Enhanced Efficiency at Maximum Power in a Fock-Darwin Model Quantum Dot Engine

We study the performance of an endoreversible magnetic Otto cycle with a working substance composed of a single quantum dot described using the well-known Fock-Darwin model. We find that tuning the intensity of the parabolic trap (geometrical confinement) impacts the proposed cycle's performance, quantified by the power, work, efficiency, and parameter region where the cycle operates as an engine. We demonstrate that a parameter region exists where the efficiency at maximum output power exceeds the Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency, the efficiency at maximum power achieved by a classical working substance.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure

Effectiveness and safety of iodopovidone in an experimental pleurodesis model

OBJECTIVES: Chemical pleurodesis is an important therapeutic tool to control recurrent malignant pleural effusion. Among the various sclerosing agents, iodopovidone is considered effective and safe. However, in a recent study, ocular changes were described after iodopovidone was used in recurrent pneumothorax. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and morbidity of iodopovidone pleurodesis in an experimental model. METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were submitted to intrapleural injection of iodopovidone at concentrations of 2%, 4% and 10%. Biochemical (lactic dehydrogenase, proteins, triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, urea and creatinine) and immunological (Interleukin-8 [IL-8], VEGF and TGFβ) parameters were measured in the pleural fluid and blood. After 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days, groups of animals were euthanized, and macro- (pleura) and microscopic (pleura and retina) analyses were performed. RESULTS: An early pleural inflammatory response with low systemic repercussion was observed without corresponding changes in thyroid or renal function. The higher concentrations (4% and 10%) correlated with greater initial exudation, and maximum pleural thickening was observed after 28 days. No changes were observed in the retinal pigment epithelium of the rabbits. CONCLUSION: Iodopovidone is considered to be an effective and safe sclerosing agent in this animal model. However, its efficacy, tolerance and safety in humans should be further evaluated

Una evaluación de línea base múltiple de la terapia de aceptación y compromiso centrada en pensamiento negativo repetitivo en trastorno por pánico

Although cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious for treating panic disorder, a segment of the population is not treated due to the treatment length and the acceptability of interoceptive exposure. This study explored the efficacy of a brief protocol based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) focused on repetitive negative thinking (RNT) in adults suffering from panic disorder. We designed a 4-session RNT-focused ACT protocol because previous CBT studies considered this length "ultra-brief." Additionally, although conducting exposure is consistent with the ACT model, we did not include explicit exposure exercises to increase the intervention acceptability. A randomized, multiple-baseline design across three participants was implemented with a 3-month follow-up. The effect of the intervention was evaluated through weekly scores on the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 (DASS-21; S. H. Lovibond & P. F. Lovibond, 1995), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ; Meyer et al., 1990), and the frequency of panic attacks. After the intervention, all participants ceased to experience panic attacks and showed clinically significant changes in the DASS-Total and PSWQ. The effect sizes comparable across designs were very large and statistically significant for the DASS-Total (d= 2.48), DASS-Depression (d= 1.45), DASS-Anxiety (d= 1.93), DASS-Stress (d= 1.63), and PSWQ (d= 2.36). All three participants also showed clinically significant changes and large effect sizes in experiential avoidance (d= 3.26), cognitive fusion (d= 3.58), and valued living (Progress: d= 0.72, Obstruction: d= 2.43). In conclusion, brief RNT-focused ACT interventions might be efficacious for treating panic disorder.Aunque la terapia cognitivo-conductual (TCC) es eficaz en el trastorno de pánico, un segmento de la población no recibe tratamiento debido a su duración y aceptabilidad de la exposición interoceptiva. Este estudio exploró la eficacia de la terapia de aceptación y compromiso (ACT) focalizada en pensamiento negativo repetitivo (PNR) en adultos con trastorno por pánico. Se diseñó un protocolo de 4 sesiones porque estudios previos han considerado esta duración como "ultra breve". Pese a que la exposición es consistente con el modelo ACT, no incluimos ejercicios de exposición explícita para aumentar la aceptabilidad de la intervención. Se implementó un diseño de línea de base múltiple aleatorizado a través de tres participantes con un seguimiento de 3 meses. El efecto de la intervención se evaluó con la Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21, S. H. Lovibond y P. F. Lovibond, 1995), el Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ; Meyer et al., 1990) y la frecuencia de ataques de pánico. Tras la intervención, los tres participantes dejaron de experimentar ataques de pánico y mostraron cambios clínicamente significativos en DASS-Total y PSWQ. Los tamaños del efecto comparables a través de diseños fueron muy grandes y estadísticamente significativos para DASS-Total (d = 2.48), DASS-Depresión (d = 1.45), DASS-Ansiedad (d = 1.93), DASS-Estrés (d = 1.63) y PSWQ (d = 2.36). Los participantes mostraron cambios clínicamente significativos y grandes tamaños del efecto en evitación experiencial (d = 3.26), fusión cognitiva (d = 3.58) y valores (Progreso: d = 0.72, Obstrucción: d = 2.43)

