A Correlational Study of the Personality Inventory for Children, the Piers-Harris Children\u27s Self-Concept Scale and the Devereux Child Behavior Rating Scale

U radu je predstavljena nova metoda određivanja ekvivalentnih elektromagnetskih parametara vodljivih materijala s obzirom na gubitke uslijed izmjeničnog magnetskog polja. Metoda povezuje evolucijski optimizacijski algoritam diferencijalnu evoluciju i proračun metodom konačnih elemenata. Diferencijalnom evolucijom određuju se parametri materijala koji će u proračunu metodom konačnih elemenata dati gubitke jednake izmjerenima u volumenu tog materijala. Napravljeni su torusi s masivnom nelaminiranom jezgrom i štapovi za mjerenje statičkih krivulja magnetiziranja i specifične električne vodljivosti nemagnetskog i magnetskog čelika. Izmjereni parametri materijala upotrijebljeni su za određivanje njihovih graničnih vrijednosti prilikom proračuna ekvivalentnih parametara materijala diferencijalnom evolucijom. Napravljena je prigušnica za direktno mjerenje dodatnih gubitaka, te je proveden niz mjerenja na različitim uzorcima od različitih materijala. Prigušnica je modelirana u programu za 3D proračun metodom konačnih elemenata te su diferencijalnom evolucijom određeni ekvivalentni parametri materijala uzoraka. Proračun je uspoređen s mjerenjima. Pomoću 2D rotacijsko simetričnog modela pločice debljine 10 mm analizirano je kako parametri materijala utječu na iznos gubitaka u uzorku u sinusnom magnetskom polju izvora konstantne amplitude. Pokazano je da gubici imaju zvonoliku ovisnost o parametrima materijala što je posljedica činjenice da gubici teže k nuli kada vodljivost materijala teži k nuli ili u beskonačno. Diferencijalnom evolucijom određeni su parametri materijala pri kojima gubici postižu svoj maksimum. Napravljena su tri modela transformatora, na njima su primijenjeni ekvivalentni parametri materijala određeni na prigušnici te je metodom konačnih elemenata određen udio histereznih u ukupnim gubicima u konstrukcijskim dijelovima transformatora. Također su određeni najveći mogući gubici u konstrukcijskim dijelovima transformatora koje je moguće dobiti proračunom metodom konačnih elemenata, uspoređeni su s mjerenim vrijednostima i objašnjeni su razlozi odstupanja.The thesis introduces a new method for determination of equivalent electromagnetic parameters of conducting materials considering the losses due to alternating magnetic field. The method combines evolutionary optimization algorithm and calculation by finite element method. The differential evolution determines the equivalent parameters of the material which in finite element calculation yield the same losses in the volume of that material as the measured ones. The toroidal solid cores and rods were made for measurement of static magnetization curve and specific electrical conductivity of nonmagnetic and magnetic steel. Thus obtained material parameters were used for determination of their boundary values for calculation of the equivalent material parameters by differential evolution. The coil for direct measurement of additional losses was made. A series of measurements on various samples of different materials were conducted. The 3D model of the coil was made in finite element software and using the differential evolution method, the equivalent material parameters were determined. The calculation was compared with measurement. Using a 2D rotational symmetric model of the plate with the thickness of 10 mm it was analyzed how the material parameters affect the amount of losses in the sample placed in the sinusoidal magnetic field of constant amplitude. It was shown that losses have the bell-shaped dependence on material parameters due to the fact that losses tend to zero when the conductivity of material tends to zero or infinity. Using differential evolution the material parameters for which losses have a maximum value were determined. Three models of transformers were made. The equivalent material parameters determined for the coil were applied on those models in order to determine using finite element method the share of hysteresis losses in the total amount of losses in structural parts of a transformer. The largest possible losses in structural parts of transformers that can be calculated using finite element method were also determined. The results were compared with the measurement and the reasons for discrepancies were explained

The dollarization process in Mexico: 1983-1997

The purpose of this study is to analyze the extent of dollarization in the Mexican economy during the period 1983-1997. Dollarization is defined as the replacement of domestic currency for dollars as a store of value or for transaction purposes. In this study, a narrow definition of dollarization will be used as an estimate of the amount of dollars circulating in the Mexican economy. This measure includes only the dollar-denominated demand deposits held by businesses in Mexican banks, since the public is no longer allowed to hold this type of accounts and a better measure for the exact amount of dollars circulating in the Mexican economy is not available. This study will emphasize the effects of expected peso depreciations, peso devaluations, and political changes on the dollarization process

