Comparative SERS Activity of Homometallic and Bimetallic Core-Satellite Assemblies.

The fabrication of core-satellite (CS) assemblies offers a versatile strategy for tailoring the optical properties of plasmonic nanomaterials. In addition to key factors like size, shape, and spatial arrangement of individual components, the combination of plasmonic units with different compositions (e.g., gold and silver) has been demonstrated to produce materials with enhanced properties and functionalities applicable across a range of fields. Notably, several CS assembly variants have emerged as promising substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). In this study, we address a gap in the knowledge by conducting a systematic cross-comparison of the optical and SERS properties of highly bright homo- and bimetallic CS assemblies. We evaluated the SERS efficiencies of these different superstructures across various excitation wavelengths and supported our findings with numerical simulations. The insights gained from this study offer a valuable foundation for researchers seeking to select and optimize the most suitable CS assemblies for their given SERS application.

Error analysis of self-compensated ultrasound measurements of the thickness loss due to corrosion in pipe walls.

The ultrasonic pulse-echo technique is widely employed to measure the wall thickness reduction due to corrosion in pipelines. Ultrasonic monitoring is noninvasive and can be performed online to evaluate the structural health of pipelines. Although ultrasound is a robust technique, it presents two main difficulties arising from the temperature variation in the medium being monitored: the mechanical assembly must have high stability and the ultrasonic propagation velocity must take into account the temperature variation. In this paper, a detailed strategy is presented to compensate for changes in the propagation velocity whenever the temperature changes. The method is considered self-compensated because the calibration data is obtained from the ultrasonic signals captured using the pipe under evaluation. The analysis of systematic errors in the temperature compensation is presented, first considering that a reference initial pipe thickness is given, and second when a reference sound velocity is given. The technique was evaluated under laboratory conditions using a closed loop with accelerated corrosion through the use of continuous flow saline water containing sand. In this test, the ultrasonic results were compared with the traditional coupon method used to determine corrosion loss. The results show that the self-compensated method was able to compensate for temperature fluctuations, and the total thickness loss measured by the ultrasound technique was close to the value measured by the coupons. Finally, the measurement system was tested in a production pipeline exposed to sunlight. The results show that the self-compensated method can reduce the oscillations in the thickness loss readings, caused by temperature swings, but large temperature variations cannot be completely compensated for. This experiment also shows the effects of low mechanical stability, which caused completely invalid results.

Enhanced optical vector bottle beams with obscured nodal surfaces.

Optical bottle beams, characterized by their unique three-dimensional dark core, have garnered substantial interest due to their potential applications across multiple domains of science and technology. This paper delves into the current methods used to create these beams and provides a method to obscure their nodal planes through coaxial non-interfering orthogonally polarized beams to generate bottle beams with enhanced uniformity. Experimental and theoretical results show the enhanced vector bottle beam maintains a smaller, more spherically uniform potential well and interesting quasi-particle polarization characteristics.

Angiographic and clinical outcomes from 396 aneurysms treated with the pipeline flex embolization device with shield technology.

BACKGROUND: The PEDESTRIAN registry demonstrated high rates of complete long-term occlusion and good clinical outcomes among patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with the pipeline embolization device. The pipeline flex embolization device with shield technology was introduced to minimize thromboembolic complications. In this study, we investigated the safety and effectiveness of pipeline embolization device with shield technology among all patients treated for intracranial aneurysms at our center. METHODS: This was a single-arm retrospective study of prospectively collected data of patients treated with pipeline embolization device with shield technology at our high-volume center between January 2018-January 2021. The primary efficacy endpoint was complete occlusion as measured by a class 1 Raymond-Roy score at 1-year and 2-year follow-up. The primary safety endpoint was major morbidity and neurological mortality up to 1 year following intervention. RESULTS: A total of 328 patients (mean age 56.1 ± 14.7 years; 81.1% female), 80 of whom were previously included in PEDESTRIAN, with 396 aneurysms, were analyzed. A total of 378 devices were deployed, with 93.9% (372/396) of aneurysms requiring only one device. Follow-up angiography was available for 90.2% (296/328) of the procedures after a mean time of 14.0 ± 8.2 months. Complete occlusion was demonstrated for 78.5% (132/168) of aneurysms at 12 months and 90.7% (98/108) at 24 months. The overall rates of major morbidity and neurological mortality after 2 years were 1.5% (5/328) and 0.6% (2/328), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate high rates of complete long-term occlusion among patients treated with pipeline embolization device with shield technology. We also observed low rates of mortality and morbidity consistent with fewer thromboembolic complications with pipeline embolization devices with shield technology.

