Recuperación de la salud del cuidador principal, en proyecto sociocultural “Quisicuaba”. Los Sitios, Centro Habana

Dementia leads to serious discapacities in its sufferers and can produce a variety of effects in the families and in the carer, who may experience stress, frustraton and total exhaustion.  Assesing the usefulness of a cross-sectional descriptive health recovery programme within the socio-cultural project, “Quiscuaba”, using a sample of 26 main carers revealed certain socio-demographic characteristics - the persistence of anxiety, depression and burden in these people, which were modified after treatment. Diagnosis tools like the Hamilton depression scale, the Zarit-Zarit burden scale, group dynamics and interviews provided data of interest since the work performed supposed the creation of a breathing space, so demonstrating its worth, with a minimum use of professional and voluntary resources and support. Participants called for it to become more widespread.La demencia causa discapacidad grave entre las personas que la padecen, provocando efectos diversos en las familias, y en la persona cuidadora, al extremo de experimentar estrés, frustración y total agotamiento. Comprobar la utilidad de un programa de recuperación de salud con un diseño descriptivo de corte transversal dentro  del proyecto sociocultural “Quisicuaba, a través de una muestra de 26 cuidadores principales, permitió determinar características sociodemográficas y la persistencia de ansiedad, depresión y sobrecarga en estas personas, alteraciones posteriormente modificadas, luego de la intervención. Instrumentos diagnósticos como  Inventario de ansiedad, escala de depresión de Hamilton, Cuestionario de Sobrecarga Zarit-Zarit, dinámicas grupales y entrevistas aportaron datos e interés, puesto que la tarea desarrollada permitió reconocer la creación de un espacio de respiro para estas personas, demostrando su utilidad  con un mínimo de recursos y el apoyo de profesionales y aficionados del territorio. Solicitándose  su generalización, a criterio de los participantes

La marcha: diferencias según el sexo

Objetivo: La finalidad de este trabajo ha sido valorar la movilidad de las articulaciones de la extremidad inferior y la actividad electromiográfica de los principales músculos de la misma, en un grupo de hombres y de mujeres, con la finalidad de establecer las diferencias entre ambos, al caminar por terreno llano y al ascender y descender escaleras. Material y método: En el estudio han participado 22 hombres y 18 mujeres sanos a los que se ha determinado la movilidad articular con un sistema de análisis tridimensional denominado Orthobío y la actividad muscular mediante telemetría con un aparato MT8-3 Biological de MIE Medical Research Ltd y con con electrodos de superficie. Resultado y discusión: Los resultados obtenidos muestran respecto a la movilidad articular, que para la marcha en terreno llano no hay diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos mientras que en el ascenso y descenso de escaleras se realizan algunas adaptaciones. Sin embargo respecto a la actividad muscular aparece una clara tendencia a una mayor actuación de los músculos en el grupo femenino, tanto al caminar por terreno llano como subiendo y bajando escaleras, sobre todo en los de marcada acción estabilizadora de la extremidad inferior. Este hecho puede deberse a las diferencias en la composición corporal, ya que las mujeres presentan un mayor porcentaje de masa grasa, por lo que, proporcionalmente, con su masa muscular tienen que movilizar un peso mayor.Peer Reviewe

An investigation of silicon carbide-water nanofluid for heat transfer applications

Thermal conductivity and mechanical effects of silicon carbide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed in water were investigated. Mean size of SiC particles was 170 nm with a polydispersity of 30% as determined from small-angle x-ray scattering and dynamic light scattering techniques. Room temperature viscosity of the nanofluids ranged from 2 to 3 cP for nominal nanoparticle loadings 4 – 7 vol %. On a normalized basis with water, viscosity of the nanofluids did not significantly change with the test temperature up to 85 °C. Optical microscopy of diluted nanofluid showed no agglomeration of the nanoparticles. Thermal conductivity of the fluid was measured as a function of the nominal nanoparticle loading ranging from 1 to 7 vol %. Enhancement in thermal conductivity was approximately 28% over that of water at 7 vol % particle loadings under ambient conditions. Enhancements in thermal conductivities for the nanofluids with varying nanoparticle loadings were maintained at test temperatures up to 70 °C. Results of thermal conductivity have been rationalized based on the existing theories of heat transfer in fluids. Implications of using this nanofluid for engineering cooling applications are discussed.Universidad de Chicago Argonne LLC (EE. UU.)-DE-AC02-06CH1135

