Feminism and disability

Las mujeres con discapacidad se encuentran bajo, al menos, una doble discriminación y exclusión social, en cuanto mujeres y en cuanto personas con discapacidad. Para realizar un análisis profundo de la situación real de las mujeres con discapacidad, es necesario comprender cuáles han sido los modelos que pueden darle una respuesta político-jurídica. Así, se identifica el modelo feminista, en donde se pretende indagar acerca de la posible conexión, o no, con el modelo social de la discapacidad. En el balance que arroja este análisis se repara en la relevancia y en lo acertado del pensamiento feminista cuando aborda la cuestión de la desigualdad entre el hombre y la mujer, pero se lo observa incompleto respecto a la mujer con discapacidad como parte de este movimiento.Women with disabilities are under a double discrimination and social exclusion as women and as persons with disabilities. To perform a thorough and critical analysis of women with disabilities situation, it’s necessary to understand what models can give a political and legal response. In this perspective, can be identified the feminist movement, which is intended to inquire about the possible connection, or not, between social model of disability and the feminist movement itself. This critical analysis repaired in the exactness and relevance of the feminist theory when addressing the issue of inequality between men and women, but observes an incomplete study regarding women with disabilities as part of this movement

Distributed parameter model simulation tool for PEM fuel cells

En este trabajo se ha desarrollado una herramienta de simulación para pilas de combustible tipo PEM, basada en un modelo de parámetros distribuidos. La herramienta está diseñada para realizar estudios de variaciones espaciales y temporales a lo largo de los canales de alimentación de reactantes. El trabajo muestra y analiza los resultados de simulación de una monocelda monocanal. Las variables estudiadas son las concentraciones de los reactantes, presiones, temperaturas, humidificación, contenido de agua de la membrana, corriente, entre otras que influyen significativamente sobre el rendimiento y durabilidad de las pilas PEM.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Distributed parameter model simulation tool for PEM fuel cells

In this work, a simulation tool for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) has been developed, based on a distributed parameter model. The tool is designed to perform studies of time and space variations in the direction of the gas channels. Results for steady-state and dynamic simulations for a single cell of one channel are presented and analyzed. Considered variables are concentrations of reactants, pressures, temperatures, humidification, membrane water content, current density, among others that have significant effects on the performance and durability of PEMFC. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Order reduction of a distributed parameter PEM fuel cell anode gas channel model

Distributed parameter modeling is required to accurately consider space variations, which are important regarding the performance and durability of the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) [1-3]. However, the number of differential and algebraic equations (DAE) obtained from the discretization of a set of partial differential equations (PDE) is very large, and this not only slows down the numerical simulations, but also complicates the design of online model-based controllers. The inclusion of complex DAE models within model-based control schemes requires a previous simplification. A method to simplify complex models consists of reducing the order while preserving the relationship between certain input and output variables, determined from the control objectives. These Model Order Reduction (MOR) techniques have been extended to DAE systems [4]. This work focuses on obtaining an order reduced model, from a PEMFC anode gas channel PDE model, which incorporates the effects of distributed parameters that are relevant for the proper functioning and performance of PEMFC. The original model is an in-house MATLAB® code, flexible enough to manipulate the underlying model equations and apply MOR techniques. The obtained order-reduced model is suitable to perform numerical simulations and design efficient controllers for the original nonlinear PDE model.Postprint (published version

Effects of forced swimming stress on ERK and histone H3 phosphorylation in limbic areas of Roman high-and low-avoidance rats

