A serverless computing architecture for Martian aurora detection with the Emirates Mars Mission.

Remote sensing technologies are experiencing a surge in adoption for monitoring Earth's environment, demanding more efficient and scalable methods for image analysis. This paper presents a new approach for the Emirates Mars Mission (Hope probe); A serverless computing architecture designed to analyze images of Martian auroras, a key aspect in understanding the Martian atmosphere. Harnessing the power of OpenCV and machine learning algorithms, our architecture offers image classification, object detection, and segmentation in a swift and cost-effective manner. Leveraging the scalability and elasticity of cloud computing, this innovative system is capable of managing high volumes of image data, adapting to fluctuating workloads. This technology, applied to the study of Martian auroras within the HOPE Mission, not only solves a complex problem but also paves the way for future applications in the broad field of remote sensing.

Chaotic renormalization group flow and entropy gradients over Haros graphs.

Haros graphs have been recently introduced as a set of graphs bijectively related to real numbers in the unit interval. Here we consider the iterated dynamics of a graph operator R over the set of Haros graphs. This operator was previously defined in the realm of graph-theoretical characterization of low-dimensional nonlinear dynamics and has a renormalization group (RG) structure. We find that the dynamics of R over Haros graphs is complex and includes unstable periodic orbits of arbitrary period and nonmixing aperiodic orbits, overall portraiting a chaotic RG flow. We identify a single RG stable fixed point whose basin of attraction is associated with the set of rational numbers, and find periodic RG orbits that relate to (pure) quadratic irrationals and aperiodic RG orbits, related with (nonmixing) families of nonquadratic algebraic irrationals and transcendental numbers. Finally, we show that the graph entropy of Haros graphs is globally decreasing as the RG flows towards its stable fixed point, albeit in a strictly nonmonotonic way, and that such graph entropy remains constant inside the periodic RG orbit associated to a subset of irrationals, the so-called metallic ratios. We discuss the possible physical interpretation of such chaotic RG flow and put results regarding entropy gradients along RG flow in the context of c-theorems.

Sequential extraction of compounds of interest from yeast biomass assisted by pulsed electric fields.

One strategy to reduce cost and improve feasibility of waste-yeast biomass valorization is to obtain a spectrum of marketable products rather than just a single one. This study explores the potential of Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) for the development of a cascade process designed to obtain several valuable products from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast biomass. Yeast biomass was treated by PEF, which affected the viability of 50%, 90%, and over 99% of S. cerevisiae cells, depending on treatment intensity. Electroporation caused by PEF allowed access to the cytoplasm of the yeast cell without causing total breakdown of the cell structure. This outcome was an essential prerequisite to be able to perform a sequential extraction of several value-added biomolecules from yeast cells located in the cytosol and in the cell wall. After incubating yeast biomass previously subjected to a PEF treatment that affected the viability of 90% of cells for 24 h, an extract with 114.91 ± 2.86, 7.08 ± 0.64, and 187.82 ± 3.75 mg/g dry weight of amino acids, glutathione, and protein, respectively, was obtained. In a second step, the extract rich in cytosol components was removed after 24 h of incubation and the remaining cell biomass was re-suspended with the aim of inducing cell wall autolysis processes triggered by the PEF treatment. After 11 days of incubation, a soluble extract containing mannoproteins and pellets rich in ß-glucans were obtained. In conclusion, this study proved that electroporation triggered by PEF permitted the development of a cascade procedure designed to obtain a spectrum of valuable biomolecules from S. cerevisiae yeast biomass while reducing the generation of waste.

Patients with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury and a Long Period of Evolution Exhibit an Altered Cytokine Production by CD4 and CD8 T Cell Populations.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling neurological condition coursing with serious multisystem affections and morbidities. Changes in immune cell compartments have been consistently reported in previous works, representing a critical point of study for understanding the pathophysiology and progression of SCI from acute to chronic stages. Some relevant variations in circulating T cells have been noticed in patients with chronic SCI, although the number, distribution, and function of these populations remain to be fully elucidated. Likewise, the characterization of specific T cell subpopulations and their related cytokine production can aid in understanding the immunopathological role of T cells in SCI progression. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to analyze and quantify the total number of different cytokine-producers T cells in the serum of patients with chronic SCI (n = 105) in comparison to healthy controls (n = 38) by polychromatic flow cytometry. Having this goal, we studied CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes as well as naïve, effector, and effector/central memory subpopulations. SCI patients were classified according to the duration of the lesion in chronic SCI with a short period of evolution (SCI-SP) (comprised between 1 and 5 years since initial injury), early chronic phase (SCI-ECP) (between 5 and 15 years since initial injury) and late-chronic phase (SCI-LCP) (>15 years since initial injury). Our results show that patients with chronic SCI exhibited an altered immune profile of cytokine-producer T cells, including CD4/CD8 naïve, effector, and memory subpopulations in comparison to HC. In particular, IL-10 and IL-9 production seems to be importantly altered, especially in patients with SCI-LCP, whereas changes in IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ T cell populations have also been reported in this and other chronic SCI groups. In conclusion, our study demonstrates an altered profile of cytokine-producer T cells in patients with chronic SCI, with marked changes throughout the course of the disease. In more detail, we have observed significant variations in cytokine production by circulating naive, effector, and effector/central memory CD4 and CD8 T cells. Future studies should be directed to explore the possible clinical consequences of these changes or develop additional translational approaches in these groups of patients.

