Enhanced MDIR receiver for space-time dispersive channels

A particular property of the matched desired impulse response receiver is introduced in this paper, namely, the fact that full exploitation of the diversity is obtained with multiple beamformers when the channel is spatially and timely dispersive. This particularity makes the receiver specially suitable for mobile and underwater communications. The new structure provides better performance than conventional and weighted VRAKE receivers, and a diversity gain with no needs of additional radio frequency equipment. The baseband hardware needed for this new receiver may be obtained through reconfigurability of the RAKE architectures available at the base station. The proposed receiver is tested through simulations assuming UTRA frequency-division-duplexing mode.Peer Reviewe

Effects of Topically Administered Neuroprotective Drugs in Early Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy:Results of the EUROCONDOR Clinical Trial

The primary objective of this study was to assess whether the topical administration of two neuroprotective drugs (brimonidine and somatostatin) could prevent or arrest retinal neurodysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, adults aged between 45 and 75 years with a diabetes duration ≥5 years and an Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) level of ≤35 were randomly assigned to one of three arms: placebo, somatostatin, or brimonidine. The primary outcome was the change in implicit time (IT) assessed by multifocal electroretinography between baseline and at the end of follow-up (96 weeks). There were 449 eligible patients allocated to brimonidine (n = 152), somatostatin (n = 145), or placebo (n = 152). When the primary end point was evaluated in the whole population, we did not find any neuroprotective effect of brimonidine or somatostatin. However, in the subset of patients (34.7%) with preexisting retinal neurodysfunction, IT worsened in the placebo group (P < 0.001) but remained unchanged in the brimonidine and somatostatin groups. In conclusion, the topical administration of the selected neuroprotective agents appears useful in preventing the worsening of preexisting retinal neurodysfunction. This finding points to screening retinal neurodysfunction as a critical issue to identify a subset of patients in whom neuroprotective treatment might be of benefit

Diversity and ethics in trauma and acute care surgery teams: results from an international survey

Background Investigating the context of trauma and acute care surgery, the article aims at understanding the factors that can enhance some ethical aspects, namely the importance of patient consent, the perceptiveness of the ethical role of the trauma leader, and the perceived importance of ethics as an educational subject. Methods The article employs an international questionnaire promoted by the World Society of Emergency Surgery. Results Through the analysis of 402 fully filled questionnaires by surgeons from 72 different countries, the three main ethical topics are investigated through the lens of gender, membership of an academic or non-academic institution, an official trauma team, and a diverse group. In general terms, results highlight greater attention paid by surgeons belonging to academic institutions, official trauma teams, and diverse groups. Conclusions Our results underline that some organizational factors (e.g., the fact that the team belongs to a university context or is more diverse) might lead to the development of a higher sensibility on ethical matters. Embracing cultural diversity forces trauma teams to deal with different mindsets. Organizations should, therefore, consider those elements in defining their organizational procedures. Level of evidence Trauma and acute care teams work under tremendous pressure and complex circumstances, with their members needing to make ethical decisions quickly. The international survey allowed to shed light on how team assembly decisions might represent an opportunity to coordinate team member actions and increase performance

Enhanced MDIR receiver for space-time dispersive channels

A particular property of the matched desired impulse response receiver is introduced in this paper, namely, the fact that full exploitation of the diversity is obtained with multiple beamformers when the channel is spatially and timely dispersive. This particularity makes the receiver specially suitable for mobile and underwater communications. The new structure provides better performance than conventional and weighted VRAKE receivers, and a diversity gain with no needs of additional radio frequency equipment. The baseband hardware needed for this new receiver may be obtained through reconfigurability of the RAKE architectures available at the base station. The proposed receiver is tested through simulations assuming UTRA frequency-division-duplexing mode.Peer Reviewe

Enhanced MDIR receiver for space-time dispersive channels

A particular property of the matched desired impulse response receiver is introduced in this paper, namely, the fact that full exploitation of the diversity is obtained with multiple beamformers when the channel is spatially and timely dispersive. This particularity makes the receiver specially suitable for mobile and underwater communications. The new structure provides better performance than conventional and weighted VRAKE receivers, and a diversity gain with no needs of additional radio frequency equipment. The baseband hardware needed for this new receiver may be obtained through reconfigurability of the RAKE architectures available at the base station. The proposed receiver is tested through simulations assuming UTRA frequency-division-duplexing mode.Peer Reviewe

