The NIST compilation of ionization potentials revisited (I): From He-like to Xe-like ions

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) database on ionization potentials for neutral atoms and ions is examined. For each isoelectronic sequence, we construct a regularized perturbative series that exactly matches the large-$Z$ and $Z\approx N-1$ regions. Comparison of the NIST data with this series allows the identification of problematic values in the reported data.Comment: 19 pages, 43 figure

Kinematic Comparison and Description of the 3-Dimensional Shoulder Kinematics of 2 Shoulder Rotation Tests

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare shoulder external rotation range of motion (ROM) during the hand-behind-neck (HBN) test and a standard shoulder external rotation test and to describe the 3-dimensional scapular motion during the HBN test. Methods: An electromagnetic tracking device was used to assess the dominant shoulder of 14 healthy participants while performing active full ROM in a standard shoulder external rotation test in an elevated position (EREP) and in the HBN test. The humeral and scapular 3-dimensional positions at the end of EREP and HBN were compared using a paired-sample t test. A correlation analysis was performed between humeral and scapular angles to assess the contribution of scapular motion to the full shoulder ROM during the HBN test. Results: No significant differences were found between the HBN test and the EREP at the end-range of the glenohumeral external rotation (HBN: 15.6° ± 6.3° vs EREP: 23.4° ± 4.7°; P = .08) and on scapular internal-external rotation (HBN test: 21.2° ± 6.3° vs EREP: 15.6° ± 1.8°; P = .23). Significant differences were found in scapular upward rotation (HBN: 21.2° ± 6.3° vs EREP: 15.6° ± 1.8°; P b .01) and scapular spinal tilt (HBN: − 0.4° ± 2.3° vs EREP: 8.1° ± 2.1°; P b .01). There was a positive correlation between the humeral angles and scapular internal and posterior spinal tilt angles with the HBN test. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that, in young asymptomatic participants with no known shoulder pathology, the end-range of shoulder rotation was similar in the HBN test and in a standard shoulder rotation test. During the HBN test, the scapula assumed a more internal and anterior spinal tilted position at the end-range of active shoulder external rotation. These results suggest that the HBN test may be used to assess the end-range of glenohumeral external rotation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Preditores de fibrilação atrial de novo em unidade de cuidados intensivos não cardíaca

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictors of de novo atrial fibrillation in patients in a non-cardiac intensive care unit. METHODS: A total of 418 hospitalized patients were analyzed between January and September 2016 in a non-cardiac intensive care unit. Clinical characteristics, interventions, and biochemical markers were recorded during hospitalization. In-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay in the intensive care unit were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 310 patients were included. The mean age of the patients was 61.0 ± 18.3 years, 49.4% were male, and 23.5% presented de novo atrial fibrillation. The multivariate model identified previous stroke (OR = 10.09; p = 0.016) and elevated levels of pro-B type natriuretic peptide (proBNP, OR = 1.28 for each 1,000pg/mL increment; p = 0.004) as independent predictors of de novo atrial fibrillation. Analysis of the proBNP receiver operating characteristic curve for prediction of de novo atrial fibrillation revealed an area under the curve of 0.816 (p 5,666pg/mL. There were no differences in mortality (p = 0.370), but the lengths of hospital stay (p = 0.002) and stay in the intensive care unit (p = 0.031) were higher in patients with de novo atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: A history of previous stroke and elevated proBNP during hospitalization were independent predictors of de novo atrial fibrillation in the polyvalent intensive care unit. The proBNP is a useful and easy- and quick-access tool in the stratification of atrial fibrillation risk.Objetivo: Avaliar quais os preditores de fibrilação atrial de novo em doentes de uma unidade de cuidados intensivos não cardíaca. Métodos: Foram analisados 418 doentes internados entre janeiro e setembro de 2016 em uma unidade de cuidados intensivos não cardíaca. Registaram-se as características clínicas, as intervenções efetuadas e os marcadores bioquímicos durante a internação. Avaliaram-se ainda a mortalidade hospitalar e o tempo de internação hospitalar e na unidade de cuidados intensivos. Resultados: Foram incluídos 310 doentes, com média de idades de 61,0 ± 18,3 anos, 49,4% do sexo masculino, 23,5% com fibrilação atrial de novo. O modelo multivariável identificou acidente vascular cerebral prévio (OR de 10,09; p = 0,016) e valores aumentados de proBNP (OR de 1,28 por cada aumento em 1.000pg/mL; p = 0,004) como preditores independentes de fibrilação atrial de novo. A análise por curva Característica de Operação do Receptor do proBNP para predição de fibrilação atrial de novo revelou área sob a curva de 0,816 (p 5.666pg/mL. Não se verificaram diferenças na mortalidade (p = 0,370), porém a duração da internação hospitalar (p = 0,002) e na unidade de cuidados intensivos (p = 0,031) foi superior nos doentes com fibrilação atrial de novo. Conclusões: História de acidente vascular cerebral prévio e proBNP elevado em internação constituíram preditores independentes de fibrilação atrial de novo na unidade de cuidados intensivos polivalente. O proBNP pode constituir ferramenta útil, de fácil e rápido acesso na estratificação do risco de fibrilação atrial.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Decadencia de las empresas dedicadas a la construcción en ética empresarial

