Leveraging Generative AI Models in Urban Science.

Since the late 2000s, cities have emerged as the primary human habitat across the globe, and this trend is anticipated to continue strengthening in the coming decades. As we increasingly inhabit human-designed urban spaces, it becomes crucial to understanding better how these environments influence human behavior and how individuals perceive the city. In this chapter, we begin by examining the interplay between urban form and social behavior, highlighting key indicators of urban morphology, and presenting state-of-the-art methodologies for data collection. Subsequently, we harness the computational capability of foundation models, the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) generation, to simulate interactions between individuals and urban built environments in a diverse group of 21 cities across the globe. Through this exploration, we scrutinize the models' capacity to encapsulate the intricate complexities of how individuals behave and perceive cities. These examples demonstrate the potential of advanced AI systems to assist urban scientists in understanding cities, emphasizing the necessity for a meticulous evaluation of their capabilities and limitations for the optimal application of Generative AI in urban research and policymaking.

Programa de consulta electrónica universal (e-consulta) de un servicio de cardiología. Resultados a largo plazo / Universal electronic consultation (e-consultation) program of a cardiology service. Long-term results

Introducción y objetivos: Muchos sistemas sanitarios han iniciado programas de consulta electrónica, aunque poco se conoce de su impacto en acceso, seguridad y satisfacción. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el impacto clínico de la puesta en marcha de un modelo de atención ambulatoria que incluye una consulta electrónica (e-consulta) inicial comparándolo con un modelo presencial de acto único. Métodos: Se seleccionó a pacientes con al menos 1 consulta al servicio de cardiología entre 2010 y 2019. Mediante un modelo de regresión de series temporales interrumpidas, se analizó el impacto de la incorporación de la e-consulta en el modelo asistencial (iniciado en 2013), evaluando: tiempo de espera de la atención, asistencias a urgencias, ingresos hospitalarios y mortalidad. Resultados: Se analizó a 47.377 pacientes: el 61,9% de ellos atendidos incorporando la e-consulta y el 38,1% en el modelo de consulta presencial de acto único. La mediana [intervalo intercuartílico] de la demora a la atención en el modelo de e-consulta, 7 [5-13] días, fue menor que en el modelo presencial: 33 [14-81] días (p<0,001). El modelo de regresión para series temporales interrumpidas mostró que la incorporación de la e-consulta aporta una disminución muy importante en la demora de la atención, que se mantiene en torno a los 9 días, aunque con ligeras oscilaciones. Los pacientes valorados vía e-consulta tuvieron menos ingresos hospitalarios (el 0,9 frente al 1,2%; p=0,0017) y mortalidad (el 2,5 frente al 3,9%; p<0,001). Conclusiones: Un programa de atención ambulatoria que incluye una e-consulta ha mostrado importantes reducciones en los tiempos de espera y es un modelo seguro, con menores tasas de ingresos hospitalarios y mortalidad en el primer año (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Many health systems have initiated electronic consultation (e-consultation) programs, although little is known about their impact on accessibility, safety, and satisfaction. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical impact of the implementation of an outpatient care model that includes an initial e-consultation and to compare it with a one-time face-to-face consultation model. Methods: We selected patients who visited the cardiology service at least once between 2010 and 2019. Using an interrupted time series regression model, we analyzed the impact of incorporating e-consultation into the health care model (started in 2013), and evaluated waiting times, emergency services, hospital admissions, and mortality. Results: We analyzed 47 377 patients: 61.9% were attended in e-consultation and 38.1% in one-time face-to-face consultations. The waiting time for care was shorter in the e-consultation model (median [IQR]: 7 [5-13] days) than in the face-to-face model (median [IQR]: 33 [14-81] days), P<.001. The interrupted time series regression model showed that the introduction of e-consultation substantially decreased waiting times, which held steady at around 9 days, although with slight oscillations. Patients evaluated via e-consultation had fewer hospital admissions (0.9% vs 1.2%, P=.0017) and lower mortality (2.5% vs 3.9%, P<.001). Conclusions: An outpatient care program that includes an e-consultation reduced waiting times significantly and was safe, with a lower rate of hospital admissions and mortality in the first year (AU)

Acute impact of Nordic hamstring exercise on sprint performance after 24, 48 and 72 hours.

The Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) improves the strength of the hamstring muscles, as well as prevents and rehabilitates the injuries of said muscles. However, the eccentric demand of NHE may influence the athlete's performance, making compliance with these programmes difficult. The aim is to analyse the acute impact on sprint performance after the passing of 24, 48, and 72 hours respectively since an NHE-based session (4 sets of 10 repetitions) had taken place. Participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG) (n = 12 male participants) who carried out an NHE session and a measurement of their 30 m sprint performance in each of the three subsequent days, and a control group (CG) (n = 12 male participants) who did not take part in the NHE session. The results show a significant reduction of maximum power within 24 hours (t = 3.57, d = 0.22, P < .0273) as well of the production of high speed horizontal force up to after 48 hours (t = 4.82, d = 0.22, P < .0001) in the EG. These results may suggest separating weekly NHE sessions from competition or demanding training in which sprint performance should not be affected by at least 72 hours.

Loss of vision in a patient with major burn injury, including a review of the literature.

Vision loss is a rare complication due to decreased blood flow through the optic nerve, which has been described in certain groups of postoperative patients and as a major complication in polytraumatisms that need massive fluid resuscitation. However it has rarely been described in burned patients. We describe a patient with ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) as a major burn injury complication, focusing on his massive fluid resuscitation and hospital course and comparing it with previous case reports related to burn injuries in the literature. A 37-year-old male was admitted to the Burn Care Unit with an 85% total body surface burn injury caused by high temperature water vapour with traces of caustic soda. He underwent escharotomies the day of admission and sequential enzymatic and surgical debridement. An ophthalmological follow-up was conducted, with no fundoscopy alterations, and ION and vision loss was subsequently diagnosed. ION is an uncommon and currently irreversible condition, prevention therefore being the principal objective. Thus, minimization of risk factors such as anaemia, significant blood loss and massive fluid resuscitation, is advisable.

La perte de vision est une complication rare liée à un bas débit sanguin destiné au nerf optique, décrite en particulier en post opératoire et dans le cadre de polytraumatismes, après remplissage massif. Elle est toutefois peu décrite chez les brûlés. Nous décrivons ici une neuropathie optique ischémique compliquant une brûlure sévère. Nous nous attachons au remplissage massif initial et au séjour hospitalier et le comparons aux cas similaires préalablement rapportés. Un homme de 37 ans est admis pour une brûlure sur 85% SCT par ébouillantement d'eau additionnée de soude caustique (ça sent l'accident agro- alimentaire, NDRLF). Des incisions de décharge ont été initialement nécessaires puis le patient a bénéficié d'un débridement enzymatique. Une névrite optique ischémique, à fond d'oeil normal, a été mise en évidence. Cette complication, rare mais irréversible, doit donc être prévenue, en minimisant les facteurs de risque que sont l'anémie, l'hémorragie massive et le surremplissage.

FIMic: design for ultimate 3D-integral microscopy of in-vivo biological samples.

In this work, Fourier integral microscope (FIMic), an ultimate design of 3D-integral microscopy, is presented. By placing a multiplexing microlens array at the aperture stop of the microscope objective of the host microscope, FIMic shows extended depth of field and enhanced lateral resolution in comparison with regular integral microscopy. As FIMic directly produces a set of orthographic views of the 3D-micrometer-sized sample, it is suitable for real-time imaging. Following regular integral-imaging reconstruction algorithms, a 2.75-fold enhanced depth of field and [Formula: see text]-time better spatial resolution in comparison with conventional integral microscopy is reported. Our claims are supported by theoretical analysis and experimental images of a resolution test target, cotton fibers, and in-vivo 3D-imaging of biological specimens.

Skeletal anomalies in reared Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis juveniles: a radiographic approach.

Reared Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis Kaup show a high incidence of vertebral anomalies; however, little is known about its skeletal anomaly profile in the later farming phases. The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed description and quantification of the most common skeletal anomalies in reared Senegalese sole in the juvenile stage by means of computed radiography. A total of 374 Senegalese sole were classified according to the external morphology of the fish as normal or altered and then radiographed in latero-lateral and in dorso-ventral projections. Radiographic evaluation of anomalies focused especially on vertebral body anomalies (VBA) and vertebral column deviations (VCD). The 2 orthogonal projections provided a more complete visualization of the skeleton. Approximately 75% of the individuals showed at least 1 anomaly, while VBA and/or VCD were detected in 48.9% of the specimens. Regarding external morphology, 88% of the fish were categorized as normal, although about 72% of these normal fish displayed abnormalities in radiographies. The most frequent anomalies consisted of deformations of the caudal complex plates (hypurals, parhypural and epural), preurals and caudal vertebrae. Scoliosis was the most prevalent among VCD, affecting the caudal area in almost 15% of the individuals. The anomaly profile at the juvenile stages showed some differences compared to what has been reported previously in earlier stages of development. In light of these results, further investigation into the progression of skeletal anomalies over time and the causative factors at later stages is required.

