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Achieving the optimal design of power converters requires a deep understanding of the system's dissipation elements to meet the desired performance and safety standards. Once the power converter is designed, it is of key importance to estimate the actual power losses in the real setup, in order to redesign the power converter or monitor and control the semiconductor power losses. With that purpose, calorimetric techniques have outperformed electrical methods. However, they come with mechanical limitations and depend on analytical electrothermal equivalent circuits. These models are highly topology and technology dependent, often resulting in simplistic representations that underestimate thermal effects or complex sets of differential equations. To overcome these challenges, we present a novel post-design automatic method for characterizing semiconductor power losses through its converter thermal dynamics. Our method is rooted in an optimization program that identifies the optimal discrete-time linear model according to a set of power versus temperature profiles. The proposed approach ensures the accurate identification and integration of desired modeling requirements. The methodology is applicable to any power converter topology, and the derived linear model enables the use of standard control theory techniques for monitorization and control. Experiments with a real power converter validate the proposal's versatility and accuracy.

Abstract.Intuitive eating is defined as an adaptive way of eating that maintains a strong connection with the internal physiological signs of hunger and satiety. It has four elements: unconditional permission to eat whenever and whatever food is desired, eating for physical rather than for emotional reasons, reliance on hunger and satiety cues to determine when and how much to eat, and body-food choice congruence. In this study, we assessed the differences and similarities between intuitive eating, as measured with the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), and eating styles (restrained, emotional, and external eating), assessed with the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). Using a Spanish sample of mainly university students (n= 1,095) we found that (a) unconditional permission to eat presented a large negative correlation with restrained eating, r= –.82; (b) eating for physical reasons had a large negative correlation with emotional eating, r= –.70; (c) the dimensions of intuitive eating only showed very small correlations with positive and negative affect, satisfaction with life, body dissatisfaction or weight control behavior after restrained, emotional, and external eating had been partialled out. Altogether, the present results suggest that two of the dimensions of intuitive eating as assessed with the IES-2 are not very new or innovative. The most promising new dimension of intuitive eating seems to be body-food choice congruence.

Predicting core losses is a difficult task for designing magnetic components. Under triangular current waveforms the classical approaches work with duty cycles close to 0.5 but are inaccurate for high and low duty cycles. In this work, the composite waveform hypothesis is tested, using data from the MagNet database for N87 material at 25 °C (3312 data points). Limitations of the composite waveform hypothesis are discussed and a technique to expand the loss space is presented. The new approach based in an extended loss space is validated against the classical improved Generalized Steinmetz Equation, reducing the root mean square and 95 percentile errors by 5.85 and 6.96 times, allowing to predict core losses accurately even at high and low duty cycles. A direct correlation between the expanded loss space and the Steinmetz parameters from the improved Generalized Steinmetz Equation is proven, allowing to represent the core losses as functions of these parameters and generating the composite improved Generalized Steinmetz Equation. The proposed methodology for core loss prediction is validated making use of all data available from the MagNet database (10 materials, 4 temperatures, 59 423 data points), achieving better results than the commonly used improved Generalized Steinmetz Equation.

Engaged Living (values clarity and committed action) is a main process of psychological flexibility as defined by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The Engaged Living Scale (ELS) was designed to measure it. The purpose of this study was to translate the ELS to Spanish and to examine the reliability and validity of its scores in a heterogeneous sample of 752 Spanish pilgrims of the Way of Saint James (pre-post analysis: n = 285). Confirmatory factor analyses were computed to study the structural validity of the ELS scores. In addition, network analyses were computed to examine convergent and discriminant validity. The included variables were engaged living, mindfulness facets, satisfaction with life, subjective happiness, affect, depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. Results showed that the Spanish version of the ELS is two-factorial (valued living [VL] and life fulfillment [LF]). The ELS scores showed good reliability. In addition, it was able to detect VL and LF changes after the Way underscoring its sensitivity to change. The network analyses indicated adequate convergent and discriminant validity of the ELS. Changes in satisfaction with life, life fulfillment, happiness, and valued living scores were most strongly associated with changes in perceived stress, affect, mindfulness facets, depression, and anxiety. In short, the Spanish version of the ELS appeared to be a reliable and valid instrument to assess the engaged response style in the current samples.

