Energy performance analysis between two air conditioning systems used in an educational Building in warm-climate

Energy saving measures, in the design air conditioning systems, are crucial in the development of energy schemes with rational energy consumption. Traditionally, integrated buildings systems have been assessed individually to optimize the energy performance, however they have different parameters that affect energy performance that demands the use of detailed analysis using dynamic simulation. This paper is focused on compare an air conditioning system to be implemented in educational buildings in warm-climate, considering energy schemes provide for a constant air volume (CAV) flow system with a water chiller, while the other integrates a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system. Adding in each case dedicated outdoor air System (DOAS) units. Energy consumption achieved by each AC system is obtained considering the configuration achieving energy savings of 40% of the annual electricity demand for cooling. Finally, the use of DOAS represents an increase of 20% of total electricity consumption

Identifying and prioritizing demersal fisheries restricted areas based on combined ecological and fisheries criteria: The western Mediterranean

The western Mediterranean basin is a high marine biodiversity area under severe pressure by changing climate and intense human activities. Beyond national jurisdictions, international institutions such as the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) work towards canalizing a regional consensus that fishing practices should evolve to better support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this context, Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRA) are proposed as effective management measures to contribute towards increasing fisheries sustainability in the region that can be considered, under some conditions, as Nature-based Solutions (NbS); however, how to operationalize their framework remains unclear. In this study, based on combined ecological and fisheries criteria, we identify and prioritize six potential priority areas for management (PAMs) in the western Mediterranean Sea. They are specifically aimed at the protection and recovery of Essential Fish Habitats and the conservation of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, whilst requiring limited adaptation of fisheries practices due to their relative low fishing pressure. We compare the identified areas to those that are currently under protection, and to areas that have been proposed for protection at the GFCM. Our results show that the FRAs and other spatial management measures introduced in the last years marginally contribute to the protection PAMs in the western Mediterranean region. However, the adoption of FRAs that are currently under discussion at the GFCM could contribute significantly to improve the situation. FRAs could also contribute to operationalize NbS in the western Mediterranean Sea when properly designed and implemented

SEOM clinical guidelines for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (2020)

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive tumour with dismal prognosis arising in the pleura and associated with asbestos exposure. Its incidence is on the rise worldwide. In selected patients with early-stage MPM, a maximal surgical cytoreduction in combination with additional antitumour treatment may be considered in selected patients assessed by a multidisciplinary tumor board. In patients with unresectable or advanced MPM, chemotherapy with platinum plus pemetrexed is the standard of care. Currently, no standard salvage therapy has been approved yet, but second-line chemotherapy with vinorelbine or gemcitabine is commonly used. Novel therapeutic approaches based on dual immunotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy demonstrated promising survival benefit and will probably be incorporated in the future

Cocaína durante a gestação e comportamento materno pós-parto em ratos

El abuso materno de cocaína durante la gestación se relaciona con negligencia, maltrato y perturbación del vínculo madre-hijo, lo que incide directamente en el desarrollo de los infantes; por esto, las diversas problemáticas neuroconductuales de los hijos de padres drogodependientes podrían atribuirse a la inadecuada conducta materna o a la exposición prenatal a la droga. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar los efectos de la administración crónica de cocaína durante la gestación en la conducta materna postparto de ratones. Para esto se asignaron aleatoriamente 21 ratones CD1 hembras gestantes para la administración de solución salina y cocaína (25 mg/kg/día y 50 mg/kg/día), desde el octavo hasta el día veintiuno de gestación. Después del parto, durante 20 días (15 minutos diarios), se registró individualmente la frecuencia de presentación de 16 índices de conducta materna mediante un etograma. Se encontró que la cocaína afectó levemente la frecuencia de la conducta materna, aunque posiblemente afecte otros parámetros como la latencia, duración y secuencia de esta conducta.Maternal cocaine abuse during pregnancy is associated to neglect, abuse, and mother-child bond disruption, which directly affects infant development; therefore, various neurobehavioral problems of children of drug-dependent parents could be attributed to inadequate maternal behavior or prenatal exposure to drugs. Thus, the aim of this research was to analyze the effects of chronic cocaine administration during pregnancy on postpartum maternal behavior. To do this, 21 CD1 pregnant female mice were randomly assigned for administration of saline solution and cocaine (25 mg/kg/day and 50 mg/kg/day), from day 8 to 21 of gestation. After delivery, for 15 minutes a day, during 20 days, the frequency of occurrence of 16 behavioral patterns of maternal behavior was individually recorded, using an ethogram. Cocaine slightly affected maternal behavior frequency, although it may have affected other parameters, such as latency, duration, and sequence of this behavior.O abuso materno de cocaína durante a gestação está relacionado com negligência, maltrato, perturbação do vínculo mãe-filho, o que incide diretamente no desenvolvimento das crianças. Por isso, as diversas problemáticas neurocomportamentais dos filhos de pais drogodependentes poderiam ser atribuídas ao inadequado comportamento materno ou à exposição prénatal à droga. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar os efeitos da administração crônica de cocaína durante a gestação no comportamento materno pós-parto de ratos. Para isso, designaram-se aleatoriamente 21 ratos CD1 fêmeas gestantes para a administração de solução salina e cocaína (25 mg/kg/dia e 50 mg/kg/dia), desde o oitavo até o 21° dia de gestação. Após o parto, durante 20 dias (15 minutos diários), registrou-se individualmente a frequência de apresentação de 16 índices de comportamento materno mediante um etograma. Constatou-se que a cocaína afetou levemente a frequência do comportamento materno, embora possivelmente afete outros parâmetros como latência, duração e sequência desse comportamento