A maternal dorsoventral prepattern revealed by an asymmetric distribution of ventralizing molecules before fertilization in Xenopus laevis.

The establishment of the embryonic dorsoventral axis in Xenopus occurs when the radial symmetry around the egg's animal-vegetal axis is broken to give rise to the typical symmetry of Bilaterians. We have previously shown that the Notch1 protein is ventrally enriched during early embryogenesis in Xenopus laevis and zebrafish and exerts ventralizing activity through ß-Catenin destabilization and the positive regulation of ventral center genes in X. laevis. These findings led us to further investigate when these asymmetries arise. In this work, we show that the asymmetrical distribution of Notch1 protein and mRNA precedes cortical rotation and even fertilization in X. laevis. Moreover, we found that in unfertilized eggs transcripts encoded by the ventralizing gene bmp4 are also asymmetrically distributed in the animal hemisphere and notch1 transcripts accumulate consistently on the same side of the eccentric maturation point. Strikingly, a Notch1 asymmetry orthogonal to the animal-vegetal axis appears during X. laevis oogenesis. Thus, we show for the first time a maternal bias in the distribution of molecules that are later involved in ventral patterning during embryonic axialization, strongly supporting the hypothesis of a dorsoventral prepattern or intrinsic bilaterality of Xenopus eggs before fertilization.

Amorphous-Like Ultralow Thermal Transport in Crystalline Argyrodite Cu7PS6.

Due to their amorphous-like ultralow lattice thermal conductivity both below and above the superionic phase transition, crystalline Cu- and Ag-based superionic argyrodites have garnered widespread attention as promising thermoelectric materials. However, despite their intriguing properties, quantifying their lattice thermal conductivities and a comprehensive understanding of the microscopic dynamics that drive these extraordinary properties are still lacking. Here, an integrated experimental and theoretical approach is adopted to reveal the presence of Cu-dominated low-energy optical phonons in the Cu-based argyrodite Cu7PS6. These phonons yield strong acoustic-optical phonon scattering through avoided crossing, enabling ultralow lattice thermal conductivity. The Unified Theory of thermal transport is employed to analyze heat conduction and successfully reproduce the experimental amorphous-like ultralow lattice thermal conductivities, ranging from 0.43 to 0.58 W m-1 K-1, in the temperature range of 100-400 K. The study reveals that the amorphous-like ultralow thermal conductivity of Cu7PS6 stems from a significantly dominant wave-like conduction mechanism. Moreover, the simulations elucidate the wave-like thermal transport mainly results from the contribution of Cu-associated low-energy overlapping optical phonons. This study highlights the crucial role of low-energy and overlapping optical modes in facilitating amorphous-like ultralow thermal transport, providing a thorough understanding of the underlying complex dynamics of argyrodites.

Elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis receives less aggressive therapies than young-onset rheumatoid arthritis in an Argentinian cohort.