Classic saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes (SARA) analysis has long enabled the chromatographic separation of complex hydrocarbon-containing products into these four families. This simplification often does not provide sufficient or correct information on the relationship between the composition of the products and the process variables studied. The obtention of profiles by gradient automated multiple development (AMD) is an interesting alternative to obtain extended SARA separations with increasing level of complexity for heavy petroleum products that adequately represent the entirety of the sample. An optimized 20-step gradient based on tetrahydrofuran (THF)‒dichloromethane‒n-heptane over a total migration distance of 83 mm is proposed here to characterize all types of heavy oil products. The combination of ultraviolet (UV)–densitometry (at 201, 228, and 273 nm), fluorescence detection by intensity changes using berberine cation, together with on-plate recording of UV spectra of separated peaks and the comparison with those of standards, allow for a deep characterization of chemical families. In the apolar zone of the chromatogram saturates, naphthenes, naphteno-aromatics, alkyl-aromatics, and aromatics with different degrees of condensation are detected. The use of THF, both in the plate precleaning stage and in the first stages of the gradient, is responsible for the satisfactory resolution of the resins in the polar zone. AMD chromatographic zones can be related to peaks from hydrocarbon groups in classical SARA. The application of this gradient to different types of products allowed for the relation of the profiles of bitumen to their origin, differentiation of the resin part trapped in asphaltenes, control performance of deasphalting in hydrorefining products, and the control of the composition of base oils.

En 1992, le Laboratoire de physiologie humaine de l’université de Parme (Italie) publie une étude décrivant, chez le macaque, des neurones « miroirs » s’activant à la fois lorsque le singe réalise une action et lorsqu’il observe un expérimentateur effectuer cette même action. L’équipe de recherche à l’origine de cette découverte postule que le système des neurones miroirs est la base neurale de notre capacité à comprendre l’action d’autrui au travers d’une cartographie motrice de l’action observée sur le répertoire moteur de l’observateur (direct-matching hypothesis). Cette conception rencontre néanmoins de sérieuses critiques. Ces critiques tentent de relativiser la fonction des neurones miroirs en les replaçant au sein d’un maillage d’interdépendances neurocognitives et sensorielles. En somme, la caractéristique essentielle de ces neurones est d’associer le traitement de l’information sensorielle, notamment visuelle, avec celui de l’information motrice. Leur fonction élémentaire serait ainsi de fournir une simulation motrice de l’action observée, à partir des informations visuelles de celle-ci. Ils peuvent contribuer, de concert avec d’autres aires cérébrales non-miroirs, à l’identification/prédiction du but de l’action et à l’interprétation de l’intention de l’acteur qui l’effectue. L’étude de la connectivité et des synchronisations à haute fréquences des différentes aires cérébrales en jeu lors de l’observation d’une action apporterait probablement des informations importantes quant à la contribution dynamique des neurones miroirs à la « compréhension » de l’action d’autrui. La présente revue a pour vocation d’offrir au lecteur une analyse actualisée des preuves scientifiques relatives aux neurones miroirs et de leur fonction élémentaire, ainsi que de l’éclairer quant à leur contribution à notre faculté d’interpréter et de comprendre l’action d’autrui.

The last triennium has shown a significant contribution of high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) to lipidomics. HPTLC separation in combination with radio- and/or ultraviolet‒fluorescence (UV‒FL) densitometry was the technique of choice for tracking the transport of phospholipids among different cellular compartments in a number of biological systems, e.g., Gram-negative bacteria, yeast membranes, endoplasmic reticulum/mitochondrial membrane interface, and also to monitor the lipid transfer activity of a protein. Likewise, a significant number of HPTLC methods were developed to determine variations in the content of different lipid classes and subclasses after using genetic knockouts of cells. Radiolabeled control cells and cells whose genes were deleted using genomic editing allowed to study by HPTLC the effect of the disruption of the related proteins on the corresponding biosynthetic pathways. As well, direct interface-based coupling of HPTLC to mass spectrometry (MS) using mostly electrospray ionization(ESI) and a variety of mass analyzers, has gained new momentum in this period. Obtaining a large amount of information online in a very short time from complex biological samples, and the structural identification of target and non-target, unknown lipids, make this technique a useful tool for lipidomics. Quantitative issues related to HPTLC‒MS are also discussed in this work.

