Microstructure and precipitation behavior of advanced RAFM steels for high-temperature applications on fusion reactors

The composition of new eigth 9% Cr reduced activation ferritic/martensitioc steels (RAFMs) has been finely tuned in order to increase the amount of fine MX precipitates and reduce coarse M$_{23}$C$_{6}$ carbides through the application of thermomechanical treatments. The microstructural investigations by TEM/STEM and EELS have shown M$_{23}$C$_{6}$, M$_{2}$X (Cr$_{2}$N), and MX (Ta, V, and Ti-rich) precipitates after tempering at 750 °C/2 h. Higher N contens (0.04–0.03 wt%) seems to favored M$_{2}$X precipitation over MX with V contents round 0.2 wt%. MX-Ti rich presents sizes larger than MX (Ta or V rich). EELS anlysis have shown that the MX (Ta, V and Ti rich) precipitated after tempering at 750 °C/2 h are mainly carbo-nitrides. Composition, size, number density and carbon and nitrogen content on MX and M$_{2}$X is discussed in terms of the composition of each Alloy

Cost-effectiveness of upper extremity dry needling in the rehabilitation of patients with stroke

Introduction: Dry needling (DN) has been shown to be effective for the treatment of upper extremity hypertonia in patients with stroke. Purpose: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of DN in patients with stroke. Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed in a research study conducted at a Spanish public hospital where patients were classified into two groups with or without DN. Hypertonia was measured using the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS), and quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the EuroQoL 5-dimension questionnaire. Data regarding the effects and costs of physiotherapy were presented by calculating the mean and 95% confidence interval. The health outcomes were evaluated considering the rate of responders to the treatment based on the MMAS. Spanish preference weights were used to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) were calculated to determine the economic value of DN. Results: Eighty patients with stroke in the subacute stage of recovery were selected to participate in this study. Based on the rate of responders, the ICER of the DN group was very low. Despite the sensitivity analysis performed, the results of the ICUR were not encouraging. Discussion: Cost-effectiveness with responder rate results were favourable for the DN group and were confirmed by the sensitivity analysis according to levels of care. In addition, our findings revealed that 4 weeks of treatment could be more cost-effective than 8 weeks. DN treatment of the upper extremity appears to be cost-effective based on the rate of responders measured using the MMAS scale. © The Author(s) 2021

Inducción de las proteínas Mx por interferón tipo I en células de dorada y de trucha

Characterizing the innate immune system defence mechanisms is essential to develop preventive measures against viral infections in aquaculture. In this study, the intra-specific differential response of Mx proteins to type I interferon (IFN I) and the inter-specific conservation of the IFN I response in gilthead seabream and rainbow trout, have been addressed in in vitro experimental systems. The results showed that Mx induction is variable among the three isoforms of each species, both of them presenting a predominant isoform. In addition, there is no response to the IFN I of the other species, thus suggesting that in spite of the well-knonwn conservation of the IFN I response in vertebrates, specificity is also one of the main features of the IFN I response of both species. Resumen La caracterización de los mecanismos de defensa del sistema inmune innato es clave para el desarrollo de medidas preventivas frente a la creciente incidencia de infecciones víricas en acuicultura. En este trabajo se ha estudiado in vitro un aspecto de la respuesta innata antiviral: la respuesta diferencial de las proteínas Mx de una especie a interferón (IFN) tipo I, y la conservación interespecífica de la respuesta a IFN tipo I, en dorada y en trucha. Hemos comprobado que existen diferencias en la respuesta de las Mx de ambas especies a IFN I, existiendo en ambos casos una isoforma predominante. Por otro lado, no hay respuesta al IFN I de la otra especie, por lo que a pesar de ser un mecanismo conservado en los vertebrados, la especificidad es una característica de la respuesta del IFN I de ambas especies. Justificación La caracterización de los mecanismos de defensa del sistema inmune innato es clave para el desarrollo de medidas preventivas frente a la creciente incidencia de infecciones víricas en acuicultura. Las proteínas Mx, dada su actividad antiviral directa, son elementos clave en el estado antiviral desencadenado por el interferón tipo I en respuesta a las infecciones virales (Haller y Kochs, 2011). En este trabajo se ha estudiado in vitro un aspecto muy interesante de la respuesta del IFN tipo I: las diferencias en la respuesta a interferón (IFN) tipo I de las distintas proteínas Mx de una misma especie en dorada y en trucha, y la conservación de la respuesta a IFN tipo I entre estas dos especies. Material y métodos Células CHSE-214 se transfectaron con vectores de expresión del IFN I de dorada y de salmón. Después de unas semanas de selección con antibióticos, las células se cultivaron en medio nuevo y se recogió el sobrenadante, que se utilizó para estimular células SAF-1, que son de dorada, y células RTG-2, que son de trucha arcoíris . Como control negativo se utilizó medio de células CHSE transfectadas con un vector vacío, y como control positivo las células SAF-1 y RTG-2 se estimularon con poli I:C, un potente inductor de la respuesta del IFN I. Las células SAF-1 y RTG-2 se recogieron a las 6, 12 y 24 h del tratamiento; y se cuantificó mediante RT-PCR cuantitativo la transcripción de los tres genes Mx en cada uno de los sistemas. Resultados y discusión Las tres Mx de dorada se estimularon con el IFN de dorada mostrando una cinética similar: una inducción no significativa a las 6 horas del tratamiento, seguida de un descenso en los niveles de transcripción de los tres genes a las 12 h y alcanzando el nivel máximo de expresión a las 24 h del tratamiento. La expresión fue mayor en el caso de la Mx2. En cambio, cuando las células SAF se trataron con IFN de salmón no se detectó estimulación de ninguno de los tres genes. El tratamiento con poli I:C sólo estimuló la transcripción de la Mx2, que fue significativa a las 24 h del tratamiento. En el caso de las proteínas Mx de trucha, al estimularlas con IFN de salmón la respuesta sólo fue significativa en el caso de la Mx2 y de la Mx3 a las 24 h del tratamiento. En cambio, el IFN de dorada no estimuló la respuesta de ninguna de las tres Mx de trucha. El tratamiento con poli I:C estimuló la transcripción sólo de la Mx2, que fue significativo a las 12, pero no a las 24 h del tratamiento, debido a la variabilidad de las muestras. En ningún caso se observó estimulación de las Mx en las células a las que se añadió el sobrenadante de las células transfectadas con el plásmido control. Estos resultados indican que en ambos casos existe una respuesta diferente de las tres proteínas Mx de ambas especies. En el caso de la dorada, el patrón de respuesta a IFN I de su misma especie es similar para las tres Mx, que sólo presentan ligeras diferencias en cuanto a la magnitud de la inducción, máxima en el caso de la Mx2. Es decir, el IFN sintetizado en las células CHSE y secretado al medio de cultivo es capaz de iniciar su cascada de señalización en las células SAF y estimular la transcripción de los tres genes Mx de dorada de forma muy parecida. En cambio, la respuesta a la estimulación con poli I:C es variable entre las tres Mx de dorada, siendo significativa sólo en el caso de la Mx2. Es posible que la concentración de IFN en el sobrenadante sea más elevada que la que se genera al tratar las células con poli I:C o puede que la respuesta de Mx1 y Mx3 sea más tardía, por lo que la proteína Mx2 de dorada parece ser más sensible o detectar antes la señal desencadenada por el poli I:C. Esto concuerda con otros estudios que apuntan a que la Mx2 parece ser la isoforma predominante en la respuesta temprana de esta especie a la infección viral (Fernández-Trujillo y cols., 2011). En cuanto a las Mx de trucha, el patrón de respuesta al IFN de salmón es distinto en cada Mx: la respuesta no es significativa para la Mx1, y sí para Mx2 y Mx3, presentando Mx2 la respuesta mayor. Los resultados obtenidos con poli I:C son similares: respuesta significativa sólo en el caso de Mx2 y Mx3, siendo en este caso la respuesta de Mx2 más temprana (12 h) y de mayor magnitud (3x aproximadamente) que tras la estimulación con IFN de salmón. A pesar de que salmón atlántico y trucha arcoíris son dos especies muy relacionadas, es posible que las diferencias sutiles que existen entre los IFN de ambas especies sean responsables de esta diferencia (Collet, 2014). En cualquier caso, parece haber una isoforma predominante, la Mx2, al igual que ocurre en dorada, y una isoforma que, al menos en las condiciones de nuestro estudio, no responde a la señal de IFN tipo I. Respecto a la respuesta al IFN de la otra especie, no se observó estimulación de ninguna de las Mx en ambas especies, es decir, a pesar ser el mismo tipo de IFN, su presencia no resultó en la estimulación de las proteínas Mx, por lo que la conservación a nivel funcional entre estas especies no es suficiente como para iniciar la cascada de señalización. Los receptores del IFN I lo forman las proteínas IFNAR1 e IFNAR2, y esta familia de proteínas es, al igual que ocurre con las Mx o los IFN, especialmente diversa en peces, por lo que podrían ser responsables de la ausencia de respuesta observada. En definitiva, en este trabajo hemos comprobado que el sobrenadante de las células CHSE transfectadas con el IFN tipo I de dorada y de salmón es capaz de estimular la expresión de Mx en células de dorada y de trucha respectivamente; y hemos observado que existen diferencias en la respuesta de las Mx de ambas especies a IFN I, lo cual puede ser uno de los recursos que utilizan los sistemas inmunes de dorada y de trucha para enfrentarse a las infecciones virales. Referencias Collet, B., 2014. Innate immune responses of salmonid fish to viral infections. Developmental & Comparative Immunology 43: 160-173. Fernández-Trujillo, M.A., P. Novel, M. Manchado, M.P. Sepulcre, V. Mulero, J.J. Borrego, M.C. Álvarez y J. Béjar. 2011. Three Mx genes with differential response to VNNV infection have been identified in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Molecular immunology 48: 1216-23. Haller, O. y G. Kochs. 2011. Human MxA Protein: An Interferon-Induced Dynamin-Like GTPase with Broad Antiviral Activity. Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research 31: 79-87.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Cost-effectiveness of two dry needling interventions for plantar heel pain: A secondary analysis of an rct

