Photonic hydrophones based on coated fiber Bragg gratings

The development of underwater acoustic sensors with performances competitive with conventional piezoelectric hydrophones would overcome intrinsic limitations related to the piezoceramic technology. Optical fiber technology represents a valid platform to implement acoustic sensors for underwater scenarios. Here we report on recent numerical and experimental results obtained with photonic hydrophones based on fiber-Bragg-grating (FBG) with ring shaped coatings. Our numerical results fully characterize the opto-acoustic response of the optical hydrophone, and highlight the key role played by the coating in enhancing significantly its sensitivity by comparison with a standard uncoated configuration. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that the hydrophone sensitivity spectrum exhibits characteristic resonances, which strongly improve the sensitivity with respect to its background level. Our experimental results confirmed the expected resonant behavior of such devices and are in good agreement with the numerical predictions. Optical hydrophones based on coated FBG exhibited an excellent capability to detect acoustic waves in the acoustic frequency range, with extremely high sensitivities. By comparison with bare FBGs, sensitivity enhancements of up to three orders of magnitude were found, demonstrating the effectiveness of polymeric coatings in tailoring the acoustic response of FBG-based hydrophones

El Sumak Kawsay y los beneficios de la implementación de los sistemas multimedios en los estudios online de posgrados para mejorar la calidad educativa de los estudiantes universitarios

Los docentes que ejercen la cátedra universitaria, algunos de ellos sienten una gran desventaja con respecto a las nuevas directrices que se dieron tiempo atrás acerca de los nuevos requisitos para ejercer la cátedra a Nivel Superior. El antiguo CONESUP, conocida actualmente como SENESCYT, mencionaba el nuevo proyecto de Ley de Educación Superior con un nuevo perfil para los estudiantes y en este, estaría incluido a los docentes ¿De qué manera? Para dar respuesta a esta pregunta y tener una idea del objeto de estudio de este trabajo de investigación cualitativo, acotamos una publicación del diario El Universo, del miércoles 8 de julio de 2009, titulada: “Maestros con PhD se exigirán en universidades”, donde se menciona: Un nuevo perfil para docentes y estudiantes destaca el proyecto de Ley de Educación Superior. Ahora, uno de los requisitos para ser docente será contar con un título de cuarto nivel de doctorado.Con la ley vigente se establecía solo un título universitario o politécnico. Se estima que en el país existen 1.500 PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) de los cuales 327 trabajan como docentes en las universidades públicas y cofinanciadas. De las privadas aún no hay cifras porque aún no concluye el registro. El solo anuncio de incluir este requisito provocó las críticas en los centros de estudio. El rector de la Universidad Central, Édgar Samaniego, expuso que la exigencia es útil en el afán de mejorar la calidad de educación, pero no en este momento porque el país no cuenta con el número adecuado de PhD para que esta exigencia se ponga en vigencia. Las universidades, salvo excepciones, no producen esos títulos, es decir, solo podrán participar quienes obtuvieron el título en el extranjero, asegura. Según cifras del Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior (CONESUP), hasta 2007 de los 22.714 docentes que existen con títulos, 11.793 tienen uno de tercer nivel; 2.507 con diploma superior; 1.889 son especialistas; 6.081 magísteres; 95 son del nivel técnico superior y 22 del nivel tecnológico. Fernando Carrillo, decano de la Facultad de Administración, considera que el profesional con título de doctorado difícilmente podrá trabajar en una universidad pública,“salvo que sea millonario y la docencia sea un hobby” (El Universo, 2009)

