Hormonal responses to competition

S p o rts competitions have been employed to analy ze the influence of social confro n t ations on hormonal levels. Howeve r, results have been inconsistent. Seve ral va ri ables such as outcome, phy s i c a l exe rtion, mood and causal at t ri bution have been considered as important mediat o rs of this infl u e nc e. Our aim was to examine their role in the testosterone and cortisol responses to a real confro n t ation. To this end, twe l ve judoists who part i c i p ated in a competition between clubs we re studied. Results showed non significant diffe rences depending on outcome in hormones, physical exe rtion, mood and causal at t ri bution; only sat i s faction with the outcome being significant. Intere s t i n g ly, testoste rone response was positive ly associated with self-ap p raisal of perfo rmance and at t ri bution of outcome to personal effo rt. Cortisol response showed a ve ry consistent re l ationship with negat ive moo d. These findings support a clear association of competition-induced hormonal responses with cogni t ive and emotional aspects rather than with objective (outcome or physical exe rtion) ch a ra c t e ri stics of the situat i o n

6β-Acetamido-5α-hydroxy­cholestan-3β-yl acetate

The title steroid, C31H53NO4, was prepared from the corresponding 5α,6α-epoxy­cholestane. The conformation of the six-membered rings is close to a chair form, while the five-membered ring adopts a twist conformation. The hydroxyl and acetamide groups are in axial positions. The nucleophilic species bound to the steroid nucleus at position 6 by the β-face, whereas the hydroxyl group at position 5 has α-orientation. All rings are trans-fused. The crystal packing shows that the mol­ecules related by twofold symmetry exist as O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonded dimers

Development and validation of a computational model for steak double-sided pan cooking

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a numerical model to adequately simulate the double-sided pan cooking of beef in a domestic environment. The proposed model takes into account the heat flow from the pan to the meat and the moisture transfer, simultaneously with the meat deformation. The model considers the swelling pressure gradient caused by the shrinkage of the meat fibers and connective tissue due to the denaturation of proteins and the loss of the water holding capacity during cooking. The model results were successfully verified with experimental data of the central temperature and weight loss recorded during cooking for three degrees of doneness. The measured experimental temperatures at the center of the meat were 30 ± 3 °C (very rare), 44 ± 3 °C (rare) and 57 ± 2 °C (done) for a 19 mm steak thickness. Meanwhile, their water losses were 4 ± 2 %, 8 ± 1 % and 11 ± 2 %, respectively. The root mean squared errors of the model predictions were 2.16 °C (very rare), 3.56 °C (rare) and 4.57 °C (done) for the central temperature and 1.48 %, 2.08 % and 2.40 %, respectively for the water loss. The model also correctly predicts cooking times for steaks of different thicknesses, taking weight loss as a reference to set this time. The proposed model is postulated as a useful cooking assistance tool to estimate the optimal cooking time according to consumer preferences

Short-term effects of impurities in the CO2 stream injected into fractured carbonates.

After the Paris Agreement in which 195 countries are involved, the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is now an accepted technology in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In Spain, Fundación Ciudad de la Energía (CIUDEN) has successfully completed the full CCS chain, being CO2 captured in the Technology Development Centre in Cubillos del Sil (León, Spain) whereas that it is geologically stored in a deep saline aquifer, formed by fractured carbonates with poor matrix porosity, located in the Technology Development Plant (TDP) at Hontomín (Burgos, Spain). The results of the field tests, in which up to 150 tons of CO2 and synthetic air (5 %v of N2 and O2) were co-injected on site, are analyzed in this paper comparing the operational parameters gained during the injection of impure CO2 (pressures, temperatures and flow ranges) with its corresponding baseline previously determined (i.e. 1,500 tons of pure CO2 were injected during the reservoir hydraulic characterization). Besides that, the geochemical reactivity analysis of impure CO2 injected in this saline aquifer and its correlation with the results from laboratory tests were assessed. As main conclusions from laboratory scale results, a porosity diminution was measured after the injection of CO2 with 5 %v of SO2; apart from that, without SO2, the effluent pH was in the range of 7-8 whereas in case of CO2 and SO2, a pH of 1-2 was obtained. Otherwise and focused on field scale tests, a density decrease was detected comparing the base case (pure CO2) with the CO2 injection containing 5.1 %v of synthetic air. On the other hand, Ca2+, SO42-, Mg2+ and K+ migration effects in the rock were also detected and analyzed

