Effects of Uniaxial Cyclic Strain on Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Despite the high prevalence of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), the underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis have not been found yet. Therefore, it is extremely important to study CAVD and understand how it develops. For this matter, we decided to study the potential of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for use in tissue-engineered models of heart valves. EPCs were chosen as the cell source of interest for this study due to their high neovascularization potential and use in regenerative medicine and cardiovascular tissue engineering. In this project, we aimed to engineer the microenvironment of cells that are involved in the formation of heart valves. We hypothesized that cyclic strain induces EPCs to undergo differentiation, which will depend on the applied strain, culture media components and culture duration. EPCs isolated from human umbilical cord blood expressed endothelial cell markers CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), and the progenitor cell marker CD34. The cells did not express the mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). EPCs showed an endothelial behavior demonstrated by the uptake of acetylated-low density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL), and a vasculogenic potential demonstrated by tube formation. The cells were subjected to 20% strain rates by utilizing a cyclic uniaxial biostretcher for 7 days and showed a mild expression of α-SMA. Considering these events, EPCs were subjected to 20% strain for longer periods of time (1, 2, and 3 weeks) and showed maintained CD31 expression, no α-SMA expression, and increased CD34 expression suggesting an increased vascular-like behavior after strain

Mirror therapy and self-care autonomy after stroke: an intervention program

Background: In patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke, changes in upper limb function lead to dependence on others for self-care. In the process of recovering autonomy/independence, there is evidence on the effectiveness of sensory stimulation techniques in the motor recovery after stroke. Objective: To assess the effect of mirror therapy on the self-care autonomy of patients with hemiplegia/hemiparesis due to MCA stroke. Methodology: Cross-sectional and quasi-experimental study with a quantitative approach, a before-and-after design, and a non-equivalent control group. A nonprobability sample of 30 participants was selected. Results: Gains in grip strength, joint range of motion, and manual dexterity of the upper limb were more significant in the experimental group but without statistically significant differences between groups. Conclusion: Despite the more significant evolution of the experimental group, mirror therapy was not effective in the motor recovery of the upper limb. Further studies are needed in this area using randomized designs, larger samples, and focused on self-care

Sustainability of the water sector in Portugal-an outlook on strategies, dynamics and common practices

To understand the conjunction of human and natural systems and the nature of their interactions has been crucial. The integrated response to the human management of natural systems is nowadays based on “sustainable development” concept which emphasizes the need to make compatible social, economic and environmental systems. But, what does it mean when we consider such a specific resource has it is water, with very essential life-support functions? The design and rhythms of natural and social systems are compatible in a way that they guarantee the supply of this resource, with the quality required for the human needs in the future? To what extend common practices and natural dynamics are forward-looking sustainable water resources development? This paper aims to provide a reflection about these subjects. It mainly addresses issues concerning water from the Portuguese perspective, and highlights the linkages between water resources management and sustainable development. The purposes are to analyse the adequacy of Portuguese water institutions, planning and management to the requirements of the sustainability concept in the context of water resources and also pointing out research needed for improvement of strategies concerning the approach to the problem of water scarcity.

Collective Action-A Challenge and an Opportunity for Water Governance

This paper addresses the motivations that drive participation in groups concerning water protection and provides a review of the key role collective action plays in accessing and managing water resources. It also analyses the conditions and factors which make such organizations effective in solving shared problems and in faciliting and institutionalizing negotiation platforms. Collective action heavily relies on the social capital existing in a community to accomplish goals and objectives. These social networks allow for flow of information, serving not only to criticize but also to purpose a different course in environmental and particularly, water management. The vital role of collective action and other "major groups" in sustainable development was recognized in Chapter 27[2] of Agenda 21, leading to revised arrangements for consultative relationship between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations which are, indeed, collective voluntary action. The coalition building capacity suggesting the mobilization of civil society in the sense of organized interests can supplement the ultimate responsibility of the traditional democratic institutions according to the implementation of the Aarthus Principles. Modern governance calls for consensus, seeking processes with organized interests, a good culture of consultation and participation. Collective action meets these goals, as offers the chances for environmental effectiveness, contributing to information generation and creation of relevant knowledge. These factors may relieve the legislator, affecting the way in which powers are exercised at European level, particularly as regards the five principles of good governance, namely openness, participation, accountability, effectiveness and coherence. Most problems with water resource management are felt at the lowest levels and changes in water management are required down to the individual action, reasons why the development strategies call for extensive pro-active participation (at different levels, sectors and scales) upholding the principles of subsidiarity. Finally, this paper also highlights the role performed by collective action in increasing advocacy skills and capacity, contributing to strengthening governance at the local level through favoring the enabling environment for water protection and conservation.

La mirada latina sobre la psicología positiva

El siguiente trabajo intenta mostrar el avance que presenta Latinoamérica en cuanto al estudio y aplicación de temáticas relacionadas con la Psicología Positiva (PP). Por un lado, se pretendió describir cómo ha surgido el interés en PP en algunos países de Latinoamérica como Argentina, Perú, México, entre otros. Por otro lado, se analizaron los resultados de un rastrillaje realizado en el cual verifica el cúmulo de trabajos y pruebas psicológicas desarrolladas en la región, principalmente teniendo en cuenta los pilares de la PP propuestos por Seligman (2002, 2009): las emociones positivas, los rasgos positivos, las instituciones positivas y los vínculos positivos (la vida social). México, Chile, Brasil y Argentina, parecen ser los países con mayor productividad. Las temáticas frecuentemente estudiadas están en relación con el bienestar psicológico, las relaciones interpersonales y las intervenciones psicoterapéuticas. Palabras clave: Psicología positiva, pilares, evaluación, Latinoamérica.The present article aims to describe the progress of the study and application of Positive Psychology (PP) in Latin America. On one hand, it is described how the interest in PP has emerged in some Latin American countries such as Argentina, Peru and Mexico, among others. On the other hand, results of a literature review which explore the development of psychological assessments in the region are presented according to PP pillars proposed by Seligman (2002, 2009): positive emotions, positive traits, positive institutions and positive relationships (social life). Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Argentina appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of scientific production related to PP and the topics most frequently studied are psychological well-being, interpersonal relationships and psychotherapeutic interventions.Fil: Castro Solano, Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Palermo; ArgentinaFil: Lupano Perugini, Maria Laura. Universidad de Palermo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Influence of Si and Ge Microalloying Additions and Plastic Deformation on Precipitation Processes in Al-Cu Based Alloys

The combined effect of micro-alloying with Si and Ge and/or plastic deformationprior to ageing at 160˚C on age hardening has been studied in an Al-2 at%Cu alloy. The results obtained indicate that the hardness response is faster and the peak hardness is higher when plastic deformation and micro-alloying are applied together than performing each procedure individually. Different amounts of deformation, ranging from 0% to 30% have been utilized. An optimum deformation degree for the hardening response has been established around 8%for the Al-Cu-Si-Ge alloy. Characterization by transmission electron microscopy(TEM) shows that the peak hardness is due to a complex microstructurethat contained θ ′′ disc shaped precipitates, rod-shaped Si-Ge precipitatesand θ ′ plates that were heterogeneously nucleated on the Si-Ge particles.Pre-deformation has been found to stimulate the growth of the θ ′ platesdue to enhanced diffusion along dislocation cores. Increasing deformationreduces the influence of the Si-Ge precipitates on heterogeneous nucleation, leading to reduced peak hardness and faster over-ageing.Fil: Castro Riglos, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comision Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área Investigaciones y Aplicaciones no Nucleares. Gerencia de Física (Centro Atómico Bariloche). División Física de Metales; ArgentinaFil: Tolley, Alfredo Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comision Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Área Investigaciones y Aplicaciones no Nucleares. Gerencia de Física (Centro Atómico Bariloche). División Física de Metales; Argentin

Marginalized narratives

This issue of CITAR (Journal of Arts Science and Technology) is especially devoted to what we designated as Marginalized Narratives. It is a special issue that collects studies published upon the 5th Colloquium on Narrative, Medium and Cognition, held at the University of Algarve in November 2018, and which was focused on that topic. In line with what the colloquium proposed, the works now published share a broad understanding of the concept of narrative.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sustainability in the logistics chain of the foreign trade at the example of Argentina´s beef export

The food industry is more complicated and interweaves become, so that more coordination efforts in the area of the quality and amount of meat exports are necessary. The trade success depends on the as strongly interweaving between the links of the logistics chain are. In the case of the organic meat means to understand the logistic exports process in order to suggest improvements in certain rings of the logistics chain. The cattle is under thrown during the load, traffic, unloading and slaughter in stress factors, so that the animal prosperity and the meat quality are more concerned. As economic consequences one counts important losses on macroeconomic as well as microeconomic levels (plain) (i.e. the cattle breeder). This work presents an overhaul about the animal prosperity during the traffic and the slaughter as well as its connection with amount and quality of the manufactured meat what concern the decision about its exports.The conquest other markets is possible only if the industrial procedure is seen of the point of view of the consumer: what is searched for product; which are the attraction factors and why becomes (or the decision is not met) to ask organic meat from Argentina. The result depends on the production capacity others sectors within de value chain in order to supply products with lasting application of limited resources.Fil: Dichiara, Raul Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Economía. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Viceconte, Maria Angelica. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Nicolás. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentin