Venedikov, A. P., Vieira, R., & Toro y Llaca, C. D. (1993). Nuevas aportaciones al análisis de observaciones de mareas terrestres.

A new method recently developed in Spain is briefly discussed. The method suggests to use a sophisticated scheme for the appproximation of the drift of the tidal records. The drift is represented separately in subintervals of the record through polynomials of a variable power. An optimum power is estimated for every subinterval by testing statistical hypotheses through the criteria of Fisher and Akaike (AJC) and multiple analysis of all data for every value of the polynomial's power

Analysis of tidal strain observations in Lanzarote Island

Comunicación presntada a la 3ª Asamblea Hispano-Portuguesa de Geodesia y Geofísica = 3ª Assembleia Luso-Espanhola de Geodesia e Geofisica, celebrada en Valencia entre el 4 y el 8 de febrero de 2002.The strain response of the Earth to tidal forces is observed in the Geodynamics Laboratory of Lanzarote Island. The instruments, installed in a gallery inside the lava tunnel of Cueva de los Verdes, are kind of horizontal ceramic-tube extensometers. Their base fines comprise from 8 to 38 m length and are orientated in two orthogonal directions (45º.2 N Y 135°.2 N), which depend on the situation in the gallery. The reliability of this instruments, which measure the variation of distance between two fixed points with a resolution of 10 -10, allow us to dispose long term series of tidal strains since 1992. The data series are analysed in order to study the stability of the instruments. Also, with these data we can determine the tidal strain models, as well as the tidal deformation and the long-term variations of strains in this island. Due to the dependence of the local conditions of the station, which is located in an island, the oceanic influence will be investigated together with local atmospheric disturbing effects. These effects are carefully studied for this station, in order to allow the identification and, if possible, its separation from other signals of interest, given the volcanic feature of the island.Peer reviewe

Probing deep tissues with laser-induced thermotherapy using near-infrared light

Optically tunable gold nanoparticles have been widely used in research with near-infrared light as a means to enhance laser-induced thermal therapy since it capitalizes on nanoparticles’ plasmonic heating properties. There have been several studies published on numerical models replicating this therapy in such conditions. However, there are several limitations on some of the models which can render the model unfaithful to therapy simulations. In this paper, two techniques of simulating laser-induced thermal therapy with a high-absorbing localized region of interest inside a phantom are compared. To validate these models, we conducted an experiment of an agar-agar phantom with an inclusion reproducing it with both models. The phantom was optically characterized by absorption and total attenuation. The first model is based on the macroperspective solution of the radiative transfer equation given by the diffusion equation, which is then coupled with the Pennes bioheat equation to obtain the temperature. The second is a Monte Carlo model that considers a stochastic solution of the same equation and is also considered as input to the Pennes bioheat transfer equation which is then computed. The Monte Carlo is in good agreement with the experimental data having an average percentage difference of 4.5% and a correlation factor of 0.98, while the diffusion method comparison with experimental data is 61% and 0.95 respectively. The optical characterization of the phantom and its inclusion were also validated indirectly since the Monte Carlo, which used those parameters, was also validated. While knowing the temperature in all points inside a body during photothermal therapy is important, one has to be mindful of the model which fits the conditions and properties. There are several reasons to justify the discrepancy of the diffusion method: low-scattering conditions, absorption, and reduced scattering are comparable. The error bars that are normally associated when characterizing an optical phantom can justify also a part of that uncertainty. For low-size tumors in depth, one may have to increase the light dosage in photothermal therapies to have a more effective treatment.authorsversionpublishe

Preparation and microstructural characterization of a high-Cr white cast iron reinforced with WC particles

High-chromium white cast iron (WCI) specimens locally reinforced with WC–metal matrix composites were produced via an ex situ technique: powder mixtures of WC and Fe cold-pressed in a pre-form were inserted in the mold cavity before pouring the base metal. The microstructure of the resulting reinforcement is a matrix of martensite (α’) and austenite (γ) with WC particles evenly distributed and (Fe,W,Cr)6C carbides that are formed from the reaction between the molten metal and the inserted pre-form. The (Fe,W,Cr)6C precipitation leads to the hypoeutectic solidification of the matrix and the final microstructure consists of martensite, formed from primary austenite during cooling and eutectic constituent with (Fe,Cr)7C3 and (Fe,W,Cr)6C carbides. The presence of a reaction zone with 200 µm of thickness, between the base metal and the composite should guarantee a strong bonding between these two zones.This research was funded by FEDER through the program P2020 |COMPETE, Projetos em Copromocao (project POCI-01-0247-FEDER-033417), and the program P2020|Norte2020, Programas doutorais (NORTE-08-5369-FSE-000051)

