Efectividad de las técnicas de relajación en oncología antes de realizar pruebas diagnósticas en neuroimagen

Psychophysiological arousal was observed in cancer patients during the application of relaxation techniques prior to a diagnostic scan (PET-CT). The aim of the study is twofold: firstly, it is sought to establish whether such techniques can minimize patient arousal before diagnostic screening begins, and secondly to measure which of them are most effective. The dependent variable is electrodermal activity, recording the attentional level and emotional response, and the independent variable comprises the relaxation techniques used, namely Jacobson, breathing and visualization. The 39 patients were split into experimental groups to whom the relaxation techniques (Jacobson, breathing exercises, and visualization) were applied before they went for the PET-CT. An activity-module procedure was applied to track electrodermal activity during the relaxation sessions, consisting of instructions, timeout; wait, task; relaxation and end of the recording session. The control group received no relaxation techniques before the PET-CT. Session-end results show that patients who perform relaxation techniques achieve greater attentional focus using Jacobson''s technique (M = .212) and enhanced emotional containment using visualization (M = .206). It is concluded that relaxation techniques minimize the state of activation during the waiting period before a diagnostic scan

Towards a calcium-based rechargeable battery

The development of a rechargeable battery technology using light electropositive metal anodes would result in a breakthrough in energy density1. For multivalent charge carriers (Mn+), the number of ions that must react to achieve a certain electrochemical capacity is diminished by two (n = 2) or three (n = 3) when compared with Li+ (ref. 2). Whereas proof of concept has been achieved for magnesium3, 4, 5, the electrodeposition of calcium has so far been thought to be impossible6 and research has been restricted to non-rechargeable systems7, 8, 9, 10. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of calcium plating at moderate temperatures using conventional organic electrolytes, such as those used for the Li-ion technology. The reversibility of the process on cycling has been ascertained and thus the results presented here constitute the first step towards the development of a new rechargeable battery technology using calcium anodes.Authors are grateful to F. Fauth for his assistance during data collection at the ALBA Synchrotron. The authors thank the Toyota Battery Research division at Higashi Fuji (M6) for their financial support.Peer reviewe

Deregulation And Liberalization In The European Electricity Sector

Since the 1990’s, we have witnessed a global process of deregulation, liberalization and privatization in key economic sectors. This paper focuses on the way this process has evolved in a key sector - electricity - in a very important region - Europe.  The paper shows that the European track record is quite mixed; i.e., increased competition in some countries and no discernible improvement in efficiency in others.  Given that in some cases the whole reliability of the electricity supply system has been challenged, serious questions should be asked about the desirability of the whole process

Ark or park: the need to predict relative effectiveness of ex situ and in situ conservation before attempting captive breeding

1. When species face extinction, captive breeding may be appropriate. However, captive breeding may be unsuccessful, while reducing motivation and resources for in situ conservation and impacting wild source populations. Despite such risks, decisions are generally taken without rigorous evaluation. We develop an individual-based, stochastic population model to evaluate the potential effectiveness of captive-breeding and release programmes, illustrated by the Critically Endangered Ardeotis nigriceps Vigors great Indian bustard. 2. The model was parameterized from a comprehensive review of captive breeding and wild demography of large bustards. To handle uncertainty in the standards of captive-breeding performance that may be achieved we explored four scenarios of programme quality: ‘full-range’ (parameters sampled across the observed range), ‘below-average’, ‘above-average’ and ‘best possible’ (performance observed in exemplary breeding programmes). Results are evaluated examining i) the probability of captive population extirpation within 50 years and ii) numbers of adult females subsequently established in the wild following release, compared to an alternative strategy of in situ conservation without attempting captive breeding. 3. Successful implementation of captive breeding, involving permanent retention of 20 breeding females and release of surplus juveniles, required collection of many wild eggs and consistent ‘best possible’ performance across all aspects of the programme. Under ‘full-range’ and ‘above-average’ scenarios captive population extirpation probabilities were 73–88% % and 23‒51%% respectively, depending on egg collection rates. 4. Although most (73‒92%) ‘best possible’ programmes supported releases, re-establishment of free-living adults also required effective in situ conservation. Incremental implementation of effective conservation measures over the initial 10 years resulted in more free-living adults within 35 years if eggs were left in the wild without attempting captive breeding. 5. Synthesis and applications. For the great Indian bustard Ardeotis nigriceps, rapid implementation of in situ conservation offers a better chance to avoid extinction than captive breeding. Demographic modelling should be used to examine whether captive breeding is likely to bring net benefits to conservation programmes

Liver bioengineering using decellularized whole-liver scaffolds

Currently, due to the progress made in the field of regenerative medicine, whole-organ bioengineering is becoming a valid alternative to cope with the shortages of organs for transplantation. In this chapter, we describe the main techniques carried out for pig liver bioengineering, which serves as an essential model for future human liver bioengineering. These include porcine whole-liver decellularization, endothelial and mesenchymal stem cell isolation, porcine ES-derived hepatoblasts, and scaffold recellularization using a bioreactor perfusion system

