University of Oviedo

About: University of Oviedo is a education organization based out in Oviedo, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 13423 authors who have published 31649 publications receiving 844799 citations. The organization is also known as: Universidá d'Uviéu & Universidad de Oviedo.

Assessing the risk of extinction for the brown bear (ursus arctos) in the cordillera cantabrica, spain

Abstract: The status of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Spain has suffered a dramatic decline during the last centuries, both in area and numbers. Current relict populations are suspected to be under immediate risk of extinction. The aim of our model is to attain an understanding of the main processes and mechanisms determining population dynamics in the Cordillera Cantabrica. We compile the knowledge available about brown bears in the Cordillera Cantabrica, northern Spain, and perform a population viability analysis (PVA) to diagnose the current state of the population and to support current management. The specially constructed simulation model, based on long-term field investigations on the western brown bear population in the Cordillera Cantabrica, includes detailed life history data and information on environmental variations in food abundance. The method of individual-based modeling is employed to simulate the fate of individual bears. Reproduction, family breakup, and mortalities are modeled in annual time ...

Prompt and non-prompt J/ψ production in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Abstract: The production of J/psi mesons is studied in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=7 TeV with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The measurement is based on a dimuon sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 314 inverse nanobarns. The J/psi differential cross section is determined, as a function of the J/psi transverse momentum, in three rapidity ranges. A fit to the decay length distribution is used to separate the prompt from the non-prompt (b hadron to J/psi) component. Integrated over J/psi transverse momentum from 6.5 to 30 GeV/c and over rapidity in the range |y| < 2.4, the measured cross sections, times the dimuon decay branching fraction, are 70.9 \pm 2.1 (stat.) \pm 3.0 (syst.) \pm 7.8(luminosity) nb for prompt J/psi mesons assuming unpolarized production and 26.0 \pm 1.4 (stat.) \pm 1.6 (syst.) \pm 2.9 (luminosity) nb for J/psi mesons from b-hadron decays.

An Insight into the Switching Process of Power MOSFETs: An Improved Analytical Losses Model

Abstract: The piecewise linear model has traditionally been used to calculate switching losses in switching mode power supplies due to its simplicity and good performance. However, the use of the latest low voltage power MOSFET generations and the continuously increasing range of switching frequencies have made it necessary to review this model to account for the parasitic inductances that it does not include. This paper presents a complete analytical switching loss model for power MOSFETs in low voltage switching converters that includes the most relevant parasitic elements. It clarifies the switching process, providing information about how these parasitics, especially the inductances, determine switching losses and hence the final converter efficiency. The analysis presented in this paper yields two different types of possible switching situations: capacitance-limited switching and inductance-limited switching. This paper shows that, while the piecewise linear model may be applied in the former, the proposed model is more accurate for the latter. Carefully-obtained experimental results, described in detail, support the analytical results presented.

Th17 responses and natural IgM antibodies are related to gut microbiota composition in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Abstract: Intestinal dysbiosis, characterized by a reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, has been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. In this study, in vitro cultures revealed that microbiota isolated from SLE patient stool samples (SLE-M) promoted lymphocyte activation and Th17 differentiation from naive CD4+ lymphocytes to a greater extent than healthy control-microbiota. Enrichment of SLE-M with Treg-inducing bacteria showed that a mixture of two Clostridia strains significantly reduced the Th17/Th1 balance, whereas Bifidobacterium bifidum supplementation prevented CD4+ lymphocyte over-activation, thus supporting a possible therapeutic benefit of probiotics containing Treg-inducer strains in order to restore the Treg/Th17/Th1 imbalance present in SLE. In fact, ex vivo analyses of patient samples showed enlarged Th17 and Foxp3+ IL-17+ populations, suggesting a possible Treg-Th17 trans-differentiation. Moreover, analyses of fecal microbiota revealed a negative correlation between IL-17+ populations and Firmicutes in healthy controls, whereas in SLE this phylum correlated directly with serum levels of IFNγ, a Th1 cytokine slightly reduced in patients. Finally, the frequency of Synergistetes, positively correlated with the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in healthy controls, tended to be reduced in patients when anti-dsDNA titers were increased and showed a strong negative correlation with IL-6 serum levels and correlated positively with protective natural IgM antibodies against phosphorylcholine.

Clinical Predictors for Germline Mutations in Head and Neck Paraganglioma Patients: Cost Reduction Strategy in Genetic Diagnostic Process as Fall-Out

Abstract: Multiple genes and their variants that lend susceptibility to many diseases will play a major role in clinical routine. Genetics-based cost reduction strategies in diagnostic processes are important in the setting of multiple susceptibility genes for a single disease. Head and neck paraganglioma (HNP) is caused by germline mutations of at least three succinate dehydrogenase subunit genes ( SDHx ). Mutation analysis for all 3 costs ∼US$2,700 per patient. Genetic classification is essential for downstream management of the patient and preemptive management of family members. Utilizing HNP as a model, we wanted to determine predictors to prioritize the most heritable clinical presentations and which gene to begin testing in HNP presentations, to reduce costs of genetic screening. Patients were tested for SDHB, SDHC , and SDHD intragenic mutations and large deletions. Clinical parameters were analyzed as potential predictors for finding germline mutations. Cost reduction was calculated between prioritized gene testing compared with that for all genes. Of 598 patients, 30.6% had SDHx germline mutations: 34.4% in SDHB , 14.2% SDHC , and 51.4% SDHD . Predictors for an SDHx mutation are family history [odds ratio (OR), 37.9], previous pheochromocytoma (OR, 10.9), multiple HNP (OR, 10.6), age ≤40 years (OR, 4.0), and male gender (OR, 3.5). By screening only preselected cases and a stepwise approach, 60% cost reduction can be achieved, with 91.8% sensitivity and 94.5% negative predictive value. Our data give evidence that clinical parameters can predict for mutation and help prioritize gene testing to reduce costs in HNP. Such strategy is cost-saving in the practice of genetics-based personalized health care. [Cancer Res 2009;69(8):3650–6]