Multipath Modeling of Automotive Power Line Communication Channels

In this paper an in-vehicle power line channel mathematical multipath representation is proposed. The selected approach aims at describing the transmission of a signal on a possibly complex power network by means of a finite number of delayed echoes. Model parameters are computed via a welldefined step-by-step procedure from frequency-domain channel characteristics. The feasibility and strength of the method are demonstrated by means of a measurement campaign. Two-port scattering measurements have been carried out on a commercial automobile and the effect of the measurement setup has been considered in the analysis

Influence of the oxidizing agent in the synthesis of graphite oxide

The oxidation capacity of several procedures described in the literature which use different oxidizing agents has been exhaustively studied in order to describe the best route for oxidation of this material. The oxidation capacities of different types of materials were evaluated in the synthesis of graphite oxide in an effort to obtain a product with similar characteristics to those provided by commonly employed methods. The results obtained show that graphite oxide structures are greatly influenced by the nature of the oxidizing agent used. It was concluded that it is possible not only to establish the number of oxygenated groups attached to the structure but also, and depending on the oxidizing agent used, to know the stability of graphite oxide. The different characteristics of each graphite oxide obtained could facilitate their use in multiple applications.La capacidad de oxidación de varios procedimientos descritos en la literatura que utilizan diferentes agentes oxidantes ha sido exhaustivamente estudiada con el fin de describir la mejor ruta de oxidación de este material. Se evaluaron las capacidades de oxidación de diferentes tipos de materiales en la síntesis de óxido de grafito en un esfuerzo por obtener un producto con características similares a las proporcionadas por los métodos comúnmente empleados. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que las estructuras del óxido de grafito están muy influenciadas por la naturaleza del agente oxidante utilizado. Se concluyó que es posible no solo establecer el número de grupos oxigenados adheridos a la estructura sino también, y dependiendo del agente oxidante utilizado, conocer la estabilidad del óxido de grafito

TEMPRANILLO is a regulator of juvenility in plants

Many plants are incapable of flowering in inductive daylengths during the early juvenile vegetative phase (JVP). Arabidopsis mutants with reduced expression of TEMPRANILLO (TEM), a repressor of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) had a shorter JVP than wild-type plants. Reciprocal changes in mRNA expression of TEM and FT were observed in both Arabidopsis and antirrhinum, which correlated with the length of the JVP. FT expression was induced just prior to the end of the JVP and levels of TEM1 mRNA declined rapidly at the time when FT mRNA levels were shown to increase. TEM orthologs were isolated from antirrhinum (AmTEM) and olive (OeTEM) and were expressed most highly during their juvenile phase. AmTEM functionally complemented AtTEM1 in the tem1 mutant and over-expression of AmTEM prolonged the JVP through repression of FT and CONSTANS (CO). We propose that TEM may have a general role in regulating JVP in herbaceous and woody species

Insulin-like growth factor II prevents oxidative and neuronal damage in cellular and mice models of Parkinson's disease

Oxidative distress and mitochondrial dysfunction, are key factors involved in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). The pleiotropic hormone insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) has shown neuroprotective and antioxidant effects in some neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, we demonstrate the protective effect of IGF-II against the damage induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) in neuronal dopaminergic cell cultures and a mouse model of progressive PD. In the neuronal model, IGF-II counteracts the oxidative distress produced by MPP + protecting dopaminergic neurons. Improved mitochondrial function, increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like2 (NRF2) nuclear translocation along with NRF2-dependent upregulation of antioxidative enzymes, and modulation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway were identified as mechanisms leading to neuroprotection and the survival of dopaminergic cells. The neuroprotective effect of IGF-II against MPP + -neurotoxicity on dopaminergic neurons depends on the specific IGF-II receptor (IGF-IIr). In the mouse model, IGF-II prevents behavioural dysfunction and dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway degeneration and mitigates neuroinflammation induced by MPP+. Our work demonstrates that hampering oxidative stress and normalising mitochondrial function through the interaction of IGF-II with its specific IGF-IIr are neuroprotective in both neuronal and mouse models. Thus, the modulation of the IGF-II/IGF-IIr signalling pathway may be a useful therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of PD

