Dynamic model of wind energy conversion systems with variable speed synchronous generator and full-size power converter for large-scale power system stability studies

Se inscribe dentro de la línea de investigación de Integración en red de sistemas eólicos. Se presenta un modelo informático en plataforma PSS/E para sistemas de generación eólica de velocidad variable del tipo Síncrono con Convertidor de plena potencia, capaz de simular el comportamuiento dinámico de estos sistemas en estudios de estabilidad del sistema eléctric

Activin promotes skin carcinogenesis by attraction and reprogramming of macrophages.

Activin has emerged as an important player in different types of cancer, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We show here that activin overexpression is an early event in murine and human skin tumorigenesis. This is functionally important, since activin promoted skin tumorigenesis in mice induced by the human papillomavirus 8 oncogenes. This was accompanied by depletion of epidermal γδ T cells and accumulation of regulatory T cells. Most importantly, activin increased the number of skin macrophages via attraction of blood monocytes, which was prevented by depletion of CCR2-positive monocytes. Gene expression profiling of macrophages from pre-tumorigenic skin and bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that activin induces a gene expression pattern in skin macrophages that resembles the phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages in different malignancies, thereby promoting angiogenesis, cell migration and proteolysis. The functional relevance of this finding was demonstrated by antibody-mediated depletion of macrophages, which strongly suppressed activin-induced skin tumor formation. These results demonstrate that activin induces skin carcinogenesis via attraction and reprogramming of macrophages and identify novel activin targets involved in tumor formation

Pharmacoeconomic analysis of paliperidone palmitate for treating schizophrenia in Greece

BACKGROUND: Patients having chronic schizophrenia with frequent relapses and hospitalizations represent a great challenge, both clinically and financially. Risperidone long-acting injection (RIS-LAI) has been the main LAI atypical antipsychotic treatment in Greece. Paliperidone palmitate (PP-LAI) has recently been approved. It is dosed monthly, as opposed to biweekly for RIS-LAI, but such advantages have not yet been analysed in terms of economic evaluation. PURPOSE: To compare costs and outcomes of PP-LAI versus RIS-LAI in Greece. METHODS: A cost-utility analysis was performed using a previously validated decision tree to model clinical pathways and costs over 1 year for stable patients started on either medication. Rates were taken from the literature. A local expert panel provided feedback on treatment patterns. All direct costs incurred by the national healthcare system were obtained from the literature and standard price lists; all were inflated to 2011 costs. Patient outcomes analyzed included average days with stable disease, numbers of hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). RESULTS: The total annual healthcare cost with PP-LAI was €3529; patients experienced 325 days in remission and 0.840 QALY; 28% were hospitalized and 15% received emergency room treatment. With RIS-LAI, the cost was €3695, patients experienced 318.6 days in remission and 0.815 QALY; 33% were hospitalized and 17% received emergency room treatment. Thus, PP-LAI dominated RIS-LAI. Results were generally robust in sensitivity analyses with PP-LAI dominating in 74.6% of simulations. Results were sensitive to the price of PP-LAI. CONCLUSIONS: PP-LAI appears to be a cost-effective option for treating chronic schizophrenia in Greece compared with RIS-LAI since it results in savings to the health care system along with better patient outcomes

β1 Integrin-Mediated Adhesion Signalling Is Essential for Epidermal Progenitor Cell Expansion

Background: There is a major discrepancy between the in vitro and in vivo results regarding the role of b1 integrins in the maintenance of epidermal stem/progenitor cells. Studies of mice with skin-specific ablation of b1 integrins suggested that epidermis can form and be maintained in their absence, while in vitro data have shown a fundamental role for these adhesion receptors in stem/progenitor cell expansion and differentiation. Methodology/Principal Findings: To elucidate this discrepancy we generated hypomorphic mice expressing reduced b1 integrin levels on keratinocytes that developed similar, but less severe defects than mice with b1-deficient keratinocytes. Surprisingly we found that upon aging these abnormalities attenuated due to a rapid expansion of cells, which escaped or compensated for the down-regulation of b1 integrin expression. A similar phenomenon was observed in aged mice with a complete, skin-specific ablation of the b1 integrin gene, where cells that escaped Cre-mediated recombination repopulated the mutant skin in a very short time period. The expansion of b1 integrin expressing keratinocytes was even further accelerated in situations of increased keratinocyte proliferation such as wound healing. Conclusions/Significance: These data demonstrate that expression of b1 integrins is critically important for the expansion of epidermal progenitor cells to maintain epidermal homeostasis