OBJECTIVES: When rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starts after the age of 60 it is called elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) and when it starts earlier, young-onset rheumatoid arthritis. (YORA). There are few Latin American studies that compared both groups. The objective of the study was to evaluate differences in the clinical characteristics, evolution and treatment among patients with RA with onset before or after 60 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational study of patients with RA attended consecutively in four centers in Argentina. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, clinical manifestations at diagnosis, presence of rheumatoid factor and/or anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) and treatments received were collected. At the last visit, swollen and tender joints, assessment of disease activity by the patient and physician, the presence of radiographic erosions, and functional status using the HAQ-DI were recorded. RESULTS: 51 patients from each group were analyzed. The EORA group had a significantly higher proportion of smokers (58.8% vs. 35.3%, p = 0.029), cardiovascular history (54.9% vs. 21.6%, p = 0.001), abrupt onset (49% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.034) or with symptoms similar to PMR (19.6% vs. 0%, p = 0.001). Lower methotrexate doses were used in the EORA group: 19 mg (15-25) vs. 21.9 mg (20-25) (p = 0.0036) and more frequently did not receive bDMARDs or tsDMARDs. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of intensive treatment in patients with RA have been described. In this study, the use of DMARDs in the EORA group was less intensive, suggesting that advanced age constitutes a barrier in the therapeutic choice.

Socio-environmental factors contributing to the high incidence of COVID-19 in a border city in northern Uruguay / Factores socioambientales que contribuyen a alta incidencia de COVID-19 en ciudad fronteriza del norte de Uruguay / Fatores socioambientais que contribuem para alta incidência de COVID-19 em cidade fronteiriça no norte do Uruguai

Background and Objectives: the present study was conducted in the city of Rivera, situated in northern Uruguay on the border with Brazil. The disease initially progressed slowly in 2020, with subsequent outbreaks followed by a rapid increase in incidence. The objective was to explore the relationship between the spatial distribution of COVID-19 cases in a binational city and variables such as socioeconomic status, population density, and mobility patterns, with the aim of informing public policies. Methods: an exploratory study was conducted between August 2020 and January 2021 using data obtained from the Ministry of Health. The explanatory variables considered included population density, socioeconomic level, and mobility. Three distinct periods from 2020 to 2021 were identified. Spatial autocorrelation was analyzed using Moran's Index and the Gi* statistic (Getis & Ord). Hierarchical cluster analysis was employed to identify homogeneous groups of census segments. Results: a total of 1,846 cases were georeferenced. Through hierarchical cluster analysis, seven homogeneous groups were identified. Mobility was found to explain the incidence of cases among the high socioeconomic level group, while population density accounted for the differences observed in the low socioeconomic group. Conclusion: in this city, priority should be given to populations residing in areas with higher population density and greater mobility. This small-scale territorial analysis provides valuable information for developing localized policies aimed at addressing health crises.(AU)

Justificación y Objetivos: el estudio se realizó en la ciudad de Rivera, situada en el norte del país en la frontera con Brasil. La enfermedad progresó lentamente durante 2020, con brotes posteriores seguidos de un rápido aumento de la incidencia. El objetivo fue explorar la relación entre la distribución espacial de los casos de COVID-19 en una ciudad binacional y variables como nivel socioeconómico, densidad poblacional y patrones de movilidad, con el objetivo de informar políticas públicas. Métodos: se realizó un estudio exploratorio entre agosto 2020 y enero 2021 con datos del Ministerio de Salud, considerando semanas epidemiológicas. Las variables explicativas consideradas fueron densidad poblacional, nivel socioeconómico y movilidad. Se identificaron tres periodos temporales desde agosto 2020 hasta enero 2021. Se analizo la autocorrelación espacial empleando el Índice de Moran y estadística Gi* (Getis & Ord). Mediante el análisis de cluster jerárquico, fue posible identificar grupos homogéneos de segmentos censales. Resultados: se georreferenciaron un total de 1.846 casos. Mediante análisis de cluster jerárquico, se identificaron siete grupos homogéneos. Para el nivel alto socioeconómico, la movilidad es el factor explicativo de una mayor incidencia de casos. Mientras que, para para el grupo de nivel bajo, la densidad de la población fue el factor explicativo de las diferencias en la presentación de la enfermedad. Conclusión: la población a ser priorizada en esta ciudad corresponde a aquellas zonas con mayor densidad poblacional y donde se incrementa la movilidad. El análisis territorial a pequeña escala genera información para la construcción de política local, ante una crisis sanitaria, que la hace más eficaz.(AU)

Justificativa e Objetivos: o presente estudo foi realizado na cidade de Rivera, localizada no norte do Uruguai, na fronteira com o Brasil. A doença progrediu lentamente durante 2020, com surtos subsequentes seguidos por um rápido aumento na incidência. O objetivo foi explorar a relação entre a distribuição espacial dos casos de COVID-19 em uma cidade binacional e variáveis como nível socioeconômico, densidade populacional e padrões de mobilidade, com o objetivo de informar políticas públicas. Métodos: estudo exploratório foi realizado entre agosto de 2020 e janeiro de 2021 com dados do Ministério da Saúde. As variáveis explicativas incluíram densidade populacional, nível socioeconômico e mobilidade. Três períodos distintos de 2020 a 2021 foram identificados. Autocorrelação espacial foi analisada com o Índice de Moran e a estatística Gi* (Getis & Ord). Utilizando a análise de cluster hierárquico, foi possível identificar grupos homogêneos de segmentos censitários. Resultados: um total de 1.846 casos foi georreferenciado. Através da análise de cluster hierárquico, sete grupos homogêneos foram identificados. A mobilidade foi encontrada como explicativa para a incidência de casos no grupo de alto nível socioeconômico, enquanto a densidade populacional explicou as diferenças observadas no grupo de baixo nível socioeconômico. Conclusão: nessa cidade, as populações a serem priorizadas são aquelas que residem em áreas com maior densidade populacional e maior mobilidade. Essa análise territorial em pequena escala fornece informações valiosas para o desenvolvimento de políticas locais destinadas a lidar com crises de saúde.(AU)

On-Chip Micro Temperature Controllers Based on Freestanding Thermoelectric Nano Films for Low-Power Electronics.

Multidimensional integration and multifunctional component assembly have been greatly explored in recent years to extend Moore's Law of modern microelectronics. However, this inevitably exacerbates the inhomogeneity of temperature distribution in microsystems, making precise temperature control for electronic components extremely challenging. Herein, we report an on-chip micro temperature controller including a pair of thermoelectric legs with a total area of 50 × 50 µm2, which are fabricated from dense and flat freestanding Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric nano films deposited on a newly developed nano graphene oxide membrane substrate. Its tunable equivalent thermal resistance is controlled by electrical currents to achieve energy-efficient temperature control for low-power electronics. A large cooling temperature difference of 44.5 K at 380 K is achieved with a power consumption of only 445 µW, resulting in an ultrahigh temperature control capability over 100 K mW-1. Moreover, an ultra-fast cooling rate exceeding 2000 K s-1 and excellent reliability of up to 1 million cycles are observed. Our proposed on-chip temperature controller is expected to enable further miniaturization and multifunctional integration on a single chip for microelectronics.

MINI-AC: inference of plant gene regulatory networks using bulk or single-cell accessible chromatin profiles.

Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) represent the interactions between transcription factors (TF) and their target genes. Plant GRNs control transcriptional programs involved in growth, development, and stress responses, ultimately affecting diverse agricultural traits. While recent developments in accessible chromatin (AC) profiling technologies make it possible to identify context-specific regulatory DNA, learning the underlying GRNs remains a major challenge. We developed MINI-AC (Motif-Informed Network Inference based on Accessible Chromatin), a method that combines AC data from bulk or single-cell experiments with TF binding site (TFBS) information to learn GRNs in plants. We benchmarked MINI-AC using bulk AC datasets from different Arabidopsis thaliana tissues and showed that it outperforms other methods to identify correct TFBS. In maize, a crop with a complex genome and abundant distal AC regions, MINI-AC successfully inferred leaf GRNs with experimentally confirmed, both proximal and distal, TF-target gene interactions. Furthermore, we showed that both AC regions and footprints are valid alternatives to infer AC-based GRNs with MINI-AC. Finally, we combined MINI-AC predictions from bulk and single-cell AC datasets to identify general and cell-type specific maize leaf regulators. Focusing on C4 metabolism, we identified diverse regulatory interactions in specialized cell types for this photosynthetic pathway. MINI-AC represents a powerful tool for inferring accurate AC-derived GRNs in plants and identifying known and novel candidate regulators, improving our understanding of gene regulation in plants.

