Muscle Activation in Middle-Distance Athletes with Compression Stockings

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in electromyographic activity with the use of gradual compression stockings (GCSs) on middle-distance endurance athletes’ performance, based on surface electromyography measurement techniques. Sixteen well-trained athletes were recruited (mean ± SD: age 33.4 ± 6.3 years, VO2max 63.7 ± 6.3 mL·kg−1·min−1, maximal aerobic speed 19.7 ± 1.5 km·h). The athletes were divided into two groups and were assigned in a randomized order to their respective groups according to their experience with the use of GCSs. Initially, a maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) test was performed to standardize the athletes’ running speeds for subsequent tests. Afterward, electromyographic activity, metabolic, and performance variables for each group were measured with surface electromyography. In addition, blood lactate concentration was measured, both with and without GCSs, during 10 min at 3% above VT2 (second ventilatory threshold), all of which were performed on the track. Next, surface electromyography activity was measured during a 1 km run at maximum speed. No significant changes were found in electromyography activity, metabolic and performance variables with GCSs use (p > 0.164) in any of the variables measured. Overall, there were no performance benefits when using compression garments against a control condition

A Portable Dynamic Laser Speckle System for Sensing Long-Term Changes Caused by Treatments in Painting Conservation

[EN] Dynamic laser speckle (DLS) is used as a reliable sensor of activity for all types of materials. Traditional applications are based on high-rate captures (usually greater than 10 frames-per-second, fps). Even for drying processes in conservation treatments, where there is a high level of activity in the first moments after the application and slower activity after some minutes or hours, the process is based on the acquisition of images at a time rate that is the same in moments of high and low activity. In this work, we present an alternative approach to track the drying process of protective layers and other painting conservation processes that take a long time to reduce their levels of activity. We illuminate, using three different wavelength lasers, a temporary protector (cyclododecane) and a varnish, and monitor them using a low fps rate during long-term drying. The results are compared to the traditional method. This work also presents a monitoring method that uses portable equipment. The results present the feasibility of using the portable device and show the improved sensitivity of the dynamic laser speckle when sensing the long-term process for drying cyclododecane and varnish in conservation.This work was partially funded by Generalitat Valenciana project AICO/2016/058 and by the Plan Nacional de I+D, Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia (FEDER-CICYT) under the project HAR2013-47895-C2-1-P and project HAR2017-85557-PPérez Jiménez, AJ.; Gonzalez-Peña, RJ.; Braga, RJ.; Perles Ivars, A.; Pérez Marín, E.; García Diego, FJ. (2018). A Portable Dynamic Laser Speckle System for Sensing Long-Term Changes Caused by Treatments in Painting Conservation. Sensors. 