28 research outputs found

    Refugio para el Futuro

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    [ES] Tras haber trabajado en torno a la idea de Refugio en la asignatura Escultura y Entorno Urbano, proyectamos los conocimientos adquiridos en este TFG de carácter teórico-práctico. Creamos un modelo de Refugio para el Futuro a través de reunir información sobre cómo y en base a qué somos clasificados por el Estado; sintetizando estos datos, damos forma a un test de un programa imaginario para personas en riesgo de convertirse en indigentes, que resolvería esta situación brindándoles una casa-refugio. Además, construimos una maqueta virtual de las viviendas mediante el videojuego de simulación social Los Sims 4 y recogemos todos los elementos que componen este proyecto en una página web.[EN] After having worked around the idea of Shelter in Escultura y Entorno Urbano course, we project the knowledge acquired in this theoretical-practical TFG. We create a Shelter for the Future model by gathering information on how and based on what we are classified by the State; synthesizing these data, we give form to a test of an imaginary program for people at risk of becoming indigent, which would solve this situation by offering them a home-shelter. In addition, we built a virtual model of the houses through the social simulation video game The Sims 4 and we collected all the elements that make up this project on a web page.Levaggi Ratto, GM. (2020). Refugio para el Futuro. Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/165505TFG

    Microbubble PhoXonic resonators: Chaos transition and transfer

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    We report the activation of optomechanical chaotic oscillations in microbubble resonators (MBRs) through a blue-side excitation of its optical resonances. We confirm the sequence of quasi-periodical oscillation, spectral continuum and aperiodic motion; as well as the transition to chaos without external feedback or modulation of the laser source. In particular, quasi periodic transitions and a spectral continuum are reported for MBRs with diameters up to 600 μm, whereas only an abrupt transition into a spectral con- tinuum is observed for larger microbubbles

    COVID-19 and cognitive function: Evidence for increased processing speed variability in COVID-19 survivors and multifaceted impairment with long-COVID symptoms

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    Abstract Background There is increasing evidence for cognitive function to be negatively impacted by COVID-19. There is, however, limited research evaluating cognitive function pre- and post-COVID-19 using objective measures. Methods We examined processing speed, attention, working memory, executive function and memory in adults (≤69 years) with a history of COVID-19 (n = 129, none acutely unwell), compared to those with no known history of COVID-19 (n = 93). We also examined cognitive changes in a sub-group of COVID (n = 30) and non-COVID (n = 33) participants, compared to their pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. Results Cross-sectionally, the COVID group showed significantly larger intra-individual variability in processing speed, compared to the non-COVID group. The COVID sub-group also showed significantly larger intra-individual variability in processing speed, compared to their pre-COVID level; no significant change occurred in non-COVID participants over the same time scale. Other cognitive indices were not significantly impacted in the cross-sectional or within-subjects investigations, but participants (n = 20) who had needed hospitalisation due to COVID-19 showed poor attention and executive function relative to those who had not required hospitalisation (n = 109). Poor health and long-COVID symptoms correlated with poor cognitive function across domains in the COVID group. Conclusions The findings indicate a limited cognitive impact of COVID-19 with only intra-individual variability in processing speed being significantly impacted in an adult UK sample. However, those who required hospitalisation due to COVID-19 severity and/or experience long-COVID symptoms display multifaceted cognitive impairment and may benefit from repeated cognitive assessments and remediation efforts

    Nonlinear optical effects and optomechanical oscillations in hollow Whispering Gallery Mode microresonators: coexistence, suppression, amplification and route to chaos

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    Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) hollow microcavities turn out to be the site of an extremely rich and complex phenomenological scenario when pumped with a continuous-wave laser source. The coexistence of numerous non-linear and optomechanical effects have been reviewed in this paper. In our previous works we have investigated and described non-linear emissions as the stimulated Brillouin and Raman scattering, the degenerated and non-degenerated Kerr effects, such as four wave mixing (FWM). These effects happened concomitantly to parametric optomechanical oscillations which are the consequence of the radiation pressure. We have confirmed the regenerative oscillation of acoustic eigenmodes of the cavity leading to parametric instabilities and the activation of optomechanical chaotic oscillations. Finally, we have demonstrated that the blue-side excitation of WGM resonances lead to the chaos transition with a spectral evolution depending on the cavity size

    Microglial extracellular vesicles induce Alzheimer’s diseaserelated cortico-hippocampal network dysfunction.

