The aim of this study was to compare the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Bos taurus and Bos indicus in vitro embryos cryopreserved using either slow freezing or vitrification. Embryos were divided into four groups based on subspecies and freezing method: Bos indicus slow freezing (BiSF; n = 8), Bos indicus vitrification (BiVT; n = 10), Bos taurus slow freezing (BtSF; n = 9), and Bos taurus vitrification (BtVT; n = 6). After thawing, the embryos were incubated with CellRox Green and images were obtained using a confocal microscope. The fluorescence intensity of each cell was measured and expressed as arbitrary units of fluorescence (auf) and compared using a multiple regression and unpaired t-test with α = 0.05. Results showed that subspecies and the freezing method significantly affected auf (P < 0.001; R2 = 0.1213). Bos indicus embryos had higher auf than Bos taurus embryos, whether frozen by slow freezing (67.05 ± 23.18 vs 51.30 ± 16.84, P < 0.001) or vitrification (64.44 ± 23.32 vs 47.86 ± 17.53, P < 0.001). Slow freezing induced higher auf than vitrification in both Bos taurus (51.30 ± 16.84 vs 47.86 ± 17.53, P < 0.001) and Bos indicus (67.05 ± 23.18 vs 64.44 ± 23.32, P < 0.014). In conclusion, Bos taurus embryos had lower ROS levels when frozen using vitrification, while Bos indicus embryos had consistent ROS patterns regardless of the freezing method. However, Bos indicus embryos frozen by slow freezing tended to have a higher number of cells with elevated ROS levels.

Background: Aztreonam (AZT) is frequently used for the treatment of Enterobacterales-related infections, particularly for patients with penicillin allergy. We aimed to analyze the impact over time of changes in AZT Days of therapy (DOTs) on AZT susceptibility from some Enterobacterales after a multifaceted intervention to improve antibiotic management at a University Hospital in Florida. Methods: The study took place at a 560-lbed academic hospital in Miami, FL. A multifaceted intervention was implemented in this hospital to improve antibiotic management of patients with reported allergies to penicillin. The intervention included use of algorithm-based guidance, education, and feedback to providers. The analysis period spans from 2018 (pre-intervention) through 2022 (post intervention); 2019 was considered the wash-out period (Figure 1). Quarterly data for AZT-DOT and percentage of resistance to AZT for Enterobacterales were collected as part of the normal operations of the antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) using the infection control module integrated in the electronic medical record (Epic Bugsy). DOT and Enterobacterales antibiotic resistance to AZT was analyzed using linear regression in SPSS. Results: We identified a decrease in DOT AZT and percentage of AZT resistance from E. coli during the study period (Table 1). This intervention led to AZT DOT’s decrease from a quarterly average of 24 DOTs in 2018 levels to a sustained quarterly average of 4.3 DOTs for 2020 to Q2 2023 (decrease 80%) Antibiotic resistance to E. coli AZT changed from a 26.6% to 21.5% (19% decrease) (Table1). Simple linear regression identified a decrease in percentage of E. coli resistance to AZT associated with a decrease on AZT DOT (P-value 0.003), there was no association for other Enterobacterales. For each unit of decrease in AZT DOT there was 0.3% decrease in percentage of E. coli resistance to AZT (Table 2.) Conclusions: A decrease in AZT DOT during the observation period was associated with a decrease in E. coli resistance to AZT. Interventions aimed to decrease inappropriate antibiotic use are pivotal part of the fight against antimicrobial resistance; in our study we report a decrease in E. coli resistance to aztreonam related to decrease in the use of this antibiotic using education, guidance, and feedback to providers.