Supervivencia a los cinco años de pacientes operadas de cáncer de mama en Cienfuegos

Introducción: El cáncer de mama, según la Organización Mundial de la Salud, ha pasado a ser el más diagnosticado en el mundo, superando incluso al de pulmón. Cuba presenta altas tasas de incidencia y mortalidad de este tipo de cáncer. Para afrontar esta situación, su sistema público de salud ha implementado un programa nacional de detección precoz y tratamiento instaurado cuyo objetivo fundamental es lograr una mayor supervivencia de las pacientes. Objetivo: Determinar la supervivencia a los 5 años de las pacientes operadas de cáncer de mama en la provincia de Cienfuegos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de supervivencia a 5 años de los casos operados de cáncer de mama en el trienio 2013-2015, el cual se desarrolló mediante el método límite del producto de Kaplan-Meier a través del cálculo de supervivencia expuesto mediante tablas y gráficos. El universo estuvo constituido por todas las pacientes operadas en ese trienio. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, color de la piel, mama afectada, localización, tipo histológico, técnica quirúrgica, grado de reintegración social y estado a los 5 años de operadas. Resultados: Sobrevivieron más las pacientes de 50-70 años, con tumor en mama izquierda, localizado en cuadrante inferior interno, con tipo histológico carcinoma ductal infiltrante, y las que fueron objeto de mastectomías radicales. Conclusiones: El 77,3 % de los pacientes estudiados reportaron una supervivencia a los 5 años. Ese porcentaje es comparable al informado en los países altamente desarrollados. Este resultado se asocia mayormente al diagnóstico en etapas tempranas de la enfermedad y a la aplicación de la cirugía radical.

Introduction: Breast cancer, according to the World Health Organization, has become the most diagnosed cancer in the world, surpassing even lung cancer. Cuba has high incidence and mortality rates of this type of cancer. To address this situation, its public health system has implemented a national program for early detection and treatment whose main objective is to achieve greater survival of such patients. Objective: To determine the 5-year survival of patients operated on for breast cancer in the province of Cienfuegos. Methods: A study was carried out of the 5-year survival in patients operated on for breast cancer in the triennium 2013-2015, developed using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method through calculation of survival exposed by means of tables and graphs. The universe was made up of all the patients operated on in that triennium. The variables studied were age, sex, skin color, affected breast, location, histological type, surgical technique, degree of social reintegration and status 5-years after surgery. Results: The highest survival was observed among the patients aged 50-70 years, with tumor in the left breast and located in the lower inner quadrant, of histological type of an infiltrating ductal carcinoma, and those who underwent radical mastectomies. Conclusions: 77.3% of the studied patients reported 5-year survival. This percentage is comparable to that reported in highly developed countries. This result is mostly associated to diagnosis in early stages of the disease and to the application of radical surgery.

Tratamiento laparoscópico de hernia crural estrangulada / Laparoscopic treatment of strangulated femoral hernia / Tratamento laparoscópico de hérnia femoral estrangulada

La patología herniaria es una de las más frecuentes en la práctica quirúrgica. La hernia crural es más frecuente en el sexo femenino y una de las que presenta más índice de estrangulación dado el anillo herniario estrecho. En la actualidad la vía laparoscópica es una opción para la resolución en urgencias.

