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Data provided by floating vehicles have the same limitation as that provided by an imperfect stationary detector that undercounts vehicles: they provide data from an unknown proportion of the total flow. Since the knowledge of this proportion is critical for some applications, its value is usually estimated by complementing with data provided by other monitoring infrastructure. However, this type of infrastructure is not the norm in many cities, particularly in developing countries. This paper extends a previously proposed method to estimate this penetration solely from a series of inter-detection times. The improved method is based on Bayesian inference and supports a series of passage times coming from multilane infrastructure, albeit still requiring an uninterrupted traffic regime. The method was applied to actual RFID interdetection times from a four-lane weaving urban freeway segment in Santiago, Chile. The resulting estimated rates are consistent with those reported by the freeway operator, showing the method's capabilities. Thus, the method is instrumental in successfully taking full advantage of technology already in place in many cities without needing new investments in monitoring infrastructure. • A simple method to estimate the proportion of vehicles detected by a sensor. • Deals with changes in traffic state, more than one lane, integer times in seconds. • Succeeded to estimate detection rate of real Electronic Toll collection facility. • Suitable to get scalable, real-time traffic information from V2I, RFID, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision-cut liver slices (PCLS) are tissue explants extensively used as an ex vivo model for metabolism and toxicity studies. When in vitro assays are conducted, it is imperative to perform a histomorphological evaluation as part of the viability analyses throughout the assay time. It is considered that good quality PCLS histological sections are difficult to obtain because they are hard to manipulate, and may shrink or fold during processing. Moreover, bibliography is not detailed on the embedding processes used. In this article, we propose an adjusted and rapid method for paraffin embedding of PCLS from crossbreed steers. Each PCLS was covered with a piece of gauze and placed into a histological cassette. These cassettes were submitted to a series of baths: 80 % ethanol for 10 min; 3 baths of 96 % ethanol for 10 min; 3 baths of butanol for 10 min; 1 bath of butanol-paraffin (1:1) for 20 min in a 60 °C laboratory oven; and 3 baths of paraffin for 20 min in a 60 °C laboratory oven. Folded paper boxes were used to produce paraffin blocks. It was possible to obtain complete sections with preserved cell morphology and no artifacts, and tissue appearance was similar to previous PCLS processed through the routine protocol, demonstrating the adequacy of the method implemented. [Display omitted] • We propose a 2 ½ hours method for paraffin embedding of precision-cut liver slices from steers. • Good quality PCLS sections for histological assessment were obtained. • This method reduces processing issues (artifacts, folding, loss, etc.) and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure ulcers are a common adverse event in healthcare. To date, no flowmetry studies have been conducted to compare hyperoxygenated fatty acids (HFA) vs. extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) in alleviating this condition. To determine and evaluate the effect of the application of HFA vs. EVOO on tissue oxygenation and perfusion in heels under pressure, in healthy persons and in hospitalised patients. Two-phase experimental study. Phase 1 will be conducted with healthy subjects, using a randomised, open study design, evaluating an intrasubject control group. Phase 2 will focus on hospitalised subjects, with a randomised, open study group vs. a control group. This Project is undertaken to identify the mechanisms that intervene in the genesis of pressure ulcers and to determine whether there are differences in outcomes between the application of HFA vs. EVOO as a preventive measure The results of this study are of economic importance (due to the price difference between the products used) and will also impact on usual clinical practice for patients with impaired mobility and liable to suffer from pressure ulcers, by considering an alternative to established preventive measures. • There are no previous studies about the effect of HFA and EVOO in tissue oxygenation and perfusion in heels under pressure. • This study may have economic impact due to the price difference between preventive products used. • This Project is undertaken to identify the mechanisms that intervene in the genesis of pressure ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the changes that take place in the perfusion, oxygenation and local temperature of the skin of the sacrum and trochanter when subjected to direct pressure for 2 h. Quasi-experimental study in the preclinical phase with healthy subjects acting as their own controls (intrasubject control). The outcome variables were measured with a laser Doppler system (local temperature and oxygenation) and by near-infrared spectroscopy (perfusion). The pressure exerted was measured with a capacitive pressure sensor. No more than one week elapsed between the sacrum and trochanter measurements. The study sample consisted of 18 persons. The comparative analysis of the fluctuations in the parameters measured on the skin of the trochanters and sacrum, according to the time elapsed, revealed a statistically significant increase in temperature and in the pressure exerted. On the other hand, the changes in capillary blood flow and in SaO2 were not statistically significant. Our study results show that changes found in terms of temperature and pressure should be taking into account when planning personalised repositioning to patients according to biomechanical and biological situations that vary between anatomical areas. In future research, the changes reported could be evaluated in patients with risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers, thus facilitating the introduction of more personalised planning in the care and prevention of these injuries. • Significant changes in sacral and trochanteric skin temperature have been observed over time. • The external validity of our findings needs to be confirmed by further study in clinical settings. • Future research about risk factors of PU may lead to personalised prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation is a key aspect for the sustainability and competitiveness of organisations, and of the economy in general. In recent years, Open Innovation (OI) has burst onto the scene as a more open approach, in which the sources and exchange of knowledge are extended beyond organisational borders. One of the main actors and providers of knowledge is the University. The literature related to OI and the University is very prolific, but at the same time dispersed. This paper aims to expand on the trend in research on OI and University. To do this, bibliometric techniques have been used to analyse a sample of 349 articles from journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) between 2005 and 2020. The results suggest that there is a high level of interest in research on this subject and that it is in full swing. The focus of the research is on topics such as collaboration, business-industry, R&D, networks, performance or knowledge-transfer. Emerging themes such as knowledge-spillover or absorptive-capacity appear, which are related to the research sensitivity on the true use of the knowledge generated. In recent years, there has been a trend towards research into entrepreneurship, key aspects of R&D such as strategy and cooperation, or education management. With regard to research related to University-Enterprise cooperation, the focus has been on SMEs, Helix models, entrepreneurship, or commercialisation. Finally, there are areas of research that require greater development related to family businesses and SMEs. This work sheds light on the state of the literature related to OI and University and is very useful for the orientation of future work in the field of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family firms make a significant contribution to wealth creation. Despite the proliferation of large corporations, the model remains in place. The peculiarities of the company-family relationship mean that these organizations are managed in a particular way and differently from those with a non-family composition. In recent decades, the literature on family firms has been considerable, but research related to the sustainability of this type of business is in the development phase and shows little maturity. This paper analyses the content of publications that set the trend in research on the sustainability of family firms. Bibliometric techniques are used to obtain the sample (135 docs.) of journals indexed in Web of Science (WoS) between the dates 2003 and 2019. The results suggest that the interest in sustainability in family firms is still relatively recent, barely a decade old. The most central theme has been Socioemotional-Wealth. The analysis of content points mainly to the process of intergenerational succession as a critical factor. As non-economic aspects, those that promote sustainability through the effects of emotional wealth, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Human Resources practices stand out. Finally, the economic aspects that would affect sustainability are related to performance and have to do with the change of organizational culture adapted to business orientation, intergenerational knowledge transfer, investment in innovation, or internationalization strategies. This work sheds light on what aspects are being researched in relation to sustainability in family firms and can serve as guidance for future work in this field of research, as well as for managers in the decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A microscopic traffic flow model incorporating the lateral dimension is formulated. • The model includes non-instant lane-changes and a multi-directional repulsive force. • The model reproduces lateral friction and the relaxation phenomenon at on-ramp merges. • The model handles collision avoidance during distracted, aggressive lane-changing. • Autonomous vehicles should