Merging Theoretical Spectroscopy & Computational Chemistry: Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF) as a new light-emitting mechanism for OLEDs

We present recent advances and investigations related with a new mechanism for lightemission in conjugated molecules, Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF), seeking to harvest both the singlet and triplet excitons generated under electrical excitation ideally achieveing a 100% of efficiency. The new strategy may fuel the use and manufacturing of 3rd generation OLEDs, although a complete understanding of the molecular mechanism is not fully uncovered yet. Therefore, we will review our recent efforts to address some challenging issues using quantum and atomistic models [1-6]. Among them, we will remark how the mixed nature of the excited-states involved (chargetransfer or locally-excited) ultimately control the singlet-triplet energy difference, and how this is a dynamic process mediated by conformational fluctuations and spin-orbit couplingCampus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía TEC

A randomized controlled trial to examine the posttreatment efficacy of neurofeedback, behavior therapy, and pharmacology on ADHD measures

Objective: To examine the efficacy of neurofeedback (NF), behavior therapy (BT), and pharmacology (PH) on the improvement of ADHD-related symptoms. Method: Fifty-nine children with ADHD (M = 8.80 years, SD = 1.92 years) were randomly assigned to one of the three treatments in a pre/post assessment design. Mother- and teacher-rated ADHD scales and children were assessed using The Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA/CPT). Results: The three treatments were effective on the IVA/CPT, but with different trends. BT and especially NF achieved improvement on response control and attention, and PH mainly in visual attention. On the rating scales, BT improved all measures, and NF and PH had a minor but interesting influence. Conclusion: From a global perspective, behavior therapy had the most extensive results, but PH had the greatest capacity to improve overall attention. NF was able to improve both control response and inattention. Clinical implications are discussed.Plan Nacional i+d+i PSI2008–06008-C02–0

Changes in expression of hypothalamic releasing hormone receptors in individual rat anterior pituitary cells during maturation, puberty and senescence

Producción CientíficaAnterior pituitary (AP) is formed by five different cell types, each one producing a different AP hormone whose secretion is regulated by a specific hypothalamic-releasing hormone (HRH). On the other hand, a significant number of AP cells express multiple HRH receptors (multiresponsive cells). Plastic changes in expression of HRH receptors in individual AP cells are involved in critical endocrine events. Here we have characterized the changes in functional responses to CRH, LHRH, TRH, and GHRH in individual AP cells throughout the whole life span of the rat. To this end, calcium responses to the HRHs were followed by single-cell imaging in freshly dispersed AP cells prepared from rats of different ages (0–540 postnatal days). Three different cell pools were identified: 1) monoresponsive cells, holding a single class of HRH receptor; 2) multiresponsive cells; and 3) nonresponsive cells. The relative abundance of each pool changed with age. Nonresponsive cells were abundant at birth, multiresponsive cells were abundant at puberty, and monoresponsive cells dominated at senescence. The relative abundance of each HRH receptor changed largely with age but not gender. In addition, the contribution of monoresponsive and multiresponsive cells to responses to each HRH changed very much with age. Thus, the anterior pituitary shows large changes in cell populations typed by functional responses to HRHs during maturation, puberty, and senescence.Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (grant FIS 03/1231)Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (grants BFI 2001-2073 and BFU-2004-02765/BFI