Impacto de la inteligencia artificial en las métricas terapéuticas del ataque cerebrovascular durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Impact of artificial intelligence on therapeutic metrics of cerebrovascular attack during the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumen Introducción : El inicio de la pandemia COVID-19, obligó a implementar cambios en el sistema de aten ción de los servicios de emergencia. Coincidentemente, en nuestra institución, implementamos el software de inteligencia artificial (IA), RAPID.AI, para el análisis de imágenes en el ataque cerebrovascular isquémico (ACVi). Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar el impacto del uso de la IA junto a los cambios en el triage durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en pacientes con ACVi por oclusión de gran vaso cerebral (OGVC). Métodos : Se crearon 2 grupos de pacientes con ACVi por OGVC tratados con terapia de reperfusión endovenosa más endovascular o terapia endovascu lar directa. Grupo 1: pacientes de enero 2019 a junio 2020; Grupo 2: pacientes de julio 2020 a diciembre de 2021, estudiados con RAPID.AI. Se analizaron datos clínicos, y métricas temporales. Se compararon según hora de arribo de 08:00 a 20:00 h (diurno) vs. 20:01 a 7:59 h (nocturno). Resultados : El grupo 1 comprendió 153 pacientes y el grupo 2 133. En el grupo 2 la métrica puerta-imagen y adquisición de la imagen fueron menores, con menor tiempo puerta-inicio de imagen y puerta-recanalización; los pacientes en horario nocturno presentaron mayor NIHSS y tiempos inicio-ingreso con menor proporción de independencia funcional a 90 días. Conclusiones : El uso de la IA para el análisis de imá genes junto a un menor tiempo puerta-fin de imagen, permitió acortar el intervalo hasta la punción inguinal. En el análisis por horarios durante la pandemia, los pacientes ingresados en horario diurno presentaron métricas puerta-imagen, tiempo de imagen y puerta-recanalización significativamente menores.

Abstract Introduction : The start of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the implementation of changes in the emergency services care system. Concomitantly, at our institution, we implemented the artificial intelligence (AI) software, RAPID.AI, for image analysis in ischemic stroke (IS). Our objective was to evaluate the impact of the use of AI together with the changes in the triage during the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). Methods : We included patients with IS due to LVO treated with intravenous reperfusion therapy plus en dovascular or direct endovascular therapy. Results : Two groups were created. Group 1: patients from January 2019 to June 2020; Group 2: patients from July 2020 to December 2021, studied with RAPID.AI. Clini cal data and temporal metrics were analyzed. They were compared according to arrival time from 08:00 to 20:00 (daytime) vs 20:01 to 7:59 (night). Results: We included 286 patients, 153 in group 1 and 133 in group 2. In group 2, door-image metric and image duration were lower, with shorter door-image onset and door-recanalization times; patients who arrived at night had higher NIHSS and longer time from onset-to-door with lower propor tion of functional independence at 90 days (mRS ≤ 2). Conclusions : The use of AI for image analysis along with a shorter door to end of image time allowed to reduce the interval to groin puncture. In the analysis by hours during the pandemic, patients admitted in daytime hours had significantly lower door to image, image time acquisition, and door to recanalization metrics.

[Impact of artificial intelligence on therapeutic metrics of cerebrovascular attack during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Impacto de la inteligencia artificial en las métricas terapéuticas del ataque cerebrovascular durante la pandemia COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The start of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the implementation of changes in the emergency services care system. Concomitantly, at our institution, we implemented the artificial intelligence (AI) software, RAPID.AI, for image analysis in ischemic stroke (IS). Our objective was to evaluate the impact of the use of AI together with the changes in the triage during the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). METHODS: We included patients with IS due to LVO treated with intravenous reperfusion therapy plus endovascular or direct endovascular therapy. RESULTS: Two groups were created. Group 1: patients from January 2019 to June 2020; Group 2: patients from July 2020 to December 2021, studied with RAPID.AI. Clinical data and temporal metrics were analyzed. They were compared according to arrival time from 08:00 to 20:00 (daytime) vs 20:01 to 7:59 (night). RESULTS: We included 286 patients, 153 in group 1 and 133 in group 2. In group 2, door-image metric and image duration were lower, with shorter door-image onset and door-recanalization times; patients who arrived at night had higher NIHSS and longer time from onset-to-door with lower proportion of functional independence at 90 days (mRS = 2). CONCLUSIONS: The use of AI for image analysis along with a shorter door to end of image time allowed to reduce the interval to groin puncture. In the analysis by hours during the pandemic, patients admitted in daytime hours had significantly lower door to image, image time acquisition, and door to recanalization metrics.

