Multifractal characterization of seismicity: the case of Carterbury region (New Zealand), 2000 -2018

The Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation (MF-DF) algorithm is applied to measure the complexity of two time series, the inter-event hypocentral distance Δδ(t), and the inter-event time series Δτ(t) In particular, we apply this methodology to the seismic sequences produced in the Carterbury region during 18 years (2000-2018). Results indicate a clear multifractal behavior of Δδ(t) and Δτ(t). Moreover, an increses in the complexity is observed when a large event occurs . These results suggest that the MF-DF algorithm could be useful as a seismic precursor index

Evolution of the multifractal parameters along different steps of a seismic activity: The example of Canterbury 2000–2018 (New Zealand)

The multifractal detrended fluctuation algorithm is applied to a series of distances and elapsed times between consecutive earthquakes recorded along the years 2000–2018 in the Canterbury region (New Zealand). The time evolution of several multifractal parameters (Hurst exponent, Hölder central and maximum exponents, spectral amplitude, asymmetry, and complexity index) is analyzed. Peaks of multifractal parameters, with statistical significance exceeding 95%, are associated with three earthquakes of notable magnitude (equaling or exceeding Mw = 5.7). Additionally, some other peaks are also associated with the swarm of earthquakes of moderate magnitude. Possible shortcomings created by this assignment to mainshocks or swarms can be removed by comparing the results corresponding to elapsed times and interevent distances between consecutive events. Additionally, the Buishand test, which is used to verify the statistical significance of the detected peaks, also discriminates between mainshocks of notable seismic magnitude and swarms of earthquakes with moderate magnitude. The obtained results, based on the multifractal structure of the seismic activity, could also represent some advances in predicting, with sufficient time, forthcoming mainshocks of high magnitude and mitigate their destructive effects.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, under Grant Agreement No. 823844, the ChEESE CoE Project.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

High intensity interval training in comparison to constant load training in obese children

Procjenjuje se da deset posto svjetske djece školske dobi ima višak tjelesne masti s povećanim rizikom za razvoj kroničnih bolesti. Četvrtina te djece je pretila, a dio njih ima višestruke čimbenike rizika za dijabetes tipa 2, bolesti srca i niz drugih komorbiditeta prije ili tijekom rane odrasle dobi. Prevalencija prekomjerne tjelesne mase dramatično je veća u gospodarski razvijenim regijama, ali se značajno povećala u ostalim dijelovima svijeta. Kliničko liječenje pretile djece zahtijeva vrijeme, financijske troškove i multidisciplinarni tim i individulani pristup. U radu se prikazuju rezultati istraživanja provedenog u Klinici za pedijatriju KBC Sestre Milosrdnice u Zagrebu u kojem su ispitane razlike u utjecaju visoko intenzivnog intervalnog treninga -VIIT (eng. High intensity interval trening, HIIT) uz dijetu u odnosu na konvencionalni način aerobnog treninga (KAT) uz dijetu na poboljšanje aerobnih sposobnosti mjerenih indirektno submaksimalnim testom kod djece s prekomjernom tjelesnom masom. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 15-ero pretile djece u kontrolnoj i 15-ero u eksperimentalnoj skupini, prosječne dobi 13,93 (SD = 1,74) godina, od čega je 50 % sudionika bilo muškog spola. Sudionici u ovom imali su prosječan inicijalni indeks tjelesne mase (ITM) 34,83±3,95, što ukazuje na pretilost. Također, dnevno su prosječno unosili 1700 kilokalorija kontrolirnom prehranom na kliničkom odjelu. Rezultati pokazuju statistički značajnu razliku između inicijalnog i finalnog mjerenja na gotovo svim varijablama, tjelesna masa (t(29) = 19,11, p < 0,001), ITM(t(29) = 17,73, p < 0,001), VO2max (t(29) = -9,88, p < 0,001), vrijeme modificiranog Astrand testa (t(29) = -10,29, p < 0,001) u obje skupine. Također, mora se spomenuti ipak da su nešto bolji rezultati ostvareni kod VIIT grupe u procijenjenom maksimalnom primitku kisika (VO2max) u odnosu na KAT grupu (p=0,045). U zaključku, VIIT nije bio manje učinkovit od KAT-a u poboljšanju aerobnih sposobnosti kod pretile djece i može biti relevantna zamjena tradicionalnim metodama treninga kod pretile populacije jer je često djeci zanimljiviji i zahtijeva manje vremena.It is estimated that almost 10% of children of school age worldwide have increased body weight and subsequently higher risk for developing different chronic conditions. One quarter of children are obese, some have multiple risk factors for diabetes type 2, cardiovascular diseases and other comorbidities development before and during adulthood. Prevalence of obesity is dramatically higher in developed countries but is also on the rise in other parts of the planet. Clinical management of overweight children demands time, financial resources, multidisciplinary team and individualized approach. In this paper the results of research conducted in Pediatric Clinic at University Clinical Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb are presented. The goal was to search for differences in effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with dietary regime and conventional aerobic training (CAT) and diet on aerobic capacity in obese children measured indirectly using submaximal test were compared. There were 15 participants in experimental and control group respectfully, median 13,93 (SD = 1, 74) years of age, 50 % of them male. Average participant body mass index (BMI) 34,83±3,95. The average controlled daily dietary intake was 1700 kcal. Results show statistically significant difference between initial and final measurement in almost all variables; body weight (t(29) = 19,11, p < 0,001), BMI (t(29) = 17,73, p < 0,001), VO2max (t(29) = -9,88, p < 0,001), modified Astrand test time (t(29) = -10,29, p < 0,001) in both groups. The somewhat better results were also observed in experimental group in VO2max values estimated by Astrand test (p=0,045) as opposed to control group but probably due to small sample size the differences in other aerobic capacity imation variables was not statistically significant. HIIT was not less efficient than CAT in aerobic capacity improvement in obese children and might represent a good alternative to more traditional training methods in such children, especially as childern often perceive it as more interesting

