1,259 research outputs found

    Myrciaria dubia “Camu Camu” Fruit: Health-Promoting Phytochemicals and Functional Genomic Characteristics

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    Camu camu is a typical Amazon native fruit shrub that possesses a diploid genome, moderate genetic diversity, and population structure. The fruits accumulate several essential nutrients and synthesize L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in great quantities and an array of diverse secondary metabolites with corroborated in vitro and in vivo health-promoting activities. These beneficial effects include antioxidative and antiinflammatory activities, antiobesity, hypolipidemic, antihypertensive and antidiabetic effects, DNA damage and cancer protection effects, and other bioactivities. Many health-promoting phytochemicals are biosynthesized in several metabolic pathways of camu camu. Their reconstruction from the fruit transcriptome database was accomplished by our research group. These include basic metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway, vitamin C biosynthesis pathways, and pathways involved in secondary metabolites production. Due to their agronomic potential and fruits growing demand, recently, based on an ideotype, programs were initiated for their domestication and genetic improvement, but so far with very negligible achievements. Consequently, we propose new strategies to accelerate the processes of domestication and genetic improvement based on state of the art technologies for multiomic data analysis and innovative molecular tools

    Notas corológicas de la provincia de Jaén. III. Juncaceae

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    In this paper we present a catalogue of Juncaceae species from the province of Jaén (S. E. Spain) wich includes 21 taxa, 6 are new in the zone.Se presenta un catálogo de las especies de la familia Juncaceae existentes en la provincia de Jaén (España), que incluye 21 táxones, 6 de los cuales son primera cita provincial

    Autonomous on-board data processing and instrument calibration software for the SO/PHI

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    The extension of on-board data processing capabilities is an attractive option to reduce telemetry for scientific instruments on deep space missions. The challenges that this presents, however, require a comprehensive software system, which operates on the limited resources a data processing unit in space allows. We implemented such a system for the Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI) on-board the Solar Orbiter (SO) spacecraft. It ensures autonomous operation to handle long command-response times, easy changing of the processes after new lessons have been learned and meticulous book-keeping of all operations to ensure scientific accuracy. This contribution presents the requirements and main aspects of the software implementation, followed by an example of a task implemented in the software frame, and results from running it on SO/PHI. The presented example shows that the different parts of the software framework work well together, and that the system processes data as we expect. The flexibility of the framework makes it possible to use it as a baseline for future applications with similar needs and limitations as SO/PHI.Comment: Conference: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentatio, Software and Cyberinfrastructure for Astronomy

    Deconstructing design thinking as a tool for the implementation of a population health initiative

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    BACKGROUND: The translation of evidence-based practices and rapid uptake of innovations into global health practice is challenging. Design thinking is a consultative process involving multiple stakeholders and has been identified as a promising solution to create and apply implementation strategies in complex environments like health systems. METHODS: We conducted a process evaluation of a real-world example, namely an initiative to innovate hypertension screening, diagnosis and care in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The parameters of the evaluation were informed by a specification rubric and categorization system, recommended for the investigation of implementation strategies, and the double-diamond conceptual framework to describe and examine the strategic architecture and nature of the design thinking approach, with particular emphasis on identifying potential areas of "value-add" particular to the approach. The retrospective evaluation was performed by an independent partner who had not been involved in the setting up and implementation of the design thinking process. RESULTS: The evaluation unveiled a dense catalogue of strategically driven, mostly theoretically based, activities involving all identified health system stakeholders including patients. Narrative reconstruction illuminated the systematic and coherent nature of this approach, with different resulting actions progressively accounting for all relevant layers of the health system to engineer a broad selection of specific implementation solutions. The relevance of the identified features and the mechanics used to promote more successful implementation practices was manifested in several distinct ways: design thinking offered a clear direction on which innovations really mattered and when, as well as several new dimensions for consideration in the development of an innovation mindset amongst stakeholders. It thereby promoted relationship quality in terms of familiarity and trust, and commitment to evidence-based enquiry and action. Design thinking was also able to navigate the territory between the need for intervention "fidelity" versus "adaptation" and provide the operational know-how to face familiar implementation hurdles. Lastly, it brought a new kind of skill set to the public health stakeholders that incorporated diplomacy, multidisciplinary approaches and management sciences-skills that are considered necessary but not yet widely taught as part of public health training. CONCLUSIONS: Design thinking is a sound and viable tool to use as part of an implementation strategy for engaging with health system stakeholders and successfully translating evidence-based practices and new innovations into routine practice, thereby addressing an important knowledge-practice gap and, more broadly, contributing to the strategic repertoire available to implementation science