Many European farmland bird populations are rapidly declining because of agricultural intensification and land-use changes. Robust estimates of population sizes and trends, habitat use, and protected area coverage within the distribution range are crucial to inform the conservation and management of threatened species. Here we report on the results of the 2019 Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis (BBS) survey promoted and coordinated by SEO/BirdLife to update its breeding distribution, population size, and trends in continental Spain. A total of 660 grid cells, 10 × 10 km, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), were surveyed (81% of the distribution area), with 2,257 visits to 1,750 walked transects (7,001 km in total; 10.6 km per UTM). BBS was detected in 43% of sampled UTMs. At transect level, occupancy was 11% higher inside protected areas. At UTM level, occupancy was estimated at 0.58 (Bayesian credible interval [BCI] 95%: 0.55–0.61), revealing that BBS occupied about half of its previous breeding range (2003–2005). Using hierarchical distance sampling modelling, we estimated an average density of 1.33 individuals/km2 in occupied areas, and a population of 4,025 individuals (confidence interval: 1,840–7,609) within sampled areas, with an additional 697 individuals (confidence interval 461–1,075) in areas that were not surveyed. Further, the relative abundance of BBS (Kilometric Abundance Index) declined by 63% between 2005 and 2019 (annual decline rate of 4.5%). BBS used agricultural habitats (73%) and unprotected areas (54%) despite a higher occupancy within protected areas. Given the recent decline rate and persistent threats, the BBS conservation status should be upgraded to “Endangered” in peninsular Spain. Its future depends on land-use changes and agricultural practices, in particular the maintenance of fallows, semi-natural habitats, and pastures for extensive grazing. Better protection of important areas and targeted conservation initiatives should be promoted to halt and reverse the population decline in this key western Palearctic stronghold.

Ermeloite is a new aluminium phosphate mineral from Galicia, Spain, in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the third formally recognised mineral discovered in Galicia since morenosite and cervantite in the 19th Century. The name and symbol (Erm) were approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA2021–017a) in recognition of the geographical location where it was found. The mineral occurs as a light blue to white fine aggregate over quartz and microcline associated with wardite. Crystals of ~0.04 mm are transparent and have a waxy lustre. The simplified empirical formula determined using electron microprobe analysis is Al1.02P0.95F0.06O3.88⋅1.06 H2O, which is near to the ideal formula Al(PO4)⋅H2O. The mineral is an alteration product within a phosphate pegmatite. Ermeloite is the second phosphate isostructural with the sulfates of the kieserite group. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed that ermeloite crystallises in the monoclinic C2/c space group with cell parameters a = 6.5371(4) Å, b = 7.5670(5) Å, c = 7.1146(5) Å, β = 115.335(2)°, V = 318.08(4) Å3 and Z = 4 at room temperature. Comparative analysis of the crystallographic data, with isostructural phosphates, revealed an interesting behaviour for these compounds.

As evidence supporting the effectiveness of mental health and psychosocial interventions grows, more research is needed to understand optimal strategies for improving their implementation in diverse contexts. We conducted a qualitative process evaluation of a multicomponent psychosocial intervention intended to promote well-being among refugee, migrant and host community women in three diverse contexts in Ecuador and Panamá. The objective of this study is to describe the relationships among implementation determinants, strategies and outcomes of this community-based psychosocial intervention. The five implementation strategies used in this study included stakeholder engagement, promoting intervention adaptability, group and community-based delivery format, task sharing and providing incentives. We identified 10 adaptations to the intervention and its implementation, most of which were made during pre-implementation. Participants (n = 77) and facilitators (n = 30) who completed qualitative interviews reported that these strategies largely improved the implementation of the intervention across key outcomes and aligned with the study’s intervention and implementation theory of change models. Participants and facilitators also proposed additional strategies for improving reach, implementation and maintenance of this community-based psychosocial intervention.

Interaction between n-butylammonium (BA) chloride and vermiculite from Santa Olalla (Spain) has been studied in large flake (5 × 5 × 0.1 mm) or ground powder (≤80 µm) samples. The differences in adsorption and decomposition of BA ions in both particle sizes have been established. In the interlamellar space, the BA ion remains unaltered in powder samples, but is degraded in flakes. The experimental results suggest decomposition of the BA in the interlamellar space of vermiculite flakes by breaking of the C-N bond. The degradation of BA takes place over a short period. The variety with BA in the interlamellar space is transformed into a new one, due to the degradation of alkylammonium. The transformation occurs through an interstratified phase formed between BA-vermiculite and NH4-vermiculite, and finally a phase appears in which only ammonium is present in the interlamellar space. Due to the many industrial applications of alkylammonium-clays, determination of the stability of alkylammonium in the interlamellar space of clay minerals is of great importance.

