Photonically-driven Schottky diode based 0.3 THz heterodyne receiver

Photonics-based technologies are key players in a number of emerging applications in the terahertz (THz) field. These solutions exploit the well-known advantages of optical devices, such as ultra-wide tuneability and direct integration with fiber networks. However, THz receivers are mainly implemented by fully electronic solutions, where Schottky barrier diodes (SBD) are the preferred option as detectors and mixers due to their excellent response within the THz range at room temperature, and technological maturity. Here, we demonstrate an SBD-based subharmonic mixer (SHM) at 300 GHz pumped with a photonic local oscillator. The Schottky mixer is a prototype designed and manufactured by ACST GmbH, operating at 270-320 GHz. The local oscillator is generated by photomixing on a high-frequency and high-power uni-travelling-carrier photodiode (UTC-PD), providing enough power to saturate conversion loss. Minimum single-side-band conversion loss of 14.4 dB and a peak dynamic range of 130 dB have been measured. Finally, as a proof of concept we realize an all-photonics-based 5 Gbps wireless bridge, utilizing the optically-pumped SBD mixer. With this work, we prove the feasibility of high-performance hybrid Schottky-photonic THz receivers, incorporating the best of both worlds

The relationship of the atlantic diet with cardiovascular risk factors and markers of arterial stiffness in adults without cardiovascular disease

Background: Studying the adherence of the population to the Atlantic Diet (AD) could be simplified by an easy and quickly applied dietary index. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship of an index measuring compliance with recommendations regarding the Atlantic diet and physical activity with cardiovascular disease risk factors, cardiovascular risk factors, obesity indexes and arterial stiffness markers. Methods: We included 791 individuals from the EVIDENT study (lifestyles and arterial ageing), (52.3 ± 12 years, 61.7% women) without cardiovascular disease. Compliance with recommendations on AD was collected through the responses to a food frequency questionnaire, while physical activity was measured by accelerometer. The number of recommendations being met was estimated using a global scale between 0 and 14 points (a higher score representing greater adherence). Blood pressure, plasma lipid and glucose values and obesity rates were measured. Cardiovascular risk was estimated with the Framingham equation. Results: In the overall sample, 184 individuals (23.3%) scored between 0–3 on the 14-point index we created, 308 (38.9%) between 4 and 5 points, and 299 (37.8%) 6 or more points. The results of multivariate analysis yield a common tendency in which the group with an adherence score of at least 6 points shows lower figures for total cholesterol (p = 0.007) and triglycerides (p = 0.002). Similarly, overall cardiovascular risk in this group is the lowest (p < 0.001), as is pulse wave velocity (p = 0.050) and the mean values of the obesity indexes studied (p < 0.05 in all cases). Conclusion: The rate of compliance with the Atlantic diet and physical activity shows that greater adherence to these recommendations is linked to lower cardiovascular risk, lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, lower rates of obesity and lower pulse wave velocity values

Isolation of Neisseria meningitidis strains with increase of penicillin minimal inhibitory concentrations

We report the isolation and characterization of ten strains showing an increase in the minimal inhibitory concentrations to penicillin (MICs > 0·1 μg/ml), and describe the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological features. The susceptibility of 3432 meningococcal strains isolated from patients in the recent epidemic wave (1978–86) in Spain, to several antimicrobial agents used in the treatment and chemoprophylaxis of meningococcal infection has been tested. Most were resistant to sulphadiazine but sensitive to other antibiotics. The possible existence of a new pattern of behaviour of meningococcal to penicillin is discussed

Smoking cessation interventions for college students. A meta-analysis

Póster de Pardavila-Belio,M. I., Canga-Armayor, N., Carcia-Vivar-C., et al "Smoking cessation interventions for college students. A meta-analysis" en 15th SRNT - EuropeAnnual Meeting 2014, celebrado en Santiago de Compostela (España) el 20 de septiembre de 201

Effectiveness of an mHealth intervention combining a smartphone app and smart band on body composition in an overweight and obese population: Randomized controlled trial (EVIDENT 3 study)

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. Methods: A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19). Conclusions: The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect

Efectividad de un programa de cesación tabáquica para estudiantes universitarios. Estudio de intervención