A novel hybrid material with calcium and strontium release capability

The preparation of PDMS–TEOS–CaO hybrid materials by sol–gel techniques has been widely described in previous works. Calcium nitrate is the most common source of calcium used in these preparations. However, to remove possible toxic nitrate by-products a thermal treatment is necessary at temperatures above 500 1C, which leads to the degradation of the polymeric components of the hybrids. Strontium has already shown some promising results in the therapeutic area, being used in cases of osteoporosis and low bone density. In this study a new potential bioactive hybrid material was prepared, by sol–gel techniques, using calcium acetate as a novel calcium source. Also, for the first time, incorporation of strontium in a PDMS–TEOS hybrid system was evaluated. Samples were characterized before and after immersion in Kokubo’s Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) by SEM, EDS, ICP and FT-IR spectroscopy

LISA and LISA PathFinder, the endeavour to detect low frequency GWs

This is a review about LISA and its technology demonstrator, LISA PathFinder. We first describe the conceptual problems which need to be overcome in order to set up a working interferometric detector of low frequency Gravitational Waves (GW), then summarise the solutions to them as currently conceived by the LISA mission team. This will show that some of these solutions require new technological abilities which are still under development, and which need proper test before being fully implemented. LISA PathFinder (LPF) is the the testbed for such technologies. The final part of the paper will address the ideas and concepts behind the PathFinder as well as their impact on LISA.Comment: 25 pages, 21 figures, presented at the Spanish Relativity Meeting, Mallorca September 2006. Will be published in Journal of Physics: Conference Series, IOP. To be published in Journal of Physics: Conference Series, IO

Tratamento com implantes dentários pós-extração.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to show the results of treatment with dental implants inserted immediately after extraction. Methods: 22 patients with unitary, partial or total tooth loss were treated with 82 Microdent ® implants with etched and acid-etched surfaces. All implants were inserted immediately after the corresponding extraction. The implants were loaded after a healing period of 3 months in the mandible or 6 months in the upper mandible. Results: Clinical findings indicate survival and implant success of 97.6%. 2 implants were lost during the healing period. 73.2% of the implants were inserted in the  maxilla, while 26.8% in the mandible. After an average functional load period of 12 months, there were no late complications. Conclusions: This study indicates that dental implants inserted immediately after extraction can be a predictable and successful alternative to the implant.  Introdução: O objetivo do presente estudo foi mostrar os resultados do tratamento com implantes dentários inseridos imediatamente após a extração. Métodos: 22 pacientes com perda dentária unitária, parcial ou total foram tratados com 82 implantes Microdent ® com superfície tratada com ácidos. Todos os implantes foram inseridos imediatamente após a extração correspondente. Os implantes foram carregados após um período de cicatrização de 3 meses na mandíbula ou 6 meses na maxila. Resultados: Os achados clínicos indicam sobrevivência e sucesso dos implantes de 97,6%. 2 implantes foram perdidos durante o período de cicatrização. 73,2% dos implantes foram inseridos na maxila, enquanto 26,8% na mandíbula. Após um período médio de carga funcional de 12 meses, não houve complicações tardias. Conclusões: Este estudo indica que implantes dentários inseridos imediatamente após a extração podem ser uma alternativa previsível e bem-sucedida ao implante

Body composition changes after a weight loss intervention: A 3-year follow-up study

Studies comparing different types of exercise-based interventions have not shown a consistent effect of training on long-term weight maintenance. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of exercise modalities combined with diet intervention on body composition immediately after intervention and at 3 years’ follow-up in overweight and obese adults. Two-hundred thirty-nine people (107 men) participated in a 6-month diet and exercise-based intervention, split into four randomly assigned groups: strength group (S), endurance group (E), combined strength and endurance group (SE), and control group (C). The body composition measurements took place on the first week before the start of training and after 22 weeks of training. In addition, a third measurement took place 3 years after the intervention period. A significant interaction effect (group × time) (p = 0.017) was observed for the fat mass percentage. It significantly decreased by 5.48 ± 0.65%, 5.30 ± 0.65%, 7.04 ± 0.72%, and 4.86 ± 0.65% at post-intervention for S, E, SE, and C, respectively. Three years after the intervention, the fat mass percentage returned to values similar to the baseline, except for the combined strength and endurance group, where it remained lower than the value at pre-intervention (p < 0.05). However, no significant interaction was discovered for the rest of the studied outcomes, neither at post-intervention nor 3 years later. The combined strength and endurance group was the only group that achieved lower levels of fat mass (%) at both post-intervention and 3 years after intervention, in comparison with the other groups.This work received financial support from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Convocatoria de Ayudas I+D 2008, Proyectos de Investigación Fundamental No Orientada, del VI Plan de Investigación Nacional 2008–2011 (Contract: DEP2008-06354-C04-01). This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT0111685