Hospitalización pediátrica evitable en la Comunidad Valenciana y Cataluña

ResumenObjetivoEstimar las tasas de hospitalización pediátrica evitable por áreas en la Comunidad Valenciana y sectores en Cataluña, y analizar su relación con el nivel socioeconómico o el desarrollo de la atención primaria.MétodoSe estudiaron las hospitalizaciones pediátricas evitables (0-14 años) a partir del Conjunto Mínimo de Datos Básicos del Alta Hospitalaria de la Comunidad Valenciana y de Cataluña (1993-1994). Las variables a estudio fueron: edad, género, nivel socioeconómico y cobertura del nuevo modelo de atención primaria. Se calcularon las tasas brutas y estandarizadas por edad y se realizó una descripción de su variación en áreas y sectores. Se analizó la relación entre las tasas y las características socioeconómicas y de la atención primaria.ResultadosLas hospitalizaciones pediátricas evitables representaron el 21% de todas las hospitalizaciones pediátricas en la Comunidad Valenciana y el 15% en Cataluña. Las tasas brutas en las áreas de la Comunidad Valenciana oscilaron entre 5,7 y 12,7 en 1993 y 6,6 y 17,8 en 1994. La razón de tasas fue de 2,2 y el coeficiente de variación de 37% en 1993 y de 2,7 y 48% respectivamente, en 1994. En los sectores de Cataluña oscilaron entre 2,7 y 24,3 en 1993 y 1,4 y 23,8 en 1994; la razón de tasas fue de 9 y el coeficiente de variación de 52% en 1993, y de 7 y 42% en 1994 respectivamente. Las diferencias encontradas fueron significativas (p < 0,005). No hubo correlación significativa entre el nivel socioeconómico y desarrollo de la atención primaria y las tasas de hospitalización pediátrica evitable por áreas o sectores.ConclusionesLas hospitalizaciones pediátricas evitables suponen una proporción importante de las hospitalizaciones pediátricas. Existe variación en las tasas de hospitalización pediátrica evitable por áreas y sectores, no asociada a los indicadores de nivel socioeconómico y atención primaria utilizados.SummaryObjectiveTo estimate the rates of avoidable pediatric hospitalization in the health areas of the Valencian Community and health sectors of Catalonia, and to analyze if they are related to socioeconomic level or development of primary care.MethodAvoilable paediatric (0-14 years old) hospitalizations were analyzed using the Minimum Basic Data Set of Hospital Discharge in two Autonomous Regions: the Valencian Community and Catalonia (1993-1994). Variables analyzed included age, gender, socioeconomic level and coverage by the new model of primary care. Crude and standardized rates for age were calculated and the variation in areas and sectors was assessed. The association between rates and socioeconomic and primary care characteristics was analyzed.ResultsAvoidable paediatric hospitalizations represent 21% of all paediatric hospitalizations in the Valencian Community and 15% in Catalonia. Crude rates for Valencian Community ranged between 5.7 and 12.7 in 1993 and 6.6 and 17.8 in 1994; extremal quotient was 2.2 and coefficient of variation 37% in 1993 and 2.7 and 48% respectively in 1994. For Catalonia they ranged between 2.7 and 24.3 in 1993 and 1.4 and 23.8 in 1994; extremal quotient was 9 and coefficient of variation 52% in 1993, and 7 and 42% in 1994 respectively. All these differences were significant (p < 0.005). There was no significant correlation between socieconomic level and development of primary health care and rates of avoidable paediatric hospitalization by health areas or sectors.ConclusionsAvoidable paediatric hospitalization represent a significant proportion of paediatric hospitalizations. There are differences in avoidable paediatric hospitalization rates by health areas and sectors, not associated with socieconomic level and primary care indicators

Relación de la actividad física con los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en ciudadanos adultos de Melilla