18(1):1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18010190S113181Kim, M. K. (2010). Principles and techniques of digital holographic microscopy. Journal of Photonics for Energy, 018005. doi:10.1117/6.0000006Yokota, M., Kawakami, T., Kimoto, Y., & Yamaguchi, I. (2011). Drying process in a solvent-based paint analyzed by phase-shifting digital holography and an estimation of time for tack free. Applied Optics, 50(30), 5834. doi:10.1364/ao.50.005834Yamaguchi, I., Ida, T., Yokota, M., & Kobayashi, K. (2007). Monitoring of Paint Drying Process by Phase-shifting Digital Holography. Adaptive Optics: Analysis and Methods/Computational Optical Sensing and Imaging/Information Photonics/Signal Recovery and Synthesis Topical Meetings on CD-ROM. doi:10.1364/dh.2007.dwc2Krzemień, L., Łukomski, M., Kijowska, A., & Mierzejewska, B. (2015). Combining digital speckle pattern interferometry with shearography in a new instrument to characterize surface delamination in museum artefacts. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 16(4), 544-550. doi:10.1016/j.culher.2014.10.006Trumpy, G., Conover, D., Simonot, L., Thoury, M., Picollo, M., & Delaney, J. K. (2015). Experimental study on merits of virtual cleaning of paintings with aged varnish. Optics Express, 23(26), 33836. doi:10.1364/oe.23.033836Reifsnyder, J. M. (1996). A note on a traditional technique of varnish application for paintings on panel. Studies in Conservation, 41(2), 120-122. doi:10.1179/sic.1996.41.2.120Caley, T. (1990). ASPECTS OF VARNISHES AND THE CLEANING OF OIL PAINTINGS BEFORE 1700. Studies in Conservation, 35(sup1), 70-72. doi:10.1179/sic.1990.35.s1.016Bruckle, I., Thornton, J., Nichols, K., & Strickler, G. (1999). Cyclododecane: Technical Note on Some Uses in Paper and Objects Conservation. Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, 38(2), 162. doi:10.2307/3180044Rowe, S., & Rozeik, C. (2008). The uses of cyclododecane in conservation. Studies in Conservation, 53(sup2), 17-31. doi:10.1179/sic.2008.53.supplement-2.17Maish, J. P., & Risser, E. (2002). A Case Study in the Use of Cyclododecane and Latex Rubber in the Molding of Marble. Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, 41(2), 127. doi:10.2307/3179789Lenk, R. S., Fellers, J. F., & White, J. L. (1977). Comparative Study of Polyamides from Bisacid A2. Polymer Journal, 9(1), 9-17. doi:10.1295/polymj.9.9Carvalho, P. H. A., Barreto, J. B., Braga, R. A., & Rabelo, G. F. (2009). Motility parameters assessment of bovine frozen semen by biospeckle laser (BSL) system. Biosystems Engineering, 102(1), 31-35. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2008.09.025Richards, L. M., Kazmi, S. M. S., Davis, J. L., Olin, K. E., & Dunn, A. K. (2013). Low-cost laser speckle contrast imaging of blood flow using a webcam. Biomedical Optics Express, 4(10), 2269. doi:10.1364/boe.4.002269Ganilova, Y. A., & Ulyanov, S. S. (2006). A study of blood flow in microvessels using biospeckle dynamics. Biophysics, 51(2), 299-304. doi:10.1134/s0006350906020230Murialdo, S. E., Sendra, G. H., Passoni, L. I., Arizaga, R., Gonzalez, J. F., Rabal, H., & Trivi, M. (2009). Analysis of bacterial chemotactic response using dynamic laser speckle. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 14(6), 064015. doi:10.1117/1.3262608González-Peña, R. J., Braga, R. A., Cibrián, R. M., Salvador-Palmer, R., Gil-Benso, R., & Miguel, T. S. (2014). Monitoring of the action of drugs in melanoma cells by dynamic laser speckle. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 19(5), 057008. doi:10.1117/1.jbo.19.5.057008Arizaga, R., Grumel, E. E., Cap, N., Trivi, M., Amalvy, J. I., Yepes, B., & Ricaurte, G. (2006). Following the drying of spray paints using space and time contrast of dynamic speckle. Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, 3(4), 295-299. doi:10.1007/s11998-006-0025-2Faccia, P. A., Pardini, O. R., Amalvy, J. I., Cap, N., Grumel, E. E., Arizaga, R., & Trivi, M. (2009). Differentiation of the drying time of paints by dynamic speckle interferometry. Progress in Organic Coatings, 64(4), 350-355. doi:10.1016/j.porgcoat.2008.07.016Mavilio, A., Fernández, M., Trivi, M., Rabal, H., & Arizaga, R. (2010). Characterization of a paint drying process through granulometric analysis of speckle dynamic patterns. Signal Processing, 90(5), 1623-1630. doi:10.1016/j.sigpro.2009.11.010Budini, N., Mulone, C., Balducci, N., Vincitorio, F. M., López, A. J., & Ramil, A. (2016). Characterization of drying paint coatings by dynamic speckle and holographic interferometry measurements. Applied Optics, 55(17), 4706. doi:10.1364/ao.55.004706Brunel, L., Brun, A., & Snabre, P. (2006). Microstructure movements study by dynamic speckle analysis. Speckle06: Speckles, From Grains to Flowers. doi:10.1117/12.695493Braga, R. A., & González-Peña, R. J. (2016). Accuracy in dynamic laser speckle: optimum size of speckles for temporal and frequency analyses. Optical Engineering, 55(12), 121702. doi:10.1117/1.oe.55.12.121702Moreira, J., Cardoso, R. R., & Braga, R. A. (2014). Quality test protocol to dynamic laser speckle analysis. Optics and Lasers in Engineering, 61, 8-13. doi:10.1016/j.optlaseng.2014.04.005Ansari, M. Z., & Nirala, A. K. (2016). Biospeckle numerical assessment followed by speckle quality tests. Optik, 127(15), 5825-5833. doi:10.1016/j.ijleo.2016.04.010Oulamara, A., Tribillon, G., & Duvernoy, J. (1989). Biological Activity Measurement on Botanical Specimen Surfaces Using a Temporal Decorrelation Effect of Laser Speckle. Journal of Modern Optics, 36(2), 165-179. doi:10.1080/09500348914550221Braga, R. A., Nobre, C. M. B., Costa, A. G., Sáfadi, T., & da Costa, F. M. (2011). Evaluation of activity through dynamic laser speckle using the absolute value of the differences. Optics Communications, 284(2), 646-650. doi:10.1016/j.optcom.2010.09.064Narita, T., Beauvais, C., Hébraud, P., & Lequeux, F. (2004). Dynamics of concentrated colloidal suspensions during drying --aging, rejuvenation and overaging. The European Physical Journal E, 14(3), 287-292. doi:10.1140/epje/i2004-10018-0Puspasari, I., Talib, M. Z. M., Daud, W. R. W., & Tasirin, S. M. (2014). Characteristic Drying Curve of Oil Palm Fibers. International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering and Information Technology, 4(1), 20. doi:10.18517/ijaseit.4.1.361Bellagha, S., Amami, E., Farhat, A., & Kechaou, N. (2002). DRYING KINETICS AND CHARACTERISTIC DRYING CURVE OF LIGHTLY SALTED SARDINE (SARDINELLA AURITA). Drying Technology, 20(7), 1527-1538. doi:10.1081/drt-120005866Van der Kooij, H. M., Fokkink, R., van der Gucht, J., & Sprakel, J. (2016). Quantitative imaging of heterogeneous dynamics in drying and aging paints. Scientific Reports, 6(1). doi:10.1038/srep34383Vaz, P., Pereira, T., Figueiras, E., Correia, C., Humeau-Heurtier, A., & Cardoso, J. (2016). Which wavelength is the best for arterial pulse waveform extraction using laser speckle imaging? Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, 25, 188-195. doi:10.1016/j.bspc.2015.11.01

Encuesta sobre gestión de pedidos en el sector de prefabricados de hormigón

La satisfacción de clientes es uno de los aspectos más importantes para la competitividad de las empresas. La capacidad para responder a los clientes de forma rápida y fiable implica comprometer fechas de entrega ajustadas y cumplirlas. El caso del sector de la prefabricación de hormigón presenta una problemática muy específica en lo que respecta a la gestión de pedidos, ya que los productos se fabrican exclusivamente bajo pedido y compite fundamentalmente en plazos de entrega. En este trabajo, nos centramos en el análisis de este problema realizando una encuesta entre empresas del sector

Percepción de calidad de vida en pacientes con cáncer de pulmón tratados con la vacuna egf.

A descriptive study was performed in the medical office by the program of integral care directed to patients with cancer, in order to evaluate the change of opinion about the perception of quality of life in patients diagnosed with lung cancer of non-small cells which were treated with egf vaccine, taking into account that lung cancer is one of the most widespread diseases on the planet, being the cause of more virulent and lethal mortality of xx and xxi centuries. A current challenge is to improve the quality of life of these patients from a new therapeutic approach. The sample consisted of 15 patients, all of them deceased, whose medical records were filed in the office and contained the eortc qlq-c30 questionnaire to evaluate the quality of life in relation to the emotional, cognitive, social and global role functioning. In the study there was prevalence in the age group of 60 and over, belonging to the male sex, reflecting functional limitations, so there was no change of opinion in regards to the perception of life quality of life although they were treated with the vaccine.Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, en la consulta que atiende el programa de atención integral al paciente con cáncer, con el objetivo de evaluar el cambio de opinión sobre la percepción de la calidad de vida en pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas que fueron tratados con la vacuna egf, teniendo en cuenta que el cáncer de pulmón es una de las enfermedades más extendidas en el planeta, siendo la causa de mortalidad más virulenta y letal de los siglos xx y xxi. Un reto actual es mejorar la calidad de vida cv de estos enfermos a partir de un nuevo enfoque terapéutico. La muestra estuvo constituida por 15 pacientes, todos fallecidos, cuyas historias clínicas estaban archivadas en la consulta y contenían el cuestionario eortc qlq-c30 que evalúo la calidad de vida en relación al funcionamiento de roles, emocionales, cognitivas, sociales y global. En el estudio existe un predominio en el rango de edad de 60 años y más, pertenecientes al sexo masculino, reflejan limitaciones en sus funciones, por lo que no existe cambio de opinión de la percepción de la calidad de vida a pesar de ser tratados con la vacuna

Caracterización del sector arrocero en Ecuador 2014-2019: ¿Está cambiando el manejo del cultivo?

El arroz es uno de los cultivos más importantes para Ecuador, generando un aporte significativo a la economía, además de contribuir a garantizar la seguridad alimentaria de la población y generar miles de empleos directos e indirectos a lo largo de la cadena productiva. El desarrollo del sector en temas de productividad durante las últimas dos décadas ha sido lento y con brechas importantes a nivel nacional. El incremento en la población, las nuevas tendencias de consumo definidas por la pandemia y una mayor participación en las exportaciones justifican la necesidad inmediata de fortalecer el sector e incrementar sus rendimientos. La caracterización presentada en este reporte pone en evidencia un sistema productivo que ha cambiado entre los ciclos productivos de 2014 y 2019. A pesar de evidenciar un incremento en el rendimiento entre ciclos, este cambio no se ve reflejado en las mismas magnitudes cuando se analizan los rendimientos anuales promedio a nivel nacional. En el caso específico de la adopción de prácticas de manejo, se han evidenciado cambios positivos, incluyendo, entre otros, la reducción en la densidad de siembra, una menor adopción de prácticas dañinas para el ambiente, un rápido cambio en el uso de variedades, y la aplicación de fertilizantes en momentos óptimos. Todos estos cambios contribuyeron a incrementar los rendimientos del cultivo del arroz. En este sentido, alrededor de la mitad de los agricultores fueron capaces de mejorar en más de 20 por ciento sus rendimientos

An Atlas of the circumnuclear regions of 75 Seyfert galaxies in the near-UV with HST Advanced Camera for Surveys

We present an atlas of the central regions of 75 Seyfert galaxies imaged in the near-UV with the Advanced Camera for Surveys of the Hubble Space Telescope at an average resolution of ~10pc. These data complement archival high resolution data from the Space Telescope at optical and near-IR wavelengths, creating an extremely valuable dataset for astronomers with a broad range of scientific interests. Our goal is to investigate the nature of the near-UV light in these objects, its relation to the circumnuclear starburst phenomenon, and the connection of this to the evolution and growth of the galaxy bulge and central black hole. In this paper, we describe the near-UV morphology of the objects and characterize the near-UV emission. We estimate the size and the luminosity of the emitting regions and extract the luminosity profile. We also determine the presence of unresolved compact nuclei. In addition, the circumnuclear stellar cluster population is identified, and the contribution of the stellar clusters to the total light, at this wavelength, is estimated. The size of the sample allows us to draw robust statistical conclusions. We find that {Seyfert 1} galaxies are completely dominated by its bright and compact nucleus, that remains point-like at this resolution, while we find almost no unresolved nucleus in Seyfert 2. The Seyfert types 1 and 2 are quite segregated in an asymmetry vs compactness plot. Stellar clusters are found somewhat more frequently in Sy2 (in ~70% of the galaxies) than in Sy1 (~57%), and contribute more to the total light in Sy2, but this two differences seem to be mostly due to the large contribution of the compact nucleus in Sy1, as the luminosity distribution of the clusters is similar in both Sy types.Comment: Accepted for publication in AJ, 58 pages, 20 figures. High-resolution figures for all the objects are available at http://www.iaa.es/~manuel/publications/paper01.htm