Physical exercise declines during adolescence due to several factors, such as lack of intrinsic motivation or enjoyment, high physical exercise anxiety, and so on. The objectives of this study were to validate the psychometric structure of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2to confirm the existence of five levels of motivation toward physical exercise in adolescent population, as well as to analyze the differences in motivation according to sex and age, and the role of age and sex in the relationship between motivation and enjoyment. To do so, 666 students between 10 and 16 years old completed the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 and questionnaires related to enjoyment and physical exercise anxiety. The confirmatory factor analysis of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 showed a five-factor structure. However, a more parsimonious four-factor structure with a single intrinsic-identified regulation emerged through an exploratory factor analysis. The more self-determined types of motivation were positively associated with enjoyment and negatively with anxiety, the type of physical exercise motivation fluctuated depending on age and sex, and the age moderated the relationship between motivation and enjoyment. This study highlights the importance of fostering specific types of motivation to improve the physical exercise and the relevance of age and sex when developing interventions.

Introduction: The Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale (MWLCS) measures a person’s beliefs regarding the locus of control or lack of locus of control over his/her body weight. Purpose: We aim to evaluate the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the MWLCS with Spanish normal weight, overweight and obese samples. Methods: The research was carried out in two different studies. The first included a sample of 140 normal weight participants, selected out of a 274 sample recruited with an online survey. Study 2 was carried out in a sample of 633 participants recruited from the PREDIMED-Plus study. Out of them, 558 participants fulfilled the weight criteria and were categorized into: overweight (BMI 25 − < 29.99; N= 170), obese class I (BMI 30 − < 34.99; N= 266), and obese class II (BMI 35 − < 39.99; N= 122). Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were used to evaluate the factor structure of the MWLCS, and reliabilities and Spearman’s correlations were estimated. Invariance measurement was tested across the three subgroups of weight in Study 2. Results: A three-factor structure indicating weight locus of control factors (internal, chance, and powerful others) was supported, both via EFA in the normal weight sample and CFA in the overweight and obese samples. In the normal weight sample, the powerful others dimension was positively related to BMI and the dimensions of the Dutch Eating Behaviors Questionnaire. Additionally, the scale showed evidence of scalar invariance across the groups with different weight conditions. Conclusions: This scale seems to be a psychometrically appropriate instrument and its use is highly recommended when designing interventions for overweight or obese individuals. Level of evidence: Level V, descriptive study.

La deficiencia de lipasa ácida lisosomal (DLAL) es una enfermedad ultrarrara causada por un error congénito del metabolismo lipídico, que se caracteriza por el depósito de ésteres de colesterol y triglicéridos en el organismo. En pacientes con nula función enzimática la enfermedad se inicia en el período perinatal y es inevitablemente mortal durante el primer año de vida. En el resto de los casos el fenotipo es heterogéneo, aunque la mayoría de los pacientes desarrollan hepatopatía crónica y pueden presentar enfermedad cardiovascular prematura. Clásicamente, el tratamiento de la DLAL ha consistido en el uso de medidas de soporte, que no evitan su progresión. En 2015, las agencias reguladoras aprobaron el uso de una LAL recombinante humana para el tratamiento de la DLAL. Dicho tratamiento de sustitución enzimática a largo plazo se ha asociado con mejorías significativas de los parámetros lipídicos y hepáticos, incrementándose la supervivencia en lactantes con enfermedad rápidamente progresiva. La gravedad de la enfermedad, junto con la reciente disponibilidad de un tratamiento específico, hace especialmente relevante la necesidad de identificar a estos pacientes en la práctica clínica, aunque la baja prevalencia de la DLAL y el solapamiento clínico con otras enfermedades más frecuentes dificulta su reconocimiento. Con base en la evidencia científica publicada y la experiencia clínica e investigacional de los autores, el presente documento incluye recomendaciones prácticas para la identificación y la monitorización de los pacientes con DLAL, incluyendo un algoritmo diagnóstico, junto con una actualización de su tratamiento.