Applying data mining techniques to medical time series: an empirical case study in electroencephalography and stabilometry.

One of the major challenges in the medical domain today is how to exploit the huge amount of data that this field generates. To do this, approaches are required that are capable of discovering knowledge that is useful for decision making in the medical field. Time series are data types that are common in the medical domain and require specialized analysis techniques and tools, especially if the information of interest to specialists is concentrated within particular time series regions, known as events. This research followed the steps specified by the so-called knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) process to discover knowledge from medical time series derived from stabilometric (396 series) and electroencephalographic (200) patient electronic health records (EHR). The view offered in the paper is based on the experience gathered as part of the VIIP project. Knowledge discovery in medical time series has a number of difficulties and implications that are highlighted by illustrating the application of several techniques that cover the entire KDD process through two case studies. This paper illustrates the application of different knowledge discovery techniques for the purposes of classification within the above domains. The accuracy of this application for the two classes considered in each case is 99.86% and 98.11% for epilepsy diagnosis in the electroencephalography (EEG) domain and 99.4% and 99.1% for early-age sports talent classification in the stabilometry domain. The KDD techniques achieve better results than other traditional neural network-based classification techniques.

Vascular proteomics in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

The vasculature is essential for proper organ function. Many pathologies are directly and indirectly related to vascular dysfunction, which causes significant morbidity and mortality. A common pathophysiological feature of diseased vessels is extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. Analysing the protein composition of the ECM by conventional antibody-based techniques is challenging; alternative splicing or post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation, can mask epitopes required for antibody recognition. By contrast, proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry enables the study of proteins without the constraints of antibodies. Recent advances in proteomic techniques make it feasible to characterize the composition of the vascular ECM and its remodelling in disease. These developments may lead to the discovery of novel prognostic and diagnostic markers. Thus, proteomics holds potential for identifying ECM signatures to monitor vascular disease processes. Furthermore, a better understanding of the ECM remodelling processes in the vasculature might make ECM-associated proteins more attractive targets for drug discovery efforts. In this review, we will summarize the role of the ECM in the vasculature. Then, we will describe the challenges associated with studying the intricate network of ECM proteins and the current proteomic strategies to analyse the vascular ECM in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Bovine subclinical intramammary infection caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci increases somatic cell count but has no effect on milk yield or composition.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of subclinical intramammary infection (IMI) caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) as a group and by specific CNS species on milk yield and composition and somatic cell count (SCC) of dairy cows. Selection of cows with IMI caused by CNS was performed by microbiological cultures of composite samples collected from 1,242 dairy cows distributed in 21 dairy herds. After selection of cows, milk yield was measured and milk samples were collected at the mammary quarter level (i.e., 1,140 mammary samples collected from 285 cows) for analysis of milk composition and SCC. In total, 108 isolates of CNS were identified at the species level by PCR-RFLP analysis. Forty-one pairs of contralateral mammary quarters, with and without IMI, were used to evaluate the effect of CNS on milk yield and composition. Mammary quarters infected with CNS had higher geometric mean SCC (306,106 cells/mL) than noninfected contralateral mammary quarters (62,807 cells/mL). Intramammary infection caused by CNS had no effect on milk yield or on contents of fat, crude protein, casein, lactose, total solids, and solids-not-fat. Staphylococcus chromogenes was the most prevalent CNS species in this study and the only species that allowed within-cow evaluation. The IMI caused by S. chromogenes increased SCC but had no effect on milk yield and composition at the quarter level. In conclusion, subclinical mastitis caused by CNS increased the SCC but had no effect on milk yield and composition of dairy cows.

Realization of the Hofstadter Hamiltonian with ultracold atoms in optical lattices.

We demonstrate the experimental implementation of an optical lattice that allows for the generation of large homogeneous and tunable artificial magnetic fields with ultracold atoms. Using laser-assisted tunneling in a tilted optical potential, we engineer spatially dependent complex tunneling amplitudes. Thereby, atoms hopping in the lattice accumulate a phase shift equivalent to the Aharonov-Bohm phase of charged particles in a magnetic field. We determine the local distribution of fluxes through the observation of cyclotron orbits of the atoms on lattice plaquettes, showing that the system is described by the Hofstadter model. Furthermore, we show that for two atomic spin states with opposite magnetic moments, our system naturally realizes the time-reversal-symmetric Hamiltonian underlying the quantum spin Hall effect; i.e., two different spin components experience opposite directions of the magnetic field.