In quest of cathode materials for Ca ion batteries: the CaMO3 perovskites (M = Mo, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni)

Basic electrochemical characteristics of CaMO3 perovskites (M = Mo, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) as cathode materials for Ca ion batteries are investigated using first principles calculations at the Density Functional Theory level (DFT). Calculations have been performed within the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) and GGA+U methodologies, and considering cubic and orthorhombic perovskite structures for CaxMO3 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1). The analysis of the calculated voltage–composition profile and volume variations identifies CaMoO3 as the most promising perovskite compound. It combines good electronic conductivity, moderate crystal structure modifications, and activity in the 2–3 V region with several intermediate CaxMoO3 phases. However, we found too large barriers for Ca diffusion (around 2 eV) which are inherent to the perovskite structure. The CaMoO3 perovskite was synthesized, characterized and electrochemically tested, and results confirmed the predicted trends.The authors would like to thank F. Rosciano for advice and support in synthesizing the perovskite material and A. Ponrouch and D. Tchitchekova for assistance with the electrochemical tests. The Toyota Battery Research division at Higashi Fuji (M6) is acknowledged for financial support and ICMAB authors are grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for support through the ‘‘Severo Ochoa’’ Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D (SEV-2015-0496). M. E. Arroyo acknowledges access to computational resources from Universidad de Oviedo (MALTA-Consolider cluster) and to A. Saracibar for assistance in the analysis of DFT data and fruitful discussions.Peer reviewe

Cristal·loquímica de perovskites complexes de coure i titani : relació entre síntesi, estructura i propietats superconductores /

Consultable des del TDXTítol obtingut de la portada digitalitzadaLa tesi constitueix un estudi de diverses perovskites mixtes de coure i titani, entre les quals cal citar La2CuTiO6 (estructura tridimensional amb els ions Cu(II) i Ti (IV) desordenats) i Ln2Ba2Cu2Ti2O11 (estructura laminar amb Cu(II) i Ti(IV) ordenats). El treball aprofondeix en les relacions entre mètodes de síntesis, estructura i possibilitat de presentar propietats superconductores en els òxids del sistema Ln-A-Cu-Ti-O (A=Ba, Sr). Ambdós tipus d'òxid han estat sintetitzats tant pel mètode ceràmic com via sol-gel i s'ha estudiat el camí de reacció en tots els casos. Com a resultats més significatius cal destacar la inducció de bidimensionalitat i ordre en sistemes originalment desordenats, que ha donat lloc a l'aïllament d'un nou tipus de perovskites laminars (Ln2Ba2Cu2Ti2O11). Cal destacar també els diferents intents d'obtenció d'òxids de fórmula Ln1+xA2-xCu2TiO8- (Ln= lantànid, A=alcal·linoterri) que han donat lloc a la síntesi d'un òxid superconductor de la mateixa família (YSr2Cu2.7Ti0.3O7.06) amb una temperatura crítica de 26K. Hom duu a terme una caracterització en profunditat dels òxids esmentats (anàlisi de l'estequiometria catiònica i el contingut en oxigen, caracterització estructural mitjançant difracció de raigs X i neutrons sobre pols, difracció d'electrons i microscòpia electrònica de transmissió i mesura de les propietats magnètiques i de transport). Es realitza també un estudi de les possibilitats de dopatge de Ln2Ba2Cu2Ti2O11, preparant-ne un gran nombre de derivats amb substitució catiònica. L'oxigenació d'aquests derivats substituïts ha estat assajada per diferents mètodes entre els quals cal esmentar l'electroquímica i l'alta pressió d'oxigen. La caracterització acurada dels diferents òxids obtinguts permet d'establir correlacions estructurals significatives que ajuden a la comprensió dels factors que determinen la superconductivitat en aquest tipus d'òxid. Es duu a terme també una discussió dels factors que afecten l'ordre (tant de cations com de vacants d'oxigen) i la dimensionalitat estructural en perovskites mixtes.La tesis constituye un estudio de diversas perovsquitas mixtas de cobre y titanio, de entre las cuales cabe destacar La2CuTiO6 (estructura tridimensional que presenta los iones Cu(II) y Ti (IV) desordenados) y Ln2Ba2Cu2Ti2O11 (estructura laminar con Cu(II) y Ti(IV) ordenados). El trabajo profundiza en las relaciones entre métodos de síntesis, estructura y posibilidad de presentar propiedades superconductoras de los óxidos del sistema Ln-A-Cu-Ti-O (A=Ba, Sr). Ambos tipos de óxidos se han sintetizado tanto por el método cerámico como vía sol-gel y en todos los casos se ha estudiado el camino de reacción. Como resultados más significativos cabe citar la inducción de bidimensionalidad y orden en sistemas originalmente desordenados, que ha dado lugar al aislamiento de un nuevo tipo de perovsquitas laminares (Ln2Ba2Cu2Ti2O11). Es necesario destacar también los distintos intentos de obtención de óxidos de fórmula Ln1+xA2-xCu2TiO8- (Ln= lantánido, A=alcalinotérreo) que han dado lugar a la síntesis de un óxido superconductor de la misma familia (YSr2Cu2.7Ti0.3O7.06) con una temperatura crítica de 26K. Se ha llevado a cabo una caracterización en profundidad de los citados óxidos (análisis de la estequiometría catiónica y el contenido de oxígeno, caracterización estructural mediante difracción de rayos X y neutrones sobre polvo, difracción de electrones y microscopía electrónica de transmisión y medida de las propiedades magnéticas y de transporte). Se ha realizado también un estudio de las posibilidades de dopaje de Ln2Ba2Cu2Ti2O11, preparando un gran número de derivados de estas fases con sustituciones catiónicas. La oxigenación de dichos derivados se ha ensayado también utilizando diferentes métodos entre los que cabe destacar los electroquímicos y el tratamiento bajo alta presión de oxígeno. La caracterización cuidadosa de los compuestos obtenidos permite establecer correlaciones estructurales significativas que ayudan a la comprensión de los factores que determinan la superconductividad en este tipo de óxidos. Se discuten también los factores que afectan el orden (tanto de cationes como de vacantes de oxígeno) y la dimensionalidad estructural en perovsquitas mixtas.The thesis is a study of different mixed copper-titanium perovskites, like La2CuTiO6 (three-dimensional structure with Cu (II) and Ti (IV) disordered in the octahedral positions) and Ln2Ba2Cu2Ti2O11 (layered structure with ordering of Cu(II) and Ti(IV)). The work gives an insight in the relationship among the synthetic methods, the structure and the possibility of becoming superconductor, in the system Ln-A-Cu-Ti-O (A=Ba, Sr). Both types of oxides have been synthesized by the ceramic and sol-gel methods and a study of the reaction path has been made as well. The most significant results are: the induction of bidimensionality and order in systems originally disordered (which has led to the isolation of the new type of layered perovskites Ln2Ba2Cu2Ti2O11), and also the several attempts made to synthesize oxides with the general formula Ln1+xA2-xCu2TiO8- (Ln= lanthanide, A=alkaline earth) which have led to the obtaining of a superconducting oxide with a critical temperature of 26 K (YSr2Cu2.7Ti0.3O7.06). A detailed characterization of the above oxides is made: cationic stoichiometry and oxygen content analices, structural characterization by means of x-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electron diffraction and electron microscopy, and magnetic and transport properties. A study of the doping possibilities in Ln2Ba2Cu2Ti2O11 has also been made, and several derivatives of these oxides with cationic substitution have been prepared. The oxigenation of these substituted derivatives has been attempted by different methods such as electrochemistry and high oxygen pressure. The study of the structure and properties of the oxides synthesized yields significant structural correlations which help to understand the factors that determine superconductivity in these oxides. A discussion is also made concerning the factors that affect cationic and/or oxygen vacancy ordering and bidimensionality in mixed perovskites