ObjectiveGluten-free diet (GFD) is the only management for coeliac disease (CD). Available methods to assess GFD compliance are insufficiently sensitive to detect occasional dietary transgressions that may cause gut mucosal damage. We aimed to develop a method to determine gluten intake and monitor GFD compliance in patients with CD and to evaluate its correlation with mucosal damage.DesignUrine samples of 76 healthy subjects and 58 patients with CD subjected to different gluten dietary conditions were collected. A lateral flow test (LFT) with the highly sensitive and specific G12 monoclonal antibody for the most dominant gluten immunogenic peptides (GIP) and a LFT reader were used to quantify GIP in solid-phase extracted urines.ResultsGIP were detectable in concentrated urines from healthy individuals previously subjected to GFD as early as 4–6 h after single gluten intake, and remained detectable for 1–2 days. The urine assay revealed infringement of the GFD in about 50% of the patients. Analysis of duodenal biopsies revealed that most of patients with CD (89%) with no villous atrophy had no detectable GIP in urine, while all patients with quantifiable GIP in urine showed incomplete intestinal mucosa recovery.ConclusionGIP are detected in urine after gluten consumption, enabling a new and non-invasive method to monitor GFD compliance and transgressions. The method was sensitive, specific and simple enough to be convenient for clinical monitoring of patients with CD as well as for basic and clinical research applications including drug development.Trial registration numberNCT02344758.

Las intervenciones basadas en mindfulness(IBM) se fundamentan en antiguas prácticas del budismo, actualizadas y adaptadas al contexto occidental. En la presente revisión se describirán las técnicas más usadas, para a continuación analizar los mecanismos de acción que el mindfulness(i.e., atención plena) parece activar como intervención psicológica. En la segunda parte se revisarán los estudios de tipo aplicado. Se comenzará analizando los ensayos clínicos y metaanálisis relativos a las intervenciones sobre problemas mentales. En un segundo momento se analizarán los estudios de eficacia y metaanálisis relativos a los problemas de salud física. En la parte final se tratan algunos temas importantes, como los posibles efectos adversos o los perfiles más adecuados a este tipo de intervención, y se revisan los temas que requieren de más investigación, como la eficacia comparada con otras técnicas de intervención ya validadas. La conclusión global en función de la investigación revisada es que las IBM son técnicas de gran versatilidad, ideales para contextos de atención primaria o similares y que logran sus mayores tasas de eficacia en pacientes con sintomatología de estrés, ansiedad o depresión.

Objectives:Treatment for celiac disease (CD) is a lifelong strict gluten-free diet (GFD). Patients should be followed-up with dietary interviews and serology as CD markers to ensure adherence to the diet. However, none of these methods offer an accurate measure of dietary compliance. Our aim was to evaluate the measurement of gluten immunogenic peptides (GIP) in stools as a marker of GFD adherence in CD patients and compare it with traditional methods of GFD monitoring.Methods:We performed a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter study including 188 CD patients on GFD and 84 healthy controls. Subjects were given a dietary questionnaire and fecal GIP quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serological anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) IgA and anti-deamidated gliadin peptide (anti-DGP) IgA antibodies were measured simultaneously.Results:Of the 188 celiac patients, 56 (29.8%) had detectable GIP levels in stools. There was significant association between age and GIP in stools that revealed increasing dietary transgressions with advancing age (39.2% in subjects ≥13 years old) and with gender in certain age groups (60% in men ≥13 years old). No association was found between fecal GIP and dietary questionnaire or anti-tTG antibodies. However, association was detected between GIP and anti-DGP antibodies, although 46 of the 53 GIP stool-positive patients were negative for anti-DGP.Conclusions:Detection of gluten peptides in stools reveals limitations of traditional methods for monitoring GFD in celiac patients. The GIP ELISA enables direct and quantitative assessment of gluten exposure early after ingestion and could aid in the diagnosis and clinical management of nonresponsive CD and refractory CD. Trial registration number NCT02711397.

Los síntomas depresivos y ansiosos tienen un claro impacto en el funcionamiento de las personas. Su aparición parece tener relación con la presencia de déficits en las capacidades metacognitivas. El entrenamiento en atención plena aumenta el insightmetacognitivo a través de la capacidad de descentramiento. Por ello el objetivo de este estudio ha sido evaluar la relación entre la atención plena y el descentramiento con la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva respectivamente. La muestra de este estudio está compuesta por 465 participantes y el contacto con ella se estableció a través de universidades y redes sociales. Los resultados revelaron que tanto la atención plena como la capacidad de descentramiento explican la presencia de sintomatología depresiva mientras que sólo la atención plena explica la presencia de sintomatología ansiosa. Estos resultados son alentadores para la intervención en atención plena con sintomatología ansiosa y/o depresiva y señalan la importancia de procesos metacognitivos, como el descentramiento, en su desarrollo.

