On the Design of Ambient Intelligent Systems in the Context of Assistive Technologies

The design of Ambient Intelligent Systems (AISs) is discussed in the context of assistive technologies. The main issues include ubiquitous communications, context awareness, natural interactions and heterogeneity, which are analyzed using some examples. A layered architecture is proposed for heterogeneous sub-systems integration with three levels of interactions that may be used as a framework to design assistive AISs.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología TIC2001-1868-C0

Phonon-like hydrogen-bond modes in protic ionic liquids

Gigahertz- to terahertz-frequency infrared and Raman spectra contain a wealth of information concerning the structure, intermolecular forces, and dynamics of ionic liquids. However, these spectra generally have a large number of contributions ranging from slow diffusional modes to underdamped librations and intramolecular vibrational modes. This makes it difficult to isolate effects such as the role of Coulombic and hydrogen-bonding interactions. We have applied far-infrared and ultrafast optical Kerr effect spectroscopies on carefully selected ions with a greater or lesser degree of symmetry in order to isolate spectral signals of interest. This has allowed us to demonstrate the presence of longitudinal and transverse optical phonon modes and a great similarity of alkylammonium-based protic ionic liquids to liquid water. The data show that such phonon modes will be present in all ionic liquids, requiring a reinterpretation of their spectra

Glacioeustatic control on the origin and cessation of the Messinian salinity crisis.

The desiccation of the Mediterranean during the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) is one of the most intriguing geological events of recent Earth history. However, the timing of its onset and end, as well as themechanisms involved remain controversial.We present a novel approach to these questions by examining theMSC fromthe Atlantic, but close to theGibraltar Arc, analysing the completeMessinian record of theMontemayor-1 core of theGuadalquivir Basin (SWSpain). Flexural backstripping analysis shows a tectonic uplift trend that would have reduced the depth of the Rifian Corridors considerably. Nonetheless, the rate of tectonic upliftwas insufficient to account for the close up of the corridors. At 5.97 Ma, a global cooling and associated glacioeustatic sea-level drop, estimated in 60 m, is observed. Thiswould have been sufficient to restrict the Rifian Corridors and to trigger theMSC. The later flooding of the Mediterranean occurred during a sea-level rise associated with global warming during a stable tectonic period. We postulate a two-step flooding event: 1) A glacioeustatic sea-level rise during interglacial stage TG 11 (5.52 Ma) led to subtropical Atlantic waters entering the west-central Mediterranean through pathways south of the Gibraltar Strait, probably the Rifian Corridors. 2) A global sea-level drop at 5.4 Ma, thatmight have favoured intensification of regressive fluvial erosion in the Gibraltar threshold, along with the subsequent global sea-level rise would have generated the Gibraltar Strait leading to complete Mediterranean refilling during the earliest Pliocene

Magnetic, electronic, and structural investigation of the strongly correlated Y1−x_{1-x}Smx_xCo5_5 system

SmCo$_5$ and YCo$_5$ are isostructural compounds both showing large magnetocrystalline anisotropy, where the former originates mainly from the crystal-electric field and magnetic interactions. We investigate the contribution of both interactions by partially substituting Y by Sm in as-cast polycrystalline Y$_{1-x}$Sm$_{x}$Co$_5$ (with $x$=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) and measuring their structural, magnetic, and electrical properties through X-ray diffraction, magnetization, and electrical transport measurements. Our results suggest an interplay between microstructure strain in as-cast samples and the electronic and magnetic interactions

Influence of a Concurrent Exercise Training Intervention during Pregnancy on Maternal and Arterial and Venous Cord Serum Cytokines: The GESTAFIT Project