Mitochondrial DNA haplogroup H as a risk factor for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Spanish population.

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) is a structural heart disease with strong genetic background. The different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that constitute mitochondrial haplogroups could play an important role in IDC progression. The aim of this study was to test frequencies of mitochondrial haplogroups in healthy controls (n=422) and IDC patients (n=304) of a Caucasian Spanish population. To achieve this, ten major European haplogroups were identified. Frequencies and Odds Ratios for the association between IDC and haplogroups were calculated in both groups. We found that compared to healthy controls, the prevalence of haplogroup H was significantly higher in IDC patients (40.0% vs 50.7%, p-value=0.040).

Hyperentanglement-enabled direct characterization of quantum dynamics.

We use hyperentangled photons to experimentally implement an entanglement-assisted quantum process tomography technique known as direct characterization of quantum dynamics. Specifically, hyperentanglement-assisted Bell-state analysis enabled us to characterize a variety of single-qubit quantum processes using far fewer experimental configurations than are required by standard quantum process tomography. Furthermore, we demonstrate how known errors in Bell-state measurement may be compensated for in the data analysis. Using these techniques, we have obtained single-qubit process fidelities over 98% but with one-third the number of experimental configurations required for standard quantum process tomography. Extensions of these techniques to multiqubit quantum processes are discussed.

Nanoinformatics: developing new computing applications for nanomedicine.

Nanoinformatics has recently emerged to address the need of computing applications at the nano level. In this regard, the authors have participated in various initiatives to identify its concepts, foundations and challenges. While nanomaterials open up the possibility for developing new devices in many industrial and scientific areas, they also offer breakthrough perspectives for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this paper, we analyze the different aspects of nanoinformatics and suggest five research topics to help catalyze new research and development in the area, particularly focused on nanomedicine. We also encompass the use of informatics to further the biological and clinical applications of basic research in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and the related concept of an extended "nanotype" to coalesce information related to nanoparticles. We suggest how nanoinformatics could accelerate developments in nanomedicine, similarly to what happened with the Human Genome and other -omics projects, on issues like exchanging modeling and simulation methods and tools, linking toxicity information to clinical and personal databases or developing new approaches for scientific ontologies, among many others.

Quantification of carbamazepine and its active metabolite by direct injection of human milk serum using liquid chromatography tandem ion trap mass spectrometry.

This work reports the use of a liquid chromatography ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC-IT-MS/MS) system for quantification in human milk samples of both carbamazepine (CBZ) and its active metabolite, carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide (CBZE). An octadecyl restricted-access media bovine serum albumin column (RAM-BSA C(18)) was used in single-column mode. Selectivity, extraction efficiency, accuracy and precision were achieved employing 100 µL of the sample, without preparation, with detection limits of 20.0 ng/mL for CBZ and 40.0 ng/mL for CBZE. The matrix effect was investigated for the compounds by post-column infusion (qualitative) and by on-line extraction (quantitative). It was observed suppression effect for CBZ and CBZE by post-column infusion, ion suppression of 0.80 for CBZ, and enhancement of 1.28 for CBZE by on-line extraction. The developed method was validated and applied to analyze breast milk samples from one nursing mother. CBZ and CBZE were quantified in the concentrations of 2.26 µg/mL and 1.54 µg/mL, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the simultaneous determination of CBZ and its active metabolite by direct injection of human milk serum.

High-resolution far-field integral-imaging camera by double snapshot.

In multi-view three-dimensional imaging, to capture the elemental images of distant objects, the use of a field-like lens that projects the reference plane onto the microlens array is necessary. In this case, the spatial resolution of reconstructed images is equal to the spatial density of microlenses in the array. In this paper we report a simple method, based on the realization of double snapshots, to double the 2D pixel density of reconstructed scenes. Experiments are reported to support the proposed approach.

Costs and added value of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis outsourcing agreements.

