Combined update scheme in the Sznajd model

We analyze the Sznajd opinion formation model, where a pair of neighboring individuals sharing the same opinion on a square lattice convince its six neighbors to adopt their opinions, when a fraction of the individuals is updated according to the usual random sequential updating rule (asynchronous updating), and the other fraction, the simultaneous updating (synchronous updating). This combined updating scheme provides that the bigger the synchronous frequency becomes, the more difficult the system reaches a consensus. Moreover, in the thermodynamic limit, the system needs only a small fraction of individuals following a different kind of updating rules to present a non-consensus state as a final state.Comment: 9 pages including figures. To appear in Physica

Integrating quality costs and real time data to define quality control

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) The control of critical to quality (CTQ) parameters can be done in a given process or in a downstream process. Companies must decide which CTQ parameters will be controlled, in which process, and define the control method: statistical process control (SPC) or 100% inspection. However, operational constraints can influence its definition. Overall, the control for a given process can be excessive or insufficient, resulting in a non-optimal quality cost. This paper discusses the relevance of different factors that can influence the selection of a quality control method. Then, it assesses the likelihood of companies having reliable data on such factors and it is proposed a model to minimize the total quality costs of a given process. The model uses information like SPC efficiency in detecting potential process variations, false alarms, measurement system error, inspection cost, repair cost and the cost of passing defective units to the next process. The quality control method can be updated whenever recent data on the 18 parameters are available. Through an application example, quality control mechanisms are selected to minimize quality costs.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(UID/CEC/00319/2019

Nanostructured heterogeneous catalysts for bioorthogonal reactions

Bioorthogonal chemistry has inspired a new subarea of chemistry providing a powerful tool to perform novel biocompatible chemospecific reactions in living systems. Following the premise that they do not interfere with biological functions, bioorthogonal reactions are increasingly applied in biomedical research, particularly with respect to genetic encoding systems, fluorogenic reactions for bioimaging, and cancer therapy. This Minireview compiles recent advances in the use of heterogeneous catalysts for bioorthogonal reactions. The synthetic strategies of Pd-, Au-, and Cu-based materials, their applicability in the activation of caged fluorophores and prodrugs, and the possibilities of using external stimuli to release therapeutic substances at a specific location in a diseased tissue are discussed. Finally, we highlight frontiers in the field, identifying challenges, and propose directions for future development in this emerging field.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2020-113704RB-I00Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2022/24Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431H 2020/08Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431G 2019-06Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481B-2019-07

Relationship between Leg Strength and Balance and Lean Body Mass. Benefits for Active Aging

Physical activity (PA) can bring incalculable benefits to people throughout the aging process. The objective of this study was to determine the relationships between the leg and arm strength, body composition and balance of elderly people. Twenty-one people (9 men and 12 women) over 60 years of age voluntarily participated in this study. Bioimpedance tests were carried out to obtain body mass data, manual dynamometer tests and the lower limbs test were conducted to obtain strength values, and the stork balance stand test was conducted to assess static balance. As a result, medium-high correlation coefficients were obtained between the aforementioned dependent variables. The highest value corresponded to the relationship between the results of the dominant hand strength test (right hand in all participants) and the lean body mass (LBM) of the participant (R2 = 75%, p < 0.001). The results indicated that strength capacity, recorded by dynamometry, and balance ability have a direct relationship with the body composition of the subject, especially with their lean body mass. These data suggest that a greater lean body mass can provide greater strength and balance in the elderly, so it would improve or have greater duration the functionality and independence of the person, thereby justifying direct benefits in people and indirect benefits in public administrations that finance these social issues

Tailoring Plasmonic Bimetallic Nanocatalysts Toward Sunlight-Driven H-2 Production

Hybrid nanoparticles combining plasmonic and catalytic components have recently gained interest for their potential use in sunlight-to-chemical energy conversion. However, a deep understanding of the structure-performance that maximizes the use of the incoming energy remains elusive. Here, a suite of Au and Pd based nanostructures in core-shell and core-satellites configurations are designed and their photocatalytic activity for Hydrogen (H-2) generation under sunlight illumination is tested. Formic acid is employed as H-2 source. Core-satellite systems show a higher enhancement of the reaction upon illumination, compared to core-shell ones. Electromagnetic simulations reveal that a key difference between both configurations is the excitation of highly localized and asymmetric electric fields in the gap between both materials. In this scheme, the core Au particle acts as an antenna, efficiently capturing visible light via the excitation of localized plasmon resonances, while the surrounding Pd satellites transduce the locally-enhanced electric field into catalytic activity. These findings advance the understanding of plasmon-driven photocatalysis, and provide an important benchmark to guide the design of the next generation of plasmonic bimetallic nanostructures

Preliminary results of the 2017 season in the Amazonian earthen structures known as geoglyphs.