Active Disturbance Rejection Control for Robot Manipulator

Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) is a control methodology used in chemical processes, aircraft, motors, and other systems. This paper compares the results of an ADRC controller to a Proportional Integral Derivative controller (PID), applied to two degrees of freedom robots. A Linear Extended State Observer (LESO) is used to reconstruct the state variables and unknown parameters needed to control the position of each link. The ADRC can achieve the tracking position and estimate the velocity of each link. The results of the simulation program are shown

Daily consumption of a dairy drink enriched with DHA, Vitamins and minerals enhanced nutritional status and cognitive abilities parameters

Preadolescence is a period of growth with special nutritional requirements. In this research we investigated the effects produced by a 5-month consumption of an enriched dairy drink on biochemical and cognitive development parameters in children. Methods: 119 children (8 14y) of both genders (male 49%, female 51%) were randomly distributed into two study groups. The supplemented group (SG, n = 60) consumed 0.6 L/day (breakfast, elevenses and teatime) of an enriched dairy drink containing fish oils (high in DHA), oleic acid, carbohydrates (sugar and honey), vitamins (A, B complex, C, D, and E) and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, zinc) (Puleva Max®). The control group (CG, n = 59) consumed 0.6 L/day of standard whole milk. Both groups received the same dietary advice and consumed the dairy drinks for 5-moths, in addition to their usual diet. Blood samples and psychometric tests (some subscales of W.I.S.C.-IV of Wechsler and EVALUA of Vidal) were taken at 0 and 5 months. RM ANOVA was applied. Data are expressed as mean±SEM. Results: The consumption of the enriched dairy drink (SG) produced significant (p < 0.05) increases in plasma DHA (20%) and calcium (1.5%). Total proteins (1.9%), transferrine (2.1%), total cholesterol (3.3%) and HDLcholesterol (5.2%), but not LDL-cholesterol, decreased significantly in CG. Regarding psychometric parameters, digits span (working memory test), speed reading and reading comprehension scores showed significant increases in SG at the end of the study (16.8%, 19.1%, and 19.0% respectively) whereas CG only showed higher scores in the reading comprehension test (19.2%). Conclusion: The dietary supplementation with the enriched dairy drink improved the nutritional and biochemical status and a number of cognitive performance markers in children of 8 and 14 years. Supported by Puleva Food SA.Universidad e Granada Puleva Biotech S

Large-scale temperature response to external forcing in simulations and reconstructions of the last millennium

Understanding natural climate variability and its driving factors is crucial to assessing future climate change. Therefore, comparing proxy-based climate reconstructions with forcing factors as well as comparing these with paleo-climate model simulations is key to gaining insights into the relative roles of internal versus forced variability. A review of the state of modelling of the climate of the last millennium prior to the CMIP5-PMIP3 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5-Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project Phase 3) coordinated effort is presented and compared to the available temperature reconstructions. Simulations and reconstructions broadly agree on reproducing the major temperature changes and suggest an overall linear response to external forcing on multidecadal or longer timescales. Internal variability is found to have an important influence at hemispheric and global scales. The spatial distribution of simulated temperature changes during the transition from the Medieval Climate Anomaly to the Little Ice Age disagrees with that found in the reconstructions. Thus, either internal variability is a possible major player in shaping temperature changes through the millennium or the model simulations have problems realistically representing the response pattern to external forcing. A last millennium transient climate response (LMTCR) is defined to provide a quantitative framework for analysing the consistency between simulated and reconstructed climate. Beyond an overall agreement between simulated and reconstructed LMTCR ranges, this analysis is able to single out specific discrepancies between some reconstructions and the ensemble of simulations. The disagreement is found in the cases where the reconstructions show reduced covariability with external forcings or when they present high rates of temperature change

Forest Fire Severity Affects Host Plant Quality and Insect Herbivore Damage

Climate change models predict increased forest fire occurrence and severity in the near future. Forest fire disturbance affects multiple ecological interactions, but there is little evidence for how naturally-occurring fires affect plant quality and herbivore damage, which is important because plants and herbivorous insects comprise most of the diversity in natural ecosystems and are responsible for a variety of ecosystem services. We surveyed three fires in the Rocky Mountains to investigate the effects of fire severity on wax currant (Ribes cereum), an important source of food and cover for wildlife in Colorado. We measured plant quality and herbivore damage; we found that fire severity had a significant negative effect on both measures. Notably, high severity fires decreased herbivore damage by about 50%. Furthermore, we found that the effect of fire on insect herbivore damage is mostly direct, but that indirect effects mediated through changes in plant quality are also significant. Our results have important implications for the effects of climate-driven increases in fire severity on plant-insect interactions, illustrating strong direct and weaker indirect negative effects of fire severity in a forest ecosystem

An evaluation of post-registration neuroscience focused education and neuroscience nurses' perceived educational needs

Background People with complex neurological conditions require co-ordinated care provided by nurses educated in meeting service needs, understanding the pathophysiological processes of disease and the preparation to care for those with complex needs. However, evidence suggests that neuroscience specific education provision is largely unregulated and set outside of a cohesive professional development context. Furthermore, it largely seems to only address the induction phase into working within neurosciences. Objectives To evaluate the nature of post-registration neuroscience focused education across Europe and neuroscience nurses' perceived educational needs. Methods Post qualifying nurses working in the field of neurosciences were invited to complete a self-reported 29-item on-line questionnaire that contained closed and open-ended questions exploring professional background, clinical and educational experience, educational opportunities available to them and their perspectives on their educational needs. Results 154 participants from fourteen countries across Europe completed the survey. 75% (n = 110) of respondents had undertaken neuroscience focused education with the most accessible education opportunities found to be conferences 77% (n = 96) and study days 69% (n = 86). Overall, 52.6% of courses were multidisciplinary in nature, and 47.4% were exclusively nursing. Most identified that their courses were funded by their employer (57%, n = 63) or partly funded by their employer. Results illustrate a significant variance across Europe, highlighting the need for more effective communication between neuroscience nurses across Europe. Implications for future education provision, recruitment/retention, and funding are discussed, resulting in recommendations for the future of neuroscience nursing. Conclusions This study, the largest of its kind to survey neuroscience nurses, illustrates the absence of a cohesive career development pathway for neuroscience nurses in Europe. Nurses need quality assured specialist education to deliver high quality appropriate healthcare

Stress-corrosion mechanisms in silicate glasses

The present review is intended to revisit the advances and debates in the comprehension of the mechanisms of subcritical crack propagation in silicate glasses almost a century after its initial developments. Glass has inspired the initial insights of Griffith into the origin of brittleness and the ensuing development of modern fracture mechanics. Yet, through the decades the real nature of the fundamental mechanisms of crack propagation in glass has escaped a clear comprehension which could gather general agreement on subtle problems such as the role of plasticity, the role of the glass composition, the environmental condition at the crack tip and its relation to the complex mechanisms of corrosion and leaching. The different processes are analysed here with a special focus on their relevant space and time scales in order to question their domain of action and their contribution in both the kinetic laws and the energetic aspects.Comment: Invited review article - 34 pages Accepted for publication in J. Phys. D: Appl. Phy