The relative age effect in the Spanish elite male handball

El nacimiento en diferentes trimestres del año conlleva diferencias entre los jugadores respecto al desarrollo madurativo, las cuales pueden influir en la selección, desarrollo y consolidación en el alto nivel en balonmano. El presente estudio pretendió analizar el efecto relativo de la edad en el balonmano de élite masculino en España. Para ello, fueron analizados los datos de nacimiento y puesto específico de los 586 jugadores participantes en la Liga ASOBAL en las temporadas comprendidas entre 2003-04 y 2008-09, realizándose comparaciones y estudiándose las diferencias mediante pruebas χ2 y Z. El análisis de resultados reveló la existencia de un mayor porcentaje de jugadores nacidos en el primer trimestre del año, constatándose diferencias significativas en función de la nacionalidad. Concretamente, se encontraron porcentajes muy elevados de jugadores nacidos en los primeros meses del año en los puestos específicos de la primera línea ofensiva y en el portero Por tanto, parece confirmarse un efecto relativo de la edad en los jugadores analizados, teniendo este relación con la nacionalidad y los puestos específicos.The birth in different quarters of the year involved differences regarding maturational development in handball players, which may influence the selection, development and consolidation in the elite in handball. This study sought to investigate the relative age effect in elite male handball players in Spain. To do this, data of birth and specific position of 586 players were analyzed, who participe in the League ASOBAL in seasons between 2003-04 and 2008-09. Comparisons and differences were studied by χ2 tests and Z. Analysis of results revealed a higher percentage of players born in the first quarter, significant differences were confirmed in spanish players. Specifically, the highest percentages of players born in the first months of the year were the specific positions of the first offensive line and the goalkeeper. In conclusion, the results seem to confirm a relative effect of age on the players analyzed. The nationality and specific positions have a significant relationship with this.peerReviewe

A Phd thesis working plan: application of Dinsar technology to prevent natural and induced geological risks in cities and priority infrastructures in Central America

[EN] This communication presents the formulation and first steps of an Industrial PhD project, developed in the frame of the “Kuk ahpán” project (Spanish National R&D Plan, 2019-2022) that aims to understand, monitor and model tectonic processes at the lithospheric scale in Central America. For this purpose, an international team from six countries (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Norway and Spain) works integrating research in diverse geophysical techniques and engineering, with the aim of updating Seismic Risk Maps for the Region, a critical input for Safety and Construction Codes. The proposed PhD project is framed on the research and development of technologies to prevent natural and induced geological risks that affect cities and infrastructures in highly vulnerable countries, using the DInSAR (Differential Interferometry with Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology optimized by the startup Detektia Earth Surface Monitoring in collaboration with Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry is a technique based on the processing and analysis of long series of Synthetic Aperture Radar images. This technology provides records (since 1992) and up-to-date movements on any surface anywhere in the world without the need for ground instrumentation, with accuracies about 1 mm/year (velocity). In this context satellite radar provides valuable information on very large areas that complement the field work and in-situ instrumentation. The methodological approach starts by integrating DInSAR data with geophysical and geodesical data such as bathymetry, geomagnetism, gravimetry, seismic profiles, GNSS series… to fully map the Swan fault over Honduras and Guatemala. We use this technology to address the seismic risk over the fault and nearby areas. Then, on a second step, we will apply this seismic risk assessment (including natural and anthropogenic hazards) in prioritized cities and critical infrastructures in Central America.[ES] Este documento presenta la formulación y primeros pasos de un proyecto de Doctorado Industrial, desarrollado en el marco del proyecto Kuk ahpán que tiene como objetivo comprender, monitorear y modelar procesos tectónicos a escala litosférica en Centroamérica. Para ello, un equipo internacional de seis países (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Noruega y España) trabaja integrando la investigación en diversas técnicas e ingenierías Geofísicas, con el objetivo de actualizar los Mapas de Riesgo Sísmico de la Región, un insumo crítico. para los códigos de seguridad y construcción. El proyecto de doctorado propuesto se enmarca en la investigación y desarrollo de tecnologías para prevenirlos riesgos geológicos naturales e inducidos que afectan a ciudades e infraestructuras en países altamente vulnerables, utilizando la tecnología DInSAR (Differential Interferometry with Synthetic Aperture Radar) optimizada por la startup Detektia Earth Surface Monitoring en colaboración con la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. La interferometría diferencial de radar de apertura sintética es una técnica basada en el procesamiento y análisis de series largas de imágenes de radar de apertura sintética. Esta tecnología proporciona registros (desde 1992) y movimientos actualizados en cualquier superficie en cualquier parte del mundo sin necesidad de instrumentación terrestre, con precisiones de alrededor de 1 mm/ año (velocidad). En este contexto, el radar satelital proporciona información valiosa sobre áreas muy grandes que complementan el trabajo de campo y la instrumentación in situ. Primero, comenzamos integrando datos DInSAR con diversos datos geofísicos como batimetría, geomagnetismo, gravimetría, perfiles sísmicos… para mapear completamente la falla Swan sobre Honduras y Guatemala. Usamos esta tecnología para abordar el riesgo sísmico sobre la falla y áreas cercanas. En un segundo paso, aplicaremos esta evaluación de riesgo sísmico (incluyendo amenazas naturales y antropogénicas) en ciudades e infraestructuras críticas en Centroamérica.Esta línea de investigación ha sido desarrollada con el apoyo de los equipos de Detektia Earth Surface Monitoring SL, la E.T.S.I. de Caminos, Canales y Puertos de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid y el equipo de trabajo de Kuk ahpán.García-Lanchares, C.; Marchamalo, M.; Sancho, C. (2021). Descripción del proyecto de tesis doctoral: aplicación de la tecnología Dinsar a la prevención de los riesgos geológicos naturales e inducidos en ciudades e infraestructuras prioritarias de Centroamérica. En Proceedings 3rd Congress in Geomatics Engineering. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 170-176. https://doi.org/10.4995/CiGeo2021.2021.12749OCS17017