Stressful events evoke molecular adaptations of neural circuits through chromatin remodeling and regulation of gene expression. However, the identity of the molecular pathways activated by stress in experimental models of depression is not fully understood. We investigated the effect of acute forced swimming (FS) on the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 (pERK) and histone H3 (pH3) in limbic brain areas of genetic models of vulnerability (RLA, Roman low-avoidance rats) and resistance (RHA, Roman high-avoidance rats) to stress-induced depression-like behavior. We demonstrate that FS markedly increased the density of pERK-positive neurons in the infralimbic (ILCx) and the prelimbic area (PrLCx) of the prefrontal cortex (PFCx), the nucleus accumbens, and the dorsal blade of the hippocampal dentate gyrus to the same extent in RLA and RHA rats. In addition, FS induced a significant increase in the intensity of pERK immunoreactivity (IR) in neurons of the PFCx in both rat lines. However, RHA rats showed stronger pERK-IR than RLA rats in the ILCx both under basal and stressed conditions. Moreover, the density of pH3-positive neurons was equally increased by FS in the PFCx of both rat lines. Interestingly, pH3-IR was higher in RHA than RLA rats in PrLCx and ILCx, either under basal conditions or upon FS. Finally, colocalization analysis showed that in the PFCx of both rat lines, almost all pERK-positive cells express pH3, whereas only 50% of the pH3-positive neurons is also pERK-positive. Moreover, FS increased the percentage of neurons that express exclusively pH3, but reduced the percentage of cells expressing exclusively pERK. These results suggest that (i) the distinctive patterns of FS-induced ERK and H3 phosphorylation in the PFCx of RHA and RLA rats may represent molecular signatures of the behavioural traits that distinguish the two lines and (ii) FS-induced H3 phosphorylation is, at least in part, ERK-independent

Many signs, one mutation : Early onset of de novo GATA2 deficiency syndrome. A case report

We report a case with a broad spectrum of symptoms, related to GATA2 deficiency syndrome, which emerged as early as at 6 months of age. They ranged from lymphedema, deafness to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Non-hematologic symptoms may long precede myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosis in patients with GATA2 mutations

Binge-like administration of alcohol mixed to energy drinks to male adolescent rats severely impacts on mesocortical dopaminergic function in adulthood: A behavioral, neurochemical and electrophysiological study

A growing body of evidence indicates that the practice of consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks (ED) (AMED) in a binge drinking pattern is significantly diffusing among the adolescent population. This behavior, aimed at increasing the intake of alcohol, raises serious concerns about its long-term effects. Epidemiological studies suggest that AMED consumption might increase vulnerability to alcohol abuse and have a gating effect on the use of illicit drugs. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is involved in the modulation of the reinforcing effects of alcohol and of impulsive behavior and plays a key role in the development of addiction. In our study, we used a binge-like protocol of administration of alcohol, ED, or AMED in male adolescent rats, to mimic the binge-like intake behavior observed in humans, in order to evaluate whether these treatments could differentially affect the function of mesocortical dopaminergic neurons in adulthood. We did so by measuring: i) physiological sensorimotor gating; ii) voluntary alcohol consumption and dopamine transmission before, during, and after presentation of alcohol; iii) electrophysiological activity of VTA dopaminergic neurons and their sensitivity to a challenge with alcohol. Our results indicate that exposure to alcohol, ED, or AMED during adolescence induces differential adaptive changes in the function of mesocortical dopaminergic neurons and, in particular, that AMED exposure decreases their sensitivity to external stimuli, possibly laying the foundation for the altered behaviors observed in adulthood

How the cognitive reserve interacts with β-amyloid deposition in mitigating FDG metabolism: An observational study

This observational study had the aim to assess the interaction between cognitive reserve (CR) and cerebrospinal fluid β-amyloid1-42 (Aβ1-42) in modulating brain [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) metabolism in patients with moderate Alzheimer disease (AD).Twenty-seven patients with probable AD and 25 neurological normal subjects (NNS) entered the study. All participants had an FDG-PET scan, and AD patients also received a lumbar puncture to measure Aβ1-42, 181p-tau, and Tau concentrations. Based on years of formal education, AD patients were classified as highly educated-AD (years of formal education >5) or less educated-AD (years of formal education <5). By using a voxel-wise approach, we first investigated differences in the cerebral glucose uptake between AD and NNS, then we assessed the interaction between level of education (a proxy of CR) and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers on FDG-PET metabolism in the patient groups.Significantly lower glucose uptake was observed in the posterior cingulate gyrus, in the precuneus, in the inferior and medial temporal gyrus, and in the inferior parietal lobule of AD patients compared with NNS. A significant interaction was found between CR and Aβ1-42 values on brain metabolism in the inferior and medial temporal gyrus bilaterally.The AD patients with higher CR level and marked signs of neuropathology showed glucose hypometabolism in regions typically targeted by AD pathology. This finding supports the hypothesis that CR partially compensates for the effect of Aβ plaques on cognitive impairment, helps in patients' clinical staging, and opens new possibilities for the development of nonpharmacological interventions

