Hypothalamic and mesencephalic regions involved in the control of laryngeal activity and subglottic pressure in spontaneously breathing anaesthetized rats

Changes of laryngeal caliber allow changes in airflow which are necessary for the vibration of the vocal folds and emission of voice. It is known that stimulation of the Periaqueductal Gray matter (PAG) and nucleus retroambiguus (nRA) produces vocalization, and lesions in PAG cause mutism in animals and humans. The nRA is the perfect target to turn passive into active expiration modifying the activity of laryngeal motoneurons located in the nucleus ambiguous (Paton and Nolan, 2000). We have shown that rostral and ventral pontine structures are involved in changes of laryngeal caliber (Lara et al., 2002). It has been also demonstrated a high expression of FOXP2 protein (transcription factor related to vocalization) at mesencephalic and pontine regions (PAG, Parabrachial complex and A5 Region) involved in cardiorespiratory control. The aim of this study was to characterize the relations between hypothalamic and mesencephalic regions involved in cardiorespiratory control and their possible role in modulating laryngeal activity. Experimental studies were carried out with non-inbred male rats (n=7), SPF, Sprague-Dawley (250-300 g) housed under standard conditions. Animals were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (60 mg/kg i.p., initial dose, supplemented 2 mg/kg, i.v., as necessary). A double tracheal cannulation to develop the classical technique of the “glottis isolated in situ” and for the recording of respiratory airflow was carried out. DMH-PeF, dlPAG, and CnF stimulations evoked a significant decrease of laryngeal resistance (subglottal pressure) (p<0.01) accompanied with an inspiratory facilitatory response consisted of an increase in respiratory rate, together with a pressor and tachycardic response. The results of our study contribute with new data on the role of the hypothalamic-mesencephalic neuronal circuits in the control mechanisms of subglottic pressure and laryngeal activity.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

A5 and A6 Noradrenergic Cell Groups: Implications for Cardiorespiratory Control

Central pontine A5 and A6 noradrenergic cell groups are two of the main sources of noradrenaline release at the spinal cord, at the level of the superficial dorsal horn, the motoneuron pools of the ventral horn, lamina X and the thoracic and sacral intermediolateral cell columns. Noradrenergic ascending or descending pathways originating in the A5 or A6 noradrenergic cell groups are highly sensitive to stress and to other high-arousal states. These noradrenergic groups present extensive projections that play a key role in the modulation of all antinociceptive and autonomic responses elicited by painful or threatening situations. Depending on the locations of these projections, different possible roles for each noradrenergic cell groups are suggested. The A6 noradrenergic cell group might have the greatest effect on somatosensory transmission and the A5 group on sympathetic function. Consistent with this, stimulation of central noradrenergic pathways evokes an array of stresslike and antinociceptive effects, including changes in blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. In addition, it also produces an increase in excitability, which leads to a high degree of arousal and a potentiation of cortical and subcortical mechanism generating the necessary cognitive, behavioral and autonomic responses to confront these physical or psychological situations

Evaluation of a Integral School-Sports Program first year development

This paper provides the results of the evaluation carried out at the end of the first year of implementation of an integrated municipal scholar-sports project, especially focusing on the satisfaction ratings provided by various stakeholders (students, parents, teachers and monitors). A questionnaire was designed «ad hoc» for each of the four people involved in the development of the program: students, families, teachers and monitors. It was applied in the last two weeks of the program. Data were analyzed with SPSS 15.0. The results show that, overall, the integrated program of scholar-sport has generated very high satisfaction rates in all participating groups. We analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the project on the following aspects: the Friday meetings, use of facilities, attitude and methodology used by the monitors, an approach that is given to exercise regularly (AFD) and information received about the project. Conclusion: The performance evaluation of the program shows a very high satisfaction rate in all the agents involved, although there are some weaknesses that should be improved in the following applicatio

Fractionation and fluxes of metals and radionuclides during the recycling process of phosphogypsum wastes applied to mineral CO2 sequestration