Rapid changes in anterior pituitary cell phenotypes in male and female mice after acute cold stress

Producción CientíficaThe anterior pituitary (AP) is made of five different cell types. The relative abundance and phenotype of AP cells may change in different physiological situations as an expression of pituitary plasticity. Here, we analyze in detail the phenotype of mouse corticotropes and the effects of acute cold stress on AP cell populations. The hormone content and the expression of hypothalamic-releasing hormone (HRH) receptors in all the five AP cell types were studied in the male and female mice at rest and after a 30-min cold stress. Expression of HRH receptors was evidenced by imaging the single-cell cytosolic Ca2+ responses in fura-2-loaded cells. Hormone contents were studied by multiple, simultaneous immunofluorescence of all the five hormones. Corticotropes displayed a striking sexual dimorphism, even in the resting condition. Male corticotropes showed the orthodox phenotype. They were monohormonal, storing only ACTH, and monoreceptorial, responding only to CRH. In contrast, female corticotropes were made of about equal parts of orthodox cells and multifunctional cells, which co-stored additional AP hormones and expressed additional HRH receptors. Cold stress did not modify the number of ACTH containing cells, but, according to immunostaining, it increased the relative abundance of other AP cell types at the expense of the pool of cells storing no hormones. Cold stress also modified the response to CRH and other HRHs. Most of these phenotypical changes presented a strong sexual dimorphism. These results indicate that pituitary plasticity is even larger than previously thought.Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (grant FIS03/1231)Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (grants BFU-2004-02765/BFI, BFU2005-02078 and BFU2007-60157

Spatiotemporal gait patterns during overt and covert evaluation in patients with Parkinson’s disease and healthy subjects: is there a hawthorne effect?

[Abstract] Parkinson's disease (PD) and aging lead to gait impairments. Some of the disturbances of gait are focused on step length, cadence, and temporal variability of gait cycle. Under experimental conditions gait can be overtly evaluated, but patients with PD are prone to expectancy efiects; thus it seems relevant to determine if such evaluation truly reflects the spontaneous gait pattern in such patients, and also in healthy subjects. Thirty subjects (15 subjects with PD and 15 healthy control subjects) were asked to walk using their natural, preferred gait pattern. In half ot the trials subjects were made aware that they were being evaluated (overt evaluation), while in the rest of the trials the evaluation was performed covertly (covert evaluation). During covert evaluation the gait pattern was modified in all groups. Gait speed was significantly increased (P = .022); step cadence and average step length were also significantly modified, the average step length increased (P - .002) and the cadence was reduced (P < .001). Stride cycle time variability was unchanged significantly (P = .084). These changes were not significantly different compared between elderly and young healthy controls either. Due to the small sample size, a note of caution is in order; however, the significant results suggest that covert evaluation of gait might be considered to complement experimental evaluations of gait.Galicia. Conslellería de Educación; 2007/000140-0Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; FPU-MECD AP2010-2774Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; FPU-MECD AP2010-277