Prognostic Value of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the Temporal Progression of Chronic Spinal Cord Injury.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is a major signature of spinal cord injury (SCI). The altered levels of various oxidative stress markers have been demonstrated in acute and chronic SCI. However, the variation of these markers in patients with chronic SCI depending on the time since the initial injury has not been explored yet. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to measure plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation in patients with SCI stratified in different periods of suffering the injury (0-5 years, 5-10 years, and more than 10 years). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with SCI (N = 105) from different periods of the lesion and healthy control (HC) subjects (N = 38): short period (SCI SP, N = 31, time of evolution less than 5 years); early chronic (SCI ECP, N = 32, time of evolution 5-15 years); and late chronic (SCI LCP, N = 42, time of evolution more than 15 years). The plasma levels of MDA were measured using a commercially available colorimetric assay. RESULTS: Patients with SCI had significantly higher plasma levels of MDA than HC subjects. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for plasma MDA levels in patients with SCI demonstrated areas under the curve (AUC) of 1 (HC vs. SCI-SP); 0.998 (HC vs. SCI-ECP); and 0.964 (HC vs. SCI-LCP). Additionally, three ROC curves were used to compare the different concentrations of MDA between the subgroups of patients with SCI, and the resulting AUCs were: 0.896 (SCI-SP vs. SCI-ECP); 0.840 (SCI-ECP vs. SCI-LCP); and 0.979 (SCI-SP vs. SCI-LCP). CONCLUSION: Plasma concentration of MDA can be considered as an oxidative stress biomarker to assess the prognosis of SCI in chronic stages.

Abnormal Characterization and Distribution of Circulating Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury According to the Period of Evolution.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a progressive and complex neurological disorder accompanied by multiple systemic challenges. Peripheral immune dysfunction is a major event occurring after SCI, especially in its chronic phase. Previous works have demonstrated significant changes in different circulating immune compartments, including in T cells. However, the precise characterization of these cells remains to be fully unraveled, particularly when considering important variants such as the time since the initial injury. In the present work, we aimed to study the level of circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs) in SCI patients depending on the duration of evolution. For this purpose, we studied and characterized peripheral Tregs from 105 patients with chronic SCI using flow cytometry, with patients classified into three major groups depending on the time since initial injury: short period chronic (SCI-SP, <5 years since initial injury); early chronic (SCI-ECP, from 5-15 years post-injury) and late chronic SCI (SCI-LCP, more than 15 years post-injury. Our results show that both the SCI-ECP and SCI-LCP groups appeared to present increased proportions of CD4+ CD25+/low Foxp3+ Tregs in comparison to healthy subjects, whereas a decreased number of these cells expressing CCR5 was observed in SCI-SP, SCI-ECP, and SCI-LCP patients. Furthermore, an increased number of CD4+ CD25+/high/low Foxp3 with negative expression of CD45RA and CCR7 was observed in SCI-LCP patients when compared to the SCI-ECP group. Taken together, these results deepen our understanding of the immune dysfunction reported in chronic SCI patients and how the time since initial injury may drive this dysregulation.

Pulsed electric field processing as an alternative to sulfites (SO2) for controlling saccharomyces cerevisiae involved in the fermentation of Chardonnay white wine.