A comprehensive characterisation of the fibre composition and properties of a limb (Flexor digitorum superficialis, membri thoraci) and a trunk (Psoas major) muscle in cattle

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The fibre type attributes and the relationships among their properties play an important role in the differences in muscle capabilities and features. Comprehensive characterisation of the skeletal muscles should study the degree of association between them and their involvement in muscle functionality. The purposes of the present study were to characterise the fibre type composition of a trunk (<it>Psoas major</it>, PM) and a limb (<it>Flexor digitorum, membri thoraci</it>, FD) muscle in the bovine species and to study the degree of coordination among contractile, metabolic and histological properties of fibre types. Immunohistochemical, histochemical and histological techniques were used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The fibre type composition was delineated immunohistochemically in calf muscle samples, identifying three pure (I, IIA, and IIX) and two hybrid type fibres (I+IIA, and IIAX). Most of the fibres in FD were types I and IIA, while pure IIX were absent. All fibre types were found in PM, the IIX type being the most frequent. Compared to other species, small populations of hybrid fibres were detected. The five fibre types, previously identified, were ascribed to three different acid and alkaline mATPase activity patterns. Type I fibres had the highest oxidative capacity and the lowest glycolytic capacity. The reverse was true for the IIX fibres, whereas the type IIA fibres showed intermediate properties. Regarding the histological properties, type I fibres tended to be more capillarised than the II types. Correlations among contractile, metabolic and histological features on individual fibres were significantly different from zero (r values varied between -0.31 and 0.78). Hybrid fibre values were positioned between their corresponding pure types, and their positions were different regarding their metabolic and contractile properties.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Coordination among the contractile, metabolic and histological properties of fibres has been observed. However, the magnitude of the correlation among them is always below 0.8, suggesting that the properties of muscles are not fully explained by the fibre composition. These results support the concept that, to some extent, muscle plasticity can be explained by the fibre type composition, and by the properties derived from their metabolic and histological profiles.</p

A mobile insulator system to detect and disrupt cis-regulatory landscapes in vertebrates

et al.In multicellular organisms, cis-regulation controls gene expression in space and time. Despite the essential implication of cisregulation in the development and evolution of organisms and in human diseases, our knowledge about regulatory sequences largely derives from analyzing their activity individually and outside their genomic context. Indeed, the contribution of these sequences to the expression of their target genes in their genomic context is still largely unknown. Here we present a novel genetic screen designed to visualize and interrupt gene regulatory landscapes in vertebrates. In this screen, based on the random insertion of an engineered Tol2 transposon carrying a strong insulator separating two fluorescent reporter genes, we isolated hundreds of zebrafish lines containing insertions that disrupt the cis-regulation of tissue-specific expressed genes. We therefore provide a new easy-to-handle tool that will help to disrupt and chart the regulatory activity spread through the vast noncoding regions of the vertebrate genome.This study was supported by the Spanish and Andalusian Governments (JLGS grant numbers BFU2010-14839, CSD2007-00008, Proyecto de Excelencia CVI-3488, and JJC grant number BFU2011-22928), an EFSD/Lilly grant, and a Universidad Pablo de Olavide grant (JB grant number PPI0906). A.A. is an FPI fellow and J.B. is a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellow (JCI-2009-04014) of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas. J.B. was also an FCT postdoctoral fellow (SFRH/BPD/38829/2007; POPH/FSE). M.L. is a Junta de Andalucia fellow.Peer Reviewe

Association of complement receptor 2 polymorphisms withinnate resistance to HIV-1 infection

HIV-1 induces activation of complement through the classical and lectin pathways. However, the virus incorporates several membrane-bound or soluble regulators of complement activation (RCA) that inactivate complement. HIV-1 can also use the complement receptors (CRs) for complement-mediated antibody-dependent enhancement of infection (Ć-ADE). We hypothesize that hypofunctional polymorphisms in RCA or CRs may protect from HIV-1 infection. For this purpose, 139 SNPs located in 19 RCA and CRs genes were genotyped in a population of 201 Spanish HIV-1-exposed seronegative individuals (HESN) and 250 HIV-1-infected patients. Two SNPs were associated with infection susceptibility, rs1567190 in CR2 (odds ratio (OR)=2.27, P=1 × 10-4) and rs2842704 in C4BPA (OR=2.11, P=2 × 10-4). To replicate this finding, we analyzed a cohort of Italian, sexually HESN individuals. Although not significant (P=0.25, OR=1.57), similar genotypic proportions were obtained for the CR2 marker rs1567190. The results of the two association analyses were combined through a random effect meta-analysis, with a significant P-value of 2.6x10-5 (OR=2.07). Furthermore, we found that the protective CR2 genotype is correlated with lower levels CR2 mRNA as well as differences in the ratio of the long and short CR2 isoforms.Genes and Immunity advance online publication, 8 January 2015; doi:10.1038/gene.2014.71.This work was supported by Spanish Health Ministry [PI021476, PI051778 and PI10/01232 to JF, JAP and ACar]; Instituto de Salud Carlos III-RETIC [RD06/006 to JAP]; Fundació Marató TV3 [020730 and 020732 to JF and ACar]; Junta de Andalucía [PI-0335/2009 to ACar]; Fundación Progreso y Salud of the Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía [AI-0021 to JAP]; and Universidad de Jaen [UJA2013/10/03 to ACar]

