Route Towards a Label-free Optical Waveguide Sensing Platform Based on Lossy Mode Resonances

According to recent market studies of the North American company Allied Market Research, the field of photonic sensors is an emerging strategic field for the following years and it is expected to garner $18 billion by 2021. The integration of micro and nanofabrication technologies in the field of sensors has allowed the development of new technological concepts such as lab-on-a-chip, which have achieved extraordinary advances in terms of detection and applicability, for example in the field of biosensors. This continuous development has allowed that equipment consisting of many complex devices that occupied a whole room a few years ago, at present it is possible to handle them in the palm of the hand; that formerly long duration processes are carried out in a matter of milliseconds and that a technology previously dedicated solely to military or scientific uses is available to the vast majority of consumers. The adequate combination of micro and nanostructured coatings with optical fiber sensors has permitted us to develop novel sensing technologies, such as the first experimental demonstration of lossy mode resonances (LMRs) for sensing applications, with more than one hundred citations and related publications in high rank journals and top conferences. In fact, fiber optic LMR-based devices have been proven as devices with one of the highest sensitivity for refractometric applications. Refractive index sensitivity is an indirect and simple indicator of how sensitive the device is to chemical and biological species, topic where this proposal is focused. Consequently, the utilization of these devices for chemical and biosensing applications is a clear opportunity that could open novel and interesting research lines and applications as well as simplify current analytical methodologies. As a result, on the basis of our previous experience with LMR based sensors to attain very high sensitivities, the objective of this paper is presenting the route for the development of label-free optical waveguide sensing platform based on LMRs that enable to explore the limits of this technology for bio-chemosensing applications

Effects of different aerobic exercise programmes with nutritional intervention in sedentary adults with overweight/obesity and hypertension: EXERDIET-HTA study

Background: Both exercise training and diet are recommended to prevent and control hypertension (HTN) and overweight/obesity. Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of different 16-week aerobic exercise programs with hypocaloric diet on blood pressure (BP), body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and pharmacological treatment. Methods: Overweight/obese, sedentary participants (n=175, 54.08.2 yrs) with HTN, were randomized into attention control group (AC, physical activity recommendations) or one of three supervised exercise groups [two days/week: high-volume with 45 min of moderate-intensity continuous training (HV-MICT), HV and high-intensity interval training, alternating high and moderate intensities (HV-HIIT), and low volume-HIIT (LVHIIT, 20 min)]. All variables were assessed pre and post intervention. All participants received the same hypocaloric diet. Results: Following the intervention, there was a significant reduction in BP and body mass in all groups with no between-group differences for BP. However, body mass was significantly less reduced in the AC group compared with all exercise groups (AC=-6.6%, HV-MICT=-8.3%, HV-HIIT=-9.7%, LV-HIIT=-6.9%). HIIT groups had significantly higher CRF than HV-MICT, but there were no significant between-HIIT differences (AC=16.4%, HV-MICT=23.6%, HV-HIIT=36.7%, LV-HIIT=30.5%). Medication was removed in 7.6% and reduced in 37.7% of the participants. Conclusions: The combination of hypocaloric diet with supervised aerobic exercise 2 days/week offers an optimal non-pharmacological tool in the management of BP, CRF and body composition in overweight/obese and sedentary individuals with HTN. HVHIIT seems to be better for reducing body mass compared to LV-HIIT. The exerciseinduced improvement in CRF is intensity dependent with LV-HIIT as a time-efficient method in this population

Multidisciplinary Prehabilitation and Postoperative Rehabilitation for Avoiding Complications in Patients Undergoing Resection of Colon Cancer: Rationale, Design, and Methodology of the ONCOFIT Study

ONCOFIT is a randomized clinical trial with a two-arm parallel design aimed at determining the influence of a multidisciplinary Prehabilitation and Postoperative Program (PPP) on post-surgery complications in patients undergoing resection of colon cancer. This intervention will include supervised physical exercise, dietary behavior change, and psychological support comparing its influence to the standard care. Primary and secondary endpoints will be assessed at baseline, at preoperative conditions, at the end of the PPP intervention (after 12 weeks) and 1-year post-surgery, and will include: post-surgery complications (primary endpoint); prolonged hospital length of stay; readmissions and emergency department call within 1-year after surgery; functional capacity; patient reported outcome measures targeted; anthropometry and body composition; clinical/tumor parameters; physical activity levels and sedentariness; dietary habits; other unhealthy habits; sleep quality; and fecal microbiota diversity and composition. Considering the feasibility of the present intervention in a real-life scenario, ONCOFIT will contribute to the standardization of a cost-effective strategy for preventing and improving health-related consequences in patients undergoing resection of colon cancer with an important clinical and economic impact, not only in the scientific community, but also in clinical practice.This study was funded by the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016-Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES). P.C. was supported by the Margarita Salas postdoctoral grant, convened by de University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), funded by the Ministry of Universities of Spain and the European Union-Next Generation EU