La empresa de la construcción, como principal agente del entorno laboral y de la infraestructura del sistema económico y productivo, se convierte en plataforma para el desarrollo humano y social para el individuo, por tal causa deben emitir su código de ética empresarial y darlo a conocer a sus accionistas, personal, cliente, proveedores y todos aquellos que se encuentran directamente relacionados con la actividad con el fin de direccionar unas reglas claras y concisas en el desarrollo de las funciones. A través de la ética se puede acabar con prácticas corruptas que destruyen valor y dañar la economía y la sociedad, si ponderamos más la cultura organizacional, con valores comunes (más que códigos o reglas) que sirvan como sendero de los individuos que conforman las organizaciones podríamos dar mayores componentes éticos a una empresa. Si nos basamos en que el capital humano es uno de los mayores activos empresariales, si no el mayor, y tomamos conciencia que estas personas valen por sí mismas, que se les debe respetar y que no se les puede tratar como un medio sino como un fin, habremos dado el primer paso para fundamentar éticamente las instituciones. Una organización que viva según los cinco valores básicos: igualdad, dialogo, respeto y solidaridad estará mejor preparada para el futur

Grasps in daily tasks

Activities are done using the hands. With the hand’s grasps are performed on objects, grabbing, manipulating, and using them. There are 33 grasps, according to the recent European Grasp Taxonomy. Grasps are the way objects are grabbed, in a secure mode, independent of the position of the wrist, forearm or arm. To better understand the use of the hands and the grasps in the daily activities and relate it with the difficulties identified by the patients, when they have a hand pathology, we need to know in which tasks are they performed. Using a Delphi Panel, composed by 20 Occupational Therapists also Hand Therapist, considerer experts in this area, we collect data, in two rounds. For each one of the 33 grasps was created a question, with some characteristics of the grasp, such as the number of used fingers and the diameter of the grasped object. Experts were asked to identify the tasks where the grasps are used. An image of the grasp was also presented to exemplify. After the language uniformization, the elimination of tasks that doesn’t complied with the grasp’s characteristics and unification of very similar tasks, there were identify tasks used in work, leisure, and self-care activities. For each one of the grasps there were identified at least 13 tasks. It will be easier for therapists to relate the difficulties in the use of the grasps with the performance of activities in daily living.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An experimental approach to design self-consolidating concrete

This paper presents the analysis of an experimental mixture design approach for self-consolidating concrete (SCC) based on two design parameters to optimize mechanical properties and durability. The first approach is based on an empirical determination of the self-consolidation ability of mixtures with a fixed mortar content, while the second approach is based on enhancing the aggregate packing. The proposed procedures enable the establishment of a mixture design nomogram that can correlate the materials’ composition and properties. The effect of mixture design parameters on hardened properties of investigated mixtures developed using each of the proposed approaches was compared in terms of compressive strength to secure a given modulus of elasticity, ultrasound wave propagation velocity and rapid chloride ion penetration. The modulus of elasticity and ultrasound wave propagation velocity of the designed SCC mixtures are found to be, respectively, almost 50% and 8% higher than those of conventional concrete, even at SCC mixtures with lower compressive strength values. Lower modulus of elasticity and ultrasound wave propagation velocity were obtained for SCC mixtures than conventional concrete with compressive strength between 50 and 60 MPa

