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Nowadays, promising proof-of-concept graphene technologies already exist, although converting them into a commercial success requires a high-throughput fabrication process providing a high-quality material. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has proven to be the enabling technology for this purpose. However, as typical CVD systems are based on laboratory-scale tubular hot-wall reactors, a comprehensive study is required to translate the optimal thermodynamic configuration into industry-ready CVD cold-wall reactors, capable of increasing the growth area and the process efficiency and yield, hence drastically reducing the costs. In this work, a study on how the thermodynamic parameters affect the growth dynamics and the material quality in a cold-wall reactor under high precursor flow rate is presented. The growth dynamics have been assessed in terms of the lateral growth rate and the nucleation density by means of scanning electron microscopy and image-classification techniques, whereas the quality of the single crystals has been evaluated through Raman mapping and electrical measurements. The parameter space defined by the experimental data has been compared with the predictions based on free Gibbs energy minimization, obtaining an overall good qualitative agreement and proving the suitability of the high precursor flow rate regime for achieving a high-quality material at moderate growth times.

Purpose: This paper aims to provide empirical evidence for using the prospect theory (PT) basic assumptions in the Argentine context. Mainly, this study analysed the financial decision-making process in students of the economic-administrative academic area of two universities, one public and one private, in Córdoba. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis methodology included (1) the descriptive statistical analysis to identify the presence of the certainty, reflection and isolation effects; (2) the construction of a set of indicators on the application of the PT; (3) the chi-squared independence test, to determine if the decisions made are independent of the degree course taken; (4) the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test, to determine if the decisions made by individuals vary according to the semesters taken or students' levels of progress; and (5) the non-parametric Mann–Whitney test, to determine if there are differences between the decisions made by men and women. Findings: The empirical results provided evidence on the effects of certainty, reflection and isolation in both universities, concluding that the study participants make financial decisions in situations of uncertainty based more on PT than on expected utility theory. Originality/value: This study contributes to the empirical evidence in a different Latin-American context, confirming that individuals make financial decisions based on the PT independently of their degree course, semester, level of advance, gender or the kind of university where they belong (public or private).

Aibar-Almazán, A, Martínez-Amat, A, Cruz-Díaz, D, Jesús de la Torre-Cruz, M, Jiménez-García, JD, Zagalaz-Anula, N, Redecillas-Peiró, MT, Mendoza-Ladrón de Guevara, N, and Hita-Contreras, F. The influence of Pilates exercises on body composition, muscle strength, and gait speed in community-dwelling older women: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res36(8): 2298–2305, 2022—Population aging is a global phenomenon that has wide-ranging consequences for the health of individuals, including age-related obesity, muscle loss, and a decline in muscle strength and gait speed. These alterations are associated with disability, functional decline, and mortality in older adults. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of Pilates exercises on body composition, handgrip strength, and physical performance among community-dwelling Spanish women aged 60 and older. A randomized controlled trial of a 12-week Pilates training program was conducted. A total of 109 women were randomly allocated to either a control (n= 54) or a Pilates (n= 55) group. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance. Body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat, and height-adjusted skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were assessed before and immediately after the intervention, as were physical performance, estimated by gait speed (timed up-and-go test), and handgrip strength. Statistically significant improvements (p< 0.05) were observed both within and between groups for handgrip strength (Cohen's d= 0.40 and 0.52 respectively) and gait speed (Cohen's d= 0.86 and 0.87 respectively). After 12 weeks, BMI significantly decreased (Cohen's d= 0.07) only in the Pilates group. No significant differences were observed regarding SMI. In conclusion, a 12-week Pilates exercise intervention on community dwelling women over 60 years old shows beneficial effects on muscle strength, physical performance, and BMI, but failed to induce any changes on body composition.

El carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) se presenta cada vez más frecuentemente como una de las principales complicaciones de cirrosis, su principal factor de riesgo. La última década ha presentado modificaciones en su incidencia, relacionadas con una transición epidemiológica en la etiología de la cirrosis, con disminución en la prevalencia de hepatitis C y aumento en la etiología relacionada con la enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico (EHNA), además del desarrollo del CHC en hígado no cirrótico por EHNA. Se han identificado marcadores genéticos asociados a la enfermedad, así como avances en vigilancia y diagnóstico. Con relación al tratamiento, el perfeccionamiento de técnicas quirúrgicas, tanto relacionadas con la resección como con el trasplante, y radiológicas en estadios curativos permite mejorar la supervivencia de los pacientes candidatos a este abordaje, y, finalmente, hay cambios radicales en el abordaje sistémico con expectativas mucho más optimistas cuando se comparan con lo disponible hace una década. Es por eso que la Asociación Mexicana de Hepatología decidió realizar el II Consenso Mexicano de Carcinoma Hepatocelular, en el cual se hizo una revisión actualizada de la evidencia disponible nacional e internacional sobre la epidemiología, factores de riesgo, vigilancia, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad; con el objetivo de ofrecer al médico mexicano una revisión actualizada sobre los diferentes tópicos de esta enfermedad. En esta segunda parte del documento se presentan los tópicos relacionados con el tratamiento del CHC.

El carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) se presenta cada vez más frecuentemente como una de las principales complicaciones de cirrosis, su principal factor de riesgo. La última década ha presentado modificaciones en su incidencia, relacionadas con una transición epidemiológica en la etiología de la cirrosis, con disminución en la prevalencia de hepatitisC y aumento en la etiología relacionada con la enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico (EHNA), además del desarrollo del CHC en hígado no cirrótico por EHNA. Se han identificado marcadores genéticos asociados a la enfermedad, así como avances en vigilancia y diagnóstico. En relación al tratamiento, el perfeccionamiento de técnicas quirúrgicas, tanto relacionadas con resección como trasplante, y radiológicas en estadios curativos permite mejorar la supervivencia de los pacientes candidatos a este abordaje; finalmente, hay cambios radicales en el abordaje sistémico con expectativas mucho más optimistas cuando se comparan con lo disponible hace una década.

In recent years, many studies have referred to the interdependence between cognitive (hard-skills) and students’ academic performance. However, despite their relevance, soft-skills have not received the same treatment and have not been analysed as extensively, particularly from a gender perspective. Therefore, and bearing in mind that analysing from a gender perspective is essential to reduce occupational segregation and soft-skills can enhance young people’s personal and academic development, throughout this paper we have analysed the gender gap in soft-skills with a sample of 15–16 years old students from the Spanish region of Andalusia. To do so, we have used a recent innovation of the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition technique. Our results show not only that the gender gap in soft-skills is correlated with gender stereotypes, but also that grade retention or being an immigrant show a greater degree of association with boys’ soft-skills than girls’, while mothers’ educational level is more correlated with the soft-skills of girls.

A 68-year-old man with history of treated prostate cancer was referred to 68Ga–prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)–11 PET/CT imaging. Moderate bone involvement was observed, with a normal liver tracer uptake. Bone biopsy confirmed metastases of prostate cancer. After therapy adjustment, a follow-up 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT revealed good response in bone lesions, although it showed 3 new rounded liver intense uptake foci. Concurrent PSA was 0.6 ng/mL. Liver function tests were normal. PET/CT-guided hepatic biopsy demonstrated no malignant cells, focal inflammation, and steatosis, being possibly the inflammation the cause of false-positive multifocal uptake of 18F-PSMA-1007. Following PET/CT, controls showed a normal liver.

The TRPV1 cation nonselective ion channel plays an essential role in thermosensation and perception of other noxious stimuli. TRPV1 can be activated by low extracellular pH, high temperature, or naturally occurring pungent molecules such as allicin, capsaicin, or resiniferatoxin. Its noxious thermal sensitivity makes it an important participant as a thermal sensor in mammals. However, details of the mechanism of channel activation by increases in temperature remain unclear. Here, we used a combination of approaches to try to understand the role of the ankyrin repeat domain (ARD) in channel behavior. First, a computational modeling approach by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation of the whole TRPV1 embedded in a phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine membrane provides insight into the dynamics of this channel domain. Global analysis of the structural ensemble shows that the ARD is a region that sustains high fluctuations during dynamics at different temperatures. We then performed biochemical and thermal stability studies of the purified ARD by the means of circular dichroism and tryptophan fluorescence and demonstrate that this region undergoes structural changes at similar temperatures that lead to TRPV1 activation. Our data suggest that the ARD is a dynamic module and that it may participate in controlling the temperature sensitivity of TRPV1.

Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication in patients with Chronic Liver Disease (CLD), and the development of this decompensation is multifactorial, including ammonia levels, inflammatory status, and sepsis, among others. A poorly studied factor in our population is the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), which could act as a co-factor in HE. To assess if serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) deficiency acts as a cofactor in the development of HE.

The municipality of Ronda, in Spain, has a rich architectural heritage, treasured by its inhabitants over the centuries. Among its numerous buildings of great heritage value, one stands out: the monumental bridge that rises above the precipice of the plateau on which this city sits. It is known as the New Bridge. This unique 18th-century engineering work favoured the expansion and growth of Ronda's population, also affecting its urban development. Currently, it continues to serve as a link between the original city centre and its expansion areas beyond the walls. This research addresses the reasons why this bridge was constructed, as well as the circumstances that marked its different construction phases. In addition, different hypotheses are put forward on how its physiognomy might have been, in the case that each of the different projects proposed for the bridge had been carried out in its entirety. All of this has led to the conclusion that the morphology of this bridge was not the result of a single design, but rather responds to the various modifications made during its construction.

Acetogenins (ACGs) are bioactive compounds with high lipophilicity, which limits their pharmaceutical applications. An alternative to increase ACGs solubility is preparing them into suspended nanoparticles in an aqueous solution. The objective of this study was to formulate nanosuspensions (NSps) as ACG carriers by assessing the impact of various soybean lecithin concentrations (SL 5, 10, and 15 mg/mL), polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 0.05 %, 0.1 %, and 0.2 %) and dispersion methods (low agitation at 500 rpm, medium agitation at 10,000 rpm and ultrasound) on particle size and polydispersity index (PDI). The experimental data were performed with a response surface analysis to obtain an optimized, validated, and characterized nanosuspension (OPEGSL-ACGs-NSps) and to measure the antibacterial and hemolytic activity. The optimum conditions to get the OPEGSL-ACGs-NSps with spherical-shaped nanoparticles with a size of 100–113.32 nm, a PDI of 0.19, and a zeta potential of −42.14 mV were 15 mg/mL SL and 0.2 % PEG using low agitation (500 rpm) as dispersion method. In addition, the nanoparticles of optimized NSps presented a high entrapment (92.80 %) and encapsulation efficiency (83.33 %); these parameters were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis. Also, 86 % of ACGs were released until 40 h. Moreover, OPEGSL-ACGs-NSps (with 320 μg/mL of ACGs) caused a significant inhibition against E. faecalis(83 %) and L. monocytogenes(86 %); in contrast, they exhibited no hemolytic activity at 250 and 500 μg/mL of ACGs. The new OPEG-ACGs-NSps are an attractive, promising, and cost-effective alternative to improve ACG solubility, and they could also be safe if administered orally or intravenously at low doses.

How obesity and elevated androgen levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affect their offspring is unclear. In a Swedish nationwide register-based cohort and a clinical case–control study from Chile, we found that daughters of mothers with PCOS were more likely to be diagnosed with PCOS. Furthermore, female mice (F0) with PCOS-like traits induced by late-gestation injection of dihydrotestosterone, with and without obesity, produced female F1–F3offspring with PCOS-like reproductive and metabolic phenotypes. Sequencing of single metaphase II oocytes from F1–F3offspring revealed common and unique altered gene expression across all generations. Notably, four genes were also differentially expressed in serum samples from daughters in the case–control study and unrelated women with PCOS. Our findings provide evidence of transgenerational effects in female offspring of mothers with PCOS and identify possible candidate genes for the prediction of a PCOS phenotype in future generations.

Background: Cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the ability of an individual to cope with brain pathology remaining free of cognitive symptoms. This protective factor has been related to compensatory and more efficient brain mechanisms involved in resisting brain damage. For its part, Brain reserve (BR) refers to individual differences in the structural properties of the brain which could also make us more resilient to suffer from neurodegenerative and mental diseases. Objective: This review summarizes how this construct, mainly mediated by educational level, occupational attainment, physical and mental activity, as well as successful social relationships, has gained scientific attention in the last years with regard to diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, stroke or traumatic brain injury. Nevertheless, although CR has been studied in a large number of disorders, few researches have addressed the role of this concept in drug addiction. Methods: We provide a selective overview of recent literature about the role of CR and BR in preventing substance use onset. Likewise, we will also discuss how variables involved in CR (healthy leisure, social support or job-related activities, among others) could be trained and included as complementary activities of substance use disorder treatments. Results: Evidence about this topic suggests a preventive role of CR and BR on drug use onset and when drug addiction is established, these factors led to less severe addiction-related problems, as well as better treatment outcomes. Conclusion: CR and BR are variables not taken yet into account in drug addiction. However, they could give us a valuable information about people at risk, as well as patient’s prognosis.