Physical activity has a positive influence on people's health, playing a key role in the prevention, treatment, control and rehabilitation of chronic non-communicable diseases. The aim of the study is to analyse the relationship between the practice of physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors. Cross-sectional and correlational study using a questionnaire with a sample of 160 participants. The results show that 70% of the sample stated that they did not do much physical activity compared to 33% who stated that they did moderate/high levels of physical activity. Of the variables related to cardiovascular risk, sex, glycemia and systolic blood pressure are significantly associated with the degree of physical activity (p&lt;.05). It is essential to strengthen health education for the entire population in order to maintain adequate physical activity and other healthy lifestyles that will have an impact on reducing preventable chronic diseases.La actividad física influye positivamente en la salud de las personas, teniendo un papel fundamental en la prevención, tratamiento, control y rehabilitación de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. El objetivo del estudio es analizar la relación entre la práctica de actividad física y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Estudio transversal y correlacional mediante un cuestionario con una muestra de 160 participantes. Los resultados muestran que el 70% de la muestra manifiesta no hacer prácticamente actividad física frente a un 33% que afirma realizar una actividad física moderada/alta. De las variables relacionadas con el riesgo cardiovascular sexo, glucemia y tensión arterial sistólica se encuentran asociadas con el grado de actividad física de forma significativa (p&lt;.05). Es fundamental reforzar la educación sanitaria a toda la población para mantener una adecuada actividad física y otros estilos de vida saludables que repercutan en la disminución de las enfermedades crónicas prevenibles

Modeling of the Sedative and Airway Obstruction Effects of Propofol in Patients with Parkinson Disease undergoing Stereotactic Surgery

BACKGROUND: Functional stereotactic surgery requires careful titration of sedation since patients with Parkinson disease need to be rapidly awakened for testing. This study reports a population pharmacodynamic model of propofol sedation and airway obstruction in the Parkinson disease population. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with advanced Parkinson disease undergoing functional stereotactic surgery were included in the study and received propofol target-controlled infusion to achieve an initial steady state concentration of 1 microg/ml. Sedation was measured using the Ramsay Sedation Scale. Airway obstruction was measured using a four-category score. Blood samples were drawn for propofol measurement. Individual pharmacokinetic profiles were constructed nonparametrically using linear interpolation. Time course of sedation and respiratory effects were described with population pharmacodynamic models using NONMEM. The probability (P) of a given level of sedation or airway obstruction was related to the estimated effect-site concentration of propofol (Ce) using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: The concentrations predicted by the target-controlled infusion system generally exceeded the measured concentrations. The estimates of C(50) for Ramsay scores 3, 4, and 5 were 0.1, 1.02, and 2.28 microg/ml, respectively. For airway obstruction scores 2 and 3, the estimates of C(50) were 0.32 and 2.98 microg/ml, respectively. Estimates of k(e0) were 0.24 and 0.5 1/min for the sedation and respiratory effects, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetic behavior of propofol in patients with Parkinson disease differs with respect to the population from which the model used by the target-controlled infusion device was developed. Based on the results from the final models, a typical steady state plasma propofol concentration of 0.35 microg/ml eliciting a sedation score of 3 with only minimal, if any, airway obstruction has been defined as the therapeutic target

Frozen spatial chaos induced by boundaries

We show that rather simple but non-trivial boundary conditions could induce the appearance of spatial chaos (that is stationary, stable, but spatially disordered configurations) in extended dynamical systems with very simple dynamics. We exemplify the phenomenon with a nonlinear reaction-diffusion equation in a two-dimensional undulated domain. Concepts from the theory of dynamical systems, and a transverse-single-mode approximation are used to describe the spatially chaotic structures.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, submitted for publication; for related work visit http://www.imedea.uib.es/~victo

Why simulate a sample of recycled wood?

Wood products follow the same cycle as other materials: manufacture, use and disposal. For certain applications, chemical additives are added to wood to increase its durability against biological and physical attack. At the end of life, waste wood is chipped or crushed before being recovered as raw material for new products or as fuel for energy. In recycled wood, there is the potential that some wood particles are contaminated by hazardous substances, such as organic or heavy metal preservatives. Therefore there is a need for a quality control method of assessing recovered wood that is on the one hand sufficiently precise and on the other not too expensive to preclude the use of recycling wood in to new products.This paper covers some preliminary research that is part of a large study that aims to develop a robust analytical method for recovered wood. However the extreme variability of recovered wood makes it difficult to develop such protocols on real recovered wood samples. Consequently, model chip piles with known contamination levels were created to simulate real world recovered wood samples