Memory effect in triglycine sulfate induced by a transverse electric field: specific heat measurement

The influence of a transverse electric field in the specific heat of triglycine sulphate (TGS) has been studied. The specific heat of TGS has been measured heating the sample from ferroelectric to paraelectric phase after prolonged transverse electric field (i.e. perpendicular to the ferroelectric axis). It is shown that the specific heat of TGS can remember the temperature $T_s$ at which the transverse field was previously applied.Comment: ReVTeX4 Twocolumn 4 pages, 4 figure

Analogías de redes eléctricas como herramienta educativa para el estudio de diversos fenómenos físicos

La resolución de problemas correspondientes a fenómenos físicos regidos por ecuaciones diferenciales en derivadas parciales, lineales o no, implica un conocimiento profundo de cálculo analítico o numérico por lo que, en general, estos problemas no se encuentran al alcance de los alumnos de facultades de ciencias o escuelas de ingeniería, desconocedores en su fase de formación de estas modernas y complejas técnicas matemáticas.A pesar de ello, es posible, en muchos casos, abordar la resolución de los mismos recurriendo al empleo de analogías y resolviendo los modelos formalmente equivalentes (es decir, regidos por el mismo conjunto de ecuaciones) mediante programas de ordenador adecuados a tal fin. Este es el caso de las analogías eléctricas ya que, una vez elaborado el modelo en red, se dispone de programas de resolución de circuitos de fácil manejo

Stem cells as a therapeutic tool for the blind: biology and future prospects

Retinal degeneration due to genetic, diabetic and age-related disease is the most common cause of blindness in the developed world. Blindness occurs through the loss of the light-sensing photoreceptors; to restore vision, it would be necessary to introduce alternative photosensitive components into the eye. The recent development of an electronic prosthesis placed beneath the severely diseased retina has shown that subretinal stimulation may restore some visual function in blind patients. This proves that residual retinal circuits can be reawakened after photoreceptor loss and defines a goal for stem-cell-based therapy to replace photoreceptors. Advances in reprogramming adult cells have shown how it may be possible to generate autologous stem cells for transplantation without the need for an embryo donor. The recent success in culturing a whole optic cup in vitro has shown how large numbers of photoreceptors might be generated from embryonic stem cells. Taken together, these threads of discovery provide the basis for optimism for the development of a stem-cell-based strategy for the treatment of retinal blindness

Intraocular retinal transplants

Embryonic rat retinae transplanted into the anterior chamber of adult rat eyes of the same or different strain survive and grow. Light and electron microscopic studies show that the transplants undergo histogenetic differentiation, resulting in the development of mature inner and outer layer neurons and Muller glial cells. Vascular connections develop between the host iris and the retinal transplant. These initial observations indicate that retinal transplantation to a recipient eye is a procedure which offers ample opportunities for the study of problems related to neural development, retinal plasticity and repair

Automated Synthesis of Tableau Calculi

This paper presents a method for synthesising sound and complete tableau calculi. Given a specification of the formal semantics of a logic, the method generates a set of tableau inference rules that can then be used to reason within the logic. The method guarantees that the generated rules form a calculus which is sound and constructively complete. If the logic can be shown to admit finite filtration with respect to a well-defined first-order semantics then adding a general blocking mechanism provides a terminating tableau calculus. The process of generating tableau rules can be completely automated and produces, together with the blocking mechanism, an automated procedure for generating tableau decision procedures. For illustration we show the workability of the approach for a description logic with transitive roles and propositional intuitionistic logic.Comment: 32 page

Generation of a novel three-dimensional scaffold-based model of the bovine endometrium

Bovine in vitro endometrial models that resemble tissue function in vivo are needed to study infertility, long-term uterine alterations induced by pathogens and impact of endocrine disruptor chemicals on reproductive function and other reproductive system complications that cause high economic losses in livestock species. The present study aimed to generate an innovative, reproducible, and functional 3D scaffold-based model of the bovine endometrium structurally robust for long term-culture. We developed a multicellular model containing both endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. Epithelial cells organized to form a luminal-like epithelial layer on the surface of the scaffold. Stromal cells produced their own extracellular matrix forming a stable subepithelial compartment that physiologically resembles the normal endometrium. Both cell types released prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2α following a treatment with oxytocin and arachidonic acid. Additionally signal pathways mediating oxytocin and arachidonic acid stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis were analyzed by real time PCR (RT-PCR). Oxytocin receptor (OXTR), prostaglandin E2 receptor 2 (EP2), prostaglandin E2 receptor 4 (EP4), prostaglandin F receptor (PTGFR), prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES), PGF-synthase (PGFS) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX-2) expression was detected in both control and treatment groups, however, only significant changes in abundance of OXTR mRNA transcripts were found. The results obtained by this study are a step forward in bovine in vitro culture technology. This 3D scaffold-based model provides a platform to study regulatory mechanisms involved in endometrial physiology and can set the basis for a broader tool for designing and testing novel therapeutic strategies for recurrent uterine pathologies

Avalanche criticality in the martensitic transition of Cu67.64Zn16.71Al15.65 shape-memory alloy: a calorimetric and acoustic emission study