La infección por Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)representa el factor etiológico más importante en numerosas enfermedades gastroduodenales. A pesar de haberse utilizado múltiples esquemas antibióticos para modificar su morbimortalidad asociada, la prevalencia de esta infección bacteriana continúa siendo desproporcionadamente alta en todo el mundo, debido principalmente a la resistencia antibiótica. A los efectos de evaluar la eficacia no inferior y la seguridad de 2regímenes de triple terapia durante 10 días para la erradicación de H. pyloricomparamos claritromicina 500mg, lansoprazol 30mg y amoxicilina 1g, 2 veces al día (terapia triple estándar o CLA, grupo 1) vs. pantoprazol 80mg, levofloxacina 500mg y 500mg de azitromicina, 1 vez al día (PLA, grupo 2). Los 2regímenes fueron comparados en pacientes previamente no tratados.

Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection remains the leading cause of several gastroduodenal diseases. Despite the fact that multiple antibiotic regimens have been used to change its associated morbidity and mortality, the prevalence of this bacterial infection continues to be disproportionately high worldwide, mainly due to antibiotic resistance. To assess the noninferiority efficacy and safety of 210-day triple regimens on H. pylorieradication, we evaluated clarithromycin 500mg, lansoprazole 30mg, and amoxicillin 1g, all bid (standard triple therapy or CLA, Group 1) vs. pantoprazole 80mg, levofloxacin 500mg and azithromycin 500mg, all od (PLA, Group 2). Both regimens were compared in treatment-naïve patients.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects nearly one third of the population worldwide. Mexico is one of the countries whose population has several risk factors for the disease and its prevalence could surpass 50%. If immediate action is not taken to counteract what is now considered a national health problem, the medium-term panorama will be very bleak.

La enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico (EHGNA) afecta prácticamente a un tercio de la población mundial. México es uno de los países cuya población reúne varios factores de riesgo para esta enfermedad y su prevalencia podría superar el 50%; es por eso que el panorama a mediano plazo es muy pesimista si no se toman acciones inmediatas para contrarrestar lo que ya se considera un problema de salud nacional.

The glymphatic system of cerebrospinal fluid transport through the perivascular spaces of the brain has been implicated in metabolic waste clearance, neurodegenerative diseases and in acute neurological disorders such as stroke and cardiac arrest. In other biological low-pressure fluid pathways such as in veins and the peripheral lymphatic system, valves play an important role in ensuring the flow direction. Though fluid pressure is low in the glymphatic system and directed bulk flow has been measured in pial and penetrating perivascular spaces, no valves have yet been identified. Valves, which asymmetrically favour forward flow to backward flow, would imply that the considerable oscillations in blood and ventricle volumes seen in magnetic resonance imaging could cause directed bulk flow. Here, we propose that astrocyte endfeet may act as such valves using a simple elastic mechanism. We combine a recent fluid mechanical model of viscous flow between elastic plates with recent measurements of in vivoelasticity of the brain to predict order of magnitude flow-characteristics of the valve. The modelled endfeet are effective at allowing forward while preventing backward flow.

•Depression was associated to changes in sleep-wake rhythm of autonomic activity.•Acutely, depression was associated to higher heart rate during sleep.•Depression coexist with changes in HRV that would worsen the coronary prognosis.

The purpose of this article is to present the Mexican experience related to the US-Mexico joint Gulf of Mexico Large Marine Ecosystem-Based Assessment and Management Project, particularly the community involvement and mangrove wetland restoration, and the challenges for its replication and up-scaling. Results focus on community engagement, environmental education and social participation, strategies for hydrological restoration of mangrove, and difficulties and recommendations for the implementation of the Strategic Action Program. The main conclusions are that the community-based hydrologic restoration approach, is a good way to ensure long-term restoration of wetlands. Changing from mangrove plantations to the hydrological restoration of wetlands, and construction of human capacities resulted in a more efficient strategy for ecosystem restoration and had influenced the forest environmental policy. The involvement of government and education institutions as execution agencies will contribute to a more efficient appropriation of the project and LME approach. The development of economic alternatives and the ecological monitoring are some of the identified challenges within the implementation phase of the Strategic Action Program.