BACKGROUND: Despite the discrepancy in results from Spanish studies on the costs of dialysis, it is assumed that peritoneal dialysis (PD) is more efficient than haemodialysis (HD). OBJECTIVES: To analyse the costs and added value of HD and PD outsourcing agreements in Galicia, the medical transport for HD and the relationship between the cost of the agreement and the cost of consumables used in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with bicarbonate. METHODS: The cost of the outsourcing agreements and the staff was obtained from official publications. The cost of PD and medical transport were calculated using health service data for one month and extrapolating it to one year. The cost of CAPD consumables was provided by the suppliers. The added value was calculated from the investments generated for each agreement treating 40 patients. RESULTS: Expressed as patient/year, the mean costs for treatment were €21595 and €25664 in HD and PD, respectively. Medical transport varied between €3323 and €6338, while those of the CAPD agreement and consumables were €19268 and €12057, respectively. The added value was greater with the HD agreement, especially considering the jobs created. CONCLUSIONS: One cannot generalise that the cost of PD, which is significantly influenced by prescriptions, is lower than that of HD. It would be appropriate to review the additional cost to consumables in the CAPD agreement. The added value generated by dialysis agreements should be considered in future studies and in health planning. More controlled studies are needed to better understand this issue.

Costes y valor añadido de los conciertos de hemodiálisis y diálisis peritoneal / Costs and added value of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis outsourcing agreements

Antecedentes: A pesar de los resultados discrepantes en estudios españoles sobre costes de diálisis, se asume que la diálisis peritoneal (DP) es más eficiente que la hemodiálisis (HD). Objetivos: Analizar los costes del concierto de HD y DP en Galicia y su valor añadido, los del transporte sanitario para HD y la relación en diálisis peritoneal continua ambulatoria (DPCA) con bicarbonato entre el coste del concierto y el del fungible utilizado. Métodos: El coste de los conciertos y del personal se obtuvo de publicaciones oficiales. Los de DP y del transporte sanitario se calcularon con datos del servicio de salud de un mes, extrapolados a un año. El del fungible de DPCA fue facilitado por proveedores. El valor añadido se estimó con las inversiones generadas por cada concierto tratando 40 pacientes. Resultados: Expresados por paciente/año, los costes medios del tratamiento fueron 21.595 y 25.664 € en HD y DP, respectivamente; los del trasporte sanitario oscilaron entre 3.323 y 6.338 € y los del concierto y fungible de DPCA fueron 19.268 y 12.057 €, respectivamente. El valor añadido fue superior con el concierto de HD, destacando los puestos de trabajo generados. Conclusiones: No puede generalizarse la afirmación de que el coste de DP, muy influenciado por la prescripción, es inferior al de HD. Convendría revisar el coste adicional al fungible en el concierto de DPCA. El valor añadido generado por los conciertos de diálisis debería considerarse en futuros estudios y en la planificación sanitaria. Se necesitan más estudios controlados para conocer mejor esta cuestión (AU)

Background: Despite the discrepancy in results from Spanish studies on the costs of dialysis, it is assumed that peritoneal dialysis (PD) is more efficient than haemodialysis (HD). Objectives: To analyse the costs and added value of HD and PD outsourcing agreements in Galicia, the medical transport for HD and the relationship between the cost of the agreement and the cost of consumables used in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with bicarbonate. Methods: The cost of the outsourcing agreements and the staff was obtained from official publications. The cost of PD and medical transport were calculated using health service data for one month and extrapolating it to one year. The cost of CAPD consumables was provided by the suppliers. The added value was calculated from the investments generated for each agreement treating 40 patients. Results: Expressed as patient/year, the mean costs for treatment were €21 595 and €25 664 in HD and PD, respectively. Medical transport varied between €3323 and €6338, while those of the CAPD agreement and consumables were €19 268 and €12 057, respectively. The added value was greater with the HD agreement, especially considering the jobs created. Conclusions: One cannot generalise that the cost of PD, which is significantly influenced by prescriptions, is lower than that of HD. It would be appropriate to review the additional cost to consumables in the CAPD agreement. The added value generated by dialysis agreements should be considered in future studies and in health planning. More controlled studies are needed to better understand this issue (AU)

Universal digital quantum simulation with trapped ions.

A digital quantum simulator is an envisioned quantum device that can be programmed to efficiently simulate any other local system. We demonstrate and investigate the digital approach to quantum simulation in a system of trapped ions. With sequences of up to 100 gates and 6 qubits, the full time dynamics of a range of spin systems are digitally simulated. Interactions beyond those naturally present in our simulator are accurately reproduced, and quantitative bounds are provided for the overall simulation quality. Our results demonstrate the key principles of digital quantum simulation and provide evidence that the level of control required for a full-scale device is within reach.