The use of the ESS Bilbao installations for laser fusion studies

In this work the use of ESS-Bilbao fast neutron lines for irradiation of materials for nuclear fusion is studied. For the comparison of ESS-Bilbao with an inertial fusion facility a simplified model of HiPER chamber has been used. Several positions for irradiation at ESS-Bilbao have been also compared. The material chosen for the damage analysis is silica due to its importance on IFC optics. In this work a detailed comparison between the two facilities for silica irradiation is given. The comparison covers the neutron fluxes, doses, defect production and PKA spectra. This study is also intended as a methodological approach or guideline for future works on other materials

Characteristics of aperture coupled microstrip antennas on magnetized ferrite substrates

The method of moments in the spectral domain is applied to the full-wave analysis of aperture coupled microstrip antennas in the case where the substrate of the antennas is a layered medium containing magnetized ferrites. The subsectional basis functions used in the analysis make it possible to handle patch antennas and coupling apertures with right angle corners of arbitrary shape. The numerical results obtained show that antennas on ferrite substrates fed by single microstrip lines can radiate both circular and linear polarization, the polarization state being dependent on the orientation of the ferrites bias magnetic field. For a given polarization state, the matching frequency band of the antennas can be tuned over a wide frequency range by adjusting the magnitude of the bias magnetic field. Also, the polarization state can be continuously tuned from circular to linear within the same frequency band by adjusting both the magnitude and the orientation of the bias magnetic field. Some measurements are presented in order to check the validity of the numerical algorithm developed

Héðinsdalsjökull, northern Iceland: geomorphology recording the recent complex evolution of a glacier

The objective of this work is to conduct a detailed mapping of the Héðinsdalsjökull foreland, northern Iceland (65°39′N, 18°55′W). This cirque currently shows a variety of glacial and periglacial landforms derived from a complex deglaciation. Mapping was performed combining traditional hand-drawn and digital mapping. A hand-drawn sketch was georeferenced in ArcMap 10.7.1, supported on an aerial photograph (year 2000). Its vectorization, symbolization and final design were done in the computer-aided design (CAD) software MicroStation Connect. Complementary high-resolution Digital Surface Models were obtained from historical aerial photographs and ground-view field photographs through the application of Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry. To improve the topographic expression of the geomorphological map, a photorealistic 3D view has been generated. The final map highlights the complexity of the foreland and the coexistence existence of a range of different units and landforms. The map will ease future studies on the transformation of receding glaciers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pre-competitive anxiety in U12, U14 and U16 paddle tennis players

The main aim of this research is to analyze the level of precompetitive anxiety in female paddle players and male paddle players of Castilla y León in the categories U12, U14 and 16 before the beginning of the competition. Thus, 221 players participated in the study: 100 female athletes and 121 male athletes. The results showed that the level of self-confidence of athletes is higher than the levels obtained in the cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety, respectively. In relation with the sex of the athletes, male players showed higher levels in self-confidence and somatic anxiety, while the female players counted higher on cognitive anxiety. Finally, depending on the category in which they compete, U12 players are those who have more confidence in themselves, whereas U16 players are those who counted higher in the variables of cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety.El objetivo principal que se propone con este trabajo de investigación es analizar el nivel de ansiedad precompetitiva en los jugadores y las jugadoras de pádel de Castilla y León en las categorías alevín, infantil y cadete, en los minutos previos al comienzo de la competición. Para ello, participaron 221 jugadores: 100 deportistas de sexo femenino y 121 del sexo masculino. Los resultados demostraron que el nivel de autoconfianza de los deportistas es mayor que los niveles obtenidos en las variables ansiedad cognitiva y ansiedad somática, respectivamente. En relación con el sexo, los jugadores mostraron niveles superiores en autoconfianza y ansiedad somática, mientras las jugadoras puntuaron más alto en ansiedad cognitiva. Por último, en función de la categoría en la que compiten, los alevines son los que más confianza tienen en ellos mismos, mientras que los cadetes son los que puntuaron más alto en las variables de ansiedad cognitiva y ansiedad somática

Genetic structure and population connectivity of the blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus

The blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus is a demersal marine species harvested by bottom trawling in the Mediterranean Sea, the adjacent Atlantic Ocean (AO) waters, and the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean (IO). As it is considered to be a priority species for sustainable fishing, identification of its genetic stocks and the connectivity between them is essential. Using 12 microsatellite loci we detected at least four genetic stocks distributed in the Western Mediterranean (WM), Eastern Mediterranean (EM), AO, and IO and signals for a possible fifth stock in the Alborán Sea. We detected no additional population structuring within the WM. Thus, although the Almería-Orán Front exerts some isolating effect, high genetic homogeneity and gene flow are present within the WM Basin. The IO stock is genetically closer to the AO stock than to the others; thus, the species dispersion route is more likely via the Atlantic Ocean than via the Red Sea. Large effective population sizes suggest population sustainability, but moderate genetic diversity values indicate to proceed with caution. Our genetic results serve as a basis for species conservation to ensure long-term sustainability of this marine resourceThis work was supported by grants to M.I.R. by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (CTM2006–00785) and Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (CTM2014-54648-C2-2-R). Additional support to S.H by PADI foundation. L.P. benefited from a predoctoral fellowship from the University of Girona (BR2014)S

Immunomodulatory Effects in Healthy Individuals Following a 4-Week Taoist Qigong Intervention: A Comparative Study.

Qigong, an ancient health preservation technique forming part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, combines slow body movements, breathing, and meditation. While this meditative movement system has been reported to offer various physical and psychological benefits, studies on the Taoist school of qigong are sparse. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the effects of Taoist qigong on white blood cells and other immune parameters in healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-eight participants were recruited for the study, with 21 assigned to the experimental group and 17 to the control group. Participants in the experimental group engaged in a four-week Taoist qigong program. Blood samples for immune parameter quantification, including leukocyte count, neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, lymphocyte, and large unstained cell (LUC) counts, as well as concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and C4, were collected one day before the experiment started and one day after it ended. RESULTS Post-program, the experimental group exhibited significantly lower total leukocyte counts, and reduced numbers of lymphocytes and LUCs. Additionally, a higher percentage of monocytes was noted in this group. CONCLUSIONS Taoist qigong practice induced a distinct immunomodulatory profile, characterized by decreased counts of several white blood cell parameters and increased percentages of certain agranulocytes. This outcome presents intriguing implications from a psychobiological perspective and highlights the need for further research into the immune effects of Taoist mind-body practice

Female Spanish athletes face pre-competition anxiety at the highest levels of competition

Pre-competition anxiety is one of the most common emotions experienced among athletes in high performance sport. It can cause both positive and negative effects, which makes the ability to manage this anxiety one of the most important parts of an athlete's preparation. This study analyzes the anxiety levels in athletes from the Spanish Women's National Track & Field Team who participated in the European Championships, the World Championships, and the Olympic Games. The study evaluates how these athletes cope with pre-competition anxiety by examining three variables in the moments prior to the competition-cognitive anxiety, self-confidence, and somatic anxiety-and the way these variables impacted the results achieved by these athletes. The study indicates that a significant difference exists between cognitive anxiety and self-confidence, which shows that the higher an athlete's self-confidence, the lower the levels of cognitive anxiety. Higher levels of self-confidence and lower levels of cognitive anxiety were also shown to have a positive impact on performance results.La ansiedad precompetitiva es una de las emociones más generalizadas en el deporte de alto rendimiento deportivo. Provoca efectos tanto positivos como negativos, por lo que el control de la misma es uno de los objetivos más importantes dentro de la preparación del atleta de alto nivel. El objeto de este estudio es analizar los niveles de ansiedad en las atletas españolas del equipo nacional de atletismo que participan en la máxima competición tanto a nivel español como en campeonatos de Europa, del Mundo y Juegos Olímpicos. Se realizó un estudio desde la perspectiva de cómo afrontan las atletas españolas la ansiedad precompetitiva a partir de las variables ansiedad cognitiva, autoconfianza y ansiedad somática, y la manera en que estas tres variables inciden en el resultado obtenido por las atletas españolas en el momento previo a la competición. Los resultados obtenidos muestran diferencias significativas entre la ansiedad cognitiva y la autoconfianza, lo que provoca que, a mayores niveles de autoconfianza, los niveles de ansiedad cognitiva sean menores. Esto les permite evitar los signos negativos que causa la ansiedad cognitiva, con lo que esta no afecta a su rendimiento

Efecto agudo del chaleco lastrado sobre la condición física del portero de fútbol

There are few studies related to the physical condition of young soccer goalkeepers. The aim of the study is to analyze the acute effect on the goalkeeper's physical condition through a session by wearing a weight-bearing vest at 5% of body weight. The variables analyzed are explosive strength (SJ and CMJ) through the application "My Jump" and the agility test Lloureq (Llopis, Ulloa & Requena, 2010) adapted. A session with a weight-bearing vest is carried out at 5% of his body weight, on 6 young goalkeepers of high sporting skill, with a mean age of 16.17 (± 1.17 years). The main results show that there are no significant differences between the pretest and posttest SJ and CMJ force levels, however, there are significant differences (p <.05) in the other variables analyzed in relation to specific agility and technical elements Specific to the goalkeeper. The use of the ballast vest with acute effect can be considered as a good training material specific to the goalkeeper of soccer.Son pocos los estudios relacionados con la condición física de los porteros jóvenes de fútbol. El objetivo del estudio es analizar el efecto agudo sobre la condición física del portero a través de una sesión mediante el empleo de un chaleco lastrado al 5% del peso corporal. Las variables analizadas son fuerza explosiva (SJ y CMJ) a través de la aplicación “My Jump” y el test de agilidad Lloureq (Llopis, Ulloa & Requena, 2010) adaptado. Se realiza una sesión con chaleco lastrado al 5% de su peso corporal, sobre 6 porteros jóvenes de alta pericia deportiva, con una media de edad de 16.17 (±1.17 años). Los principales resultados muestras que no existen diferencias significativas entre los niveles de fuerza SJ y CMJ pretest y postest, sin embargo sí que existen diferencias significativas (p <.05) en el resto de variables analizadas en relación a la agilidad específica y los elementos técnicos específicos del portero de fútbol. El uso del chaleco lastrado con efecto agudo se puede considerar como un buen material de entrenamiento específico del portero de fútbol

Caracterización de Explotaciones Caprinas: Sistemas Extensivos de la Sierra Norte de Sevilla

Andalucía es la comunidad autónoma española con mayor censo de ganado caprino lechero. Sin embargo, por tratarse de un ganado tradicionalmente asociado a sistemas semi-extensivos, falta aun mucha información sobre el funcionami~nto de las explotaciones, que, por otro lado, son muy diversas respecto al grado de intensificación, tamaño y tipo de ordeño. Por ello, desde el Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales de la EUITA de Sevilla y en colaboración con la Federación de Asociaciones y Empresas Cooperativas Andaluzas (FAECA) se está trabajando en el conocimiento de los sistemas de caprino lechero de esta comunidad autónoma y sus posibilidades de mejora. Esta comunicación es una síntesis de la información generada en el estudio de una de las comarcas en las que se ha trabajado (Gousse, 1998), en la que predominan explotaciones con diversidad de ganado, pequeñas, de carácter semiextensivo y con ordeño manual

Liver-related events and mortality among elderly patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C treated with direct-acting antivirals

Research article[Abstract] BACKGROUND: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are effective in patients aged ≥65 years. However, little is known about the effects of DAAs on survival, liver decompensation and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of liver-related events and mortality between patients aged ≥65 and <65 years. METHODS: Prospective study comparing patients aged ≥65 and <65 years treated with DAAs. The incidence of liver-related events and mortality, and HCC was compared between age groups. RESULTS: Five hundred patients (120 aged ≥65 and 380 aged <65 years) were included. The incidence of liver-related events was 2.62 per 100 patient-years (py) in older and 1.41/100 py in younger patients. All-cause mortality was 3.89 and 1.27/100 py in older and younger patients, respectively. The respective liver-related mortality rates were 1.12 and 0.31/100 py. In patients with cirrhosis (stage F4), all-cause mortality (P = 0.283) and liver-related mortality (P = 0.254) did not differ between groups. All five liver-related deaths were related to multifocal HCC. The incidence of HCC was 1.91 and 1.43 per 100 py in the older and younger groups, respectively (P = 0.747). The diagnosis of HCC was 8 months after the end of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of liver-related events and liver-related mortality was low in older people treated with DAAs and was similar to that in younger patients. The extra mortality in people aged ≥65 years treated with DAAs seems to be secondary to non-liver-related causes. These results support the utilization of DAAs in patients aged ≥65 years.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; JR17/0002