La primera sesión de trabajo de campo del equipo conjunto de investigación de la de la Universitat de València Estudi General (UVEG) y  la Universidad Federal de Acre (UFAC) ha avanzado significativamente en el conocimiento de las estructuras de tierra construidas en el paisaje amazónico, conocidas popularmente como "geoglifos". En ella se ha realizado por primera vez una topografía de alta precisión y ha permitido hallar una nueva estructura que sumar al catálago en el territorio de la "Reserva Extrativista Chico Mendés"

Modelling of the radiative properties of an opaque porous ceramic layer

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) operate at temperatures above 1,100 K where radiation effects can be significant. Therefore, an accurate thermal model of an SOFC requires the inclusion of the contribution of thermal radiation. This implies that the thermal radiative properties of the oxide ceramics used in the design of SOFCs must be known. However, little information can be found in the literature concerning their operating temperatures. On the other hand, several types of ceramics with different chemical compositions and microstructures for designing efficient cells are now being tested. This is a situation where the use of a numerical tool making possible the prediction of the thermal radiative properties of SOFC materials, whatever their chemical composition and microstructure are, may be a decisive help. Using this method, first attempts to predict the radiative properties of a lanthanum nickelate porous layer deposited onto an yttria stabilized zirconium substrate can be reported

Euthanasia, in the light of the UDBHR, around the world and in Brazil

A eutanásia pode ser entendida como o ato, praticado por um terceiro, que põe intencionalmente fim à vida de uma pessoa sob demanda desta. Este documento analisa algumas legislações internacionais a respeito, à luz da Declaração Universal sobre Bioética e Direitos Humanos da Unesco. O referido documento serviu de base para muitos países europeus regular diferentes formas de eutanásia. Encontrou-se que a legislação belga, promulgada em 2002, não fere o disposto na Declaração e que não há, no Brasil, normativa específica que regulamente a eutanásia, além de que, iniciativas neste tema não avançam no parlamento nacional. É importante que as regulamentações do assunto se adequem à realidade de cada país, mas evitando que a visão moral majoritária sobre o assunto se imponha sobre a moralidade de uma minoria vulnerável. A criação de um Conselho Nacional de Bioética no Brasil seria importante passo para apoio à regulamentação da questão.Euthanasia can be understood as the act, practiced by a third party, of intentionally ending the life of a person upon his/her request. This document analyzes some legislation on euthanasia around the word, in the light of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. It was documented that only four European countries have regulated some form of euthanasia. The Belgian legislation, enacted in 2002, does not violate the provisions of the Declaration. There are not, in Brazil, specific rules governing euthanasia, and initiatives in this area do not advance in Parliament. It is important these regulations to be related to the reality of each country, but preventing the main morality to be imposed on the morality of a vulnerable minority. The creation of a National Council on Bioethics in Brazil would be an important step to regulate such issues

The impact of physical exercise on the skeletal muscle clock genes

The most important circadian synchronizer is the central clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. The rhythmicity of all organs is achieved by molecular clock gene expression in the central clock and the pace is reached through neuronal and humoral signals to peripheral tissues. Skeletal muscle is one of the peripheral organs that express clock and clock controlled genes (CCGs) which display circadian rhythmicity. Recent studies have pointed out the role of clock genes in skeletal muscle function and metabolism. The expression of clock genes in skeletal muscle might be altered by several external stimuli and also by different diseases. Physical exercise is a nonphotic stimulus that can realign the skeletal muscle circadian system to the central clock, imposing a new rhythm at the organism level. This effect may be crucial to prevent or ameliorate diseases and disorders caused by disruptions of circadian rhythms. In this review, we discuss the role of clock genes in skeletal muscle function and the importance of physical exercise as a potent synchronizing stimulus for the skeletal muscle molecular clock

The impact of physical exercise on the skeletal muscle clock genes

The most important circadian synchronizer is the central clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. The rhythmicity of all organs is achieved by molecular clock gene expression in the central clock and the pace is reached through neuronal and humoral signals to peripheral tissues. Skeletal muscle is one of the peripheral organs that express clock and clock controlled genes (CCGs) which display circadian rhythmicity. Recent studies have pointed out the role of clock genes in skeletal muscle function and metabolism. The expression of clock genes in skeletal muscle might be altered by several external stimuli and also by different diseases. Physical exercise is a nonphotic stimulus that can realign the skeletal muscle circadian system to the central clock, imposing a new rhythm at the organism level. This effect may be crucial to prevent or ameliorate diseases and disorders caused by disruptions of circadian rhythms. In this review, we discuss the role of clock genes in skeletal muscle function and the importance of physical exercise as a potent synchronizing stimulus for the skeletal muscle molecular clock