Cocaine addiction disorder is notably aggravated by concomitant cognitive and emotional pathology that impedes recovery. We studied whether a persistent cognitive/emotional dysregulation in mice withdrawn from cocaine holds a neurobiological correlate within the hippocampus, a limbic region with a key role in anxiety and memory but that has been scarcely investigated in cocaine addiction research. Mice were submitted to a chronic cocaine (20 mg/kg/day for 12 days) or vehicle treatment followed by 44 drug-free days. Some mice were then assessed on a battery of emotional (elevated plus-maze, light/dark box, open field, forced swimming) and cognitive (object and place recognition memory, cocaine-induced conditioned place preference, continuous spontaneous alternation) behavioral tests, while other mice remained in their home cage. Relevant hippocampal features [basal c-Fos activity, GABA+, parvalbumin (PV)+ and neuropeptide Y (NPY)+ interneurons and adult neurogenesis (cell proliferation and immature neurons)] were immunohistochemically assessed 73 days after the chronic cocaine or vehicle protocol. The cocaine-withdrawn mice showed no remarkable exploratory or emotional alterations but were consistently impaired in all the cognitive tasks. All the cocaine-withdrawn groups, independent of whether they were submitted to behavioral assessment or not, showed enhanced basal c-Fos expression and an increased number of GABA+ cells in the dentate gyrus. Moreover, the cocaine-withdrawn mice previously submitted to behavioral training displayed a blunted experience-dependent regulation of PV+ and NPY+ neurons in the dentate gyrus, and neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Results highlight the importance of hippocampal neuroplasticity for the ingrained cognitive deficits present during chronic cocaine withdrawal.

La edad del paciente ha sido clásicamente interpretada como un factor condicionante de la aparición de complicaciones postoperatorias en cirugía de resección pulmonar por carcinoma broncogénico. El Grupo de Estudio de Complicaciones Postoperatorias de la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Torácica promovió un registro que permitiera analizar este hecho.

As a departure from the standard bioclimatic models for architectural design which are based on regional climatic conditions, this study argues for the need to adapt architecture to the local microclimate in order to achieve maximum energy efficiency with regard to indoor thermal conditioning for the benefit of the occupants. Taking a commonly accepted, conventional bioclimatic housing model as a starting point, this study analyses the effect of passive systems of energy usage (based on orientation, shape and materials) in the transfer of heat across all facades between the microclimatic conditions outside the house and the interior of the house, thereby affecting internal comfort conditions. An optimised bioclimatic model which achieves a greater reduction in energy consumption has been established through the manipulation of these elements. The study, which uses the typology of the single-family house, was carried out in the municipality of Estepona, taken as a model city with respect to the process of urban consolidation within the Mediterranean enclave in the south of Spain. The analysis demonstrates that the optimised housing model significantly improves the daily thermal performance of the house as well as heating and cooling loads. Therefore, the adaptation of architecture to microclimatic conditions may be used as a basic strategy in the design and construction of more efficient housing.

La positron emission tomography(PET) cerebral con F18-FDG ha sido utilizado para estudiar epilepsias focales con alta sensibilidad en la detección del área epileptógena, aun con resonancia magnética (RM) normal. La PET ha mostrado positividad en algunos casos de síndrome de Landau-Kleffner (SLK), la mayoría de las veces evidenciando hipometabolismo temporoparietal uni o bilateral, aunque un grupo heterogéneo de alteraciones asociadas ha sido descrito. Presentamos un caso de SLK con un área hipermetabólica temporooccipital izquierda, que respondió al tratamiento, con mejoría clínica y regresión del foco hipercaptante a la PET.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is characterized by the presence of specific antimitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA), antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA), or documented by liver biopsy, treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has implication in disease progression and survival without a liver transplant. This study aimed to know the clinical characteristics of patients with PBC.