The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of a supervised concurrent exercise-training program, from the 17th gestational week until delivery, on cytokines in maternal (at 17th and 35th gestational week, and at delivery) and arterial and venous cord serum. Fifty-eight Caucasian pregnant women (age: 33.5 +/- 4.7 years old, body mass index: 23.6 +/- 4.1kg/m(2)) from the GESTAFIT Project (exercise (n = 37) and control (n = 21) groups) participated in this quasi-experimental study (per-protocol basis). The exercise group followed a 60-min 3 days/week concurrent (aerobic-resistance) exercise-training from the 17th gestational week to delivery. Maternal and arterial and venous cord serum cytokines (fractalkine, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) were assessed using Luminex xMAP technology. In maternal serum (after adjusting for the baseline values of cytokines), the exercise group decreased TNF-alpha (from baseline to 35th week, p = 0.02), and increased less IL-1 beta (from baseline to delivery, p = 0.03) concentrations than controls. When adjusting for other potential confounders, these differences became non-significant. In cord blood, the exercise group showed reduced arterial IL-6 and venous TNF-alpha (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001, respectively) and higher concentrations of arterial IL-1 beta (p = 0.03) compared to controls. The application of concurrent exercise-training programs could be a strategy to modulate immune responses in pregnant women and their fetuses. However, future research is needed to better understand the origin and clearance of these cytokines, their role in the maternal-placental-fetus crosstalk, and the influence of exercise interventions on them

Spatial variability in threshold temperatures of heat wave mortality: impact assessment on prevention plans

Spain’s current heat wave prevention plans are activated according to administrative areas. This study analyses the determination of threshold temperatures for triggering prevention-plan activation by reference to isoclimatic areas, and describes the public health benefits. We subdivided the study area – the Madrid Autonomous Region (MAR) – into three, distinct, isoclimatic areas: ‘North’, ‘Central’ and ‘South’, and grouped daily natural-cause mortality (ICD-10: A00-R99) in towns of over 10,000 inhabitants (2000–2009 period) accordingly. Using these three areas rather than the MAR as a whole would have resulted in a possible decrease in mortality of 73 persons (38– 108) in the North area, and in aborting unnecessary activation of the plan 153 times in the Central area and 417 times in the South area. Our results indicate that extrapolating this methodology would bring benefits associated with a reduction in attributable mortality and improved effectiveness of public health interventions.This study was funded by a ‘Miguel Servet type 1’ grant (SEPY 1037/14), as well as a Health Research Fund grant (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias/FIS Project ENPY1133/16 from the Carlos III Institute of Health

Bioactive milk peptidos and proteins

La fracción proteica de la leche contiene un gran número de compuestos biológicamente activos. Además de las proteínas de la leche, caseínas y proteínas del suero lácteo, existen también pequeñas cantidades de otras proteínas y péptidos. Estos péptidos, que son inactivos dentro de la secuencia de la proteína nativa, pueden ser liberados por hidrólisis enzimática, por ejemplo, durante la digestión gastrointestinal o durante el procesado del alimento. Estos péptidos bioactivos procedentes de proteínas lácteas presentan una actividad moduladora de numerosos procesos metabólicos del organismo. Asimismo, las proteínas del suero lácteo representan una mezcla variada de proteínas secretadas, tales como á-lactoalbúmina, â-lactoglobulina, lactoferrina, lactoperoxidasa, inmunoglobulinas, glicomacropéptido y una gran cantidad de factores de crecimiento. Estas proteínas tienen una serie de efectos biológicos, que van desde un efecto anticancerígenos hasta efectos en la función digestiva.Milk protein fraction contains many biologically active compounds. Besides milk proteins, caseins, and milk whey proteins, it also contains low amounts of other proteins and peptides. These peptides, which are inactive within the sequence of the native protein, can be released by enzymatic hydrolysis, for example during gastrointestinal digestion, or during food processing. These bioactive peptides from milk proteins are potential modulators of several metabolic processes in the body. Moreover, milk whey proteins are a varied mixture of secreted proteins, such as ?-lactalbumin, ?-lactoglubulin, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, immunoglobulins, glycomacropeptides and a large amount of growth factors. These proteins have some biological effects, ranging from an anticarcinogenic effect to effects on the digestive function