Tumours in the pineal region in the paediatric age: Reports of 23 cases and a review of the literature

Introducción. Los tumores de la región pineal se localizan en una encrucijada de estructuras neurovasculares de difícil acceso quirúrgico y limitadas posibilidades de resección; por ello, el manejo de estas lesiones habitualmente requiere la asociación de tratamiento adyuvante radioterápico y/o quimioterápico. Pacientes y métodos. Análisis retrospectivo de las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, neurorradiológicas y anatomopatológicas de 23 pacientes con tumores de la región pineal tratados entre los años 1997 y 2010 en el Hospital Infantil Niño Jesús. Se discuten los factores implicados en el pronóstico de esta cohorte tras el tratamiento quirúrgico o adyuvante. Resultados. El estudio incluyó 6 niñas y 17 niños con edades comprendidas entre los 4 meses y 18 años. El 95% de los pacientes comenzó con signos de hidrocefalia aguda o subaguda, que precisaron la implantación de una derivación ventriculoperitoneal (82%). Se obtuvo una muestra histológica tumoral en todos los casos. Cinco pacientes fueron biopsiados y 18 fueron intervenidos mediante craneotomía. El germinoma (ocho casos) y el teratoma maduro (un caso) fueron los tumores con mayor supervivencia; los tumores no germinomatosos (tres casos), del parénquima pineal (cuatro casos) y gliomas (cinco casos) presentaron mayor tasa de recidiva y un peor pronóstico. Conclusión. El estudio de marcadores tumorales permite orientar el diagnóstico de determinados tumores de la región pineal. Actualmente, se recomienda realizar una toma histológica tumoral para establecer un diagnóstico preciso y un tratamiento oncológico específicoIntroduction. Tumours in the pineal region are located at a meeting point of several neurovascular structures that are difficult to reach surgically and for which the possibility of resection is limited; as a result the management of these lesions usually requires associated adjunctive treatment with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Patients and methods. This study is a retrospective analysis of the epidemiological, clinical, neuroimaging and pathological characteristics of 23 patients with tumours in the pineal region who were treated between the years 1997 and 2010 in the Hospital Infantil Niño Jesús. The factors involved in the prognosis of this cohort following surgical or adjunctive treatment are also discussed. Results. Subjects included in the study were 6 girls and 17 boys with ages ranging from 4 months to 18 years. It was found that the initial symptoms in 95% of the patients were signs of acute or subacute hydrocephalus, which required the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (82%). A histological sample of the tumour tissue was collected in all cases. Biopsy samples were taken in the case of five patients and 18 underwent surgery involving a craniotomy. Germinoma (eight cases) and mature teratoma (one case) were the tumours with the longest survival times; non-germinomatous tumours (three cases), those of the pineal parenchyma (four cases) and gliomas (five cases) presented the highest rates of recurrence and a poorer prognosis. Conclusions. The study of tumour markers can be used to guide the diagnosis of certain tumours of the pineal region. At present, the recommended procedure involves taking a histological sample of the tumour in order to establish an accurate diagnosis and a specific oncological treatmen

A Proposed Approach to Chronic Airway Disease (CAD) Using Therapeutic Goals and Treatable Traits: A Look to the Future

© 2020 Pérez de Llano et al.Chronic airflow obstruction affects a wide range of airway diseases, the most frequent of which are asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis; they are clearly identifiable in their extremes, but quite frequently overlap in some of their pathophysiological and clinical characteristics. This has generated the description of new mixed or overlapping disease phenotypes with no clear biological grounds. In this special article, a group of experts provides their perspective and proposes approaching the treatment of chronic airway disease (CAD) through the identification of a series of therapeutic goals (TG) linked to treatable traits (TT) – understood as clinical, physiological, or biological characteristics that are quantifiable using biomarkers. This therapeutic approach needs validating in a clinical trial with the strategy of identification of TG and treatment according to TT for each patient independently of their prior diagnosis