Cardiac damage biomarkers and heart rate variability following a 118-km mountain race: relationship with performance and recovery

This study aimed to assess the release of cardiac damage biomarkers jointly with cardiac autonomic modulation after a mountain ultramarathon. Such knowledge and the possible relationship of these markers with race time is of primary interest to establish possible recommendations upon athletes’ recovery and return to training following these competitions. Forty six athletes enrolled in the Penyagolosa Trails CSP115 race (118 km and a total positive elevation of 5439 m) took part in the study. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-TNT) concentrations as well as linear and nonlinear heart rate variability (HRV) were evaluated before and after the race. NT-proBNP and hs-TNT significantly increased post-race; fifty percent of the finishers surpassed the Upper Reference Limit (URL) for hs-TNT while 87% exceeded the URL for NT-proBNP. Overall and vagally-mediated HRV were diminished and cardiac autonomic modulation became less complex and more predictable following the race. More pronounced vagal modulation decreases were associated with higher levels of postexertional NT-proBNP. Moreover, rise in hs-TNT and NT-proBNP was greater among faster runners, while pre-race overall and vagally-mediated HRV were correlated with finishing time. Participation in a 118-km ultratrail induces an acute release of cardiac damage biomarkers and a large alteration of cardiac autonomic modulation. Furthermore, faster runners were those who exhibited a greater rise in those cardiac damage biomarkers. In light of these findings, an appropriate recovery period after ultraendurance races appears prudent and particularly important among better performing athletes. At the same time, HRV analysis is shown as a promising tool to assess athletes’ readiness to perform at their maximum level in an ultraendurance race

Radio interferometric observations of candidate water-maser-emitting planetary nebulae

We present Very Large Array (VLA) observations of H2O and OH masers, as well as radio continuum emission at 1.3 and 18 cm toward three sources previously cataloged as planetary nebulae (PNe) and in which single-dish detections of H2O masers have been reported: IRAS 17443-2949, IRAS 17580-3111, and IRAS 18061-2505. Our goal was to unambiguously confirm their nature as water-maser-emitting PNe, a class of objects of which only two bona-fide members were previously known. We detected and mapped H2O maser emission toward all three sources, while OH maser emission is detected in IRAS 17443-2949 and IRAS 17580-3111 as well as in other two objects within the observed fields: IRAS 17442-2942 (unknown nature) and IRAS 17579-3121 (also cataloged as a possible PN). We found radio continuum emission associated only with IRAS 18061-2505. Our results confirm IRAS 18061-2505 as the third known case of a PN associated with H2O maser emission. The three known water-maser-emitting PNe have clear bipolar morphologies, which suggests that water maser emission in these objects is related to non-spherical mass-loss episodes. We speculate that these bipolar PNe would have ``water-fountain'' Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) and post-AGB stars as their precursors. A note of caution is given for other objects that have been classified as OHPNe (objects with both OH maser and radio continuum emission, that could be extremely young PNe) based on single-dish observations, since interferometric data of both OH masers and continuum are necessary for a proper identification as members of this class.Comment: 33 pages, 10 figures. Accepted by The Astronomical Journa

Phylogeny of the ant genus Aphaenogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Iberian Peninsula, with the description of a new species

A phylogenetic tree of the Iberian Aphaenogaster species - except for A. splendida (Roger) - and a key to the worker caste of all Iberian Aphaenogaster species are proposed. The position of A. striativentris Forel and A. cardenai Espadaler is discussed, stating the possibility that this second species may belong to a new, undescribed genus. Aphaenogaster ulibeli n. sp. is described from the Iberian Peninsula. Its closest relatives are A. gibbosa (Latreille) and A. striativentris. Its habitat seems to be restricted to caducifolia forests in the Western Central Massif.

Los pastos en las fincas de Lugar Nuevo y Selladores-Contadores (Sª de Andújar, Jaén): tipología, calidad y distribución espacial

Las fincas del O. A. Parques Nacionales “Lugar Nuevo” y “Selladores-Contadero” están situadas en el Parque Natural de la Sierra de Andújar (Jaén). Su situación geográfica, y especialmente su historia de usos y propiedad han motivado que hoy sean ejemplo de una flora y vegetación con buen estado de conservación. En trabajos anteriores se han realizado catálogos florísticos de las dos fincas como estudios básicos para la planificación de la gestión y la compatibilidad de la conservación y el aprovechamiento de los recursos en los espacios naturales protegidos. En esta comunicación se realiza un análisis de los pastos herbáceos de las dos fincas que constituyen un recurso estratégico para la alimentación de las poblaciones de herbívoros instaladas en las mismas. Se analizan y cartografían las distintas formaciones de pastos reconocidos (10), su distribución espacial, palatabilidad y grado de utilizació

FPGA Implementation of an Adaptive Noise Canceller for Robust Speech Enhancement Interfaces

This paper describes the design and implementation results of an adaptive Noise Canceller useful for the construction of Robust Speech Enhancement Interfaces. The algorithm being used has very good performance for real time applications. Its main disadvantage is the requirement of calculating several operations of division, having a high computational cost. Besides that, the accuracy of the algorithm is critical in fixed-point representation due to the wide range of the upper and lower bounds of the variables implied in the algorithm. To solve this problem, the accuracy is studied and according to the results obtained a specific word-length has been adopted for each variable. The algorithm has been implemented for Altera and Xilinx FPGAs using high level synthesis tools. The results for a fixed format of 40 bits for all the variables and for a specific word-length for each variable are analyzed and discussed

Combining Web 2.0 and Web Services in Collaborative Working Environments

Collaborative applications offer significant benefits in business sector. Usually, team members need to use several systems to carry out their tasks. What these users need is an environment which permits them to carry out these tasks automatically, considering the flow of information between the different systems and offering interoperability and composition features. Nowadays, Web Services have gained their prominence in providing these both features. On the other hand, the use of Web 2.0 allows to create web applications in which the user constitutes a key element. What we propose in this paper is the combination of both approaches for creating a Collaborative Working Environment (CWE)

Rings and spirals in barred galaxies. I Building blocks

In this paper we present building blocks which can explain the formation and properties both of spirals and of inner and outer rings in barred galaxies. We first briefly summarise the main results of the full theoretical description we have given elsewhere, presenting them in a more physical way, aimed to an understanding without the requirement of extended knowledge of dynamical systems or of orbital structure. We introduce in this manner the notion of manifolds, which can be thought of as tubes guiding the orbits. The dynamics of these manifolds can govern the properties of spirals and of inner and outer rings in barred galaxies. We find that the bar strength affects how unstable the L1 and L2 Lagrangian points are, the motion within the 5A5A5Amanifold tubes and the time necessary for particles in a manifold to make a complete turn around the galactic centre. We also show that the strength of the bar, or, to be more precise, of the non-axisymmetric forcing at and somewhat beyond the corotation region, determines the resulting morphology. Thus, less strong bars give rise to R1 rings or pseudorings, while stronger bars drive R2, R1R2 and spiral morphologies. We examine the morphology as a function of the main parameters of the bar and present descriptive two dimensional plots to that avail. We also derive how the manifold morphologies and properties are modified if the L1 and L2 Lagrangian points become stable. Finally, we discuss how dissipation affects the manifold properties and compare the manifolds in gas-like and in stellar cases. Comparison with observations, as well as clear predictions to be tested by observations will be given in an accompanying paper.Comment: Typos corrected to match the version in press in MNRA

Organización : Proceso organizacionales que inciden en el comportamiento laboral, motivación, cultura y clima

La presente investigación que lleva por título: Procesos organizacionales que inciden en el comportamiento laboral, motivación, cultura y clima. Tiene por objeto principal destacar la importancia de estos tres factores los cuales son fundamentales en la eficiencia del personal y en el desarrollo de una organización en la actualidad. Debido a que moldean el comportamiento humano dentro de la empresa. El cual se ve reflejado en el esfuerzo, la energía y la conducta en general del trabajador. En dependencia del grado en cómo se ejerza la motivación, cultura y el clima dentro de una organización. Determinará la productividad, la satisfacción del personal y de los clientes. Lo cual tendrá consecuencias bien sea negativa o positiva. En el desempeño laboral y en el cumplimiento de los objetivos y metas de la empresa. Estos factores se pueden implementar de distintas formas ya sea a través de programas, actividades, políticas, norma, y valores que beneficien a ambas partes miembros y organización. Con el propósito que cada trabajador se sienta parte de la empresa. Y así obtener una mejora en la productividad dentro de la empresa que se verá reflejado en el ambiente de la organización. En el capítulo I: Referimos de forma general los procesos de organización y su relevancia para que toda empresa marche de forma correcta ante el ambiente externo e interno al cual pertenece. En el capítulo II: Se presentan las base teóricas con relación al tema de investigación, en este punto veremos las primeras teorías de la motivación a nivel organizacional que dieron paso a otro tipo de conducta al momento de trabajar con el elemento más preciado de cualquier empresa el cual es el ser humano, veremos la teoría de Maslow, la teoría X y Y de McGregor, también la teoría de los factores de Frederick Herzberg. Las teorías modernas que contradicen a las primeras teorías, en este punto se aclaran los diferentes conceptos y teorías que sustentan a la administración. Por otro lado en el capítulo III: Analizaremos la importancia que tiene la cultura dentro de las organizaciones. Y Como los valores, normas, principios que profesan dichas empresas repercuten en cada empleado. Al igual de cómo estos miembros mesclan en algunas ocasiones sus propios valores, con los principios de las empresas. Analizaremos de qué forma este elemento mejorar la eficiencia y la productividad hacia las empresas. Por última tenemos el capítulo IV: Expondremos sobre el clima organizacional cuán importante es este factor para mantener a los miembros de una organización, con espíritu de ánimo. Los elementos que componen el clima dentro de la organización. Así como también las políticas, normas, reglas y procedimientos que implementan las empresas para mantener a los trabajadores en control. Qué tipo de liderazgo utilizan y cuáles son los componentes del clima

Predetermined stress loading wav-file generation for a servohydraulic fatigue testing machine

Durante el trabajo se estudió la física de la fatiga y los procesos asociados a ella.Una vez estudiados dichos procesos, se pasó al test de probetas mediante datos representados en ondas que se ejecutaban en formado audio (WAV), creadas y programadas durante el propio trabajo y acondicionadas para su posterior uso por el programa LFV 500-HH SOFTWARE, software privado de la máquina LFV 500-HH,la cual se usó para llevar a cabo dichos test.El objetivo de este estudio era realizar el desarrollo teórico y practico necesario para posteriormente ser utilizado por una empresa hidráulica privada, en el test de los esfuerzos de sus conductos y tuberías al paso de fluidos por ellas