CryoEM structures of the SARS-CoV-2 spike bound to antivirals

(Póster 63) Background: Single-particle cryoelectron microscopy (cryoEM) has played a key role in the fight against COVID-19. The molecular mechanisms for the action of some of the currently approved drugs targeting the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, the fast developments of the current available vaccines and antibody therapies are examples of the impact of the knowledge gained from the cryoEM structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in complex with proteins (ACE2 or antibodies/nanobodies) or small compounds. Our aim is to use this technology to understand structurally how certain antiviral compounds and proteins targeting the spike may inhibit viral entry. Methods: 1) Production of wild-type and mutated spike and ACE2 proteins using baculovirus/insect cells. 2) Spike binding kinetics: protein-protein and protein-small compound interactions measured by BLI Biolayer interferometry (BLI) and/or microscale Thermophoresis (MST). 3) Buffer optimization for cryoEM grid preparation of spike variants by thermal shift assays and negative-staining electron microscopy (NSEM). These techniques are also used to adjust the molar ratio of spike:ACE2 and spike:small-compound complexes. 4) Structural characterization by cryoEM. Results: At IBV-CSIC we have created a pipeline for the production and characterization of several spike variants and ACE2 decoys. While this pipeline is described in detail in other oral/poster communications, this communication is centered around one of the pillars within this pipeline; the structural characterization of possible drug candidates bound to the SARS-CoV-2 spike by cryoEM. In this way, we have successfully solved structures of the spike bound to: A) protein inhibitors as ACE2 decoys; B) a small inhibitory compound; C) mixtures of proteins and small-compound (nanobody-heparan derivative) working cooperatively as inhibitors. These protein/drug candidates were previously selected based on the results obtained in our interactomics platform, whereas their concentration and the buffer conditions for cryoEM grids preparation were established based on thermal shift assays and NSEM. Conclusion: CryoEM is a powerful tool to directly visualize the effect caused by a potential drug on a protein target. In a short period of time we have developed this technique in our institute to be applied to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, not only to obtain high-resolution structures of SARS- CoV-2 spike variants of concern (see WP4) but also to obtain the structures of complexes of the spike with various inhibitory compounds of very different nature

Magnetic resonance in hearing loss and vertigo

Introduction and objective: Hearing loss and vertiginous syndrome represent an important part of the otorhinolaryngology clinic. The role of the radiologist plays in their workup become fundamental. Studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are essential to guide or give the diagnosis in these cases. Method: After performing a retrospective analysis of 456 MRI studies of patients with these symptoms, we conducted a review of the main pathologies recorded that can cause these symptoms. Results: We classify into vascular disorders and other variants, tumor pathology, malformations and inflammatory pathology; We also describe the most relevant findings on MRI and illustrated with examples of our center.Introducción y objetivo: La hipoacusia y el síndrome vertiginoso representan una parte importante de la clínica otorrinolaringológica, siendo fundamental el papel que el radiólogo desempeña en su estudio diagnóstico. Los estudios mediante resonancia magnética (RM) son imprescindibles para orientar o dar el diagnostico de certeza en estos casos. Material y método: Tras realizar un análisis retrospectivo de 456 estudios de RM de pacientes que presentaban estos síntomas, realizamos una revisión por las principales patologías registradas que pueden ocasionar esta sintomatología. Resultados: Se clasifican en alteraciones vasculares y otras variantes, patología tumoral y patología malformativa e inflamatoria; además describimos los hallazgos más relevantes en RM y lo ilustramos con ejemplos recogidos en nuestro centro