Managing hyperemesis gravidarum: a multimodal challenge

Up to 90% of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting. When prolonged or severe, this is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which can, in individual cases, be life threatening. In this article the aetiology, diagnosis and treatment strategies will be presented based on a selective literature review. Treatment strategies range from outpatient dietary advice and antiemetic drugs to hospitalization and intravenous (IV) fluid replacement in persistent or severe cases. Alternative methods, such as acupuncture, are not yet evidence based but sometimes have a therapeutic effect

Metropolitan area of Warsaw, sustainable development of transport

Zrównoważony rozwój transportu od dawna funkcjonuje w polityce UE, jest on określony poprzez różne dokumenty, zdefiniowany i wyrażony w różnych wytycznych, sposobach działania w celu jego osiągnięcia. W praktyce okazuje się, że nie jest to takie proste, co uwidacznia się w funkcjonowaniu systemów transportowych poszczególnych krajów członkowskich, regionów, obszarów metropolitarnych, czy miast. W Polsce również podejmowane są działania związane z implementowanie zasad zrównoważonego rozwoju transportu do systemów transportowych w szczególności dużych ośrodków miejskich, obszarów metropolitarnych. Ze względu na ciągły rozwój transportu oraz sposoby jego realizacji nadal występuje wiele problemów, które stanowią barierę do wprowadzania zasad zrównoważonego rozwoju transportu. W poniższym artykule wskazano na problemy implementacji zasad zrównoważonego rozwoju transportu w Obszarze Metropolitarnym Warszawy (OMW).Sustainable transport development has long been active in EU policy, it is defined by various documents, defined and expressed in various guidelines, ways to achieve it. In practice, it turns out that it is not so easy, as evidenced by the functioning of transport systems of individual member states, regions, metropolitan areas or cities. In Poland, also activities are undertaken related to the implementation of the principles of sustainable transport development into transport systems, in particular large metropolitan areas and metropolitan areas. Due to the continuous development of transport and ways of its implementation, there are still many problems that constitute a barrier to introducing the principles of sustainable transport development. The following article indicates the problems of implementing the principles of sustainable development of transport in the Metropolitan Area of Warsaw (OMW)

Metropolitan area of Warsaw, sustainable development of transport

Zrównoważony rozwój transportu od dawna funkcjonuje w polityce UE, jest on określony poprzez różne dokumenty, zdefiniowany i wyrażony w różnych wytycznych, sposobach działania w celu jego osiągnięcia. W praktyce okazuje się, że nie jest to takie proste, co uwidacznia się w funkcjonowaniu systemów transportowych poszczególnych krajów członkowskich, regionów, obszarów metropolitarnych, czy miast. W Polsce również podejmowane są działania związane z implementowanie zasad zrównoważonego rozwoju transportu do systemów transportowych w szczególności dużych ośrodków miejskich, obszarów metropolitarnych. Ze względu na ciągły rozwój transportu oraz sposoby jego realizacji nadal występuje wiele problemów, które stanowią barierę do wprowadzania zasad zrównoważonego rozwoju transportu. W poniższym artykule wskazano na problemy implementacji zasad zrównoważonego rozwoju transportu w Obszarze Metropolitarnym Warszawy (OMW).Sustainable transport development has long been active in EU policy, it is defined by various documents, defined and expressed in various guidelines, ways to achieve it. In practice, it turns out that it is not so easy, as evidenced by the functioning of transport systems of individual member states, regions, metropolitan areas or cities. In Poland, also activities are undertaken related to the implementation of the principles of sustainable transport development into transport systems, in particular large metropolitan areas and metropolitan areas. Due to the continuous development of transport and ways of its implementation, there are still many problems that constitute a barrier to introducing the principles of sustainable transport development. The following article indicates the problems of implementing the principles of sustainable development of transport in the Metropolitan Area of Warsaw (OMW)