The industry of phosphoric acid produces a calcium-rich by-product known as phosphogypsum, which is usually stored in large stacks of millions of tons. Up to now, no commercial application has been widely implemented for its reuse because of the significant presence of potentially toxic contaminants. This work confirmed that up to 96% of the calcium of phosphogypsum could be recycled for CO2 mineral sequestration by a simple two-step process: alkaline dissolution and aqueous carbonation, under ambient pressure and temperature. This CO2 sequestration process based on recycling phosphogypsum wastes would help to mitigate greenhouse gasses emissions. Yet this work goes beyond the validation of the sequestration procedure; it tracks the contaminants, such as trace metals or radionuclides, during the recycling process in the phosphogypsum. Thus, most of the contaminants were transferred from raw phosphogypsum to portlandite, obtained by dissolution of the phosphogypsum in soda, and from portlandite to calcite during aqueous carbonation. These findings provide valuable information for managing phosphogypsum wastes and designing potential technological applications of the by-products of this environmentally-friendly proposal.Junta de Andalucía P10-RNM-6300, P12- RNM-226

Role of the Dorso- and Ventrolateral Pons in Cardiorespiratory Hypothalamic Defense Responses

Stimulation of discrete sites throughout the hypothalamus elicits autonomic and somatic responses. This chapter will stand out the cardiorespiratory changes evoked from stimulation of specific areas within the caudal hypothalamus: the perifornical area and the dorsomedial nucleus. The stimulation of these regions, known as the hypothalamic defense area (HDA), produces a pattern of visceral and somatic changes characteristic of the defense reaction, which includes tachypnea, tachycardia and a pressor response. A close review of the literature demonstrates that the changes observed during this defensive behavioral response are partially mediated by the interactions with pontine regions. These include the parabrachial complex, located in the dorsolateral pons, and the A5 region, located in the ventrolateral pons. Specific glutamatergic stimulation of cell bodies located within the parabrachial complex and A5 region evokes cardiorespiratory responses similar to those observed during stimulation of the HDA. This functional interaction suggests a possible role of glutamate pontine receptors in the modulation of the HDA response. This chapter describes the most important evidences confirming the implication of the dorso- and ventrolateral pons in the control of cardiorespiratory autonomic responses evoked from the perifornical and dorsomedial hypothalamus and the role of glutamate in this interaction

Dorsolateral periaqueductal grey matter and pontine A5 region connectivity: a neuropharmacologic and electrophysiological study

In this study, carried out in spontaneously breathing anesthetised rats, we have analysed the relevance of the interactions between the dorsolateral periaqueductal grey matter (dlPAG) and the A5 region, and how this sympathetic pontine region participates in modulating the cardiorespiratory response evoked from the dlPAG. Electrical stimulation of the dlPAG (1 ms pulses, 20-30 μA given at 100 Hz for 5s) was elicited, and the evoked cardiorespiratory changes were analysed before and after ipsilateral microinjections of muscimol (50 nl, 0.25 nmol, 5s) within the A5 region. DlPAG stimulation evoked the classical “defence response” characterized by tachipnoea, hypertension and tachycardia. Tachipnoea consisted of an inspiratory facilitatory response [increase in respiratory rate (p<0.001) due to a decrease in expiratory time (p<0.01)] and was accompanied by a pressor (p<0.001) and tachycardic (p<0.001) response. Microinjection of Muscimol within the A5 region reduced all, pressor (p<0.05), heart rate (p<0.001) and respiratory (p<0.001) responses evoked by electrical stimulation of dlPAG. Finally, extracellular recordings of putative A5 neurones were obtained during dlPAG electrical stimulation in order to assess functional interactions between A5 and dlPAG. Forty A5 cells were recorded, 16 of which were affected by dlPAG (40%). With these results, we can conclude that neurones of the A5 region possibly modulate the cardiorespiratory response evoked from the dlPAG.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Does the midbrain dorsolateral periaqueductal grey have direct connections with the pontine A5 region? A neuropharmacologic and electrophysiological study