Magnetic resonance imaging of the nasopharynx

Introduction and objective: Most tumors of the pharynx are diagnosed by physical exploration but diagnostic imaging allows to know the origin and extensión. Magnetic resonance imaging differentiates the tissues of the nasopharynx. Our purpouse is to shown the main advantages and utilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease in nasopharynx. Material and Methods: Updated review in major publications in diagnostic imaging and study of the protocols in our centre we expose the utility of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the nasopharynx. Results: We expose the anatomy, wich secuences we use in our centre and the indications of diagnostic imaging technique are shown according to the pathology. Conclusion: MRI is particularly useful in assessing pathology of the nasopharynx by high resolution to assess the different tissues allowing detailed view of the invasion and spread of different injuries. It also has an important role in the post-treatment follow-up.Introducción y objetivo: La mayor parte de neoplasias de faringe se diagnostican a partir de la exploración física no obstante las pruebas de imagen permiten determinar el origen y extensión locorregional. La resonancia magnética (RM) permite discriminar entre los diferentes tejidos que constituyen la nasofaringe. Nuestro objetivo es mostrar las  ventajas y utilidades de la resonancia magnética en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la patología de la nasofaringe. Material y método: Tras una revisión bibliográfica en las principales publicaciones en diagnóstico por imagen y estudio de los protocolos realizados en nuestro centro exponemos la utilidad de la RM en la nasofaringe. Resultados: Mostraremos la anatomía, que secuencias empleamos en nuestro centro y las indicaciones de las pruebas de imagen según la patología. Conclusión: La RM resulta de especial utilidad en la valoración de la patología de la nasofaringe por su alta resolución para valorar los diferentes tejidos lo que permite visualizar de manera detallada la invasión y extensión de las diferentes lesiones. También tiene un papel relevante en el seguimiento posttratamiento./n

HST/WFPC2 imaging of the circumnuclear structure of LLAGNs. I Data and nuclear morphology

To advance our knowledge of the nature of the central source in LLAGNs and its relation with stellar clusters, we are carrying out several imaging projects with HST at near-UV, optical and near-IR wavelengths. In this paper, we present the first results obtained with observations of the central regions of 57 LLAGNs imaged with the WFPC2 through any of the V (F555W, F547M, F614W) and I (F791W, F814W) filters that are available in the HST archive. The sample contains 34% of the LINERs and 36% of the TOs in the Palomar sample. The mean spatial resolution of these images is 10 pc. With these data we have built an atlas that includes structural maps for all the galaxies, useful to identify compact nuclear sources and, additionally, to characterize the circumnuclear environment of LLAGNs, determining the frequency of dust and its morphology. The main results obtained are: 1) We have not found any correlation between the presence of nuclear compact sources and emission-line type. Thus, nucleated LINERs are as frequent as nucleated TOs. 2) The nuclei of "Young-TOs" are brighter than the nuclei of "Old-TOs" and LINERs. These results confirm our previous results that Young-TOs are separated from other LLAGNs classes in terms of their central stellar population properties and brightness. 3) Circumnuclear dust is detected in 88% of the LLAGNs, being almost ubiquitous in TOs. 4) The dust morphology is complex and varied, from nuclear spiral lanes to chaotic filaments and nuclear disk-like structures. Chaotic filaments are as frequent as dust spirals; but nuclear disks are mainly seen in LINERs. These results suggest an evolutionary sequence of the dust in LLAGNs, LINERs being the more evolved systems and Young-TOs the youngest. The full collection of figures are at http://www.iaa.es/~rosa/research/LLAGNs2007/LLAGNs-HSTIma1.htmlComment: Paper accepted in AJ, pdf file and the full collection of figures are at the ULR: http://www.iaa.es/~rosa/research/LLAGNs2007/LLAGNs-HSTIma1.htm