The Crosstalk between Hypoxia and Innate Immunity in the Development of Obesity-Related Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a major health issue in western countries in parallel with the dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity and all obesity related conditions, including respiratory diseases as obstructive sleep apneahypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Interestingly, the severity of the liver damage in obesity-relatedNAFLD has been associatedwith the concomitant presence of OSAHS. In the presence of obesity, the proinflammatory state in these patients together with intermittent episodes of hypoxia, characteristic of OSAHS pathogenesis,may lead to an enhanced inflammatory response mediated by a positive feedback loop mechanism that implicates HIF-1 and NF????.Thus, the severity of liver involvement in obese NAFLD patients with a concomitant diagnosis of OSAHS could be explained. In this review, we focus on the molecularmechanisms underlying the hepatic response to chronic intermittent hypoxia and its interaction with innate immunity in obesity-related NAFLD

Low temperature effect on impact energy absorption capability of PEEK composites

This paper describes the results of an experimental investigation which analyses the impact behavior at low temperature of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and its short carbon fiber reinforced composite (SCFR PEEK). These polymer materials are widely employed in aeronautical applications subjected to impact loadings in which the energy absorption capability is an aspect that should be taken into account. The energy absorption capability can drastically decrease if temperatures near to the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature of polymeric matrix are reached. In this work, a set of perforation tests has been conducted covering a testing temperature range from -75 degrees C to +25 degrees C and an impact kinetic energy range from 11 J to 175 1 including typical values considered in impact loadings at aeronautical flight speeds. Energy absorption capability, damage extension and failure mechanisms have been quantified and reported. At low temperatures, a ductile-to-brittle transition was found in PEEK unfilled resulting in a suddenly change of its mechanical impact behavior affecting the energy absorption capability. In case of SCFR PEEK composite, a brittle behavior was observed for the whole temperature range considered and its energy absorption capability decreases drastically at lower temperatures. The brittleness of PEEK and SCFR PEEK at low temperature will limit the application of this composite in aeronautical structures exposed to impact.The researchers of the University Carlos III of Madrid are indebted to the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España (Project DPI/2011-24068) and to the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España (Project DPI/2014-57989-P) for financial support towards part of this work

Investigation of mechanical impact behavior of short carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK composites

This paper describes the results of an experimental and numerical investigation of the impact behavior of short carbon fiber reinforced polyether-ether-ketone (SCFR PEEK) composites. The biocompatibility of PEEK and its short fiber composites, their rapid processing by injection molding and suitability for modern imaging have supported technological advances in prosthetic implants used in orthopedic medicine. Surgical implants, including hip and cranial implants, can experience clinically significant impact loading during medical installation and useful life. While the incorporation of short fibers in a thermoplastic matrix can produce significant improvements in stiffness and strength, it can also cause a marked reduction in ductility, making study of their energy absorption capability essential. In this work, the mechanical impact behavior of PEEK composites reinforced with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) short carbon fibers 30% in weight is compared with unfilled PEEK. The perforation tests conducted covered an impact kinetic energy range from 21 J to 131 J, equivalent to the range observed in a fall, the leading cause of hip fractures. Energy absorption capability, damage extension and failure mechanism have been quantified and reported. A numerical modeling that includes homogenization of elastic material and anisotropic damage is presented and validated with experimental data. At all impact energies, SCFR PEEK composites showed a brittle failure and their absorption energy capability decreases drastically in comparison with unfilled PEEK. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The researchers of the University Carlos III of Madrid are indebted to the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España (Project DPI/2011-24068) and to the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España (Project DPI/2014-57989-P) for financial support towards part of this work. The researchers are indebted to LATI Company for PEEK material supplie

Influence of stress state on the mechanical impact and deformation behaviors of aluminum alloys

