Pandemic-associated food insecurity in northern, coastal Ecuador.

The COVID-19 pandemic worsened food insecurity worldwide. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the pandemic on perceived food insecurity among households in rural Esmeraldas, Ecuador. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to characterize pandemic impacts on household livelihoods and food insecurity in five communities.

Localized Nanoscale Formation of Vanadyl Porphyrin 2D MOF Nanosheets and Their Optimal Coupling to Lumped Element Superconducting Resonators.

A strategy toward the realization of a quantum spin processor involves the coupling of spin qubits and qudits to photons within superconducting resonators. To enable the realization of such hybrid architecture, here we first explore the design of a chip with multiple lumped-element LC superconducting resonators optimized for their coupling to distinct transitions of a vanadyl porphyrin electronuclear qudit. The controlled integration of the vanadyl qudit onto the superconducting device, both in terms of number and orientation, is then attained using the formation of nanosheets of a 2D framework built on the vanadyl qudit as a node.

Asymmetric [Dy2] molecules deposited into micro-SQUID susceptometers: characterization of their magnetic integrity.

The controlled integration of magnetic molecules into superconducting circuits is key to developing hybrid quantum devices. Herein, we study [Dy2] molecular dimers deposited into micro-SQUID susceptometers. The results of magnetic, heat capacity and magnetic resonance experiments, backed by theoretical calculations, show that each [Dy2] dimer fulfills the main requisites to encode a two-spin quantum processor.

Exploring the genetic background of the botulism neurotoxin BoNT/B2 in Spain.

To determine whether the neurotoxin BoNT/B2 causing botulism in Spain is clonal, the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of from food-borne episodes and infant cases of the condition were explored. The botulinum toxin gene () subtype, the variable region of the flagellin gene (VR), and a seven-gene multi-locus sequence type were examined by sequencing 37 BoNT-positive cultures obtained over the period 2010 to 2022. Out of 37 botulism events, 16 food-borne episodes and 16 infant cases were associated with 2.

Recent advances in sensing the inter-biomolecular interactions at the nanoscale - A comprehensive review of AFM-based force spectroscopy.

Biomolecular interactions underpin most processes inside the cell. Hence, a precise and quantitative understanding of molecular association and dissociation events is crucial, not only from a fundamental perspective, but also for the rational design of biomolecular platforms for state-of-the-art biomedical and industrial applications. In this context, atomic force microscopy (AFM) appears as an invaluable experimental technique, allowing the measurement of the mechanical strength of biomolecular complexes to provide a quantitative characterization of their interaction properties from a single molecule perspective.