Advances in single chain technology

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.-- Review ArticleThe recent ability to manipulate and visualize single atoms at atomic level has given rise to modern bottom-up nanotechnology. Similar exquisite degree of control at the individual polymeric chain level for producing functional soft nanoentities is expected to become a reality in the next few years through the full development of so-called >single chain technology>. Ultra-small unimolecular soft nano-objects endowed with useful, autonomous and smart functions are the expected, long-term valuable output of single chain technology. This review covers the recent advances in single chain technology for the construction of soft nano-objects via chain compaction, with an emphasis in dynamic, letter-shaped and compositionally unsymmetrical single rings, complex multi-ring systems, single chain nanoparticles, tadpoles, dumbbells and hairpins, as well as the potential end-use applications of individual soft nano-objects endowed with useful functions in catalysis, sensing, drug delivery and other uses.Financial support from the Projects MAT2012-31088 (MINECO) and T-654-13 (GV) is acknowledged. M. G.-B. and A. L.-S. are grateful to the University of the Basque Country for their UPV/EHU pre-doctoral grants.Peer Reviewe

Effects of a 12-week Vivifrail exercise program on intrinsic capacity among frail cognitively impaired community-dwelling older adults: secondary analysis of a multicentre randomised clinical trial

Introduction: The World Health Organisation recently defined the construct of intrinsic capacity (IC), a function-based marker of older adult’s health encompassing all mental and physical capacities of the individual. Multicomponent physical exercise (MCE) is a potential intervention capable to maintain/increase IC at older age; however, evidence is scarce on the effects of MCE on IC in cognitively impaired pre-frail/frail older adults. Methods: Secondary analyses of a randomised clinical trial. One hundred and eighty-eight older outpatients (age = 84.06 ± 4.77, 70.2% women) presenting with pre-frailty/frailty (according to Fried Criteria) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/mild dementia were recruited in the Geriatric clinics of three tertiary hospitals in Spain. Subjects were randomised to participate in the 12-week home-based individualised Vivifrail MCE or usual care. An IC index was created based on the z-score of the locomotion (Short Physical Performance Battery), cognitive (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), psychology (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale Yesavage) and vitality (handgrip strength) domains. Results: After the 3-month intervention, linear mixed models showed significant between-group differences in the evolution of the IC composite score (β=0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.24, 0.74; P < 0.001), IC Locomotion (β = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.10, 0.74; P < 0.001), IC Cognition (β = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.03, 0.87; P < 0.05) and IC Vitality domains (β = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.25, 0.74 at 3-month) favouring the MCE group. Conclusions: The 12-week Vivifrail multicomponent exercise program is an effective strategy to enhance IC, especially in terms of locomotion, cognition and vitality IC domains in community-dwelling older adults with pre-frailty/frailty and MCI/mild dementia, compared to usual care.This study has been funded by a Gobierno de Navarra project grant and FEDER Funds (426/2016,del 30 September28/16)

Control postural en adultos. Influencia de la edad y del entrenamiento aeróbico

Fundamentos: La capacidad de controlar el equilibrio postural es fundamental para realizar la mayoría de las actividades de la vida diaria, permitiendo mantener un estilo de vida activo y evitando las caídas. No obstante, los cambios relacionados con el envejecimiento en los sistemas sensoriales, en el procesamiento neuronal, en la conducción de la información y en la mecánica musculo-esquelética dificultan el control postural en los adultos mayores. En la evaluación de los parámetros posturo-gráficos se observan alteraciones tras la realización de ejercicio físico. El objetivo de este estudio se centró en analizar la posible influencia de la edad en el control postural de una población de adultos y comparar las diferencias en el control postural debidas a la práctica regular de actividad física aérobica. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 116 adultos sanos, diferenciándolos entre sedentarios y deportistas (ciclistas y corredores), así como en dos grupos de edad (con edad menor y mayor o igual a 65 años). Se recogieron los datos de la amplitud RMS (root-mean-square o media cuadrática del centro de presión) en AP (antero-posterior) y ML (medio-lateral), y de la velocidad RMS, obtenidos a través de una plataforma de fuerza en diferentes condiciones de apoyo y visión. El tratamiento estadístico se realizó con el software SPSS 15.0 con un nivel de significación del 5%. Para comparar las variables dependientes entre los diferentes grupos de actividad se aplicó la prueba t-test y la Mann-Witney (p<0,05), mientras que para estudiar la relación de la edad en los parámetros posturales se aplicó el análisis de correlación mediante la p de Pearson y la prueba de Spearman dependiendo de la distribución de los datos. Resultados: Los valores obtenidos reafirmaron la influencia negativa del envejecimiento fisiológico sobre los mecanismos de control postural en el grupo de sedentarios, así como una influencia positiva de la práctica de ejercicio aeróbico con independencia de la edad, con una mejora del equilibrio. Más de la mitad de los parámetros posturo-gráficos (PP) estaban alterados en los sujetos sedentarios frente a los deportistas, que no mostraron alteraciones (p<0,05). El RMS-Velocity (mm/s) o distribución de desplazamientos en bipedestación a lo largo del tiempo, es el parámetro con mayor alteración en todas las condiciones analizadas (p<0,01) en sujetos sedentarios independientemente de la edad, no sufriendo variaciones en los deportistas. En relación con el tipo de deporte, observamos mejores resultados en los ciclistas frente al grupo de sedentarios, con una menor alteración de los PP (RMS-ROM en AP, ML y RMS-Velocity), en apoyo monopodal en superficie dura tanto con los ojos abiertos como cerrados.Conclusiones: Podemos concluir que la práctica de ejercicio aérobico regular es una actividad beneficiosa para mejorar el control postural, preservar el deterioro del equilibrio y prevenir las caídas. Background: The ability to control postural balance is essential to perform most of the activities of daily life, allowing you to maintain an active lifestyle, avoiding falls. However, aging-related changes in sensory systems, neural processing, information conduction, and musculoskeletal mechanics make postural control difficult in older adults. In the evaluation of posturo-graphic parameters, alterations are observed after physical exercise. The objective of this study focused on analyzing the possible influence of age on postural control in an adult population and comparing the differences in postural control due to the regular practice of aerobic physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 116 healthy adults, differentiating them between sedentary and sportsmen (cyclists and runners) and in two age groups (= 65 years). Data were collected on the RMS amplitude (root-mean-square) in AP (antero-posterior) and ML (mediolateral) and the RMS velocity obtained through a force platform in different support and vision conditions. SPSS 15.0 Software was used for the statistical treatment with a significance level of 5%. To compare the dependent variables between the different activity gropus, the t-test and the Mann-Witney were applied (p<0, 05), while correlation analisys was applied to study the relationship of age in the postural parameters using p Pearson and Spearman test depending on the distribution of the data. Results: The results reaffirmed the negative influence of physiological aging on postural control mechanisms in the sedentary group, as well as a positive influence of the practice of aerobic exercise regardless of age, with an improvement in balance. More than half of the posturagraphic parameters (PP) were altered in sedentary subjects compared to athletes, who did not show alterations (p<0, 05). The RMS-Velocity (mm/s) or distribution of displacement in standing over time, is the parameter with the greatest alteration in all the conditions analyzed (p<0, 01), among sedentary subjects regardless of age, not suffering variations among athletes. In relation to the type of sport, we observed better results in cyclists compared to the sedentary group, with less alterations in all PP (RMS-ROM in AP, ML and RMS-Velocity) mainly for single-leg support on a hard surface and with eyes open as well as closed. Conclusions: We can conclude that the practice of regular aerial exercise is a beneficial activity to improve postural control, preserve the deterioration of balance and prevent falls

Aplicación del 8d y de los principios Lean para la mejora de la seguridad y prevención de obras de edificación

OBJETIVO: El objetivo del artículo es identificar mejoras en la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (SST) en las Obras de Edificacióna través de la aplicación de los conceptos de la filosofía Lean y la metodología BIM. METODOLOGÍA: 1º.- Revisión bibliográficaConsejo General de la Arquitectura Técnica de Españ

Equiparación de LOD para su aplicación en edificación en España

Establecer un marco conceptual en el que se equiparan el grado de definición del modelo BIM y el nivel de desarrollo conforme a la Especificación LOD (Level of Development Specification) con las diferentes fases del proyecto de edificación en España, relacionándolos con el uso posterior del modelo, en función de las dimensiones BIM. La metodología investigadora utilizada en este artículo se basó en: Revisión bibliográfica: Dimensiones BIM, Especificación LOD y fases del proyecto de edificación. Encuesta-cuestionario: valoración para la validación del modelo. Aplicación del conocimiento y la experiencia previa de los autores sobre el sector. El marco conceptual establecido se materializa en la Tabla 3 y Figura 3, que, de manera resumida, implica: - LOD 100 resulta equiparable con el croquis del proyecto (Dimensiones BIM 2D y 3D). - LOD 200 tiene aspectos comunes con el anteproyecto (2D, 3D y 5D*). - LOD 300 y 350 son equiparables con el proyecto básico (2D, 3D, 4D*, 5D* y 6D*). - LOD 400 es el nivel que se ajusta con el de ejecución (2D, 3D, 4D, 5D y 6D). - LOD 500 se corresponde con la documentación final de obra (2D, 3D, 4D, 5D y 6D, 7D…..nD*). El (*) implica que la dimensión no se ajusta por completo a la fase de desarrollo de proyecto. En un momento en el que en España se inicia oficialmente la implementación de BIM, resulta urgente establecer un marco conceptual que regule cómo debe desarrollarse el modelo. Ello supone analizar la manera en la que otros países lo han implementado y trasladar su experiencia al sector de la Construcción español, lo que permite, además, concluir que sería una gran ventaja la implementación conjuntamente en el tiempo con Lean.Consejo General de la Arquitectura Técnica de Españ

Effect of a multicomponent exercise program and cognitive stimulation (VIVIFRAIL-COGN) on falls in frail community older persons with high risk of falls: study protocol for a randomized multicenter control trial

Mat complBackground: Falls represent important drivers of intrinsic capacity losses, functional limitations and reduced quality of life in the growing older adult’s population, especially among those presenting with frailty. Despite exercise- and cognitive training-based interventions have shown efectiveness for reducing fall rates, evidence around their puta‑ tive cumulative efects on falls and fall-related complications (such as fractures, reduced quality of life and functional limitations) in frail individuals remains scarce. The main aim of this study is to explore the efectiveness program combining an individualized exercise program and an executive function-based cognitive training (VIVIFRAIL-COGN) compared to usual care in the prevention of falls and fall-related outcomes over a 1-year follow-up. Methods: This study is designed as a four-center randomized clinical trial with a 12-week intervention period and an additional 1-year follow-up. Three hundred twenty frail or pre-frail (≥1 criteria of the Frailty Phenotype) older adults (≥75 years) with high risk of falling (defned by fall history and gait performance) will be recruited in the Falls Units of the participating centers. They will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG). The IG will participate in a home-based intervention combining the individualized Vivifrail multicomponent (aerobic, resistance, gait and balance and fexibility) exercise program and a personalized executive function-based cognitive training (VIVIFRAIL-COGN). The CG group will receive usual care delivered in the Falls Units, including the Otago Exercise Program. Primary outcome will be the incidence of falls (event rate/year) and will be ascertained by self-report during three visits (at baseline, and 6 and 12 weeks) and telephone-based contacts at 6, 9 and 12 months after randomization. Secondarily, efects on measures of physical and cognitive function, quality of life, nutritional, muscle quality and psychological status will be evaluated. Discussion: This trial will provide new evidence about the efectiveness of an individualized multidomain interven‑ tion by studying the efect of additive efects of cognitive training and physical exercise to prevent falls in older frail persons with high risk of falling. Compared to usual care, the combined intervention is expected to show additive efects in the reduction of the incidence of falls and associated adverse outcomes. Trial registration: NCT04911179 02/06/2021. © 2022, The Author(s).The present study is funded by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI20/01546). Instituto de Salud Carlos III, PI20/01546, Alvaro Casas-Herrer

A feasibility study for implementation 'Health Arcade': a study protocol for prototype of multidomain intervention based on gamification technologies in acutely hospitalized older patients

The aim of this article is to present the research protocol for a study that will evaluate the feasibility of implementation of Health Arcade prototype multidomain intervention based on physical and cognitive training using gamification technologies at improving care for older people hospitalized with an acute illness. A total of 40 older people will be recruited in a tertiary public hospital at Pamplona, Spain. The intervention duration will be four to nine consecutive days. Additionally, the patients will receive encouragement for maintaining active during hospital stay and for reducing sedentary time. Primary implementation-related outcomes will be the adherence to treatment (i.e., number of games and days completed during the intervention period), reaction or response time, and number of success and failures in each game per day. Secondary implementation-related outcomes will be self-perceived grade of difficulty, satisfaction, enjoyment per game and session, and self-perceived difficulties in handling the prototype hardware. Other health-related outcomes will also be assessed such as functional capacity in activities of daily living, mood status, quality of life, handgrip strength, physical activity levels, and mobility. The current study will provide additional evidence to support the implementation of multidomain interventions designed to target older persons with an acute illness based on friendly technology. The proposed intervention will increase accessibility of in-clinical geriatrics services, improve function, promote recovery of the health, and reduce economic costs.This study has been funded by a Gobierno de Navarra project grant (Resolucion 81E/2019, de 19 de junio). Expediente: 0011-1365-2019-000139; Sistema piloto de entrenamiento fisico multicomponente basado en tecnologias de gamificacion para la prevencion del deterioro funcional en ancianos hospitalizados 'HEALTH ARCADE'. N.M.-V. received funding from 'la Caixa' Foundation (ID 100010434), under agreement LCF/PR/PR15/51100006. R.R.-V. is funded in part by a Postdoctotal fellowship grant ID 420/2019 of the Universidad Publica de Navarra, Spain. A.G.-H. is a Miguel Servet Fellow (Instituto de Salud Carlos III -FSE, CP18/0150)

Machine learning on difference image analysis: A comparison of methods for transient detection

We present a comparison of several Difference Image Analysis (DIA) techniques, in combination with Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, applied to the identification of optical transients associated to gravitational wave events. Each technique is assessed based on the scoring metrics of Precision, Recall, and their harmonic mean F1, measured on the DIA results as standalone techniques, and also in the results after the application of ML algorithms, on transient source injections over simulated and real data. These simulations cover a wide range of instrumental configurations, as well as a variety of scenarios of observation conditions, by exploring a multi dimensional set of relevant parameters, allowing us to extract general conclusions related to the identification of transient astrophysical events. The newest subtraction techniques, and particularly the methodology published in Zackay et al., (2016) are implemented on an Open Source Python package, named properimage, suitable for many other astronomical image analyses. This together, with the ML libraries we describe, provides an effective transient detection software pipeline. Here we study the effects of the different ML techniques, and the relative feature importances for classification of transient candidates, and propose an optimal combined strategy. This constitutes the basic elements of pipelines that could be applied in searches of electromagnetic counterparts to GW sources.Fil: Sánchez, Bruno Orlando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Dominguez Romero, Mariano Javier de Leon. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Lares Harbin Latorre, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Beroiz, Martin Isidro Ramon. University of Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Cabral, Juan Bautista. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Ingeniería y Agrimensura; ArgentinaFil: Gurovich, Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Quiñones, Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Artola, Rodolfo Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Colazo, Carlos A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Schneiter, Ernesto Matías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Girardini, Carla. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Tornatore, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Nilo Castellón, José Luis. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Garcia Lambas, Diego Rodolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Díaz, Mario Coma. University of Texas At Brownsville. Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy; Estados Unido

CIBERER : Spanish national network for research on rare diseases: A highly productive collaborative initiative

Altres ajuts: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.CIBER (Center for Biomedical Network Research; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red) is a public national consortium created in 2006 under the umbrella of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). This innovative research structure comprises 11 different specific areas dedicated to the main public health priorities in the National Health System. CIBERER, the thematic area of CIBER focused on rare diseases (RDs) currently consists of 75 research groups belonging to universities, research centers, and hospitals of the entire country. CIBERER's mission is to be a center prioritizing and favoring collaboration and cooperation between biomedical and clinical research groups, with special emphasis on the aspects of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and cellular research of RDs. This research is the basis for providing new tools for the diagnosis and therapy of low-prevalence diseases, in line with the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) objectives, thus favoring translational research between the scientific environment of the laboratory and the clinical setting of health centers. In this article, we intend to review CIBERER's 15-year journey and summarize the main results obtained in terms of internationalization, scientific production, contributions toward the discovery of new therapies and novel genes associated to diseases, cooperation with patients' associations and many other topics related to RD research

Pasados y presente. Estudios para el profesor Ricardo García Cárcel

Ricardo García Cárcel (Requena, 1948) estudió Historia en Valencia bajo el magisterio de Joan Reglà, con quien formó parte del primer profesorado de historia moderna en la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. En esta universidad, desde hace prácticamente cincuenta años, ha desarrollado una extraordinaria labor docente y de investigación marcada por un sagaz instinto histórico, que le ha convertido en pionero de casi todo lo que ha estudiado: las Germanías, la historia de la Cataluña moderna, la Inquisición, las culturas del Siglo de Oro, la Leyenda Negra, Felipe II, Felipe V, Austrias y Borbones, la guerra de la Independencia, la historia cultural, los mitos de la historia de España... Muy pocos tienen su capacidad para reflexionar, ordenar, analizar, conceptualizar y proponer una visión amplia y llena de matices sobre el pasado y las interpretaciones historiográficas. A su laboriosidad inimitable se añade una dedicación sin límites en el asesoramiento de alumnos e investigadores e impulsando revistas, dosieres, seminarios o publicaciones colectivas. Una mínima correspondencia a su generosidad lo constituye este volumen a manera de ineludible agradecimiento