Prostatic Arterial Embolization to Treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) might be a feasible procedure to treat lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients (age range, 62-82 years; mean age, 74.1 y) with symptomatic BPH after failure of medical treatment were selected for PAE with nonspherical 200-μm polyvinyl alcohol particles. The procedure was performed by a single femoral approach. Technical success was considered when selective prostatic arterial catheterization and embolization was achieved on at least one pelvic side. RESULTS: PAE was technically successful in 14 of the 15 patients (93.3%). There was a mean follow-up of 7.9 months (range, 3-12 months). International Prostate Symptom Score decreased a mean of 6.5 points (P = .005), quality of life improved 1.14 points (P = .065), International Index of Erectile Function increased 1.7 points (P = .063), and peak urinary flow increased 3.85 mL/sec (P = .015). There was a mean prostate-specific antigen reduction of 2.27 ng/mL (P = .072) and a mean prostate volume decrease of 26.5 mL (P = .0001) by ultrasound and 28.9 mL (P = .008) by magnetic resonance imaging. There was one major complication (a 1.5-cm(2) ischemic area of the bladder wall) and four clinical failures (28.6%). CONCLUSIONS: In this small group of patients, PAE was a feasible procedure, with preliminary results and short-term follow-up suggesting good symptom control without sexual dysfunction in suitable candidates, associated with a reduction in prostate volume

A new hybrid taxon on genus Thymus L. collected in Aragón (Spain)

MXrEo SANZ, G.; MERcADAL FERRERUELA, N. E. & Písco GARCÍA, J. M. 1995. Sobre un hibrido nuevo del género Thymus L. detectado en Aragón. Bot. Complutensis 20: 69-73. Se comunica el hallazgo de un nuevo hibrido del género Thwnus L. (Labiatae) en la provincia de Teruel, el cual se describe con el nombre de Th. x henitoi Mateo, Mercadal & Pisco, nothosp. nswa, alquc se le supone la combinación parental Th. godayanus Rivas-Martínez et al. x Ni. pulegioides L.Málvo SANZ. G.; MERCADAI. FERRERtJELA, N. E. & Písco GARCÍA, J. M, 1995. A new hybrid taxon on genus Thymus L. collected in Aragón (Spain). BoL Coniplutensis 20: 69-73. A new nothospccics belonging to the genus Thvmus L. (Labiatae) coming from Teruel province (Aragon, NE Spain) is described. The new name proposed is Th. benitoi Mateo, Mercadal & Pisco, nothosp. nova. which its presumed parents are Ni. goda yanas Rivas-Martínez eraL and ib. pulegioides L

Prostatic Artery Embolization in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Short and Medium Follow-Up

To evaluate the short and mid-term results of prostatic artery embolization in patients with benign prostatic embolization. Retrospective study between March 2009 and June 2011 with 103 patients (mean age 66.8 years, 50-85) that met our inclusion criteria with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. The clinical outcome was evaluated by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), International Index of Erectile Function, prostate volume (PV), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), peak urinary flow (Q(max)), and post-void residual volume (PVR) measurements at 3 and 6 months, 1 year, 18 months, and 2 years after PAE and comparison with baseline values was made. Technical and clinical successes, as well as poor clinical outcome definitions, were previously defined. In this review, we evaluate the short and mid-term clinical outcomes and morbidity of patients treated only with non-spherical polyvinyl alcohol. Six months after the procedure, the PV decreased about 23%, IPSS changed to a mean value of 11.95 (almost 50% reduction), the QoL improved slightly more than 2 points, the Q(max) changed to a mean value of 12.63mL/s, the PVR underwent a change of almost half of the baseline value, and the PSA decreased about 2.3ng/mL. In the mid-term follow-up and comparing to the baseline values, we still assisted to a reduction in PV, IPSS, QoL, PVR, and PSA, and an increase in Q(max). Prostatic Artery Embolization is a safe procedure with low morbidity that shows good short- and mid-term clinical outcome in our institution

Sclerotherapy of Ovarian Vein Varicocele: Short- and Long-Term Results

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficiency of sclerotherapy in ovarian vein varicocele. Study population: During 6 years, 36 women with the clinical diagnosis of ovarian vein varicocele were evaluated. Methods: The diagnosis was confirmed by flebography of the ovarian vein in 35 of the patients. In these patients sclerotherapy of the ovarian vein was performed with success by selective retrograde catheterization of the ovarian vein by femoral approach in 31 patients and by brachial approach in 4 patients. Four to eight ml of polidocanol l3% was used in each vein. Results: There was clinical improvement with complete resolution of all symptoms in 29 patients(82.9%) and partial symptomatic relief in 6 (17.1%). Long term results, evaluated between 1 and 6 years (mean 37.3 months), showed complete resolution of symptoms in 27 (77.1%) and recurrence in 8 (22.9%). Four patients with recurrence, improved following repeated sclerotherapy. Thus, there was long term improvement in 31 patients (88.6%). Conclusion: Sclerotherapy of ovarian vein appears to be a safe and efficient treatment of ovarian vein varicocele