Plantar heel pain is a common cause of foot pain that affects patients’ quality of life and represents a significant cost for the healthcare system. Dry needling and percutaneous needle electrolysis are two minimally invasive treatments that were shown to be effective for the management of plantar heel pain. The aim of our study was to compare these two treatments in terms of health and economic consequences based on the results of a published randomized controlled trial. For this, we evaluated the costs from the point of view of the hospital and we carried out a cost-effectiveness study using quality of life as the main variable according to the Eq-5D-5L questionnaire. The cost of the complete treatment with dry needling (DN) was €178.86, while the percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) was €200.90. The quality of life of patients improved and was translated into +0.615 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for DN and +0.669 for PNE. PNE presented an average incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €411.34/QALY against DN. These results indicate that PNE had a better cost-effectiveness ratio for the treatment of plantar heel pain than DN

Self-avoiding walks and connective constants in small-world networks

Long-distance characteristics of small-world networks have been studied by means of self-avoiding walks (SAW's). We consider networks generated by rewiring links in one- and two-dimensional regular lattices. The number of SAW's $u_n$ was obtained from numerical simulations as a function of the number of steps $n$ on the considered networks. The so-called connective constant, $\mu = \lim_{n \to \infty} u_n/u_{n-1}$, which characterizes the long-distance behavior of the walks, increases continuously with disorder strength (or rewiring probability, $p$). For small $p$, one has a linear relation $\mu = \mu_0 + a p$, $\mu_0$ and $a$ being constants dependent on the underlying lattice. Close to $p = 1$ one finds the behavior expected for random graphs. An analytical approach is given to account for the results derived from numerical simulations. Both methods yield results agreeing with each other for small $p$, and differ for $p$ close to 1, because of the different connectivity distributions resulting in both cases.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

LegioLit: Knappable material lithotheque in the Prehistory Laboratory at the University of León, Spain