Under impact loading conditions, the stress state derived from the contact between the projectile and the target, as well as from the subsequent mechanical waves, is a variable of great interest. The geometry of the projectile plays a dertermining role in the resulting stress state in the targeted structure. In this regard, different stress states lead to different failure modes. In this work, we analyze the influence of the stress state on the deformation and failure behaviors of three aluminum alloys that are commonly used in the aeronautical, naval, and automotive industries. To this purpose, tension-torsion tests are performed covering a wide range of stress triaxialities and Lode parameters. Secondly, the observations from these static tests are compared to failure mode of the same materials at high impact velocities tests with the aim of analysing the role of stress state and strain rate in the mechanical response of the aluminum plates. Experimental impacts are conducted with different projectile geometries to allow for the analysis of stress states influence. In addition, these experiments are simulated by using finite element models to evaluate the predictive capability of three failure criteria: critical plastic deformation, Johnson-Cook, and Bai-Wierzbicki.The researchers of the University CarlosIII are indebted to the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España (Project DPI2014-57989-P) and Vicerrectorado de Política Científica UC3M (Project 2013-00219-002) for the financial suppor

Detection of barriers to mobility in the smart city using Twitter

We present a system that analyzes data extracted from the microbloging site Twitter to detect the occurrence of events and obstacles that can affect pedestrian mobility, with a special focus on people with impaired mobility. First, the system extracts tweets that match certain prede ned terms. Then, it obtains location information from them by using the location provided by Twitter when available, as well as searching the text of the tweet for locations. Finally, it applies natural language processing techniques to con rm that an actual event that affects mobility is reported and extract its properties (which urban element is affected and how). We also present some empirical results that validate the feasibility of our approach.This work was supported in part by the Analytics Using Sensor Data for FLATCity Project (Ministerio de Ciencia, innovación y Universidades/ERDF, EU) funded by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), under Grant TIN2016-77158-C4-1-R, and in part by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Perforation mechanics of 2024 aluminium protective plates subjected to impact by different nose shapes of projectiles

This paper focuses on the mechanical behaviour of aluminium alloy 2024-T351 under impact loading. This study has been carried out combining experimental and numerical techniques. Firstly, experimental impact tests were conducted on plates of 4 mm of thickness covering impact velocities from 50 m/s to 200 m/s and varying the stress state through the projectile nose shape: conical, hemispherical and blunt. The mechanisms behind the perforation process were studied depending on the projectile configuration used by analyzing the associated failure modes and post-mortem deflection. Secondly, a numerical study of the mechanical behaviour of aluminium alloy 2024-T351 under impact loading was conducted. To this end, a three-dimensional model was developed in the finite element solver ABAQUS/Explicit. This model combines Lagrangian elements with Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) elements. A good correlation was obtained between numerical and experimental results in terms of residual and ballistic limit velocities

Generation of magmatism under active continental margins: A thermodynamic study of subduction and translithospheric diapirs

A recent model of continental arc magmatism states that subducted sediments mix physically with the oceanic slab basalts in the subduction channel and produce diapirs that ascend through the mantle wedge, undergo melting and relaminate to the base of the continental crust. From here, melt or magma batches ascend through the crust, producing the Cordilleran batholiths and associated volcanism ranging in composition from 0 to 25 wt% maficity (FeOt + MgO) and 44–79 wt% SiO2, with a gap around 11.5 wt% maficity and 57–60 wt% SiO2. This model has been predicted by thermomechanical numerical studies and later supported by phase equilibrium experiments; however, thermodynamic modelling to verify whether the composition of the Cordilleran batholiths is reproduced by this model has not yet been carried out to complement the experimental approach. In this article, the evolution of the mélange along the subduction path and during the ascent of the diapirs is investigated, with focus on the conditions of generation of the diapirs, the composition and proportion of melt at the P-T conditions of relamination of the diapirs, the relationship between the basalt:sediment proportion (the composition) of the diapir to this melt composition and proportion and whether the composition of the melts match the Cordilleran batholiths. The key point to test is the process or processes that produce the compositional variability observed in these granitoids. Our findings indicate that (1) parental melts and/or magmas range in maficity from ∼1 to ∼11.5 wt%, with the compositional gap of the Cordilleran trend representing the most mafic composition possible of the parent, (2) the diapirs are restricted to having 50–60% of sediment component: diapirs with lower sediment contents may be too dense to detach from the slab and mélanges with higher sediment contents may be too less dense to be subducted to the depth of formation of diapirs, (3) melts at 1100 °C and 1.5 GPa from these diapirs have the bulk granodioritic composition of the batholiths, (4) restite unmixing occurs when magma batches segregate from the relaminated diapirs, (5) the lower the temperature of the region of the diapir from which the batch segregates, the higher the restite content, (6) the temperature, by controlling the restite content, is the ultimate factor controlling the compositional trends of Cordilleran batholiths, and (7) fractional crystallization or cotectic evolution is still needed to account for the full compositional range of these batholiths, from the parental 1–11.5 wt% to the observed 0–25 wt% in maficity.This investigation was funded by internal funds of the University of Los Andes, Colombia (FAPA – Fondo de Ayuda a Profesores Asistentes), FAPA number INV- 2019-63-1701