The use of sulfites (SO2) for microbial control in the winemaking process is currently being questioned due to its potential toxicity. Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) are capable of inactivating microorganisms at low temperatures, thus avoiding the negative effects of heat on food properties. In this study, the capacity of PEF technology for the decontamination of yeasts involved in the fermentation process of Chardonnay wine from a winery was evaluated. PEF treatments at 15 kV/cm of low (65 µs, 35 kJ/kg) and higher intensity (177 µs 97 kJ/kg) were selected for evaluating the microbial stability, physicochemical and volatile composition of wine. Even with the least intense PEF-treatment, Chardonnay wine remained yeast-free during 4 months of storage without sulfites. PEF-treatments did not affect the wine's oenological parameters or its aroma during storage. This study, therefore, reveals the potential of PEF technology as an alternative to sulfites for the microbiological stabilization of wine.

Microbial Decontamination of Red Wine by Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) after Alcoholic and Malolactic Fermentation: Effect on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Oenococcus oeni, and Oenological Parameters during Storage.

New techniques are required to replace the use of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or of sterilizing filtration in wineries, due to those methods' drawbacks. Pulsed electric fields (PEF) is a technology capable of inactivating microorganisms at low temperatures in a continuous flow with no detrimental effect on food properties. In the present study, PEF technology was evaluated for purposes of microbial decontamination of red wines after alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, respectively. PEF combined with SO2 was evaluated in terms of microbial stability and physicochemical parameters over a period of four months. Furthermore, the effect of PEF on the sensory properties of red wine was compared with the sterilizing filtration method. Results showed that up to 4.0 Log10 cycles of S. cerevisiae and O. oeni could be eradicated by PEF and sublethal damages and a synergetic effect with SO2 were also observed, respectively. After 4 months, wine treated by PEF after alcoholic fermentation was free of viable yeasts; and less than 100 CFU/mL of O. oeni cells were viable in PEF-treated wine added with 20 ppm of SO2 after malolactic fermentation. No detrimental qualities were found, neither in terms of oenological parameters, nor in the sensory parameters of wines subjected to PEF after storage time.

Plasmocitoma traqueal: Una causa inusual de hemoptisis / Plasmacytoma of the Trachea: an Unusual Cause of Hemoptysis

RESUMEN Presentamos el caso de un paciente afectado por un mieloma múltiple refractario a diversas líneas de tratamiento, que ingresó por hemoptisis causada por la aparición de un plasmocitoma en la tráquea. El hallazgo se produjo por broncoscopia y el diagnós tico y tratamiento se realizó mediante técnicas endoscópicas, con muy buen resultado funcional. El caso es de interés por su escasa frecuencia, así como para dar a conocer a la comunidad este tipo de presentación atípica y su posible manejo.

ABSTRACT We present the case of a patient affected by multiple myeloma refractory to various lines of treatment who was admitted due to hemoptysis caused by the appearance of a plasmacytoma in the trachea. The finding was obtained from a bronchoscopy, and the diagnosis and treatment were made by means of endoscopic techniques, with a very good functional result. This case is of interest because it is unusual and also because it allows us to raise awareness among the community of this atypical presentation and possible managemen

Co-Management Reduces Mortality in Post-Sternotomy Mediastinitis.

Background: Post-sternotomy mediastinitis (PSM) is one of the most feared complications of cardiac surgery. The impact of a multidisciplinary management approach on this pathology is yet unknown. Patients and Methods: A multidisciplinary approach based on a co-management model (CMM) of care was initiated in January 2018 because of the incorporation of a hospitalist unit on a cardiac surgery department. An observational retrospective cohort study was designed to evaluate the impact of the CMM of care compared to the standard model (SM) of care in patients diagnosed with PSM. Our primary and secondary outcomes were survival time and treatment failure rate (two or more surgical procedures needed to solve PSM or PSM-related death), respectively. Data related to patient death date were collected from the Spanish National Death Index. A multivariable Cox regression model was created using those variables believed to be clinically relevant. Results: Ninety-one patients developed PSM from January 2010 to June 2020. Regarding the pre-operative clinical status, surgical procedure, and PSM severity, both groups had similar baseline characteristics. Patients were followed for a mean of 27.54 ± 30.5 months. A total of 60.3% of the SM group and 11.1% of the CMM group (p < 0.001) died. Treatment failure occurred in 53 patients (72.6%) in the SM group versus 7 (38.6%) in the CMM group (p = 0.007). The CMM independently reduced overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]. 0.01-0.83) and treatment failure rate (HR, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.001-0.183). Gram-positive bacterial infection (HR, 3.73; 95% CI, .6-8.3), and complete osteosynthesis material removal (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.24-0.91) also influenced mortality in our model. Conclusions: A co-management care model reduced overall mortality in patients diagnosed with post-sternotomy mediastinitis.