Nano-second laser interference photoembossed microstructures for enhanced cell alignment

Photoembossing is a powerful photolithographic technique to prepare surface relief structures relying on polymerization-induced diffusion in a solventless development step. Conveniently, surface patterns are formed by two or more interfering laser beams without the need for a lithographic mask. The use of nanosecond pulsed light-based interference lithography strengthens the pattern resolution through the absence of vibrational line pattern distortions. Typically, a conventional photoembossing protocol consists of an exposure step at room temperature that is followed by a thermal development step at high temperature. In this work, we explore the possibility to perform the pulsed holographic exposure directly at the development temperature. The surface relief structures generated using this modified photoembossing protocol are compared with those generated using the conventional one. Importantly, the enhancement of surface relief height has been observed by exposing the samples directly at the development temperature, reaching approximately double relief heights when compared to samples obtained using the conventional protocol. Advantageously, the light dose needed to reach the optimum height and the amount of photoinitiator can be substantially reduced in this modified protocol, demonstrating it to be a more efficient process for surface relief generation in photopolymers. Kidney epithelial cell alignment studies on substrates with relief-height optimized structures generated using the two described protocols demonstrate improved cell alignment in samples generated with exposure directly at the development temperature, highlighting the relevance of the height enhancement reached by this method. Although cell alignment is well-known to be enhanced by increasing the relief height of the polymeric grating, our work demonstrates nano-second laser interference photoembossing as a powerful tool to easily prepare polymeric gratings with tunable topography in the range of interest for fundamental cell alignment studies

Home-Based Exercise During the Coronavirus Pandemic – A Useful, yet Challenging Treatment Strategy for Improvement of Mental Health, Glycemic Control and COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes

Lockdown measures to control disease transmission were implemented at the start of the COVID-19 era, worsening the already existing sedentary lifestyle. Reduced physical activity (PA) and unhealthy eating habits have a negative impact on mental health in chronically ill patients, including diabetes patients. Mental illness, on the other hand, encourages a sedentary lifestyle, exacerbating all components of metabolic syndrome. While well-controlled diabetic patients with an HbA1c of less than 7% had a less severe clinical presentation and COVID-19 mortality rates, the favorable effect of PA on immunomodulation and immunoregulation should not be neglected. Given recent data indicating that a sedentary lifestyle is the third independent risk factor for COVID-19 complications and death (after advanced age and organ transplant), including regular PA has never been more vital. Since PA has a major impact on both glycemic control and mental health, implementing structured home-based activity programs could improve glycemic control and psychological well-being, hence positively impacting COVID-19 outcomes