Microstructural and magnetic characterization of Fe- and Ir-based multilayers

Nominal [Fe(t)/Ir(t′)]n (M/M type), [FeOx(t)/IrOx(t′)]n (O/O), and [Fe(t)/IrOx(t′)]n (M/O) multilayers have been prepared by magnetron sputtering at room temperature. Composition, structure, and magnetic behavior have been analyzed. In the M/M samples, the Fe and Ir phases are identified as bcc and fcc, respectively. The magnetism evolves from bulklike iron to granular behavior as the thickness of the Fe layers decreases. An induced magnetic moment, ferromagnetically coupled to Fe, is observed on Ir by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). Besides, the presence of negative remanent magnetization is observed in the M/M samples. As for the M/O samples, the stronger affinity of iron for oxygen displaces the oxygen atoms giving rise to actual heterostructures that strongly differ from the nominal ones. For similar thickness of the two layers the Fe layer become oxidized while a mixture of metal and oxide phases is found in the Ir layer. The increase of the Fe thickness leads to a metallic Ir layer and a highly coercive (∼4.4 kOe) core-shell metal-oxide structure in the Fe layers.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), MAT2014-54425-R, MAT2017-83468-RAragón DGA NETOSHIM

Acute Effects of Work Rest Interval Duration of 3 HIIT Protocols on Cycling Power in Trained Young Adults

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is described as a succession of short duration and maximum or near-maximum intensity efforts, alternated by recovery periods during which exercise continues at a lower intensity (active recovery) or is interrupted (passive recovery). Our objective was to evaluate the acute responses of three HIIT protocols of different work/rest interval times over the total time of the session, with self-selectable load and up to exhaustion, “all out”.The sample was composed of 22 male participants (n = 22) between 19 and 24 years old. The HIIT protocol consisted of one of the three HIIT protocols, of 30, 60 and 90 s density ratio 1:1 and with passive rest, with a total exercise duration of 10 min. The test was performed in a cycloergometer set in workload mode independent of the pedaling frequency. The comparison of the three HIIT protocols shows that the duration of the work/rest intervals, starting from 30 s of work, in the cycloergometer, there are no significant differences in the levels of lactate concentration in the blood, nor in the heart rate, since a similar amount is obtained in the three protocols. The percentage of maximum power developed reached in each HIIT protocol is related to the duration of the working intervals

Innate and Adaptive Immunity Alterations in Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Its Implication in COVID-19 Severity

The coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has hit the world, affecting health, medical care, economies and our society as a whole. Furthermore, COVID-19 pandemic joins the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome in western countries. Patients suffering from obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, cardiac involvement and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) have enhanced risk of suffering severe COVID-19 and mortality. Importantly, up to 25% of the population in western countries is susceptible of suffering from both MAFLD and COVID-19, while none approved treatment is currently available for any of them. Moreover, it is well known that exacerbated innate immune responses are key in the development of the most severe stages of MAFLD and COVID-19. In this review, we focus on the role of the immune system in the establishment and progression of MAFLD and discuss its potential implication in the development of severe COVID-19 in MAFLD patients. As a result, we hope to clarify their common pathology, but also uncover new potential therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers for further research.Funding: This research received funding by the ISCIII (COV20/0170 and PI19/01509) and Cantabria Goverment (2020 UIC22-PUB-0019) to ML-H