Role of the Compression Ratio in Dual-Fuel Compression Ignition Combustion with Hydrogen and Methanol.

Renewable hydrogen and e-fuels, synthesized from captured CO and renewable H, are feasible ways to achieve transport decarbonization, particularly in medium/heavy-duty applications and the maritime sector, where compression ignition engines predominate. Hydrogen and methanol are low carbon-intensive fuels, which can be used in these engines by carrying out dual-fuel combustion with a diesel-like fuel. Under low load engine conditions, reaching very high substitutions of the fossil diesel fuel can be a major challenge as the presence of these fuels affects negatively the autoignition process.

Epidemiological impacts of attenuated African swine fever virus circulating in wild boar populations.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II has been present in wild boar in the European Union since 2014. Control measures have reduced the incidence of the ASF, but highly virulent as well as attenuated ASFV strains continue to circulate. We present the intraherd epidemiological parameters of low and highly virulent ASFV in wild boar from experimental data, and for the first time, evaluate the impact of attenuated strain circulation through unique deterministic compartmental model simulations under various potential scenarios and hypotheses.

Disentangling the role of virus infectiousness and awareness-based human behavior during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the European Union.

Unlabelled: In this work, we manage to disentangle the role of virus infectiousness and awareness-based human behavior in the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Bayesian inference, we quantify the uncertainty of a state-space model whose propagator is based on an unusual SEIR-type model since it incorporates the effective population fraction as a parameter. Within the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm, Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) may be used to evaluate the likelihood approximately.

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.

An optimal control model to design strategies for reducing the spread of the Ebola virus disease.

In this work, we formulate an epidemiological model for studying the spread of Ebola virus disease in a considered territory. This model includes the effect of various control measures, such as: vaccination, education campaigns, early detection campaigns, increase of sanitary measures in hospital, quarantine of infected individuals and restriction of movement between geographical areas. Using optimal control theory, we determine an optimal control strategy which aims to reduce the number of infected individuals, according to some operative restrictions (e.

Large-scale study on virological and serological prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs in Spain.

The disease produced by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently one of the primary concerns worldwide. Knowing the zoonotic origin of the disease and that several animal species, including dogs and cats, are susceptible to viral infection, it is critical to assess the relevance of pets in this pandemic. Here, we performed a large-scale study on SARS-CoV-2 serological and viral prevalence in cats and dogs in Spain in order to elucidate their role and susceptibility.

WLTC and real-driving emissions for an autochthonous biofuel from wine-industry waste.

Residues from the wine industry constitute an abundant feedstock for biodiesel production in wine-producing countries. The use of grapeseed oil, together with bioethanol obtained from distillation of wine surplus or grape skins and stalks and wine lees, as reagents in the transesterification reaction, results in a mixture of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE), which is a fully renewable, autochthonous, and waste-derived biofuel. In this work, a blend of FAEE produced from grape seed oil with diesel fuel was selected based on a study of fuel properties, and the optimal blend, with 30% v/v of FAEE, was tested in a Euro 6 engine following the Worldwide harmonized Light-duty Test Cycle (WLTC) and a Real Driving Emissions Cycle (RDE), as required in the new certification procedures.

The vestibular implant: Opinion statement on implantation criteria for research.

This opinion statement proposes a set of candidacy criteria for vestibular implantation of adult patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) in a research setting. The criteria include disabling chronic symptoms like postural imbalance, unsteadiness of gait and/or head movement-induced oscillopsia, combined with objective signs of reduced or absent vestibular function in both ears. These signs include abnormal test results recorded during head impulses (video head impulse test or scleral coil technique), bithermal caloric testing and rotatory chair testing (sinusoidal stimulation of 0.

Electrical Vestibular Stimulation in Humans: A Narrative Review.

Background: In patients with bilateral vestibulopathy, the regular treatment options, such as medication, surgery, and/or vestibular rehabilitation, do not always suffice. Therefore, the focus in this field of vestibular research shifted to electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS) and the development of a system capable of artificially restoring the vestibular function. Key Message: Currently, three approaches are being investigated: vestibular co-stimulation with a cochlear implant (CI), EVS with a vestibular implant (VI), and galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS).

Quality of life and metabolic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed individuals.

Aims: Determine the correlation of quality of life (QoL) and the impact on the metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: An observational study was conducted at the outpatient consulting service in a specialized hospital in Santo Domingo, DR. We used a non-probabilistic, convenience sampling strategy, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) short form questionnaire was applied.

Effects of chronic inhibition of Testosterone metabolism on cardiac remodeling after ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial damage in gonadectomized rats.

The effects of testosterone on cardiovascular homeostasis are still not well understood. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of testosterone in the absence or presence of inhibition of Aromatase (4-hydroxyandrostenedione) and/or 5α reductase (Finasteride) enzymatic activities on the myocardial remodeling 30 days after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in gonadectomized rats. Results showed that testosterone administration to ORX rats resulted in decreased myocardial damaged area, inflammatory infiltrates and reduced MMP-3 and 13 expressions.

Objective, audiological and quality of life measures with the CI532 slim modiolar electrode.

Objectives: To report on electrode array measurements for the Nucleus CI532 Slim Modiolar Electrode device including: ECAP thresholds, electrode impedances, and psychophysical comfort levels, as well as speech perception results pre- and post-operatively and standardized evaluations of quality of life.