Introducción: El inicio de la pandemia COVID-19, obligó a implementar cambios en el sistema de atención de los servicios de emergencia. Coincidentemente, en nuestra institución, implementamos el software de inteligencia artificial (IA), RAPID.AI, para el análisis de imágenes en el ataque cerebrovascular isquémico (ACVi). Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar el impacto del uso de la IA junto a los cambios en el triage durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en pacientes con ACVi por oclusión de gran vaso cerebral (OGVC). Métodos: Se crearon 2 grupos de pacientes con ACVi por OGVC tratados con terapia de reperfusión endovenosa más endovascular o terapia endovascular directa. Grupo 1: pacientes de enero 2019 a junio 2020; Grupo 2: pacientes de julio 2020 a diciembre de 2021, estudiados con RAPID.AI. Se analizaron datos clínicos, y métricas temporales. Se compararon según hora de arribo de 08:00 a 20:00 h (diurno) vs. 20:01 a 7:59 h (nocturno). Resultados: El grupo 1 comprendió 153 pacientes y el grupo 2 133. En el grupo 2 la métrica puerta-imagen y adquisición de la imagen fueron menores, con menor tiempo puerta-inicio de imagen y puerta-recanalización; los pacientes en horario nocturno presentaron mayor NIHSS y tiempos inicio-ingreso con menor proporción de independencia funcional a 90 días. Conclusiones: El uso de la IA para el análisis de imágenes junto a un menor tiempo puerta-fin de imagen, permitió acortar el intervalo hasta la punción inguinal. En el análisis por horarios durante la pandemia, los pacientes ingresados en horario diurno presentaron métricas puerta-imagen, tiempo de imagen y puertarecanalización significativamente menores.

Prediction of Transcription Factor Regulators and Gene Regulatory Networks in Tomato Using Binding Site Information.

Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) represent the regulatory links between transcription factors (TF) and their target genes. In plants, they are essential to understand transcriptional programs that control important agricultural traits such as yield or (a)biotic stress response. Although several high- and low-throughput experimental methods have been developed to map GRNs in plants, these are sometimes expensive, come with laborious protocols, and are not always optimized for tomato, one of the most important horticultural crops worldwide. In this chapter, we present a computational method that covers two protocols: one protocol to map gene identifiers between two different tomato genome assemblies, and another protocol to predict putative regulators and delineate GRNs given a set of functionally related or coregulated genes by exploiting publicly available TF-binding information. As an example, we applied the motif enrichment protocol on tomato using upregulated genes in response to jasmonate, as well as upregulated and downregulated genes in plants with genotypes OENAM1 and nam1, respectively. We found that our protocol accurately infers the expected TFs as top enriched regulators and identifies GRNs functionally enriched in biological processes related with the experimental context under study.

Localization and Directionality of Surface Transport in Bi2Te3 Ordered 3D Nanonetworks.

The resistance of an ordered 3D-Bi2Te3 nanowire nanonetwork was studied at low temperatures. Below 50 K the increase in resistance was found to be compatible with the Anderson model for localization, considering that conduction takes place in individual parallel channels across the whole sample. Angle-dependent magnetoresistance measurements showed a distinctive weak antilocalization characteristic with a double feature that we could associate with transport along two perpendicular directions, dictated by the spatial arrangement of the nanowires. The coherence length obtained from the Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka model was about 700 nm across transversal nanowires, which corresponded to approximately 10 nanowire junctions. Along the individual nanowires, the coherence length was greatly reduced to about 100 nm. The observed localization effects could be the reason for the enhancement of the Seebeck coefficient observed in the 3D-Bi2Te3 nanowire nanonetwork compared to individual nanowires.