>In recent years, resonant cycles have emerged as a new principle in signal coordination. Resonant cycles were originally associated with cycle lengths that resulted in good progression over a range of traffic volumes. Several studies documented the potential benefits of this new principle. In this research, “resonant cycles” are defined as cycle lengths that are robust over a range of traffic volumes on two-way arterials. However, resonant cycles may not always exist on traffic corridors, depending on their operational and geometric factors, and the impact of these factors is not well understood. To examine these conditions more closely, this paper provides a comprehensive analysis of resonant cycles. Geometric and operational traffic data obtained from two corridors were used. Resonant cycles were observed on both corridors; the benefits resulted in reductions of approximately 8% in the total delay and 19% in the number of stops when compared with the critical intersection method. The geometric and operational variables that permitted resonant cycles were identified through a macroscopic model. The results indicated that resonant cycles could easily be found on these two corridors under low-volume scenarios. When moderate-volume conditions occurred, certain combinations of geometric and operational traffic variables supported resonant cycles. In contrast, cross-street volumes that were similar in magnitude to the volumes of the main street tended to remove the cycle resonance for moderate traffic volumes. When a microscopic model was used to estimate optimal cycle lengths, the range of traffic volumes under a resonant cycle was reduced.

The building described hereunder is an example of the importance of early stage cooperation between the architectural and structural engineering teams in establishing design guidelines that capitalise on the full potential of architectural forms to maximise structural effectiveness and minimise the impact on functionality. One such guideline is the “megastructure” concept, whereby the overall shape of a building is used to generate a large-scale structural member. The solution for the iconic element of the design at issue (a huge curved cantilever) was to optimise façade and structural slab performance by eschewing additional elements (such as diaphragm walls, masts or tie beams) that would affect the aesthetics of the building exteriors or constitute an invasion of the indoor space.

El edificio de que es objeto el presente artículo es un ejemplo de cómo una temprana colaboración entre los equipos de Arquitectura y Estructuras permite la aplicación de pautas de diseño que aprovechan la potencialidad de la forma arquitectónica para lograr estructuras de máxima eficacia y mínima afección a la funcionalidad.

Glymphatic fluid transport eliminates metabolic waste from the brain including amyloid-β, yet the methodology for studying efflux remains rudimentary. Here, we develop a method to evaluate glymphatic real-time clearance. Efflux of Direct Blue 53 (DB53, also T-1824 or Evans Blue) injected into the striatum is quantified by imaging the DB53 signal in the vascular compartment, where it is retained due to its high affinity to albumin. The DB53 signal is detectable as early as 15 min after injection and the efflux kinetics are sharply reduced in mice lacking the water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4). Pharmacokinetic modeling reveal that DB53 efflux is consistent with the existence of two efflux paths, one with fast kinetics (T1/2 = 50 min) and another with slow kinetics (T1/2 = 240 min), in wild-type mice. This in vivomethodology will aid in defining the physiological variables that drive efflux, as well as the impact of brain states or disorders on clearance kinetics.

The Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis-31 (QUALEFFO-31) is a reliable and validated questionnaire that assesses quality of life in osteoporotic women. Our objective was to analyze the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of QUALEFFO-31 and its ability to discriminate between women with osteoporosis and women without osteoporosis in a Spanish postmenopausal population.

El PET (Positron Emission Tomography) con F18-Fluorodeoxiglucosa (FDG) es un examen ampliamente utilizado en el estudio de epilepsia refractaria, constituyendo en la actualidad un pilar fundamental en la evaluación quirúrgica. El PET proporciona una traducción funcional de la lesión morfológica y puede pesquisar otras áreas epileptógenas temporales y extratemporales no visibles con los métodos tradicionales. Su alta sensibilidad y positividad aún con Resonancia Magnética (RM) negativa, hace posible optar a la resección quirúrgica en pacientes que de otra manera no podrían operarse, obteniendo sujetos libres de crisis en hasta el 80% de las epilepsias temporales. El PET es realizado eminentemente en fase interictal y posee una sensibilidad de 90% en focos temporales y 50 a 70% en focos extratemporales. El PET “ictal” y el uso de radiofármacos distintos del F18-FDG son alternativas válidas en ciertos casos de epilepsia, especialmente extratemporal. Es posible que el uso del PET en epilepsia siga aumentando debido a la cada vez mayor disponibilidad del método y su consiguiente menor costo.

