An efficient strategy for modeling the human auditory system from Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging.

Finite Element modeling is a widely used methodology to build numerical models and simulate the behavior of the human auditory system; this has allowed essential advances in understanding the biomechanics of that complex system. There are two key points in modeling: the construction of an adequate geometry that allows efficient meshing and the correct use of mechanical properties of the materials. This research aims to show a new strategy for automating the build Finite Element Model process of the human auditory system using the FEM from Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) Imaging. The idea behind this methodology is to build a Finite Element Model with a computational and temporal low cost. This work allowed us to design the first semi-automatic algorithm to build a finite element model of the human middle ear that will later be used to incorporate the other components of the auditory system for different types of studies.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

PARP1 inhibition by Olaparib reduces the lethality of pancreatic cancer cells and increases their sensitivity to Gemcitabine

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the tumors with the lowest survival rates due to the poor efficacy of the treatments currently used. Gemcitabine (GMZ), one of the chemotherapeutic agents employed when the tumor is unresectable, frequently fails due to the development of drug resistance. PARP1 is a relevant protein in this phenomenon and appears to be related to cancer progression in several types of tumors, including PC. To determine the relevance of PARP1 in the development and treatment of PC, we used the Panc02 cell line to generate modified PC cells with stably inhibited PARP1 expression (Panc02-L) and used GMZ, Olaparib (OLA) and GMZ+OLA as therapeutic strategies. Viability, radiosensitization, angiogenesis, migration, colony formation, TUNEL, cell cycle, multicellular tumorsphere induction and in vivo assays were performed to test the influence of PARP1 inhibition on resistance phenomena and tumor progression. We demonstrated that stable inhibition or pharmacological blockade of PARP1 using OLA-sensitized Panc02 cells against GMZ significantly decreased their IC50, reducing colony formation capacity, cell migration and vessel formation (angiogenesis) in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo analyses revealed that Panc02-L-derived (PARP1-inhibited) tumors showed less growth and lethality, and that GMZ+OLA treatment significantly reduced tumor growth. In conclusion, PARP1 inhibition, both alone and in combination with GMZ, enhances the effectiveness of this chemotherapeutic agent and represents a promising strategy for the treatment of PC.Granada University and ibs. GRANADA INB-009Instituto de Salud Carlos III European Commission DTS17/00081Junta de Andalucia (FEDER) (Spain) CTS-107 A-CTS-666UGR20 B-CTS-122-UGR20Ministerio de Educaci 'on, Ciencia y Deporte y Competitividad (Spain

The Role of Gold-Alumina Template in the Electrochemical Deposition of CeO2 Nanotubes

Electrochemical synthesis employing porous membranes previously metalized with a gold layer as a template is an easy and widespread method to obtain 1D nanostructures. Nevertheless, experimental factors for tuning the morphology and structural details of such nanostructures are still investigated. The influence of the amount of gold on morphology and structure of the 1D systems is studied for the first time. For this purpose, CeO2 nanotubes are synthesized via template-based lectrodeposition inside the pores of gold-sputtered anodic aluminum oxide (AAO). X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques, including 3D electron tomography, are applied for the characterization of the template and the nanostructures. On one hand, the results reveal how gold is deposited on top and inside the pores of the AAO as a thin layer or as particles. On the other hand, the 1D systems consist of nanotubes formed by randomly oriented fluorite-like nanocrystals (2–5 nm), which features a network of inner walls whose compactness directly relates to the thickness of the gold-sputtered layer. From the combined analysis of voltage–time curves recorded during electrodeposition and the 2D, 3D structural information, a growth mechanism is proposed, which may enlighten paths to tailor the morphology and properties of CeO2 1D nanostructure

Resultados y alcances del proyecto de instalación de 32 plantas solares-fotovoltaicas en zonas marginadas del Estado de Zacatecas