Self-compensation methodology for ultrasonic thickness gauges.

There are many causes for the reduction of the thickness in pipelines, tanks and other mechanical structures. Corrosion, erosion, and abrasive wear cause degradation of mechanical structures and decrease their lifespan. These can be very slow processes that are difficult to track over time. Thickness gauging monitoring is commonly used as a way of preventive maintenance. The pulse-echo ultrasound can be a suitable technique to measure the thickness diminution in industrial facilities. Although ultrasound is considered a robust technique, in this particular application it presents two main difficulties: the mechanical stability of the assembly and the variation of the ultrasonic speed over time. Both mechanical assembly and acoustic propagation speed are strongly influenced by the temperature. In this paper, the implementation of a methodology that compensates for the temperature influences on the ultrasonic speed and the mechanical assembly is presented. The methodology can be applied in metallic structures to evaluate corrosion over long time periods. The temperature compensation data is obtained from the analysis of the ultrasonic signals. In this sense, the method can be called self-compensated. As initial data for the determination of thickness changes, the ultrasonic speed in the material at a reference temperature must be known. All results are evaluated at this temperature. An analysis of the uncertainty sources and limitations of the methodology is also included. To show the experimental application of the proposed technique, a rigid sample was designed in order to avoid mechanical instability. The results show that the methodology can compensate for the temperature, detecting a thickness reduction in the order of a few micrometers.

Transcription factors KANADI 1, MYB DOMAIN PROTEIN 44, and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 regulate long intergenic noncoding RNAs expressed in Arabidopsis roots.

Thousands of long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been identified in plant genomes. While some lincRNAs have been characterized as important regulators in different biological processes, little is known about the transcriptional regulation for most plant lincRNAs. Through the integration of 8 annotation resources, we defined 6,599 high-confidence lincRNA loci in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). For lincRNAs belonging to different evolutionary age categories, we identified major differences in sequence and chromatin features, as well as in the level of conservation and purifying selection acting during evolution. Spatiotemporal gene expression profiles combined with transcription factor (TF) chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) data were used to construct a TF-lincRNA regulatory network containing 2,659 lincRNAs and 15,686 interactions. We found that properties characterizing lincRNA expression, conservation, and regulation differ between plants and animals. Experimental validation confirmed the role of 3 TFs, KANADI 1, MYB DOMAIN PROTEIN 44, and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4, as key regulators controlling root-specific lincRNA expression, demonstrating the predictive power of our network. Furthermore, we identified 58 lincRNAs, regulated by these TFs, showing strong root cell type-specific expression or chromatin accessibility, which are linked with genome-wide association studies genetic associations related to root system development and growth. The multilevel genome-wide characterization covering chromatin state information, promoter conservation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation-based TF binding, for all detectable lincRNAs across 769 expression samples, permits rapidly defining the biological context and relevance of Arabidopsis lincRNAs through regulatory networks.

Presbycusis and balance disorders in the elderly. Bibliographical review of ethiopathogenic aspects, consequences on quality of life and positive effects of its treatment.

At this time, we still do not have adequate knowledge and awareness of the consequences of hearing loss in the elderly on quality of life. Similarly, there is also insufficient information on the relationship of presbycusis and balance disorders with other comorbidities. Such knowledge can contribute to improve both prevention and treatment of these pathologies, to reduce their impact on other areas such as cognition or autonomy, as well as to have more accurate information on the economic impact they generate in society and in the health system. Therefore, with this review article we aim to update the information on the type of hearing loss and balance disorders in people over 55 years of age, and their associated factors; to analyze the impact on the quality of life of these people and the one which can be generated at a personal and population level (both sociological and economic) if an early intervention in these patients is pursued.