Manganese oxide-based catalysts for toluene oxidation

Four different catalysts based on manganese oxide were prepared: a perovskite (LaMnO3), via sol-gel method; Mn2O3, rapid method and an Octahedral Molecular Sieve (OMS-2) by two different preparation methods, via solid state (OMSs) and hydrothermal method (OMSh). The physicochemical properties of these catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption at −196 °C, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen (H2-TPR). Their catalytic performances were evaluated in the catalytic oxidation of toluene. Three consecutive catalytic cycles were performed for each catalyst in order to reach steady state performances. In order to assess the stability of the catalysts under reaction conditions, the catalytic performances were studied upon long term experiments running for 24 h at 25% of toluene conversion. For comparison purposes, the catalytic activity of the present manganese oxide catalysts was compared with that of typical industrial catalysts such as a commercial Pd/Al2O3 catalyst containing 0.78% Pd. The crystalline features detected in the XRD patterns, are well-consistent with the formation of the desired structures. Based on their specific surface area and their low-temperature reducibility, the catalysts were ranked as follows: OMSs > Mn2O3 > OMSh > LaMnO3. This trend was in good agreement with the performances observed in the catalytic removal of toluene. A kinetic model was proposed and a good agreement was obtained upon fitting with the experimental data.Se prepararon cuatro catalizadores diferentes a base de óxido de manganeso : una perovskita (LaMnO 3 ), por el método sol-gel; Mn 2 O 3 , método rápido y Tamiz Molecular Octaédrico (OMS-2) por dos métodos de preparación diferentes, vía estado sólido (OMS s ) e hidrotermal (OMS h ). Las propiedades fisicoquímicas de estos catalizadores se caracterizaron por difracción de rayos X (XRD), adsorción-desorción de N 2 a −196 °C, análisis termogravimétrico y térmico diferencial (TGA/DTA), espectroscopia de emisión óptica de plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP-OES) y reducción a temperatura programada con hidrógeno (H 2-TPR). Sus actuaciones catalíticas se evaluaron en la oxidación catalítica de tolueno. Se realizaron tres ciclos catalíticos consecutivos para cada catalizador con el fin de alcanzar rendimientos de estado estable. Para evaluar la estabilidad de los catalizadores en las condiciones de reacción, se estudiaron los rendimientos catalíticos en experimentos a largo plazo durante 24 h al 25 % de conversión de tolueno. Con fines comparativos, la actividad catalítica de los presentes catalizadores de óxido de manganeso se comparó con la de los catalizadores industriales típicos, como el Pd/Al 2 O 3 comercial.catalizador que contiene 0,78% Pd. Las características cristalinas detectadas en los patrones XRD son consistentes con la formación de las estructuras deseadas. Según su área de superficie específica y su reducibilidad a baja temperatura, los catalizadores se clasificaron de la siguiente manera: OMS s > Mn 2 O 3 > OMS h > LaMnO 3 . Esta tendencia estaba en buen acuerdo con los rendimientos observados en la eliminación catalítica de tolueno. Se propuso un modelo cinético y se obtuvo un buen acuerdo al ajustar con los datos experimentales

Advanced trajectory generator for two carts with RGB-D sensor on circular rail

This paper presents a motorised circular rail that generates the motion of two carts with an RGB-D sensor each. The objective of both carts' trajectory generation is to track a person's physical rehabilitation exercises from two points of view and his/her emotional state from one of these viewpoints. The person is moving freely his/her position and posture within the circle drawn by the motorised rail. More specifically, this paper describes the calculation of trajectories for safe motion of the two carts on the motorised circular rail in detail. Lastly, a study case is offered to show the performance of the described control algorithms for trajectory generation.- This work was partially supported by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades, Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (AEI) / European Regional Development Fund (FEDER, UE) under DPI2016-80894-R grant

Nivolumab and sunitinib combination in advanced soft tissue sarcomas : A multicenter, single-arm, phase Ib/II trial

Sarcomas exhibit low expression of factors related to immune response, which could explain the modest activity of PD-1 inhibitors. A potential strategy to convert a cold into an inflamed microenvironment lies on a combination therapy. As tumor angiogenesis promotes immunosuppression, we designed a phase Ib/II trial to test the double inhibition of angiogenesis (sunitinib) and PD-1/PD-L1 axis (nivolumab). This single-arm, phase Ib/II trial enrolled adult patients with selected subtypes of sarcoma. Phase Ib established two dose levels: level 0 with sunitinib 37.5 mg daily from day 1, plus nivolumab 3 mg/kg intravenously on day 15, and then every 2 weeks; and level-1 with sunitinib 37.5 mg on the first 14 days (induction) and then 25 mg per day plus nivolumab on the same schedule. The primary endpoint was to determine the recommended dose for phase II (phase I) and the 6-month progression-free survival rate, according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 (phase II). From May 2017 to April 2019, 68 patients were enrolled: 16 in phase Ib and 52 in phase II. The recommended dose of sunitinib for phase II was 37.5 mg as induction and then 25 mg in combination with nivolumab. After a median follow-up of 17 months (4-26), the 6-month progression-free survival rate was 48% (95% CI 41% to 55%). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events included transaminitis (17.3%) and neutropenia (11.5%). Sunitinib plus nivolumab is an active scheme with manageable toxicity in the treatment of selected patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma, with almost half of patients free of progression at 6 months

An update on the management of sporadic desmoid-type fibromatosis: A European Consensus Initiative between Sarcoma PAtients EuroNet (SPAEN) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)/Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group (STBSG)

Desmoid-type fibromatosis is a rare and locally aggressive monoclonal, fibroblastic proliferation characterized by a variable and often unpredictable clinical course. Currently, there is no established or evidence-based treatment approach available for this disease. Therefore, in 2015 the European Desmoid Working Group published a position paper giving recommendations on the treatment of this intriguing disease. Here, we present an update of this consensus approach based on professionals' AND patients' expertise following a round table meeting bringing together sarcoma experts from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group with patients and patient advocates from Sarcoma PAtients EuroNet. In this paper, we focus on new findings regarding the prognostic value of mutational analysis in desmoid-type fibromatosis patients and new systemic treatment options

Structural Conformers of (1,3-Dithiol-2-ylidene)ethanethioamides: The Balance Between Thioamide Rotation and Preservation of Classical Sulfur-Sulfur Hypervalent Bonds

The reaction of N-(2-phthalimidoethyl)-N-alkylisopropylamines and S2Cl2 gave 4-N-(2-phthalimidoethyl)-N-alkylamino-5-chloro-1,2-dithiol-3-thiones that quantitatively cycloadded to dimethyl or diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate to give stable thioacid chlorides, which in turn reacted with one equivalent of aniline or a thiole to give thioanilides or a dithioester. Several compounds of this series showed atropisomers that were studied by a combination of dynamic NMR, simulation of the signals, conformational analysis by DFT methods, and single crystal X-ray diffraction, showing a good correlation between the theoretical calculations, the experimental values of energies, and the preferred conformations in the solid state. The steric hindering of the crowded substitution at the central amine group was found to be the reason for the presence of permanent atropisomers in this series of compounds and the cause of a unique disposition of the thioxo group at close-to-right angles with respect to the plane defined by the 1,3-dithiole ring in the dithiafulvene derivatives, thus breaking the sulfur–sulfur hypervalent bond that is always found in this kind of compounds.Ministerio de Economıá y Competitividad, Spain (Project CTQ2012- 31611), Junta de Castilla y León, Consejería de Educación y Cultura y Fondo Social Europeo (Project BU246A12-1), and the European Commission, Seventh Framework Programme (Project SNIFFER FP7-SEC-2012-312411