consider the lateral dimension and be modeled in 2D. This paper proposes a two-dimensional car-following model to tackle traffic flow problems where considering continuum lateral distances enables a simpler or more natural mathematical formulation compared to traditional car-following models. These problems include (i) the effects of lateral friction often observed in HOV lanes and diverge bottlenecks, (ii) the relaxation phenomenon at merge bottlenecks, (iii) the occurrence of accidents due to lane changing, and (iv) traffic models for autonomous vehicles (AVs). We conjecture that traditional car-following models, where the lateral dimension is discretized into lanes, struggle with these problems and one has to resort to ad-hoc rules conceived to directly achieve the desired effect, and that are difficult to validate. We argue that the distance maintained by drivers in order to avoid collisions in all directions plays a fundamental role in all these problems. To test this hypothesis, we propose a simple two-dimensional microscopic car-following model based on the social force paradigm, and build simulation experiments that reproduce these phenomena. These phenomena are reproduced as an indirect consequence of the model's formulation, as opposed to ad-hoc rules, thus shedding light on their causes. A better understanding of the behavior of human drivers in the lateral dimension can be translated to improving autonomous driving algorithms so that they are human-friendly. In addition, since AV technology is proprietary, we argue that the proposed model should provide a good starting point for building AV traffic flow models when real data becomes available, as these data come from sensors that cover two-dimensional regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient repositioning is a recommended intervention to prevent or treat pressure ulcers (PUs). One option under consideration is the tailored repositioning according to patient characteristics, but more knowledge is needed on how different repositioning patterns influence on skin pressure. To determine what degree of inclination of the body in bed generates more pressure in the trochanteric region. Additionally, to analyze the influence of factors such as gender, age and anthropometric characteristics in the variations of this pressure. Analytical cross-sectional study. Body Mass Index (BMI), lean mass and fat mass were measured in healthy volunteers subject to different inclinations (90°, 60° and 30°) in right lateral decubitus. Pressure was measured with a capacitive surface. In total, 146 subjects were included, of which 45 were men and 101 women. The results showed pressure differences due to the inclination according to gender and anthropometric values, being statistically significant in men at 90° and 60°, and in women at 30°. (hombres 90° p = 0,026, 60° p = 0,049; mujeres 30° p = 0,036) según prueba Brown-Forsythe. There are differences in the pressures of the trochanteric zone depending on anthropometric factors and by gender, in different body positions. Obese people exerted a higher pressure in the trochanter area at 30° of body inclination than overweight, normal weight and underweight people, respectively. From the clinical point of view, these findings invite to consider a possible differentiation in the repositioning interventions of the patients, according to gender and BMI, as a preventive strategy for PUs. • Different distribution of body fat vary the pressure exerted by a degree of inclination and in a certain body plane. • The measurement with capacitive surface shows the differences in the pressures of the trochanter area. • These results may guide towards a more individualized indication of repositioning observations in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a framework to determine capacity profiles in smart buildings. In this scheme the users choose a level of power capacity to account for their stochastic demand while paying the corresponding electricity prices through a flexible time-and-level-of-use pricing policy. We formulate a two-stage stochastic optimization model that minimizes the total cost of booking a power capacity level and meeting the energy demand for the planning horizon. We present two approaches to select the scenarios for the stochastic optimization. In the first approach, we assume that the probability distributions of the start times of the loads are known, and the scenarios are generated using those distributions. In the second approach, we assume that only historical consumption data is available and we propose a new algorithm to build the scenarios using this data. Our simulation experiments validate the performance of both approaches and report cost savings of up to 16%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Hysteretic and seismic behaviors of the Recycled Plastic Lumber walls are presented. • Structural parameters of the Recycled Plastic Lumber walls are determined. • Recycled Plastic Lumber walls do not exhibit fragile failure modes under cyclic test. • Multilinear hysteretic model fits well the nonlinear dynamical behavior of the walls. • Recycled Plastic Lumber walls have a satisfactory performance under seismic loads. Abstract Recycled