Refluxing chromium (III) acetate with a Na+-montmorillonite suspension gives rise to the intercalation of linear Cr(III) polyhydroxo-acetate oligomers. Thermally stable chromia pillared mont-morillonite materials are obtained upon calcination under ammonia up to 625°C, and basal expansions up to 6 Å are maintained. The porous materials retain high surface areas (366–464 m2 g−1), a micropore volume of 0.1 cm3 g−1 and narrow pore size distributions centered between 7.5 and 12 Å. The most thermally stable materials in air were those prepared under ammonia at 625°C, containing NH4+ as the exchangeable ion.

Three samples of volcanic tuff were hydrothermally altered at ∼82°C in a soxhlet apparatus for periods from 745 to 2706 h. The samples correspond to partially altered specimens of volcanic tuff with 6 wt. % (T3a) and 9 wt. % (T3b) smectite and to the calcination product of the latter (T3c). The calcination treatment melted the smectite in the sample. Untreated samples and alteration products were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and oxygen isotope analysis. DTA-TG of the <2-µm size fractions showed that there was a small increase of smectite relative to glass after alteration for samples T3a and T3b, with the amount of smectite increasing exponentially with time. No smectite formed in sample T3c. These results suggest that smectite acts as a nucleation site for the precipitation of new smectite. The amount of glass in the <2-µm size fraction increased, although slightly decreased relative to smectite. SEM-EDX analysis showed smectite with the approximate structural formula of Na0.22K0.08Mg0.12Ca0.03VI(Al1.47Fe0.05Mg0.48)IV(Si3.97Al0.03)O10(OH)2.

Oxygen isotope composition of the <2-µm size fraction became enriched in 18O by alteration, the >2-µm size fraction of T3b did not vary, and that of T3c was depleted in 18O. Our results are consistent with three processes during alteration: 1) oxygen isotope exchange between volcanic glass and water, 2) neoformation of smectite, and 3) hydration and consequent hydroxylation of the calcined glass.

There is a general consensus that providing care for a relative that has dementia is associated with negative outcomes for caregivers’ mental health. There seem to be also associations with negative physical health outcomes, although the literature on this topic is more scarce. Most of the available research consist in studies with a cross-sectional design. Longitudinal studies focused on psychosocial correlates of mental and physical health of the caregivers are lacking, mostly those analyzing the influence of factors such as behavioral and psychological symptoms of the dementia, caregivers` dysfunctional thoughts, and caregivers’ ambivalent and guilt feelings. The aim of this presentation will be to describe the findings from the Madrid Caregivers Longitudinal Study, that consist in a two year follow-up of family caregivers of people with dementia. Several models will be described testing the longitudinal effect of psychosocial variables on caregivers’ distress (depression and anxiety) and cardiovascular health (measured through biomarkers of inflammation). The practical implications of the findings will be discussed.

The effects of a subvolcanic intrusion on its host rocks in the Priego de Córdoba area (SE Spain) was studied by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The intrusion of a laccolith of stratiform dolerite in partially consolidated marly sediments at quite shallow depths below the ocean floor took place during the intracontinental rifting phase of the Subbetic zone of the Betic Cordilleras. In the first stage, contact metamorphism caused the crystallization of calc-silicate consisting of grossular andradite garnet, diopside, vesuvianite and titanite for which the upper temperature limit was 500°C. Phyllosilicates are found in a network of veins cross-cutting the carbonate and calc-silicate matrix, indicating their formation during a process of hydrothermal alteration superimposed on the contact aureole. In the area closest to the subvolcanic rocks, saponite is the main phyllosilicate although some dispersed chlorite is found. In the zone furthest from the contact, corrensite together with saponite and beidellitic smectites were observed. The presence of low-temperature phases (saponite) in the area closest to the laccolith reveals the evolution of the hydrothermal system toward cooler conditions. In the early stage, the circulation of a hot hydrothermal fluid caused the crystallization of chlorite in the area surrounding the subvolcanic body and corrensite in the more distal area, which might have begun even during the contact metamorphism stage. A cooling phase followed, resulting in the crystallization of saponite in the host rocks, and the crystallization of dioctahedral and trioctahedral smectites inside the subvolcanic body.

The aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of female residents of Spain from West Africa in terms of the factors that condition their lives. Pierre Bourdieu’s theory and the model of intersectionality formed the framework we used to qualitatively analyse the life stories of these women, which was complemented with life lines. The results showed us that traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and forced marriage are part of the social habitus of this group and they relate to each other through the several types of violence that occurs throughout their lives. In addition, in reference to the African community, these women were no longer African, while in terms of the Spanish community, they did not seem Spanish. At a health, political, and social level, this knowledge can help us to understand this group and to create personalised targeted interventions for them.

Image-processing pipelines require the design of complex workflows combining many different steps that bring the raw acquired data to a final result with biological meaning. In the image-processing domain of cryo-electron microscopy single-particle analysis (cryo-EM SPA), hundreds of steps must be performed to obtain the three-dimensional structure of a biological macromolecule by integrating data spread over thousands of micrographs containing millions of copies of allegedly the same macromolecule. The execution of such complicated workflows demands a specific tool to keep track of all these steps performed. Additionally, due to the extremely low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the estimation of any image parameter is heavily affected by noise resulting in a significant fraction of incorrect estimates. Although low SNR and processing millions of images by hundreds of sequential steps requiring substantial computational resources are specific to cryo-EM, these characteristics may be shared by other biological imaging domains. Here, we present Scipion, a Python generic open-source workflow engine specifically adapted for image processing. Its main characteristics are: (a) interoperability, (b) smart object model, (c) gluing operations, (d) comparison operations, (e) wide set of domain-specific operations, (f) execution in streaming, (g) smooth integration in high-performance computing environments, (h) execution with and without graphical capabilities, (i) flexible visualization, (j) user authentication and private access to private data, (k) scripting capabilities, (l) high performance, (m) traceability, (n) reproducibility, (o) self-reporting, (p) reusability, (q) extensibility, (r) software updates, and (s) non-restrictive software licensing.

Being married has been associated with a better attitude to aging and a buffer against stressful situations, factors that influence mental health. The study analyzes the role of self-perceptions of aging and stress related to the COVID–19 pandemic in the association between marital satisfaction and participants’ mental health. 246 people older than 40 years in a marital/partner relationship were assessed. A path analysis was tested, where self-perceptions of aging and stress from the COVID–19 situation were proposed as mechanisms of action in the association between marital satisfaction and anxious and depressive symptoms. Marital satisfaction, self-perceptions of aging, and stress associated with the COVID–19 pandemic significantly contributed to the model and explained 31% of the variance in participants´ anxious symptomatology, and 42% of the variance in depressive symptomatology. The indirect path of self-perceptions of aging and stress associated with the COVID–19 pandemic in the link between marital satisfaction and anxious and depressive symptoms was statistically significant for both outcome variables. The findings of this study suggest that lower perceived marital satisfaction is associated with higher levels of negative self-perceptions of aging and with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Public significance statements: This study suggests that higher marital satisfaction may be a buffer for negative self-perception of aging, and both factors are related with experiencing less stress from COVID–19. These links are associated with less anxious and depressive symptoms.

Antequera in southern Spain is widely recognised as an outstanding example of the European megalithic phenomenon. One of its most remarkable features is the evident relationship between conspicuous natural formations and human-built monuments. Here, the authors report the results of their investigation of a tomb newly discovered at the site of Piedras Blancas at the foot of La Peña de los Enamorados, a limestone massif that dominates the Antequera plain. Excavation and multidisciplinary study, including geological, architectural and archaeoastronomical investigations, have revealed a complex funerary monument that is part natural, part built, part hypogeum, part megalith. The results emphasise the centrality of La Peña in the Neolithic worldview and encourage wider investigation of prehistoric place-making.

Sustainable energy economics in Latin America has become relevant due to the region’s dependence on the oil market and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review of the ten major economies in the region based on gross domestic product is conducted. We primarily analyze production performance of hydro, wind, and solar energies, in terms of total gigawatt hours produced, current participation levels in energy matrices, and total installed capacity. Current and future trends and legal frameworks for each technology and country are discussed. Our analyses indicate that Latin America and the Caribbean can potentially increase the usage of renewable energy sources given a plethora of natural resources, favorable geographical and climatic conditions, and existing large-scale hydro installations to counteract the inconsistency of wind and solar projects. Therefore, governments in the region must overhaul sustainable policies to increase awareness and reduce energy dependence on foreign powers.