HUMERAL RETROVERSION IN OVERHEAD THROWING ATHLETES

The purpose of this study was to compare the dominant shoulder humeral retroversion of handball and volleyball players and a control group to understand if throwers show the same behaviour concerning humeral torsion. The dominant shoulder of 33 subjects (11 volleyball players, 11 handball players and 11 non-athletes) was submitted to a shoulder semiaxial radiograph in order to identify the humeral retroversion angle. Handball players showed significantly (p=0.03) less humeral retroversion than volleyball players which could be related with less external rotation range-of-motion found on previous studies. Volleyball players presented more retroversion angle, so more external rotation, allowing the correct alignment of the articular surfaces and glenohumeral stability, being able to have a cocking phase with more amplitude achieving maximal performance

Longitudinal associations between cardiovascular biomarkers and metabolic syndrome during puberty: the PUBMEP study

Puberty has been described as a life stage of considerable metabolic risk specially for those with obesity. The low-grade systemic inflammatory status associated with obesity could be one of the connections with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Thus, we aimed to assess the relationship between inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers and the development of MetS during puberty. Seventy-five children from the PUBMEP study (33 females), aged 4–18 years, were included. Cardiovascular and inflammatory biomarkers were measured in the prepubertal and pubertal stage, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin 8 (IL8), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), total plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (tPAI), resistin, adiponectin, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1). MetS was diagnosed at each measurement point. Mixed-effects and logistic regressions were performed. Those children with MetS in puberty presented higher prepubertal values of several cardiometabolic biomarkers in comparison to those without MetS (z-score body mass index (zBMI), waist circumference, insulin, HOMA-IR, leptin, and tPAI (p < 0.05)). For prepubertal children with obesity, the odds of developing MetS in puberty were significantly higher in those having high zBMI (OR = 4.27; CI: 1.39–22.59) or high concentrations of tPAI (OR = 1.19; CI: 1.06–1.43). Conclusion: Those with obesity with higher prepubertal tPAI plasma levels had 19% higher odds of having MetS at puberty highlighting the existence of association between MetS, obesity, and inflammation already in puberty. Thus, assessing cardiometabolic and inflammatory status in children with obesity already at prepuberty is key to avoiding future comorbidities.CRUE-CSIC agreementSpringer NaturePlan Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica, Desarrollo e Innovacion Tecnologica (I + D + I), Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Health Research PI11/01425 PI11/02042 PI11/02059 PI16/01301 PI16/01205 PI16/00871 PI20/00563CIBEROBN Network CB15/00131 CB15/00043Redes tematicas de investigacion cooperativa RETIC Red SAMID RD12/0026/001

Imaging in white light with a thick-phase transmission holographic doublet

An afocal two-element holographic imaging system is presented. This system can be used to work in white light. The holographic optical elements (holographic lenses) are made as thick phase holograms on silver halide sensitized gelatin (SHSG) and they present a maximum diffraction efficiency of 75%. Geometrical conditions at reconstruction with coherent light and with white light are studied and a resolution test chart is imaged through the system, which shows a best resolution of 57 lines/mm for coherent illumination and 15 lines/mm for white light. The two-element holographic system presents a maximum diffraction efficiency of 56%

Entropy-based study of imaging quality in holographic optical elements

A method for obtaining the best image plane for holographic optical elements by the use of the concept of entropy is described. This method is applied to in-line holographic lenses with different values of spherical aberration. Numerical results show that for holograms with large aberrations the best image plane (obtained by the use of the concept of entropy) is different from the minimum-aberration-variance plane.This work was supported by the Direcció General d'Ensenyaments Universitaris i Investigació de la Generalitat Valenciana, Spain, project GV-1165/93