Chemical Characterization and Enzymatic Control of Stickies in Kraft Paper Production

Paper recycling has increased in recent years. A principal consequence of this process is the problem of addressing some polymeric components known as stickies. A deep characterization of stickies sampled over one year in a recycled paper industry in M&eacute;xico was performed. Based on their chemical structure, an enzymatic assay was performed using lipases. Compounds found in stickies by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry were poly (butyl-acrylate), dioctyl phthalate, poly (vinyl-acetate), and poly (vinyl-acrylate). Pulp with 4% (w/w) consistency and pH = 6.2 was sampled directly from the mill once macrostickies were removed. Stickies were quantified by counting the tacky macrostructures in the liquid fraction of the pulp using a Neubauer chamber before the paper was made, and they were analyzed with rhodamine dye and a UV lamp. Of the two commercial enzymes evaluated, the best treatment condition used Lipase 30 G (Specialty Enzymes &amp; Biotechnologies Co&reg;, Chino, CA, USA) at a concentration of 0.44 g/L, which decreased 35.59% of stickies. SebOil DG (Specialty Enzymes &amp; Biotechnologies&reg;) showed a stickies reduction of 21.5% when used at a concentration of 0.33 g/L. Stickies in kraft paper processes were actively controlled by the action of lipases, and future research should focus on how this enzyme recognizes its substrate and should apply synthetic biology to improve lipase specificity

Exercise ECG Testing and Stress Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for Risk Prediction in Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome

[EN] Purpose: Vasodilator stress cardiac magnetic resonance (VS-CMR) has become crucial in the workup of patients with known or suspected chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Whether traditional exercise ECG testing (ExECG) contributes prognostic information beyond VS-CMR is unclear. Methods: We retrospectively included 288 patients with known or suspected CCS who had undergone ExECG and subsequent VS-CMR in our institution. Clinical, ExECG, and VS-CMR variables were recorded. We defined the serious adverse events (SAE) as a combined endpoint of acute coronary syndrome, admission for heart failure, or all-cause death. Results: During a mean follow-up of 4.2 +/- 2.15 yr, we registered 27 SAE (15 admissions for acute coronary syndrome, eight admissions for heart failure, and four all-cause deaths). Once adjusted for clinical, ExECG, and VS-CMR parameters associated with SAE, the only independent predictors were HRmax in ExECG (HR = 0.98: 95% CI, 0.96-0.99; P = .01) and more extensive stress-induced perfusion defects (PDs, number of segments) in VS-CMR (HR = 1.19: 95% CI, 1.07-1.34; P 130 bpm), 2% (if PD = 2 segments and HRmax > 130 bpm), and 6.3% (if PD >= 2 segments and HRmax <= 130 bpm), P < .01, for the trend. In patients on beta-blocker therapy, however, only PDs in VS-CMR, but not HRmax, predicted SAE. Conclusions: We conclude that ExECG contributes significantly to prognostic information beyond VS-CMR in patients with known or suspected CCS.This study was funded by "Instituto de Salud Carlos III" and "Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional FEDER" (PIE15/00013, PI17/01836, PI20/00637, and CIBERCV16/11/00486 grants) and by Generalitat Valenciana (GV/2018/116 grant).Marcos-Garces, V.; Merenciano-Gonzalez, H.; Gabaldon-Perez, A.; Nuñez-Marin, G.; Lorenzo-Hernandez, M.; Gavara-Doñate, J.; Pérez, N.... (2022). Exercise ECG Testing and Stress Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for Risk Prediction in Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention. 42(1):E7-E12. https://doi.org/10.1097/HCR.0000000000000621E7E1242

América Latina y su episteme analógica

Desde un contexto de interacción y relación disciplinaria los ensayos incluidos en este libro expresan las diferencias y similitudes de las tradiciones filosóficas, históricas, sociológicas, antropológicas y educativas. Cada uno de los colaboradores de estos ensayos pretende alejarse de la óptica tradicional etnocentrista con la cual generalmente se abordan este tipo de saberes. Bajo la premisa anterior, y con la impronta de la Historia de las Ideas Latinoamericanas y la Hermenéutica Analógica, el lector se enfrentará a un conocimiento emancipatorio y cuestionador, donde se plantea que la diversidad filosófica se expresa también en una diversidad epistémica y metodológica, de forma concéntrica y abierta a la vez.Trabajo realizado con el apoyo del Programa UNAM DGAPA-PAPIIT IN400311-3Libro