State-of-the-art of spatial arch bridges

The paper describes a new form of bridge called a spatial arch bridge. This bridge type was developed in response to the demand for landmark structures, which have started to appear in the modern urban landscape to provide a symbol of originality, innovation and progress. Spatial arch bridges are defined as bridges in which the vertical deck loads produce bending moments and shear forces not contained in the arch plane, owing to their geometrical and structural configuration. Moreover, the arch itself may not be contained in a plane. The different variables and geometries that create such a structural configuration have been studied and classified. A wide compilation of examples of this bridge type has been made in chronological order, according to their construction date, from Maillarts first concrete spatial arch bridges to the latest designs and materials

Effect on the demand and stock returns: cross-sectional of Big Data and time-series analysis

For reducing the degree of uncertainty caused by constant change in the environment, large, medium or small, private or public organizations must support their decisions in something more than experience or intuition; they must be supported by the development of accurate and reliable forecasts in order to meet the needs in the organization planning tasks. This case study presents a growing company dedicated to the storage of perishable products and incorporates time series forecasting techniques to estimate the volume of storage to foresee the requirements of additional facilities, personnel and materials needed for product mobility

Label-free wavelength and phase detection based SMS fiber immunosensors optimized with cladding etching

The performance of E-SMS (Etched Singlemode-Multimode-Singlemode) optical fiber structures as immunosensors has been assessed by the implementation of antibody/antigen immunoassays. Through this procedure it has been proven that E-SMS structures are effective and suitable optical platforms for label-free biosensing. Using the phase shift and tracking the wavelength response it was found that the fabricated E-SMS devices exhibited limits of detection (LOD) down up to concentrations of 0.2 mg/L of antigens in solution. This was achieved by coating the E-SMS with an antibody-based biolayer (goat IgG) that is able to determine the presence of anti-goat IgG antigen. Both a wavelength detection and a fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis technique were used to perform this analysis. The FFT method showed similar results to those observed with the most traditional wavelength analysis, but with the advantage of a simpler detection system that makes unnecessary the use of sophisticated optical interrogators

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controled clinical trial of sublingual immunotherapy in natural rubber latex allergic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Natural rubber latex allergy is a common and unsolved health problem. Since the avoidance of exposure is very difficult, immunotherapy is strongly recommended, but before its use in patients, it is essential to prove the efficacy and safety of extracts.</p> <p>The aim of the present randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of latex sublingual immunotherapy in adult patients undergoing permanent latex avoidance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-eight adult latex-allergic patients (5 males and 23 females), with mean age of 39 years (range 24-57) were randomized to receive a commercial latex-sublingual immunotherapy or placebo during one year, followed by another year of open, active therapy. The following outcomes were measured at baseline and at the end of first and second year of follow-up: skin prick test, gloves-use score, conjunctival challenge test, total and specific IgE, basophil activation test, and adverse reactions monitoring.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No significant difference in any of the efficacy <it>in vivo </it>variables was observed between active and placebo groups at the end of the placebo-controlled phase, nor when each group was compared with their baseline values at the end of the two year-study. An improvement in the average percentage of basophils activated was observed. During the induction phase, 4 reactions in the active group and 5 in the placebo group were recorded. During the maintenance phase, two patients dropped out due to pruritus and to acute dermatitis respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Further studies are needed to evaluate latex-sublingual immunotherapy, since efficacy could not be demonstrated in adult patients with avoidance of the allergen.</p> <p>Trial registration number</p> <p><a href="http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12611000543987.aspx">ACTRN12611000543987</a></p

Reversal of diastereoselectivity in the synthesis of Peptidomimetic 3‑Carboxamide-1,4-benzodiazepin-5-ones

Enantiopure 3-carboxamide-1,4-benzodiazepin-5-ones were synthesized via the Ugi reaction followed by the Staudinger/aza-Wittig or reduction reactions in only two steps. A complete reversal of diastereoselectivity was achieved depending on the cyclization methodology employed. The different orientation of the C3 substituent in our 3-substituted 1,4-benzodiazepin-5-ones with respect to the most studied 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones makes them complementary in the development of new drugs because the primary source of binding selectivity of 1,4-benzodiazepines is the selective recognition of ligand conformations by the receptor.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain (Project CTQ2012-31611), Junta de Castilla y León, Consejería de Educación y Cultura y Fondo Social Europeo (Project BU246A12-1) and the European Commission, Seventh Framework Programme (Project SNIFFER FP7-SEC-2012-312411)

Optical fiber relative humidity sensor based on a FBG with a di-ureasil coating

In this work we proposed a relative humidity (RH) sensor based on a Bragg grating written in an optical fiber, associated with a coating of organo-silica hybrid material prepared by the sol-gel method. The organo-silica-based coating has a strong adhesion to the optical fiber and its expansion is reversibly affected by the change in the RH values (15.0–95.0%) of the surrounding environment, allowing an increased sensitivity (22.2 pm/%RH) and durability due to the presence of a siliceous-based inorganic component. The developed sensor was tested in a real structure health monitoring essay, in which the RH inside two concrete blocks with different porosity values was measured over 1 year. The results demonstrated the potential of the proposed optical sensor in the monitoring of civil engineering structures