (1-15) enhances the effects of Fluoxetine in an animal model of depression. Role of the 5-HT1A receptor.

Major depression is one of the most significant contributors to global disability. Selective serotoninergicreuptake inhibitors, including Fluoxetine (FLX), are the most commonly used antidepressant but are onlyeffective in 50% of patients. In recent studies, we observed that the N-terminal fragment of Galanin [GAL(1-15)]enhanced the antidepressant effects of FLX in naïve rodents. In this study, we analyzed the effect of GAL(1-15) in combination with FLX in an animal model of depression,the olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) rat, in the forced swimming test (FST) and the sucrose preference test (SPT)tests, related with despair and anhedonic behaviors. We also studied the role of the hippocampal 5-HT1AR inGAL(1-15)-enhancing effects using quantitative autoradiographic techniques. Groups of rats (n=7-9) received a subchronic pattern of FLX(10mg/Kg) alone or in combination with GAL(1-15)(1nmol) 15 min before the tests. Then, brains were removed, and coronal sections were obtained at the dorsalhippocampus. Saturation experiments were performed using [3H]-8-OH-DPAT. One-way ANOVA followed byFisher ́ s least significant difference test was used. Our results show that GAL(1-15)+FLX induced a decrease in the immobility time (p<0.05) and an increase inswimming by 30% (p<0.01) compared with FLX in the FST. In the SPT, only the combination of GAL(1-15)+FLXcould reverse the anhedonic behavior of OBX rats, increasing the sucrose intake (p<0.05) and preference(p<0.05). The combination of GAL(1-15)+FLX decreases the Kd and increases the Bmax value of 5-HT1A (p<0,05) in DGcompared with FLX in OBX animals. In conclusion, combining GAL(1-15)+FLX suggests a new augmentation strategy for treating depression.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Relationships between Physical Activity Level and Pain in the Spanish Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

One third of the world’s population suffers from some form of pain. Physical inactivity is one of the causes that reduces physical fitness and may lead to an increase in the prevalence of pain in the population. Aims. To analyse the relationships between the level of physical activity (PAL) and the prevalence and degree of pain, the limitations and impact of pain on daily activities and the use of pain medication in the Spanish population. Hypothesis. PAL is related to pain among Spaniards. Methodology. A cross-sectional study design was used, based on data obtained from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 with 17,777 participants. A descriptive analysis was performed. Nonparametric statistical tests were used: chi-square statistic to analyse intergroup differences in ordinal variables; Mann−Whitney U test to analyse intergroup differences in continuous variables. A correlation study was also performed between the variables of interest, using Spearman’s rho. Results. Relationships were found between PAL and: prevalence of pain, degree of pain, limitations due to pain in usual activities, level of impact in daily activities and use of pain medication in the Spanish population (p < 0.001). Performing moderate and intense PA was related to lower prevalence and degree of pain in the population that performed it, compared to those who only walked or were inactive. Weak correlations were found between the level of PA and the study variables (p < 0.001). Conclusions. High PALs in the population are related to better indicators of pain among Spaniards, appearing to reduce the prevalence and degree of pain, as well as the limitations and impact caused by pain in the daily activities of citizens, and could reduce the use of pain medication in the adult Spanish population.This research was funded by “Ayudas para la Realización de Actividades de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, de Divulgación y de Transferencia de Conocimiento por los Grupos de Investigación de Extremadura 2021”; Financed by the Junta de Extremadura and the European Social Fund. Grant number 2021/00461/001

Galanin N-terminal fragment (1-15) reduces alcohol consumption in the self-administration with involvement of mesocorticolimbic system in rats.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent disorder characterized by an impaired ability tostop or control alcohol use despite the adverse consequences. Nowadays, AUD treatment is limiteddue to the low efficacy of the medication. Our research group discovered that GAL(1–15) induces asubstantial reduction in preference and voluntary alcohol consumption in rats. To investigate therole of GAL(1-15) in alcohol seeking-behaviour, we used the self-administration in rats. Also, weanalyzed the mesocorticolimbic system on the mRNA expression. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=6-15 animals in each group) were trained to self-administer 10%alcohol under fixed-ratio FR1 in the self-administration boxes. GAL(1-15) or vehicle wereadministered intracerebroventricular 15 min before the test. A dose-response of GAL(1-15) at doses0.3, 1 and 3nmol was performed in the alcohol self-administration test. GALR1 and GALR2 wereanalyzed with GALR2 antagonist M871 and using an in vivo model siRNA GALR1 or GALR2knockdown rats. We analyzed mRNA expression of C-Fos in the ventral tegmental area (VTA),accumbens nucleus (NAc) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). One-way ANOVA followed by Fisher´s leastsignificant difference test was used. GAL(1-15) 3nmol reduced the number of reinforcements and the active lever (p<0.01) comparedwith control animals. GAL(1-15) 1nmol induced a less strong but significant reduction in thisparameters.The M871 3nmol blocked the GAL(1-15)-induced reduction in the number ofreinforcements and in the number of active lever (p<0.05). Downregulation of GALR1 or GALR2 bysiRNA was sufficient to block GAL(1-15) effects in this test.GAL(1-15) 3nmol increased mRNA C-Foslevels in VTA (p<0.01), NAc (p<0.05) and PFC(p<0.05) compared with control group. Our results indicate that GAL(1-15) induces a strong reduction of alcohol-seeking behaviour withthe involvement of the mesocorticolimbic pathway and open up the possibility of using GAL(1-15)fragment as a novel pharmacological strategy in AUDUniversidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

New augmentation strategy in depression: Galanin (1-15) enhances the behavioral effects of Fluoxetine in the olfactory bulbectomy rat.

Major depression is the largest contributor to global disability by years lived with disability. Selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors, including fluoxetine (FLX), are the most commonly used antidepressant for the treatment of major depression. However, they are effective for remission in only 30% of patients. Recently, we observed that the N-terminal fragment of Galanin [GAL(1-15)] enhanced the antidepressant effects of FLX in naïve animals. In this work, we have analyzed in an animal model of depression, the olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) rats, the effect of GAL(1-15) on FLX-mediated responses in the forced swimming test (FST) and the sucrose preference test (SPT), tests related with despair and anhedonic behaviours. We have also studied the corticosterone levels in OBX rats after the coadministration of GAL(1-15)+FLX. Groups of rats received a subchronic pattern of FLX(10mg/Kg) alone or in combination with GAL(1-15)(1nmol)15min before the tests. Blood samples for corticosterone assay were collected 1h after the treatments. One-way ANOVA followed by Fisher ́s least significant difference test was used. Our results show that GAL(1-15) decreases the immobility time by 50% (p<0.05) and increases the swimming time by 30% (p<0.01) compared with FLX in the FST, and in the SPT reversed the effects of the OBX procedure increasing the sucrose intake (p<0.05) and preference (p<0.05). The coadministration of GAL(1-15)(1nmol)+FLX(10mg/kg) also reduced the OBX-increased corticosterone levels by approximately 50% (p<0.05). In conclusion, these novelty results suggest using GAL(1-15) in combination with FLX as a novel strategy fortreating depression.Supported by Spanish Ministry of Economy PID2020-114392RB-I00, PDC2021-121566-I00; Junta de Andalucia P20_00026, PI-0083-2019 and UMA18-FEDERJA-008. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec