614 research outputs found

    Sistema y dispositivo condensador de recogida de agua del medio ambiente

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    Sistema y dispositivo condensador para la recogida de agua del medio ambiente. El dispositivo condensador (26) comprende: - dos células peltier (1,2); - medios disipadores de calor (4) en contacto con la cara caliente de las células peltier (1,2); - una superficie de condensación (6) en contacto con la cara fría de las células peltier (1,2); - un habitáculo (9) para alojar las células peltier (1,2), delimitando una cámara fría (10) y una cámara caliente (11), con aberturas para la salida del aire (13,15) en ambas cámaras (10,11) y abertura regulable (14) para la entrada de aire en la cámara fría (10); - medios sensores de humedad relativa (17) y de temperatura (16) del aire en el interior de la cámara fría (10); - medios sensores de temperatura (7) de la superficie de condensación (6); - medios de recogida (18,19,20,21) del agua condensada en la superficie de condensación (6)

    Vibrational dynamics of polyatomic molecules in solution: Assignment, time evolution and mixing of instantaneous normal modes

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    Intramolecular vibrational dynamics of polyatomic molecules in solution can be addressed through normal mode analysis based on either equilibrium normal modes (ENMs) or instantaneous normal modes (INMs). While the former offers a straightforward way of examining experimental spectra, the latter provides a decoupled short-time description of the vibrational motions of the molecule. In order to reconcile both representations, a realistic assignment of the INMs in terms of the ENMs is needed. In this paper, we describe a novel method to assign the INMs using the ENMs as templates, which provides a unique relationship between the two sets of normal modes. The method is based specifically on the use of the so-called Min-Cost or Min-Sum algorithm, duly adapted to our problem, to maximize the overlaps between the two sets of modes. The identification of the INMs as the system evolves with time then allows us to quantify the vibrational energy stored in each INM and so monitor the flows of intramolecular vibrational energy within the solute molecule. We also discuss the degree of mixing of the INMs and characterize the way they change with time by means of the corresponding autocorrelation functions. The usefulness of the method is illustrated by carrying out equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the deuterated N-methylacetamide (NMAD) molecule in D2O solution.Fil: Kalstein, Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Centro de Est.e Investigación. Prog.simulación de Proc.moleculares de Relevancia; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Alberti, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Centro de Est.e Investigación. Prog.simulación de Proc.moleculares de Relevancia; ArgentinaFil: Bastida, Adolfo. Universidad de Murcia; EspañaFil: Soler, Miguel Angel. Universidad de Murcia; EspañaFil: Farag, Marwa H.. Universidad de Murcia; EspañaFil: Zúñiga, J.. Universidad de Murcia; EspañaFil: Requena, Alberto. Universidad de Murcia; Españ

    Footprint preparation with nanofractures in a supraspinatus repair cuts in half the retear rate at 1-year follow-up. A randomized controlled trial

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    Purpose: To evaluate if adding nanofractures to the footprint of a supraspinatus tear repair would have any effect in the outcomes at one-year follow-up. Methods: Multicentric, triple-blinded, randomized trial with 12-months follow-up. Subjects with isolated symptomatic reparable supraspinatus tears smaller than 3 cm and without grade 4 fatty infiltration were included. These were randomized to two groups: In the Control group an arthroscopic supraspinatus repair was performed; in the Nanofracture group the footprint was additionally prepared with nanofractures (1 mm wide, 9 mm deep microfractures). Clinical evaluation was done with Constant score, EQ-5D-3L, and Brief Pain Inventory. The primary outcome was the retear rate in MRI at 12-months follow-up. Secondary outcomes were: characteristics of the retear (at the footprint or at the musculotendinous junction) and clinical outcomes. Results: Seventy-one subjects were randomized. Two were lost to follow-up, leaving 69 participants available for assessment at 12-months follow-up (33 in the Control group and 36 in the Nanofracture Group). The Nanofracture group had lower retear rates than the Control group (7/36 [19.4%] vs 14/33 [42.4%], differences significant, p = 0.038). Retear rates at the musculotendinous junction were similar but the Nanofracture group had better tendon healing rates to the bone (34/36 [94.4%] vs. 24/33 [66.71%], p = 0.014). Clinically both groups had significant improvements, but no differences were found between groups. Conclusion: Adding nanofractures at the footprint during an isolated supraspinatus repair lowers in half the retear rate at 12-months follow-up. This is due to improved healing at the footprint

    Aerosol-assisted production of mesoporous titania microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity: The basis of an improved process

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    An aerosol-based process was used to prepare mesoporous TiO2 microspheres (MTM) with an average diameter in the range of 0.5-1 μm. The structural characteristics and photocatalytic properties of the synthesized materials were determined. As-prepared MTM materials and those heated in air from 400 to 600 °C exhibited mesoporous texture with a narrow size distribution and an inorganic framework that consisted of 4-13 nm anatase crystallites. Pore volumes for the MTM materials were in the range of 0.17-0.34 cm3 g-1. Microspheres heated to 400 °C presented a locally ordered mesopore structure and possessed X-ray diffraction d spacings between 9.8 and 17.3 nm. Heating above 400 °C resulted in a loss of the mesoscopic order, a decrease of the surface area, retention of the porosity, and an increase of the anatase nanoparticle size to 13 nm. The accessibility of the pore volume was measured by monitoring the uptake of gallic acid (GA) using Fourier transform IR. The MTM materials made excellent catalysts for the photodegradation of GA, with the performance being higher than that of an equivalent sample of Degussa P25. The present MTM materials are advantageous in terms of their ease of separation from the aqueous phase, and hence a novel photocatalytic process is proposed based on separate adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition steps with an improved and more rational use of both catalyst and sunlight.Fil: Araujo, Paula Zulema. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Luca, Vittorio. Australian Nuclear Science And Technology Organisation; Australia. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Bozzano, Patricia B.. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Bianchi, Hugo Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Soler Illia, Galo Juan de Avila Arturo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Blesa, Miguel Angel. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

    Growth Hormone Reprograms Macrophages toward an Anti-Inflammatory and Reparative Profile in an MAFB-Dependent Manner

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    Growth hormone (GH), a pleiotropic hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, regulates immune and inflammatory responses. In this study, we show that GH regulates the phenotypic and functional plasticity of macrophages both in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, GH treatment of GM-CSF–primed monocyte–derived macrophages promotes a significant enrichment of anti-inflammatory genes and dampens the proinflammatory cytokine profile through PI3K-mediated downregulation of activin A and upregulation of MAFB, a critical transcription factor for anti-inflammatory polarization of human macrophages. These in vitro data correlate with improved remission of inflammation and mucosal repair during recovery in the acute dextran sodium sulfate–induced colitis model in GH-overexpressing mice. In this model, in addition to the GH-mediated effects on other immune cells, we observed that macrophages from inflamed gut acquire an anti-inflammatory/reparative profile. Overall, these data indicate that GH reprograms inflammatory macrophages to an anti-inflammatory phenotype and improves resolution during pathologic inflammatory responses.This work was supported in part by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (SAF2017-82940-R Agencia Estatal de Investigación/Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (AEI/FEDER), Unión Europea [UE] [to M.M.], SAF2017-83785-R AEI/FEDER, UE [to Á.L.C.] and FJCI-2016-29990 AEI/FEDER, UE [to B.S.P.]), from the Redes Temáticas de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud Program of Instituto de Salud Carlos III (RD12/0012/0006 and RD12/0012/0007, Red de Investigación en Inflamación y Enfermedades Reumáticas), and the Regional Government of Madrid (B2017/BMD-3804 [to C.M.-A.])

    Response of the human myocardium to ischemic injury and preconditioning: The role of cardiac and comorbid conditions, medical treatment, and basal redox status

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    Vàlvula aòrtica; Isquèmia; MiocardiVálvula aórtica; Isquemia; MiocardioAortic valve; Ischemia; MyocardiumBackground The diseased human myocardium is highly susceptible to ischemia/reoxygenation (I/R)-induced injury but its response to protective interventions such as ischemic preconditioning (IPreC) is unclear. Cardiac and other pre-existing clinical conditions as well as previous or ongoing medical treatment may influence the myocardial response to I/R injury and protection. This study investigated the effect of both on myocardial susceptibility to I/R-induced injury and the protective effects of IPreC. Methods and results Atrial myocardium from cardiac surgery patients (n = 300) was assigned to one of three groups: aerobic control, I/R alone, and IPreC. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage, as a marker of cell injury, and cell viability were measured. The basal redox status was determined in samples from 90 patients. The response to I/R varied widely. Myocardium from patients with aortic valve disease was the most susceptible to injury whereas myocardium from dyslipidemia patients was the least susceptible. Tissue from females was better protected than tissue from males. Myocardium from patients with mitral valve disease was the least responsive to IPreC. The basal redox status was altered in the myocardium from patients with mitral and aortic valve disease. Conclusions The response of the myocardium to I/R and IPreC is highly variable and influenced by the underlying cardiac pathology, dyslipidemia, sex, and the basal redox status. These results should be taken into account in the design of future clinical studies on the prevention of I/R injury and protection.This study was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS) [grant number 12/00119]

    Height and timing of growth spurt during puberty in young people living with vertically acquired HIV in Europe and Thailand.

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    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe growth during puberty in young people with vertically acquired HIV. DESIGN: Pooled data from 12 paediatric HIV cohorts in Europe and Thailand. METHODS: One thousand and ninety-four children initiating a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or boosted protease inhibitor based regimen aged 1-10 years were included. Super Imposition by Translation And Rotation (SITAR) models described growth from age 8 years using three parameters (average height, timing and shape of the growth spurt), dependent on age and height-for-age z-score (HAZ) (WHO references) at antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Multivariate regression explored characteristics associated with these three parameters. RESULTS: At ART initiation, median age and HAZ was 6.4 [interquartile range (IQR): 2.8, 9.0] years and -1.2 (IQR: -2.3 to -0.2), respectively. Median follow-up was 9.1 (IQR: 6.9, 11.4) years. In girls, older age and lower HAZ at ART initiation were independently associated with a growth spurt which occurred 0.41 (95% confidence interval 0.20-0.62) years later in children starting ART age 6 to 10 years compared with 1 to 2 years and 1.50 (1.21-1.78) years later in those starting with HAZ less than -3 compared with HAZ at least -1. Later growth spurts in girls resulted in continued height growth into later adolescence. In boys starting ART with HAZ less than -1, growth spurts were later in children starting ART in the oldest age group, but for HAZ at least -1, there was no association with age. Girls and boys who initiated ART with HAZ at least -1 maintained a similar height to the WHO reference mean. CONCLUSION: Stunting at ART initiation was associated with later growth spurts in girls. Children with HAZ at least -1 at ART initiation grew in height at the level expected in HIV negative children of a comparable age
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