Methods: Forty-four subjects were implanted with the CI532. Electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) thresholds and impedances were measured using automatic Neural Response Telemetry intra-operatively, at activation and at six months post implant.

Guideline on cochlear implants.

Introduction: In the last decade numerous hospitals have started to work with patients who are candidates for a cochlear implant (CI) and there have been numerous and relevant advances in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss that extended the indications for cochlear implants.

Objectives: To provide a guideline on cochlear implants to specialists in otorhinolaryngology, other medical specialities, health authorities and society in general.

Methods: The Scientific Committees of Otology, Otoneurology and Audiology from the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC), in a coordinated and agreed way, performed a review of the current state of CI based on the existing regulations and in the scientific publications referenced in the bibliography of the document drafted.

An advection-deposition-survival model to assess the risk of introduction of vector-borne diseases through the wind: Application to bluetongue outbreaks in Spain.

This work develops a methodology for estimating risk of wind-borne introduction of flying insects into a country, identifying areas and periods of high risk of vector-borne diseases incursion. This risk can be characterized by the role of suitable temperatures and wind currents in small insects' survival and movements, respectively. The model predicts the number density of introduced insects over space and time based on three processes: the advection due to wind currents, the deposition on the ground and the survival due to climatic conditions.

Active middle ear implants.

Active middle ear implants are surgically implanted prosthesis, which intend to stimulate the ossicular chain or the inner ear fluids through the oval or round windows. These implants may be useful for the treatment of certain patients with sensorineural hearing loss as well as for conductive or mixed hearing loss. This clinical guide attempts to summarize the current knowledge concerning the basic characteristics and indications of the most commonly used middle ear implants, including Vibrant Soundbrige (Med-el, Innsbruck), Carina (Cochlear, Australia), and Codacs.

Comparison of African American and Caucasian Caregiver Self-Efficacy.

Self-efficacy influences one's behavior and can determine the degree to which one is motivated to take action. The current study explores changes in caregiver self-efficacy pre- and post-participation in a Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (REACH II) program, a multi-component intervention aimed at caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The study specifically compared this construct in African American and Caucasian populations, which may give indications of how to empower dementia caregivers and whether REACH II is culturally sensitive and thus, an important component to examine.

Clinical investigation of the Nucleus Slim Modiolar Electrode.

Aims: The Nucleus CI532 cochlear implant incorporates a new precurved electrode array, i.e., the Slim Modiolar electrode (SME), which is designed to bring electrode contacts close to the medial wall of the cochlea while avoiding trauma due to scalar dislocation or contact with the lateral wall during insertion.

Motion-based video monitoring for early detection of livestock diseases: The case of African swine fever.

Early detection of infectious diseases can substantially reduce the health and economic impacts on livestock production. Here we describe a system for monitoring animal activity based on video and data processing techniques, in order to detect slowdown and weakening due to infection with African swine fever (ASF), one of the most significant threats to the pig industry. The system classifies and quantifies motion-based animal behaviour and daily activity in video sequences, allowing automated and non-intrusive surveillance in real-time.

Survey on the knowledge of cochlear implant indication in the treatment of hearing loss in Spain.

Introduction: This study aims to analyse the knowledge of cochlear implant (CI) candidacy criteria of otorhinolaryngology specialists in Spain, and from the results, consider whether it is necessary to implement training measures aimed at improving knowledge in this area.

Material And Methods: A questionnaire was designed for measuring the level of knowledge of cochlear implant candidacy criteria (CI) in people with hearing loss. The questionnaire collected the demographic data of the respondents and their knowledge on the conventional and emergency indications for CI, technical characteristics of CI and results in the implanted population.

External Validity of the New York University Caregiver Intervention: Key Caregiver Outcomes Across Multiple Demonstration Projects.

The Administration on Aging funded six New York University Caregiver Intervention (NYUCI) demonstration projects, a counseling/support intervention targeting dementia caregivers and families. Three sites (Georgia, Utah, Wisconsin) pooled data to inform external validity in nonresearch settings. This study (a) assesses collective changes over time, and (b) compares outcomes across sites on caregiver burden, depressive symptoms, satisfaction with social support, family conflict, and quality of life.

Designing a Method with Physician Participation to Assess and Improve Quality of Healthcare in Otolaryngology.

Objective: Patient choice of healthcare centers to be treated for specific diseases is compromised by the low accessibility of understandable information. Physicians are rarely involved in healthcare quality assessment, despite their potentially valuable input. The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology for evaluating the quality of care that specifically incorporates advice from medical specialists and provides accessible information for patients in search of high-quality healthcare.

Be-CoDiS: A Mathematical Model to Predict the Risk of Human Diseases Spread Between Countries--Validation and Application to the 2014-2015 Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic.

Ebola virus disease is a lethal human and primate disease that currently requires a particular attention from the international health authorities due to important outbreaks in some Western African countries and isolated cases in the UK, the USA and Spain. Regarding the emergency of this situation, there is a need for the development of decision tools, such as mathematical models, to assist the authorities to focus their efforts in important factors to eradicate Ebola. In this work, we propose a novel deterministic spatial-temporal model, called Between-Countries Disease Spread (Be-CoDiS), to study the evolution of human diseases within and between countries.