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de un programa de cesación tabáquica destinado y adaptado a las características de los jóvenes y llevado a cabo por profesionales de enfermería. Diseño: Ensayo aleatorizado de intervención que compara una intervención multicomponente, diseñado específicamente para estudiantes universitarios, con el consejo breve, a los 6 meses de seguimiento. El tipo de aleatorización empleado fue simple. Ámbito de estudio: Este estudio se llevó a cabo en la Universidad de Navarra, España. Participantes: Un total de 255 fumadores de estudiantes universitarios (18-24 años) fueron asignados al azar a un grupo de intervención (n = 133) o al grupo control (n = 122). Intervención: Intervención multicomponente basada en la Teoría de la Influencia Triádica de Flay. La intervención consistió en una entrevista motivacional, de 50 minutos de duración, realizada por una enfermera, y material de autoayuda online. En el seguimiento se incluyó un e-mail de apoyo, una sesión de terapia grupal y una sesión individual. Medidas de resultado: La principal medida de resultado fue la incidencia de abandonos en el grupo control y en el grupo intervención, a los seis meses de la primera sesión, con validación bioquímica. Los resultados secundarios del estudio consistieron en el número medio de cigarrillos/día fumados, en el número de personas que intentaron dejar de fumar durante el programa y en el cambio de actitud hacia la conducta tabáquica (Modelo de Estadios de Cambio de Prochaska y DiClemente), a los 6 meses. Resultados: A los 6 meses de seguimiento, la incidencia de abandono tabáquico con validación bioquímica fue de 21.1% en el grupo de intervención y de un 6,6% en el grupo control (Diferencia = 14,5%; Intervalo de Confianza del 95% 6,1-22,8; Riesgo Relativo = 3,21; Intervalo de Confianza del 95% = 1,52 a 6,78). A los 6 meses, la diferencia en el número medio de cigarrillos fue estadísticamente significativa a favor del grupo intervención (diferencia = -2,2; Intervalo de Confianza = -3,6 a -0,9). Conclusiones: Un programa de cesación tabáquica multicomponente, especialmente diseñado para universitarios, y llevado a cabo por una enfermera, es más efectivo que el consejo breve

Efectividad de un programa de cesación tabáquica para estudiantes universitarios. Estudio de intervención

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de un programa de cesación tabáquica destinado y adaptado a las características de los jóvenes y llevado a cabo por profesionales de enfermería. Diseño: Ensayo aleatorizado de intervención que compara una intervención multicomponente, diseñado específicamente para estudiantes universitarios, con el consejo breve, a los 6 meses de seguimiento. El tipo de aleatorización empleado fue simple. Ámbito de estudio: Este estudio se llevó a cabo en la Universidad de Navarra, España. Participantes: Un total de 255 fumadores de estudiantes universitarios (18-24 años) fueron asignados al azar a un grupo de intervención (n = 133) o al grupo control (n = 122). Intervención: Intervención multicomponente basada en la Teoría de la Influencia Triádica de Flay. La intervención consistió en una entrevista motivacional, de 50 minutos de duración, realizada por una enfermera, y material de autoayuda online. En el seguimiento se incluyó un e-mail de apoyo, una sesión de terapia grupal y una sesión individual. Medidas de resultado: La principal medida de resultado fue la incidencia de abandonos en el grupo control y en el grupo intervención, a los seis meses de la primera sesión, con validación bioquímica. Los resultados secundarios del estudio consistieron en el número medio de cigarrillos/día fumados, en el número de personas que intentaron dejar de fumar durante el programa y en el cambio de actitud hacia la conducta tabáquica (Modelo de Estadios de Cambio de Prochaska y DiClemente), a los 6 meses. Resultados: A los 6 meses de seguimiento, la incidencia de abandono tabáquico con validación bioquímica fue de 21.1% en el grupo de intervención y de un 6,6% en el grupo control (Diferencia = 14,5%; Intervalo de Confianza del 95% 6,1-22,8; Riesgo Relativo = 3,21; Intervalo de Confianza del 95% = 1,52 a 6,78). A los 6 meses, la diferencia en el número medio de cigarrillos fue estadísticamente significativa a favor del grupo intervención (diferencia = -2,2; Intervalo de Confianza = -3,6 a -0,9). Conclusiones: Un programa de cesación tabáquica multicomponente, especialmente diseñado para universitarios, y llevado a cabo por una enfermera, es más efectivo que el consejo breve

AccessLab: A study of the accessibility of numeric documents in higher education courses. A lever against the digital divide for students with disabilities

International audienc