This study has been performed in spontaneously breathing anesthetised rats. We have analysed the possible interactions between the midbrain dorsolateral periaqueductal grey matter (dlPAG) and the pontine A5 region. Electrical stimulations of the dlPAG (1 ms pulses, 20-30 μA given at 100 Hz for 5s) were elicited and the evoked cardiorespiratory changes were analysed before and after ipsilateral blockade of the neurotransmission within the A5 region by means of microinjections of muscimol (50 nl, 0.25 nmol, 5s). Electrical stimulations evoked the classical “defence response” characterized by tachipnoea, hypertension and tachycardia. Tachipnoea consisted of an inspiratory facilitatory response [increase in respiratory rate (p<0.001) due to a decrease in expiratory time (p<0.01)] and was accompanied by a pressor (p<0.001) and tachycardic (p<0.001) response. Muscimol microinjected within the A5 region reduced pressor (p<0.05), tachycardic (p<0.001) and tachypnoeic (p<0.001) responses evoked to dlPAG electrical stimulations. Finally, in order to assess functional interactions between A5 and dlPAG, extracellular recordings of 40 putative A5 cells during dlPAG electrical stimulation were recorded. 16 cells were affected by dlPAG stimulation (40%). 3 cells showed orthodromic activation (14.2 ± 1.7 ms). 5 cells were excited (10.1 ± 1.6 ms). 7 cells decreased spontaneous activity to dlPAG stimulation. 24 cells were not modified by dlPAG stimulation (2 presented a respiratory pattern and 1 presented a cardiovascular pattern). These results contribute with new data on the role of the A5 region neurones in the modulation of the cardiorespiratory response evoked on dlPAG stimulation.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Methodology for harmonic distortion level determination

In order to make an equitable application of bonuses or extra charges due to harmonic distortion, it is necessary to separate between harmonics exported by nonlinear loads used by costumers, and imported ones due to distortion at Point of Common Coupling (PCC) property of the electric utility. On this paper, a new methodology is presented to assign each costumer his own distortion. Same sampling instrumentation applied in charging electrical bills -with new software- registers total exported harmonic current, making possible determination of corrected non-sinusoidal apparent power and equivalent power factor during an invoicing period. Some effects of nonlinear loads on grids are determined and analyzed, and experiments done on compact fluorescent lamps are shown and described.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Spain through the Project no. CTM2006-0031

Functional interaction between medial parabrachial region and the hypothalamic defence area: role of angiotensin II

We have previously demonstrated the functional interaction between the hypothalamic defence area (HDA) and the medial parabrachial region (mPB) in the cardiorespiratory response evoked to HDA electrical stimulation (Díaz- Casares et al., 2009, 2012). The aim of this work is characterise the role of angiotensin II (AngII) in this interaction. On spontaneously breathing anaesthetised rats (sodium pentobarbitone, 60mg/kg, n=6), the cardiorespiratory response evoked by electrical stimulation of the HDA (1ms pulses, 20-50 μA, at 100Hz, 5s) was analysed before and 10 minutes after the microinjection of AngII into the mPB (50pmol, 50nl, 5s). An increase of heart rate (from 398 ± 13.1 to 430 ± 11.8 bpm, p<0.05) and a decrease of respiratory rate (from 124 ± 10.7 to 96 ± 10.6 cpm, p<0.05) were observed after the microinjection of AngII into the mPB. No changes were observed in mean arterial pressure (from 98 ± 4.5 to 104 ± 4.1 mmHg). The amplitude of the tachycardia evoked by HDA stimulation decreased after the microinjection of AngII within the mPB (from 26.8 ± 4.5 to 11.8 ± 3.0 bpm p<0.01). No changes were observed in the amplitude of the pressor response and tachypnoea. These data indicate that AngII receptors from mPB have an important role in mediating the cardiorespiratory activity in resting conditions. The decrease of the heart rate component of the defence reaction suggests also its importance modulating the cardiac component the baroreceptor reflex. Díaz-Casares A, López-González MV, Peinado-Aragonés CA, Lara JP, González-Barón S and Dawid-Milner MS. Brain Research 2009; 1279: 58-70. Díaz-Casares A, López-González MV, Peinado-Aragonés CA, González-Barón S and Dawid- Milner MS. Autonomic Neurosci. 2012; 169: 124-134.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Diseño de sistema electrónico para HMI basado en reconocimiento de gestos manuales