Futsal match-related fatigue affects running performance and neuromuscular parameters but not finishing kick speed or accuracy

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of futsal match-related fatigue on running performance, neuromuscular variables, and finishing kick speed and accuracy. Methods: Ten professional futsal players participated in the study (age: 22.2±2.5 years;) and initially performed an incremental protocol to determine maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max : 50.6±4.9 mL.kg-1.min-1). Next, simulated games were performed, in four periods of 10 min during which heart rate and blood lactate concentration were monitored. The entire games were video recorded for subsequent automatic tracking. Before and immediately after the simulated game, neuromuscular function was measured by maximal isometric force of knee extension, voluntary activation using twitch interpolation technique, and electromyographic activity. Before, at half time, and immediately after the simulated game, the athletes also performed a set of finishing kicks for ball speed and accuracy measurements. Results: Total distance covered (1st half: 1986.6±74.4 m; 2nd half: 1856.0±129.7 m – P=0.00) and distance covered per minute (1st half: 103.2±4.4 m.min-1; 2nd half: 96.4±7.5 m.min-1 – P=0.00) demonstrated significant declines during the simulated game, as well as maximal isometric force of knee extension (Before: 840.2±66.2 N; After: 751.6±114.3 N – P=0.04) and voluntary activation (Before: 85.9±7.5%; After: 74.1±12.3% – P=0.04), however ball speed and accuracy during the finishing kicks were not significantly affected.Conclusion: Therefore, we conclude that despite the decline in running performance and neuromuscular variables presenting an important manifestation of central fatigue, this condition apparently does not affect the speed and accuracy of finishing kicks

A versatile nanocarrierCubosomes, characterization, and applications

The impact of nanotechnology on the exponential growth of several research areas, particularly nanomedicine, is undeniable. The ability to deliver active molecules to the desired site could significantly improve the efficiency of medical treatments. One of the nanocarriers developed which has drawn researchers’ attention are cubosomes, which are nanosized dispersions of lipid bicontinuous cubic phases in water, consisting of a lipidic interior and aqueous domains folded in a cubic lattice. They stand out due to their ability to incorporate hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and amphiphilic compounds, their tortuous internal configuration that provides a sustained release, and the capacity to protect and safely deliver molecules. Several approaches can be taken to prepare this structure, as well as different lipids like monoolein or phytantriol. This review paper describes the different methods to prepare nanocarriers. As it is known, the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers are very important, as they influence their pharmacokinetics and their ability to incorporate and deliver active molecules. Therefore, an extensive characterization is essential to obtain the desired effect. As a result, we have extensively described the most common techniques to characterize cubosomes, particularly nanocarriers. The exceptional properties of the cubosomes make them suitable to be used in several applications in the biomedical field, from cancer therapeutics to imaging, which will be described. Taking in consideration the outstanding properties of cubosomes, their application in several research fields is envisaged.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit, by Marie Skłodowska Curie grant (MSCA-RISE; FODIAC; 778388) and by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Competitiveness factors Operational program—Norte 2020, COMPETE and National Funds through the FCT—under the project AgriFood XXI (NORTE- 01-0145-FEDER-000041). J.L.P. acknowledge the Instituto de Salud Carlos III for a “Sara Borrell” grant (CD19/00250), cofounded by European Social Fund (“El FSE invierte en futuro”). C.J.O.F. acknowledge the FCT for the grant SFRH/149/BD/14199/2019.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Blood Flow to Resting and Exercising Limbs in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