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    β-Amyloid is one of the main pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease and plays a major role in synaptic dysfunction. It has been demonstrated that β-amyloid can elicit aberrant excitatory activity in cortical-hippocampal networks, which is associated with behavioural abnormalities. However, the mechanism of the spreading of β-amyloid action within a specific circuitry has not been elucidated yet. We have previously demonstrated that the motion of microglia-derived large extracellular vesicles carrying β-amyloid, at the neuronal surface, is crucial for the initiation and propagation of synaptic dysfunction along the entorhinal–hippocampal circuit. Here, using chronic EEG recordings, we show that a single injection of extracellular vesicles carrying β-amyloid into the mouse entorhinal cortex could trigger alterations in the cortical and hippocampal activity that are reminiscent of those found in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models and human patients. The development of EEG abnormalities was associated with progressive memory impairment as assessed by an associative (object-place context recognition) and non-associative (object recognition) task. Importantly, when the motility of extracellular vesicles, carrying β-amyloid, was inhibited, the effect on network stability and memory function was significantly reduced. Our model proposes a new biological mechanism based on the extracellular vesicles–mediated progression of β-amyloid pathology and offers the opportunity to test pharmacological treatments targeting the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease

    Digital Interventions Supporting Self-care in People With Type 2 Diabetes Across Greater Manchester (Greater Manchester Diabetes My Way):Protocol for a Mixed Methods Evaluation

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    BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is common, with a prevalence of approximately 7% of the population in the United Kingdom. The quality of T2D care is inconsistent across the United Kingdom, and Greater Manchester (GM) does not currently achieve the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence treatment targets. Barriers to delivery of care include low attendance and poor engagement with local T2D interventions, which tend to consist of programs of education delivered in traditional, face-to-face clinical settings. Thus, a flexible approach to T2D management that is accessible to people from different backgrounds and communities is needed. Diabetes My Way (DMW) is a digital platform that offers a comprehensive self-management and educational program that should be accessible to a wide range of people through mobile apps and websites. Building on evidence generated by a Scotland-wide pilot study, DMW is being rolled out and tested across GM. OBJECTIVE: The overarching objectives are to assess whether DMW improves outcomes for patients with T2D in the GM area, to explore the acceptability of the DMW intervention to stakeholders, and to assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. METHODS: A mixed methods approach will be used. We will take a census approach to recruitment in that all eligible participants in GM will be invited to participate. The primary outcomes will be intervention-related changes compared with changes observed in a matched group of controls, and the secondary outcomes will be within-person intervention-related changes. The cost-effectiveness analysis will focus on obtaining reliable estimates of how each intervention affects risk factors such as HbA1c and costs across population groups. Qualitative data will be collected via semistructured interviews and focus groups and organized using template analysis. RESULTS: As of May 10, 2021, a total of 316 participants have been recruited for the quantitative study and have successfully enrolled. A total of 278 participants attempted to register but did not have appropriate permissions set by the general practitioners to gain access to their data. In total, 10 participants have been recruited for the qualitative study (7 practitioners and 3 patients). An extension to recruitment has been granted for the quantitative element of the research, and analysis should be complete by December 2022. Recruitment and analysis for the qualitative study should be complete by December 2021. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study can be used both to develop the DMW system and improve accessibility and usability in more deprived populations generally, thus improving equity in access to support for T2D self-management. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/2623

    Parametrical optomechanical oscillations in phoxonic whispering gallery mode resonators

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    We report on the experimental and theoretical analysis of parametrical optomechanical oscillations in hollow spherical phoxonic whispering gallery mode resonators due to radiation pressure. The optically excited acoustic eigenmodes of the phoxonic cavity oscillate regeneratively leading to parametric oscillation instabilities

    Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

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    IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

    Observation of gravitational waves from the coalescence of a 2.5−4.5 M⊙ compact object and a neutron star

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