Pleurodese experimental induzida por antibióticos (macrolídeos e quinolonas)

PURPOSE: Chemical pleurodesis is a therapeutic tool for the treatment of recurrent pleural effusions, mainly those of neoplastic etiology. In the past, tetracycline was the sclerosant agent of choice in clinical practice, but presently, there is no consensus about an ideal agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of macrolides (azithromycin and clarithromycin) or quinolones (levofloxacin and gatifloxacin) in inducing experimental pleurodesis in rabbits. METHOD: Forty New Zealand rabbits randomized into groups of 10 received (at a total volume of 2 mL for each animal) 1 of the 4 drugs by intrapleural injection. After 28 days, the animals were euthanized and the pleural cavity was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. RESULTS: The intensity of the macroscopic adhesions was mild in all groups. On microscopic analysis, minimal pleural fibrosis and inflammation were observed in all animals. CONCLUSION: The macrolides (azithromycin or clarithromycin) and the quinolones (levofloxacin or gatifloxacin) when injected into the normal pleural space of rabbits are not effective in promoting pleurodesis. Additional research is required to identify sclerosing agents capable of inducing pleurodesis.OBJETIVO: A pleurodese química representa uma ferramenta terapêutica utilizada no tratamento dos processos pleurais recidivantes, principalmente nos derrames neoplásicos. A escolha do melhor esclerosante pleural é ainda motivo de controvérsia, não havendo consenso com relação ao agente considerado ideal. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a efetividade dos macrolídeos (azitromicina e claritromicina) e das quinolonas (levofloxacina e gatifloxacina) na indução de pleurodese experimental em coelhos. MÉTODOS: Quarenta animais randomizados em grupos de 10, receberam, em volume total de 2 mL, estas drogas através de injeção intrapleural. RESULTADOS: Após 28 dias, os animais foram sacrificados sendo avaliada a cavidade pleural. A intensidade das aderências macroscópicas assim como da fibrose e da inflamação observadas à microscopia foi discreta tanto no grupo que recebeu macrolídeos quanto naquele que recebeu quinolonas. CONCLUSÃO: Azitromicina, Claritromicina, Levofloxacina e Gatifloxacina quando injetados na cavidade pleural de coelhos, não são eficazes na indução de pleurodese. Novas pesquisas devem ser realizadas com o intuito de identificar agentes esclerosantes capazes de produzir sínfise pleural

La incorporación de la extensión forestal en la formación del profesional forestal en la Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica

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Different involvement of medial prefrontal cortex and dorso-lateral striatum in automatic and controlled processing of a future conditioned stimulus

Recent studies support the idea that stimulus processing in latent inhibition can vary during the course of preexposure. Controlled attentional mechanisms are said to be important in the early stages of preexposure, while in later stages animals adopt automatic processing of the stimulus to be used for conditioning. Given this distinction, it is possible that both types of processing are governed by different neural systems, affecting differentially the retrieval of information about the stimulus. In the present study we tested if a lesion to the dorso-lateral striatum or to the medial prefrontal cortex has a selective effect on exposure to the future conditioned stimulus (CS). With this aim, animals received different amounts of exposure to the future CS. The results showed that a lesion to the medial prefrontal cortex enhanced latent inhibition in animals receiving limited preexposure to the CS, but had no effect in animals receiving extended preexposure to the CS. The lesion of the dorso-lateral striatum produced a decrease in latent inhibition, but only in animals with an extended exposure to the future conditioned stimulus. These results suggest that the dorsal striatum and medial prefrontal cortex play essential roles in controlled and automatic processes. Automatic attentional processes appear to be impaired by a lesion to the dorso-lateral striatum and facilitated by a lesion to the prefrontal cortex.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad PSI2015-65500-

Pleural tuberculosis: is radiological evidence of pulmonary-associated disease related to the exacerbation of the inflammatory response?