Boosting methane partial oxidation on ceria through exsolution of robust Ru nanoparticles

[EN] Finding sustainable routes for the transformation of CO2 into fuels and added-value chemicals is key for mitigating greenhouse gas emission. In this respect, chemical-looping reforming coupled with CO2 splitting emerges as a promising technology to produce syngas, using waste or solar heat as an energy source. It relies on metal oxides that act as redox intermediates and, thus, the stability and catalytic activity of the oxides are crucial. For that purpose, ceria has been widely used due to its superior multicyclic stability and fast CO2 splitting kinetics. However, it also presents low capacity for oxygen exchange or supply compared with other oxides and slow methane partial oxidation kinetics, which is normally improved by cationic doping or catalytic surface activation via metal impregnation. The high temperatures (900 degrees C) required for these reactions lead to catalyst deactivation over time due to sintering of metallic clusters. In order to circumvent this issue, in this work we have utilized the exsolution method to create uniformly dispersed Ru nanoparticles (ca. 5 nm) that remain anchored to the cerium oxide backbone, guaranteeing its microstructural stability and catalytic activity over prolonged cycling. We provide evidence for metallic Ru exsolution and further demonstrate the outstanding benefits of exsolved nanoparticles in the partial oxidation of methane following a chemical-loop reforming scheme, especially in the temperature range in which industrial waste heat could be used as an energy source to drive the reaction. Remarkably, at 700 degrees C surface functionalization with exsolved Ru nanoparticles enables high CO selectivity (99% versus 62% for CeO2) and about 2 orders of magnitude faster H-2 production rates. The dispersion and size of the exsolved Ru nanoparticles were maintained after a durability test of 20 chemical loops at 900 degrees C, indicating their robustness. Overall, the results presented here point towards the unique characteristics of nanoparticle exsolution for preventing agglomeration, which could find application in other catalytic or electrochemical processes for target hydrocarbon production.AJC and MB would like to acknowledge the support of Juan de la Cierva fellowships by the Spanish Ministry of Science (grant numbers FJCI-2017-33967 and IJCI-2017-34110). We acknowledge the support of the Electronic Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Carrillo-Del Teso, AJ.; Navarrete Algaba, L.; Laqdiem-Marin, M.; Balaguer Ramirez, M.; Serra Alfaro, JM. (2021). Boosting methane partial oxidation on ceria through exsolution of robust Ru nanoparticles. Materials Advances. 2(9):2924-2934. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ma00044f292429342

Neuroplastic changes in c-Fos, ΔFosB, BDNF, trkB, and Arc expression in the hippocampus of male Roman rats: differential effects of sexual activity

Sexual activity causes differential changes in the expression of markers of neural activation (c-Fos and Delta FosB) and neural plasticity (Arc and BDNF/trkB), as determined either by Western Blot (BDNF, trkB, Arc, and Delta FosB) or immunohistochemistry (BDNF, trkB, Arc, and c-Fos), in the hippocam pus of male Roman high (RHA) and low avoidance (RLA) rats, two psychogenetically selected rat lines that display marked differences in sexual behavior (RHA rats exhibit higher sexual motivation and better copulatory performance than RLA rats). Both methods showed (with some differences) that sexual activity modifies the expression levels of these markers in the hippocampus of Roman rats depending on: (i) the level of sexual experience, that is, changes were usually more evident in sexually naive than in experienced rats; (ii) the hippocampal partition, that is, BDNF and Arc increased in the dorsal but tended to decrease in the ventral hippocampus; (iii) the marker considered, that is, in sexually experienced animals BDNF, c-Fos, and Arc levels were similar to those of controls, while Delta FosB levels increased; and (iv) the rat line, that is, changes were usually larger in RHA than RLA rats. These findings resemble those of early studies in RHA and RLA rats showing that sexual activity influences the expression of these markers in the nucleus accumbens, medial prefrontal cortex, and ventral tegmental area, and show for the first time that also in the hippocampus sexual activity induces neural activation and plasticity, events that occur mainly during the first phase of the acquisition of sexual experience and depend on the genotypic/phenotypic characteristics of the animals