La presencia de depresión o ansiedad asociada al diagnóstico de esclerosis múltiple (EM) se ha relacionado con una peor evolución de la enfermedad, con mayor número de brotes, con peor adherencia al tratamiento y una mayor disregulación del sistema inmune. Estudios recientes indican que intervenciones psicoterapéuticas dirigidas al manejo del estrés, entre ellas, intervenciones basadas en mindfulness (Mindfulness-Based Interventions, MBI), pueden mejorar la calidad de vida, la depresión, la ansiedad y la fatiga en pacientes con diagnóstico de EM. Mindfulness o atención plenafomenta la capacidad para observar las experiencias tal y como son y mejora la regulación emocional. Esta habilidad o actitud se aprende por entrenamiento y tiene la ventaja sobre otras intervenciones de que el efecto puede prolongarse a lo largo del tiempo al depender de la práctica personal. El objetivo del presente artículo es revisar la evidencia disponible sobre la eficacia de intervenciones psicosociales y psicoterapéuticas, específicamente MBI, en el manejo de la sintomatología ansioso-depresiva y del estrés percibido en pacientes con diagnóstico de EM.

The transcription factor Blimp-1 is necessary for the generation of plasma cells. Here we studied its functions in plasmablast differentiation by identifying regulated Blimp-1 target genes. Blimp-1 promoted the migration and adhesion of plasmablasts. It directly repressed genes encoding several transcription factors and Aicda (which encodes the cytidine deaminase AID) and thus silenced B cell–specific gene expression, antigen presentation and class-switch recombination in plasmablasts. It directly activated genes, which led to increased expression of the plasma cell regulator IRF4 and proteins involved in immunoglobulin secretion. Blimp-1 induced the transcription of immunoglobulin genes by controlling the 3′ enhancers of the loci encoding the immunoglobulin heavy chain (Igh) and κ-light chain (Igk) and, furthermore, regulated the post-transcriptional expression switch from the membrane-bound form of the immunoglobulin heavy chain to its secreted form by activating Ell2 (which encodes the transcription-elongation factor ELL2). Notably, Blimp-1 recruited chromatin-remodeling and histone-modifying complexes to regulate its target genes. Hence, many essential functions of plasma cells are under the control of Blimp-1.

(1) The objective of this study is to analyze differences in smell–taste capacity between females in extreme weight/eating conditions (EWC) and (2) to explore the interaction between smell/taste capacity, gastric hormones, eating behavior and body mass index (BMI). The sample comprised 239 females in EWC [64 Anorexia nervosa (AN) and 80 age-matched healthy-weight controls, and 59 obese and 36 age-matched healthy-weight controls]. Smell and taste assessments were performed through “Sniffin’ Sticks” and “Taste Strips,” respectively. The assessment measures included the eating disorders inventory-2, the symptom check list 90-revised, and The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, as well as peptides from the gastrointestinal tract [Ghrelin, peptide YY, cholecystokinin]. Smell capacity was differentially associated across EWC groups. Smell was clearly impaired in obese participants and increased in AN (hyposmia in Obesity was 54.3 and 6.4 % in AN), but taste capacity did not vary across EWC. Ghrelin levels were significantly decreased in obese subjects and were related to smell impairment. EWC individuals showed a distinct smell profile and circulating ghrelin levels compared to controls. Smell capacity and ghrelin may act as moderators of emotional eating and BMI.

The nanocarrier capabilities of atomically smooth two-dimensional sheets of a biantennary oligoglycine peptide C8H16(−CH2–NH–Gly5)2(also called tectomers) are demonstrated. We show that the pH-controlled, rapid, and reversible assembly and disassembly of oligoglycine can be effectively used for controlled loading and release of the anticancer drug and fluorescent probe coralyne. The calculated partition coefficient in water is of the same order of magnitude or higher when compared to other nanocarriers such as liposomes and micelles, signifying the tectomer’s impressive loading capabilities. Moreover, the loading of guest molecules in tectomers facilitates the protection from rapid photochemically induced degradation. Such efficient, pH-sensitive, stable, and biocompatible nanocarriers are extremely attractive for biosensing, therapeutic, and theranostic applications. Additionally, our results suggest that these planar self-assembled materials can also act as phase-transfer vehicles for hydrophobic cargoes further broadening their biomedical and technological applications.