The first-order diffusionless structural transition in Cu67.64Zn16.71Al15.65 is characterized by jerky propagation of phase fronts related to the appearance of avalanches. In this paper, we describe a full analysis of this avalanche behavior using calorimetric heat-flux measurements and acoustic emission measurements. Two different propagation modes, namely, smooth front propagation and jerky avalanches, were observed in extremely slow measurements with heating and cooling rates as low as a few 10−3 K/h. Avalanches show criticality where each avalanche leads to a spike in the heat flux. Their statistical analysis leads to a power law [P(E)∼E−ε, where P(E)dE is the probability to observe an avalanche with energy E in an interval between E and E+dE] with an energy exponent of ε=2.15±0.15 in excellent agreement with the results of acoustic emission measurements. Avalanches appear to be more common for heating rates faster than 5×10−3 K/h whereas smooth front propagation occurs in all calorimetric measurements and (almost) exclusively for slower heating rates. Repeated cooling runs were taken after a waiting time of 1 month (and an intermediate heating run). Correlations between the avalanche sequences of the two cooling runs were found for the strongest avalanche peaks but not for the full sequence of avalanches. The memory effect is hence limited to strong avalanches

MANEJO Y CONTROL DEL SÍNDROME DE ABSTINENCIA

Introduction.- Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a term used to denote a group of problems facing the newborn when he or she is no longer exposed to substances, drugs or narcotics. The dramatic increase in drug addiction in our population at the present time does not exclude women at the age of conception. A high number of women consume legal or illegal drugs during pregnancy and this is the cause of a public health problem that has great clinical, social and psychological repercussions for the newborn. It is estimated that one out of every 10 newborns may have been exposed to drugs during the intrauterine period. The abused drugs that the pregnant woman might consume are very varied as are its effects on the fetus and the neonate. NAS is going to become much more frequent (55-94% who are exposed to opiates or heroine). In this study we will concentrate on the NAS produced by opiate abstinence, given that more than 66% of children of women who depend on this type of drug show signs of NAS. The syndrome start date varied from shortly after birth, until two weeks of age. The signs appear about 72 hours after birth in most cases. The symptoms last from 8 to 16 weeks or more. Objectives.- Given its importance it is hoped that a standardized protocol might be established which could serve as a guide to nurses who work in Neonatology Units. Methodology (materials and methods).- A documented study has been carried out about NAS and the nursing process has been used as the instrument for executing protocol. The diagnostic protocol use nomenclature according to the (NANDA) North American Nursing Diagnosis Association. The nursing interventions are according to the NIC system (Nursing Interventions Classification) and the evaluation of results according to the NOC system (Nursing Outcomes Classification). The NOC system attempts to control the results after the various interventions in an immediate way and in the long term. Conclusions.- It is vitally important to use methodological instruments such as the nursing process (which should include diagnosis, interventions and results) for the elaboration and setting up of care protocols and for guaranteeing the quality and continuity of these protocols. Health education and the interaction between the nursing team and parents is very relevant in order to avoid possible hospital re-admittance and to achieve good quality care after hospital discharge.Objetivos: Dada su importancia, se pretende elaborar un protocolo estandarizado que sirva de guía a los enfermeros que trabajan en Unidades de Neonatología. Metodología (material y método): Se ha realizado un trabajo documental sobre el síndrome de abstinencia neonatal y se ha utilizado el proceso enfermero como instrumento para la realización del protocolo. Los Diagnósticos utilizados responden a la nomenclatura según la (NANDA)1 North American Nursing Diagnosis Association. Las intervenciones de enfermería están reflejadas según la clasificación (NIC)2 Nursing Interventions Classification y la evaluación de resultados según la clasificación (NOC)3 Nursing Outcomes Classification, que trata de controlar los resultados tras las distintas intervenciones de manera inmediata y a largo plazo. Diagnósticos (NANDA): Son la definición de los problemas detectados, desde el punto de vista de la patología serían problemas interdisciplinares (se afrontarían por el equipo multidisciplinar), u orientados a las respuestas humanas, problemas independientes (afrontados por el equipo de enfermería). Resultados esperados.- Son los objetivos que la enfermera pretende alcanzar. Vienen relacionados con el problema detectado y en cada caso se eligen los más adecuados según el criterio de la enfermera. Siguen la clasificación NOC Clasificación CRE (Clasificación de los Resultados de Enfermería). Intervenciones de enfermeria.- Están descritas en la clasificación NIC (Nursing Interventions Classification) Clasificación de Intervenciones de Enfermería (CIE) y precisan de una valoración continua de las mismas

ENTRAP and its potential interaction with European networks

AbstractENTRAP comprises a pan-European cooperation of leading scientific institutions and regulatory bodies in the field of nuclear-waste characterization and its quality assurance for the safe disposal of radioactive waste. Here, the scope of this cooperation is presented and explained and links or interfaces for a potential collaboration with partners fulfilling tasks of IDG-TP are pursued

FAIM-L regulation of XIAP degradation modulates Synaptic Long-Term Depression and Axon Degeneration

Caspases have recently emerged as key regulators of axonal pruning and degeneration and of long-term depression (LTD), a long-lasting form of synaptic plasticity. However, the mechanism underlying these functions remains unclear. In this context, XIAP has been shown to modulate these processes. The neuron-specific form of FAIM protein (FAIM-L) is a death receptor antagonist that stabilizes XIAP protein levels, thus preventing death receptor-induced neuronal apoptosis. Here we show that FAIM-L modulates synaptic transmission, prevents chemical-LTD induction in hippocampal neurons, and thwarts axon degeneration after nerve growth factor (NGF) withdrawal. Additionally, we demonstrate that the participation of FAIM-L in these two processes is dependent on its capacity to stabilize XIAP protein levels. Our data reveal FAIM-L as a regulator of axonal degeneration and synaptic plasticity