This work introduces a comparative collection located in the Prehistory Laboratory at the University of León (Spain) specialised in knappable raw materials, mainly comprising radiolarite and black chert (micro-crypto crystalline quartz), from the western Cantabrian Mountains (north of Iberian Peninsula). A standardised protocol of sample collection and data organisation was developed, which includes the use of several methodologies. First, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for referencing lithic sources. Second, direct observation of the sample for the macroscopic characterization, both de visu and stereomicroscope. Third, petrographic microscopy for a description of main petrological, and palaeontological features, complemented with the identification of the different minerals that make up the samples by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Forth, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Thermogravimetry – Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC) for geochemical and thermal features of the samples. Finally, the results of these analyses were entered in a database. All this information is contributing towards the creation of a physical reference collection specialised in local Palaeozoic formations (mostly from Devonian to Carboniferous) that outcrop in the western Cantabrian Mountains, a region whose potential resource base was previously not very well known. This collection would allow to compare archaeological lithic remains from different sites inside and outside the Cantabrian Mountains

Gas sensor based on room temperature optical properties of Surface QDs

Self-organized InGaAs QDs are intensively studied for optoelectronic applications. Several approaches are in study to reach the emission wavelengths needed for these applications. The use of antimony (Sb) in either the capping layer or into the dots is one example. However, these studies are normally focused on buried QD (BQD) where there are still different controversial theories concerning the role of Sb. Ones suggest that Sb incorporates into the dot [1], while others support the hypothesis that the Sb occupies positions surrounding the dot [2] thus helping to keep their shape during the capping growth

Reproduction of blackspot seabream, pagellus bogaraveo B. in captivity

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Ureteritis Cystica: Important Consideration in the Differential Diagnosis of Acute Renal Colic

Ureteritis cystica is an uncommon cause of acute renal pain. The aetiology remains unclear and the diagnosis may be difficult to establish. We report the case of a 29 year old woman with a history of repeated urinary tract infections presenting with acute renal colic in the absence of lithiasis. We review the diagnostic tools available to make the diagnosis and the recent pertinent literature

Comparing two dry needling interventions for plantar heel pain: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) versus percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) for improving the level of pain, function and quality of life (QoL) of patients suffering from plantar heel pain (PHP) provoked by myofascial trigger points. DESIGN: A prospective, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. SETTING: A single treatment facility in the State of Kuwait. PARTICIPANTS: 118 participants were screened for eligibility. Of these, 102 participants were enrolled (30 men (49.5±8.9 years) and 72 women (48.1±8.8 years)) and 68 of them completed the trial. INTERVENTIONS: Two parallel groups, one study arm received DN and a stretching protocol whereas the other arm received percutaneous needling electrolysis with a stretching protocol. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the Foot Pain domain of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire, with 13 questions related to foot health-related domains. Secondary outcome measures included the 0-10 numerical rating scale pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, performed before and after each treatment session. In addition, QoL was measured using the EuroQoL-5 dimensions. All measurements were taken at baseline, at 4, 8, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. RESULTS: Foot Pain domain improved at all time points for DN group (p<0.001; 29.7 (17.8 to 41.5)) and percutaneous needling electrolysis group (p<0.001; 32.7 (18.3 to 47.0)), without significant differences between groups. Pain VAS scores decreased at all time points for both DN (p<0.001; -2.6 (-4.0 to -1.2)) and percutaneous needling electrolysis group (p<0.001; -3.0 (-4.5 to -1.6)). QoL improved at 4 weeks for both DN (p<0.01; 0.15 (0.5 to 0.25)) and percutaneous needling electrolysis group (p<0.01; 0.09 (0.01 to 0.17)) and at 8 and 52 weeks for the PNE group (p<0.01; 0.10 (0.02 to 0.18)), with significant differences between groups for the QoL at 52 weeks (p<0.05; 0.10 (0.01 to 0.18)). There were two small haematomas in the PNE group and one in the DN group. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Both PNE and DN were effective for PHP management, reducing mean and maximum pain since the first treatment session, with long lasting effects (52 weeks) and significant differences between groups in the case of QoL at 52 weeks in favour of the PNE group