Resumen— En este documento se presentan la revisión de los resultados y alcances que trajo consigo la instalación de 32 paquetes tecnológicos que proporcionan energía eléctrica en viviendas clasificadas como de muy alta marginación, luego de cumplir cinco años de su instalación. La investigación fue llevada a cabo principalmente mediante entrevistas y cuestionarios realizados a las familias beneficiadas. Los resultados arrojaron un cambio favorable a partir de un grupo de indicadores: sociales (avance educativo, acceso a los medios de telecomunicación y mejoras en la salud) económicos (mejora del ingreso o gasto de consumo), y medioambientales (una reducción considerable en el uso de leña, carbón y gasolina como su principal fuente de combustible), sin embargo, también se menciona el fracaso del proyecto, principalmente por la falta de seguimiento en los hogares. Finalmente, se establecen propuestas para futuros proyectos donde se busca garantizar la continuidad de éstos

3D-printing of metallic honeycomb monoliths as a doorway to a new generation of catalytic devices: the Ni-based catalysts in methane dry reforming showcase

Stainless-steel honeycomb monoliths (square cell-shape/230 cpsi cylinders) were 3D-printed and used as support of a Ni/CeO2-ZrO2 powder deposited by washcoating. The resulting catalysts were characterized by XRF, SEM-EDX and H-2-TPR, and tested in the dry reforming of methane reaction. In the 750-900 degrees C range, they showed competitive conversions (45-95%) and H-2/CO ratio (0.84-0.94) compared to cordierite honeycombs with same catalyst loading and geometric characteristics, but did not require activation time thanks to better heat transfer. Both structured catalysts were stable in prolonged TOS experiments. The bare metallic monoliths exhibited significant activity at 900 degrees C due to their intrinsic nickel content

Plasma Treatment of Agave

Composites based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were prepared with Agave fiber powder (AFP) that was coated by plasma polymerization process using ethylene gas. Treated and pristine AFP were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and contact water angle for the assessment of surface properties. The polymer composites were prepared by melt mixing using 0, 5, 10, and 20 wt% of AFP and their mechanical and thermal properties were measured. Dispersion evaluation in water confirmed that the AFP treated changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic behavior and it was also corroborated with water contact angle tests. The addition of treated and untreated AFP (200 mesh) at 20 wt% promotes an increase of Young’s modulus of the composites of up to 60% and 32%, respectively, in relation to the neat matrix. Also, an increase of crystallinity of LDPE was observed by the addition of treated and untreated AFP; however no significant effect on the crystallization temperature was observed in LDPE containing AFP

Cargado eléctrico de partículas de aerosol en régimen cinético y algunas aplicaciones prácticas

17 pages, 8 figures.[EN] This review article summarizes the main results of recent fundamental research on the electrical charging of nanometer-sized aerosol particles (particle diameter below 10 nm, Knudsen number above about 15, kinetic regime). It covers topics of great relevance to aerosol processing and measurement, such as the effect of the presence of a number of ions on the surface of a nanoparticle on its electrical mobility; the experimental measurement of charging probability / efficiency for particle diameter below 10 nm, both for diffusion and corona discharge type chargers; the effect of particle growth by Brownian coagulation on the charging process; and the examination of after-charging effects downstream of an aerosol neutralizes The last part of this article discusses two practical applications of nanoaerosol charging, namely, the particle size measurement by electrical methods, and some electrostatic effects on the removal of nanoparticles from gas streams.[ES] El presente artículo es una revisión bibliográfica sobre el cargado eléctrico de aerosoles de nanopartículas (diámetro de partícula inferior a 10 nm, número de Knudsen mayor de 15, régimen cinético). El artículo abarca algunos tópicos de gran interés para el procesado y la medición de aerosoles, tales como el efecto de la presencia de iones en la superficie de la nanopartícula en su movilidad eléctrica; la medición experimental de probabilidad / eficacia de cargado para partículas de diámetro inferior a 10 nm, tanto para cargadores de tipo difusivo como para los de descarga de corona; el efecto del crecimiento de partícula por coagulación browniana en el proceso de cargado; y los efectos de post-cargado corriente abajo del neutralizados En la parte final del artículo, se analizan someramente dos aplicaciones prácticas del cargado eléctrico de nanoaerosoles, a saber, la medición del tamaño de partícula por métodos eléctricos, y algunos efectos electrostáticos en el proceso de eliminación de partículas en efluentes gaseosos.This work was supported by Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, under grant no. MAT2001- 1659.Peer reviewe