Formation of stimuli-responsive cyclophanes by self-assembly: the case of carbazole-based biradicals

Dynamic covalent bonds has recently received lot of attention because of their unique feature to become reversible under mild conditions.[1] In this context, π-conjugated biradical compounds has emerged as essential building blocks.[2] For instance, we have demonstrated that 2,7-dicyanomethylene-9-(2-ethylhexyl)carbazole biradical reversibly converts to a macrocycle cyclophane upon soft stimuli (temperature, pressure, light), showing strong chromic effects.[3] We now extent this study towards longer conjugated carbazole backbone (i.e., indolocarbazole shown in Figure 1), aiming at investigating how the elongation of the conjugated backbone impacts on the formation of stimuli-responsive cyclophanes. The self-assembly process is investigated both in solution and solid state by linking theory and experiments.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

A low altitude forest dwelling Pyrenean chamois population increases the potential habitat of this subspecies

Aim of the study: To demonstrate if a population of Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra p. pyrenaica can live at low altitudes all year long. This could enlarge dramatically its potential habitat.&#x0D; Area of study: A hunting ground in Sobrarbe County, Pyrenees, Spain, in 2022.&#x0D; Material and methods. We interviewed local hunters to find out when the presence of the subspecies in the area dates back. We performed block counts from April to December in the target area for calculating the size of the population.&#x0D; Main results: There was a presence of at least 15 years of the subspecies living at 600 m asl. The population was at least 18 animals, reproduces, and shows a normal demographic structure of kids, yearlings, adult females, and adult males.&#x0D; Research highlights: Low-altitude chamois populations living in forests could be a result of important ecological changes in high mountain pastures producing migrations to newly suitable areas as low-altitude forests. The potential habitat of the subspecies should be broadened

Effects of movement imitation training in Parkinson's disease: a virtual reality pilot study

[Abstract] Background. Hypometria is a clinical motor sign in Parkinson's disease. Its origin likely emerges from basal ganglia dysfunction, leading to an impaired control of inhibitory intracortical motor circuits. Some neurorehabilitation approaches include movement imitation training; besides the effects of motor practice, there might be a benefit due to observation and imitation of un-altered movement patterns. In this sense, virtual reality facilitates the process by customizing motor-patterns to be observed and imitated. Objective. To evaluate the effect of a motor-imitation therapy focused on hypometria in Parkinson's disease using virtual reality. Methods. We carried out a randomized controlled pilot-study. Sixteen patients were randomly assigned in experimental and control groups. Groups underwent 4-weeks of training based on finger-tapping with the dominant hand, in which imitation was the differential factor (only the experimental group imitated). We evaluated self-paced movement features and cortico-spinal excitability (recruitment curves and silent periods in both hemispheres) before, immediately after, and two weeks after the training period. Results. Movement amplitude increased significantly after the therapy in the experimental group for the trained and un-trained hands. Motor thresholds and silent periods evaluated with transcranial magnetic stimulation were differently modified by training in the two groups; although the changes in the input–output recruitment were similar. Conclusions. This pilot study suggests that movement imitation therapy enhances the effect of motor practice in patients with Parkinson's disease; imitation-training might be helpful for reducing hypometria in these patients. These results must be clarified in future larger trials.Galicia. Conselleria de Educación 2007/000140-0Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; AP2010-2774Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; FPU-AP2010-277