Plastic Lumber (RPL) is a wood-like material made from recycled plastics that aims to diminish the environmental pollution resulting from plastic wastes. This material is used in different kinds of nonstructural and structural applications. Recently, RPL has been proposed as a suitable material to develop structural walls that comprise the seismic resistant system of housings, in order to lessen the housing deficiency. This article presents the results drawn from an experimental campaign carried out over three full-scale RPL walls, which were tested under cycling loading conditions to determine structural parameters such as strength, hysteretic behavior, ductility, energy dissipation, equivalent damping and characteristic failure modes of the RPL walls, which are necessary to design and to assess seismically the housings. Finally, a multilinear hysteretic model capable of simulating the nonlinear dynamic behavior exhibited by RPL walls was implemented, in order to simulate and to assess the seismic behavior of them under strong and destructive real earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal transplant is the standard of care for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Robotic-assisted kidney transplant (RAKT) has emerged as a safe minimally invasive approach with a lower complication rate than open kidney transplant (OKT). Concerns regarding ischemia times and graft function are still a matter of debate. Following PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration CRD42023413774, a systematic review was performed in March 2023 on RAKT compared to OKT. Primary outcomes of interest were surgical times, ischemia times, blood loss, complication rates, and graft function. Data were analyzed using R version 4.2.2. A total of nine studies comparing living donor RAKT to living donor OKT were included, totaling 1477 patients, out of which 508 underwent RAKT and 969 OKT. RAKT cases were highly selected as depicted in the manuscript. Cumulative analysis showed significantly longer total ischemic time (MD = 16.51; 95% CI = [9.86–23.16]) and rewarming ischemia time (MD = 11.24; 95% CI = [−0.46–22.01]) in RAKT group. No differences were found in total procedure time and time to complete anastomoses. Blood loss and transfusion rate were lower in RAKT group (MD = −53.68; 95% CI = [−89.78; −17.58]) and (RR = 0.29; 95% CI = [0.14; 0.57]), respectively. The meta-analysis revealed a lower rate of surgical site infection (SSI) (RR = 0.31; 95% CI = [0.19–0.52]) and symptomatic lymphocele (RR = 0.16; 95% CI = [0.06–0.43]) in RAKT. No difference in ileus rate was found. Pain scores were significantly lower in the RAKT group (MD = -1.14; 95% CI = [−1.59 - -0.69]; p ≤0.01). No difference in length of stay and hospital readmission were evidenced. Delayed graft function (DGF) and acute rejection rates were not different between interventions groups (RR =1.23; 95% CI = [0.40–3.74]) and (RR =0.96; 95% CI = [0.55–1.70]), respectively. No difference between groups in early graft outcomes are evident. Our analysis suggests that RAKT is a minimally invasive, safe, and feasible procedure. It is associated with a lower complication rate and similar intraoperative, perioperative, and postoperative outcomes. Further quality studies are needed to confirm these findings. • Lower surgical site infection rates are observed after RAKT. • Lower surgical lymphocele rates are observed after RAKT. • Longer ischemia time does not affect graft function after RAKT. • Graft survival and patient survival after RAKT are comparable to OKT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This work presents a collaborative scheme for the end-users in a smart building with multiple housing units. This approach determines a day-ahead operational plan that provides demand-response services by taking into account the amount of energy consumed per household, the use of shared storage and solar panels, and the amount of shifted load. We use a biobjective optimization model to trade off total user satisfaction versus total cost of energy consumption. The optimization works in combination with a price structure based on time and level of use that encourages load shifting and benefits the participants. Computational experiments and an extensive sensitivity analysis validate the performance of the proposed approach and help to clarify its strengths, its limits, and the requirements for ensuring the desired outcome. Highlights • We present a collaborative scheme for end-users in a multi-unit smart building. • We use compromise programming to trade off user satisfaction and cost of energy. • Our approach achieves demand response through a combination of different resources. • We introduce a new cost structure that encourages load shifting. • We give insights into the boundary and basic conditions for the building operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studies the factors responsible for amaranth ( Amaranthus retroflexus ) growth suppression by different cover crops (CC). In field trials with two shading levels amaranth biomass was similar, demonstrating that light interception by CC was not the primary mechanism responsible for amaranth growth suppression. We could show that