Las imágenes tienen un rol fundamental en la oncología actual, que incluye el diagnóstico, etapificación, evaluación de respuesta al tratamiento y diagnóstico de complicaciones. El examen de mayor importancia en estos pacientes es la Tomografía Computada, que tiene un alto rendimiento y resolución espacial, es rápida y disponible en los distintos centros. Otros exámenes son de ayuda complementaria como el Ultrasonido y la Resonancia Magnética. Los estudios metabólicos, y especialmente los de tipo híbrido como el PET/CT, han mejorado la sensibilidad y especificidad en el estudio de diversas neoplasias, tanto en la etapificación, como en el control de tratamiento y seguimiento. En el futuro, con nuevas técnicas, podremos diagnosticar cánceres en una etapa muy precoz, incluso antes de que se manifiesten clínicamente.

En el presente documento se reflexiona sobre la representación de las mujeres en la democracia mexicana desde la representatividad, término que ha permitido a los sistemas democráticos organizar el poder. La representatividad alude a la actuación en nombre de otro de quien se expresan sus intereses, sin embargo, las críticas a la democracia representativa permiten cuestionar la representación de los intereses de grupos que han estado excluidos del poder, como los pueblos indios o las mujeres.

The aim of this work is to propose the use of printed acetate sheets as quasi-sinusoidal and quasi-triangular diffraction gratings, as low-cost alternative gratings for application in non-invasive optical tests. Gratings were generated with Matlab® software and made with various models of laser and inkjet printers. A study of the profile gratings that depend on the symmetry in the sample was included, gratings were placed in the entrance pupil of a positive lens (illuminated by a collimated plane wave) to observe their Fourier transforms. It was found that diffraction patterns of various types of quasi-sinusoidal and quasi-triangular profiles were very close to that of sinusoidal gratings. Gradual change in the size of printed ink spots was observed in more detail through a magnification of 40x. Additionally, an atomic force microscope was used to measure the average superficial roughness of the impressions as to observe the behavior of the ink on the acetate.

Los exámenes metabólicos con PET (Positron Emission Tomography) han experimentado un notable desarrollo tecnológico y expansión de su uso clínico en las últimas décadas. Gran parte de la utilidad clínica del PET se ha centrado en el estudio de patología oncológica, donde ha demostrado alto rendimiento diagnóstico y adecuada relación costo/beneficio, permitiendo diagnósticos más rápidos, certeros e integrales, con reconocido ahorro de tiempo y recursos. En el área pediátrica, el PET ha mostrado un crecimiento exponencial en los últimos años, debido principalmente al advenimiento de equipos tecnológicamente más avanzados y de adquisición híbrida como el PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography), que han permitido disminuir las dosis de radiación y los tiempos de examen, con significativa elevación del rendimiento de la técnica. Por otro lado, la rápida masificación de equipos PET/CT ha hecho posible reducir notablemente los costos del examen. En este trabajo se revisan aspectos técnicos del PET/CT, preparación para el examen, indicaciones, rendimiento y utilidad por patología, haciendo una revisión de la literatura disponible.

La técnica híbrida PET/CT ha sido utilizada en el estudio inicial y seguimiento de neoplasia malignas, con óptima relación costo/beneficio.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is more frequently manifesting as one of the main complications of cirrhosis of the liver, its principal risk factor. There have been modifications in its incidence over the past decade, related to an epidemiologic transition in the etiology of cirrhosis, with a decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis C and an increase in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a cause, as well as the development of HCC in the non-cirrhotic liver due to NAFLD. Genetic markers associated with the disease have been identified, and surveillance and diagnosis have improved. Regarding treatment, surgical techniques, in both resection and transplantation, have advanced and radiologic techniques, at the curative stage of the disease, have enhanced survival in those patients. And finally, there have been radical changes in the systemic approach, with much more optimistic expectations, when compared with the options available a decade ago. Therefore, the Asociación Mexicana de Hepatologíadecided to carry out the Second Mexican Consensus on Hepatocellular Carcinoma, which is an updated review of the available national and international evidence on the epidemiology, risk factors, surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease, to offer the Mexican physician current information on the different topics regarding hepatocellular carcinoma. In this second part of the document, the topics related to the treatment of HCC are presented.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is more frequently manifesting as one of the main complications of cirrhosis of the liver, its principal risk factor. There have been modifications in its incidence over the past decade, related to an epidemiologic transition in the etiology of cirrhosis, with a decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis C and an increase in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a cause, as well as the development of HCC in the non-cirrhotic liver due to NAFLD. Genetic markers associated with the disease have been identified, and surveillance and diagnosis have improved. Regarding treatment, surgical techniques, in both resection and transplantation, have advanced and radiologic techniques, at the curative stage of the disease, have enhanced survival in those patients. And finally, there have been radical changes in the systemic approach, with much more optimistic expectations, when compared with the options available a decade ago.