Bioactive compounds derived from human milk

La leche materna es un complejo fluido biológico que aporta la energía y los nutrientes esenciales para el desarrollo y crecimiento del recién nacido. Pero además, la leche materna contiene toda una serie de compuestos bioactivos como enzimas, hormonas, factores de crecimiento, proteínas específicas, poliaminas, nucleótidos, oligosacáridos, etc., que ejercen efectos biológicos y que en conjunto reciben el nombre de “factores tróficos de la leche”. Estos compuestos biactivos son considerados nutrientes potencialmente esenciales en periodos de desarrollo y en determinadas enfermedades, cuando la capacidad de síntesis no supera las necesidades de los mismos. Aunque las fórmulas infantiles aportan todos los nutrientes para un adecuado desarrollo del recién nacido, carecen de muchos de estos compuestos. Este artículo pretende realizar una revisión acerca de los conocimientos actuales sobre los efectos biológicos de la lactoferrina, nucleótidos, poliaminas y oligosacáridos.Breast milk is a biological fluid complex, which provides the essential energy and nutrients for the development and growth of newborn children. Breast milk also contains a range of bioactive compounds such as: enzymes, hormones, growth factors, specific proteins, polyamines, nucleotides, oligosaccharides, etc. that have a biological effect. These compounds, as a whole, are called “milk trophic factors”. When synthetic capability does not meet functional demands, these bioactive compounds are considered as potentially essential nutrients during growth periods or during certain diseases. Infant formulae provide the necessary nutrients for the suitable development of the newborn child, although they lack many of these compounds. This research tries to review current knowledge about thebiological effects of lactoferrin, nucleotides, polyamines and oligosaccharides

Experiencia inicial con la prótesis de despliegue rápido en posición aórtica Edwards Intuity

ResumenObjetivoDisponemos de una nueva clase de prótesis aórticas de despliegue rápido para tratamiento quirúrgico de la estenosis aórtica. Permitirían disminuir los tiempos quirúrgicos y facilitarían la cirugía mínimamente invasiva. Presentamos nuestra experiencia inicial con la válvula Edwards Intuity en el contexto del estudio multicéntrico Foundation.Pacientes y métodosEntre septiembre de 2012 y febrero de 2014 se implantaron 25 prótesis aórticas Edwards Intuity en 26 pacientes (77±4,3años; 52% varones). Veinticuatro (96%) fueron reemplazo valvular aislado, y 9 pacientes (36%) tuvieron abordaje mínimamente invasivo. Los pacientes fueron estudiados al alta, a los 3meses y al año de la intervención.ResultadosHubo éxito en el implante en el 96,2% de los pacientes (25/26). No hubo mortalidad hospitalaria. Seguimiento medio de 11±5,4meses, supervivencia acumulada del 96%. Un paciente falleció a los 11meses por un ictus isquémico. El tiempo medio de pinzamiento aórtico fue de 38,2±10,1min y el tiempo medio de circulación extracorpórea, de 62,4±11,1min. A los 3meses, el área valvular efectiva media fue de 1,70±0,42cm2. El 91% de los pacientes (23/25) estaban en grado funcionali en el seguimiento.ConclusionesEl implante de la válvula Edwards Intuity para el tratamiento de la estenosis aórtica ha sido factible, seguro y eficaz. Los tiempos de isquemia miocárdica y de circulación extracorpórea parecen reducirse en comparación con la cirugía valvular aórtica habitual. El comportamiento hemodinámico inicial de la prótesis Edwards Intuity es excelente.AbstractObjectiveA new class of rapid deployment prostheses is now available for surgical treatment of aortic stenosis. These prostheses offer the possibility of reducing the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamping times, and facilitate the use of minimally invasive surgery. We present our initial experience with the Edwards Intuity valve in the context of a multicentre Foundation study.Patients and methodsBetween September 2012 and February 2014, 25 Edwards Intuity valves were implanted in 26 patients (77±4.3years; 52% male). Twenty-four (96%) were isolated aortic valve replacement; a minimally invasive approach was used on 9 patients (36%). Patients were studied at discharge, three months, and one year after surgery.ResultsImplantation success rate was 96.2% (25/26). There was no hospital mortality. Mean follow-up of 11±5.54months, cumulative survival of 96%. One patient died eleven months after surgery due to ischaemic stroke. The mean aortic clamping time was 38.2±10.1minutes, and the mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 62.4±11.1minutes. In the echocardiography at 3months, the mean effective valve area was 1.70±0.42cm2, and 91% of patients (23/25) were in functional classi NYHA at follow-up.ConclusionsThe implantation of the Edwards Intuity valve for surgical treatment of aortic stenosis has shown to be feasible, safe and effective. Times of myocardial ischaemia and extracorporeal circulation appear to be reduced compared with normal aortic valve surgery. The initial haemodynamic performance of the Edwards Intuity prosthesis is excellent