Towards standard electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries: physical properties, ion solvation and ion-pairing in alkyl carbonate solvents.

The currently emerging sodium-ion battery technology is in need of an optimized standard organic solvent electrolyte based on solid and directly comparable data. With this aim we have made a systematic study of "simple" electrolyte systems consisting of two sodium salts (NaTFSI and NaPF6) dissolved in three different alkyl carbonate solvents (EC, PC, DMC) within a wide range of salt concentrations and investigated: (i) their more macroscopic physico-chemical properties such as ionic conductivity, viscosity, thermal stability, and (ii) the molecular level properties such as ion-pairing and solvation. From this all electrolytes were found to have useful thermal operational windows and electrochemical stability windows, allowing for large scale energy storage technologies focused on load levelling or (to a less extent) electric vehicles, and ionic conductivities on par with analogous lithium-ion battery electrolytes, giving promise to also be power performant. Furthermore, at the molecular level the NaPF6-based electrolytes are more dissociated than the NaTFSI-based ones because of the higher ionic association strength of TFSI compared to PF6- while two different conformers of DMC participate in the Na+ first solvation shells - a Na+ affected conformational equilibrium and induced polarity of DMC. The non-negligible presence of DMC in the Na+ first solvation shells increases as a function of salt concentration. Overall, these results should both have a general impact on the design of more performant Na-conducting electrolytes and provide useful insight on the very details of the importance of DMC conformers in any cation solvation studies

The lung in primary immunodeficiencies: new concepts in infection and inflammation

Immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT) has contributed critically to the management of primary antibody deficiencies (PAD) and the decrease in pneumonia rate. However, despite adequate IGRT and improved prognosis, patients with PAD continue to experience recurrent respiratory tract infections, leading to bronchiectasis and continuing decline in lung function with a severe impact on their quality of life. Moreover, non-infectious inflammatory and interstitial lung complications, such as granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease, contribute substantially to the overall morbidity of PAD. These conditions develop much more often than appreciated and represent a major therapeutic challenge. Therefore, a regular assessment of the structural and functional condition of the lung and the upper airways with appropriate treatment is required to minimize the deterioration of lung function. This work summarizes the knowledge on lung complications in PAD and discusses the currently available diagnostic tools and treatment options