Polarized blazar X-rays imply particle acceleration in shocks.

Most of the light from blazars, active galactic nuclei with jets of magnetized plasma that point nearly along the line of sight, is produced by high-energy particles, up to around 1 TeV. Although the jets are known to be ultimately powered by a supermassive black hole, how the particles are accelerated to such high energies has been an unanswered question. The process must be related to the magnetic field, which can be probed by observations of the polarization of light from the jets.

A giant exoplanet orbiting a very-low-mass star challenges planet formation models.

Surveys have shown that super-Earth and Neptune-mass exoplanets are more frequent than gas giants around low-mass stars, as predicted by the core accretion theory of planet formation. We report the discovery of a giant planet around the very-low-mass star GJ 3512, as determined by optical and near-infrared radial-velocity observations. The planet has a minimum mass of 0.

The 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko observation campaign in support of the Rosetta mission.

We present a summary of the campaign of remote observations that supported the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission. Telescopes across the globe (and in space) followed comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from before Rosetta's arrival until nearly the end of the mission in September 2016. These provided essential data for mission planning, large-scale context information for the coma and tails beyond the spacecraft and a way to directly compare 67P with other comets.

Dissolved oxygen in the rehabilitation phase of an estuary: influence of sewage pollution abatement and hydro-climatic factors.

Seasonal and inter-annual variations of dissolved oxygen (DO) along the estuary of Bilbao were investigated from 1998 to 2008, during its rehabilitation phase from pollution, to determine whether anthropogenic or natural forcings or both govern DO dynamics and hypoxia. Both seasonal and inter-annual variations of DO were best explained by hydro-climatic factors, sewage pollution and phytoplankton dynamics in the inner, intermediate and outer estuary respectively. The most remarkable intra-decadal improvement in DO occurred in the halocline layer of the intermediate estuary, where the factor that best explained these changes was sewage pollution abatement.

Advanced data management for optimising the operation of a full-scale WWTP.

The lack of appropriate data management tools is presently a limiting factor for a broader implementation and a more efficient use of sensors and analysers, monitoring systems and process controllers in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This paper presents a technical solution for advanced data management of a full-scale WWTP. The solution is based on an efficient and intelligent use of the plant data by a standard centralisation of the heterogeneous data acquired from different sources, effective data processing to extract adequate information, and a straightforward connection to other emerging tools focused on the operational optimisation of the plant such as advanced monitoring and control or dynamic simulators.

A Pluto-like radius and a high albedo for the dwarf planet Eris from an occultation.

The dwarf planet Eris is a trans-Neptunian object with an orbital eccentricity of 0.44, an inclination of 44 degrees and a surface composition very similar to that of Pluto. It resides at present at 95.

Supervisory control strategies for the new WWTP of Galindo-Bilbao: the long run from the conceptual design to the full-scale experimental validation.

This paper presents the theoretical basis and the main results obtained during the development and full-scale experimental validation of the new supervisory control strategy designed for the Galindo-Bilbao wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The different phases of the project have been carried out over the last 8 years, combining model simulations, pilot-plant experimentation and full-scale validation. The final control strategy combines three complementary control loops to optimise the nitrogen removal in pre-denitrifying activated sludge plants.

Assessing the improvement of the Bilbao estuary water quality in response to pollution abatement measures.

To evaluate the success of almost 20 years of pollution abatement in the Bilbao estuary watershed in northern Spain, we analyzed temporal trends in pollution discharges and water quality from 1993 to 2003. Over that period a great portion of the raw wastewater discharge was intercepted and treated, leading to a significant reduction in the pollution load to the estuary (51.8% in biochemical oxygen demand, 70.

Respiratory effects of combined truncal and abdominal support in patients with spinal cord injury.

Objective: To determine whether a custom girdle, designed to provide truncal stability and abdominal support, will improve pulmonary function, enhance inspiratory muscle activity, and reduce the sensation of respiratory effort in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Pulmonary function, transdiaphragmatic pressure time product (PTP di ), twitch (Tw Pdi) and maximal transdiaphragmatic pressures (Pdi), and perception of respiratory effort (Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion score) were measured with and without an abdominal girdle in a seated position.

Setting: Rehabilitation hospital.

Tongue mechanical characteristics and genioglossus muscle EMG in obstructive sleep apnoea patients.

The increased genioglossus muscle (GGm) activity seen in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) may lead to increased fatigability or longer recovery time of the tongue. Maximal force, endurance, and recovery times of the tongue, electromyogram (EMG) absolute value, and EMG spectral analysis of the GGm obtained during submaximal contractions were compared in eight individuals without chronic snoring and eight OSAS patients. Endurance time values were not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.

Congruence in the performance of model nitrifying activated sludge plants located in Germany, Scotland and Spain.

A laboratory model nitrifying activated sludge plant treating OECD synthetic sewage was designed and constructed by each of three laboratories in Germany, Scotland and Spain in order to produce a sludge inoculum for 5 rapid toxicity bioassays. The plants were run for 3 years and produced sludge for the microbially based bioassays Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence, ATP luminescence and respiration, and, nitrification and enzyme inhibition. Although the initial sludge inoculum for the plants differed, as did some of the running conditions such as temperature regime, the sludge produced within the different countries had similar characteristics with respect to sludge age, total suspended solids and volatile suspended solids.

A comparison of five rapid direct toxicity assessment methods to determine toxicity of pollutants to activated sludge.

Five rapid direct toxicity assessment methods were used in three European partner countries to determine the toxicity of single toxicants, mixed toxicants and real industrial wastes. The final aim was to protect microbial degradation of organic wastes in biological treatment processes and hence enhance the quality of treated effluents to be discharged to the environment. Nitrification inhibition, Respirometry, Adenosine triphosphate luminescence and Enzyme inhibition were tested utilising activated sludge as the testing matrix.

Evaluation of nitrification-inhibition measurements.

A screening method for nitrification-inhibition determination has been evaluated at two laboratories, one in Sweden and one in Spain. Allyl-thiourea (ATU), methanol, chromium and zinc were used as reference toxicants in combination with different kinds of full-scale sludge and sludge produced in the laboratory. Different results were obtained with different combinations of activated sludge and toxicants.

Randomized trial of a program to enhance the competencies of children with epilepsy.

A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in Santiago, Chile to test the impact of a child-centered, family-focused educational program for children aged 7-14 years with epilepsy and for their parents. The objectives of the program developed and pilot-tested in Los Angeles, California were to increase the children's knowledge, perceptions of competency, and skills related to dealing with seizures. Children in the experimental group (n = 123) and their parents separately attended four 1 1/2-h sessions and then met together at the end of each session to share learning experiences.

ACT-asthma control y tratamiento para niños: a progress report.

A randomized clinical trial is in progress to evaluate an asthma educational program for Latino children and their parents. The intervention, "ACT-Asma Control y Tratamiento Para Niños," was adapted from ACT for Kids, an asthma self-management program for English-speaking families. Results of a pilot study indicated that socioeconomic status was a critical variable to be considered in the design of such programs.

A randomized trial of A.C.T. (asthma care training) for kids.

A randomized control trial of a curriculum, A.C.T.