Physical Activity and Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolički sindrom (MS) sastavljen je od niza poremećaja koji se manifestiraju centralnom pretilosti, arterijskom hipertenzijom, hiperglikemijom i dislipidemijom, a usko je povezan s rizikom od razvoja šećerne bolesti, kardiovaskularnih bolesti, steatozom jetre, zloćudnih bolesti i demencijom, odnosno pridonosi povećanju mortaliteta. Nažalost, njegova je incidencija u stalnom porastu i u odrasloj i u dječjoj populaciji, a navedeno je u direktnoj vezi sa sedentarnim načinom života i visokokaloričnom prehranom. U prevenciji i liječenju MS-a važnu ulogu ima tjelesna aktivnost jer utječe na patofiziološke mehanizme u podlozi MS-a, prije svega na inzulinsku rezistenciju (IR). Dodatno, tjelesna aktivnost pogoduje poboljšanju lipidograma i sniženju arterijskoga krvnog tlaka te pridonosi redukciji tjelesne mase. Preporučuje se minimalno 150 minuta aerobne tjelesne aktivnosti umjerenog intenziteta uz provođenje vježba snage 2 – 3 puta na tjedan. Također, već od dječje dobi bitno je skratiti vrijeme provedeno u sedentarnom načinu života.Metabolic Syndrome (MS) encompasses several disorders including abdominal obesity, arterial hypertension, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia, and is closely related to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver steatosis, malignant diseases and dementia, which lead to higher mortality. Unfortunately, incidence of MS is continually increasing, not only in adults but also in children, which is in direct correlation with the sedentary lifestyle and high-calorie diet. Physical activity plays an important role in both prevention and treatment of MS as it affects underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of MS, especially insulin resistance (IR). Additionally, physical activity improves lipid profile, reduces arterial blood pressure and helps lose weight. Guidelines suggest at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise combined with strength training 2 − 3 times per week. Moreover, it is important to reduce sedentary time in early childhood

Complete inhibition of extranodal dissemination of lymphoma by edelfosine-loaded lipid nanoparticles

Lipid nanoparticles (LN) made of synthetic lipids Compritol® 888 ATO and Precirol® ATO 5 were developed, presenting an average size of 110.4 ± 2.1 nm and 103.1 ± 2.9 nm, for Compritol® and Precirol®, respectively, and encapsulation efficiency above 85 % for both type of lipids. These LN decrease the hemolytic toxicity of the drug by 90 %. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles of the drug were studied after intravenous and oral administration of edelfosine-containing LN, providing an increase in relative oral bioavailability of 1500 % after a single oral administration of drug-loaded LN, maintaining edelfosine plasma levels over 7 days in contrast to a single oral administration of edelfosine solution, which presents a relative oral bioavailability of 10 %. Moreover, edelfosine-loaded LN showed a high accumulation of the drug in lymph nodes and resulted in slower tumor growth than the free drug in a murine lymphoma xenograft model, as well as potent extranodal dissemination inhibition

New Structured Materials in the Study of the Mechanobiological Processes Related to the Heart Failure

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one of death globally. According to the World Health organization 17.7 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2015, representing 31% of all global deaths.  In these diseases the cardiac homeostasis is disrupted by a non-appropriate myocardium remodelling. The cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) provides not only the biochemical environment but also a natural scaffold surrounding and connecting cardiac cells and distributing mechanical forces throughout the organ. Thus, the properties of the ECM are essential for the maintenance of the functional myocardium. Alterations in cardiac ECM structure associated with heart failure influence cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesions modifying cell shape and mechanotransduction.The need to understand the cardiac ECM remodelling mechanisms that allow us to identify new therapeutic targets lead us to create biomimetic scaffolds which emulate the structure, topography, mechanics and chemical composition of ECM.Here, we present the development of modulable materials for the manufacturing, by using photopolymerizable materials, of structured hydrogels with myocardium properties of stiffness and elastic modulus in physiological and pathological conditions