ObjectivesWe tested the hypothesis that inspiratory muscle loading could result in exaggerated peripheral vasoconstriction in resting and exercising limbs and that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) could attenuate this effect in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and inspiratory muscle weakness.BackgroundInspiratory muscle training improves functional capacity of patients with CHF, but the mechanisms of this effect are unknown.MethodsEighteen patients with CHF and inspiratory muscle weakness (maximal inspiratory pressure <70% of predicted) and 10 healthy volunteers participated in the study. Inspiratory muscle loading was induced by the addition of inspiratory resistance of 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure, while blood flow to the resting calf (CBF) and exercising forearm (FBF) were measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. For the patients with CHF, blood flow measurements as well as ultrasound determination of diaphragm thickness were made before and after a 4-week program of IMT.ResultsWith inspiratory muscle loading, CHF patients demonstrated a more marked reduction in resting CBF and showed an attenuated rise in exercising FBF when compared with control subjects. After 4 weeks of IMT, CHF patients presented hypertrophy of the diaphragm and improved resting CBF and exercise FBF with inspiratory muscle loading.ConclusionsIn patients with CHF and inspiratory muscle weakness, inspiratory muscle loading results in marked reduction of blood flow to resting and exercising limbs. Inspiratory muscle training improves limb blood flow under inspiratory loading in these patients

PAPULO-NODULES LOCATED TO BOTH LOWER EXTREMITIES

As doenças perfurantes caracterizam-se por eliminação transepidérmica de queratina ou de componentes do tecido conjuntivo dérmico. A dermatose perfurante adquirida atinge sobretudo doentes com diabetes mellitus (DM) e insuficiência renal crónica (IRC), especialmente sob diálise. Um doente do sexo masculino de 86 anos de idade, com antecedentes de DM2, é observado com múltiplas lesões pruriginosas, papulosas e papulo-nodulares, de coloração eritemato-violácea, com crosta central. As lesões localizavam-se a ambos os membros inferiores e tinham 2 meses de evolução. A biópsia realizada mostrou solução de continuidade epidérmica preenchida por material fibroso e células picnóticas, com eliminação de feixes de fibras de colagénio verticalizadas (coloração de Van-Gieson). O doente foi medicado com retinóide tópico, com melhoria das lesões cutâneas.Perforating diseases are characterized by transepidermal elimination of degenerated material, including collagen or elastic fibers. Acquired perforating dermatosis affects patients with diabetes mellitus or renal disease, especially under dialysis. An 86-year-old diabetic patient presents with very pruritic erythematous-violaceus papules and papulo-nodules, with a central crust. Lesions were evoluting for 2 months and were located to both lower extremities. The biopsy revealed a depression with fibrinous material and picnotic cells. Van-Gieson coloration showed elimination of vertical collagen bundles. The patient was treated with topical retinoid, with complete resolution

A novel leptospiral protein increases ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

It has been reported previously that activation of vascular endothelium by outer membrane proteins of the spirochetes Borrelia sp. and Treponema sp. resulted in enhanced expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules. To investigate the role of leptospiral proteins in this process, a predicted lipoprotein encoded by the gene LIC10365 was selected, which belongs to a paralogous family that presents a domain of unknown function, DUF1565. The LIC10365 gene was cloned and the protein expressed in Escherichia coli C43 (DE3) strain using the vector pAE. The recombinant protein tagged with N-terminal hexahistidine was purified by metal-charged chromatography and was used to assess its ability to activate cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The rLIC10365 activated endothelium in such a manner that E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) became upregulated in a dose-dependent fashion. The LIC10365-encoded protein was identified in vivo in the renal tubules of animal during experimental infection with Leptospira interrogans. Collectively, these results implicate the LIC10365-coding protein of L. interrogans as a potential effector molecule in the promotion of a host inflammatory response. This is the first report of a leptospiral protein capable of up-regulating the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and E-selectin.Instituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia Molecula

A novel leptospiral protein increases ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

It has been reported previously that activation of vascular endothelium by outer membrane proteins of the spirochetes Borrelia sp. and Treponema sp. resulted in enhanced expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules. To investigate the role of leptospiral proteins in this process, a predicted lipoprotein encoded by the gene LIC10365 was selected, which belongs to a paralogous family that presents a domain of unknown function, DUF1565. The LIC10365 gene was cloned and the protein expressed in Escherichia coli C43 (DE3) strain using the vector pAE. The recombinant protein tagged with N-terminal hexahistidine was purified by metal-charged chromatography and was used to assess its ability to activate cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The rLIC10365 activated endothelium in such a manner that E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) became upregulated in a dose-dependent fashion. The LIC10365-encoded protein was identified in vivo in the renal tubules of animal during experimental infection with Leptospira interrogans. Collectively, these results implicate the LIC10365-coding protein of L. interrogans as a potential effector molecule in the promotion of a host inflammatory response. This is the first report of a leptospiral protein capable of up-regulating the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and E-selectin.Instituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia Molecula