OBJECTIVE: Pleural tuberculosis is the most frequently occurring form of extra pulmonary disease in adults. In up to 40% of cases, the lung parenchyma is concomitantly involved, which can have an epidemiological impact. This study aims to evaluate the pleural and systemic inflammatory response of patients with pleural or pleuropulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: A prospective study of 39 patients with confirmed pleural tuberculosis. After thoracentesis, a high resolution chest tomography was performed to evaluate the pulmonary involvement. Of the 39 patients, 20 exhibited only pleural effusion, and high resolution chest tomography revealed active associated-pulmonary disease in 19 patients. The total protein, lactic dehydrogenase, adenosine deaminase, vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β1 levels were quantified in the patient serum and pleural fluid. RESULTS: All of the effusions were exudates with high levels of adenosine deaminase. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-β1 were increased in the blood and pleural fluid of all of the patients with pleural tuberculosis, with no differences between the two forms of tuberculosis. The tumor necrosis factor-α levels were significantly higher in the pleural fluid of the patients with the pleuropulmonary form of tuberculosis. The interleukin-8 levels were high in the pleural fluid of all of the patients, without any differences between the forms of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Tumor necrosis factor-α was the single cytokine that significantly increased in the pleural fluid of the patients with pulmonary involvement. However, an overlap in the results does not permit us to suggest that cytokine is a biological marker of concomitant parenchymal involvement. Although high resolution chest tomography can be useful in identifying these patients, the investigation of fast acid bacilli and cultures for M. tuberculosis in the sputum is recommended for all patients who are diagnosed with pleural tuberculosis

Uso de viruta de madera y lirio acuático (eichhornia crassipes) como agentes estructurantes en tratamientos aerobios de residuos hortícolas.

En procesos aerobios para tratar residuos orgánicos con alto contenido de humedad y bajo contenido de lignina y celulosa, deben emplearse agentes estructurantes para favorecer la aireación y por lo tanto el buen desarrollo del bioproceso. En este trabajo se utilizó una mezcla de viruta de madera y lirio acuático seco (Eichhornia crassipes) como agente estructurante en diferentes porcentajes (5, 10, 15 y 20 %). Cada tratamiento fue hecho por triplicado y estuvo compuesto de una mezcla que contenía los seis bioresiduos generados en mayor cantidad en la Central de Abasto de la Ciudad de México. Los experimentos se llevaron a cabo en celdas de material acrílico donde se colocó una mezcla de 1200 g de residuos y material estructurante. Durante el proceso, los parámetros medidos fueron el pH, la temperatura, la densidad, el contenido de humedad, la generación de lixiviados y la reducción de masa. Los resultados mostraron que el elevado contenido de humedad de la mezcla puede ser regulado con materiales estructurantes secos, ya que estos materiales absorben parte del lixiviado durante las primeras semanas del proceso y mejoran la textura de las pilas evitando con esto que la degradación se lleve a cabo en condiciones de anaerobiosis. Tomando como base la generación de lixiviados y la reducción de masa, los mejores resultados se obtuvieron usando un 15 % de agente estructurante, el cual estaba compuesto de una mezcla de 6:1 viruta de madera y lirio acuático.In aerobic treatments for solid waste with high humidity content and low lignine and cellulose, bulking agents must be applied in order to improve the aeration and the performance of the process. In the present work, a mixture of wood shaving and dry water lily (Eichhornia crassipes) was tested as bulking agent at different percentages (5, 10, 15 and 20 %). Each assay was prepared by triplicate and was composed by a mixture of the six most important horticultural waste from a big market (Central de Abasto de la Ciudad de Mexico). The assays were run in acrylic cells where 1200 g of organic waste and bulking agent were mixed. During the process, pH, temperature, density, humidity content, leachate generation and mass reduction were measured. Results showed that the high rate of humidity of this mixture could be regulated by adding dry materials. These agents absorb some leachate during the first weeks of the process and the texture in the windrow was improved avoiding the anaerobic biodegradation of this kind of waste. Evaluating the leachates generation and the mass reduction, the best results have been obtained using 15 % of bulking agent, which it was composed by 6:1 wood shavings and dry water lily.Los autores agradecen al Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) y al Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) por el financiamiento de este proyecto y a la COFAA-IPN por el apoyo para la divulgación de los resultados de este trabajo