Prevalencia y factores sociodemográficos asociados a la ambliopía en población preescolar / Prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with amblyopia in preschool children

Objetivo: estimar la prevalencia de la ambliopía y su tratamiento en niños de preescolar de la provincia de Alicante (España) durante un periodo de larga duración, así como la influencia de diferentes factores sociodemográficos. Material y método: estudio observacional descriptivo transversal (2002-2015) mediante protocolo de detección de ambliopía validado (sensibilidad 89,3%; especificidad 93,1%) en niños escolarizados de 4 a 6 años. La variable principal fue la clasificación, de los 140 102 niños examinados, según el resultado de las pruebas (“normales”, “sospechosos de patología” o en “tratamiento previo”) y las variables explicativas: edad, sexo, curso escolar, tipo de gestión del colegio y su ubicación. Resultados: la prevalencia de niños con sospecha de ambliopía osciló significativamente, entre los cursos escolares, desde 8,54% hasta 23,9% (p = 0,00000). Los niños de 6 años presentaron valores de sospecha de ambliopía notablemente más altos (16,68%; p = 0,00000) y los niños matriculados en colegios privados, los más bajos (8,05%; p = 0,00000). La probabilidad de que un niño “no-normal” estuviera ya tratado aumentaba con la edad (OR 2,06; p <0,001) y con el hecho de asistir a un colegio privado (OR 1,56; p = 0,001). Conclusiones: la prevalencia de la sospecha de ambliopía fue alta en el área de estudio, siendo los niños de mayor edad y los niños pertenecientes al grupo de nivel socioeconómico más bajo los de mayor riesgo. Los programas de cribado escolar para la detección temprana de la ambliopía son recomendados para aumentar y equiparar la probabilidad de acceso al tratamiento, reduciendo así la prevalencia y la gravedad de la ambliopía en niños (AU)

Objective: to estimate the prevalence of amblyopia and its treatment in preschool children in the province of Alicante over a long time period, and assess the influence of different sociodemographic factors.Methods: cross-sectional descriptive observational study (2002-2015) using a validated amblyopia detection protocol (sensitivity, 89.3%; specificity, 93.1%) in preschool children aged 4 to 6 years. The primary outcome was the classification of the 140 102 examined children based on the test results ('normal', 'suspected amblyopia' or 'in treatment') and the explanatory variables: age, sex, school year, private/public ownership of school and school location.Results: the prevalence of children with suspected amblyopia varied significantly between school years, ranging from 8.54% to 23.9% (p=0.00000). The prevalence of suspected amblyopia was significantly higher in children aged 6 years (16.68%; p=0.00000) and lowest in those attending private schools (8.05%; p=0.00000). The probability that a child with abnormal results was already in treatment increased with age (OR 2.06; p<0.001) and with enrolment in a private school (OR 1.56; p=0.001).Conclusions: the prevalence of suspected amblyopia was high in the study area, with a higher risk in older children and children in to the lowest socioeconomic status group. School-based screening programs for early detection of amblyopia are recommended to increase and equalize access to treatment, thereby reducing the prevalence and severity of amblyopia in children. (AU)

Agreement between the biometric measurements used to calculate the size of the implantable collamer lenses measured with four different technologies.

Purpose: To evaluate the agreement between the biometric measurements used to calculate the size of the implantable collamer lenses (ICL) with different technologies: swept-source optical coherence tomography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and Scheimpflug tomography. Methods: This retrospective observational study included subjects undergoing refractive surgery with posterior chamber phakic IOL implantation to correct their myopia. The anterior chamber depth (ACD) and the horizontal white to white (WTW) or the angle to angle (ATA) distance were measured with the following four devices: the IOLMaster 700 biometer (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany), based on swept-source optical coherence tomography; the Cirrus and Visante optical coherence tomographs (Carl Zeiss Meditec) based on low-coherence interferometry; and the Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Results: In the horizontal corneal diameter measurements, there were statistically significant differences between Pentacam-IOLMaster 700 pair (P < 0.001) and Pentacam-Visante pair (P < 0.001). WTW from CIRRUS showed the lowest correlation when paired with Pentacam and IOLMaster 700 (R2 = 0.452 and 0.385 for Visante and R2 = 0.494 and 0.426 for Cirrus). Regarding the linear correlation of the ACD measurements, all pairs of devices were statistically significant and all of them showed a very good correlation index. Conclusion: There is a good agreement between the different devices under evaluation for ACD measurements. As for WTW, the values measured with the different devices showed large discrepancies with low correlation levels, especially when comparing the tomographs with the other devices under evaluation.