EL OBJETIVO PRINCIPAL DE ESTE PROYECTO ES DISEÑAR UN SISTEMA ELECTRÓNICO QUE ESTABLEZCA UNA COMUNICACIÓN NO VERBAL BASADA EN GESTOS MANUALES ENTRE USUARIO Y MÁQUINA, CON EL PROPÓSITO DE SERVIR COMO INTERFAZ DE USUARIO EN APLICACIONES DE COMPUTADOR Y/O SMARTPHONE. PARA ELLO, EN PRIMER LUGAR, SE LLEVA A CABO UNA REVISIÓN DE LOS DIFERENTES TIPOS DE INTERFACES USUARIO-MÁQUINA EXISTENTES, JUNTO CON UNA REVISIÓN DE DIFERENTES PERIFÉRICOS PARA PC, VIDEOCONSOLAS Y OTROS DISPOSITIVOS ELECTRÓNICOS RELACIONADOS CON MOVIMIENTOS MANUALES. CON EL FIN DE MARCAR UN PUNTO DE INICIO PARA EL PROYECTO, ADEMÁS DE CONOCER LA TECNOLOGÍA RELACIONADA CON EL ÁREA DEL PROYECTO. DESPUÉS DE LA REVISIÓN DEL ESTADO DEL ARTE, SE INICIA UN ANÁLISIS DE LOS GESTOS MANUALES A UTILIZAR EN EL PROYECTO PARA CONOCER LA CARACTERÍSTICAS NECESARIAS, MAGNITUDES FÍSICAS, PARA SU IDENTIFICACIÓN. REALIZADA ESTA FASE, SE CREA UN PROTOTIPO CABLEADO PARA LA INSTRUMENTACIÓN DE LAS MAGNITUDES FÍSICAS NECESARIAS PARA INICIAR EL DESARROLLO DE SOFTWARE DE RECONOCIMIENTO GESTUAL. EN LA FASE DE RECONOCIMIENTO GESTUAL, SE CREA SOFTWARE EN MATLAB PARA DICHA TAREA. EL SOFTWARE SE CONFORMA DE VARIOS SCRIPTS EN MATLAB QUE CONTIENEN, PRINCIPALMENTE, IMPLEMENTADO EL RECONOCIMIENTO PARA GESTOS ESTÁTICOS Y GESTOS DINÁMICOS, ADEMÁS DE OTRAS FUNCIONES ÚTILES EN LOS ALGORITMOS DE IDENTIFICACIÓN GESTUAL. FINALIZADO EL SOFTWARE DE RECONOCIMIENTO GESTUAL, SE LLEVA A CABO UN PROTOTIPO EN PLACA DE CIRCUITO IMPRESO (PCB) DEL HARDWARE ANTERIORMENTE IMPLEMENTADO, CON EL FIN DE CONSEGUIR UN PROTOTIPO MÁS MANEJABLE Y CÓMODO PARA EL USUARIO. PARA CONCLUIR EL PROYECTO, SE REALIZA UNA PEQUEÑA APLICACIÓN MULTIMEDIA EN PYTHON BASADA EN EL REPRODUCTOR DE CÓDIGO ABIERTO VLC MEDIA, QUE JUNTO CON LA IDENTIFICACIÓN GESTUAL DESARROLLADA EN EL PROYECTO, SIRVE PARA CREAR EL TIPO DE INTERFAZ USUARIO-MÁQUINA QUE SE BUSCABA, CUMPLIENDO EL OBJETIVO PRINCIPAL DEL PROYECTO