Electrospun amplified fiber optics

A lot of research is focused on all-optical signal processing, aiming to obtain effective alternatives to existing data transmission platforms. Amplification of light in fiber optics, such as in Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers, is especially important for an efficient signal transmission. However, the complex fabrication methods, involving high-temperature processes performed in highly pure environment, slow down the fabrication and make amplified components expensive with respect to an ideal, high-throughput and room temperature production. Here, we report on near infrared polymer fiber amplifiers, working over a band of about 20 nm. The fibers are cheap, spun with a process entirely carried out at room temperature, and show amplified spontaneous emission with good gain coefficients as well as low optical losses (a few cm^-1). The amplification process is favoured by the high fiber quality and low self-absorption. The found performance metrics promise to be suitable for short-distance operation, and the large variety of commercially-available doping dyes might allow for effective multi-wavelength operation by electrospun amplified fiber optics.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figure

Método para la obtención de las curvas características de ventosas mediante ensayos en laboratorio

[ES] En este trabajo se propone y describe un método para la obtención experimental de las curvas que relacionan la presión en el interior de la tubería con el caudal másico expulsado o admitido por ventosas. El método de ensayos se caracteriza por su capacidad para reproducir las condiciones termodinámicas que se darían en el funcionamiento normal de las ventosas en redes de distribución de agua a presión. Mediante el procedimiento descrito, se ensayaron 35 modelos comerciales de ventosas de diámetros comprendidos entre 50 y 100 mm. Se presentan las curvas obtenidas, tanto en ensayos de admisión como de expulsión de aire, y se comparan los resultados con los datos proporcionados por los fabricantes.Arrue-Burillo, P.; Romero-Sedo, A.; Espert Alemany, VB.; García-Serra García, J.; Ponz Carcelén, R.; Biel Sanchís, F. (2020). Método para la obtención de las curvas características de ventosas mediante ensayos en laboratorio. Tecnoaqua. 1(41):2-10. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/171674S21014

Caracterización experimental de flujos de admisión y expulsión de aire en ventosas

[EN] The present paper summarizes the results obtained in air release and admission tests in air valves with diameter between 50 and 150 mm. The pressure-flow curves are presented and the pressure values at which dynamic closure is produced (before the water reaches the air valve) in the cases it occurs, as well as the pressure values at which the first float closes in non-slam air valves. Finally, the aforementioned values are compared with those listed in the manufacturers¿ catalogues.[ES] El presente artículo resumen los resultados obtenidos en ensayos de expulsión y admisión de aire en ventosas de entre 50 y 150 mm de diámetro. Se presentan las curvas presión-caudal y los valores de presión a los que se produce cierre dinámico (antes de que llegue el agua a la ventosa) en los casos en los que éste tiene lugar, así como también los valores de la presión a la que se produce el cierre del primer flotador en el caso de ventosas non-slam. Finalmente, se comparan los citados valores con los que figuran en los catálogos de los fabricantes.Arrue-Burillo, P.; Romero-Sedo, A.; Espert Alemany, VB.; García-Serra García, J.; Ponz Carcelén, R.; Biel Sanchís, F.; Alonso Campos, JC. (2019). Caracterización experimental de flujos de admisión y expulsión de aire en ventosas. Tecnoaqua. 1(35):74-82. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/160579748213

γ-Aminobutyric Acid Transporter 2 Mediates the Hepatic Uptake of Guanidinoacetate, the Creatine Biosynthetic Precursor, in Rats

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is the biosynthetic precursor of creatine which is involved in storage and transmission of phosphate-bound energy. Hepatocytes readily convert GAA to creatine, raising the possibility that the active uptake of GAA by hepatocytes is a regulatory factor. The purpose of this study is to investigate and identify the transporter responsible for GAA uptake by hepatocytes. The characteristics of [14C]GAA uptake by hepatocytes were elucidated using the in vivo liver uptake method, freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, an expression system of Xenopus laevis oocytes, gene knockdown, and an immunohistochemical technique. In vivo injection of [14C]GAA into the rat femoral vein and portal vein results in the rapid uptake of [14C]GAA by the liver. The uptake was markedly inhibited by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and nipecotinic acid, an inhibitor of GABA transporters (GATs). The characteristics of Na+- and Cl−-dependent [14C]GAA uptake by freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were consistent with those of GAT2. The Km value of the GAA uptake (134 µM) was close to that of GAT2-mediated GAA transport (78.9 µM). GABA caused a marked inhibition with an IC50 value of 8.81 µM. The [14C]GAA uptake exhibited a significant reduction corresponding to the reduction in GAT2 protein expression. GAT2 was localized on the sinusoidal membrane of the hepatocytes predominantly in the periportal region. This distribution pattern was consistent with that of the creatine biosynthetic enzyme, S-adenosylmethionine∶guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase. GAT2 makes a major contribution to the sinusoidal GAA uptake by periportal hepatocytes, thus regulating creatine biosynthesis in the liver

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Intervención psicoterapéutica psicodinámica mixta con adolescentes que presentan ansiedad y depresión asociadas al trastorno del estado de ánimo inducidos por sustancias y que están recluidos en un centro de custodia y cumplimiento.

El trabajo desarrollado consistió en un diseño de investigación, tipo cuasi experimental con pretest, postest y grupo control y estudio de caso, en el cual se evaluó la efectividad de una intervención psicoterapéutica psicodinámica individual y grupal aplicada a un grupo de adolescentes internos en el Centro de Custodia y Cumplimiento de Herrera para mejorar el manejo de la ansiedad y depresión que subyace al Trastorno del Estado de Ánimo inducidos por sustancias. Los resultados sugieren que la intervención psicoterapéutica mixta no fue efectiva para el manejo de la ansiedad asociada al Trastorno del Estado de Ánimo inducidos por sustancias. La intervención terapéutica sí fue efectiva significativamente para el manejo de la depresión. Se discuten estos resultados y se hacen las recomendaciones pertinentes para esta población de adolescentes que se mantienen recluidos en un Centro de Custodia y Cumplimiento

Loop source transient electromagnetics in an urban noise environment: A case study in Santiago de Chile

We have developed a transient electromagnetic (TEM) study in the noisy urban environment of the megacity Santiago de Chile. Our investigation characterizes the electrical conductivity structure of the Santiago Basin down to 300 m depth, providing key information about the sedimentary infill, hydrogeologic aspects, and geomorphological units. In total, 52 TEM soundings were recorded over roughly 900 km(2). We identified different transient characteristics and noise patterns, spatially correlated to the investigation area. This step allowed classification of the soundings into three groups: highly distorted data, transients severely affected by cultural electromagnetic noise sources, and good-quality data with low noise levels. Conventional 1D inversion techniques were then used to derive resistivity depth models. The models were interpreted using sedimentary units, alluvial fan, static groundwater level information, and also were verified using borehole data. Based on 1D models, different minimum sedimentary thicknesses are ob-served, ranging between 50 and 300 m in depth. The average derived sedimentary thickness is approximately 210 m. In addition, seven soundings indicated the basement. These are mostly located toward the periphery of the Santiago Basin. We found a high conductive zone toward the north and a low-conductive area toward the south of the basin. The southern area is characterized by the absence of conductive layers at a depth between 100 and 150 m. This is likely related to the presence of a thick gravel layer and the absence of shallow clay layers acting as aquitards. The resistivity distribution and the sedimentary thickness obtained for this noisy and urban environment are key inputs for groundwater research as the water supply becomes more limited, specifically in central Chile. The overall consistency of the derived subsurface models high-lights the suitability of the TEM method for investigating urban noise environments