below a threshold of 3 t/ha of CC biomass, amaranth growth suppression was negatively correlated with CC biomass (R 2 = 0.41) and that this correlation was influenced by the CC species. Brassicaceae and black oat ( Avena strigosa ) did not follow this relation and effectively controlled amaranth even with a low biomass. The effects of root interactions between amaranth and CC on amaranth growth were further tested in the absence of competition for light, water and nutrients under controlled conditions. We could show that phacelia ( Phacelia tanacetifolia ) had no growth repressive effect, whereas buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum ), black oat and forage radish ( Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus) significantly suppressed amaranth growth by 46, 37 and 49% through indirect root interactions and by 68, 41 and 62% through direct root interactions. We deduce that this was due to allelopathic root exudates. We conclude that in order to describe and predict the weed suppressive ability of CC it is not sufficient to only study biomass production and shading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a mechanical formulation to estimate the strength of transversally stiffened steel plate girders subjected to patch loading, in this particular case, with closely space stiffeners. Steel plate girders with closely spaced stiffeners are occasionally found in bridge design and for such cases, the current EN1993-1-5 rules underestimate the strength of the webs to transverse forces. A FE-based parametric investigation is conducted to estimate the web strength to patch loading. The results are compared to the results obtained from classical beam theory in combination with the proposed formulation. A notional plate girder is analyzed to demonstrate the potential of the formulation for daily routine designs. Results indicate that the proposed formulation does a better job in predicting the web strength of transversely stiffened girders subjected to patch loading than the EN1993-1-5 specification, and thus yield a lighter and more economical design for these specific girder geometries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategy of vascular tissue engineering is to create a vascular substitute by combining autologous vascular cells with a tubular-shaped biodegradable scaffold. We have previously developed a novel electrospun bilayered vascular scaffold that provides proper biological and biomechanical properties as well as structural configuration. In this study, we investigated the clinical feasibility of a cellularized vascular scaffold in a preclinical large animal model. We fabricated the cellularized vascular construct with autologous endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-derived endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) followed by a pulsatile bioreactor preconditioning. This fully cellularized vascular construct was tested in a sheep carotid arterial interposition model. After preconditioning, confluent and mature EC and SMC layers in the scaffold were achieved. The cellularized constructs sustained the structural integrity with a high degree of graft patency without eliciting an inflammatory response over the course of the 6-month period in sheep. Moreover, the matured EC coverage on the lumen and a thick smooth muscle layer were formed at 6 months after transplantation. We demonstrated that electrospun bilayered vascular scaffolds in conjunction with autologous vascular cells may be a clinically applicable alternative to traditional prosthetic vascular graft substitutes. Statement of Significance This study demonstrates the utility of tissue engineering to provide platform technologies for rehabilitation of patients recovering from severe, devastating cardiovascular diseases. The long-term goal is to provide alternatives to vascular grafting using bioengineered blood vessels derived from an autologous cell source with a functionalized vascular scaffold. This novel bilayered vascular construct for engineering blood vessels is designed to offer “off-the-shelf” availability for clinical translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physiological and pathological mechanisms that determine subfertility (pregnancy failure, irregular cycles, and abnormalities in reproductive tract) in old mares (OM) have being studied by many authors. However, some young mares also share this reproduction condition although no previous reports have being published. We decided to investigate reproductive parameters of young subfertile mares (YSM) in order to understand the basis of their reproductive behavior. Forty-nine subfertile mares were classified and separated into 2 groups: YSM (3–10 years old; n = 28) and OM (13–23 years old; n = 21). Different number of cycles (1–8) was used for data analysis on the embryo recovery rate (ERR), interovulatory interval (IOI), multiple ovulation rate (MOR) and plasmatic progesterone. Embryo quality was evaluated by gene expression through RNAm analysis. Effluent samples were taken for bacteriological and cytological evaluation and endometrial biopsies were performed to evaluate the presence of inflammatory cells and endometrial progesterone receptors (PR). There was no significant differences in ERR ( P = .1230) on the percentage of each embryonic stage found on the different days of flushing ( P > .05); on embryo gene expression ( P > .05); on MOR ( P = .1218); and on plasmatic progesterone at day 8 PO ( P = .1230). However, differences were found on the percentage of positive cytologies ( P = .0122) and bacteriological cultures ( P = .0023); the amount of mononuclear cells in biopsies ( P < .05) and distribution of PR on endometrial localization. In conclusion, YSM share some physiopathological mechanisms with OM that could explain their reproductive performance’s similarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have revealed the heterogeneous nature of astrocytes; however, how diverse constituents of astrocyte-lineage cells are regulated in adult spinal cord after injury and contribute to regeneration remains elusive. We perform single-cell RNA sequencing of GFAP-expressing cells from sub-chronic spinal cord injury models and identify and compare with the subpopulations in acute-stage data. We find subpopulations with distinct functional enrichment and their identities defined by subpopulation-specific transcription factors and regulons. Immunohistochemistry, RNAscope experiments, and quantification by stereology verify the molecular signature, location, and morphology of potential resident neural progenitors or neural stem cells in the adult spinal cord before and after injury and uncover the populations of the intermediate cells enriched in neuronal genes that could potentially transition into other subpopulations. This study has expanded the knowledge of the heterogeneity and cell state transition of glial progenitors in adult spinal cord before and after injury. [Display omitted] • scRNA-seq revealed GFAP+ populations with distinct functional enrichment and dynamics • Regulatory network analysis predicted regulons defining specific subpopulations • Laminectomy sham surgery was sufficient to induce the activation of astrocyte-lineage cells • This study unveiled additional sources/pools of resident progenitors in adult spinal cord Wei et al. report the identification of the subpopulations of GFAP-expressing cells in healthy and injured adult spinal cords using single-cell RNA-seq. Bioinformatic and functional investigations of these subpopulations revealed the signature, location, morphology, and proliferation and differentiation abilities of the resident progenitors in the spinal cord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) associated with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is challenging. We analyze the treatments for this disease, discussing the advantages and drawbacks, and present our own technique and series. Methods This retrospective study covered the period January 2006 through January 2016. Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia deviation from midline, basilar artery (BA) and vertebral artery diameter, and BA apex distance above the posterior clinoid process were measured on preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The BA was repositioned and kept in place with coagulation of the clival dura, Teflon pledgets, and fibrin glue. We also performed a thorough literature review using PubMed. Results Our cases included 5 men and 3 women with mean age 64.88 years ± 10.32 (range, 48–81 years); 7 cases were TN, and 1 case was painful tic convulsif. Pain was on the left side in 6 cases and on the right in 2 cases. All cases affected cranial nerve V 2 and/or V 3 divisions. Both V 2 and V 3 were affected in 4 cases, V 3 was affected in 3 cases, and V 2 was affected in 1 case. Hypertension was present in 5 cases. TN disappeared postoperatively in all cases. One patient took clonazepam 2 mg/24 hours for 3 months because of facial dysesthesia. Postoperative complications included hearing loss in 1 patient; facial paresis plus diplopia in 1 patient, which resolved in 3 months; and arterial hypertension. Postoperative arterial hypertension improved in all affected patients, although only 2 patients discontinued antihypertensive medications. Mean follow-up time was 56.50 months ± 40.08 (range, 14 months to 9 years 9 months). No patient showed pain recurrence. Conclusions TN associated with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia can be treated surgically with minimal morbidity. BA repositioning has the highest success rate. Our technique of inducing a dural scar to fix the BA in its new position away from the trigeminal nerve is simple, not technically demanding, and highly effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal recognition of pregnancy in llamas would be related to a still-unknown signal secreted by the embryo to extend the corpus luteum lifespan. In order to study llamas reproductive physiology and early pregnancy aspects, research on embryos between 8 and 12 days post-mating is essential. However, there is a lack of information on llama embryo paraffin embedding, a procedure that exhibits difficulties, mostly for embryo manipulation. This work presents an accessible, easy and rapid protocol for embedding llama blastocysts. Uterine flushings from four superovulated llamas were performed to recover embryos 8 days