Características nutricionales del forraje de mijo perla en cuatro estados fenológicos

The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the nutritive value of pearl millet forage harvested at differentmaturity states. The study was made under watering conditions with ICMV-221 two purposes variety. Four sampleswere taken at each four maturity states: (LS) leaf 7th, (FL) flag leaf, (BS) boot stage, and (F) flowering. The sampleswere analyzed by NIRS (near infrared spectroscopy) to determine the nutrients content and results were subjectedto analysis of variance into complete randomly model. Organic matter content increased with maturity (P0.05) with maturity. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content was similar (P>0.05) in the four maturity stages, butacid detergent fiber (ADF) content increased (P0.05).Results indicated that age of pearl millet forage at harvest affected in a significant way almost all parameters ofnutritive value. Younger forages showed the best nutritive characteristics.El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el valor nutritivo del forraje de mijo perla cosechado en diferentes estados fenológicos. El estudio se realizó en condiciones de riego con la variedad ICMV-221 de doble propósito, del que se tomaron muestras en cuatro estados fenológicos: H7) séptima hoja, HB) hoja bandera o última hoja, E) embuche y F) floración. Las muestras se analizaron por NIRS (near infrared  spectroscopy) para determinar su contenido de nutrientes y los resultados se analizaron por medio de análisis de varianza dentro de un modelo completamente al azar. El contenido de materia orgánica se incrementó con la madurez (P0.05), mientras el de fibra detergente neutra (FDN) fue similar (P>0.05) en los cuatro estados fenológicos y el de fibra detergente ácida (FDA) aumentó del estado de H7 al estado de F (P0.05). Se concluye que la edad del forraje de mijo perla al momento del corte afectó significativamente la mayoría de las variables de valor nutritivo estudiadas, siendo los forrajes más tiernos los que mostraron mejores características forrajeras

Laboratory study of inelastic collisions of O2 with He al low temperature

Santiago de Compostela, Facultade de Química,17-21 julio 2017. -- http://www.bienalrsef2017.com/bienalrsef17/State-to-state rate coefficients for the inelastic collisions of O2 with He at low temperature are investigated by means of an experimental procedure based on supersonic gas jets probed by Raman spectroscopy. The procedure employs a kinetic master equation (MEQ) which describes the time evolution of the rotational populations of O2 along three supersonic jets of O2+He mixtures. The MEQ is expressed in terms of experimental quantities (number density and rotational populations), and calculated rate coefficients for the O2:He and O2:O2 inelastic collisions from the literature. By scaling these rate coefficients, a satisfactory agreement with the experiments is accomplished for temperatures between 10 and 34 K.Peer Reviewe

Inelastic Collisions of O2 with He at Low Temperatures

10 pags., 8 figs., 2 tabs. -- Published as part of The Journal of Physical Chemistry virtual special issue “F. Javier Aoiz Festschrift”Rotationally inelastic collisions of O2 with He in the 10−34 K thermal range are investigated by means of an experimental procedure based on supersonic gas jets probed by Raman spectroscopy. The procedure employs a kinetic master equation (MEQ) that describes the time evolution of the rotational populations of O2 along supersonic jets of O2 and He mixtures. The MEQ is expressed in terms of experimental quantities (number density and rotational populations) measured here, and state-to-state rate coefficients for the O2:He inelastic collisions calculated here, plus those for O2:O2 collisions from the literature. An agreement with the experiments is accomplished for temperatures between 10 and 34 K. Within this thermal range, the role of the fine structure due to electron spin in the collision dynamics of O2 is discussed.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economıá y Competitividad (MINECO), grants FIS2017- 84391-C2 and CONSOLIDER-ASTROMOL CSD2009-0038. F.G. thanks the Spanish Regional Government of Andalucıá for a postdoctoral grant (project P07-FQM-2600).Peer reviewe