The city of Valencia (Spain) has undergone considerable development over the last decade. The city harbour has taken on great relevance as a commercial and sports harbour following the hosting of the 32nd America's Cup in 2007, and in August 2008 a new event will be held in the city: the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe which will be held on a new street circuit in the harbour area linked to an extension of the city. The symbol of the street circuit is a swing bridge that will connect the east and west transversal docks at the entrance to the inner harbour. The horizontal swing movement of the bridge is due to urban and “architectural” requirements. The bridge environment, the presence of the Foredeck Building by David Chipperfield and the rest of the America's Cup facilities, invalidates the use of the bascule solution. A bascule railway and road bridge was originally built in the area of the harbour, but due to several urban planning decisions was put out of use. The original bridge, therefore, had to be reallocated and adapted to new functions. The design of the new bridge, completed in July 2007, makes use of the original bridge: 95% of the steel structure, and 50% of the operating machinery that enabled the movement of the bridge, as well as the span locks that blocked the bridge for its normal use. The new bridge spans 99,2 m and has an 18-m wide platform for road use: harbour traffic and the Formula 1 circuit.

At least two important transportation planning activities rely on planning-level crash prediction models. One is motivated by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, which requires departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to consider safety explicitly in the transportation planning process. The second could arise from a need for state agencies to establish incentive programs to reduce injuries and save lives. Both applications require a forecast of safety for a future period. Planning-level crash prediction models for the Tucson, Arizona, metropolitan region are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of such models. Data were separated into fatal, injury, and property-damage crashes. To accommodate overdispersion in the data, negative binomial regression models were applied. To accommodate the simultaneity of fatality and injury crash outcomes, simultaneous estimation of the models was conducted. All models produce crash forecasts at the traffic analysis zone level. Statistically significant (p-values < 0.05) and theoretically meaningful variables for the fatal crash model included population density, persons 17 years old or younger as a percentage of the total population, and intersection density. Significant variables for the injury and property-damage crash models were population density, number of employees, intersections density, percentage of miles of principal arterial, percentage of miles of minor arterials, and percentage of miles of urban collectors. Among several conclusions it is suggested that planning-level safety models are feasible and may play a role in future planning activities. However, caution must be exercised with such models.

At least two important transportation planning activities rely on planning-level crash prediction models. One is motivated by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, which requires departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to consider safety explicitly in the transportation planning process. The second could arise from a need for state agencies to establish incentive programs to reduce injuries and save lives. Both applications require a forecast of safety for a future period. Planning-level crash prediction models for the Tucson, Arizona, metropolitan region are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of such models. Data were separated into fatal, injury, and property-damage crashes. To accommodate overdispersion in the data, negative binomial regression models were applied. To accommodate the simultaneity of fatality and injury crash outcomes, simultaneous estimation of the models was conducted. All models produce crash forecasts at the traffic analysis zone level. Statistically significant (p-values < 0.05) and theoretically meaningful variables for the fatal crash model included population density, persons 17 years old or younger as a percentage of the total population, and intersection density. Significant variables for the injury and property-damage crash models were population density, number of employees, intersections density, percentage of miles of principal arterial, percentage of miles of minor arterials, and percentage of miles of urban collectors. Among several conclusions it is suggested that planning-level safety models are feasible and may play a role in future planning activities. However, caution must be exercised with such models.

A high statistics study of the negative particle multiplicity distribution from S–Pb collisions at 200 GeV/cper nucleon is presented. The NA36 TPC was used to detect charged particles; corrections are based upon the maximum entropy method.

Cross sections for Λ, Λ, and K° production in S+Pb reaction at 200 GeV/c/n have been measured. Transverse momentum and rapidity distributions as well as the production dependence on event multiplicity are presented. An enhancement of strangeness production in mid-rapidity is observed.

The amino acid contents of edible insects from different provinces of Mexico and reference proteins were analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. The insect amino acid contents were higher than the adult requirements indicated by the WHO/FAO pattern.