    Effect of a DC Electric field on the melting temperature, nucleation and ice growth rate of the TIP4P/ICE water model

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    Understanding the effect of electric fields on the thermal stability and phase transitions of water could have potential applications in the food industry, cryopreservation, and environmental science. In this work, we investigate the effect of a static electric field on the melting temperature (Tm), ice nucleation and ice growth rate of two phases of ice, hexagonal ice (Ih) and ferroelectric cubic ice (Icf), for the TIP4P/ICE water model. By means of direct coexistence simulations, we establish that Tm of Ice Ih is shifted toward lower values, whereas Tm of Ice Icf grows, becoming the most stable ice phase for sufficiently largevalues of the applied electric field. We also investigate ice nucleation for both ice phases under an external electric field and find that, for a given supercooling with respect to Tm, while the field slows down the nucleation rate of ice Ih significantly, it barely affects that of ice Icf, due to the enhanced ability of water molecules to orient favorably along the direction of the field in the latter phase. In terms of absolute temperature, overall ice formation is promoted by the electric field because it increases the melting point of ice Icf. Finally, we show how the electric field slows down the crystal growth of Ice Ih and increases that of Ice Icf by a factor of about two

    Problemas de salud y factores determinantes del número de visitas a demanda en pacientes hiperutilizadores de un centro de salud

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    ObjetivosDescribir las características sociodemográficas y problemas de salud que presentan los pacientes hiperconsultadores de un centro de salud y determinar los factores que explican el número de visitas solicitadas en consulta demanda del médico de familia.DiseñoDescriptivo, retrospectivo. Análisis multivariante: regresión lineal múltiple.EmplazamientoCentro de salud urbano.PacientesPacientes que han solicitado cita para consulta demanda en el centro de salud en al menos nueve ocasiones durante 1999 (n = 7.852). Muestra aleatoria de 386 pacientes (alfa, 0,05; precisión, 95%).Mediciones y resultados principalesVariable dependiente: número de consultas demanda solicitadas en 1999. Variables independientes: edad, tamaño familiar, zona residencia, activo o pensionista, inclusión en programas, problemas de salud (CIAP-2), número de fármacos en prescripción repetida (clasificación anatómica), incapacidad laboral temporal (IT). Los hiperconsultadores son un 57,8% (IC, 52,9-62,7%) mujeres; edad media, 55 años (DE, 18,5); tamaño familiar, 2,7 miembros (DE, 1,457); 58,8% pensionistas; número medio de citas, 15 (DE, 6,7); consumo medio, 1,58 (DE, 2,46) fármacos de forma habitual; inclusión en programas: 37,7%, hipertensión; 16%, diabetes; 17%, dislipemia; 16%, consulta de enfermería. Patologías más prevalentes: cardiocirculatorias (43,8%), endocrinometabólicas (32%), traumatológicas (26,7%) y salud mental (21%). El modelo de regresión incluye las variables edad, número de fármacos y haber estado en IT.ConclusionesLos hiperconsultadores de nuestro centro de salud son mujeres de edad media con problemas de salud física de evolución crónica y problemas de salud mental. El número de visitas está relacionado con la edad y las necesidades administrativas: medicación y bajas.ObjectivesTo describe the social and demographic characteristics and health problems of over-users of a health centre and to determine the number of attendances requested on demand at the general medical clinic.DesignRetrospective and descriptive. Multivariate analysis: multiple linear regression.SettingUrban health centre.PatientsPatients who requested a consultation at the health centre on at least nine occasions in 1999 (N = 7852). Random sample of 386 patients (alpha 0.05, 95% accuracy).Measurements and main resultsDependent variable: number of on-demand consultations requested in 1999. Independent variables: age, family size, area of residence, active or pensioner, inclusion in programmes, health problems (CIAP-2), number of drugs on repeat prescription (Anatomical Classification), short-term time off work. 57% of over-users were women (CI, 52.9-62.7%); mean age 55 (SD 18.5); family size 2.7 members (SD 1.457); 58.8% pensioners. Mean number of appointments 15 (SD 6.7). Mean habitual consumption of 1.58 medicines (SD 2.46). Inclusion in programmes: 37.7% hypertension, 16% diabetes, 17% dyslipaemia, 16% nursing clinic. Most prevalent pathologies: cardiocirculatory (43.8%), endocrino-metabolic (32%), traumatology (26.7%) and mental health (21%). The regression model included the variables of age, number of medicines and having had short-term time off.ConclusionsOver-users of our health centre are middle-aged women with chronic physical health problems and with mental health problems. The number of attendances is related to age and administrative requirements: medication and sick notes
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