Embolisation of Prostatic Arteries as Treatment of Moderate to Severe Lower Urinary Symptoms (LUTS) Secondary to Benign Hyperplasia: Results of Short- and Mid-Term Follow-Up

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short- and medium-term results of prostatic arterial embolisation (PAE) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: This was a prospective non-randomised study including 255 patients diagnosed with BPH and moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms after failure of medical treatment for at least 6 months. The patients underwent PAE between March 2009 and April 2012. Technical success is when selective prostatic arterial embolisation is completed in at least one pelvic side. Clinical success was defined as improving symptoms and quality of life. Evaluation was performed before PAE and at 1, 3, 6 and every 6 months thereafter with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), uroflowmetry, prostatic specific antigen (PSA) and volume. Non-spherical polyvinyl alcohol particles were used. RESULTS: PAE was technically successful in 250 patients (97.9 %). Mean follow-up, in 238 patients, was 10 months (range 1-36). Cumulative rates of clinical success were 81.9 %, 80.7 %, 77.9 %, 75.2 %, 72.0 %, 72.0 %, 72.0 % and 72.0 % at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months, respectively. There was one major complication. CONCLUSIONS: PAE is a procedure with good results for BPH patients with moderate to severe LUTS after failure of medical therapy. KEY POINTS: • Prostatic artery embolisation offers minimally invasive therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. • Prostatic artery embolisation is a challenging procedure because of vascular anatomical variations. • PAE is a promising new technique that has shown good results

Impact of sterilization on phytosterols in canned tuna-based products

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Renal Artery Angioplasty

Efectuámos angioplastia transiuminal percutânea (ATP) da artéria renal em 59 doentes hipertensos e houve benefício inicial na tensão arterial em 91,5% e tardio em 79,6%. Obtivemos melhores resultados nas lesões unilaterais (81,4%) do que nas bilaterais (72,7%); nas lesões fora do ostium (82,5%) do que nas do ostium (7 1,4%); nas lesões de origem fibromuscular (88,9%) do que nas de origem aterosclerótica(75%); e nos doentes com idade igual ou inferior a 55 anos (84,8%) do que em doentes com idade superior (71,4%). Estas diferenças não foram contudo significativas. Os bons resultados da ATP da artéria renal na hipertensão renovascular levam-nos a considerar esta forma de intervenção como uma alternativa do seu tratamento

Inhibition of β-catenin signalling in dermal fibroblasts enhances hair follicle regeneration during wound healing.

New hair follicles (HFs) do not form in adult mammalian skin unless epidermal Wnt signalling is activated genetically or within large wounds. To understand the postnatal loss of hair forming ability we monitored HF formation at small circular (2 mm) wound sites. At P2, new HFs formed in back skin, but HF formation was markedly decreased by P21. Neonatal tail also formed wound-associated HFs, albeit in smaller numbers. Postnatal loss of HF neogenesis did not correlate with wound closure rate but with a reduction in Lrig1-positive papillary fibroblasts in wounds. Comparative gene expression profiling of back and tail dermis at P1 and dorsal fibroblasts at P2 and P50 showed a correlation between loss of HF formation and decreased expression of genes associated with proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin activity. Between P2 and P50, fibroblast density declined throughout the dermis and clones of fibroblasts became more dispersed. This correlated with a decline in fibroblasts expressing a TOPGFP reporter of Wnt activation. Surprisingly, between P2 and P50 there was no difference in fibroblast proliferation at the wound site but Wnt signalling was highly upregulated in healing dermis of P21 compared with P2 mice. Postnatal β-catenin ablation in fibroblasts promoted HF regeneration in neonatal and adult mouse wounds, whereas β-catenin activation reduced HF regeneration in neonatal wounds. Our data support a model whereby postnatal loss of hair forming ability in wounds reflects elevated dermal Wnt/β-catenin activation in the wound bed, increasing the abundance of fibroblasts that are unable to induce HF formation