post-mating. Each embryo was fixed in 1 ml of 10 % neutral buffered formalin for 24 h, at 4 °C, and transferred to 70 % ethanol. Later, they were submitted to a series of baths: 500 µl PBS with 5 % bovine foetal serum solution (PBS+BFS) for 1 min; zona pellucida permeabilization with 500 µl PBS with 0.2 % Triton X-100 for 20 min; 500 µl PBS+BFS for 1 min; dehydration on baths with ascendent grades of ethanol (70 %, 96 %, and 100 % twice) for 10 min each; and bath of butanol for 5 min. Finally, embryos were embedded in a pellet of paraffin and afterwards in a paraffin block. Complete sections from 8 of 13 grade I and II embryos were obtained. In conclusion, by applying this method, good quality sections with preserved embryo morphology suitable for histological, histochemical or immunohistochemical approaches would be possible to acquire. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To identify, assess and summarize available scientific evidence about the effect of interventions deployed by advanced practice nurses when providing care to older people in different care settings, and to describe the roles and components of the interventions developed by these professionals. Background In older people, evidence of advanced practice roles remains dispersed along different contexts, approaches and settings; there is little synthesis of evidence, and it is not easy to visualize the different practice models, their components, and their impact. Design Systematic review. Data sources Sixteen electronic databases were consulted (1990–2014). The research also included screening of original studies in reviews and reports from Centers of Health Services Research and Health Technology Agencies. Review methods Studies were assessed by two reviewers with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. They were classified depending on the type of follow-up (long and short-term care) and the scope of the service (advanced practice nurses interventions focused on multimorbid patients, or focused on a specific disease). Results Fifteen studies were included. In long-term settings, integrative, multi-component and continuous advanced practice nursing care, reduced readmissions, and increased patients’ and caregivers’ satisfaction. Advanced practice nurses were integrated within multidisciplinary teams and the main interventions deployed were patient education, multidimensional assessments and coordination of multiple providers. Conclusion Positive results have been found in older people in long-term care settings, although it is difficult to discern the specific effect attributable to them because they are inserted in multidisciplinary teams. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the two modalities detected and to compare internationally the interventions developed by advanced practice nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities continue to face significant challenges that test their capacity for resilience. With the development of smart cities, there needs to be a better understanding of how the introduction of smart technologies will affect urban resilience. To address this issue, this article presents a critical review of the literature on smart cities and smart technologies focussing on representations of resilience. The findings reveal that discussing resilience in relation to smart city components of the data layer, digital technologies and the physical city can provide some degree of clarity despite the existence of a multiplicity of definitions and interpretations. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that the nature of relationships between 'smartness' and 'resilience' remains contested, and largely dependent on the perceived role of digital technologies in resilience-building processes. This in turn is influenced by how these technologies are used and what the intention and expectations are in relation to their use. In order to address these issues, we conclude that further interdisciplinary research, extending to the physical, social and environmental systems of cities, is needed to better understand the relations between smartness and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New technologies able to register vehicle trajectories, such as GPS (Global Position Systems)-enabled cell phones, have opened a new way of collecting traffic data. However, good methods that convert these data into useful information are needed to leverage these data. In this study a new method to estimate traffic states on arterials based on trajectory data is presented and assessed. The method is based on the Lighthill–Whitham–Richards (LWR) theory. By using this theory, traffic dynamics on arterials can be better captured by extracting more information from the same piece of data. Trajectory data used consist of the trajectory of the latest equipped vehicle that crossed the segment under study. Preliminary analysis based on micro-simulation suggests that this method yields good traffic state estimates both at congested and uncongested situations, even for very low penetration rates (1%). The method is also able to forecast queue length at intersections and travel times along a road section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]